Have you ever found yourself in a staring contest with an inanimate figure, somehow making yourself believe you can win? I love these seagulls. They totally crack me up, echoing “Mine, mine, mine!” For some reason, the silly side of me feels the need to argue with them, “No, it’s mine!” I’m not sure exactly what “it” is but I’m pretty sure these guys will take just about anything they can get. And of course I don’t win the staring contest or the argument because they’re not about to stop and I’m at Disneyland. There are rides to be ridden and pictures to be taken and memories to be made. If I spent all day entertaining people by staring and arguing with these seagulls, Disney would have to make me a cast member and put me on the payroll.
Lady Through the Thicket
I really enjoy the diversity you can find at Disneyland. This shot is of a simple enough subject, the Haunted Mansion FastPass queue, but it’s easy to feel like you’ve stumbled onto a statue hidden in a Savannah woodland. There are so many worlds within worlds at the park, it’s an adventure discovering what’s next! I know black & white is not what we typically offer, but it seemed to fit this one rather well. Hope you enjoy!
There’s Always My Way
“Is this haunted room actually stretching? Or is it your imagination, hmm?” What suspense and build to having the pants scared off of you with a hanging body illuminated by lightning storming overhead. I love trying to get pictures inside the Haunted Mansion. It’s such an amazing ride and getting halfway decent shots is such a challenge. Maybe that’s what the ghost host should say, “I offer you this chilling challenge – to take a good picture!” Of course, there’s always my way.
Steam Engine No. 5
From a child, I have loved tunnels. There was just something extraordinary about them. Traveling into the mysterious unknown gives you such a sense of freedom and I think that really fed the wonder and curiosity of childhood for me. This shot is one I have wanted to get for a long time, a train in the New Orleans Station at night, lighting the tunnel behind the Haunted Mansion. I sat at the station for a while on the night that I took this just enjoying the trains come and go, listening to the voice come through the speaker, “The Disneyland Limited now approaching…” The Disneyland Railroad is still one of my favorite parts of Disneyland. I love seeing it when I approach the entrance, walking under it through that magical tunnel to Main Street U.S.A., and riding it for a grand circle tour of Walt Disney’s Original Magic Kingdom.
The Trattoria Tower
A Tuscan villa in the middle of Southern California? You bet! Disney has a wonderful way of bringing worlds together and making them flow seamlessly. As you sit on one of the lovely terraces of the Wine Country Trattoria, enjoying a fabulous dish with a Meditteranean influence, you can enjoy the sights and sounds of a classic beach boardwalk atmosphere without even thinking twice about how different the two are. I don’t know about you, but I could totally go for a glass of California wine and some Tony Bennett while I wait for World of Color to begin.
Strike Yer Colors & Stow Yer Weapons
Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides is coming out soon. To help hype its release, Disneyland has an amazing 3D sneak peek showing in the evenings back at the Big Thunder Ranch. We had the pleasure of catching it the first night they showed it and it was a lot of fun. They pulled out the stops with theming the area and with talented performing cast members. Captain Jack would be pleased. This Jolly Roger draped barrel with weapons inside is just one small detail found outside the ranch as you wait. So if you have to opportunity to experience the show, do so. Savvy?