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

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – June 20, 2011 – Part 2​

After we finished getting off TLMAUA, it was around 11am and we had to head on over to Soarin and use our FP before they expire at 11:20am. On the way out of TLMAUA, the new store that has the Little Mermaid merchandise right next to TLMAUA was opened. It was called the Embarcadero Gifts. I didn’t go in the store since we need to go to Soarin.

On the way over to Soarin, more and more people are showing up at the park. When we got to Soarin, the wait time was already at 35 minute wait time. We just got to the ride with 8 minutes to spare. We only had to wait about 5 minutes to get from the queue to the ride.

When we got off, all of the adults said that this was their favorite ride at DCA. They were impressed that they were actually hang gliding in California. The best scene they liked was the orange tree scene which they got to smell the oranges.

It was around 11:40am and I told them that it was time to head on back to DL and use our ST FP. I was excited to ride ST again after riding it a lot during the AP Sneak Peek. The grandson was looking to this ride the whole time since he likes Star Wars. On the way out of the park, there were a lot of people walking the opposite way since the walkway towards PP on the GRR left side is closed due to the construction right by the theater. It was annoying, but I couldn’t say much about it.

While we were walking out of DCA, the Green Soldier Band was close to the main entrance, that we stopped for awhile and watch them played.

We left DCA and we were on our way over to DL and ride ST. More and more people started to show up at DL and I would say that this will be a really busy day at the parks.

We got to DL at 11:45am and we were on our way over to TL and get on ST. At MS, it was kind of crowded with a lot of guests taking pictures in front of the DLRR MS Station. But we had to keep on walking since we don’t want to miss our time for ST.

When we got to MS TS, the DM wanted to see if her DS wanted to get some pictures with some characters. But he said no, he doesn’t want to meet a Disney character. I was kid of surprise to hear that from him, but he just wants to go on over to ST and get on the ride. Dale was walking on over to our way and want to get some pictures with him. On the way, the DL Band was walking down MS with Mickey in his Band costume.

The park got a lot crowded since that morning, but it didn’t stop us from having a great time at DL that afternoon.

Now we head on over to TL and the wait time for BLAB was already at 30 minute wait while AO was at 35 minute wait. That was really long during around noon, but that’s how it is during the last days for the SoCal AP holders. Enough of the wait times for the other rides, let’s get over to the ST queue. The ST wait time was at 90 minute wait. I expected that time to be when it was around noon. Good thing that it wasn’t at 2 hour wait, I would go crazy if it is longer then that. And lastly, as expected the FP for ST was already gone at 11:50am.

We had to wait awhile since one of our members of our group had to use the bathroom. So we entered the ST at 11:55am and the grandson was so excited to ride this ride. Everyone in our group liked the queue of ST and liked the Starspeeder 1000 with R2-D2

We only had to wait 10 minutes to get on the ride and we were all excited to ride the new ST. We went towards gate 4 and on our flight. We started off with the Stormtroopers and the droid scanning the ship. We escaped the ship along with the Millennium Falcon and jumped to hyper space. Our next planet was the cold planet of Hoth. On our way out, we got a transmission from Admiral Ackbar and told us to safely bring the Rebel Spy. On our way out, we were in a battle with the Separatists and the Republic in Coruscant.

The grandson really like the ride so much that he wanted to go on it again. I said that is not an option since we all don’t want to wait in that long queue especially during this time. With no FP left that day, it didn’t make any sense to go on ST when the wait time was at 90 minutes. He was disappointed, but I told him that you can do it tomorrow since it is a MM day. He was happy after that.

When we were in the Star Trader store, I decided to go and see if the CMs have the ST AP shirt. Last time when I was down there during Memorial Day weekend, they were all sold out of the shirts and I was disappointed. This time, I was lucky and got my shirt. It made my day when I got that shirt.

While we were in the store, my group wanted to get Space Mountain FP so I sent my dad and his friend to get the FP while the rest of us were in the store looking for some shirts. The grandson wanted to get a light saber, but his mother said that he has those already and was not worth getting. He was disappointed, but since he has two, it doesn’t make sense to get another one. They instead bought him a ST shirt.

When my dad and his friend got back with the FP, the return time was at 3pm to 4pm that day. It was around 12:40pm and the group was getting tired. So they wanted to get back to the room and rest up. I told them that we should have lunch together before we headed back to the rooms. So we took the monorail from the TL station. We got up to the station and we just missed riding Monorail Orange, so we had to wait for Monorail Blue to come at the station.

I will get back to the post another day. I will get back to the Tomorrowland Monorail Station and see what we did that afternoon.

 

[tksbaskets]

Good thing you had those fastpasses for as busy as the afternoon looked So glad you were able to get your ST t-shirt

I too am surprised that the grandson didn't want any pictures with the characters.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Good thing you had those fastpasses for as busy as the afternoon looked So glad you were able to get your ST t-shirt

I too am surprised that the grandson didn't want any pictures with the characters.

Thanks for sharing!

Good thing that there were FPs at DL or we would have to wait in those long lines during our trip. It was really busy that Monday afternoon. Even though on Touring Plans that it said it is only a 5/10 crowd rating at DL, but I knew that it was going to be crowded since it is the last days for the SoCal AP holders to be in the park during the summertime. It was nice to get the ST AP shirt that day. I thought that they might have some left, but not the size for me.

The grandson shocked me when he didn't want to get a picture with the characters that afternoon. Even though Dale was walking down MS, he stopped right by the Magic store and taking autographs and pictures until the DL band played down MS. He did get a picture taken with a character during the trip. But that will be another story.

Thank you TK

 

[stubby]

You have great pics as usual. Can't blame you for not wanting to wait 90 mins. Told my kids that we will ride once and get a FP for later and that will be our only rides unless the line times take a nose dive. The least I have seen them on MW is 50 mins. That's a good chunk of time.

 

[mvf-m11c]

You have great pics as usual. Can't blame you for not wanting to wait 90 mins. Told my kids that we will ride once and get a FP for later and that will be our only rides unless the line times take a nose dive. The least I have seen them on MW is 50 mins. That's a good chunk of time.

Thank you stubby. If you are a local or huge Star Wars fan, I would see them wait in these long lines and go on it back and forth. With 54 variations of the ride, they would do it as many times until they get all the variations. But for people who are here for this once in a lifetime opportunity, we want to enjoy the park more then staying in these long lines. That is a good tip when you get to ride like ST, Space, etc in the morning when the lines are short and then get a FP for that ride later during the day so you can ride it twice. Anything above 30+ minute wait is a long time and it does make a difference when you are in the parks.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – June 20, 2011 – Part 3​

The last part I have left off was at the TL Monorail station waiting for the monorail to show up. I was hoping that we would be able to get a front of back spot, but there were too many people that missed the last monorail so we had to ride in regular cars. I was hoping that we would be able to get them in the front or back.

While we wait until Monorail Blue showed up at the station, I told my group that they should do the FNSV later this trip. It was a great classic ride back in the old days and was updated a few years ago. They said that they will try to get a ride on the FNSV at the end of the trip.

We got on the monorail in the 4th car and were on our way to the DTD station.

When we got to the DTD station and exited. My dad told everyone that we should have some lunch together. Everyone asked me what restaurant is a good place to eat. I told them that RFC and the ESPN Zone was the closest where we were. But during this part of the afternoon, the RFC should be busy while the ESPN Zone should be fine. So we head on over to the ESPN Zone for lunch.

Inside the ESPN Zone, there was barely anyone in the restaurant and we were excited just to walk up and get a seat. I was hoping that there were seats available in the big screen room. But there was nothing available, so we went through the big room. We had lunch around 1pm and everyone really liked the food at this restaurant. Mostly everyone got hamburgers for lunch. I also got a bacon cheeseburger that afternoon.

When we finished, I just realized that our car was still in the DTD parking lot and since the first three hours were free, you have to pay after that. Since we parked the car at 6:45am that morning, it was almost 6 hours in the parking lot. I was panicking and I remember that if you get your ticket stamped, you saved another 3 hours.

After we left our tables, I went on over to the ESPN Zone gift shop and got my parking lot ticket stamped so we could save some money. I know that we went way over the time, so I had to pay a little.

As when we left the restaurant, we parted ways. My dad and I was about to go and check-in at BW Anaheim Inn while my dad friend family decided to rest up after a long afternoon at DL. I told them that we will meet up at IASW for Mickey’s Soundsational Parade. They agreed with it and my dad and I headed back to the car. While my dads friend family went back to PPH to rest up.

We got in the car and wait to see how much we had to pay for the extra hours. Good thing that we only had to pay $14 more for the extra two hours. I was a little steamed that afternoon that I forgot to move the car our of DTD parking lot. But I couldn’t keep being mad about it so we head on over to BW Anaheim Inn.

We got to BW Anaheim Inn around 1:45pm and check-in to our room at 2:00pm that afternoon. The room was way better then the Motel 6 room and we rested up for just about 45 minutes until we head back to DL. I was not taking any chances with the spot that I want to watch the parade. It was nice to rest up in the room after a long day at the park. But it wasn’t that long for the two of us so I had to bring my tripod with me for the parade.

It was 2:45pm and we walked out of BWPPI and head on over to DL. On the way, I had to get pictures of my favorite ride at DL while it was outside of the park.

My dad and I got to the park around 2:55pm and the first thing we did was head on over to IASW to get a spot for the parade. While we were walking in the park, more and more guests were already in the park. There were some people already down MS waiting for the parade. It was a smart way for the guests to be in the shaded area since it was really that day.

Got to look at the Matterhorn and still bummed that it was down during my trip. The grandson wanted to ride this ride the most since he set his eyes on the Matterhorn.

The whole park was kind of crowded all over the place, but it was walk able during the whole trip.

When we got there, I told my dad friend family to meet us at IASW around 3:00pm so that part of us can use the FP for Space Mountain at 3:00pm to 4:00pm. So my dad and I waited until they showed up. I got the spot that I had picked for the parade and there was not even anyone set up out there. So this made it easy for all of us. But I need the rest of them to show up so that I could take their grandson to Space Mountain. When it was around 3pm, IASW queue was already at 25 minute wait. Plus the queue was already out on the walkway.

While we waited, I had to get some water since it was hot that time. I believe it was around 85 degrees while we were waiting. When the group finally arrived, the grandmother wasn’t with them. They said that she was tired after that long afternoon so she rested a little bit longer at PPH. It was around 3:25pm when they showed up and I know that there was no time to head on over to Space Mountain and go on the ride. My dad didn’t want to wait any longer and asked if any of them wanted to go on IASW. I told him that there was no time to go on IASW and get back in time for the parade. The wait time for IASW was close to 20 minutes and take about 15 minutes to complete the ride. So my dad, the mom and grandson decided to take the chance and went on IASW. If they make it back in time for the parade, I would be really impressed. I thought it would not be possible since it is during a busy time and takes awhile to get off the ride.

The grandfather and I were just waiting for the parade. We talked for a long time since the others were on IASW. When it was time for the parade, I said that they won’t make it. But the parade didn’t start on time at 4pm, so when it was about one minute until the parade started, they came off the ride and ran on over to the spot where we were sitting. I can’t believe they actually made it back for the parade. Good thing that the parade didn’t start on time so they can get over here.

The parade started at 4:04pm and here is Mickey’s Soundsational Parade. This was kind of very interesting from the start. There were only 5 drummers to begin. Then the float with Mickey and Minnie just showed only Mickey up front where Minnie used to be and a drummer where Mickey used to be. I was kind of surprise to see that. Some pictures are smaller than the others since I was videotaping. I edited some scenes from my video camera to pictures.

That’s it for this post since I have used up all the pictures. I will get back to the TR another time.

 

[kaoden39]

Wow I love the colors from the parade!! They are bright and amazing!!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – June 20, 2011 – Part 4​

Now back to Mickey’s Soundsational Parade right across from IASW

Royal Princess Romantic Melodies (Disney Princess Units)

Simba Beastly Beats Units

Tiana’s New Orleans Jazz Jubilee (The Princess and the Frog Units)

Peter Pan’s Neverland Buccaneer Blast (Peter Pan Units)

Mary Poppin’s Spoonful of Rhythm (Mary Poppins Units)

After the parade was over, we decided to do some more rides while we are still in the park. IASW started to get more and more people in the area while the parade past.

I will get back to the TR later on.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – June 20, 2011 – Part 5​

After the parade was over, we decided to head on over to BTMRR and get FP. I was also hoping that the queue won't be that long, but with the park being so crowded all day on Monday, I didn't expect the line to be like 5 to 10 minute wait. This is a good time when more and more people will be leaving the park since it was close to dinner and some people taking a rest.

When we left IASW, FL was kind of crowded when we walked right by SLCB and Dumbo. But that is typical afternoon time when all the rides will have long queues during the afternoon. Since BLCB was closed during the parade, a lot of the people started to head on over to that ride. The ride wait time was like 25 minutes and kept getting longer and longer. Over at FL, Dumbo was at 30 minutes and Casey Jr. queue extended out right by the tables.

We went though the back side of Frontierland by BT Ranch. I always like walking on the backside of Frontierland and see the tunnels where the former Mine train used to be. I wished I could have ridden that train back in the old days. But I was not borned when BTMRR made its debut in the 70s.

When we got to BTMMR, the wait time was already at 30 minutes just as I predicted. I checked Mousewait and see what the wait time was and it said around 25 minutes. It was close, but not accuarte. So I just got all the tickets from everyone and got our FPs for BTMRR. We had to return around 5:00pm to 6:00pm. Just about 30 minutes that we need to return. That was really fast for returning to the queue for BTMRR.

While we were waiting for BTMRR, my group wanted to go on POTC. I said that POTC is the fastest ride that loads up the guests in the boats and it should not be a problem. When we got to POTC, the line was already at 25 minute wait, but with time to kill they had no problem of waiting that long to get on POTC. So we head on POTC and waited in the queue for about 22 minutes. 3 minutes shorter than I expected. The grandson loves the POTC movies and was excited to see Jack Sparrow on the ride.

He was so happy that he wanted to go back on it again, but I told him that we will do it another time since we need to head on over to BTMRR and use our FPs. We got to BTMRR around 5:20pm and just had to wait 5 minutes in the queue to get on the ride.

At the end of BTMRR, everyone thought that this wasn't a ride for a roller coaster. The grandson once again said that he wants to go on it again, but I told him the samething that we will do it tomorrow since we have a tight schedule.

We decided to head on over to HM. Very interesting that when I told the group about the HM, the grandson got really scared and didn't want to go on the ride. The DM told him that if you can watch POTC, you can handle this ride with no problem. When we were in the queue, he got worried about that he will be scared. The wait time was around 10 minutes and very interesting when we were in the queue, the gate was shut and CMs told that the ride was down. I was kind of surprise to see that the gates to enter the HM were closed and I thought that the ride was closed and came here for nothing. But they did let everyone in the queue to get on the ride. I don't know what happen after we got off the ride.

When we got off the ride, I asked the grandson if he was scared. He said that it wasn't that scary and liked the ride. I knew that it wouldn't be scary for him since he watch POTC movies. So while we were right at the exit of HM, everyone saw Splash Mountain and wanted to ride that ride. But the wait time was already at 75 minutes and there was no way I would wait that long to ride Splash. Even though it got nice later that day, it was not worth losing an hour. But I told them that we can see what the FP return time is. Then we head on over to the Splash Mountain FP queue.

Over at the Splash Mountain FP queue, the return time was already at 10:25pm to 11:25pm. That was way late and there was no way they want to go on Splash that night. But they said that they might consider going on this ride at night if they don't feel tired. So we got FP for Splash at 10:25pm to 11:25pm that Monday night. I expect that they would not do that, but we will wait and see. I have done a lot of crazy things at DL in the past and it wouldn't be a surprise to me. I told them that they should do Splash tomorrow since it will be warmer and fun.

It was almost 6pm and I told everyone that we should start heading on over to DCA and have dinner. But on the way, the grandfather wanted to get his free lanyards. Since he booked at the DLR and staying there, he got the DLR booklet for free lanyards, TTMM, Aladdin preferred seating, 10 FPs, etc. So the store that sells a lot of pins in our area is the Westward Ho Trading Co. Pin Store in Frontierland. So we headed on over to the Westward store and get his free lanyards.

After we got the free lanyards at the pin trading store in Frontierland, we head on out of the park and straight towards DCA. On the way out of DL, people are already on the curb side waiting for the 6:30pm Soundsational Parade. I told them that we needed to head out immediately or we will have to walk through the narrow walkways heading out of the park. Luckily the CMs were letting guests still walk on the street to enter or exit the park. This did make a big difference when you can walk down the street then just walking down the curbs. When I took the pictures down MS, the clock was already at 6:25pm so that means that we need to hurry off the street before the parade.

When we got out of DL, the Soundsational parade started. So we just got out a the right time. Now it is time to head on over to DCA and have some dinner. DCA was kind of busy when we were in Sunshine Plaza. It is so difficult that the other entrance to the Pacific Wharf is closed due to the theater construction, but I can't cry about it. So we had to walk through Condor Flats.

Nice TS Baloons

On the way, the rocket engine right by Soarin was on and a lot of people were walking on over there to get cool. I didn't want to walk though it since I have my DSLR camera out and don't want to get it wet. So I just walked around while the rest went through it.

While we were walking past GRR, the grandson wanted to go on GRR. I told him that we don't have the time and it was getting cooler that day. I told him that if you on GRR, you will get wet no matter what. The wait time was at 25 minutes and we need to use that time to have dinner and wait at the blockade for WoC viewing area.

When we got to PP, TLMAUA wait time was already at 40 minutes. I suspected that the wait time would be long during that day. But since we have rode it that morning, there was no point on going on it again.

We got to Pacific Wharf around 6:45pm and I asked everyone what are they going to get. Some were a little choosy of what to eat, but most of them wanted to eat at Lucky Fortune Cookery. I didn't want to eat a lot so I went over to Castle Corn Dog and get a Hot Link Corn Dog. Also the grandson wanted a corn dog too so I got hime one. Luckily with my AP discount, we saved quite some money that night. We all ate at the food court at the Pacific Wharf. They all liked the food and it was a good thing that I got the hot link which is small. I'm sorry no pictures for the food porn.

It was close to 7:20pm and I was already finished, I decided to go on over to the blockade right next to the light tower for WoC. Since we have the blue FPs for the 9pm, I needed to head on over there. I told everyone that they didn't have to come with me. I told them to show up at the viewing area until 8:30pm. This will be good for them to do at least one ride if they want to wait in the queue. They all agreed with it and I left immediately for the light tower.

I was planning on getting my usual spot right by the yellow fire hyrdant in the blue area. I know that this isn't a secret any longer to you DISers, but I wasn't planning on taking any chances. Since the park is crowded than normal, I decided just go over there early and save the spot. There were just a few dozen of people waiting at the barricade right by the light tower, but it wasn't that bad. I would guess that most of the people will try to head on down towards the viewing area and get a good railing. While I stay in the back part of the viewing area.

People were asking where are they suppose to line up, the CMs finally told the blue section to head on over to the bridge area and the preferred dining plus yellow to stay right by TLMAUA. I was kind of surprise to hear that the CMs told all the blue FP holders to move to the bridge area. Mostly, they do it right there plus right by TLMAUA. But I just went along with it and moved to the bridge area.

The CMs started to let the guests in at 7:45pm and everyone was in the race for the prime spots. Luckily for me, I won't be going down in that mob and heading on back to my spot. When I got there, there was no one in the way and I got my usual spot right by the fire hydrant. Interesting to hear one of the CMs asked me if I want to go down there, but I told him that I like this spot a lot. He said that this is a good spot to see the whole show and I said yes it is a great spot for peopel to show up late and get a good spot.

When it was around 8:10pm, my group started to arrive. I asked why are they here right now and told them that they could use that time to do other rides. They said that they went towards aBL and just browsed. So they decided to head on over to the spot and wait with me. I was glad that they showed up early so I can save the spot. The DM and grandson didn't want to wait, but I told them that they should go over to the other side of PP and go on some rides. I told them to ask the CMs right by the entrance to give you a ticket so you can get back in the area.So they left the viewing area and they rode the Golden Zephyr and Jumpin Jellyfish. While we were wait, I got some random shots of DCA.

The queue for TLMAUA was already by the walkway and I would guess that it was close to 45 minute wait time.

I will get back to the TR later today since I ran out of pics for this post.

Thank you for coming along.

 

[tksbaskets]

Boy the parks were crowded! I'm going to have to look for the yellow fire hydrant this December for WOC viewing!

TK

 

[deejdigsdis]

All caught up once again!

TK, I must have missed the announcement about your Dec. trip! Last I knew you were waiting to hear about your husband's school schedule. Will you be there for New Year's Eve? I guess the real question is... If you are there for NYE, will you actually be in the park when the ball drops???

Bret, that is a bummer about Matterhorn being down. Especially for the grandson. He sounds like my boys, not wanting to stop for a picture with the characters. I really like seeing all that red, white and blue on Main Street.

A couple of questions... Did the clock on IASW open up this trip? I know you and I both noticed recently that it didn't open when it should have. Is the hearse back in front of HM? It was missing during my Jan. and April trips. Just wondering if you noticed if it is back or not?

Looking forward to more!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Boy the parks were crowded! I'm going to have to look for the yellow fire hydrant this December for WOC viewing!

TK

The park was crowded on both of those days. Mostly those SoCal AP holders wanted to get one more time at DL before they are blocked out for the summer. The yellow fire hydrant is a the blue viewing area and is right across from the VIP seating area. You don't have to show up when the CMs let the guests in the viewing area. I would say around 30 minutes until the show on a non-busy day. Since this was summer, the viewing area filled up quickly with about 45 minutes until the show.

Here is the pic where the yellow fire hydrant is when I did WoC back in November.

Here are pictures of where i was stationed for the prime viewing spot.

This picture is right behind me of where I would be standing right in front of the fire hydrant.

All caught up once again!

Bret, that is a bummer about Matterhorn being down. Especially for the grandson. He sounds like my boys, not wanting to stop for a picture with the characters. I really like seeing all that red, white and blue on Main Street.

A couple of questions... Did the clock on IASW open up this trip? I know you and I both noticed recently that it didn't open when it should have. Is the hearse back in front of HM? It was missing during my Jan. and April trips. Just wondering if you noticed if it is back or not?

Looking forward to more!

Glad that you are still here Deej.

When I looked at the rides being closed during that week, the Matterhorn was opened during that weekend and then during my trip it was closed. Now the Matterhorn has reopened on the 25, then later in July it will be down till Sept. 1st. Its almost like they want to have the ride opened during the busy parts of summer and then all of a sudden, it will be closed. He was not happy about it since I told him that this was the first steel tubular roller coaster in the US. He was excited to hear that it was the first steel roller coaster and wanted to ride it. I was surprised to hear that he didn't want to get pictures with the characters. But he did took a picture with a character on this trip. I will tell you who it is during this TR. It was nice to have all the Americana colors out on MS even after Memorial Day Weekend.

Very interesting that the clock on IASW did not opened up again. I am kind of surprised to see that the clock is not showing on IASW. I think ever since my April trip, I haven't see the clock opened ever since. I am hoping that it will open one day so we can see the time. But it is not the same when it is not opened.

I didn't look carefully at the Hearse when I was in the queue for the HM. But I would say that it was there. I didn't take a photo of it when I was in the queue. I do have a picture from my Memorial Day Weekend trip and I did get the Hearse from the HM.

I should be able to write up the Monday night TR tonight.

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Bret,
So I stand behind the fence facing the fire hydrant looking at the at the water where the show is? I think I can find that spot! If we get our WOC FPs early in the day will we usually get the Blue area?

TK

 

[mvf-m11c]

Hi Bret,
So I stand behind the fence facing the fire hydrant looking at the at the water where the show is? I think I can find that spot! If we get our WOC FPs early in the day will we usually get the Blue area?

TK

Yes, that is correct TK. What day are you planning on seeing WoC? You can get a Blue FP during 9am to 9:50am in the morning on a busy day. After that, it will be the yellow FP for the 9pm show. On a slow day, you should be able to get a Blue FP till 10am.

Here is the link that Disneyland_1951 posted for the secret spot right by the yellow fire hydrant: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38088345&postcount=53

If you look at this picture that I have taken from my video camera during my trip, you look between the two light towers and you can still see the left and right side clearly.

Here is my pic from the Memorial Day Weekend when I videotaped WoC on May 28, 2011

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – June 20, 2011 – Part 6​

So I left off waiting at the WoC viewing area for the show. My dad, grandfather, grandmother, and I were waiting in the viewing area while the DM and DGS were off riding the rides around PP. I told them that this show was so amazing and will like it so much.

While the DM and DGS got back, my dad asked me if we can see F tonight. I said that it is possible to see WoC and then the 2nd show of F!. But the only problem about seeing it is that you have to do a lot of walking from PP to the ROA. But since I have three older people and one kid, it was not possible to get a sitting spot right by the ROA. But my backup plan if we didn’t get a sitting spot was doing the Light Tower Trick. I told them that we can’t stand around and watch the fireworks. So we can watch them while we walked.

It got at 9pm and WoC started. Everyone in my party was seeing WoC the first time and they were all amazed with this show. My dad asked me if they have updated this show since he has watched my videos. I told him yes. The only parts were the POTC scene and Tangled.

When WoC ended, I packed all of my equipment with me and we all walked as fast as we can to DL for the 2nd show of F!. On the way around GRR, Magical fireworks have started at 9:30pm. So we had a little gap to get to Frontierland and get to F!.

I told them that we needed to keep on walking to get to Frontierland. So we just kept walking on the way out. But since the construction around the theater blocks one of the exits, we have to walk with a lot of people down Condor Flats. That was crowded that night when we tried to get out of DCA.

We got of DCA around 9:40pm and were back in DL. Most of the people were already watching the fireworks from outside the gates and down MS. So we had to walk on the curb side of the right side to walk down MS. When we were around the Hub, Magical was done and now was the time to walk through the mob of people. This was really crazy walking through a lot of people that were leaving the park. But we were all able to get in front of Frontierland and were heading on over to the ROA.

When we were in Frontierland, we had to wait awhile since the CMs were clearing all the people from the first show of F!. We were close to the blockade and were feeling good that we will be able to get a sitting spot at the ROA. Just about 5 minutes while we were waiting, the CMs let all the guests in the viewing area. So the first thing we did was head on over to the viewing area.

I don’t like the middle since it would be too crowded, so I went to my favorite spot right by Light Tower C and the F! Dessert Seating. Luckily, there was no one in the area so I got my spot right at the end of the rope area walkway. I was so happy that I got my spot and my group was excited to see this amazing nighttime show. It was around 10pm when we got our spot and the area didn’t fill up the way until 15 minutes until the show. This proves that you can from PP to the ROA sitting area with a few grandparents, few adults and a child in a stroller.

When it got to 9:30pm, the 2nd show of F! started and they were also amazed of this show. Very interesting from the show is that the PP scene was kind of different then what it usually is. One of them is that the Columbia didn’t ran all day on Monday and saw that it was being pushed by one of the small boats for the CM crew that set up the stage. Plus the Croc didn’t follow the Columbia. This was kind of strange to see the boat being pushed by another boat and no Croc.

But overall, the best part of the show that everyone liked was seeing Murphy. They were amazed at the big dragon. My favorite part of the show is the Mark Twain with all the different characters.

After F!, it was time to call it a night since we were all tired that day, so we all head on out of the park around 11pm. So we parted our ways at the exit of DL. I told them, that I will meet up with them again tomorrow while my dad will not be going in the park that day. He is planning on meeting up with his friend from LA and doing some things tomorrow.

So my dad and I headed back to BW Anaheim and called it for the night.

This was a really crazy day, got to do some rides that I haven’t done in quite some time, but the next day will be the one that I will be doing a lot of different rides. Got to do WoC and F! the same day. Plus my dad family group was so happy that they got to do a lot of rides and shows that night. They said that if I wasn’t their, they wouldn’t be able to do all these rides if they were there by themselves. I’m glad that I have spent most of my day with them and showing what rides to do and what time to do it.

I will get the 2nd part of the trip later on. Have a nice day everyone.

 

[tksbaskets]

Bret, you're night time pictures are just amazing! I can't believe you saw WOC and the second show of F! You must have been almost jogging over to ROA.

Looking forward to the second part of your trip!

TK

 

[Daisybelle]

Good information about seeing the second showing of F! I think that will be the way to see it for us. I didn't know about the barricade.

We leave in less than two weeks for our trip and I've picked up a lot of good tips from your reports!

Thank you!

 

[deejdigsdis]

Wonderful pictures Bret! I haven't seen Fantasmic! since the 90s. It hasn't been playing during my recent trips which have been mid-week off-season. We did catch a glimpse of the Mark Twain with the characters on our last night (a Friday) during our January trip. But other than that, it's been since the 90s. I'm sure your dad's friend's family really appreciated having you as their expert guide in all things DLR related!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret, you're night time pictures are just amazing! I can't believe you saw WOC and the second show of F! You must have been almost jogging over to ROA.

Looking forward to the second part of your trip!

TK

Thank you TK. I was surprised too that my group and I were able to get a sitting spot at the ROA. I knew that I could do the Light Tower Trick for the 2nd show of F!, but I didn't think I would get a sitting spot. So in the end it work out so well. The elders didn't like the fast walking, but they were able to make it to the ROA. We just walked very fast all the way and didn't stop for the fireworks that night.

I should have the 2nd day of my trip tomorrow.

Good information about seeing the second showing of F! I think that will be the way to see it for us. I didn't know about the barricade.

We leave in less than two weeks for our trip and I've picked up a lot of good tips from your reports!

Thank you!

I'm glad that my TR helped you out a lot for your trip in two weeks. It is possible to see WoC and than the 2nd show of F! on the same night. Just remember to keep moving during the fireworks when you are coming from DCA. If you get in DL when the fireworks is over, it will be really ugly going through all those people. For the barricade that I have said by WoC & F! is actually a blockade where the CMs instruct the guests to be when let in the PP Viewing area and the ROA.

Hope my info helps you out a lot during your trip in a few weeks. I can't wait to read your TR.

Wonderful pictures Bret! I haven't seen Fantasmic! since the 90s. It hasn't been playing during my recent trips which have been mid-week off-season. We did catch a glimpse of the Mark Twain with the characters on our last night (a Friday) during our January trip. But other than that, it's been since the 90s. I'm sure your dad's friend's family really appreciated having you as their expert guide in all things DLR related!

Thank you Deej. After all those trips to DL, you haven't seen F! since the 90s. On your next trip, you should do F! one day. The show has improved a lot since they upgraded it back in 2009.

My dad friend's family enjoyed my company the whole time. It was also nice to be in a big group of people and enjoyed it with others. Since I have been used to going solo or meeting other DISers at the park, this does take me back to my days when I went with a big group of people.

 

[kaoden39]

I don't if you saw it or not but I commented a while back. I really love the colors of this parade. Is it more colorful than normal? It sure seems that way to me.


And the pictures from Fantasmic! are wonderful. I really like them. I think that it is my favorite of the shows.