D Que Blog is dedicated to all the magic, dreams and imagination that created Disneyland and the Disneyland Resort. Join us on a wonderful look at what makes this The Happiest Place on Earth.
“To all who come to this happy place; welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past...andhere youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts that have created America...with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.” - Walt Disney
If you have not already seen Wreck-it Ralph in theaters then be sure to see it when it comes out on DVD/Blue Ray. I had the opportunity to see it in theaters (in 3-D) and loved it. But I was also impressed by the "short" that preceded the movie. Paperman. Curious about it? Then click below.
As of today - January 7, 2013 - Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland is closed for a major update. New track (same layout), new braking and ride systems, newly freshened paint job, completely rebuilt station area, and much more.
For those who didn't get a chance to ride Big Thunder before it went down for refurbishment I am re-posting one of my videos from early last year below. This will have to hold you over until later this year when the ride will be back, all fresh and new. Enjoy.
Check back here during the year for my Thunderous Updates.
Because this is Disney, and it's getting Darn Busy!
For those who can't make it to the busiest place on earth this coming week, rest assured that many thousands of other park guests will be fighting the crowds just to be part of the holiday spirit.
For those who are bundled up by the fire,
or nestled safely in bed with visions of sugar plums ...
Oh never mind. Here are a few fun links/videos about the resort.
Night Magic for Christmas at The Disneyland Resort
TV Spot for the Disneyland Holiday Season
For those of you who got to visit Disneyland over the summer and got the chance to experience The Voices of Liberty at the Main Street Opera House then you know how great they are. Click Here for my original post about The Voices of Liberty at Disneyland. Below are videos, from WDW & Epcot, with the original Voices performing some holiday songs.
No mater what age you are, and no mater how many times you may have already seen it, there seems to be a thrill that come over people when you line the streets on Main Street (or anywhere along the parade route) to watch the Christmas Fantasy Parade at Disneyland. There are many holiday traditions that families take part in while on vacation at the parks and it seems that this is one of them.
Every year the parade brings an army of toy soldiers trumpeting, drumming and marching in perfect formation. Each Christmas Gingerbread men dance and play down the street. Cheerful snowmen and snow girls waddle up, down and across the street. And, leading the way for Santa himself, a herd of silly faced reindeer prance along to a jolly tune.
If you listen really carefully you can just hear that parade coming down the street.
Mmmm! I'll just sit here with my Hot Cocoa and warm Cinnamon roll as the parade rolls by.
Busy days at the park can take a toll. So what better way to end a day at the park with a stroll down Main Street USA. Be sure to do a little window shopping before heading into the bustling stores.
Looking for kitchen supplies?
Fresh gingerbread cookie anybody?
A festive tree skirt for Mickey & Minnie fans.
Also, be sure to take in the street decorations that surround you.
As night falls along the street be sure to get a prime spot along the sidewalk so that you can take part in a yearly tradition - A Christmas Fantasy Parade. I have my hot cocoa from Jolly Holiday Bakery and a warm cinnamon roll. Join me on this comfy holiday blanket, because the sun is going down and the parade is about to start.
Come back tomorrow as we take a closer look at the parade.
Today, let's finish our holiday visit to New Orleans Square. Of course one of the biggest holiday traditions at Disneyland has become the Haunted Mansion Holiday. Since it's introduction it has drawn huge crowds into the imagination of Jack Skellington. Each year this re-imagining opens in early October to begin the Halloween celebration and then continues through the winter for Christmas.
A hint of what is inside.
What's this? Snow in Anaheim? How can this be?
This is no gingerbread house...
Ichabod? Is that you Ichabod?
Jack & Sally are nearby to greet guest to the Mansion.
Welcome back to Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort.
Today we wrap up our Halloween visit at Disneyland.
So let's take part in Mickey's Halloween Party. (select nights)
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Earlier this month I had the opportunity to take part in Mickey's Halloween Party, and had a super night. Come along as we explore some of the offerings at this very popular annual event.
Entry into the park, early in the evening, was a challenge.
Signs reminded guests about costume guidelines.
As the day guest began leaving, a flood of people, the party guests began arriving.
The rush of leaving guests and arriving party goers made for a bit of a bottleneck.
Mickey Ghosts greeted arriving guests
Light projections on the pavement created atmosphere
Different decorations, including Ghost Mickey and light projections greeted incoming party guests. They looked good in the twilight hours, but really came to life after dark. (Video below)
My first stop of the night was a ride on Ghost Galaxy.
I even snapped a pic of the ride.
Is that what was chasing us?
By the time I got off the ride darkness had begun to arrive.
A spider seems to have taken up residence above Star Traders
Pumpkins spin on the ground
Phineas & Ferb had a trick-or-treat line inside Innoventions
Crossing the Hub toward the west side of the park I came across
another Ghost Mickey, and a few other characters...
Mickey is much better looking after dark.
These "scarecrows" were a hoot.
I could have stood there all night.
The Castle had a spooky glow. Music filled to hub for twilight fun.
Next, I was off to Frontierland.
The Halloween Tree was lit up for the night.
Piratepalooza, a dance party, was in full swing at Rancho Del Zocalo.
The Rivers of America were filled with fog and eerie music.
The trail behind Big Thunder Mountain was also "creeped out".
Fog and creepy lighting filled the pathways.
Trick-or-Treat trail across the park had long lines.
While on the west side of the park I got a ride in at
Haunted Mansion Holiday. Another visit from Jack Skellington
would come along later in the night.
As I headed back to Main Street for the parade I spotted another light projection, in front of Pirates of the Caribbean and in Frontierland, photo and video below..
Finally, after criss crossing the park, it was time to sit down for
Mickey's Costume Party parade. Enjoy the video below.
That was fun, but the highlight of the night is of course is
the very special showing of Halloween Screams fireworks.
Wow, how fun was that!
The whole night was a lot of fun. Trick-or-Treat lines were very full all night, but the variety of the candy was pretty good. I only had to trade away a few of the candy bites that I got.
One last little treat at the end of the night was a visit from the villains.
The villains wanted to say goodnight to all the guests. They chose the train station for a stage.
Such a fun night. Now it's time to go home and count my candy.
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.
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.
Lots of new things have been added to Disney California Adventure this Summer. The new lands, Buena Vista Street & Cars Land, are of course a huge draw to tourists. Big draws on Buena Vista Street include two new shows (Red Car Trolley News Boys / 5 & Dime) and all the new shops (including Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe). Cars Land of course has the big draw of Radiator Springs Racers, which on a good day has standby lines of 90 minutes, but mostly lines are 2+ hours. So, all things considered, DCA is really buzzing.
One of the hidden gems of the summer has to be on Paradise Bay.
Instant Concert: Just Add Water, a highly entertaining and fun little show featuring Maestro Goofy. The Maestro arrives to a booming announcement which sets the tone for what is to come.
Below are just some random Bits & Pieces that I have gathered
Some will eventually end up in other projects.
A few are just things I have recorded/photographed while in the parks.
Either way, enjoy these different things.
Have you ever ridden Toy Story Midway Mania and just walked past Mr. Potato Head. Stop sometime and just listen. Occasionally he even makes comments about people in line. It's a lot of fun.
I've got a sinking feeling about this.
A few days ago, in the early morning while in the park,
I was waiting to view the first showing of
Instant Concert: Just Add Water.
I noticed the fountain rig was up in maintenance position.
Two workers were checking it out, and after exiting it
it began its descent into Paradise Bay.
This is what I saw in the first clip below:
After the rig failed to lower, an announcement was made
canceling the first showing of the show.
The workers returned to the rig, fixed something,
and the rig started down into the water again.
After some trouble the rig finally submerged.
Good thing too, because I was then able to record the show(s)
fast approach the first day of Fall, it's time to reflect.
One of the most inspiring additions to Disneyland park this summer
was the limited engagement of The Voices of Liberty
at the Main Street Opera House.
This group originally started at Walt Disney World,
specifically at Epcot's American Pavilion.
They are a fabulous group of talented choral singers,
and I hope they return again, or find a permanent home here.
To encourage those passing by to come in a hear more
the members of the troupe put on a little mini-show outside.
Then, park guests are invited inside to hear more.
The Voice of Liberty perform a pre-show of sorts, before the
Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln that makes its home at the Opera House.
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.
The Muppets are by far one of my favorite childhood & adulthood memories. When the Disney Company acquired the right to use the Muppets I was beside myself. Two of my favorite things would be found together. Alas, Disney has not used the merger to its full potential, but I still hold out hope that Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie and the rest of the crazy gang will have a more important role to play in the Resorts future.
In Honor of the Muppets here are a few videos to end the month on a happy note:
A Silly little bit that still makes me laugh.
A Quintessential Muppet Show Song
The Muppets do Disco ??
A Little "Classical" Muppets
And Finally - The Muppets ROCK
Next time your walking down Hollywood Blvd. toward the Tower of Terror, be sure to take a quick detour into the backlot area and visit the gang for a quick show. In the summer heat remember that the theater is air conditioned.
