the 26th anniversary day trip report

[TDLFAN]

I arrived at TDL's front gates at 7:35am. The crowds were surprisingly light, considering it was the 26th anniversary day and the grand opening day for "Monsters Inc Ride & Go Seek" attraction. We waited patiently outside the gates by the ticket window.. Park opened at 8am.


After running down World Bazaar to get to Monsters ride, I noticed a small opening ceremony stage was set next to the Toy shop in Central Street, leading to the Monsters ride. This was to be a small press affair so we kept running to get on the new ride. Big decision.. Fastpass or Stand by?
This photo shows where the stand by line began.. right by Space Mountain's main entrance.


The standby line went past the Showbase 3000 Theater.


Stand by line then zig-zagged in front of Star Tours...


Yup, we can see the Monsters attraction building up there...


Many guests were in good spirits and being quite fashionable.


While we waited in the stand by line.. THIS was the situation in the Fastpass line.. Notice the CMs on the right of the photo pointing guests to the right? Those CMs were directing guests who wanted to get a FP for Monsters to line up in the Fastpass distribution line... which started in front of the Crystal Palace by the hub. You can see the line ahead...


Yes, folks, these guests are in line TO GET a Fastpass.


Yup.. the Fastpass line was slow ... slow... slow...


We are getting closer to the Fastpass distribution area..


Almost there... but not quite. Look closely here.. there is one micechatter in this photo... (clue: he is not that wet)


We finally made it to the Fastpass machine. There are aout 12 of them in this area, and they are very cute. They even make wacky sounds when they distribute the tickets.


Meanwhile.. back in the Stand by line... we get a nice view of the area directly in front of Monsters Inc. ride. Nice to see regular size strollers in this park.


These are new planters.. and they make the area look nice.


Look! A hidden Mickey in the Dome murals inside the queue of Monsters Inc.


Finally.. about an hour after entering the stand by line.. we are finally at the boarding platform!!


After the ride.. we are deposited right into the Monsters Inc gift shop. Note the cute flashlight keyrings.. fashioned after the ones on the ride vehicle. Very cool. I bought one pour moi.

[TimmyTimmyTimmy]

there should be a fastpass for the fastpass

[TDLFAN]

More cool merchandise on sale at Monsters Inc Company Store.
Sushi bandanna anyone?


Brisk business all day long.


Outside the ride, this cute photo op spot is available for guests. You see this little car in the movie on a scene when Sully and Mike are walking down the street in Monstropolis.


At 9:25am, the Fastpasses were GONE! CMs covered machines and closed the distribution center..


Yup. This is what happens when you are late. It pays to arrive early at TDL.


"Gomen Nasai, you are late and we are closed for the rest of the day "
Amazing they have more CMs manning Fastpass machines than CMs running all C-tickets at WDW's MK Fantasyland.


With the worst part over, it was business as usual at TDL...


Lovely World Bazaar.


Piano bike player is a favorite with japanese guests.


Yes, it was that dead around the hub! But I think it's because 75% of the guests were in the stand by line for Monsters Inc.


Lovely World Bazaar, again.


Love the spiral staircases at the end of World Bazaar.


Walt would have been so proud... *sighs*


Sweatheart Cafe.. TDL's bakery.


Castle and some Cherry blossoms still in bloom from the week before.


TDLFAN recommends the frozen mango treat and the frozen Choco chips.


The moat is so stylish at this park..and the lawn very nicely manicured and evenly "green".


The hub is nicely bricked.. all over, and well maintained too.


The castle still had the 25th anniversry decor up on this day..


The view towards World Bazaar. yes folks, the hub is THAT big at TDL.

[ichigopara]

Thank you for the photo's! Those lines are crazy!

[TDLFAN]

This is probably my last close up shot of TDL's Cinderella Castle in 25th anniversary bling!


I also took time to see "Jubilation!", TDL's most fabulous parade. The good people of OLC had the common decency of eliminating the godawful "High School Musical" show mode interlude for good. All references to the 25th anniversary were also removed (mostly from the Mickey float). The parade now performs in continuous mode, no show modes. I am sure the big wigs at WDC are fuming over loosing HSM off this parade.. to them I say... HAHAHAHAHA!!! The parade is much much improved now.
















A stroll throught Toontown.. find the area desolate now that the ToonTown Trolley has been permanently retired.


Yes, Roger lives on at TDL and DL in "CarToon Spin".


Walking around the park.. Big Thunder Mountain.


Splash Mountain..


Haunted Mansion..


The walk thru the park paid off for TDLFAN...in the form or Fastpasses.. 4 attractions in less than two hours.. but the Monsters FP was acquired at 9am.


Dusk at the park..




Space Mountain..


Night falls over World Bazaar.


Night time arrives at TDL.

[TDLFAN]

Like with Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Paris,and Hong Kong Disneyland.. Tokyo Disneyland is more magical at night...




And night time at TDL is made more special with the nightly viewing of "Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade DREAMLIGHTS"... you know the music.. clap along.


















Now you see this float...


And now you don't! I like it when the entire last sequence of floats go totally strobes!!! Very cool!








"Disney Magic in the Sky" fireworks bring this day to a magical end.


As so the crowds leave for the day, and the 26th anniversary day concludes... and another year of wonderful memories and magical happenings begins.. LONG LIVE TDL! Happy Anniversary darling!

[jedimaster7313]

Great pictures- I'm sure you had a great day there- much better than the few hours at the resort on those days when you say you are running in and out of the parks.

I always enjoy pictures of the parks- Looking forward to more.

[TDLFAN]

Sorry but that's all I have got for now for this report.... But, check this weekend's Weekend Update on Micechat!

[bigglesworth003]

AMAZING PHOTOS as always thanks TDLFAN

[gurgi]

Those are some really nice photos, TDLFAN, thanks for sharing them! The Monsters Inc. crowds are crazy! It's hard to tell there is even a line, it just looks like a sea of people. I really like your detail shots too, they are nice to look at because sometimes it's easy to forget about the little things. Also, love the nighttime lighting on Cinderella Castle, it's really dramatic. Has WDW upgraded theirs to match yet?

[TimmyTimmyTimmy]

GREAT PICS!

I was wondering... when I go to TDL in November... do I have to show up before 09 to be sure to get a fastpass for Monsters? what do you think? when will the madness... get a bit scaled down?

[hkdlfan]

when i last went to TDL last year in october, i *thought* i had the perfect scheme to get rides at a low wait time. it was to wait till the last 1 hour of TDL before closing and ride every ride as possible, it turned out... that nearly everyone in TDL has the same scheme!

[Aunt Bee]

Thanks for sharing your pictures!

A month left before we fly out of SFO for our turn at TDR!

[TDLFAN]

Originally Posted by TimmyTimmyTimmy

GREAT PICS!

I was wondering... when I go to TDL in November... do I have to show up before 09 to be sure to get a fastpass for Monsters? what do you think? when will the madness... get a bit scaled down?

Timmy.. with the Christmas Fantasy event going.. I would think that it would be best to get there early. There will be crowds..and with the japanese fans.. it's all about the race. Plan accordingly.

Originally Posted by hkdlfan

when i last went to TDL last year in october, i *thought* i had the perfect scheme to get rides at a low wait time. it was to wait till the last 1 hour of TDL before closing and ride every ride as possible, it turned out... that nearly everyone in TDL has the same scheme!

Not a good idea hkdlfan.. if lines are longer than an hour, they will close those queues before 9pm on days when the park closes at 10pm. OLC does not want CMs to stay in the park past their time as many of them depend on train service to get home after work.

Originally Posted by Gurgi

love the nighttime lighting on Cinderella Castle, it's really dramatic. Has WDW upgraded theirs to match yet?

The WDW castle lighting is set to change colors every so often.. The castle at TDL does not do that. The problem I see with the MK's system is how it just color-washes the entire castle without really highlighting any spots in particular. The system at TDL can be changed to highlight certain parts of the castle... but that is hardly used, except when night time shows are going on... otherwise, the castle's lighting is pretty standard. WDW's is much brighter in intensity though.

[mister_peterman]

I was planning to head over to America at the end of my trip in Europe (where I am now) and go to WDW and maybe a day in Disneyland... I had a few other things lined up as well (including a tour of Pixar, which is the one single thing I am going to regret not doing, given that I have the opportunity) but yeah... I think my new plan is going to be popping by Disneyland Paris for a few days on my way home to Australia and then saving a bit and hitting up Japan... I'm sure I'll have a much better time at TDL and TDS than I could ever have at WDW... and all these photos just cement in my mind that this is the right decision! It might be more expensive than going to WDW, but seeing as flights will be cheap it won't be too bad.

Thanks for your love of the place TDLFAN (and others of course too!) I have seen the greatness of these parks and have most likely completed changed what I want to do!