We Hopped All The Way To Disneyland Just For Some Dis Meets. Ch. 10. Added-7/14/14

[Sorsha]

Just interrupting this TR to give everyone a first hand look at Mickey's Wheel of Death in action. They are doing the live cams today for both California and Florida parks, I think T-Man has a thread going here on the Dis for the links to all the different cams, but this one, at California Adventure Park in Anaheim, has the perfect view of The Wheel of Death from Paradise Pier. You can now understand my issues with it once you see it in action.

Mickey's Not So Fun Wheel of Death!

I now return you to your regular scheduled Dis time.

Remind me again which side of the line just goes happily round and round and which side becomes The Wheel of Death? I wouldn't want to get in the wrong one by mistake.

 

[pkondz]

Just interrupting this TR to give everyone a first hand look at Mickey's Wheel of Death in action. They are doing the live cams today for both California and Florida parks, I think T-Man has a thread going here on the Dis for the links to all the different cams, but this one, at California Adventure Park in Anaheim, has the perfect view of The Wheel of Death from Paradise Pier. You can now understand my issues with it once you see it in action.

Mickey's Not So Fun Wheel of Death!

I now return you to your regular scheduled Dis time.

Fun link to watch.
Every time a car would slide down the rails and swingswingswing...
I thought of you, screaming your head off.

And welcome back Nebo and Smidgy!

 

[smidgy]

thanks all! the dr. is pretty hesitant to do surgery again. wasn't really what nebo wanted to hear. (not cause he loves surgery so much, but he wants there to be something that can be done)
because his fingers are all tingly and numb, we are going to a neurologist for a test this week. depending on what he says (an ENG test, whatever that is), the dr. might go in and remove the plate. that might help a little.
he just basically told nebo the his wrist is most likely as good as it will get, it will never be like it was. sigh.

between his eyes and his wrist, I keep telling him we need to look into a laptop or tablet for him with voice recornition software or something like that. but Nebo doesn't want solutions to adjust to the problem, he wants the problem to go away.
in the mean time, to get his mind off things, we are planning our fall "free" dining trip! 4 nights at the new cabana Bay resort at Universal, then 7 nights at CBR with free dining. starting sept. 16 yay!

 

[smidgy]

I hope T-man and lady H don't mind me hijacking the TR for a short story.

I was talking with my grandson jackson (8) about school . I decided to quiz him on discoverers.
Me: who discovered America?
jackson: Christopher Columbus!
Me: who discovered the pacific Ocean?
Jackson: I don't know
Me: Balboa... who discovered Florida?
Jackson: YOU GUYS!

 

[Thumper_Man]

I hope T-man and lady H don't mind me hijacking the TR for a short story.

I was talking with my grandson jackson (8) about school . I decided to quiz him on discoverers.
Me: who discovered America?
jackson: Christopher Columbus!
Me: who discovered the pacific Ocean?
Jackson: I don't know
Me: Balboa... who discovered Florida?
Jackson: YOU GUYS!

Hijack away and welcome back. Hope you and Nebo had a wonderful time. Can't wait to read all about it.

I'm still working on the next chapter. Should have one up this week.

Smart kid. He only missed one question and that's because he didn't know the answer. I bet he never forgets again who discovered the Pacific Ocean.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Remind me again which side of the line just goes happily round and round and which side becomes The Wheel of Death? I wouldn't want to get in the wrong one by mistake.

There are signs to help direct you. One points the way to non-swinging and the other to swinging. Just make sure and pay attention at the intersection.

If I remember correctly, to the right is the SWINGING GONDOLA. This puts the Death in Mickey's Wheel of Death.

To the left is the NON-SWINGING GONDOLA. This is takes you happily around and around, but if you're deathly afraid of heights, you may also consider Mickey's Wheel of Death; as you are definitely high in the air.

We've yet to try to Non-swinging car. I don't know if I'll ever get Lady H on this ride again.

 

[Thumper_Man]

4 nights at the new cabana Bay resort at Universal,

I'll comment more on the rest later, but in case you don't know already; the new expansion area of Harry Potter opens this summer. Expect heavy crowds.

Also, Cabana Bay resort does NOT offer Unlimited Express Pass like the other 3 hotels do. Don't know if that's a perk you like having, but thought I would give you a heads up.

 

[smidgy]

yup, knew all that. I've already looked at video of the Escape from Grindotts ride. the vehicle is just like the ones in the Mummy ride. butit looks pretty scary to me.

in sept the lines aren't so bad. I'm sure they will be at Gringotss, though an the Horwarts express. the thing is the newest rides are never included in the universal express anyway. last time we were there.. the Forbidden Journey was not included. but the early entry IS included for Cabana bay.
sometimes we would use the reg. line anyway cause otherwise you missed some stuff (esp in the Men in Black ride)
I think it's more imp. than nebo does, but we'll see. we really want to try this new resort, it's so retro. I will miss hte short walk to city walk, or the boat ride. I liked that at Universal we never had to take a bus.
we also will have the option of using Universa'ls version of the GAC.

 

[Thumper_Man]

yup, knew all that. I've already looked at video of the Escape from Grindotts ride. the vehicle is just like the ones in the Mummy ride. butit looks pretty scary to me.

in sept the lines aren't so bad. I'm sure they will be at Gringotss, though an the Horwarts express. the thing is the newest rides are never included in the universal express anyway. last time we were there.. the Forbidden Journey was not included. but the early entry IS included for Cabana bay.
sometimes we would use the reg. line anyway cause otherwise you missed some stuff (esp in the Men in Black ride)
I think it's more imp. than nebo does, but we'll see. we really want to try this new resort, it's so retro. I will miss hte short walk to city walk, or the boat ride. I liked that at Universal we never had to take a bus.
we also will have the option of using Universa'ls version of the GAC.

I knew you were on top of it. After all, you are the Orlando experts. I just remember when we went the year that WWoHP first opened. We went in October which we thought would be a slow time of the year and things would have slowed down a bit since school was back in session. Were we ever wrong. 45-120 minute wait for Forbidden Journey. 45-60 minute wait for Dragon Challenge. Even the rest of the park had crazy wait times. 45 minute for Jurassic, 60 minutes for Bluto's, 30-45 minutes for Hulk. It was just nuts. I think I even have pictures still of some of the wait times.

We want to go back to Orlando but are waiting for it to die down. Besides, we are going to Cancun this year so not enough funds go anywhere else. No Disney or Uni this year. Hopefully next year. We need a change of pace. Wait for some of the new to die down. Besides, our timeshare is expanding. It is operated by Wyndham, but we didn't have access to many of the Wyndham timeshares. Confused? Let me see if I can explain.

Our timeshare company is called WorldMark by Wyndham. WorldMark has their own set of timeshares we can use. Wyndham also has their own set of timeshares they own called Wyndham Vacation Resorts. None of the WVR were available to us unless we did an exchange through RCI. Starting this year, WorldMark has reached an agreement with Wyndham Vacation Resorts that will allow us to use their resorts for a small exchange fee, without having to go through RCI.

When/IF we go, we are looking at staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. That will be an option for us now. I've even looked at the possibility of doing an RCI exchange for a Disney resort. Those are harder to come by though. WBC would be easier for us to book.

Anyways, I hope it's not too crowded when you go. I'm envious that you will get to see it and we'll have to wait a little longer. I was hoping to win one of the Today Show trips, but I guess I didn't. Oh well. Have a Hogshead brew for me.

 

[Thumper_Man]

45-120 minute wait for Forbidden Journey. 45-60 minute wait for Dragon Challenge. Even the rest of the park had crazy wait times. 45 minute for Jurassic, 60 minutes for Bluto's, 30-45 minutes for Hulk. It was just nuts. I think I even have pictures still of some of the wait times.

Found a few pictures I have uploaded already. I took each of these pictures as we entered the queue.

Forbidden Journey wait time October 2010 (Year WWoHP first opened).


After we finished riding, the wait time was at 60 minutes.

Forbidden Journey wait time December 2012



Next pictures are of the WWoHP queue.

October 2010.


December 2012.

 

[smidgy]

holy cow! what a difference in those ride queues!!! we also didn't realize the our trip has un arriving at disney just in time for the kickoff of the food and win festival.. it use to start at the very END of sept.! sigh

it those darned kids!! they keep having THEIR kids in sept! our favorite time to go.. it used to be so slow. I'll have to buy them each a box of condoms to use for the month of dec. lol we are squeezing this trip in between Kaylee's bday and jacksons bday.
I don't know, when we were kids, sometimes you got together with "family" for birthdays, sometimes you had a kid party sometimes you had a friend overnight, etc etc. nowadays. you have to get together,t he whoel family, for every single birthday!!! sheesh!
actually,w e use to do Universal maybe every 2 years, or 3. and then we would do it in the spring. but the lines weren't too bad at all. we;ll see. I'm sure Diagon alley, the hogwarts express and the new resort will fill things up, though.

there is a thread on the dis about bonnett creek. it looks REALLY NICE!!! I was mentioning it to nebo a few years ago. they have a lzy river. and you can get a studio with a kitchenette and balcony for really cheap! it's just off of Buean Vista drive, just west of epcot center drive and Bonnet creekk drive where you turn to go to POR and POFQ. (you see the lighthouse for Old Key West on that corner). the resort is just east of Carribbean Beach resort. I guess they do have shuttles to the parks, but not very often.. but you guys rent a car anyway,.
If you do use your RCI to stay at a Disney resort, we strongly recommend the Bordwalk.. it is so cool, being a 10 minute walk to epcot. and you guys would love the night life there!

 

[Thumper_Man]

actually,w e use to do Universal maybe every 2 years, or 3. and then we would do it in the spring. but the lines weren't too bad at all. we;ll see. I'm sure Diagon alley, the hogwarts express and the new resort will fill things up, though.

Since we don't go to Orlando as often as you and Nebo, we go to USO/IoA & Sea World each trip as well. I love Manta. Next trip, I will do the 10 rides in one day. I only did 7 last time.

Hopefully its not too packed for you all.

there is a thread on the dis about bonnett creek. it looks REALLY NICE!!! I was mentioning it to nebo a few years ago. they have a lzy river. and you can get a studio with a kitchenette and balcony for really cheap!

I will have to see if they have 2 bedroom units since my sister usually accompanies us. It's nice to each have our own rooms at the end of the day. We do like having a kitchen and full size refrigerator. We'll eat breakfast before heading out to the parks. Plus we'll eat dinner there one night. The ladies like, no I should say, LOVE my enchiladas. I'm required to make them at least once during our trip.

it's just off of Buean Vista drive, just west of epcot center drive and Bonnet creekk drive where you turn to go to POR and POFQ. (you see the lighthouse for Old Key West on that corner). the resort is just east of Carribbean Beach resort.

We saw where it was located when we stayed at CBR. I showed Lady H the pictures. She's excited (at least I think she is) as well.

I guess they do have shuttles to the parks, but not very often.. but you guys rent a car anyway,.

We've gotten used to having a car. Nice to have to make grocery/liquor store runs. Plus we go to the OTHER theme parks as well. Comes in handy for us, that's for sure.

If you do use your RCI to stay at a Disney resort, we strongly recommend the Bordwalk.. it is so cool, being a 10 minute walk to epcot. and you guys would love the night life there!

We got to enjoy the BW last trip. We walked over to Shula's at the Dolphin from Epcot. After we bought and enjoyed some drinks as we strolled along the BW. Stopped in to check out the Christmas decorations. They also had carolers outside. We really liked it and thought it would be nice to stay there. RCI exchanges for WDW are hard to come by. We would be happy at Bonnet Creek though. Still have a whole year to plan though. We would like to go when the Pkondz group goes, but don't know if we can swing it that fast. If they're still going that is.

 

[pkondz]

We would like to go when the Pkondz group goes, but don't know if we can swing it that fast. If they're still going that is.

Honestly, I have no idea.
Probably not, but you never know.
Elle, due to some very unpleasant circumstances, is changing schools for her final year.
We signed her up to go to Paris next spring, but the school isn't sure if there are enough students to make it work.
No Paris, then probably Disney.
Paris, then...
So.... there ya go.

 

[smidgy]

weren't the plans to go in the summer? we're not big fans of going in the summer. too hot, rainy, crowded and expensive. course when you have kids in school you have no coice. that's how we ended up going in early august that one year.cause of Jackson's school and also Kim is a teacher.
at least that year, for some reason, they started the fall room only discounts aug 5, so that part worked out.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Honestly, I have no idea.
Probably not, but you never know.
Elle, due to some very unpleasant circumstances, is changing schools for her final year.
We signed her up to go to Paris next spring, but the school isn't sure if there are enough students to make it work.
No Paris, then probably Disney.
Paris, then...
So.... there ya go.

She just got back from Paris, she don't need to go again. She should have enough memories to last a lifetime.

Unless your plan is to send her there and leave her there.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Guess who showed up on the Disboards out of the blue? Sorry, not Nebo. Would be nice though. At least Smidgy still posts on their behalf.

Guess again. Well I'm sure you've already noticed I posted the link to her NEW TR right below. She wanted me to round up the troops. See you all there.

Laura74 NEW TR.

I posted this over on Ponzi's TR as well.

 

[pkondz]

She just got back from Paris, she don't need to go again. She should have enough memories to last a lifetime.

Unless your plan is to send her there and leave her there.

Send her there and leave her there...

hmmmm........

 

[orangecats2]

I wish someone would have sent me to Paris and left me there! That is my fondest wish!

 

[laura74]

How fun that you got to to Disneyland with Nebo and Smidgy. I really want to go sometime but the airfare is so much more than to Orlando for us. I guess we would have to take a longer trip and see some other sites while out there. We were in Southern California years ago but didn't get to DL.

The nighttime show looks fantastic!

I read the food is better there than WDW. Did you find that to be true?

 

[orangecats2]

When are you guys wanting to go to WDW next year? We're thinking about the last week in September or thereabouts. What say you? Now that Ponzie is probably not going we don't have to go in August.