Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Trip Report - August 17, 2010

Are you ready for a look around Disneyland? The park is on summer hours opening at 8am. Maybe some of the kids are back in school because the morning crowds were very light. All these photos’ were taken between 8am and 10am, its looks like a beautiful day, and it was, except the temperature was rising quick and it was a bit humid for Socal.





Early morning makes for some weird shadows; however it’s my favorite time at the park.





Not an official post office box, but your mail is secure in the hands of the mouse.






The blue sky’s of Anaheim.






“Light me up” Yellow!






This photo turned out really strange, if it had a white boarder it could almost pass for a bad 1970’s instamatic snap-shot.





Finally, a case of less is better.






The cast member’s are doing this new thing on Main Street where they waive to everyone as the park opens.






It seemed a little contrived and the CM’s were only about half into it.






Sugar is good.






How long have they been doing the Silhouette’s at Disneyland? My mom has cut-outs of me and my brother from around 1970!






Always working hard, this man deserves a medal or something.





The Coke Corner was closed for some maintenance. Did you ever notice the Coke Corner is rounded and not a corner at all?






More blue sky.






The Anaheim River seems to have recovered from its drought.






What do you know some actual dirt in Adventureland – at least I think its dirt.






Hint – go to the park early – I rode 4 major attractions, ate a cookie, drank a coffee and took all these photos in less than 2 hours!





Even with the shadows I prefer the early morning sun.






The Rivers of America are nice and calm at 8:30am.







New Orleans Square is rather quiet too; in fact, it was still wet from the nightly hose-down.





Photo ops just waiting to be happen.






Peaceful & Quiet.






The Haunted Mansion was a total walk-on as was Pirates. It's so inviting (foreboding?) with no one in line isn’t it?






The attraction was looking and sounding great, and it was ICE cold inside.





The Indian War Canoes have an entirely new dock and its super nice.






It’s great to see this attraction isn’t going anywhere, how about a couple of Keel Boats to go with it?






While leaning over from the Hungry Bear restaurant to get the canoe dock photos I felt a spider web hit my head, I think it belongs to this guy! That's NOT an AA is it?





Splash Mountain looking splendid in the morning sun and sporting a 5 minute line!





Big Thunder Mountain railroad has a zero wait line!





Here’s Case de Fritos old outdoor fireplace smiling at you.





Let’s head to the hub and find the Castle, the riverways are looking good.






The Carnation Plaza has some interestingly colored flowers.






The flowers around the hub were OK, but nothing special in my opinion. Of course it was looking to push 100+ so I’m not sure how many types of flowers can withstand that heat, I sure can’t.








Wouldn’t it be nice if they could retract that huge cable assembly during the day?







This has obviously been in front of the Castle for 15 years, but I just now noticed it. I want to see what’s inside; I bet there are photos of its contents somewhere.








You can see more photos of Alice in Railingsland of at Meet the World.





I’ve read these railings are temporary, let’s hope so. Forget about how ugly those cardboard leaves are, the railing completely ruins the effect and scary feeling that you’re going over the edge.





Three Fences is doing well.






The Subs are cool, even in yellow.






Lots of these folks at the park today. Nice clipboards and fancy trash pick-up thingy’s, you try and figure it out.






Weeeeeeeeee…






After a long and lengthy closure for refurbishment the Tomorrowland Terrance reopens and looks (and smells) exactly the same? Oh wait, the prices went up.






I’m happy to report the Tomorrowland Cross of the Future is still in place. Looks like a rather large bird got in my picture.






Tomorrowland 2055 is still dazzling guests everywhere.






Did they add this to the Tomorrowland Terrance? It appears to be a device that dispenses a fluid containing two hydrogen molecules and one oxygen molecule, wow the future is now.





We know what’s under this tarp, and us Mary Blair fans want it returned and restored.






Speaking of returning, Goodyear still sells a lot of tires, how about bringing them back as a sponsor for something on the PeopleMover Track, the logo benches are ready to go still.






Can’t wait!






I want the old sign!






Those two tiles have been missing for at least a year!!!






I still need to ride the Trolley one day.






What’s that? It's time to go already?






Let’s check out some red vehicles on our way out. The Corn Dog wagon has returned from refurbishment and has a brilliant red paint job.





On another Disneyland blog I commented that the Corn Dog Wagon must have to be pushed on and off stage because it doesn’t have an engine.





I stand corrected, this old wagon DOES have an engine and its fan belt looks fairly new.






From inside it does have a steering wheel, speedometer and pedals. It’s also got a phone, a 220 volt connection, a water connection, and drain and what appears to be a Halon fire suppressant system, not your standard 1920’s Wagon accessories.






The little red Horseless Carriage is looking sharp.






The cast member driving her told me she was the first of the Main Street vehicles to go into service. I asked him when that was and he stated (without hesitation) May 12th, 1956. I wonder if that’s correct, Jason?





Easy controls but that steering column is placed in an awkward position.






This guy is driving the fire engine 90% of the time when I go to the park, he’s perfect for the part.






Just in case you didn’t think Disneyland was licensed to do business in the city of Anaheim.






I’ve been trying to get a decent photo of this on every visit, hasn’t happened yet.






There’s a scary couple.






It’s hard to believe that Walt Disney once drove this train, heck, I’m sure he drove it more than once! I overheard a Cast Member at City Hall tell a family that this is the only park that Walt Disney used to visit; she said it while leaning in as if it was a secret, and the kids ate it up – me too…



11 comments:

  1. Super nice pics! There has been a drinking fountain/water dispenser in that spot at the Tomorrowland Terrace since at least the eighties (although I don't know if it's the exact same one) That round metal plate on top is covering the hole where you used to be able to help yourself to the wax coated paper cups. That is where I got many of the cups in my collection!

    Was Alice open? Did you go on it? Do they let you get out of the car at the top of the leaf and slide all the way down the railings on your rear end? Oh wait, that wouldn't be "safe" would it? I'm so glad they have made it "safer." I never quite felt "safe" on that ride. I hope OSHA makes them add ugly railings like that to all of the DL attractions....inside and out!

    Sorry, it's way past my bedtime and I'm in a mood! But thank you for your excellent trip report and beautiful pics!!!

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  2. Thank you - I had a great time looking through these while I drank my morning coffee here in southern Indiana!

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  3. You received good information from the Horseless Carriage driver.

    The Silhouette Studio has been in business since 1956, but they might have been doing them earlier than that elsewhere on Main Street.

    Also, if your guide map lists the Indian War Canoes, you should check the date!

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  4. ugh, been dreading seeing photos of the Alice attraction, even worse than I thought. At least they didn't plaster Johnny Depp's face in cardboard all over them, that would be the last straw!

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  5. Lots of great details here.... I wonder who thought that the cast members should wave at everyone (with those dumb gloves, yeesh)! I'm glad that awful sculpture isn't on Main Street anymore (the one with the balloons).

    The "Tomorrowland cross", you've probably had photos of it before, but it is odd. What's the deal?

    The lack of people made these extra nice; I always think of "back to school" as being in September, but my niece and nephew start on Monday.

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  6. Sounds like the staff has a consultant from the Wal-Mart greeters. Safeway does that too and I hate it.

    Thanks for the pictures, wish i could go too.

    JG

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  7. The employees at Tokyo Disneyland do that "waving" thing when the park first opens, but without the Mickey gloves. I also remember seeing that at WDW's Magic Kingdom the last time I was there (2007) and I know at least one of those employees was wearing a large Mickey glove because I took a picture of him!

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  8. Tim, thanks for the trip report! Especially since I cannot get there this year...

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  9. TokyoMagic; I never noticed that drinking fountain/water dispenser thing before - I did notice where the cups should go :-(... Alice was open (3 minute line!) I rode it - very lame, plus what's with all the tarps below? And what’s with the “Waive”?

    Thanks Debbie V.!

    Progressland: Good to know that CM was correct about the Horseless Carriage, he was very sure of himself. Wow the Silhouette Studio goes WAY back! I've got plenty of guide books the list the Indian War Canoes - I'm sticking with that title!

    Matt; It is pretty lame, but it must be temporary - I guess its better than it being closed for months (not really...) If Deep shows he's face in the Alice attraction me & you have a mission...

    Major; the "Waive" was really forced, the serious maintenance guys didn’t really even do it – I could feel their embarrassment. The balloon celebrate thing was hideous – won’t be missed. I only recently discovered the Tomorrowland Cross; I think it was originally part of the 1967 roof that has since been modified leaving this odd obelisk-like thing - I pray to it….

    Thanks Mark, I hope you can visit the park soon!

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  10. Enjoyed your post and will continue to read your blog. I always like looking at photos of my favorite place on Earth.

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  11. I was totally there that day! I thought it would be funny if I turned up in the background of one of your pics but I didn't. I didn't get there until around 9:00 though. You should have stayed! They had the talking trashcan out in Tland around noon. HILARIOUS. ;)

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