WonkaKid
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2009
- Messages
- 4,718
Yesterday was the first time that I've been to the park in nearly a month (I went home to Chicago for the holidays, of course). I was pleasantly surprised at the crowd levels, which were relatively light.
I managed to be first in line for PP again. There was a kid just behind me and he seemed to have a good attitude. In such cases, I'll always let a kid have my place and go first. I've said many times in the past that it's important to me to be first in line but less so to be the first on the ride. When we got to the boarding area, the kid I'd seen originally was gone (I think he moved farther down the line to be with the rest of his family) and there was another in his place. But I thought it would be nice and possibly would make his day for him to be the first on the ride. I was disappointed when I gave him my spot and he seemed entirely indifferent and didn't thank me. Not a huge deal but a little courtesy goes a long way.
When I exited Buzz Lightyear after my first ride, I saw that the high score was 2,042,200. That's not super hard to beat but it can be tricky since scores above 1M don't display on the cruiser. Moreover, they reset when players exceed ≈ 2,096,900. It's easy to lose track of your score in your head and either get one that's too low or too high. However, after my fourth ride I scored 2,090,700, which got me first place. A few rides later I scored 2,090,000. I usually get one score like that on any given day. But it's not often that I get two of them.
Another surprise: while in line for Buzz, there was a woman in a wheelchair immediately behind me. I overheard her tell her mother about one of the hidden targets on Zurg's chest. I struck up a conversation with her about the ride and we compared scores and other such things. After the ride, I waited for her by the photo kiosk at the exit and we talked a bit more. She was in town from NYC, my favorite city in the world -- I've been there about 18 times
.
Yesterday was the last day of the Christmas decorations and I'd planned to stay until after dark to see all of the wonderful holiday lighting. Usually I leave at around 4:00 but I especially wanted to see Small World. It was worth it (see pics below).
It was a rather odd day in that I only saw two people that I know, both of them guests. Usually I'll see at least two or three CMs who know me by name.
An aside: I returned from Chicago on Wednesday so spending a 60-plus-degree day at the park was a treat. I believe that on Friday Chicago temps were around zero. I got out just in time!
. Another aside: my flight was perfectly on time and I got into LA exactly when and as expected. With all of the cancelations and delays, I felt particularly lucky. A friend left North Carolina on Jan 2 to return here... and it took her 25 hours. When she finally landed, her bag was temporarily misplaced and then when she got to her car, one of her tires was flat. What a horrible travel day for her!
This is kind of neat. I’m doing a tribute article on a cool woman in the music industry who I’ve worked with many times on articles I write for a local music magazine. Sadly, she passed on New Year’s Eve. She was always very upbeat, positive and kind. She took me on backstage tours of the Grammy rehearsals in 2019 and 2020. In any case, I sent emails to about 50 people last night in which I asked for quotes to include in the article. I got several replies… and then about an hour ago I got an email from Lisa Loeb out of the blue. Remember her? She’d heard I was doing this and wanted to be included. We know a number of people in common and exchaged a few pleasant messages. That was a nice surprise.
Her first - and likely biggest - hit was “Stay.”
The lights at night were fantastic. Again, I usually leave the park well before dark and I haven't seen them in quite some time. Small World was especially good.
Those are the main points about my visit. I probably won't be at the park this weekend. However, from the 23rd on, I've got Sundays booked solid for five weeks (and I'm working on getting the sixth).
Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you're all well. With every day that passes that I don't have COVID, I feel both lucky and blessed. Several people I know around the country hvae been less fortunate and have picked it up
.
I have a few park maps if anyone would like one or two. Simply send me a direct message with your preferred mailing address. Unless you can make a compelling case, domestic only, please. Overseas postage is easily double that of domestic.
Happy Monday, my fellow Disney habitués! Pics below.
P.S. It was Star Tours’ 35th anniversary yesterday. A limited edition pin was sold. I picked up one for a friend at around 11:00 a.m. and learned that they were sold out by the early afternoon.
I managed to be first in line for PP again. There was a kid just behind me and he seemed to have a good attitude. In such cases, I'll always let a kid have my place and go first. I've said many times in the past that it's important to me to be first in line but less so to be the first on the ride. When we got to the boarding area, the kid I'd seen originally was gone (I think he moved farther down the line to be with the rest of his family) and there was another in his place. But I thought it would be nice and possibly would make his day for him to be the first on the ride. I was disappointed when I gave him my spot and he seemed entirely indifferent and didn't thank me. Not a huge deal but a little courtesy goes a long way.
When I exited Buzz Lightyear after my first ride, I saw that the high score was 2,042,200. That's not super hard to beat but it can be tricky since scores above 1M don't display on the cruiser. Moreover, they reset when players exceed ≈ 2,096,900. It's easy to lose track of your score in your head and either get one that's too low or too high. However, after my fourth ride I scored 2,090,700, which got me first place. A few rides later I scored 2,090,000. I usually get one score like that on any given day. But it's not often that I get two of them.
Another surprise: while in line for Buzz, there was a woman in a wheelchair immediately behind me. I overheard her tell her mother about one of the hidden targets on Zurg's chest. I struck up a conversation with her about the ride and we compared scores and other such things. After the ride, I waited for her by the photo kiosk at the exit and we talked a bit more. She was in town from NYC, my favorite city in the world -- I've been there about 18 times
.Yesterday was the last day of the Christmas decorations and I'd planned to stay until after dark to see all of the wonderful holiday lighting. Usually I leave at around 4:00 but I especially wanted to see Small World. It was worth it (see pics below).
It was a rather odd day in that I only saw two people that I know, both of them guests. Usually I'll see at least two or three CMs who know me by name.
An aside: I returned from Chicago on Wednesday so spending a 60-plus-degree day at the park was a treat. I believe that on Friday Chicago temps were around zero. I got out just in time!
. Another aside: my flight was perfectly on time and I got into LA exactly when and as expected. With all of the cancelations and delays, I felt particularly lucky. A friend left North Carolina on Jan 2 to return here... and it took her 25 hours. When she finally landed, her bag was temporarily misplaced and then when she got to her car, one of her tires was flat. What a horrible travel day for her!This is kind of neat. I’m doing a tribute article on a cool woman in the music industry who I’ve worked with many times on articles I write for a local music magazine. Sadly, she passed on New Year’s Eve. She was always very upbeat, positive and kind. She took me on backstage tours of the Grammy rehearsals in 2019 and 2020. In any case, I sent emails to about 50 people last night in which I asked for quotes to include in the article. I got several replies… and then about an hour ago I got an email from Lisa Loeb out of the blue. Remember her? She’d heard I was doing this and wanted to be included. We know a number of people in common and exchaged a few pleasant messages. That was a nice surprise.
Her first - and likely biggest - hit was “Stay.”
 | Lisa Loeb "Stay (I Missed You)" Music Video Join the Lisa Loeb Fan Club: lisaloeb.com/fansMusic video for LIsa Loeb's first smash hit "Stay (I Missed You," Directed by Ethan Hawke, 1994Don't forget to ... youtu.be |
Those are the main points about my visit. I probably won't be at the park this weekend. However, from the 23rd on, I've got Sundays booked solid for five weeks (and I'm working on getting the sixth).
Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you're all well. With every day that passes that I don't have COVID, I feel both lucky and blessed. Several people I know around the country hvae been less fortunate and have picked it up
.I have a few park maps if anyone would like one or two. Simply send me a direct message with your preferred mailing address. Unless you can make a compelling case, domestic only, please
. Overseas postage is easily double that of domestic.Happy Monday, my fellow Disney habitués! Pics below.
P.S. It was Star Tours’ 35th anniversary yesterday. A limited edition pin was sold. I picked up one for a friend at around 11:00 a.m. and learned that they were sold out by the early afternoon.
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However we couldn't risk not being able to get home should we test positive, and with the numbers what they are in the LA area....really appreciate the photos!
