Trip Report: 03/23-03/25

**Tron 2.0** · 03-27-2005 03:55 PM

Got back from visiting the Resort Wednesday through Friday. This isn't going to be a play-by-play, but just some observations.

First, the Parks were packed. Especially Friday. California Adventure was sporting 120 minute lines for Soarin', 140 for Grizzly River Run, 60 for Tower of Terror, and at least 100 for Screamin' during the afternoon peak. Fast Passes were out by mid-afternoon.

On Wednesday I did a little Park hopping and processed my Annual Pass. I was very impressed by Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. Very impressed. Rode it three times on the trip and eventually got my high score up to a little less than 250,000 thanks to the hints and tips from the boards. You really can't recognize the interior of the building as being formerly Rocket Rods or CircleVision. A very high quality ride.

Also rode Haunted Mansion and experienced the Enchanted Tiki Room. The changes to the Haunted Mansion were very well done and the lines are moving much faster since they got rid of Fast Pass.

I was a Dole Whip virgin but had heard how good they were, so I took the plunge. I actually opted for a Dole Whip Float for my first outing. Really, really good. And I noted on Thursday that they did close the stand at 5:00 PM.

Hopped over to California Adventure for Tower of Terror. The Stand-by Line was 60 minutes but it moved really quickly. I was very impressed by the ride. I had read about it being too short, and while it is over quickly, I thought it was just the right length. I missed Orlando's more developed outside queue (switchbacks aren't all that condusive to building suspense), but everything else was incredible and an improvement over the Florida counterpart. I think the pacing of the ride is better than at MGM-Studios. The 5th Dimension room was not missed. I had read on the board about people feeling the lobby was too brightly lit, but I didn't feel that way at all.

They were finishing painting the Monsters, INC facade with primer. Work is moving very quickly on it. As has already been noted, ye ole Luminaria launching platform has been moved and a new top placed on it.

Splash Mountain's new logs are nice and the ride looks really, really good. The owl at the end of the ride is moving now, but the screen that shows your picture is still turned off. And they aren't letting two adults sit in the back seat. Either one adult or one adult and a child.

Went on The Many Adventure of Winnie the Pooh. It was a walk-on. While I do enjoy the ride, this was the first time I really missed the Country Bear Jamboree. I wish they would have built Pooh where the Motorboat Cruise lagoon is.

Both Parks were very busy, but they handled the crowds well. I was very impressed with how quickly they kept the lines moving.

Plus, both Parks looked really good. Early Thursday morning they were out doing some painting on the Main Street doorways and I was really stuck with how beautiful they had made the place. The new paint scheme on Tomorrowland works really well and I didn't think the pavers were too out of step with the whole scheme. Disneyland seems to handle crowds better now that most of the Lemonade stands are out of the main walkways. Even Adventureland wasn't the usual traffic jam despite being really busy.

Can't think of much else to add, but if I remember anything I'll note it.

--Mark