The day began wet. Very wet. We knew it was going to, but reasoning that it wasn't pouring rain, elected to not take our umbrellas. This was a tactical error. We got wet. Very wet.
The upside is that we were pretty much alone in the park!
Alfter wandering around a little, we bought a couple of caps. That actually helped keep the rain off my glasses quite a bit!
We then got really wild and went on Jessie's Critters. Why? Because we walked on! Lol! She seemed lonely, you see...
Then we splashed under the sea with Ariel. With the rain, it wasn't much of a stretch.
Then we swung by Ghirardelli for a hot fudge Sundae. In the rain. In the cold. I started shivering immediately! It was SO worth it, though!!
Then we went to the Animation Academy and got goofy. Actually, we drew Goofy!
He got folded because I had to stick him inside my coat. (Did I mention it was raining?) I'm no Disney artist, but at least you can tell who he is!
My lunch date!
At this point (about 2:00) the rain had finally stopped! We took advantage of the situation to walk back to the hotel and change out of our completely drenched clothes. Luckily I had brought another light jacket, as my leather bomber's jacket was soaked through! Then.... Back to the park!
When it's not raining, you notice a lot more details, like this time capsule...
We then wandered into Monstropolis for a while...
Monster's Inc was fun and cute, and miles above what it replaced.
Our next attraction was the much more recent addition of Web Slingers. I really thought we got more pictures, but I guess not. It was fun, but I obviously didn't have the "slinging web" form down. I got killed in the score.
Then we just happened by the Spiderman show. This sort of thing happened all the time on thid trip! We wandered around and cool things happened. Of course it was mainly by Disney design, but there was a lot of good fortune at play too!
Of course those of us in the know realize that it's actually one of the most advanced animatronics ever developed (except for the Animatronic Exploding Ducks). Very short show, but cool!
The real person Spiderman "climbing" the wall...
Now it was time for the highlight of the day! Radiator Racers had been down due to the rains, but now it was open! We "raced" over!
A friend stopped by!
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Flying past the finish line!
Jess actually IS in there, she just happened to be ducking down when the photo snapped
Yes, we won.
I thought Radiator Racers was the same track as Test Track, but there are differences. Mainly the hills for RR. A fun ride!
We then wandered over and checked out Soarin'. I've ridden this many times at WDW, but it's still a nice relaxing ride.
After that we bumped into the special Lunar New Year Parade that was hosted by some popular friends. Year of the Dragon!
At this point we "Lightning Laned" preferred seating for World of Color and went and got some very good tacos for dinner.
We had some time before World of Color, so we walked across the way to Disneyland and hopped on the train. At WDW there is no Grand Canyon nor Primeval World, so this was a treat!
That will be in the next post!
Note: I'm sorry this post was a couple of days late, but we had a bit of a family emergency. All good now, but blogging got forced back a bit. See you next week!
Had you been to DCA before? I can’t remember if you’ve said. They’ve improved the place so much since it opened that it is definitely worth a visit now. I need to spend more time there, my last two visits were only for a few hours in the evening.
ReplyDeleteThe rain really kept the crowds away for your visit! My recent rainy visit to Disneyland was still awfully busy - in fact I was pretty amazed at how many people were waiting to go in for rope drop in spite of the downpour and gusty winds (which meant wet legs, even if you had an umbrella).
They were doing the Lunar New Year Celebration while I was there (as you know, we just missed each other), it was interesting.
I’ve never done Midway Mania! I guess that goes on the “next time” list, people seem to really enjoy it. I like Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, but it’s not an “E” ticket. Maybe more of a “C” ticket? Your drawing of Goofy is good!
I wish I’d done the Guardians of the Galaxy ride - I still haven’t seen that one either, though I quite liked it when it had the Twilight Zone theme. I’ve seen video of that Spiderman animatronic, it looks pretty incredible. ANOTHER thing I’ll have to catch someday.
Radiator Springs might be my favorite part of DCA, especially at night. The neon is truly beautiful, and the “stone” formations of Radiator Springs Racers look extra impressive. The ride is great, too! Soarin’ is a simple attraction that I really love, they should do a “Soarin’ Over Oxnard”.
Good idea riding the DLRR and catching the Grand Canyon Diorama and Primeval World. It is literally impossible to ride the train too many times.
I hope your family emergency was nothing too serious! Thanks for the fun trip report.
Hey Major!
ReplyDeleteNo, I had never been before, and I really didn't know what to expect. I was impressed, though! While it's certainly no Disneyland, they did a great job with it!
Yes, it was the first day of rain so I think people were still scared off. It didn't last, lol! There was one CM tending a merch cart that we started waving to every time we walked by. He was a nice guy and was bored silly, lol!
Yes, it would have bern fun to run into each other, but maybe next time! The best thing about the Lunar New Year celebration in my mind was the lagoon show, since they used the only fireworks in either show, lol! I'm a sucker for fireworks, I'm afraid!
I like Midway Mania a lot. They did a great job with simulating the balls, rings, and darts you "throw."
I agree that Ariel is a solid "C." Thanks for the compliment on Goofy. Jess' drawing was actually better, lol!
One thing I didn't mention on Galaxy is that they hid things here and there that the Collector had collected. Since it was Year of the Dragon, there were a few!
I loved the Racers! I was expecting a track just like Test Track, but it was better! There is no more relaxing ride than Soarin', IMHO.
I HAD to ride the train! Since WDW doesn't have the additional scenes, it was a "must do!" I loved it!
My mom is in the hospital and they're trying to figure out what's wrong. I'm sure it will turn out ok, but it's a little scary at the moment. All will be well, though.
Thanks! My next report will be better (I hope!)
So weird to see large puddles, and everything dripping wet at DCA and Disneyland. And yeah, the biggest problem with being in the rain with wet glasses is, you can't see anything very well. And seeing everything is pretty much the point at a theme park. Another big problem is being soaked to the skin and looking like a drowned rat all day. I'm glad that it cleared up for you, later on.
ReplyDeleteI like the Pixar wall inside the Lamplight Lounge, especially the "Up" paraphernalia, like Russell's Wilderness Explorers badge collection.
The Monsters Inc. snack vending machines is another favorite. I made a point to look closely at all the 'goodies'.
I just noticed that Roz is a lot like Ursula from Little Mermaid.
Eat your heart out Spiderman. Ain't nuthin' more advanced than Animatronic Exploding Ducks! (Thank you, Stu, for inventing those!)
I'm glad you got to see the 1964 World's Fair prehistoric animatronics along the DDRR.
Thanks for another trip report, Stu.
All true on the rain and glasses issue! And soiness too!
DeleteThe Lamplight really is neat. I could have taken 100 pics and still not gotten all of the Pixar details!
"Goodies" is one word for them lol!
I didn't invent AEDs, I just exposed them! ;-)
That's an interesting perspective on the animatronics. The oldest to the newest!
Thanks, JB!
Soiness= sogginess
ReplyDeleteI don't know how that happined!