Wilde Prince

Great report! I think that your TR shows that going to a Disney Resort is not only about getting on rides. The "branding" is carried out past the shows and rides to include restaurants, shops, and hotels to make it an all encompassing experience. I went to the Disneyland Resort in California last week, and I have to say that our day at the parks started the night before spending about 3-4 hours walking around Downtown Disney doing a little dining and shopping and getting into the mood of the day that was to follow. I don't think I tried on any hats, but I think I will have to make that a new tradition, cause that was some funny stuff!

That is the hotel I am staying at when I go to Vegas in July. Anyone ever stayed there? While I have not actually stayed at the Excaliber (because I heard the rooms were on the small side), I can tell you that it is in an excellent location. There is a free monorail that connects Excaliber, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay. Across the street, at the MGM, is the main monorail that runs from the MGM to the Sahara, stopping at various locations along the way. Just in case you don't have a car, or don't want to battle the traffic on the Strip. Be warned, there is still lots of walking involved. Las Vegas Monorail Prices:Single Ride ticket: $5.00 Two Ride Passes: $9.00 Ten Ride Ticket: $35.00 Unlimited day pass: $15.00 Excaliber used to have a little show in front of it, when the rage in Vegas was having some type of show/attraction in front of your hotel. This one involved Merlin battling a fire breathing dragon. It was pretty lame, but really funny the more you drank. Have fun.

I heard a rumor on screamscape that they plan to restore it. Disney should drop the "two gates" idea, expand PeopleMover to Hollywood Backlot, put a Monorail stop around Paradise Pier, and build a footbridge over the entrance plaza linking the two parks if they keep DCA/Disneyland separated. heh, that sounds like a lot of money, i doubt DL would do something like that. That's not a bad idea. It would harken back to some of the original Tomorrowland ideas. Walt Disney was fascinated with trains and forms of transportation; from the Viewliner running alongside the Disneyland RR, to the Monorail and People Mover. They were billed as the transportation of the future. Well the future is here today, so it would make sense, provided (as Token Yankee Guy commented) someone foots the bill.

That would be great. Apparently the combined speed and weight of the Rocket Rods were causing fractures in the original People Mover track supports. The People Mover was always a great place to just cruise around above Tomorrowland and get out of the crowds. WDW's is still going strong.

On your shot of the People Mover Track, you can see where it was retro-fitted for its VERY short run as Rocket Rods. I did manage to get on them a few times before they were permanently shut down. It was more fun if you got the lone front seat. It would be great if they could restore the People Mover back to to its former glory. Guiderail in the center and the outer pads for the fat tires

The name of the company that owns and operates Tokyo Disneyland is the Oriental Land Company. I had the good fortune to work on two separate occasions at TDL in its early years some time before Tokyo Disney Sea came along. What awesome memories. I can't wait to go back and see the park all grown up with a second gate, and its resort status!

Great Pics! I believe the fox in the Disney parade is J. Worthington Foulfellow, and Pinocchio refers to him as Mr. Honest John. He sings the song, "High -Diddle-Dee-Dee, An Actor's Life for me." There is usually a cat character with him named Gideon. The Parade is nice, and the show stops make it seem bigger than it actually is. I'll be at DL/DCA next Monday, and I can't wait. Always a good time.

Casey and the mini green dinosaur moment...hilarious! If he keeps eating torillas, he should be able to hold the Sun Wheel on his back like Atlas, in no time!

The best thing about Psyclone was riding it with unsuspecting newbies. They usually staggered off the trains holding their bruised ribs. It certainly was a little better when it was new, but I distincly remember a jerk to the right half way thru the ride that nearly shattered my left elbow. Almost everyone I know who has been on it agrees: Poor design, poor execution, and poor upkeep. As for its tag line...Psyclone, the Ultimate Mindbender seems pretty appropriate as it never achieved the classic status of its Cyclone ancestors which it tried to emulate. The end result was just a cheap mind game that was played on us all.

I was able to visit Chapultepec Park many years ago, but unfortunately the "woodie" was closed because portions of it had caught on fire. Sadly their "wild mouse" was fun, but not much of a consolation prize. Great job with the photos. Quite a thorough documentation of the ride, and by being in some of the photos yourself, you give the viewer a perspective of the whole project. Nicely done.