Day 18
I'm up early again, but that's not a bad thing, I'm just not really a morning person. It just seems like it
takes forever for me to get going. The plan is to leave around 7 am, to get to Downtown Disney, and
Starbucks. Surprise, that is what actually happens. Tip: If you want to avoid the long security lines,
go through the Downtown Disney side. There was no one, and I literately mean no one.
There's a few people coming from the Disney hotel. They get that extra early magical hour. But
what surprises me, is how many of the guests are not taking advantage of it.
I get another coffee and egg bites at Starbucks. It's also pretty quite, but there are 2 Starbucks in
Downtown Disney. They open up Disneyland's Main street to the masses at 7:30 am. I grab a seat
on a bench and wait for the 8 am rope drop.
That duck is way to comfortable being near people.
Almost time for the rope drop.
Me and the mad dash to Star Wars land. I (and many others), wanted to get this out of the way. As I'm
typing this at 4 pm, there is a 45 minute line. I waited about 1/2 hour. It goes fast, as they have things
for you to see, and hear. The pre show makes the line time go by fast.
It's pretty big, they do a show around the fighter as well. but nothing while I was waiting.
The falcon just kind of sneaks up on you.
It is impressive.
Part of the lineup for the ride, is a walk around the Falcon, and later on you see it from above.
Another one of the rooms you go into, and walk around while waiting. There's a bit of banter while
you move along.
It moves and makes noises. Disney keeps you entertained so it doesn't seem that your standing in
line that long.
Nice detail on the Falcon, as well as a nice skyline.
Hondo rocks. for being an animatronic , and he's so good, you'd never know he was one.
Got lucky the first time, just call me, Tross Solo.
Trust me, it looks easier than it was.
They let you walk around and explore.
Almost there.
I took this just before we lifted off. No 3D glasses bullshit, it looks good. The ride is really good. I'll
be heading back later, when it gets dark and a little less busy. No fast-passes here. So try and get it
out of the way early, or save it till late. I'm getting older, and I did feel a little queasy after the
Falcon. Nothing major, but you do get shaken, not stirred on the ride. But it didn't stop me from
going on my next ride.
Since there was only a 10 minute wait for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, this was my next choice.
A nice, easy and fun ride.
Actually a fun little coaster and a good ride.
From here I use my first Maxpass, and considering on how many rides I've already gotten on, yes it
is worth it.
Indiana Jones Adventure is my next choice. It's a good ride, but a lot more of it seemed to be blacked
out than I remember. No pictures here, as the ride is rough.
A well done video (old newsreel) to keep you occupied while you wait.
Rather self explanatory.
Some of the hidden details you can look out for.
This is a actual truck from one of the movies.
Any guesses to where I went next?
Wow, what a great picture.
I'm on a roll.
That's actually a cabin.
Just before the drop, what a fantastic picture.
No idea?
That's my new 3D camera. So if you've got those glasses, it should look great.
3D strikes again!
It's not me, maybe you need some glasses, or get retested?
Finally a picture that I can make out, 5's a charm.
I liked the octopus.
They (Disney) really got the fog effect perfect for this scene. The battle was great.
No flash allowed. Still, better than my last phone.
I've been given the giant F from Disney. I actually don't even remember this.
Abstract photography.
Today's lesson, my phone doesn't really like to focus in the dark.
Captain Jack in hiding in the barrel, if you look closely.
Then he's not there.
That dog still has the keys
The back up to head up the ramp.
And that is it for "The pirates of the Caribbean"
Next, I'm on to the "Hunted Mansion". I get there and there is no line. I think, great. There's no line
for a reason, the ride is down. The poor guy at the gate says "Come back later". But 30 seconds later,
another employee comes up, and the gates open. Guess what, they just reopened and yours truly is
first in, yes!!!
Darkness loves my phone!!
The big surprise is, that they've gone to the Halloween and Christmas Haunted Mansion. I had no
idea, and I've never been to it. Wow, is all I've got to say.
I hate to say this, but it is better than the normal Haunted Mansion. I'm going back tonight. It was
great being first in line and first on to a ride.
I'm really impressed on how much they changed for Halloween and Christmas
What a great ride, and I'm glad things worked out so well.
Dole whip time. I guess my tummy is better now.
Poor horse, he didn't look like he wanted to be there.
Pre Disney buying all of the Star Wars rights, is Star Tours. You've got to give them credit, they keep
this ride updated and it's well maintained.
Not much of a line, so in I go.
Poor C3PO, stuck being a tourist guide at yesterdays ride. You don't see him over in the new Star
Wars land, do you?
A good little pre show before getting on the main ride.
You can't actually take video or pictures on the ride, and to be honest, I can't be bothered. You gotta
use 3D glasses, but it works well.
Gonna be me, on Sunday morning at Pearson Airport, thank god I only have a back pack returning.
I know a few bosses that could use this tie. I'm amazed on how much different merchandise that
they have. It's really hard to walk away without buying anything. But, that the point of Disney, right?
Just a little cheaper here to build your own light-saber than over in Star Wars land.
Always watching.
Chewbacca socks. Hey, maybe our Prime minister can buy a pair. They'd go well with the brown
face he was wearing. It's been in the news this week, even down here.
Next ride is Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin.
Same thing, no real line to speak of, so on I go.
And spin you do, whether I want to or not.
Its a good ride, except for all the spinning, take that out, or lessen it, and it would be a great ride.
Next, it's a small world. I just video'ed the whole thing.
Next, I'm off to the Matterhorn Bobsleds, which to be honest, I'm surprised that I fit in it. It actually
was kind of disappointing. I know it's over 50 years old, and one of the first modern coasters, but this
thing is jerky, so much so, that it actually takes away from the ride experience. Re engineer it, add
rubber buffers, but do something. Now that I've been on it, I don't need to come back.
Getting tired, so I start heading to the exit. So back up to Main Street I go.
Never been into Crystal figurines, but these were cool. I've said it before, Disney's marketing is
second to none. Just when you thing you won't buy anything, boom, they've got you.
6 hours of on the go, so time to head back to the room to start this blog and do some laundry.
Actually, the hotel has a laundry, and it's free for guests to use. So first load, in ya go. I unwind,
have some lunch and relax. I head back at around 6 pm, and hopefully some of the crowds have
died down.
I was going to hop on the train, but that looks rather full.
Walt Disney's apt above the fire station.
I decide to take a cruse on the riverboat. Plus it's relaxing and won't make me feel sick.
Steam and oil fired, and you can feel the heat.
They keep the wheel turning so she keeps tied up to the dock.
I was wrong about it being quieter at night. There are no more fast passes for the Hunted Mansion,
and the line is over 60 minutes long. So I decide to head back up to Star Wars land after the cruse.
They have a running commentary on things you see from the river boat, This is the Columbia, first
ship to circumnavigate the world.
They hide Star Wars land behind here pretty well.
Nothing says, your out west, then the stereotypical Indian set up.
Go beaver, go!
It used to be a actual ride, but with expansion, they had to abandon this stretch. They did well
working it in.
Slowly returning to the dock.
I zoomed in for Space Mountain, which is under refurbishment. No matter when you come to Disney
(either Land or World) there is always something being worked on or refurbished. I have yet been to
come and ride everything. From here I head back over to Star Wars Land.
I come in a different way, and hit the rebel encampment.
Of course, all your rebel gear is for sale.
It wouldn't be Disney if they didn't have a marketplace, would it. The funny part is that I missed all
of this my first time around.
It's a shame, they are just static. Actually, I learned later that you put them on your shoulder and use
the hand controller (left), to move the head and mouth.
I was hungry, but nothing really appealed to me.
It's just starting to get dark. It is worth going there at night as well.
If you go in the single rider line, first, you miss all the pre show. Second is that they only make you
an engineer. Since I've already been a pilot, no problem.
Learn the ways of the force Tross,
We didn't do to bad. the nice thing about being an engineer is, that you can sit back and enjoy the
ride. When your a pilot, your actually working on flying the thing. So it's a ride that you will have to
go on many times to fully enjoy.
That door wasn't there before, and that's how good this ride is. You can hardly notice when they
change things.
Back outside, and now it's night. Star Wars land takes a whole different vibe with it being night. So
if you have the time, go back and enjoy.
The details, you'd never notice all the landing lights during the day time.
The famous blue milk, it's ok, but I'll be trying the green one next time.
So I had to ask, "Does it come in my size, I jest"and the clerk comes back seriously, "They
custom fit it". Well, I've never thought about doing a "go fund me" until till today.
Roll playing anyone?
It's been a very long day, so time to head back as I've got to do it all over again tomorrow. It's a small
world looks pretty at night, as I head over to the train station.
It's been a very long, long day. I'm going to head back. The parade really doesn't interest me. Plus
getting a Lyft ride back before everyone leaves and not waiting is priceless.
No miles on the bike, it's a Disney day
getting a Lyft ride back before everyone leaves and not waiting is priceless.
No miles on the bike, it's a Disney day
