TIPS: Magic Morning Hour Report

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Every now and again I like to stay on property at the Disneyland Resort and take advantage of the light crowds that come with the end of the night and the special magic at happens at the start of the day. It is always great to take advantage of the Magic Mornings perk. Let me show you how I experienced this privilege on Saturday June 13.

For this trip I stayed at the Grand Californian. My room was just off the main lobby and used to be a theme park view before the DVC construction.

530a At least the sun was up when the phone rang. Mickey's high pitched voice is not the first thing you want to hear in the morning no matter how excited he is.

630a I grab my Diet Coke and make my way out of the room. As always, on my to Downtown Disney I avoid the long hallway and use the outside pathway.

624a About 10 people are already waiting at the security tents.

627a Cue the plaza area music.

630a Monorail Blue passes by

631a Security on the Harbor Boulevard opens a little early and the mob starts to streak in. The Downtown Disney crews hurries and opens the gates. I noticed one other guy who also knew the shortest distance.

632a I am leaning on the metal fence at Gate 7 watching a guy replace bricks.

640a The Cast Members start to log into the turn-styles. The machines play "Whistle While You Work" when the are booted up. 641a Monorail Orange pass through the Golden Gate.

642a Just before the first tram from the parking lot.

650a The first parking lot tram arrives and the crowd really thickens.

652a A very energetic Cast Member who has worked there forever warms up the crowd and selects the "family of the day".

700A The mob is unleashed. They scan the first few people so you get a jump on the "family of the day".

701a Under the berm and on my way. Most people turn to the right and head for Space Mountain and Nemo. I was the only one aiming straight toward Fantasyland.

Once in Fantasyland this is how I spent the first hour - 7:00a to 8:00a - before the general public was allowed into the park.

1. Peter Pan's Flight - Enjoyed the new wider seats. First rider. Extra Pixie dust.
2. Mr. Toad - The Pixie dust paid off. The attraction was turned off and they had to start it up as I stepped into the door. You could hear the music wind up and the little cars start to move.
3. Dumbo- Okay, I never noticed they all fly at the same height before.
4. Alice in Wonderland - pretty much summed up the morning.
5. Matterhorn - Tomorrowland side first and then Fantasyland.
6. Space Mountain
7. Astro Orbitor - Recently reopened, they struggled to get it started. If it were a normal ride I would have also had time to do some drive by shooting in Buzz but I wanted to get to:
8. Nemo. You could see the first load of regular Monorail passengers and the wave of general public folks running toward the 8 minute long line.

That was 9 rides (Matterhorn twice) within 1 hour.