Don't worry - I only figured out that a coin was required because I found a locker where someone had left the coin behind! It still took a couple of goes to figure out that you have to open the door, put your bag in, insert the coin in the top slot (while the door is still open), close the door (which causes the coin to be eaten) and then turn and remove the key!
Shanghai and Hong Kong Disneyland March 17 – Day 7 Complete in Hong Kong Proper; 12/04
- Thread starter PrincessInOz
- Start date
Don't worry - I only figured out that a coin was required because I found a locker where someone had left the coin behind! It still took a couple of goes to figure out that you have to open the door, put your bag in, insert the coin in the top slot (while the door is still open), close the door (which causes the coin to be eaten) and then turn and remove the key!
We went on a Wednesday and Thursday in April (i.e. about a week ago). The Wednesday wasn't too bad (probably due to the weather which was a little overcast), but the Thursday was pretty busy.
We definitely needed to use Fast Passes to get things done. You had to run to join the Fast Pass line for Soaring upon opening, or enter the standby line which got up to THREE HOURS! Everything else that offered Fast Passes required Fast Passes to avoid lengthy (i.e. 45 minutes or more) waits, with the possible exception of Buzz. Even the Mine Train had a 70 minute wait time just an hour or so after opening. Pirates was still possible with standby (although I was very frustrated by the amount of false information provided by Shanghai Disneyland about park opening times, character meet times and temporary ride closure times).
In terms of the Fast Pass line, I probably wasn't clear. They did check to make sure that the people held a Fast Pass, but they didn't enforce the return times. For example, standing in line at 11:30am, the cast member allows guests with Fast Passes for 11:45am and 1:30pm to enter. Sometimes the cast member would apparently try to push back, the guest would normally engage in a shouting match and then just push their way past (or the cast member simply wasn't interested in getting into a verbal stoush with the guest). So, you needed a Fast Pass, but they didn't seem to be particular about enforcing the return time (although we always used our Fast Passes within the valid window).
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2010
Then....we were lucky. The longest the lines got to when we were there was about 30 mins for anything. Most of the time, we practically walked-on everything.
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2010
When Memory and Words Fail Me – PotC: The Battle for the Sunken Treasure
Pirates of the Caribbean, the ride, opened at Disneyland in 1967. This was the last attraction that Disney himself oversaw the construction of. Sadly, he passed away about 3 months before the ride opened. But the ride he helped design has been left with enduring stamina. It’s a firm favourite at Disneyland and has subsequently been replicated at WDW, Tokyo Disneyland and Paris Disneyland. Sadly, Hong Kong missed out on this attraction.
So successful is this attraction that it inspired the equally successful movie franchise. Talk about art imitating life!
When Shanghai was announced, the initial concepts showed an amazing Treasure Cove and a new Pirates attraction. Without a doubt, Disney were banking on the star power of the movie franchise and creating a whole land around the franchise. Having spent some time walking back and forwards into this area, I was completely bowled over by how Disney had managed to create an area that looked so fresh without falling back on the cliché’s of the original attraction or the movie. They have done an amazing job at ensuring that no matter what happens with the movie franchise, this area will continue to be a drawcard for this Disneyland.
To top it off, the Pirates ride has been completely reimagined. By all accounts, it’s an amazing reimagination and has already garnered any number of Theme Park Ride Awards.
We had all eagerly headed in this direction to get on the ride. It had been the universal choice of all of us Aussie Dissers this morning. Our expectations had to be put on ice whilst the ride was down.
After we got off 7DMT, we checked the app and were delighted to find that the ride had reopened. And yes….we criss-crossed back to Pirate Cove again.
The ride had a 20-minute standby wait time.
At least the queue area is all under cover. It was very wet out there.
The front part of this attraction is a fortress. That would explain the spartan details.
We had gotten in the queue at the left-hand side. There is a right-hand side and whilst there is no fast pass option for this ride, the middle line is for single riders. With two sides, this is a rather fast loading ride.
Once we got past the front part, the queue area started to get a bit more interesting. It may not be the dream suite….but I bet they could charge a fortune for someone to spend the night here!
There were similar areas on the right side of the queue. I just didn’t get a chance to capture any of it. There is also another area on the left side where you get to look down at the vehicles as they progress along the ride. I never managed to get a decent shot of that spot.
It didn’t take us long to get down to the stairs. The boarding area is at the bottom of the stairs.
Yo Ho Ho Ho Ho. A Pirate’s Life for Me!
We passed by the waterfront of Barbarossa’s Bounty. Sure puts a different spin on the back side of the waterfall.
There were some very familiar scenes in here.
With subtle differences. I guess after waiting around for 50 years, that dog has finally bitten the dust and turned to a skeleton!
So far, it was all plain sailing.
But then we turned a corner and the magic started to flow. Jack Sparrow transformed in front of us…..
….and at this point, the memory card in my camera was completely filled up!
Yup. Not only did technology fail me right at the key moment, but from this point on, the reimagined ride took over and words failed me too. Yes, I could have fumbled with my stuff and changed the memory card. But I was completely blown away by what Disney had done to this ride. The best words I could I could come up with was…..
Omg, OMg, OMG!
OOH!
AAH!
WOW!
WOW!
AMAZING!
In many regards, I am pretty happy to have enjoyed this first experience without having to look down the barrel of my camera. And whilst I may not have many computer memory of the first time I rode on The Battle of the Sunken Treasure, the feeling will be seared into my necktop memory banks for a long, long, long time.
Awesome job, Disney!
And you'll have to wait and see if I managed to find the Sunken Treasure in a later edition.
(Continued in Next Post)
Pirates of the Caribbean, the ride, opened at Disneyland in 1967. This was the last attraction that Disney himself oversaw the construction of. Sadly, he passed away about 3 months before the ride opened. But the ride he helped design has been left with enduring stamina. It’s a firm favourite at Disneyland and has subsequently been replicated at WDW, Tokyo Disneyland and Paris Disneyland. Sadly, Hong Kong missed out on this attraction.
So successful is this attraction that it inspired the equally successful movie franchise. Talk about art imitating life!
When Shanghai was announced, the initial concepts showed an amazing Treasure Cove and a new Pirates attraction. Without a doubt, Disney were banking on the star power of the movie franchise and creating a whole land around the franchise. Having spent some time walking back and forwards into this area, I was completely bowled over by how Disney had managed to create an area that looked so fresh without falling back on the cliché’s of the original attraction or the movie. They have done an amazing job at ensuring that no matter what happens with the movie franchise, this area will continue to be a drawcard for this Disneyland.
To top it off, the Pirates ride has been completely reimagined. By all accounts, it’s an amazing reimagination and has already garnered any number of Theme Park Ride Awards.
We had all eagerly headed in this direction to get on the ride. It had been the universal choice of all of us Aussie Dissers this morning. Our expectations had to be put on ice whilst the ride was down.
After we got off 7DMT, we checked the app and were delighted to find that the ride had reopened. And yes….we criss-crossed back to Pirate Cove again.
The ride had a 20-minute standby wait time.
At least the queue area is all under cover. It was very wet out there.
The front part of this attraction is a fortress. That would explain the spartan details.
We had gotten in the queue at the left-hand side. There is a right-hand side and whilst there is no fast pass option for this ride, the middle line is for single riders. With two sides, this is a rather fast loading ride.
Once we got past the front part, the queue area started to get a bit more interesting. It may not be the dream suite….but I bet they could charge a fortune for someone to spend the night here!
There were similar areas on the right side of the queue. I just didn’t get a chance to capture any of it. There is also another area on the left side where you get to look down at the vehicles as they progress along the ride. I never managed to get a decent shot of that spot.
It didn’t take us long to get down to the stairs. The boarding area is at the bottom of the stairs.
Yo Ho Ho Ho Ho. A Pirate’s Life for Me!
We passed by the waterfront of Barbarossa’s Bounty. Sure puts a different spin on the back side of the waterfall.
There were some very familiar scenes in here.
With subtle differences. I guess after waiting around for 50 years, that dog has finally bitten the dust and turned to a skeleton!
So far, it was all plain sailing.
But then we turned a corner and the magic started to flow. Jack Sparrow transformed in front of us…..
….and at this point, the memory card in my camera was completely filled up!
Yup. Not only did technology fail me right at the key moment, but from this point on, the reimagined ride took over and words failed me too. Yes, I could have fumbled with my stuff and changed the memory card. But I was completely blown away by what Disney had done to this ride. The best words I could I could come up with was…..
Omg, OMg, OMG!
OOH!
AAH!
WOW!
WOW!
AMAZING!
In many regards, I am pretty happy to have enjoyed this first experience without having to look down the barrel of my camera. And whilst I may not have many computer memory of the first time I rode on The Battle of the Sunken Treasure, the feeling will be seared into my necktop memory banks for a long, long, long time.
Awesome job, Disney!
And you'll have to wait and see if I managed to find the Sunken Treasure in a later edition.
(Continued in Next Post)
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2010
Swapping Orange Scents for Grass and Roses – Soarin’ Over the Horizon
From Treasure Cove back to Adventure Isle. We were sure putting in the steps today.
Soarin’ Over the Horizon is the updated film that replaced Soarin’ Over California. This was a film clip that I was looking forward to viewing as it replaced the stunning California with iconic locations around the world.
We had pulled a FP for this attraction earlier in the day and our window had opened up. When we got to the FP entry, we were all a little surprised to learn that we had to show our park ticket with the FP ticket. It did hold us up for a little bit. I hadn’t realised it before or maybe I’d never really looked at it in detail but the FP ticket does include the park ticket number that it was associated with.
It was after we had gotten through the line that we figured out that this was countermeasure Mark 1 to the FP scam we had seen at the gate this morning.
We just whizzed right on through the queuing area and it was only after I came home that I realised that I didn’t do this queue area any justice from a photography perspective.
It sure doesn’t look at all like the Soarin’ queue I remember. I had to remind myself that this was Soarin’ and not the Indiana Jones attraction!
Looks like our flight captain has also been refreshed.
We did try and ask to be seated in the middle section of the ride but the CM wasn’t keen to let us wait. That left us sitting on the extreme right…..with a highly distorted view.
Despite everything having a radical sort of slant to it, I liked seeing the images from around the world and smelling the new scents of roses and grass. It was great to see Sydney and the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall and the Pyramids and Iguazu Falls.
But the images seemed to lack the Soarin’ factor of California. I think you know what I mean.
We didn’t swoop over the snow-capped Tahoe area, we didn’t glide over Yosemite. There wasn’t that rush of exhilaration you feel when you sail over the Redwood Creek, as you curled your toes inwards to avoid the cold water. I missed the Redwood Creek of California. I even missed catching the golf ball over Palm Springs (but then I always missed catching it away). I missed seeing the riders at Anza Borrego. I missed the orange smell.
Perhaps it was the fact that this was my first time on Soarin’ Over the Horizon; and I had such vivid memories of Soarin’ Over California. Perhaps I wasn’t ready to let go of California just yet. Perhaps it was the distorted view we got.
My DM and I decided that once was enough for this visit and we never did go back for a re-do of Soarin’.
Perhaps we should have given it a second chance and smelt the roses again. And I should have definitely stopped to capture more of the queue scenes.
(Continued in Next Post)
From Treasure Cove back to Adventure Isle. We were sure putting in the steps today.
Soarin’ Over the Horizon is the updated film that replaced Soarin’ Over California. This was a film clip that I was looking forward to viewing as it replaced the stunning California with iconic locations around the world.
We had pulled a FP for this attraction earlier in the day and our window had opened up. When we got to the FP entry, we were all a little surprised to learn that we had to show our park ticket with the FP ticket. It did hold us up for a little bit. I hadn’t realised it before or maybe I’d never really looked at it in detail but the FP ticket does include the park ticket number that it was associated with.
It was after we had gotten through the line that we figured out that this was countermeasure Mark 1 to the FP scam we had seen at the gate this morning.
We just whizzed right on through the queuing area and it was only after I came home that I realised that I didn’t do this queue area any justice from a photography perspective.
It sure doesn’t look at all like the Soarin’ queue I remember. I had to remind myself that this was Soarin’ and not the Indiana Jones attraction!
Looks like our flight captain has also been refreshed.
We did try and ask to be seated in the middle section of the ride but the CM wasn’t keen to let us wait. That left us sitting on the extreme right…..with a highly distorted view.
Despite everything having a radical sort of slant to it, I liked seeing the images from around the world and smelling the new scents of roses and grass. It was great to see Sydney and the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall and the Pyramids and Iguazu Falls.
But the images seemed to lack the Soarin’ factor of California. I think you know what I mean.
We didn’t swoop over the snow-capped Tahoe area, we didn’t glide over Yosemite. There wasn’t that rush of exhilaration you feel when you sail over the Redwood Creek, as you curled your toes inwards to avoid the cold water. I missed the Redwood Creek of California. I even missed catching the golf ball over Palm Springs (but then I always missed catching it away). I missed seeing the riders at Anza Borrego. I missed the orange smell.
Perhaps it was the fact that this was my first time on Soarin’ Over the Horizon; and I had such vivid memories of Soarin’ Over California. Perhaps I wasn’t ready to let go of California just yet. Perhaps it was the distorted view we got.
My DM and I decided that once was enough for this visit and we never did go back for a re-do of Soarin’.
Perhaps we should have given it a second chance and smelt the roses again. And I should have definitely stopped to capture more of the queue scenes.
(Continued in Next Post)
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2010
Another Childhood Favourite – The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
When I was a child, I received a gift for my 8th birthday. It was to become one of my favourite gifts to get so far.
The Winnie-the-Pooh cookbook has been in my possession for over *mumble* *mumble* years and I pull it out every so often to take a look at the pictures.
And the recipes.
Ever since I got it, I’ve been completely enchanted by the Pooh world that A A Milne created. I think the A A Milne Winnie-the-Pooh book was the first book that I chose to borrow from the library by myself, without my parents helping me select it.
But we need to get back to SDL.
It was a dark and stormy day…..
….so, when we walked past the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and I noticed that it was a 10 minute wait for stand-by....
I….er…..coerced most of the others to get in line. I knew the attraction was down for scheduled maintenance in Hong Kong and I figured this was probably going to be the only opportunity I was going to get to see Pooh Bear in the dark.
In any case, getting in the ride got us out of the rain and I got to reacquaint myself with another childhood favourite.
Yeah. Despite the familiar characters, it’s still all Chinese to me.
I will say that the space heading into the boarding area just seemed a little bare (or should that be “bear”). Maybe they might add some interest or interactive games in here at a later time.
The queue space between the fence is pretty wide and initially, we weren’t on the ball. We did get queue-cut here.
Western-manners Speechless!
Again, with a party of 6, all we did was spread out a little and stagger our standing pattern so that it was impossible for anyone to push past us.
The 10-minute wait time was almost spot on. It took us about that time to get into the Hunny Pots.
And then we were heading towards the 100 Acre Wood.
“One can’t complain. Afterall, I have my friends with me.”
I gather that there is a new movie version of Winnie the Pooh in the air.
“Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness gracious.”
A little bird told me that it’s a live action version, re-imagined…just a rumour, of course.
“Bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy, fun, fun, fun, fun”
It'll definitely a movie that I’ll be eyeing off.
No, I don’t find that strange at all.
Afterall, with the possibility of Ewan McGregor (currently in talks) as Christopher Robin and all the usual suspects present….
.....it could be fun.
I’ll definitely be climbing on board to watch the movie.
And celebrating. Especially if the rumours turn to reality.
Yes. A new reimagined movie! Looks like pure Hunny to me. Providing, of course, it doesn't end up like the Robin Williams/Dustin Hoffman Hook movie!
Back to reality. So glad that I got to go on another childhood favourite!
(Continued in Next Post)
When I was a child, I received a gift for my 8th birthday. It was to become one of my favourite gifts to get so far.
The Winnie-the-Pooh cookbook has been in my possession for over *mumble* *mumble* years and I pull it out every so often to take a look at the pictures.
And the recipes.
Ever since I got it, I’ve been completely enchanted by the Pooh world that A A Milne created. I think the A A Milne Winnie-the-Pooh book was the first book that I chose to borrow from the library by myself, without my parents helping me select it.
But we need to get back to SDL.
It was a dark and stormy day…..
….so, when we walked past the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and I noticed that it was a 10 minute wait for stand-by....
I….er…..coerced most of the others to get in line. I knew the attraction was down for scheduled maintenance in Hong Kong and I figured this was probably going to be the only opportunity I was going to get to see Pooh Bear in the dark.
In any case, getting in the ride got us out of the rain and I got to reacquaint myself with another childhood favourite.
Yeah. Despite the familiar characters, it’s still all Chinese to me.
I will say that the space heading into the boarding area just seemed a little bare (or should that be “bear”). Maybe they might add some interest or interactive games in here at a later time.
The queue space between the fence is pretty wide and initially, we weren’t on the ball. We did get queue-cut here.
Western-manners Speechless!
Again, with a party of 6, all we did was spread out a little and stagger our standing pattern so that it was impossible for anyone to push past us.
The 10-minute wait time was almost spot on. It took us about that time to get into the Hunny Pots.
And then we were heading towards the 100 Acre Wood.
“One can’t complain. Afterall, I have my friends with me.”
I gather that there is a new movie version of Winnie the Pooh in the air.
“Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness gracious.”
A little bird told me that it’s a live action version, re-imagined…just a rumour, of course.
“Bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy, fun, fun, fun, fun”
It'll definitely a movie that I’ll be eyeing off.
No, I don’t find that strange at all.
Afterall, with the possibility of Ewan McGregor (currently in talks) as Christopher Robin and all the usual suspects present….
.....it could be fun.
I’ll definitely be climbing on board to watch the movie.
And celebrating. Especially if the rumours turn to reality.
Yes. A new reimagined movie! Looks like pure Hunny to me. Providing, of course, it doesn't end up like the Robin Williams/Dustin Hoffman Hook movie!
Back to reality. So glad that I got to go on another childhood favourite!
(Continued in Next Post)
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2010
My First Rainy Day Parade
By this stage, we realised that it was getting close to the Parade start. And so….we walked back towards the castle and found ourselves a spot.
It had rained for the better part of the day so far and it was pretty miserable waiting in the rain. Unlike the other guests, we didn’t have an umbrella and whilst the jacket and hood I was wearing was doing the job, my feet were getting rather soaked. On reflection, I don't think I was the only one! I think I can see one of the other guests on the other side with CROCS!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Rainy Day Parade at any Disney before.
That’s not to say that I’ve never been at another Disney in the rain (it’s rained every time I’ve gone to Orlando)……only that I don’t remember waiting for to see a parade in the rain. Afterall, it is a cut-down version of the parade when it rains.
Yeah. I think we were all on some sort of high at being at SDL. Ordinarily, I may have just taken the opportunity to go-see another attraction.
We got to see the Main Cheese. He was much smarter than us. At least he stayed dry!
In fact, all the characters were smarter than us. They all stayed safely under cover in the second parade vehicle.
Two floats. That’s what we got for this rainy day parade.
Wet, cold and Frozen!
More the point. My socks and shoes were wet through. The last time this happened was when I was at Ocean Park in Hong Kong and I came down with bronchitis. It took me a good 4 months to get rid of the cough.
I wasn’t keen to repeat that cough or experience in a hurry! And my DM was also keen to get warm. So, after the parade, we headed back to the resort.
We weren’t the only ones. I think everyone headed back to their respective rooms to dry off a little!
By this stage, we realised that it was getting close to the Parade start. And so….we walked back towards the castle and found ourselves a spot.
It had rained for the better part of the day so far and it was pretty miserable waiting in the rain. Unlike the other guests, we didn’t have an umbrella and whilst the jacket and hood I was wearing was doing the job, my feet were getting rather soaked. On reflection, I don't think I was the only one! I think I can see one of the other guests on the other side with CROCS!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Rainy Day Parade at any Disney before.
That’s not to say that I’ve never been at another Disney in the rain (it’s rained every time I’ve gone to Orlando)……only that I don’t remember waiting for to see a parade in the rain. Afterall, it is a cut-down version of the parade when it rains.
Yeah. I think we were all on some sort of high at being at SDL. Ordinarily, I may have just taken the opportunity to go-see another attraction.
We got to see the Main Cheese. He was much smarter than us. At least he stayed dry!
In fact, all the characters were smarter than us. They all stayed safely under cover in the second parade vehicle.
Two floats. That’s what we got for this rainy day parade.
Wet, cold and Frozen!
More the point. My socks and shoes were wet through. The last time this happened was when I was at Ocean Park in Hong Kong and I came down with bronchitis. It took me a good 4 months to get rid of the cough.
I wasn’t keen to repeat that cough or experience in a hurry! And my DM was also keen to get warm. So, after the parade, we headed back to the resort.
We weren’t the only ones. I think everyone headed back to their respective rooms to dry off a little!
So very jealous! I'll need to try and schedule my next visit for the rainy season.
Fairy Floss
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2013
Yes!!!I'm definitely going to have to go to Tokyo!
Fairy Floss
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2013
I LOVE going in the rain for this reason
I've been in an EMPTY TDL in the rain
....and... walk on - no wait for forbidden journey in Orlando
Flossbolna
Sea days are just so relaxing!
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2006
I have to admit that I scrolled through a lot of your Pirate pictures. I am trying to avoid spoilers. But it sounded like you agree with everyone else I have heard so far about how amazing Pirates is. There are rumours that the new Frozen boat ride coming to HKDL will be based on the same technology. If that is true, I bet their Frozen will be so much superior to the Epcot one.
I saw the new Soarin at WDW and have a similar feeling. My idea is that it is because the California version was better at incorporating the dynamics of nature into the film. To me the new version seemed far too focussed on man made objects that are so static (and therefore the contortion is far more visible than before as well).
The good thing for me for SDL is that their biggest hot ticket therefore is not a must do for me there. I would like to see the different ending (and the different line) there, but it is not a must do for me.
The rain really sounds upleasant! I am afraid that we will have lots of rain as well being there in summer...
I saw the new Soarin at WDW and have a similar feeling. My idea is that it is because the California version was better at incorporating the dynamics of nature into the film. To me the new version seemed far too focussed on man made objects that are so static (and therefore the contortion is far more visible than before as well).
The good thing for me for SDL is that their biggest hot ticket therefore is not a must do for me there. I would like to see the different ending (and the different line) there, but it is not a must do for me.
The rain really sounds upleasant! I am afraid that we will have lots of rain as well being there in summer...
Aussie Wendy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2008
I''ll be on board too but wait...DD and I really liked Hook?? I also own the book. You didn't!!
Aussie Wendy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2008
I think you nailed it. I did like the Arctic scene with polar bears though and having seen it front and centre in Orlando it was better from that angle. I confess I am a bit "over" the Anaheim version and felt it was time for a new version - probably on rotation if it was possible rather than completely replacing the old. Or keep California in Anaheim and leave the new one in Orlando but don't replace them all the same. Do think they could've done a better job of something new though.
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2010
I think we hit Shanghai after their schools just went back and after Chinese New Year. Plus there are a bunch of Chinese festival days in April, so people may have been either just finished vacations or saving up for April.
I don't mind drizzle but the constant rain was not fun.
We need to scheme and plan! LOL
I LOVE going in the rain for this reason
I've been in an EMPTY TDL in the rain
....and... walk on - no wait for forbidden journey in Orlando
I'll leave you with the rain.
The Pirates here is great.
I think the new movie might be called Christopher Robin.
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2010
I don't blame you! I did get more pictures of Pirates on both Day 2 and Day 3. You'll have to avoid them because they do have images from the new technology sections of the ride.
And Hong Kong seems to be planning great things for their park. Thankfully, HK is a lot closer to my part of the world and easier to get to!
Like Wendy, I think you've nailed the reason why I feel the way I do about this new version. I love being outdoors and seeing great scenery and the California version had a lot of scenes of natural beauty.
If you happen to be walking past and there is a 10-minute standby queue, it might be worth going in. But yes, if you've been to the ones in the US, it isn't a must-do.
I hope you don't get lots of rain! Here's to clear skies and low crowds for you and M.
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2010
I didn't exactly like Hook but I didn't hate it either.
And I have a cookbook.
I definitely think it was time for a new version. The old film was starting to look tatty.
But they could have definitely done a better job with the new version.
dhorner233
Disneyophile
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2011
So glad I made it in time for Peter Pan! That's my favorite ride! That Tron ride is cool. Love your pictures! Thanks for posting them!
franandaj
I'm so happy, I could BOUNCE!
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2009
So sad that your memory card ran out, but good for you a you were able to enjoy it.
But I'm hoping you went on the ride again so I can see some of it. I have no idea when we will get to Shanghai, if ever. It sounds so cool!
I rode Soarin from only the top middle for my first several times. I had to make a real attempt to go on it and not have a good seat, and it was definitely disconcerting. I missed the original version from my first ride. I think you nailed it with your assessment. The little adrenaline rushes you would get from Yosemite, the shock of the golf ball (I always flinched), and yes dipping your toes in Redwood Creek!
But I'm hoping you went on the ride again so I can see some of it. I have no idea when we will get to Shanghai, if ever. It sounds so cool!
I rode Soarin from only the top middle for my first several times. I had to make a real attempt to go on it and not have a good seat, and it was definitely disconcerting. I missed the original version from my first ride. I think you nailed it with your assessment. The little adrenaline rushes you would get from Yosemite, the shock of the golf ball (I always flinched), and yes dipping your toes in Redwood Creek!
Last edited:
darrenf67
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2013
Agree completely - loved itWhen Memory and Words Fail Me – PotC: The Battle for the Sunken Treasure
Pirates of the Caribbean, the ride, opened at Disneyland in 1967. This was the last attraction that Disney himself oversaw the construction of. Sadly, he passed away about 3 months before the ride opened. But the ride he helped design has been left with enduring stamina. It’s a firm favourite at Disneyland and has subsequently been replicated at WDW, Tokyo Disneyland and Paris Disneyland. Sadly, Hong Kong missed out on this attraction.
So successful is this attraction that it inspired the equally successful movie franchise. Talk about art imitating life!
When Shanghai was announced, the initial concepts showed an amazing Treasure Cove and a new Pirates attraction. Without a doubt, Disney were banking on the star power of the movie franchise and creating a whole land around the franchise. Having spent some time walking back and forwards into this area, I was completely bowled over by how Disney had managed to create an area that looked so fresh without falling back on the cliché’s of the original attraction or the movie. They have done an amazing job at ensuring that no matter what happens with the movie franchise, this area will continue to be a drawcard for this Disneyland.
To top it off, the Pirates ride has been completely reimagined. By all accounts, it’s an amazing reimagination and has already garnered any number of Theme Park Ride Awards.
We had all eagerly headed in this direction to get on the ride. It had been the universal choice of all of us Aussie Dissers this morning. Our expectations had to be put on ice whilst the ride was down.
After we got off 7DMT, we checked the app and were delighted to find that the ride had reopened. And yes….we criss-crossed back to Pirate Cove again.
The ride had a 20-minute standby wait time.
At least the queue area is all under cover. It was very wet out there.
The front part of this attraction is a fortress. That would explain the spartan details.
We had gotten in the queue at the left-hand side. There is a right-hand side and whilst there is no fast pass option for this ride, the middle line is for single riders. With two sides, this is a rather fast loading ride.
Once we got past the front part, the queue area started to get a bit more interesting. It may not be the dream suite….but I bet they could charge a fortune for someone to spend the night here!
There were similar areas on the right side of the queue. I just didn’t get a chance to capture any of it. There is also another area on the left side where you get to look down at the vehicles as they progress along the ride. I never managed to get a decent shot of that spot.
It didn’t take us long to get down to the stairs. The boarding area is at the bottom of the stairs.
Yo Ho Ho Ho Ho. A Pirate’s Life for Me!
We passed by the waterfront of Barbarossa’s Bounty. Sure puts a different spin on the back side of the waterfall.
There were some very familiar scenes in here.
With subtle differences. I guess after waiting around for 50 years, that dog has finally bitten the dust and turned to a skeleton!
So far, it was all plain sailing.
But then we turned a corner and the magic started to flow. Jack Sparrow transformed in front of us…..
….and at this point, the memory card in my camera was completely filled up!
Yup. Not only did technology fail me right at the key moment, but from this point on, the reimagined ride took over and words failed me too. Yes, I could have fumbled with my stuff and changed the memory card. But I was completely blown away by what Disney had done to this ride. The best words I could I could come up with was…..
Omg, OMg, OMG!
OOH!
AAH!
WOW!
WOW!
AMAZING!
In many regards, I am pretty happy to have enjoyed this first experience without having to look down the barrel of my camera. And whilst I may not have many computer memory of the first time I rode on The Battle of the Sunken Treasure, the feeling will be seared into my necktop memory banks for a long, long, long time.
Awesome job, Disney!
And you'll have to wait and see if I managed to find the Sunken Treasure in a later edition.
(Continued in Next Post)
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