Trip Report: Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend, Pt. 3

After my nap, it was time to head over to California Adventure for dinner and then World of Color; that’s right—my first viewing of the famous water show that has gotten so much publicity over the last year. I hadn’t been over to DCA for awhile, and boy was it buzzing with construction! The tip of Carsland is visible from many different areas of the park, and The Little Mermaid dark ride towers over the construction walls. This really adds a high level of excitement for the future of the park that got off to a rocky start.













Dinner was at the Trattoria; we got to sit on the upper level. The food was fantastic and the atmosphere upstairs is top notch. With the view and the breezes, it feels like you are in northern California.



Between dinner and the show, I wandered around the park getting a few nighttime shot—I loves my neon!





Okay screamers!

















And then finally it was time to get my "seat" (actually standing area) for World of Color. I was really anxious to see the show. About half an hour before it began, the warmup performers started; an energetically youthful couple sang some “High School Musical”-type pop numbers introducing the different colors, and out popped coordinating Disney & Pixar characters who wandered through the audience. Call me jaded, but...ho-hum.







There was about a 15 minute lull in the action before the lights dimmed and World of Color began. The viewing area I was in was fantastic; but a little warning to all future attenders: when you see the words “Splash Zone,” it is not a joke. You WILL get wet if you stand anywhere near it.

A little caveat; I almost hesitate to post any of my photos, as they do not even begin to do justice to this spectacular display of light and water. It will probably take a few times before I get the exposure and timing right to be able to capture something that is even half as beautiful as what you will see in person. In fact, my suggestion is to put the camera down on your first viewing and just soak (pun intended) up the colors, jets, and music that will impress you to no end. And in case you couldn’t tell, I was thoroughly impressed.





This show is like the Bellagio on extreme steroids...in a good way!



The projections on the mist screens are VERY effective and well-done; much more impressive that what I have seen for "Fantasmic!"





The scenes shown were perfectly chosen and coordinated with the lush orchestration that accompanied them. VERY moving. Definitely more than a few “awwwwww” moments that tugged at the hearts...especially once the music from “Up!” began. That one gets me every time. This scene from “Lady and the Tramp” is an all-time classic.



Plenty of pyrotechnics to keep the young pirates interested, too!





Now my rant; and I am sure this will ruffle a few feathers. I have recently read a few reviews that bemoan the lack of story for World of Color, and how the show could improve to the level of Fantasmic if things were tied together with a storyline. Quite frankly, I think the story for Fantasmic is one of the dumbest things I have heard of. Unless you know it ahead of time, it is extremely difficult to fully comprehend with all of the noise and effects going on. Fantasmic’s story seems so artificially contrived. I keep going back to the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean attractions. They are two perfect experiences that are like a cocktail party; entertaining vignettes that bear repeated showings because of all the amazing things going on. If you don’t have a fantastic story to tell, then don’t labor to create one.

The next day, it was time to pack up the bags and head home, but not before another new experience at Disneyland. I was not aware that Steakhouse 55 served breakfast, so it was a nice surprise to be able to have a quiet repast before getting in the car for the drive back. This place has plenty of old Hollywood atmosphere. It really is a hidden gem.





And that wraps up my Disneyland Half Marathon weekend. Thanks for reading about it! See more Disneyland photos at my main website.

Wednesday WOW: Trip Report for 2/1/2010

Hard to believe it’s been a year since I last went to Disneyland with my friend Janet and her family. While Janet's hubby Dale was parking the car, she posed in front of the “C” with her two little towheads. More photo opportunities presented themselves while we waited for the rope-drop on Main Street, which forced the boys to explore parts of Main Street they’d never seen, such as the Fire Department. This is not surprising, as how many kids want to hang around in Town Square when Pirates, Indiana Jones, Space Mountain, and Nemo await in other lands?



Tyler is a budding magician, and enjoyed watching the magic tricks in the Magic Shop on Main Street:



By this time, Disneyland had stalled enough; the boys were ready for some attractions! First one was Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Nobody in Janet’s family had ever seen this one, and I was curious to hear what they thought. Just the lobby display with the model of the Capitol (built back in the 1930’s) is fairly stirring in itself:





But enough with displays and talking, time for the real show. I was very pleased to see and hear that the entire family loved it. I know some are a little bored by the film before the animatronic Mr. Lincoln appears, but I feel it is just the right length and a very well-done presentation. The “Two Brothers” song annoyed me at first, but after repeated listenings, it has grown on me. There are a few cool little riffs in there that I really do like. As for Lincoln; I’ve plugged the new animatronic before and will do so again. To see him rise from the chair really takes your breath away. The facial movements and hand gestures will also cause your jaw to drop. It definitely calls out for repeated viewings.







Ryan and I took off for Space Mountain (front row, no less!) while Janet & Tyler enjoyed the more sedate Autopia.



Everyone reconvened for an underwater adventure with Nemo. For once, I actually left my camera off for the majority of the attraction. Although I enjoyed it more being able to concentrate on the ride itself, I still felt that it lacks the light-hearted fun and kitsch of the original that made it such a classic. Dale asked “Where are the mermaids?!?"









Everyone was hungry and the kids wanted burgers, so we made a pitstop at The Village Haus; I hadn’t been there for awhile, so it afforded an opportunity for some photos and a Turkey Club with apple slices (doing my best to eat well in the New Year!). Working for the Housing & Dining Division at a University, we constantly get "sustainability" drummed into our heads daily. So, everytime I see the apple slices appear on the tray in their plastic wrapper I cringe. Sure, the apples taste surprisingly good, but wouldn’t it be better "show" if they were cut fresh and served without all the wasteful packaging which is just a reminder to the guest that, "Hey, these aren't really all that fresh and they’ve been through a factory"? Just a thought. I do love the interior of the Village Haus; the murals, the layout with all of the nooks and crannies...I really should check it out more often.







Time for a quick sidetrip to DCA to visit a friend of mine who’s a castmember over there. Naturally, I took a Main Street Vehicle back to the entrance!



On the way I snapped the new (yikes!) stroller and wheelchair building. Maybe they could have a kiosk with pamphlets on Stroller & Wheelchair etiquette. I’d happily hand 'em out!





Over at Disney’s California Adventure, there were even more construction walls. Knowing that they meant the eventual arrival of the Red Car Trolleys, I didn’t mind. The simulated woodgrain and faux old Disney movie posters were a nice touch.







I’d never noticed this billboard before—thanks to the construction walls, my eyes were looking up instead of ahead!



Barely enough time to snap these photos and then I was back to Disneyland to meet Janet & Company at The Haunted Mansion. On the way I snapped the under-construction Frontierland entrance bridge.



I made it to the Mansion just in time—practically walked into the elevator. I could tell there would be no rest on this particular visit!



Madame Leota was "sitting" still on the tabletop, just as she should be:



The cemetery was abuzz with all kinds of activity:





I could just stare at Little Leota all day long! Well, maybe not ALL day, but at least for half an hour.



And that is enough of our tale for today! See more Disneyland photos at my website.