Disney Journal for 12/30/08

Disney Journal

8:08 AM - mypalal: is heading out early for some Disneyland shopping. - (Twitter)

8:54 AM - MyPalAl checked in @ Disneyland
MyPalAl checked in @ Disneyland - (Brightkite)

8:57 AM - Disney Trip Report: two of the East tram loading stations are open. The last tram line has the shortest lines. disney

9:00 AM - Disney Trip Report: Celebrate today banner are hanging along tram route. disney

9:06 AM - Disney Trip Report: very long lines at parking. 15 minutes to pay station disney

9:09 AM - MyPalAl posted a photo @ Disneyland

Very long lines at Disney security. - (Brightkite)

9:09 AM - mypalal: Very long lines at Disney security. - Photo: http://bkite.com/03kAk - (Twitter)

9:20 AM - MyPalAl posted a text message @ Disneyland
taking Train to New Orleans Square. - (Brightkite)

9:30 AM - Disney Trip Report: very short line at Haunted Mansion disney

9:30 AM - Disney Trip Report: taking train to Small World and Toontown. disney

9:43 AM - MyPalAl posted a photo @ Disneyland

Getting ready for 2009. disney - (Brightkite)

9:43 AM - mypalal: Getting ready for 2009. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/03kE3 - (Twitter)

9:45 AM - Disney Trip Report: park is not that crowded at the moment. disney

9:45 AM - Disney Trip Report: no line at Small World. disney

10:03 AM - Disney Trip Report: heading to DCA. they are hand stamping everyone disney

10:06 AM - MyPalAl checked in @ Disney's California Adventure Park
MyPalAl checked in @ Disney's California Adventure Park - (Brightkite)

10:06 AM - Disney Trip Report: lines for rides are not long but will very soon. disney

10:17 AM - Disney Trip Report: its a long hike to Midway mania disney

10:20 AM - Disney Trip Report: Time Check. In line for Midway Mania now. disney

10:21 AM - MyPalAl posted a photo @ Disney's California Adventure Park

DCA Construction. disney - (Brightkite)

10:23 AM - Disney Trip Report: in single rider line. swet disney

10:31 AM - Disney Trip Report: 180,200 not my best and my arm is tired disney

10:32 AM - MyPalAl posted a photo @ Disney's California Adventure Park

Midway Mania disney - (Brightkite)

10:34 AM - Disney Trip Report: ley's do that again. disney

10:39 AM - Disney Trip Report: arm fatigue is my biggest problem right now. disney

10:47 AM - Disney Trip Report: need a way to beat arm fatigue disney

10:53 AM - MyPalAl posted a photo @ Disney's California Adventure Park

Not bad. 198 000 - (Brightkite)

11:00 AM - Disney Trip Report: even here adults can't stop cursing at their children disney

11:40 AM - Disney Trip Report: is on his last round of shopping and then home. disney

11:41 AM - mypalal: Disneyland is sold out. - (Twitter)

12:28 PM - Disney Trip Report: is waiting for the tram to go home. disney

Disneyland Tweets for 12/21/08

Disney Tweets

MyPalAl checked in @ Disney's California Adventure Park (11:26 AM) (BriteKite)

Spending the day at Disneyland for just fun and no business. (11:27 AM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: Spending the day at Disneyland for just fun and no business. - http://bkite.com/038kh (11:27 AM) (Twitter)

Disney Trip Report: Ticket line moved real fast. disney (11:35 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: just finished off High school Musical 3 disney (11:51 AM) (Disney)

MyPalAl checked in @ Disneyland (1:33 PM) (BriteKite)

Disney Trip Report: eating lunch before getting Christmas pictures done. disney (1:34 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: long lines at small world. worth it though. disney (2:40 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: is trying to get to Pixie Hollow but we need to cross the parade route. disney (3:16 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: 35 minute wait at Pixie Hollow. disney (3:24 PM) (Disney)

mypalal: Can't see Tinkerbell until someone wakes up. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/038EA (3:41 PM) (Twitter)

Goofy's Gingerbread float. disney (3:49 PM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: Goofy's Gingerbread float. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/038Fd (3:49 PM) (Twitter)

Disney Trip Report: just went through Sleeping Beauty castle walkthrough. disney (4:34 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: is heading to New Orleans Square. disney (4:36 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: is waiting for the snow on Main Street USA. disney (5:27 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: getting our photo pass picures burned to CD. disney (5:53 PM) (Disney)

Getting my Disneyland photo cd. (5:53 PM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: Getting my Disneyland photo cd. - Photo: http://bkite.com/038Nj (5:53 PM) (Twitter)

Disney Trip Report: the screens at the photo shop are not touch screens. disney (5:55 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: stood in cashier line so long my CD was done before we paid. disney (6:00 PM) (Disney)

mypalal: is trying to get out of World of Disney to go home. (7:23 PM) (Twitter)

Disney Trip Report: final shopping spree before Christmas. disney (8:18 PM) (Disney)

Disneyland Tweets for 12/14/08

Disney Tweets

MyPalAl checked in @ Disneyland (8:10 AM) (BriteKite)

Disney Trip Report: is getting an early start and walking on to small world disney (8:40 AM) (Disney)

Small World entrance. disney (8:41 AM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: Small World entrance. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/02YYf (8:41 AM) (Twitter)

small world. disney (8:43 AM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: small world. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/02YYl (8:43 AM) (Twitter)

mypalal: small world. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/02YYo (8:44 AM) (Twitter)

small world. disney (8:44 AM) (BriteKite)

Small World Italy. disney (8:45 AM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: Small World Italy. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/02YYw (8:45 AM) (Twitter)

Small World Korea. disney (8:47 AM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: Small World Korea. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/02YYD (8:47 AM) (Twitter)

small world china. disney (8:47 AM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: small world china. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/02YYI (8:47 AM) (Twitter)

children unite to deck the halls. disney (8:51 AM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: children unite to deck the halls. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/02YYW (8:51 AM) (Twitter)

children help promote peace. a lesson we all can learn...whatever... disney (8:53 AM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: children help promote peace. a lesson we all can learn...whatever... disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/02YZ1 (8:53 AM) (Twitter)

Disney Trip Report: small world don't collide as violently as they did in the past. disney (8:55 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: waiting for the train to take me to Main Street. disney (9:18 AM) (Disney)

What a Disney shopping spree looks like. (12:40 PM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: What a Disney shopping spree looks like. - Photo: http://bkite.com/02Zfw (12:40 PM) (Twitter)

mypalal: is absolutely exhausted from shopping at Disneyland. (12:44 PM) (Twitter)

MyPalAl checked in @ Disney Character Outlet (2:49 PM) (BriteKite)

Disneyland Tweets for 12/13/08

Disney Tweets

mypalal: is heading out to Disneyland for the Olszewski signing at Disneyana. (7:00 AM) (Twitter)

Disney Trip Report: in line at the main entrance now. I'm early because I want to get out early. disney (7:43 AM) (Disney)

MyPalAl checked in @ Disneyland (7:45 AM) (BriteKite)

Disney Trip Report: is still in awe of seeing the monorail. disney (7:59 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: the gates are now open. disney (7:59 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: I'm in line now. Can't believe how long it is only 4 minutes from park opening. Standing in front of Chester Drawers. disney (8:07 AM) (Disney)

mypalal: in line in front of Chester Drawers. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/02Xxc (8:10 AM) (Twitter)

in line in front of Chester Drawers. disney (8:10 AM) (BriteKite)

Bored at Disneyland. I hate lines. (8:16 AM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: Bored at Disneyland. I hate lines. - Photo: http://bkite.com/02XxA (8:16 AM) (Twitter)

Pownce Entry (8:25 AM)
I'm currentlt in line at Disneyland for the Olszewski signing of the Dumbo attraction. Bob is truly a talented guy. His work is meticulous and amazing. The dumbo piece not only includes the ride, but the organ booth and hedge in the back. I'll have picture on line this afternoon. (Pownce)

Disney Trip Report: is a little frustrated. the line extends not far from me down to first entrance of the China Closet. I could have slept in longer. disney (8:28 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: the line is now moving. Very nice. disney (8:32 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: what's great is that no one is telling me that they don't have enough. disney (8:38 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: I'm next to cross the street from Disney Clothiers to the Market House. disney (8:39 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: just crossed the street. disney (8:42 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: Travis is now setting up the pieces in front of Disneyana. disney (8:47 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: is currently 20th in line. disney (8:53 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: now is 14th in line. disney (8:58 AM) (Disney)

Disneyana - I'm so close. (9:04 AM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: Disneyana - I'm so close. - Photo: http://bkite.com/02XAU (9:04 AM) (Twitter)

Disney Trip Report: now lucky number 6 disney (9:10 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: I'm next. Not sure why it's so slow. disney (9:17 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: I'm so impatient. I'm the next and it's taking forever. disney (9:20 AM) (Disney)

Bob's the man. Disney (9:23 AM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: Bob's the man. Disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/02XCH (9:23 AM) (Twitter)

Awesome. disney (9:24 AM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: Awesome. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/02XCM (9:24 AM) (Twitter)

Disney Trip Report: waiting to pick up my pre signs. disney (9:25 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: I have them. now alittle shopping. disney (9:31 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: taking train from Star Traders to Main street disney (9:42 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: taking trip 1 back to car. Then WOD for last trip of day. disney (9:54 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: there's a four tram pile up at WOD end. disney (9:57 AM) (Disney)

mypalal: is back from Disneyland and getting ready to head out to his nephew's birthday party. (11:23 AM) (Twitter)

mypalal: went to Disney outlet and now going to have roast beef for Dad's birthday. (6:21 PM) (Twitter)

Disneyland Dumbo Flying Elephant Attraction - Front (9:32 PM)

ng.alan@sbcglobal.net posted a photo:

(flickr)

Disneyland Dumbo Flying Elephant Attraction - Right (9:32 PM)

ng.alan@sbcglobal.net posted a photo:

(flickr)

Disneyland Dumbo Flying Elephant Attraction - Left (9:32 PM)

ng.alan@sbcglobal.net posted a photo:

(flickr)

Disneyland Dumbo Flying Elephant Attraction - Close Up (9:32 PM)

ng.alan@sbcglobal.net posted a photo:

(flickr)

Disneyland Tweets for 12/10/08

Disney Tweets

mypalal: is working on an online survey before going to Disneyland tonight. (4:55 PM) (Twitter)

Disney Trip Report: is making my first big purchase at World of Disney. disney (6:28 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: almost done. I'm tired but gotta keep going. disney (8:26 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: got on the tram very fast. They opened the rear gates. I snuck on the front car where the wheelchais enter. disney (8:34 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: picking up my last packages at the Newstand and then home. disney (8:57 PM) (Disney)

Disneyland Tweets for 12/7/08

Disney Tweets

MyPalAl checked in @ Disneyland (10:12 AM) (BriteKite)

Disney Trip Report: Today is the last night of the Candlelight Processional. The crowds are big but moderately big. disney (10:17 AM) (Disney)

mypalal: is at Disneyland for a long morning of shopping. (10:17 AM) (Twitter)

Disney Trip Report: getting through the Parking booths wasn't bad. The far right lane was under utilized and I had a 4 car wait. disney (10:18 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: I was able to get great parking in Pinocchio. disney (10:19 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: Disneyland Tip. often seating on trams are found in the first and last car. The line for strollers looks long but reg seats availab disney (10:22 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: at DCA hoping to strike gold at Midway Mania. disney (10:24 AM) (Disney)

Paradise Pier refurb in progress. disney (10:28 AM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: Paradise Pier refurb in progress. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/02QoK (10:29 AM) (Twitter)

Disney Trip Report: made my first shopping spree around Paradise Pier. Now I'm waiting for hats to be made. disney (10:58 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: almost done with DCA, next stop Disneyland. disney (12:01 PM) (Disney)

Why Disneyland is crowded today. (12:13 PM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: Why Disneyland is crowded today. - Photo: http://bkite.com/02Qxf (12:13 PM) (Twitter)

Disney Trip Report: at Disneyana picking up a big fig. disney (12:19 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: I'm in a very long line at World of Disney. disney (1:27 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: is really really tired. Making first trip to car. disney (1:42 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: has never been at Disneyland so long just to shop. Left at 9:30 am and came home at 5:30 pm. disney (8:46 PM) (Disney)

Disneyland Tweets for 11/30/08

Disney Tweets

MyPalAl checked in @ Disneyland (10:07 AM) (BriteKite)

mypalal is spending another early morning shopping at Disneyland. (10:11 AM) (Plurk)

Disneyland Tweets for 11/29/08

Disney Tweets

MyPalAl checked in @ Disney Character Outlet (3:46 PM) (BriteKite)

Disneyland Tweets for 11/28/08

Disney Tweets

MyPalAl checked in @ Disneyland (10:19 AM) (BriteKite)

MyPalAl checked in @ Disney's California Adventure Park (10:21 AM) (BriteKite)

Disney Trip Report: is at Muppet's 3-D waiting for shops to open at DCA. disney (10:35 AM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: is riding Monster's Inc. disney (10:55 AM) (Disney)

mypalal making a second trip back to World of Disney. (11:59 AM) (Plurk)

Disney Trip Report: is watching a dad who won't stop taking pictures of his teens who really don't want pics taken. disney (12:00 PM) (Disney)

Disneyland Tweets for 11/23/08

Disney Tweets

MyPalAl checked in @ Disney's California Adventure Park (3:49 PM) (BriteKite)

Disney Trip Report: is shopping and enjoying The holidays at Disneyland. disney (3:50 PM) (Disney)

Holidays at Disneyland (4:53 PM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: Holidays at Disneyland - Photo: http://bkite.com/02znC (4:53 PM) (Twitter)

Pownce Entry (5:26 PM)
It's just a couple of days before Thanksgiving and Disneyland is the festive place to be. Main Street and DCA are decked out in lights. The tree is in Town Square and after a year of refurbishment It's a Small World is ready for Christmas passengers. Check my photos at http://www.mypalal.com at Disney tweets. (Pownce)

Disney Trip Report: it's snowing at Disneyland. disney (5:32 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: no Disney Characters have been added to Small World. disney (5:57 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: parade is getting ready to start at Main Street. disney (6:22 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: Christmas parade has begun. disney (6:37 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: is shopping at the Emporium theb World of Disney and then Home. disney (7:21 PM) (Disney)

Disneyland Tweets for 11/21/08

Disney Tweets

Walt Disney Parks &Resorts - Events, Product Releases &Promotions - Disneyland - Robert Olszewski Product Release &Signing (8:48 PM)

1 reviews (Stumble Upon)

Disneyland Tweets for 11/19/08

Disney Tweets

Submitted: Disney to release 5 films on IMAX - USATODAY.com (6:52 PM)
The Walt Disney Co. said Wednesday it agreed to deliver five movies via IMAX theaters beginning with the 3-D movie A Christmas Carol, starring Jim Carrey, in November 2009. (Mixx)

Comment on: Disney to release 5 films on IMAX - USATODAY.com (6:53 PM)
It's great to see Disney continue to be on the forefront of entertainment technology. (Mixx)

Disneyland Tweets for 11/17/08

Disney Tweets

mypalal: listening to Bud Albers CTO of Disney Internet Group. (10:00 AM) (Twitter)

mypalal Disney is one of the top 3 providers of video online today. (10:06 AM) (Plurk)

mypalal: Muppets What Nots Article: http://tinyurl.com/5s2nqn (4:11 PM) (Twitter)

Disneyland Tweets for 11/15/08

Disney Tweets

mypalal: checked out of Hilton. Now at Great Mall going to Disney Outlet. (11:11 AM) (Twitter)

Disneyland Tweets for 11/14/08

Disney Tweets

MyPalAl checked in @ Disney Character Outlet (1:14 PM) (BriteKite)

is shopping at the Disney outlet. (3:19 PM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: is shopping at the Disney outlet. - http://bkite.com/02oc3 (3:19 PM) (Twitter)

mypalal We just left the Bakersfield Mall. It was really scary. Not going here any more. Got a few things at the Disney outlet. (4:07 PM) (Plurk)

Disneyland Tweets for 11/12/08

Disney Tweets

The Muppets take Chicago (3:01 PM)
Muppets are on exhibit at the Siskel Center in Chicago. (Delicious)

Disneyland Tweets for 11/11/08

Disney Tweets

mypalal: is on his way to Disneyland. Almost forgot celphone. (1:49 PM) (Twitter)

MyPalAl checked in @ Disneyland (2:49 PM) (BriteKite)

Disney Trip Report: is shopping at World of Disney. disney (2:51 PM) (Disney)

Veteran's Day March at Disneyland. (4:04 PM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: Veteran's Day March at Disneyland. - Photo: http://bkite.com/02liL (4:04 PM) (Twitter)

Disney Trip Report: There's a very long line to see Tinkerbell. disney (4:13 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: Goofy's Bounce House is Closed. :( disney (4:14 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: is buying some hats. disney (4:27 PM) (Disney)

Mountain view high school disney (4:37 PM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: Mountain view high school disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/02lkd (4:37 PM) (Twitter)

Disney Trip Report: is heading home disney (5:12 PM) (Disney)

Disneyland Tweets for 11/10/08

Disney Tweets

Alan listened to Disney – Maison Des Lunes (5:22 PM)
http://www.last.fm/music/Disney (Last FM)

Pownce Entry (5:39 PM)
I don't know if anyone noticed on last night's Desperate Housewives, but just after Lynette finds out that it was Porter who was having the affair, the show is about to cut to commercial and the VO says, "tonight's Desperate Housewives is brought to you by Disney's Bolt." Not sure people will have the taste for a kids film after seeing a spicy DH plotline. (Pownce)

Disneyland Tweets for 11/9/08

Disney Tweets

MyPalAl checked in @ Disney Character Outlet (1:15 PM) (BriteKite)

MyPalAl checked in @ Disneyland (1:55 PM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: sees that it's Bats day at Disneyland. (2:11 PM) (Twitter)

Disney Trip Report: first stop Build a Bear disney (2:13 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: just spent $700 at World of Disney. Still have another disney (2:47 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: just got out of World of Disney. disney (3:02 PM) (Disney)

HSM3 Show. yikes (3:21 PM) (BriteKite)

Disney Trip Report: is buying Nightmare stuff at Tower of Terror. disney (3:40 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: now at Off the Page disney (3:52 PM) (Disney)

The Bats are at Disneyland. (4:33 PM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: The Bats are at Disneyland. - Photo: http://bkite.com/02joO (4:33 PM) (Twitter)

Disney Trip Report: just made 2nd trip to car. Arms are very tired. World of Disney last stop and home. disney (4:38 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: is in a very long line for parking tram. disney (4:59 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: is on the tram and ready to go home. disney (5:09 PM) (Disney)

Disneyland Tweets for 11/4/08

Disney Tweets

Disney Trip Report: was told by a Cast Member yesterday that the Main Street Electical Parade is returning to Disneyland in the fall. disney (10:39 AM) (Disney)

mypalal: was told by a Cast Member yesterday that the Main Street Electical Parade is returning to Disneyland in the fall. (10:40 AM) (Twitter)

Disneyland Tweets for 11/3/08

Disney Tweets

Pownce Entry (1:28 PM)
It's fun sometimes help Disneyland cast members. Helped one get a Video game out of its case. (Pownce)

What Will You Celebrate? promotion brings new Celebration Dining options to the Disneyland Resort (4:21 PM)
Laurie and I are celebrating our 10th Wedding Anniversary next year and I'm starting to think that Disneyland would be a fantastic place to celebrate. (Delicious)

What Will You Celebrate? promotion brings new Celebration Dining options to the Disneyland Resort (4:37 PM)

Shared by Alan
Hopefully Laurie will be into celebrating our 10th Wedding Anniversary at Disneyland.

Celebrate with special meals, custom cakes and new surprises (Google)

MyPalAl checked in @ Disneyland (6:55 PM) (BriteKite)

is getting some Disney shopping done. (6:56 PM) (BriteKite)

mypalal: is getting some Disney shopping done. - http://bkite.com/02brp (6:56 PM) (Twitter)

Disney Trip Report: exchanging products at World of Disney. disney (7:13 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: sees that Bolt is featured before the parade. disney (8:10 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: is back to World of Disney and then home. disney (8:28 PM) (Disney)

Pownce Entry (8:36 PM)
November is going to be a tough time for Disneyland shopping. The most qualified people are not exactly working during the lull of Fall. I'm spending a lot of unnecessary time standing at counter watching worker figure out how to work register, remove security tags and roll prints into tubes. I really want to get home. (Pownce)

Disneyland Tweets for 11/2/08

Disney Tweets

Disney Trip Report: visited a Disney collector and got some cast member pins. disney (1:41 PM) (Disney)

MyPalAl checked in @ Disneyland (5:58 PM) (BriteKite)

is shopping at Disneyland. I'm hoping to be here only for an hour. (5:59 PM)
(Pownce)

Disney Trip Report: got to the entrance of DCA and found Laurie had my pass. disney (6:05 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: is shopping at the tower of terror. disney (6:10 PM) (Disney)

Disney Trip Report: is spending a lot of money at World of Disney. disney (6:49 PM) (Disney)

Disneyland Tweets for 11/1/08

mypalal: got nothing at Disney outlet - http://bkite.com/028Gk (1:55 PM)
mypalal: got nothing at Disney outlet - http://bkite.com/028Gk

Disneyland Tweets for 10/31/08

mypalal: is getting last minute things done at work before he goes to Mickey's Trick-or-Treat at Disney's California Adventure. (2:27 PM)
mypalal: is getting last minute things done at work before he goes to Mickey's Trick-or-Treat at Disney's California Adventure.

MyPalAl checked in @ Disneyland (4:50 PM)
MyPalAl checked in @ Disneyland

is at Pixie Hallow but they closed the line for the day. disney (5:15 PM)

mypalal: caught up with Krissy and rode Pirates and Disneyland. (6:10 PM)
mypalal: caught up with Krissy and rode Pirates and Disneyland.

is meeting his wife at Downtown Disney disney (6:23 PM)

is gettin some Jamba Juice, while listening to the bald violinist. disney (6:37 PM)

mypalal: Alan is Jamba Juicin' at Downtown Disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/027JK (6:47 PM)
mypalal: Alan is Jamba Juicin' at Downtown Disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/027JK

MyPalAl posted a photo @ Disneyland (6:47 PM)

Alan is Jamba Juicin' at Downtown Disney

MyPalAl posted a photo @ Disneyland (6:53 PM)

is watching the bald violinist

MyPalAl posted a photo @ Disneyland (7:10 PM)

Alan and Laurie waiting for Mickey's Trick or Treat

is at the candy trail in the animation building. disney (7:36 PM)

MyPalAl posted a photo @ Disneyland (7:38 PM)

is in the trick or treat trail in Animation Building

MyPalAl posted a photo @ Disneyland (7:44 PM)

is most like Hades.

is at second candy location. disney (7:49 PM)

is at second candy location near Tower of Terror disney (7:50 PM)

mypalal: is in line for more candy. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/027Oi (7:52 PM)
mypalal: is in line for more candy. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/027Oi

MyPalAl posted a photo @ Disneyland (7:52 PM)

is in line for more candy. disney

is at third candy station near Monster's inc. disney (8:06 PM)

mypalal: is waiting for Laurie at Hollywood Bat Lot Bash. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/027QC (8:25 PM)
mypalal: is waiting for Laurie at Hollywood Bat Lot Bash. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/027QC

MyPalAl posted a photo @ Disneyland (8:25 PM)

is waiting for Laurie at Hollywood Bat Lot Bash. disney

is getting more candy at Bountiful Gardens. disney (8:34 PM)

mypalal: finished first hour at Mickey's Trick or Treat Party. disney (8:35 PM)
mypalal: finished first hour at Mickey's Trick or Treat Party. disney

more candy ay bugs land disney (8:49 PM)

is dancing with the fam at Pacific Wharf. disney (8:56 PM)

MyPalAl posted a photo @ Disneyland (9:14 PM)

at yet another candy station by California Screamin'. disney

mypalal: at yet another candy station by California Screamin'. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/027TB (9:14 PM)
mypalal: at yet another candy station by California Screamin'. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/027TB

mypalal: just got off Midway Mania. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/027U9 (9:24 PM)
mypalal: just got off Midway Mania. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/027U9

MyPalAl posted a photo @ Disneyland (9:24 PM)

just got off Midway Mania. disney

is amazed. Two candy stations at the Maliboomer. disney (9:30 PM)

is taking picture with Characters. everyone is tired of getting candy. disney (9:46 PM)

MyPalAl posted a photo @ Disneyland (9:50 PM)

could this be the Great Pumpkin?

is sad that they won't let him get a picture with Mickey. disney (9:51 PM)

couldn't get pictures with step sister. moving to Redwood Creek. disney (9:59 PM)

MyPalAl posted a photo @ Disneyland (10:01 PM)

redwood creek disney

mypalal: redwood creek disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/027VV (10:01 PM)
mypalal: redwood creek disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/027VV

mypalal: loves seeing overweight versions of his favorite Disney characters. (10:08 PM)
mypalal: loves seeing overweight versions of his favorite Disney characters.

mypalal: is waiting for Mickey's Treat on the Street Dance Cavalcade. disney. (10:20 PM)
mypalal: is waiting for Mickey's Treat on the Street Dance Cavalcade. disney.

MyPalAl posted a photo @ Disneyland (10:52 PM)

cute but not as good as WDW. disney

mypalal: cute but not as good as WDW. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/027Yc (10:52 PM)
mypalal: cute but not as good as WDW. disney - Photo: http://bkite.com/027Yc

is on California Screamin' disney (11:07 PM)

sees that the party's over. heading home. disney (11:35 PM)

dropped off our friend and is now super exhausted. disney (12:21 AM)

Disneyland Tweets for 10/29/08

Tinker Bell moves into new Disneyland home (12:13 AM)
In an effort to boost DVD sales, Pixie Hallows takes over King Triton's Grotto at Disneyland.

Disneyland Tweets for 10/28/08

• went to the Blue Sky Gallery yesterday. Cool stuff for DCA, but the Entrance...is going to look like Disney's Hollywood Studios. disney (via Twitter) (7:55 AM)

Disneyland Tweets for 10/27/08

• Disneyland (via brightkite.com) (3:26 PM)
• is at the Blue Skies Gallery. disney (via Twitter) (3:28 PM)
• is watching Drawn to the Magic. disney (via Twitter) (3:46 PM)
• riding Monster's Inc disney (via Twitter) (3:50 PM)

Disneyland Tweets for 10/26/08

• Disney Character Outlet (via brightkite.com) (12:34 PM)
• Disneyland (via brightkite.com) (2:31 PM)
• just shopped at Build a Bear and World of Disney. Dropping off packages at car and heading back. disney (via Twitter) (3:27 PM)
• is finally done shopping. He has to pick up some packages and then home. disney (via Twitter) (5:50 PM)
• had a good day interacting with Disneyland cast members. disney (via Twitter) (6:16 PM)
• is so done. Time to go home. disney (via Twitter) (6:22 PM)

Disneyland Tweets for 10/24/08

• China Rips Off Disneyland. (via Digg) (12:07 AM)

Disneyland Tweets for 10/23/08

• Exclusive tour - Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle Tour (via Digg) (2:15 PM)
• DisneyPhotoImage157.JPG (via Picasa Web Albums) (11:56 PM)

Am I a Disney Scrooge?

As you know I have a little side business where I sell Disney collectibles and souvenirs. We had a really good Halloween and I’m hoping it extend through Thanksgiving into Christmas.  One of the best things about my business is the people that I meet at Disneyland, especially the cast members.  For the most part, the cast members are really friendly to me and Laurie.

The Rant

Before I rant I want to let you know that I have the upmost respect for cast members and the great job they do, I just want to vent a little.

I’m at Disneyland so much that often I feel like a hunter. My goal is to show up at a store, buy what I need to buy and get out.  Yesterday, though, I was able to get to the store, but getting what I wanted was taking forever. I noticed a few things that made my day take so long.

Short staffed – I was there on a Wednesday and the park was closing early, many of the stores only had two people running it.  It’s just too many people for two people, especially after the parade ends and the park is closing.

Pin trading – I’ve noticed that Cast Members are encouraged to trade pins with guests (not a problem with me), but many times the pin traders get to cut in line to look over pins while there is a long line guests trying to buy things.  I think Pin Traders needs to get in line and wait their turn. It’s only fair.

Random questions – Any guest can walk to the head of a line and ask a complicated question, like when does the parade start.

Chit Chat – I’ve stood in line at times for 2 minutes after a transaction ends for the guest in front of me and waited while the cast member and guest talk about where they are from and about how their vacation is going.  C’mon, I just need to pay for this stupid hat.

Manager Approval – sometimes when returning items for getting things from the back room, a manager is required. I probably wait on average of 3 to 7 minutes for managers to arrive. It’s a little frustrating for what seems like a simple request.

The Realization

Before you start getting mad at me, I realize that many of the things that I complain about are the very things that set Disneyland apart from all other theme parks.  In fact, all of the times that I visited Universal Parks in Orlando; I was amazed at how badly trained and unfriendly the employees are.  I like the fact that Cast Members at Disney Theme Parks are friendly and willing to talk to you. I like that courtesy is stressed in their training.  So as frustrated as I get, I wouldn’t want any of this to change. I guess it’s worth the extra time to continue to get exceptional service.

Disneyland Tweets for 10/22/08

• The best kind of politics is Muppet politics. (3:40 PM)
• disneyland stores are running super slow today. disney (via Twitter) (6:44 PM)
• Disneyana is loaded with really cool Nightmare collection. Hope to get it online soon. disney (via Twitter) (6:46 PM)
• hat store is running even slower. disney (via Twitter) (7:00 PM)
• disney (via Twitter) (7:00 PM)
• sometimes Cast Members are too friendly to Guests. disney (via Twitter) (7:28 PM)
• I just put together 26 boxes. I still have 15 more, but I'll do those tomorrow. disney (via Twitter) (11:32 PM)

Disneyland Tweets for 10/21/08

• heading out to Disneyland tonight for some shopping. disney (via Twitter) (4:08 PM)
• is at disneyland for shopping only. (via Twitter) (6:34 PM)
• spent close to $800 at World of Disney. Hardly a record. disney (via Twitter) (7:30 PM)
• now I get to carry about a dozen mugs to the car. disney (via Twitter) (7:31 PM)
• spent most of the evening at World of Disney. Now I'm labeling 25 boxes. disney (via Twitter) (10:23 PM)

Disneyland Tweets for 10/14/08

• mypalal: just dropped off 40 packages at FedEx, UPS and the post office. Now off to the outlet in Pomona. disney (10:09 AM)
• mypalal: is at Disneyland for the day disney (2:18 PM)
• mypalal: is at World of Disney shopping. disney (2:32 PM)
• mypalal: is heading back to the car to drop off packages. disney (2:58 PM)
• mypalal: thinks its Redneck Day at Disneyland. Stupid White People! disney (3:07 PM)
• mypalal: is riding Midway Mania right now. disney (3:39 PM)
• mypalal: scored 227,500 on Midway mania. All time high score. reached deer prize. disney (3:47 PM)
• mypalal: is about to go on the Maliboomer. disney (4:06 PM)
• mypalal: is taking pictures at Candy Corn Acres. Feeling Synthy. disney (4:55 PM)
• mypalal: is now at Disneyland. disney (5:16 PM)
• mypalal: is riding Star Tour. Luvs me the 3PO. disney (5:42 PM)
• mypalal: is in the home of the future. disney (6:24 PM)
• mypalal: is going on Holiday Haunted Mansion. disney (6:30 PM)
• mypalal: is eating dinner at River Belle Terrace. BBQ Pork sandwiches are awesome. disney (7:18 PM)
• mypalal: is ready to go home disney (8:02 PM)
• mypalal: is shopping at World of Disney at the worst possible time. Park closing. disney (8:24 PM)

Disneyland Tweets for 10/12/08

• mypalal: is at Disneyland. Just spent $1,000 to help stimulate the economy. disney (2:16 PM)
• mypalal: just dropped off ahuge load of toys. Now heading to DCA. disney (2:25 PM)
• mypalal: bought gloves at tower of terror. the cashier really got into character and told a lot of tower of terror jokes. disney (3:27 PM)
• mypalal: walked right on to Monster's Inc. disney (3:29 PM)
• mypalal: completed his photosyth project for Tower of Terror and Sleeping Beauty castle. disney (3:54 PM)
• mypalal: Lauire made a Halloween cookie. disney (5:03 PM)
• mypalal: rode Holiday Haunted Mansion disney (5:25 PM)

Miley's Sweet 16 Birthday Bash

I was at Disneyland yesterday and got to at least see the crowds for Miley’s party. I was not about to shell out $250 to get into this thing, but it did allow us to go to DCA for an extended period of time. See my Disney Tweets.

According to TV Guide, celebrities attending the event were David Archuleta, Jennie Garth, Steve Carell, Cindy Crawford, Tyra Banks and Jenniver Love Hewitt.

Billie Ray and Miley performed and they had a late night fireworks show, which we were surprised to hear so late at night.

Last Night at Pleasure Island

Members from MousePlanet were at the Adventurer’s Club for the last performance.  I’m a little sad that I could not be there.  From the very first time I went to Walt Disney World, Pleasure Island was a destination that I always looked forward to.  Really the only two clubs that I visited were the Adventurer’s Club and the Comedy Warehouse.

Here’s a link to the article - http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=wd080930mg.

I started going to Walt Disney World when I first got my current job.  Every year there was a conference that I attended and it took place at the Yacht and Beach club. Almost every night that I could go to Pleasure Island, I made sure I went. For the first few years, I went alone and went to the Comedy Warehouse to see about 4 out of the 6 shows. Then I got married and dragged my wife to the shows.

In between the Comedy Warehouse shows, I would go to the Adventurer’s Club. As a professional improv comedian, I can’t get enough of good improv. Both clubs are great examples of excellence in improvisational comedy. The Comedy Warehouse was a prime example of how a small improv show should run. The Adventurer’s clubs is a great example of using improv to interactive one on one with an audience. They showed how to create a character and make that character live for a night.

More to come in future posts. Farewell to one of my favorite destinations at Walt Disney World.

Disneyland Tweets for 9/28/08

• mypalal: parking line is very crowded 6 lines of twelve cars (Mickey & Friends Parking) disney (2:56 PM)
• mypalal: doing some shopping before going into the park. (Downtown Disney) disney (3:18 PM)
• mypalal: dropped off 6 large bags of stuff. Going to see Playhouse Disney (Mickey & Friends Parking) disney (4:11 PM)
• mypalal: long lines to get in DCA (DCA Entrance) disney (4:18 PM)
• mypalal: just missed the last show. :( (Playhouse Disney) disney (4:27 PM)

Disneyland Tweets for 9/27/08

• mypalal: is sad that he's never ever get to go to the Comedy Warehouse ever again at WDW Pleasure Island. disney (11:21 PM)

Disneyland Tweets for 9/23/08

• mypalal: is very intriqued to see Disney's Bolt - http://tinyurl.com/3urmsr disney (3:26 PM)

Disneyland Tweets for 9/22/08

• mypalal: Candy Corn Acres is being assembled (Sunshine Plaza) disney (6:25 PM)
• mypalal: Halloween decorations are up along tramway. (Mickey & Friends Parking) disney (6:25 PM)
• mypalal: Monorail Blue is in operation. (Monorail) disney (6:26 PM)
• mypalal: no wait at all (Mad Tea Party) disney (7:08 PM)
• mypalal: 15 minute wait (Big Thunder Railroad) disney (7:13 PM)
• mypalal: riding with NCT college team (Big Thunder Railroad) disney (7:27 PM)
• mypalal: is finishing a long night of Disney shopping. disney (8:17 PM)

Disneyland Tweets for 9/18/08

• mypalal: Disneyland is doing ariel photography today for varios media reasons. (Disneyland) disney (12:56 PM)

Disneyland Tweets for 9/15/08

• mypalal: tonight' grand marshal drove by (Main Street USA) disney (7:05 PM)
• mypalal: no line at all (Disneyland Entrance) disney (7:04 PM)
• mypalal: is enjoying a nice cool night at the park (Downtown Disney) disney (7:03 PM)
• mypalal: is heading straight in. Free parking (Mickey & Friends Parking) disney (7:01 PM)
• mypalal: is shopping for Muppet stuff (Muppet Vision 3D) disney (5:52 PM)

Disneyland Tweets for 9/11/08

• mypalal: just met a Dapper Dan. He bought a Big Fig from me on ebay. disney (12:37 PM)

Disneyland Tweets for 9/10/08

• mypalal: Disney.com is sponsoring MAX 2008 this year. Looks to be a great conference. disney (4:12 PM)

Disneyland Tweets for 9/9/08

• mypalal: is waiting for the Dreams Come True parade. (Main Street USA) disney (7:06 PM)
• mypalal: No one in the booth. Free Parking (Mickey & Friends Parking) disney (6:47 PM)
• mypalal: Going tonight for some shopping. (Disneyland) disney (4:20 PM)

Disneyland Tweets for 9/7/08

• mypalal: is going home for dinner and poker. disney (6:39 PM)
• mypalal: 2 tram wait to parking (Downtown Disney) disney (6:39 PM)
• mypalal: too tired going home (Mark Twain Riverboat) disney (6:07 PM)
• mypalal: closed for refurbishment (NOS Railroad) disney (5:23 PM)
• mypalal: walking onto pirates (Pirates of Caribbean) disney (4:56 PM)
• mypalal: taking pictures for a special project (Sleeping Beauty Castle) disney (4:53 PM)
• mypalal: eating fish sticks and chicken nuggets (Stage Door Café) disney (4:20 PM)
• mypalal: no more tables for the Billys (Golden Horseshoe Revue) disney (4:05 PM)
• mypalal: no line at all (Disneyland Entrance) disney (3:46 PM)
• mypalal: 13 min wait. i wish i could ride it. (Tower of Terror) disney (3:32 PM)
• mypalal: baby loves Monsters Inc, esp Sully (Monsters, Inc) disney (3:12 PM)
• mypalal: 3 lines to letters. very slow (DCA Entrance) disney (2:52 PM)
• mypalal: was told by a cast member the park is dead. good time to go (Downtown Disney) disney (2:34 PM)
• mypalal: is expecting a two tram wait (Mickey & Friends Parking) disney (2:18 PM)
• mypalal: 5 lanes 8 car wait (Mickey & Friends Parking) disney (2:08 PM)
• mypalal: Disneyland is going to Disneyland this afternoon for some photo fun. disney (11:32 AM)
• mypalal: is getting orders ready and then going to Disneyland today. disney (10:06 AM)

Disneyland Tweets for 9/6/08

• mypalal: feels Alpine was a bust. disney (1:23 PM)
• mypalal: arrived at Alpine outlet. disney (1:05 PM)
• mypalal: is on his way to the alpine outlet. disney (11:16 AM)

Disneyland Tweets for 9/3/08

• mypalal: is thinking about going to the Jim Shore signing of Sleeping Beauty Castle on Septembe 27. disney (5:20 PM)

Disneyland Lately

I’m working on conceiving exactly what I want to do with this blog. So more to come…some day.  Just wanted to let you know that I’ve noticed that Disneyland’s attendance has been down on my most recent trips, except for Monday. Not sure why there were so many people, but I tried to go on Monster’s Inc and the line was 20 minutes and lined outside of the building.  I left.

It’s funny that I won’t even wait 20 minutes for a ride anymore.

Last Friday, I scored 210,000 on Toy Story Midway Mania.  I had an advantage.  I got to use the Wheelchair gun, which uses a button on top to fire instead of the rope trigger.  My reaction time and arm fatigue improved.  Also, I’m starting to find more of the high scoring Easter eggs.  The dart room (farm scene) has an Easter egg that unleashes a boat load of bee balloons.

Halloween is in bloom and I’m going to have some products that are going on line.  The first is the David Avanzino Disneyland Halloween Shadowbox.  I have one in stock at the moment. Hopefully it’s a popular item and I can get more.  Here’s the URL - http://www.themeparkshopper.com/servlet/the-1101/Disneyland-Halloween-Shadowbox--dsh-/Detail

 

I’ll have a Halloween page on www.Themeparkshopper.com soon.

360 Tomorrowland Way: The Home of Your Dreams

I’ve already reported about the home of the future. What I didn’t know what that my old improv teacher, Greg Atkins, was the writer of the attraction.

What do you mean writer? He wrote the story behind the attraction. When you get to the house, you stand at the front door and you wait for a family member to come out and invite you in for the party for the son’s soccer team going to Bejing for a Soccer tournament.

When I was taking classes with Greg, he was always talking about or doing project for Disney.  If you want to hear more about the home of the future, check out the July 29 Disneyland podcast.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/podcast/index?name=PodcastListingPage&CMP=ILC-VanURLPodcast

 

 

Twisney

I was listening to the NetCot podcast and was directed to www.twisney.com. It’s a site that basically uses the Twitter Technology to provide updates about the Disney Theme Parks. I decided to sign up and give it a try.  You can find me as mypalal.  That’s my twitter account.

It’s a really interesting idea.  If you’re at the park, you can document your day. Currently through e-mails, I can indicate what ride I’m on and how long it took to get there.  If there’s an exciting event, I can take a picture with my camera phone and send it to the site.  When you go to the site, it will toggle you through the past updates and show you the notes.

I can also post wait times for rides and I can visit the site on my celphone and get wait times.

The only problem is that there are not a lot of people using the site, so the information is not that useful.  In order for this site to succeed, there has to be more people willing to post updates.  The more updates, the better the information.

For example, I posted yesterday that the line for Twilight Zone Tower of Terror was 30 minutes and Monster’s Inc was 5 minutes.  That’s great, but I rode them at the end of the day when no one is in the park.

There are a few great applications that can be taken from this site.  If they can get enough wait time information, they can use that data to project wait times for the future.  But again, the only way to make this site useful is to get more people on board and use it.

Give it a try. Go to www.twisney.com and in the upper right hand corner, select Disneyland as your park.

Home of the Future - New Innoventions

Laurie and I had a chance to visit the Home of the Future in the Innoventions Pavilion at Disneyland. Apparently Monday was the opening day.  I just happen to be there that day.  I was not aware of the opening.  We showed up at 7:00 pm and the wait was about 20 minutes.  Not too bad.

I’m going to assume that you know how the old Innoventions was set up, so I’m not going to go into great detail about how the mechanics of the preshow work.

The first thing you’ll notice is that they kept the Tom Morrow video opening out front.  It also looked like only one of the four openings is available for entrance, so you are waiting about 10 minutes per guest entrance. We saw two groups go in before it was our turn.

We step on the rotating platform as usual and saw the same video opening, and then we were lead to a very familiar setting.  We walked into the first room and there’s Tom on the right singing and on the left is a kitchen setting. After Tom is done singing we approach the kitchen area.  Now a cast member comes out and begin this spiel about great innovators like Walt Disney, and then goes on to mention two home designers (whose name I can’t remember).  These two designers we’re touted as great visionaries right next to Walt Disney.  I understand what they were trying to get at, but no.

Anyways, this is the preshow section, they way it is designed, you can’t really skip this section, because there’s no where to go until you get to the end.  You have to stand for the talk and pretty much just suffer through it.  It’s a talk and not much else. There was no display of great technology or anything amazing.

During this preshow, you are standing on the rotating platform and it pretty much takes to almost to the full circle.  When you finally get off the platform you’re standing in front of the house of the future.  You see a house façade with three front doors (one on a platform).  You also see a lot of frosted windows.  If you look at the large frosted window, you’ll see the shadow of a great Disney icon (no quite hidden).

Now that you’re standing in the front of the house, you’re greeted by a member of the Elias family.  In this case it was dad and he is celebrating the victory of his son’s soccer team.  They’re going to China for a championship tournament.  The cast member now shows us the features of the front of the house, which utilitizes all of the video screen in the front.  You basically can custom design the front of you house and in this case show fireworks to celebrate the son’s victory.  He also showed up the RFID keys for you and your dog, not really an innovative feature, since that’s how I get into my office at work.

We finally enter the main home.  The common phrase we heard throughout the tour is “dad must still be working on it.” A lot of things were working and a lot of things were not working.

From here, you’re now on a walking tour. You’re free to walk around and go into any room.  You start in the foyer, and you have a choice of the den, daughter’s bedroom, kid’s bedroom, kitchen, garden and game room.  There are panels everywhere that allow you to control the lights in each room and change the music or music in the various rooms.  The rooms have picture frames every that are digital and change images depending on whose in control.  Each room has a member of the Elias family doing demonstrations.

In the daughter’s room, there is a “magic” mirror.  It’s a video screen that acts as a mirror, so you stand in front and see yourself.  The “daughter” comes in and demonstrates the “magic” mirror.  When the daughter stands in front of the mirror, she can select clothes from her closest and then the cloth is overlayed on her “reflection”. We got to see the skirt in action, but the hair accessories were not working.  “Dad must be working on it.”

We then went to the kitchen and the son where there.  He showed us the voice activated computer, which can provide cooking demonstrations as well as maintain inventory of the kitchen.

I think the home of the future is a vast improvement to Innoventions.  At the same time it was pretty underwhelming.  I would have liked to have seen more features working.  There was some cool technology, but nothing that I hadn’t seen before.  The player piano is not new.  Tables with interactive video monitors, cool, but not something that people really need at the moment.  Sure you can read the paper on the table, or view photo with a few cool touch screen feature.  Nice but not new.

My overall impression is improved and hope it will keep on improving.  Definitely worth visiting once in a while, but not worthy of repeat visits.

Toy Story Mania

I had my first opportunity to ride Toy Story Mania at Disney’s California Adventure during the Annual Passholder preview.  My first impression was that it was awesome.  If you ask my wife, she’ll tell you the exact opposite. She absolutely hated it.

Now, I heard a lot of hype from the Disney’s Hollywood Studio’s opening and I was very much looking forward to the attraction.  So here are a few of my thoughts.

Being that my wife is disabled and we have a baby, we got to enter through the disabled entrance and switch pass area.  We got to bypass a huge line and go right on the ride.  One comment about the queue, it’s very boring. Especially compared to the DHS version.  The line has only midway style signs around the queue.  It fits with the theme of Paradise Pier, which is very boring itself.  Many of the elements in the DHS queue are inside the ride.  Mr. Potato Head stands prominently in the front of the attractions and the line does pass him for good interaction.  When we observed him, the line area was empty so I had to yell at him.  It just didn’t feel that interactive, but I willing to give him the benefit of the doubt since it’s a preview day.

The disabled entrance is immediately at the main entrance to the attraction.  They load you directly into your own vehicle and then that vehicle is loaded directly into the ride queue.  The ride vehicle is quite large.  It had two smaller cards which holds 4 people each.  The guns are attached to the lap bars and the left gun is fired by a pull rope which is very reactive.  The right gun has the pull rope and button on top.

We arrived as they just started to let the first group on. So they were letting a lot of empty cars go through.  They soon let my vehicle on and I was the only one in my vehicle and the cars before and behind me were empty.  It was a little creepy.  Then the uncomfortable feeling I get when sitting in the load area while everyone is looking at me wondering why I’m on the only on the vehicle.  Now the ride officially begins.

Your cars moves through this maze, much like a serpentine pattern and you see various Toy Story characters.  The first thing I notice is that it's pretty bright inside the attraction.  I expected it to be much darker like the Men In Black ride at Islands of Adventure. You get to the first screen and you're given instructions about shooting and the score. Very cool.  Then you get into the game and you're firing away.  The 3D technology is amazing.  From the get go I did not even realize that I had the glasses on.  The guns are very responsive and the target is excellent.  What I like is that you're not shooting just to figure out with red dot is yours (like Buzz Lightyear).  I was able to rapid fire without much fatigue.  At first I can to figure out the scoring.  The easy targets are not worth many points.  The goal is to find the hidden targets, which are usually at the edge of the screen or appears in a different color.

This was nice, but when the ride is delayed and you're just sitting in front of a screen, they continue the game.  You just can't earn any points. I was caught in the ring toss section and when you throw a ring around a rocket or alien with a jet pack, you get a nice cool breeze.

In the end, my score was 154,000 and I won a cat.

To me this was a lot of fun.  The graphics and game play was amazing and I would ride this ride a lot.  I'm sure there's going to be a single rider line.

My wife on the other hand was not impressed.  I get the feeling she wanted a traditional ride.  She felt it was merely a 3d video game.  She also got to the reality of the ride.  You go into a room with a lot of movie screens and you shoot things. There are no animatronics to look at and no cohesive story.  It's a video game. I'll try to post some pictures.

EPCOT Fun Fact

Watching "Undiscovered Walt Disney World" on the Travel Channel.  EPCOT's the Living Seas is the largest and most visited aquarium in the world.  EPCOT's Spaceship Earth can fit in the Aquarium and have room to spare.

Funny it doesn't seem that large.  Probably because we only get to walk to a small portion of the aquarium.

Buzz Lightyear will be in Outer Space! For Real!!

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/behindscenes/whatsgoingup124.html

Looks like a little toy model of Buzz Lightyear will be accompaning the next space mission on the Discovery.  This is an educational effort to teach young people about space flight.  Buzz will go up on the Discovery, report occasionally and return to Earth.  Once Buzz returns he'll be a part of a huge ticker tape parade at Walt Disney World.

More to come.

Last of Walt Disney's "Nine Old Men" Dies

The closing of a chapter…Ollie Johnson passed away today at the age of 95.  He was the last of Walt’s “Nine Old Men.”  They were the first group of animator’s for the Walt Disney Studios and his first big project was Snow White. Reuters

My first memory of Ollie Johnson was the movie Jungle Book.  It’s the first Disney animated feature that I clearly remember watching in the theater.  To me it’s the first and one of the best.

The Nine Old Men invented a style of animation that is distinctly Disney and copied all over the world.  As the saying goes, “nothing lasts forever.”

If you have a chance, watch the movie “Frank and Ollie”, especially if you’re an aspiring animated (which I was in one phase of my life).

Also, check out their book, The Illusion of Life.

• Frank and Ollie Documentary on DVD
• Jungle Book
• The Illusion of Life

Olszewski Main Street Electrical Parade Signing Event

I'm at the Olszewski signing this morning. I don't think this one will be at busy one like the past two. All of the main street collection is out and now we're collecting the accessories. Today is a great accessory. Its the Main Street Electrical Parade. This collection is just the first four floats including Train and drum, Elliott, Wonderland Floats.

7:30 - Arrive at Disneyland.

7:43 - I'm in the ticket line and there's a lot of people but the gate is not open yet, except for hotel guests.

7:49 - Gates open.

7:54 - through the gate. Pet Peeve-please have your tickets ready before you get to the gate. I found myself standing, not moving because guests don't know that they need tickets to get in. You actually have to purchase them before hand.

7:56 - in line. My spot is in front of the Disney Showcase store. Now I'm listening to the Disney Parade music because the park just opened. I love my new cellular phone.

8:08 - line is not moving, as expected. It currently ends in front of the opera house.

8:10 - I was just notified that they are out of wristbands. Distribution stopped about 3 people in front of me. We were told the if you have a wristband you are guaranteed to get a set. In my case thay said I have a chance to get a set, but I'm not guaranteed.

8:20 - I'm confident that I'll get a set but nervous at the same time. The people in front of me are not happy with the way Disney is handling the whole situation in general. They don't like to have to get up early pay admission into the park and not be guaranteed to get a piece. Then there's the ebayer who are ruining the fun for everyone. Oops.

8:30 - Celebrity sighting. Mickey Mouse just walked by.

8:39 - people really hate eBay.

8:47 - the line moved. Good sign.

8:57 - it was not a good sign. Have not moved.

9:02 - ok it has begun. I'm finally around the corner and their letting people in.

9:14 - just rounded the corner and I'm in front of the Magic Store. I'm so glad I have my iPod. Listening to a lot of poker stuff. Called the wife and told her about the situation. Feeling good at the moment. No real olszewski news. There's another tree accessories pack coming out and Dumbo in the fall.

9:26 - News item. If you buy this piece online on April 2nd, the piece will come with a first day plaque.

9:45 - in front of 20th Century Music. This just feels slow. I'm just glad I got here early. Thanks wifey for getting me up way too early. I can't wait to take a nap.

10:03 - getting close. 6 people away. I love the Tinkerbell box.

10:08 - next in line. They tell me I have a chance.

10:11 - an elderly couple with a awristband just got in line in front of me. I'm starting to get worried.

10:20 - I was not able to buy the pieces. I have to wait until 100. Just frustrated that I got in the wrong line at the gate. I'm guaranteed to get a signed set then. So I bought the tinkerbell light box and regular box. And waiting to get it signed.

10:40 - the signing. I finally got to Bob. He's a great guy. We talked about the rocket piece coming in July. I really liked his haunted mansion pokit pal. It the girl on the tightrope and she's stretches to the full image as you open the box.

10:44 - I'm done and I have to wait until 1230 to get in line for the light parade. I'll sign off for now. Thanks for joining in.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse Wedding Ears

Mickey and Minnie Mouse Wedding Ears
Originally uploaded by http://www.flickr.com/people/15074684@N07/

It's Valentines Day and we have a large variety of Valentine's Day and Wedding items. For the Mickey Mouse fan, this is a wonderful set of Mickey Mouse Groom's ears and Minnie Mouse Wedding Dress Train. We're selling the set for $50. They come as a set and only in adult size. http://www.themeparkshopper.com/servlet/the-809/Mickey-and-Minnie-Mouse/Detail

Robert Olszewski Interview

Last year, I had to make one of the hardest decisions in my life and I sold my Robert Olszewski Disneyland Main Street Collection.  I was just a few buildings away to complete the set, but I found I could not afford to complete it and I needed the money badly.  I sold my set for a really nice profit, but every time I see the completed piece, I feel sad.

On Sunday I was at the NFFC event and saw the completed base.  Main Street has never looked better, especially with the Main Street Electrical Parade in the center.

My brother is the sound engineer for Mouse Planet.  He was able to score a great interview with Bob.  You can listen to that interview here - http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=pc080123pc

They talk about Bob’s Gallery of Light, Pokit Pals and the Main Street miniatures.  My favorite part of the interview was Bob’s dreams to have all of Disneyland available one day.  It would fill a small to medium size bedroom.

Dreams…