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

Hello all,

Sunday was a quick visit to the Disneyland Resort. I found myself in Orange County with a few spare hours so of course I was drawn to the Disneyland Resort. Since I was there near opening for Disneyland and for DCAs the crowds were extremely mild but both parks were continuing to fill up as we left. Due to the short lines in this visit that lasted just over 2 hours we managed to visit quite a few attractions (Peter Pan, Snow White, Mr Toad, Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story, Fun Wheel) as well as walk around both parks and take pictures.

Jason

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

Disneyland & DCA Thoughts and Observations:

• One of my favorite times at the parks is the early morning when the park is just waking up. The walkways are usually not crowded, everything is fresh and clean to start the day, the waits for attractions are short and then you can add in the extra buzz in the air as everyone enters the park with excitement and anticipation of what is to come. If you have never experienced a Disney park at opening I would highly recommend it.
  
  
• As I pointed out in the pictorial update I was really surprised to see so much confetti on the ground and on several awnings/buildings along Main Street. I am assuming that was from Saturdays Magical or Street Party performances (unless they added confetti to the parks opening, but then it seems someone should have been around to pick it up). I though this was rather poor and a little disappointing to see. I overheard a couple other guests making comments to each other too (as well as a couple asking what they missed already).
  
  
• I finally made it on Peter Pan and Snow White, both of which have recently under gone renovations. Overall both attractions looked clean and crisp. I did not notice any substantive changes to either, but to be honest its been quite a while sine I last visited either. The attraction vehicles for Snow White looked identical (or were still the same ones, just cleaner). Over at Peter Pan the new boats did to have a little more space in them, but again hard for me to remember. I did receive notes from some friends of the site that my memory was correct and the extra bars/cage below the lap bar to keep your feet in is new. Curious how this effects really tall people. I am six feet tall and had no problem, but I do remember on the old boats being able to stretch my legs out which would not be possible/easy in the new configuration.
  
  
• Nothing new to report from DCA besides what you saw in the pictorial update. The construction projects are moving along. This week the Orange Stinger was slated to close down for the next 10 months or so to be transformed to the Silly Symphony Swings.
  
  
• In closing would like to grip again (for those long time readers you may want to skip this as you have heard it before...) about the way the Mickey and Friends garage is stripped and how inefficient it is.. both from a time perspective and fuel perspective... Sunday I was parked in the middle of the 1st row on the 2nd floor. A nice short walk to the escalator so cannot complain about that but the time and energy wasted to get to the spot and then to leave the garage is crazy to me. First to get in you drive all the way to the back of the garage, then the length of it then down to your spot (which by the way there were no CMs so it was sort of a free for all on the aisle if you wanted to gamble and go down further or just take the spot nearest all the other cars). Then to leave you have to drive to the front of the garage (by the escalators), then drive the length of the garage, then all the way to the back and then double back to the middle to exit.. I should have paid attention to the mileage but I would bet it was a couple miles to do the circle including the exit and entrance.
  
  
• Interesting Web Notes:
  This is a new idea I am trying out (so drop me a line and let me know what you think). In this section of the Geekspeaks column I will include links, notes, and rumors I find/stumble across/or have been informed of.
  
  
  • A friend of the site was kind enough to share with me some information that was part of a survey that was sent to Club 33 members. Club members were asked to participate in an online survey after reading a proposal/concept paper on a new club at DCA. There was a one page write up of a proposal for a new club at DCA entitled Carthay Circle Club. This concept document went on to outline and describe a private entrance to the new Carthay Circle theater where members would enjoy a cocktail or dessert in the Animators Lounge while waiting for their table upstairs. Upstairs would be the main dining room which would feature an open show kitchen and tall windows that look out into the park at the new Buena Vista Street. In the center of the dining room is the Tower Room featuring photos and historical artifacts from Walt's early years in Hollywood. Other potential benefits would be park admission, reserved seating for the parade or World of Color show.. The concept was pitched as an add-on for existing members with a one time fee then a smaller annual fee (the same model as Club 33 memberships).
    
    
  • The El Capitan Theatre and Disney’s Soda Fountain and Studio Store has started a twitter page. They will have special opportunities and exclusive offers only available to our Twitter followers. There may even be some special pin announcements along the way! To follow them the twitter URL is http://www.twitter.com/ElCapitanThtre.
    
    
  • If you are in the park this weekend be sure to be on the lookout for a new window on Main Street USA. Marty Sklar from Walt Disney Imagination will be receiving a window in a ceremony before the park opens Friday commemorating his 54 years with the Walt Disney Company as well as his official retirement. An interesting fact is he is the only current Cast Member of The Walt Disney Company who has participated in the opening of all eleven Disney Parks around the world.
    
    
  • Also note Friday is Disneyland's 54th birthday... there will be a small rededication ceremony at 4:45pm in Town Square, my guess is it will be similiar to what they have done in years past which is a couple characters and maybe the Mayor of Main Street will come out, they will replay Walts Dedication Speech and then maybe play a song. The ceremony I saw a couple years ago was similiar to the show that used to take place daily during the 50th celebration for those that saw that.
    
    
  • Lastly a rumor to share... several sites are reporting that Space Mountain will take on a role in the Halloweentime promotion this year using the equipment that was installed for the Rockin Space Mountain. Also saw some rumors that a new fireworks show may be in the works too (this rumor seems to surface every year... maybe this year it will be true).
    
    
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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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