Time Machine Travelogue Eight

Disney's Crowning Glory

The Morning of July 17th, 2005

The time machine was being readied to that promised trip to California Adventure during the Christmas of 2001. The upgraded room temperature superconductivity is melding well with the other circuits that are already in place.  However looking back over those previous visual moments that were captured and recorded, I came across some photographs that I remember taking at the time but whose meaning escaped me.  I am especially excited that I have a time machine to travel back in time to clear up the meaning of those pictures. So change the settings to 2005.
Lock in that location for Disneyland as we help them celebrate their 50th Anniversary.  Are you buckled in?  Did you take pills to counter any effects of time displacement? We are on an adventure to rediscover the meaning of the crowns or tiaras that were placed on Sleeping Beauty Castle.  You'll need to pack your Golden Ears to blend in with the crowd. Ready. Set. Go. I hope I can find room in the crowd for a safe time reintegration.

Waiting for Fireworks

We are Disney veterans that is for sure but we learned long ago that no matter how much you know you need an expert.  Therefore, we arranged for a Guided Tour of the park a couple days prior to July 17, 2005.  We have taken tours before.  The Haunted Halloween tour and the Christmas at Disneyland tour were fun and informational. You receive information about specific facts about buildings, attractions and events that the tour is focusing on.  Another benefit is preferred seating for the fireworks display. Unfortunately, the seating was located on the Main Street Train Station platform.  The fireworks that were displayed were, as always, incredible.  However, you were unable to see clearly the images that were projected on Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Sleeping Beauty Castle Tiaras

The castle was adorned with Crowns or Tiaras.  When we first saw them, we attempted to figure out which Disney Princess they represented.  Could it be Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, Jasmine, or any of the other Disney Princesses that were in movies at that time.  There were troubling elements that didn't seem to fit our Princess guesses.  On the tour, we learned the true meaning of the Castle Bling.
The tiaras on the turrets did not represent Disney Princess they were events that occurred in the evolution of Disneyland.  That is the genius of the Walt Disney quote: "Disneyland will never be completed.  It will continue to grow as long 

as there is imagination left in the world."—Walt Disney.  

Peeking at the Future

Looking at this Sleeping Beauty Castle Tiara, you notice the iconic Mickey Mouse Ears that make up the base of the crown. No one guessed that this crown represents the opening of Disneyland on July 17, 1955. The Mickey face is not present.  However, if you look closely you can see the very top of Mickey's eyes.  He is peeking over the horizon toward the future the Disneyland Park.  As if that sly mouse knows that there will be more to see. Changes to the Kingdom that was all "started by a mouse."  

The second turret tiara was a symbol of The World on the Move.  It clearly displays a Rocket Ship.  That is a shout back to a previous time machine adventure, Time Machine Travelogue Four.  This time travel mission was to visit the opening of the New Tomorrowland.

Tomorrowland on the Move

The Blue Fairy Electrical Parade

On this tiara you can easily observe the icon of the future, the Tomorrowland Rocket Ship.  1967 was an incredible renovation to keep ahead of the present that was quickly catching up to the Future.  This renovation brought us many new exciting attractions to Disneyland.  The People Mover, the Adventure in Inner Space, and the Rocket to Mars was added to the changing Tomorrorland.  Also, the Carousel of Progress was added.  The Carousel of Progress was a use of audio animatronics figures telling and showing the changes that have happened in the American family home from the beginning of the Twentieth to the future date of 1994.   There was a Christmas scene to represent to 1960's.  The 1994 scene had HDTV, virtual reality, and voice activated appliances.  General Electric thought that, " There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.”

The third turret has the Blue Fairy in its crown.  This tiara symbolizes on of the most beloved of all Disneyland additions, the Main Street Electrical Parade.  The nightly mixture of Disney themed floats that were all illuminated by miniature lights and an infectious musical score made this 1972 to 1996 parade a family favorite to rival even the fireworks.  This was one of the few parades that you returned to Disneyland just to see again.  

Mara's Evil Eye

Tinker Bell Brings on the Celebration

Are those snakes?  Yes, you got it they are there on the fourth tiara to celebrate the opening of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in 1995.  Don't stare to closely at the Evil Eye of Mara.  When you enter the Temple of Doom looking for fame or fortune, you may find Mara's Eye and the Snake too memorizing.  They capture you and throw you into an adventure with Indiana Jones.  Remember the words of Indie, "Why did there have to be snakes?"  The final turret tiara represents the 50th Anniversary celebration itself.  It includes the Return of Tinkerbell Flying over Sleeping Castle activating the Happiest Homecoming on Earth fireworks extravaganza.  At one time, Tinkerbell use to fly from the Matterhorn Mountain to a landing area at the old Skyway landing in Fantasyland.  This was a simple zip line. Now because on technological changes Tink can move back and forth near the castle.  The 50th Anniversary was great times for Disneyland and my family.  The adornment of Sleeping Beauty Castle turrets connected the present with the past.  As a fan I have attempted to make the same connection for my family and now my readers.  Disney is proud of its past and always looking to its future.  

Bring On the Gold

Well, the time machine is getting overloaded,  Overloaded with memories and crowded for space in the 50th Anniversary crowds.  I also am afraid that even in this mass of Disneyland fans, I could accidentally bump into my 2005 family and myself.  I don't need a time travel paradox on my record.  I'm sure the authorities will cite me and suspend my license.  So until next time remember that the person in the background or the one that accidentally walked through picture could have been us.  Make your Disney Memories now because going back is very difficult.  Take care of yourself and your family. If you want anymore 50th Anniversary pictures or memories just leave a comment.  Also a 50th Anniversary blog on the Golden Pins will becoming soon.  


Thank You