Lost Boy
12-22-2003, 09:50 AM
Yesterday was a very special day for me. 25 years ago I took the little brother of a very good friend of mine on his first trip to Disneyland. He was 8 years old and it was Christmas time. We have become very close friends over the years (in fact, I consider him my little brother, and he considers me the big brother he always wanted). 25 years ago I drove him and paid for his admitance and food. Yesterday the roles reversed. He drove me, paid for a 2 day pass for me (he has an annual pass) so we could enjoy both Parks, and paid for lunch and The Blue Bayou and a quck dinne at Burger Invasion at DCA. The reason for all this, was that even though we have both been to Disneyland many times over the last 25 years, we have never been to the Park together at Christmas, and only one other time during the normal time of year. We had a great time and it was a full day from opening to closing.
Now, about the things that are going on at Disneyland. First of all neither Park was what I could call Packed during the day. That happened at night for the Parade and Fireworks. So we got to go on the rides we wanted too (HM Holiday, Small World Holliday, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (and yes, Toad is still missing), California Screamin' and Malliboomer). We also saw Aladdin, which he had never seen. Everything the Parks looked great. New paint is appearing evereywhere. The trashcans look new. Every attraction was working to perfection. The food at Blue Bayou was excellent. The Christmas Parade was too short. The Fireworks where fantastic. And we even made it over for Fantasmic! after the Fireworks.
We went and sat at Coke Corner to listen to Rod. I have known Rod for many years, but I haven't been to the Park in over 6 months. After hugging and all the greeting stuff, I asked Rod what he thought of the new regime at the Park. With a big smile, Rod said he loved the change and that Matt had come by and spent 20 minutes sitting and listening to him play and watching the crowd around him. After the set Matt came over and spoke to him telling how great he was and let's go talk. So they went over under the trees and talked business. Rod said that one of the things Matt spoke of was the Restraunt behind them that had been closed for years and now has the AP processing in it. One of Matt's first goals is to get that opened again as a Restaraunt. He is very upset with all the closed buildings and attarctions and his goal is to get that changed as soon as possible. I also noticed a big chance in Castmember appearance and attitude. They are all smiling again, giving the old Disney Magic service and just being the best they can be. I always respect every Castmember and last night was wonderful to see.
I said in an ealier thread that I was so upset with the way that Pressler and Harris had treated the Park that I wouldn't go back until things changed. Well, things have changed, and for the better. We had a great day yesteday and I am once again going to Disneyland. Yea!!:D
Now, about the things that are going on at Disneyland. First of all neither Park was what I could call Packed during the day. That happened at night for the Parade and Fireworks. So we got to go on the rides we wanted too (HM Holiday, Small World Holliday, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (and yes, Toad is still missing), California Screamin' and Malliboomer). We also saw Aladdin, which he had never seen. Everything the Parks looked great. New paint is appearing evereywhere. The trashcans look new. Every attraction was working to perfection. The food at Blue Bayou was excellent. The Christmas Parade was too short. The Fireworks where fantastic. And we even made it over for Fantasmic! after the Fireworks.
We went and sat at Coke Corner to listen to Rod. I have known Rod for many years, but I haven't been to the Park in over 6 months. After hugging and all the greeting stuff, I asked Rod what he thought of the new regime at the Park. With a big smile, Rod said he loved the change and that Matt had come by and spent 20 minutes sitting and listening to him play and watching the crowd around him. After the set Matt came over and spoke to him telling how great he was and let's go talk. So they went over under the trees and talked business. Rod said that one of the things Matt spoke of was the Restraunt behind them that had been closed for years and now has the AP processing in it. One of Matt's first goals is to get that opened again as a Restaraunt. He is very upset with all the closed buildings and attarctions and his goal is to get that changed as soon as possible. I also noticed a big chance in Castmember appearance and attitude. They are all smiling again, giving the old Disney Magic service and just being the best they can be. I always respect every Castmember and last night was wonderful to see.
I said in an ealier thread that I was so upset with the way that Pressler and Harris had treated the Park that I wouldn't go back until things changed. Well, things have changed, and for the better. We had a great day yesteday and I am once again going to Disneyland. Yea!!:D