Anyone Game? 2 Castles and a Road Trip TR! Last Day and TR Wrap Up! #2796; 10/01

[kmedina]

Riding RSR three times in a row without de-boarding is cool. Granted, I would not want the ride to break down while I was on it. If one had to break down though, I would rather it be one close to the ground. They say the ride is down a lot, but I never thought about potentially being on it while it was broken. That must have been a little odd. At least you got to try the other side on the third ride.

The scooter issue really was a bummer. Alison was a trooper that day, and it was nice of Bret to assist. Glad you got a nice pumpkin picture before Bret left.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Riding RSR three times in a row without de-boarding is cool. Granted, I would not want the ride to break down while I was on it. If one had to break down though, I would rather it be one close to the ground. They say the ride is down a lot, but I never thought about potentially being on it while it was broken. That must have been a little odd. At least you got to try the other side on the third ride. The scooter issue really was a bummer. Alison was a trooper that day, and it was nice of Bret to assist. Glad you got a nice pumpkin picture before Bret left.

I thought it was neat that the ride was broken down during our 2nd time where we were right at the tractor tipping scene of the ride. It was nice to look around the area when the ride broke down where you barely see it when riding. At least we we're inside the building then being outside while the weather was picking up that afternoon.

That was a very nice picture at the giant Mickey pumpkin at MS Town Square.

 

[zanzibar138]

Actually.....I was talking about your Shanghai Disney line; with no PTR yet. Are you going to go?

Oh that one! Yeah I definitely still plan to go, but it's not due for completion until late 2015, so got quite a while to go yet. I suppose that didn't stop me with my 2014 trip TBH though I'm not quite sure how it's all going to work. I will have to start doing some research - I need to find someone who went to the opening of HKDL and see how they organised it all

Maybe I can think about how to make it interesting enough to start soon

 

[skier_pete]

RSR 3 times in a row - been there done that...though we actually did have to get out of the car.

OK....spill the beans we want to know! Didn't you see TiffanyD's post above about the other license plate? YOU have more knowledge than any of us! Inquiring minds want to know!

You guys are distracting me from packing the car!

I believe that they only have license plate numbers from the states that Route 66 crosses. Are you saying that the string of numbers and letters on each plate also means something? *sigh*

I hope you check in here before your trip and answer the question. Otherwise, it's gonna be a long wait for us.....

OK, OK... each car represents a key contributor to Cars or Carsland. For instance, there's a red car with license plate J01 12L. This is John Lassiter's car. The letters are his initials. The numbers are his birth date. The month/year of the registration is when the ride opened.

How COOL!!! Can you ask (or do you know) what the license plate at DCA means (It reads "8u 75 92" and is a 1937 CA plate. It was replaced in 2012. We got an impromptu tour from guest services (it pays to be nice!!!!) and that was assigned as homework. Even our club 33 friend can't figure it out!

I don't know the answer to that one!

Gotta run...Disneyworld is calling!

 

[natebenma]

Just want to know that I am here lurking when I can. "Real-Life-Land" has been tossing me some curveballs so I haven't had the time to sit down and really enjoy your report.

I can't wait to sit down and read through your adventures- I love your writing style and your amazing pictures:

And since I am a total newbie when it comes to DL, I'll be studying your report in preparation for our trip in the summer.

I did jump in and read One-Ply and RSR- love that you got to go around 3 times.

Thanks for the GREAT report! C U Real Soon!

Dee

 

[tiggrbaby]

That ride looks totally amazing! I was only to DL/CA in '08 and that wasn't there. Someday I'll get back...

 

[dolphingirl47]

Oooh! Nice! It might be one of those rides I need to try to hit. How many days would you recommend we allocate for DisneyParis?

I would say three full days would do it. Two days at Disneyland, half a day at Walt Disney Studios and a couple of hours at Disney Village.

How lucky that you got to do Radiator Springs Racers three times in a row. I share your feelings for California Screamin and Tower of Terror. I have yet to brave California Screamin. I will have to do Tower of Terror on my upcoming WDW trip though. I have pledged to do all the thrill rides at WDW for charity.

Corinna

 

[LegoMom3]

Rats.....I was trying to multi-quote but it won't bring up ANY thing for me!!

Anyway, I wanted to comment on the wonderful photos again! I am so amazed at the red "rock"; Disney really knows how to make you believe something is the real deal. I love the mirror image of you all inside RSR, with you snapping the pic! I'm absolutely in love with the whole Radiator Springs area and I really hope they do bring this to DHS at WDW!!

What a nice time you were able to have with some good friends! DISmeets can be so much fun.

.

 

[dgbg100106]

Up to date again....

The ride looks amazing, the pictures are beautiful..

 

[ejud]

Ah! Finally put my finger on it!

Pio! Pass on to Fran, and anyone else who is limited to an ECV like me, that something my ECV mechanic told me that has helped greatly is IGNORE the stupid light on the charger that tells you it is done: charge your batteries for 8 hours regardless- just leave it plugged in for 8 hours.



Jud

 

[PrincessInOz]

Riding RSR three times in a row without de-boarding is cool. Granted, I would not want the ride to break down while I was on it. If one had to break down though, I would rather it be one close to the ground. They say the ride is down a lot, but I never thought about potentially being on it while it was broken. That must have been a little odd. At least you got to try the other side on the third ride.

The scooter issue really was a bummer. Alison was a trooper that day, and it was nice of Bret to assist. Glad you got a nice pumpkin picture before Bret left.

The scooter issues were a bummer. I felt really bad that I couldn't do more to help and really conscious that Alison and Fran were staying in the parks because I was there. It might have been a - comparatively - really relaxing day for DH and me; but I think it was quite tiring for them.

I thought it was neat that the ride was broken down during our 2nd time where we were right at the tractor tipping scene of the ride. It was nice to look around the area when the ride broke down where you barely see it when riding. At least we we're inside the building then being outside while the weather was picking up that afternoon.

That was a very nice picture at the giant Mickey pumpkin at MS Town Square.

That picture was taken by DH on my camera. I thought it turned out really nice as well. It's a great one of the 3 Lasters there that day.

Oh that one! Yeah I definitely still plan to go, but it's not due for completion until late 2015, so got quite a while to go yet. I suppose that didn't stop me with my 2014 trip TBH though I'm not quite sure how it's all going to work. I will have to start doing some research - I need to find someone who went to the opening of HKDL and see how they organised it all

Maybe I can think about how to make it interesting enough to start soon

I'll follow along with interest. I've kinda got Europe in my sights for 2015; nothing firm....just a twinkle of an idea really.....and will watch the dates to see if it is worth a stopover on the way home.

RSR 3 times in a row - been there done that...though we actually did have to get out of the car.




You guys are distracting me from packing the car!



OK, OK... each car represents a key contributor to Cars or Carsland. For instance, there's a red car with license plate J01 12L. This is John Lassiter's car. The letters are his initials. The numbers are his birth date. The month/year of the registration is when the ride opened.



I don't know the answer to that one!

Gotta run...Disneyworld is calling!

Thanks Pete. Have a great time at WDW.

Just want to know that I am here lurking when I can. "Real-Life-Land" has been tossing me some curveballs so I haven't had the time to sit down and really enjoy your report.

I can't wait to sit down and read through your adventures- I love your writing style and your amazing pictures:

And since I am a total newbie when it comes to DL, I'll be studying your report in preparation for our trip in the summer.

I did jump in and read One-Ply and RSR- love that you got to go around 3 times.

Thanks for the GREAT report! C U Real Soon!

Dee

Nice to see you lurking, Dee. I'm just settling into this TR....there's still a long way to go before we finish. So, I hope that 3D life settles down for you and you get to spend a bit more time Dis-sing.

There are a number of real DLR experts here.....franandaj, mvf-mc11. I'm sure we'll all be more than willing to answer any questions you might have.

That ride looks totally amazing! I was only to DL/CA in '08 and that wasn't there. Someday I'll get back...

I hope someday is soon.

Carsland has been a real bonus addition to DLR; and between it and World of Colour it feels like DCA is a proper full-day (or two) park now.

I would say three full days would do it. Two days at Disneyland, half a day at Walt Disney Studios and a couple of hours at Disney Village.

How lucky that you got to do Radiator Springs Racers three times in a row. I share your feelings for California Screamin and Tower of Terror. I have yet to brave California Screamin. I will have to do Tower of Terror on my upcoming WDW trip though. I have pledged to do all the thrill rides at WDW for charity.

Corinna

Only half a day for the studios? Cool. I'll keep that in mind.

I plan to try to get on CS at some stage. My DS says its not as bad as going on Rock N Roller Coaster and I actually quite like that ride.
Let me know if you make it on ToT.

Rats.....I was trying to multi-quote but it won't bring up ANY thing for me!!

Anyway, I wanted to comment on the wonderful photos again! I am so amazed at the red "rock"; Disney really knows how to make you believe something is the real deal. I love the mirror image of you all inside RSR, with you snapping the pic! I'm absolutely in love with the whole Radiator Springs area and I really hope they do bring this to DHS at WDW!!

What a nice time you were able to have with some good friends! DISmeets can be so much fun.

.

DisMeets on this trip were all fun. Thanks.

I'm hoping to get to the real red rock countryside soon.

Up to date again....

The ride looks amazing, the pictures are beautiful..

Thanks for sticking by the TR, Brandi. Glad you're up to date.

Ah! Finally put my finger on it!

Pio! Pass on to Fran, and anyone else who is limited to an ECV like me, that something my ECV mechanic told me that has helped greatly is IGNORE the stupid light on the charger that tells you it is done: charge your batteries for 8 hours regardless- just leave it plugged in for 8 hours.



Jud

I'm sure Alison will pass it on.

But I think they had a different mechanical problem with one of their scooters. They ended up having to leave one behind and hiring a scooter for WDW.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Haunted by Future Therapy



There are a number of things that I have inflicted on my DS that if I could go back in time, I would like to reverse. Afterall, I fully expect to be paying for his rehabilitation therapy at some stage in the future; either in hard cash to a psychologist or through emotional payback guilt.


One such infliction occurred when my DS was 5. I MADE him go on the Haunted Mansion ride and hes been resistant to a repeat visit ever since. Yup. He cried for the entire duration we were in HM when he was 5 and Ive been suffering the payback therapy ever since.
"It's boring, mum."
"It's a kids ride."
"I dont wanna...."




*sigh*




No amount of festive cheer has been enticement enough for him to step foot inside....until now.






As I can't go back in time and I really don't want to shell out money for him to lie on a couch, I figured that I need to MAKE him go on this ride again. Afterall, I couldnt possibly feel anymore guilty.....could I??


Oooh Look! They've made it all Festive. Its special.






Thankfully, the queue was not long but having the Human Fast Pass made it practically walk-on for us. No real time for DS to do more than loudly protest.






But my DS knows when hes all stitched up.






I wasn't taking no for an answer this time. ("You're going in whether you like it or not!")
Thankfully for me, he said "Fine. I'll get on."






I did try to point out the Holiday overlays....











And the changes in the stretching room.







It is Halloween and Christmas all rolled in one!







Despite all the decorations, it was still definitely Ho Ho Hum from DS.






Despite the wondrous overlays, DS was not overly impressed by the boarding area.











I was still a witch....






....and feeling the blues.







Sadly, DS has not seen the light yet. He still doesn't get this attraction.






He was still one-eyed anti this ride.






And I'm still the equivalent of Medusa where this ride and he is concerned.







Fortunately for me, he boarded the ride with DH. I was left to ride by myself and ponder my plan of attack for WDW.


But as you expected, there was not much pondering on my part. I was way too pre-occupied with other more unearthly matters.

I love this ride; particularly the Holiday Overlay version of it....the details are spectacular. The last time I had experienced this version was in November of 2008. This time, I was going to enjoy it from the barrel of a lens.











































So much fun shooting!


(Continued in Next Post)

 

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued in Previous Post)


All Wet Again



The consolation for DS riding Haunted Mansion with me was that I would request we get on Splash Mountain next.






I could sense that Fran and Alison were getting tired by this stage of the day; but I knew I still needed to push through as many rides as possible before the end of the day. Plus, one of their scooters was starting to have issues again. So, whilst they figured out their scooter strategy, we got on Splash.






And got wet again.





We met up with Fran and Alison at the exit. I think they got a little shopping in during this time as well.



(Continued in Next Post)

 

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued in Previous Post)


No Contest. Everyone loves Disneyland’s Pirates



There was no mistaking our next attraction. It was one that everyone loved and was happy to get on.

I’ve only had the pleasure of getting on the Disneyland and WDW versions of this ride. There are still another two versions out there that I have yet to experience, but I do prefer the Disneyland version by far. Aside from having the extra drop during the ride, it kinda feels longer and even though they look the same, I prefer the details in the Disneyland version.


The Disneyland version drifts past the Blue Bayou restaurant before heading in to the pirate’s lair.






Let’s just check it out, shall we?











This game will end in a stalemate.






I’m not greedy. Just two pieces of gold should be enough.
























































These pirate ladies are close to the exit. I don’t know if they are there in the other versions around the world; but it was nice to see these two on the wall.






No Contest! Everyone loves Disneyland’s Pirates.


(Continued in Next Post)

 

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued in Previous Post)


Number #2 on my list – Peter Pan



We’d ticked off a number of attractions that had been on my list of things to hit this trip. It had taken nearly all day….but we were now to tick off the second item on my list for this trip.


Out of all the choices of things to see, Peter Pan may not have figured as high on most people’s list. But I had checked the closures at WDW and if I didn’t hit this ride here, I was not going to see a version of it at all on this trip.

So, I was really glad when Tim finally got us round to this attraction. Going by my faulty swiss cheese memory, I think the wait for this attraction was the longest we had all day. Alison can chime in and correct me….but I think we may have waited 30 minutes’ish to get in for this attraction.

If it hadn’t been for the fact that it was closed at WDW, I may well have pulled the plug on the wait time.



But we did eventually get on.

Looking back on this moment, I think I started to have lens issues on this ride. I didn’t end up being able to properly focus the lens quickly enough to grab a shot. The only one that I did manage to get was this one.







At the time, I thought it might have been me and the combination of the speed that you get through round on this ride but I was to find out in a day’s time that it turned out to be the lens. I suspect that next time I’m in a Disney park with a Peter Pan ride, it might actually be Number 1 on my list.

 

[zanzibar138]

Oh no! Camera trouble???

Glad you got DS on HM, even if he didn't really 'get' it or like it, at least he's not scared of it now. He looked pretty happy on Splash, so looks like you made up for it there.

Unfortunately Pirates (and the Blue Lagoon restaurant) was down for maintenance when I was in Paris, so I can't shed any light on that for you. Some people claim that it is the best version though

30 minutes for Peter Pan WITH a human fastpass Wow! What was the standby time?

 

[dolphingirl47]

Yes, Walt Disney Studios only takes half a day. They have three big attractions there: Rock'n'Rollercoaster, Crush's Coaster (think Primeval Whirl in the dark with a finding Nemo theme) and Tower of Terror. They do have some great shows (Cinemagique, Animagique and Lights, Motors, Actions). The have a Backlot Tour, but this is pretty missable as well as bunch of smaller rides that are aimed more at kids. One thing that I have always missed for one reason or another, but would really like to do is Stitch Life, which is a bit like Turtle Talk with Crush, but with Stitch.

What a shame that your son does not like Haunted Mansion. This is one of my favourite rides and I especially love Haunted Mansion Holiday. I agree that Pirates at Disneyland is the best version and I have done three of them. I have yet to get to try Peter Pan at Disneyland though.

Corinna

 

[LegoMom3]

Wow.....when you were starting to introduce the idea of a ride that your DS just didn't want to do, I was starting to imagine something princess-y. HM??!!.....I have three boys and they LOVE the HM!!! The holiday overlay is AWESOME!

Sorry about the lens issues but glad you got a turn on PP!

.

 

[Pinkocto]

Haunted Mansion already creeps me out, there's no way I could handle it with the overlay too. that movie totally freaked me out! I'm glad DS didn't come out traumatized again.

DLs Pirates is definitely longer than WDWs, by 3-4 rooms.

Bummer about your camera I hope the solution wasn't too pricey.

Even with Tim the wait at Peter Pan was 30 minutes, wow!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I'm sorry to hear about the lens. Your pictures of the HMH are very nice and good. These are the types of shots that I want to get when I go on the HMH in a couple of weeks.

PotC at DL will always be my favorite over the MK version. Eating at the BB while watching the boats go by is great as well.

It was no surprised that DS wanted to go on Splash Mountain and that was a very nice picture of the three of you on the ride. I thought that you would try to get some pictures during the ride.