Hello everyone!

My 25th trip to the Disneyland resort this year was a Thursday visit to the Disneyland Resort to enjoy the parks with some family members including my soon to be three year old nephew (last free trip for him). The day had perfect weather starting off a bit cool then warming up to the upper 70s. Crowds were light to start the day and continued to pick up. After DCA closed at 6pm for the Halloween Party Disneyland was considerably more crowded.

Thoughts and Observations:

• I arrived at the Disneyland Resort area around 7am and grabbed a quick breakfast before heading to the parking structures. Around 7:30am found no waits at the toll booths and little delay being directed up to the 3rd floor, over to the Pixar Pals structure then into a spot in the middle of the Cars Level.
  
  
• Took a look around the Tram Plaza projects and the pavers seem to be entering the final stages with the last areas being leveled and installation underway. Also looks like the Mickey and Friends structure will be receiving new signage. There are two smaller projects out near the security entrances, maybe more signage? The new elevators look to be ready for their exterior paneling as they move along. At the tram pick up location the first stop is fenced off. I could not make out what is going on. I have heard two theories so far. One is removal of the railings and the other is a relocation of the warning stripe on the ground.
  
  
• Started the day at Disney California Adventure. Waits were minimal for the first hour and then started to move upwards slowly. By 10am (two hours after park opening) we had made a loop of the park and rolled through ten attractions. We could have done a couple more but my nephew is just under the 40" height limit so we skipped most of those so we could stay together as a group. He did go for back to back rides on Jessie's Critter Carousel and had the attraction to himself.
  
  
• Toy Story Midway Mania we drew a bad game tram. Neither gun worked properly. Both shot straight to the left when you pulled the trigger.. When we arrived back at the station I informed a cast member who marked the row. Oddly enough I was not offered a re-ride. We were not going to any ways but thought it was odd. Usually when there is a problem they ask if you want to go again.
  
  
• The Avenger's Campus project continues to take shape with more building outlines visible. The walls in Hollywood Land have been moved since my last visit and their is a new paver design in front of the Collectors Fortress leading to the project. Wonder if this is a hint of how the rest of the project will look.
  
  
• At Disneyland there are a several projects along Main Street USA underway. The Opera House exterior is being renovated and is covered. Then in the hub the Tomorrowland Entrance side has several sets of expanded walls as they work to reconfigure the walkways and curbs as well as remove the rock work that was at the entrance to the land. There were also a half dozen light trusses up, two in Town Square and four by the Castle. No indication of what event/taping these are for. One theory I saw some tweets on is maybe Dancing with the Stars since Disney night is coming up and they have been doing some taping in the park.
  
  
• Ate lunch in the Golden Horseshoe today. While we were finished up a Magician entered the seating area and was working his way around to tables visiting with guests and performing. He looked familiar and I checked my pictures and he was one of the performers at the 2014 Halloween Carnival show. He did not visit our table so I did not have a chance to talk to him or see a trick. The guests he was talking to seemed to enjoy it. The challenge I see with this type of performer is the interactions are very limited with at most a half dozen or so people experiencing it. Where as musical performers even those not directly in front of them can hear (thinking of Farely) or a stage act where a larger number of guests can see the show. Will be interesting to see how this plays out.
  
  
• A reminder if you mobile order several locations have buttons available for Annual Passholders. I did not see any signs or indication in the app but the Cast Members at Stage Door gave a button when they looked at the order, I did not have to ask.
  
  
• I wanted to stop by Fortune Red but his area was being used as the entrance for the Jack & Sally meet and greet. I am guessing I could have asked a Cast Member and been allowed into the area but with so many guests in line and in the area I did not bother.
  
  
• Paid a visit to Batuu and toured Black Spire Outpost with a first time visitor. They enjoyed walked around and the attraction. The wait time estimate was nearly dead on for our ride. It said 35 minutes and we were at about 33 to the briefing room. I was assigned to be a pilot, first time for me getting that role. I have not experienced all three roles and the ride experience does vary depending on what role you have. Being a pilot I felt much more immersed in the view and into the action since I had a more direct impact. Later in the day I returned and used single rider and drew an engineer spot (which seems to be the norm for single riders) and it was not nearly as engaging. Also interesting during the single rider wait there were some gaps in groups coming from the briefing room and they were grouping six single riders to fill the flights so the line moved really quick. We tried out the Data Pad/Play Disney Parks App while waiting and it seemed a little awkward at best. For a large portion there was nothing to do really and the couple areas where there were things to see or scan we were moving too fast to really participate.
  
  
• The Disneyland Monorail has returned to normal operating hours. It is no longer closed throughout the middle of the day. It was nice to see them operating and we went for a mid afternoon round trip voyage.
  
  
• Mickey and Friends Band-Tastic Cavalcade has returned to to Disneyland to fill the void between the end of the MSEP and kick off to Christmas. The cavalcade makes its way along the Disneyland parade route twice daily and featured an assortment of characters, a couple Main Street vehicles and the Disneyland Band. It is a fun little event and I enjoy the live music. I would like to see it stop a few more times to make it seem a little longer. It is a very brief experience.
  
  
• Decided to eat dinner at the Hungry Bear since we were on that side of the park. I used mobile order which was quick and easy (still a little annoyed you cannot select a plain hamburger.. at least you can get no cheese and no sauce but how hard is it to have a plain option)? The meal was not very good. The burger was extremely dry and almost burnt. The bun was not very fresh feeling either. The fries were at least warm for most the meal. And to top it off the first couple bites had a ton of pepper, almost like they were trying to mask the burger taste (which there was not really any). Bottom line is it may be a long while before getting a burger there again. I really enjoy the view and seating though. I think this is two or three bad experiences there for me now.
  
  
• There was almost no entertainment in Disneyland after 5:30pm. Two sets by the Jambalaya Jazz in New Orleans Square and the dance party in Tomorrowland at 7pm until a single showing of Fantasmic and then Halloween Screams projections. With DCA closed and more guests entering the park at 6pm there was not a lot for them to experience on the entertainment front.
  

Here are some recent posts to the Geek's Blog:

• 10/03/19 - Disneyland Resort Pictures Live from the park
  • Disneyland Pixar Pals Parking Structure Construction Pictures (10/03/19)
  • Avengers Campus (Marvel Project) at Disney California Adventure Construction Pictures (10/03/19)
  • Pictures: Tomorrowland Entrance & Hub – Walkway/Planter Projects
  • Pictures & Video: Mickey and Friends Band-Tastic Cavalcade at Disneyland
• 09/16/19 – Book Review: The Art of Disney Costuming: Heroes, Villains, and Spaces Between
• 09/06/19 – Videos: Disney Parks Sunrise Series
• 09/05/19 – Review: Disney Aladdin (Live Action) Home Video Release
• 09/05/19 – Review: Aladdin – Walt Disney Signature Collection

D23 Expo 2019 Summary Page - Links to all the announcements so far and will eventually contain links to all of our coverage

Geek's Blog Postings Recap September 10-25, 2019

Disney Related Press Releases

• 10/01/19 - New Nighttime Spectacular ‘Epcot Forever’ Celebrates the Past, Present and Future of the Beloved Walt Disney World Resort Theme Park
• 10/01/19 - Walt Disney Imagineering Presents the Epcot Experience: Peek into a Bright Future for the Beloved Walt Disney World Resort Theme Park
• 09/30/19 - Frozen 2 - Into the Unknown Special Look & Soundtrack Information
• 09/26/19 - Exciting Offerings Coming to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea in Fiscal Year 2020
• 09/25/19 - Disneyland Resort Welcomes New Leader, Rebecca Campbell
• 09/25/19 - Special Offers Invite Canadian Residents to Enjoy Discount on Theme Park Tickets for Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort
• 09/23/19 - Disney+ Public Pre-Order Now Available & New Trailer
• 09/23/19 - Frozen 2 Trailer & New Cast Introduction
• 09/21/19 - Tokyo Disney Resort New Ticket Prices Starting October 1st
• 09/19/19 - Tokyo Disneyland Development Experience the World of Beauty and the Beast with the Grand Opening of “New Fantasyland” on April 15, 2020 The Happy Ride with Baymax and Minnie’s Style Studio also opening
• 09/16/19 - Disney Halloween Time Takes You on an Immersive Halloween Musical Journey from Day to Night Only at Hong Kong Disneyland
• 09/16/19 - The Lion King (Live Action) - Available Digitally 10/11 & on Disc 10/22
• 09/16/19 - There’s Magic in the Air with New Disney Skyliner

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

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

Send comments, questions, any other email to: disneygeek@disneygeek.com