60th Anniversary Trip, Pt. 8

Part Eight…yes, I am dragging this trip out post-by-post! Today's installment focuses on the Little Mermaid attraction at Disney California Adventure. It's an enjoyable ride that rarely has a wait and is filled with all your favorite tunes from the movie.



And yet for me, it's a bit of a snoozer. I know I know…it's great for kids. Not every attraction has to be an "E" ticket.



Still, Peter Pan in Fantasyland is for kids and it packs a wallop, which is exactly what this attraction is missing.



See…even Ariel is falling asleep in her own attraction.



The effects, which have been fine-tuned a few times since the attraction's 2011 opening, are on point.



The splashy "Under the Sea" room feels like it should be the big finale, even though the song occurs early in the movie.







When the attraction opened, Ariel's up-do was the biggest squawk among the discussion boards, earning her the nickname of "Dole-Whip Ariel." Her locks have since been tamed.





Here's where the attraction picks up a bit…



I love this little scene with Ursula.



And yet I feel it could have been so much more. Scary can be good. Doesn't everyone love to have the crap scared out of them?



It makes the happy ending that much more fun.



This is what happens to those who don't drink the Disney Kool-Aid.



I feel a happy ending coming soon…



Brought to you by the stork:



The weird phallic water emitting from the fish is still there:



Ariel is now ready to be on "The Voice."



The big finale, which is not as memorable as "Under the Sea."







I love this little homage to author Hans Christian Anderssn at the end of the ride:



We headed back to Disneyland after visting Ariel. Here's the revamped Town Square overflow corridor:



A nice little nod to some of the Main Street vehicles:



Looking forward to a photo opp at the Snow White Wishing Well I was disappointed that it looked like it had been abandoned. Hopefully it has been cleaned up.



It seemed like it was time to head out of the park and take a little siesta back at the hotel. Boarding the Monorail in Tomorrowland, it was apparent that Disney was pushing their new George Looney movie, "Tomorrowland." Oops…I mean Clooney.



The movie's logo can be found throughout Tomorrowland.



If the movie is a hit, that might convince execs to pour some money (and hopefully creativity) into the forgotten land.



Workers were busy getting Downtown Disney ready for the movie's premiere:



I hope all who are at the Park today and having a blast with the Diamond Celebration kickoff!

Next up: Toon Town at night!

MUCH more Disneyland Resort goodness at my main website.

Ursula, The Sea Witch

I am ashamed to see it has been over a year since my last painting post! Ouch. Time sure does fly. Yes…I also paint. I knocked out this one as a gift for a friend who loves the Disney villains; I hope to be back to more challenging stuff soon!

See more Daveland art on my website.

Top 10 Scariest Disney Film Moments, Pt. 2—Halloween Festival at Disneyland Paris

Guest columnist Jenny gives us part 2 today from her Top 10 Scariest Disney Film Moments series.

Before visiting Disneyland Paris take a look at our countdown of the top 10 scariest moments in Disney movies. Here are the top five…



5. 101 Dalmatians – Cruella De Vil Snaps The evil Cruella has a huge fur fetish but when she can’t find any dalmatian skin, she suddenly snaps and reveals her inner monster. Frantically driving after the lorry full of dalmatians, Cruella tries to knock them off the slippery roads with a face of thunder and eyes almost popping out of her head.

Snow White at Disneyland Paris, by Kate



4. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – The Forest If the sight of a giant Huntsman looming over the defenceless Snow White with a huge dagger wasn’t scary enough, Snow White then runs away into the terrifying woods. In the forest she’s greeted by frightening owls, bats and alligators, as well as trees that are monsters and every branch is a petrifying hand. Experience the story for yourself at Eurodisney Paris by visiting the Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains ride – if you dare!

Neige-et les Sept Nains at Disneyland Paris, by Loren Javier





3. Fantasia – A Night on Bald Mountain Many people find Fantasia both fascinating and terrifying and the final animation sequence, ‘A Night on Bald Mountain’ is probably the scariest of the lot. The chilling Chernabog manages to give you the creeps without even speaking. Summoning evil spirits from their graves, they dance and fly through the air before the sun forces them to retreat.

Ursula in the Disneyland Paris Parade, by Sam Lavi



2. The Little Mermaid – Ursula After accidently killing her beloved pets, Ursula gets angry – her eyes bulge and she grows into a super giantess in a bid to destroy her enemies and rule the ocean. The scene where she tries to kill Ariel and Eric, when rising from the ocean with the pair on top of her crown, is truly terrifying.



1. Pinocchio – Pleasure Island The boys find themselves locked on Pleasure Island and their indulgences lead to a wholly disturbing transformation into donkeys before they are shipped off in boxes to the salt mines. The demonic grin of the Coachman gets creepier by the scene and is by far the most haunting part of the sequence.

Now go and enjoy your Sunday...before I ship you off to the salt mines!



See more Disneyland Paris photos on my Disneyland Paris web page.