Discovering Another Mad Dash (Oct 14): Heading Home and Finally finishing this TR #1523 (05/03)

[rentayenta]

Oooo, I love waking up to an update. I wholeheartedly agree with you, I found The Little Mermaid ride to be underwhelming. Maybe it was just too hyped up. I think the animatronics in POTC are much better.

 

[aussietravellers]

All caught up again.

I absolutely LOVE that castle mug! I will be seeking one of those out next time I go!

Loved the Carsland shots! I really can not wait to get there (whenever that may be, one day). That seagull shot is amazing! Such an awesome photo!

 

[franandaj]

I completely forgot we rode that ride! Shows you what an impression it leaves! Although I am looking forward to seeing the queue for the WDW version. Your pictures were great though!

 

[KCmike]

Somewhat lurking on this report. Loving it though! So much fun. Great use of the trash can. I'm Mikey was smart to do that.

 

[dhorner233]

Wow, I'm sorry everyone was so disappointed with the Little Mermaid ride. I liked it. I like the music and everything was colorful. But, true, you don't get anything special like flying in Peter Pan or the wild ride effect with the Toad.

There was never a line. I went on it like 5 times! I hope they like it better in DW since they made such a long interactive queue like you are going to be in line for this ride a long time. No queue. No line in Disneyland.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Have just thoroughly caught up PIO.

I have to say Aladdin was a trip highlight for us when we went to DL in 09. The genie is absolutely hilarious and I love how many of the jokes are current to what is happening in the world.

I think you have definitely put your camera to good use during the show, stunning captures.

I think you totally should have bought that mug, silly woman. It's adorable.

The lights at night at Carsland look spectacular. I mean really really amazing. And the desert mountain thingies (for want of a better word ) look so real and wonderful. You have really done an amazing job of capturing the feel of the place at night.

Thanks for all of the imagery, I'm loving it.

Thanks Shuttergirl. Have a safe trip and I look forward to your TR when you return.

Exceedingly late catching up but not too late..wonderful pics and story as always. I always think you must be a great person to have as a friend-you'd always be laughing when with you but you are so caring too.

On Ariel we also were underwhelmed- the displays were colourful and detailed but yes felt too static-like we were slowly just riding past dioramas-it didn't have the "pizzaz" most of Disney has though I can't quite put my finger on the difference to say, the older dark rides. The scenes all seemed very plastic models or something and I think the ride could date or look tatty quickly if its not refreshed frequently. I can't wait to get to Carsland one day-they have done such a good job with the theming day and night. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip.

Thanks for stopping in....and . Sadly, I think I'm a better 2D friend-in-the-box than I am at 3D (but I really appreciate the sentiment).

Hope to see you posting a bit more.

Oooo, I love waking up to an update. I wholeheartedly agree with you, I found The Little Mermaid ride to be underwhelming. Maybe it was just too hyped up. I think the animatronics in POTC are much better.

I do like POTC and the animatronics here are good too. But I do agree with you; POTC might just be so much better.

All caught up again.

I absolutely LOVE that castle mug! I will be seeking one of those out next time I go!

Loved the Carsland shots! I really can not wait to get there (whenever that may be, one day). That seagull shot is amazing! Such an awesome photo!

Thanks for stopping by again. Yes, I think I am kicking myself for not getting that mug.

I completely forgot we rode that ride! Shows you what an impression it leaves! Although I am looking forward to seeing the queue for the WDW version. Your pictures were great though!

Welcome back! Just as well there was no wait time for that ride. I'll be curious to see the queue for the WDW version too. Thanks.

Somewhat lurking on this report. Loving it though! So much fun. Great use of the trash can. I'm Mikey was smart to do that.

Thanks for somewhat de-lurking!!

And yes, I'm Mikey was smart to use the trash can; and you were smart enough to ask....and I was smart enough to listen to you. Can we Get (any) Smart(er) now?

Wow, I'm sorry everyone was so disappointed with the Little Mermaid ride. I liked it. I like the music and everything was colorful. But, true, you don't get anything special like flying in Peter Pan or the wild ride effect with the Toad.

There was never a line. I went on it like 5 times! I hope they like it better in DW since they made such a long interactive queue like you are going to be in line for this ride a long time. No queue. No line in Disneyland.

There's always one in every crowd!


Glad you liked it. I liked the music and the colour....it just wasn't super exciting and I had read all the hype about how great the AA was in here. Still....it was good; just...not great.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I forgot to comment you about your pictures from the LM ride which are very great. The scene during Under the Sea with all the sea creatures are very clear. I have tried to take pictures in that area of the ride and I have some with blurry scenes.

Here is one of my pictures from the LM ride when I rode it at the MK. As you know that both attractions at the MK and DCA are the same.

The picture of the bird bath is so amazing while it is so clear.

 

[shushh]

Once again, great captures. I enjoyed the LM because the children adored it! Not having to line up also helps! Even though I enjoyed it I also get the feeling that it's just lacking that 'something'. I couldn't quite put my finger on it as the ride had so much colour and detail. Maybe it felt 'rushed'?!?

 

[PrincessInOz]

I forgot to comment you about your pictures from the LM ride which are very great. The scene during Under the Sea with all the sea creatures are very clear. I have tried to take pictures in that area of the ride and I have some with blurry scenes.

Here is one of my pictures from the LM ride when I rode it at the MK. As you know that both attractions at the MK and DCA are the same.

The picture of the bird bath is so amazing while it is so clear.

Thanks Bret.

How cool......you have a picture from the MK ride. Are there any differences at all???

 

[PrincessInOz]

Once again, great captures. I enjoyed the LM because the children adored it! Not having to line up also helps! Even though I enjoyed it I also get the feeling that it's just lacking that 'something'. I couldn't quite put my finger on it as the ride had so much colour and detail. Maybe it felt 'rushed'?!?

Bon Jour! Thanks for checking in whilst you're on vacay!


Yes....nothing wrong with the colour and detail. And you're right! Something just seems lacking. I think it just doesn't grab you the way the other rides do. Maybe...aside from a little rushed.....the main hall is a little too big?

 

[mvf-m11c]

Thanks Bret.

How cool......you have a picture from the MK ride. Are there any differences at all???

The ride experience at the MK is exactly the same as the DCA when you rode it during your trip. The only difference between the two is the outside theme while the DCA version is more of a aquarium style building while the MK is based on Prince Eric Castle. When I first heard that the LM ride was going to the MK based on the DCA version, I thought that they would a different experience. But when I rode it during a surprise sneak peek during my trip that it was the same ride experience. I wasn't that disappointed of the ride experience, I was excited to see that both versions were exactly the same. I will tell you about my experience of the LM ride at the MK later on my trip report.

 

[PrincessInOz]

The ride experience at the MK is exactly the same as the DCA when you rode it during your trip. The only difference between the two is the outside theme while the DCA version is more of a aquarium style building while the MK is based on Prince Eric Castle. When I first heard that the LM ride was going to the MK based on the DCA version, I thought that they would a different experience. But when I rode it during a surprise sneak peek during my trip that it was the same ride experience. I wasn't that disappointed of the ride experience, I was excited to see that both versions were exactly the same. I will tell you about my experience of the LM ride at the MK later on my trip report.

Looking forward to it...and your gorgeous pics.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Kaleidescopes of Colour – Must Do #5




My must-do #5 for this trip was always going to be an encore viewing of World of Color.


Disney spent an estimate $75 Million to design, build and execute this show. I do occasionally wonder about how the business case stacked up for this project and which Imagineer argued to have that OUCH factor turnaround to the WOW factor. Let’s face it….that was a lot of moulie to spend on what is effectively a water-droplet-bottom-projection big screen. With rear projection, LED and plasma coming down in price, perhaps there is something to be said about the money being better spent on a big TV on wheels, a projection unit and proper stadium style seating to host the projection show. But then again, the business case numbers do not cater for that intangible heart-string factor….


As a child growing up in South East Asia, my early childhood memories of Disney stem right out of a 2D box. Sunday evenings were a must-watch for me….Walt Disney Presents, The Wonderful World of Colour, The Wonderful World of Disney. I recall the 50 minute long shows with Davy Crockett, those animal showcase shows, cartoons, music and a beautiful kaleidoscope opening.


50 minutes? In those days, programs were shown commercial-free.


Simpler times in a world a million miles away from Disneyland. Those Sunday evenings, and the Disney movies, were my early links to a lifelong love of all things Disney. The thought of going to and visiting Disneyland was but a dream for me in those days.



Fast forward back to this day…..I would never have imagined that I would be doing Mad Dashes of 15 hour flights to the West Coast simply to spend a day at Disneyland!


My last Mad Dash is the first part of this TR and for those of you that have read it, you may recall that the main reason for that Dash was to see The World of Colour. It had been the pull of youthful memories that drew me to Disneyland then and whilst I had enjoyed the show, I couldn’t really work out if I loved it for itself or if it were the kaleidescopes of my childhood coloured my perceptions and because of those early memories and emotions, it was a foregone conclusion that I was going to love it anyway. This second viewing was going to be interesting simply because I figured that pull of childhood was going to be less.


We got a rather decent position for the show; so, again, I’ll let the lens genie do most of the talking.


The familiar strains of music started and the vertical hold test patterns started before the projections of the multitude of Disney movie hits and moments commenced.

We’d just finished with the Little Mermaid ride and it was a case of déjà vu!

Marlin and Dory were next……

…..complete with the Whale (Oooh look! Krill!).

Wall-E and E-ve.

Another Pixar classic.

It took me while to work out Zurg!

The Claw…..Ooooooh!

Balloons….

…look Up!

Another déjà vu from not so long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…. Welcome to Agrabah. City of mystery, of enchantment.

I am ashamed to say that I have not been to see this movie yet! Hey – At least I’m Brave enough to own up to it.

(Continued in Next Post)

 

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)





Images from Pocahontas were next.

Id completely missed shots from the Pirates scene the last time.

Galloping on to the animals.

And finishing up with lots of Happy Ever Afters! As a fellow Aussie puts it&.Kissy, Kissy!

The End!

The Wash-up for me?

Whilst the emotional ties to my childhood were definitely less for this viewing than the first time and I didnt feel as sentimental, Ive come away this time loving this show and the concept of the water projection screen. It might not be spectacular like a fireworks display or Fantasmic!, but it is still a strong night time offering in the Disney arsenal.
As to whether that was money well spent or not, Ill leave that to Disney Corporation to determine.

 

[tiggrbaby]

Wonderful pics! I hope the show sticks around for a long time so I can see it someday.

 

[dhorner233]

Great shots of the World of Color show Princess!!!

I find it hard to believe you are old enough to remember Sunday evenings with Walt!!

I have only seen World of Color once and not from a front and center seat. You miss most of the show if you are not sitting front and center. Yet, I never cared enough to go back and see it again!!!! Last month I was there for 8 days and meant to see it but for some reason it didn't make the cut!

Yet I went on that Little Mermaid ride 5 times!!! I know I'm a little late but here is one of my cousin's picture from the ride:

 

[shushh]

Ah...WOC! And as ever captured so beautifully.

I don't know what it is about the show but I got that spine tingly feeling when I first saw it. Maybe it's the beautiful music arrangement, who knows. But it sure did pack an emotional punch for me. Thank you for sharing and bringing back wonderful memories.

 

[zanzibar138]

I certainly have a soft spot for WOC since that's when DH proposed Besides that though, I did really enjoy the show and thought the effects were wonderful! Uhh... no pun intended

 

[mvf-m11c]

Awesome pictures from WoC during your trip. It does make a big difference when you have a longer lens when you get the close up shots of the show while I used the shorter lens.

Very nice pictures PiO.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Wonderful pics! I hope the show sticks around for a long time so I can see it someday.

I think it will be around for quite a while!

Great shots of the World of Color show Princess!!!

I find it hard to believe you are old enough to remember Sunday evenings with Walt!!

I have only seen World of Color once and not from a front and center seat. You miss most of the show if you are not sitting front and center. Yet, I never cared enough to go back and see it again!!!! Last month I was there for 8 days and meant to see it but for some reason it didn't make the cut!

Yet I went on that Little Mermaid ride 5 times!!! I know I'm a little late but here is one of my cousin's picture from the ride:

Great picture from your DCuz!


And as I've been known to say......you're only as old as the woman you feel.

Ah...WOC! And as ever captured so beautifully.

I don't know what it is about the show but I got that spine tingly feeling when I first saw it. Maybe it's the beautiful music arrangement, who knows. But it sure did pack an emotional punch for me. Thank you for sharing and bringing back wonderful memories.

Emotional punch. Yup. I'm a sucker for the emotional punch too.

Thanks!

I certainly have a soft spot for WOC since that's when DH proposed Besides that though, I did really enjoy the show and thought the effects were wonderful! Uhh... no pun intended

Awww. Now that you mention it, do I recall correctly......you mentioned it in your first TR??

Congrats! Your DH has good proposal location taste.

Awesome pictures from WoC during your trip. It does make a big difference when you have a longer lens when you get the close up shots of the show while I used the shorter lens.

Very nice pictures PiO.

Thanks Bret.

I think it depends on what sort of view you prefer for WoC as to which lens is more appropriate.