Matt Hansen – Page 41

The Family Treehouse

Wandering through Tarzan’s Treehouse is always a fun adventure. It doesn’t matter how old you are, you still get to be a kid climbing a tree. Realizations like that somehow always bring me back to family. When I think about being a kid, I think about the fun I had, the bumps, bruises and scars I earned. More than that, I think about the shelter I was given by my family, their love and the memories that came from special moments reinforcing I truly mattered in this world. Somehow, this particular scene in the treehouse captures that notion of family for me.

Farewell Flynn’s

Disney California Adventure, Hollywood Land

Last night was the last night for Flynn’s Arcade at Disney California Adventure. I don’t often espouse my opinion on such things but I truly wish Flynn’s Arcade was sticking around. The awesome factor of this place is off the charts. For me it’s one of the rare cases I feel immersed as soon as I walk in. What might be a faux movie set to some quickly becomes reality. Admittedly, I am a Tron fan and I understand it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. The nostalgia of the games themselves, however, seems like it ought to be enough to warrant the space Flynn’s occupies. Perhaps I’m complaining prematurely; maybe there’s some grand scheme for Flynn’s to be reborn in another part of the Disneyland Resort. That would certainly make this present, rambling complaint null and void. I fear that’s likely not the case though. If you share my opinion, I bid you come bask with me in the warm neon glow, as we say adieu. Farewell Flynn’s.

Wild Ride in the Sky

Disneyland, Fantasyland

The weathervanes of Disneyland are some of my favorite details. They have a way of encompassing what sits beneath them so well. Mr. Toad, riding wildly in the sky, is no exception. It’s not hard to see that this crazy amphibian is merrily on his way to nowhere in particular and with no time to spare. Making time to spare at Disneyland, however, is a must. The more you do, the more treasures you’ll find.

Love Birds Beneath the Stars

Disneyland, Frontierland

These love birds sit atop a fountain at the Rancho del Zocalo restaurant in Frontierland, beneath some of the most beautiful lights I’ve seen. I am amazed at how an artist can evoke the feelings of love through something like sculpted birds. It inspires me that the possibility exists for someone to grasp depths of feeling and translate it into a visual language, universally understood. It’s a lofty form of communication that causes one to stop and think and hopefully to appreciate life a little more than prior to that moment. Disneyland is not a museum but its treasures could easily fill one… or a dozen. It will never be finished as long as there is imagination left in the world. Imagination that artists use to create and evoke. Imagination that lovers use to see the world through rose colored lenses. Imagination that suggests we wish upon a star.

A Night on the Bayou

Disneyland, New Orleans Square

Whether you’re fine dining or sailing through on your way to adventure, the Blue Bayou is one of the most magical, immersive places in Disneyland. You can’t help but get lost with wonder, creating fanciful stories of its inhabitants. I took this picture very late at night and there were no people left at the tables behind me in the restaurant. The uncrowded boats intermittently passing through provided the only pauses from near silence, the faint sound of a banjo in the distance. Moments like these at Disneyland are the best. They are the memories that stand out even amongst the rest. Some people say they don’t “get” Disneyland. I think maybe they just haven’t had a quiet moment like this one.

Welcome Ye to the Heraldry

Disneyland, Fantasyland

Today has been a full, crazy day. We broke form and went to the Park this morning instead of our usual Saturday trip. The weather yesterday wasn’t permitting of work we needed to do for a new project we’re really excited about. Naturally because today is April Fool’s, we spent half of it joking about things to post as a prank. “Disney hired us”. “Disney shut us down”. None of it really seemed that funny outside of the hyperbole we added to it. Sometimes it’s probably best to avoid the cheap gimmicks and just own up to the fact that we love what we do and we are fools for Disneyland. Without further ado, I* would like to welcome ye to the Castle Heraldry.

*Note: That is not me inside the suit of armor, though my wife has been known to mistake me for a shiny knight.