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Visit Date: 3/02/12
Steps: 25,112
Parks Miles: 9.5
Time in Parks: 10.5

 
Trip Log:

Started off this windy afternoon heading for DCA. Walked through Condor Flats to Buena Vista Street to check out the consturction then up the parade route, past Cars Land and to the Pier. Strolled around by Screamin and Toy Story then went for a spin on the Fun Wheel. Once back on the ground finished my loop of the Pier walking down the middle of the new parade concrete then walked to the Wharf for lunch. After lunch stopped by the Blue Sky Cellar to check out the Cars Land exhibit then walked over to Condor Flats to cach some of the Minnie Fly Girls Charter Airline show. Once the show had concluded I walked by GRR and then out to the Bay Area and down the parade route. Roamed through Bugsland and to the Backlot then headed for the park exit and over to Disneyland. Wandered down Main Street USA and around the hub before choosing to go through Adventureland and out to the Riverfront to check out the Bayou Bash. Spent some time exploring New Orleans square killing time till the show started. Watched the Mardi Gras Celebration then headed out to Critter Country. Got talked into a ride on Pooh (always good to see Melvin, Buff and Max.. but it does remind me how I miss the bears!). Walked back along the Rivers of America and into Frontierland. Realized the Billies were going to start soon so took a peek to see if there was a table, it was full, so moved on. Walked through the hub and over to Tomorrowland for a ride on Buzz. Walked around the Matterhorn and out to the Small World Mall to take a sail on Small World. Once back hopped on the train to avoid the Soundsational parade crowd and took it around to Main Street USA. Watched the end of Soundsational from the Train Station then the Flag Retreat. Noticed they were setting up to do some filming so hung around and watched a couple takes of the Modern Family gang walking toward the Opera House. Decided it was dinner time, so we headed out to Fantasyland and the Village Haus to grab a bite to eat. After dinner I left the group and hiked back to DCA and the Blue Sky Cellar patio for some Cars Land shots then out to the Pier to check out the Fun Wheel line and the shops after dark. The line was too long so I walked around the Pier and then through Bugs to the Backlot again. They were setting up to film in front of Tower of Terror as I passed by. Strolled through ElecTRONica and caught some of the disc games before heading for Downtown Disney. Made my way out to the Disneyland Hotel and stopped by the lobby to see the Disneyland Map. Reversed my course through Downtown Disney and returned to Disneyland. Main Street seemed quiet for just before 8pm and I learned they had already cancelled Remember for the evening. Stopped by the Tomorrowland Terrace to watch a set fromt he Rumble Kings before making my way to Frontierland to find a spot for Fantasmic. After the show joined the masses heading for the exit. Made my way to the tram, car, and then home.

Other Interesting Stats:
* Moderate Walking Stats (meaning over 2.5mph): 18,768 steps, 163 minutes.


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:

Hello all,

Friday I arrived at the parks a bit earlier than usual and was greeted by a breezy afternoon, that seems to be happening quite often this year. The crowds at the parks felt about average. Wait times were modest in the early afternoon creeping upwards as the evening went on. For example on the first pass by Soarin was 25 minutes but as the sun set it was in the 45 minute range. Toy Story seemed to be about 40 each time I passed. Over at Disneyland the pattern emerged as usual.

Jason

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

Thoughts and Observations:

  • I made a quick pass through DCA upon arrival, before lunch, to see what was going on with the construction projects and try to get on the Fun Wheel with a minimal wait. Managed to do so with only a 15 minute wait... As you saw in the pictures lots of small progress but nothing overly interesting besides noting the number of smaller projects that are underway to make the park look brand new again for its big re-release or re-launch this June. I thought the new Boardwalk Bazaar sign and wood inspired siding made a big difference in the feel of the shops. Curious to see if any of the other stores will get new names too.

  • The new pavement on the parade route in front of the Little Mermaid seems out of place to me. It really does not seem to match anything else in the park yet. Wonder if the rest of the parade route will be redone to match? Or if this lighter color is just for the Mermaid area for some reason. To the best of my memory I did not see any major problems with the old parade concrete which was redone when Paradise Park was created.

  • One of the main reasons for my visit was to check out the Road to Cars Land Exhibit in the Blue Sky Cellar. As with the previous exhibits I was impressed with this one. I always enjoy learning more about what goes into making Disney experiences and the Blue Sky Cellar sure works to excite you about what is coming as for use disneygeeks having time to examine the concept art and models is a blast! Hopefully everyone else enjoys and visits too so the Blue Sky Cellar remains with new exhibits in the coming months/years. As you saw in the pictorial update the exhibit features some great concept art, models, marquettes and a new film. I found the model of the Racers car that was half Racers and half Test Track really interesting to see. Also really enjoyed reading all the signage around the room, cannot wait to see the real ones as I roam Cars Land later this year.

  • A video of the new film that I found on Youtube if you were curious:




  • Over at Disneyland the Bayou Bash is still rolling along in New Orleans Square. I did not see any signs with show times this week, maybe because of the wind? The crowds for the shows were decent sized, a little smaller than last time but then again the park was less crowded.

  • As I was watching the Flag Retreat noticed they were staging camera gear near the Opera House so I hung around afterwards as they blocked off the street and filmed a segment for Modern Family. They had been there since Wednesday shooting. I believe they wrapped up Friday evening. I noticed the Star Waggon trailers backstage were being removed as I was heading back to the garage on the tram, and saw a couple on the freeway. It was interesting listening to guests talk. Most seemed to be tourists who had never seen a production and they were amazed at how painstakingly slow the process is and how many times they redo the same thing.

  • After night fall I headed back to DCA to see what was going on and hoped to see some testing going on at Cars Land. Due to a longer than my patience wait at the Fun Wheel I was unable to go for a spin. From ground level I could not see anything too interesting going on.

  • Walked through ElecTRONica and caught one of the Disc Throwing competitions. I thought the event was a fun idea for kids. The hostess needs some more compliments, she sounded very repetitive to me. Here is my video of the event in case you missed it in the update:


  • I had hoped to see TRONcam in action but in my short time there it was not being used.. maybe next trip.

  • Made the hike out to the Disneyland Hotel to see the new map in the Fantasy Tower Lobby. The new map is impressive and the rumor that I have seen is it will eventually come alive with activity (think the type of activity on the map in the Blue Sky Cellar) which would be great! I was also pleased to see the old pictures back and in a very visible spot, right across from the elevators. Before they were down the hall by the rest rooms/convention center. The map itself is a great centerpiece as you enter the lobby. Still no signage on the gift shop. Looks like most of the details are finally wrapping up on the renovation. Surprised how this just kind of keeps going on.

  • Remember Dreams Come True (fireworks) were cancelled well before show time again. I heard a cast member say so before 8pm and heard several park announcements during the 8pm hour. The Cast Member said it was wind related. The announcements were unforeseen circumstances. It was windy earlier in the day but come night fall it did not seem too bad. I did not notice any heavy wind as the Fantasmic smoke rose.. but then again it could be completely different at firework altitude.

  • I stopped by Tomorrowland Terrace to see the Rumble Kings and was really surprised by the low turnout for them. The seats were filled and guests seemed to be having a good time but the dance floor was empty for the most part. There were some kids dancing/running around and once couple did dance for a song or so but overall it was very quiet out there.

  • Fantasmic returned on Friday (there was a special showing during the One More Day but this was the first regular showing I think). Hard to believe on May 13th it will turn 20.. I still remember the first year and squeezing in or standing in the grass/planters because of the overflow crowds and the great Disney News/magazine article describing the show. Nothing too new or different jumped out at me. Friday they had some issues. The King Louie barge/boat was a no show so only two barges/boats were available for the princess medley (Ariel lost her ride). The lights on the Beauty and Beast one did not turn on and the Snow White one stayed bright the entire time. Also the eels were a no show. The dragon did come out and perform normally so that was a good sign. The Mark Twain was in the harbor for some annual work so that meant the characters were all out on the island for the finale. Not as impressive but still better than cancelling the show.

  • Speaking of anniversaries wanted to say point out that Indiana Jones turned 17 on Saturday. Seems like only yesterday I was in a line that wrapped through adventureland and started to circle the hub. I wish I had a picture of that, that predates my digital camera days and with an film camera never took pictures of lines :)

Interesting Web Finds/Notes:
Below are some interesting links, notes, and rumors I found/stumble across/or have been informed of since the last Geekspeaks column.

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

Stop by the Geek's Forum to discuss this and other Disney topics.. click here

Send comments, questions, any other email to: disneygeek@disneygeek.com
Pictures & Video From this Trip:


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