Second All in One Disneyland TR Thread - Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: Breakout Review 5/30-6/2

[mvf-m11c]

[post=51881197]Last Installment on the Trip Report[/post]

Day 2 –June 23rd, 2014 – Part 4

Mickey’s Soundsational Parade​

After watching the Frozen pre-parade, we were now waiting for the 4pm Mickey’s Soundsational parade. It was nice to see the Frozen pre-parade and to be able to see Soundsational where I haven’t see the whole show since early last year.

Here are pictures from the 4pm Mickey’s Soundsational parade as I have used the telephoto lens to get the up close shots of the characters.






































After Mickey’s Soundsational Parade passed by at our spot, we packed all of our stuff and we started to move on to our next destination that day at DL.

[post=51899742]Continue to the Next Post[/post]​

That’s it for this post and stay tune in for the next update.

 

[ACDSNY]

That's cool you were able to get a waterside table for lunch at BB. You took some great shots of the Mickey Soundsational parade too.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Love the table spot and food at BB.

Great pictures of the parade!

 

[petals]

Luvin the parade pics

 

[mvf-m11c]

That's cool you were able to get a waterside table for lunch at BB. You took some great shots of the Mickey Soundsational parade too.

It was nice to be able to eat at BB at the waterside. I have read that the best opportunity to get a waterside at BB is to do the first reservation that is available at BB which was at 11:30pm. But the guests were let in at 11:15am and we were lucky to get the waterside table that day. It was nice to take pictures of Mickey's Soundsational Parade and to use the telephoto lens just made it even better.

Thank you Angela.

Love the table spot and food at BB.

Great pictures of the parade!

The food was good at BB and was nice to get a waterside spot.

Thank you PiO. It was nice to use the telephoto lens during the parade.

Luvin the parade pics

Thank you petals.


The next updates are coming up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

[post=51881212]Last Installment on the Trip Report[/post]

Day 2 –June 23rd, 2014 – Part 5

Mickey and the Magical Map​

After watching the 4pm Mickey’s Soundsational Parade at It’s a Small World Plaza, I packed all of my equipment back in my bags and we head on over to our next destination at DL that afternoon. While we were in FL, we had enough time to be able to watch the 4:35pm Mickey and the Magical Map show at the Fantasyland Theater. It was about 10 minutes until the show started at 4:35pm so we had plenty of time to be able to get on over to the FL Theater and watch the show.

I have seen MatMM a lot of times ever since the show debut last summer. I have watched it from different spots by up close or way back. DAW have seen the show every time we have come to DL.

We were able to get decent spot for the show at 4:35pm.

I used the telephoto lens since we were quite in the back of the seating area. This was a great opportunity to use the telephoto lens while we are back. If I did use the regular lenses, I would have to be up close in order to get the up close shots.

This was at the minimum at 70mm with the telephoto lens and we were quite a way back and just able to get the whole stage.




You are an Apprentice Mickey




Mickey on the upper level


King Louie and the song “I Wanna Be Like You”.



Trumpet Man


Pocahontas singing “Just around the Riverbend”


Mulan singing “Reflection”


Rapunzel singing “I see the Light”


Flynn and Rapunzel


Sebastian and the cast singing “Under the Sea”


Stitch making an appearance and the song during this scene is “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride”






Mickey made his appearance from the Map


Princess Tiana and the song “Dig a Little Deeper”




This show has never get old and it is still nice to watch it even though we have seen it plenty of times during the trips.

When the show was over, I packed all of my stuff and we waited at the theater until it cleared out since it was full that show.

That will be it for this post and follow along the next post.

[post=51899750]Continue to the Next Post[/post]​

 

[mvf-m11c]

[post=51899742]Last Installment on the Trip Report[/post]

Day 2 –June 23rd, 2014 – Part 6

Riding above the Highway of the Skies​

After we watched the 4:35pm Mickey and the Magical Map show, we started to go onto our next destination at DL that day. We had some time to kill until we head on back to Disney California Adventure so we can use our FastPasses for Radiator Springs Racers.

This is one of the busy times of the day where everyone is mostly in the park and are going on the rides. There are a few rides at that time that will be walk-ons.

I asked DAW that we haven’t done my favorite ride at DL which is the Monorail and since we had time to kill, we head straight on over to Tomorrowland to ride the Monorail.

At first, I didn’t pay attention on the Mousewait App to see what the wait time was and it did bite me in the butt that day.

When we were about to enter the TL Monorail queue, DAW asked me about the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and when it will reopen. I told her that it will reopen in late September. The FNSV has been closed since early January this year and the lagoon has been drained since then. It will be nice when the FNSV reopens in September.


The Monorail logo


While we were walking through the queue, there was a long line towards the TL Monorail station. DAW was wondering why is there a long line and I misjudge the timing when riding the Monorail. I should have known that there would be a long line at this time of the day to ride it.

While we were in the line, I had to look through the blocked off FNSV lagoon and see the dried lagoon. It has been a while now since the FNSV has been closed and see the drained lagoon since the April trip. But this time, I was able to get a picture from the Monorail queue while we were in the line.


Monorail Mark VII Orange was just pulling out of the TL station and we had to wait for the next one.


It took about 15 minutes to go through the queue and to be able to ride the Monorail at that time. Monorail Mark VII Blue was the monorail that we rode at the TL station.


Passing by Disney California Adventure and the backside of Hollywood Land where the Mad T Party set is located.


Passing by Buena Vista Street


Condor Flats and right next to Soarin Over California.


The front entrance to the Grand California Hotel


We were now at the Downtown Disney Station and we were planning on riding the Monorail the roundtrip all the way back to the TL Monorail station.

Back to DL and the Backstage area while riding the Monorail


A look at DL and the west turnstiles which was under refurbishment.


There were quite a number of people entering DL that afternoon.


We were now back in Tomorrowland and passing by the FNSV which was drained.








Passing by Matterhorn Mountain


One last look at the lagoon while it is drained and you can tell from all the scaffolding that there is quite a lot of work on the coral and track.


After we rode the Monorail all around the DLR, we got on out and started to go on over to DCA. We did have time until our FP’s are ready at 8pm but most of the rides at DL were all busy and we had some ideas of what to do that day.

While we were walking on out of the park, there were guests waiting for the 6:30pm Mickey’s Soundsational Parade and we just left at the right time or we would have to walk on the sidewalks and took time to get on out of the park.


A lot of Mickey shape Balloons



We exited DL and head on over to DCA. It was nice that DCA was not as busy to enter where DL had a long queue to enter that day.


We were now back at DCA that time and we head straight on over to Hollywood Land to see a show at that time.

The Red Car Street Trolley passing by.


Can you guess what show we will be seeing at that time. The next post will tell you which show we saw at DCA at that time.

[post=51899754]Continue to the Next Post[/post]​

 

[mvf-m11c]

[post=51899750]Last Installment on the Trip Report[/post]

Day 2 –June 23rd, 2014 – Part 7

Aladdin Musical & Radiator Springs​

We were now walking up to watch the 6:20pm Aladdin a Musical Spectacular at the Hyperion Theater. We did arrived just before the CM’s started to let the guests in the Hyperion Theater that night. It is always nice to be able to watch Aladdin at the Hyperion Theater.


Since DAW was using the ECV, we were able to sit in the Orchestra area which was in the back and we got good center seats and not too many people heads were in our way when we watched Aladdin that night.

This was also a good opportunity to use the telephoto lens in the Hyperion Theater so I can get up close shots of the CM’s. Here are some of the pictures that I took. I have taken over 100 pictures from the show that day.

Your choking me!!!


Got you Street Rat.


The Princess Jasmine


I’m Genie


Mr. Aladdin sir




Who’s that flying in the sky.




There you go Master!!!




After Aladdin was over, it was time that we head on over to Cars Land and do some things before we ride RSR at night.

So we head on over to Cars Land and get ready to use our FP’s that night for RSR. There was one problem, it wasn’t dark enough to ride RSR at night and we had about an hour to go until it got to 8pm. We decided that we should get something to eat before we ride RSR that night.

What better place to get a snack while at Cars Land is going to the Cozy Cone Motel.




DAW got the Chili Cone Queso with beef chili, cheddar cheese and corn chips served in a bread cone. For me, I got the Churro Bites with the chocolate sauce.


We just waited at CL until it was time to use our FP’s when it got to 8pm. I know that we could have gone on RSR immediately at 7pm to 8pm. The only problem is that it wasn’t dark enough where DAW has not even experienced RSR at night.

When it was almost 8pm, we decided just to go through the queue and to use the FP’s before the time goes past 8pm. When passing by the queue, the wait time in the standby queue was at 95 minutes.


I can never get tired of seeing Radiator Springs. Boy there were quite a lot of coins around the spring. I wonder if the cleanup crew takes the coins and it is all clear or they just leave them in the springs?


We didn’t wait too long to go through the queue when we had FP’s. But we did head on over to the handicapped loading area since DAW was using the ECV.

It took about 10 minutes for us to go through the FP queue and to get on the ride that night. For us, we were able to get front row seats again just like the other day. It was always nice to be able to get the front row spot on RSR.

Here are pictures from RSR that night.

Radiator Fall. You can never get tired of seeing Radiator Falls from riding RSR.


Watch out for Mack!


Sally and McQueen. Which way will we go?


Went to the House of Body Art to get painted.


A new paint job won’t win you a race and Doc is correct.


Watch that tight turn


Taillight Caverns


Our picture from that drive and you can tell that I did wear the GoPro on my head that night.


As always, DAW had a blast riding RSR. I do enjoy riding it every time I have the opportunity. But I would not even wait in that long queue just to ride it where I have rode it plenty of times.

We exited RSR and now back at CL, it was time to head on over to Paradise Pier in order to get a spot to watch World of Color that night. So we head on over to Paradise Pier.

While we were walking on out, I had to get a picture of Ornament Valley while we were heading on over to PP.


We left CL and now over to PP.

That will be it for this post and stay tune to the next post.

[post=51899760]Continue to the Next Post[/post]​

 

[mvf-m11c]

[post=51899754]Last Installment on the Trip Report[/post]

Day 2 –June 23rd, 2014 – Part 8

Disappointed during World of Color​

After we rode Radiator Springs Racers at Cars Land, we headed straight on over to Paradise Pier to watch the 9:45pm World of Color show. It was so unusual to watch WoC at 9:45pm since we are so used to two shows a night during the summertime. But since the April trip where they only played it once a night at 9:45pm, I thought that WoC will resume back to its two schedule shows a night. But this is a fact that it only plays once a night which is disappointing.

When we got over to PP, we were there at 8:30pm and there were a lot of guests waiting to get in the viewing area. Since we didn’t have to go in the viewing area since we plan on watching at my favorite spot in the blue section which is right by the green fire hydrant. I have loved this spot every time I see WoC since you won’t be in the wet zone and I am able to get the whole show when I videotape it. There are times when I try different spots to watch WoC like I did during the April trip which was a disappointment. One day, I will go up close to the viewing area to get up close shots of the show.

When we got in the queue, we were asked if we wanted to be in the handicapped section but I told them that we will be going down to my spot. We have watch WoC when DAW used the ECV at my spot.

Just as expected that our spot was not occupied when we got to the viewing section at 9:00pm. So we just waited until it was time for the 9:45pm WoC show.



While I had the telephoto lens with me during the trip, I used it in action in the direction towards Silly Symphony Swings and with a long exposure shot.


While we were waiting for WoC, I played the Fun Wheel Challenge. It is like game like game board where you got to memorize the color. You can use your smartphones to play this game which is very nice to do when you are waiting for WoC. If you win the game, you are able to control the lights on Mickey’s Fun Wheel. I have played it in the past and I haven’t been able to win the game. One day, I will win it and control the lights on Mickey’s Fun Wheel of Doom.

It didn’t took too long until it was time for the 9:45pm World of Color show. I used the telephoto lens for this show in order to get the up close shots of the show where I have used my wide angles lenses for the show.

I was also not satisfy during the show, when the show was going on there were CM’s in the VIP area and were blocking our view of the show. DAW was so upset that the CM’s were blocking our view of WoC. I was disappointed as well that they could have gone in a different spot to watch the show and not obstruct the view of the guests. I have seen CM’s in front of me in the past and they didn’t bother me that much until this trip where there were about four of them. But I was able to get some pictures without them that night.

Here are pictures from WoC that night.


“Every child is blessed with a vivid imagination” a quote from Walt Disney










Ooh






You all look like little Ants














Sorcerer Mickey


The end of World of Color




As soon as WoC was over, we started to head on out of the park that night. We could have gone on over to DL that night but DAW was tired and I was a little tired as well since we left early to DL that afternoon to watch Mickey’s Soundsational Parade.

Passing by the Carthay Circle Theater


Just leaving the park where it is closed that night since it was passed 10:15pm and the park closed at 10pm. Most of the people went straight on over to DL while we head on out of the DLR that night.


We exited the DLR and head on back to Fairfield Inn around 10:30pm and called it for the night.

This was another fine day until World of Color that night where the CM’s obstruct our view for most of the show. But we were able to do a lot of different rides and shows that day at both DL and DCA. We were able to see the Frozen pre-parade which I wanted to see and got the opportunity to see it. We did most of our favorite rides at both parks that day.

Now is the last day which is always the saddest part of the trip. What we will do on our last day, I will have it these next few days until I leave for another trip to the DLR on Saturday.

[post=51935737]Continue to the Next Post[/post]​

 

[PrincessInOz]

Another great set of pictures. I think you'll be adding a long zoom to your bag soon.

Did you enjoy shooting WoC with the zoom?

 

[ACDSNY]

Another great update. I love the last shot from WOC. I wish I could find a spot that I could see the show from. I always seem to be behind a bunch of tall people and all I see are the back of heads.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Another great set of pictures. I think you'll be adding a long zoom to your bag soon.

Did you enjoy shooting WoC with the zoom?

Thanks PiO. I will be getting a telephoto lens in the near future but I just don't know when. I still have to try out the f/4 lens along with the f/2.8 lens one day.

Shooting with the telephoto lens from my favorite spot during WoC was nice. But I really need to get up close one day to get the fountains. I was satisfy with the pictures.

Another great update. I love the last shot from WOC. I wish I could find a spot that I could see the show from. I always seem to be behind a bunch of tall people and all I see are the back of heads.

Thank you Angela. You should consider trying that spot one day if you get the blue FP and don't want to wait a while for a spot in the viewing area. It can be very difficult to get a good spot without seeing heads during the show. It was just unfortunate that the CM's were in our way during that night and blocked our view of the show. But it was just one night and I will still go to that spot every time I have the opportunity.


The next updates will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

[post=51899760]Last Installment on the Trip Report[/post]

Day 3 –June 23rd, 2014 – Part 1

Last Day of the Trip & Ride Crazy​

It was the last day of the trip which is always the saddest part of the trip. DAW had an amazing time during the June trip which she really enjoyed it where it was only the two of us instead of other people like she has been during the last three Disney trips.

When we got up, we started to pack most of our bags since we have to check out of Fairfield Inn at 12pm. Overall, the experience at FFI was nice but I would not stay at this hotel again in the near future since the location is not that bad but the only problem I have with the hotel is that there are so many people and it can be very noise. I don’t like to be on the upper levels since it does take time to wait for the elevator.

We didn’t leave the room until 8am since we packed most of our stuff until it was time to leave that afternoon.

Then we were on our way back to the DLR and we went to DL that morning and got in the park around 8:15am which was not that bad since it opened at 8am.


There were some rides that we weren’t able to do during the trip since the wait times were high. The wait times at the parks during our trip were high but they aren’t even close to Christmas break.

At the RoA, it was quiet where the boats are not in operation yet that morning.


While we were right in Frontierland/New Orleans Square, we had to ride Pirates of the Caribbean. When we tried to ride PotC during the first two days of the trip, the wait time was in the 30 minute range which was high but not too high and there were times where we saw the queue extended towards the walkway.


It less than a 5 minute wait to ride PotC that morning. I did took a lot of pictures with the Tokina 11-16mm lens and it was tough to get the right picture on the ride. I set the ISO at 6400 and when I ride it again in the near future, I am thinking of rising the ISO to 12,800.

Here are some pics from the ride experience.






After riding PotC, we head on over to Haunted Mansion. Riding HM with the regular overlay is nice but I would still prefer the Haunted Mansion Holiday during the Halloween/Christmas season at DL.






It was only a 5 minute wait to ride HM that morning.

Once again, tried to take as many pictures inside HM but there is barely any light on the ride except in certain areas.

The room is actually stretching?


You wanna dance and have dinner with us?




We just finished riding HM and we moved on to our next place that morning which was Critter Country so we are able to ride Winnie the Pooh. This is one of the rides that is a walk-on at DL during anytime of the day until the afternoon.

The wait time was only at 2 minutes which was a walk-on that morning.

Here are pictures from Winnie the Pooh ride that morning.




We’ll save you Piglet.










After we finished riding Winnie the Pooh ride, we were a little hungry that morning where DAW needs to have breakfast since we got to the parks early that morning at 8:15am.

The restaurant that was close that served breakfast was at the River Belle Terrace. DAW was willing to try that restaurant that morning.


I had the Mark Twain which was scrambled eggs, country style potatoes, sausage with a biscut.


DAW got the Steamboat which is three pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon.


We ate inside and can see the other guests outside eating breakfast.

[post=51935755]Continue to the Next Post[/post]​

 

[mvf-m11c]

[post=51935737]Last Installment on the Trip Report[/post]

Day 3 –June 23rd, 2014 – Part 2

We’re Leaving?​

After we finished breakfast at the River Belle Terrace, it was almost time to head on out of the park and go back to Fairfield Inn so we can check out and start heading back home that day.

Before we left DL that morning, I wanted to go towards FL and get some last second pictures until we left that day.

Of course, we had to pass by Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to see what the wait time was like and it was at 20 minutes which was not that bad that morning.


We walked through the backside of Frontierland and head on the other side of Fantasyland where I got some pictures with the telephoto lens until we left the park that morning.


Olaf








After we went through the Castle and heading on out of DL, we saw a few ducks swimming.


The park is got a little busy that Wednesday afternoon with more people now in the parks.


A look at the lantern up in the Fire Department.


The Ward Kimball engine #5 at the Main Street station.


We exited the park and now heading on back to FFI. While passing by Monorail Mark VII Red going down on Harbor Blvd.


We got back to the room around 11:30am and we started to take all of our bags that are in the room to the car.

We left Anaheim around 12pm and a 7 hour drive back up north to Sacramento. Mostly I stop on the way back to Little Tokyo but DAW didn’t need anything at Little Tokyo so we just head straight on back to Sacramento.

It was around 8pm when we got back home to Sacramento with the usual stops on the way like gas up and eating on the way home.

This concludes the June trip. This was a very nice trip where DAW had a great time and unexpectedly renewed her Premium AP during the trip. I was a little surprised that she renewed her AP and I originally thought that she wasn’t planning on doing that. It looks like that she will be coming along with me in the near future to the DLR where she has to get at least three more trips if you don’t include this trip. I was able to do my usual rides and shows during the trip. We were able to see the Frozen pre-parade which was very nice to see. The park crowd levels were average during the summertime in my opinion where it can get really busy during certain seasons. The weather has been nice where it wasn’t that hot.

Overall the trip was good and now I am looking forward to my trip tomorrow. Yes, I will be heading back down this Saturday to Monday for another quick trip to the DLR. This will be the third trip in the last four months (April, June & July). I will be going down with my DB and his GF. I have went down with them during the August 2012 trip and we had a great time. I will be posting pictures and updating during the trip. So stay tune for the updates.

Thank you for following along the June trip report.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I was going to say how sorry I was to see the end of another TR but then I realised that it won't be too long to the start of the next installment.

Great pictures. Glad to see that you're working out and experimenting with different settings.

 

[franandaj]

You got some great pictures of the Pixar Play Parade. I usually get annoyed at this parade since it usually goes by when I'm trying to get somewhere and they block off the streets so I can't get to where I want to go and I'm forced to listen to the "5-4-3-2-1!" Countdown song the whole time!
Great F! shots!
That's great that you had lunch at BB. I think they share a kitchen with Café Orleans for the Monte Cristo sandwich so it's the same one.
Nice shots of Anna and Elsa and the Soundsational Parade
You guys did a lot! Even fit in Mickey and the Magical Map!
Wow! They are really refurbing the Sub ride!!!
You guys are packing it all in Aladdin too! We had a different Genie when we saw the show a couple weeks ago. He was not as skinny.
I love World of Color, but Fran doesn't, however, I convinced her to go see it when my parents come visit in September so that will be nice to finally see it again.
The River Belle Terrace Breakfast looks good! Sorry about the last day, but at least you are back there now!
I am all caught up now!

 

[petals]

awesome pictures. I love that last picture of the Ferris Wheel and Dumbo in world of colour

 

[mvf-m11c]

I will respond to the posts later during the trip or when I get back home.

It has been a nice day today at the parks where it was warm and a little busy today. My DB, DBGF his GF and I arrived at the parks around 9am this morning which was a little late that day where we left Sacramento early that Saturday morning or night.

When we got to the park that day, we were joined by DBGF friend who lives in SoCal and she was asked by DBGF to come down and join us that day at the parks. We first entered DCA that morning and was able to get FP's for RSR for 1pm to 2pm and able to get the blue FP's for WoC at 9:45pm that night. We were able to go on some rides at DCA that day from RSR, TSMM, ToT & Heimlich's Chew Chew Train today. We were able to park hop at DL that day and were able to ride BTMRR & Gadget's Go Coaster (it was a big mistake to go on that ride since the wait time was over 30 minutes).

We had breakfast at Pacific Wharf Cafe which I haven't done in quite some time and had snacks at the Cozy Cone Motel. I have been resting since I have drove most of the night to SoCal. It won't be too long until we head on back to the DLR for the nighttime activities.

I will keep you all updated during the trip.

Here are some pictures from today.

DBGF, DB and DBGF friend while we were waiting for TSMM which we had to wait about 40 minutes.


A short wait time for BTMRR that afternoon.




Those three riding Gadget's Go Coaster while I watched them.


When we were through the queue of RSR, they added some mist machines through the queue to keep the guests cool while waiting to get on RSR.


Our picture during our ride on RSR.

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Bret,
I really enjoyed all the great photographs from your last trip. Especially the Winnie the Pooh ride ones, Olaf, and the diving duck! We always enjoy seeing Aladdin and Mickey and the Magical Map. Your pictures reminded me so of our last trip. Good times.

Looks like you're having a blast with your DB and his DFs! LOVED the ride picture from RSR!

Thanks for sharing,
TK

 

[rentayenta]

Bret, your photos are amazing as usual and just what I needed to see during this missing Disneyland phase.

I can't believe you're back already!