WonkaKid
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2009
I was at the parks yesterday and had a great time. Usually I simply rope-drop DL and then make for home at around 2:00. However, yesterday a friend and her ten-year-old daughter were in town from Glasgow, Scotland on their way to Vancouver for a four-day Disney cruise. We met up at DCA at 11:00 and did a few rides together. We all had a fantastic day. However, to be chronologically correct, a few anecdotes from DL first.
Friends and I planned to rope-drop PP since the app showed a ten-minute standby time. When we reached the queue, it looked like it was longer than that. I proceeded to Mr. Toad and although the doors were open, the ride was closed. I made for M&MRR and met a nice woman visiting from Ohio. I also bumped into a mother and daughter from the rope who were visiting from North Carolina. Despite my roundabout rope-drop diversion, we ended up on the same train together. For all three of the visitors I met, it was their first time on the still-new ride.
My first round of Buzz was reasonable. Scored 1.650 M. However, one my second game, I made 2,081,000 on my first gun and 1,107,700 on my second. That was a quite a pleasure, since said attraction can be quirky at times and even obstructive on its worst days ;-).
A little later as I ate lunch, a guy approached and greeted me by name. I’d met him and his wife a few weeks earlier. He’d asked me then for some Buzz tips and yesterday was happy to report that his initials made the leader board earlier with his best score ever: 1.400M (position #7 in the leader board pic below). It took me a moment to remember them, but once I did, I went to their table and said hello to his wife. It was nice that they remembered me and took the time to say hello.
I met my friend and her daughter at DCA at around 11:15. I introduced them both to single-rider lines, something about which they knew nothing. They were pleased to learn that we could get on RSR in about 15 minutes versus the posted wait time of 75 minutes. Neither had been on it before and they both loved it. After that, I escorted them to the Incredicoaster SR line, which also was only about a 15-minute wait (versus 80 or so standby). While they rode, I went off and scored three large cups of ice water.
After their ride, I took them to Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff to treat her daughter to any edible treat of her choosing. Since she couldn’t decide between a Rice Krispies/M&Ms (or “Smarties,” as they’re called in the UK) Mickey ears and a cake pop, I told her to get both, which she did. It was a special day for them and I wanted to do everything I could to make it even more so.
Shortly before leaving time, I discovered that Soarin’ is bringing back single rider passes! I’d heard nothing about this so it was a great surprise for all of us. When I approached the CMs at the attraction and asked about SR, they all smiled and told me that they’re coming back but that there hadn’t been any announcement(s) yet. They were about to hand me a pass when I explained that I was meeting a friend and her daughter in a few minutes and that we’d return for them momentarily. In short, the standby line was 80 minutes. We were all three on the same ride in about ten minutes. This was yet another of the many great surprises I experienced yesterday. Best visit I’ve had at the park(s) in a while.
Cute aside: while in line for RSR earlier, two girls (seemingly there for Grad Night) greeted me enthusiastically as we were about to board our cars (we’d ride together). I didn’t recognize them and it made me wonder if we’d met before. We hadn’t but they were just being friendly. When I told them about bumping into the Buzz guy and his wife earlier, I mentioned my name. Throughout the ride they’d call me by name. We ran into them three or four times throughout the day and each time they waved and smiled. It was really sweet and made the day even more special. I’m an extrovert and such experiences are like a cup of coffee might be to an introvert. I despise coffee and never drink it, incidentally.
My friends’ flight was at 8:00 and they’d planned to leave the park at around 4:30. I offered to drive them to LAX, in part because I knew that an Uber would cost them well over a hundred dollars and also because it wasn’t too far out of my way. We had a really nice trip, especially since I could hear a lot more of what they said than I could at DCA. All in all, it was a wonderful day.
I’ve got park maps for anyone who’d like a set. Simply DM me and include your preferred mailing address.
Park pics. Didn’t take many this time. I’ll try to do better next Sunday ;-).
Friends and I planned to rope-drop PP since the app showed a ten-minute standby time. When we reached the queue, it looked like it was longer than that. I proceeded to Mr. Toad and although the doors were open, the ride was closed. I made for M&MRR and met a nice woman visiting from Ohio. I also bumped into a mother and daughter from the rope who were visiting from North Carolina. Despite my roundabout rope-drop diversion, we ended up on the same train together. For all three of the visitors I met, it was their first time on the still-new ride.
My first round of Buzz was reasonable. Scored 1.650 M. However, one my second game, I made 2,081,000 on my first gun and 1,107,700 on my second. That was a quite a pleasure, since said attraction can be quirky at times and even obstructive on its worst days ;-).
A little later as I ate lunch, a guy approached and greeted me by name. I’d met him and his wife a few weeks earlier. He’d asked me then for some Buzz tips and yesterday was happy to report that his initials made the leader board earlier with his best score ever: 1.400M (position #7 in the leader board pic below). It took me a moment to remember them, but once I did, I went to their table and said hello to his wife. It was nice that they remembered me and took the time to say hello.
I met my friend and her daughter at DCA at around 11:15. I introduced them both to single-rider lines, something about which they knew nothing. They were pleased to learn that we could get on RSR in about 15 minutes versus the posted wait time of 75 minutes. Neither had been on it before and they both loved it. After that, I escorted them to the Incredicoaster SR line, which also was only about a 15-minute wait (versus 80 or so standby). While they rode, I went off and scored three large cups of ice water.
After their ride, I took them to Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff to treat her daughter to any edible treat of her choosing. Since she couldn’t decide between a Rice Krispies/M&Ms (or “Smarties,” as they’re called in the UK) Mickey ears and a cake pop, I told her to get both, which she did. It was a special day for them and I wanted to do everything I could to make it even more so.
Shortly before leaving time, I discovered that Soarin’ is bringing back single rider passes! I’d heard nothing about this so it was a great surprise for all of us. When I approached the CMs at the attraction and asked about SR, they all smiled and told me that they’re coming back but that there hadn’t been any announcement(s) yet. They were about to hand me a pass when I explained that I was meeting a friend and her daughter in a few minutes and that we’d return for them momentarily. In short, the standby line was 80 minutes. We were all three on the same ride in about ten minutes. This was yet another of the many great surprises I experienced yesterday. Best visit I’ve had at the park(s) in a while.
Cute aside: while in line for RSR earlier, two girls (seemingly there for Grad Night) greeted me enthusiastically as we were about to board our cars (we’d ride together). I didn’t recognize them and it made me wonder if we’d met before. We hadn’t but they were just being friendly. When I told them about bumping into the Buzz guy and his wife earlier, I mentioned my name. Throughout the ride they’d call me by name. We ran into them three or four times throughout the day and each time they waved and smiled. It was really sweet and made the day even more special. I’m an extrovert and such experiences are like a cup of coffee might be to an introvert. I despise coffee and never drink it, incidentally.
My friends’ flight was at 8:00 and they’d planned to leave the park at around 4:30. I offered to drive them to LAX, in part because I knew that an Uber would cost them well over a hundred dollars and also because it wasn’t too far out of my way. We had a really nice trip, especially since I could hear a lot more of what they said than I could at DCA. All in all, it was a wonderful day.
I’ve got park maps for anyone who’d like a set. Simply DM me and include your preferred mailing address.
Park pics. Didn’t take many this time. I’ll try to do better next Sunday ;-).
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. Perhaps remind me closer to the time?
