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

What a nice relaxing afternoon, Thursday, at the Disneyland Resort. The crowds were mild at best, a small breeze blowing the hot air around. Friday brought on a little larger crowd through out the day and then a mass of people in the evening.

Leaving the resort Friday evening there were cars everywhere and people coming and going. Anyone know what was going on late Friday? There were full trams of people returning to the parks at 10pm.. Our tram was held up due to a resue squad crossing the tramway and entering the backstage gate behind Splash.

For dinner on Friday we ended up at White Water Snacks at the Grand Californian, due to being in that side of the park and wanting a reasonably priced air conditioned place to eat. My first time eating there, not sure why I had not before.. anyways it was great. Slightly cheaper than the park and a solid quality of food. I ended up getting the Coney Dog, which is a foot long beef hot dog, in an oversized bun, with chili and cheese all on top of a large basket of french fries. This was only $4.99, which in Disney terms is cheap. I also got a slurpe (icee) which appeared the same size as the ones in the park and it was only $2.50. I think we will end up eating in there again... well worth it.

To commemorate the 4th both parks had pin giveaways. DCA was a small US flag and Disneyland was a regtangular button of Mickey with a flag behind him. I have to admit the DCA one was much nicer in my book.

We have moved our trip rundowns and mileage reports to our Park Miles section.

Disneyland Items:

• The focus of Thursday was DCA and the X-Games.. Friday was Disneyland. The comments below are a mix from both.

• The new ODV stands look much better to me than the old carts. Now they just need to get rid of some of the carts... they really annoy me...that everywhere you look there is a cart.

• The crowds in Disneyland on the 3rd did not seem as bad as I expected for the day before a major holiday day. The 4th seemed regular summer day till it got dark, then the masses arrived and the park became jammed. We left at 10pm after the fireworks and there were still full trams of guests coming in. The traffic around the park was gridlock with people leave, staying, or just parked to watch the fireworks.
  
• I was a little disappointed that there was no announcement for the 4th of July celebrations and that there was not more going on around the park. I would have thought there would be some announcements for the Armed forces salute in the morning (which there was not and I missed it) or for the flag retreat which had a good size crowd. Maybe even a band or group to do patriotic songs... guess that is too much from the modern day Disneyland.
  
• The Disneyland Fireworks did not disappoint. Believe was great as usual and the crowd was extremely receptive of it cheering loudly during many portions. Main Street was jammed, but well under control.. its nice to see they had the CMs in place to handle all the extra people, unlike some past experiences. One of the loudest and longest applauses came when the announcer thanks the US tropps for all their service right before the armed forces medley placed. This was awesome to see and really added to the show.
  
• Went to see Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln since it was the 4th of July.. and as always with the new show I was extremely disappointed with the show. There were only about a dozen people in the audience and most did not seem to interested... I wish they would bring back the old show. Yes it was not a real speech, but pieces of a various speeches, and yes it was a history lesson.. but it was good. The Two Brothers number, the Preamble, and Golden dreams finale really helped the show. The current storyline seems just bug me...
  
• One other bit of interesting news.. when talking about the office instead of saying the other office was coming back soon they said it would be "sometime in the future"... I take that to mean probably not for a long time if at all... hopefully it will be back for the 50th..

DCA Items:

• The crowd at DCA was its average summer crowd, meaning none really.

• The X-Games things seemed to be keeping some people occupied... I do not know what I was expecting but this somehow did not seem to meet them. It seemed like a perfect fit.. extreme sports which originated in California to be in a California theme park. In reality it just did not excite me. Many elements appeared to just be there or to take very little interest in the guest (for example still no covers on the arena areas and stadium vendors hawking drinks instead.) Maybe some misters or free water(tap) or ice or cold drinking fountains nearby or something...
  
  I guess I will give my impressions of each part

• The sweepstakes: Well I did not win anything so not the best for me...
  
• The Q&A: I did not know the athlete so it did not mean much to me.. or the dozen or so others who attended.
  
• The MotoX Big Air show: This was an interesting show, watching them fly through the air. The show still seemed to be lacking something, not sure what though.. Walking out to the arena in the heat of the day was not a bright idea on my part. The black asphalt of the Timon lot was warm to say the least. Add to that the stupid decision again to build no shade out there and sitting on plastic seats. I guess they do that so you buy ODV drinks or something... its annoying to me though...
  
• The Arcade: I was expecting something like Innoventions or Disneyguest.. instead I got a normal arcade.. what a bust...
  
• The Half Pipe Bay show was a disappointment to me. First of all it was hot and miserable like the concerts last year... but you could suffer through it.. I guess after seeing the Big Air show these jumps and spins just did not impress me.
  
• You now get game pieces everytime you enter the park (its only supposed to be your first entry of the now really). I lost.. just like most people... the idea is ok, just wish they had more prizes.. maybe some dumb ones like stickers or pens or something just so there are more winners than loosers. I stepped over serveral game pieces thrown on the ground all day.
  
• I did not see the Parade... hopefully next trip I will..
  
• On Thursday when I stopped at the Bread tour the screen was out, so you had to image the video.. to make up for it there were larger pieces of bread.. all was fixed on Friday though.
  
• Tortilla tour's new entrance has opened. Now the first room is divided in half. You watch a couple minute report by some kids on the history of Tortillas then the doors open and you go the old windows and then to the factory. Over all I think its an improvement.
  

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