What Tomorrowland lacks in futuristic feelings, it makes up for with lines. At least that’s what I tell myself when I come away with so many photos like this one when I spend time there.
Trading Stars for Sky
Clouds, Diamonds, and a Castle
The backside of the castle certainly bears resemblance to its inspiration, Neuschwanstein Castle. It makes me wonder if the primary reason Walt was okay with the top’s reversal was to give Disneyland’s Castle a better shot at an identity of its own. I’d say it worked, if so.
I do maintain my position that the backside of the castle is severely under-appreciated. In support of my argument, I present you this lovely view.
Roses in Spring
Spring is here and I have to say that I’m ready for it. The weather has been warming up a little here in San Diego and the fresh air makes me want to get outside every chance I get.
Birds are singing a merry tune each morning. Flowers along the road on the drive to work are blooming in such vibrant colors. It sets a wonderful tone for the day. And then, of course, they’re there to perk you up on the way home again.
The photos below were taken exactly one year ago at Disneyland in New Orleans Square. There’s a planter that runs parallel to Café Orleans and it often has the most beautiful roses. These were some of the best I’ve seen. They were fragrant too! I’m afraid technology hasn’t given us a scratch ‘n sniff screen for me to share that part of the story just yet.
A Twilight Adventure
I tend to think photography has 2 forms: an active form when you’re looking for and pre-visualizing photos, and a passive form, when you’re not looking for anything but finding them anyway.
Active photography is a hunt, a mission. It’s a form that can be turned on and off by an act of will.
Passive photography is the part photographers can’t turn off. It’s a willingness to find or, perhaps, be found by new and beautiful things. This form sometimes finds us without our cameras because this form didn’t begin with intent.
This image is a result of passive photography. I caught a glimpse of this scene in my peripheral view as I was walking toward Main Street and it stopped me. I love the torches of Adventureland at twilight. Fortunately, I had my camera. I think it was my second amazing sunset at Disneyland without a camera that taught me to bring it along, regardless.
Photographers really just can’t help themselves. It’s why we tend to be late. It’s why we can tell you we’ll go somewhere just to have “fun” but end up taking pictures the whole time. It’s why we forget to eat or sleep sometimes, at least until the light isn’t good… or our batteries die.
Reflecting on a Legacy
Sometimes all it takes is a little reflection to put things into perspective…
Embarking on a Grand Circle Tour
It’s my birthday! We’re on the road to Yosemite National Park for a few days of hiking, shooting, stargazing, shooting, hiking and more shooting. We’ll be back next week (recharged and ready to go) with more posts. We’ll also be launching a new website for our travel and adventure photography, so stay tuned!
Embarking on a Grand Circle Tour
Sometimes I find it difficult to make it past the entrance to Disneyland because I’m so enamored with watching the trains come and go. When I do finally get further into the park, it’s always with a degree of reluctance.
The Flag Over New Orleans
This is one of my favorite views in all of Disneyland. I can’t quite put my finger on a single reason. I think it’s more what the pieces add up to.
The flag stands tall atop this roof and appeals to my patriotism. New Orleans Square is my favorite land in the park—though it was more favorite before the Club 33 renovations—and this building conveys that charm. This building sits atop Pirates of the Caribbean, which was my favorite attraction for many years; I think that changed about the time Jack Sparrow took residence, despite loving his film debut. That staircase used to lead to the Disney Gallery, which while enjoyable to visit in its current location, can’t compete with climbing those stairs and walking through art exhibits in rooms filled with natural light or stepping out on that balcony for the grandest view of the Rivers of America.
Oh, and the gorgeous John Hench Disney Gallery poster that my parents have hanging in their house.
Then there’s the whole it was intended to be Walt’s apartment in the park thing.
I remember a moment, standing in just about this same spot, from a day we spent with the person who would quickly become the first friend we made through this blog. I thought to myself, “This is really awesome, getting to meet cool people by sharing pictures of Disneyland to a blog.”
This view—this one view—is a sensory trigger to all of that for me… and it never occurred to me until sitting down to write this.
Do you have any spots like that?
The Bakery Tour Entrance
Ahh… the Boudin Bakery at DCA. Its aromas hook us all by our noses like something out of a classic Disney cartoon. Thank goodness for sourdough starter preserved in socks!
The remodeled entrance and vintage automobile aren’t exactly new news, but they are a welcome addition to the Pacific Wharf space, and give another reason to visit aside from free samples.
