Hello all,

Overall Friday was a nice day at the Disneyland Resort. The crowds were mild and the weather held for us. Attraction wait times were hit and miss, but they seemed slightly less than last week, but still more than what would be expected during the off season.

Jason

Trip logs and mileage reports are in the Park Miles section.

Disneyland & DCA Thoughts and Observations:

• The main reason for visiting the parks this week was to take in Captain EO. I managed to visit twice with a relatively short wait both times. The first time the show clock said about 13 minutes. The second time we just missed a show so had to wait the full show time. The extended queue that ran up toward the Space Mountain Fastpass area was up, but not in use the first couple of times I went by since there just were not that many guests.
  
  
• The pre-show area consists of the original video as well as a current Kodak commercial. I would have liked to have seen some sort of introduction, setup, something more about the tribute purpose/etc.. it was great to see the original film though. For those that have not seen or do not remember the original preshow featured a several minute video that looked at the making of the film. Showing concept work, rehearsal, construction, and then some filming. I found the old clips of Imagineers (for you Animal Kingdom fans keep an eye out).
  
  
• The film itself is a new print, but other than that no changes. The theater does not include many of the original effects (the star field, the lasers, smoke, etc.. but there are some lighting effects, the sound, and they added some seat movement since the theater is on a motion platform thanks to Honey I Shrunk the Audience.
  
  
• The audiences reaction was energetic and great to experience. Everyone seemed to have a great time and the cheering, applause throughout were fun to see. The CM at the first show asked for a show of hands of first time viewers vs repeat and it was fairly evenly split. The audience went crazy the first time Michael Jackson appeared on screen.
  
  
• The first showing I went to the motion was not working and the theater jolted only a couple of times but no real movement. You could feel it try to kick in then stop. By the second show I went to later in the evening the movement was working. I have to say I thought it was a little overdone and overheard quite a few guests in the audience laughing or commenting on it. It was a distraction and seemed a little too much. Seems to me a little less would have gone a lot further. I see what they were trying to do and I enjoyed it but it just seemed off to me.
  
  
• As you saw in the pictorial update there is a line of Captain EO merchandise out and the Star Traders was doing a brisk business as guests exited the theater and stopped by to buy something to commemorate the film.
  
  
• As the evening went on the line for Captain EO seemed to grow. As we were leaving the area in the evening there were guests in the extended queue. Which I think translates to a two show wait (one group in the pre-show, one in the regular queue).
  
  
• The guidemap for Disneyland still featured Mickey on the cover, but on the inside flap there was a small ad for Captain EO and on the attraction list it was listed. Interesting note no markings by it indicating a change (where as Lincoln, Disneyland Story, etc.. all have NEW by them).
  
  
• Over at DCA not much new to report on the World of Color front. Things seem to be wrapping up in the viewing area. Out on the platform there were quite a few workers still, so the test and adjust keeps on rolling along. Reading the rumors floating around the web you see everything from the show is on track for April to its several months behind.
  
  
• Caught some of an Elvis (Scot Bruce) set in the evening, for those who have not caught the show he does a tribute to Elvis, the early years. Its a great show and everyone seems to have a good time. The Tomorrowland Terrace had a great crowd (on the dance floor and in the seats), there really did not seem to be much of a drop off since the food windows are closed.
  
  
  
• Interesting Web Finds/Notes:
  In this section of the Geekspeaks column I will include links, notes, and rumors I find/stumble across/or have been informed of.
  
  
  • Videos
    • Disneyland Resort Podcast-Window Display Designers (Youtube)
    • Captain EO Opening Day Video (Disney Parks Blog)
      
      
  • Press Releases
    • 3/01/10 - Disneyland Resort Appoints Philippe Tosques General Manager of Award-Winning Napa Rose
    • 2/23/10 -‘Captain EO’ Returns to Disneyland Park
      
    • 2/23/10 - D23 Anniversary Party at Disneyland
    • 2/20/10 - Gospel Music Shines at Disneyland Resort’s - First “Celebrate Gospel!” Event
      
      
  • Other Website posts of interest
    • World of Color testing from the Grand CA
    • Fantasmic Construction shots from 1991
      
      
      
  • We post some announcements on:
    • Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/disneygeekcom
    • Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/disneygeek
      
      

Be sure to check out the picture update that goes with this Geekspeak column, it can be found in our Disneyland Resort Pictorial Update section

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