Our 3rd Annual Holiday Trip to DL in November - November 22nd - 25th, 2013 Post #3416

[mvf-m11c]

It's too bad that your DB and his GF didn't want to spend the extra money but I think you made great use of your solo time so far. The pictures are just gorgeous and it sounds like you enjoyed yourself taking it all in without having to worry about someone else's schedule.

Looking forward to the next update.

It would have been nice if they were in the park with me that day, but they had a great time that day and went to the Anaheim Mall. I did had fun that day at the park solo since I am so used to going to the park solo. Thank you PiO. Its always fun to go around the park doing whatever you want to do. I might be able to go solo during my WDW trip in October and take some pictures just by myself. But we'll wait and see.

The next update will be up shortly.

Nice pics! I can't wait to see all this for myself soon.

Thank you. You will have a great time at the DLR next month with your family If you need any advise or help for your upcoming trip, just message me.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – August 13, 2012– Part 4​

Now I was in Cars Land taking some more pics with my new lens and filter. It was nice to use the new lens at CL & BVS. The whole land was quite busy that day, but at least it was walkable and not as busy as the first few months when it opened.

Walking down Radiator Springs

Over at the Cozy Cone Motel, McQueen was taking pictures with the guests while the cones quick stands in the back didn’t look that busy as I have thought. Back when I did the preview, the lines for the cones were so long that it took as long as 30+ minutes to go through a line. Now that Monday, it doesn’t look that busy. Time has changed at the Cozy Cone Motel from the preview and now.

Now a look at Flo’s V8 Café where it didn’t look that busy that day. I could have just walked in and get something to eat, but I was still a little full from Ralph’s Brennan Jazz Kitchen.

Flo’s V8 Café Sign

The outside seating area for Flo’s V8 Café as well as a lot of Motor oil cans.

Luigi’s Casa Della Tires. The outside queue didn’t extend towards the outside of Luigis Flying Tires. I knew that it was going to be at least 40 minute wait time to get on LFT since the queue is also inside the building.

On the other side is the Radiator Springs Curios shop which is also the pin trading store.

Also in the area, Lightning McQueen is now leaving the Cozy Cone Motel and Mater is now taking the place.

Now I walked down towards Radiator Springs Town Hall. The neon light signs on the left hand side RS.

Town Hall, I couldn’t get the whole building with the new lens since I was so close to the building.

In one back side of the building towards the left side of Town Hall is the Radiator Springs painted wall. It is on the left hand side of Town Hall and it is a sitting area. Some people don’t even know where this wall is located.

After looking at the wall picture, I head on over to Radiator Springs Racers to see what the wait time is like. I thought the wait time would be at least over 1 ½ hours and I was correct. It was 105 minute wait to get on RSR. It was a long wait, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought. The single rider wait time was not working that time so I didn’t know how long the single rider wait time was going to be. I thought about riding RSR in the single rider queue, but it could be unpredictable and go as long as an hour. So I just skipped RSR that day.

After looking at the wait time at RSR, I head on out of CL and see some areas of DCA before I head on to DL for the fireworks.

A look at the Stanley statue

Cars Land did look busy that day. Not super busy.

Ramone’s House of Body Art

When I passed LFT, the wait time was 40 minutes which sounds right since there were some people in Luigis Casa Della Tires.

Some more pics around Radiator Spirngs

Just 25 MPH in RS

The back side of Cozy Cone Motel which did seem to pick up after it didn’t look that busy a while ago.

Now Mater is at the character meet & greet area

One more look at the Cozy Cone Motel sign

That's it for this post and I will have more from DCA.

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Bret,
I am still amazed at the level of detail in CL! Down to the oil can at Flow's Cafe. Did you notice if the wait times at TSMM have gone down since CL is open?

I wouldn't have waited an hour in the s/b line for RSR either. Too much to see and do!

Thanks for the updates!
T

 

[ACDSNY]

Love the Cars Land pics! I can't believe all the little details that make it look like you stepped into the movie.

 

[Sherry E]

Hi Bret,
I am still amazed at the level of detail in CL! Down to the oil can at Flow's Cafe. Did you notice if the wait times at TSMM have gone down since CL is open?

I wouldn't have waited an hour in the s/b line for RSR either. Too much to see and do!

Thanks for the updates!
T

TK -

...Not just the oil cans at Flo's, but there are deliberately placed oil stains/spots on the ground outside of Flo's! It looks real, like what you expect to see at a gas station or something. But it's actually Disney's craftsmanship.

You can imagine the odd look or two that I got when I took a picture of the oil stains on the ground in June!!! Only the truest of Disney fans would understand why I was fascinated with those spots.

Also, there are cracks in the ground in certain other areas of CL - again, all intentional and deliberately placed for effect. A lot of things look weathered and worn, dusty and rusty - really, the whole land is an incredible tribute to the level of detail that Disney is known for!

 

[kylie71]

All caught up! Love your pics and report!

Lori

 

[PrincessInOz]

Bret - I love the wall art! Thanks for sharing those...I have a thing for street art and love looking at graffiti and murals and frescos anywhere. When I eventually get to go back, I'm going to have to hunt down that wall.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I love it, thanks for the pictures. What is in the cozy cone hotel?

 

[mvf-m11c]

Hi Bret,
I am still amazed at the level of detail in CL! Down to the oil can at Flow's Cafe. Did you notice if the wait times at TSMM have gone down since CL is open?

I wouldn't have waited an hour in the s/b line for RSR either. Too much to see and do!

Thanks for the updates!
T

Hi TK,

Just as Sherry pointed out that the littlest details which makes Disney parks so great. I always try to find the most interesting things at the parks from the biggest to the littlest by reading and seeing other people's pictures. That what makes going to the Disney parks so fun by looking at things that we don't see too often on different websites.

TSMM wait time just barely dropped. The best time to go to TSMM is when the park opens at 8am. Mostly all the guests went straight towards Cars Land and the FP queue. My DB, his GF and I rode TSMM later Tuesday morning around 9am and we only had to wait 15 minutes to get on TSMM. I know that you would be jumping for joy with that short wait time. It just shows us with new lands opening and early entry time to the park which is 10am in the past, that rides wait times can be shorten. I remember later during the day that the wait time for TSMM can go towards 40 minutes in the afternoon.

Your welcome.

Love the Cars Land pics! I can't believe all the little details that make it look like you stepped into the movie.

Thank you Angela. From every little detail you see is so amazing. I didn't get a lot of little detail pictures like on my last trip. But there were some that I did get during the trip. I will show more of little details at Cars Land later on during my TR.

TK -

...Not just the oil cans at Flo's, but there are deliberately placed oil stains/spots on the ground outside of Flo's! It looks real, like what you expect to see at a gas station or something. But it's actually Disney's craftsmanship.

You can imagine the odd look or two that I got when I took a picture of the oil stains on the ground in June!!! Only the truest of Disney fans would understand why I was fascinated with those spots.

Also, there are cracks in the ground in certain other areas of CL - again, all intentional and deliberately placed for effect. A lot of things look weathered and worn, dusty and rusty - really, the whole land is an incredible tribute to the level of detail that Disney is known for!

I did remember the oil stains at Flo's V8 Cafe. Not just oil stains/spots at Flo's, there are also cracks around the Flo's and other spots at CL. The Imagineers really did a great job on the littlest details of CL as well as BVS. You are really good Sherry with looking at the littlest details at the parks. That what makes it so fun to take pictures of the littlest things at the parks.

All caught up! Love your pics and report!

Lori

Thank you Lori.

Bret - I love the wall art! Thanks for sharing those...I have a thing for street art and love looking at graffiti and murals and frescos anywhere. When I eventually get to go back, I'm going to have to hunt down that wall.

Thank you PiO. That street art is very nice and I can't believe I forgot to get a picture of it during my June trip. Luckily I didn't forget about it and that was one of the pictures that I needed to get at CL. When you go back next year, I can't wait to see your picture of it. I used the 35mm lens and I couldn't get the whole picture in one pic. Next time I will use the 18-55mm lens for that one.

I love it, thanks for the pictures. What is in the cozy cone hotel?

Thank you Jo. Inside the Cozy Cone Motel is just the lobby. You can't go inside the lobby, but there are a lot of decorations with cones in it. It is just for decorations.


The next post will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – August 13, 2012– Part 5​

I just left off at Cars Land while I am getting some pics until I head on over to DL for Magical fireworks that Monday night. The whole day wasn’t as bad as I predicted when I looked at touring plans crowd level. Cars Land was about average that day, as well as the ride wait times. I know that Radiator Springs Racers wait time was over 1 ½ hours, but it was way better then opening month and July. I could have ride RSR that day, but I had other things to do.

I was about to leave Cars Land and get some pics while I was around Cars Land.

Now time to try some one touch color.

A look at Sarge’s Surplus Hut and the flag.

Over at Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, the wait time was only 10 minutes which was a short wait time.

A look at Fillmores Taste-In

Now leaving Cars Land. It was nice to walk through Cars Land with the hedges not covering the entrance to Radiator Springs. It wasn’t as bad as I thought when I left, but I had to do other things around DCA until I head on out of DCA and over to DL for the fireworks.

After going around Cars Land, I am heading on over to Pacific Wharf to get some pictures.

A look at Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop. I still miss the old Mission Tortilla Factory which is now Ghirardelli’s. I mostly miss about Mission is the free tortilla that you get when you go in. But I know that Ghirardelli will be a great place to get ice cream after watching WoC that night.

I passed through Ghirardelli and on my way towards the rest of Pacific Wharf.

Light fixtures at Lucky Fortune Cookery. LFC is one of my favorite quick counter restaurants at DCA.

Cocina Cucamonga

Just left Pacific Wharf and crossing the bridge over to PP.

PP didn’t look that busy that day with most of the people in DCA over at Cars Land or at TSMM.

A look at the Little Mermaid ride

Right across from the Little Mermaid ride is the Embarcadero Gifts store. This store mostly has Little Mermaid merchandise.

So I now left PP and now over to Grizzly Peak

Eureka Gold and timber Co. building which is part of Grizzly River Rapid

Now walking down the path towards Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail sign

Another light fixture right by GRR

I now approached GRR which was busy that day. The wait time was at least 40 minutes. Every year GRR does get the crowds due to the summertime and when it is not that hot in the off season or Christmas season, the wait times are walkable. I haven’t rode GRR in quite a long time since I don’t want to get wet or get my equipment wet.

I was also thinking of getting a FP that night for WoC, but I was planning on watching Magical at 9:30pm and then head on over to IASW to see Magic, Memories & You at 10:15pm so watching WoC was not an option until Tuesday with my DB and his GF.

That’s it for this post and I will have more from DCA as I am about to leave and head on over to DL for the fireworks.

 

[tksbaskets]

Another light fixture right by GRR

Great pic~ Yes, my family would have been jumping for joy at a 15 minute wait time for TSMM and gone as many times as our forearms would hold out!

Looking forward to the fireworks with you.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Great pic~ Yes, my family would have been jumping for joy at a 15 minute wait time for TSMM and gone as many times as our forearms would hold out!

Looking forward to the fireworks with you.

Thank you TK. I could have gone on TSMM a 2nd time that day after riding it the first time, but we were trying to enjoy as much as possible and do other rides than going on the same ride over and over which you would easily do. You would have a blast that day riding TSMM. It is hard especially to choose if you want to go on TSMM or go to RSR and take a chance. I always think of you when I go on TSMM and I knew that you would easily ride TSMM a lot with short wait times.

I need to upload my video of Magical that night it will take another two to three posts until the fireworks.


The next update will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – August 13, 2012– Part 6​

I just left off at Grizzly Peak and I’m now about to head on out of DCA and over to DL for Magical fireworks. The whole day has just been taking pictures and pictures of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street. Over at GRR, the wait time was quite long as I was heading on out of the park.

That is a lot of signs

Now I am entering Condor Flats. It is so weird to pass through the former entrance/exit to DCA right between Soarin and the GCH. It just been a couple of months ago when I went through the side entrance and now that BVS is opened, I wonder what they will do with the side entrance.

Soarin was about in the 30 minute range that day which is no surprise. But I did get a few random pics around Soarin.

A look at Taste Pilots Grill which the X-1 jet is no longer there

I’m now back at BVS and once again taking more random pics of the newest land at DCA.

Another look at the Red Car Trolley as it’s past on BVS

More look at BVS as I head on out of the park

The fountain in the center of BVS and DCA

Window display on BVS. It was hard to not get the blurry image through the window.

Across the street was the Elias & Company store sign

I was about to head on out of the park, it was close to 6:15pm and Soundsational at DL was still going on at MS. So I used that time to go on in the Elias & Company store to look at the merchandise.

Light fixtures inside the Elias & Company store

I thought about buying something at the Elias & Company store, but I didn’t want to carry more stuff with me since I have my tripod, camera, video camera, and a blanket in my bag. Plus I have two more other days to buy something at the store. So I just forgot about buying something that day and moved on.

After going through the Elias & Company Store, I head on back through the same door that I came through. Mickey is now approaching with a lot of guests following him.

Flowers around the Elias & Company store

With one touch color of red of the flowers

Now I head on out of the park and on to DL. BVS didn’t look that crowded that day so I am hoping that DL won’t be as crowded. With everything that has gone this summer, it wouldn’t surprise to see DL less crowded than DL. I don’t know why I would imagine I would say that DCA would have more guests than DL. But with CL & BVS a big hit this summer it takes some pressure off DL.

Another look at the Red Car Trolley going down BVS

BVS Red Car Trolley station sign

A look at Oswald’s Gas station which is another merchandise store

A look at Los Feliz Five & Dime store as well as the Carthay Circle Theater

Before I left DCA, I saw a DCA map right by Oswald’s Gas station. This is the same decorated map just like at DL which is about the same art work but it is DCA as the map.

A look at the DCA Braille Map right by the Oswald’s Gas station store

I head on out of DCA around 6:30pm and on my way over to DL for Magical fireworks that night. I will get back tomorrow with the next latest update from the DLR and over to DL.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Thanks for sharing. Seems like the new expanded DCA and entry is working out well for this park. Glad to see all the details, new retail and new rides working out for Disney.

Looking forward to your next set of posts and pictures.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Thanks for sharing. Seems like the new expanded DCA and entry is working out well for this park. Glad to see all the details, new retail and new rides working out for Disney.

Looking forward to your next set of posts and pictures.

Your welcome. The new Cars Land and the Buena Vista Street are a big hit for DCA. This is only the beginning for DCA and I would say that there will be more in the future. Just don't know what they will come up with. There are still problems with RSR where it breaks down at least once a day. I also read that LFT doesn't have the beach balls anymore. I did look at LFT and didn't see any of the beach balls on the ride. I was wondering why they didn't have them out there on the ride. But after reading from micechat and mouseplanet, it does make sense since it slows down the ride and people can get hurt from tossing the beach balls to other people.

The next update will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – August 13, 2012– Part 7​

Now I just left DCA after taking pictures of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, now I am heading on over to DL for Magical fireworks that night. It was a great day at DCA where the crowd levels were not that bad and got to see the rest of DCA all finished up. After seeing CL & BVS this trip from my past trip, it was worth it coming back to the DLR to see the rest of DCA all finished up.

After I exited DCA, the esplanade didn’t look that crowded. I knew that DL turnstiles will be crowded when I get over there. It was nice to see the DCA banners out on the esplanade. It shows each different attraction at DCA and you can tell that TDA is going all out on DCA for this summer. Even in Sactown, I see at least one Cars Land billboard anywhere I go.

When I got to the turnstiles at DL, it was quite busy. It only took about 2 minutes for me to enter the park.

I’m now at DL past 6:50pm. It wasn’t that busy around the turnstiles, I would guess that Mickey’s Soundsational parade is over at MS Town Square and right around the Hub.

Now through the MS station platform where you see that familiar plaque

When I got to MS, the first thing I wanted to see was the new Crowning Achievements gallery at the Disney Gallery. I didn’t go inside since I had to get ready for the fireworks. But I did eventually get to see the gallery during my visit.

Ms did look quite busy that night. I would guess that Soundsational parade just finished around MS and should be around the Hub. There were some people still on the curb side that night.

The Disney Showcase store

The Emporium

More pics of the buildings on MS

Carnation Café

While walking down MS, I did see the end of Mickey’s Soundational Parade just passing the Coke Corner

It was already 6:55pm that night and about 2 ½ hours until Magical fireworks.

A look at the Matterhorn along with the end of Soundsational Parade.

I decided to wait a little longer to get a spot since the area in front of SB Castle has no people on the curb sides. I can tell from this spot that there were people waiting on the benches for the fireworks.

A look at Jolly Holiday Bakery Café

There were quite a lot of people around the Hub, but I knew that the area around SB Castle wasn’t going to be busy about 2 hours until the fireworks. So I head on over to Frontierland to get some more pics.

While I was in Frontierland, I got some more pics with my new lens.

When I looked at the Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition, there were CM security guards around the area telling people that they can’t come in that area. I didn’t look carefully, but there was some kind of package around the area since I didn’t see any guests in the area.

After passing the Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition, I got some more pics around Frontierland.

The Golden Horseshoe area

While I was in the area, I was starting to get hungry at that time. Earlier, my DB, V and I had lunch at Ralph’s Brennan Jazz Kitchen a few hours ago. But I didn’t eat too much that lunch since it was close to dinner time. So I was fortunate to eat less at RBJK and have dinner. I was thinking of going to eat at Royal Street Veranda at NOS, but I had gumbo during lunch so that was out of the question. I could have eaten at Rancho del Zocalo, but I had Mexican food the other day. The only restaurants that are quick service in the area are Stage Door Café, Riverbelle Terrace or French Market. So I just head on over to Stage Door Café to have dinner.

At first, I was thinking of chicken nuggets. But after seeing the corn dog, I just had to get one that night. So I got my food and ate right around the Riverbelle Terrace dining area. I only had a corn dog with slice apples and a drink that night. I thought about taking my food over to the viewing area, but I still have some time to kill and take some pics until I head on over to the Hub for the fireworks.

It only took me 5 minutes to finish the corn dog and apples. After that, I cleaned up and started to head to head on over to the Hub to see what the area is like that night. It was going to be fast since I was about to go and see Matterhorn Mountain after it’s long refurbishment.

That is it for this post and I will have more later on at DL.

 

[ACDSNY]

OK I'm caught up again.

I haven't been to DL since Jan 2011 and your pics keep showing me I have a lot of new places to eat, shop and see.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'm all caught up too.


Did you find out if there was something going on at Frontierland or was it just one of those moments where the CM were checking to make sure everything was okay?

 

[usnuzuloose]

Thanks, so many areas I forgot were there!Takes me back!

 

[mvf-m11c]

OK I'm caught up again.

I haven't been to DL since Jan 2011 and your pics keep showing me I have a lot of new places to eat, shop and see.

You will have an outstanding time when you back to the DLR next month. I'm glad that you are enjoying my pictures Angela.

I'm all caught up too.


Did you find out if there was something going on at Frontierland or was it just one of those moments where the CM were checking to make sure everything was okay?

When I walked back from Frontierland to the Hub, the Frontierland Shootin' Exposition was back to normal where guests shoot at the targets. I didn't see any guests around the area and I would have guess that someone left their bag in that area and Disney do clear the area for unattended bags. I know that it is a standard protocol for the CM's to clear out that area for unattended bags. If the area was clear to go back than it was just a minor problem at that time at the Shootin' Exposition.

Thanks, so many areas I forgot were there!Takes me back!

You should consider to go back to the DLR one day. So much has changed over the last few years and there will be more changes in the future.

I am looking forward to your trip next year with the other DISers. Hopefully maybe I will be able to come along at that time, but time will tell if I can go or not.


The next post will be up tomorrow morning so stay tune.