05-05-05

[Kels]

Wow, thanks for the report ISM. Now, I need to see about moving my November trip up a few months. I WANNA SEE THE FIREWORKS! I have to admit that I watched the 2nd video clip on LP as CP suggested and got all teary eyed as the ceremony came to a close. There was definately magic in the air.

Thanks again everyone for your thoughts and descriptions of the happenings over the last couple of days. For someone who doesn't get to the park nearly as often as I'd like, it's nice to live vicariously through you all.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I don't know if any of you trust the source, but Jim Hill is reporting of special guests being asked or who are interested in participating.

And that Bob Iger has asked Roy to do the "for all who come to this happy place" speech. I won't hold out hope, but it'd sure be nice.

[Not Afraid]

WOW!

We arrived in the Parking Garage right at 9, slowly made our way through the wait at the booth and into a nice space on Chip & Dale. The Tram wait was not too bad and we quickly made it through security and the front gates. The new Mickey Floral greeted us and made me feel so happy to be at Disneyland on this glorious day.

The Park was crowded. It was New Year's Eve crowded! I popped my head into Disneyana to say Hi and didn't make it further than the door as they were doing a brisk trade in books and CDs.

The ceremony was about to start so we made our way to the left side of the castle. I was hoping to find CP and Borneio but I couldn't get much further forward than I was. I had a slight, very limited view of the proceedings, not enough for any good pictures, though. I called the MousePod Hotline and recorded most of the goings-on - including the nice reception for Eisner. Booooooo. Hisssssss. Incredible. The daytime fireworks off the castle and the dove release were spectacular, as usual. Art Linkletter and Julie Andrews were so warmly recieved but the crowd, it was incredibly touching.

I decided that Disney Gallery would be a good place to hang out for a while, so we headed over there. Chris had pastries and coffee in mind. Well, the Gallery didn't open until Noon and most of the restaurants were either still closed or were never going to open. The closure of the Mint Julep Bar was a huge disappointment.

We waited for the Gallery to open as a line formed behind us. At Noon, the Gallery lead CM, Michelle, came out the door and gestered for us to come up. We all ran up the stairs like the kids after the cates of Fantasyland opened in 1955. It was so joyous! The Gallery was open again and all of our friendly CMs were there. I hugged everyone of them as I can through the door. Welcome Home!

The rest of the day was made up of a lot of relaxing on the Gallery balcony, looking at our new library purchases, eating a hard-earned bit to eat (ended up getting pastries, coffee, sandwiches and macaroons to go from the Main St Bakery). The lines for food throughout the park were AMAZING! I've never seen them quite like that before. From our perch on the balcony, we spotted some MousePlanet friends taking a guided tour of the Park. We exchanged waves from across New Orleans.

Suddenlt, there were a large group of MiceChat people who joined us on the balcony. Perfect timing! We were ready for an adventure in the Park. We wandered about looking at Gold vehicles, riding IASW, watching the TOP of the parade go by, liiking at the Castle decor and the fresh flowers that decorated each side of the walkway. (Personally, it looked like a memorial set up for someone who died - except there were not religious candles.)

We went to the "Lincoln" exhibit and tried to see things as best we could. I must go back on a less crowded day. but the scale model of the park is quite amazing. The Film had me in both ear to ear grins and tears. The did a really great job making memories come alive. I will see that over and over. (But, later, we had creepy visions of Lincoln sitting behind the screen just waiting to get up again).

We met up with some other MiceChat folks at the Train Station and then I started getting nervous about getting a seat for Fireworks. It was 6:30 and the fron of the castle was already filled with blankets and people. I went scouting and ran into Mr. Fusion, who has been "camping" since 2:30. He had a prime spot on the left side of the hub sidewalk and invited us to sit with him. THANK YOU MR. FUSION!!!! I enjoyed sitting for several hours and watching the crowd scramble for seats. We even had a brief rain storm to make things more exciting! But, things were clear for my first viewing of "Remember".

All I can say is WOW! I'm not going to give you spoilers. I am so glad I had none to speak of. I was in awe for a full 17 minutes and I can't wait to see it again! It was absolutely mind-blowing. I love fireworks more than I love just about anything at the Park and this just blew me away. Steve Davidson is a genius and a national treasure!

I took my second spin on an attraction (at that point, IASW had been it for me) and rode Jungle Cruise. I had seen the refurbed JC on Tuesday, but this time, we were in the Gold Boat with a skipper that did a new "bit" with the hippos that was mischiviously funny. We left after that and made our way to Hearthstone for a wind-down and recap.

I felt like I had spent the day with 60k of my closest friends. I ran into at least 200 people I knew and met a whole bunch more. I don't remember the last time I spent an entire day in the park, from opening to closing, never leaving for a run to DTD or DCA. It was a most satisfying day.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

The more I read these reports, the more bummed I am that we didn't attend. I was thinking "Eh, they will have a podium, there will be a few speakers, maybe Eisner or Matt. It'll be very crowded and not worth the hassle and I can see all this stuff later."

And now I see how completely wrong I was to miss it. Damn.

Oh well, with any luck, Sunday won't be too crowded and we'll get a nice glimpse of everything.

[Gn2Dlnd]

You know, ISM and NA really said it all. I kept commenting that, although the Park was heinously crowded, no one seemed to mind. Total party atmosphere. Food lines were the only downside. If the manager posted at Zocalo had told me it was closed because of a sick-out, I wouldn't have been bothered and could have chanced a trip into DTD. Instead, I got the "media" line, and was irritated at Disneyland management for not taking what they had to know were going to be huge crowds into consideration. Aside from that, a truly Christmas Morning kind of day. Could not sleep at all, the night before. The surprises on Jungle Cruise, the really satisfying Disneyland-at-their-best parade, plusses on nearly every attraction, Great Moments With Mr. Martin, and the never-could-I-have-expected-Disneyland-to-pull-out-of-the-doldrums-of-the-last-fifteen-years fireworks extravaganza, made for a wonderful day with friends, and have turned the "little park in Anaheim" back into the crown jewel of the Disney Kingdom.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Well, I'm not one for emotion, but I can tell you recalling everything that happened yesterday is just a wealth of emotion. I can tell you it was everything I'd hoped it would be.

The 50th exhibt was a rush of old memories and like NA, it was tears, laughter, tears and laughter.

The Jungle Cruise was so much fun. I had not been so wrapped up in antisipation throughout the ride probably since I first rode it.

The 50th ceremony was what it's all about. Julie Andrews, Art Linkletter and the music and the memories was just a rollarcoster of emotions.

Finally, the fireworks was a mix of amazment, joy, tears, memories and probably the most times I have ever said WOW! Oddly at first I thought I was just thinking, "Wow" but I found myself unrestrained and was shouting WOW! at least 50 times.

Wow!

[€uroMeinke]

The park has been transformed - it's hard to believe this is te same place we've been visiting the past few years, fresh paint, everythings clean, cool additions to rides and attractions - this is going to be a great Disney summer.

[Not Afraid]

Hey, FF. We'll be ther on Sunday too. I'm easy to spot.

[Gn2Dlnd]

That's what Cruella DeVille said.

[DisneyDaniel]

I will remember 05-05-05 as one of my best days at Disneyland because of the wonderful time had by spending the day with friends and fellow Disney fans. So, even with the massive crowd and early overflow of people in the Entry Plaza/Esplanade, it was satisfying "just being there" for the shared experience on a Disney geek day.

What was different about this day though, was that after "rope drop" on Main Street, the crowd did not disperse into the different lands like usual. The massive crowd of wall-to-wall people (that also overflowed out of Main Street) simply attempted to inch closer to the castle or only move a few feet down Main Street before reaching the media tents/scaffoldings blockade. Hence, most people in both the Hub/Central Plaza and Main Street could not see much of anything.

The official kick-off ceremony in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle was appropriate, but as expected, staged as an event for media, VIPs and public relations. I had pessimistically expected obstructed views and PR-spin in advance, so there were was neither disappointment nor satisfaction about the ceremony itself.

Seeing the improved aesthetics (gold touches everywhere, golden vehicles, Hidden "Mickey 50 Ears", photo collages, and Sleeping Beauty Castle makeover) made the entire day a feast for the eyes--"Oh, look at that...and there...and over here." Adding to that are the very well done Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years at the Opera House and the Art of Disneyland display at The Disney Gallery.

For Disney fans who think they "know" every ride, going on the new version of Jungle Cruise brought much excitement, satisfaction and plain ole fun with its changes--almost like riding it for the first time.

Also, be sure to ride Pirates of the Carribbean--one scene in particular has some improved effects that add some "boom" to the ride.

Capping off the day, of course, was Remember...Dreams Come True fireworks that is clearly and cleverly created with Disney fans in mind. Its "E-Ticket in the sky" description by Disney is 100 percent on target--and lives up to expectations. Sharing this fireworks experience for the first time with fellow Disney fans was extra special as we "geeked out" by applauding and reciting certain parts out loud instantaneously. Seeing the fireworks again on May 6th and 7th was still thrilling--but the May 5th crowd was unique.

Lastly, Block Party Bash at Disney's California Adventure is actually quite entertaining and massive. If you're a fan of parades, then you will enjoy this--but if you're usually not a parade fan, then it will at least be worth seeing if you like "Toy Story," "A Bug's Life," and "Monsters, Inc." I give a lot of credit to the Cast Members who dance, jump, do flips and move non-stop for most of the parade--they definitely keep the energy up and make the parade entertaining.

The only minor complaint, as others have mentioned, is the poor service at most food locations that day. But then again, having Plaza Inn, Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante and The Golden Horseshoe--THREE major food locations--closed on one of Disneyland's most popular days is going to cause congestion at all the remaining, in-park food options.

Thanks to all the Disney fans out there--especially people from the LoT--for making 05-05-05 a memorable day!