Rockin' California Screamin'

I finally got on California Screamin’.  If you read my last review, I said the Rockin’ Space Mountain turned a great ride into a good ride.  California Screamin’ is the same great ride that it always was.

 

It’s merely a change in soundtrack.  I’m not a fan of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but it was a really good song and I’m happy for a change.

 

In summation, it’s a good promotion for Disneyland to get people to come to the parks during the off peak season and while a lot of rides are down.  I’m glad it will go away and that the change is not permanent.

 

Cheers.

Rockin' Space Mountain Review

As a new temporary change to Space Mountain and California Screamin' they changed the soundtrack to the respective roller coaster with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

 

Also, Space Mountain has new lighting and graphics to match the change as well.  Here is my review of Rockin' Space Mountain.

 

The changes made to Space Mountain changed the ride from a "Great Ride" to a "Good Ride".  I'm OK with the change but it's definitely not an improvement but a step backwards.  As far as music goes, I like the new soundtrack.  The lighting is good inside the ride and the project graphics are OK as well, but nothing stands out as great.

 

I think they were going for the same effects as Rockin' Roller Coaster at Disney/MGM studios.  That ride works because it is darker and the inversions make the ride exciting.  You can see the track but only the part of the track directly in front of you.

 

The reason Space Mountain is a great ride is because you can't see the track.  The ride feels faster and the drops and turns are unexpected.  Even for the seasoned rider such as myself.

 

With lighting, you can anticipate each turn and psychologically now the ride feels slower.  I'm glad this is only temporary.

 

Here's what I would do to make the ride better next year.  Darken the ride more.  Especially in lower areas of the ride.  The soundtrack is good, no need to change that.  Make the visual effects on the roof more exciting, it really should WOW us and stand out.  If you are going to have lighting on the side of the track, make them moving lights in order to obscure the track.

 

Just a thought...

 

Alan Ng

 

www.mypalal.com

www.themeparkshopper.com

 

 

Candlelight Processional 2006

Laurie and I had a chance to go to the Candlelight processional this year.  We went last Sunday.  Because of my performance schedule, we're not able to get to church as often as we had in the past.  Also, I'm getting a little tired of the rock and roll Christmas carols.  I like the classics but I don't like contemporizing the classics.

 

I wanted to get an early start on the afternoon, but that didn't pan out.  The shows were at 5:30 pm and 8:00 pm.  We arrived at 4:00 pm and the park was packed.  It took about 30 minutes to park and the park esplenade was full.

 

We got into the park and went directly to the Ranch for their holiday festivities.  Laurie bought a cookie and decorated.  I watched the performers singing songs with children.  We when went to meet Mrs Claus for a picture.  The wait for Santa was quite long.

 

We headed over to New Orleans to ride pirates.  HINT: When you see a Disney tour guide escorting a family, there are usually celebrities near by.  This is in fact what happened.  I saw a tour guide, young woman and stroller near Big Thunder Mountain.  The woman did not look familiar to me.  So I looked around and low and behold a celebrity.  It was Eva LaRue from CSI: Miami and All My Children.  She was getting on the ride through the exit.

 

Since Laurie's in her wheelchair.  We follow her right in.  There's a couple between us and Eva.  They start talking about CSI.  Eva gets on the right and Laurie says "we're big fans!" and I wave.

 

We're meeting friends at 6:00 at the Pizza Port.  My friend bail, so Laurie and I have dinner.  Very nice.

 

It's 7:00 and the first showing of the Processional is exiting.  Disney allows everyone from the show to exist on the street portion of Main Street and they direct everyone else to the sidewalks.  We asks several employees where the line was and where the wheelchair line was.  No one knew.  We start heading down the sidewalk and we see that in fact there are two lines roped off.  We get in line and once everyone is cleared out, they let us in.  We are lead to the wheelchair section and they let us move right to the ropes.  We have a great view.

 

Now we just have to wait for an hour.  We got a little frustrated.  The person standing next to us was not diabled in anyway and he was in our section.  Also, after 30 minutes, they let the general public stand right behind us.  And many families allowed their children to push their way through between wheelchairs. For 10 minutes we were fuming and then Disney employees did the right thing and created a rope barrier to better mark the disabled section.

 

So finally the show starts.  I won't go through the actual show, because you have to see it.  Andy Garcia from the Untouchables and Ocean's Eleven. He took a very casual approach to the reading.  He did a lot of banter with the audience.  Overall, it was an amazing performance. It's the most Christian thing that Disney does.  I would high suggest seeing a performance if you ever get a chance.  I can be cynical at times when it comes to religious things, but I was moved.

 

Just a few notes.

• Don't sing along.  People come to see the pros do it, not the audience.
• Don't yell things out.  This is not a rock concert.  Look, I love Jesus.  Let's not ruin the night to satiate your religious zealousness.
• Not too many churches participating this year.  I was a little upset by this.  Then I realized that churches don't have choirs any more.  And those that do, are not at the level needed for this performance.

I can't wait until next year.  Maybe we'll work on the dinner package.  If you each at any of the moderate to high priced restaurants, you can get reserved seating for the show.  The problem is that you have to a limited menu that you have to order from, so now the price is set and you have to hope you're going to like the food.  My wife is incredibly finicky when it comes to food.  This is a big gamble on our part.

 

Alan Ng

 

www.mypalal.com

www.themeparkshopper.com

 

 

Celebrity Sighting

We just ran into Eva LaRue from CSI Miami. We were behind her in line at Big Thunder. Sorry no picture. I always feel nervous around celebs.

EPCOT Future World

Today, we decide that we're only going to do EPCOT Future World today.  I wake up at 10:00 am and Laurie wakes up at noon.  We really needed the extra sleep to recover the Halloween the night before. My back and legs were killing me so we didn't want to do anything too strenuous.

 

12:30 pm - we arrive at EPCOT. I pay the parking attendant $10 for parking.  He hands me a parking receipt and $10 back.  I mention that I already gave him $10 so I don't need any change.  He takes my $10.  I could really use the $10 but honesty being a virtue and all.  Oh well, you're welcome Walt Disney Corporation. The parking attendant is really nice and he tells me that EPCOT

 

12:40 pm - we enter the gates of EPCOT and get our picture taken at the golf ball.  At this point I just found out I forgot the battery to my camera.  It's back in the room getting recharged.  All of my pictures are now coming from the video camera.  Our plan it to start with the Universe of Energy.

 

12:50 pm - we're looking for some Minnie Ears for Laurie.  She wants a specific kind, it's sequined and is a head band.  We're directed to Mouse Gears, the main souvenir shop at EPCOT.  No luck.  It's very cold in this store.  The air conditioning is way to high.

 

1:10 pm - We arrive at Ellen's Energy Adventure.  This is a really great place to cool down if you're hot. I'm a little tired still trying to wake up from the night before, so I sleep through about half this ride.  The weather in Florida is half nice.  It's humid as hell, but there is a breeze.  Half the time I'm dying from humidity and then other half is really nice.

 

2:00 pm - That's a long ride.  We pass by the Wonders of Life and it's still close.  Now we're off to Mission Space.  We see some Photopass photographers and we find out that they are actually in training.  Their supervisor tells them the best way to frame their shots at each location and then then do some test shots.  It's pretty cool that the WDW photographers are actually trained.

 

2:20 pm - We just got off Mission Space.  How can you not love a ride that features Gary Sinise. I'm not as sick getting off the ride and I did the first time I rode is two years ago.  I think they slowed it down so it doesn't kill people anymore.  By the way, there's a non-spinning version.  Go with the Orange team.

 

2:30 pm - We're now riding Test Track.  No lines.  Sweet.  This is a great ride and as we get off we see the Coke station.  Laurie and I get coke Icees.  Now we have to find shade to drink our slushies.  I go back to Mouse Gears, but it's too cold, so we go to Innoventions.

 

2:40 pm - I tour Innoventions East, not much to look at and I meet up with Laurie again.  As we leave, we see that there is a character pavilion. We pull out our Photopass and get our pictures taken with Goofy, Mickey, Minnie and Pluto.  I wish Donald was there.  We move toward the exit and see that there is a wine seminar going on.  We get some information about the Food and Wine festival.  Now we can plan tomorrow.

 

3:00 pm - Journey Into Imagination.  Lame ride, great playground at the end of the ride.

 

3:30 pm - The Land.  We're pretty hungry at this point.  Here's a great thing to do.  Get a Fastpass for Soarin' then go eat.  Ride Living with the Land and then Ride Soarin'.

 

The Land Pavilion is a great place to eat, until today.  Apparently when they redesigned the Land, the food options immediately went down.  We used to order chili, salad and sub sandwiches.  Now it's all fru fru foods.  Ciabatta this, panini that.  I just want a normal meal.  I pay $9 for Salmon and Mashed potatoes, Laurie spends the same on beef and flat bread. What a waste of time and money.

 

Living with the Land is a ride that I like to do.  It's just interesting to me the different ways you can grow crops.  The boat ride is pretty much the same, but instead of having a live person give narration, we have a recording.  I'm not missing the live person.

 

My only problem with this ride and Ellen's Energy Adventure is that they always try to make you feel back because you're a evil human trying to destroy the earth.

 

Soarin' is a great ride.  Just as great as Disneyland. (It's the exact same ride).

 

4:30 pm - Nemo and Friends.  We went on this ride on Sunday.  What a great ride.  I starting to see how this is going to be incorporated at Disneyland's submarine ride.

 

4:50 pm - Laurie wants a button.  She found out that if you go to Guest relations, you can get a button to commemorate your time at EPCOT.  We go to the counter and this nice person from Japan helps us.  He asks if this is our first time...No.  Then if we were having an anniversary...no.  He looks puzzled.  Then says I have one for you and gives us a Magical Gatherings button.  Cool.  Now when is my Million Dreams going to be fulfilled.

 

5:10 pm - We leave to go back to the resort.  That night I go to Pleasure Island for some improv fund.  Don't forget you can see me live at the National Comedy Theater - www.nationalcomedy.com.

 

Alan Ng

 

www.mypalal.com

www.themeparkshopper.com

 

 

Halloween at WDW

It's going to be a late dat today.

12:00 pm - arrive at Disney Quest. Laurie likes the interactive stuff like building a roller coaster, jungle cruise and alien encounter. I like the video game. I played a lot of the old stuff, Dragon's Lair, Tron, missle command.

3:00 pm - return to resort to prepare for the Halloween party.

5:00 pm - we leave to the Magic Kingdom and we arrive about 2 hours before the event begin. I'm not feeling well. My nose is running like water. Since we're early we decide to make use of the photo pass they gave us for the event. There's about 5 photographers stationed around the castle for the event. We get our pictures taken at each one.

Laurie is dressed as Cinderella. She's really playing her role. She being nice to children and telling them they look cute in their costumes. She meeting a lot of parent. I'm taking pictures. I'm just not that sociable.

We decide to take afew attractions while we wait and while I feel miserable. We do Philharmagic. What a great 3D movie. I wish this was at Disneyland. It's a way to debute Disney Characters in their computer animated form.

Next it's off to the carousel. I take pictures while Laurie looks cute. I shoot and video.

7:00 pm - an announce is made by a creepy Spirit letting us know the party has begun. Our priorities for this party is to get pictures, get candy, see shows.

As we walk toward the haunted mansion, we spot Cinderella's carriage. Picture moment. These photopass photographers are very good. They know how to pose.

It takes about 15 minutes but we get our picture. We arrive at the Haunted mansion and there's no line. There I also a picture moment at the mansion in front of the hearse. Pretty cool shot.

We get on the ride and now we're about 25 minutes from the parade. We then take our spot in Frontierland. Laurie then goes off to get some candy. Leaving me to wallow in my runny nose.

8:10 pm - the headless horseman gallops down the parade route. Super awesome. The horseman was one our tourguides from our horseback ride.

8:15 pm - the not-so-scary-Halloween parade begins. All of the characters were out and all of the villians. We are very impressed with parades at WDW.

9:15pm - we waiting in front of the castle for the fireworks show. We meet a family with a small girl also dressed as Cinderella. Laurie and the little girl hit it off even though she was shy to start.

Again WDW has a really good fireworks show. We were treated to Hallowishes.

I start to think that this is a school night. Can all of these kids be on vacation?

I also notice that for a sold out event this one is a lot of fun, not too crowded and well organized. I'll leave this blog here and let you see the rest of our fun in the photo gallery. I can't put anything up right now because I have a really bad internet connection at the resort.

1:00 am - I'm sick and tired and I'm getting some sleep.

Resort Day-10/30

8:00 am - It's too darn early, but we have a time share thing this morning.

8:35 am - getting Laurie up. Very difficult. Anyways it's worth free breakfast at Celebration and $80.

9:05 am - we arrive at the sales center.

11:15 am - finished presentation. Not too bad. We got a cheap breakfast. Pretty interesting. Be sure to read my article on time share presentations before ever going into one of these.

11:55 pm - rest.

2:00 pm - horseback riding. We were checking online and found out that they offer horseback riding at Fort Wilderness. It's about $40 each. Looks like our timeshare presentation is paying off.

We show up at the Fort Wilderness kennels to pay for our adventure.

2:30 pm - last trail ride of the day. We're all over it and we're joined by a mother and son. Just four of us. Super awesome. My horse is named Jumbo and Laurie us riding Romeo. We learn a lot about the life of horse riders and trail lines. Laurie, the outgoing one is talking with the mother. One of our guides dressed her horse as Peter Pan. The guides are going to be in the Beginning of the Halloween parade tomorrow.

3:30 pm - back in the car. What an awesome time. Definitely a hidden treasure of WDW so far. Off to Animal Kingdom. We want to ride Everest today.

4:00 pm - arrive at the security gate. They inform us that the park closes at 5 today. We have only 60 minutes for fun.

first we get our picture taken using the photopass. Take a look. We arrive at Expedition Everest. I'm woozy cuz I haven't had any food. We both get a frozen banana. Just what the doctor ordered.

We hop on Everest. Laurie and I ride it 3 times. There is no line. The second time I video tape the ride. The third time I video tape us. I hope I can publish this when we get back. I'm conerned about bandwidth.

4:25 pm - we head over to Dinosaur. The elevator broke so we can't go on it becaue of Laurie's knees. Oh well Indy is better. We ride the spinny ride at Dinoland. I'm feeling sick at the moment.

5:00 pm - I take a nap and Laurie is sleeps.

7:45 pm - I head over to Pleasure Island on my own. Laurie's not getting up. Pleasure Island is going through a lot of changes. The clubs on the left are boarded up. The stores are longer there. the west end stage is gone and the Bridge to the West Side shop has taken it's place.

8:15 pm - I'm sitting at the Comedy Warehouse. I love improv, especially by people who are better than me. Anyways you can see me most Saturday nights on www.nationalcomedy.com.

8:30 pm - Laurie pages me during the show telling me to pick her up. I tell her I'm going to see the 9:00 show.

10:15 pm - pick up Laurie at the resort.

10:45 pm - we arrive at the Adventurer's Club. Our 2nd favorite club. We notice a lot of return guests. Because they feel they have the right to be part of the show. The actors just ignore them. Good job.

11:00 pm - Samantha's cabaret. Fun show. They pick on married folks in this one.

11:45 pm - last comedy warehouse show. It has all of our favorites are in this show. We laughed a lot.

12:30 am - return to resort.