Hello all,

Friday was a great spring day at the parks. The crowds were definitely heavier than the past few visits, but still not unbearable and with some good timing you could make it on the attractions you wanted to with reasonable waits. The walkways were crowded in some areas, as is the norm when the parks are busy. DCA actually felt fairly crowded too. Roaming around both parks were groups of cheerleaders, looks like its that season again with the competitions.

Jason

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

Disneyland & DCA Thoughts and Observations:

• We had no problems parking, wonder if we are just lucky or if we are back to a regular state again. We exited the freeway, took the overpass directly to the garage, only a couple cars in line at the tollbooths, then off to a floor to park. Kind of interesting the others who joined us showed up 4 hours and 5 hours after us and all three cars somehow managed to be close to each other by dumb luck. When the later two cars showed up they were directed to a floor then had to find a spot. Maybe next trip I will find my way out to the Toy Story lot to check it out. If anyone has any experiences/pictures from the new lot let us know.
  
  
• I mentioned DCA was alive with people but luckily due to Toy Story being down when we first arrived in the area and us hanging around we managed to get on with no real wait. The Fun Wheel had a decent size line but they were moving rather quickly loading/unloading and they were grouping as many people as possible together. I really do not like how they try to fit three adults on a side.. that just makes it a cramped ride, plus its hard to take pictures. I think you should be given the option with three to pick up a fourth (or maybe 2 if it is a child) but not forced to all be on the same side. I think it makes sense to put small groups together but it seems overkill to cram people in like that unless they want to be...
  
  
• As you saw in the pictorial update vertical construction on the Cars Land rockwork (or what will become the rocks) has started. This looks like it is going to be an impressive structure. The scale and scope of this new land looks to be incredible, a truly immersive environment. It will be interesting to see what happens with the rockwork. Seems they are going to want to finish the back side by the parade building eventually, I really hope it is not a straight/plain wall.. It would be great if they covered/blended in the parade building so it all looks like rocks or something since it is so visible from Paradise Pier and other areas of the park. The model I saw at the D23 Expo really did not show any detail on the back side.
  
  
• I hiked out to the Disneyland Hotel to check on its progress and the second half of the tower looks to be moving along quickly. I was kind of surprised they decided to remove the exterior elevator, it looks to be gone for good. I think the building looks much cleaner without it though.
  
  
• As you saw in the one picture the first sections of the Red Car track look to be almost complete. The area around and between the rails is brick which looks to be a great touch. I think this is really going to change the look/feel of the backlot and eventually the entrance.
  
  
• We were looking around and has anyone seen anything on the route the cars will take? To get backstage will they be going through the new parade gate or will they be curving around and going down the road between Bugsland and Tower? Reason we ask is it sure looks like the building that is rumored to be the garage for the red cars looks to line up fiarly well with the road/driveway between bugs and tower.
  
  
• Not much to report from Disneyland this trip. We spent maybe a quarter or so of our time there but nothing jumped out at me.. The Rivers of America are moving along and some new props are starting to show up along the river. It will be fun to see what else will be added during this rehab. Also curious how the new concrete docks will look, if it will be concrete covered in wood or if it will be concrete that looks like wood.
  
  
• Caught the Electrical Parade since it only has a few more weeks before it gets shipped off to Walt Disney World. Still one of my favorite parades. If/when you watch the parade also be sure to take a look around at your fellow guests (and even the CMs), its fun to see how everyone gets into this parade.. so much more than any other parade I have seen at the parks.
  
  
  
• Interesting Web Finds/Notes:
  Below are some interesting links, notes, and rumors I found/stumble across/or have been informed of since the last Geekspeaks column.
  
  
  • Videos
    • Fountain Testing in the new viewing area in DCA (YouTube)
    • OCTA on the opening of the Toy Story lot and its partnership with Disney (YouTube)
    • 3/19 - Disney Parks Blog World of Color video on the paper animation
      
      
  • Other Website posts of interest
    • OC Register story on Disneyland Resort President George Kalogridis
      
      
  • 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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