Originally Posted By myinnerpeterpan This question probably goes out (mostly to cast members)but what is DL like first thing in the morning before the sun is up? In the surfing world we call it "The Dawn Patrol" and I can honestly say that it's a completely different feeling and experience. I've read stories about ducks going for their morning walks down Main Street and nifty things like that, but what does it FEEL like?
Originally Posted By Ursula I worked at DL a long time ago, but yeah, it is a lot like Dawn Patrol. It is quiet and pretty and the lights are on without music and everything is clean. You are a little sleepy, so that dream land feeling is present. The other best time is closing, after the songs are shut off and the lights are still on. The darkness and the lack of people bring about a sense of "we did it again" to us castmembers. You can see the power washers getting ready on Main Street and it is nice, too.
Originally Posted By Mickeyfan1 Like Ursula I worked at DL some time ago however I do remember coming in for the opening shift in the Emporium or Newsstand. I'd always make it a point to walk out by the Plaza Inn gate, sometimes taking the long way around by the Castle. Main Street was ablaze with lights and many times the street had just been washed so the reflections were beautiful. Sometimes you could hear the audio from the Snow White Grotto and I remember you could always hear the tick-tock from "it's a small world". It was quite, peaceful and beautiful. I often had the feeling this was my street as I headed for the Emproium. It was very special and something only a few get to experience. Christams time was always wondeful as you walked down the street alone or with a friend. As for the ducks, I remember I always would bring a muffin or bread whenever I opened the Newsstand. Almost like clockwork within 5 minutes of turning on the lights out there for the shop two or three ducks would show up for breakfast. I would crumble up the bread, they would eat it up and then off they would go happy as could be. I have very special memories of working at Disneyland and those special times when you felt like it was just you in the Park were great.
Originally Posted By SleepingBeauty82 That sounds so awesome. I hope I get to experience it some day. Either the "Dawn Patrol" or after closing. At this point a job in the park is probably not for me but I gotta make it happen somehow...
Originally Posted By Pixie Glitter How fun to get this "behind the scenes" glimpse--thanks for sharing those memories.
Originally Posted By lesmisfan I am a current cast member who has had many opening and closing shifts and it is really nice to walk the park when there are no guests, You do get that, "we did it" feeling that ursula pointed out. I love walking after the park has closed, the lights are still on and the third shift is just coming in, its just so peaceful and magical.
Originally Posted By DEDE1755 I too am a current cast member as lesmisfan is. though i usually don't get opening shifts but have had many closing shifts and it is wonderful to see the park after close. Very magical. The best thing that has happened for me is having Tigger one of the resident kitties follow me from toon into fantasy by small world. He then proceded to insist that i sit down and pet him. was the best 10 minutes have ever spent in the park open or closed.
Originally Posted By grlweatswchpstx I'm a current CM and my daily shift is the middle of the night (9 pm) and it is anything but calm in the middle of the night. When I used to open Main Street it was gorgeous, like a movie set.
Originally Posted By lawdawg Sorry Off subject, well a different park. I worked at Six Flags Magic Mountain in the 80's. I was walking down the midway early in the morning before hardly any other employees were around. No rides were running nor was the ambient music that is played throughout the park. Well, I was enjoying the peacefulness and then the music suddenly came on. I nearly jumped out of my skin because it is played so loud if you really listen to it.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Never been a CM in the parks, but I have walked through the park before opening. It's almost surreal. It's not quite as quiet as you might imagine though, because there are plenty of things going on to get the show ready for guests.
Originally Posted By 1937fan It has been some time since I worked in Disneyland but walking through the park early/late hours was always something. I was always struck by how quiet it was without the area music on. Things start to look smaller without all the people – still magical – you notice more details. One early morning after a shift at Emporium I walked out of the store and couldn’t see the store across Main Street due to the fog. That was something!
Originally Posted By myinnerpeterpan Post #13: POTC on Main Street...NICE! Thank you all for sharing your experiences! As I've been reading, I find it difficult to not get all mushy eyed and weepy...chick thing I guess.
Originally Posted By Hista98 it is magical and probably one of the most unique experiences anywhere. On your first day of training they give you a tour of the park before it opens and it is very cool. you feel like the only one there.
