GatorChris
Not of This World
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2014
- Messages
- 3,246
Got to head to Anaheim last week. I was there for a conference (which was incredible!), and so I got to do DL just a bit. My wife and kids got to go every day and then joined me in conference in the evening, so they had a lot to share with me.
Of course, I started it off on a bad note when I got about 150 miles from home and realized I'd left the APs at home. We immediately called Disney....and you can read about that on the other thread I posted a week ago.
First, I knew I'd eventually have to write this. I was one of the loudest when they took out the Twilight Zone theming of the Tower of Terror. And before I move on, I still miss that theme and I still wish it would've been open during my Feb trip. That said, Mission:Breakout was totally awesome! I got to ride it twice (Hit Me with Your Best Shot & Free Ride). I like how it's a little different with each song and how it doesn't wait to start giving you the ride of your life. Free Ride was definitely the better of the two. I knew that this ride would be much better than the ToT based on them adding the randomizer, but I really like the random music as well. AND the fact that all three elevators are working helps with the massive crowds.
Second, getting to the parks around 9am when they open at 8am is WAAAAYYYYY better than getting to the parks at 9am when they open at 9am. There was no 20 minute security line. No 10 minute gate line. No magic killers before you even get in the parks. I wish DL opened at 8am all year round!
Third, the new FP system has some real quirks. I really like how I can get some near-instant FPs during the early parts of the morning. However, this and the MaxPass digital reader system created some problems. First, it seems to lead to really long FP lines (see pic below of Splash Mt). At Splash, Star Tours, Guardians and several others, the FP line to scan was really long. I'm guessing it's a combination of having to scan (rather than have a CM just eye ball the tickets), and the fact that there's too many FPs being distributed. .... The other bad part is that nearly every time I was in the FP line to scan, at least one person (if not more) would get to the scanners and realize it was the FP line and not the regular line OR they thought that was the place to scan and get the FPs. It was a real mess.
Fourth, stayed at Ramada Plaza.....under construction. Nothing like hearing drills and hammers every morning at 6:45am. The rooms were nice, the beds were super comfy, the walk was a bit too long to the parks, and the first floor smelled like curry from the Ghandi Restaurant (attached to the hotel). It was a nice even split for walk to the convention center and the parks, and the customer service was really good, but I doubt I return just because of the long walk.
Fifth, I found I enjoyed my trip so much more when I had something else to do in the evenings. Each night, we all were at the convention center. I really don't miss the anxiety I'd feel trying to grab a perfect spot for the parade, for the Night time parade, for F!, for WoC, and for the fireworks. As much as I love those shows, they always make me feel like I'm fighting for the best spot.....and sometimes only to have it cancelled right before it starts. I missed seeing all these shows, but I don't miss the stomach churning to get a seat for them. What was great was walking into the parks on Sunday night at 9:25, finding a good spot on Main Street for the fireworks, and being able to finally catch Remember. Funny. In November or Feb (the off-season), you have to grab a spot for fireworks 30-60 minutes in advance. But in the middle of the summer, I just walk up on a Sunday night and get a great spot. Weird. Definitely not what I expected.
Sixth, I'd say the summer crowds were tolerable. I expected it to be jammed, but it wasn't. And can I say the new stroller situation in Adventureland is an absolute God-send. That area used to always be super crowded and now it's easy to navigate. Somebody in a suit got this one right.
Lastly, I really like the real version of Space Mt, loved how clean PotC and Splash Mt looked on this trip, enjoyed seeing the characters out in full force during the summer hours, finally got the whole family tall enough for Screamin', and loved that it wasn't as hot in Anaheim as is has been in NorCal. Definitely a fun trip.....a complete turnaround from out last trip in Feb/March.
Of course, I started it off on a bad note when I got about 150 miles from home and realized I'd left the APs at home. We immediately called Disney....and you can read about that on the other thread I posted a week ago.
First, I knew I'd eventually have to write this. I was one of the loudest when they took out the Twilight Zone theming of the Tower of Terror. And before I move on, I still miss that theme and I still wish it would've been open during my Feb trip. That said, Mission:Breakout was totally awesome! I got to ride it twice (Hit Me with Your Best Shot & Free Ride). I like how it's a little different with each song and how it doesn't wait to start giving you the ride of your life. Free Ride was definitely the better of the two. I knew that this ride would be much better than the ToT based on them adding the randomizer, but I really like the random music as well. AND the fact that all three elevators are working helps with the massive crowds.
Second, getting to the parks around 9am when they open at 8am is WAAAAYYYYY better than getting to the parks at 9am when they open at 9am. There was no 20 minute security line. No 10 minute gate line. No magic killers before you even get in the parks. I wish DL opened at 8am all year round!
Third, the new FP system has some real quirks. I really like how I can get some near-instant FPs during the early parts of the morning. However, this and the MaxPass digital reader system created some problems. First, it seems to lead to really long FP lines (see pic below of Splash Mt). At Splash, Star Tours, Guardians and several others, the FP line to scan was really long. I'm guessing it's a combination of having to scan (rather than have a CM just eye ball the tickets), and the fact that there's too many FPs being distributed. .... The other bad part is that nearly every time I was in the FP line to scan, at least one person (if not more) would get to the scanners and realize it was the FP line and not the regular line OR they thought that was the place to scan and get the FPs. It was a real mess.
Fourth, stayed at Ramada Plaza.....under construction. Nothing like hearing drills and hammers every morning at 6:45am. The rooms were nice, the beds were super comfy, the walk was a bit too long to the parks, and the first floor smelled like curry from the Ghandi Restaurant (attached to the hotel). It was a nice even split for walk to the convention center and the parks, and the customer service was really good, but I doubt I return just because of the long walk.
Fifth, I found I enjoyed my trip so much more when I had something else to do in the evenings. Each night, we all were at the convention center. I really don't miss the anxiety I'd feel trying to grab a perfect spot for the parade, for the Night time parade, for F!, for WoC, and for the fireworks. As much as I love those shows, they always make me feel like I'm fighting for the best spot.....and sometimes only to have it cancelled right before it starts. I missed seeing all these shows, but I don't miss the stomach churning to get a seat for them. What was great was walking into the parks on Sunday night at 9:25, finding a good spot on Main Street for the fireworks, and being able to finally catch Remember. Funny. In November or Feb (the off-season), you have to grab a spot for fireworks 30-60 minutes in advance. But in the middle of the summer, I just walk up on a Sunday night and get a great spot. Weird. Definitely not what I expected.
Sixth, I'd say the summer crowds were tolerable. I expected it to be jammed, but it wasn't. And can I say the new stroller situation in Adventureland is an absolute God-send. That area used to always be super crowded and now it's easy to navigate. Somebody in a suit got this one right.
Lastly, I really like the real version of Space Mt, loved how clean PotC and Splash Mt looked on this trip, enjoyed seeing the characters out in full force during the summer hours, finally got the whole family tall enough for Screamin', and loved that it wasn't as hot in Anaheim as is has been in NorCal. Definitely a fun trip.....a complete turnaround from out last trip in Feb/March.
I look forward to some pics from you on the POD thread! 
