MouseEars
08-19-2008, 10:59 AM
A perfect 5+ hrs at Disneyland on Sunday.
I had an early morning meeting the next day in LA so I took advantage of having to go down early and made a stop at the Happiest Place on Earth.
I arrived to Disney around 6:30. Butterflies in my stomach as I passed through the security tent and entered onto the promenade between both parks, the music, the smiling faces, the warm sun…perfection! Moved straight to DCA as it would close first. Had 2.5 hrs to soak it up.
First stop…Toy Story Mania on the Paradise Pier broadwalk. This new attraction opened several weeks ago to major fanfare and lengthy lines. I've read reviews of 3 hrs waits! That's insane. But my saving grace was the Single Riders line. The concept is simple…they need 4 riders per car. So when a group of 3 shows up from the long line (it was topping out at 50 mins when I was there) they grab someone from the single rider line. The wait in that line 10 min. max. I'm not sure why groups don't break up and go through the single ride line instead, sure you aren't together but you save a ton of time and when one person is done they simply wait for the others to cycle through. Oh well. It could also be a tisch creepy being seated next to some stranger, fortunately I sat next to a woman who was very nice, upbeat and LOVED the ride as much as I did. The second time through (yep I did it back to back) I sat next to a woman who didn't speak (don't think she was mute, she just was very focused on the ride I guess…for the record though…I beat both of them). The ride is a combination of Buzz (shooting targets) meets Roger Rabbit (fast, spinning cars). You spin through a TS-themed carnival experience, spinning to a stop in front of large screens. You are wearing 3D glasses which bring the images of Buzz, Woody and other TS characters to life, along with the many moving targets you have to shoot. You use this gun device and pull a cable at the back of the gun when you want to fire. Nothing is physically dispensed from the gun but through the magic of technology it appears as if you are actually firing an assortment of darts, rings, balls, etc. all at a series of targets. It's fast, wild and a ton of fun. Each screen is different (breaking plates, shooting balloons, tossing rings on targets. And occasionally the screen fires back with bursts of air and water squirting out at you. The whole ride last probably 5 mins or so. I had such an amazing time I exited the ride and jumped back in the single rider line for another go. The only downside to this line is you aren't in the queue to see Mr. Potato Head (similar to the large Buzz in the Buzz Lightyear ride). Anyway…a kick-*** ride that redeems Disney after the Monsters disappointment.
Time for dinner. Had to be quick as I didn't want to waste time eating as time was short. Opted for some Santa Fe Corn Chowder in a sourdough bread bowl and a Shrimp Louie salad (which was also served in a bread bowl…that's a lot of bread!) from the Pacific Wharf. It was good and tasty and the sourdough bread bowl was awesome…so fresh. Boudin rocks!
Tried to do Soarin but the line was 45 mins long. And we already determined I didn't have time for standing in lines.
Went over to the Animation Building on the Hollywood Backlot. Sat in the building and soaked in all the music, sketches and video. I could sit there for an hour and not get tired. Truth be told I was waiting for the Animation Academy to open for the next session which I joined. We sketched Winnie the Pooh. Mine was good, so good in fact that the woman next to me became discouraged and stopped mid-sketch…sorry bad lady sketcher!
Joined the crowd just outside the Hollywood Pictures backlot waiting for the Electrical Parade. Couldn't pass this up. I love this parade, the lights, the creepy Alice in Wonderland bugs, Pete the dragon, Cinderella's dancing ball, it's so cool. After the parade DCA closed…off to the Magic Kingdom.
Headed straight for Big Thunder. Only a 5 minute wait. While on the ride the fireworks began (they had been delayed due to the wind)…it was a cool experience to come out of tunnels and be greeted with a huge firework explosion.
With each ride, every step in the park, the music, the sounds, the smells…my stress from the previous week just melted away. Ah Disney!!!
Walked right onto Pirates. ARGH matey! Always notice something new on this…the bird skeleton with the striped nightcap in the pirate bedchamber.
Walked right onto Haunted. Most people were lining up for Fantasmic or had been lined up for fireworks which meant less lines for rides I guess.
Tried Indiana Jones but the wait was 35 mins…too long. Jungle Cruise at night. Our boat captain was fun, some new jokes I hadn't heard before.
Time for a cool refreshing Dole Whip Float…ah heaven!
Crossed over to Frontierland and picked up some pins for the family.
Tried Space but the wait was 30 mins. UGH! Tried Innoventions as I wanted to see Surface in action but it was closed apparently they weren't open. Whatever.
Stopped at the Tomorrowland Terrace and watched this kitschy 80z cover band. Lots of older women dancing down front and shouting out requests for Poison and Journey. Nice!
Did the Matterhorn. While in line this older woman (who had never been ..) started to have second thoughts so I joined this man and talked her off the ledge. ME. Extolling the virtues of the Matterhorn! I WAS BUT THE LEARNER, NOW I AM THE MASTER. Shaky fun as always.
Back to Space Mountain for a 25 minute wait. Rode the front of the car! What a way to end the night.
On the way out I stopped at the Candy shop and picked up a chocolate covered caramel pretzel stick, while it looks and sounds wonderful, it didn't really pay off. Should have picked up some Tiger Butter. Oh well…lesson learned.
I had an early morning meeting the next day in LA so I took advantage of having to go down early and made a stop at the Happiest Place on Earth.
I arrived to Disney around 6:30. Butterflies in my stomach as I passed through the security tent and entered onto the promenade between both parks, the music, the smiling faces, the warm sun…perfection! Moved straight to DCA as it would close first. Had 2.5 hrs to soak it up.
First stop…Toy Story Mania on the Paradise Pier broadwalk. This new attraction opened several weeks ago to major fanfare and lengthy lines. I've read reviews of 3 hrs waits! That's insane. But my saving grace was the Single Riders line. The concept is simple…they need 4 riders per car. So when a group of 3 shows up from the long line (it was topping out at 50 mins when I was there) they grab someone from the single rider line. The wait in that line 10 min. max. I'm not sure why groups don't break up and go through the single ride line instead, sure you aren't together but you save a ton of time and when one person is done they simply wait for the others to cycle through. Oh well. It could also be a tisch creepy being seated next to some stranger, fortunately I sat next to a woman who was very nice, upbeat and LOVED the ride as much as I did. The second time through (yep I did it back to back) I sat next to a woman who didn't speak (don't think she was mute, she just was very focused on the ride I guess…for the record though…I beat both of them). The ride is a combination of Buzz (shooting targets) meets Roger Rabbit (fast, spinning cars). You spin through a TS-themed carnival experience, spinning to a stop in front of large screens. You are wearing 3D glasses which bring the images of Buzz, Woody and other TS characters to life, along with the many moving targets you have to shoot. You use this gun device and pull a cable at the back of the gun when you want to fire. Nothing is physically dispensed from the gun but through the magic of technology it appears as if you are actually firing an assortment of darts, rings, balls, etc. all at a series of targets. It's fast, wild and a ton of fun. Each screen is different (breaking plates, shooting balloons, tossing rings on targets. And occasionally the screen fires back with bursts of air and water squirting out at you. The whole ride last probably 5 mins or so. I had such an amazing time I exited the ride and jumped back in the single rider line for another go. The only downside to this line is you aren't in the queue to see Mr. Potato Head (similar to the large Buzz in the Buzz Lightyear ride). Anyway…a kick-*** ride that redeems Disney after the Monsters disappointment.
Time for dinner. Had to be quick as I didn't want to waste time eating as time was short. Opted for some Santa Fe Corn Chowder in a sourdough bread bowl and a Shrimp Louie salad (which was also served in a bread bowl…that's a lot of bread!) from the Pacific Wharf. It was good and tasty and the sourdough bread bowl was awesome…so fresh. Boudin rocks!
Tried to do Soarin but the line was 45 mins long. And we already determined I didn't have time for standing in lines.
Went over to the Animation Building on the Hollywood Backlot. Sat in the building and soaked in all the music, sketches and video. I could sit there for an hour and not get tired. Truth be told I was waiting for the Animation Academy to open for the next session which I joined. We sketched Winnie the Pooh. Mine was good, so good in fact that the woman next to me became discouraged and stopped mid-sketch…sorry bad lady sketcher!
Joined the crowd just outside the Hollywood Pictures backlot waiting for the Electrical Parade. Couldn't pass this up. I love this parade, the lights, the creepy Alice in Wonderland bugs, Pete the dragon, Cinderella's dancing ball, it's so cool. After the parade DCA closed…off to the Magic Kingdom.
Headed straight for Big Thunder. Only a 5 minute wait. While on the ride the fireworks began (they had been delayed due to the wind)…it was a cool experience to come out of tunnels and be greeted with a huge firework explosion.
With each ride, every step in the park, the music, the sounds, the smells…my stress from the previous week just melted away. Ah Disney!!!
Walked right onto Pirates. ARGH matey! Always notice something new on this…the bird skeleton with the striped nightcap in the pirate bedchamber.
Walked right onto Haunted. Most people were lining up for Fantasmic or had been lined up for fireworks which meant less lines for rides I guess.
Tried Indiana Jones but the wait was 35 mins…too long. Jungle Cruise at night. Our boat captain was fun, some new jokes I hadn't heard before.
Time for a cool refreshing Dole Whip Float…ah heaven!
Crossed over to Frontierland and picked up some pins for the family.
Tried Space but the wait was 30 mins. UGH! Tried Innoventions as I wanted to see Surface in action but it was closed apparently they weren't open. Whatever.
Stopped at the Tomorrowland Terrace and watched this kitschy 80z cover band. Lots of older women dancing down front and shouting out requests for Poison and Journey. Nice!
Did the Matterhorn. While in line this older woman (who had never been ..) started to have second thoughts so I joined this man and talked her off the ledge. ME. Extolling the virtues of the Matterhorn! I WAS BUT THE LEARNER, NOW I AM THE MASTER. Shaky fun as always.
Back to Space Mountain for a 25 minute wait. Rode the front of the car! What a way to end the night.
On the way out I stopped at the Candy shop and picked up a chocolate covered caramel pretzel stick, while it looks and sounds wonderful, it didn't really pay off. Should have picked up some Tiger Butter. Oh well…lesson learned.