Trip Report: Disney California Adventure

Over on the other side of the Disneyland Resort, we ran into this resident of Buena Vista Street; it was the first time I'd seen her in person, and the dog was quite convincing. I hope that these characters are kept, as they add quite a bit to Buena Vista Street's atmosphere and keep it from being just another retail opportunity.

From another decade, Mrs. Incredible was out in the Hollywood section of DCA, showing off her spandex-enclad bod.



We had all but melted into a pool of sweat by this time, so we ducked into the Art of Animation Building. Turtle Talk with Crush was about to start, and it seemed as good as any of the other choices we had.



Waiting for the show to start, I was able to admire one of the custom light fixtures above.



If you've never experienced the Turtle Talk with Crush show, it really is a lot of fun.



Mainly for the kids though, it still provides a few chuckles for the adults.



Crush actually talks to the audience; how it all works, I have no idea, but I am guessing that the guy voicing Crush is one heck of a quick thinker, adept at doing comedy improv.



Another way to get rid of the sweat is to feel the breeze while riding California Screamin'. This attraction provides some of the best views of DCA...if you can stop screaming long enough to enjoy them!





Dinner was at Steahouse 55, located inside the Disneyland Hotel. This place is a real hidden gem, although judging by the amount of people dining there that evening, it's not so hidden anymore! Again, it's all about the details, such as the light fixtures.



And the fresh florals.



And the vintage photos of Golden Age Hollywood celebrities hob-nobbing at the restaurants and clubs of yesteryear. These help set the mood of Steakhouse 55. This one has Rosemary Clooney, José Ferrer, and Marlene Dietrich.



My pork chop was delicious, cooked just right.



Some of the desserts we ordered included this creative spin on a Root Beer Float:



and a decadent 24-layer chocolate cake:



The service here is VERY warm and friendly without being forced, and attentive without being overbearing. Whoever does the training for wait staff at the hotel restaurants should be helping out at the restaurants in the parks. I would have a hard time believing that they go through the same training.



Another beautiful floral display in the entryway:



This was the first race that I didn't stay in a Disney Hotel. I waited too long to book it, and the only one left was the Grand Californian. Since I couldn't justify $400+/night, I stayed at the Hotel Menage, which boasts one of the best locations for the race at its Harbor Blvd./Ball Road address.







The feel of the hotel is somewhat club-like; sleek, minimalist, and fairly chic. The rooms are good sized with comfortable beds and very clean.





Some of the fabulous views include the TDA Building:



The pool at night:



The one drawback is the noise. The rooms are not very well soundproofed, and at night, you can hear the live music at the pool as well as the booming fireworks from the park. If you are a light sleeper, this might not be the place for you. Otherwise, highly recommended.

That's it for my most recent park report. Hope you enjoyed!

See more vintage & current Disney California Adventure photos on my DCA web pages.

Disneyland Guided Tour, Circa 1962: Tomorrowland, Pt. 2

The last installment of the 1962 Disneyland Tour Guide Script begins at Tomorrowland's...

ART OF ANIMATION

Here is the Art of Animation where you will see the various stages in the development of animation from the beginning of time to the very present. This exhibit will give you an idea of how Mickey Mouse and the whole Walt Disney tradition was born. It takes three years to produce a full-length cartoon feature. Here Disney artists and characters alike combine to show you the technical processes necessary for such an undertaking. You will also have an opportunity to meet the latest Walt Disney character - Ludwig von Drake!



AVENUE OF FLAGS

Here at the entrance to Tomorrowland, is the Avenue of Flags. Lining the path are the Flags of our United States arranged in the order of their admittance to the Union. On each flag pole you will find the name of the state, the date it was admitted to the union and its motto.



Here is the "World Time Clock" provided by the Timex Corporation and designed by the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. This clock tells the time of day anywhere in the world at a moment's glance.





To the left of the Avenue of Flags you will find the Monsanto Home of the Future. This modern home features such elements as a television doorbell, ultrasonic dishwasher, and a microwave oven which cooks a potato in three minutes. The Home of the Future is one of the many walk-through exhibits in Disneyland which you can visit after the tour without charge.





The Bell Telephone Company invites you to see the latest innovations in telephone communications and also the Circarama film "America the Beautiful." This unique motion pictures is projected on a 360 degree screen completely surrounding the viewing audience. "America the Beautiful" offers a breathtaking sight-seeing experience of our great United States.





Now that we have completed our rounds, I would like to thank you for joining our tour and for being such a wonderful group. I have enjoyed showing you the Magic Kingdom and hop you enjoy the rest of your stay here in the park. Remember to use your extra ticket for any one attraction in the park and also try to make it back to Frontierland for the Golden Horseshoe Show. The last performance will be at __________. Disneyland will remain open until _____ this evening.

If you have any questions, anything I might help you with before we part I'll be happy to assist you.

I would like to leave you with this thought. We began our tour in Town Square. There at the base of the flagpole is the Disneyland dedication plaque which reads, "Disneyland is dedicated to the dreams, the ideals, and the hard facts that have created America with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world." We sinerely hope that through your tour today you have shared in a part of this spirit.



I hope you enjoyed your vintage 1962 Guided Tour as much as I enjoyed putting it together!

See more vintage and current Tomorrowland photos on my Tomorrowland page.

Tinker Bell Half Marathon & Trip Report, Pt. 1

When I found out that guys were eligible to run in the Tinker Bell Half Marathon, of course, I had to sign up. Disney definitely has the most organized and entertaining races; plus, it was a good excuse to keep training through the holidays (and thus help me from packing on the extra pounds!). Attempting to conserve my energy, I took the Monorail into the park after picking up my race packet at the Disneyland Hotel. This provided me with some overview of the all the construction going on at Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure.





The Monorail also gave me a view of the construction going on at The Matterhorn.



Sounds like this beloved 1959 attraction is getting a complete overhaul. Note the flag on top of the construction site.





The lone bucket.



I was pretty excited to try The Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe; it didn't disappoint, either.



The Merry Cherry Lemonade that's on the exterior menu board is nowhere to be found inside, but that was really the only negative.



The chat boards have lit up like Christmas trees, debating the thematic appropriateness of Mary Poppins on Main Street. I have no desire to weigh in on that particular debate. What I can tell you is that it's a beautiful restaurant and that I very much enjoyed my meal.



Plenty of fun details from the classic Disney film to keep guests occupied while they wait in line (and yes, the lines are long...it appears to be a guest favorite already).



The cast member appears to be attempting to step into Burt's "chalk" scene recreated in tile:





When cast members are ready to take your order, they hold up a penguin fan.



The loss of the Stouffer's meal was a real cluster move on the part of the Imagineers, but I do have to give them credit for this wonderful little tribute.



Great silhouettes of the four main characters from Mary Poppins:



My sandwich and chips hit the spot.



Unfortunately, because of the race I didn't indulge in this delicious looking lemon cupcake. I vowed to take a raincheck.



Another great detail is the Mary Poppins weathervane.



The exit sign frames the Matterhorn perfectly.



Over in Adventureland, the entry sign looks great after its recent refurbishment:





I always try to take advantage of The Haunted Mansion, especially when it's in classic vs. Jack Skellington mode.



I just love it when Little Leota invites me to hurry back.



On the way out of Town Square to DCA, I made sure to stop and look at the beautiful poppies:



The Carthay Theater construction appears to be wrapping up. It will be a great addition to DCA.









We headed over to The Art of Animation to draw Pluto:









A little Tower of Terror action to whet our appetite before dinner:





And the last ride of the evening was The Little Mermaid, which is apparently about to go under tarps soon for a few tune-ups. This makes me happy, as it shows that Imagineers realize this attraction fell a bit short. For me, the Ursula scene is the highlight:



Overall, this attraction could use a little more drama and excitement. Love the music and the design, but just a little more oomph would help.





And then it was time to head "home" to the Anabella Hotel for a good night's sleep before the Half Marathon.



Stay tuned for part 2 on Sunday! See more vintage & current Disneyland photos at my Disneyland website.