LoT Meet for Carsland Craziness: June 15th

[BarTopDancer]

Show up whenever. Peoplewatch the insanity with your closest friends.

Bring phone chargers and power strips! If you weren't there on Leap Day you wouldn't understand.

[katiesue]

Maddie will be there - she's counting the hours. I'm not sure yet if I can take the day or not. It'll be a last minute thing.

[€uroMeinke]

I have the day off, and it's not a block out day.

[Ghoulish Delight]

:(

About 90% sure I'll be in San Jose that day for work.

My flight back lands at 5:30PM. Park hours show DCA closes at 11. I will head home from the airport to see CP and T, but MAYBE after dinner and T is asleep. Maybe.

[madmonkeygirl]

Matt and I will be inside Disneyland. Don't thnk we even want to set foot inside DCA at all. will wait until another visit to experience Cars Land.

[Moonliner]

Given the "Are you camping out overnight" threads I've seen on other sites, I'm curious what "early" means to this group.

Wish I could be there for this one. Have a great time!

[innerSpaceman]

I'm with the Are You Insane group ... but only because I have a job that keeps me in Los Angeles. It's very difficult for me to get a Friday off, otherwise I'd be there (mostly for the Monorail Pool offer, but also to get a glimpse of the madness).

[€uroMeinke]

Before noon?

[BarTopDancer]

Before sunrise. Or rope drop. I suppose it depends on what Twitter is coming back with.

[madmonkeygirl]

Exactly there ARE a lot of people who will be camping out etc so I won't be surprised if DCA reaches capacity by noontime. I will be across the way in the other park as early as we can arrive that morning.

[€uroMeinke]

I will drink beer

[innerSpaceman]

I envy Tom and LSPE. My ideal day would be spent half in the Monorail Pool and half on the balcony of my hotel room with binoculars watching the craziness in DCA with a cocktail in hand.

[BarTopDancer]

MMG - I'm glad you and CM have a plan that works for you two. Besides, that just means there will be 2 less people adding to the crowds in DCA.

[madmonkeygirl]

Yup we figure it's going to be insane in DCA so we really want to ride the Matterhorn so we plan on entering Disneyland and staying away from DCA and the insanity. I personally can wait to experience Cars Land (guess I'm spoiled by Transformers and Universal).

[Chernabog]

I want to get there early on Saturday... like many others here, Friday is a wee bit o' work.

[BarTopDancer]

That's what vacation days are for ;)

[keith - SuPeR K!]

I'll be there. All day. BVS. Must see walls down. I don't expect to ride much, but do I ever? LOL

[cirquelover]

I really want to vote ; No, I hate you all. It's just because I am jealous though.

Have fun everyone!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

The kiddo and I will be there, ramming ankles with the big stroller, reveling in the craziness, making memories that will last a lifetime.

Of course living nearby means we can bail if we need to. We'll see how T does.

I have no idea when we'll get there, not crack of dawn by any measure, probably more like 9 or 10am.

I wonder what parking will be like...Toy Story lot is never a problem but we'll see if the Craziness extends outward.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Bank of America farmer's market won't be seeing me that Friday, Richard may not see me on Saturday! Don't care if I get on rides or not, just want to be there. (And, if I stood in a line for FOUR HOURS to ride Indy when it opened, I suspect I'll be happy enough to stand in a comparable line for Radiator Springs Racers) Won't be speeding to the back of the park to get to Cars Land, I'll get there when I get there. Plenty of hours in the day, and I want to experience Buena Vista Street unhurried.

[Kevy Baby]

Won't be speeding to the back of the park to get to Cars Land, I'll get there when I get there. Plenty of hours in the day, and I want to experience Buena Vista Street unhurried.Don't forget to stop in Bugs Land on your way in to get your RSR FP.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Carp. I work that day. I want to hear all about it!

[Gemini Cricket]

I will be in town for this but I don't know if I can go that day. I made a prior commitment. If it falls through, I'll let ya know.

[BarTopDancer]

The kiddo and I will be there, ramming ankles with the big stroller, reveling in the craziness, making memories that will last a lifetime.

Screw Lisa as our fearless leader. Jen and Theo in the front to make a path! :evil:

[katiesue]

I've got the day off so we're in! I've got a room booked at the Crowne Plaza for Thursday and Friday. Do we have any times or anything yet?

[katiesue]

Here's the official line up info (http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/06/for-your-information-guests-planning-to-visit-disney-california-adventure-park-when-it-opens-on-june-15/)

[katiesue]

From the comments section-

If I’m staying at a resort nearby, can I show up at 11, get a wrist band, and then go back to my room for a while? Do you know what time the wrist bands will be handed out? Where will the beginning of the line be? I am so excited!!

Answer from the blog I wouldn’t recommend it, Stephanie. The line may move at times, and you may not be able to find your place again if you are away for too long.

[madmonkeygirl]

Matt and I are taking Brad down Froday morning. I'd like to know if possible when most are going to show up as to plan how early morning we need to be down there (only thing I will camp out for is Bon Jovi..did it sorta once and Matt did that once) Anyways I want to make sure he is with the group if possible. We were going to discuss this tomorrow with him since we will be together at Universal Studios for most of the day

[Morrigoon]

Let's plan a lunch meet at Paradise Grill for, say, 1pm? I'm sure many will join up earlier, but this would provide for varying arrival times and immediate need to experience or fastpass things. (Overthought much?)

[madmonkeygirl]

If those coming later can get into DCA. I will let Brad know that is a possibility of that for sure :)

[madmonkeygirl]

Is there a Plan B IF DCA is at capacity for those late comers? That's why we are trying to figure out what insane hour to go down there with Brad

[Morrigoon]

There's barely a plan A. Plan B probably involves a combination of Foursquare and FB statuses (or a trip to the pharmacist ;))

[€uroMeinke]

We have smart phones now - just have your Siri talk to my Siri

[Kevy Baby]

Yes Sir(i)

[Morrigoon]

I imagine those who make it into DCA will not be eager to leave it, so those who do not will be on our own to figure something out over at DL.

I say this in full knowledge of the possibility that I may be in group B because try as I might, I hardly ever manage to actually leave the house before 11.

[madmonkeygirl]

Ok that's why I'm debating when to leave....I do NOT want to camp out yet want to arrive before opening. I do NOT want the nightmare parking situation either so as early as possible for us then

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Supposedly, I will be there at 9am.

[madmonkeygirl]

We are picking up Brad at 3am and heading down there although not sure at that ungodly hour why but to join the insanity I guess hope the late comers get in

[Kevy Baby]

Good Morning America has a contest to win tix to Cars Land (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/mailform?id=16544540) (in case you want to enter)

[Ghoulish Delight]

Bold (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47822841/ns/local_news-orange_county_ca/#.T9p8y7XY-oQ)

[Kevy Baby]

Bold (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47822841/ns/local_news-orange_county_ca/#.T9p8y7XY-oQ)I like this line (from the article) about the original DCA: "Yet, 'We're empty, come on over' isn't much of a sales line." (it's funny because it's true).

Then: "This time, it was 'Overbuild It And They will Come' with California Adventure."

[Gn2Dlnd]

I hope to be there in the morning around 6:30.

Ish.

[keith - SuPeR K!]

Here! Seated in line in the Esplanade :)

[Morrigoon]

What's the deal then? They giving wristbands or what?

[Kevy Baby]

Keith, Katiesue & Maddie, Tom & Heidi (with their niece and nephews) and Susan & were there at 11:00 and finally got our wristbands at 2:00 - we are right in front, in front of the Good Morning America lights and cameras. Marla and BJ got there later (3-4 ish I think) and got wristbands a little further back. Check Twitter and maybe FB for later updates.

Susan and I came back home for a 2-hour nap and are heading back now.

[innerSpaceman]

Heheh, me being me, I rather like this line from the article: "It's a re-expansion that took nerve, as Disney is essentially doubling down on the site of an originally deeply flawed concept."


Concept and basic lame layout the same. Execution, much much much better.

[Alex]

From the article GD linked to:

The original thesis was to create a low-key experience, heavy on shopping and food and low on entertainment -- minus my favorite theme park attraction of all time: the Soarin' Over California movie/flight ride.Can any other words be taken serious from a person who apparently said such a thing--the favorite ride part--sincerely?

[innerSpaceman]

It was my favorite DCA ride for a long time. :blush:

[Ghoulish Delight]

It was my favorite DCA ride for a long time. :blush:

That's a defensible position for a park short on great attractions. But favorite theme park attraction of all time?!?!?!

Fail.

[Alex]

Personally, after the first ride on each, Superstar Limo was a more interesting ride to me than Soarin'. Soarin' is boring after the first ride, Superstar Limo at least had its awfulness going for it as a point of interest.

But yeah, I don't so much care if someone says it is their favorite in the park. But to say it is their favorite ever anywhere suggests to me that they've only ever visited one park, one time.

[innerSpaceman]

It's amazing to me that Soarin' actually held my interest for 10 rides ... and I still enjoy it if exposing it to someone who's never been on it.


I haven't ridden Racers yet, but for now - I think my favorite DCA attraction is Toy Story Mania. It's not really a park short on good attractions, but it's still short on attractions I'm personally excited to experience (though I find many of them perfectly pleasant).

The same ennui holds true of Disneyland, but only because I'm so intensely bored with most of them - after literally hundreds of rides. But I'd not hesitate to say that there are at least 8 Disneyland attractions that are "better" than anything in DCA, imo of course.

[lashbear]

Soooooo.... anything happening in DCA today ?

[Kevy Baby]

Saw some friends, tried some new attractions, took in the sites. Overall, a nice day.

Unless you've been following me on FB, then you know how I really feel (hint: I REALLY liked it).

[Snowflake]

Pictures, pretty please

[BarTopDancer]

Fvcking phenomenal. Lisa was speechless.

Pictures here (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150943045062954.435992.701227953&type=1&l=8500555893)

[Isaac]

It's amazing to me that Soarin' actually held my interest for 10 rides ... and I still enjoy it if exposing it to someone who's never been on it.


I haven't ridden Racers yet, but for now - I think my favorite DCA attraction is Toy Story Mania. It's not really a park short on good attractions, but it's still short on attractions I'm personally excited to experience (though I find many of them perfectly pleasant).

The same ennui holds true of Disneyland, but only because I'm so intensely bored with most of them - after literally hundreds of rides. But I'd not hesitate to say that there are at least 8 Disneyland attractions that are "better" than anything in DCA, imo of course.

Steve, you will like this so much, you will renew your AP.

Keith: ;)

[€uroMeinke]

I think I'll roll in sometime after 1:00, check out the sites of Buena Vista street and grab a bite at the 3 Pigs (Is there a Starbucks in there?). Then maybe catch some street performers doing some period music and a little Who's afraid of the big bad wolf.

I hear the Bar at Cathay Circle is something not to be missed so maybe I'll have one of those Cathay Manhattans - you know, the one's they make with a single Ice Sphere? If I'm luicky maybe I can get Kevy & Kieth to join me.

Then after I've checked out Buena Vista, I'll slowly make my way to cars land to check out the ambiance there. Who knows, maybe the single rider line will be reasonable enough to catch a ride so late in the day?

Depending on how the day goes, I may also stay to see the lighting of all the neon signs - especially the one for Lube-o-rama - and say hi to John Lasseter should I see him.

I'll probably still leave before closing but may swing through the mad tea party on my way out.

Yeah, that sounds like a perfect day...

[Kevy Baby]

I posted a bunch of pictures on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.330041253739816.72812.100002018317303&type=3). Sorry for not being more selective.

I am Sofa King tired.

[Kevy Baby]

I don't know if it is because I was tired or because life has been "less than ideal" for me lately (or a combination of the two), but I found myself tearing up a few times yesterday. The place is just wonderful!!! The overall look and feel of Buena Vista street and Cars Land is just stunning. And then the attention to the minute details is just astounding (I'm still tripping over the plants they found that look just like weeds for the queue in Mater's Junkyard Jamboree).

The place is magical. Spending the crazy day with crazy friends: it couldn't have been better (unless more of you were there).

[innerSpaceman]

Cocktails at the Carthay? Somewhat tempting to go on one of the last Saturdays I'll be able to for a while (I switch to Deluxe mid-summer).

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Really regret not being a part of this. :(

We're heading there today with hopes.

[Kevy Baby]

There is a small part of me that wants to go tomorrow just to see how insane it will be when the So Cal passes can get in for the first time :evil:

[BarTopDancer]

There is a small part of me that wants to go tomorrow just to see how insane it will be when the So Cal passes can get in for the first time :evil:

Seriously! I wonder if DCA will actually reach capacity. Maybe that's why the queue tape is still up.

[CoasterMatt]

Fastpasses for Radiator Springs Racers were gone again super quick this morning.

[madmonkeygirl]

Going with Brad made getting there at 4am worth every single sleepless second. It wouldn't have mattered had we arrived any earlier either. I really am glad we decided to go and be there for Opening Day. As insane as it was my 2 rides in Racers I managed to get both versions (Luigi's Tires and Ramone's Paint) and win my races BOTH times. S I am completely satisfied. I feel so privileged to have had Brad with us for the majority of the trip. I LOVE the lights at night. Hopefully when crowds die down I want to go back just to sit there and watch the lights.

[CoasterMatt]

http://i.imgur.com/R3N3k.jpg

[madmonkeygirl]

Good Luck Mark. Today I'm sure will be even worse crowd sis than yesterday. I'm sure there will be even worse lines to go inside the stores as well. I can't wait until weekdays after summer when hopefully can walk down the street without the mobs of people.
Tip: if single rider is available use it. ALSO the stand by line only posts a wait of 4hours but actually was over 6 yesterday. YES guests waited 6 hours to ride.

[Disneyphile]

I've just seen pics and read reports that the crowd is about half of yesterday's, with more reasonable wait times. Probably due to the fact that only Premium APs are not blocked out. I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time, Mark! :)

[madmonkeygirl]

Ya BUT it's not like Opening Day. I can happily say iwas THERE for Opening Day :)

[Morrigoon]

Ouch

[Ghoulish Delight]

We went today. A perfectly pleasant day. I wish I could have been there having fun with everyone yesterday, but I'm definitely glad I got to see it today.

It really surpassed my expectations, top to bottom (with the caveat that we didn't get to ride anything so I can pass no judgment on the attractions). Brimming with Disney magic.

[Disneyphile]

Yeah, BUT I can say I was there BEFORE opening day! So, no one will have as a good time as I had. And, I won a contest for that entry, so I'm special.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Thank you for all the reports and pictures- it's all I'm going to get for a while unless I buy a blackout day pass if I truly can't stand waiting any longer.

[BarTopDancer]

Yeah, BUT I can say I was there BEFORE opening day! So, no one will have as a good time as I had. And, I won a contest for that entry, so I'm special.

Well no one likes an overachiever so...


;)

[Disneyphile]

Yeah, but I'm still special. :P

[CoasterMatt]

Damn right you are!

[Moonliner]

Loving all the reports and photos! It's the next best thing to having been there myself.

You are ALL special in my book. :snap:

[katiesue]

We went again today. It definitely wasn't as crowded. Wonderful day yesterday. More later my feet are killing me.

And I'm the extra specialist because I went to a nighttime preview, camped out the whole night and went the first and second days.

[katiesue]

Nice group of peeps

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yE2_Fj2BlCk/T91RVQqVw6I/AAAAAAAALjM/8iXg6X0QRrQ/s729/P6150042.JPG

full album here photos (https://plus.google.com/photos/111230570067952530933/albums/5754844699301792193?authkey=CLDN8cjJu_eaBw)

[Disneyphile]

Damn. Katie wins.

[CoasterMatt]

Yup Katie took the challenge and slayed it like a boss.

[Morrigoon]

OMFG so I finally got on Mater and RSR.... Awesome!!!! Love it all! Now the only one I haven't done is Luigi.

[Kevy Baby]

YES guests waited 6 hours to ride.Actually, people waited over seven hours (talked to two separate groups saying that)

Yeah, but I'm still special. :PAs is evidenced by the length of the bus you ride in :)

[lashbear]

Really regret not being a part of this. :(

Me too.

...and I'm not likely to get to DCA anytime soon. I'm UN-special.

Disney staying out of Aus SUCKS.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I love (and collect memorabilia from) Peter Pan, not because it's Disney's best movie, but because the ride is so wonderful that it makes me appreciate the movie more.

My reaction to the Cars movies was a generally positive one, but without much attachment to them. They were definitely my least favorite Pixar films (though we liked the second one more than others did, if they saw it at all.) But like Peter Pan, Cars Land has made me appreciate the movie so very, very much more.

Also, I'd just like to quote myself for the record, from a discussion here on 4/28 where people were complaining about it being a slot-car Test Track copycat with nothing new to offer...

Yeah, I know it has similar functionality to Test Track. But I really wouldn't call it a copycat.

Here's where some things differ from person to person. I couldn't give a blind rat's sweet bippy about state-of-the-art. I care about detail, theme and storytelling. I'd be a happy woman if some talented imagineer could come up with another Pirates or Mansion ride - even if it was the exact same chassis - if it had compelling storytelling.

I don't have crazy high expectations, and I don't have a company bias (having seen Potter in Orlando, I know it's probably better than anything Disney is doing.)

But I'm to understand that this ride has dark ride elements. And I'm a dark ride girl. This ride has characters and story -- it's not just about, you know, taking a test car for a spin. THAT is what makes a ride for me - when there's a story (however vague or broken, in the case of Mansion/Pirates) that compels me.

Called it! Though, fascinatingly, I'd say that Cars Land AND Buena Vista Street have the same kind of elaborate detailing and thoughtful execution as Potter does.

[CoasterMatt]

The "dressed up slot car track" comment actually came to me from an Imagineer- who I think has been doing lots of drugs, because the first thing that hit me, was that RSR actually feels more like being in a car than Test Track, and the dark ride section is as close to anything done by WED/Imagineering at the height of their glory as anything I've ever seen. I'd say it's the best dark ride at Disneyland resort, and certainly near the top in the U.S. - Personally, I'd put it a notch above Transformers and Spiderman.

[Moonliner]

The "dressed up slot car track" comment actually came to me from an Imagineer- who I think has been doing lots of drugs, because the first thing that hit me, was that RSR actually feels more like being in a car than Test Track, and the dark ride section is as close to anything done by WED/Imagineering at the height of their glory as anything I've ever seen. I'd say it's the best dark ride at Disneyland resort, and certainly near the top in the U.S. - Personally, I'd put it a notch above Transformers and Spiderman.

Above Transformers? That's quite an accomplishment.... :evil:

I can tell you (http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/showpost.php?p=359798&postcount=1833) that plenty of Imagineers have ridden Transformers and they consider it a superior ride to even Forbidden Journey. Disney has built a pretty area with Radiator Springs, but in an industry where they used to be trailblazers, they've been stagnant for years now.

As for myself, Like LSPoorEeyorick, I nailed it....



Riding in a giant slot car would be freaking cool! (http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/showthread.php?p=358545&highlight=slot#post358545)

[madmonkeygirl]

Ya after yesterday and 3 more rides on Racers including a night ride I am now putting Racers as my number ONE favorite. As much as I like Transformers this is the first attraction by Disney that I find wanting to go back for more and more. (wanted a 4th ride but had to leave :() the dark portion beats anything else created. I really for the first time do NOT want to ride Test Track once it reopens. This in my opinion is much much better and I agree that Racers makes you feel like you are actually in a car unlike Test Track.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Two rides on RSR at the Saturday night preview event, which were phenomenal. Mater's is hysterical, Luigi's with Katie Sue was great fun. The beach balls add an extra level of silliness to the whole thing that totally sells it. No rides of any sort on opening day - BUT - after hanging out with the gang on Friday, exploring the Carthay, singing and dancing with Five and Dime, lunching at the FF&P, I had the happy fortune of meeting someone. Who I came back to hang out with on Saturday. Did Mater's, neon lighting, held hands on RSR, I can now say, without reservation, that Cars Land is the most romantic of all Disney Lands! Also, there was kissing!

caveat: He lives in San Francisco, so this may have been a one time only date. But still!

[Snowflake]

caveat: He lives in San Francisco, so this may have been a one time only date. But still!

Gives you a great excuse to come back and visit the Disney Museum! Go for it Cheeseman!

[innerSpaceman]

Cars Land has made me appreciate the movie so very, very much more.
I liked the movie Cars, but it's really - imo - one of the lesser Pixar efforts and notably one of only two Pixar films I don't have in my personal library. That's too bad, because I'm sure Cars Land will make me want to see it again.

But I don't believe it will make me think it's a better film. Some films turn out to be better in other forms.

My prime example, and imho only, is The Lion King. I never knew what the fuss was all about with that movie. Yawn. I loved the art direction, it had a few enjoyable characters. Some of the songs were good, but the story was a boring re-tread, and I never though the movie was nearly as special as obviously most humans on earth thought it was.

But then I noticed something interesting. I found the Elton John versions of the songs better than the movie versions. The songs were better than I thought. Then the Broadway show came out, and I found that superior in every way to the movie. More oddly still, I found Disneyland's Lion King Parade to be the best of all. So it was a movie that didn't much move me, but had the kernels of great entertainment that I found better suited to other formats.


I'm sure Cars Land will strike me the same way. I'll find it Better than the very cute movie, and I'll be satisfied with that - - happy in fact that one of the Pixar movies I liked least got itself a second lease on life with a new and different inCARnation.


:snap:

Meanwhile, Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday cannot get here soon enough!

[LSPoorEeyorick]

You're at the park Wednesday? Us, too!

[innerSpaceman]

Well, truthfully, I'll only be there from sunset on. Can't get there till after work. We'll be in DCA. If you're still around, give me a holler!!

[Gn2Dlnd]

Hey, after seeing that more people were going to be in the park on Wednesday, I called Disney Dining to see if I could add anyone to our 4 seat reservation at the Carthay. Alas, no. Place is booked up tighter than a showgirl's bustier. Yeah, that's right, I'm talking vintage now. Any youse mugs got a problem widdat?

Too much?

But, 8 pm, Carthay. Swing by, maybe that showgirl's got some wiggle room.

[innerSpaceman]

We might swing by just to say Hi. We wouldn't have time for dinner anyways, since it's going to be our first exposure to Cars Land and such. But a hello would be nice ... and if you folks are gonna hang out in the park after dinner, we could all hook up again for park-closing fun!

[Morrigoon]

Hey, after seeing that more people were going to be in the park on Wednesday, I called Disney Dining to see if I could add anyone to our 4 seat reservation at the Carthay. Alas, no. Place is booked up tighter than a showgirl's bustier. Yeah, that's right, I'm talking vintage now. Any youse mugs got a problem widdat?

Too much?

But, 8 pm, Carthay. Swing by, maybe that showgirl's got some wiggle room.

I believe I'm running around with Crazylegs and Ashley that day. Two small girls in a nice place like Carthay = no bueno. But I hope to run into you in the park at some point!

[RStar]

I was looking at the Carthay at noon today, and they were almost begging us to come in. They said we could have a table on the spot, but we had just ate at Flo's. :( Had I known.....