Nrthwnd

~ A Sunday Shot ~ We did get a couple of shots of us in front of The Castle. But not till later in our visit there. So here's one of the two taken, by nice guests for us. And we returned the favour by taking their photo too, with their camera, the way they wanted. Sept.12/19. "The Three of Us."

Hilarity Hall looks awesome on it's facade! The whole park is looking better and better. Thanks for the updates, Larry.

Streets

^ How the heck did you get that First Ride ..... uh...thing? BTW...magnet, sticker, patch?

^ Awesome! And that's okay about this case. I wasn't that interested in it, until the price went down on it, on eBay. But I really didn't buy that much in Souvenirs like that, and other stuff on our trip last month. I mean, even my pin buying was about ... 3 pins total! There was a souvenir stand at the exit of HM, but I totally forgot about it and kept walking out! Dumb bear. I do love the snack cases more than the popcorn buckets because.... well yeah, smaller things, easier to display and/or store. Okay, it was four pins... and three buttons David picked up, shamelessly.

From the "Couldn't Resist It" Dept... I decided to get one of these. The eBay seller had it marked down from what it originally went for, several months ago. And the shipping was Free. Time waiting, eventually pays off, more or less. The TDS Venetian Gondola snack case. With Ms.Mouse. I really like the design of it.

The Single Rider queue for GR is also hit and miss, depending on how long the regular line is. But definitely get one ride in first, on GhostRider. And if you want to save a bit of food money, go to the Chicken To-Go spot in Marketplace. Same great Mrs. Knott's food, but less cost, and easy to eat in your hotel room. We split a three piece meal, added an extra piece, and then got something from the Bakery, right next door. All packed up neat and tidy for us. Extra fork included. So - many - choices. (o;

Around

It's All DCA Today! But first......after getting back to the Hotel the previous night, on an earlier shuttle, I looked through the rest of our DLR schedule, and decided we needed to change our shuttle pick up times, and (sadly) cancel a meal package in conjunction with Fantasmic! Fantasmic! was only running on the Friday that week, and originally, I had reserved a Meal To Go at the Hungry Bear Restaurant, which also gave us tickets to a reserved spot to see Fantasmic! But standing only, and it was the 10:30pm show. Knowing we'd never get through it AND have to pack that same night, AND then have to get up around 6:30 for leaving... it just wasn't going to work. So back into Disneyland we went, back to Customer Services, only this time using the reservation number to cancel it all. And again, this was done with efficiency, speed, and just plain niceness on the part of the Cast Member we used. So again THANK YOU to Customer Services, both in DLR and Knott's too! I'd left my camera in a Marketplace shop, they found it and got it to Knott's CS for an easy retrieval. Even without a cell phone, things can still be done in the parks! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Now in DCA, we started with the Tower of Terror and it was a lot of fun. The Guardians overlay was amazing and I found myself laughing on the ride itself, more than I remember with it's original theming. Great start to the day. Then we decided to check out Mickey's PhilharMagic, and to compare it with the other versions we'd seen (Us in Tokyo and Hong Kong for myself). The theater it was in was not built to house the huge Cinerama-type screen that the others used. So they shrunk down the start of the first part, then enlarged to regular screen size for the rest of it. It worked okay. Not as "magical" as the other two versions, but it was fine. And Donald still showed up, where he was supposed to end up, at the end of the show. (No Spoilers HERE) Then we headed up to Radiator Springs Racers and got in a relatively small queue. But it definitely built up to a longer wait, after we were there. It was then I was asked to hold a plastic card on a lanyard, and then give it to a Cast Member once we reached the load station. A simple way of checking queue times, we guessed. Racers was just as good as I remember it before, and David loved it, especially the "racing"! After that, it was time for some food, and I knew that Flo's had a Breakfast Menu. So we split a good old fashioned eggs and bacon between us, along with a nice biscuit and potatoes. It was so good, we actually came back to the place on another day, for breakfast again. After eating, we did a basic walk around, through Pixar Pier, took another ride on Little Mermaid, then into Grizzly Peak, and decided to take in Soarin'. And David loved it so much, he really wanted to see it again. But next time, we would get a Fast Pass for it. And then, by early afternoon, I was ready for a cocktail or three. So we literally walked into the Lamplighter Lounge (no queue to wait in), were shown an outdoor table which looked out onto where World of Color would be, and enjoyed cocktails with a couple of appetizers for an hour or so, while the rest of the world rushed around the park, lol. And the Lounge had a lot of Pixar Artwork inside the building. Which made heading to the bathroom a longer................time to get there................and back. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ P.S. To put my 7 cents in about Soarin' s including the Paris shot.... In a lot of postings everywhere, it's referred to as a "horrid, awful shot/piece of film/shit"...."and the curvature of the screen doesn't help either, blah blah." Well, I didn't give a hoot about the "angled/bent" shot of the Eiffel Tower. And to be honest, when I first saw this in 2016, I actually was overcome by the entire film, and teared up when the Tower lit up. Call it fond memories of several visits there with my partner, David. We love the city and after we saw it, even David said he felt misty eyed on first seeing this, with me. The awesome music certainly helped with those emotions, too. But, we'll definitely see it (and the California one, when it comes back) again and again and... Finally get to ride this, with only a 20 min. wait or so. Inside and the boarding areas were amazing to queue through. Next up was this. This was ten minutes before the theater doors opened. More people did come to see it, but it was a very small 'house'. And how they showed the movie was okay. In the queue for Racers, I am given this to hand to a Cast Member upon boarding. And I did. After exiting the ride, I showed David where his Birth Year was, on the bridge. This one was over in Disney Paris at Ratatouille, just before you enter the show building. Time for breakfast! For us two, this was enough. And it was good! David taking his shot. Note the TPR Product Placement. Neither of us were interested in riding this. And I had ridden Flik's Flyers before. Pretty colours though. Soarin' Take 1. Crowded queue, but it moved pretty fast. Only one theater in use. After a while, it was time to get some more food and drink... With an awesome serving of Potato Skins to enjoy. These were so good, I forgot to take a photo of the other appys we were having! Silly me. (o; ....and the drink was cocktails! Pricey ones but hey, it's Disney, right? We're at the Lamplighter Lounge in DCA. At the Lamplighter Lounge, our view from where we were sitting. World of Color would look great from here, although a bit...uh... "on an angle". (To Be Continued)

^ You look like Harry Potter, kind of, I think. ^^ And you look VERY HAPPY, Bert. The last photo David took of me, as we left Disneyland, on our last night in S.California. 7pm FRIDAY THE (sept.) 13TH. Didn't want to leave just yet. But we had a shuttle to catch, back to our hotel. And packing.

All this. Sept.12/19. Taken by my partner David, in DL's Emporium. And.....my eyes look wierd.

I like Fall here. Even when it rains. A ~ Lot.

A new photo of the Castle construction has been posted online. Without the tall crane in front of it. Thanks to whoever took this photo.

If it succeeds in drawing in the crowds, this will be practically like the Waterworld shows. Although in this case, the Bourne Trilogy was pretty successful in each film, I recall. But for those who have never seen even one of the Trilogy, it should be good enough to keep them interested, too

Interesting that there is so big a memorial to 9/11. Makes me wonder what other small-ish towns or cities do this as well as Granger. Great Dino Tour! But don't POP QUIZ me on this. I was avoiding the flora on that pathway you noted, and forgot everything. EDIT: I looked it up. Over 700 memorials across the nation!

: DCA To End Our First Day at DLR : But not before.....when we were having our meal at the Blue Bayou, we realized we'd still have 6+ hours to spend in the parks. Before our shuttle picked us up at 11:20. Knowing we couldn't last that long (the heat was getting to us all the time) we needed to change our pick up time. But without a phone, we headed immediately to where we knew we could get help: Customer Services in City Hall, right beside the Fire Hall at the front of Disneyland. And, it worked out great! We had the phone # of the shuttle service, so the Cast Member who helped us, just dialed up the number and we took care of the rest. We asked for a change to a 9:20 pick up, which made things a bit easier for us. THANK YOU Customer Services! And then we toured through DCA, riding a few of the flats, but not The Big Stuff. Those, we would ride the next day. And, we did! After getting an earlier shuttle pick up from Knott's, we headed into DCA. Big Bear. (DM) Even though it was hot all day, we didn't ride any water rides, including this one. That's the way to ride it! All hands up! Nope. If the falls didn't get us, this surely would. This was closed when I was last here, so I definitely wanted to check it out. (Pardon the blurry pix - hey, remember we're 'underwater', right?) Conga! The Non-Dole Whip Ariel. I have no idea what this is of. Ursula. The Near-Miss Kiss. The End. It was good. AND air-conditioned, too! Then we rode this. Nice and serene. Then this, in a Non-Swinging car. The steel netting over all windows put me off, of trying to get any photographs. But it didn't stop David from doing so. Water siphons for World of Color. (DM) What we'd just ridden before. (DM) Distance shot. (DM) I love this sign! We would get to both of these attractions the next day. G'night DL. Heading to the shuttle pick up spot. See ya tomorrow, DCA.

Here's the rumored "New Map for 2020" at the Studios, which includes the re-imagined "Route 66" Cars ride. Huh ~ there's no number on Crush's Coaster, there. Or the Stunt Show. And what the heck is #13? Could this be a sign of Fan Art? Hmmm.

Cool you got to see "something" up close.

It's Canada's Turkey Day! Gobble, gobble, eh?

Had one of these at the Race Track, yesterday. We were there for a charity event.

~ The Haunted Mansion Exhibit and A (Delayed A Bit) Blue Bayou Meal ~ After the Ears were bought and sewn up, we headed right next door to the Opera House. It not only has DL's classic "Moments With Mr. Lincoln" (he stands, he sits, he talks!), but it also contains changing exhibits and displays (and a pricy shop to buy Disney artworks and such). For most of last month and this month, they're showing an exhibit for the 50th Anniversary of The Haunted Mansion. So we wandered through there, taking photos where we were allowed to. After being there for awhile, it was time for our afternoon meal. A reservation made at the Blue Bayou Restaurant. We were advised to get there several minutes before our time, but when arrived there was a HUGE OMG CROWD in front on the entrance! We found out, there had just been an "alarm that went off" in the building, and they had to get everyone out, including all those poor people in the boats in the Pirates attraction. Eep. David overheard someone saying that "staff were in waders doing their job" guiding people out of the boats, and to the exits, safely. After several minutes of nobody outside knowing what to do, the staff started calling out names to get the first group (who were in there, before) back inside. Apparently a few people who didn't want to wait, left, and there turned out to be extra tables available, and then it went faster. In the end, we got our table only 20-25 minutes or so, after we arrived there. So although it was frustrating at first, the Cast Members were brilliant in handling everyone, and when everybody was back in the restaurant, it was like the incident never happened. THANK YOU to all the Cast Members involved! Our meal was a good one. I had the famed Monte Cristo Sandwich, while David had the Jambalaya. We shared a Golden Beet Salad to start. We also had non-alky drinks with "glow cubes" in them, and all refillable too. We skipped dessert (a lot of good food). When the bill came, I can honestly say "We Had A $100 Meal". That's what it cost us and it was worth it! After the meal, we decided to head right over to DCA for the last hours of our first day in DLR. But not before taking care of something, we both agreed on. In the Lincoln Attraction, this 1955 era map of the park. But I felt it was missing something... ...This. On my 1962 map of the park, Walt and his message are right there under the map's title. Retro pic I found, of the HM before the back show building was built, 1963. And Pirates is seen there, top of the pic, being built for it's 1967 opening. Many drawings and artwork for the Mansion. Pre- and Post-Opening. A bit busy, but I still liked it. I really liked this one. The Classic Room. Other films' artwork for sale. And Statues-A-Plenty! These were gorgeous! I left the photo full size so you can see them better,. We stop by the Fire Hall and I nod my THANKS to Walt and all that he's given us. Inside the Emporium. I'm making Pinocchio dance. Sort of. (DM) Really, David? (DM) Very very tempting here. David especially liked this one. We should have bought one and eaten Heimlich! (DM) When we arrived at the BB for our meal, this is what we should have seen. With a few guests in front. (2016) But this is what we waited with, instead. Once they brought people back in, it all moved fast. Just like in Japan! (o: Like nothing happened. Our starter. We love Golden Beets in ANY salad! ...With lovely Rosemary bread to enjoy. David had the Lemonade, I had the Mint Julep. With the Cubes. Both were refreshing. (o; Sweet! And Bright! With refills, too! David had Jam. I had Monte. Both were great, although David found his Jambalaya a bit "rice-heavy." But he ate it all up. After the meal, we headed over to DCA for a few+ hours' visit. But first, we had to immediately take care of something. (To Be Continued) I asked and they posed.

And for one more posting about this, for now, here's several of the "Groups of Ears (and Non)" I put these 20+ pairs of mine, into... Ears (and non-Ears) with Celebration #s on them. In back is DL"s 50th and 25th. In front is Tokyo Disney's 30th on a Cap; Disney Paris' 15th on ears and a Cap. 3 Non-Ears: Grizzly Gulch HKDL; Pirate Cap TDL; Captain Nemo Cap TDS. Before Mouse Ears were eventually sold at Tokyo Disney Resort, you could only buy headbands and larger caps/hats. These three headbands are 2007, 2011 and 2013 buys. Four colored felt Ears, with thin front brims. Three Simple Black Ones: Paris; Orlando; Hong Kong.

^ Yes we did buy it, And all we (both) got out of it, was the waffles taste. And for Halloween, I just posted it as a Scary Taffy Flavor, ha ha hah. And the Maple-Bacon ones weren't much better, either. IOhO. But the Orange-Vanilla; Strawberry; and (duh) the Boysenberry ones were HITS! And we truly did have quite a few taffys, to choose from, too. Sept.07/19.

^ Yep, they still do it, although obviously more in keeping with New Tech, etc. Here's what they used to do, with a much smaller sewing machine, a good eye, and two good hands.... My first, original pair of DL Ears...1963! My very first visit, at 10 years old. And how they sewed my name, by hand. (o:

THIS, is Knott's Scary Farm! I mean really? .....Really???