This is the 8th of a series of posts dealing with
my fourth trip to South California. I’ve made minor corrections to these
reports. Also, I’ve added additional thoughts with the hindsight of a ¾ year
later or to add further clarification.
These are indicated by “NOW”. After I booked the trip I unexpectedly had
to move and during that had an Eastern Canada trip that didn’t go that great,
so I was already pretty tired before the trip began.
Downpour last night; dog sneaked into my room and
on bed; got dog out and bunk mate opened door wide open. Someone's alarm went
off around 4:30. Bought DVD at 7-11. Took bus to resort area and ate at
McDonald's. At line for Disney’s California Adventure a female worker pointed out
a rainbow. Pumpkin imagery still visible from Disneyland Park across from
California Adventure.
[NOW: The hostel is Orange Mango Hostel in Santa
Ana; the dog is Smokey. The bus I took to resort area is in nearby Orange and
the resort area in Anaheim.
When initial doors opened stood at queuing area at
Condor Flats. Rainy day off and on today. Again no jacket. When the park fully
opened rode Soarin' Over California. Video imagery of California from sky;
glider motion simulator. Got World of Color Fastpass for show supposed to start
at 9:45 though left park well before that due to mishap I'll mention in a bit.
[NOW: Photography was not permitted in Soarin' Over
California and likely also not its replacement, Soarin'.]
Went to Paradise Pier. Goofy’s Sky School and California
Screamin' not yet open due to earlier rain. Rode Toy Story Midway Mania, a shoot
‘em up track ride. I got a Fastpass for Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land,
though Fastpass machine is closer to A Bug’s Land. I went to Hollywood Land and
found that Monsters Inc.: Mike and Sulley to the Rescue was also not open. Rode
Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror, a ride where you shoot upward. Went to Grizzly Peak and rode Grizzly Bear
rapids twice; flume ride. In Paradise Pier, roller the roller coaster Goofy’s
Sky School and took photos.
[NOW: Paradise Pier has been split into Pixar Pier and Paradise Gardens Park. Goofy's Sky School is in the latter, Toy Story Midway Mania is in the former. Calfornia Screamin' is now closed but was in the area now Pixar Pier. A Bug's Land is now gone with Avengers Academy to take its place. I tried to get shots of the Twilight Zone queuing
area while letting people pass me but still managed to piss people off; it's now gone. Cars
Land wasn’t there during my 2008 trip.]
Rode Radiator Spring Racers (track ride which
speeds up near the end and was trapped in car at end when ride broke down close
to the exit. They never let us out even though the gate was two meters max. Rode
Luigi's Flying Tires also in Cars Land: hovercraft/bumper car. Grabbed lunch in Hollywood Land. Woman screwed
up my order and had to fix. Saw live
stage show Aladdin at Hyperion Theatre. Decent show; the genie was ambiguously
gay in this version and there was fourth wall breaking which I don't care for
but it was well performed. I saw Muppets 3-D (movie with extra effects; apparently
last day for now). Rode Monsters Inc.: Mike and Sulley to the Rescue; track
ride. Went to A Bug’s Land and saw another 3-D show It's Tough to Be a Bug.
[NOW: Luigi's
Flying Tires, Muppets 3-D, and It's Tough to Be a Bug are now closed.
Aladdin has been replaced in the Hyperion Theatre with Frozen. While Hyperion Theatre was there last trip
this was my first time inside. Photography not allowed during this, Muppet, or
Tough to Be a Bug shows. After Monster’s Inc I saw the interactive video
feature Turtle Talk with Crush at Disney Animation].
Went to Paradise Pier and this is where the trip
fell apart. I went to California Screamin' roller coaster. I couldn't find a place
to store my bag and my social anxiety wouldn't let me ask about a bag storage
place. So I secured me camera in my camera bag and held on tight to bag during
ride. Even so camera stopped working right soon after. I discovered this as I was
getting Fastpass for Goofy's Sky School. I checked a couple of leads. Asked if
someone at the park could check if Target nearby had one. Had a nervous breakdown
when told they couldn't call. Someone finally did call. I was told that another
Target had one but was too far away. A later found out it was probably close
enough to walk. Started to leave the
park but then started getting partial image so in my shocked state decided to
return. They weren't going to let me in again due to camera batteries but
finally did.
I got a Soarin’ Over California Fastpass. Rode
Goofy's Sky School though didn't take pics during ride again. Also in Paradise
Pier rode the track ride The Little Mermaid - Ariel's Undersea Adventure and took
photos as well as I could. Rode Grizzly River Rapids once more, then Soarin’ Over
California after getting a second Fastpass.
Got emotional after the ride. A worker offered a few suggestions re:
camera but nothing took for more than half second at a time. Did get a Soarin’
tour before riding again. Just before the ride heard a cracking sound; didn't
make things any worse but it does suggest lens got cracked during California
Screamin'. I wanted to get night photos of the park as it's beautiful at night
but could only get less than ¼ screen at best. Heart not really into staying at
park so took Anaheim Resort Transit bus to near hostel (16; driver just let me
on when feeder wouldn't take my money). Grabbed dinner from 7-11. Backup camera's
sparking problem too big to take to Disneyland so have to rearrange my schedule
to get another camera tomorrow instead.
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