Since everyone hates my negativity, I thought I'd start sharing some positive things about my experiences at the parks, offering constructive criticism and basically recounting my trips!
I went to DLR late yesterday afternoon with the intention of getting drunk at Hearthstone Lounge and doing Haunted Mansion as many times as I could. It was extremely windy, so I tried to time it so I'd arrive when the wind died down. That was mostly a success. I stopped by Lee's to get a couple #12's. I drank Napa Smith Hopageddons at Hearthstone in the outdoor smoking section with the fireplace, which I couldn't recommend more. It's my favorite beer and I can only find it at Disney. I love that smoking section! It's so relaxing and it feels like you're at Hogwarts or something.
I headed into the parks shortly before dusk, using the Grand Californian entrance to DCA, which I promptly exited. For many months now, as far as DCA goes, I've only experienced the redone Condor Flats and Buena Vista Street as I travel from the Grand Californian entrance to the park exit. I don't dislike the new Condor Flats by any means, but I think my issue with it comes down to the original design and how little was actually done with the redo. It looks nicer for the most part, although the removal of the Soarin' Over California sign on the building stinks, and I'm not exactly sold on the choice of colors. Ultimately, it's just an awkward little area with a bathroom taking up most of one side. I prefer the old area music loop. Jerry Goldsmith's score with be dearly missed in a matter of months.
DL wasn't too crowded! Main Street was lovely as always. My favorite thing about that area of the park is walking down the middle of the street with the knowledge that in the summer of 1985, a Return to Oz Main Street Electrical Parade float traversed the same path! My Star Trek shirt got some compliments, which was shocking since I usually get death stares and borderline threats. Seriously.
Anyway, I opted to exit the hub through the Frontierland entrance and walked along the stagnant Rivers of America where those great vessels are sadly moored and nothing is happening. It's horrible during the day, but you do reap benefits in the evening in New Orleans Square with the lack of Fantasmic crowds and that ruckus. Not to hate on Fantasmic or anything.
There it was: The Haunted Mansion. I've said it before, I'll say it again. If Disneyland/Magic Kingdom was only comprised of Haunted Mansion, that'd be fine with me! It's just perfect. Better than everything, except Star Trek and John Williams. I did it 15 times in a row. Only got the blast-up ghoul in the graveyard a couple times. Many e-stops were had! Most of the crowds were okay. It was walk-on status the entire time.
You know, one of the things I love about Haunted is the simplicity of many of the effects/illusions. I mean, come on, the automatic door knockers in the Corridor of Doors? Super charming. The pop-up ghouls that are just heads on sticks? So cheap. So mega charming. The sheet with a spirit painted on it being blown by a fan, just kinda like rippling towards the end of the ride? Ultra charming. Amazing. Better than everything. Love it. Mmm.
The park seemed deserted, especially after nightfall. It was very strange for a Sunday, for any day at DL. On my 15th time through the graveyard, I decided I wanted to watch Star Trek: The Motion Picture. You know, that film was directed by Robert Wise, who also directed The Haunting, which influenced The Haunted Mansion. There's your Haunted Mansion/Star Trek connection.
So, I'm heading out of the park, and as I pass by the Pirates of the Caribbean, I see absolutely no one. It's a walk-on. I couldn't resist. Boy, is this one in great shape these days. Everything is working. No missing characters. Tons of fireflies in the Blue Bayou Lagoon. Clouds working. It's at 100%. The new boats are kinda rough when they collide with one another. The 20 greatest minutes you can spend in a boat later, I'm displaced in the middle of New Orleans Square. I have to pee, so I head to the bathroom behind French Market. When I'm finished, I realize I'm once again right next to The Haunted Mansion. I couldn't resist! I did it again!
On my way out, I grab a Matterhorn Macaroon. What a great evening. DL is the greatest place on Earth.
I went to DLR late yesterday afternoon with the intention of getting drunk at Hearthstone Lounge and doing Haunted Mansion as many times as I could. It was extremely windy, so I tried to time it so I'd arrive when the wind died down. That was mostly a success. I stopped by Lee's to get a couple #12's. I drank Napa Smith Hopageddons at Hearthstone in the outdoor smoking section with the fireplace, which I couldn't recommend more. It's my favorite beer and I can only find it at Disney. I love that smoking section! It's so relaxing and it feels like you're at Hogwarts or something.
I headed into the parks shortly before dusk, using the Grand Californian entrance to DCA, which I promptly exited. For many months now, as far as DCA goes, I've only experienced the redone Condor Flats and Buena Vista Street as I travel from the Grand Californian entrance to the park exit. I don't dislike the new Condor Flats by any means, but I think my issue with it comes down to the original design and how little was actually done with the redo. It looks nicer for the most part, although the removal of the Soarin' Over California sign on the building stinks, and I'm not exactly sold on the choice of colors. Ultimately, it's just an awkward little area with a bathroom taking up most of one side. I prefer the old area music loop. Jerry Goldsmith's score with be dearly missed in a matter of months.
DL wasn't too crowded! Main Street was lovely as always. My favorite thing about that area of the park is walking down the middle of the street with the knowledge that in the summer of 1985, a Return to Oz Main Street Electrical Parade float traversed the same path! My Star Trek shirt got some compliments, which was shocking since I usually get death stares and borderline threats. Seriously.
Anyway, I opted to exit the hub through the Frontierland entrance and walked along the stagnant Rivers of America where those great vessels are sadly moored and nothing is happening. It's horrible during the day, but you do reap benefits in the evening in New Orleans Square with the lack of Fantasmic crowds and that ruckus. Not to hate on Fantasmic or anything.
There it was: The Haunted Mansion. I've said it before, I'll say it again. If Disneyland/Magic Kingdom was only comprised of Haunted Mansion, that'd be fine with me! It's just perfect. Better than everything, except Star Trek and John Williams. I did it 15 times in a row. Only got the blast-up ghoul in the graveyard a couple times. Many e-stops were had! Most of the crowds were okay. It was walk-on status the entire time.
You know, one of the things I love about Haunted is the simplicity of many of the effects/illusions. I mean, come on, the automatic door knockers in the Corridor of Doors? Super charming. The pop-up ghouls that are just heads on sticks? So cheap. So mega charming. The sheet with a spirit painted on it being blown by a fan, just kinda like rippling towards the end of the ride? Ultra charming. Amazing. Better than everything. Love it. Mmm.
The park seemed deserted, especially after nightfall. It was very strange for a Sunday, for any day at DL. On my 15th time through the graveyard, I decided I wanted to watch Star Trek: The Motion Picture. You know, that film was directed by Robert Wise, who also directed The Haunting, which influenced The Haunted Mansion. There's your Haunted Mansion/Star Trek connection.
So, I'm heading out of the park, and as I pass by the Pirates of the Caribbean, I see absolutely no one. It's a walk-on. I couldn't resist. Boy, is this one in great shape these days. Everything is working. No missing characters. Tons of fireflies in the Blue Bayou Lagoon. Clouds working. It's at 100%. The new boats are kinda rough when they collide with one another. The 20 greatest minutes you can spend in a boat later, I'm displaced in the middle of New Orleans Square. I have to pee, so I head to the bathroom behind French Market. When I'm finished, I realize I'm once again right next to The Haunted Mansion. I couldn't resist! I did it again!
On my way out, I grab a Matterhorn Macaroon. What a great evening. DL is the greatest place on Earth.
