not so Frightening Fridays 4

not so Frightening Fridays

Let's continue looking at Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort.

Review part one here.

Review part two here.

Review part three here.

Welcome back to Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort.

This week we venture into New Orleans Square.

Haunted Mansion Holiday is of course the event that inspired Halloween Time at Disneyland.

One of the most iconic attractions at Disneyland is the Haunted Mansion.  It is, of course, one of the final attractions to have direct oversight by Walt Disney himself.  The attraction, once planned as a walk-thru Haunted House, has become a classic. Millions of guests have entered the stretching room and boarded a "doom buggy" for a trip into the mansion. Legions of fans can quote Leota, sing all the lyrics of "Grim Grinning Ghosts" or point out each of the 99 Happy Haunts. So, with a massive fan base and a long standing history, how do you re-imagine this classic?

 

Thankfully the Disney Imaginears found a spectacular way to bring new life to this classic.

 

With the inclusion of Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas into the Disney film vault a perfect cross-branding was created.  What if Jack Skellington from Nightmare came to the Mansion and brought Christmas with him?  The first year of this idea had Disney Executives holding their collective breath. Would fans like it?  Would park guests understand the concept?  How would it play out to have a movie overlay on/in a park attraction?  Fast forward several years...

 

Fans have not only embraced the concept, they have taken the character of Jack Skellington to a new level of fame.  Park guest not only like it, they buy up millions of souvenirs. Not only does the overlay work out wonderfully, it has sparked other concepts for attraction overlays in the rest of the park (Ghost Galaxy?).

 

 

So this Halloween season let's go for a ride on this years version of Haunted Mansion Holiday.

 

 





Next week:

Ghost Galaxy & Frankenweenie
 

Fly Goofy Airlines

Fly the Goofy Way

 

After last weeks adventures with Maestro Goofy on the waters of Paradise Bay, I thought we might venture elsewhere on Paradise Pier and see what other trouble Goofy gets into.

 

We don't have to travel far to find Goofy's Sky School.

 

Next time your at DCA be sure to take a quick flight with Goofy.

It's A World of laughter, a world of fun...

It's a Small World after all.

 

* * * * * * * * * *

One of the most beloved attractions, and catchiest songs can be found at the Happiest Place on Earth.  Originally created for the New York Worlds Fair, along with several other classic Disneyland attractions, "it's a small world" has become one of the most iconic attractions in the world. In addition to the original, sitting at the back of Fantasyland, this attraction has been repeated in every other Magic Kingdom park around the world. How's that for icon status? With easy to remember lyrics and a tune that will not get out of your brain it's easy to see why this water flume ride is so well loved.  Here in Anaheim it has even rated its very own Holiday overlay, complete with outdoor lighting and indoor decorations, which is just as popular and garners a long stand-by line which rivals any of the other E-ticket attractions in the park.

I hear the clock ticking down, so let's board for a trip around the world.

 

Disneyland History

Today in Disneyland History

17 years ago on this date - August 21, 1995 - Disneyland Park

closed one of the most missed attractions of all time.

Opened in 1967, The PeopleMover gave guests an elevated guided tour of Tomorrowland as they enjoyed sleek, streamlined comfort aboard one of 62 four-car trains. The 16 minute journey included a look inside several Tomorrowland attractions, with the trains pushed along quietly from below by pacer tires powered by an electric motor. The track was extended in 1977 to enter Space Mountain and the Superspeed Tunnel, which used wraparound screens to put riders in the middle of a high-speed auto race. After its closure, the PeopleMover track was converted into the high-speed Rocket Rods, which operated from 1998 to 2000.

info from Disney.com

*********************************

For many years now Disney fans have clamoured for the return of the PeopleMover.

Will it ever return? That seems to be a tricky question.

The former loading station still exists in the center of Tomorrowland.

The track itself is still present, in some form or fashion.

Rumor has it that the failed Rocket Rods damaged the track extensively.

Rumors still pop up about a return in some fashion.

The latest Disney news hints at a Major Update of Tomorrowland.

Part of that possible update could include the demolition of the current Innoventions building.

Disney fans remember this as the America Sings/Carousel of Progress building.

Another part of the possible updates include the space currently occupied by Autopia.

Could the old track, which runs through Innoventions and winds above Autopia, remain?

The Monorail also runs above Autopia, so this adds other questions.

Would PeopleMover track be removed and Monorail track stay?

Would both tracks be removed? Would both be re-routed?

It seems that we may have to wait some years to get any answers.

ImaginEars have a lot of ideas, and unlimited imaginations.

Unfortunately, Disney executives impose limitations and budgets.

So things move slowly and ideas change constantly.

That sounds a lot like the PeopleMover.





Summer Racers

As summer races away, let's take another lap...

Check your seatbelt! This ride is leaving the pit and on track.

Spit Spot . . . of Tea

Summer Tea

Even though we're deep into the heat of summer it's time to have a little Tea Party.

I much prefer this Tea Party to the Mad-T Party across the esplande.

The Original Cars Land

Disneyland Autopia

Come take a ride at the Original Cars ride.

Swing your pardner'

Mater's Junkyard Jamboree

Mater has gathered up all of the baby tractors for a hoe-down, and you are invited to ride along. Mater is the caller for this square-dance, and has some fun songs to help us have fun. Take a look at what all the fun is about.

Deep in the 100 Acre Wood...

Deep in the 100 Acre Wood...

Silly Bear - Whinnie the Pooh has taken up residence in Critter Country.

Join Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Rabbit, Eeyore and all the rest for a blustery adventure.

TTFN

Pixar Cars - Kiddie Cars - Parking Lot Cars

A new update by Al Lutz, over at Mice Age,

 was just posted and has some very interesting information.

There are details about DCA and Cars Land.

There are speculations about the future at Disneyland.

And a some possibilities for the future of the resort.

Check out the entire article here.

Go Go Gadget

Heys Kids! Next time you are in Toontown Gadget invites you to come ride her latest creation.

Gadgets Go Coaster.



Swing Over to Paradise

Take a ride on Silly Symphony Swings @ DCA

Swing on by anytime for more fun.

3... 2... 1... RACE !!

The most anticipated expansion in Disneyland history is almost here.

 

Here are the latest last minute updates.

From "Cars" to Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park

From the Ground Up at Disney California Adventure Park - Cars Land 

Links to Disney Parks Blog



and check out this cute ad by Disney




Just Around the River Bend

Dose a Grizzly really run in a river?


Grizzly River Run is one great ride. It also takes up a lot of land, surrounding a mountain and all.

Take a look at the previous posts:

Part 1      Part 2

and now a video conclusion.

 

Sneak Peak ...

Here's a little sneak peak at what is coming later this week:

A Bug's Life - pt 2

Welcome back to A Bug's Life.

It may be tough to be a bug, but it's fun to play with them.

In A Bug's Land we get the chance to spend a little time with Flik

and the rest of the buggy gang. Come play with the crawly ones.

Heimlich's Chew Chew Train

Heimlich is hungry. Nothing new there!
Join Heimlich as he eats his way through watermelon
and his favorite thing, candy corn.

Chew your way along!

Tuck and Roll's Drive 'Em Buggies

Tuck and Roll, everyones favorite circus bugs invite

you to bump and race with them. Ta Da!

Let's bump it up, shall we?

That was a fabulous ride. It made me weak in the knees, all eight of them.

 Before we head out, be sure to make a stop at the restroom.

The bugs have converted and old tissure box into a perfect relief station.

Time to go.  It's been fun, but we must end our tour.

We exit out under the Fun Fair box.

See you next time.

A Bug's Life - pt 1

It may be tough to be a bug, but it's fun to play with them.

In A Bug's Land we get the chance to spend a little time with Flik

and the rest of the buggy gang. Come play with the crawly ones.

Flik's Flyers

Flik loves to float on the wind. so it's only right that he created a

ride to allow his guests the same chance. Using recycled snack

boxes and found leaves you can take a quick spin.

Take a ride

I predict you had a great flight.

Francis' Ladybug Boogie

Francis may be a Ladybug, but he sure knows how to dance.

You get  your chance to ride in your own ladybug car,

swinging and swaying to some fun tunes.

Let's Boogie

Despite the sour look, Francis hopes you had a great time.

Princess Dot's Puddle Park

Princess Dot has her own play area. This is your chance to get wet.

Run through the enormous sprinkler, or avoid the jumping fountains.

Check back on Friday for part 2 of our tour.

Highway In The Sky

It's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow

Take a ride on the Disneyland Monorail -
The Highway In The Sky.

**NOTE**

Since the filming of this the Monorails have been plussed out

in preperation of Cars Land.  Read more about it and see photos here.

To Infinity...

Enjoy this fun look at our favorite Space Ranger.

Running Grizzly, Hidden Splash Zone - part 2

It's time to end our hibernation and wake the grizzly again to continue our tour of Grizzly River Rapids. To review part 1 of this report click here. Now let's move on...

As we continue our tour of the Grizzly Peak Recreation Area we see the continuation of the theming surrounding the Grizzly River Rapids raft ride. 

As we exit the Que area and turn left, crossing in front of the Rushin' River shop,

we follow the rafts and flume around to the lift hill.

We pass through the mill...

...and head up the lift hill.

After crossing under the left hill, and dodging some water splash,

we come across what looks like and gold and mining company.

 

 Across the road we spot the ore carts and chutes.

 

 A large wooden door, designed to look like an ore cart storage bin, sits next to the chutes.

 Embedded in the path are rails that cross over toward the ride load area.

We see the remnants of an old cart there. 

 We can also spot and old rusted out vehicle, possibly used by the miners or rangers. 

 Of course this whole area is visible from the load area...

Scenic things like this are often placed in/around a ride area to both enhance the experience and hopefully draw the guest to explore further. This is the immersive theming that Disney is known for and has made world famous.

Continuing down the pathway we see more theme items: a wooden canoe...

...warning signs about rocks falling... 

 ...and beautiful foliage. 

The sound of thunderous water is just around the corner. 

 We finally re-emerge at the base of Frog Jump Falls.

 exiting past bubbling geysers and the ride splashdown.

 

That completes the tour of Grizzly Peak Recreation Area.

But wait! There's more...

 

After leaving Condor Flats area we move back into the park.

If you follow the parade corridor towards Paradise Pier you see more theming.

On the hillside behind the Blue Sky Cellar are grapevines, which theme to nearby restaurant.

 And, of course, another waterfall. This one is a photo spot backdrop.

Currently it is a photo op for Lightning McQueen & Mater.

This will undoubtedly change once Cars Land opens.

Enjoy the view.

  

  

Thanks for visiting the Grizzly River area.

 

Coming Soon... On Ride Video of Grizzly River Rapids.