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OMG ^^ Chuck I remember this one, the one we rode in 1975 on our first trip to California! I knew there was one - more - coaster we rode on that trip, but couldn't figure it out. Till now. Any other coasters were ones at Magic Mountain, Disney, and Knotts. Thanks! And yes it was a terror to ride. Always felt like we were going to be eventually "dumped" over the side, along the route, lol. Good times.

So now it's Sunday, Sept.30th - Departure Day But I had enough time (flight didn't leave until late afternoon) to go to HKDL for roughly a half day, then back to the hotel to pick up the luggage, taxi to the airport, and home. And what I usually do on my last visit to any Disney park, is find a good place to have a nice sit-down meal. Usually pricy. But usually top notch food, too. And this was no exception, lol. The Main Street Corner Cafe, is what I would call the Main Restaurant of the park, for Weestern style meals. The seating is spacious, if one gets a street window table, there's good viewing of a parade down Main Street along with your meal. I was more inside the restaurant itself, but I could still catch glimpses of the daytime "Flights of Fantasy" parade that was (then) running through the park. The meal, in a few words, was a-ma-zing! They had just started the Halloween celebrations int he park, and the Cafe was no exception, offering a Halloween-themed complete meal, which I naturally had, heh. And everything was great. The main course had beef that was like cutting butter with a fork delicious! The accompanying veggies were still slightly crisp to the bite, but tasty along with a nice sauce/glaze. And the dessert was a nice ending to a very nice meal. And a nice coffee to end it all. I was impressed! So, here's how it all went... Here's Corner Cafe, right at the hub of the park. A look at the specially themed Halloween menu offered there. Closer, still. I had the Smoked Duck Breast to start. Then the Grilled Tenderloin as my main course, followed by the dessert. And beverages. And just as I was seated, the parade started outside! First the beverage. And this I believe was my first time with 'favoured foam" on top! And the eye was perfect - blueberry in a lychee. easy! Them this was brought to my table, left there, then the server came back telling me this wasn't my course, lol. But "did I still want to take a photo of it?" she asked. Sure, why not I thought, So here's "the other appetizer" offered, lol. Looks like Dumbo to me... Here's my appetizer! Looked just as good as the "other one" lol. And tasted delicious! This looks like the main Disney characters, going by. The Princesses Float. And good old Jack - guarding over my grilled tenderloin. The beef was exquisite. The veggies, excellent. This is the Jungle Float. And not a Lion King in sight, lol. (That I could see) Dessert. Not too filling, but just enough. The pumpkin was an orange spongecake. Yummy. And coming right up... After-meal coffee! Very nice way to finish it all up. And finally - The Toy Story Float, lol! And... a souvenir light up ice cube to take home with me! Unfortunately, I can't get at the batteries, and... the ice cube "died" on me a week or so ago. Still, it was a very nice meal for my last day's visit to HKDL.

Hmmm... I love it/the design, and hope that the "show building" is as accurate to the size of the building, for real. That said.....

Carmen - Opening Act 2 by Verdi. "Sat.Afternoon at The MET"

Easy. My own, at home. Coaster. Been in Playland since 1958.

Actually, for my park money, the Most Romantic Park has to go to Tokyo Disney Sea - all of it! Seven "ports of call", all with their own atmospheric environment, that are exotic, timeless, and just awesome. I remember thinking after my first visit there in 2007, that "this would be a great place for couples and lovers to go to." Truth.

^ Are the Fast Passes at Fuji-Q still working the same way, when you had to (buy) them in 2011, Elissa? Do you know that already, or is it another "we'll find out" again, like practically every TPR visit there, lol? Fuji-Q is now Officially (in my mind) a Toss-Up Day Park. Meaning you never really REALLY know with Fuji-Q. Until you get there.

Maybe we could TPR Time Share?

^ & ^^ Both sound rather kinky.

"Rhapsody In Blue" A Gershwin melody.

^ VERY quickly, thank you, all MODS.

"Cut, print....Moving On" Katherine McPhee as Marilyn Monroe BOMBSHELL "original cast" Available now!

Now there's an interesting future TPR Tour in the making.

^ Well, once of it (Festival of Lion King) all I think will suffice for now David, lol. I didn't do any of the Halloween maze, or the Headless Horseman attraction they had set up (before you headed into Grizzly Gulch). I remember on Saturday night, walking by a very VERY long line just outside the Adventure Land entrance was. I think that was the maze, yes? So yes, it was open Sat.night, but Friday I don't know. I was back at the hotel by then. I also believe the Halloween attractions and days/times were on the park map, itself. Haven't checked, but I think it does.

Geeky Trivia: The Primeval World dioramas at DL, were brought there and housed after their appearance at the 1964 / 1965 World's Fair in New York state. They were originally used in one of Walt Disney's "test run" attractions at the fair, one that also was one of the first uses of.... the Omnimover! Not sure which car was the pavillion's brand. Ford? Chevy? Anybody? But they were open covertibles "the whole family could ride in" back then! Not two-person Doom Buggies, etc. I would have loved to visit that pavillion, LOL.

^ That's why I took the step is getting an extra night's stay at the Hollywood Hotel. It was pricy, but worth the extra time to spend at the park and the hotel itself. And at the time, a two-day pass cost me only (roughly) $33 each day! And thanks for the nice pix comment, Jon!

Late. Again.

My morning medical appts. ended up with new 'instructions' for me... Making sure I drink at least...2 litres of water? A day??? And 2 x 24 hour days, three weeks apart, keeping total track of everything I eat and drink during that time period. Writing it all down, with measurements, ingredients, all of it. I feel exhausted and po'd already, having to be put through all this.

Am so glad to find out that our little tour there last Sept. was (probably) part of their profit. Makes going back even more worth it.

Shivers with antici...pation. (The height! The height!) Looking forward to 2014, when "I/we visit".

"September Song" (Kurt Weill) Sung by Patti LuPone. ~Live at Studio 54 Below ~

And from the "Things That Make you Go Hmmm." Dept... Two people I know from the TPR tours have birthdays, today. One turns 47 - the year (19)47 my partner was born... The other turns 53 - the year (19)53 I was born. Huh. Happy Birthday to both, by the way.

We went to the local A&W at the end of the summer the food was baaaad and it was priced the same as a sit down table service place. We will not be going back. Ouch at the cost. BTW - is A&W an American franchise? Or a Canadian one? It has been around here for as long as I remember, from my high school days.

Act 3 - Opening "Rigoletto" by Verdi

"And after a nice mid-afternoon break at the hotel...." I returned to the park, just as it was starting to turn 'dusky', heh heh. I had a very nice meal at the Tahitian Terrace, and then went back and forth, between Grizzly Gulch and Tomorrow Land, mainly. I went into Toy Story Land to get a good look at everything at night. And it is really cool to see all the oversize "bulbs" on and glowing. I got one more ride on "RC Racer" and then satisfied my curiosity about the "Slinky Dog Tail Spin" It was.... okay. Would have been even better if a covering had come over everybody - like a caterpillar flat. But I know that might have been a but for some pre-teens. And others. And then, my accident happened. I rode Mine Cars as a single rider. So easy to get on with minimal wait. Why oh why I ever thought I should be running back out the exit way to get back intho th SR entrance and..... DOWN I WENT! I tripped on an ashalt edging around some landscaping, and skidded on my right knee for a few inches. Ugh. Limped over to the food place, grabbed some napkins and then blotted the knee, till things had quieted down. And then headed for the exit. As that was my evening done at the park, lol! I had some Polysporin for helping things heal, and THANKYOU Robb and Elissa for the TPR bandages! Perfect timing, ha ha. And that was the night for me. I had to leave the next day (Sunday) but I would still be able to get at least a half day in park, including a nice meal somewhere in there...... And you all though it would be a long shot of a castle? Naw. Main Street, looking the other direction. And a lot of black light in there, for the Halloween decorations. Cool! Of course the castle is lit up. Sorry for the blurr. Heading through here. For dinner. I love real fire, too! The Treehouse on The Island. Dinner! In a bowl! Fantastic idea! It was great, really. And reasonable price, I felt And now - three shots of the mountain in Grizzly Gulch. Don't know why. But here is....Shot #1. The train is up the hill, you can just make it out there. And here we have...Shot #2. Almost the same as #1. Almost. No tree, or train on hill. And Shot #3. A bit lighter in the lighting. And the mine cars are back! Went back to Tomorrow Land. It's a simple mix of attractions and design. I enjoyed it. This is my "Shot from Autopia Station". Decided to try the car ride at night. Probably the only one in the Disney Planet without major wait times when we were there. Took this shot on my way to Toy Story Land. I liked it. And they do Halloween pretty intense in themeing here, really! So here's what I saw, when I entered TSL at night. It looks a like night time carnival is happening, here! Very bright and then some! RC Racer "in action." Hence, The Blur Shot. Me with my place holder "bone" on Tail Spin. Without it - very unhappy pup. Then, on my way back to Grizzly Gulch (and Impending Knee Doom), I took one more pic of Mystic Manor, with work lights on, inside it. Looked pretty good.