April 2010 ABD Backstage Magic : California Here We Come!!!

[MatthewT212]

Not sure if anyone would be interested but I just saw that the Anaheim Comic Con Wizard World Convention Show will be on April 16-17-18, 2010. Here are the details: http://www.wizardworld.com/show-info-anaheim.html

 

[katscradle]

I am not sure how I am feeling about all these rehabs right now.
This is going to be my first visit to DL, and I think disney's timing sucks.
I don't want this trip to be a let down. We are paying a pretty penny for this trip and I am looking at the list of things that are going to be down for rehab, and thinking this is just like disney not putting any thought into their planning.
After all we know how much they care!

Well it's going to take me a bit, but now I am going to have to go through the lists and figure out what we will not be able to see.

 

[corky441]

Hearing you loud and clear on that Katherine

This is our first trip to DL too - But at least one thing is for sure - I'm traveling with a group of people that I know I will come to be friends as well as all the memories we'll be making together

Nothing - not even Disney - can keep me from having the Time of my Life

BTW - how's Vancouver? You enjoying the coveted red mittens?

 

[katscradle]

Hearing you loud and clear on that Katherine

This is our first trip to DL too - But at least one thing is for sure - I'm traveling with a group of people that I know I will come to be friends as well as all the memories we'll be making together

Nothing - not even Disney - can keep me from having the Time of my Life

BTW - how's Vancouver? You enjoying the coveted red mittens?

Well if it weren't for the friends we have that are going on this trip I would be rethinking this entire trip, I think!
Most of the people that are going on this trip I have met and had fun with on prior trips. It will be nice to meet a few more new friends.

As for Vancouver I would not know, I am in Ontario which is halfway accross the country. However I have been watching the olypmics almost constantly since they started. My children each have a pair of the red mittens. I love them, but do not have a pair yet.

 

[corky441]

OMG - sorry Katherine -

It's Karen that's out in Vancouver at the olympics

well both names begin with a "K" - I'm old - what can i say

 

[katscradle]

OMG - sorry Katherine -

It's Karen that's out in Vancouver at the olympics

well both names begin with a "K" - I'm old - what can i say

That's ok, you can mistake me for Karen anyday! I'll take that as a compliment!

 

[macman752]

I am not sure how I am feeling about all these rehabs right now.
This is going to be my first visit to DL, and I think disney's timing sucks.
I don't want this trip to be a let down. We are paying a pretty penny for this trip and I am looking at the list of things that are going to be down for rehab, and thinking this is just like disney not putting any thought into their planning.
After all we know how much they care!

Well it's going to take me a bit, but now I am going to have to go through the lists and figure out what we will not be able to see.

Katherine, I know how you feel about the rehabs during your first visit. We went through this when we were planning our first trip.

We used our DVC points to stay at the GCH in Sept (before the Villas opened). We booked knowing that the HM would be down for its annual Halloween overlay. Then we learned that it would reopen the day after we were scheduled to leave. So, thinking that we would not be returning any time soon we added a cash day and extended our trip.

My guess is that it's not going to be a let down and you will find that after you experience Disneyland you will want to return to catch the things that you did not see the first time around. You just have to ration those BLT points!

 

[katscradle]

Katherine, I know how you feel about the rehabs during your first visit. We went through this when we were planning our first trip.

We used our DVC points to stay at the GCH in Sept (before the Villas opened). We booked knowing that the HM would be down for its annual Halloween overlay. Then we learned that it would reopen the day after we were scheduled to leave. So, thinking that we would not be returning any time soon we added a cash day and extended our trip.

My guess is that it's not going to be a let down and you will find that after you experience Disneyland you will want to return to catch the things that you did not see the first time around. You just have to ration those BLT points!

Well I am not sure about the returning part, I mean we will eventually have to take the boys to DL. Hoping to do that in a few years on our way to or from Hawaii.
Ration what's that?

 

[Dodie]

For our first trip to DL, Pirates was down for refurb and we were DEVASTATED because we'd heard it was so much better/different at Disneyland and it's always been one of our favorites. However, we just decided that was our "message" that we were destined to return someday - and here we are, less than two months from our return trip.

Disney changes these rehab schedules constantly. Things have soft openings. Things take a shorter amount of time than expected. We will all be SO BUSY and SO HAPPY and ABD will take such good care of us with fast passes and VIP things that I doubt any of us will have much to complain about while we're actually there. If it means a return trip to see something we've missed, then I would bet most of us would be willing to sign up for that!

Like Katherine said, having traveled before with about half of the people on this trip, we can make our OWN good time if none is available to us. Trust me.

 

[Circusgirl]

For our first trip to DL, Pirates was down for refurb and we were DEVASTATED because we'd heard it was so much better/different at Disneyland and it's always been one of our favorites. However, we just decided that was our "message" that we were destined to return someday - and here we are, less than two months from our return trip.

Disney changes these rehab schedules constantly. Things have soft openings. Things take a shorter amount of time than expected. We will all be SO BUSY and SO HAPPY and ABD will take such good care of us with fast passes and VIP things that I doubt any of us will have much to complain about while we're actually there. If it means a return trip to see something we've missed, then I would bet most of us would be willing to sign up for that!

Like Katherine said, having traveled before with about half of the people on this trip, we can make our OWN good time if none is available to us. Trust me.

What she said!!

Truly, Kat, you won't be disappointed. Although DCA has been under heavy construction for the past few years, I've enjoyed all my visits and look forward to seeing both the progress and the final result. Disneyland will be no less magic. This is a perfect time to visit with a tour, and then plan to go back later!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Ration what's that?

Tell me about it.

We've already blown through 2010's points in 2009. I really need to show some restraint and not borrow from 2011. It is sooooooooo hard having WDW Annual Passes in our possession. I always want to get in one more trip before they expire.

We never used our "Give a Day. Get a Disney Day." vouchers in February. We didn't need them to get FPs, everything was pretty much walk-on. So, Bill is coming around to the idea of a fall/winter roadtrip to Disneyland with the kids. Has anyone stayed in the GCV? I'd love to know how they are. We saw them under construction last March. But, never made it over to tour a model.

Jennifer

 

[katscradle]

Tell me about it.

We've already blown through 2010's points in 2009. I really need to show some restraint and not borrow from 2011. It is sooooooooo hard having WDW Annual Passes in our possession. I always want to get in one more trip before they expire.

We never used our "Give a Day. Get a Disney Day." vouchers in February. We didn't need them to get FPs, everything was pretty much walk-on. So, Bill is coming around to the idea of a fall/winter roadtrip to Disneyland with the kids. Has anyone stayed in the GCV? I'd love to know how they are. We saw them under construction last March. But, never made it over to tour a model.

Jennifer

Well after our December trip we used all 2009 points and some of 2010 points, but not all of them. However we will be using some of 2011 points for our December trip this year. However to lessen the damage we do we are thinking of staying at OKW again.

 

[columnwest]

That refurb list looks scary, BUT I think it looks worse than it really is. Let's break it down:

Matterhorn Bobsleds (Disneyland) closed through 3/11/10, 4/12/10-4/16/10 and 4/19/10-4/23/10 for refurbishment.

If this is correct, we get to ride 4/17 and 4/18. Glass half full, folks.

Award Weiners (DCA) closed through 4/18/10 for refurbishment.
Golden Vine Trattoria (DCA) closed through 4/26/10 for refurbishment.
Corn Dog Wagon (Disneyland) closed through 5/4/10 for refurbishment.
Tomorrowland Terrace (Disneyland) closed through 7/2/10 for refurbishment. Jedi Training Academy will continue to be offered while the restaurant is closed.

These are all food locations, and forgettable ones at that. Tomorrowland Terrace is Cosmic Ray's minus Sonny Eclipse. I won't miss it. There's much better food to be had on property, and there are other places to get over-priced burgers and hot dogs.

Rivers of America (Disneyland) closed through 5/6/10 for a major refurbishment. All attractions requiring the use of the river will also be closed.
Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes (Disneyland) closed through 5/6/10 for refurbishment.
Tom Sawyer Island (Disneyland) closed through 5/6/10 for refurbishment.
Sailing Ship Columbia (Disneyland) closed through 5/6/10 for refurbishment.
Mark Twain Riverboat (Disneyland) closed through 5/14/10 for refurbishment.
Fantasmic! (Disneyland) closed through 5/27/10 due to major refurbishment of Rivers of America.

Yes, the river will be drained, and the area won't look as nice, but frankly I never rode the canoes, getting over to the island and back is usually more hassle than it's worth (though I did like the Pirates re-theme), and the Columbia and Mark Twain usually don't run at the name time anyway. The big loss here is Fantasmic. DL's Fantasmic kicks WDW's butt, in my opinion. It's the one thing on this list I will miss.

"Honey I Shrunk the Audience" (Disneyland) closed through 1/28/11 due to the temporary return of "Captain EO."

This is a GOOD thing. Rarely does Disney ever bring back an "extinct" attraction like this, so I'm personally very excited about getting a rare opportunity to see EO again!

Tower of Terror Fastpass (DCA) will not be offered 4/10/10-8/15/10 due to construction of the connector between Bug's Land and Tower of Terror. A more permanent route is being built between the two lands.

Only the fastpass is closed, not the ride itself.

Princess Dot Puddle Park (DCA) closed 4/12/10-4/16/10 and 4/19/10-4/23/10 for refurbishment.
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (DCA) closed 4/12/10-5/20/10 for refurbishment.

These are two kidde play areas in DCA. I actually like the Challenge Trail, but Unless you're under the age of 12, I don't think you'll be missing them much.

Disneyland Monorail (Disneyland) closed 4/19/10-4/20/10 for refurbishment.
Disney Showcase (Disneyland) closed 4/20/10-4/21/10 for refurbishment.
Disney Showcase Annex (Disneyland) closed 4/26/10-4/27/10 for refurbishment.
News Stand (Disneyland) closed 4/26/10-5/20/10 for refurbishment.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Disneyland) closed 4/26/10-5/16/10 for refurbishment.
Corn Dog Castle (DCA) closed through 3/24/11 due to construction in the area. Corn dogs are currently available at the Bountiful Valley Farmer's Market.

None of these apply to us, since all these go down for refurb either BEFORE or AFTER the ABD trip.

Orange Stinger (DCA) closed through 4/28/10 for refurbishment. It will re-open as Silly Symphonies Swings.

This is an off-the-shelf chain swing ride that you could ride at your local county fair. There's nothing really Disney about it, and I'm glad they're doing the re-theme. The giant orange peel around it always looked like some cast-off from Heimlich's Chew Chew Train to me.

So, to sum up, the only real negatives are no Fantasmic and limited ride time on the Matterhorn. Pretty much everything else will be operating normally. Yes, the main waterways in DL and DCA will be drained, and there will be some construction walls. So, that means a few less (or different) pictures. Otherwise, it shouldn't be disasterous.

 

[columnwest]

Off Topic: Are you attending any of the Olympic events?

Sadly, I couldn't get tickets. But I did go to a special thing for the Opening Ceremony where we rented a theatre and watched it live on the big screen. It was almost like being there.

The Richmond Oval (where they hold most of the speed skating events) is down the street from me. I've been avoiding it since traffic has been a bit of a nightmare.

There's an area in downtown Richmond called the O-Zone that they've set up specially for the Olympics with lots of displays and food and things to do. We went over there last weekend and had a great time. It felt a lot like going to Food and Wine at Epcot.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Has anyone stayed in the GCV? I'd love to know how they are.

Drake (drakethib) and his family stayed in them a couple weeks ago.

 

[macman752]

For our first trip to DL, Pirates was down for refurb and we were DEVASTATED because we'd heard it was so much better/different at Disneyland and it's always been one of our favorites. However, we just decided that was our "message" that we were destined to return someday - and here we are, less than two months from our return trip.

Dodie, POC is one of our favorites too. Your wait to ride the Disneyland version will be rewarded.

 

[tickledtink33]

I rode (paddled) the canoes last June when I was in DL. Whew, what a workout! Wish I could do that everyday. I bet that burns some serious calories.

I actually like the Redwood Creek area. I love climbing up and down all those rope things. Sad, I know. I'm like a big kid.

I love the Matterhorn and hope I get to ride it.

Still waiting for the big secret surprise.

My favorite ride at WDW is the Tower of Terror. I was so excited to ride the one at DCA to see how it looked and if the ride was just as cool. Boy was I disappointed. The elevator just goes up and down. It doesn't move horizontal like the one at the Studios. You enter and exit thru the same doorway.

Now why couldn't Mickey's Fun Wheel of Torture be under refurbishment while we are there.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Now why couldn't Mickey's Fun Wheel of Torture be under refurbishment while we are there.

There you go badmouthing Mickey's Fun Wheel. Heck, any ride that has barf bags can't be all bad.

 

[tmli]

I would suggest anybody who wants a good laugh to ride the wheel with Slapwhitey!!!

Mr Rollercoaster screamed and gripped the edge like a little school girl....I truly never laughed so hard in my entire life!!

 

[3guysandagal]

Just booked our flights!

My waiting paid off, price went down $90pp per flight so saved $360+taxes (about $500) for a total cost of $897CAN.

We arrive Sun at 8pm and leave Mon at 3:30pm.

Could have gotten in earlier on Sun but was still the old price.

Now to work on those extra night stays.......