* After you read this report you may want to check out the pictorial updates in our Disneyland Resort Pictorial Update section

Hello everyone,

Friday was a picture perfect Southern California afternoon. The weather crept up into the upper 80s and there was not a cloud to be seen most of the time. The parks were much more crowded than I was anticipating, wonder if people are still on spring break in places or if it was the nice weather or something else? As you saw in the pictorial update the lines were on the long side but with Fastpass and timing you could still get on a couple things. Due to the warm weather GRR was well over an hour almost the entire afternoon/evening. Over at Disneyland Nemo was actually under an hour several times when I walked by or saw the line board.

Jason

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

Disneyland & DCA Thoughts and Observations:

• I knew I was in for a larger crowd when I was directed to the 5th floor of the Mickey and Friends garage and I was on the far side even. I still find it funny how it I always seem to get on the far side and near the far end of a row even no matter the day or time I arrive. You would think with the number of visits I would at least say 1/3 of the time end up on the near side of the garage or the first 1/4 of the spots nearest the walkway.

• The Food and Wine weekends have now become Disney's California Food and Wine Festival. I believe this is the third year for the program and the offerings have been expanded to now run every day from April 11 through May 5. I am not a big fan of food or wine so I come at this event with a jaded eye. Those who were into the event really seemed to be having a good time, but I overhead several conversations and many seemed to be Castmembers or Annual Passholders. Wonder how many average/day guests were participating and out of those if any made the trip for the Festival (like they do down at EPCOT) or if they just happened upon it. Either way it seemed that most of the demonstrations and sessions were full and those attending were enjoying themselves.
  
  
• Over at Disneyland Jingles, the lead horse on the Carrousel has been dedicated to Julie Andrews. Here is the release. I think the idea of paying tribute to people throughout Disneyland is one of the nice touches of the park and at first I thought this was an odd way to do it. After seeing the horse and how it blends in I think it ok, but a little too busy. There just seemed to be too many elements on the horse compared to the others. Jingles does seem to be popular as I witnessed several guests running to the horse when the gates opened each time (which made it challenging to photograph).
  
  
• As you saw in the pictorial update the crowd that gathered for the Pixar Play Parade was on the light side, I would say about equal to the Block Party Bash crowds I saw in that area of the park over the years. Most people did not seem to mind the water due to the high temperatures and I found a shady spot that I could use my telephoto lens from so all was good for me too. Wonder when the Bugs Life unit will be returning? Same for the bungee rats or whatever they are called in the Ratatouille unit. Also the chefs were down on the ground this time around and not on stilts. Seems they are still tweaking the parade.
  
  
• As noted, the Toy Story Midway Mania(or is it Toy Story Mania) is listed as opening 6/17 according to the guidemap. I do not remember seeing exact dates published in a guidemap before for an attraction opening, that seemed new to me. I was looking through the Walt Disney World passholders site and they are having previews on May 10-12th. So wonder if that means Disneyland's will be close behind?
  

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