Hard to believe it’s been a year since I last went to Disneyland with my friend Janet and her family. While Janet's hubby Dale was parking the car, she posed in front of the “C” with her two little towheads. More photo opportunities presented themselves while we waited for the rope-drop on Main Street, which forced the boys to explore parts of Main Street they’d never seen, such as the Fire Department. This is not surprising, as how many kids want to hang around in Town Square when Pirates, Indiana Jones, Space Mountain, and Nemo await in other lands?



Tyler is a budding magician, and enjoyed watching the magic tricks in the Magic Shop on Main Street:



By this time, Disneyland had stalled enough; the boys were ready for some attractions! First one was Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Nobody in Janet’s family had ever seen this one, and I was curious to hear what they thought. Just the lobby display with the model of the Capitol (built back in the 1930’s) is fairly stirring in itself:





But enough with displays and talking, time for the real show. I was very pleased to see and hear that the entire family loved it. I know some are a little bored by the film before the animatronic Mr. Lincoln appears, but I feel it is just the right length and a very well-done presentation. The “Two Brothers” song annoyed me at first, but after repeated listenings, it has grown on me. There are a few cool little riffs in there that I really do like. As for Lincoln; I’ve plugged the new animatronic before and will do so again. To see him rise from the chair really takes your breath away. The facial movements and hand gestures will also cause your jaw to drop. It definitely calls out for repeated viewings.







Ryan and I took off for Space Mountain (front row, no less!) while Janet & Tyler enjoyed the more sedate Autopia.



Everyone reconvened for an underwater adventure with Nemo. For once, I actually left my camera off for the majority of the attraction. Although I enjoyed it more being able to concentrate on the ride itself, I still felt that it lacks the light-hearted fun and kitsch of the original that made it such a classic. Dale asked “Where are the mermaids?!?"









Everyone was hungry and the kids wanted burgers, so we made a pitstop at The Village Haus; I hadn’t been there for awhile, so it afforded an opportunity for some photos and a Turkey Club with apple slices (doing my best to eat well in the New Year!). Working for the Housing & Dining Division at a University, we constantly get "sustainability" drummed into our heads daily. So, everytime I see the apple slices appear on the tray in their plastic wrapper I cringe. Sure, the apples taste surprisingly good, but wouldn’t it be better "show" if they were cut fresh and served without all the wasteful packaging which is just a reminder to the guest that, "Hey, these aren't really all that fresh and they’ve been through a factory"? Just a thought. I do love the interior of the Village Haus; the murals, the layout with all of the nooks and crannies...I really should check it out more often.







Time for a quick sidetrip to DCA to visit a friend of mine who’s a castmember over there. Naturally, I took a Main Street Vehicle back to the entrance!



On the way I snapped the new (yikes!) stroller and wheelchair building. Maybe they could have a kiosk with pamphlets on Stroller & Wheelchair etiquette. I’d happily hand 'em out!





Over at Disney’s California Adventure, there were even more construction walls. Knowing that they meant the eventual arrival of the Red Car Trolleys, I didn’t mind. The simulated woodgrain and faux old Disney movie posters were a nice touch.







I’d never noticed this billboard before—thanks to the construction walls, my eyes were looking up instead of ahead!



Barely enough time to snap these photos and then I was back to Disneyland to meet Janet & Company at The Haunted Mansion. On the way I snapped the under-construction Frontierland entrance bridge.



I made it to the Mansion just in time—practically walked into the elevator. I could tell there would be no rest on this particular visit!



Madame Leota was "sitting" still on the tabletop, just as she should be:



The cemetery was abuzz with all kinds of activity:





I could just stare at Little Leota all day long! Well, maybe not ALL day, but at least for half an hour.



And that is enough of our tale for today! See more vintage & current Disneyland photos at my regular website.

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One underwater shot, as we wrap up the '59 series today. The rest are just more technicolor eye candy for you to drool over.





This one is like going to Vegas with its sensory overload of attractions: The Skyway, Rocket to the Moon/Moonliner, Submarine Voyage, The Monorail



And for you nosey-noos, just a few conch shells on the rocks in the previous shot. Nothing to see here folks, just move along.





Today, the Submarine Voyage is drawing crowds again, this time themed to tie-into Pixar’s "Finding Nemo." It sure is good to have the lagoon moving again.







See more vintage Submarine Voyage photos at my regular website.

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Today’s post will start with some current photos of the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage attraction. Disney has certainly done a great job of building excitement for the June 11 unveiling, and i am sure the park will be jam-packed with guests lining up to ride the refurbished submarines. I have to admit it was a little exciting to see the submarines in action on Saturday as they entered the cave area. Hard to believe this attraction has remained dormant since 1998.







For more Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage pics from May 12, visit my regular website. The park is also getting ready for the Pirates of the Caribbean At World’s End premiere coming up this Saturday, May 19. New Orleans Square/Rivers of America was also a hub of activity, as guests were redirected around the construction area and lines for POTC went back to the Golden Horseshoe.







Now that you’ve taken a trip to the park to see how it looks now, let’s jump back to August 11, 1975 for what was most likely my 2nd visit to Disneyland. Mom only took 2 photos that day; one of my first ride on the Matterhorn with my 2 brothers, and then a parting shot in Town Square, again with “the bruthahs.” I still remember those brightly colored souvenir bags.





For more vintage & current Disneyland photos, visit my regular website.

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A lot of ground to cover today, so hang on folks and make sure you have your morning beverage of choice ready, cause it’s going to be a long one! The post is starting out with a vintage (July 1970) Submarine Voyage photo, followed by some pics showing the progress on the Nemo Submarine Voyage. Plenty of activity was occurring behind the barricades, including the Submarines in motion, “deep-sea” divers, construction folk, and some AA crabs/seagulls.












You can see the rest of my Nemo Sub photos on my website. Over on the Rivers of America, there is even more activity, as Tom Sawyer’s Island draws nearer to its May 24 due date for completion of phase 1. A new Pirate Crow’s Nest has been erected next to Harper’s Mill, and what appears to be the back of a marooned Pirate Ship is getting framed on the island. The rafts are providing transportation for the construction crew between the island and dry land. Sadly, the moose in the river is now in need of a little makeover as well.









For more Tom Sawyer Island/Pirate’s Lair construction photos, visit my website. California Adventure is also seeing some construction work, as the Midway Mania ride continues to slowly take shape.



I also found the sign that was in Friday’s post, and can say that 50 years later, it’s still looking pretty good. As as Walterworld said, it is over by the currently unused Fantasyland Skyway Station. You’ll note that the Skyway designation is no longer hanging there.



For more vintage & current Disneyland photos, visit my regular website.

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