A lucky trip to Disneyland

[ajinaz]

Came out to Disneyland for a few days this week. On Friday we won a Dream Flashpass, Dream After Hours Party at California Adventure, Dream Ears and we rode Pirates with Ed Begley Jr.

How could Saturday top that?

Sitting behind the Matterhorn and out of the smoke and ash we saw......... Jahan. Yep it was him in his TPR t-shirt. Following my personal celebrity sighting creed I did not approach him or bother him in any way. I just stared while he walked by.

 

On a serious note:

 

The parks were the least crowded I have ever seen on Thursday and Friday and only slightly more crowded today. I know that Disney is expecting smaller crowds in the 1st quarter of 09 but it looks like it is already starting. We walked on everything this week except a 15 minute wait for Toy Story Mania. We never used our dream pass but just kept it intact for a souvenir.

The after hours event at CA was a joke. They gave out way too many passes so it was the only time we saw a line at TOT or Screamin.

 

The smoke and ash today was really bad. I was always amazed at the way Disney World would suddenly have ponchos everywhere you looked just before it started to rain. Well today there were bandanas everywhere I looked. I saw several people walking around with them over their faces. Disney is certainly the expert in making lemonade from just about anything. Let's see what they can do with the economic problems coming their way.

[Big Mike]

Cool, how did you win all the cool stuff?

 

 

Peace, Big Mike

[Top Thrill Dragster]

The parks were the least crowded I have ever seen on Thursday and Friday and only slightly more crowded today. I know that Disney is expecting smaller crowds in the 1st quarter of 09 but it looks like it is already starting.

 

That just the way it is during the off season. One of the many advantages of going to the park on a week day in the off season.

 

Sounds like you had fun.

[The Cheat]

Cool, how did you win all the cool stuff?

 

 

Peace, Big Mike

 

You just have to be at the right place at the right time.

[SuperShawn]

I had some customers come into my store yesterday (Saturday) Saying they had tried to go to Disneyland earlier in the day, however the ash was smoke was horrible they were slightly discouraged. Did you find that it was affecting your day there at all? Or any of the ride operations?

 

Also they said when they arrived a transformer had went out and they were told half the rides were not in operation, do you or anyone else have any other information on this?

 

I ask because I was planning on going monday but am slightly worried on the state of things.

[ajinaz]

I had some customers come into my store yesterday (Saturday) Saying they had tried to go to Disneyland earlier in the day, however the ash was smoke was horrible they were slightly discouraged. Did you find that it was affecting your day there at all? Or any of the ride operations?

 

Also they said when they arrived a transformer had went out and they were told half the rides were not in operation, do you or anyone else have any other information on this?

 

I ask because I was planning on going monday but am slightly worried on the state of things.

 

Back in Phoenix now. Until we drove up the freeway towards the hills we didn't realize how close the fires were to us.

To answer your questions:

 

It was kind of miserable but got better as evening approached. Everyone had "dandruff" and the stroller had a pretty good cover of ash after each ride.

 

We never experienced any ride shut downs.

It looked a lot better this morning over the park although a slight smell still lingered.

I would say go for it on Monday. Most of the decorations are up even though Christmas doesn't officially start until the 21st.