TR 10/5 with Miley NO PICS

[ttrocc7007]

The day started with a 5:55 AM wake-up call at the Paradise Pier Hotel. The Star Wars theme at what seemed 110 decibels came blaring my ear jolting me wide awake. I jumped into my clothes. My 8 year old hustled into hers, and the wife rolled back over and went right back to sleep.

As we hustled our way through DTD, we saw people heading towards the park, or so we thought. When we passed the pin store next to the Monorail station we saw a line with about 50-75 people. I heard later it was some new NBC themed stuff.

Hustling onward, we saw a Mickey and Friends tram pull in to the stop with only 5 or 6 people aboard. We breezed through the security tents and made our way to the line-ups, where there were maybe 200 people total. I mean, the place was vacant! I looked briefly for any sign of the MC brigade that had posted that they would be present with no luck.

The gates opened at 6:30 on the dot, and in we went. Again we waited by the floral Mickey for all you sleepy headed MCers. But with none evident, we took off for FUN.
The place was super dark and clean. Everything was open (though Space Mountain took a bit longer waking up) as during full operating hours.

Man, in the first hour and a half we did Mad Tea Party, Peter Pan, Dumbo, Matterhorn twice (once on each side), Autopia, Indy, Mr. Toad, Space Mountain, King Arthur’s Carousel, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and then took a break for breakfast.

The sunrise by the way, was clear as a bell and lovely to behold.
The park was still empty, so we just rode everything as we came across it.

The park itself was heavily transformed with the addition of huge lighting standards, inflatable birthday candles, game stations (especially through Frontierland and along the Rivers of America), television cameras, camera cranes, forklifts (there are many pics in other trip reports you can see elsewhere on the board), all turning the place into a theme nit-pickers nightmare.

I did finally run into a huge pack of MCers at the regular noon meet in the hub, which is always a treat. I somehow missed the group picture, but as always it was great fun to hang with ‘Darkbeer!’

The park never did get too packed out, not like it had been Saturday!

I have to explain here that my wife works in the world of print media, and while we were attending the Miley event, we did not pay for admission.

At 3 PM the park began closing, section by section as even more barricades, lights, risers (for media), seating and other decorations were installed. In truth, it looked pretty reckless seeing some of this heavy gear being moved around while guests were still so close by.

At 4:30, we chose to leave the park and pick up our credentials for the Sweet 16 event. On the way out my wife stopped off at City Hall to learn where we were to pick ours up, and things were fairly ugly with angry (and I mean ANGRY) guests upset at the early closing. One fellow was so angry, I pulled my wife away as I was afraid the guy was going to become violent.

We went outside to a ‘Media Services’ tent set up by the ticket booths on the DTD side of the esplanade, and waited until gate 26 was reopened for admission.
It was quite a sight to see all of Disneyland exiting en masse for the hike across to DCA.

Once back inside the park, all of Main Street was closed up and locked tight as we were led down a roped off path on the east side of Main Street, to the hub and into Tomorrowland, past the Tommorrowland Terrace and up the path between the lagoon and the Matterhorn to the normal parade route alongside Alice. Half the crowd was funneled north; the other south to make for what I suppose was a cinematic picture for all the TV cameras. Things were supposed to start promptly at 6. Well, they didn’t. Along the parade route were stationed many people leading the crowds in screaming contests and “Aren’t you just SO excited to be here” yells.

Finally, a bit after 6:20 or so, things started to get underway as one by one cars would slowly drive past with minor league ‘celebrities’ were stopped and obnoxiously peppered with inane and occasionally off-color questions by some guy my wife (remember, she works in the media world) said was named ‘Cojo.’ For me, the guy was just an embarrassment. There was a genuine moment of excitement when Billy Ray Cyrus came down the pike. The Moms in the crowd actually got more excited than the kids for a few moments.

Now this went on for so long, that my daughter as well as many others got fed up with waiting, and we fought our way off the parade route for some quiet and fresh air. Many of us were resting on the benches used for barricades, and many more just sat where they were. At one point at about 7:20, I saw a pair in white coats, one with a stethoscope around his neck dash into the crowd. Shortly thereafter, though the arrival of Miley hadn’t yet arrived, some wise soul decided that the rides and food service be opened, so many began rushing away from the parade route without witnessing first hand the arrival of teenland’s latest messiah. We were in that bunch. We rode the Matterhorn, struggled our way across the parade route, and stationed ourselves for a Village Haus burger as the parade itself wound down.

Once we ate, we had our complimentary birthday cupcakes (white cake piled with three inches of yucky purple icing) and rode a deserted Fantasyland. Our family rode Dumbo, Storybookland Canal Boats, Casey Jr., Mr Toad, Peter Pan, and each case all to ourselves. Since my wife actually was covering the event, she went down to where the performance was taking place (the satge and huge video screens were set up on TSI, the audience all along the Rivers of America in Frontierland and NOS), but my daughter who actually IS a fan was still to bugged by the ‘parade’ to want to attend, so rode BTMRR a few times. The place was so empty, we didn’t even have to leave our seats to ride again.

We did the Jungle Cruise in our own boat, and our skipper (no names here) let me do the spiel.

We rode Indy a few times without leaving the vehicle, and then as Miley was waving farewell to her fans, one last trip through the HMH.

As we were making our way through the crowds, who should we run into, but Bob Iger himself. My wife who has interviewed him several times introduced me to him. He seemed like a genuinely warm and likeable guy.

My daughter had completely had it by this time with the noise and such, so we headed out of the park where we were handed a ‘goodie’ bag filled with more promotional stuff. Hannah Montana video game demos, Hannah Montana ‘Rock Star’ candy, a card for a free song download and a mini-poster of ‘Hannah’ thanking us for joining her for her ‘Sweet 16’ party.
Now, I have attended different private events in the park before, and there were even times when the park had been closed for them. Honestly? This was the least pleasant of any I have experienced first hand, as well as the least organized.

We got in for free, but I truly feel bad for those that did actually pay $250.00 dollars for being herded like cattle in a gigantic commercial shoot.

In fact, if there was a highlight in terms of live entertainment yesterday, it was during regular operating hours up at Big Thunder Ranch for Farley the Fiddler and Miss Chris leading a dozen gleeful kids in rousing games of ‘Pass The Pumpkin!’

See you all at The Plaza Inn for Kettle Favorites!

[sir clinksalot]

Thanks for the review of the nights festivities. Sounds kind of insane that they didn't have rides or food places open when the event started.

Walking around the park yesterday, it was very apparent that it was all a big commercial shoot.

Sorry about not being in front of the park at 6:20am, we were actually there, but Disneyland was only running 1 tram and most of us didn't get there until after the park opened.

Glad you had a fun day though.

[mycroft16]

Wow... sounds like a crowd control fiasco. And the only reason I can think of to not have attractions/food open is to keep people in around the route. If they opened rides, everyone would have left earlier.

[ALIASd]

Comped hotel and event tickets usually lead to unique perspectives and perception, thanks for lending yours.

[ttrocc7007]

Originally Posted by ALIASd

Comped hotel and event tickets usually lead to unique perspectives and perception, thanks for lending yours.

We paid for the hotel and we have APs. Only the Miley event had been comped.

[larasound]

Originally Posted by ttrocc7007

We did the Jungle Cruise in our own boat, and our skipper (no names here) let me do the spiel.

That seems like it might have made the whole fiasco worth it!!

Thanks for sharing.

[ALIASd]

Originally Posted by ttrocc7007

We paid for the hotel and we have APs. Only the Miley event had been comped.

Sorry about the assumption, most media invites include accomodations in my experience. Hopefully it will it get submitted in the expense report. At least your family was able to attend at the complimentary level.

[All4dISNEY]

Thanks for the TR -- Sorry to hear it wasn't the best organized event.

[GrouchyRob]

Interesting report, thanks for posting. I wouldn't have wanted to be a City Hall CM that day, that's a tough enough job as it is.

[diznimom]

Good report! We were there this weekend and it was quite a sight to see all the preparations for the party. I can't understand why some people were so upset about the early closing. There were signs all over the park this weekend stating that the park would close early on Sunday. You couldn't help but notice!

[mrfantasmic]

Interesting perspective. From what I saw and heard all night, guests were having a great time.
All the guest control went very smoothly and there were no emergencies or fiascos to speak of.
It was a very loud event, though, and I can see how the youngest in the crowds would have been a bit overwhelmed.
The concert was fantastic (had never even heard a Miley song) and the fireworks were a treat. And the cast had a lot of fun, too. All in all, I had an amazing night.

[Legally Brunette]

Thanks for the report. I wouldn't have wanted to be at City Hall either. Yikes!

[Disney Liz]

Thanks for sharing the details, even though the entire thing sounded like absolute chaos. I'm shocked that the park rather started closing up around 3pm instead of 5pm, but if they needed to reopen for 6pm...I guess they just needed to start getting a move-on with things. At least you got in a great amount of rides and it sounds like this will be an experience you won't forget. The whole Miley Cyrus thing somewhat reminds me of my *NSync crazed days.

[SkeletonStockings]

Originally Posted by ttrocc7007

We did the Jungle Cruise in our own boat, and our skipper (no names here) let me do the spiel.

I think I honestly would have paid $250 just to get to do that. Heck, I'd pay anything to see Fantasyland guest-free. That must have been magical. ><

[mekchin]

My daughter and I attended and had a great time. There were lots of celebrities in the VIP line at Space Mountain. It was fun looking for them while waiting in line as well as outside of Space Mountain. My daughter was in heaven because there were so many Disney Channel stars. Also, at the concert, Miley sang two songs in one of the small boats they use to go back and forth to the island. She got to see her up close and was so excited. Also, we got free tickets to the Hannah Montana concert music video taping at Verizon Amphitheater in Irvine on Friday.

I am very happy with how the event turned out. My daughter will have great memories.