College and Cholesterol - Counting Down the Days (Redneck Wonderland Part 2)

[Noel Mugavin]

Walked over the Brooklyn Bridge













Woolworths building is a bit of a favourite of mine


On the subway at Chambers St and off at 18th Street, on foot down 16th and the Meatpacking District



To Chelsea Market

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Always look forward to going to markets and always leave somewhat underwhelmed. No different today.
Did stop for lunch though





No pizza for me, calzone instead. Same but different.



On the way out



Had to walk some calories off, so the Highline it was

 

[Noel Mugavin]

 

[Noel Mugavin]

To the end/start of The High Line



Hudson Yards





Jersey City's skyline growing nicely


Think it was an MSC cruise ship, was on the news the previous night





Down to Penn Station to sort my ticket out to get to Jamaica Station

 

[Noel Mugavin]

One of my goals in New York was to have a black and white cookie. Noticed them at one of the bakeries in the station, so met my goal. Wasn't great, biscuit too thick for me.



Walked the 7 blocks or so to grab my bag, then turned around and back to Penn Station



Not long to wait then on the train to Jamaica. Comfortable ride, plenty of space. Short walk and then on to the Air Train





As usual had allowed myself plenty of time, using it well today - a visit to the TWA hotel - the lobby at least



Good views of Manhatten from the walkways



And of the planes



Made it to the walkway to the hotel

 

[drron]

My grandmother used to make those black and white cookies-called neenish tarts.i loved them.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Time to go to my terminal and back up through the reception display


Overheard the lady hear telling some stories about her days with TWA to a couple looking at the displays



Look like she was settling in





AA check-in. Paid for my bag and through I went, making sure I had everything out that I needed. Of course I was asked for my passport through security where every other airport during this trip my licence had sufficed. My passport wasn't one of the items I had out of my bag in readiness.



Through security and a coupe of hours to wait. Bit of wandering, then a relax with free wifi. Not a great choice of eating options, a pizza place looked the best, but I really was all pizza'd out. in the end , satisfied with some mints I had in my bag.






Flight left on time, beautiful plane. A321, 10 first class seats, 20 business class, then economy. Previous night had checked in, no aisle seats, so paid $100 to upgrade to economy extra. Plenty of legroom, smallish lady in the seat next to me, so very roomy. Given a meal, which all economy passengers received. A very filling beef wrap, some chips and a muffin. crew regularly came through offering water. All the negatives you hear about American domestic carriers, this was top notch.

Not too much of a wait for my shuttle to the Clarion Hotel in Anaheim, some Keystone Cop action from the 2 fellas checking me in, but eventually to bed at about 2.00am

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Had been given a handicapped access room, no idea why. I take a door stop/wedge with me and throw it under the door of my hotel rooms, just a little extra piece of mind for me I guess. Discovered something about handicapped access room when I left to take off in the morning - the doors open outwards. Bit late to pick up on that the night before, the wedge wasn't a lot of use.





Able to get rid of some more coin at CVS, then off on the short stroll to Disneyland. Projections were for large crowds, so not looking that forward to the next couple of days.
Few minutes lined up and settled for a bit of a wait, until I heard the magical words 'no bags?' New line opened up and through pretty quickly, as was the case with entry into the park





In the park and with a mission to get as many of the rides I wanted to go on ticked off before the crowds became an issue.
Hightailed towards the Star Wars land





Quite serene at this stage



Haunted Mansion, not open on my last visit, on the list for today



And to the newly opened Star Wars themed area

 

[Noel Mugavin]

The entrance to the not yet opened attraction, can't recall the name of it

 

[Noel Mugavin]

I'm not a Star Wars person, but do appreciate the attention to detail that has gone into the area. No doubt Star Wars geeks absolutely love it.
I wasn't here for the experience, I was here for the Smugglers run ride. Long line, moved very quickly though, even better when I spotted the single riders line. Jettisoned straight through and joined a family of 5. Nice people, did the right thing and offered to take a group shot of them which I think they appreciated. Took the back seat on the ride in the role of the engineer so was out of their way.









Example of attention to detail, walkway out of the ride






Haunted Mansion - was closed last visit in September 15, so one of the reasons I was back. About 10 - 15 minute wait in line

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Into a bit of a holding room where a bit of a back story plays, then in to the ride proper







Certainly not a thrilling ride, but certainly one that gets the sight, sound and smell senses working


To Indiana Jones and the single rider line. Not much of a wait.




9.20 and 3 rides down and crowds still not too bad. Allowed myself to think it was going to be so bad after all. Headed over to Space Mountain, another one that was closed 4 years before.




60 minute wait posted, not for me so grabbed a fast pass to get back at 12.30.
Able to have a short wait and on to the Star Tours attraction

 

[RB]

I like the door wedge story. Enjoying following your adventures

 

[Noel Mugavin]

After the ride headed over to New Orleans Square. Photo first though.



Beignets and a mint julep



Over to Pirates of the Carribean and met with an Oh cough*! moment.
The crowds.
Half an hour in line, about my limit.
Next, 20 or so minutes for the jungle cruise.
It's corny, but it is a bit of fun

 

[Noel Mugavin]

My Fast Pass time slot for Space Mountain had come around, short wait time and on.
Blown away by this ride



Beautiful Southern California day. Took a ride on the monorail to get out of the heat and away from the crowds for a little while


Grabbed a Fast Pass for Splash Mountain and decided to ehad over to California Adventure to see if there would be a bit of respite from crowds and wait times over there







Less crowded but still long wait times for rides







Needed a rest and something to eat by now, so off to the Cheesecake Factory
Louisiana Chicken Pasta, have made it a couple of times since I've been back



Back to the hotel and off the feet for a couple of hours

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Back late afternoon





Off to Critter Country and Splash Mountain







Escaped the crowds again on the paddle boat on Rivers of America

 

[Noel Mugavin]

A Dole Whip, then into the Enchanted Tiki Room, which was a bit different





Went to have a look at Galaxy's Edge after sundown. /inquisitive look at the line for the Smuggler's Run, wait said 100 minutes. Thought I'd beat the system again and strutted into the single rider entrance. Beat a hasty retreat at the first corner though, as people were queing for what would have been 75 metres plus.




Crowds were really getting to me now and I battled through to get the hell out of there.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Final photos of the night

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Up early and to the CVS to get rid of more coin, then up to California Adventure.



Majority of people head to Disneyland, so crowds not so much of an issue this early, however most who enter California Adventure first head to here -


And in particular here -


Single rider line available, so quite painless for me



Wandered through Cars Land, went on another of the rides there





Grabbed a churro and headed over to Wings Over the World, was Wings Over America last visit. Well worth doing



Over to Pixar Pier and to the Incredicoaster, formerly California Screamin





Over to Guardians of the Galaxy, 40 minute wait, not for me.
And that was that for California Adventure, done by 10.00am

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Headed back over to Disneyland and Big Thunder Mountain. Was temporarily closed and no Fast Passes being distributed either.
Over to Galaxy's Edge to try my luck on Smugglers Run. 90 minute wait time, single rider line backed up, no go.



Over to Matterhorn Bobsleds, 75 minute wait, grabbed a Fast Pass, available for 6.30pm.
Went on to Cartopia to fill some time



Back to Big Thunder Mountain and it had re-opened, a do-able 20 minute wait. Which I did.
Looked on the Disneyland App, most rides had 60 minutes or so wait times. Standing in lines isn't my idea of fun so out I went.
Strolled Downtown Disney then decided to head to The Cheesecake Factory for lunch
Skinny Enchiladas



Not so skinny Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake



Stopped at CVS to stock up on Milano Cookies, Double Stuffed Oreos and different chip flavours.
Spent a few hours chilling at the hotel.
Back out and a quick stop in California Adventure to get some Cars related stuff for the twin brothers of my house sitter





Fortunately I had checked the App and California Adventure was closing at 5 due to a private function, so was able to get in and out with the goods in hand.
Over to Disneyland, wandered and filled time until 6.30 came around. 10 minutes in the line, then an announcement that there would be a delay ad they had some equipment malfunction. That did it for me, out of the line I went.
Wanted to try a funnel cake, however the line just wasn't moving so gave up on that as well.
And that was that for Disneyland



As I was walking out overhead a couple talking with the fella saying 'there's nothing enchanting about that, its just packed and a hassle to do anything'
Got to agree. Need to pick the dates you go, unfortunately sometimes there isn't a hell of a lot of choice.