Now that we got the negatives out of the way, here are the details that the EarzUp podcast team LOVE about the Disneyland resort, illustrated with the Daveland collection!
1. The entirety of Galaxy’s Edge. Maybe not the cast members saying “Good Moon,” but…Terrence saw this area for the first time about a month ago; he rounded a corner and in front of him was the Millennium Falcon. As a 41-year old man he teared up seeing it because it felt like he was an 8-year old kid seeing something that he’d always imagined. The land is so immersive! From Jason: “Mmmmm…I’ll let it pass…” Apologies for not having a Galaxy’s Edge photo, but still haven’t been there. And no, I’m not really sorry about that!
2. Area music. Music is themed appropriately for each area (with seamless transitions), but quiet enough that it’s non-intrusive to a conversation (unlike at Universal Studios and other theme parks). They do it better than anyone else from the minute you step onto Main Street, U.S.A.
3. Center Street on Main Street, U.S.A. It’s more than just façades; the Painless Dentist and Hotel Marceline have appropriate sounds emitting from them. Little unnoticed details that they didn’t have to do…but they did.
4. The Main Street windows. They are more than just the people’s names; it’s the design, the passion, and effort to make them look like pieces of art that puts them on this list.
5. The Smellitizers. Found throughout the Park, they pump out smells to help with the immersion. Especially love the ones on Soarin’ Over California at DCA! Note: this is not talking about the “Pirate” water on the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction!
6. Still honoring Walt. The candle in the window in his Town Square apartment over the Fire Department. Still showing respect to the man who had the dream and brought it to fruition.
7. Carpet on the Lilly Belle car. They didn’t need to keep it, but they decided to honor the design and integrity of Lillian Disney’s original choices.
8. The Little Man of Disneyland’s House. Located at the base of a tree in front of the Indiana Jones queue. It’s a cute little Easter egg that a lot of people wouldn’t know about, and great for kids, getting them to interact with Cast Members. This is another one I don’t have a photo for; the one here is from The Disney Parks Blog.
9. The Main Street window for Frank Wells. He climbed six of the seven summits in the world. Wells is a guy who in many ways helped to save AND expand Disneyland into what it is today.
10. The Cleanliness of Disneyland. You take it for granted while you’re there, but there’s no trash around. It’s the freshest, cleanest, experience possible.
One more post to go!
See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.
One more post to go!
See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.
I love the area music and background sounds, as you said, not overpowering. The windows have always been a great way to honor the worthy; I recall spending several hours of one trip just visiting each one and looking up the list of names I brought with me. The things that surprise me are ANY times that they still honor Walt. I'm wary of those times fading with each passing year. To think Frank Wells climbed six summits; I can barely climb out of bed most mornings. The cleanliness though.... It's probably what sets Disney parks ahead of the rest. I recall an early 2000's trip to Knotts right after Cedar Fair bought it. The queue to the Jaguar has trash shoved into every corner. No one had cleaned it, and no one provided garbage cans in the first place.
ReplyDeleteAnd the cleanliness is augmented by the flora and the army of staff associated with it. Hope that is recognized in the next installment! KS
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