Elk Grove Chris
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2011
- Messages
- 5,673
I traveled down for a conference last week and I was fortunate enough to get some time in the parks. Last time I was down the week after Thanksgiving was 2012, big difference in crowds I thought. That week in 2012 had pretty short waits for the headliners, 20 minutes tops for Space. There was a huge Arizona contingency this week, likely there was a winter break for a lot of schools.
I spent a few hours in the parks Thursday evening, crowds not that bad at DL, 35 minute wait for Hyper Space Mountain at 6:30. I ended up watching WOC and it was well attended. I got in line an hour before the show and was half way back in the line for Blue. Definitely prefer the regular show, holiday version seemed to be just thrown together.
I talked to a few CM’s and they said this was just a normal Thursday crowd for this time of year, seemed a bit more crowded to me, but they would know.
I met my DD Friday morning, well, with traffic and parking, she did not get into park until 10:30. A lot of people were already in DL by then. Cold morning, quite windy all day. We actually got 4-5 rides in before we left for CA around noon to hit Cove Bar. Closed due to wind. We ended up at Wine Country Trattoria, which I had sworn off after three successive bad experiences. It was actually quite good this time, service was excellent despite the full house. Mostly Kosher was playing next door so that was a nice treat.
CA had some nice musical groups in various spots throughout the day-helped with the crowds. Frozen was much better than I anticipated, the two young ladies playing Anna and Elsa were tremendously talented. The sets were nice, but I do miss Aladdin. Soarin was also pretty good, but I guess I was expecting a little more for some reason.
We bid our farewell to TOT, quite a different experience all in dark. Once we got in the elevator, we had a hard time lifting off, we thought it was part of the experience, until after about 6 CM’s came over to start helping. After much fidgeting with buttons and levers, they moved us to another lift, we were good with that. Much better with no lights on.
We though the fireworks would be canceled because of the wind, but gave it a shot anyways because it looks so cool from MS with all the xmas lights. No show. We left around 9:30, too many people and too cold for us despite our layers.
I did DL solo Saturday for a few hours. Quite the crowd for an 8 am opening with 7 am MM. I did most of Fantasyland twice in the first hour, skipping PP. Skipped over to HM and POC, crowds not too bad on that side. I left around noon to try Cove Bar again. I was pretty surprised on how few people were lining up for the Candlelight Processional. I thought it would have been packed in there already, not so much. Two hour wait at Cove Bar, no thanks. Out to DTD and Uva Bar-good burger. Did some shopping and off to the airport.
Great time in parks, a bit more crowded than I expected, but not terrible by any means. Always wish I had more time, but I think I got my moneys worth. Lots of characters out Friday and Saturday.
I spent a few hours in the parks Thursday evening, crowds not that bad at DL, 35 minute wait for Hyper Space Mountain at 6:30. I ended up watching WOC and it was well attended. I got in line an hour before the show and was half way back in the line for Blue. Definitely prefer the regular show, holiday version seemed to be just thrown together.
I talked to a few CM’s and they said this was just a normal Thursday crowd for this time of year, seemed a bit more crowded to me, but they would know.
I met my DD Friday morning, well, with traffic and parking, she did not get into park until 10:30. A lot of people were already in DL by then. Cold morning, quite windy all day. We actually got 4-5 rides in before we left for CA around noon to hit Cove Bar. Closed due to wind. We ended up at Wine Country Trattoria, which I had sworn off after three successive bad experiences. It was actually quite good this time, service was excellent despite the full house. Mostly Kosher was playing next door so that was a nice treat.
CA had some nice musical groups in various spots throughout the day-helped with the crowds. Frozen was much better than I anticipated, the two young ladies playing Anna and Elsa were tremendously talented. The sets were nice, but I do miss Aladdin. Soarin was also pretty good, but I guess I was expecting a little more for some reason.
We bid our farewell to TOT, quite a different experience all in dark. Once we got in the elevator, we had a hard time lifting off, we thought it was part of the experience, until after about 6 CM’s came over to start helping. After much fidgeting with buttons and levers, they moved us to another lift, we were good with that. Much better with no lights on.
We though the fireworks would be canceled because of the wind, but gave it a shot anyways because it looks so cool from MS with all the xmas lights. No show. We left around 9:30, too many people and too cold for us despite our layers.
I did DL solo Saturday for a few hours. Quite the crowd for an 8 am opening with 7 am MM. I did most of Fantasyland twice in the first hour, skipping PP. Skipped over to HM and POC, crowds not too bad on that side. I left around noon to try Cove Bar again. I was pretty surprised on how few people were lining up for the Candlelight Processional. I thought it would have been packed in there already, not so much. Two hour wait at Cove Bar, no thanks. Out to DTD and Uva Bar-good burger. Did some shopping and off to the airport.
Great time in parks, a bit more crowded than I expected, but not terrible by any means. Always wish I had more time, but I think I got my moneys worth. Lots of characters out Friday and Saturday.
