L
lunchbox
Lurker
dang, sounds like a nice saturday. i've been blocked since early june. see you again in august or september, disneyland!
All Things:THEME PARKS
- Thread starter jerseydevil
- Start date
D
darby
Lurker
I was there on Saturday, too from about 4 to 9 or so. Thank God for blackout days.
Got a fast pass for Hyperspace, rode Big Thunder, Pirates, and Haunted Mansion. Went over to DCA, grabbed a beer from the Strauss cart and hung out at the pier for a bit, then went to Cars Land, rode Luigi's and Mater. Had dinner at Flo's. Went back across to use our Hyperspace fast passes and was in the parking lot before the fireworks started.
The only disappointment was when my friend saw these light up Star Wars mouse ears. We saw them when we got the fastpasses, but she wanted to see them at night. We stopped again to get them before getting on the ride, but they were gone.
Got a fast pass for Hyperspace, rode Big Thunder, Pirates, and Haunted Mansion. Went over to DCA, grabbed a beer from the Strauss cart and hung out at the pier for a bit, then went to Cars Land, rode Luigi's and Mater. Had dinner at Flo's. Went back across to use our Hyperspace fast passes and was in the parking lot before the fireworks started.
The only disappointment was when my friend saw these light up Star Wars mouse ears. We saw them when we got the fastpasses, but she wanted to see them at night. We stopped again to get them before getting on the ride, but they were gone.
beedee
4th Line Rabble-Rouser
We hit Knott's on Sunday from 1pm-6:30pm. (my DL SoCal pass is blocked, but my wife's DL Premium pass wasn't) I hadn't been there during the day time since I....I....I couldn't tell ya. We usually go every other year for Scary Farm. We used a discount coupon from McDonalds and saved $27 off each adult admission, so $90 for us both, and $18 to park....the same parking fee as Disneyland.
Being that it was a holiday weekend we expected it to be crowded, in which it was. Our daughter will be 1 in two weeks, so I wasn't too concerned with hitting the rides, nor was my wife. Plus, all the coasters and spinners make me sick, so the day was more about cruising around and checking out Ghost Town Alive. This was cool, seeing characters walking around interacting with the guests, and carrying out stories with the guests involving other characters. There were also shopkeepers, bankers, etc. in front of their respective establishments, it was fun to talk to them. The only rides we hit were there big train, then the Calico Mine Train, then we ate a late lunch after walking around a bit. After lunch we caught the 3:30 Snoopy on Ice, Blockbuster Beagle show, which was very entertaining. They don't have much space to skate on that stage, so seeing what they were able to do was amazing. The music was current and there was a good variety of scenes to keep it moving along quite nicely. Once that ended we grabbed a funnel cake and then relaxed for a bit at our shaded table over near the boardwalk games. My wife wanted to hit Supreme Scream, so she went on that, it was only a 10 minute wait. The baby was still sleeping so we just walked around through Camp Snoopy and then Ghost Town again. We caught glimpses of the 5:30pm HOEDOWN that took place, that looked fun, as they involve the guests. I really wanted to hit the Mystery Lodge show, but it started at 6:30pm, and I thought it had started at 6:00. Since it was only 5:45pm, I really didn't want to stick around that area for 45 minutes (as it was kind of warm), nor did I really want to do another lap around the park. We decided we would head out. As we were leaving we noticed the Native American Dancer was about to begin, so we stopped and watched that, then bounced.
Overall it was a decent day, but it reaffirmed that we wouldn't buy a Season Pass for KBF. Even though they were super cheap ($120 for the base, without parking) we couldn't see ourselves going there more than a couple times a year. I grew up with going to KBF a few times a year as a kid, including big ol' family dinners at the Chicken Dinner restaurant, so there is some nostalgia factor, but the giant roller coaster pillars that intrude just about everywhere in the park really kill the theming for me.
Being that it was a holiday weekend we expected it to be crowded, in which it was. Our daughter will be 1 in two weeks, so I wasn't too concerned with hitting the rides, nor was my wife. Plus, all the coasters and spinners make me sick, so the day was more about cruising around and checking out Ghost Town Alive. This was cool, seeing characters walking around interacting with the guests, and carrying out stories with the guests involving other characters. There were also shopkeepers, bankers, etc. in front of their respective establishments, it was fun to talk to them. The only rides we hit were there big train, then the Calico Mine Train, then we ate a late lunch after walking around a bit. After lunch we caught the 3:30 Snoopy on Ice, Blockbuster Beagle show, which was very entertaining. They don't have much space to skate on that stage, so seeing what they were able to do was amazing. The music was current and there was a good variety of scenes to keep it moving along quite nicely. Once that ended we grabbed a funnel cake and then relaxed for a bit at our shaded table over near the boardwalk games. My wife wanted to hit Supreme Scream, so she went on that, it was only a 10 minute wait. The baby was still sleeping so we just walked around through Camp Snoopy and then Ghost Town again. We caught glimpses of the 5:30pm HOEDOWN that took place, that looked fun, as they involve the guests. I really wanted to hit the Mystery Lodge show, but it started at 6:30pm, and I thought it had started at 6:00. Since it was only 5:45pm, I really didn't want to stick around that area for 45 minutes (as it was kind of warm), nor did I really want to do another lap around the park. We decided we would head out. As we were leaving we noticed the Native American Dancer was about to begin, so we stopped and watched that, then bounced.
Overall it was a decent day, but it reaffirmed that we wouldn't buy a Season Pass for KBF. Even though they were super cheap ($120 for the base, without parking) we couldn't see ourselves going there more than a couple times a year. I grew up with going to KBF a few times a year as a kid, including big ol' family dinners at the Chicken Dinner restaurant, so there is some nostalgia factor, but the giant roller coaster pillars that intrude just about everywhere in the park really kill the theming for me.
D
darby
Lurker
New concept art for Star Wars Land.
I've been trying to figure out how it lays out compared to the way things are laid out there now (with the River of America going by) and it seems to make sense. Especially if they're chopping off a bit of the back of Tom Sawyer's island where the fort used to be.
I've been trying to figure out how it lays out compared to the way things are laid out there now (with the River of America going by) and it seems to make sense. Especially if they're chopping off a bit of the back of Tom Sawyer's island where the fort used to be.
jerseydevil
I'llPutPenniesOnYourEyes
It's lights out for Main Street Electrical Parade at Disney World
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/the-dartboard...al-parade-at-disney-world#VyIZw8dCRZtbR0c6.99
Yes!
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/the-dartboard...al-parade-at-disney-world#VyIZw8dCRZtbR0c6.99
Yes!
L
LetTigerIn
Lurker
Got Baroque Hoedown stuck in my head now.
L
LetTigerIn
Lurker
The Laika exhibit at Universal has been extended through Sunday. It's a small exhibit and not worth a park admission on its own, but if you're considering an annual pass anyway, it may be worth a look.
Also, (I think?) if you already have an annual pass, you can get a special appointment to see the Laika display during certain hours, even if the appointment is on a blackout date for your pass. Presumably, that means you will be able to roam the park following that, too.
If my weekend wasn't already overbooked, I'd go back for sure.
Also, (I think?) if you already have an annual pass, you can get a special appointment to see the Laika display during certain hours, even if the appointment is on a blackout date for your pass. Presumably, that means you will be able to roam the park following that, too.
If my weekend wasn't already overbooked, I'd go back for sure.
L
LAKingSteve
Lurker
We hit Magic Mountain for my daughters 17th on Saturday, first time for her and my younger daughter and my first time in 20+ years. Literally looked like some of the guests finished brewing their meth and then came to the park for the day. Here's what I posted on a Disney message board:
Took my daughter and 6 of her girlfriends yesterday for her 17th birthday. Her first time ever and my first time in 20+ years. Where to start.
The Good - Twisted Colossus is amazing. Rode it 2 times, absolutely loved it. Pretty much all of the big coasters that either the girls or I rode (I did Goliath, Colossus, Ninja & Revolution) were pretty good to great. Ninja is showing it's age. I seem to remember it being smooth but it was definitely a bit rougher and more jarring. Goliath was fantastic and we chose to ride Revolution without the VR masks as a courtesy to those around us. Last thing they want is to be covered with my hurl-age. It's still a fun coaster in any case.
The Bad - The crowd. Cheap tickets/passes bring the crowd you would expect. Questionable clothing choices, a large contingent of the Raiders wearing "gang banger" looking crowd and seriously, is the F word just normal language like "if" and "it" for you and me? I can't tell you how many times we were standing in line and the F bomb was thrown around like it was nothing. And don't get me started about the guys that were talking about their sexual exploits, with some graphic details thrown in. I seriously told them to shut the "H" up...which they did. The "grounds"...there are weeds everywhere, not so much in the flowerbeds but if you are riding a coaster and there is dirt beneath it (Ninja, Gold Rusher, etc), the ground is covered with weeds, random pieces of old broken trees, metal, junk...whatever...it's terrible show. Jet Stream...oh my, what has happened to this ride. I remember it being a nice gliding smooth boat ride. The boats themselves are now faded, ugly fiberglass. The flooring in our boat was literally falling apart and the boat itself had 3 inches of water. The ride is rough and painful as you bang against the walls through the flume. Hideous, terrible, sad.
The girls had a good time which is all that really matters but this is again a reminder why Disney can and chooses to keep pricing high. Not that Disney isn't without it's own challenges as far as guests are concerned but it truly is night and day
Took my daughter and 6 of her girlfriends yesterday for her 17th birthday. Her first time ever and my first time in 20+ years. Where to start.
The Good - Twisted Colossus is amazing. Rode it 2 times, absolutely loved it. Pretty much all of the big coasters that either the girls or I rode (I did Goliath, Colossus, Ninja & Revolution) were pretty good to great. Ninja is showing it's age. I seem to remember it being smooth but it was definitely a bit rougher and more jarring. Goliath was fantastic and we chose to ride Revolution without the VR masks as a courtesy to those around us. Last thing they want is to be covered with my hurl-age. It's still a fun coaster in any case.
The Bad - The crowd. Cheap tickets/passes bring the crowd you would expect. Questionable clothing choices, a large contingent of the Raiders wearing "gang banger" looking crowd and seriously, is the F word just normal language like "if" and "it" for you and me? I can't tell you how many times we were standing in line and the F bomb was thrown around like it was nothing. And don't get me started about the guys that were talking about their sexual exploits, with some graphic details thrown in. I seriously told them to shut the "H" up...which they did. The "grounds"...there are weeds everywhere, not so much in the flowerbeds but if you are riding a coaster and there is dirt beneath it (Ninja, Gold Rusher, etc), the ground is covered with weeds, random pieces of old broken trees, metal, junk...whatever...it's terrible show. Jet Stream...oh my, what has happened to this ride. I remember it being a nice gliding smooth boat ride. The boats themselves are now faded, ugly fiberglass. The flooring in our boat was literally falling apart and the boat itself had 3 inches of water. The ride is rough and painful as you bang against the walls through the flume. Hideous, terrible, sad.
The girls had a good time which is all that really matters but this is again a reminder why Disney can and chooses to keep pricing high. Not that Disney isn't without it's own challenges as far as guests are concerned but it truly is night and day
D
darby
Lurker
R
roenick
Lurker
Helped chaperone a high school band trip to SoCal two years ago. Band went to Magic Mountain and Disneyland on the same trip. I can't tell you how disappointed I was with the Mountain. This was a true place of my youth when I went there at least twice a month with high school friends. I remembered it way better then it was two years ago. I couldn't believe the amount of disrepair and general dirtiness of the grounds. It is almost as if they knew they couldn't compete with the mouse and were willing to just go to inexpensive pricing and low maintenance route to get as much of the market as possible. I have been to other Six Flags parks and they are no where near this level. Oh well time moves on.
beedee
4th Line Rabble-Rouser
I met a guy that is an engineer and inspects the tracks at SoCal theme parks. Lets just say that he wouldn't go on most of the coasters at MM. He told me of a few that had major cracks in the steel pillars, one of which guests were reporting "gun shots" on a certain area of the track. It was a crack that was flexing and creating a loud popping noise with each train that passed over it.
MM, never have, never will. (and I'm a SoCal native)
MM, never have, never will. (and I'm a SoCal native)
L
lunchbox
Lurker
just went to disneyland 3 times in the last 3 weeks and i change my mind. i'll probably renew. haha. my kid is at that sweet spot in age where she is tall enough to ride almost all the rides and she's full of glee at the end. so i want to enjoy it before she ages out of it (or ages out of wanting to go with me). she's really into star tours and soarin'. personally, i liked the soarin' over california movie better because this one's features have too much curvature due to the screen, but it's ok.
i just read all the commentary about magic mountain and that's pretty much why i haven't been in about 18 yrs. i do remember the crowd being questionable back then and can't imagine much has changed. disappointing to hear the grounds aren't very well maintained either.
i just read all the commentary about magic mountain and that's pretty much why i haven't been in about 18 yrs. i do remember the crowd being questionable back then and can't imagine much has changed. disappointing to hear the grounds aren't very well maintained either.
beedee
4th Line Rabble-Rouser
Hit up DL on Friday night after work, parking was horrendous. Took us an hour from the time we got off the 5n til we ended up inside Disneyland.
Anyhow, after missing out on last years glow-in-the-dark Poison Apple stein, I wanted to be sure to get one this year! We just ate dinner at Rancho Del Zocalo, then posted up along the Rivers of America to watch the fireworks, then hung out a bit and bailed. Didn't go on any rides.
Here are a couple pix I took.
Anyhow, after missing out on last years glow-in-the-dark Poison Apple stein, I wanted to be sure to get one this year! We just ate dinner at Rancho Del Zocalo, then posted up along the Rivers of America to watch the fireworks, then hung out a bit and bailed. Didn't go on any rides.
Here are a couple pix I took.
santiclaws
I was in the pool!!
We have annual passes to both and I HATE Disneyland. Most of the rides are for little kids and the place is insanely crowded, always. I've gone to Magic Mountain on off days with my son and we were able to ride 20 times during a day, and this is on the most popular rides. I also don't like fake joy and happiness shoved down my throat quite so forcefully. After a day at DL, Daddy needs a trip to the real happiest place on Earth - BevMo.
And as far as safety is concerned, the last death (not due to negligence of guest) at MM occurred in 1978, when a woman fell out on a ride - she was too heavy for the restraints to fit properly. The last death at DL (not due to negligence of guest) was in 2003, when a Big Thunder train derailed; the cause of the accident was determined to be improper maintenance. 10 others were also injured. In '98, a man died after being hit in the head by a metal cleat which tore loose from the hull of the Columbia ship. The cause was that a hemp rope tied to the cleat, designed to break easily, was replaced by a cheaper nylon rope to save money. DL was also fined by OSHA for improper employee training. Bottom line, your chances of being hurt at either park are minuscule. The driving there and back is far more dangerous.
So it depends on why you go to the amusement park. If you like roller coasters, DL can't compete with MM; they're not in the same league. I can put up with a few weeds and being within touching distance of people who are not upper middle class for a few hours.
And as far as safety is concerned, the last death (not due to negligence of guest) at MM occurred in 1978, when a woman fell out on a ride - she was too heavy for the restraints to fit properly. The last death at DL (not due to negligence of guest) was in 2003, when a Big Thunder train derailed; the cause of the accident was determined to be improper maintenance. 10 others were also injured. In '98, a man died after being hit in the head by a metal cleat which tore loose from the hull of the Columbia ship. The cause was that a hemp rope tied to the cleat, designed to break easily, was replaced by a cheaper nylon rope to save money. DL was also fined by OSHA for improper employee training. Bottom line, your chances of being hurt at either park are minuscule. The driving there and back is far more dangerous.
So it depends on why you go to the amusement park. If you like roller coasters, DL can't compete with MM; they're not in the same league. I can put up with a few weeds and being within touching distance of people who are not upper middle class for a few hours.
L
lunchbox
Lurker
haha, it's funny you mention the fake joy and happiness. my daughter wanted to stay for the firework show a couple weeks ago, so i obliged. it was well done, but at the same time, during the narrative (it was done in some weird stepford wife voice and she talked about walt disney's vision), i had visions of this painting going through my head:
it's ok though, my daughter doesn't know any better and i'll let her live with that innocent naivete til she figures it out for herself. i am otherwise ok with the rest of the manufactured joy because disneyland, for a lot of people including myself, is an escape. a real world happy place, whether it's the rides, the way you are greeted by people there, the food, the drinks, little secret menus or hidden things around the park, the parades/shows, or all of the above.
and actually, no, it's not insanely crowded always. it can be crowded a lot of times, but i wouldn't say always. it was busy, but not bad august 24, i had to park at the convention center, but we never waited a long time for rides. it was not full at all august 31 or september 6, i got there at my usual 1pm and parked on the lower levels of the main parking structure. we rode grizzly river run and star tours multiple times each time.
you're right about one thing though, i definitely need a drink when i'm there sometimes and that is what california adventure is for.
especially, if my sister-in-law ever asks me to go around holiday time or spring break again...
santiclaws
I was in the pool!!
haha, it's funny you mention the fake joy and happiness. my daughter wanted to stay for the firework show a couple weeks ago, so i obliged. it was well done, but at the same time, during the narrative (it was done in some weird stepford wife voice and she talked about walt disney's vision), i had visions of this painting going through my head:
Well, someone's got a twisted little mind, doesn't she?
jerseydevil
I'llPutPenniesOnYourEyes
'Star Wars' saved us from a Space Mountain franchise
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/harpy/star-wars-saved-us-from-a-space-mountain-franchise#FMUrC5stMU8xeadq.99
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/harpy/star-wars-saved-us-from-a-space-mountain-franchise#FMUrC5stMU8xeadq.99
jerseydevil
I'llPutPenniesOnYourEyes
whichever has that amazing Pirates ride
