arrowfanman

.....Continued from the last post. Ok, so we continued around the rivers. The Mark Twain was out of service, once again detracting from the atmosphere, but then again, wacky-wailing-inflatable-tube-men and a Honda scooter can always make up for that! *rolls eyes* The Hondas were everywhere! I don't have a pic, but the maps even pinpointed the location of all of the Honda booths and vehicles! Yay. At least this one for a scholarship, which is a kind of cool idea. Finally we made it to Big Thunder Mountain. Unfortunately, due to utilizing both sides of the queue for standby, the line didn't move too quickly. But it did move. The slower pace started to get to TJ. When TJ gets tired...then he's gone! The only way to bring him back is to ride! ...which we finally did. We rode in the middle of the train, which is the most boring seat on Big Thunder, unfortunately. But that didn't keep us from having fun... ...Perhaps too much fun! Wow! The goat's still going strong, even at 3:00 in the morning! After Big Thunder we headed along the back of the park, towards Fantasyland. Most of Fantasyland was closed due to the hourly fireworks/they think teenagers don't want to ride Casey Jr. Psh! I wanted to ride it, thank you very much! We decided to pass up the Matterhorn and tackle the Rockit Mountain queue! Remember how we came back to beat the 120 minute queue? We didn't beat it...the wait was posted as 125 minutes! We debated if we should wait or not, but I really wanted to see Rockit for myself, so we waited. Holy stuff that was a line! They had switchbacks where you didn't even know switchbacks were meant to go! Down towards the entrance The cool thing about the long switchbacks, is that you would pass by people that you know, and 5 minutes later you would pass by them again. It kept it fresh! You also got some cool views of the mountain! I love the size and shape of our Space the best. Waiting in line for Rockit, we saw the fireworks begin. While we couldn't hear the music, I'm pretty sure I got the majority of the fireworks. ...Wow. I didn't realise that the sound is 66% of the fireworks experience! Ok folk, only one or two more...continued in the next post...

...alright...continued from last post! Next, we decided to go on the Haunted Mansion, as it was there, Splash Mountain was broken down (I heard them resetting stuff), we wanted to see the new changes, and besides...the Haunted Mansion is freakin sweet! Even though the line was here, none of the switchbacks were being used, so it was all good! Oh yea...TJ's still going at that >admin edit< bread! For those who don't know, the changes aren't here, but this is the only part of the ride light enough for me to take a pic! I personally thought that the ride changes (in the Attic) were pretty freakin sweet! They really add a new layer to the attraction! TJ said he preferred the old version, and David just didn't know what was changed, so when we got home I chopped their heads off. When we got out, Splash Mountain had reopened and already had a 35 minute line! I saw this in the line, and thought it was freakin weird! What is Disney trying to say?! link: Yay! A blurry photo of Splash Mountain! TJ's disappointed he cant lap sit. The ride was slower than usual! I don't know if its that a Standby line calls for different settings, or if they slowed it down on purpose, or if somethings in the water, or if I'm just imagining things! This was my freakin view, because TJ stole the front from me! It was supposed to be mine! This ones for Elissa and the fabric leaves enthusiasts. To this day I think that the back-story to Splash Mountain is about drugs. That crazy Disney! After Splash Mountain, we walked along the Rivers of America (or Rivers of Fog Effects?) towards Big Thunder Mountain... More Fantasmic equipment hard at work. Glad to see they're getting their money's worth from them!...not that they didn't already! Holy stuff! Ixnay on the Fognay! The report will continue in the next post....

...continued from last post! Ok, ok! I know I led on that I was going to ride Rockit first, but I didn't! That was my intention, but the line was posted at 120 minutes, so I wanted to come back later and see if it died down a bit. Until then, we decided to head towards Indy. Oh >admin edit With no FastPasses, we were forced to wait in all of the Standby lines. I haven't been in some of these stand-by's since...well...since FastPass was invented! I havn't been in the wonderful Indy line forever! Even with the line sticking all the way to Pirates, it only took about 45 minutes! >admin edit< that's freakin amazing capacity! I actually complemented the castmembers, and had to explain where I was coming from so they didn't think I was being sarcastic! Its also nice that they have a few CM's managing the line itself. They would hunt you out if you cut the line! It was awesome! Me and some Guano! The natural-updater in me couldn't help pointing out that the swirling bamboo-pole was missing. Be it for a refurb, or so us teenagers don't break it, I don't know! Soon we were on and enjoying it! I don't care how fun Space Mountain is, I still think that Indy is the best ride in the park! It might always be! Good bye EMV! I love you! Then we headed towards New Orleans Square for a meal. New Orleans Square is my favorite place in the park, and I was really glad to see the atmosphere wasn't raped like on Main Street. Kind of cool to see the Fantasmic effects up for something different. The songs were generally quieter and...better over here. TJ's sad that he cant get his soup! We decided to eat at the French Market, where we once again saw excellent service from the CM's! It's been a while since I've received good food service at Disneyland, so I was glad to see happy and efficient CMs. TJ was ecstatic that he was able to find his soup! Who would have thought that theme park Clam Chowder would be that good? Man! He's really going at that thing! Here's David, a lead in the Foods Department at SFMM (Wascals). He's a bit bitter as I was rubbing in what good food service is supposed to look like! ...of course, that was before heading to the Haunted Mansion to see yet another example of what good ride operation is supposed to look like! lush: Once again...the report will be continued in the next post....

Hello folks, and greetings from Thailand! Well, today I had a free day, so I decided to start working on my Grad Nite Trip report! Last Wednesday, I graduated from High School, once again celebrating the age-old pattern of going from the top of one tear (HS-senior) to the bottom of another (college-freshman)....that's life. To celebrate, the following day (Thursday, June 1st), I decided to go to my schools Grad Nite, at none other that Disneyland California....my favorite place in the entire world. Sure, admission may have been 95 dollars, to go to Disneyland for 4 1/2 hours with a bunch of teenagers, when I could go this summer for 60 bucks, to have 16 hours with my friends...but still! I thought I would try it out. I don't regret that decision, but unfortunately, I was rather a little underwhelmed and disappointed by the whole Grad Nite experience. But still...its Disneyland. It was fun, and I would do it again. Now...without further adieu....the trip report! Studen....former students begin to line up at our schoo.....at our formerly related public institution. So...we showed up at Saugus High School at 9:00 PM, and kind of stood around for 40 minutes, as the administrators were acting like they forgot to organize anything! Administrators trying to get their act together. Finally they handed out our little cards, and we boarded the buses. My super-sexy card. The bus ride wasn't that bad and finally we arrived at the park... I thought I would never see that sign! We drove for an hour and a half, only to wait another 1/2 an hour in a line of buses. In an attempt to remain organized, Disney has to provide the bus chaperone's with rules and supplies, and it literally took about 4 minutes per bus! Busses...and yes that blur at the bottom is our drivers hair. What?! How else was I supposed to stabilize the camera at night! Before we got off of the bus, we were given wristbands, tickets, and of course, our security bags... My security bag. We were required to dump all contents from our pockets and bags into that clear bag--unfortunately this was embarrassing for some people who opted to leave their stuff on the bus. We were then required to walk the tram route from the Timon lot to the park, where we went through security. This was supposed to be of security..but it wasn't. As we walked up to security, there was a lady shouting "Boys in rows 1, 3, 5, girls in rows 2, 4, 6!!" which by then, I clearly knew that this was not your mother's Disneyland's security. It was a rather thorough and invasive pat-down. You even had to put your hands up, like a criminal. But I'm not a criminal! I'm a teenager! Oh....yea...that's why. <_< After security we walked in to the park, under a quiet train station (the train wasn't in service...>admin edit< that killed the atmosphere), and into a totally different Main Street. My little turn-of the century town had huge sub woofers, strobe-lights, Wacky-Wailing-Inflatable Tube-Men, and of course, some Hondas! Almost cool. Now, I understand that they are shooting for a completely different audience, and on that degree, they succeeded. Everybody I know loved the music, lighting, and dancing. I just have never liked that sort of atmosphere, and the fact that it was on my Main Street is why it was disappointing. Ok...but lets get into the actual park... And start with Rockit Mountain, of course... WTF?! I thought that the sign was supposed to change to Rockit Mountain?! Continued in the next post....

8....if you count the skycoaster. -Jahan "Sorry...I go back to sleepytime now" Makanvand p.s. Thanks for the pic.

Wow...I cant decide if that was cleverly crafted of freakin stupid! Either way, I think I enjoyed watching it! -Jahan

I love how the handwritten sign has alternating caps! Looks like someones addicted to AIM or MySpace! Do you have more pics?! This place is awesome! -Jahan

Awesome report Guy! I feel like I was actually there! ...which is why I'm now going to take a shower. Just playin. -Jahan "can't wait for the next Mr. Koepp Report" Makanvand

Thanks for giving us a "day in the life of...Guy!" trip report! Sorry to hear that everythings closed. Its also nice to see some non-coaster related pics too. Keep 'em comin old man! -Jahan

As said, Rainbow Ridge is still alive, as well as a few tunnels to the right of BTM. Also, I thought I heard something about the cavern in the first lift either being from ATNW or resembling them. Anybody know? -Jahan

Oh wow. Wow....oh my. Oh my, wow. Oh, oh....oh wow. Wow...just wow. Oh wow. -Jahan

It is arguable. I never said DL was the first. As far as I'm concerned, Disneyland was the right assortment of everybody elses ideas....and money, as you pointed out. Although thats not to say it wasn't built on a budget. -Jahan

^ If thats the way your lookin at it, than like, the World Fair of like 1898 was one of the first examples of a theme park. And the Worlds Fair was like, the juggernaut. -Jahan

Great Photo Trip Report! I think you did a pretty fair job at summing up what SoCal has to offer, so if any of you are looking at planning a trip here, make sure you read this! Also... Disneyland considers itself the first theme park most likely because, as storytellers, Disney was the first person to use actual themes within the park. Sure, people had been trying to decorate their attractions with scenery for decades already, but Disney used themes found within stories and literature. Adventure, Fantasy, Progress--those are real themes. Santa Claus is just a bunch of Christmas scenery. Disneyland was also the first park to combine the idea of "themed lands". So frankly, while Disneyland may not be entirely original, I do believe that it reinvented/raised the bar of the park. Disney combined all the right principals to create quite a legacy. -Jahan "That song is on the way" Makanvand

Nope...do you think I'd be stupid enough to work when I anticipated those crowds?! Hell no! Actually, I had a conviently scheduled family gathering. I cant wait to get on the Sky Tower next Saturday. On a less-smoggy day, I can see my house from it! -Jahan

I ironicaly didn't snap too many photos during the event, but here are a few... The RCPro gang exhibiting some well-mannered frivolity. Even though Revy was open on time, they still didn't have time to clean up their mess. TJ's enjoying our first ride on Revy in months! Either we were just glad to have it back, or it actually was, but Revolution felt somewhat smoother! This photo sucked, but the real life thing was amazing--as you crest Revy's second hill, the pretzle just smashes into your face! The view was AMAZING! Only background music could have further stimulated the senses. While in line for Revolution, we came across a guy who claimed to own the company that has been retracking Psyclone. Claims they recieved a bonus if they had it finished by today. He also went on to claim that Psyclone was glass-smooth! So we had to ride for ourselves and find out! Here you can see some of the 1,000 feet of track that recieved some TLC. Now while it wasn't "glass smooth", the ride was definitely smoother and more enjoyable! In fact, the only parts that were bumpy were the parts that weren't retracked! So great job to that company! I wasn't in pain when we came back to the station! Nobody was complaining! They took a spine-shatteringly bumpy ride and reduced it to the "out of control" woodie feel, that was actualy enjoyable! And if SFMM is reading this, now all you need to work on are those crappy B&M cars! Those restraints are just painful to your penis! Even the girls come back with a hurt penis, and let me tell you...it takes a lot to give someone who doesn't have a penis, a hurt penis! Long story short, you guys should check out Psyclone for yoursleves. Like I said, it isn't entirely cured!....but it is much better, and much more enjoyable! -Jahan

I am actually very impressed with what Shapiro had to say, and I too will be very interested in seeing the future of SFMM.

Alright, I was talking to my dad about this, and he was right... To be quite honest, throughout most of the night, SFMM acted as if they didn't know what to do with us! I got the feeling that they thought of the idea of a campout and then failed to work out the details, thinking "how hard can it be?" As a matter of fact, the only shred of organization came from Theme Park Review! While we were all waiting for SFMM to actually announce what we were going to do (which took several hours!), Robb and Elissa took care of our every needs and at a personal expense! So I'd like to personally thank the Alveys for actually spending time, money, and engery into planning this event. For me, Theme Park Review's offerings were the only reason I found the campout-portion of the night to be enjoyable! -Jahan

Sorry about that Mark! If it makes you feel any better, it actually tasted more like what I imagine a Home Depot tastes like. Well guys...today I had a...butt-load of fun! I am definitely looking forward to next years event, for sure! Guy in a speedo, Wallmart donuts, water-slides on fire, and succesfully balancing a tight lunch budget....it all spells one hell of a day! -Jahan

Maybe you guys are lucky, and will actually get a real theme? -Jahan "theming takes time!" Makanvand

Holy shit! The speed on that this is unrelenting! Amazing! -Jahan "I'll definitely have to get out there when I have the opportunity!" Makanvand

How do you know that a third rail isn't hidden deeper in the tarp? Honesntly, there was a defined flange around the end of the rail--B&M connects its track pieces at the spine, not at a rail. -Jahan

^ You can check out the pics from this link: http://pointpics.com/other/project2007/ -Jahan

I wasn't that interested in this until I saw those pictures...I'm thinking Intamin, for sure.

^^ Stitch made $140 million at the box office. Dinosaur made $133 million. Pirates made $653 million. Honestly, Pirates is a more popular film, and if anything, the ladies will be coming back for rerides. -Jahan "Reminds me a bit of myself." Makanvand