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9/20/13 - My thoughts and observations from Friday at the Disneyland Resort
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Welcome to the disneygeek.com Geek Speaks section. In this section I will post my comments on trips to the parks or other Disney related events.

9/20/13 - My thoughts and observations from Friday at the Disneyland Resort

Hello all,

Paid a final summer visit to the Disneyland Resort (the first day of Fall is Sunday). What a contrast in weather the last three weeks. On the 6th it was pushing 100 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. Last week it was bright and sunny and in the 80s. This week overcast and in the low 70s and upper 60s. The crowds were mild this week and followed a normal pattern of pleasant in the afternoon and heavier after dark. Waits were well under an hour for just about everything all day except for the Racers, Ghost Galaxy, and Haunted Mansion which crept up as the day went on.

Jason

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

Thoughts and Observations:

  • I arrived around 1pm and the Mickey and Friends garage was blocked off for those arriving on Ball Road and they were being directed to the Convention Center garage (over Toy Story). I was directed into the garage and up to the roof. Floors 3, 4, and 5 were all empty. I understand they do this to try and avoid traffic problems later in the day but it really seems unfair to penalize those that arrive earlier in the day with longer times to park and shuttle rides. Seems they should offer an option.. maybe cheaper parking at the Satellite lots early in the day or something to encourage guests to use them. It really does point to the fact that they really need that second parking structure.

  • I made my way out to the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree and arrived just as it was closing for the day at 2pm. I managed to get some pictures of the pumpkin carvings and the area before they started to ask us to leave. I always enjoy seeing the latest creations and this year they are great as usual. If you are in the park be sure to stop by and see what these artists have created. I saw no indications of what the event was, but my hunch is it may have to do with the radio media event that was going on by the Haunted Mansion Holiday.

  • The Haunted Mansion Holiday did not have Fastpass running again this week and the line was moving great. It was about 20 minutes when we visited in the early afternoon. Later in the evening I saw it posted at 40 minutes. Always fun to visit the Mansion and try and catch what they have changed/added for the season.

  • Doubled back to the Big Thunder Trail to catch the Billy Hill performance. Unfortunately the time schedule had the wrong location or at least a non helpful one listed. They were listed as being on the trail and instead were right outside the Jamboree by the goats in the Ranch area. This was due to the Carnival area being closed. They did three acoustic sets. The set was great but a very small audience and awkward venue. Also add in the noise from the BBQ and it was a real challenge to hear them. Luckily it was a one afternoon arrangement.

  • Over at DCA went for a flight on the Flying Tires since it had a posted 5 minute wait in reality it was closer to 10! While trying to fly around again wished they had figured out a way to make the spin control mechanism work. I think that would add a lot to the experience. It is a little frustrating to get yourself pointing in a direction and have to wait/hope for someone to hit you to turn around.

  • Decided to see if the new official album was in stock. Stopped by the music store on Main Street. Unfortunately the only copy they had was the one they were playing. So I tried Off the Page and the one cast member had no idea what I was talking about and after looking around backstage for a while came back and said they did not have any. So I Was 0 for 2. I did not make it to World of Disney. The MP3 version is available at Amazon but I think I want the CD to add to my collection.

  • I stopped by the Mad T Party a couple of times to see what they were doing for Halloween. They added a Halloween song to the end of some of the sets. At the 8pm set it was This is Halloween from the Nightmare Before Christmas. The 9pm set which was the last of the evening ended with Thriller featuring the entire Mad T Party cast, the Tweedles and the Hottest Deck in Town. Also for the 9pm set they had more makeup and props to look more in the Halloween mode. I thought these were fun additions to the show and the Thriller finale was good. Curious what they do for the earlier sets. Anyone catch them? I think the idea of changing the song list for the season is a good way to keep the show fresh and give guests a reason to check it out again.



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.

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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