OldJJman

Out of the 15 or so times I've been to CP, I've only used the front entrance once. I see no reason to change that now!

POV on ANY spinning coaster is pointless, and stupid. Unless, of course, there is a water challenge. (Then you might actually comprehend what you're seeing.) JJ

BINGO!!!!

Yes. and to further elaborate they expanded into an old employee parking lot. Thanks. That then makes sense to me, as I remember seeing all of the trailers and temp buildings when you took the monorail around, and behind ToT.

Love the pics there! Looks really nice!! Question though: Is this in the area that is to the left to ToT, as you face it? As in: a new alley in-between the restrooms and the theater, where the huge wooden gate was (is)? I don't remember seeing an exact location for it. JJ

Here's a few pics from last night: A Monorail MARK VII for Scott. Red Car Trolley hat, complete with ears. A (not so) interesting Trolley shirt. Shirts, antenna balls, hats, frames - all kinds of Red Car merch. Mickey conductor. Satchel, with the ghost of Mickey. (I wonder if he got ran over by the Red Car at some point.) Models - all kinds of goodies. This is the entrance to Carsland from the Pacific Wharf food area. It's just enormous! I know you haven't seen this picture before! "DJ" and the dancers (who come out of "Flo's" to start the show) entertaining the people. The side of "Radiator Springs Curios", where old "Route 66" signs go to rust away. Stanley. The detail in the rock work as seen from on-ride. The waterfalls are really impressive! I just think you go past them a little too fast. Carsland heiroglyphics. And there it be! Trolley coming... .....annnnnnnd going. Thanks for looking!

^&^^ - Yeah. At 5:30 pm, a 2.5hr wait is pretty damn long. Yes, and no. The entire ride experience is so enveloping that they won't notice that. They'll still be too wide-eyed at this point to notice. (I.e. "shiny objects") I'll post a few pics of things that haven't been shown yet later tonight when I get off work. JJ

I went back last night to meet up with Hector, get a second ride and do some shopping. We headed for the single rider line, which was blocked off. When that line reaches the marquee, they close it for a little to let it die down, and NOT spill over into the walkway. Kind of annoying, but makes sense in the long run. They told us to come back in about 15-20 minutes. We wandered, saw some street performers with "DJ" (it was actually very well done), and looked in the shops that had hour long lines just a week before. Also took some time to notice more details around Carsland. Granted, I've only been twice, but it's quite nice to notice small details that you hadn't seen before. After about 20 minutes the line had reopened. We got on in about 25 minutes. I'm guessing that a full single rider line (to the marquee) is about 50-60 minutes. (BTW- The stand-by line was about 2-1/2 hours. It was about 5:30pm) I didn't take that into consideration on my first ride. I guess I can say that I didn't notice it the first time, as I had no reference. This time I was fortunate enough to be placed in a rear seat. It made world of difference, as the seats are about 2-3 inches higher as well. This time the whole indoor portion was much more enjoyable, as I had a much larger field of vision (unobstructed by the darkened windshield). Still seems a tad bit fast in the dark ride section, but DEFINITELY better. I was also fortunate enough to go through Ramone's paint shop (right side at the split). The automatic paint machines are the same as the "corrosion" test on TT, with a HD video of Ramone and Flo talking to you as you go through. (I prefer the effects of Luigi's side. "Peeeet Stop!) The race is still pretty tame, but overall a much better ride experience from the rear seat. Did some wandering through ALL the stores (Carsland and Buena Vista St.), most of which had HUGE lines last week. I enjoyed taking in the sights of the store interiors. They are ALL very well done. Did a little shopping, completed a cast-member survey (5 min) and went home. Not bad for a 2 hour visit after work. JJ

At least for a week or so.

Same. I want one. IIRC, they sell small versions of those, kinda like a plaque. About 8"x16". I'll check next time I head over, if you guys are interested.

But then again, none of the other Disney parks in Orlando are full fledged, stand alone, one-day parks either. I want to disagree with that, but then I'd contradict myself about DCA. I guess from an enthusiast standpoint, you'd be right. But for Joe Consumer and his family, I guess they all could be full day parks (incl DCA). I mean that each one has enough attractions AND shows, that could take up a full days' time. Even AK. JJ

I'm almost sorry about posting my review now, especially after seeing how it has all exploded. Fact of the matter is: I pretty much agree with everything Ratuso (yes, I know his name) has said. A lot of that is pretty much backed up by the L.A. Times article that he posted. That article really sums up the way I feel as well. DCA has almost always been like a "gimmick" park. Not a "best of" or "collection of"... just gimmicky. When it opened, there were no real "signature" attractions aside from "Soarin", CS and perhaps GRR. Each "land", though designed to replicate a certain aspect of "California culture", fell somewhat short of the mark in most people's eyes. Granted, from day one, the themeing is/was VERY well done. BUT, most people never stopped to look at what was presented. They just walked on by to the next attraction that might hold their interest, as few as there were/are. Problem was/is, and remains to this day, is that there is no continuity throughout the park. Every thing that's been added in the meantime (before this whole 1.1B$ thing) has been merely a band-aid. Disney, in this case, is very reminiscent of a great scene from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" - "It's just a flesh wound." You have severe bleeding, and you put on band-aids: Tower of Terror Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Now gone. Changing Superstar Limo to Monsters Inc. Bugs Land ElecTRONica/Mad-T Party All were/are band-aids. Paradise Pier seems to be the worst offender of all. I actually think the ONLY things that were done right were the changeover from the "Sun Wheel" to "Mickey's Fun Wheel", and the addition of TSMM. I even have to throw in WoC, as much as I despise it - as the crowds (NOT just the fanboys) really like it. But - Maliboomer - it went. The chairswings - gotta go. Golden Zephyr - gotta go. Goofy's Fly School - c'mon. An off-the-shelf Mack mouse?? I am truly surprised that that wasn't sold to a carnival (where it belongs) and had something like Crush's Coaster from WDSP installed in it's place. Those things just don't say "Disney". Like I said in the beginning of my review of the revamped DCA: I stand by that 100%! However, the park has a LONG, LONG way to go, before becoming a full fledged, stand alone, one-day park. Unfortunately, I think that Joey might be off a little on this one. While he is correct in saying that Disneyland does need some serious attention (Tomorrowland), the Carsland area of DCA can only do so much. And when the dreaded (IMO) Harry Potter (I'm NOT a fan) opens at USH, that will certainly take it's toll, as HP is VASTLY more popular than Cars will ever be. When it comes down to the almighty dollar sign, you can bet Disney can, and will, take notice. I do think that Carsland and RSR in particular, are a major step forward. It was done right. It does have its signature attraction. Though *I* feel that, ever so slightly, it could have been so much more. (Inesrt here the fact that Wes pointed out - the cars DO race - a truly unique feature that does make this ride different from its' counterparts.) So please, don't jump on Ratuso for his opinion, as it pretty much shadows my own. I may just express it a bit nicer. JJ

There's a shocker!

Great job David! Looking forward to the next installment!

Ok. So I decided to brave the crowds at DCA tonight after I got off work, despite the reports I'd heard during the day. I decided to park over at Gardenwalk, and walk over. I figured it would a much easier route to the park, especially after hearing that the parking structure had closed at noon, due to reaching capacity. (Don't know if it reopened or not.) Got to the park just a touch after 6pm. Walked straight in and met up with Erik Johnson (no relation). I remember looking down the new Buena Vista Street thinking "Wow. This is what DCA should have looked like opening day!" Even with the hoards of people, the trolley was running and the makeover really looks fantastic. We walked straight to RSR and the single rider line. The time was posted at 50 minutes. That's almost exactly what we waited, despite a 15 minute breakdown. The queue is really well organized, integrating all 3 lines (stand-by, FP and single-rider) very smoothly. As for the ride: It's good. Very good. The first outdoor portion in nice and gives you a great view of the enormity of the project, as well as the incredible detail. In the dark ride portion, it lost a little something for me. You go by the scenes a little too fast (not only) to take it all in, but to get the gist of the story. Yes, I, and everyone else knows the story, but..., there is so much going on, that the scenes seem a little rushed. On our ride, we went through Luigi's. The effect of the whitewall tires is cool. Then you see Doc Hudson and then race. To me, the race seemed almost anti-climatic. There really isn't a lot of speed there. Yeah, there's a tiny bit of airtime on a couple of hills, but because of those hills, the cars never really get going until after the final turn (into the dip under the bridge and the finish line). Overall, it is (for now) the huge attraction that this park needed. Honestly, I would call it a "D" ticket attraction, with an "E" ticket budget. It just fell a little short on the major thrill factor for me. Especially when I would do a comparison to either TT, or JttCotE. I mean, TT does all that silly dark ride stuff, then bolts like a bat outta hell, hitting 67mph on a steeply banked track. Journey has the ear splitting thunder and lightning bolt, then Lava Monster and you get the hell away from him as fast as you can. I would rate TT and RSR pretty even. The dark ride portion of TT is lame, as is the racing part of RSR. Journey owns all! As for the town of Radiator Springs itself: A-MA-ZING!!!! I would hazard a guess that it is the single most immersive themed land in any park anywhere. Granted, craploads of people didn't help. Then again, neither did 3 entrances to the area itself (from Bugsland, the main street, and Pacific Wharf). But seriously, you really are in Radiator Springs. It's immersive, impressive, and engulfing - all at the same time. Anywho, that's my 2 cents worth. JJ

I am actually planning on going after work on Friday, provided that I haven't heard that the park has reached capacity and is closed (Which I am kind of anticipating). JJ

Fixed!

While we're at it, might as well do the Pharoah's Fury thing and add more snakes and a crapload of fire!!

Minor refurb. Updated the two Indy's to look more life-like (and they do), and a few minor things. When I went Sunday with Divv, lots of lights weren't working,timing was a bit off in the blowing darts, rat room was seriously messed up, etc... F On our first ride, the ball room didn't move. Second time, the room moved, but the ball wasn't rolling. It really needs a good 3-4 month rehab, and add the damn smoke ring!!

(And yes, it's damn funny!)

You noticed that huh? Yeah, it's not doing too well.

It was pretty poor yesterday too. The only thing Divv had to compare it to was Indy at TDS. Doors weren't working. Some lights were not working. Ball wasn't working. And no Paco.

^ Mike looks a bit ...... concerned!

Wrong again Boy Blunder!! I can't hate it, because I would have to care about it enough to have an opinion, and I don't. So there!! Some of the GP seem to enjoy WoC. But the fanboys will love it. So fine, cater to the masses. I don't care about it one way or the other.

I was thinking 2010. Then again, I stayed on Terminator/Apocalypse for about 12 rides in the rain that night in 2011, so it might have been. But I do remember it racing during the day of WCB as well, just not sure what year it was.