Look Out Disneyland Here We Are

One More Disney Day Celebration Eve

As we cross under the berm, that raised area that once outlined the park and serves as raised train tracks, we got the rush that truly lets you know you're in the Happiest Place On Earth.  I was the photographer in chief and wanted to get some crowd shots. 
The family went on ahead to the big board on Main Street that advises everyone what is open.  This morning the attractions in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland were open.


That settled it we were heading for Tomorrowland.  First stop the new 3D Star Tours.  This ride has improved greatly with the new scenarios that might occur when you ride it.  We got a hyperspace jump into a pod race.  I knew then that I had to go see the new 3D version of Episode One that is in theaters now.  What was next?  Buzz Light Years’ Astro Blaster was close and always enjoyable.  On the ride you use your laser to score points during the ride.  My son took the early lead but I made a comeback and took the lead.  However, at the end it was my son that prevailed.  We went to the end of the ride and emailed our picture home. 

The next was Space Mountain.  We cannot go to Disneyland without riding every mountain.  This is a head spinning ride and getting it while the lines are short are always advisable.  We were now ready for my favorite biegnets in the Magic Kingdom.  We sat at the French Market and enjoyed our beignets with coffee while we read the events that Disney was offering for the next two days.

 After we ate, it was time for Pirates of the Caribbean.  I have been on this ride thousands of times, and have heard and told jokes about the different scenes.  Today I heard on of the best. The guy sitting in front of us pointed out at the scene where the pirate is sitting amidst a pile of golden treasure said, “That pirate has a big booty.”  It was so funny.  As we progressed to the new scene that has Blackbeard and the octopus-faced Davy Jones projected on the mist before the “live” pirate scenes I turned and joked, “Davy Jones is looking old since the Monkees.”  Sadly, later that day we learned that Davy Jones died.  We were sad because we liked Davy Jones and his death was too soon.

When we were planning our trip one of my daughter’s friends and their family also thought it would be a great opportunity to be a part of the historic Disneyland One More Disney Day Celebration.  They too booked a trip.  So at this point in the day, we caught up to them.  It was only warming up slightly but it was time to ride Splash Mountain.  Some of us got extremely wet when the water sloshed over the side of the log.  That is always the fun part.  So to continue the mountaineering theme it was time to head to the Big thunder Mountain Railroad.  That completed the mountain expedition since the Matterhorn in being refurbished. 
 I remember back in the day one of the first things you did was go to the Golden Horseshoe Saloon and get a time for the Revue.   It was a funny show and an opportunity to sit down for a while. Today you don't have to reserve a seating time.  But having the opprtunity to enjoy a show is still very welcome.

Afterwards it was time for lunch.  I wanted to eat at the Stagedoor Cafe.  They have become the spot for chicken strips and my favorite fish and chips. 

It was time for us to leave the Magic Kingdom and go to Disney California Adventure.  There is major construction taking place there.  They are adding and changing most all the park.  In the summer of 2012, they are reopening the 11-year-old park.  This has caused a labyrinth of construction fences.

Coming Summer 2012

Nearly everything in the park has been removed. All the features that were in the Sun Plaza are gone. The California Zephyr shops are removed. The Greetings From California razed and hauled off.  This area will reopen as what Walt Disney saw when he came to California. They are also continuing to retheme the park by adding Pixar movie items. The Cadillac Hills are becoming prominent in Cars Land which will open also in the summer. So there was nothing but walls and my feet already hurt.   There are no short cuts  you must weave back and forth in what use to be the parking lot like you were looking for your forgotten parking place.  We had to walk behind Soaring' and enter through Condor Flats.   This ride is one of the few remaining that are still operating.  

To get to Tower of Terror you have to walk from one side of the park to the other.  After two exciting malfunctioning elevator rides, it was time to go to Paradise Pier.  Here are the only other rides we are going to do here today.  The roller coaster California Screaming and a family favorite Toy Story Midway Mania.  We loved this interactive attraction so much we bought the WII version to play at home.  All of us are eager to compare our scores.  My son won.  I guess his playing video game eight hours a day paid off.

For my readers up North I was thinking of you.  I am a collector of Disney pins.  One day I will do an entire blog on Disney pins.  But these fun little pins needed to be added to my collection. These will always remind me of you two, and all the things you gave me like confidence to do this blog.