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Hello all,

Since I was still in Anaheim after the very late evening Thursday at the preview event I headed to the Disneyland Resort again Friday to check out the public premieres, as well as hang out in the park with the Lazygeek and his family. The crowds Friday were heavier than Thursday but still not jammed. We showed up later than usual, around 3:30 and were on the roof of the garage, but Daisy was still available too. (Talked to someone who showed up after 5:00 and they were on Daisy). As the evening went on the crowds grew and once DCA closed at 9:00 Disneyland looked to be jammed (I was on my way out though by this time).

Jason

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

Disneyland & DCA Thoughts and Observations:

• The waits for most E-ticket attractions were under an hour during the early evening. We noticed guests lining up for Fantasmic before 6:00pm (I read online they started just after lunch). Also I heard they were playing the viewing area full announcements for both shows Friday night. We walked by the Big Thunder BBQ area around 6:00pm and it was the busiest I had seen it. When I walked through the Fantasmic area the CMs were telling everyone that the dragon was not going to be appearing tonight, which I thought was great to head off the complaints of people who waited hours and did not get to see it. Everyone seemed in a great mood and most stayed even after the warning.
  
  
• We ate dinner at the Golden Horseshoe and for some reason it still amazes me at how slowly the lines move there. Both the Stagedoor Cafe and the Golden Horseshoe share the same kitchen and menu for the most part and both move slow. The Stage Door Cafe had lines out the door and I heard from someone that they were not even moving. There were two people in front of me and it still took a good 15 minutes to place my order. I did not time it but I think it was close to five minutes from when I ordered/paid until my chicken nugget basket (all I ordered was check nuggets and fries) showed up.
  
  
• Stopped by the Tomorrowland Terrace Dance Club and there was a solid crowd enjoying the Suburban Legends. I watched the end of one set and the beginning of another and was surprised that more people were not participating in the text messages on the screens. There were a couple but not very many. The crowd really did seem to enjoy the free items that were being given away during the time between sets. Just like Thursday an MC came out and did trivia questions and talked to the crowd.
  
  
• We opted to head to DCA to see the Electrical Parade and then try to make it back to Disneyland for Magical. We did this since the Lazygeeks son is coming up on his second birthday and we figured he would enjoy that more (plus the Fantasmic crowd looked rather full already by 8:00). With all the construction walls at DCA along the parade route viewing options were much more constrained than normal and the crowd felt heavier. Also I would guess it was heavier for the premier. Unfortunately they parade was delayed. They played an announcement and CMs came around saying it was going to start soon, but no one knew for sure. We gave it until 10 after nine and then headed for Disneyland and Magical (as did quite a few others around us).
  
  
• While waiting for Magical spotted even more of the new Mickey balloons with the LEDs in them. These do look great, but the price point of $12 seems rather high. I thought the $7 for regular balloons was pushing it but people seemed to be buying them without that much hesitation.
  
  
• We watched Magical from the middle of Main Street about the Disneyana store. I was disappointed that Dumbo did not fly. Tinkerbell made both flights, so the cable system was ok (or they fixed it really quickly). The black light effect during the finale section as well as the confetti were great to watch from our vantage point. It was great to see the street cast in the purple haze of the black lights and the illumination of peoples shirts. The confetti canons were a a great effect but still not sure if the mess afterwards is worth it. There were kids running everywhere for it and the masses leaving the park, and more entering the park at the same time custodial was trying to contain and clean up the mess. Should be interesting to see how long this lasts for after the summer.
  
  
• As we were leaving the park after Magical we noticed quite a large crowd out in the esplanade. Seems with the late running of the electrical parade and the early closing of DCA (it closed at 9pm) it caused a backup again in the Esplanade and then add in the Fantasmic crowd and Magical crowd that were leaving and it was a bit crazy. I read online that Main Street became quite a mess with the two masses colliding plus the clean up effort from Magical. I have a feeling that its going to be a long summer for Disneyland crowd control cast members between the Street Party and then this scene which I am guessing will play out quite frequently. For those of you planning on visiting the park bring your patience and a good game plan for what you want to see and do. Also for the immediate future I would say its going to be nearly impossible to see all three shows (the Electrical Parade, Magical, and Fantasmic), completely, in one evening.
  
  
• One last note to leave you with... this past Sunday (6/14) the Matterhorn , Monorail, and Subs all turn 50...so if you are in the park wish them a happy birthday!
  

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