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

Hello all,

I spent 3 out of 4 days this past weekend down in Anaheim at the D23 Expo. I was able to make it over to Disneyland for about an hour and a half or so before an early closing on Thursday and then for the late afternoon/early evening on Friday. Below are my combined thoughts from both days. Overall I thought the crowds at the park were mild, but then again I did not spend too much time and it was a quick glance/observation.

Jason

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

Thursday -- Disneyland & DCA Thoughts and Observations:

• Saw no trams in sight and a line forming so decided to hike to Downtown Disney and take the monorail in (also this allowed me to walk by the Dland Hotel work), once up on the monorail platform saw the line snaked around and looked to be a couple of monorails in length so decided to hike all the way to Disneyland.
  
  
• Crowds were fairly light, even with DCA closed by the time we arrive (it closed at 6:00pm). Seemed everyone was around the parade route waiting for the 7:00pm Street Party. Nemo was maybe a 15 minute wait when I walked by.
  
  
• Even more construction walls than last trip as you saw in the pictorial update. It seems they are really maximizing the brief off season (really only 3 weeks from Labor day till the kick off of Halloween). I did not make it out to NOS but there were more walls there as Haunted Mansion is being transformed too.
  
  
• I caught a bit of the second stop of the Street Party and I have to say it looks (and works) much better at night to me. I thought this the first time I saw the parade and seeing it in this light really did confirm that in my mind. I have always thought it was a weak daytime parade but used as a true street party and not a parade replacement I think its not that bad of a show. Similar to how WDW uses theirs (again theirs is a day time only though or at least was in May when I was there but it worked ok).. its an addition not replacement.
  
  
• I really did not have time to take in anything else as we spent less than 90 minutes at the parks due to the early closing and our late arrival (and early wake up call Friday for the Expo).
  
  

• Arrived a bit earlier than Thursday and was greeted by a healthy line at the parking structure, we were maybe halfway to the entrance. The tram stop was not overly crowded and the parks felt mild. Definitely not off season but no where near summer or crowded. The lines in Disneyland were definitely longer than Thursday, but no real numbers to back it up since the lineboard was closed on Thursday when we were there.
  
  
• Over at DCA the World of Color and other projects are all moving along full speed as you saw in the pictorial update. The crowds were not bad, 20 minutes or so for Toy Story, a on cycle wait for the Fun Wheel...
  
  
• Grabbed dinner at Disneyland. At 7:00ish the Plaza Inn was out of white meat for the night they said.. that seemed a bit crazy and early to me considering they stay open late. Just to clarify we asked if we could wait and they said they would not have any more till the next day.
  
  
• Found a spot by about quarter to eight for the 9:00pm Fantasmic. Ended up talking to a couple from England and they were amazed at the crowd, then asked about the show and if it ever had problems or bloopers. I talked about some I had seen. It was a bit of foreshadowing but the night started off interesting as the music and lights came up the stage was empty.. no Mickey. He did pop up then kind of waved a bit and disappeared again into the pit. The show was reset and began a second time. This time no problems until the Snow White barge went by with no lights on. Then the dragon did appear, but no fire... kind of funny to be asked about problems then three in the same night.
  
  
• I think the new dragon is incredible (even without the fire effect). I was also shocked my photos came out since I was watching it more than concentrating on the shots... it looks amazing close to the commercials and billboards that have been used to advertise the show. Great to see!!! Also the crowd really enjoyed it.
  
  
  
  
  
• Interesting Web Finds/Notes (and some Press Releases):
  In this section of the Geekspeaks column I will include links, notes, and rumors I find/stumble across/or have been informed of:
  
  
  • Due to time constraints and being at the D23 Expo last weekend I did not have time to find any interesting items to share...
    
    
  • Disneygeek.com new media links:
    • Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/disneygeekcom
    • Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/disneygeek
      
      

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