Hello all,

In the two weeks since my last visit it seems Southern California has gone through all the seasons. Last trip I head jeans and a sweatshirt on hand. Then it rained for a couple of days, and now this trip the weather was back into the 90s. The parks grew to be quite crowded as the day went on and the sun set. Wait times started out the afternoon at a reasonable length with most attractions well under an hour. Over at DCA Screamin was under 30 minutes, Toy Story around 30-40 minutes, and the Fun Wheel non swinging a 5-10 minute wait only.

Jason

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

Disneyland & DCA Thoughts and Observations:

• This trip I really lucked out with parking. While stopped at the red light at Ball (the overpass was converted to exit only already) I noticed quite a few brake lights and blinkers as people rounded the bend toward the garage. I assumed this meant we were being directed around the resort again to park in a far lot. As the light turned and we rounded the bend the sign was up telling us to bypass the garage but the Anaheim PD officers were allowing you to head for the garage, so I followed the car in front of me and headed into the garage (first time in what felt like forever, but in reality was only about a month). There were only a handful of cars scattered across the open toll booths and the CMs inside were just waving you through if you showed your Annual Pass. Once up to the floor for parking there were very few CMs again and the cones pointed me to an already fairly full aisle. I grabbed the first spot I could find and headed for the tram. Walked up and hopped right on a waiting tram. In total it took 15 minutes from when I exited the freeway until I was at the gates of DCA. (Compared to 45-60 minutes the last few trips). This does wonders for your mood..
  
  
• As soon as I walked in I noticed the new entertainment sheet format. it has a little more color than before and the descriptions for many of the offerings are now gone, but they managed to fit more on the guide, which I think is a plus. Now they have the Halloween Roundup listed (no times though) as well as Candy Corn Acres at DCA. The Villains still did not make the cut, nor did the Flag Retreat.
  
  
• I spent the early part of the afternoon at DCA checking out the World of Color progress. The official parks blog, as well as many unofficial blogs, said water will be returning very soon to the Bay. (As of Friday no signs of any except some left over from the rain or small tests).
  
  
• The Fun Wheel line seemed to be back to normal lengths. Not sure if its just good timing or the return of a trend. Either way its been nice to get the pictures and not have to wait a long time and a couple times I even managed to have my own gondola, which really makes it easier to get pictures.
  
  
• As you saw in the pictorial update I stopped by the new RideMakerz store that temporary moved into the old Department 56 space and the newly relocated Little Mismatched location. The RideMakerz is an interesting concept. They describe it as build a bear but with cars. You pick out all the pieces you want for your car then assemble it. I thought the price point was on the high side, I am curious what others think? While in the store there was a fair amount of foot traffic and a few people buying cars, so maybe its more competitive than I thought.
  
  
• I arrived inside Disneyland around 3:00ish and noticed the Street Party heading down Main Street. I double checked my watch, then the time guide. This seemed odd to me. As I roamed the park I did find a couple of signs at the entrance and in the hub saying the Street Party would be at 2:30 and 4:30 on Friday. Also found out (by accident) that the Flag Retreat was at 4:00pm. I thought they should have had the notice by the monorail too as that is how I entered the park and I am sure many hotel guests entered that way too. There may have been signs somewhere that I missed, but usually I spot them. I checked the Disneyland website it has those early times now listed on Fridays when DCA closes early for the Halloween party. So it must be a crowd control measure.
  
  
• For dinner I decided to head back to DCA and grab a burger at Taste Pilots (also wanted to make another loop of the World of Color work). I walked by a couple of times and each time was greeted by a CM out front saying they were closed and not sure when or if they would re-open this evening. No indication of why. Inside I saw CMs cleaning up but that was about it.
  
  
• I ended up back at Disneyland for dinner and decided on a Corn Dog. Since it was after five I assumed there would be a long line (as there always seems to be) but to my surprised the line was short, maybe a handful of people. As I waited it became apparent why there was no line. The CMs working the wagon had a great system going. The CM that fills your order kept poking her head out the door and asking the next guest in line what they would like. When you arrived at the window your food was ready and the CM on the register would ring it up, you paid, and were off to eat your dinner. This worked extremely well and the line kept moving. Wonder if this is a new procedure or just some innovative CMs.. whatever it was it was great to be in a fairly quick moving line there for a change.
  
  
• I stopped by the Gallery and Opera house lobby again in the evening since I had some time to kill waiting for the fireworks. Still no signs of anything in the display care near the Disneyland opening day model in the lobby. In the Gallery the one noticeable change is the addition of signs near the artwork in the exhibit spaces telling you a little about them. It was nice to read/see the info, but the signs really stood out and the original look of the rooms seemed cleaner to me.
  
  
  
• 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. (What does everyone think of this section.. I have done several of these now and have not received many comments.. are they useful, a waste of time, too dated by the time you read them... no one reads this section? Drop us an email with your thoughts or stop by the forum and share them).
  
  
  • Disneyparks video of the new Gallery (YouTube)
    
    
  • OC Register Disneyland Parking map - This interactive map shows you the current and upcoming Disney parking lots. For those that are curious where they are all situated.
    
    
  • A high quality version of the WDW Magic Kingdom tilt-shift video that was on the parks blog last week (YouTube)
    
    
  • The New York Times article on the new Disney Store format
    
    
  • A couple of Disney Press Releases this past week:
    • Grant Funds Disneyland Resort CNG Fueling Station Expansion
    • Disneyland Resort Wins California’s Top Environmental Leadership Award
    • The Disney Parks Blog ran an interview with the new president of Disneyland
      
      
  • We have started to post some announcements on:
    • Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/disneygeekcom
    • Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/disneygeek
      
      

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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