Second All in One Disneyland TR Thread - Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: Breakout Review 5/30-6/2

[mvf-m11c]

[post=52329213]Last Installment on the Trip Report[/post]

Day 1 – September 14th, 2014 – Part 6

Remember Dreams Come True Fireworks​

After waiting around at Tomorrowland until the 6:30pm Mickey’s Soundsational Parade left the area around the Main Street Hub, it already passed by the Hub and we started moving on over towards the Hub. It didn’t make any sense to go on over in that direction until the parade was over since it was going to be very busy with the guests watching the parade in that area.

In Tomorrowland, it didn’t feel so busy where rides like Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy was only 35 minutes wait time, Star Tours was only 15 minutes and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster was 10 minutes which was nice wait times.


We now walked on over to the Hub and it was a little busy where guests were leaving and that’s when we moved on over around the Hub and in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle in order to watch the 9:25pm Remember Dreams Come True fireworks that night. We got our curb side spot close to the middle around 7pm. I know that it was way too early to get that spot in which we could get it with 2 hours prior to the show. But since we were able to do the rides that we wanted to do at DL that day, it was time to relax and wait until it was time for RDCT fireworks.

I don’t know how many times I will be able to see RDCT fireworks since there are rumors of a new possible firework show at DL during DL 60th anniversary next year. But this is all just speculation and rumors where nothing is a fact yet. DAW had no problem waiting since she was riding in her ECV and I had no problem waiting so I will be able to get the firework trail shots.

This was the only time for the two of us to see RDCT fireworks that night during the trip since RDCT won’t be playing on Monday (9/15) since the parks only open from 10am to 8pm which is the off-season dates.

It was a very nice day even though it was hot. It was like around in the high 80s around 7pm which was hot. The good thing about that day is that the wind is calm and it was safe to assume that RDCT fireworks was going to play that night.


While we were waiting for RDCT fireworks at 9:25pm, I played a little bit with the Sigma lens with the long exposure.




Astro Orbiter at Tomorrowland


I even tried with a one touch color on my pictures.


While we were getting closer and closer to the 9:25pm RDCT fireworks, I noticed something strange that night. Just before like 5 minutes until the fireworks is about to begin, the CM’s ask the guests to stand up for the fireworks. But they didn’t said anything to the guests and I was wondering why they didn’t tell the guests to stand up. They do this all the time to prevent other guests from stepping on them when they are on the ground. It was unusual that they didn’t say anything. When the show was about to begin, almost everyone that was in front of us was sitting while the other sides were standing. I was shocked that the CM’s didn’t tell the guests to stand up for the fireworks. I sat down like everyone else where DAW was sitting in her ECV. I set up my camera for the nighttime firework trail pictures where it was up tall instead of being down like me. So I just left my camera on the tripod up high while I was barely able to see the shot when it was took.

This was also a great opportunity to try out the Sigma lens on how it will do for the long exposure shots. I also tried something new with the long exposure shots. Instead of setting a timer on my DSLR like 5, 10, 15, 20, etc. time, I used my remote to take the picture and stop the exposure when I felt like it. It was good to try this method instead of depending on the time where I might be able to miss that shot.

Here are pictures from RDCT that Sunday (9/14) night.
































After the fireworks was over, we started to head on over to our next activity that night.

[post=52347587]Continue to the Next Post[/post]​

 

[mvf-m11c]

[post=52347561]Last Installment on the Trip Report[/post]

Day 1 – September 14th, 2014 – Part 7

Second show of Fantasmic!​

After watching the 9:25pm Remember Dreams Come True fireworks, I packed up all my gear and we started to head on over towards the Rivers of America in order to watch the 10:30pm second show of Fantasmic!. Since F! is only running on Sunday during our trip, it was nice to watch the second show after watching RDCT fireworks first. I have done this before in the past with watching the fireworks at 9:25pm and head on over to the RoA to watch the second show of F! at 10:30pm. There are times where I watch the first show of F! first and watch the fireworks from the area around the RoA.

During our last trip in June, we watched F! at 9pm and watched Magical fireworks (summer fireworks) at 9:25pm from our area. This will be tricky since DAW is using an ECV and there is no way we could get the ECV in the sit down viewing area. So we played it by ears of what spot we can find to stake out for the second show.

When we were walking on over to see F!, we went through Frontierland since Adventureland is the exit for the guests that have watched the first show of F! at 9pm. The CM’s have a barricade where they won’t allow the guests that are trying to enter the viewing area to go through Adventureland.


Just when the guests were allowed to enter to get a spot for F! or go towards the rides, stores, etc. at New Orleans Square or Critter Country, I knew that it was going to be difficult to get a good spot right by the sitting area.

The best way is to get a spot in the handicapped area. The handicapped area which is close to the Mark Twain/Columbia dock and by the viewing area close to the RoA. This was an interesting spot to watch F! since I have never watched it from the right hand side. It was close to the light tower which is across from the Golden Horseshoe restaurant. Luckily, there weren’t too many people in that area so we did get a good spot to watch F!.


Before the trip, I knew that the Mark Twain was down for refurbishment and some people that have seen F! would think that without the Mark Twain at the end of the show, how will the ending be. You will find out shortly on this post.


We had to wait about 30 minutes until it was time for the second show of F! to start which was not that bad wait time. I was on my iPhone playing my games while DAW was reading on her nook.


Finally the second show of F! was about to begin. Since I had the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 lens with me during the show, I wasn’t able to get those up close shots of F!. But the wide aperture made it up with lower ISO helped the shots a lot. There were times during the show that the pictures were so blurry that almost half of the show was like that. I didn’t autofocus with the lens for most of the show.

Here are some of the pictures that I took that night.
















Here is the scene where the Mark Twain mostly made it’s appearance after the battle with Mickey and Maleficent. The Mark Twain comes out and shows all the different characters from top to bottom. The characters made their way to the island which is where they go when the Mark Twain was down. It is not as spectacular without the Mark Twain but this is one of the alternate parts of the show when the boats are not operational.


Just after the characters went backstage and the show was about to be over, there was a group of people with a handicapped person that was trying to get out of the viewing area but they couldn’t leave the area since it was all roped off. So they couldn’t leave and had to wait and this is where not only DAW and I were frustrated but the other guests as well. We were all yelling at them to move since they were obstructing the views of the other people. I can’t believe they tried to get out from a different area instead of going around the other way. So they finally went back the other way and I missed part of the show thanks to that group.

Those people were so rude of trying to go on out from that way instead of going out the way they came in the viewing area.

Back to the show where it was at the end.


Just when it ended, we waited a while until it was clear to go out. DAW was surprised that those people that tried to get out when there were other people watching F! and then blocked out the other people that were watching it. It was a terrible experience but it was nice to see the show from a different angle instead of the views that we normally see it from.

When it was clear, we started to walk on out of the park. But before we head on out of the park, I had to stop at my favorite dessert stand at the park. While it was so hot all day when we got to SoCal, I had to get my favorite treat which is the Dole Whip at the Tiki Juice Bar.

So we head on over to Adventureland which the Tiki Juice Bar is next to the Tiki Tiki Room. The queue to get the Dole Whip was quite long that night where I had to wait about 10 minutes to get my Dole Whip float that night and it was great to have it. It was hot that night which was in the high 70s at 11pm.


Now we were heading on out of the park and back to our room to call it for the night. And as always, I got pictures of MS on the way out.


It is nice to see the Halloween pumpkins on the buildings all light up at night.




The giant Mickey pumpkin at MS Town Square.


We exited DL that night after 11:20pm which was late that night but it was fun to be able to go on some of the rides that day and see RDCT fireworks and F!.

On the way out, I had to get a picture of the pumpkin character heads on top of the turnstiles.


We got back to Best Western Anaheim Inn around 11:30pm that night which was late. Now that Sunday during our trip was over, we still have two more days to enjoy the Halloween season at the DLR. Since the park won’t open until 10am on Monday which is during the slow season, we got to sleep in extra on Monday.

Mostly when I am at the DLR, the parks open at 8am or 9am but since it opens at 10am we got extra time to sleep in. This concludes Sunday during the trip and stay tune for Monday morning.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Congratulations on the purchase of your new lens. I wish you joy with using it and I'm sure we will all enjoy viewing your pictures.


Lovely fireworks pictures.

That's a different view of F!. What a shame about those people blocking your view.
And thanks for showing me how the show works without the Mark Twain.

 

[rentayenta]

Ok just wow. I know I always say the same thing but just wow! Congrats on the new lens.

I am really wanting to see F! properly now and not just when we breeze by on our way to grab beignets.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Congratulations on the purchase of your new lens. I wish you joy with using it and I'm sure we will all enjoy viewing your pictures.


Lovely fireworks pictures.

That's a different view of F!. What a shame about those people blocking your view.
And thanks for showing me how the show works without the Mark Twain.

Thank you PiO. I will be looking forward to using it during the trip next month.

The firework trail pictures were not that bad while some were so bright where using the Sigma lens with the aperture that goes to f/16 is less even with ISO 100. The view of F! was way different from what I have watched the show from. It was a shame of that family that tried to get out of the viewing area and were blocking other people that night.

Your welcome. It has been a long time since I seen the alternate ending of F!.

Ok just wow. I know I always say the same thing but just wow! Congrats on the new lens.

I am really wanting to see F! properly now and not just when we breeze by on our way to grab beignets.

Thank you Jenny.

I hope that you are able to see F! during your upcoming trip.


The next post will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

[post=52347587]Last Installment on the Trip Report[/post]

Day 2 – September 15th, 2014 – Part 1

Collecting FP’s Everywhere​

After a nice day at the park even though it was hot on Sunday. Now was the second day of the trip and it was our full day. We were able to do our nighttime shows on Sunday with RDCT fireworks and F! all in one night.

Since the parks didn’t open until 10am which is the off season, we didn’t have to get up early that morning. So we just slept in a little longer until 8:30am that morning. We were a little tired from Sunday night since we got back to the hotel after 11pm. Even though I don’t like the off season since the park hours are shorter both by the opening and closing time but the crowds levels should not be that bad.

Before we head on over to the parks, we went up to have breakfast on the third floor of Best Western Anaheim Inn. BWAI just renovated it’s front entrance of the hotel with a new lobby and added more rooms to the hotel. The newest addition was the continental breakfast room on the third floor along with a gym upstairs as well. That is the only bad thing about the new breakfast room since it is all the way up on the third floor.

When we had breakfast, it was just simple continental food from food that are pre-cook like sausage, hash brown, waffles, scramble eggs, bagels, cereal, coffee, etc. I’m not talking about a full breakfast like at IHOP, Denny’s etc. but just simple continental breakfast. IT was nice to have something to eat before we head on in the park so we didn’t have to get breakfast.

After finishing breakfast upstairs, we started to head on out and over to the DLR. I never had great experience going to the parks when it opens at 10am since most of the guests will be heading on in the parks just along with us. I remember back during the April 2014 trip with DAF when our last day was on Monday, there was a long line to get through the security check point and we decided not to go in. Hopefully it won’t be as bad like the April trip.

When we entered the DLR, the security check point had some people entering the Esplanade but it was not too insane like the April trip.

But when we entered the Esplanade, heading to DL was not a good idea since the crowds that want to go to DL that morning was almost towards the center of the Esplanade which was crazy. But at DCA, it was a nice walk-in. DL didn’t let any guests in for the rope drop so that did make sense why it was crowded outside to get into DL.

So we just head on over to DCA that morning.


DCA had it’s usual morning rope drop and the first thing we did was get in the crowds so we can get FP’s for Radiator Springs Racers.


We waited for about 2 minutes until DCA officially opened at 10am. We were in the FP queue for RSR and it did took a while to get through the line and get our FP’s for that day. The park didn’t feel that crowded even though there were a lot of people at the park that morning at 10am.

We had a nice return time at 12pm to 1pm that day which was in two hours.


After getting the FP’s for RSR, we head on over to Grizzly River Run in order to get the FP’s for World of Color that night. With no fireworks or Fantasmic! that night since DL closes at 8am, WoC on the other hand was playing that night at 8:15am and it did make sense to see WoC that night.

When we got over to GRR, I got in to get the FP’s for WoC and we did get our usual blue color section.


Some people wonder why WoC is playing at 8:15pm when DCA closes at 8pm. The park closes at 8pm where you aren’t allowed to enter the park and the CM’s won’t let the guests go on the rides. But you are able to be in the park until one hour after the park closes. So we are able to be in the park when it closes at 8pm.

After getting the FP’s, there was nothing that we wanted to do that day at DCA so we decided to head on over to DL. Even though there is a long line to enter the park that morning, there was something that I wanted to do during the trip.

So we exited DCA and over to DL.


We exited DCA and the line was still long where it was close to the Monorail columns which tell you that there were still people waiting to get into DL that morning.


Luckily for us, we went through the middle area of the turnstiles where it is for the handicapped people. Since DAW was using her ECV, we were able to bypassed the long queues and head on in with a short wait time.


We entered DL before 10:30am and it was busy after passing by the turnstiles.


MS was not that busy where most of the guests were walking up on MS heading to their first attraction.


We were seeing all the different Halloween pumpkins and decorations that are up on the buildings of MS. Most of the pumpkins I have seen in the past years. But it is nice to see them up and so colorful. Each of the pumpkins have a different face which is unique.




We head on over to Fantasyland by going through Sleeping Beauty Castle. When we were in FL, we first head on over to the Frozen M&G FP queue. The Frozen M&G is the most popular character meet & greet at any Disney parks and the wait times can be as high as 3+ hours which is insane.

DL did something new and testing it out to see if it works really well or not. As I have wrote that the Frozen M&G is now doing FP instead of waiting in that long line to meet Anna & Elsa. It started one week ago before our trip and to see if this way was better over the long wait time. I can understand that it is a great idea & also a bad idea as well. The good part about it is that you won’t have to wait 2-3 hours to meet Anna and Elsa with only less than a 30 minute wait time. The bad part about the FP is that you have to get to the park first thing in the morning to be able to get one of the FP’s or you won’t have the chance to meet them since they have a limited amount of FP’s to distribute to the guests. I have read that the FP’s were gone the first hour to hour and a half which is crazy. This feel like RSR over again where you had to go first thing in the morning to secure a FP to be able to ride it. If you couldn’t come to the park earlier that morning and want to see Anna & Elsa, there is no chance you will be able to see them without a FP. I can understand that people will be frustrated of not being able to come early that morning to get a FP and get to meet Anna & Elsa but the long wait times to see them is crazy. We’ll see if DL is still going to keep doing this method of the FP or go back to the long wait times.

When we approached the Anna & Elsa M&G FP station, it was right across from the King Arthur’s Carousel and by the Frozen M&G area. I was wondering how they were going to distribute the FP’s to the guests and I figured it out when I saw the CM’s with the handheld devices which you hand your ticket/AP to them and they will scan them and give you a return time later that day.


I entered the line for the Frozen M&G and it was all the way back toward the entrance to the Village Haus restaurant.


I waited in line for about 5 minutes and it was time for me to get the FP’s.


The CM’s ask for our tickets/AP and they scan them. Just like any ticket/AP, all of your party members must enter the park in order to get the FP’s. After they CM’s gave us back our tickets, they gave us our FP’s for the Frozen M&G. Our return time that day was at 4:10 to 4:40pm that day.


That was like 6 hours until it was time to return to the Frozen M&G to see Anna and Elsa. We got our tickets scan around 10:40am and we had to wait that long. So it will be awhile until we are able to see Anna & Elsa that day.

After getting the FP’s, I want to go on over to the Halloween Carnival at Big Thunder Ranch since we weren’t able to go in the Festival Arena since it closed at 6pm on Sunday.

As always during any season, Big Thunder Ranch is decorated for the Halloween season along with Big Thunder Ranch BBQ. During the Halloween season, BTRBBQ is changed to Big Thunder BBQ Halloween Roundup.




We entered the Halloween Carnival which opens at 10:30am that morning and here is a look at the schedule happening that day.


The Halloween Carnival was quiet that morning where there was barely any guests. It almost feels like there were more CM’s there instead of the guests.




The games are back again at the Carnival


Goofy in his Halloween costume passing by.


That will be it for this post and stay tune for the next update.

[post=52362593]Continue to the Next Post[/post]​

 

[mvf-m11c]

[post=52362589]Last Installment on the Trip Report[/post]

Day 2 – September 15th, 2014 – Part 2

Halloween Carnival at Big Thunder Ranch​

We were passing by the Pumpkin Carver station where the CM’s are carving pumpkins into characters.


It is always interesting to see what Disney characters are carved into the pumpkins.


Chernabog from Fantasia


Pirate


The Caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland


I talked to a CM carver and ask who she is carving? After seeing the image, I can tell it was the Hatbox Ghost at the Haunted Mansion. She was just sketching it and carve it later that day.


Elvis Stitch


Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy.


Scar


A pumpkin shape Mickey just like the Giant Mickey pumpkin at Main Street Town Square.




It was quiet that morning at the Festival Arena since it was still early that morning.


A look at Conjure a Villain which is where you will be able to see some Disney Villain characters and it wasn’t a too long of a line so we went on over in the tent. I have never been in the tent which is nice to see a Disney Villain.




We entered the tent and there was a CM greeting the guests. He also got a volunteer to summon the character.


It was the Wicked Queen from Snow White.


Then we were able to have a picture of her. We were able to get a picture with the Wicked Queen, however the picture was blurry and I can’t believe it was blurry.


After getting our picture with the Wicked Queen, we left the Festival Arena and head on over to the Scare-Dy-Crow Shack which is next to the Festival Arena at the Halloween Carnival.


Just like very year during the Halloween season, the shack is all decorated with Halloween items.










After looking in the shack, we started to go to our next activity that morning. That will be it for this post and stay tune for the next part of the morning at DL.

[post=52383744]Continue to the Next Post[/post]​

 

[PrincessInOz]

Nice Halloween activities in that area. The pumpkin carvers are amazing.

Pity about the blurry picture with the Wicked Queen. That would have been a great M&G.

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Bret,
I was very happy to read that the Anna & Elsa M&G had been turned into a FP. So much nicer for those families to be able to hot foot it over and get a FP and then enjoy the park and return when the time is right. I couldn’t even imagine spending $$ for a park ticket and spending 3 hours waiting for my 3 minute picture and autograph (which is probably the highlight of many youngster’s trip). I look forward to seeing your pictures from your M&G. If we don't have to wait in line I might be able to talk DH into going with me.


I love the pictures of the BTM Ranch, especially the carved pumpkins. Groot was great!

 

[rentayenta]

Great photos Bret. The carved pumpkins are amazing. That's truly an art form.

I'm going to have to get the fam over to BTR area for sure this year. The eye for detail is fabulous.

Can't wait to see how your meet and greet with A&E goes.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Nice Halloween activities in that area. The pumpkin carvers are amazing.

Pity about the blurry picture with the Wicked Queen. That would have been a great M&G.

The Halloween Carnival is a nice place to spend some time while at the DLR. You should consider it during our upcoming trip to stop by and see it.

It was no problem. It is just one of those things where the picture turned out blurry. But it was nice to meet the Wicked Queen.

Hi Bret,
I was very happy to read that the Anna & Elsa M&G had been turned into a FP. So much nicer for those families to be able to hot foot it over and get a FP and then enjoy the park and return when the time is right. I couldn’t even imagine spending $$ for a park ticket and spending 3 hours waiting for my 3 minute picture and autograph (which is probably the highlight of many youngster’s trip). I look forward to seeing your pictures from your M&G. If we don't have to wait in line I might be able to talk DH into going with me.


I love the pictures of the BTM Ranch, especially the carved pumpkins. Groot was great!

Hi TK,

It is nice to have the FP for the Frozen M&G but I can understand that some people would not approve it since they can't come to the park first thing in the morning. If they still are doing the FP system for the Frozen M&G, I would show up early in the morning to get it. If you want to get an early FP and you are staying at any of the DLR hotel, I would take advantage of MM and get in the queue for a FP so you will be able to get a good return time.

Halloween Carnival is a nice place to visit during the Halloween season.

Great photos Bret. The carved pumpkins are amazing. That's truly an art form.

I'm going to have to get the fam over to BTR area for sure this year. The eye for detail is fabulous.

Can't wait to see how your meet and greet with A&E goes.

Thanks Jenny.

You should take your family to Big Thunder Ranch when you are there during the holiday season when it is Jingle Jangle Jamboree. Both events are completely different and fun to go.


The next post will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

[post=52362593]Last Installment on the Trip Report[/post]

Day 2 – September 15th, 2014 – Part 3

Haunted Pirates and Not-So-Scary Ghosts​

After walking at Big Thunder Ranch and seeing all the different Halloween decorations including the Halloween Carnival, we started to go on tour next activity that afternoon at DL. The day was quite hot in the afternoon in which it felt like in the high 80s that afternoon and that wasn’t even noon yet. The weather was just bad the other day where it was 104 and we knew that it was going to be at least around 100 that day. So we are getting as much as done as possible that morning to afternoon where the parks are opened at 10am to 8pm.

We left Big Thunder Ranch and now was entering Frontierland main side. While passing by Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the wait time was only 10 minutes that afternoon.


The Rivers of America was quiet that morning.


We were now in New Orleans Square and DAW wanted to ride Pirates of the Caribbean. When we looked at the queue, it was a 20 minute wait and I asked her if she had no problem waiting. But then she remind me that we can go through the exit since she was using an ECV but I did tell her about the situation of going through the exit to ride PotC since they could take longer than normal to go through the handicap side. So we just went through NOS alley to the handicapped section of PotC which is right at the exit.


Luckily we only had to wait about 10 minutes through the handicapped line and we were on our way. This was also another great opportunity to use the Sigma lens since it will be very dark and I could use the widest aperture for the ride along with less ISO.

Passing by Blue Bayou which is empty that afternoon.


There were times where I got some good pictures on PotC and times where they were not that good. The lens had problems focusing where it didn’t stay focus at the certain range. There were times where it was focus correctly and try to re auto focus which was crazy This was my first time using this lens along with a Sigma lens where I have no experience with them. I only use Nikon, Tamron and Tokina lenses.















Captain Jack Sparrow


I was not too satisfy with my pictures on PotC and have learned a lot from this experience when using the Sigma lens where even I took one good picture, the focusing can be a problem with the lens.

After riding PotC, I wanted to go back on the Haunted Mansion Holiday so I will be able to get some good pictures of the gingerbread house in the dining room since my first experience was not that good on Sunday. She had no problem with it and so we head on over to ride HMH.

When we got on over to the HMH, we had to go back to the handicapped area where we got our AP’s scanned and given a card that will take us in the handicapped line.


We walked up and dropped off the ECV where you can’t take it on the elevator.


Here are pictures from our second time riding the HMH during the trip. Once again, I am using the Sigma lens and hope that the quality of the pictures are better this time than the last time where some of them were good while the gingerbread house was the main focus.

The stretching room




Got in the Doom Buggy and here is our experience on the HMH for the second time.




This time I was able to get good clear shots of the gingerbread house in the dining room at the HMH. I made sure the picture was clear and focus. As I have said on my first day riding the HMH on Sunday and seeing the gingerbread house, I like last years better over this years.




In the addict


Jack and Zero


Oogie at the end of the ride


We got the stocking


I was so happy with the second batch of photos from HMH that we didn’t have to ride it again during the trip. She picked up the ECV and we started to head on out of the HMH and over to our next activity that day at the parks.

[post=52383760]Continue to the Next Post[/post]​

 

[mvf-m11c]

[post=52383744]Last Installment on the Trip Report[/post]

Day 2 – September 15th, 2014 – Part 4

Racing on over to DCA and Back to DL​

After riding the HMH, it was time to head on out of DL and back on over to DCA in order to use our FP’s for Radiator Springs Racers since we got the FP’s that morning at 10am when the park opened.

While walking on out of the park, it is nice to walk down on MS looking at the Halloween decorations just like during the holiday season where it is all decorated with the Christmas decorations.






The giant Mickey pumpkin on MS Town Square.




We left DL and now back at the Esplanade and it was so quiet at the Esplanade around noon that day.


When we entered DCA and walking down Buena Vista Street, right next to the Los Feliz Five & Dime store was Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. He made his debut that month and was greeting the guests. I was thinking about getting a picture with him but we had to go to RSR to use our FP’s.


We head on over to Cars Land in order to use our FP’s for RSR. When we got to Cars L and and over to RSR, the standard wait time was only 45 minutes which was so low that afternoon.


It only took about 5 minutes to go through the FP queue where it was nice to go on the ride quickly. If we didn’t have the FP’s that day, we would easily go through the regular queue which is only 45 minutes.

We head on over to the handicapped loading dock and we were able to get front row seats which is always fun when riding RSR.

Here are pictures from our drive.


Mater


Sally and McQueen


We got Luigi’s Casa Della Tires side


White Wall tires look very nice.




Our picture during our ride on RSR.


After we were finished riding RSR, we started to head on out of DCA and back on over to DL to go on my favorite ride at the DLR which is the Monorail. But during the whole trip, it was down and I was wondering why it was down. Maybe this time we will get lucky and it will be running.

It was not that crowded at CL that day and it has to do with the weather since it felt like in the mid 90s that afternoon which was crazy.


We head on out of DCA and now back on over to DL that afternoon. I love to do the park hopping every time I am at the DLR which is easier over WDW where it will take time to head on over to the next park.


It is nice to walk up on MS while the Halloween decorations are up on the buildings.


After walking up on MS, we head straight on over to Tomorrowland and find that the Disneyland Monorail was still down. I asked the CM’s what the problem was and the monorails not running and they just told me technical difficulties.

I was so bummed that the first day and a half that the Monorails were down. That morning, I did see a couple of the monorails running that Monday morning. That was so odd that they weren’t running. This is one of the rides that doesn’t break down and it was a disappointment. I wanted to go upstairs in order to get some nice shots of the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage lagoon.


Since the Monorails were down, there wasn’t much to do at DL until tonight. But before we head on out, I had to get a another shot of the lagoon while we head on out and back to the room to rest up that day. It was getting hot that afternoon and we were sweating.


But before we head on out of the park, DAW asked if I wanted to get a Dole Whip and I told her that it will be nice to get one since it was hot that afternoon. So we head on over to Adventureland to get a Dole Whip.

So we head on over from Tomorrowland on over to Adventureland. The day was not that bad from the crowd level at DL where it was about half empty thanks to the weather at DL. A lot of the ride wait times were low and the most popular rides wait times were in the 10 to 30 minute range (PP at 30).

When we got on over to Adventureland, the queue at the Tiki Juice Bar was almost close to the exit of The Enchantment Tiki Room. There was no way I was willing to wait that long for the Dole Whip. I did tell her another way is to go in the waiting area to see the Enchantment Tiki Room. She hasn’t seen the show yet so it was a nice opportunity to do two things at once. So we went inside and the line for the Tiki Juice Bar was way short.

So I was able to get a Dole Whip float that afternoon while waiting inside the Enchantment Tiki Room waiting area.


It was nice to have one especially that hot day at the parks. In just a couple of minutes, the doors open and we are now inside the building which was very nice where it was air conditioned and it was nice to relax inside after being outside for most of the day.





After we watched the show, it was now time to head on back to the room and rest up and go back to the DLR that night. Even though the parks are open till 8pm, we had FP’s to use for WoC and the Frozen M&G. We were tired from that day at the parks thanks to the heat and it was also a good thing too since the parks were not that busy.

Walking on out of DL


MS was not that crowded that afternoon which was almost close to 2pm.


We head on out of DL and back to our hotel room to rest up so we can be ready for the nighttime.

That will be it for this post and stay tune for the next update at the DLR that night or day.

[post=52396462]Continue to the Next Post[/post]​

 

[tksbaskets]

Great pictures in the HMH! It sounds like a very nice day. I really like the Halloween decorations. I'd like to have a picture with Oswald.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Interesting pictures of HM and your take on that lens. I hope that the new lens works out for the next trip. It's going to be interesting to check out it's performance.

 

[kmedina]

Love all of the Halloween decorations. We were there two days ago, but I did not really take any decoration pictures. I still have not had my camera repaired.

My husband finally got his first dole whip and dole whip float on Tuesday, which was also his birthday. We got there a couple minutes after 10am (when it first opens), and there was no line. Despite hating pineapple, I tried a bite just to see what the fuss was about. As predicted, it was quite gross. Hopefully, you get one next time.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Great pictures in the HMH! It sounds like a very nice day. I really like the Halloween decorations. I'd like to have a picture with Oswald.

Thank you TK. The whole day was nice even though the weather was hot but we really enjoyed that afternoon. We should have stopped to get a picture of Oswald but we had to use the RSR FP's that afternoon.

Interesting pictures of HM and your take on that lens. I hope that the new lens works out for the next trip. It's going to be interesting to check out it's performance.

That is my experience on the Sigma lens when I was taking pictures during the day and the dark rides. Some of the pictures were good and some of them were not that good. I'm hoping that the a new lens instead of a rental lens would work out for this trip.

Love all of the Halloween decorations. We were there two days ago, but I did not really take any decoration pictures. I still have not had my camera repaired.

My husband finally got his first dole whip and dole whip float on Tuesday, which was also his birthday. We got there a couple minutes after 10am (when it first opens), and there was no line. Despite hating pineapple, I tried a bite just to see what the fuss was about. As predicted, it was quite gross. Hopefully, you get one next time.

Nice to see you are back on the boards again Kim.

Thank you. I remember that you were going on that week and hope you are able to tell all about your adventures during the Halloween season. I'm sorry to hear about your camera.

That is nice to hear that your DH got his first Dole Whip. I'm sorry to hear that you are not a fan of the Dole Whip. We all have our likes and dislikes.


The next post will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

[post=52383760]Last Installment on the Trip Report[/post]

Day 2 – September 15th, 2014 – Part 5

Dinner at Carthay Circle and Roundtrip on the DL Railroad​

After a nice day at the parks for about 4 hours, it was time to head on back to the DLR that day. We had FP’s for the Frozen M&G around 4:10 to 4:30pm that afternoon but then I realized that we had dinner at the Carthay Circle Restaurant at 4:30pm that day. It was the first time for dinner that day and DAW is looking forward to eating at this restaurant. I have ate at the CCR back in 2012 with DAF. DAF wasn’t too impressed with the CCR and hopefully DAW would like this restaurant since it is one of the fanciest restaurants at the DLR. It was tough not to use our FP’s for the Frozen M&G that afternoon but we had dinner that day as planned and just shows you that you can forget about dinner after getting the FP’s that morning.

We left the hotel around 4pm which we got about an hour and a half at Best Western Anaheim Inn. We needed the break especially with the weather that afternoon in the mid 90s. When we left the hotel it was around in the high 90s to low 100s that afternoon around 4pm. It was just a hot day but not as hot as Sunday during our first day at the DLR.

Every time when I am here in September in SoCal, it feels way hotter this month compared to the summertime in SoCal. August is another month that feels hot.

Now back at DCA that afternoon and we head straight on over to the Carthay Circle Theater for our 4:30pm reservation.


When we got inside and checked-in, it wasn’t time to be seated so we just sat in the lobby of the CCR until it was time. It was nice to be in the CCR lobby while we were waiting and it was nice and cool inside while it was hot that afternoon.

We could have ordered some appetizers while we were waiting until we were seated but it was nice to have it at the tables.




We only had to wait about 10 minutes in the lobby until we were taken upstairs.




We were like the first one’s seated for dinner at that time since we didn’t see other guests until they showed up one by one after us. DAW was impressed with the main dining room at the CCR.






For dinner, we just ordered from the regular menu instead of doing the World of Color dining package where you get the prime viewing FP’s in the Paradise Pier viewing area. I originally asked DAW if she wanted to do the WoC dining package but she didn’t like the menu on the WoC dining package so we decided to order from the regular menu.

The other thing about the WoC dining FP’s at the CCR is that if you ordered a specific amount that equals or surpass the price of the WoC dining at $59 per person, you still would be able to get the WoC dining FP’s. The thing is that DAW and I need to order at least $59 per person or more in order to get the WoC dining FP’s for that night. Even though we have WoC FP’s in the blue section, it was not a bad idea to get the FP’s in the good viewing area since we haven’t done it since last year at Ariel’s Grotto.

For our appetizers, we had Fire Cracker Duck Wings. I have ate these back in 2012 and love them.


DAW got the Heirloom Tomato and Avocado Salad


I also had to try the Carthay Signature Fried Biscuits.


For our entrees, I had the Grilled Angus New York


DAW got the Sesame Soy-glazed Skuna Bay Salmon. But she got hers a little different since she can’t have rice so she got all broccoli.


When we having dinner, we talked to a couple right next to us who were locals and they were having dinner just like us and we had a nice talk. They are also Annual Passholders at DL and have been coming a lot. We talked about the Halloween season at the DLR and they prefer the Christmas season over the Halloween just like me where I love the holiday season over the Halloween season.

After we finished our meal, our waitress gave us the FP’s for the WoC dining package since we were close to the total price of $59 per person plus since I have an AP, we saved another 15 percent with my AP or DAW AP.

After we got our FP’s, it was time to head on out and do something until it was time to head on over to the viewing area for WoC. Since we had plenty of time, we decided to jump on back to DL to go on some rides that day.


The Esplanade was not that busy later that day around 6:30pm.


We head on back to DL and the first thing we saw that we knew that we wanted to ride was the Disneyland Railroad. The DLRR is one of my favorite rides at DL and I always have to ride this along with the Monorail. But the Monorail wasn’t running these first two days and hoping that we will be able to ride it when we leave.


A nice view from the Main Street Railroad station which you can see the back of the giant character pumpkins.


The train that we rode was the Ward Kimball Engine #5 along with Holiday 2 car set.


We rode the Ward Kimball all the way around the park since we had to get back to DCA that night in order to get our spots for WoC.

While we were at Mickey’s Toontown Depot, I noticed that there were some Halloween decorations on the station which you go in Toontown. I wasn’t able to get a picture except for the backside since this was something new added for the Halloween season.


Just when we were leaving Mickey’s Toontown Depot, the Frozen pre-parade float was happening. Since there was only one parade that day at 7pm, it started from IASW Plaza.


Just as we were about to head on over to Tomorrowland station, we passed by the roundhouse which houses the trains and monorails. We saw the Mickey’s Soundsational parade floats while riding the train at the backstage waiting to perform at 7pm. We really got lucky to ride the DLRR and see the floats backstage.


Now at the Grand Canyon




Primeval World




After riding the DLRR around the park, it was time to head on over to DCA and watch the 8:15pm World of Color show. Since it was during the off-season and the park closes at 8pm, we will be in the park when it closes when the 8:15pm WoC show starts.

We left DL and back on over to DCA.

[post=52347561]Continue to the Next Post[/post]​

 

[mvf-m11c]

[post=52396462]Last Installment on the Trip Report[/post]

Day 2 – September 15th, 2014 – Part 6

World of Color Preferred View​

After we left DL while riding the DLRR, we head straight on back to DCA and get our spots for the 8:15pm World of Color show. Since it was during the off-season and the parks close at 8pm, WoC starts at 8:15pm which is 15 minutes over the time when the park closes. When the park closes at 8pm that means that you can’t go on the rides but you are able to be in the park one hour until it closes.

We head on over to Paradise Pier which is where the viewing area is located and it was around 7:15pm when we got there. It was a little late for us but we didn’t mind since we aren’t going to be in the lower part of the viewing area at the dining section. Since we ate at the Carthay Circle Restaurant that night and was able to get the WoC dining FP’s, we could have showed up early and wait like the other guests. But since DAW was using an ECV, we didn’t have to get there that early.

Our FP’s for the WoC reserved viewing


There was another area that is set for the handicapped people that did the WoC dining package since I read from the World of Color Superthread that there was another part of the viewing area that is blocked out for the people who dined at the restaurants.

Most of the guests that waited to get in the viewing area are already in while we were outside waiting to get in. It didn’t took that long for us to go in the viewing area. When we presented our FP’s to the CM’s at the reserved viewing area in the middle area, we were told to head on over towards the yellow side entrance and show them our FP’s to take us over to the handicapped area for the reserved viewing.

When we showed our FP’s to the CM’s at the yellow area, we were taken over to the handicapped section for the preferred dining. When we were taken to that area for the handicapped reserved viewing, I can tell that this was not one of the greatest spots that we have watched the show. I would easily chose my favorite spot at the green fire hydrant over the handicapped reserved viewing. It was not even close to the center of the viewing area and I was a disappointed where the handicapped viewing area for the reserved dining. If we had watched the show without the handicapped, it would have been in the center. But this was a huge letdown.

Here are pics from our spot that night which you can tell that it is not in the center of the viewing area.




The worse part from this spot is that one of the light towers that is used for the show is in the middle of our viewing area.


This might be the last time we will be doing a WoC dining since the handicapped section is not that good from this spot and we were in the fourth row of the show in which we were able to get a railing but we will still see heads during the show.

While we were waiting for WoC, I played along with the long exposure shots with the Sigma lens and I was satisfy with the shots that night. There was still daylight and I had to set the aperture at its lowest at f/16 and the ISO was at 100. I tried to go as high as 30 seconds but it was just too bright. So I went about 10 seconds for the exposure shot.

Mickey’s Fun Wheel of Doom


At 15 sec.


I even took a shot at the Golden Zephyr.




I have taken thousands of pictures of World of Color from different viewing area and this is not one of my favorite spots but it is good to try different spots once in a while. One day, I plan on watching the show at the edge of Paradise Bay. I know when you are right at edge of PB, you will get wet no matter what. But I do have rain gear in which I can protect my stuff and still be able to get pictures of the show.

Now it was time for the 8:15pm World of Color show and I used the Sigma lens for the show. It was difficult to get up close shots with this lens since it goes all the way to 35mm which is not that long. I didn’t have to set the aperture at f/1.8 since the show was bright enough.

Here are pictures from the 8:15pm World of Color show.


You can tell from the pictures that we were that the light tower was close to the middle when we were watching the show.


UP scene


Genie








The show is now over




We didn’t leave the viewing area just yet since it was busy and we waited almost 10 minutes until it was quiet enough to walk-on out of the area.


This was also nice to be able to get some pictures where it was quiet that night. I would have set up a tripod that night but DAW was tired and wanted to go back to the room and I had no problem with it either.




Walking on out of DCA that night and there were people still in the park shopping or doing something else. But the security CM’s were not letting any guests walk on over to the other lands that night.


When we got on out of DCA. I asked DAW if I could get some pictures of the turnstiles at DL with the long exposure and she had no problem with it. So I got some more pictures that night just before we called it.




After getting the pictures, we head straight on out of the DLR and back to BWAI to call it for the night. Since it was a shorten day, we got back at the room around 9pm which was so odd that mostly we are at the parks at that time. But it was nice to relax and I was able to upload some of the pictures from that day on flickr and to be able to talk to you DISers that night.

This concludes Monday during the trip and stay tune for the last part of the trip which is Tuesday.

 

[rentayenta]

Oswald!!!! I hope he'll be around in December.


Fabulous photos Bret, really.



Carthay Circle is gorgeous and dinner looks delicious. I am always weary about ordering steak anywhere other than a steakhouse but that looks crazy good.