Mhendrix's Early October Trip Report (10/05-10/08)

[mhendrix]

So this past weekend Oct. 5-8, two friends and I took the five (sometimes six) hour drive down to DLR and had a BLAST.

Well, needless to say after being hit by a jackknifed big-rig and three other vehicles I am glad to be alive, but even happier, I got to still have the opportunity to make it to DLR. Even though we were in a now crunched car (my good friend’s vehicle, not my own) this accident took place on I-5 and was due to a semi truck driver leaning over to grab something. His truck plowed into another which then smacked into the one next to our vehicle (I was in the passenger seat and this was my side all of this was happening on) to which the truck next to us slammed hard into our right side, tossing us into the median with other vehicles. Amazingly, one person had minor injuries. Everyone else was fine.

After the CHP and AAA checked out our vehicle (as horrible as it had been smashed) they told us we we’d be fine if we drove it, but it was up to us. We ended up driving it with the back passenger door stuck and no side view mirror or gas cap.


CM’s were in rare form as many went above and beyond their call of duty and pleased my group and I like never before. No doubt it is due to this Year of a Million Dreams promotion.

The park was awesome looking for Halloween Time! Everything was officially off the castle and the POD soundtrack seemed to have been tweaked since I had last watched it.
Not only was Julie Andrews’ opening speech replaced by a male’s voice, but it was everything Andrews had originally said just worded differently and without the 50th mentions. Everyone’s favorite Little Mermaid no longer speaks, she just waves, and Ursula doesn’t move or speak either anymore.

Little did we know at the time of planning the trip we’d be at the park for “Gay Days”. For the most part everyone was very well behaved with the exception of some sexually suggestive comments made by certain attendees in front of children which I thought was rather inappropriate. CM's referenced the event as "Red shirt weekend" and openly discussed with one another how the event in years past has caused confrontations. In that same note I did notice a step up in security.

This was the first time we had ever used the parking structure and found it a rather pleasant experience. Due to the recent hold-ups at the parking structure toll booths, I noticed an increase in security around the area and even an un-manned Anaheim police cruiser sitting directly behind the toll booths. Don’t mess with Disney!

Got to ride the Omnibus for the first time and right when I walked in as the park opened too! We went to the top of the bus and at that point I noticed four older men sitting together at the front of the bus, DLR lanyards around necks with collective pins and annual passes in toe.
These guys were having a blast and were obvious regulars to the park. The Omnibus driver even knew who they were in continually made comments about them over the loud speaker. I couldn’t help but wonder… VF users? (This was on Friday 10/6)

Not only did we find comfort, fun and good times at the Carnation Caf? on Main Street (Ate there twice for breakfast/ twice for lunch) we also met a young lady by the name of Gloria from Fullerton, who you could tell loves her job and Disneyland. It was because of her positive coffee pouring attitude that we returned later in the day for lunch only to present her with Mickey Jack-O-Lantern ears with her name on them and some pumpkin cheesecake. She was so incredibly flattered and blushing red that she had to keep walking away to hide it. (We did make a pretty big deal out of it to the other Guests about how great she was). We then made it known that Gloria ruled to her management and Guests standing in line. CM’s make magic for us Guests, and I like to do so in return when possible.

After breakfast my friend and I went over to DCA and straight to Hollywood pictures back lot where we ran into a couple from 1939 who stayed at the Hollywood Tower Hotel (TOT) it was so awesome talking to them, and a very nice touch for Halloween. The depth of their characters and personas were incredible and then I met “Glynesse” a reporter and gossip columnist from the local paper who was at the hotel to get the “big scoop” on the party that was to take place the same night.
Talking with these characters is so much fun and very intriguing. You can ask them anything and they will have some 1939 answer for you. Nice work Disney! At times it felt as if I was in a movie, as Glynesse spoke about how unusual the Tower was a large thunder clap sounded around DCA. And as Glynesse called the Hotel a strange place with strange people, a "Maintenance" man named Bill walked by behind Glynesse, saying, "Yeah, I keep this place running."
My friends and I laughed so hard as this was all too perfect of a conversation.

For the first time I ended up seeing Aladdin a Musical Spectacular and was wowed like never before. Quite possibly one of the best theatrical performances ever. The genie is hilarious and the magic carpet is also very funny. Great show.

After this my friend and I went over to the Animation Studio, sat on a couch, and watched the Disney animated magic unfold around us when we were approached by a CM named Valerie. Valerie wanted to know all about my friend and I, where we were from, who our favorite characters are, why we come to DLR, and… WHAT OUR DREAM IS!!!
This was the line I had been looking for. I immediately went for the big guns and said I had always dreamt about living on main street or riding my favorite attractions with a character or two. We went on to talk about other dreams and Valerie began asking us about attractions that we had already been on and what our favorite attractions are.

We mentioned that we really enjoy Tower of Terror but the wait time is always so long and we also talked about how we’d like to see Golden Screams but have never been able to because the shows are ALWAYS full. Valerie then excused herself only to return moments later with a camera crew and granted us our uh… wish of seeing Golden Screams. Valerie gave us special instructions and certain names of Cast Members to speak with when we arrive. After giving Valerie a hug for her kind gift my friend and I left the animation studio to head to the Screams theatre when we noticed the camera crew was following us through the Off the Page store. When I turned around and made it obvious I was watching, the camera crew (dressed in CM name tags and radios) pulled back a little.

As we arrived, the lines were already very long and the show full. We followed our specific instructions and were immediately escorted inside to front row center. It should be noted the camera crew was in the Golden Screams as well and went away soon after the show started.

We watched, we laughed, we cheered, we exited satisfied after a ‘cute’ show to CM Valerie who was waiting at the exit. Valerie then handed my friend and I fast passes to Tower of Terror and said she hopes she had made our stay even more magical and memorable. We agreed that she had and embraced her again.
And yes, the camera crew, whatever they were taping for, were there filming again.
Anyone know what they’d be taping for?

Over the course of the three days we ate at Goofy’s kitchen, we partied at the Tommorowland Terrace with Mickey and Minnie (That was a blast) as we listened to the Flashbacks. We also got to see the High School Musical Pep Rally--Interesting show. It is mostly a dancing instruction session for those who saw the movie. The music is that of the film and wasn’t terrible for a one float parade type of performance. Another interesting thing is that the pep rally travels! It literally drives around from different sections of the park to others and at oddly quick speeds with the performers on it… it is actually really funny to watch. It will be an on-going joke among my friends and I. We saw Fantasmic! twice, RDCT 3 nights in a row and LOVED Haunted Mansion Holiday. I also saw the POD 5 times. The trash can trio even stopped right in front of an all new place I was waiting at for POD one night and began playing!

Things really seemed to just come to me on this trip.

Halloween Time! Is a really fun theme and I think they’ll do even more with it next year. Both Saturday and Sunday were very busy. The CHOC walk pushed DLR opening from 9am to 9:30am on Sunday, upsetting those who showed up on time.

For the first time I was able to talk to Stitch in Innoventions. That was a ton of fun, with the exception of the CM who stood in our booth as we spoke to Stitch, but I guess it is all for a good cause.

And folks, I finally got the opportunity to try my first Dole Whip. WOW. All I have to say is, WOW. Delicious and so tasty. This was a VF influenced purchase by the way!

All in all, a great time for a great time of year at the happiest place on earth. I loved the trip and can’t wait to start heading back for the next big vacation.

[mousecrazy]

WOW a rocky to start to a GREAT trip. Congrats on getting a wish. So happy that you and your crew were safe and that you got home ok. Loved the report!

[Rachele]

It sounds like you had an amazing trip, after a very bumpy start. Thanks for the trip report - I love hearing about others' experiences at the park. You and your friends are so sweet for going out of your way for Gloria - you don't see that often.

[adrianne]

Great trip report! How exciting to have a Wish granted!! Thank you SO much for sharing it...it will give me lots of fuel for other Disney Daydreams!

[mhendrix]

Thanks!
We had a really great time AFTER the accident. It was a spur of the moment thing to create a little magic for Gloria, but she deserved it.

The Dole whip is my new favorite sweet at the park and I've got a lot of pictures I'll share and post in a few days.

Life is sooo good---when you're alive!

[mhendrix]

I can't wait to post pictures of DLR and uh... the wreck...