DL trip report 1/28/05 - kinda strange.
 

We headed over to the park yesterday to see the new haunted mansion effects and maybe play in the rain. We were able to do half of that, as the skies started clearing as soon as we got there. This is the second time we have headed to the park, driving in a downpour all the way, only to get there and get dissed on the rain. Oh well.

First of all, the new effects in HM are wonderful. We were pretty amazed, although I don't want to give anything away. The only disappointment is that we were led from the outdoor queu directly to the elevator, instead of hearing the spiel in the first room. I really hate when they do this and I wish this practice would stop. Anyone that was experiencing the ride for the first time missed the whole prelude. It's one of the biggest pet peeves that I have at the park. Regardless though, they did a really wonderful job on this attraction and I hope more things like this are in store for some of the other rides.

A strange thing happened later in the evening, one that kind of freaked us out. While walking down Main St. we suddenly heard the very loud noise of jet engines that seemed way too close to the park. I immediately feared that a plane on approach to JW airport was having trouble and perhaps crashing. It was that loud. I was dreading hearing an explosion but it never came. Then, a few minutes later, the same sound started up again. This time we could see what appeared to be a military jet that was flying very low and almost circling the parks. I have no idea why this plane (or planes) were flying so close to the park but it did rattle us quite a bit. We weren't alone either. Nearly everyone around us on Main Street stopped in their tracks and watched the skies for a few moments.

I guess I'm just a bit gunshy still but, ever since 9/11, the last sound I want to hear is a jet screaming toward me when I'm in a place that has been deemed a potential target. All I could think of was that the elections are taking place this weekend in Iraq and an attack on this country in protest wouldn't be the most far-fetched idea. That's probably an over-reaction but these are the kinds of things one thinks about when the whole surrounding area is shaking from this deafening noise.

We didn't stick around the park much longer as I kind of wanted to get near a radio to see if there was any explanation for what had happened. On the way home, we never heard anything about a plane on the news. I suppose it was just someone getting a bit too close to the park for my comfort.

I am curious though. Were any of you at the park last night to hear this? I want to say that it occurred around 7pm.

MBC, Tom and I were there last night. We heard the loud jet noise, but only once. Also noticed the relatively low-flying plane, though I couldn't tell it between military or civilian. I live about 15 mins south of the LA airport and I have heard these LOUD jet sounds a few times, which I've dismissed as a plane using an alternate route or something (since the loud sounds are not a common occurence).

Not sure what the Disneyland one was about though, but I can confirm that we heard it too. 7pm sounds about right.

Oh, and yes, the Haunted Mansion was enjoyable, rode it twice in a row.

Considering that DL was a prime 9/11 target, the fears are quite justified.

The second time we heard the noise, about 15 minutes later, we were in DCA. It wasn't as loud as the first time but it sounded similar. Due to a less obstructed view at DCA, we were able to see that what we heard (at least the second time) was definitely a military fighter jet. It appeared to make a wide circle around the park. We couldn't tell if it was following the first sound we heard or if it had made an earlier pass at a lower altitude and that's what we heard. Regardless, I can't figure out at all why a military jet would be circling around this area. It just seemed strange. Still does.

The expatriate voting was at El Toro, maybe that had something to do with it? How far is El Toro from Disneyland?

I was at Disneyland during the first home game of the World Series in 2002, and when they did the flyover, I thought someone was crashing a plane into the park, it was so fricken loud!

Hmm, that is certainly a possibility. I believe it is about 15 miles south of the park. Although it is rare for jets to go in and out of there these days.

When I was working in Irvine near the 5 and Jeffrey, Air Force One flew seemingly inches away from my building in preparation of landing at El Toro for Nixon's funeral. I would suspect something going on at ElToro for this incident......however, I didn't know they were still using the airstrip at El Toro.

I don't know if they're still using the airstrip there or not. The only thing that made me think of El Toro was the fact that the voting was going on there. (That was yesterday, right?)

Yeah, that makes the most sense but I didn't know that was still a functioning airport either.

And yeah, I did hear that voting was taking place there yesterday, which also surprised me.