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

Hello all,

We visited the parks Sunday due to a birthday falling on the day. Sunday also marked the first non-blackout day for the Southern California pass at the Disneyland Resort and the parks were braced for the crowds. We arrived around 8:30 and they were already passing out flyers warning of the crowds and requiring hand stamps when you left the park (usually APs don't need this). Disneyland seemed to absorb a bulk of the crowd, as usual. DCA had quite a few people roaming around and the wait times were long, but not crazy.

Jason

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

Disneyland & DCA Thoughts and Observations:

• The Summer Nightastic season is coming to an end (the original releases stated next Sunday as the official end, the 23rd) and the off season is approaching as the summer crowds head back to work and school. This off season seems like it will be even shorter than usual with the extended offerings for the Halloweentime starting on September 25th and in the middle of that time the D23 expo, which I would think would bump up attendance during that usually slow weekend.
  
  
• Our first stop of the morning was at Pinocchios Daring Journey to see if we could spot anything new after its rehab. Nothing jumped out at me as being new/drastically different/but it has been a while since I last visited. Everything did look bright and clean which was great to see. Next up is Casey Jr and the Storybook Canals I believe.
  
  
• We headed over to DCA about 20 to 10am to line up and head for Toy Story. I was pleasantly surprised to find a queue starting over near GRR (like they used to do when the attraction first opened. There were no signs Sunday but the CMs said the plan was to do this on crowded days). We hopped in line and were led out to the attraction before the official opening time (we were just exiting as the first guests were running up from the rope drop. It definitely beats the brisk walk/hike out the attraction to do it this way.
  
  
• We spent most of the day at DCA avoiding the crowds, which we managed to do quite well. I think the longest wait of the day for me was 15 minutes to get a cup of ice water (I could not believe how slow the line was moving.. there were two people ahead of me at Award Wieners and it still took over 15 minutes to get my water). Since we had the Lazygeeks two year old with us we spent some time visiting all the attractions in Fliks Fun Fair (which had no real lines to speak of).
  
  
• Speaking of waiting we ate lunch at White Water Snacks over at the Grand California. They were operating even slower than usual. It took over half an hour from when the order was placed until it arrived at the table. This seemed exceedingly long considering it was hamburgers and chicken nuggets. Also interesting to note the cutbacks, the burgers now come with shredded lettuce on them instead of the fresh/larger pieces. Also the strawberries that used to be on the side are long gone. The prices continue to creep upwards though. We were quite disappointed this trip and this used to be one of our favorite places to hang out and grab a good meal.
  
  
• As you saw in the pictures the pool area expansion at the Grand Californian is almost done. They look to be putting the finishing touches on it. Wonder if the pool area will open early?
  
  
• Since the SS Rustworthy days are numbered we spent some time going through the play area and its really a shell of its former self. All the water was turned off and looks like it has been for a while. The area looks rather run down too (not just aged but actually worn). Many of the sound effects still work and the handful of kids running through the area seemed to be having a good time, but many seemed disappointed that many of the interactive elements did nothing.
  
  
• We used my Disney Visa card to get a free 5x7 picture (one of the perks they still have, the free stroller rental is now only 50% off). Hard to believe a 5x7 print costs $10.99 including tax now a days. I was surprised to see they only had one CM working the photopass area in Greetings from California and you picked out your picture near the printers, the other registers were closed. Then you paid at the regular registers then back to the printer area to get your prints. Since there was only one CM working it took a good 20 minutes to move through the two groups in front of us and then us. Even for free we were close to abandoning the project... then to top it off none of our pictures were that good...
  
  
  
• Interesting Web Notes:
  In this section of the Geekspeaks column I will include links, notes, and rumors I find/stumble across/or have been informed of:
  
  
  • It looks like any third park for Anaheim is at least 5-10 years off as the site for this potential park has been approved to be a parking lot (which is great news since parking on busy days is at a premium).
    • Click here for the OC Register story
    • Here is the proposal, amazing what goes into city planning now a days. This 300 page PDF is just for a parking lot... I thought the flow data for the Mickey and Friends Garage near the end was the most interesting...
      
      
  • More information about the D23 Expo is slowly coming out
    • For a list of area discounts for Expo guests click here
    • A brief Youtube video put out by D23 on the archives exhibit
    • A press release on the Studios exhibits and screen schedule
      
      
  • I have seen several people commenting on the scale of the World of Color show and thought this video of a fountain test/demonstration really shows it. In this quick test it shoots water higher than the Fun Wheel. (Click Here)
    
    
  • Disneygeek.com new media links:
    • Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/disneygeekcom
    • Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/disneygeek
      
      

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