Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad dhs I think we spent more time at DHS than any other park. It is our family favorite and probably has the most items on our must see list. If they could just have some good counter service at the back of the park and put an attraction on Sunset Blvd besides the 2 at the end. This is a show park so it is a day park , not so much a night park, because all the shows stop around 6pm. TSMM- toy story is still a great ride but also had some glaring problems. In the line queue, at the same place as 2 years ago, there was a large area where the paint was missing. I know they fixed it the last time we were there but it was there again this trip. Makes me wonder if there isn’t some sort of problem with the wall. It’s in the tent hallway. Also one of the screens is out of focus and I checked with other members of my party and they noticed the same thing and on multiple rides through. The FP and standby lines are insane. This ride is so popular that you have to ride it first thing in the morning or last thing at night. My family lucked out twice on this ride in that twice we had a CM come pick us out of line to come ride through the back way, which is the handicapped loading area, thus allowing us to bypass from the merge point forward. A positive though is that as long as people are fastpassing this ride it will continue to open up RNRC and ToT which is an OK trade. RNRC- they changed the queue path but generally who cares. that ride is short and great and the music really pumps you up for the action. Lines were usually around 30 to 40 minutes but could be less if paying attention. Little Mermaid- was never full queue so it was walk in. Show as always good. Beauty and the Beast- this show was OK. It is always fun. But, this is the first time that I was so aware of how much of this show is pre-recorded and a lot is lip synched. Also, the Belle wig looks kind of funny when it is pulled down so low on the forehead. I don’t think anyone actually sings except Belle and Gaston. Has it always been this way? Magic of Animation- We skipped the show part and headed straight to character drawing and the computer games. There is a very knowledgeable CM here that we have engaged in conversation the last 2 years. She is from Myrtle Beach andknows a lot of animation trivia. Great store at the exit also. Back lot tour- It’s been cleaned up back there and the recorded spiel is fine. This time there were a lot of actual laborers working in the shops. that makes the ride much better. Great Movie Ride- We had a great cm guide for this ride and that made it even better. as always this is a classic. I love the ending clips where you get to see movies from throughout your life. This ride has something for everyone. After we rode this ride we repeatedly saw our CM off duty touring the parks. How funny. Tower of Terror- they changes the twilight zone area into darkness with starlights and added an effect where you can see yourself in the elevator shaft. These were different but not really better. I’m fine with it either way. It seemed to us that the drop sequences were different. My daughter swears it wasn’t as good but I thought it was fine. This ride rarely had more than 20 minutes and will always be a favorite. One thought I had that would be fun. During the monologue at the end when the car is approaching the exit door there is a little dummy sitting to the right with a cigar in it’s mouth. If they would make his mouth move like he is saying the monologue it would be really creepy and add a great finish to the ride. side note- once while riding this year I was seated beside a man (normal size but not speaking English) who thought he would video the whole ride and was using both hands on his camera. Well when the first drop came he was unprepared and immediately grabbed me like a little kid would. I was like “dude!”. and then he embarrassingly let go. I thought it was funny but when the ride was over he exited never making eye contact with me. So a little advice. If you are a grown man and you grab another man while squealing, just laugh it off and don’t be embarrassed. Repainted cityscapes- they looked new and were well painted but I didn’t think the color choices looked as realistic as before. Now they stand out rather than blend in. Music here and in MK- I liked the music vibe in these 2 parks. the outdoor stages would really have the areas thumping and it helped add excitement to the overall atmosphere. Cluttering- there is now a large stage, then the big ass hat, then the GMR. How deep are they going to bury the GMR front which I think is one of the classic structures WDW has built. Something needs to be moved. I like the hat but it needs to be at a different location. Besides it is hardly visible now behind the stage anyway. Muppets- still a great show. Wish they would do more with the muppets LMA rained out- never made star tours or Indy- not on purpose just didn’t happen
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt << If you are a grown man and you grab another man while squealing, just laugh it off and don’t be embarrassed>> did it show up in the "drop photo"? I can only imagine the look on your face!!
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 sounds like you had a good time. <<If you are a grown man and you grab another man while squealing, just laugh it off and don't be embarrassed.>> I just had to laugh at that remembering what I did the first time I rode TOT. I grabed my DD boyfriends arm. I didn't let go untill the ride was over. Sorry LMA was rained out, great show.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper DHS is my favorite as well. So much great stuff. That being said, you lucked out on a rained out LMA. Worst show on property, by far. And I think the Hat will be dead within the next few years, IMO.
Originally Posted By MPierce The Studios is a great looking Park after Dark. They just need more to do as you mentioned CDD. I hope they don't start having issues with TSMM. I have always been concerned with that aspect of it since it is 3D, and must run non-stop.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper << If they could just have some good counter service at the back of the park and put an attraction on Sunset Blvd besides the 2 at the end.>> Have you ever eaten at Pizza Planet or the new menu at Backlot Express? Both are really good. Also, I really don't think putting another attraction on Sunset is the best idea, unless they put a full-fledged Toontown there. A singular attraction will just add to the congestion
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 The first time I rode Soarin', I grabbed the hand of the unknown man next to me, he either enjoyed it, or was too nervous to notice.
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad <<<Have you ever eaten at Pizza Planet or the new menu at Backlot Express? Both are really good.>>> My wife always has to have pizza planet, but I have an allergy to something in it. We had backlot express 2 years ago and it was nasty. If it has been improved we will try it next time. We didn't even look at it this time based on past experience. We have also tries Mama Rosa's but it was so-so.
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad <<<did it show up in the "drop photo"? I can only imagine the look on your face!!>>> Nah, he was still holing his camera. I was just like,"Do I know you?"
Originally Posted By danyoung >But, this is the first time that I was so aware of how much of this show is pre-recorded and a lot is lip synched....I don’t think anyone actually sings except Belle and Gaston. Has it always been this way?< I've been enjoying this show since the olden days when the music track was played back on 8-track reel to reel tape. And yes, Belle and Gaston are pretty much the only live parts in the show. I was sitting behind the front of house control booth enjoying the show a few years ago, when something went wrong. I never did learn exactly what, but it was obvious from the reaction of the tech guys. During the ending dance scene, as Belle and Beast are just kinda standing upstage looking at each other, they were smiling and talking. And the house sound guy was listening to their wireless mic conversation over his headphones and smiling and laughing. I've always wondered what really happened . . .
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper << We had backlot express 2 years ago and it was nasty.>> Yea, they got a completely new menu a few months to a year ago. I haven't tried it yet, but I've heard good things.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I'll just add in ( stealling from) CDD post to add my thoughts from August visit: -------------------------- This is a show park so it is a day park , not so much a night park, because all the shows stop around 6pm. "" there was a band that played from 6-10 PM the days we were there- very good cover band from Journey thru Metallica -- alternating with 'tween entertainment' on a stage near the BAH. I don't like stage placement but the music did liven up things. Also finals of Idol are broadcast on large screen outside also- did seem to bring some energy to the place after 6 "" TSMM-. The FP and standby lines are insane. This ride is so popular that you have to ride it first thing in the morning or last thing at night. "" yes this is a ride immediately - then grab a FP because you will get on this no more than twice in a day it seems-- very enjoyable however and agree it has opened up ToT and RnRC lines"" RNRC- . Lines were usually around 30 to 40 minutes but could be less if paying attention. "" we general 50-70 the week we were there.."" Little Mermaid- was never full queue so it was walk in. Show as always good. "" show is very good but seemingly has fallen out of favor with guests - was walk on for us also"" Beauty and the Beast- this show was OK. "" for us this was very goo din that we have not attended since they moved it into it's own theatre- really...so we thoroughly enjoyed it- lip synching and all"" Back lot tour- It’s been cleaned up back there and the recorded spiel is fine. This time there were a lot of actual laborers working in the shops. that makes the ride much better. "" skipped this year "" Great Movie Ride- We had a great cm guide for this ride and that made it even better. as always this is a classic. "" had 3 trips thru and got the western scene for the first time in quite a while once...we also had above average CM' guides -- this ride is one of my favorites"" Tower of Terror- they changes the twilight zone area into darkness with starlights and added an effect where you can see yourself in the elevator shaft. These were different but not really better. I’m fine with it either way. "" liked the changes "" Repainted cityscapes- they looked new and were well painted but I didn’t think the color choices looked as realistic as before. Now they stand out rather than blend in. "" I need to pay more attention, it just thought they were clean"" Music here and in MK- I liked the music vibe in these 2 parks. the outdoor stages would really have the areas thumping and it helped add excitement to the overall atmosphere. "" see above- agree"" Cluttering- there is now a large stage, then the big ass hat, then the GMR. How deep are they going to bury the GMR front which I think is one of the classic structures WDW has built. Something needs to be moved. I like the hat but it needs to be at a different location. Besides it is hardly visible now behind the stage anyway. Would like to see it moved some but not sure where -- like the vibe from the nusic - not a perfect trade off though- agree"" Muppets- still a great show. Wish they would do more with the muppets "" was it me or did it seem the picture quality was vastly improved from even 2009 ? "" LMA rained out- never made star tours or Indy- not on purpose just didn’t happen "" skipped LMA after 3 years in a row of going- but caught Indy for the firs time in 3-- and it was fun....some slight changes to the scripts - and props "" ""I'll add that Sci Fi DIner for lunch remains one of my favorites because you get sit down meal with atmosphere without breaking the bank as it is Reuben'hamburger/chili kind of place..."" will post food review on this and Prime Time soon
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin That sounds hilarious on TOT. Thanks for your trip report. It's interesting that this is your favorite park - makes me excited to see it.
