Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

[TomGirl307]

First of all, THANK YOU to everybody here who posted questions and answers that helped me plan my trip. I knew this forum was an amazing resource, but I never knew it more than when I was actually at TDR putting it all into practice. THANK YOU!!



About TDL:

• Arriving an hour before opening, we went straight to Winnie the Pooh for a Fast Pass and then waited 10 minutes in the Standby line. Fast Pass was good 40-60 minutes after.
• TDLCastle is beautiful, but the holiday lighting was tacky and poorly executed. It looked half-finished. Maybe it was, since we were there the first day of the Christmas celebration. I think the non-holiday-lit version would have been a better photo op.
• TDR Fireworks (shared between the two parks) were my only major disappointment. I wish I had used my time somewhere else instead of standing and waiting w/the masses.

[Malin]

Re: Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

Tokyo Big Thunder Mountain is one of the best and only Paris beats it. If you get another chance to visit DLRP make sure you go when BTMR isn't on refurb schedule.

I found your coments about the lights a bit shocking as I've seen this video and throught it looked stunninghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=http:...?v=BqK9KD9urt0

I personally don't think TDR fireworks are that much of a dissapointment if you just happen to be on your way somewhere. I personally wouldn't wait around for them but if I happen to be in Westernland, I got no problem staking out a spot and waiting on for a few minutes.

I too agree with you on the merchadise I'm not a lover of the collective tins and boxes. CD's and the odd plush or nic nac is all I'll buy. I actually ended up spending more money in DLRP on merchadise than at TDR this year. And I've only ever found one magnet for sale and that was last year for Halloween.

Minnie Oh Minnie is one of these shows you either are gonna love or hate. I personally love it and that scares me because I know shouldn't.

Thanks for sharing your throughts on TDL

[TomGirl307]

Re: Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

I'm so bummed now that I missed out on DLRP's BTM! I also missed out on TDL's Jungle Cruise, which was my favorite attraction at HKDL. TDL's Splash Mountain was closed, too.

The decor on the castle seemed unbalanced to me. Very bottom-heavy with nothing at the very top. It looks like they put a lot of care and money into the base of the castle but then midway through they decided to use the festoon lighting canopy and then didn't bother to decorate the top turret at all. I don't think that they should have gone Osbourne Family Lights on the castle, or anything. Perhaps my disappointment was due to the high expectations I had. Maybe TDL was victim to its own greatness. I'm glad you enjoyed it, though.


I agree. TDR's fireworks wouldn't have been so disappointing if we didn't wait for so long for them. If I saw them in passing (as I did from the Lost River Delta area the next day), I think I'd still be disappointed though. I was thinking that maybe I had unfair expectations and had been spoiled by DL's, but I found that I loved HKDL's fireworks even though they were on a smaller scale than DL's. I never saw fireworks at DLRP, as they weren't offered on the single day I had to spend there.

One magnet? ONE MAGNET?! I collect one from all the cities that I visit, and I was dismayed that I couldn't find one at TDR. I didn't look very hard for one, but I did go in a fair number of shops. Maybe I'll make my own from my photos. I actually bought A LOT from HKDL as souvenirs and even Christmas gifts; mainly because of the unique Mickey and friends design they had. Plus, I found the prices to be extremely reasonable!

And just to scare you more, I'm posting these:

[DisneySeaFan]

Re: Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

Glad you had a good time. I agree with the fireworks. I just watch them for a minute or so and then just move on to the next attraction. They're definitely not worth watching.

[TDR_Fan]

Re: Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

Since the fireworks only take up about 5 minutes, I hardly think it is a waste of my time. They are a nice treat at the end of the day, and I still think they are a magical experience.

[TomGirl307]

Re: Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

Some photos, for those who are interested, are here:

The crowd in front of us 1 hour before park opening


Awesomeness




It's a Small World


Christmas Fantasy Parade




















Star Tours and Pirates Exteriors




The all-important wait board


Christmas decorations around the park










Dreamlights

[Malin]

Re: Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

I'm so bummed now that I missed out on DLRP's BTM! I also missed out on TDL's Jungle Cruise, which was my favorite attraction at HKDL. TDL's Splash Mountain was closed, too.

The decor on the castle seemed unbalanced to me. Very bottom-heavy with nothing at the very top. It looks like they put a lot of care and money into the base of the castle but then midway through they decided to use the festoon lighting canopy and then didn't bother to decorate the top turret at all. I don't think that they should have gone Osbourne Family Lights on the castle, or anything. Perhaps my disappointment was due to the high expectations I had. Maybe TDL was victim to its own greatness. I'm glad you enjoyed it, though.






And just to scare you more, I'm posting these:

Yeah Splash Mountain is currently under going a massive refurbishment, and has been closed since September. Shame as it is one of the parks signiture attractions and is refered to by many as the best version of Splash Mountain. Don't feel to bad about missing TDL Jungle Cruise as if you've been on either US versions you won't really notice a big difference or miss too much. I can't coment on Hong Kong's version but will be visiting that park in May and hope to be able to ride it than.

After viewing both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Paris versions of the castle lighting I'm convinced its not the best version. I think the other two come across with a bit more class, thats not to say TDL version isn't good but it can be done a lot better in my opinion. The other two castles have a very simple colour scheme which I feel works better. Plus I perfer the shows character shows better to TDL very basic show.

And I love your photos of Minnie Oh Minnie

[TDLFAN]

Re: Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

Minnie Oh Minnie is a FUN FUN FUN show! Don't knock it TomGirl.

[TomGirl307]

Re: Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

Minnie Oh Minnie is a FUN FUN FUN show! Don't knock it TomGirl.

Too each his own.

I guess my absence will just leave more room for you in the audience! This arrangement works out perfectly for the both of us. It's a win-win, the way I see it.

[TDLFAN]

Re: Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

I guess my absence will just leave more room for you in the audience! This arrangement works out perfectly for the both of us. It's a win-win, the way I see it.

Sadly, your absence won't make much difference if at all, since I still have to compete with the million other japanese guests who love this show to pieces.

[Malin]

Re: Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

TomGirl307 what I find interesting is that you don't like Minnie Oh Minnie, yet did enjoy Over the Waves.

[TDLFAN]

Re: Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

TomGirl307 what I find interesting is that you don't like Minnie Oh Minnie, yet did enjoy Over the Waves.

More than interesting... it's a puzzling thought. "Over the Waves" is unanimously voted "Worst Show at TDS". What bothers me the most is that disney execs in the US will read comments like that this one and will continue to think.. "of well, if simplistic little shows like OTW is what the Americans want in our local domestic parks...so be it". No wonder the entertainment at the domestic parks is so "blah!".

[TomGirl307]

Re: Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

Sadly, your absence won't make much difference if at all, since I still have to compete with the million other japanese guests who love this show to pieces.

Let's just agree that it'll be good that I won't be there. It'll be one less Asian for you to contend with.

[TomGirl307]

Re: Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

TomGirl307 what I find interesting is that you don't like Minnie Oh Minnie, yet did enjoy Over the Waves.

I suppose "Over the Waves" can be my guilty pleasure, although I don't feel guilty about it at all. I didn't even initially want to watch "Over the Waves," but I noticed that the Harborside Christmas CD had many tracks from the show. That's what convinced me. Having no expectations, I thought it was wonderful. I mean, the fake muscles?! So absurd! It's just so silly and ridiculous. And I do love the ending w/them running into and out of doors. Did you not care for the show?

[TDR_Fan]

Re: Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

While I don't care for Over the Waves myself, I do have to admit it's a cute show. I can see why the Japanese care for it.

[TomGirl307]

Re: Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

More than interesting... it's a puzzling thought. "Over the Waves" is unanimously voted "Worst Show at TDS". What bothers me the most is that disney execs in the US will read comments like that this one and will continue to think.. "of well, if simplistic little shows like OTW is what the Americans want in our local domestic parks...so be it". No wonder the entertainment at the domestic parks is so "blah!".

Really? That's what bothers the MOST? Wow... no need to be so bothered. Just continue to stay away from domestic parks. Problem solved!

I think that to be voted "Worst Show at TDS" is not saying too much, as so much of the entertainment there is great. I haven't seen all the shows there yet so I can't really vote, but I honestly, really loved OTW. I watched my video of it this morning and it still makes me laugh.

To any U.S. Disney Execs reading this: let it be known that TomGirl307 would love to see a wide range of types of shows at domestic parks. At DCA, I love Aladdin, and I also love the Block Party Bash. And I miss D.U.H. It was right up this simple American's alley.

[TomGirl307]

Re: Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

While I don't care for Over the Waves myself, I do have to admit it's a cute show. I can see why the Japanese care for it.

I guess it can be silver lining, then. I mean, what would you do if you loved absolutely everything in every park? I wouldn't have enough time, energy or MONEY to see it all in every trip. I'd need a 14-day park hopper at TDR, a 10-day park hopper at WDW... I'm just estimating numbers here to illustrate my random "silver lining" point.

The Japanese do care for it?

[TDR_Fan]

Re: Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

I guess it can be silver lining, then. I mean, what would you do if you loved absolutely everything in every park? I wouldn't have enough time, energy or MONEY to see it all in every trip. I'd need a 14-day park hopper at TDR, a 10-day park hopper at WDW... I'm just estimating numbers here to illustrate my random "silver lining" point.

The Japanese do care for it?

Yep, Over the Waves is a popular show among the Japanese from what I've experienced. There is a lot of applause at the end of each show.

[Malin]

Re: Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

What bothers me the most is that disney execs in the US will read comments like that this one and will continue to think.. "of well, if simplistic little shows like OTW is what the Americans want in our local domestic parks...so be it". No wonder the entertainment at the domestic parks is so "blah!".

Wasn't Over the Waves produced in house by OLC, and not by Disney.

[Malin]

Re: Just got back from my first trip (TDL)

I suppose "Over the Waves" can be my guilty pleasure, although I don't feel guilty about it at all. I didn't even initially want to watch "Over the Waves," but I noticed that the Harborside Christmas CD had many tracks from the show. That's what convinced me. Having no expectations, I thought it was wonderful. I mean, the fake muscles?! So absurd! It's just so silly and ridiculous. And I do love the ending w/them running into and out of doors. Did you not care for the show?

Good for you it is a cute show, and it does like everything at a Disney park have its own fanbase and audience.