No Space Mountain FP and a few random thoughts from a 2/12 trip

[sonnyjane]

I just got back from an overnight trip with my hubby. I have an AP and go about once a month, usually just for day trips, but I stayed in a hotel last night so that we didn't have to drive back to San Diego at midnight. Crowds were high, but "weekend high", not "spring break high" and certainly nothing like Christmas.

Here are some thoughts from this past trip:

1) We walked over to Space Mountain to get a FP and noticed that there was a construction wall up in the center of Tomorrowland that had "Space Mountain FastPass currently unavailable" written on it. When I saw that, I instantly aborted, so I didn't walk up to the entrance to investigate further. I'm not sure how long it will be down, but it might affect some touring plans for those going soon.

2) I tried Troubador Tavern for the first time and had the BBQ chicken potato and some corn on the cob. It was quite good!

3) We had Plaza Inn for dinner and both agreed that it was the best bang for our buck. The portions are HUGE (I got the pot roast, my hubby the chicken, and I couldn't finish mine). It was also really, REALLY good, surprisingly so actually, so I'll be having that again.

4) We didn't know we were going until yesterday around noon, so I just looked up any place near the main gate that had vacancies. Sure enough, Tropicana popped up with a web special of $99. It was right across the street from the entrance and had a nice bathroom, flat screen TV, microwave, and fridge. Parking was also FREE. Great value, especially at the last minute. I have also stayed at Camelot (owned by the same people) and preferred Tropicana.

5) My husband was craving IHOP so we went there for breakfast even though I told him that these boards said it was obscenely expensive. Well, I opened the menu waiting for sticker shock only to find out that the prices were the same as or only a dollar more than our prices here in San Diego. That leads me to believe that maybe the people that post on here about it being outrageous are from other parts of the country? I guess I've just become used to paying more for food down here, but again, the prices at the IHOP across from the gate were almost the same as they are here in San Diego.

6) We didn't get to the parks until later, so I figured we'd missed our chance for WOC FP's. We walked past the FP machine, however, at 5:00 PM and they were distributing RED FP's for the second (9:15) show. That was my first time in the red section and compared to blue and yellow, it was not nearly as good, but at least it was free. If it was my first time seeing WOC and not the fourth, I would have been disappointed in the show. Also, the red section line-up is a little ridiculous. They make you stand in the rope's course place near GRR (can't think of the name), then they make you walk through the whole thing, then you come out the same way you came in and march over to the pier. It was really comical and even the CM's were joking "Sorry, I know this is weird..."

and finally:

7) I didn't realize that the rides that close for WOC showings (Screamin', Fun Wheel...) open up again after the show if the park is open later. The show was over at 9:45 but the park didn't close until 10:00, and sure enough there was a long line for Screamin' because they opened it back up. Thought that was cool for someone who wanted a last minute ride before closing. We went to TSMM assuming the line would be shorter 10 minutes before closing, but it was still 35 minutes!! We were the next to last car to go.

Sorry that was long - just some helpful observations!

 

[brookies_mommy]

I just got back from an overnight trip with my hubby. I have an AP and go about once a month, usually just for day trips, but I stayed in a hotel last night so that we didn't have to drive back to San Diego at midnight. Crowds were high, but "weekend high", not "spring break high" and certainly nothing like Christmas.

Here are some thoughts from this past trip:

1) We walked over to Space Mountain to get a FP and noticed that there was a construction wall up in the center of Tomorrowland that had "Space Mountain FastPass currently unavailable" written on it. When I saw that, I instantly aborted, so I didn't walk up to the entrance to investigate further. I'm not sure how long it will be down, but it might affect some touring plans for those going soon.

2) I tried Troubador Tavern for the first time and had the BBQ chicken potato and some corn on the cob. It was quite good!

3) We had Plaza Inn for dinner and both agreed that it was the best bang for our buck. The portions are HUGE (I got the pot roast, my hubby the chicken, and I couldn't finish mine). It was also really, REALLY good, surprisingly so actually, so I'll be having that again.

4) We didn't know we were going until yesterday around noon, so I just looked up any place near the main gate that had vacancies. Sure enough, Tropicana popped up with a web special of $99. It was right across the street from the entrance and had a nice bathroom, flat screen TV, microwave, and fridge. Parking was also FREE. Great value, especially at the last minute. I have also stayed at Camelot (owned by the same people) and preferred Tropicana.

5) My husband was craving IHOP so we went there for breakfast even though I told him that these boards said it was obscenely expensive. Well, I opened the menu waiting for sticker shock only to find out that the prices were the same as or only a dollar more than our prices here in San Diego. That leads me to believe that maybe the people that post on here about it being outrageous are from other parts of the country? I guess I've just become used to paying more for food down here, but again, the prices at the IHOP across from the gate were almost the same as they are here in San Diego.

6) We didn't get to the parks until later, so I figured we'd missed our chance for WOC FP's. We walked past the FP machine, however, at 5:00 PM and they were distributing RED FP's for the second (9:15) show. That was my first time in the red section and compared to blue and yellow, it was not nearly as good, but at least it was free. If it was my first time seeing WOC and not the fourth, I would have been disappointed in the show. Also, the red section line-up is a little ridiculous. They make you stand in the rope's course place near GRR (can't think of the name), then they make you walk through the whole thing, then you come out the same way you came in and march over to the pier. It was really comical and even the CM's were joking "Sorry, I know this is weird..."

and finally:

7) I didn't realize that the rides that close for WOC showings (Screamin', Fun Wheel...) open up again after the show if the park is open later. The show was over at 9:45 but the park didn't close until 10:00, and sure enough there was a long line for Screamin' because they opened it back up. Thought that was cool for someone who wanted a last minute ride before closing. We went to TSMM assuming the line would be shorter 10 minutes before closing, but it was still 35 minutes!! We were the next to last car to go.

Sorry that was long - just some helpful observations!

Ah Man! I REALLY REALLY hope SM has Fast pass open when we come! It seems that every time I've gone the last 6 years its been closed for one reason or another

 

[tkitty]

We were there on the 3rd, no wall by SM. I went over to get us some FP's at about 1:30pm and saw that standby was 10 min so I grabbed everyone and we walked right on, basically.

 

[skiingfast]

1) We walked over to Space Mountain to get a FP and noticed that there was a construction wall up in the center of Tomorrowland that had "Space Mountain FastPass currently unavailable" written on it. When I saw that, I instantly aborted, so I didn't walk up to the entrance to investigate further. I'm not sure how long it will be down, but it might affect some touring plans for those going soon.

4) We didn't know we were going until yesterday around noon, so I just looked up any place near the main gate that had vacancies. Sure enough, Tropicana popped up with a web special of $99. It was right across the street from the entrance and had a nice bathroom, flat screen TV, microwave, and fridge. Parking was also FREE. Great value, especially at the last minute. I have also stayed at Camelot (owned by the same people) and preferred Tropicana.

5) My husband was craving IHOP so we went there for breakfast even though I told him that these boards said it was obscenely expensive. Well, I opened the menu waiting for sticker shock only to find out that the prices were the same as or only a dollar more than our prices here in San Diego. That leads me to believe that maybe the people that post on here about it being outrageous are from other parts of the country? I guess I've just become used to paying more for food down here, but again, the prices at the IHOP across from the gate were almost the same as they are here in San Diego.

6) We didn't get to the parks until later, so I figured we'd missed our chance for WOC FP's. We walked past the FP machine, however, at 5:00 PM and they were distributing RED FP's for the second (9:15) show. That was my first time in the red section and compared to blue and yellow, it was not nearly as good, but at least it was free. If it was my first time seeing WOC and not the fourth, I would have been disappointed in the show. Also, the red section line-up is a little ridiculous. They make you stand in the rope's course place near GRR (can't think of the name), then they make you walk through the whole thing, then you come out the same way you came in and march over to the pier. It was really comical and even the CM's were joking "Sorry, I know this is weird..."

and finally:

7) I didn't realize that the rides that close for WOC showings (Screamin', Fun Wheel...) open up again after the show if the park is open later. The show was over at 9:45 but the park didn't close until 10:00, and sure enough there was a long line for Screamin' because they opened it back up. Thought that was cool for someone who wanted a last minute ride before closing. We went to TSMM assuming the line would be shorter 10 minutes before closing, but it was still 35 minutes!! We were the next to last car to go.

1. Not that I was there but I bet you saw the walls around the Buzz FP distribution. Word is they are being rehabed and changed to be for Start Tours 2.0


4. That's great you didn't get stuck with a terrible last minute price. Glad you got a great deal.

5. I have heard this about other places on harbor yet found the pricing to be the same as stores elsewhere. I would really like to know where the apparently super cheap Denny's, IHOP, and McDonald's are.

6. The Red lineup has been temporaily changed as they do work on the Paradise Pier Attraction and parade route. I expect it to be more comfortable for summer.

7. That's great you witnessed this. Reports have been contradictory. I think when they have late hours and two shows this happens. When they have late hours and 3 shows it doesn't.

Great report, glad you got to sneak in a visit!

 

[sonnyjane]

1. Not that I was there but I bet you saw the walls around the Buzz FP distribution. Word is they are being rehabed and changed to be for Start Tours 2.0.

No, the walls were in front Space/EO/Pizza Port. I was there last week and they weren't there. It says "Space Mountain Fastpass currently unavailable" on the wall. Anyone else there this weekend that saw what they were working on?

ETA: I can confirm that BLAB will no longer be a FP ride. The CM said that much, but didn't say if it was so that Star Tours would have a FP.

 

[jory29]

Thanks for your post, and I think at ihop it might be families who purchase drinks for the little ones who end up paying an arm and a leg in the end, for the entire meal.

 

[mydisneyobsession]

Thanks for the heads up on the Space Mountain Fastpass situation. We'll be getting to the parks on Thursday, and my touring plans are going to have to be reworked before then! I was relying heavily on Fastpasses, and now both Buzz and SM are going to have to be worked in some other way!

 

[Yukonjack]

Thanks for the heads up on the Space Mountain Fastpass situation. We'll be getting to the parks on Thursday, and my touring plans are going to have to be reworked before then! I was relying heavily on Fastpasses, and now both Buzz and SM are going to have to be worked in some other way!

Hopefully with the gloom in the weather forecast we won't need to rely on fastpasses that much.

 

[sonnyjane]

Thanks for the heads up on the Space Mountain Fastpass situation. We'll be getting to the parks on Thursday, and my touring plans are going to have to be reworked before then! I was relying heavily on Fastpasses, and now both Buzz and SM are going to have to be worked in some other way!

I'm hoping someone else on the boards that was there this weekend will know more about this. I honestly have no clue how long it will be down, and didn't know it was going to be down yesterday. I feel like out of all the rides, Space Mountain NEEDS a FP, with standby times commonly 90 minutes on a busy day. I can't imagine they would want it down for long?

 

[mydisneyobsession]

I have such a fondness for Fastpasses - I was counting on them to help us through the President's Day weekend, and this has seriously tempered my enthusiasm for the trip.

We'll be sorry to miss Space Mountain, but we won't wait 90 minutes for it!

Yukonjack - the weather forecast is looking a bit nicer today than it was yesterday! Hopefully we'll see even more improvement!

 

[sonnyjane]

I have such a fondness for Fastpasses - I was counting on them to help us through the President's Day weekend, and this has seriously tempered my enthusiasm for the trip.

We'll be sorry to miss Space Mountain, but we won't wait 90 minutes for it!

What I was trying to say in my first response to you, but didn't get across lol, is that I wouldn't panic just yet. I honestly don't see this being down for long, so it might be back up for your President's Day trip. I can't imagine such an important ride not having FP's for a holiday weekend, but who knows?! I looked online and the only thing listed in Tomorrowland as a refurb last week was Star Tours, so I'm not sure what they're working on. Maybe the weekly MousePlanet update will come out tomorrow and let us know more.

 

[mydisneyobsession]

Thanks, Sonnyjane - I do hope you're right and it's only temporary!

 

[Jana0326]

We were there this weekend too and were disappointed that the fastpass machines for Buzz and Space Mountain weren't in operation. We did Magic Mornings both Saturday and Sunday though so we were able to go on both of those rides a couple times with no more than a 10 minute wait. Overall, I didn't think the crowds were bad at all.

 

[deann]

Here at DL right now. We were also here yesterday. They don't appear to be doing any work on the SM FP machines. I did notice that at the bottom of the show schedule it lists FP rides and when they are available. The schedule is for Feb. 11 to the 17th and shows SM FP for Mon. thru Thursday only. It doesn't make sense to not have them on the busy weekends. BTMR and Autopia are listed as having FP Fri. to Mon. Everything else is listed as being available daily.

 

[sonnyjane]

Here at DL right now. We were also here yesterday. They don't appear to be doing any work on the SM FP machines. I did notice that at the bottom of the show schedule it lists FP rides and when they are available. The schedule is for Feb. 11 to the 17th and shows SM FP for Mon. thru Thursday only. It doesn't make sense to not have them on the busy weekends. BTMR and Autopia are listed as having FP Fri. to Mon. Everything else is listed as being available daily.

Is the wall still up saying they are unavailable? If not maybe they are already done since you're schedule says they'll be back on Monday.

 

[deann]

Is the wall still up saying they are unavailable? If not maybe they are already done since you're schedule says they'll be back on Monday.

The wall is still up tonight. lol! I didn't even realize that tomorrow is Monday! I am not used to being in the parks all day from opening. I usually take a midday nap!

 

[ArchOwl]

Mouse Planet on Twitter posted this on February 8th:

"Fastpass for Disneyland's Space Mountain is now closed through Feb. 13 due to a paving project."

 

[sonnyjane]

Mouse Planet on Twitter posted this on February 8th:

"Fastpass for Disneyland's Space Mountain is now closed through Feb. 13 due to a paving project."

Awesome! Thanks for that validation that 1) I didn't imagine it and 2) that they should be up tomorrow lol!

 

[ArchOwl]

Awesome! Thanks for that validation that 1) I didn't imagine it and 2) that they should be up tomorrow lol!

Oh no, you didn't imagine it! Various sources on Twitter have been reporting Space Mountain fastpass as being closed. Bummer for you, because fastpass really does help with the wait there.

 

[Vexorg]

I don't go there often, but I just find that IHOP seems to be expensive no matter where you are. Every time I walk out of the place I feel like I just paid $13 for dessert and forgot to eat dinner first.