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

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – March 3, 2012 – Part 6​

After a bizarre day at DL when the park was closed due to the suspicious bag at the esplanade that morning. I enjoyed going on a few rides and taking some pics of the park when it was empty. This was great and bizarre to be in a park when there were barely any people and go on any rides that day. I knew that the less crowded day was coming to an end that morning.

While I was in CC, I head on over to Splash Mountain to go get a FP. While I was in CC, it was also quiet with barely any guests.

I got to Splash Mountain FP machine and got my third FP that day. Like all the other FPs that I got that day, they were about Forty minutes until I was able to use the FP.

When I got my FP, I decided to go back to MS and see what the crowd levels were. I had a hunch that the guests that were outside the park are now inside. So I head on back to MS.

The area around Adventureland now have some people around the area. So I knew that the guests were let in the park.

I was ow at MS, there were the guests walking down MS to go on some rides. So around 10:50am, having the park empty came to a close around 10:50am. It was nice that they let the guests back in the park which means that I am able to go over to DCA and do my favorite rides. I also had to call my DA to tell her that the park is now open to the guests. So I head on out of the park. On the way out, I got pics of the people entering the park. Mostly are the guests that are entering the park while there are few guests leaving the park.

The CM's on the streets were greeting the guests. I would never imagine that the CM's were greeting the guests around the afternoon.

I remember one of the CM's that talked to me while I was exiting the park that I enjoyed being in the park for those two and a half hours with little wait time. I did tell her that I enjoyed my time at the park that morning, but I was glad that we were able to leave the park and head on over to DCA.

It was already 10:55am when the guests are now coming in the park.

While I was still in DL at MS TS, I had to get some pics during that bizarre morning.

I exited the park around 11am and saw that there was a long line to get inside DL. The turnstiles in the middle and right side were open to let the guests in the park. The wait was close to the monorail track. Those people are really disappointed and excited to get in the park after being denied for two and a half hours.

My DA wasn't at DCA right now, so I had to wait for her right by the turnstile at DCA. Over at DCA, the turnstiles at DCA were not that long as DL. So I knew that DCA was going to have low crowds then DL.

My DA finally arrived and we head on over to DCA. I asked her what it was like out at Harbor Blvd that morning around 9:30am. She said that there was a big crowds on the streets of Harbor Blvd of guests waiting to get in DL. The sidewalks were so busy, that the hotel side of Harbor Blvd had some people too. When they finally let the guests in the esplanade, they opened all three security gates on the bus loading side and the lines was half way through the bus loading zone. Talk about a long queue just to go through security. It took her quite some time to get through the security gates. Now we are on our way to DCA.

There were a few people with us through the turnstile, so I knew that it was going to be busy around Condor Flats.

While we were in DCA, we head on over to GRR to get FPs for WoC. We were not planning on seeing WoC that night since we are planning on watching RDCT. But I like to collect FPs so it was a good idea to get some FPs just in case if the fireworks are cancelled due to high winds. I heard that RDCT didn't run on Friday due to high winds. So I hoped that RDCT would be running that night. It is always a good idea to have a backup plan if something goes wrong.

I didn't know if we would get a blue FP or the yellow FP. But when we got our FPs, we got the blue 8pm WoC FP. While I got my FPs, I asked if the red section was back after the construction. He told me that the red section is now gone and only the blue and yellow FPs are distributed at GRR. It was interesting to hear the the red section is gone, but after the construction right by the viewing area and LMR.

After getting the FPs, we head on over to PP and go on MFW. We don't know what the wait times will be like since both parks just opened about 30 minutes. Interesting to see that it wasn't that busy at DCA.

GRR still under refurbishment.

We were close to PP and that will be told on the next post.

 

[franandaj]

I really don't want to be there on opening day for Carsland, and am really hoping for some soft opening previews. However, when you are in a relationship, there is give and take. I do have to say that for me facing the crowds on opening say of Carsland is a much easier sacrifice (especially if the waitlist cones through) than say going to the parade in downtown LA for the Lakers"threepeat". I know you're a basketball fan, but I'm not a sports fan or downtown LA fan so you can see where Carsland is a much easier tradeoff!

I hope your trip at the end of the month goes smoothly, I just realized that is our band concert weekend, so we'll be up in LA most of the time except for sleeping!

I'll look for you on the 27th!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I really don't want to be there on opening day for Carsland, and am really hoping for some soft opening previews. However, when you are in a relationship, there is give and take. I do have to say that for me facing the crowds on opening say of Carsland is a much easier sacrifice (especially if the waitlist cones through) than say going to the parade in downtown LA for the Lakers"threepeat". I know you're a basketball fan, but I'm not a sports fan or downtown LA fan so you can see where Carsland is a much easier tradeoff!

I hope your trip at the end of the month goes smoothly, I just realized that is our band concert weekend, so we'll be up in LA most of the time except for sleeping!

I'll look for you on the 27th!

Same here, I really don't want to be there on opening day at Cars Land, but if we don't get in during the sneak peek I might have no choice but to go during the opening day. I remember going on the opening day of WoC back in 2010 and waited a long time that morning just to get a FP. I would guess with Cars Land opening this summer, it will be way busier then WoC. I don't experience rides or new lands that are officially opened to the public, so I know that it will be busy. At least it won't be as bad as waiting for a parade of a major sports championship.

Thank you. Too bad that we have to push the date back one day and we will be leaving on Friday instead of Thursday. So right now, I will just be in the park on Saturday for the upcoming trip.

When DCA opens at 10am, I am heading on over to Stage 17 immediately.

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Bret,
Where is stage 17?
TK

 

[franandaj]

Hi Bret,
Where is stage 17?
TK

Though I'm not Bret, Stage 17 is in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot. I get Stage 12 & 17 confused, but it's either the building between the Muppets and Monsters Inc where they used to have the Millionaire game or the building that is to the left of the Hyperion theater on the other side of the false street.

 

[tksbaskets]

Though I'm not Bret, Stage 17 is in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot. I get Stage 12 & 17 confused, but it's either the building between the Muppets and Monsters Inc where they used to have the Millionaire game or the building that is to the left of the Hyperion theater on the other side of the false street.

Ah...I know of both buildings (thanks Alison!) I take it they hold events in such places?

TK

 

[kmedina]

Alsion,

Even though you are not happy about Fran's desire to see the Carsland opening, I would love to hear about it if you end up going. I know you have a couple PTRs going already, but a mini TR would be awesome.

Bret,
Those are cool facts about the engines. Thanks for sharing. It was almost 11am before everyone else came in. Wow! That means the people that got there early probably did most of their must list by then. It is/was very smart of you to get backup fastpasses for WoC just in case.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Hi Bret,
Where is stage 17?
TK

Though I'm not Bret, Stage 17 is in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot. I get Stage 12 & 17 confused, but it's either the building between the Muppets and Monsters Inc where they used to have the Millionaire game or the building that is to the left of the Hyperion theater on the other side of the false street.

Just as Allison pointed out that Stage 17 is right between the Muppets and Monsters Inc.

Bret,
Those are cool facts about the engines. Thanks for sharing. It was almost 11am before everyone else came in. Wow! That means the people that got there early probably did most of their must list by then. It is/was very smart of you to get backup fastpasses for WoC just in case.

Your welcome Kim. Just before 11am when both parks were open. The people that were in DL that morning head on out of the park and went on over to DCA. It is a good idea to get WoC FPs even if you don't plan on seeing it that day.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – March 3, 2012 – Part 7​

Now it's time to get back to the TR. After getting WoC FPs at GRR, we head on over to PP to go on our favorite ride at DCA which is MFW. For the people that follow my previous DL TR's, I always go on MFW to get aerial photos of DCA especially the construction site at Cars Land which is opening in about 3 months.

When we were in PP, it didn't seem that crowded as I have expected when the guests were let in the park just before 11am. Maybe all of a sudden, TSMM would not that be crowded so we head down towards TSMM to see what the wait time is.

We got to TSMM and the wait time was only 10 minutes, but when we went through the queue it was about less then 5 minutes to get on the ride. I was so stoked that we didn't have to wait that long. This might be the shortest queue I have ever seen on TSMM. I thought that the queue would be at least 15-20 minutes since we got in the park a little late. But it looks like that most of the guests were around Condor Flats when they got in the park.

Boy it looks empty at TSMM.

My DA was excited to go on TSMM after a long time. When we finished, I only got 208,800 points and my DA got 112,000 points which is the highest she has ever got on TSMM. I was of course the highests score in our car. But I know that I could have done better. I didn't hit the secret targets from break the plates, ring toss and dart game. My arm was getting tired when we pulled the string a lot of times during the ride.

After getting off the ride, we checked out what the wait time would be at TSMM. The queue was so short, we could have gotten back on the ride. We decided to go on MFW instead of going back on TSMM. I know TK that you and your DS would easily go on TSMM again and again during that short wait time.

The queue was not inside the building so the wait time was close to 10 minutes.

So we head on over to MFW.

When we got to MFW, we always go with the non-swinging gondolla since we don't like the swinging part and the car can be steady so I can get some pics of Cars Land.

Here are pics from Cars Land so it will be a two post. So enjoy the pics of Cars Land during the construction.

The Matterhorn during its construction

Cadillac Range

You can barely see it, but you can Mator's Junkyard Jamboree tractors covered up

There were some CM's out on the track of Radiator Springs Racers

Cozy Cone Motel

That's it for this post and I will be back with more tomorrow.

 

[tksbaskets]

Bret,
You had an EXCELLENT score on TSMM! I think I've only topped 200K once. Your DA had a very good score as well.

You are darned right my guys and I would have continuted to ride TSMM until our fore arms burned or the line was > 45 minute wait. Whichever came first.

I'm so glad you were able to ride MFW in a non-swining car. I can't belive how much Cars Land has changed since you have been showing us the construction from MFW. Makes me want to plan a quick trip to DL this summer. Only if I hit the lottery

I think the Radiator Springs Racers will be very similar to the Test Track at EPCOT don't you?

Are you getting excited for the opening of Cars Land? I sure hope they do a preview for the AP holders like you!

looking forward to the next post.
TK

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret,
You had an EXCELLENT score on TSMM! I think I've only topped 200K once. Your DA had a very good score as well.

You are darned right my guys and I would have continuted to ride TSMM until our fore arms burned or the line was > 45 minute wait. Whichever came first.

I'm so glad you were able to ride MFW in a non-swining car. I can't belive how much Cars Land has changed since you have been showing us the construction from MFW. Makes me want to plan a quick trip to DL this summer. Only if I hit the lottery

I think the Radiator Springs Racers will be very similar to the Test Track at EPCOT don't you?

Are you getting excited for the opening of Cars Land? I sure hope they do a preview for the AP holders like you!

looking forward to the next post.
TK

Thank you TK for the compliments on TSMM.

I knew that you and your sons would easily ride TSMM during that short wait. When I first saw the queue that morning when we got off TSMM, I remember that you and your family rode TSMM a lot during your trip this year. You could have easily got on the ride 5-10 times that afternoon until the queue was almost towards 45+ wait time.

As you know, I don't like riding the swinging car. It just makes me feel sick when I ride in the swinging car. It has been so fun going on MFW and seeing all that work being done on Cars Land and especially the LMR. I can't believe four years have gone by and the land was once the lion king parking lot which was another great spot to get to the park and now it is home of the newest land at DCA this summer.

RSR will be very similar to TT at EPCOT. The track and ride cars are the same when I compare both of them. It is a big slot car race track. But the only difference between both of them that RSR it is better theme then TT.

I have been waiting since 2008 when Cars Land was mentioned as part of the DCA expansion plan. I am just hoping to go through a AP sneak peek instead of going during the official opening of Cars Land. It will be a very busy that first weekend and it will be the same for the whole year.

Thank you TK.

 

[kmedina]

Wow. You really got some great shots. Radiator Springs looks done. I am getting soo excited about our trip. This may be the first time ever that we spend more time at DCA than Dl. I love MWF. The line is always long when we go, so we do not always ride it. Although, we do TSMM even when the line is an hour long. That is my favorite ride there. Thanks for the update.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Wow. You really got some great shots. Radiator Springs looks done. I am getting soo excited about our trip. This may be the first time ever that we spend more time at DCA than Dl. I love MWF. The line is always long when we go, so we do not always ride it. Although, we do TSMM even when the line is an hour long. That is my favorite ride there. Thanks for the update.

Thank you Kim. Radiator Springs is almost there, maybe just one month when they finish up the little details of RS. Glad that you are getting excited for your trip. If you don't want to wait during the lone queue for MFW, I would do MFW after TSMM in the morning since they don't get a long queue in the morning.

Your welcome Kim.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – March 3, 2012 – Part 8​

Now for more pics from MFW.

You can see some CM's on the RSR track doing some testing.

There were some CM's also on the top of the courthouse

Luigi's Casa Della Tires and Flo's V8 Cafe

You can barely see any construction work over at Buena Vista Street

Back to Cars Land

Carthay Circle Theater looks great from MFW.

There is something going on that morning

After we got off MFW, we were about to head on our next destination. But that will be on the next post for tomorrow.

 

[franandaj]

Ah...I know of both buildings (thanks Alison!) I take it they hold events in such places?

TK

Well during F&W, when they still had it. They used Stage 17 for one of the events that I attended "Taste", where you paid a flat fee and could taste small plates from all the various chefs around the DL Resort.

Stage 12 was used for the wine & spirits demos, as well as the tapas kitchen. They also had the F&W gift shop and the Stella Artois sponsored lounge. Also when choirs and bands perform at the Hollywood Pictures backlot stage during the Community Arts Showcase, that area is used for warming up and storing instrument cases.

Alsion,

Even though you are not happy about Fran's desire to see the Carsland opening, I would love to hear about it if you end up going. I know you have a couple PTRs going already, but a mini TR would be awesome.

I don't know if you've just read the recent updates or gone back to read the whole thing in my PTRs, but I cover anything "interesting" going on in my life, (which is usually also Disney related), so if we end up at Carsland, it will show up in a PTR....


Bret,
How do you get such great pictures from MFW? I can't figure out how to get the pictures without the grates! I tried the swinging Goldolas on my last trip and they were awful!

I like your reasons for riding the MFW and you get such great pictures. I tried the same thing and tried miserably.

 

[kmedina]

More great pictures. It looks so awesome. I am trying to decide whether or not I should show them to DS or let him be surprised when we get there.

I don't know if you've just read the recent updates or gone back to read the whole thing in my PTRs, but I cover anything "interesting" going on in my life, (which is usually also Disney related), so if we end up at Carsland, it will show up in a PTR....

I came in when it was already pretty long (just as I did with Bret). I have read every update since I've come in but have not read much of the backdated stuff. If I ever get the time, I want to read as much of the older stuff as I can on yours, PIO's and Bret's. They were all highly recommended, so I figured better late than never. I cannot wait to read about it in your PTR then. I hope you go and have a good time.

 

[deejdigsdis]

All caught up again!

How strange to see TSMM with such a short line. TK's idea of !

I loved all the pictures taken from MFW. I called in DS6 to scroll through with me. He enjoyed pointing out all of the things he recognized from the "Cars" movie. I can't believe how much DCA has changed since I went for the first time in Nov. 2009 -- ending my 13 year Disneyland drought. I'm really looking forward to seeing Cars Land with my boys, nieces and nephews this fall.

 

[mvf-m11c]

More great pictures. It looks so awesome. I am trying to decide whether or not I should show them to DS or let him be surprised when we get there.

Thank you Kim.

All caught up again!

How strange to see TSMM with such a short line. TK's idea of !

I loved all the pictures taken from MFW. I called in DS6 to scroll through with me. He enjoyed pointing out all of the things he recognized from the "Cars" movie. I can't believe how much DCA has changed since I went for the first time in Nov. 2009 -- ending my 13 year Disneyland drought. I'm really looking forward to seeing Cars Land with my boys, nieces and nephews this fall.

Hi Deej,

It was weird to see TSMM that short that morning. TK would easily love to go on TSMM with just a short wait.

Thank you. You and your family will love it.

I been away yesterday and it will be a good idea to get back to the TR. So stay tune later tonight.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I can't believe my next trip back down to SoCal is less than one week. So I need to finish my previous TR before I head down. So let's get started on the next post.

Day 2 – March 3, 2012 – Part 9​

After getting the aerial photos of Cars Land from MFW, it is now time to do some more different activities at DCA. My DA wanted to see the Blue Sky Cellar to see all the new updates for Cars Land. On the way over to the BSC, TSMM queue is already at the street so the wait time is immediately at 40+ minute. PP is started to pick up with more and more guests in the park.

The tarps of the bridge heading towards Pacific Wharf is down and it looks way better.

The bridge is opened to everyone so we went through it towards Pacific Wharf. Before we went to BSC, we stopped at Boudin Bakery to get some bread. On the way over, we saw the construction over at the former Mission Tortilla Factory which will be turned into the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop later at the end of Spring to beginning of Summer.

We head on over to Boudin Bakery and went through the tour and got some bread samples. While we exited the Boudin Bakery, my DA wanted to get some bread at Pacific Wharf.

After that we head on over to the BSC. I also had to get some pics of the re-painted bridge. The bridge looks way better then it was the last time I seen it.

We got to the BSC and I showed my DA a great view of Cars Land at the BSC.

We went inside and I had to get some close-up pictures of the art work of Cars Land that I forgot to get on Friday.

The Matterhorn new vehicle designs

After looking around the BSC, we watched the Cars Land presentation. She was so excited to see the presentation and learned more about Cars Land. It might not as much when we did the Cars Land presentation at the D23 Expo last year, but it was a great presentation.

When we exited the BSC, I started to feel a little sick so we decided to leave the park and go back to the hotel. The park crowd level starting to pick up and the weather was great in the high 70s. I had some hot wings on Friday night at the ESPN Zone and my stomach was not feeling well. So we decided it was the best way to call it for the day and relax that afternoon.

on the way out we went through to see the BVS

Over at Condor Flats is so crowded.

When we exited DCA, there were a lot of cheer leading girls out at the esplanade as well as other guests. The turnstiles over at DL were just as crowded when I left the park that morning. Good thing that we are now leaving the park since it will be really crowded today in the afternoon. Since we have done our priority rides and shows, there wasn't much to do that afternoon. I was feeling sick so it was a good idea to head on out of the park and rest for tonight.

We got back to the hotel around 1pm. So we stayed in our room until it was time to do the fireworks. That will be told on the next report.

 

[franandaj]

Great update! I hope you have a good time on your trip! We'll be up in Hollywood doing a rehearsal/concert that weekend so it will be crazy. I'm so glad you let me know about the preview thing because we are definitely doing that!

I found out a little more information about the 27th. They are going to hand out wrist bands for people to come back and do the thing in timed increments so that no one is stuck waiting in a line all day, kind of like FPs. What time does your flight get in? When does your return flight leave?

I'm thinking we will get there as early as possible (and that's not very early considering how we roll, but we'll do our best). Maybe they will give the wrist bands out prior to DCA opening and we can go somewhere and get some coffee or hit DL while waiting for DCA to open. If we make it that early. I hope that we can actually do the crack of dawn kind of thing (which is not normally us, but when Disney is involved, you never know!)