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

Hello all,

Friday warm afternoon at the Disneyland Resort, what an interesting way to kick off the Fall season. The crowds at the parks were moderate, heavier than the last few visits, but not too bad. They followed the trend of being pleasant until the afternoon then getting heavier as the sun fell. For most of the afternoon Big Thunder, Matterhorn, etc.. were near walk-ons at Disneyland. Nemo was only 30minutes. Over at DCA Toy Story was the long wait at about 30 minutes.

Jason

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

Disneyland & DCA Thoughts and Observations:

• I was kind of surprised to see the billboard by the tram stop still white, just as it was last week, and the same over on the Pier for the Burger Invasion one. Seems not that long ago that the concept of show really mattered at the parks and here are two gleaming examples of bad show. Two examples of positive changes were spotted this trip though... first is the return of the third sea gull in the Sub Lagoon. Secondly the new ODV fruit stand in Toontown. The truck at the gas station looks great and works perfectly with the location.
  
  
• As you saw in the pictorial update the paving projects around the park are starting to wrap up with most of NOS re-opened and the walls in Tomorrowland moved to the other side. I was really surprised to find the blue pavement out by the train station in NOS... wonder why its not themed or just regular concrete like the other areas? Does the blue mean something? Is it temporary? Anyone know more?
  
  
• As I roamed the parks looking at the Halloween decorations/offerings, nothing too new jumps out at me for this year. The only substantial changes were the removal of the Floral Mickey and the new Gingerbread house in the Haunted Mansion. Other than that things seem on par with last year. Also I do not remember the tree decorated in Frontierland. I am not sure if the Candy Corn Acres show is going on or not this year, I did not see it or any scheduled times posted anywhere... I received emails from a couple people saying they saw no show at DCA either, so that may have been cut this year too. Seems the growth that happened the past few years has been stopped.
  
  
• While heading to the Haunted Mansion a group of guests followed a tour guide into the Fastpass Line ahead of me (I let them go as to not divide up the group)... I am guessing this was the happiest haunts tour? It seemed to be a large group and the CMs were commenting on the size too. I listened to a bit of the tour in the Foyer and then they experienced the attraction just as a regular guest would. I ended up in front of them on the attraction and noticed that there was a CM dressed up near the end of the Doom Buggy loading area, not sure who she was supposed to be and of course by the time I got my camera set and picture snapped all I got was the a 1/5 frame shot that does not help at all. Has anyone gone on this tour and would they like to share a report? For more information on the tour here is the press release
  
  
• Over at the Character Close-up section of the Animation Building in DCA the display cases to the left when you first walk in the room have been updated. Gone are the characters that never were and the design process and in its place are two displays on the Toy Story Zoetrope. Also there is now a narration that plays in the area explaining what you are looking at. Its a much more complete show than before and works well in the space. I would have rather seen the the old displays updated and then the movie ads replaced with these displays but its good to see some information on what you are looking at.
  
  
• Looking at the new guide maps I noticed that Burger Invasion is no longer listed at DCA (the image is still there though), also that the California sign in front of DCA is all decked out in candy corn, where as they only did the As this year.
  
  
• Mail Bag:
  • A correction, I incorrectly had the Sleeping Beauty Walk Through exit/entrance mislabeled in my pictorial update. The entrance is on the right side when facing Main Street (the Adventureland/Frontier land) and the exit is on the left (Tomorrowland side)
  • I have gotten a couple emails about the Blue Sky Cellar - this is going in the old building that was used for the Seasons of the Vine Movie at the winery in DCA.. last rumor I read said it will feature a changing display of concept art and plans for the DCA expansion (fixes).
  • Someone wrote in asking for the Princess Fantasy Faire prices/options... does anyone have or know of a good site with this information? If so drop me an email...
  • Anyone attend the private party or know what it was on Friday? I had a couple people ask and I did not seek out the information...
    

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