BrandonH
12-13-2009, 07:47 PM
Cast: Me, 26
Travel Dates: Oct 18-25, 2009
Motel: Super 8 on Katella near Harbor
Transportation: Car
Disney Resort Experience: 10+ trip veteran of Disneyland, 2 trips to Walt Disney World
Comments: I was celebrating the passing of the extended deadline for individual tax returns, but I was also just ready for a getaway.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
6 AM: Depart Chandler, Arizona (suburb of Phoenix), by car. I wasn't feeling 100% sniffle-free, so I took some Tylenol allergy medicine before I left.
9:30 AM: Lunch at McDonald's in Blythe, CA (Egg McMuffin and a Coke)
Sometime later, I was feeling so drowsy from the medicine that I had to take a random exit and park near the local pub to rest my eyes for 10 minutes. This experience taught me not to take the medicine before driving unless I'm actually sneezing.
1:50 PM: I turned too early and ended up in the GardenWalk parking garage. Unfortunately, there is no real place to turn around if you make that mistake, so I actually had to enter the garage. Of course, the first two hours of parking are free, so I was able to make my way to the exit free of charge, but since I was unfamiliar with the automated exit gates and their procedure, it was a stressful couple of minutes.
2 PM: I checked into the Super 8 Motel on Katella. I got room 211, which has a pool view. This excited me at first, but I later found out that it is more difficult to sleep anytime before the pool closes due to the noise.
3 PM: I have an early dinner at Varsity Burgers. This place was recommended by a few MousePlanet posters, but I was not impressed with the quality of the meal. The double cheeseburger was a great value for the money due to its size, and it was served hot, but it was quite greasy and average in taste. Also, even though it's not too far by car, it still takes awhile to get there because of all the stop lights.
4 PM: I walked from the motel to Downtown Disney, and I browsed through the World of Disney and LEGO Imagination Center. I didn't see anything of great interest.
The rest of the night was spent reading and unwinding in the jacuzzi of the motel.
General comments: The fireworks were loud enough to be heard pretty clearly even at my motel. Are there any places to stay within walking distance that are insulated from the sound? Also, I'm not terribly impressed with the direction the plush line is going. Most of them have a wrinkled appearance. They may be softer-feeling, but they are uglier and less movie-accurate.
Monday, October 19, 2009
6 AM: Breakfast at Denny's (Lumberjack Slam and Orange Juice)
This was actually one of my favorite meals of the whole trip. The food and service were excellent, and they had the '80s Sirius station playing, which is great pump-up music. I was at the security checkpoint well before they were ready to start letting people stand in line, so I crossed over to Downtown Disney to take a stroll and wait for opening.
8:30 AM: They let us into the Main Street area of the park. Even though Disneyland is my home park, the castle did seem smaller to me. I rationalized that the castle can't be too huge, or the Matterhorn next to it won't look like a tall mountain. The castle did seem larger as the trip progressed, so maybe it was just the pictures of the Florida castle fresh in my mind that caused the initial reaction.
9 AM: I raced from Main Street to Tomorrowland to grab a Space Mountain FP. I passed the Finding Nemo seagulls on the lagoon buoy on my way to the Matterhorn, and they greatly amused me. My first ride was the Matterhorn. I sat in the front seat on the left track, and this was a great way to kick things off. The ride was still a walk-on, so I decided to try the right track, where I was in the rear seat. Whether it was my placement, the quick turnaround time, or the difference in the track layout, this ride felt much bumpier. I had a slight headache and/or dizziness for most of the first two days of park touring, so I tried to space out the wilder rides as much as possible while still following the plan.
9:20 AM: Peter Pan's Flight
I will wait for this ride for up to 30 minutes, so the 20-minute wait seemed great. As always, the physical sensations of traveling from the hanging ship were worth standing in line. This time, I took notice of some of the smaller details like the decorations and pictures in the nursery. The attention to detail and use of space by the Imagineers still holds up.
9:45 AM: Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (Blue Moley car)
Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy was next. I was grateful to have a FP as I sailed through the line, and this thought was repeated several times during the week. I hadn't been on Space Mountain since before the closure around 2002, so I did not know what to expect. I loved the green/purple tunnel lighting, the ghost electrifying the stars around us in the incline tunnel, and most of all the sense of speed during the space voyage. I liked the ghost images, but I would have preferred more varied ghosts, such as the eyeball creature.
Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters (Score: 96,100 L3, 10:30 AM exit)
Both of the Pixar shooting games held nearly equal entertainment value for me. I would still give the edge to Buzz because of the sci-fi setting and its lack of VR glasses.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (#6 U.R. Courageous, 10:50 exit)
11:15 AM: Billy Hill and the Hillbillies plus Fish and Chips at the Golden Horseshoe
This was another of the best meals I had on the trip. At this show, the jokes seemed better than they were on my 2005 trip, and I loved the finale of The Devil Went Down to Georgia, which I had never seen them perform before.
12 PM: Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
I'd seen this on the 2008 DVD, but it was cool to see in person, especially since Sleeping Beauty is one of my favorite Disney movies. The coolest scene was the transformation of Maleficent into the dragon.
Enchanted Tiki Room and Dole Whip (12:45 PM exit)
I had my first Dole Whip, and I was quite impressed. I will make the Dole Whip a tradition on future trips. The show was still wonderful, and my crowd was enthusiastic. I was struck by how just about every cubic inch of space in the room was used by the show. The design team sure knew what they were doing on this attraction.
I stopped at Coke Corner to hear Robert play a ragtime song on the piano. My next stop was the Emporium, where I added Mickey Mouse slippers to my list for consideration. While cute, I'm glad I held off buying any souvenirs until I had looked at more places.
I did some shopping in New Orleans Square, and I waited around for Jambalaya Jazz. They were listed for a 1:45 PM performance, but I never did see them. After making a loop of the land, I gave up and headed to Fantasyland.
Alice in Wonderland (2:25 PM exit)
Walking back to the hub, I caught a performance of Mary Poppins, the Disneyland Band, and her chimney sweep helpers doing "Step in Time" in front of the castle.
2:45 PM: Astro Orbitor
3:25 PM: Mark Twain riverboat ride
4:45 PM: Flag retreat ceremony
5:10 PM: Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage (Vessel: Scout)
The non-parade was scheduled for 5:15, so I was hoping to catch this ride with a short line. It took about 20 minutes to board, which is not too bad. Unfortunately, the two kids to my right were disruptive of my ability to enjoy the magic, complaining about the fake starfish and using my knee as an elbow rest. The youths notwithstanding, I still was not terribly impressed with the ride. The boarding via the spiral staircase was not fun, and we were packed like sardines into very uncomfortable seats. The actual images in the portholes and the soundtrack were on par with the other dark rides, but they could not overcome the environment enough for me to want to ride the subs again.
6 PM: French Market Restaurant (Seafood & Chicken Jambalaya)
This meal was merely okay. I knew it couldn't measure up to the food prepared by a woman from New Orleans of my acquaintance, but the jambalaya was still pretty bland for a Cajun dish. The restaurant's atmosphere was still nice, and I would go back there for a different entree.
8:40 PM: Halloween Screams fireworks display
I waited a little over two hours near the castle for this show. Were I to do it again, I would not have bothered. The projections, fire, and crystal ball were cool effects, but the fireworks themselves were lackluster. I have no great love for Jack Skellington, Oogie Boogie, or Zero, so their inclusion in the show did not excite me.
General comments: I found the presence of so much The Nightmare Before Christmas merchandise to the exclusion of all the other villains baffling. I know that Tim Burton has loyal fans, but Disney has some extremely iconic villains that should have gotten some space as well, such as Maleficent, Cruella, the Evil Queen/Hag, Jafar, Scar, and Randall. Was there more of a mix during the first couple of Halloween Time promotions? I am at a loss to explain the disparity.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
6:30 AM: I was awoken by a car alarm in the adjacent GardenWalk parking garage. I admit that this could have happened anywhere, but staying at a motel right next to a garage increases the odds of something like that happening. Breakfast was at IHOP (Vive le French Toast). Compared to my local IHOP, it was overpriced, and the quality was not as good as either the Arizona IHOPs or the Denny's a couple buildings down the street.
9:30 AM: Disney's California Adventure opens its gates. I walked on to Soarin' Over California for its first flight of the day. Patrick Warburton's portrayal of the captain rocks! I was in the very front row, so I could enjoy the attraction with no dangling feet.
10 AM: California Screamin' (Walk-on)
Toy Story Midway Mania was closed temporarily, so I rode California Screamin' instead. I love the speed and smoothness of the coaster, but I could do without the loop. Still, the joy of the rest of the ride makes up for those few seconds.
10:20 AM: King Triton's Carousel (inside track otter)
Toy Story Midway Mania was only a 10-minute wait. I like the Mr. Potato Head Carnival Barker audio-animatronic near the start of the queue. I rode a Slinky Dog car and scored 65,400 to earn a rabbit as my virtual badge. The experience was quite fun, but it seemed like the cars jerked around for no good reason during the transitions.
10:45: Maliboomer (Walk-On)
The Maliboomer is fun with a good view of the park, but it is short and slow-loading, and it pales in comparison to the Tower of Terror.
Grizzly River Run (11:05 exit)
My head was not feeling great at this point, so that may have contributed to my perception that the raft spun quite a bit during the voyage. I did have fun watching the kids in the raft hope out loud for their mother to get really wet.
Monsters, Inc (11:25 exit)
This was my first time on this ride, and I was quite pleased. It's like a modern version of a classic Fantasyland dark ride. I was alone in the taxi, so Roz had this special message for me: "Young man in the front row: I like your glasses. Next time, bring me a churro." The random Roz greeting and short wait times made this an attraction I wanted to experience again and again.
In the Animation Building, I looked at the Toy Story zoetrope, which was a nice illustration of how flip books and animation fool the eye. In Beast's Library, I found out that the villain I am most like is Jafar. I discovered on a previous trip that my heroic side is most like Jiminy Cricket.
12 PM: Turtle Talk with Crush
This is hands down my favorite of the newer attractions at the Disneyland Resort. Of course, the first time was the best because I didn't know how the show would be structured, but the real-time interaction was consistently unpredictable and humorous. The highlight of the first presentation was learning how Crush and Squirt got their names.
Lunch: Taste Pilot's Grill (B-2 BBQ Chicken Sandwich)
The Taste Pilot's Grill is a solid, reliable choice along the same lines as the Golden Horseshoe. It's good food for a decent value, considering theme park upcharging.
I explored the Redwook Creek Challenge Trail after lunch until 1:15 PM. This is a nice area with plenty of activities for both restless kids and adults.
At Greetings from California, I found my first souvenir of the trip: a plush bluebird from the Pixar short "For the Birds." I had wanted this ever since I saw it substitute for the Omnidroid in an Easter egg on The Incredibles DVD, so I was extremely excited to find it. It is so cute, and it has a squeaker.
On my way down the Hollywood Backlot street, I happened upon the Delta Daddy-Os doing a capella versions of famous pop, Motown, and Disney songs. They weren't on the list of scheduled entertainment, but they were superb.
A little after 2 PM: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
I wish I had taken the name of my elevator operator. No one after him compared to his amazing performance. He made it seem like he was a cross between Serling and a supernatural employee of the hotel, and he delivered the bad puns after the journey with conviction. My favorite part of the drop sequence was the part just before the final ascent where they make it feel like the elevator is suspended about 3/4 of the way up and drop it again.
2:45 PM: MuppetVision 3D
The main show is pretty entertaining, especially Statler and Waldorf in the box seats, but it is the pre-show that is the real star. The props and posters are great fun to look at, and the video across multiple screens is still first-rate entertainment.
3:05 PM: Monsters, Inc.
3:30 PM: Turtle Talk with Crush
I looked at the Blue Sky Cellar a little bit while I was waiting for my ADR time. It's a decent little place, but I'm not the type who really wants to know too much about the coming attractions, so I didn't stay for long.
4:25 PM: Dinner at Wine Country Trattoria (Chicken Alfredo Lasagna)
The food and wine were okay, but I had the distinct feeling that the staff wanted me out of there so that they could finish their shift and go home. I can sympathize, but that should not come through in the customer interactions.
5:20 PM: The Up and Pixar Play Parades
This was a fun parade along the lines of the magnificent Parade of Dreams. The Jack-Jack/Omnidroid float was a highlight. I didn't see any Cars or Ratatouille characters, but the other movies were represented well.
I closed the touring day with another ride on Soarin' Over California. There was a 15-minute wait, and the ride ended after closing.
General comments: Disney is really pimping the Disney Vacation Club and the annual pass program throughout the resort. On the one hand, there's no way any guest who pays attention can remain ignorant of the existence of the programs. On the other hand, it places too much emphasis on the corporate side of Disney at a time when the guest should be enjoying the fun and creative side of things.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Breakfast: I had the quiche lorraine at Mimi's Cafe. It was okay, but it was a little too much like a pot pie for my taste. The service was merely average. I won't write the place off, but I will try something different the next time I'm there.
9 AM: Jungle Cruise (Congo Queen with Skipper Mike)
This was the first cruise of the day, and the puns were as hilariously bad as ever.
I arrived at Splash Mountain just as they opened up the queue. I got to sit in the front seat of the first guest-filled log of the day. In the past, I've liked Splash Mountain, but that was it. This time around, my appreciation for the ride was much higher. I still don't know what the animals are singing in the first song. To my ears, it sounds like they are singing, "Pretty good, show us your bum." Could someone please translate from the Southern drawl/slang?
Winnie the Pooh (Exit 9:45 AM)
On this ride, I noticed for the first time that Rabbit gave Pooh carrots inside the honey jar. Very amusing!
I have mixed feelings about this ride. On its own, it is a fun dark ride, and it showcases the best parts of the first Pooh movie. Still, it's not providing something vastly different from the Fantasyland story rides, and the Country Bear Jamboree offered a kind of entertainment that was not as prevalent in the park. I'm not sure that this was a trade up.
Haunted Mansion Holiday (Exit 10 AM, Gift from Oogie: Mystery Coffin)
This was my first time ever seeing this version of the Mansion. As mentioned earlier, I'm really not a fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas. I can tell a lot of hard work and imagination went into the overlay, but I strongly prefer the original Mansion experience.
Pirates of the Caribbean (Exit 10:20 AM)
I walked right onto this ride. My reaction to the movie changes is mostly positive. The Davy Jones appearance is very well done, and the second and third Jack Sparrow appearances are quite amusing. Barbossa is merely okay, but it doesn't make much sense why he's asking for Sparrow instead of the treasure map. Jack hiding near the well is pretty superfluous to everything else. Part of me misses the line "Perhaps ye knows too much," but I can still hear that on the soundtrack album. Pirates is still a very fun ride. I love the two drops, the atmosphere, and the humor in the scenes. Minus the boat bumping just before disembarking, it's a great way to spend 15 minutes relaxing on an air-conditioned boat ride.
Indiana Jones (Exit 10:40 AM)
I waited 15 minutes in line to ride. Indiana Jones is one of my absolute favorite rides. The theming is incredible throughout the attraction, and the humor is both broad and subtle. The ride itself is always thrilling, and it's a much more communal ride experience than most of the other thrillers at the resort. The Raiders March, the Ark theme, the bridge room, the boulder dodge, and the Indiana Jones comments are some of my favorite parts of the ride. My only two gripes are the extremely long walk to the exit and its tendency to break down frequently.
I was looking for some Eeyore ears to wear like the ones I'd seen on a young girl the day before, but I could not find them in either park. They might have been a product from last year or even before that. As a substitute, I bought some Tigger ears at the Emporium and put them to use right away.
It had been a long time since I'd had a churro, since I generally prefer other snacks. They get pretty positive feedback from a lot of MP posters, so I decided to give them another try. The taste was just fine, but it was hard to eat without the sugar and powder flying everywhere. You guys may have gotten me into the Dole Whips, but I'm not a churro convert.
11 AM: it's a small world (Boat 10, red)
This was my first time seeing the Disney character additions to the ride. For the most part, I liked seeing them. I agree with those who say that Ariel should not have a solo part in the music. Woody and Bullseye were very cute.
Roger Rabbit (Exit 11:35 AM, Cab 20A)
I'm not much for getting dizzy, so I kept the car pointing forward on the track. I wish that that would be the default setting so that I don't have to fight the wheel to keep from spinning. As always, the queue and ride are themed extraordinarily well, full of atmosphere and humor.
12 PM: Enchanted Tiki Room
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Exit 12:30, #7 I.M. Loco)
1 PM: Laughing Stock Company
The performance was a retelling of Cinderella in a rural setting. There were some decent jokes, but I think that this group works better in their short, outdoor performances.
2 PM: Carnation Cafe (Croissant chicken club)
The food and service were excellent, and I would definitely visit again.
2:30 PM: Ragtime with Robert at Coke Corner
The ragtime was crashed by Alice and the Mad Hatter. They led a game of musical chairs with some young girls dressed as princesses. Some of the girls didn't seem to understand the game, so it was a pretty funny show. Afterward, I caught the end of a Dapper Dans performance a little farther down Main Street.
3 PM: King Arthur Carousel
Dumbo was next. I waited 20 minutes, and I rode an elephant with a blue costume. I actually like Dumbo better than Astro Orbitor because my body is not as slanted at the top position.
3:35 PM: Monorail round trip (Orange train)
4 PM: Pirates of the Caribbean
My next stop was Star Tours. I'm a huge Star Wars fan, so I love this ride. The Empire must have more resources than we thought; they must lose about 500 Death Stars a day!
Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy (Exit 5:50 PM)
I decided to brave the standby line. It ended up being a 65 minute wait, but that included a shutdown for repairs of at least 15 minutes. I played a couple of rounds of Tetris DS to pass the time.
Redd Rockett's Pizza Port (Count Down Chicken Fusilli)
The pasta was quite good, although the noodles are a very strange shape. The worst part of the restaurant is the design of the food lines. It's not apparent if it's supposed to be one line or three. I skipped the salad area and went straight to the pasta section, so I hope I wasn't cutting anybody. Even at the pasta line, the wait was longer than I consider appropriate for a cafeteria setting. They seemed to be short staffed. The design of the French Market Restaurant line is much more logical and efficient.
I finished dinner at about 6:15 PM, and I called it a night.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
I had planned on a late breakfast at Pacific Wharf Cafe. It was only later that I learned that only lunch and dinner are served when the park opens at 10 AM.
10:15 AM: Toy Story Midway Mania (85,100 score, Woody car)
After that pleasant diversion, I contented myself to wander the S.S. Rustworthy until Pizza Oom Mow Mow opened for lunch. Around this time, I started experiencing severe cold symptoms, and this was not helped by the lack of food. At 11 AM, I got into the restaurant and ordered the Bodacious Sausage Pizza. The food, decorations, and beach music all helped alleviate my symptoms for a time. I thought that I would test the theory of laughter being the best medicine and headed for the 12 PM Turtle Talk with Crush show, sneezing most of the way.
The show was good, and I even got to ask a question, but I still felt miserable. I walked back to the motel and took a nap.
This was the night of my Trick or Treat Party ticket, and I didn't want to miss it completely. If nothing else, I needed to eat something before sleeping some more. I picked up some cold medicine at 7-11 and headed to Disneyland.
5:15 PM: Turkey leg from hub food stand
The turkey legs compare favorably to the ones I can get at the Arizona State Fair, and they're actually about the same price. Sitting on a bench in front of Frontierland, I was able to get a good view of the Street Party. The music was great, but it is weird to see Disney characters dancing to songs that really don't match their style, especially Bert and Mary.
I didn't keep great track of the timing of events at the Trick or Treat Party, so here's a rundown of what I did when I was there:
Tower of Terror
Mini-Parade
California Screamin'
Taste Pilot's Grill (Wild Bleu Yonder Burger)
I liked the taste of the burger, but the cheese was served cold. In my opinion, it should be served hot or at room temperature.
Watch fireworks near entrance of DCA
Soarin'
Tower of Terror (Exit 9:30 PM)
Friday, October 23, 2009
8 AM: Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy (and grab Fastpass for later)
Breakfast at River Belle Terrace (Steamboat; Exit 8:45 AM)
River Belle Terrace is always a solid breakfast choice for me. Since I like to eat outside, the trick is to eat the eggs and bacon first because the pancakes taste just as good cold as they do hot.
Jungle Cruise (Irrawaddy Lady, Skipper Joshua)
9 AM: Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy
Star Tours
I had some free time at this point, so I took the horse-drawn carriage (pulled by Kaleb) up Main Street and the Fire Engine back down Main Street.
10 AM: Disneyland Band by the park entrance
Pirates of the Caribbean
Splash Mountain
Bengal Barbeque (Chieftain Chicken Skewer)
The skewer tasted good, but it wasn't very filling. Since there's a decent wait outside and not much seating in the nearby area, I will probably steer clear of Bengal Barbeque on future visits unless I have a strong craving.
Gibson Girl (Firehouse Dalmatian Mint Sundae)
12 PM: Indiana Jones
This ride marked a first for me. It was the first time that the ride shut completely down with me on it, and they turned the lights on inside while they fixed it. My Jeep was stuck just before the tunnel with the bats, and my group bonded and joked a little bit during the interruption. They let us have another ride without getting out, but something still seemed off near the end of that ride.
Monsters, Inc. (Exit 1:05 PM)
Tower of Terror (Exit 1:35 PM)
1:50 PM: Aladdin
The show was thrilling like always, and the audience was well-behaved for the most part. At one point, someone started crying. Since it was during the second act, the Genie was able to tell Aladdin that he made the kid cry with his words and actions. The Genie was quite topical, even including the recent "balloon ride" controversy in his jokes.
3 PM: Monsters, Inc.
3:25 PM: Indiana Jones (Exit 4:05 PM)
This time, there was a malfunction while I was still in line. They herded everyone out, and they gave us a special Fastpass that was good for almost any ride.
Haunted Mansion Holiday (Exit 4:30 PM; used special Fastpass)
5:15 PM: Billy Hill and the Hillbillies (Mozzarella sticks at the Golden Horseshoe)
This show was not as good as the Monday show. They used the Puddle Prance finale with the horrible bow stuck in nose joke, which I would like them to get rid of entirely. The mozzarella sticks had some odd bumps on the breading that I had to remove, so I probably won't get those again.
5:45 PM: Innoventions (Exit 6:15 PM)
I got the musical demonstration from a Yamaha representative. The automation technology, while impressive, is not something that most people will care about. Those with no musical talent are not likely to spend a lot of money on instruments that they can't really play, especially with Rock Band and other substitutes available. Those who do have musical talent don't need the automation in the first place, so why would they want to pay extra for that privilege?
I did like the House of the Future exhibits inside, and that is where I spent most of my time in the building.
6:45 PM: Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters (61,300 score)
7 PM: Suburban Legends
This band came onstage in Tomorrowland playing "Under the Sea" and displaying a lot of energy and talent. However, that was the only song I recognized in the whole set, and I couldn't make out most of the lyrics to the other songs in that environment.
7:45 Splash Mountain (40 minute wait)
I stupidly decided to wait in the standby line for this ride. I went on it again immediately after I exited using the Single Rider line, and I boarded the log very rapidly.
Winnie the Pooh (Exit 9:05 PM)
10:30 PM: Fantasmic!
I'm sure the people who came to the first show of Fantasmic! appreciate that the crystal ball projections for the fireworks show were projected on the water screens on the Rivers of America. As someone attending the second show, however, all it meant was that it took longer to clear the people out for the 10:30 performance.
I ended up standing behind the leftmost of the three light tower poles, which yields a pretty good view. I saw the area where they have the reserved seating, and I do not see myself paying for that privilege anytime soon. The show itself is simply spectacular, and I really like the new dragon.
11:05 PM: Matterhorn (Second seat on the left track; 15 minute wait)
Saturday, October 24, 2009
I got quite a bit of touring done in the first hour.
8 AM: Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy
Matterhorn (Left track, front seat)
Peter Pan's Flight (15 minute wait)
Snow White's Scary Adventures (Bashful car)
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
9 AM: Carnation Cafe (Croissant Benedict)
Breakfast here was exceptionally delicious, and I actually had the same server that I had earlier in the week.
Indiana Jones (15 minute wait)
Jungle Cruise (Kissimmee Kate, Skipper Joshua)
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (I.M. Loco #7)
Pirates of the Caribbean
Splash Mountain (Exit 10 AM)
Indiana Jones (10 minute wait as Single Rider)
The Single Rider line for Indiana Jones is much more inconvenient than the equivalent line for Splash Mountain. There is still a long walk in and out of the attraction, and the pair of elevator rides is a little irritating. I might use it if the wait was extremely long and Fastpass was not available. Otherwise, I don't mind a short wait in the fantastic queueing area for Indiana Jones.
Star Tours (10 minute wait)
Enchanted Tiki Room and Dole Whip (Exit 11:20 AM)
Jungle Cruise (Ucayali Una, Skipper Billy; Exit 11:35 AM)
Winnie the Pooh (Eeyore vehicle)
12 PM: Laughing Stock (Groom auction outside Golden Horseshoe)
This style show is where The Laughing Stock Co. does its best work. It's short and sweet, and it's fun to see the crowd gather and interact with the performers. I was once one of the three potential grooms, and I was very grateful to be on the other side this time (though I wasn't selected by Sallie Mae that time anyway).
Mark Twain (Exit 12:30 PM)
Laughing Stock (Bank robbery reenactment)
1 PM: Cafe Orleans (Monte Cristo sandwich)
I definitely needed the reservation here. Standby wait times were around 40 minutes, so I was glad to get a table in about five minutes. The sandwich was decent, but I probably wouldn't make this a priority stop on future visits.
2:15 PM: Monsters, Inc.
2:30 PM: Turtle Talk with Crush
Tower of Terror (30 minute wait)
At this point, I made a decision that was unwise in retrospect. I wanted to continue my tradition of having a Mickey-shaped ice cream treat during a park visit, so I ordered the Mickey ice cream sandwich from a cart vendor in the Hollywood section of the park. The vendor warned me that it was hard, so I waited a few minutes on a nearby bench before trying a bite. The first bite was still hard as a rock. I should have just cut my losses then or walked around with it until it was obviously melting, but I soldiered on after another minute or two. The second bite actually knocked the retainer that is bonded to the back of my bottom teeth out of alignment.
I fully accept my share of responsibility for this incident, but I do wonder why those vendors have the carts set at such a low temperature, especially in the fall. My freezer can keep all sorts of novelties at the right temperature for eating right away without being in danger of turning into soggy messes, so why can't the freezers at Disneyland? It makes sense that most people buying from those carts will start to eat the items within a couple of minutes.
3:50 PM: Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy (Fastpass)
Plaza Inn (Penne Pasta)
I admit that my reaction may be colored by the retainer incident, but I wasn't terribly fond of the Plaza Inn. The pasta was quite similar to the chicken fusili in Tomorrowland, and I think I prefer the latter. I also was a bit confused if I was supposed to leave my dirty dishes and tray on the table outside or not. I ended up walking in and handing my tray to an employee inside.
At this time, I did not feel like waiting in long lines trying to top my last ride on Space Mountain, so I headed on back to the motel for my final night.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
I woke up extremely early and decided to get a jump on the driving for the day. Breakfast was at Denny's. It was early enough that I was still ordering off the All Nighter menu. I ordered a Build Your Own Slam meal. Like a fool, I made one of those four items pancakes, even though I know that they are always too much for me.
Checkout was a short and easy process. Finding the freeway onramp took a few trips up and down Katella near the Staples Center before I finally got on. I think I was looking for the CA 57, though it's been a while between the trip and this writing. I stopped for food and gas in Quartzsite, Arizona. McDonald's was still serving breakfast, so I waited until I could get something off of the lunch menu. It took a long time to place my order and receive food, so I'm guessing that they were unusually understaffed on that day. I don't recall it being so bad the last time I stopped there.
After lunch, I drove the rest of the way home and ended my trip. I enjoyed myself very much, although I did learn some things for future trips. I will probably just make it two or three days next time. I can do everything I want to do in that time, and it makes each time on an attraction a little more special.
Travel Dates: Oct 18-25, 2009
Motel: Super 8 on Katella near Harbor
Transportation: Car
Disney Resort Experience: 10+ trip veteran of Disneyland, 2 trips to Walt Disney World
Comments: I was celebrating the passing of the extended deadline for individual tax returns, but I was also just ready for a getaway.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
6 AM: Depart Chandler, Arizona (suburb of Phoenix), by car. I wasn't feeling 100% sniffle-free, so I took some Tylenol allergy medicine before I left.
9:30 AM: Lunch at McDonald's in Blythe, CA (Egg McMuffin and a Coke)
Sometime later, I was feeling so drowsy from the medicine that I had to take a random exit and park near the local pub to rest my eyes for 10 minutes. This experience taught me not to take the medicine before driving unless I'm actually sneezing.
1:50 PM: I turned too early and ended up in the GardenWalk parking garage. Unfortunately, there is no real place to turn around if you make that mistake, so I actually had to enter the garage. Of course, the first two hours of parking are free, so I was able to make my way to the exit free of charge, but since I was unfamiliar with the automated exit gates and their procedure, it was a stressful couple of minutes.
2 PM: I checked into the Super 8 Motel on Katella. I got room 211, which has a pool view. This excited me at first, but I later found out that it is more difficult to sleep anytime before the pool closes due to the noise.
3 PM: I have an early dinner at Varsity Burgers. This place was recommended by a few MousePlanet posters, but I was not impressed with the quality of the meal. The double cheeseburger was a great value for the money due to its size, and it was served hot, but it was quite greasy and average in taste. Also, even though it's not too far by car, it still takes awhile to get there because of all the stop lights.
4 PM: I walked from the motel to Downtown Disney, and I browsed through the World of Disney and LEGO Imagination Center. I didn't see anything of great interest.
The rest of the night was spent reading and unwinding in the jacuzzi of the motel.
General comments: The fireworks were loud enough to be heard pretty clearly even at my motel. Are there any places to stay within walking distance that are insulated from the sound? Also, I'm not terribly impressed with the direction the plush line is going. Most of them have a wrinkled appearance. They may be softer-feeling, but they are uglier and less movie-accurate.
Monday, October 19, 2009
6 AM: Breakfast at Denny's (Lumberjack Slam and Orange Juice)
This was actually one of my favorite meals of the whole trip. The food and service were excellent, and they had the '80s Sirius station playing, which is great pump-up music. I was at the security checkpoint well before they were ready to start letting people stand in line, so I crossed over to Downtown Disney to take a stroll and wait for opening.
8:30 AM: They let us into the Main Street area of the park. Even though Disneyland is my home park, the castle did seem smaller to me. I rationalized that the castle can't be too huge, or the Matterhorn next to it won't look like a tall mountain. The castle did seem larger as the trip progressed, so maybe it was just the pictures of the Florida castle fresh in my mind that caused the initial reaction.
9 AM: I raced from Main Street to Tomorrowland to grab a Space Mountain FP. I passed the Finding Nemo seagulls on the lagoon buoy on my way to the Matterhorn, and they greatly amused me. My first ride was the Matterhorn. I sat in the front seat on the left track, and this was a great way to kick things off. The ride was still a walk-on, so I decided to try the right track, where I was in the rear seat. Whether it was my placement, the quick turnaround time, or the difference in the track layout, this ride felt much bumpier. I had a slight headache and/or dizziness for most of the first two days of park touring, so I tried to space out the wilder rides as much as possible while still following the plan.
9:20 AM: Peter Pan's Flight
I will wait for this ride for up to 30 minutes, so the 20-minute wait seemed great. As always, the physical sensations of traveling from the hanging ship were worth standing in line. This time, I took notice of some of the smaller details like the decorations and pictures in the nursery. The attention to detail and use of space by the Imagineers still holds up.
9:45 AM: Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (Blue Moley car)
Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy was next. I was grateful to have a FP as I sailed through the line, and this thought was repeated several times during the week. I hadn't been on Space Mountain since before the closure around 2002, so I did not know what to expect. I loved the green/purple tunnel lighting, the ghost electrifying the stars around us in the incline tunnel, and most of all the sense of speed during the space voyage. I liked the ghost images, but I would have preferred more varied ghosts, such as the eyeball creature.
Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters (Score: 96,100 L3, 10:30 AM exit)
Both of the Pixar shooting games held nearly equal entertainment value for me. I would still give the edge to Buzz because of the sci-fi setting and its lack of VR glasses.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (#6 U.R. Courageous, 10:50 exit)
11:15 AM: Billy Hill and the Hillbillies plus Fish and Chips at the Golden Horseshoe
This was another of the best meals I had on the trip. At this show, the jokes seemed better than they were on my 2005 trip, and I loved the finale of The Devil Went Down to Georgia, which I had never seen them perform before.
12 PM: Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
I'd seen this on the 2008 DVD, but it was cool to see in person, especially since Sleeping Beauty is one of my favorite Disney movies. The coolest scene was the transformation of Maleficent into the dragon.
Enchanted Tiki Room and Dole Whip (12:45 PM exit)
I had my first Dole Whip, and I was quite impressed. I will make the Dole Whip a tradition on future trips. The show was still wonderful, and my crowd was enthusiastic. I was struck by how just about every cubic inch of space in the room was used by the show. The design team sure knew what they were doing on this attraction.
I stopped at Coke Corner to hear Robert play a ragtime song on the piano. My next stop was the Emporium, where I added Mickey Mouse slippers to my list for consideration. While cute, I'm glad I held off buying any souvenirs until I had looked at more places.
I did some shopping in New Orleans Square, and I waited around for Jambalaya Jazz. They were listed for a 1:45 PM performance, but I never did see them. After making a loop of the land, I gave up and headed to Fantasyland.
Alice in Wonderland (2:25 PM exit)
Walking back to the hub, I caught a performance of Mary Poppins, the Disneyland Band, and her chimney sweep helpers doing "Step in Time" in front of the castle.
2:45 PM: Astro Orbitor
3:25 PM: Mark Twain riverboat ride
4:45 PM: Flag retreat ceremony
5:10 PM: Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage (Vessel: Scout)
The non-parade was scheduled for 5:15, so I was hoping to catch this ride with a short line. It took about 20 minutes to board, which is not too bad. Unfortunately, the two kids to my right were disruptive of my ability to enjoy the magic, complaining about the fake starfish and using my knee as an elbow rest. The youths notwithstanding, I still was not terribly impressed with the ride. The boarding via the spiral staircase was not fun, and we were packed like sardines into very uncomfortable seats. The actual images in the portholes and the soundtrack were on par with the other dark rides, but they could not overcome the environment enough for me to want to ride the subs again.
6 PM: French Market Restaurant (Seafood & Chicken Jambalaya)
This meal was merely okay. I knew it couldn't measure up to the food prepared by a woman from New Orleans of my acquaintance, but the jambalaya was still pretty bland for a Cajun dish. The restaurant's atmosphere was still nice, and I would go back there for a different entree.
8:40 PM: Halloween Screams fireworks display
I waited a little over two hours near the castle for this show. Were I to do it again, I would not have bothered. The projections, fire, and crystal ball were cool effects, but the fireworks themselves were lackluster. I have no great love for Jack Skellington, Oogie Boogie, or Zero, so their inclusion in the show did not excite me.
General comments: I found the presence of so much The Nightmare Before Christmas merchandise to the exclusion of all the other villains baffling. I know that Tim Burton has loyal fans, but Disney has some extremely iconic villains that should have gotten some space as well, such as Maleficent, Cruella, the Evil Queen/Hag, Jafar, Scar, and Randall. Was there more of a mix during the first couple of Halloween Time promotions? I am at a loss to explain the disparity.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
6:30 AM: I was awoken by a car alarm in the adjacent GardenWalk parking garage. I admit that this could have happened anywhere, but staying at a motel right next to a garage increases the odds of something like that happening. Breakfast was at IHOP (Vive le French Toast). Compared to my local IHOP, it was overpriced, and the quality was not as good as either the Arizona IHOPs or the Denny's a couple buildings down the street.
9:30 AM: Disney's California Adventure opens its gates. I walked on to Soarin' Over California for its first flight of the day. Patrick Warburton's portrayal of the captain rocks! I was in the very front row, so I could enjoy the attraction with no dangling feet.
10 AM: California Screamin' (Walk-on)
Toy Story Midway Mania was closed temporarily, so I rode California Screamin' instead. I love the speed and smoothness of the coaster, but I could do without the loop. Still, the joy of the rest of the ride makes up for those few seconds.
10:20 AM: King Triton's Carousel (inside track otter)
Toy Story Midway Mania was only a 10-minute wait. I like the Mr. Potato Head Carnival Barker audio-animatronic near the start of the queue. I rode a Slinky Dog car and scored 65,400 to earn a rabbit as my virtual badge. The experience was quite fun, but it seemed like the cars jerked around for no good reason during the transitions.
10:45: Maliboomer (Walk-On)
The Maliboomer is fun with a good view of the park, but it is short and slow-loading, and it pales in comparison to the Tower of Terror.
Grizzly River Run (11:05 exit)
My head was not feeling great at this point, so that may have contributed to my perception that the raft spun quite a bit during the voyage. I did have fun watching the kids in the raft hope out loud for their mother to get really wet.
Monsters, Inc (11:25 exit)
This was my first time on this ride, and I was quite pleased. It's like a modern version of a classic Fantasyland dark ride. I was alone in the taxi, so Roz had this special message for me: "Young man in the front row: I like your glasses. Next time, bring me a churro." The random Roz greeting and short wait times made this an attraction I wanted to experience again and again.
In the Animation Building, I looked at the Toy Story zoetrope, which was a nice illustration of how flip books and animation fool the eye. In Beast's Library, I found out that the villain I am most like is Jafar. I discovered on a previous trip that my heroic side is most like Jiminy Cricket.
12 PM: Turtle Talk with Crush
This is hands down my favorite of the newer attractions at the Disneyland Resort. Of course, the first time was the best because I didn't know how the show would be structured, but the real-time interaction was consistently unpredictable and humorous. The highlight of the first presentation was learning how Crush and Squirt got their names.
Lunch: Taste Pilot's Grill (B-2 BBQ Chicken Sandwich)
The Taste Pilot's Grill is a solid, reliable choice along the same lines as the Golden Horseshoe. It's good food for a decent value, considering theme park upcharging.
I explored the Redwook Creek Challenge Trail after lunch until 1:15 PM. This is a nice area with plenty of activities for both restless kids and adults.
At Greetings from California, I found my first souvenir of the trip: a plush bluebird from the Pixar short "For the Birds." I had wanted this ever since I saw it substitute for the Omnidroid in an Easter egg on The Incredibles DVD, so I was extremely excited to find it. It is so cute, and it has a squeaker.
On my way down the Hollywood Backlot street, I happened upon the Delta Daddy-Os doing a capella versions of famous pop, Motown, and Disney songs. They weren't on the list of scheduled entertainment, but they were superb.
A little after 2 PM: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
I wish I had taken the name of my elevator operator. No one after him compared to his amazing performance. He made it seem like he was a cross between Serling and a supernatural employee of the hotel, and he delivered the bad puns after the journey with conviction. My favorite part of the drop sequence was the part just before the final ascent where they make it feel like the elevator is suspended about 3/4 of the way up and drop it again.
2:45 PM: MuppetVision 3D
The main show is pretty entertaining, especially Statler and Waldorf in the box seats, but it is the pre-show that is the real star. The props and posters are great fun to look at, and the video across multiple screens is still first-rate entertainment.
3:05 PM: Monsters, Inc.
3:30 PM: Turtle Talk with Crush
I looked at the Blue Sky Cellar a little bit while I was waiting for my ADR time. It's a decent little place, but I'm not the type who really wants to know too much about the coming attractions, so I didn't stay for long.
4:25 PM: Dinner at Wine Country Trattoria (Chicken Alfredo Lasagna)
The food and wine were okay, but I had the distinct feeling that the staff wanted me out of there so that they could finish their shift and go home. I can sympathize, but that should not come through in the customer interactions.
5:20 PM: The Up and Pixar Play Parades
This was a fun parade along the lines of the magnificent Parade of Dreams. The Jack-Jack/Omnidroid float was a highlight. I didn't see any Cars or Ratatouille characters, but the other movies were represented well.
I closed the touring day with another ride on Soarin' Over California. There was a 15-minute wait, and the ride ended after closing.
General comments: Disney is really pimping the Disney Vacation Club and the annual pass program throughout the resort. On the one hand, there's no way any guest who pays attention can remain ignorant of the existence of the programs. On the other hand, it places too much emphasis on the corporate side of Disney at a time when the guest should be enjoying the fun and creative side of things.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Breakfast: I had the quiche lorraine at Mimi's Cafe. It was okay, but it was a little too much like a pot pie for my taste. The service was merely average. I won't write the place off, but I will try something different the next time I'm there.
9 AM: Jungle Cruise (Congo Queen with Skipper Mike)
This was the first cruise of the day, and the puns were as hilariously bad as ever.
I arrived at Splash Mountain just as they opened up the queue. I got to sit in the front seat of the first guest-filled log of the day. In the past, I've liked Splash Mountain, but that was it. This time around, my appreciation for the ride was much higher. I still don't know what the animals are singing in the first song. To my ears, it sounds like they are singing, "Pretty good, show us your bum." Could someone please translate from the Southern drawl/slang?
Winnie the Pooh (Exit 9:45 AM)
On this ride, I noticed for the first time that Rabbit gave Pooh carrots inside the honey jar. Very amusing!
I have mixed feelings about this ride. On its own, it is a fun dark ride, and it showcases the best parts of the first Pooh movie. Still, it's not providing something vastly different from the Fantasyland story rides, and the Country Bear Jamboree offered a kind of entertainment that was not as prevalent in the park. I'm not sure that this was a trade up.
Haunted Mansion Holiday (Exit 10 AM, Gift from Oogie: Mystery Coffin)
This was my first time ever seeing this version of the Mansion. As mentioned earlier, I'm really not a fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas. I can tell a lot of hard work and imagination went into the overlay, but I strongly prefer the original Mansion experience.
Pirates of the Caribbean (Exit 10:20 AM)
I walked right onto this ride. My reaction to the movie changes is mostly positive. The Davy Jones appearance is very well done, and the second and third Jack Sparrow appearances are quite amusing. Barbossa is merely okay, but it doesn't make much sense why he's asking for Sparrow instead of the treasure map. Jack hiding near the well is pretty superfluous to everything else. Part of me misses the line "Perhaps ye knows too much," but I can still hear that on the soundtrack album. Pirates is still a very fun ride. I love the two drops, the atmosphere, and the humor in the scenes. Minus the boat bumping just before disembarking, it's a great way to spend 15 minutes relaxing on an air-conditioned boat ride.
Indiana Jones (Exit 10:40 AM)
I waited 15 minutes in line to ride. Indiana Jones is one of my absolute favorite rides. The theming is incredible throughout the attraction, and the humor is both broad and subtle. The ride itself is always thrilling, and it's a much more communal ride experience than most of the other thrillers at the resort. The Raiders March, the Ark theme, the bridge room, the boulder dodge, and the Indiana Jones comments are some of my favorite parts of the ride. My only two gripes are the extremely long walk to the exit and its tendency to break down frequently.
I was looking for some Eeyore ears to wear like the ones I'd seen on a young girl the day before, but I could not find them in either park. They might have been a product from last year or even before that. As a substitute, I bought some Tigger ears at the Emporium and put them to use right away.
It had been a long time since I'd had a churro, since I generally prefer other snacks. They get pretty positive feedback from a lot of MP posters, so I decided to give them another try. The taste was just fine, but it was hard to eat without the sugar and powder flying everywhere. You guys may have gotten me into the Dole Whips, but I'm not a churro convert.
11 AM: it's a small world (Boat 10, red)
This was my first time seeing the Disney character additions to the ride. For the most part, I liked seeing them. I agree with those who say that Ariel should not have a solo part in the music. Woody and Bullseye were very cute.
Roger Rabbit (Exit 11:35 AM, Cab 20A)
I'm not much for getting dizzy, so I kept the car pointing forward on the track. I wish that that would be the default setting so that I don't have to fight the wheel to keep from spinning. As always, the queue and ride are themed extraordinarily well, full of atmosphere and humor.
12 PM: Enchanted Tiki Room
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Exit 12:30, #7 I.M. Loco)
1 PM: Laughing Stock Company
The performance was a retelling of Cinderella in a rural setting. There were some decent jokes, but I think that this group works better in their short, outdoor performances.
2 PM: Carnation Cafe (Croissant chicken club)
The food and service were excellent, and I would definitely visit again.
2:30 PM: Ragtime with Robert at Coke Corner
The ragtime was crashed by Alice and the Mad Hatter. They led a game of musical chairs with some young girls dressed as princesses. Some of the girls didn't seem to understand the game, so it was a pretty funny show. Afterward, I caught the end of a Dapper Dans performance a little farther down Main Street.
3 PM: King Arthur Carousel
Dumbo was next. I waited 20 minutes, and I rode an elephant with a blue costume. I actually like Dumbo better than Astro Orbitor because my body is not as slanted at the top position.
3:35 PM: Monorail round trip (Orange train)
4 PM: Pirates of the Caribbean
My next stop was Star Tours. I'm a huge Star Wars fan, so I love this ride. The Empire must have more resources than we thought; they must lose about 500 Death Stars a day!
Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy (Exit 5:50 PM)
I decided to brave the standby line. It ended up being a 65 minute wait, but that included a shutdown for repairs of at least 15 minutes. I played a couple of rounds of Tetris DS to pass the time.
Redd Rockett's Pizza Port (Count Down Chicken Fusilli)
The pasta was quite good, although the noodles are a very strange shape. The worst part of the restaurant is the design of the food lines. It's not apparent if it's supposed to be one line or three. I skipped the salad area and went straight to the pasta section, so I hope I wasn't cutting anybody. Even at the pasta line, the wait was longer than I consider appropriate for a cafeteria setting. They seemed to be short staffed. The design of the French Market Restaurant line is much more logical and efficient.
I finished dinner at about 6:15 PM, and I called it a night.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
I had planned on a late breakfast at Pacific Wharf Cafe. It was only later that I learned that only lunch and dinner are served when the park opens at 10 AM.
10:15 AM: Toy Story Midway Mania (85,100 score, Woody car)
After that pleasant diversion, I contented myself to wander the S.S. Rustworthy until Pizza Oom Mow Mow opened for lunch. Around this time, I started experiencing severe cold symptoms, and this was not helped by the lack of food. At 11 AM, I got into the restaurant and ordered the Bodacious Sausage Pizza. The food, decorations, and beach music all helped alleviate my symptoms for a time. I thought that I would test the theory of laughter being the best medicine and headed for the 12 PM Turtle Talk with Crush show, sneezing most of the way.
The show was good, and I even got to ask a question, but I still felt miserable. I walked back to the motel and took a nap.
This was the night of my Trick or Treat Party ticket, and I didn't want to miss it completely. If nothing else, I needed to eat something before sleeping some more. I picked up some cold medicine at 7-11 and headed to Disneyland.
5:15 PM: Turkey leg from hub food stand
The turkey legs compare favorably to the ones I can get at the Arizona State Fair, and they're actually about the same price. Sitting on a bench in front of Frontierland, I was able to get a good view of the Street Party. The music was great, but it is weird to see Disney characters dancing to songs that really don't match their style, especially Bert and Mary.
I didn't keep great track of the timing of events at the Trick or Treat Party, so here's a rundown of what I did when I was there:
Tower of Terror
Mini-Parade
California Screamin'
Taste Pilot's Grill (Wild Bleu Yonder Burger)
I liked the taste of the burger, but the cheese was served cold. In my opinion, it should be served hot or at room temperature.
Watch fireworks near entrance of DCA
Soarin'
Tower of Terror (Exit 9:30 PM)
Friday, October 23, 2009
8 AM: Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy (and grab Fastpass for later)
Breakfast at River Belle Terrace (Steamboat; Exit 8:45 AM)
River Belle Terrace is always a solid breakfast choice for me. Since I like to eat outside, the trick is to eat the eggs and bacon first because the pancakes taste just as good cold as they do hot.
Jungle Cruise (Irrawaddy Lady, Skipper Joshua)
9 AM: Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy
Star Tours
I had some free time at this point, so I took the horse-drawn carriage (pulled by Kaleb) up Main Street and the Fire Engine back down Main Street.
10 AM: Disneyland Band by the park entrance
Pirates of the Caribbean
Splash Mountain
Bengal Barbeque (Chieftain Chicken Skewer)
The skewer tasted good, but it wasn't very filling. Since there's a decent wait outside and not much seating in the nearby area, I will probably steer clear of Bengal Barbeque on future visits unless I have a strong craving.
Gibson Girl (Firehouse Dalmatian Mint Sundae)
12 PM: Indiana Jones
This ride marked a first for me. It was the first time that the ride shut completely down with me on it, and they turned the lights on inside while they fixed it. My Jeep was stuck just before the tunnel with the bats, and my group bonded and joked a little bit during the interruption. They let us have another ride without getting out, but something still seemed off near the end of that ride.
Monsters, Inc. (Exit 1:05 PM)
Tower of Terror (Exit 1:35 PM)
1:50 PM: Aladdin
The show was thrilling like always, and the audience was well-behaved for the most part. At one point, someone started crying. Since it was during the second act, the Genie was able to tell Aladdin that he made the kid cry with his words and actions. The Genie was quite topical, even including the recent "balloon ride" controversy in his jokes.
3 PM: Monsters, Inc.
3:25 PM: Indiana Jones (Exit 4:05 PM)
This time, there was a malfunction while I was still in line. They herded everyone out, and they gave us a special Fastpass that was good for almost any ride.
Haunted Mansion Holiday (Exit 4:30 PM; used special Fastpass)
5:15 PM: Billy Hill and the Hillbillies (Mozzarella sticks at the Golden Horseshoe)
This show was not as good as the Monday show. They used the Puddle Prance finale with the horrible bow stuck in nose joke, which I would like them to get rid of entirely. The mozzarella sticks had some odd bumps on the breading that I had to remove, so I probably won't get those again.
5:45 PM: Innoventions (Exit 6:15 PM)
I got the musical demonstration from a Yamaha representative. The automation technology, while impressive, is not something that most people will care about. Those with no musical talent are not likely to spend a lot of money on instruments that they can't really play, especially with Rock Band and other substitutes available. Those who do have musical talent don't need the automation in the first place, so why would they want to pay extra for that privilege?
I did like the House of the Future exhibits inside, and that is where I spent most of my time in the building.
6:45 PM: Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters (61,300 score)
7 PM: Suburban Legends
This band came onstage in Tomorrowland playing "Under the Sea" and displaying a lot of energy and talent. However, that was the only song I recognized in the whole set, and I couldn't make out most of the lyrics to the other songs in that environment.
7:45 Splash Mountain (40 minute wait)
I stupidly decided to wait in the standby line for this ride. I went on it again immediately after I exited using the Single Rider line, and I boarded the log very rapidly.
Winnie the Pooh (Exit 9:05 PM)
10:30 PM: Fantasmic!
I'm sure the people who came to the first show of Fantasmic! appreciate that the crystal ball projections for the fireworks show were projected on the water screens on the Rivers of America. As someone attending the second show, however, all it meant was that it took longer to clear the people out for the 10:30 performance.
I ended up standing behind the leftmost of the three light tower poles, which yields a pretty good view. I saw the area where they have the reserved seating, and I do not see myself paying for that privilege anytime soon. The show itself is simply spectacular, and I really like the new dragon.
11:05 PM: Matterhorn (Second seat on the left track; 15 minute wait)
Saturday, October 24, 2009
I got quite a bit of touring done in the first hour.
8 AM: Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy
Matterhorn (Left track, front seat)
Peter Pan's Flight (15 minute wait)
Snow White's Scary Adventures (Bashful car)
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
9 AM: Carnation Cafe (Croissant Benedict)
Breakfast here was exceptionally delicious, and I actually had the same server that I had earlier in the week.
Indiana Jones (15 minute wait)
Jungle Cruise (Kissimmee Kate, Skipper Joshua)
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (I.M. Loco #7)
Pirates of the Caribbean
Splash Mountain (Exit 10 AM)
Indiana Jones (10 minute wait as Single Rider)
The Single Rider line for Indiana Jones is much more inconvenient than the equivalent line for Splash Mountain. There is still a long walk in and out of the attraction, and the pair of elevator rides is a little irritating. I might use it if the wait was extremely long and Fastpass was not available. Otherwise, I don't mind a short wait in the fantastic queueing area for Indiana Jones.
Star Tours (10 minute wait)
Enchanted Tiki Room and Dole Whip (Exit 11:20 AM)
Jungle Cruise (Ucayali Una, Skipper Billy; Exit 11:35 AM)
Winnie the Pooh (Eeyore vehicle)
12 PM: Laughing Stock (Groom auction outside Golden Horseshoe)
This style show is where The Laughing Stock Co. does its best work. It's short and sweet, and it's fun to see the crowd gather and interact with the performers. I was once one of the three potential grooms, and I was very grateful to be on the other side this time (though I wasn't selected by Sallie Mae that time anyway).
Mark Twain (Exit 12:30 PM)
Laughing Stock (Bank robbery reenactment)
1 PM: Cafe Orleans (Monte Cristo sandwich)
I definitely needed the reservation here. Standby wait times were around 40 minutes, so I was glad to get a table in about five minutes. The sandwich was decent, but I probably wouldn't make this a priority stop on future visits.
2:15 PM: Monsters, Inc.
2:30 PM: Turtle Talk with Crush
Tower of Terror (30 minute wait)
At this point, I made a decision that was unwise in retrospect. I wanted to continue my tradition of having a Mickey-shaped ice cream treat during a park visit, so I ordered the Mickey ice cream sandwich from a cart vendor in the Hollywood section of the park. The vendor warned me that it was hard, so I waited a few minutes on a nearby bench before trying a bite. The first bite was still hard as a rock. I should have just cut my losses then or walked around with it until it was obviously melting, but I soldiered on after another minute or two. The second bite actually knocked the retainer that is bonded to the back of my bottom teeth out of alignment.
I fully accept my share of responsibility for this incident, but I do wonder why those vendors have the carts set at such a low temperature, especially in the fall. My freezer can keep all sorts of novelties at the right temperature for eating right away without being in danger of turning into soggy messes, so why can't the freezers at Disneyland? It makes sense that most people buying from those carts will start to eat the items within a couple of minutes.
3:50 PM: Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy (Fastpass)
Plaza Inn (Penne Pasta)
I admit that my reaction may be colored by the retainer incident, but I wasn't terribly fond of the Plaza Inn. The pasta was quite similar to the chicken fusili in Tomorrowland, and I think I prefer the latter. I also was a bit confused if I was supposed to leave my dirty dishes and tray on the table outside or not. I ended up walking in and handing my tray to an employee inside.
At this time, I did not feel like waiting in long lines trying to top my last ride on Space Mountain, so I headed on back to the motel for my final night.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
I woke up extremely early and decided to get a jump on the driving for the day. Breakfast was at Denny's. It was early enough that I was still ordering off the All Nighter menu. I ordered a Build Your Own Slam meal. Like a fool, I made one of those four items pancakes, even though I know that they are always too much for me.
Checkout was a short and easy process. Finding the freeway onramp took a few trips up and down Katella near the Staples Center before I finally got on. I think I was looking for the CA 57, though it's been a while between the trip and this writing. I stopped for food and gas in Quartzsite, Arizona. McDonald's was still serving breakfast, so I waited until I could get something off of the lunch menu. It took a long time to place my order and receive food, so I'm guessing that they were unusually understaffed on that day. I don't recall it being so bad the last time I stopped there.
After lunch, I drove the rest of the way home and ended my trip. I enjoyed myself very much, although I did learn some things for future trips. I will probably just make it two or three days next time. I can do everything I want to do in that time, and it makes each time on an attraction a little more special.