Beyond the Sea

It had been over three years since I had last been on the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. The only reason we went on it this visit was because thanks to our VIP Tour Guide Maria, we were able to walk onto it. Even then, I had my doubts about wasting time on this mess of an attraction. Anastasia seemed to enjoy the view from her porthole window.



There are fun details to notice in the first part of the journey...



but once the subs "submerge" the attraction becomes a cacophonous mess of noise, poor projections, and sheer boredom.











Matt looked happy at the end of the attraction. So was I.



Next up…Star Tours!



Plenty of fun in the queue, which Maria whisked us through.





Door #1!



Matt looks like he's ready for a Devo video. If you don't know who Devo is, please visit Youtube.



Janet had not taken a dramamine booster, so this was not a pleasant experience for her. This was the last time she smiled until the virtual journey was over.



Outside, Stormtroopers were attempting to take over Star Traders.







Mary Poppins and Bert seemed oblivious to the attack as they strolled by the Plaza Inn.



We encountered Jack Skellington on our way to Pirates of the Caribbean.



And here we are, entering the attraction through the back of Lafitte's Landing. Wait until you hear what happened next!



Get your Disneyland photo fix at my main website.

VIP for a day

How many people can say that they enjoy their job and look forward to going into work almost every day? Count me among the fortunate. This is why I attempt to do a team building trip every year with the amazing people that I work with. This year, I decided to finally do something I have always wanted to do: a Disneyland VIP Tour. To start the day off, we took the train up to Anaheim; let's face it. Driving on the 5 is the quickest way to ruin your day. A limo from White Rose whisked us off to the Park.



It's always a happy site when there's a train at the Main Street Train Station. Hard to believe the trains will be down for almost a year.



The Castle in all of its 60th Anniversary finery.



With the revamped Peter Pan temporarily closed, we decided to visit Harold, the Matterhorn's Abominable Snowman. Janet had downed a few dramamine on the train and she was ready to experience her first roller coaster in years; Anastasia was very excited about this and raised her arms in support.



The weather was perfect; couldn't have dreamed up a better day for it.



The anticipation builds as you climb the Matterhorn and see the new projection effects.



Whipping around the wreckage a sense of doom increases.



And there he is, roaring and reaching out to terrified guests. I'll bet Harold is a total teddy bear at heart.



Matt had to photobomb an unsuspecting Rob.



We all posed at the Matterhorn photo opp stand.



Much better rotated!



Maria, our tour guide, was friendly and attentive. She did an amazing job!



Last one for today leaves us at the dock of the Finding Nemo attraction.



Get the VIP treatment with more insider photos of Disneyland at my main website.

More Matterhorn Details

This first November 1967 image of the Matterhorn is great because it shows the Christmas Star perched high atop the peak of Walt's Mountain.

The previous shot taken by our vintage photographer is much better, as there are no Skyway wires obliterating our view.



How about a closer look at the Star? Looks like some kind of crazy Spy Satellite!



and let's not shortchange the Richfield Eagle, watching over the Autopia:



More vintage & current Disneyland photos over at my main website.

July 1959 on the Matterhorn

It truly is in the details. For this July 1959 shot taken from Central Plaza, on the first glimpse, it doesn't really look all that amazing. But then we begin to zoom in…

You can actually see a few climbers at the top of the peak.



Zoom #2 shows a White Wing sans hat being stared at by a little tyke wearing sunglasses in a stroller.



The last zoom is purely for fashion, as we see two ladies dressed to the nines darting quickly across the Plaza.



Climb your way through more Matterorn photos over at my main website.

Cast of Characters

As I was (finally) doing some updates to my site, I noticed that there were a few vintage Disneyland Character shots that I hadn't posted. From December 1967, these three lucky girls saw Mickey Mouse as soon as they entered the Park. AND they got their photos taken with him. How often does that happen?

The White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland is out in Town Square, also circa December 1967.



Snow White seems to have lost four of her Dwarfs.



Today, the tradition of Characters strolling through the Park continues; I happened to catch Bert & Mary from Mary Poppins outside of the Plaza Inn:



Over in New Orleans Square during the Holidays, you can get a glimpse of Jack Skellington:



More Disneyland Characters at my main website.

The 49th State

This February 1964 image shows the Monsanto House of the Future in Disneyland's Tomorrowland. Like most of my photos, the fun is looking at the details, such as the plaque for the flag representing our 49th State, Alaska. And how about that Enchanted Tiki Room attraction poster! Or the guy who looks like he could be a Secret Service Man!



At first I thought this wad of cloth was a Christmas decoration.



Looking at the one next to it I realized it's just a folded flag, waiting to be unfurled.



More House of the Future photos at my main website.