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Visit Date: 4/11/08
Steps: 17,418
Parks Miles: 7.97
Time in Parks: 8

 
Trip Log:

I started off this perfect spring afternoon heading for DCA. I walked through Condor Flats, grabbing a Fastpass for Soarin, then continuing on past GRR, stopping to look at the new bridge which is finished then the work going on at the mill before heading out to the Pier. Walked past Screamin and Midway Mania. I bypassed the Sun Wheel due to a line that was longer than my patience and I finished up the loop of the Pier and headed into the Wharf Area to check out the Food and Wine Festival happenings. Spent some time roaming around the Wharf, Farm area, and winery before heading over to the Grand Californian. I paused in the lobby a while to listen to the Piano player and cool down a bit, it was a warm afternoon. Then I grabbed some pictures of the DVC work and then it was out to Downtown Disney and over to Disneyland. Roamed down Main Street USA and passed the lineboard on my way into Adventureland. Circled Pirates and then walked along the Rivers of America and the Big Thunder trail into Fantasyland. Got some pictures of Jingles (the lead horse on the Carrousel that has been dedicated to Julie Andrews. Then it was off to the Small World Mall. Grabbed a couple shots over the wall and then of the parade. Walked passed the Matterhorn and through Tomorrowland, grabbed a Buzz Fastpass and back to Main Street and over to DCA to try and catch a couple of the demonstrations for the Food and Wine Festival. Then back to Disneyland for the Flag Retreat and to hang out on Main Street a while. Decided it was dinner time so grabbed something to eat at the Taste Pilots Grill and then found a spot to watch the Pixar Play Parade. After the parade circled the Pier again and went for a spin on the Sun Wheel since it was a walk on. I ended up doubling back and walking past Screamin again and ended up in the Wharf area and caught a little of another Food and Wine Festival demonstration on Pasta. Then it was back to Disneyland. Walked through the crowds lined up for the parade and ended up heading for Toontown. Circled through Toontown and then back through Fantasyland and around the Castle. Walked through Plaza Gardens and around Big Thunder and back through Fantasyland. Stopped by the Tomorrowland Terrace and caught a little of the Sandbox set before heading back to the hub and castle for a couple pictures. The sun was almost set so I wandered back over to DCA. Walked down the Backlot circling past Monsters then Tower before stopping at the Animation Building for a while. Then walked back to the entrance area and out to the Pier to get some shots of the Midway Mania lights. Walked out past Screamin and Midway Mania and then the Orange Stinger and back to the Bay Area. Decided to use my Soarin Fastpass then take in a bit of the Electrical Parade before heading back to the parking structure. Caught the fireworks from the garage then headed home.

Other Interesting Stats:
* Actual Walking Time: 3:37:59
* 79 steps per minute average
* 2.19 mph average


For Comparisons to other trips or more park miles click here to visit our park Miles Section.

Note: These totals may be skewed because the pedometer is zero'd when we start and then left alone and read when we leave. So attractions, and other things may cause extra "steps" to be counted. The pedometer that we use basically measures up/down motion as a step, so if your standing in line and moving up and down it may be counting steps, etc.. so the total distances traveled and steps may be off.. so use these as rough distance comparisons between trips and they may not be accurate in terms of actual distance traveled.
Pictures & Video From this Trip:


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My Thoughts & Observations:

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

Hello everyone,

Friday was a picture perfect Southern California afternoon. The weather crept up into the upper 80s and there was not a cloud to be seen most of the time. The parks were much more crowded than I was anticipating, wonder if people are still on spring break in places or if it was the nice weather or something else? As you saw in the pictorial update the lines were on the long side but with Fastpass and timing you could still get on a couple things. Due to the warm weather GRR was well over an hour almost the entire afternoon/evening. Over at Disneyland Nemo was actually under an hour several times when I walked by or saw the line board.

Jason

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

Disneyland & DCA Thoughts and Observations:

  • I knew I was in for a larger crowd when I was directed to the 5th floor of the Mickey and Friends garage and I was on the far side even. I still find it funny how it I always seem to get on the far side and near the far end of a row even no matter the day or time I arrive. You would think with the number of visits I would at least say 1/3 of the time end up on the near side of the garage or the first 1/4 of the spots nearest the walkway.

  • The Food and Wine weekends have now become Disney's California Food and Wine Festival. I believe this is the third year for the program and the offerings have been expanded to now run every day from April 11 through May 5. I am not a big fan of food or wine so I come at this event with a jaded eye. Those who were into the event really seemed to be having a good time, but I overhead several conversations and many seemed to be Castmembers or Annual Passholders. Wonder how many average/day guests were participating and out of those if any made the trip for the Festival (like they do down at EPCOT) or if they just happened upon it. Either way it seemed that most of the demonstrations and sessions were full and those attending were enjoying themselves.

  • Over at Disneyland Jingles, the lead horse on the Carrousel has been dedicated to Julie Andrews. Here is the release. I think the idea of paying tribute to people throughout Disneyland is one of the nice touches of the park and at first I thought this was an odd way to do it. After seeing the horse and how it blends in I think it ok, but a little too busy. There just seemed to be too many elements on the horse compared to the others. Jingles does seem to be popular as I witnessed several guests running to the horse when the gates opened each time (which made it challenging to photograph).

  • As you saw in the pictorial update the crowd that gathered for the Pixar Play Parade was on the light side, I would say about equal to the Block Party Bash crowds I saw in that area of the park over the years. Most people did not seem to mind the water due to the high temperatures and I found a shady spot that I could use my telephoto lens from so all was good for me too. Wonder when the Bugs Life unit will be returning? Same for the bungee rats or whatever they are called in the Ratatouille unit. Also the chefs were down on the ground this time around and not on stilts. Seems they are still tweaking the parade.

  • As noted, the Toy Story Midway Mania(or is it Toy Story Mania) is listed as opening 6/17 according to the guidemap. I do not remember seeing exact dates published in a guidemap before for an attraction opening, that seemed new to me. I was looking through the Walt Disney World passholders site and they are having previews on May 10-12th. So wonder if that means Disneyland's will be close behind?

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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