What's that you say?
Time to head to the park, DaddyB?
HI HO!!!!
Let's jump in the convertible and go!
Before I get started, I just
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I went to the Disneyland resort, and now let's take a look at what I saw:
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Have you ever walked to the theme parks
from the Mickey and Friends parking structure?
Not much fun.
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Really, they look like Giant multi-colored Weeping Willow leaves to me.
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Hopefully by the time spring break crowds
start arriving, the marketing department will figure out how to make
this "year of a million dreams" a little
more exciting.
But come to think of it, does every year
have to have some big promotion tied to it? Did they do anything
for the 48th anniversary year? 49th?
I remember the 2004 logo was "a whole new
world" which was appropriate because so much of the
old crumbling park was being replaced
and updated and painted gold for the 50th. But who says every
year has to have a big giveaway promotion
tied to it?
Jay Rasulo, VP of Disney parks and recreation?
Really, just keep the parks looking good,
do the maintenance on the machiary, and when things DO break
down, fix them, don't just bulldoze them
over (or leave them to sit like the Submarine ride did for so long).
If you do this, and add/change some of
the big things once in a while, the guests will continue to come.
Most people don't care about the giveaways,
they just want to see the park clean and the castmembers friendly.
you know, like Walt wanted it...
Speaking of the subs:
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I mean, the floral upright Mickey for the
50th was cool, but the swirls on the ground?
What's next, PAISLEY?
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Just a bit much.
Are we supposed to equate these swirls
with the "Million dreams" promotion? Is that
what marketing (or groundskeeping) is
thinking?
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It's not a terrible decoration, I guess. But really. WHY?
Brings new meaning to the saying on that
plaque overhead
"Here you leave the world of today..."
Yes, please. Let's.
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Look for that in my next update.
Here's my man Goofy
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Dig the ascot, though.
At least he doesn't have the big ol' ruffle shirt that those baby blue tuxes had during those days.
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I have to say, he "makes this look good".
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But really, who knew Mickey Mouse was a
trekkie?
trekker?
anyway...
"Live long and prosper"
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Also, another plastic swirly thing appears to have sprouted in the moat.
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Or is it steamed milk from the cappucino maker?
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This will be one of those things I will
have to shoot around
(or photoshop out) for the coming year.
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Into the heart of Tomorrowland
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I've always loved the 'eggs' in the planter.
I don't know what the backstory is about them. I'd love to hear it
if anyone can tell me (I couldn't find
it when I googled them).
Evidently the future is 'eggs'?
I started to head over to "Small World"
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I so miss the skyway going through the Matterhorn.
Talk about a classic example of just bulldozing
something instead of spending the money to fix it, the Skyway
was (by my understanding) exactly that.
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There's not a whole lot of attraction to Toontown, so I don't go in this land very often.
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That's the thing about Winter. Just when
you think everything is dead and there just won't be
a spring, buds finally start showing up
on the trees.
I know I'm spoiled living in Southern California
and all. Back in Minnesotta and New England, the high
temperature for the day is like 2.
Today's high was about 73 here.
Having had my fill of Toontown, I decided
to head over to Fantasyland to see if Dumbo was open yet.
It's not.
But I noticed that the lamps over the teacups are in need of a good cleaning with a webby or something.
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I'll try to remember to to to shutter priority
next time I take this ride.
I really do love the miniature houses.
It's just that the line is usually so long, it doesn't seem worth the wait
to me.
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The apple holder kinda' looks like a pillar for a candle though.
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That's quite a cookbook holder, isn't it?
I wonder if the missus would like one
like that?
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It's interesting how these dark rides are
so popular. Snow White and Peter Pan
are always full to overflowing.
Mr. Toad's and Pinnochio not as much, but still they're very popular rides.
My two little ones have only gone on Peter
Pan, and they don't like it at all.
I don't know when they'll finally be brave
enough to try these classic Fantasyland rides.
I think a lesson could be learned here
that the dark rides could be done well
and still be very popular without all
the flashing gizmos and such.
My kids are bored with the "Pooh" and "Monster's
Inc" rides, but terrified of Peter Pan...
hmm...
This is the horse that is currently in "Jingles" place on the carrousell.
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For the 50th, they painted Jingles gold
and of course took him away after the 50th.
I hope he's back soon!
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The Autopia was another big thing for me
as a kid (before my first trip).
It doesn't hold as big a magic for me
as the Sword, though.
It's just a Disney Magic spot where the movie comes to life for little boys.
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I hadn't heard or seen this, so I hustled
over.
I was glad I did!
Look at Mickey in his Bandleader's uniform!
WOW!
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DId the mail every get postmarked as "Disneyland" in the past or was that only at Disney World?
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I appreciate the rehab of the entrance
to Adventureland that they did before the 50th, but UTI the
fishing goddess was part of the original
Tiki Room pantheon of gods and goddesses, and should be
restored (or recreated) to it's original
spot right there where those gas flames are.
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Really, those costumes.
ick.
Lucky for me, the ride reopened withing
minutes of me having taken this shot.
I thought "what the heck".
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Well, another update come and gone...
There are likely a few things that have
changed already since I
took these pictures, so the next update
should have some changes in what's
fenced in, and what's not.
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thanks so much!
until next time
God bless,
and as always:
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8 megapixel Canon EOS 350D Digital Rebel XT Canon 580EX speedlight flash, and whatever lenses I could get my hands on. |
I also use a Moose
warming/polarizing filter on many of my shots.
not a paid product endorsement
in any way, simply letting you know the equipment I have paid for
and use and really, really
appreciate!