Park report - 8-8-21

[WonkaKid]

I arrived at the security line near the DL Hotel at around 6:45. At that time there were only about 25 people ahead of me. But by the time security opened at 7:00, the line had nearly doubled. As always, I walked as fast as I could — I believe the expression is “with intention,” ;-) — to the park gates. For the first time ever, I was the first person there; absolutely no one else at any of the gates (pic below). I’ve never seen that before.

As we waited for the park to open, I got into a conversation with one of the CMs just inside the gate. She told me that she’d been to DL on opening day in 1955 and she saw/met Walt several times.

Once we were allowed in at around 7:35, I rushed to the head of Main Street to get one of my favorite pics of the day: the street without a single person on it. For the past several weeks, though, there’s always been someone who ran and got ahead of me (hate that - it can ruin the pic). Fortunately, I was able to get in front of him and snap a pic.

I managed to be first on PP again. There was a nice girl and her mother immediately behind me. Anytime I beat someone to the line and he/she seems nice, I’ll always offer them my first-place spot, which I did in this case. They were very appreciative but declined. We had a nice conversation as we waited for the ride to open (there was about a five-minute delay) and I learned that they were visiting from Seattle. All the more reason for them to go first, since they were visiting from out of town. I also met a nice family at the rope that was visiting from Austin as well as a Legacy CM. I also thought Legacy status lasted for a year. But she explained that you keep it for life.

After a few rides in FL — PP, Mr. Toad and Dumbo - I headed to Buzz. I was pleased because I broke 2M on my first ride of the day. Something like that (such as being first on PP) always feels like a sign that the day will go well . Did respectably the rest of the day and broke 2M for a second time (a third, unofficially, but the score didn’t come through >:-().

Crowds never really got bad. In fact, I went on Pirates around 2:00 and it was only about a four-minute wait.

In the AP days, I’d often leave around 2:00 or 3:00. I enjoy getting home early with ample time for a nice dinner and a movie. These days, however, I pay full price and feel that I need to get my money’s worth. I also simply hate leaving the park. As I was heading out, I decided to take a seat outside of City Hall to get a few last moments of ambiance. I’m glad that I did because I then had a nice long chat with two plaid CMs. They were both charming and shared some cool stories with me. I hope to see them again next Sunday. I’ll bring them a map from the Shanghai map, the last one that I have.

Yesterday was the final day of my three-day ticket. I want to go the next two Sundays - before the new APs kick in - but I haven’t decided if I want to pay the additional $200. I probably will and I’ve got a few days to decide.

Some pics from the day:

The park gates with zero guests-to-be in line.


The park gates with zero guests-to be in line - pt. 2.













The Fantasyland side of the rope at around 7:38. Ahead is Mary, the Legacy CM I spoke with. She was awesome (as are many CMs).

 

[CherylGonz]

Wow those pictures are so cool. We are staying at the GC so it sounds like we need to be at security by 6:45. Hope my girls can do it! We have 4 day tickets and I told them we can close the park out Sat night and sleep in some on Sun since we will need to leave our luggage with the hotel for the rest of the day.

 

[WonkaKid]

More pics.

 

[WonkaKid]

And even more!

 

[kappyfamily]

Great update, thank you!

 

[WonkaKid]

And even more more ;-)!




This is what crowds were like (or weren't like ;-)) in Tomorrowland at 3:20 yesterday afternoon.


Tomorrowland crowds pt. 2.


A Tomorrowland pomegranate.




I stopped shooting on my primary gun because I thought I'd scored around 2,060,000. As many of you know, if you exceed about 2,096,000, your score resets so you stop shooting when you think you're right around there. It isn't always easy to keep track in your head, which you have to do since scores above 1M don't display on the cruiser.




The Buzz scoreboard just before I left. Sometimes I'll claim my score with the name "JIM" (a friend who often rides Buzz on Sundays) or simply "BUZ" because I don't want to look like a jerk and hog the entire board.


Outside of City Hall towards the end of my day (approx 5:30). I've noticed that crowds begin to thin noticeably in the early evening. This is good for anyone who plans to stay for the entire day. For me, I've had about enough after nearly 12 hours of Disney. When I used to live in Chicago and would come for a visit, then I'd absolutely stay from open till close.

 

[WonkaKid]

Wow those pictures are so cool. We are staying at the GC so it sounds like we need to be at security by 6:45. Hope my girls can do it! We have 4 day tickets and I told them we can close the park out Sat night and sleep in some on Sun since we will need to leave our luggage with the hotel for the rest of the day.

Sounds like a good plan! I would suggest, however, making rope drop on Sunday because that'll give you at least two hours of low crowds. People often don't arrive until later on Sundays. When do you plan to come?

 

[Matrixleos]

Great pictures, quick question. Where do you get the opportunity to enter your name on the leader board? While you're still in the vehicle or afterwards? Or do you just tell a cast member and they check if your score qualifies?

 

[WonkaKid]

Great pictures, quick question. Where do you get the opportunity to enter your name on the leader board?

As you exit the attraction, there’s a kiosk which allows you to email the photo that was taken towards the end of the ride. If your score is in the top ten, you’ll be promoted to enter your initials prior to entering your email address. Fortunately, my name is only three letters long so I get full credit ;-).

 

[dieumeye]

As I was heading out, I decided to take a seat outside of City Hall to get a few last moments of ambiance.

I almost always do the same thing! “Time to leave.” And then on my way out, “well, maybe I’ll sit here under the train station for a bit.” Love those last few moments of ambience!

 

[PirateBrigade]

Great report! That Buzz camera has seen better days...surprised it hasn't been fixed during the closure (my photos from 2006 are much clearer than current photos).

My theories on the reduced crowds are as follows: (1) schools are back in session this week, parents might be winding down for the summer; (2) Sunday is a peak/high tier ticket day; (3) with the AP replacement, I feel people are cancelling reservations between now and August 25.

Can you buy a regular 3 day ticket and go August 15, 22, and 25... and upgrade on the 25th to an AP? None of it will be wasted as you're within the 13 day window from first use.

 

[BriannaRuth]

Great photos and very nice of you to offer 1st on PP to someone else!

 

[WonkaKid]

Great report! That Buzz camera has seen better days...surprised it hasn't been fixed during the closure (my photos from 2006 are much clearer than current photos).

Thanks! Yes, it seems that little has been fixed on Buzz. They had the perfect opportunity to upgrade the cam, to correct the problem with dropped scores and to fix the issue of scores being reset once they exceed 2,096,000. None of those things were addressed and almost certainly never will be. Oh well.

My theories on the reduced crowds are as follows: (1) schools are back in session this week, parents might be winding down for the summer; (2) Sunday is a peak/high tier ticket day; (3) with the AP replacement, I feel people are cancelling reservations between now and August 25.

I suspect that this accounts for the lowered crowds. I imagine that the Delta variant has also kept people away to some extent.

Can you buy a regular 3 day ticket and go August 15, 22, and 25... and upgrade on the 25th to an AP? None of it will be wasted as you're within the 13 day window from first use.

Possibly. I may simply go with the option of a two-day ticket and then not have to bother with a new AP and trying to get one day reimbursed.

 

[EEva]

I love your reports and pictures!
Can I ask, about what time did you see the band with Mickey and Minnie? I’ve seen a few pics of this around and would love to try to catch it in person.

 

[WonkaKid]

Can I ask, about what time did you see the band with Mickey and Minnie?

That was shortly before noon. When do you plan to be at the park next? I hope you get to see it/them.

 

[EEva]

That was shortly before noon. When do you plan to be at the park next? I hope you get to see it/them.

We will be there next Monday through Friday. I'm kind of bummed we won't be there on Sunday, as that seems to be a pretty light crowd day these days. But any day at Disney is a good day, no matter the crowds!

 

[WonkaKid]

We will be there next Monday through Friday. I'm kind of bummed we won't be there on Sunday, as that seems to be a pretty light crowd day these days. But any day at Disney is a good day, no matter the crowds!

That’s fantastic! I hope you have a great time. I’m sure you will. Certainly I hope you post a trip report with pics. I’d love to hear your experience. I suspect crowds will be great during the week as well.

 

[CherylGonz]

Sounds like a good plan! I would suggest, however, making rope drop on Sunday because that'll give you at least two hours of low crowds. People often don't arrive until later on Sundays. When do you plan to come?

We arrive next Weds so will have Thur-Sun for park days. We fly out Sunday at 7:30 pm

 

[WonkaKid]

We arrive next Weds so will have Thur-Sun for park days. We fly out Sunday at 7:30 pm

I will probably be there on Sunday. I usually wear a blue Cubs cap. By all means, feel free to find me and say hello - many readers here do. When I’m there for rope drop (nearly always), I’m to the right of the hub as you look at it from Main Street.

 

[gelatoni fan]

I also get annoyed when people run in front and ruin a picture. haha.

Were Mickey + Minnie coming out with the band every time and did they walk all the way down Main Street? I assume they don't do the mid-day march down Main Street anymore with COVID.