Trip Report - November 23, 2010

I had a chance to stop by the park early on Tuesday morning for short trip and boy was it a nice visit. The attendance was nice and light at first – however once it became clear it was going to be a nice day all of Los Angeles starting arriving, at once. (this photo was taken on my way out).





The Omnibus looks a little odd with that Christmas stuff on it.






Yes I’m obsessed with the controls one the Main Street vehicles, just amuse me.






The Ice Cream Parlor is never open when I make my morning visits, who doesn’t like ice cream in the morning?






Nothing against Dryer’s (it’s yummy) by would it really have been that hard to keep Carnation as the ice cream sponsor? Carnation and Disneyland seem to go hand in hand.






Great specialties and by the scoop choices. The price? As they say “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it”.






OK, here are the prices. Given that my large box of Captain Crunch now costs $7+ these ice cream prices seem like a sweet deal. Obviously the Double Scoop cone or cup at $3.99 is the best value, why would ANYONE get a single scoop for only 50¢ less???





Since were focusing on sweets, lets checkout the Candy Palace.






Of course they’re pumping that sweet smell right into the street, let’s bite the hook and go inside.






I’ll take that whole try right there – thank you very much.






Looks easy, I bet its not!

Hey, what’s with this window located high above the door for the Candy Palace? What’s ABC for? American Broadcasting Company (that would be neat) – Alcoholic Beverage Commission (that would be weird) Or ?





The castle just look lame during the day, it’s like putting your Christmas tree outside during the day. I suppose there’s no way around it and it does look outstanding at night.





In the early mornings ridership is somewhat low on the Trolley route back to Town Square.






That’s a pretty serious control box there on the right, I wonder what it does?






Let’s head to the River’s of America via Frontierland as seen thru the Adventure entrance jungle.





The river works so well for me in the early mornings. I spend at least 15 minutes there when it’s quite like this; you’d be surprised how calming it is.




It’s turning out to a beautiful morning.





Oh look, the Mark Twain is about to leave with only 7 people on board!





I just made it, make that 8 people on board! I had the second deck to myself. Well, I’ll confess, I just sat right where I took this picture (Louis Armstrong’s stage) and didn’t move for the entire trip, just sat back and soaked it all in– wow was that cool.






Speaking of cool, I’m still on cloud-nine from my Club 33 visit – did I really do that, it seems surreal!





How about a “Now and then”? The Haunted Mansion was a walk on still, but before I went in I slipped over to take this “now” photo.






From Davelands insane “48 Year Ago Today: Haunted Mansion Construction” post (link) here’s the same area in 1962. Sure the queue area has been reconfigured (did they even know where the queue line would be in 1962?) but checkout how much is the same.





Another “Now and then” this one is almost impossible even though the structure is still there. Rancho del Zocalo (Formerly Casa de Fritos) has so much clutter outside you can’t even see the building!






From Major’s great "Casa de Fritos" post over at Gorilla’s Don’t’ Blog (link) this March 1958 photo shows the same building minus the clutter.






Looking at a "now" close-up of the right side of the front entrance, it’s amazing how much it matches up with the 1958 photo. Although the building is the same, its certainly been resurfaced more than once, yet they kept the same “exposed brick” pattern the whole time – this is why I love Disneyland.





What’s up there?





The luckiest darn cat in Anaheim! And he’s got more guts than me!






Monstro – its time to use your Delta dental plan.






Three fences is doing great.





The Matterhorn had a decent line going already, must be the Alpine weather.





The Tomorrowland cross has a crack and its not getting smaller. Cracks + Water = Cascade Peak, lets not repeat that disaster.





An hour and a half after opening and its starting to get “cozy” and I’m starting to leave.





The holidays are bound to be extra “cozy” at the park. But I’ll be back anyway!






Ouch, it's never a good thing when they are passing these out in the parking lot.






Gate Flyer for your reading pleasure.

Trip Report - November 6, 2010 - Inside CLUB 33~!

After literally decades of dreaming about Club 33 at Disneyland I finally had the opportunity to go inside Walt’s private club. A huge thanks to “you know who” for making this happen, I was more exiting than a pig in @#$%....

Dinner at the club was set for 8:00pm, arriving at park a few hours beforehand I was able to see the flag retreat ceremony; I haven’t seen that it since 54th anniversary, very classy.

Three fences is not doing well, look at the ground, gross! This isn’t even a smoking area. New rule, no smoking in Disneyland!






Time for one “Now & Then” shot.






From Daveland’s excellent post last week (link).






Time to hop on the train; I gotta get to New Orleans Square!






A quick stopover at Main Street Station. Do you notice something odd about those doors? This photo was taken from the train, yet the reflection in the “glass” appears to be from the Town Square side??? Upon closer inspection, these aren’t doors at all, they are some kind of plastic cover that was printed on, why????






Let’s take a trip on the shortest segment of the Disneyland Railroad, bound for New Orleans Square and Club 33!!!!

This little door is just to the right of the Blue Bayou restaurant. I’ve been looking at that door since the early 1980’s, I’ve heard all the stories, even seen some great photos, but I’ve never been past that door!






Push a button, say your name and just like magic, the door opens and you enter Disneylands truly magical land.






Once in, it’s just an entry way of sorts, the real club is upstairs.






My friends and fellow bloggers, this is the back side of the Club 33 door!






I figured this antique elevator was just for show and or wheelchair access, its actually neither! We got to ride up three at a time and since there are stairs leading to the elevator I don’t think it’s used for wheelchairs.






The C33 cast member called up to check on our table, that old phone actually works too!






During the call someone else showed up at “the door”, they insisted they had a reservation, and they did, at the “Blue Bayou” – “That’s next door” and with that the door was promptly closed.






What initially sounded like bad news (our table would not be ready for about 20-25 minutes) turned out to be the icing on the cake. When they told us there would be a delay, they asked, “what attraction would you like to ride, we’ll get you right in”… After not much thought we picked “Peter Pan” (since it had at least a 45 min. wait). A few minutes later we were whisked in thru the exit and flying over London – WOW!!!!!






It took longer to get to and from Peter Pan than it did to ride the attraction! Back at Club 33 – the table does not resemble anything I’ve ever seen in Disneyland. They used more silverware just for my setting than I own in my entire silverware drawer at home!






The menu seemed a small, but there were quite a few choices. Those prices aren’t like anything I’ve ever seen in Disneyland either.






The Contemporary French Onion Soup was to die for, and that “cracker” on the top is actually toasted parmesan cheese – OMG is was so good.






Chicken eater that I am I ordered the Certified Organic Free Range Chicken with Muscat Apricot Glaze, it was the best darn chicken I’ve ever had! Tender, moist, ultra flavorful, oh man I could get used to this quick.






One of the great "lively" girls in our party was celebrating her birthday – Nice touch!






The balconies are truly amazing. They are somewhat narrow and full views of the river are blocked by the tress, but just being out there, it’s hard to explain but boy does it feel great looking down on all the common folks!






The dining room is very original and in fact, some of the chairs could use refinishing.






This is a very odd sight for Disneyland – A full bar! I can only imagine what a mixed drink costs – If you have to ask you can’t afford it.






This is the one spot in Disneyland that requires this sign.






Mary Poppins set piece, yes I touched it!






Not sure where this is from, but it sure looks old.






Yes we are going into the men’s room, ladies close your eyes.






Are you sure this is Disneyland? The water actually keeps running unless you turn it off?






Well, that something you don’t see everyday.






Those “33” towels are obviously just there for the taking…






Nice artwork!






Even though we were in there for over 2 hours, it sure went fast….. I must admit, it’s the best 2 hours I’ve ever spent at Disneyland.






Getting into Club 33 is odd, even though I got this ticket, it was not presented at the Club 33 door, if you don’t have a reservation you aint getting in, ticket or not.





The ticket itself is admission to the park, which was unfortunately wasted since I used my Annual Pass to get into the park.






These came with the bill. Since you can’t smoke in Club 33 they don’t give matches anymore.






I have no idea what you would use these little note pads for, but they are cool!






What do you know a hand towel!






In summary, it was an amazing night that I will NEVER forget. It’s a rarified atmosphere up in Club 33, I was so lucky to experience it!