For Becca's XX?th Birthday we headed down to see the Mouse, as was the custom for TeamCitron when Becca was just a little mousekateer.
We spent two days in the Magic Kingdom, and get this, we even stayed at a Disneyland hotel named Paradise Pier. Turns out the Magic Kingdom has done some sprucing up since either of us had been there last. Read the following and find out!
Becca, you just had a birthday, what are you going to do next!?!
Pirates of the Caribbean top
Of course, one of the biggest draws at Disneyland is Pirates of Caribbean, and this was the first ride we went on. Go figure. If you have not ridden Pirates lately, you would be surprised at the addition of several new characters from the movie. Capt. Jack is everywhere, as is Capt. Barbosa.
I wondered if many of the Jr Disneylanders riding along with me through the Caribbean had any idea they weren't a part of the ride before the movie came out. Then I decided, it really didn't matter. Click on the image of the saucy robot to your right to check out the footage! Oh yeah, Drink up me hearties Yo'Ho!
Click the lady to see our footage!
Jungle Cruise top
Loved by young old tall short and everyone, but Becca, it's the Jungle Cruise ride! Head hunters to your right, lions to your left, rampaging elephants and a wise cracking tour guide are your companions through the jungles of deepest darkest Anaheim. Gives you the chance to suspend reality and think you are on safari, unless you sit next to Becca who says things like, "That's not what piranhas REALLY look like in the Amazon!" Still fun.
Click the elephant to see our footage!
How has Disney changed since 1985? top
The last time I went to to see the Mouse, I was a stout lad of 7, the year was 1985, Prince had a name and De Loreans could travel through time. Since then, nothing of note has happened.
On the Disneyland front, however much has changed. They added an entire second park, called "California Adventure", and you can now get a "fast pass". Case in point, we got "Magic Dream Fast Passes". We stumbled across a woman with a film crew handing them out the first day we were at the park. We had no idea what they were and actually tried to avoid her. Once we figured out what we had...it was awesome. Fastpass on a string for every fast pass ride in both parks! No lines. Never could have imaged that in '85, amazing the advances in technology.
Also, Disney has a hot new character. His name is "Jack Skeleton", and they selling train loads of his merchandise. To see if he might be your guy take the following quiz.
Lets you say you are Disney dude, but don't feel included in the stable of cuddly icons.
Are you:
To cool for Tigger?
To young for Grumpy?
Maybe you are a 9th grade girl frowning your way towards your 15th birthday cause your parents won't let you wear the playboy symbol.
If you answered yes to any of the preceding, then this guy may be for your man!
One way Disneyland has changed is the spectacular animatronics you encounter even before getting on a ride. Waiting in line is now 1/2 the fun! Or maybe less painful than it used be--well it's a little better anyway.
The Indiana Jones ride had an elaborate video you watched that looked like really old footage. The Toy Story ride had an animatronics Tim Allen Buzz Light year telling you all about the ride. Pretty cool really.
One way Disneyland has not changed, is how Mr. Toad continues to be awesome. The Mr. Toad ride was as cool as I had remembered, and I had remembered it being pretty durn cool. Did you know Mr. Toad of Toad Hallow has his own latin motto: "Semper Absurda."
We are considering adopting this as our own. If Mr. Toad would be kindly enough to share. Here is a picture of us, with the Toad.
Ride Montage top
Not sure if you are supposed to do this or not, but I was obvious with the video camera, and no body told me to turn it off....So maybe this is contraband Disneyland footage, but watch it anway...if you dare!
Click on the roller coaster to your right see more!
Disneyland vs. Vegas top
VS!
So we were in Disneyland and starting talk about how much it reminded us of Vegas. This may sound "Semper Absurda" but stick with me here.
In Vegas is it very hard to find water.
In Disneyland it is very hard to find beer (however when you do it is cheaper than Vegas)
In Vegas everything looks to normal scale, but is really HUGE!
In Disneyland everything looks really big, but actually pretty small (the castle is only 4 stories)
In Vegas people wear sleeveless Harley Davidson shirts and pretend they are outlaws.
In Disneyland people wear sleeveless Mickey shirts and pretend to be children.
(Neither sleeveless shirts should be encouraged btw)
In Vegas you are nearly guaranteed to encounter drunk bachelor party goers in need of a nap.
In Disneyland you are nearly guaranteed to encounter tired 4 year old vacationers
in need of a nap.
They both have a cast of characters known to have roamed the corridors decades ago.
Vegas has the rat pack: Frank, Sammy, Dean, Peter and Joey.
Disneyland has the Mouse pack: Mouse, Duck, Dog, talking dog with pants.
Yes this makes Sinatra the Mickey Mouse of Vegas, or conversely Mickey Mouse the Sinatra of Disneyland. I might put that on a shirt.
The biggest observation about them both; Due to the constant waves of humanity, no matter how much fun it seems like when you first get there, 3 nights later you will be praying for take-off.
Photo Montage! top
