Disneyland – Page 53

Don’t Lose Your Head

This is Shrunken Ned, the jungle’s only self-service witch doctor. He is one of the coolest hidden treasures of Adventureland. You may well have seen him in one of your own adventures through the South Sea Traders shop, but you may well have missed him too. He kind of just hangs around, waiting to be patronized. I highly suggest paying him a visit, as the entertainment you’ll get is really a bargain. I got all manner of strange looks from the other folks in the store when I was pressed up to the glass with my lens. I’m not sure they’d noticed Ned before they noticed me getting this head shot. Make sure to heed his advice, as your party will be sure to get a good laugh at your expense.

Partners in Crime

Disneyland, Main Street USA

Have you ever wondered why these two always look so happy? They are always getting into trouble together. I think the lesson to learn from them is that mischief = happiness. No, not really, but hopefully your kids will think so. As a kid, Chip ‘n’ Dale were one of my very favorite cartoons to watch. Whether they were stealing Donald’s apples, riding in one of his model trains, or quarreling with each other, I could always count on them for a smile and a laugh. If you’ve ever had a hard time remembering which one is which, my sister helped me with this: Chip has the dark nose like a chocolate chip. I know, I know, you’ve struggled with that conundrum your whole life. Now that we can cross that mystery off as solved, we progress to the real lesson I think we can learn from Chip ‘n’ Dale, and the reason for their happiness. Whatever mess they made, or trouble they got into, they did it together. And life is best when it is shared.

A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrowland

Disneyland, Tomorrowland

There’s a great big beautiful Tomorrowland, illuminating the end of every day at Disneyland. The vibrant neon lights of this land are my favorite reason to visit at night time. For me, it’s the time when Tomorrowland really comes to life. Innoventions was roped off by the time I took this shot, so I had to set my tripod on a ledge and take the shot a couple of feet overhead. The bright light in the sky above Space Mountain is coming from World of Color, which also does a pretty good job of illuminating nights at the Disneyland Resort.

Fortune Red

Disneyland, New Orleans Square

Step right up to have your fortune read by Fortune Red! I did, and he told me that people want some pirate pictures. So I asked him to smile for me, and this is what I got. If you get the feeling that you’re about to be made into an adult who has a sweet job testing toys, you’re not alone. Fortune Red and his Main Street counterpart, Esmeralda, both emanate a slightly Zoltar feeling. If you don’t follow, I’m referencing the Tom Hanks move “Big”. I think these Disneyland fortune tellers are amazing, funny, and a lot less creepy than Zoltar. If you’re not sure where to find Fortune Red, you’re not alone again. While I was taking this picture, a woman thought I was trying to take a picture of a bathroom! People can be so weird, right? Fortune Red is tucked away across from Cafe Orleans in New Orleans Square. Pay him a visit next time you’re headed that way. He’ll help you unlock the buried treasure of your future.

The Disneyland Story Presents

Disneyland, Main Street USA

I hope you all had a wonderful and safe Fourth of July weekend. It’s truly a blessing to live in a country that provides us the liberty to create and enjoy a place such as Disneyland. Here at the Opera House on Main Street U.S.A., the Disneyland Story Presents Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln. It seems no coincidence to me that Walt’s bench from Griffith Park, where the idea for Disneyland found its inception, was placed at the entrance to this homage to Lincoln. Lincoln was the Great Emancipator, and the sinew of our nation through the tumult of the Civil War, when it seemed our country would be divided. Walt had a deep respect for President Lincoln, and a love for this country. In Disney’s opening day speech he said,

“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.“

May we not forsake those ideals, nor forget to dream, nor ignore the hard facts that have created this country. And may God bless America.

Target Practice

Disneyland, Frontierland

I don’t like having change jingling around in my pockets, so this is my favorite way to solve that problem at Disneyland. I really don’t recommend playing arcades while visiting Disneyland, but the Shooting Exposition is my one exception. I’ve always been drawn to games that put your aim to the test. I think it’s that it’s more rewarding because aim is more of a real skill than dropping a combo with a few buttons and a joystick, or hopping around a dance pad. Not that either of those are bad, they’re not. They just don’t strike me as a wise use of time while at Disneyland. The Shooting Exposition is different in that it fits with the theming of Frontierland, and is unique in its genre. I’ve found games like this other places, but none of them compares to Disney’s. The look, weight, and feel of the gun are all part of that Disney magic in the details. All the targets you hit provide some sort of cool interaction. If you hit the target in the sky, you’ll get a ghost rider riding across it. That’s my favorite target to aim for. So if you’ve got a couple of quarters jingling in your pocket or purse, give the Shooting Exposition a shot.