The DCA Grand Opening Sleepover
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On the other hand, Disney left out a few important details that made for a few very miserable minutes. The sleep-over guests were not the focus of the event and were told so repeatedly. However, the way we were herded up Main Street and through continually smaller gates until we made it to the viewing area was poorly done and even dangerous at times.

Let’s be honest here. In addition to the great memories and the bragging rights, the opening day is about the merchandise. Particularly the limited stuff. So it was no surprise that the same people who organized and ran the special events such as Haunted Mansion, Pirates, and the Villains event, were out in force for the sleep-over. What amazes me is that they don’t learn from their mistakes, and remain incapable of adapting plans to fit situations that arise.

If the first 1,000 guests had been provided slips of paper with numbers on them symbolizing their place in line over night, we all could have lined up in order in the morning and marched in an orderly fashion down Main Street and into the prescribed holding/viewing area. In fact, this was mentioned numerous times to the Cast Members who refused to do anything about it. We knew that if a mob was marched down the street, a mob mentality would form and the pushing for position would get very bad. Additionally, those that waited the longest (namely Mary and Steven) should have been the first sleep-over guests into the park. But because of the horrible situation, that didn’t happen and no Cast Member even attempted to help them out. Instead a group of people what showed up at 10pm got in first. There was no reason for these events to occur and shadow the fun we otherwise had. Still, I know I’ll be saying these same words about the next event I attend. And that’s too bad as it makes me not want to go.

Merchandise lineup at Treasures in Paradise

I hate to end on a sour note, so I urge you to read the coverage of the opening ceremonies elsewhere on this site. Then get down to Disney’s California Adventure and see how you like it for yourself. I know I have enjoyed it very much and plan to return again and again.

The author's girlfriend meets Disneyland Resort President Cynthia Harriss

Related Links

• Grand Opening Ceremony
  Pictures, interviews and a complete video of Disney's California Adventure's opening ceremony
• The Red Carpet
  On the eve of DCA's grand opening, a star-studded party was held in Paradsier Pier. This article features more than 50 celebrity pictures.

-- Posted February 12, 2001
-- Story and pictures by John Frost