Originally Posted By TDLFAN Hi all. Sunny sunny and close to 90F here in lovely Central FL and the Brits are loving every second of it. Now to the quick report from DAK... Just got home from a quick impromptu visit to DAK this afternoon.. Since I was at the dentist and run a few errads around town... just after having a delicious platter of Ropa Vieja at Pollo Tropical.... on a whim.. I decided to stop by DAK and check out the park... unannounced. I just love to spring up on the Cast like this and even more so when I see their faces of terror upon my unexpected arrival... "Hurry everyone!! Mr. FAN is here!! HURRY!!!" Hahahaha!! Gotta love them. On the minus side, since I was not planning to go to DAK or anywhere near WDW, I did not have my camera with me so no pics for this quick report. Sorry about that... but I am sure you can have your cake without icing every now and then.. and many of us don't need the extra sugar. So anyways... I pulled into the lot and HORRORS MYSELF!!! The entire Butterfly section of the lot was filled to the very last row, and mind you.. this is the section of the lot that hardly ever sees vehicles parked in it. However, only the entire Girrafe and half of the Dinosaur sections were empty.. so DAK was not a total booty 2 booty conditions but it was quite crowded and busy.. which is a good thing concidering how rocky this park has had it and I can not think of a park more deserving of crowds that DAK. So I was happy about that. (You see? crowded conditions are nothing for TDLFAN since TDL is one of those parks where crowds are the norm for the most part. Just check the new 'Day at TDR' pictorial going up in the next 24 hrs.) When I arrived at the gate around 1:25pm.. there were 6 turnstyles open, and eacj one had a line of about 35 guests deep. It took a bit while to get in...the usual scanning delays and such. On the way into the park in the front plaza by the ticket windows, a Discovery Channel display sits touting an Everest show on that channel debuting this week. Not just your average flat board display.. this was a more elaborate "expedition provitions and baggage" kind of a display that takes a bit of space and plays video announcing the Everest show on Discovery Channel. Disney synergy at it's best. But not an eyesore like some other property billboards can sometimes be. Ok... once inside the park. I notice the guidemaps now feature Everest on their cover, with a nice graphic of the mountain in the map itself. However, the map looks odd, simply because they opted to place a "Jamming Jungle" reminder over the area where Beastly Kingdom was supposed to be built, so when you look at the map...it appears as if a big piece of the "puzzle" is missing... Hmmm... Imagineering!! Time to get busy! Ok... so I make my way slowly towards EE just to see if it was "doable" and also to see if reports of neglect are accurate. Passing by the ex-Tarzan Rock digs... the theater in the Wild is in the middle of a very serious transformation...and as of now, it ain't pretty to look at, but I am sure things will be better once the work is done. I hope. Arriving at EE... Hmmm...there is only one way to describe the situation... Crowded. A mass group of FP holders are pushing their way into that little door leading into the queue...just like they do at TDL when the gates open. I look further and see that FP are GONE for the day... and the Stand by Line wait was posted at 100 mins. Hmm... decisions...decisions... Then I remember... aren't we supposed to have a "singles rides Line" somewhere here?? So I cut thru the mass of FP holders and onto the stand by line entrance where a CM happily informed me that I need to obtain a "single rider pass" from the other CM standing somewhere in the midts of the FP mass. I say.. "a-OK" and ventured thru the FP masses again and find the CM in question who quickly handsme the Single line pass and orders me to queue into the FP line to get there... I am like OMG!! I have to stand in that mass of people!??! YOU ARE ON!!! So I happily pushed forward along with the rest of the FP holders into the FP queue, after a few feet into the queue, a CM checks tickets and orders me to stand into the saparated Singles line, which gave me food for thought since there were already about 40 people ahead of me as "singles" waiting to ride. Worst of all... there is hardly any shelter from the heat and sun for the most part of the line (there is ONE fan in the shaded area of the singles line, go figure)..so I had to make a decision in a split second... get a tan in my head or leave. I decided to stay, just because out of curiosity... I wanted to know how long this would take. I looked at my watch. 1:47pm So we wait... and wait... and wait... patiently moving up a few feet every five mins or so... ...in the heat of mid afternoon FL.. ....we wait a bit more.. Finally, some drama: a husband and wife with child wanted to do a switch with the kid (who I guessed at about 10 yrs of age)... She asked if she could child switch. CM said "NOT in this line. You are in the single's line! (NOTE aside: I am very glad to see the CM lay down the law but he could have been a bit more diplomatic...like "Apologies but we are unable to do child swaping since you are I the singles line and it would not be fair to those waiting behind you if your child gets to ride twice with each parent") But nevertheless, after a small argument between CM and woman, we found out she was in the wrong line...she should have been in the FP line, NOT the singles lines!!! Anyways... the family ended up riding one at a time as singles rather than go back to the FP line. Also, while waiting...out of nowhere, here come the 2006 WDW Ambassador Team, Michael and Marjorie, both looking peppyt and festive as they asked the Cms to allow them to ride..and so they were allowed to go to the front of the line and were placed in the very first row of the train... they went thru the ride and I was still in line and got to see them come back into the station. Ms Marjorie having a heck of a time, squeeling with delight as their train puled into the station. Af for the male Ambassador... Michael... well.. he looked rather handsome and suave in his tan colored 2-piece suit with light green/grayish turtle neck sweater and wearing some cool shades.. Hmmm... he looked good enough to eat!! Cute as a button. Well.. enough of that. My time to ride finally came up. I am directed to the very first row. My first time riding in the front of the train ever!! I look at my watch. 2:28pm Without realizing... I waited in the singles line for 41 mins!!!! Somehow, I expected it to be shorter than that, but concidering how crowded the place was... I guess it was comparable to a regular line if FP was not an option here. One a positive note... I am very pleased to report that some show aspects of the ride were on and operational. The team effect in the back of the train as the train arrived and left the station was in working order. I have never seen this effect on during my previous visits. It does add a sesne of realism and adventure to the whole dispatching sequence. Kudos. We start our ride and being in the front row is the way to do EE!! It's like having a panoramic view of most everything and unobstructed. DO ride in the front row! You will love it! Once at the top of the hill...no mist. Hmm... hopefully this effect will be coming online soon, and could have been a refreshing point in the ride concidering the heat today. Came to the stop at the broken track where the front seat affords a spectacular view of MGM, Epcot, DTD, Blizzard Beach, and Coronado Springs Resort. Then we go backwards... this is the only sore point for me... being in the front seat does make the open gaps around the track more apparent and affords too much a view of the indoor mesh of the mountain. Little slips like that could be fixed I supposed but this is a real downer for me. Takes away from the "black out" conditions of the backward portion of the ride. This needs to be corrected but I am not holding my breath on it. Anyways... the rest of the ride goes flawlessly, and being in the front seat does afford a great view and near miss encounter with the Yeti. The Yeti, operating in all of it's roaring glory, appeared to be as close to my head as I ever felt it. It was awesome!!! KUDOS!!! AGAIN>>> RIDE THE FRONT SEAT!!!! Back at the station... everyone seems content, and we go into the dreaded gift shop which continues to be quite crammed with all the traffic going thru it and the lack of good space in between merchandise stands. I took notice of my ride photo... The photo is taken just prior to dropping out of the mountain after seeing the filmed Yeti destroying the rails.. so don't forget to smile! as you lurch forward towards the big drop!! As I left the EE area.. temporary stages and some filming and sound equipment has been set up for the grand opening ceremonies later this week. Also I noticed the counter service Jeepney Truck that used to be in the front area of Asia, has now been relocated next door to the EE FP dispensing machine area. There is also a temporary tent where the Limited Edition countdown pins for the ride are being sold. With the park being so crowded and the heat beginning to get to my head (literary...I had no hat and that's a bad idea if you have a receiding hairline..) I decided to leave and tell you all about it. One more thing... I usually lower my expectations in regards to cleaning, especially on very crowded days, but today... DAK looked in rather great condition. I spotted no trash at all in the major walkways or in the EE queue. I used one restroom while there and it was also in good clean order with no foul smells. Also... this being springtime... the flowers were a treat. The white orchids on the rocky overpasses in the Oasis area as you enter/leave DAK are in full bloom and breathtaking to look at. All in all.. a great 2 hrs at DAK.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros It is great to hear that the park is being kept up well and getting the crowds it deserves. It is a shame, however, that the EE area gets so crowded. From pictures, I could tell that they tried to leave extra space for the people waiting, but it just didn't look like enough. It looks like too many paths are crossing in one spot, which makes for a nightmare in traffic troubles. Hopefully they will be able to figure a way out to fix this and make it easier to get around.
Originally Posted By basas Great report! I'm wondering how Everest's Standby queue was handling the 100 minute wait...was it spilling out all over the place leaving every man for himself (aka: the situation these day's at Space Mtn), or was it nicely controlled in poles and ropes off to the side? This, of course, assuming that extended queue needed to be used...
Originally Posted By BlazesOfFire On saturday my brother and i got front seat the two times we rode. What an awesome experience!! I loved seeing MGM and Epcot from the top of EE.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I'm wondering how Everest's Standby queue was handling the 100 minute wait...was it spilling out all over the place leaving every man for himself (aka: the situation these day's at Space Mtn)<< Well... for what I could see, the stand by line ended inside the covered queue area, just around the temple where the hanging bells are located, so NO, it didn't spill into the main walkway at all.. However, the FP holders crowds waiting to go inside was simply too messy. Way too many people just blocking the way for all who could walk into the stand by or those whose FP window had already started. That is what they need to work on most at this time... Not to mention the exhorbitant amount of overgrown brats in double-sized strollers who add to the lack of space in that area. As for Space Mountain spilling outside all the way to the Star Jets... well blame that one on FP. They do not utilize all of the switch back wait area inside the mountain anymore since FP was added here, hence the backups outside the ride. For some reason, they do not want to use the space inside for queue.
Originally Posted By basas <<Well... for what I could see, the stand by line ended inside the covered queue area, just around the temple where the hanging bells are located, so NO, it didn't spill into the main walkway at all..>> Interesting...I doubt it was truely a 100 minute wait then (isn't the queue supposed to hold 80?)...but then again, with the FP-return mess you talk about, perhaps the standby line was 'moving at one party per every 5 minutes' as Test Track and other FP-insane rides operate. <<As for Space Mountain spilling outside all the way to the Star Jets... well blame that one on FP. They do not utilize all of the switch back wait area inside the mountain anymore since FP was added here, hence the backups outside the ride. For some reason, they do not want to use the space inside for queue.>> Yes, I realize...such a shame really. Ever since they stopped using the majority of the indoor switchbacks and took out the TV's, the inside seems very dull and even depressing...I'm hoping this will eventually be fixed if we ever get our long awaited Space Mountain mega-refurb.
Originally Posted By CTXRover TDLFAN, first, thanks for another great update. Second, did you happen to notice the new paint job on Everest's backside? I've only seen it in pictures, and was wondering what you thought of it. Obviously it must look better than the very noticeable beige-colored wall that was there, but how much better is it now that it has been painted to blend in? If you weren't particularly looking for it, do you think it is still incredibly obvious it's just a wall or does it blend in better now?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>TDLFAN, first, thanks for another great update. Second, did you happen to notice the new paint job on Everest's backside?<< Yes I actually forgot to mention that here... Thanks for reminding me. The new backside color makes it look muddier and darker but works against it because it makes the mountain look dirtier (as in mildewsy) from the distance..
Originally Posted By TDLFAN ..oh... and it does nothing to conceal the plain wall that EE is in the backside of it.
Originally Posted By kennect TDL, Shame on you! I would have thought that you never traveled without your camera!!!!!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I have a life!!! FORGIVE ME!!! Trivia: What great DIVA recorded a song called "Forgive me". Oh never mind.
Originally Posted By kennect TDL, Pardon me for a saying anything....Didn't realize you were so testy...I won't make this mistake again....
Originally Posted By TDLFAN What mistake? Misunderstanding that I was just being funny and cracking a DONNA SUMMER trivia question?? Sorry is the lack of smileys throw you off!!
Originally Posted By dizneed <<Please forgive my many typos.. We need an edit fuction here!!!>> A suggestion, type out your report in word, spellcheck it, then copy it to the LP message window. Thanks for the report, when we were there the Yeti was not even illuminated, so all we saw was a shadow, come to think of it a lot of the special effects you mentioned were not working. So I guess we'll just have to go back again soon!
Originally Posted By BlazesOfFire <<However, the FP holders crowds waiting to go inside was simply too messy. Way too many people just blocking the way for all who could walk into the stand by or those whose FP window had already started. That is what they need to work on most at this time..>> Ugh, i totally agree. They stand right in front of where you need to go waiting for their fastpsses to be good to go. A CM should really come in and tell them to move to the side.
Originally Posted By LadyandtheTramp We went on EE via the standby line on Sunday - figured we had to do it at least once, to see how it looked - instead of doing FP or the singles line like all the other times. The time was listed as 80 minutes, but the line extended out of the queue, along the side of the building, and through the FP machines. All inside of poles and ropes. The actual time to get to the ride, though, was only 60 minutes, so the electronic tag was a bit off. Since we waited in the line, we also decided to wait in the "front of the car" line (for those who may not know, when you get to the front of the line, either via standby or FP, you can request to be seated in the first row of seats - they'll put you into a separate line for these seats). Front row is absolutely the best way to ride EE - this was my second time (like TDLFAN, my first was via the single rider line), and it's even better than you can imagine You need to do this at least once. And spell check using Google toolbar check is easy, just click and correct. Rather than the Word cut and paste, which I used to do.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>we also decided to wait in the "front of the car" line (for those who may not know, when you get to the front of the line, either via standby or FP, you can request to be seated in the first row of seats - they'll put you into a separate line for these seats).<< Yes, that is how I ended up in the front row. The front row line is next to the singles' line. A single rider (who was a FP rider) requested to be in the front at the time I was the next to be assigned a seat, so we both got sent together to thr front row at the same time. It was very cool!! I will definitely ask for the front row once again next time I go with G-Fan.
Originally Posted By mrichmondj <<<< The actual time to get to the ride, though, was only 60 minutes, so the electronic tag was a bit off. >>>> I'd say the electronic tag was right on -- by Disney standards. I think it is SOP to advertise a longer line than actually exists so that guests are pleasantly surprised when their wait is shorter.
