Just Back from a few days at DL - Random Musings

[BrianL]

So, I just had a very excellent solo trip for a few days where I got to see the 60th Anniversary stuff before it gets the plug pulled. I had a great time! I am more often at WDW, but I have done DL a few times now. Below is some of what I experienced and learned:

• Paint the Night and Disneyland Forever were BRILLIANT and well worth the price of the trip. I watched PTN like 4 times (well, once I was just enjoying the music as I walked along). I LOVE the music for it and how it incorporated the classic MSEP tune between the units.

• I watched DLF from Main Street and then once in front of it's a small world, which was less crowded but also not quite as spectacular. I got to sit down though, so that was nice. The effects on Main Street were better and honestly flat out delightful.

• Speaking of iasw, I like the addition of the Disney characters. I know that rankles some people, but I liked the new scenes (this was my first time riding the DL version of the ride).

• I LOVE Disneyland people! They are just so into it all. They sing along to the Tiki Room, and unabashedly love it. At WDW most people leave the Tiki Room scratching their heads. They know it all, and live it all, and their enthusiasm is contagious.

• I HATE Disnyeland People! Man, guys, they are INTENSE. They soak it all up like a sponge and it is never enough. At WDW a second nightly parade is easy to watch, but not at DL. Everyone is there, maybe not even having moved since 3 PM. They know all the tricks, when stuff opens and closes (like Storybook Canal after the afternoon parade). They beat me at every turn. I'm probably just jealous though.

• Parades are an epic mess and Parade CM's are useless and kinda mean. I know they're dealing with chaos, but they aren't helpful, waving their light sticks in directions that sometimes don't make sense (or not waving them at all) and then giving directions that are confusing and being very quick (and short) to correct your incorrect behavior. They are kinda curt but friendly, which comes off as passive aggressive. One CM told some people that they needed to stand "over there" with no indication of where, then ran after them to correct them when they went to the wrong area. It just wasn't clear. At all. And I know my beloved Disneyland People probably know what to do, but some of us do not.

• I'd heard bad things about World of Color: Celebrate but I thought it was pretty good. Maybe not as good as the original version, but still very impressive. The new lights on the Fun Wheel add a lot to the presentation. I enjoyed it.

• Australians are super friendly and cool people. It seems that everyone I engaged with was from Oz and they were so awesome and totally into the parks. Kudos to the two Aussie ladies who danced to the entire PTN parade.

• Frozen Live at the Hyperion was somewhat good, but the performance wasn't overwhelming. I like the design and there are good effects. It just wasn't as sharp as the Aladdin show. ETA: THe wait was terrible and not at all worth it.

• For goodness sake, save the Tower of Terror! It's just SO good as it is, even if it is the lesser one compared to the DHS version. Nobody I spoke to or overheard was happy about the changes coming. A CM did tell someone that it should be open through the end of the year for what that's worth.

• So, my favorite thing that I had never done before was Mickey and the Magical Map. It was awesome, and it seems like it's not very popular. I was not expecting live-miked performers. It was so well done, and so fun. Why was the theater sparsely filled in? This was better than the Frozen show, hands down.

Well, that's about it. I had a great time. I don't know when I'll get back to Anaheim. I haven't been "home" to WDW in a while, so I'll have to check in there next. Take care all my Disneyland People!

ETA: I LOVED Hatbox Ghost! He's so cool. I'm glad I got to see him since Sunday was the last day for HM before the NBC overlay. I made it to the park and gave the Mansion quite a few spins.

 

[Nevada Jen]

We are DL people and have never seen Mickey and the Magical Map. A cast member finally convinced me to see it when we are there in October. He said it is so good he will go over and watch a couple of days a week when he finishes work. You are totally right about Disneyland people. I think a lot of them tend to forget that some people have no idea what they are doing. it was definitely frustrating the first couple of times. And agree about the parades. It is just madness capped off with some frustrated, if not down right nasty, CM's. The parades are awesome but the experience always leaves me unhappy by the time I extricate myself from the crowd after.

 

[GatorChris]

Great observations. They really need to keep DLForever and PtN at this resort to keep up with the offerings at WDW-MK.

I would agree with the "Disneyland People" statement. Even though I've done DL a ton in the last 3 years, I don't consider myself one of "those guys". They ARE intense. It's hard to explain...they're kinda like the IT people you work with. They know everything, can't believe you don't, and they don't intend to share.

And don't get me started on the Tower of Terror. Might as well gut Big Thunder while we're at it and turn it into a Thor RagnaROCK coaster.

And we LOVE Mickey and the Magical Map. Great way to sit down to a great show with our favorite characters.

 

[Canuck16]

So, my favorite thing that I had never done before was Mickey and the Magical Map. It was awesome, and it seems like it's not very popular. I was not expecting live-miked performers. It was so well done, and so fun. Why was the theater sparsely filled in? This was better than the Frozen show, hands down.

What is Mickey and the Magical Map?

 

[GatorChris]

What is Mickey and the Magical Map?

This is a great live show in a covered but outdoor amphitheater by It's a Small World and the Toon Town Train station. If you've got kids, this is a fantastic show to catch. Lots of singing and dancing and fun. If you've watched Beauty and the Beast Live or Festival of the Lion King, it's like that but with it's own special story. Well worth the time.

Here's a link to the show. Watching the first 5 minutes will give you a good idea of what it will be like.

 

[BrianL]

Great observations. They really need to keep DLForever and PtN at this resort to keep up with the offerings at WDW-MK.

I would agree with the "Disneyland People" statement. Even though I've done DL a ton in the last 3 years, I don't consider myself one of "those guys". They ARE intense. It's hard to explain...they're kinda like the IT people you work with. They know everything, can't believe you don't, and they don't intend to share.

And don't get me started on the Tower of Terror. Might as well gut Big Thunder while we're at it and turn it into a Thor RagnaROCK coaster.

And we LOVE Mickey and the Magical Map. Great way to sit down to a great show with our favorite characters.

The thing is, I think they do want to share and are very friendly and helpful...but first you gotta pay your dues, ha ha! I mean, I know I've accumulated a lot of knowledge here and I love helping others out when possible. I do think tehy can't believe when you don't know, and I think the CMs get this a little too. That's why it comes off a little offputting. Still, I appreciate their utter zest for DL. I mean, 85 minute waits at Space Mountain at 11:45 PM? What? Do they ever go home?

For Magical Map, I was totally impressed by it with the singing and the acrobatics. I had wondered where the kids got the streamers they were dragging around from. I got my answer. I love it!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I think you had a "unique" experience with the late PTN parade. It used to be a lot less crowded, people camped out at 3pm for the early PTN watched DLF then left. The late PTN was great! With the news recently released that PTN is going away in the next couple weeks people are flocking to see it before it disappears to heaven knows where.

 

[Keels]

I saw "Mickey and the Magical Map" last year - and I was pretty surprised at how much Pocahontas and Stitch are loved at DLR compared to WDW. When those two characters appeared, the applause was SO deafening you couldn't hear the music for a good 30 seconds or so until the cheers calmed down.

It's a great show - can't wait to see it again!

 

[tzeitel]

I have yet to make it to Mickey and the Magical Map. It is always on our to do list but next thing I know we missed every single showing.

 

[BrianL]

I have yet to make it to Mickey and the Magical Map. It is always on our to do list but next thing I know we missed every single showing.

They're tricky with it too. I wanted to see it again but they were only running it Friday to Monday. I'm glad I saw it when I did!

 

[Canuck16]

This is a great live show in a covered but outdoor amphitheater by It's a Small World and the Toon Town Train station. If you've got kids, this is a fantastic show to catch. Lots of singing and dancing and fun. If you've watched Beauty and the Beast Live or Festival of the Lion King, it's like that but with it's own special story. Well worth the time.

Here's a link to the show. Watching the first 5 minutes will give you a good idea of what it will be like.

We have always walked by that amphitheater and never stopped to watch the show. Looks we will have to check it out on our next trip.

Thanks for sharing the video.

 

[Kindermouse]

I will admit to never seeing Mickey and the Magical Map. After hearing that its worth the time I'll have to give it a go this time. I keep thinking it was a little kid-ish show (I never see the disney Jr. shows either) but I guess I was wrong.

 

[Mysteryincorp]

The Disney jr show is definitely geared for the little kids. Still cute but I kind of roll my eyes when my daughter wants to do it.
Mickey and the Magical Map is amazing, love that show! Always easy to find a seat and it's great entertainment.

I think I may be a "Disneyland People"..... But I really want to share my knowledge and enthusiasm. If someone is reading/holding a map it takes everything in me to not jump over to them and say where are you going, how can I help?

 

[ashley0139]

I will admit to never seeing Mickey and the Magical Map. After hearing that its worth the time I'll have to give it a go this time. I keep thinking it was a little kid-ish show (I never see the disney Jr. shows either) but I guess I was wrong.

I would never see the Disney Jr show without kids. I would (and have) seen Mickey and the Magical Map without kids. It's really good.

 

[hsmamato2]

I LOVE Disneyland people! They are just so into it all. They sing along to the Tiki Room, and unabashedly love it. At WDW most people leave the Tiki Room scratching their heads. They know it all, and live it all, and their enthusiasm is contagious.

• I HATE Disnyeland People! Man, guys, they are INTENSE. They soak it all up like a sponge and it is never enough. At WDW a second nightly parade is easy to watch, but not at DL. Everyone is there, maybe not even having moved since 3 PM. They know all the tricks, when stuff opens and closes (like Storybook Canal after the afternoon parade). They beat me at every turn. I'm probably just jealous though.

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Thank you for the thinking that Aussies are cool and friendly! I like to think I'm very friendly, my daughter may not agree of the level of cool I think I am though!
I am also one of "those Disneyland" people! So much so that I have an annual pass and today I got a Disneyland tattoo
Disneyland is my everything

Glad to hear you had a great trip

 

[BrianL]

I think I may be a "Disneyland People"..... But I really want to share my knowledge and enthusiasm. If someone is reading/holding a map it takes everything in me to not jump over to them and say where are you going, how can I help?

No, I get it. Actually, for some of those Aussies I mentioned, I was the Disneyland People since I gave them some directions and advice. One girl thought I was there all the time, but it was only my third visit. Sometimes though I am still thinking about WDW, like when I assumed the parade would run the same way each time (I knew that DL reverses them every run but just wasn't thinking about it). Everyone was always friendly and helpful, but I'm still thinking, "man, people, when do you go home?"

I still love the enthusiasm. In fact, one I didn't mention was the gal who was just uncontrollably excited for "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln." She had on an American flag sweater and everything, ran to the front row and just went to pieces over it. I don't think it was her first time seeing it. Her friend had a kind of on her face. It was awesome! I'm glad I spared 15 minutes for Lincoln (it was very late too, last day before refurb).

 

[Xenorye]

Thor RagnaROCK coaster

I think I just heard all the ladies swoon.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I have yet to make it to Mickey and the Magical Map. It is always on our to do list but next thing I know we missed every single showing.

It took us a couple trips to finally see it. The schedule just never seemed to work with our touring schedule either!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I enjoyed reading your thoughts on your Disneyland trip, and had such a good visit. I'm one of "those" Disneyland people, but try not to be one of those irritating DL people, but one of those fun DL people. Your thoughts are inspiring me to go to the parks either today or tomorrow and get my last 60th fill before it completely goes away.