Showing posts with label tower of terror. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tower of terror. Show all posts

Thursday, June 09, 2016

Shirley at DCA



Even though I'm not crazy about waiting in lines for an attraction, I love being able to take my time in the lobby of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror checking out all of the vintage details, especially the dusty Shirley Temple doll that resides on the overstuffed couch. With my previous camera and a zoom lens, this was about the best I could do. Zooming in to this shot, you can see a vintage Oz book by Frank Baum. Blurry, but again...this was the best I could do.



On my most recent trip, I had my new camera, but didn't want to lug around my zoom lens, so this was the best I could do.



Until a bit of serendipity (that's all I'm gonna' say) was provided, and I was able to get this view which was taken directly standing over the couch.



MUCH better view of the book!



As you speed down Buena Vista Street on your way to Radiator Springs Racers, you can see another vintage Shirley Temple doll in the window of Big Top Toys.



Although I believe the doll is vintage (you can see a crazing line on the composition of her face near her eye), the wig looks replaced and the eyes have been poorly painted over. Most of the original Shirley Temple dolls' eyes have yellowed and crazed over the years, which is most likely why the "artists" painted over them with a bright blue.



More Tower of Terror photos at my main website.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Club 33 Trip Report, Pt. 2



Part 1 of the story left our trio off at Main Street U.S.A. on the way to Disney California Adventure. Jules had a checklist of things to see and do, and Soarin’ Over California was right near the top; fortunately the line wasn’t too long. I’ve been on it a ton-o-times and it still manages to exhilarate me each time. The sense of flying over each area of The Golden State and the smells that accompany some of the scenes...what an amazing attraction!





Next up: HOLLYWOOD! We were greeted by the banners, signage, and kiosks for GLOWFEST. Apparently, this little street fair with food and entertainment has been a surprise runaway hit for California Adventure; we passed by it quickly on the way to Tower of Terror. I’m happy that DCA is turning the corner and starting to show more appeal to guests, but I do feel that when it comes to theming, this overlay is a dud. Walking down a street that is supposed to evoke 1930’s Hollywood, I was wondering how these neon-colored banners and mod-graphics were supposed to fit in.





When they say ignorance is bliss, this could definitely be applied to Jules and The Tower of Terror. Knowing that she wouldn’t ride it if she was aware of what happened once she boarded the elevator, I decided instead to entice her with a description of the detailed theming and attention to detail that Imagineers lavished on this recreation of an old Hollywood Hotel.



Jules' eyes-bulged as we walked towards the attraction, not knowing about the 13-story drop that she was about to experience.



By the time we got to the boiler room, she began to realize that there was more to this attraction than just a tour of some dusty old hotel.



Is this sign new or had I just missed it before?



I sure hope there weren’t any children nearby that could hear the f-bombs she was gushing out as each unexpected lift and drop scared the bejesus out of her.





After the elevator returned us back to safety and she regained her exposure, she admitted it was a ton-o-fun. She sure is a good sport!

Seeing this makes me excited for the future of California Adventure! I had to move a stroller to get this shot.



It was time to make our way back to Disneyland for our Club 33 dinner. First, I stopped off at the Disney Gallery to see some of the new way-cool merchandise that Kevin Kidney & Jody Daily have created for the 55th Anniversary of Disneyland. As usual, they have outdone themselves.







This piece is a faithful reproduction of the sign that used to hang over at the Golden Horseshoe:





There are plenty of other little tributes around Main Street for Disneyland’s past and a few nods to the 55th Anniversary.









We also stopped at the Penny Arcade so that Jules could experience the wonders of the occult with Esmeralda. Love the recent tie to Madame Leota here!





Naturally, we also had to take a look at what was being made inside the Candy Palace; couldn’t stay too long as we didn’t want to spoil our dinner and the temptation was huge!







The Matterhorn sure looked good enhanced by the golden glow of sunset:



We had just enough time to enjoy the beauty of the Court of Angels:



And then we headed to Club 33 just in time for our reservation; more to come! View more Disneyland photos at my main website.

Thursday, February 04, 2010

Trip Report for 2/1/2010, pt. 2



When last you saw Janet and her family, we were just bidding Little Leota farewell. With Splash Mountain right nearby, Ryan wanted to ride that attraction next. Janet and the rest decided to wait this one out (however she did support our drop down the waterfall with a very enthusiastic wave!).



Fortunately, the camera stayed dry!





On the way to Pirates, I snapped a few shots of the drained Rivers of America; pretty freaky to see it empty with cars and trucks driving around in it!





The whole family was very excited to be able to walk right onto Pirates without any wait. I also believe that for the next trip to Disneyland, Janet will have to take the kids to Blue Bayou for lunch! The trip into the world that Marc Davis helped create was awesome as always. I tried to get a few detail shots and improve some past photos that I have snapped many times before.







No trip would be complete without a few of my favorite gal at the park:





Definitely wouldn’t want to cross this guy!



The (formerly) gluttonous pirate was still rambling on and on...only now it’s about Jack Sparrow.



And here’s Jack himself, showing off his treasure and still looking somewhat out of place in the room that appears to have been shoehorned into the end of the attraction:



We all went our separate ways after Pirates; I climbed the Tarzan Treehouse to get some better shots of the Rivers of America:



Anybody able to identify "the shirts" (they seem somewhat out of place in their freshly starched outfits, walking around the muddy riverbed!).











The Mark Twain sure could use a little scrubbin’!



While the rest of the gang was taking a bathroom break, Janet waited patiently below, all smiles as usual!



Ah, a remnant from the original Treehouse; how I miss the original Robinsons that used to live here.



Deciding to pass on a 45 minute wait for Indiana Jones, we took a leisurely Jungle Cruise. The tour guide knew his spiel and did a great job!







The natives were still restless:



The kids were chompin’ to go over to California Adventure by now, so we walked briskly down Main Street...until we hit the Magic Shop. Tyler had some money burning a hole in his pocket, so he watched a few more demonstrations by the pros at the Magic Shop before he decided on his purchase.





As you can see, Janet was not interested. All she could think about was her Almond Roca bars that she had recently gotten at the Main Street Candy Palace and how delicious they would be when she finally got a chance to eat them!

California Adventure was a whirlwind as I had a train to catch and Janet & her family had dinner plans. I snapped a shot of the "new and improved" attraction at DCA. Although the Silly Symphony Swings look fun, they are still an off-the-shelf uninspired carny ride.



Toy Story Midway Mania was probably the longest we waited for an attraction, but it was worth the wait, as we knew it would be!



Janet & I were in the same vehicle; as the scoreboard shows, she was close...but no cigar. Apparently she needs to work on her technique and get a few tips from her boys!



While Dale went to get the car, Janet & Tyler headed off for a frozen treat, and Ryan & I braved the Tower of Terror. I love the attraction and queue here, as there is plenty to snap!









While waiting for "our" elevator, Ryan & I had to suffer through the very drunken ramblings of another guest who was by himself but desperately wanted attention. Kudos to the cast members who tolerated his taunts of them. You can see this dork holding up his hardback book on the far right in the back. The smell of his stale cig and alcohol-laden breath was enough to make me sicker than the drops of the attraction!



And then it was a mad dash to the Anaheim Amtrak Station for my ride home. What a fantastic day! Hope you enjoyed this trip report which pre-empted my regularly scheduled Pirates of the Caribbean post! See more Disneyland photos at my website.