Tower of Terror: Gala or Bash?

Picture this: September 22, 2007, at The Hollywood Tower Hotel (aka HTH, aka Disney California Adventure’s Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction).



Decorated for Halloween, there is a spooky assortment of cobwebs and bats adorning this haunted landmark in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot section of DCA.



Inside, the lobby decor also reflects Halloween. A vintage masks hangs from a chair:



Miniature pumpkins are strewn across the garland that hangs from the ceiling:



A banner over the check-in desk does a semi-decent job of evoking 1939:



An empty jar of “Fresh Treats” sits on the lobby counter:



A poster announces the impending Halloween Gala at the Tip-Top C.L.U.B. with Anthony Fremont and his Orchestra (a nod to the November 3, 1961 episode of “The Twilight Zone”):



The same poster as it looked a year before, October 2006:



Now take a look at this miniature version that was displayed in the shop window, circa September 2008. Notice anything different?



First, the party is now being referred to as a “Bash” instead of a “Gala.” The Disney employee that printed out the large poster forgot to load the appropriate font for “and his orchestra.” A non-Art Deco font was substituted as a result. Here’s my cleaned-up version using “Gala” (definitely more appropriate for 1939): 



The poster has more of a 1990s look than one from 1939. The overuse of blends and more than 10 fonts gives this piece a somewhat computerized look. I wonder where this piece ended up once the Anaheim version was removed?

See more photos at my main website.

“A” is for Aladdin

Today I focus on all things “Aladdin” at Disneyland. Can you guess the era of pic #1? The hairstyles and clothing should be a dead giveaway that we are now in the 90s. Specifically October 1993, about a year after the Disney animated feature was first released. Princess Jasmine and Jafar are hanging out in Town Square. Below is a February 2006 shot from Aladdin’s Oasis in Adventureland, where you could see a “live” show featuring your favorite characters from “Aladdin.”



I have always enjoyed seeing the displays in the Main Street Emporium windows, including this June 2008 one featuring Princess Jasmine and Aladdin:



Soundsational is one of my favorite Disneyland parades. A bouncy soundtrack with all the favorite Disney tunes, colorful floats, and a lively show that included characters from “Aladdin,” as seen in this August 2012 photo.



The Genie was also part of Soundsational, circa October 2011:



A July 2012 image from a meet & greet opportunity back at Aladdin’s Oasis:



“Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular” ran at DCA’s Hyperion Theatre from January 16, 2003-January 11, 2016. I never tired of watching this mini-Broadway show that has to be one of the best shows ever mounted inside the Disney Parks.



From May 2004:





November 2010:



The set design did an excellent job of bringing the animated film to life, as you can see from this September 2011 photo:



A happy ending, every show (November 2010):



Curtain call from a September 2011 show:



Last one that I can think of is Storybook Land. You can see the lamp:



…and the village of Agrabah:



Did I miss anything else Aladdin from Disneyland?

See more DCA “Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular” photos at my main website.

Midway Mania Monday

As I continue to go through my website to update the code, I stumble upon more unposed gems, like this set of shots of the most recent time I rode Toy Story Midway Mania in DCA. Thank goodness this attraction fits into the Pixar theme, as I'd hate to lose one of the best reasons to visit DCA! Of course I am referring to the "new" Pixar overlay to Paradise Pixar Pier.



Don't forget your 3D glasses!



The lovable Mr. Potato Head, voiced by Don Rickles, aka Mr. Warmth:





It must not have been a very busy day, as empty vehicles enter the attraction:



A bored (but still smiling!) cast member stands nearby:



And we're in!



My brother and niece really enjoyed this one:





The final scores:



And a vulcan salute from Buzz Lightyear!



See more DCA Toy Story Midway Mania photos at my main website..

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Hollywoodland: What Happened?

Back in 1990, The Walt Disney Company released this image titled "Hooray for…Disneyland." The accompanying publicity blurb heralded:

The most ambitious Disneyland project in the upcoming "Disney Decade" will be the addition of "Hollywoodland" to the Anaheim theme Park. The new land, inspired by the success of the Disney-MGM Studios in Florida, will include a fantasy version of Hollywood Boulevard, Disneyland's own version of Florida's "Great Movie Ride," Roger Rabbit's Toontown, and "The Adventures of Baby Herman."

Zooming into the art you can see Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, and Edgar Kennedy:



a direct copy of this vintage publicity still:



So what happened to Hollywoodland? Looks like it bit the dust when the idea for Westcot came to be. What's Westcot? It was to be the west coast version of EPCOT. It also bit the dust. Instead, in 1993 Disneyland got Toon Town (without a Baby Herman attraction) and in 2001, Disney California Adventure debuted giving us...Hollywood Pictures Backlot. Just like a backlot, there was absolutely nothing behind the facades.

More DCA photos at my main website.

Monorailpalooza

A celebration of photos of the long-lasting Disneyland transportation staple, the Monorail. First we begin with a trio of images from year one, 1959. The outfits people wear are just as fun as seeing the Park itself.



The Red Monorail peaks into view in this October 1959 image:



Too far away?



Let's zoom in for a better look in this image that also hails from October 1959.



Another October 1959 gem:



The closeup would make a great photo all on its own.



Moving into the swinging sixties, we have one of the Blue Monorail from July 1961:



And a Yellow Monorail shot from May 1963:



Is it still in operation today? You betcha'!



Craving more Monorail shots? Ride on over to my main website and see more photos of the Monorail at Disneyland.