Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” train tour, New Orleans location - mini TR!

[cherbear]

Hello there, I’m Cheri and I wanted to share my experience at the Disney “A Christmas Carol” train tour, which is a FREE interactive exhibit that is traveling by train through the United States. Yes, I said FREE!!

More info:
http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/...aroltraintour/

I live about 45 minutes from New Orleans, so my cousin and I wanted to go and take her 7 year old son. The train was in New Orleans from Friday the 7th til Sunday the 9th. Saturday was perfect for us, so that’s when we went.

This report will include some personal vignettes, largely due to my friends here on the DIS that are reading this (I’m sure you all will be the first to read )
But it will also have a ton of pics, I wanted everyone to feel like they got to experience this themselves! So here goes!

My cousin lives just around the corner from me…we had actually planned on waking up early (on a Saturday...yuck) and leaving around 8 so that we could be there when it opened up at 9 am. The word on the street was that the lines for this exhibit have been a couple hours, maybe more. After all, it IS free.

Well, I slept through my alarm, and she also overslept; I woke to my phone ringing at just before 8 am—she said she woke up late and was in the tub because she was too tired to take a bath the night before. I said, well that’s fine, I just woke up anyway! So new plan: leave as soon as we are both ready (which I assumed would be just before 9). I let the dogs out—making note of the beautiful sunshine outside--then got ready as quickly as I could. I wore a tank top, shorts, and tennis shoes (sneakers) because we also had plans to go to Chuck E Cheese’s afterwards for lunch and games, and I didn’t want any kids stepping on my toes in flip flops or sandals.
Christina and Nathan were eating a quick bite when I called, so I decided to do the same. Cereal it is! My mouth was already salivating for the pizza! LOL

We ended up leaving around 9 am as I suspected, grabbed the GPS from my car and hopped in hers. As this was a surprise for Nathan, he kept asking us where we were going…and we kept telling him “it’s a surprise!”. One of his guesses was Chuck E Cheese but we both kept a straight face and said “nope.” As we got to New Orleans, uh oh…it looks like bad weather! I wish I had snapped a pic of the sky on our way into the city.

We had a little trouble trying to find the Amtrak station, but asked a nice Audubon park representative in his work vehicle and he gave us perfect directions. By this point it was drizzling pretty good. Nathan seemed pretty excited that we were going to see something Disney related, although he really didn’t know exactly what.

We got there and still raining, so Christina checked her trunk and found a small umbrella—like, one that is meant for ONE person. Luckily Nathan is a skinny kid. We had to park pretty far, so got out and huddled under the umbrella walking as quickly as we could whilst staying beneath it. It started to rain harder and harder, then became a total DOWNPOUR. (Did I mention I had my good sneakers on?) We ended up stopping underneath a tree so as to have something to assist the umbrella in blocking the rain. We were still getting wet, but hey at least our hair was dry!
Christina made the decision we should keep on moving. It just wasn’t letting up. I prayed outloud that God would stop the rain. LOL If only you could have seen us trying to stay together under this teeny little umbrella. hahaha

At this point we had to cross over a lot of grass, call it a really big hilly lawn if you will. And it was a miracle…the rain completely stopped, as if to give us just enough time to cross over and enter the line for the train! God heard my prayer!



Upon our entry into the line, the posted wait time was 45 minutes (Gotta love Disney and their wait signs—if it wasn’t about to pour again I would have taken a pic) I think we waited 45 minutes to an hour. The line was underneath a tent, but some rain still blew in a bit. (by the way, that little blue tent is not the line…the entrance into the train can be seen to the right, and the line is to the right of that—not shown in the pic) I didn’t mind the wait, as I was glad they were only letting on a few people at a time so as not to crowd the train up and let people move at a slower pace through it. I knew it would pay off when we had our turn.

We talked to a nice mother/daughter behind us, who hadn’t been to Disney since 2006 (I said “it’s time to go back!”) but they were obviously big fans. I will tell you this…while in line both Christina and I were deleting unnecessary pictures from our cell phones to clear up space to take pics of this event! That sure passed the time. Haha

While we were in line, someone came to tell everyone that the 3D movie preview that was being shown in the blow up tent nearby was going to be shut down because it was full of water a few feet high! Bummer!! Then a few minutes later we were told that no one else was going to be allowed in line; they were closing down the train afterwards. I can’t tell you how glad I was that we went EARLY! The exhibit was supposed to be open until 7 PM and here it wasn’t even 11:00 yet! There must have been a lot of upset people that day, but what can you do, it’s a free exhibit.
I wonder if they were in the habit of closing down early in the other locations as well. It must have been due to the mud being tracked into the train?

Anyway, the last span of the line was SO full of standing water that we couldn’t dodge it and my shoes and socks got SOAKED all the way through. We made the decision to stop at K-Mart next to CeC afterwards to buy flip flops or something. Finally we headed up to the line and showed them our “pass” which was given to us while standing in the last stretch of the line.


LOVED the “Hidden Mickey” holepunch!

The steps to get into the train also had a tent built over them, and one of the workers had a broom in his hand, presumably to get the water off that was sitting atop the overhead. He gave us the clear to get on the train so we did.

Backing up as far as I could in the little area after boarding, I struggled to get this picture:

which didn’t come out very good. Then started to make my way into the first actual “car” of the train. And heard a big WOOOOOOSH!!! Then a voice saying “I’m SO sorry!!!!”

I turned around and the man was indeed pushing the water off the top of the tent, but the girl behind us had walked up the steps (though I believe she was told to stay back) and she was DIRECTLY BENEATH the abundant “waterfall” that got pushed off! She got SOAKED! The mother was really upset, but the man was very apologetic. One of the other workers explained that they told her to stay back but she didn’t. It was completely unintentional, but I still felt really bad for the girl.

Well, you’ve been waiting long enough. Time to see what you came here for!

It was so perfectly “Disney”…I just started snapping and snapping





Did you know that Jim Carrey plays SEVEN characters in this movie? It’s amazing what they can do with technology these days! Gary Oldman plays 3 characters I believe.

Scrooge:


Scrooge as a boy:


There were quite a few cases like this displaying materials and books, etc.


Teenage Scrooge:


uh…adult Scrooge:


As you may have noticed, all 4 are played by Jim Carrey!


Gary Oldman as Bob Cratchit


Colin Firth as Fred:


Robin Wright Penn as Belle:




Belle’s daughter(Fan) & costume:


Mrs. Fred Scrooge:




Gary Oldman as Tiny Tim:


I believe this is Mr. Fezziwig:


And Mrs. Fezziwig:





This is much like a (very large) digital photo frame. There were several of these on the train

This one in particular depicted some of the scenes as they were drawn up in the beginning stages.

This video was playing on a loop on at least one screen in each “room” (car) of the train:

I managed to capture Mr. Carrey on screen. I just love him!

Then we enter the next car, which will be in a separate post. Plenty more pics to come later!

[AlleyKat]

cherbear, should one arrive to line up by 8am(I want to beat the crowds)?

Once on the train, did you feel rushed or were you able to take your time?

How long is the movie preview that's shown?

[cherbear]

Here is a photo I grabbed off the net of one of the train cars (it’s void of people in this photo so I couldn’t possibly get a shot like this)


I was one over on my images so I had to make this a separate post. The rest of the pics will be posted tonight or by this weekend.

[cherbear]

Originally Posted by AlleyKat

cherbear, should one arrive to line up by 8am(I want to beat the crowds)?

Once on the train, did you feel rushed or were you able to take your time?

How long is the movie preview that's shown?

I would say just try to get there whenever it opens in the morning. In our case, it was storming so badly when we got there, and there was still almost an hour wait at 10:00 (an hour after it opened) so I imagine if it wasn't raining the line would have been a lot longer.

We did not feel rushed at all. I liked how they were only letting a couple of groups on at a time.

We never got to see the preview because they closed down the tent--it didn't open back up because of all the water sitting in it. Sorry. (We were pretty bummed!) Though I think it's around 10-15 minutes.

[AlleyKat]

Originally Posted by cherbear

I would say just try to get there whenever it opens in the morning. In our case, it was storming so badly when we got there, and there was still almost an hour wait at 10:00 (an hour after it opened) so I imagine if it wasn't raining the line would have been a lot longer.

We did not feel rushed at all. I liked how they were only letting a couple of groups on at a time.

We never got to see the preview because they closed down the tent--it didn't open back up because of all the water sitting in it. Sorry. (We were pretty bummed!) Though I think it's around 10-15 minutes.

I read that after I posted my questions.
I always read through posts before responding but slipped up this time.

I thought folks went through at a steady pace, making one feel hurried. I'm more at ease knowing a few groups are let on at a time!

[cherbear]

Originally Posted by AlleyKat

I read that after I posted my questions.
I always read through posts before responding but slipped up this time.

I thought folks went through at a steady pace, making one feel hurried. I'm more at ease knowing a few groups are let on at a time!

no worries

Which location are you visiting?

[Trentmom]

Hey Girl

Really enjoying this

I can't wait to see this movie.

I know I asked you before, but u know I have not memory

when is this movie coming out?

[AlleyKat]

Originally Posted by cherbear

no worries

Which location are you visiting?

Boston...9/25-9/27

I'm toying with going on Friday, hoping the wait won't be as intense as the weekends.

[cherbear]

Originally Posted by Trentmom

Hey Girl

Really enjoying this

I can't wait to see this movie.

I know I asked you before, but u know I have not memory

when is this movie coming out?

November 6th

oh and FYI I just read that the 3D preview they are showing on this tour is 11 minutes long. Oh how I wish I could have seen it!

And I missed out on the "snow" because it was raining.

[cherbear]

Originally Posted by AlleyKat

Boston...9/25-9/27

I'm toying with going on Friday, hoping the wait won't be as intense as the weekends.

I would think Friday would be better than the weekend. I know that's a while away but will you post here and let us know how it goes? The wait and such. And I'd love to see pictures of the "snow" Just curious!

[Linzybrooke]

I am so sad that we aren't going to be able to catch this attraction. It was supposed to be in Dallas this weekend, but was pushed to Monday and Tuesday instead. As luck would have it I am a teacher and our contract starts on Monday, so we won't be able to go! Very sad because I teach technical theatre and all the costumes and props would have been great to see and photograph for my classroom! Keep your pics coming!

[Trentmom]

Originally Posted by cherbear

November 6th

oh and FYI I just read that the 3D preview they are showing on this tour is 11 minutes long. Oh how I wish I could have seen it!

And I missed out on the "snow" because it was raining.

Thank you.

We are so going to see that in the theater

aww...that stinks

Are there any shows coming that are maybe only a couple hrs away? U could do a road trip ?

[Disneymommom]

Posting so I can find this when I get on tonight to read your mini TR, Can't wait!

[AlleyKat]

Originally Posted by Linzybrooke

I am so sad that we aren't going to be able to catch this attraction. It was supposed to be in Dallas this weekend, but was pushed to Monday and Tuesday instead. As luck would have it I am a teacher and our contract starts on Monday, so we won't be able to go! Very sad because I teach technical theatre and all the costumes and props would have been great to see and photograph for my classroom! Keep your pics coming!

Perfect opportunity for a celebratory, spur of the moment "Welcome back" class trip!

I know it's not possible, but just imagine....

[AlleyKat]

Originally Posted by cherbear

I would think Friday would be better than the weekend. I know that's a while away but will you post here and let us know how it goes? The wait and such. And I'd love to see pictures of the "snow" Just curious!

Ooo, I wasn't aware there was "snow"!

I'll most likely need help posting photos.