Uncle Dick
08-07-2002, 11:55 PM
Today, with my mother and sisters in tow, I did my first opening to closing DL trip in a looooonng time. Lots of interesting tidbits to throw out.
There's a new billboard in Paradise Pier in between the "Games of the Boardwalk" and "Burger Invasion" advertisements. If you recall, there used to be a cute little photo op there with ride vehicle cut-outs from California Screamin' and Golden Zephyr and a background which fit the location of each attraction. Well, the ride cut-outs are there, but the background has been replaced with a giant Coppertone advertisement. Guess DCA needed a few more bucks to fund the music series. What's interesting about the advertisement is that it features a censored version of the standard Coppertone logo, covering up the usually bare bottom of the girl getting her pants pulled down by a little dog. It's just looks a little strange. I took a picture with my mom's digital camera, but I doubt it'll be up anytime soon.
The GRR spin has returned! I rode the attraction twice today and was taken by surprise when the raft commenced with its usual spinning drop on the final hill. The second trip was disappointingly "spin-free" but I did notice rafts in front of me getting their spin on. This is the first time I've seen the spin operate in at least 6 months.
The Mr. Lincoln spiel no longer prohibits video recording. Video lighting and flash photography are still strictly prohibited.
The "cute seat belt checking chick" on Indy didn't ask anyone to tug on their yellow strap or try to stand up. A simple visual inspection seemed to satisfy her concern for our safety.
The tortilla people were handing out two halves of a tortilla to each guest who walked by (even though it was pretty busy in there). When I approached the CM stationed at the machine, he reached back, grabbed a tortilla, sliced it in half and then proceeded to give me both halves. Force of habit, perhaps?
The Buckinghams didn't seem to be especially popular. The Paradise Pier bridge, which is normally filled with a couple of rows of adoring fans, was deserted. The lighting sure was nice at the 1945 show, though.
Construction continues on the Tower of Terror. A "port-a-potty" stationed on the upper floors of the steel structure inevitably led to bad jokes about a scaled down "Toilet of Terror" attraction (which would be kind of cool, in a way).
A large gathering of guests in the "It's Tough to Be a Bug" Fastpass area almost led me to believe that the seldom used machines were finally getting a workout due to huge crowds. Nope. It seems Princess Atta had wandered over into the shaded Fastpass area for her meet and greet session. They really just need to scrap those machines and use the area as a permanent meet and greet site.
Finally, I saw "The Power of BLAST!" for the first time since the "hot female percussionist-turned-hot dancer chick" left. I noticed for the first time just how many men there are in that show compared to women. And whatever happened to that cute chick who played the baritone-type instrument? You know, the one who would do the splits during Malagueña. I like the new guy who does the first drum solo a lot more than the asian dude who did it for so long. He has the skills.
Anyway, just some random thoughts about my day at the parks.
There's a new billboard in Paradise Pier in between the "Games of the Boardwalk" and "Burger Invasion" advertisements. If you recall, there used to be a cute little photo op there with ride vehicle cut-outs from California Screamin' and Golden Zephyr and a background which fit the location of each attraction. Well, the ride cut-outs are there, but the background has been replaced with a giant Coppertone advertisement. Guess DCA needed a few more bucks to fund the music series. What's interesting about the advertisement is that it features a censored version of the standard Coppertone logo, covering up the usually bare bottom of the girl getting her pants pulled down by a little dog. It's just looks a little strange. I took a picture with my mom's digital camera, but I doubt it'll be up anytime soon.
The GRR spin has returned! I rode the attraction twice today and was taken by surprise when the raft commenced with its usual spinning drop on the final hill. The second trip was disappointingly "spin-free" but I did notice rafts in front of me getting their spin on. This is the first time I've seen the spin operate in at least 6 months.
The Mr. Lincoln spiel no longer prohibits video recording. Video lighting and flash photography are still strictly prohibited.
The "cute seat belt checking chick" on Indy didn't ask anyone to tug on their yellow strap or try to stand up. A simple visual inspection seemed to satisfy her concern for our safety.
The tortilla people were handing out two halves of a tortilla to each guest who walked by (even though it was pretty busy in there). When I approached the CM stationed at the machine, he reached back, grabbed a tortilla, sliced it in half and then proceeded to give me both halves. Force of habit, perhaps?
The Buckinghams didn't seem to be especially popular. The Paradise Pier bridge, which is normally filled with a couple of rows of adoring fans, was deserted. The lighting sure was nice at the 1945 show, though.
Construction continues on the Tower of Terror. A "port-a-potty" stationed on the upper floors of the steel structure inevitably led to bad jokes about a scaled down "Toilet of Terror" attraction (which would be kind of cool, in a way).
A large gathering of guests in the "It's Tough to Be a Bug" Fastpass area almost led me to believe that the seldom used machines were finally getting a workout due to huge crowds. Nope. It seems Princess Atta had wandered over into the shaded Fastpass area for her meet and greet session. They really just need to scrap those machines and use the area as a permanent meet and greet site.
Finally, I saw "The Power of BLAST!" for the first time since the "hot female percussionist-turned-hot dancer chick" left. I noticed for the first time just how many men there are in that show compared to women. And whatever happened to that cute chick who played the baritone-type instrument? You know, the one who would do the splits during Malagueña. I like the new guy who does the first drum solo a lot more than the asian dude who did it for so long. He has the skills.
Anyway, just some random thoughts about my day at the parks.