90's AP holder makes comeback!

[DisneyMan 09]

It was my 1st trip in 9 years! ... and 5 years in the making. Enjoy basking in my excitement.

Background:

Growing up 30 miles from DL, I went with family once a year from 1980? till 1987
1994 - a fantasy come true: I Discovered AP's. Result: 37 trips!
'99 - 2nd AP - My last time there
Moved to Sacramento
2004 - planned a 6 day trip(by train)
Moved to Seattle - put off trip
'08 Moved back to Sacramento - What luck.

2009 - Planned on 2-3 days at DL, but the economy made me realize that 1 day is enough. So with 3 trains, 2 buses(and 0 jobs to fund another trip for years), I had 1 shot to get this right.

I also have problems with tension(back, legs and feet), which got me into health food. I've found I'm at my best with just fruit and veggies. So for this 3 day trip, I brought most of what I ate from home - a suitcase and backpack filled with 20 lbs of produce + sunflower seeds, not much cloths, or whatever regular people bring. Restaurants take too much time(and money) anyway.


March 31 - up at 4. On train at 6:30 (5 hrs sleep)

6pm - Got to hotel near DL entrance


April 1 - Disneyland

(Got 4 hrs sleep - anxious)
6:00 Bath to increase circulation - feeling better than expected

Overview:
8:02 Bag check line..not letting ppl in "area's not secure yet"
8:30 found a short line in the center of entrance. - like old times.
8:40 Entered. about 180 ppl at the rope. 350 in park. Had a surreal feeling untill 9:50. Didn't feel like I was actually there. 9 years away really freshened me up!
8:55 in position for rope drop(center, about 30 feet back. Itinerary in one pocket; raisins in another. I....am..... READY! )
9:00 Rope drop(no running or chaos) Walked(with purpose) to PP (27 people in line. No MM either)
Mr. Toad
9:30 Big TH (FastPass not up yet) By the 2nd turn, I noticed it feels wilder than in '99. Did they change something or is it me? This was the 1st time a ride effected my tension condition(a "weak in the knees" feeling). Not a good sign. So I pushed back SM
M - track 2 having problems. So I postponed it, throwing off my whole sched.
Noticed Tea-cups had no line so I went for it(I never would've planned this. I was In and out in 3 min. )

10:10 Buzz line was 10' - Surprised. I planned to skip this cause of long lines
SM FP
monorail
...
11:30 M - track 1 - 13' wait. Both tracks open. Again, feels wilder.
11:55 Did Buzz
Still feeling good.
FP for SM - Decided to ride it. My reaction to the new SM: Yeah!!!!!!!!!! - The potential was always there, but not done well. It's now what it should've been.
2:40 Train to New Orleans
HM - 10' wait.
3:30 FP for Big Th
3:40 Parade
.
.
4:35 Carribean. - Again, Hills felt more intense than the 90's.
5 Winnie the Pooh
Winnie the Pooh - twice with a 1 minute wait.
HM
Train to exit
Rested at GCH. Tried to get Monorail at DTD but it broke down(they're testing the orange one)
8:40 Big TH
9:15 Big TH
Fireworks while walking to -
9:40 M
Then 2 rides I couldn't fit in before:
SW 1' wait
Pinoccio 2' wait
Feeling cold, tired and dizzy on my way to last ride(SM of all things) Sat down. Had raisins, trying to get a pick-me-up
10:50 SM. Can I get off ride without falling over??

Yep! feeling OK again!


There you have my Perfect Day.....almost. I didn't get to Nemo. And I forgot some sights. It just gives me something to look forward to.
Even though I'm not in shape and have leg problems, I may have broke the record for that day, thanks to my previous skill getting alot of rides in, and my efficient personality. I got on 22 rides!(+ parade + fireworks). If the Monorail didn't brake down,
it wouldv'e been 24 rides.

[DizNee Luver]

Wow, that's great!!!!
Space Mountain is amazing isn't it.....loved the new & improved ride!!

I don't feel like you missed anything not riding Nemo, but that's our families opinion of it.

I'm guessing with all the rides you got in....you're not much of a picture taker while you're there?????
I'm a visual reader!!!!

Thanx for sharing!!!

[DisneyMan 09]

Thanks for the feedback.
Yea, I don't take many pics at DL. I wanted to this time, but I decided I wouldn't want to carry a medium sized camera around for 15 hours. And as much as I'm into documenting things with pics and vids, it can get in the way of my real-time experience. And the actual memories from the experience, I wouldn't trade for pics.