WoC day and a little bit more with lots of pics. 7/22-7/23 FINISHED 8/11

[DLR29]

So I wasn't planning on writing a report, but I took way too many pictures to not put them in a report. I have to upload them all onto the computer tonight and I will start tomorrow. I also have to keep up with my WDW TR and dining reviews also so I have lots to do along with getting ready for college in a month (less!). So updates will probably be sporadic.

The trip was just me and my mom. I went down to L.A. for USC's freshman orientation (FIGHT ON! ) and we tacked on an extra day to see World of Color. We went to the park all day yesterday and this morning for a couple hours.

First update will come tomorrow.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Looking forward to your pics!

 

[DLR29]

Morning 7/22:

My mom and I drove from my grandparents' house to Worldmark Anaheim (where we stayed the night), and we dropped off the car there. Grabbed my camera and lanyard and ART pass and we were on our way! Walking through security I was super excited at this sight!

This was a different kind of trip for me. Since we had just been at WDW and now we have Premier Passes and I will be living in L.A. this upcoming year, we didn't feel the need to rush around and do everything. We relaxed, walked at a normal pace, and took everything in. Anyway, we arrived around 8:40 (so late for me ) and I got Space FPs immediately (although it was weird only getting 2 FP as usually I get 8+). Then we strolled over to Indy where we joined the short stand-by line. However 10 min into the line they said that they were closed...fine.

So we went over to Pirates and rode that first (what?? riding pirates first??? ). I know, I know, but we were really not in any kind of rush. It was strange! I am still working on getting good dark pictures while moving, but I can't quite figure it out on my camera. This is the best I got.

Then we went over to BTMRR which had a line but fortunately it moves quickly even though they were only running one side of the station at this time.

After the "Wildest Ride in the Wilderness", we chose to hop to try and get TSMM done with a short wait. On the way, we passed the Queen of Hearts. I guess she was trying to escape all of the construction at Alice!

Here's where I'll stop. Continuing either later today or tomorrow.

 

[DLR29]

We hopped through the esplanade littered with World of Color banners.

We made it just in time for rope drop, although we were a few rows back. I figured that since everyone was over getting a WoC FP TSMM's rush would be significantly lower...wrong. We still waited about 25-30 min first thing in the morning for it.

Here are a couple of artsy shots of the TSMM gun:

Upon exiting TSMM, I grabbed a Screamin FP for later. The designs on the DCA FPs have changed recently. They are no longer like the DL ones that have a unique color bar with the ride name at the top. It's hard to describe, but the new FPs look nicer. Anyway, we continued down the pier. Since Maliboomer is rumored to be leaving soon, I rode it with the single rider line. I won't really miss this ride. It's ok for the first 3 seconds, but there is really nothing special about it.

Next up was Silly Symphony Swings. I had never seen these open, so the whole area looked great for the first time! I love how the swings are now open and you have better views of Paradise Pier. Also the artwork on the center looks fantastic and the lightning effects are cool too.

Still having some time to kill before Screamin, we rode MM. I can't wait for this to become Goofy's Sky Skool. The only problem that happened was that when people don't exit properly, it causes a build up of cars on the brakes, which causes cars to stop on the tracks (because of the braking system). No pics here. Then we walked around Paradise Park because I had never seen it open either. It's such a great place just to relax and enjoy the ambience. Plus it provides great pics!

YAY! So excited for the show!

Fountains

Trying to be artsy, but the flowers are kinda wilted.

Finally, we returned to Screamin and used our FPs. The FP line was very long when we got there, but fortunately, they let tons of FP people go and we were on in no time for another great ride.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Great pics so far! I love the "Wildest Ride in the Wilderness" -- can't wait to ride it again this fall, as it was down for refurb during my last visit. And yeah...those flowers are looking a little on the neglected side. Definitely not the best advertisement for the World of Color theme.

 

[QueenDoOver]

It is fun to hear your perspective now that you feel more at liesure! I also want to improve my night pictures this year. It is difficult, I know! How long was the ART ride from Worldmark?

 

[DLR29]

Great pics so far! I love the "Wildest Ride in the Wilderness" -- can't wait to ride it again this fall, as it was down for refurb during my last visit. And yeah...those flowers are looking a little on the neglected side. Definitely not the best advertisement for the World of Color theme.

Yeah well the show pretty much advertises itself. Thanks for reading!

It is fun to hear your perspective now that you feel more at liesure! I also want to improve my night pictures this year. It is difficult, I know! How long was the ART ride from Worldmark?

It was definitely a different trip going at a slower pace. The ART ride from Worldmark was so short; probably like 5 minutes max if you have to stop at the 3 stoplights, 3 if you get all greens. There are only 3 hotels on the Worldmark ART route and most people (by far) on that route are from Worldmark! Worldmark's the last stop, so you go straight to the parks. But even at the end of the day, nobody really got off at the other stops so we got to Worldmark very quickly.

 

[Eight]

First of all, as a fellow Trojan (albeit a fellow Trojan is currently taking a break), I have to say, "Fight on!"

It's so nice to live (relatively) close to parks, because as you said, you can take on the parks at a more leisurely pace. Granted, racing around is fun too, but it's nice to know you can come back soon enough if you don't get everything in.

I love the picture you took on Pirates. Mine never turn out that well.

Can't wait to hear about World of Color.

 

[DLR29]

First of all, as a fellow Trojan (albeit a fellow Trojan is currently taking a break), I have to say, "Fight on!"

It's so nice to live (relatively) close to parks, because as you said, you can take on the parks at a more leisurely pace. Granted, racing around is fun too, but it's nice to know you can come back soon enough if you don't get everything in.

I love the picture you took on Pirates. Mine never turn out that well.

Can't wait to hear about World of Color.

Yay, a fellow Trojan! Thanks, I try to take a bunch of pics everytime, on different settings, but I still can't seem to get a clear one. I'm guessing it's just because my camera is not all that fancy.

 

[DLR29]

It's about lunch time so we are headed from Screamin to pick up our WoC picnic meals, but first we stop by the Mission Tortilla Factory. I've never ever been in, so it was a new experience. It wasn't reall much of an experience, but the fresh tortilla at the end was delicious.

We wanted to cross the main path, but what's in the way?? The HSM3 show... so instead, we decided to go into the bakery tour. I thought it would be just like the tortilla factory so I had low expectations. It was way better because of the hosts and the time taken to explain each of the machines. Plus, the extra sourdough didn't hurt!

Upon exiting, we went around HSM3 and went to get our picnics. I got the "All American" and my mom got the "I forgot the name but it had the cured meats and cheeses and tiramisu". We shared both of them. I really really liked the chicken and the apple pie. The potato salad was overly onion-y and the coleslaw was just ok (In my opinion). I also tried some of my mom's meats (yummy), cheese and crackers (mmmm), and I had her artichoke heart (one of my favorite foods). The tiramisu was so rich and creamy, and my mom said it was the best part of hers. Overall, we were glad that we had the picnics because we didn't have to deal with the FP chaos.

After lunch we explored the Blue Sky Cellar. This trip we were trying to enjoy the smaller attractions (tortillas and bakery), so this was a must do. I loved seeing all of the art concepts for the future attractions at DCA. Goofy's Sky Skool looks great, and the Little Mermaid is gonna be AMAZING! Here are a couple pics of the layout (2D and 3D)

The big room is the "Under the Sea" room

Next, we hopped since we had Space FP to use. But first I stopped to get an Indy FP. Then we rode JC. Even though I've been on this ride many many times, there is at least one fresh joke every time I ride!

 

[disneycrazycatlady]

HI. My daughter went to Freshman orientation at USC too. Fight On!!

Good luck to you at USC. We live in Florida and will be spending a few days at DL prior to taking her to bandcamp on August 15. Cant wait to see WoC!!

 

[DLR29]

HI. My daughter went to Freshman orientation at USC too. Fight On!!

Good luck to you at USC. We live in Florida and will be spending a few days at DL prior to taking her to bandcamp on August 15. Cant wait to see WoC!!

Awesome! It's great because DLR is so close to USC. Is she gonna get a pass? I would definitely recommend it, especially because Star Tours 2 and Little Mermaid open next May/June.

 

[Eight]

Yay, a fellow Trojan! Thanks, I try to take a bunch of pics everytime, on different settings, but I still can't seem to get a clear one. I'm guessing it's just because my camera is not all that fancy.

I do the same thing, but yeah, they never turn out. I even brought my DSLR once, and still couldn't get anything half decent.

Would you say Blue Sky Cellar worth going to?

 

[DLR29]

I do the same thing, but yeah, they never turn out. I even brought my DSLR once, and still couldn't get anything half decent.

Would you say Blue Sky Cellar worth going to?

I like going to the Blue Sky Cellar because they always are rotating the exhibits and have something new. It's exciting to see what's coming to DCA, especially how cool the Little Mermaid is going to be and Carsland looks awesome too! It's a neat little place to go if you are interested in looking at some cool concept art of the future DCA stuff.

 

[DLR29]

Working on an update right now.

 

[DLR29]

After Jungle Cruise we jumped over to Tomorrowland. First I really wanted to see Captain EO because I hadn't ever before. It was just ok...very 80's. The seats bouncing to the beat was humorous. But I was really tired and I could have fallen asleep.

We then used our Space FP which gave me something similar to a sugar rush, so I was slightly awake, but still not completely alert. Next on the list was Sleeping Beauty's Castle Walkthrough, which I had not been through since right when it reopened.

I still don't know how they make the scenes look so realistically 3D. My camera wasn't cooperating very well, plus it was very crowded and people were rushing us through...

Since we were on the hunt for rides that we hadn't just ridden at WDW we hit up Toad next. It was a decent sized line but it did move. I haven't waited in line for this in a long time because I'm used to riding it first thing after Peter Pan/Dumbo/Matterhorn/Alice.

Our last thing before leaving to check-in was "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln". I had never been in here before so it was fun trying another new thing. We got there right as the show was starting so we didn't get to look at the exhibit until after. I liked the show because I like history and the audio-animatronic Lincoln was amazing!

The Capitol (not the White House, as another observing guest remarked.. )

After the show we looked around at the exhibits. My mom really appreciated the old tickets (A, B, C, etc.). I love looking at old concept art. Then we poked our head into the other Disney exhibit celebrating the 55th anniversary. We also observed a CM doing some amazing drawings! Anyway, we took a break, went back to Worldmark, checked in, and I was so tired that I took a long nap.

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

 

[deejdigsdis]

Great pics from some unusual angles!

Hmmm, now I'm excited to stop in and see "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln." I enjoy history as well. I didn't know there were other non-Lincoln things there. LOL about the "White House" observation.

 

[DLR29]

Great pics from some unusual angles!

Hmmm, now I'm excited to stop in and see "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln." I enjoy history as well. I didn't know there were other non-Lincoln things there. LOL about the "White House" observation.

I've taken so many pics at Disneyland that sometimes it's hard to take new pics, so I just have been taking different angles!

As for Lincoln, there's a little exhibit with some history stuff, but the main exhibit is about Disneyland's history. There's a bunch of cool pics and memorabilia in there.

 

[DLR29]

After our afternoon break (a nice hour+ nap), we returned and went on HM. Indy was down again so we couldn't use our FP again...Anyway, HM was a wonderful ride and very spooky!

Best attempt at a HM pic with this camera...

Then we checked again to see if Indy had reopened. Thankfully it had, but the line was short so our FPs were nearly useless. Oh well. For those who haven't been in a while Indy has gotten some effects touched up. Both eyes of the Mara were smoking and looked great! There was a new scrim after you go around the bubbling pit, and I've never seen the rat room look clearer! Great job Disney!

By now it was reaching 7:00 so we hopped over to DCA. Even though the ticket said return between 7:30 and 8:30, I knew that we had to be there earlier to get good spots. They were trying out a new strategy that night: separate everybody beforehand into color groups. So blue was on the left by the lighthouse pillar thing, yellow in the middle and red was on the right by the SF buildings. It was slightly confusing but they said that it was the first night of trying it out. Here is the crowd at around 7:30

Fortunately we had gotten there pretty early and were close to the front of the blue section

They let the preferred people go in first, then red, followed by yellow and finally us.

We got spots on a rail on the first tier (not the boardwalk). It was kinda across the way from Ariel's Grotto.

Our view

Since we were waiting for like 2 hours, I went and got us a teriyaki chicken bowl from the Lucky Dragon Fortune Cookery, which we shared. Then my mom sent me on a mission to go get popcorn. There were no popcorn stands pretty much anywhere nearby. I had to go to the opposite side of the Pier before I found a stand (by Mickey's Fun Wheel) Needless to say, I missed most of the pre-show with the amazingly cool puppets. I did get a couple of pics though. It was hard because they kept moving and it was crowded.

Show about to start

Then the show started and it was FABULOUS! It was so much fun! Pure Disney Magic! I can't believe how they synced the colors to the music to the water! It blew my mind! I loved every bit of it! DCA really has a gem on their hands. But I didn't take pics until after because I just wanted to take it all in. Here's my best one from after the show.

After the show we went over to get another TSMM ride in before heading off. Needless to say, the line was not any shorter than during the day. We ended up waiting like 45 min. But we saw some of the fireworks while in line which was good.

Then as we exited, we stopped by the bakery in the zephyr train to get breakfast items for the next day. I also stopped by Glow Fest to check it out. I liked all of the neon and pop music (although the Justin Bieber song was questionable ), but maybe that's because I'm still a teen young'n. It seemed like everyone there was having a blast! And if it's making $ for DCA and keeping people there at night then I'm definitely all for it!

Fun dance party!

So we headed out and went back to Worldmark.