While I reserved a seat in Town Square for the daily Flag Lowering Ceremony, I let mom and hubby cool off inside the Opera House, entertained by Steve Martin's 50th Anniversary Disneyland movie. They loved it!



The Flag Lowering Ceremony is one of those special attractions that elevates Disneyland above all other theme parks. An honestly touching piece of Americana, it is a truly patriotic salute to our country and those who gave of themselves through military service. My stepfather, formerly in the army, was asked to be part of the ceremony. It is something that was very meaningful for him and I am sure will be fodder for his coffee shop buddies back home in Philly!

For the summer, the music is provided by the All American College Band, sponsored by Yamaha, rather than the usual Disneyland Band.







The Dapper Dans were also on hand, providing the appropriate vocal harmonies for the ceremony.



As the flags were lowered, my stepfather held his salute:





Kudos to Disneyland for continuing this fantastic daily tradition.



It had been a very full day, so before dinner, we headed back to the Anabella Hotel to relax for a bit. The Monorail gave our feet a rest as rode it back into Disneyland and then hopped onto the Fred Gurley at the Tomorrowland Station to take us to New Orleans Square & Club 33.





On the way I shot the Kalamazoo Handcar at the Main Street Station:



Yup...it's the same handcar:



As usual, the ambiance of Club 33 was superb.



By the first course, a deliciously unique Gazpacho, mom and hubby were hooked. It was a great experience and a perfect ending to the perfect day.



Before heading back to San Diego in the morning, we had to have a little more Disney magic. Breakfast at the Storyteller Cafe, located in the Disney Grand Californian Hotel, was perfect. Mom had a special escort to the table.





You just never know who might drop by the table at Storyteller:



I love the large paintings that decorate the restaurant; very reminiscent of N.C. Wyeth:



And so ends the perfect day at Disneyland. Not surprisingly, mom & hubby are already looking forward to returning next year! Follow my Daveland updates on Twitter. See more vintage & current Disneyland photos at my regular website.

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If yesterday's menu from The Riverbelle Terrace didn't appeal to you and you thought you'd try The French Market...well, back in April 1977, you'd be S.O.L.

Having the message of closure come from Mickey Mouse should help keep the profanities to a minimum.



Here’s how the entrance looks today:



Heading back towards The Blue Bayou (hope you made a reservation!), we can get a good clear look at their menu.



Here’s a shot of the menu from August 1976; prices have gone up 25¢ on each entree, except for The Monte Cristo (15¢) and the two salads, which stayed the same (what a value—must have been a good year for farmers!).



Today’s lunch menu: one less item, and obviously higher prices. Say it isn't so, Mickey!



An exterior shot of the Bayou; high prices or not, it's still a Disneyland Dining fave for me!



Follow my Daveland updates on Twitter. See more vintage & current New Orleans Square photos at my regular website.

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The final talley is in! The winner in the Daveland Disneyland Favorite Restaurant poll is "Bring Back The Tahitian Terrace" with 102 votes (32%). Coming in at a very close second is The Blue Bayou, with 99 votes (31%). The Tahitian Terrace has been gone for almost 18 years now, but it still has a fairly healthy fan base. Located where the Aladdin's Oasis in Adventureland currently stands, it was an outdoor restaurant with live entertainment.



Here’s an excerpt from Vacationland Magazine, Summer 1967:

One of the Park’s most popular restaurants for several years — the tropical Tahitian Terrace is located in Adventureland. Here, Oriental and Cantonese foods are served in the lavish setting of the South Sea Islands. Highlight of an evening meal at the Tahitian Terrace is an authentic Polynesian show by the Royal Tahitian dancers featuring the hula, the flaming sword dance and South Sea Island music and songs.

Welcome! Your Tahitian Terrace hostess will adorn you with a colorful plastic lei:



I am sure that this restaurant/live show combo was not a hit with the number-crunchers. Can't you hear it now? "We can get them in and out much faster if we cut the show!" I don't know about the numbers, but it sure looks like a lot of fun to me!



At least choice #2 is still available for guests to enjoy. Once again, Vacationland Magazine provides a great description for us:



On the banks of New Orleans Square’s Blue Bayou, the starting point of Disneyland’s new Pirates of the Caribbean adventure, is perhaps the most unusual of all the Park’s — if not the world’s — restaurants, the Blue Bayou Terrace. Here, visitors enjoy gourmet prepared delicacies as they dine in the evening — all day long! Crickets chirp, fireflies float among the cypress and clouds drift past an ever-present summer moon.

Oh those Monte Cristos...a pure slice of heaven.



Follow my Daveland updates on Twitter. See more vintage and current Disneyland photos at my regular website.

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This post was inspired from an email asking me about when the change occurred on the Jolly Roger talking skull that greets visitors just as they are about to plunge down the waterfall. This first photo I snapped in October 1995. #2 is from 2002:



The 3rd shot is from 2007. I am not sure how many other incarnations existed. Experts? I also received a request for a photo of the entrance line queue scene where “Pirates of the Caribbean” was written out in pinpoint lights. I am still looking!



And a recent shot with no flash:



This just in from Bill Sauder, Daveland Blog reader; here is a screen shot from the Disney World of Color show that introduced America to Pirates:



See more Pirates of the Caribbean photos at my regular website.

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If you’ve ever wondered why you are admonished not to use “Flash Photography” while in your Doombuggy, this photo shows the perfect reason why you should listen (except for those of us taking photos to document the ride for posterity, of course). This tree near the cemetery does not look quite so scary when seen in the harsh light of a camera flash. Almost looks like a home craft project you’d make with tin foil. Just goes to show how much of an important part lighting plays in the total effect of this attraction (and many others).

Presenting the iconic caretaker from the graveyard scene:



Here’s the first photo of the Cemetery Caretaker that Disney released to the public on August 21, 1969. Compare with this contemporary shot:





Here are a few I took without my flash; MUCH more atmospheric:





I missed the first year of the Haunted Mansion NBC overlay, but made it for the 2nd season. I took this photo in January 2003 of the Caretaker, who was hanging out at the Disney Gallery while his home was being invaded by Jack Skellington & Co.



See more Haunted Mansion (both recent and vintage) photos at my website.

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Hope you enjoy these "flash-free" photos!





This poor feller is plum tuckered out; just needs a little rest. ETERNAL rest.



And one from my evil flash-photographing days before I reformed. As if a sword in the back wasn’t bad enough, now this poor feller has crabs.



Back to flash-free:





A few more recent shots taken in the mysterious grotto; love that blue lighting on the rocks and waterfalls. Most guests probably miss the skull & crossbone projection after the two drops.





See more Pirates of the Caribbean photos at my regular website.

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