Disneyland – Page 52

Disney’s Halloween Time

There’s something about a gloomy day at Disneyland that makes the Halloween Time decorations even more convincing. Have you ever had the thought that Disney has some amount of control over the weather via some magical super computer under the castle? Me neither. I do continue having my mind blown by how quickly Disney is able to make a change in decor at the parks though. They’re always able to capture the feeling of a season or holiday and make it special. I think that’s one of the primary reasons Disneyland doesn’t get old. There’s always something new, and something extraordinary.

A Change in the Winds

Disneyland, New Orleans Square

There is something inherently epic about most everything in Disneyland. For all of us obsessive Pirates fans, we know that this building marks the entrance to fulfilling all our swashbuckling fantasies. With the beautiful clouds and a cool Fall breeze blowing in, the scene definitely conveyed a change in the winds, says I. Of course this building also used to house the Disney Gallery before being converted to the beautiful Disneyland Dream Suite, all of which add to its grandeur. Drink up me hearties yo ho!

The Castle Drawbridge

Disneyland, Fantasyland

Sleeping Beauty Castle is pretty well centered in Disneyland for a reason. It’s a showpiece. At night, the vibrant colors pop with the help of some Disney magic in lighting. It truly takes you away to another place, a place of fantasy. Even though you have to walk by it or through it to get just about anywhere in the park, it never seems to lose its enchantment. The smooth surface of the water reflecting the castle in its grandeur is my favorite part, and on the night I took this picture, I was particularly drawn to the bridge.

Next Stop New Orleans

Disneyland, New Orleans Square

Trains are amazing. Trains in New Orleans Square are even better. As a kid, my favorite part of climbing aboard the Disneyland Railroad was getting to see the Grand Canyon and Primeval World. As an adult, I continually find myself skipping the grand circle tour of the Magic Kingdom and just hitching a ride to New Orleans Square. I still love the full tour and occasionally I make it all the way, but hanging around the New Orleans station is the bees knees. Outside all the charm of the French Quarter and the allure of Pirates and Grim Grinning Ghosts, I believe this train station to be responsible for much of the magic and attraction to this land. From the telegraph office, Walt’s opening day speech tirelessly taps out through the air in Morse code, and it sets the tone.

This picture was a little tricky to get. Trains have a tendency to move, which of course was what I wanted, but it demands a commitment to post-processing. The only place to get this angle that I’m aware of is from the exit only area, which can be risky. I had been wanting to get this shot for a while, but a request for it sealed the deal. Elvis, this one’s for you.

Empty the Gun

Disneyland, Frontierland

It is one of the coolest things to be at the park so early in the morning that you can have a part of it all to yourself. With Fall just around the corner, Disneyland’s crowds are a little smaller and the weather a little cooler. In the middle of summer, this shot would probably not have been possible. But with kids back in school and the tourist season dying down, we didn’t even notice a crowd until 10:30AM.

We rarely have as much time as we’d like for a lot of the shots we take at the park. People are busy enjoying themselves, not worrying about getting in the way of a shot, which is how it ought to be. It was really nice though, to be able to set up my tripod and take this shot unhurried, and uninhibited.

The Mansion Crest

Disneyland, New Orleans Square

It’s almost that time of year again when the crypt doors creek and the tombstones quake. The Disneyland Resort will begin it’s Halloween season festivities officially this Friday. Of course, the Haunted Mansion will be overrun by Jack Skellington and his friends, but there’s nothing quite like the Haunted Mansion to help set the mood for spooks to come out for a swinging wake!