Originally Posted By nemopoppins Have you any special moments at DCA to share? There are always plenty such topics for Disneyland, and there are hardly ever any new DCA topics, so I thought I'd ask. A favorite moment of mine was when in the cold rainy dark my family played tag in that water play area (it was off) near the farm. We've played it a couple of times since then because it is such fun.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I always remember how exciting it was to enter a new Disney Park for the first time. My favorite "remember when" moments are the original Santa costume in the DCA red plaid {before the Surfin Santa) and the candlelights in the water at Paradise Pier for the second holiday season.Wish they would bring those back for the lack of anything else.
Originally Posted By stagemomx3 At Mickey's Halloween Treat this year Alice and the Mad Hatter lining my kids up and making them be the "Electrical Parade" since the four of them were wearing glow jewelry.
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy A few years ago I went to DL (and CA) for my first and so far-only time for the big LP meet. On my first day I went into DCA with Daannzzz, and we first went into the Animation building. I stared around in awe at all the big screens playing clips of classic Disney films, and Daannzzz was patient enough to wait in there with me until I could see the "Sleeping Beauty" clips, which I loved getting to see. I also stared around in awe the first time I went into the Beast's Library---that was an amazing room. Another bright, sunny afternoon I was strolling into DCA myself and I was feelin' so good and revved up, when "California Dreamin'" started playin' over the speakers. Now usually I'm very reserved in public and concerned about what people think of me and get embarrassed very easily, but the magic of Disney plus a classic oldies tune overtook me and I started singin' along out loud with The Mamas and The Papas, not carin' who saw or heard me. I was bouncin' along and singin' and felt like the sunlight was comin' outta *me*, not the sky. It was an awesome moment. Then there was the time I rode California Screamin' with Inspector 57 in the very front. I had no idea when the ride started once we got seated in, and I was lookin' around naively and talkin' about whatever when *SHOOOM* we took off, and it couldn't have caught me more off guard, lol. There was also the fun time that day when he and Ursula and I played on the giant "CALIFORNIA" letters out front and took pictures. And Blacksheep Uncle was right---you never forget your first time on "Soarin'"---awesome experience.
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy Oh, another one...a fairly large group of us went to see Muppets 3D, which was kinda touching cause it wasn't a planned meet, but it was nice that some other LPers wanted to go see Muppets with me. It was neat seeing all the Muppet posters in line, and all of the props in the "waiting room" by the show. I had also told everyone on the way there that I was so excited to see Janice, cause when I saw Muppets 3D in 1995 in WDW I missed her (I knew from my research she makes a cameo appearance). So we all go in, we're enjoyin' the show, and all of a sudden Scooter rides across the background on a two-seater bike with Janice on the back! Right when I noticed her I heard a few gasps along with mine, and several people in 3D glasses pointed at the screen and happily proclaimed, "Janice!" LOL (LVBelle is one of the enthusiastic ones here who sticks out in my mind, lol) It was so cool that I was in a little cult spotting of Janice.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb Outside Golden Dreams Mushu was doing his thing and there was a lady with him in traditional Chinese garb doing ribbon twirling. My son was maybe 7 at the time and I said "look there's Mushu, do you want me to take your picure with him". Nope, he was entranced by the lady with the ribbons, so she let him try and he wanted to have his pic with her. His total fasination with this art just took me by surprise. (I think I snuck a photo with Mushu while I was snapping him and ribbon lady, lol).
Originally Posted By Dabob2 While in line for Soarin', we were near this family - Mom, Dad, 3 kids I think and I'm assuming Grandma. They had never been to DCA, but had heard Soarin' was the best attraction. However, when they got up to the pre-boarding area with the film (w/ Patrick Warburton), grandma was struck by the similarity to the Star Tours intro, and insisted there was no way she was going on this ride, because Star Tours scared the daylights out of her. The family couldn't assure her it wasn't like Star Tours because they hadn't been on it before. So we piped up and assured her it was very gentle, pleasant, and actually quite relaxing. We had to reiterate this when we got inside and she didn't really like the looks of the contraption she'd have to sit on... She just about headed to the exit. But ultimately she trusted us and went on it, sitting right next to me, and giggling giddily and kicking her feet from almost the first moment to the last. After it was over she announced to her family, "We are doing this again." Then she turned to me and silently mouthed "thank you." That was a good enough moment. But then the Mom looked back at me and silently mouthed "thank you." (!). It was like she finally found something grandma loved, and was really happy about it.
Originally Posted By nemopoppins Okay, some of you gave more than one story (all great), but that means I get to add another one. One night we stayed at the GCH and so I (who hate being cold!) had the idea that we could go on GRR and get soaked on a cold March evening and not mind because we're so close to our room where I could go and get warm. Not many other people were riding because of the weather so we were able to ride it about 10 times in the last hour or so. We were soaked and freezing and yelling and laughing and it was soooo mmmuuucchhhh fun!!! Now we plan to do that one day of every trip even though we're staying somewhere else and I have to go a lot longer before I can get warm.
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove Cruella DeVil in the Animation Studio taking a picture with my daughters. As I snapped the photo, I shouted: "Cruella, you're beautiful!" She drily replied: "Wish I could say the same about you...." Made my day!
Originally Posted By Steph-n-Kev Coming from Australia, we don't know much about the Californian scenery. It was wonderful, then, when by chance my hubby and I sat next to a woman and her young daughter on Soarin', and the woman proceeded to tell her daughter the name of every place we soared over! Thank you to whomever that lady was, I really appreciated it! Also, our very first character encounter on our very first trip was in DCA - Sully -the ONLY character, I think, who is taller than my hubby! LOL I love DCA, we're going back for our 2nd trip in November - can't wait to show our families everything we loved and enjoyed so much. :O)
Originally Posted By allthingsdisney my fav is of course the same as almost everyone elses Soarin' we went the first time in 2002 around the 1rst aniversary where evrything was still in very new condition and my hubby (not being a thrill seeker at all) agreed to ride soarin with me and the brats.. and after the ride he delcared i really love that ride...so we rode more than a few times well we convinced my parents to come with us the next year and my dad who is basically very anti theme park rode Soaarin for the first time and to this day that is the one ride he talks about even now...this past year we took my sister and my niece and nephew for their first trip to DCA and grandpa told the kids be sure to ride soarin it will be your fav and guess what..... IT WAS!!!! lol... but the kids really liked the whole park while it may not be DL it is full of some great things to do and we usually set aside at least one full day just for DCA... i know i ramble but being a once a year family i get excited talking about my happiest place an earth....
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb It's funny, Soarin' Over California is a favorite of almost everyone, myself included. I went on this with a friend last weekend (big, strong, athletic type male) and he white knuckled it through the whole thing. He loved the coasters and even had fun on TT. But, I kid you not, he was a sweaty ball of tense on Soarin'. Funny how a ride that appeals to grannies and little kids alike can be such a white knuckler for a big strong guy.
Originally Posted By skywilliams My favorite moment was when we were waiting in the park waiting for it to open and Mickey and Minnie came out to meet and greet so I took my boys (4 and 2 years old at that time) to say hi to them. Well, we took the pictures and we were walking away when my 2 year old ran back to Mickey and he scooped him up and rested him on his leg (he was half kneeling on the ground) and and gave him a 30 second hug as he rocked him back and forth (there was no one else waiting to see Mickey and Minnie so he wasn't in a rush to say goodbye). I just stood there and let the scene wash over me. I was so wraped up in the moment it didn't even occur to me to video tape or photograph the scene. To this day that is one of my most cherished memories of not just California Adventure but the entire reosrt as a whole.
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy That's interesting, Deb...I wonder if he has a fear of flying? I guess he's no fan of the "Peter Pan" film. ;-)
Originally Posted By nemopoppins >>> Funny how a ride that appeals to grannies and little kids alike can be such a white knuckler for a big strong guy<<< While the Sun Wheel may not appeal to grannies, it was hilarious how my son, 18 year old union carpenter (apprentice) was bellowing with not-really-pretend fear while we rode. He was joined by his screaming 16 year old sister who even had to call her boyfriend for comfort and/or last living conversation. Even my seven year old was laughing.
Originally Posted By oc_dean Yeah .. I got a DCA special moment to share..... The feeling of satisfaction heading out of the front turnstyles.
Originally Posted By nemopoppins I can knock DCA as well as anyone, but I've realized that at least I've had moments.
