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

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – February 21, 2011 – Part 4​

Back to the TR.

After finishing taking my pics on MFW, I decided to go around DCA and try to look for any heart shapes that I have missed.

After leaving PP, I just walked over to a Bug's Land which I like to walk down and see some other things around the park.

I don't have too many pics during this last part of the day since I have taken these pics in the past.

When I was in Hollywood Pictures Backlot and when I saw this wall with all these different shapes and items on it, I found my hearts on it including some hidden ones too.

Everytime I go past the Off the Page Store, I had to get a nice book or music/dvd at this place than the other stores.

Than after doing everything over at DCA, I decide to head on back to DL and see how crazy it is around 11am that day.

When I got to the turnstiles at DL, it was kid of crowded with some people, but I should expect it to be busy since it is close to noon.

I love taking the picture of the DLRR Station when the trains pull in.

When I got inside the park, it was already crowded. It's been awhile since I have seen the park this crowded since July 2008. The lines were already almost on average of 20+ and its not even noon yet.

After browsing around Adventureland, I head on over to the ROA and go to Tom Sawyer's Island. I haven't been to the island in years. I believe the last time I been there was almost three years ago. I also was there to do my sign quest. Even the line going to Tom Sawyer's Island was already crowded and I had to wait three rafts until I got over.

The Disneyland Band was playing on the Mark Twain.

Just when I was about to go over to Tow Sawyer's Island, the Columbia was just out of the side docks and on the main track. This took another 5 minutes of my time when to go over to the island.

When I got to the Island, it was time to find signs around the place. And as some of you already know that there are plenty.

I will post the rest of Tom Sawyer's Island signs and area so I will show more another time since I am watching the rest of the NCAA tournament.

 

[skiingfast]

Bret that's great you decided to try to wrap up the sign quest by a trip to TSI/Pirate Lair.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – February 21, 2011 – Part 5​

Time to get back to the TR.

The part I have left off was being at TSI. I was there to get the rest of the signs for my Sign Quest. This is one of the lands that I barely go anymore, but it was kind of refreshing to go back to TSI and walk through it.

Here are more pics of the signs around the island.

The Blacksmith shop where the paddle wheel is located on TSI

The Mark Twain is already back at the Docks

One of the two restrooms on TSI

What do you see in the background of this picture?

Fort Wilderness. It has not been the same back in the old days when they let guests in the fort and I go up in one of the towers and see everything above the ROA.

The other restroom on TSI which is inside Fort Wilderness

The Columbia has no guests on board since it just came out of the docks.

The Graveyard by Fort Wilderness

After getting most of the signs around TSI, it was time to go back to the mainland and do some other things. I will be right back with the TR.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – February 21, 2011 – Part 6​

Now is time to get back to another part of the TR.

After finishing at TSI and getting pics for the Sign Quest, I decided to go back on the DLRR. Before I got to the NOS station, I saw that the CMs at the gate of the HM are telling people that the ride is broken and is closed. That must suck for the people who were in line and were force to leave the area. That whole day, the HM was mostly closed and than it opened when I was over at TSI and than it is closed again.

When I got to the NOS station, I got to ride on the Fred Gurley Engine #3 with the Excursion car set. I went around the park until I stopped at the TL station.

When I got to MTT, the line was already long and seeing IASW line was even worse when the line was already towards the stroller area.

After getting off the TL station, I decided to go back on my favorite ride the monorail and get some good aerial view of the resort.

On the way, the lines for Autopia was already at 40+, FNSV line was already 30+ wait time and it feel like everywhere is crowded on a busy President's Day.

When I got on the monorail, I got on Monorail Blue and decided to get off at the DTD station and do some pictures of the signs on the stores.

After getting off the monorail and now back to the sign quest with the stores in DTD.

I decided to go back to DCA and get a FP, but that will be another time.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – February 21, 2011 – Part 7​

After getting some pics of the signs of the stores in DTD, I went on over to DCA and do some last minute shopping and get a FP while I was out there. When I got to the park, the line was already long and there were even more people over here just like at DL. Before I head on over to Greetings from California Store I went over to Soarin and get a FP.

When I got to Soarin, the line was already at 45+ min wait time and the FP was already towards 5:00 when I picked up my FP. Talk about a crazy line, but that is not as crazy as WDW Soarin where the line can be as long as 2+ hour wait time. So I should not be complaining about Soarin at DCA than at EPCOT.

After getting my FP at Soarin, I went back to Greetings from California store and was about to buy some of the St. Patrick's Day merchandise. I have picked up the fore leaf clover light up lanyard for my neighbors, St Patrick Day pins, and the mickey ear hat which is the 2011 St. Patrick's Day. I would like to get something else for my DA, but there was nothing she would like at the store, so I head on back to DL and do some last minute shopping before I head back home to Sacramento.

When I got outside, it was still busy outside, but it was way better than a few hours ago when it was like a mob of people that were fighting there way in the park. But that was the good part, the bad part is when I got back inside DL.

When I got inside the park and in Town Square, the Firefighter band were playing outside the station. There was a lot of people in the area watching the show and Chip & Dale were also with the band and dancing with some children.

The park was just a mess with all of these people that were here at DL. Walking down MS is just crazy and the wait time for the rides is not that good either. Luckily, I was here not to do any rides, but to eat and shop.

Look at these wait times, just crazy.

After that, I head on over to NOS and get some lunch, so I head on over to RSV and get some Steak Gumbo. When I picked it up, there were no tables or sitting areas around the area so I went over to Harbour Galley and ate my lunch over there. But before I got there, the lines for POTC were all the way almost towards the HM. It was just insane and its been awhile since I have seen the line for POTC to go that far. I had to walk on the other side instead of going towards the ROA since the line was in the way.

I ate on the other side of the dock right by the Harbour Galley area. I have not ate on the other side of the dock and it was kind of nice and quiet to be. Not as quiet as TSI, but it was a nice area to stop and eat especially being away from the crowds.

After finishing my lunch, I had to get some of these signs for the Sign Quest.

It was almost time for me to leave the park and go get my DB and head home. But before that, I had to get some pics of DL before I left and the long line at POTC.

After getting though that crazy area in NOS and Adventureland, I head on over to the Emporium and bought some more gifts for my family and friends. I have bought a couple of T-shirts and pins for my friends. Than around 2:30pm, it was time to head on out of the park and head to Irvine to pick up my DB.

I left the resort around 3pm and head on over to Irvine and get my DB. I picked him up at 3:30pm and now it's time to go back home. We didn't get back until 11pm since we got caught up in traffic and there were a few accidents on the way. It was annoying to have to wait in the traffic, but that was part of it. We got back safely and that concludes my trip for Feb. 19-21, 2011. I have survived President's Day weekend at the DLR.

This was a fun trip and a annoying one too. It was fun to enjoy part of the day with Funball and got to do RDCT. I was not happy on how my video turned up for WoC on Saturday when it was raining, but it was nice when it rained.

Now I am planning my PTR for April 8-10, 2011. This will possibly be not much of a TR for me since I am participating at a tournament at the ACC. I will still try to take a lot of pictures for all of you and write one up. But before I do my trip in April, I will be heading to Houston one week before my trip so I can enjoy the NCAA Final Four in Houston. I am so excited to go to Houston and watch three games for the Final Four. Than in a few days, I will be heading over to DL for a short trip.

Thank you for following my TR and stay tuned for the April trip.

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Bret,
Thank you for sharing your trip with us. I couldn't believe the wait times in your final installment and the crowds!

Enjoy the final four. Should be a ton of fun!

TK

 

[mvf-m11c]

Hi Bret,
Thank you for sharing your trip with us. I couldn't believe the wait times in your final installment and the crowds!

Enjoy the final four. Should be a ton of fun!

TK

TY TK for following my trip and DL was so busy during the afternoon. Luckily, I didn't have to go on any of the rides.

I am looking forward to the Final Four in Houston. I will remember to take some pics and post them on the thread.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I just concluded my DLR trip last month [post=40025706]February 19-21, 2011[/post] This was a fun trip especially doing the Heart Quest. This was really challenging to do and it was a success. I know I didn't get all of the heart shapes at the DLR since I haven't checked all the necessary places out there. I like to thank all the DISers who have followed my TR. It was also fun to enjoy another day at the park with Sara on Saturday. We did way more rides this time around than the last time in January. During Family Fun weekend was Mardi Gras Weekend. When I first thought about it, it was like a regular Mardi Gras event at DL. Tiana's Mardi Gras Celebration was similar to her Mardi Gras a couple of years ago in NOS when the movie was about to be release.

Cast: Me Bret 28, DBF and his DS

The reason I am doing this trip during a crowded Spring Break is that there is a YU-GI-OH! TCG (Trading Card Game) Tournament that is being held at the Anaheim Convention Center. I am a businessman and a player who loves to play this trading card game. It is the #1 trading card game in the world. It is from a Anime Show called YU-GI-OH! that has been running for more than 10+ years and is still the #1 card game. These tournaments are really rare and only happen once every two months. They go to these other cities around the US and around the world. Luckily it will be in Anaheim during that weekend and I was planning on going to it. Luckily while it is at the ACC, I could spend some time at the DLR and do some thing while I was over there. My plan is to play in the tournament and hope I do well. If I don't do well in the tournament and quit early, I could spend my time in DL on Saturday night. Since the tournament doesn't start until 10am, I could spend the first hour in the park on Saturday. Either way it goes for me, I am going to enjoy myself at the tournament or at DL. If I don't do too well, I will plan on doing some nighttime activities at the DLR. Even though it is during a busy time during Spring Break, I am looking forward to another trip to DL and hope to see some DISers at the parks.

I will be driving down from Sacramento to Anaheim with my DBF and his DS on Friday. Since he has school, we won't leave Sacramento around 3pm. We hope to arrive in Anaheim around 9:30pm that night. I might be able to get to DL that night if I have some time, but I would use that time to rest up and get ready for Saturday. We will wait and see. Since I am going with my friend, we were planning on driving straight to Anaheim instead of stopping at my grandmothers house. As some of you know that read my TRs, I always stop there and rest up before I head to Anaehim, but since it will be late, we will just drive straight on. Also that I have another driver, we can just switch off and it will be easy for the both of us.

I will be staying at BW Anaheim Inn on Harbour Blvd. This will be my first time staying at this hotel. Mostly I always stay at BWPPI or Stovall's since I love those locations and price. But both hotels are way more expensive than the Inn, so I thought to try this hotel. Even though it is $100 a night, it is better than paying BWPPI $125 & Stovalls $115 a night.

My goal for that weekend is to participate in the YU-GI-OH! tournament and hope to do some business with these players. But if it doesn't go so well over there, I can use the other part of my day and enjoy DL. On Saturday night, I am planning on doing RDCT and "The Magic, The Memories, & You!" that night when the tournament ends. No matter what, I am going to enjoy myself in Anaheim that weekend.

I'm only just 15 days till I am at the Happiest Place on Earth. But first I have a date at the NCAA Final Four in Houston On April 2-5, 2011 which I am excited and than I will be in DL in a few days.

Thank you for reading my PTR and hope you can follow it.

 

[mvf-m11c]

7 Days away till another trip to DL.

 

[skiingfast]

Bret,

I though of a sort of quest. Though it mostly depends on what is already is in your portfolio.

You could do a before and after of DCA. Although most of it is now gone except stuff right around the entrance. So much will be done, it would be cool if you could take pictures over the summer and next year from the same spot so you could post them old and then new, one after a the other as you tour around DCA.

Enjoy those games. Go VCU!

 

[deejdigsdis]

7 Days away till another trip to DL.

Slow down! I'm not caught up on your last trip yet. I'm slowly making my way through your TR. I always enjoy your photos. Great job on the heart quest! I hope you have a great time on your upcoming trip and I look forward to seeing the photos you come home with.

Bret,

I though of a sort of quest. Though it mostly depends on what is already is in your portfolio.

You could do a before and after of DCA. Although most of it is now gone except stuff right around the entrance. So much will be done, it would be cool if you could take pictures over the summer and next year from the same spot so you could post them old and then new, one after a the other as you tour around DCA.

Enjoy those games. Go VCU!

As I was reading through the TR yesterday I was wondering what the next quest would be. This one sounds fun. I like "same spot" pictures and seeing what has changed.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret,

I though of a sort of quest. Though it mostly depends on what is already is in your portfolio.

You could do a before and after of DCA. Although most of it is now gone except stuff right around the entrance. So much will be done, it would be cool if you could take pictures over the summer and next year from the same spot so you could post them old and then new, one after a the other as you tour around DCA.

Enjoy those games. Go VCU!

That is a good idea matt. I have did some photos of PP lagoon when it was drained when the resort added the WoC platform. I believe it on this thread, but I have to look for it. I have some photos of LMAUA during the construction, Cars Land, etc. That would be a good idea to do.

I just left the reliant stadium during the Final Four in Houston and all the games were good. It will be Butler and UConn for the National Championship game.

 

[skiingfast]

That is a good idea matt. I have did some photos of PP lagoon when it was drained when the resort added the WoC platform. I believe it on this thread, but I have to look for it. I have some photos of LMAUA during the construction, Cars Land, etc. That would be a good idea to do.

I know you have pictures of the still existing signs, but do you of the building fronts? Stuff like the old Burger Invasion or Greetings from Califronia which are dissapearing (or gone) and will be opened with all new looks? Not that I expect you to have some great shots of the Timon lot, that is now covered by the Cadillac Range and some framed buildings, but I think you get the idea.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Slow down! I'm not caught up on your last trip yet. I'm slowly making my way through your TR. I always enjoy your photos. Great job on the heart quest! I hope you have a great time on your upcoming trip and I look forward to seeing the photos you come home with.

Sorry deej. TY for following my TR and I will take a lot of different pics during my short visit next week.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I know you have pictures of the still existing signs, but do you of the building fronts? Stuff like the old Burger Invasion or Greetings from Califronia which are dissapearing (or gone) and will be opened with all new looks? Not that I expect you to have some great shots of the Timon lot, that is now covered by the Cadillac Range and some framed buildings, but I think you get the idea.

I might have some of them, but since I have been using my DSLR since late 08, there might be some old photos from the old buildings at DCA. In the past, I have barely taken photos of the buildings than the ride vehicles. I have to look at them and see if I have some old photos of DCA.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I know this does not count as a TR for DL, but I like to share to you DISers of my visit in Houston during the NCAA Men's D1 Final Four. This was a fun weekend and very crowded.

I'm just only two days away till my short trip to DL.

 

[skiingfast]

I know this does not count as a TR for DL, but I like to share to you DISers of my visit in Houston during the NCAA Men's D1 Final Four. This was a fun weekend and very crowded.

At least it explains why you weren't in DL this weekend.

 

[mvf-m11c]

At least it explains why you weren't in DL this weekend.

LOL. Can't wait to go in just a few days Matt.

 

[tksbaskets]

What fun. Too bad the final game was a snooze. Did you have a good time?

 

[mvf-m11c]

What fun. Too bad the final game was a snooze. Did you have a good time?

I did TK. The atmosphere at the game was so energetic, way different than being at a NBA game where the atmosphere is just okay. During the biggest basketball weekend of the year in college basketball, it was outstanding. It was fun and exciting. After a good time out there in Houston, I am now looking forward to this weekend.