Did 1.3 Plus Billion Bring Charm and Positive Personality to DCA?
AKA My August 2012 Trip to DL, DCA, Universal, and Warner Brothers
So many changes have occurred at the Disneyland Resort, since my last trip in February 2010. I was an AP'er going back prior to the turn of the Millenium until 2010, and with many parts of the DLR being refreshed, renewed, and rehabilitated, over the past two and a half years, it was a good time to take a step away and refresh my excitement for Disneyland.
Thankfully MiceChat, with its minimum twice weekly Photo Updates, helped get me through my own DL rehab/withdrawl. It kept me up to date with all the anticipated and actual changes, via the internet. It also help provide me with a list of nearly two dozen new things that I wanted to make sure to experience on this most recent visit.
Lots of new things to see and do, most of them in DCA, and even a few in DL. Even Universal Studios beckoned, as well as a taping of a new CBS sit com at Warner Brothers.
"But enough of this chit chat, yick yack, and flim flam. Just refrain from hibernating, and we'll all enjoy the show...because we got a lot to give." and here come the photo's, (with just a few short somments, to connect the photos and fill you in!)
Day 1 - Phoenix to Universal Studios
This trip started with an early morning drive from Phoenix, on I-10 to LA and then the 101 north to Universal Studios.
Parked in the Curious George Parking structure, and walked through Universal City Walk. (My last trip here was when the Simpson's had just recently opened.)

City Walk really does have more excitement and energy than Downtown Disney. Universal has more two story space and shops than Downtown Disney, it even has a more unique moving going experience and its own Comedy Club. It's easy to sense that, even during the morning hours. So kudos to Universal.

And this brought me to the main entrance of Universal Studios Hollywood.


Of course, the first thing on my Universal checklist was the new Transformers attraction, so I headed to the lower lot. What a wonderful view Universal offers!




And onward to Transformers. Personally, I only saw the first movie, and was not a big fan of the movie, however I was looking forward to this new ride experience!

This attraction does offer a single rider line, but from reading reports here at MiceChat, I recall that the regulart line offers a better queue and fills you in on the storyline of the attraction, so I opted for the longer line, the first go-around.

I really appreciated the different sections of the queue, each giving you a new details about the back story. There are several video screens in each section and I think this is the best queue at Univerasl Hollywood.

Over my two days at Universal, I rode this twice. For some reason the first time, the 3D effects/screens just were not that impressive. The 2nd time it was better - my guess is that the lens of the first pair of glasses was messed up/warped however these glasses are definitely more sturdy than the cheapo glasses used for Muppet 3D or Bug's Life at DCA.

The transition from one video screen to another, was done well, and this is a good attraction. However, honestly, I was expecting the real set and the video set to look more cohesive, that it actually was. I still enjoyed it but, I really do enjoy REAL LIFE 3D rather than the fake 3D that requires special glasses.
And yes, they did have the largest meet and greet characters I've ever seen!
Just across the way was a props and costumes exhibit. One section showed some of the sets and character from the stop motion movie "ParNorman"



There was also a meet and greet in the upper lot with Norman, along with three of his dead co-stars.
Next up was the Mummy. I do enjoy this attraction also, and it's certainly something that Disneyland doesn't have anything like. Could you say it's a weird hybrid of Indiana Jones and Space Mt. Ghost Galaxy? The inital part is like a cheaper looking version of Indiana Jones, and then turns into a coaster. Even though the spirits on the Mummy are more stationary, the do show up better than Ghost Galaxy at DL. And it is fun to have a coaster that does go both forwards and backwards.

And of course you have to take some time to at least look at the Jurassic Park attraction. I really do like this attraction, however I passed on it this trip, because I just didn't want to get drenched.

That's really to bad because, otherwise I consider it a great attraction. It's just too bad they can't desiginate some boats for a "Drench" experience, and some as a "Dry" experience.


more to come on this 6 day trip !
AKA My August 2012 Trip to DL, DCA, Universal, and Warner Brothers
So many changes have occurred at the Disneyland Resort, since my last trip in February 2010. I was an AP'er going back prior to the turn of the Millenium until 2010, and with many parts of the DLR being refreshed, renewed, and rehabilitated, over the past two and a half years, it was a good time to take a step away and refresh my excitement for Disneyland.
Thankfully MiceChat, with its minimum twice weekly Photo Updates, helped get me through my own DL rehab/withdrawl. It kept me up to date with all the anticipated and actual changes, via the internet. It also help provide me with a list of nearly two dozen new things that I wanted to make sure to experience on this most recent visit.
Lots of new things to see and do, most of them in DCA, and even a few in DL. Even Universal Studios beckoned, as well as a taping of a new CBS sit com at Warner Brothers.
"But enough of this chit chat, yick yack, and flim flam. Just refrain from hibernating, and we'll all enjoy the show...because we got a lot to give." and here come the photo's, (with just a few short somments, to connect the photos and fill you in!)
Day 1 - Phoenix to Universal Studios
This trip started with an early morning drive from Phoenix, on I-10 to LA and then the 101 north to Universal Studios.
Parked in the Curious George Parking structure, and walked through Universal City Walk. (My last trip here was when the Simpson's had just recently opened.)

City Walk really does have more excitement and energy than Downtown Disney. Universal has more two story space and shops than Downtown Disney, it even has a more unique moving going experience and its own Comedy Club. It's easy to sense that, even during the morning hours. So kudos to Universal.

And this brought me to the main entrance of Universal Studios Hollywood.


Of course, the first thing on my Universal checklist was the new Transformers attraction, so I headed to the lower lot. What a wonderful view Universal offers!




And onward to Transformers. Personally, I only saw the first movie, and was not a big fan of the movie, however I was looking forward to this new ride experience!

This attraction does offer a single rider line, but from reading reports here at MiceChat, I recall that the regulart line offers a better queue and fills you in on the storyline of the attraction, so I opted for the longer line, the first go-around.

I really appreciated the different sections of the queue, each giving you a new details about the back story. There are several video screens in each section and I think this is the best queue at Univerasl Hollywood.

Over my two days at Universal, I rode this twice. For some reason the first time, the 3D effects/screens just were not that impressive. The 2nd time it was better - my guess is that the lens of the first pair of glasses was messed up/warped however these glasses are definitely more sturdy than the cheapo glasses used for Muppet 3D or Bug's Life at DCA.

The transition from one video screen to another, was done well, and this is a good attraction. However, honestly, I was expecting the real set and the video set to look more cohesive, that it actually was. I still enjoyed it but, I really do enjoy REAL LIFE 3D rather than the fake 3D that requires special glasses.
And yes, they did have the largest meet and greet characters I've ever seen!
Just across the way was a props and costumes exhibit. One section showed some of the sets and character from the stop motion movie "ParNorman"




Next up was the Mummy. I do enjoy this attraction also, and it's certainly something that Disneyland doesn't have anything like. Could you say it's a weird hybrid of Indiana Jones and Space Mt. Ghost Galaxy? The inital part is like a cheaper looking version of Indiana Jones, and then turns into a coaster. Even though the spirits on the Mummy are more stationary, the do show up better than Ghost Galaxy at DL. And it is fun to have a coaster that does go both forwards and backwards.

And of course you have to take some time to at least look at the Jurassic Park attraction. I really do like this attraction, however I passed on it this trip, because I just didn't want to get drenched.

That's really to bad because, otherwise I consider it a great attraction. It's just too bad they can't desiginate some boats for a "Drench" experience, and some as a "Dry" experience.


more to come on this 6 day trip !

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