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.
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A Nighttime Excursion Aboard the Disneyland Railroad
One of the best times to catch a ride aboard the Disneyland Railroad is after dark. The steam from the engine is much easier to see against shadows and a dark night sky and it’s simply magical to travel around the park that way.
Getting a picture like this is something I’ve wanted to do for quite a while but the timing never really seemed to work out. We haven’t spent many evenings at the park lately and when we have, we usually find ourselves too tired to wait. Not all of the engines are positioned like this above the tunnel. Not only do you have to wait for a train to arrive at the station, you have to wait for the right one, which is what I finally did for this picture. Then I stood my ground like a rock against the current as people left Disneyland, wondering what in the world I was doing.
So what do you say? Are you ready for a nighttime excursion aboard the Disneyland Railroad?
Aboard the Lilly Belle
Earlier today we posted on our Facebook page about the Lilly Belle no longer being open to the public at Disneyland. We spent a lot of time shooting footage of it for our short film on the Disneyland Railroad and had perhaps more opportunity than most to enjoy its beauty. Getting to ride around Disneyland in the luxury of the VIP car was a unique experience we’ll never forget. Things change from time to time at Disneyland. Some of those changes are welcome while others are hard to swallow. The idea of limiting the Lilly Belle’s use may not be what any of us want, but it is a return to the original intent for the car. We’re glad that it strayed from that path for a time so that many of us were able to enjoy it. We wanted to share a post highlighting some of our favorite moments aboard the Lilly Belle. That way, those of us that had the opportunity can remember and those of us that didn’t can see what it was like.
The Tomorrowland Train Station
I’ve always found myself soaking in the Tomorrowland train station when I’m on the train in a very focused way. Maybe it’s the architecture and lines that lead your eye in or the pop of color amidst concrete or maybe it’s the contrast of looking at the idea of progress while firmly seated in the past (on a genuine steam locomotive). I don’t know how many times I’ve stared at this view before it occurred to me to take a picture of it. Do you have any unusual places you consistently find yourself getting lost in at Disneyland?
Steam Engine Sunset
For me, one of the most magical moments at Disneyland is walking into the Park and seeing a train over the tunnel. It gets me every time. And nearly every time, I stop to take a picture. Not so much for the sake of sharing or even keeping it but for the sake of doing it. It’s a tradition I’ve made and I suppose it’s the way I let loose some of the excitement and childlike anticipation for everything that happens once I go through that tunnel.
Walt & His Lilly Belle
This framed picture of Walt & Lillian Disney resides in the Lilly Belle presidential car. Even with all of the interesting things inside, I’m always drawn to this photo the most.
