The Dapper Dans

Another batch from my previously unposed collection, this time it's the Dapper Dans. I sure hope this group never goes away. Their harmonies along Main Street, U.S.A. are welcome each time I hear them.



The first few show them entertaining guests outside the Disney Clothier shop.







Later in the day I was able to listen to them outside the Fire Department.



I'm sure Walt was smiling from above in his apartment!



See more Disneyland Dapper Dan photos at my main website.

Christmas, Candlelight, and John Stamos

For me, nothing gets my Christmas spirit kindled more than attending Disneyland's annual Candlelight Processional. Because of the increased amount of shows this year, I was able to attend four performances. My original intent was to see it once; because I was already going to be at Disneyland for the Dress Like Walt event, Kurt Russell would be the narrator of choice. Plans changed when it was unofficially announced that next year Candlelight would be moving from Disneyland and Main Street U.S.A. across the way to DCA and The Hyperion Theater. Throw in Disney legend Dick Van Dyke as narrator and I had all the emotional tugs to get me back to Disneyland for yet another performance. The week after, my friend Stacy enticed me with an actual reserved seat...AND John Stamos. Suddenly, I found myself back at Disneyland for the third time in less than a week. I don't regret any of those trips.

With fantastic seats only a few rows back from the podium, I was both thrilled and sad at the same time, knowing that this could be the last time I saw Candlelight in its traditional spot. As the clock approached 5:30, my anticipation increased.



Nancy Sulahian took her traditional spot on the podium and conducted the orchestra to begin the fanfare and "Joy To The World."



All of my favorite things about the show began to unfold. The human Christmas tree:



The sign language interpreter who brought the words to life with her hands and body.





And then came John Stamos, who put both dignity and joy into his interpretation of the story of the first Christmas.



It was as much fun watching him in-between segments as he silently conducted the orchestra:



Smiled at adoring fans:



and took photos to tweet to his more than one million followers:



Here's the photo he posted:



My very favorite part of the show is to hear Drew Tablak sing "Silent Night" in both Spanish and English. In all my years I have never heard anyone bring so much emotion to this traditional Christmas Carol.





At the closing of the show, the narrator is allowed a few moments to ad lib their own personal message to the audience. In light of the recent elementary school shootings, John Stamos' emotional speech hit an emotional chord.



I'm so honored to be back here to narrate the last night of Candlelight Procession, although the truth is I would have been here anyway because, you know, the world is ending tomorrow, so I figure, I'm going to be at the happiest place on earth when things go wrong.

They're like, 'Stamos, the world's ending tomorrow, where are you going?' 'I'm going to Disneyland!'



I just got a text from Bob Iger and he said it worked so well doing twenty shows, that he wants to start somewhere around Halloween and go all the way past New Year's next time, maybe into July 4th.

And so you might know, I'm a local boy, I grew up in Orange County and I spent most of my childhood right here at this park at Disneyland, and a good part of my adult life as well, and I remember when I was a kid, I don't know, 8 or 9 years old, and I could hear the music and I ran over and I saw a little bit of the Candlelight show and I didn't have seats, I was sitting back there with you people in the back rows...I dreamed big, but I never dreamed that I would be up on here on this stage. Walt Disney was right, dreams do come true.



I remember running around, and my eyes were wide and my heart was racing with excitement, and all these years later, although I've been here a hundred times...maybe two hundred times...I guess about a thousand times...I still feel the same way tonight. I still feel that magic. Disneyland, I think, reminds us adults that we're still a bunch of kids with a bunch of big dreams.



But maybe now it's time for our dreams to shift from our own to others. So, let's continue to dream for a more peaceful less violent world. We pray tonight for those children who will never have a chance to walk through those gates, but let's dream and pray that their memories will not be forgotten.



And as we leave here tonight and head back to our cars, let's carry this goodwill and this love that we feel in our hearts tonight at Disneyland, and let them shine and inspire goodness in others that are out there in the world. On behalf of my family and myself, I wish you a happy holiday and a very peaceful and loving New Year. God bless you all.



Stamos' request for a less violent world filled with peace sounds good to me. I pray that we can all feel that spirit during this holiday season and carry it with us into the New Year.

See more vintage & current Disneyland Candlelight photos on my Candlelight web page.

Monsanto Hall of Chemistry

Yes, there was life before Star Tours! In its place the Monsanto Hall of Chemistry wowed guests for years. Zooming in, you can see just how "wowed" this young lady is by the wonders of science. In her hot little hand is a treasured Disneyland ticket book, showing tickets from A to D; the "E" ticket hadn't even been invented yet!



Moving to the right of the building, you can see this pretty little water feature that graced the outside of the building, circa August 1959:



Last night, through the generosity of my friend Stacy, I was able to attend this year's final Candlelight Performance (and sadly, most likely the last one on Main Street at Disneyland). John Stamos did an outstanding (and truly heartfelt) job.



Drew Tablak sang "Silent Night" like I have never heard it before; amazing.



What a special evening it was. More to come later from last night's performance. First I need sleep!

See more Monsanto Hall of Chemistry photos on my Hall of Chemistry web page.

Come Rain or Come Shine: Happy Birthday, Dick Van Dyke!

Today is Disney Legend Dick Van Dyke's 87th birthday. Although he has had a diverse career in a wide variety of movies and television shows, to me, he will always be best known as the beloved Bert from Disney's "Mary Poppins."



When I found out he was a narrator for Candlelight this year, it was a no-brainer that I'd have to get my butt back up to Anaheim to catch one of his two performances.



Storm clouds loomed overhead though, and it looked as if my trip had been in vain, especially since the 5:30 show was rained out, a mere moments before it was set to start. I would not have wanted to be one of those unfortunate cast members who had to calm down the sea of angry guests who had waited for hours to see this special program.

I decided to take my chances and wait on the second show, and fortunately, my patience paid off!



To thunderous applause (and a few early birthday wishes), Dick Van Dyke stepped out onto the podium and told the story of the first Christmas.



Before getting started, Van Dyke checked to make sure that rain wasn't going to get in the way of this performance.



Full speed ahead!

Looking (and acting) at least twenty years younger, Van Dyke's interpretation of the story did not disappoint; it was obvious to see why he had been a favorite narrator of Candlelight for so many years.



In addition, I was able to also enjoy Drew Tablak's "Silent Night" one more time. For me, this song is the highlight of Candlelight, as it emotionally moves the audience to tears each time he pours his heart into it.







At one point in the program, when it appeared that rain might cause an early end, Van Dyke made light of the situation by referencing "Mary Poppins" with the black umbrella that a cast member had handed him.



So in honor of this talented man who has brought so much joy and laughter to millions of people, I wish him a very happy birthday!



See more Disneyland Candlelight photos on my Candlelight web page.

Trip Report: Candlelight Processional

Every year I look forward to seeing the Candlelight Processional program that tells the story of the first Christmas with both words and song. It is one of the most beautiful events held at the park, and has a long history and devoted fan base that comes back annually to see it.



The choir glides down Main Street, illuminated by their hand-held candles. It is truly a breathtaking sight, as the majority of other lights on Main Street are off.





The choir assembles on the steps of the Main Street Train Station, forming a human Christmas Tree.



The trumpeters stand on top of the station, playing at designated intervals during the program. The location of each portion of the program is unparalleled, working together in perfect synchronicity.



Kurt Russell was the celebrity narrator this year, and he did a wonderful job, giving his reading the perfect air of respect.





There are a number of very talented guests soloists.





For me, the highlight each year is "Silent Night," performed in both English and Spanish.



The last few years, Drew Tablak has done the honors of singing it, and he is pitch perfect, making his performance the most emotional of the evening. Here, conductor Nancy Sulahian joins in.







At the end of the show, both Sulahalian and Kurt Russell took their well-deserved bows.





Many thanks to the Disney Corporation for continuing this time-honored tradition.

See more Disneyland Candlelight photos on my Disneyland web pages.