It's Been 13 Years 27 Days 9 hours 11 Minutes Since My Last DL Visit!!!

[deejdigsdis]

...and I am sooooooo excited to reset that this year!

So, as excited as I am to go back, there is also a bit of sadness that things have changed so much. For all you old-timers (or shall I say VETERANS!), can I plan on ANYTHING being basically the same after all these years? I can't imagine Autopia could have changed much. Is the dinosaur scene still in DL Railroad? Country Bear Jamboree still there? Does Space Mountain still have the spinning asteroid that looks like a huge chocolate chip cookie? POTC completely re-done or just a few additions? IASW totally re-done? I noticed La Casa Mexicana (my fave) wasn't on the restaurant list. Totally gone or just a name change? Are America Sings and Circle Vision still there? (J/K!! Just thought I'd date myself even more! ) When I was last there, they said it was the last year for the Main Street Electrical Parade, never to return. Is whatever they have in DCA similar to the old school parade? Can I still plan on silly jokes on the Jungle Cruise? Will I even know I am in the same place???

PS Anyone remember Frontier Freezes???

 

[karylrocks]

I will attempt to answer a few of these:

Is the dinosaur scene still in DL Railroad? YES
Country Bear Jamboree still there? NO
Does Space Mountain still have the spinning asteroid that looks like a huge chocolate chip cookie? Space has been completely re-done and it is AWESOME!
POTC completely re-done or just a few additions? JUST A FEW CHANGES/ADDITIONS
Can I still plan on silly jokes on the Jungle Cruise? ABSOLUTELY! AND YES, YOU STILL GET TO SEE THE BACK OF WATER!
Will I even know I am in the same place??? I used to love that feeling I got when I parked the car and rode the tram to the entrance, then walked up to the ticket booths and through the gates! I really missed that the first time I visited after the changes (they were still building California Adventure and the parking lot was GONE). Once inside Disneyland, you will feel right at home! It is just a magic as ever.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Thanks karylrocks! I was wondering about getting to see "the back side of water." LOL! Good to know that some things never change!

Yeah, this will be weird. I still remember the excitement and anticipation of walking across that HUGE parking lot to get to the entrance. I can't imagine it being gone. Having grown up going almost every summer for the first 20 years of my life and then having a 13 year drought...guess I'm in for quite the shock.

 

[kik050]

One thing I urge my friends to do, is to watch the Aladdin show. That show is truly worth the time and wait.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I got you beat.

I haven't been since December of 1991 (so it will be nearly 18 years once I return!)

The only thing I *think* I remember is the Blue Bayou Restaurant (Doesn't part of Splash go through it!) I rode Splash there as well-so when they built it at WDW--I was like "pat myself on the back, I already rode it".

I was in high school at the time and this time I am going with 3 kids. I think they will find It's a Small Word to be neat with the outdoor loading area.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

The only thing I *think* I remember is the Blue Bayou Restaurant (Doesn't part of Splash go through it!)

Blue Bayou is located inside Pirates of the Caribbean.

 

[PhotoJoe]

One thing I urge my friends to do, is to watch the Aladdin show. That show is truly worth the time and wait.

Especially on a hot day. It's air-conditioned!

Blue Bayou is located inside Pirates of the Caribbean.

Disney Dining - 714-781-3463. Reservations for Blue Bayou, and several other restaurants are highly recommended. ENJOY!

 

[deejdigsdis]

Thanks all! Now I know a bit more of what to expect. Has the Tiki Room changed in the past 13 years? I remember when I was younger I used to think it was really raining/thundering outside, and was always surprised how quickly it cleared up by the time we got out. And with the old Submarine Voyage... it was YEARS before I realized that we weren't really "descending" into the water. The effect of the bubbles in front of the window made it seem so real. (Too embarrassed to admit how old I was when I figured that one out. )

 

[Husker Mickey]

The Tiki Room remains the same. It will bring back wonderful memories. The submarines have changed as the theme is Nemo, but getting into the subs is the same, what you will be viewing is Nemo themed and really cute.

 

[dizneyfan23]

I got you beat.

I haven't been since December of 1991 (so it will be nearly 18 years once I return!)

The only thing I *think* I remember is the Blue Bayou Restaurant (Doesn't part of Splash go through it!) I rode Splash there as well-so when they built it at WDW--I was like "pat myself on the back, I already rode it".

I was in high school at the time and this time I am going with 3 kids. I think they will find It's a Small Word to be neat with the outdoor loading area.

I got that beat, it's been 30yrs. for me. That's right 1979 (I was 3)

All I remember is my stroller

However, that will all change tomorrow

 

[SocalDisneyBoy]

Definatly go to the Blue Bayuo. It is an amazing restaurant. Try the Gumbo!

 

[deejdigsdis]

The one and only time I ate at the Blue Bayou was when I was there 13 years ago. No reservations... we walked right in and were seated immediately. I thought that was pretty cool until I realized all the wait staff had to pass us to get to and from the kitchen. The atmosphere was killed by the sound of clinking dishes and running water (from the kitchen, not from the ride). Sure wished I was one of those lucky people sitting in that magical place right by the water.

 

[DLR29]

For all you old-timers (or shall I say VETERANS!), can I plan on ANYTHING being basically the same after all these years? I can't imagine Autopia could have changed much.

Even though you joke at this, the Autopia actually has changed quite a bit. Instead of 2 tracks (FL and TL Autopias), they combined them into one big long track. The cars are much newer also, and the whole Chevron sponsorship is played up a lot.