Disney Things in So Cal outside of Disneyland

There were other thing at the Reagan Library.  The Walt Disney Archives were at the Reagan Library.  I've seen some of the articles from the archives before and some I hadn't.
The archives went in order in of the company and started with his time in Kansas City.  His Laugh-o-Gram Studios was in downtown Kansas City, which I still need to find.  He lost his studio, moved out to California, lost a main character and created Mickey.  

From there the exhibit moved into his animated films.  They had the books that opened at the beginning of each film.  I've seen the Sleeping Beauty cover a couple times already but it never ceases to impress.

Something that I had not seen before were the reference costumes for Snow White and Pinocchio.

Then it was off to the office.  They had a display of Walt's working office.  Wish I could have worked in the Opera house when it was there.  But next to the office was the Mary Poppins nanny costume complete with hat and scarf.  They also had a copy of Mary Poppins owned by Walt signed by P.L Travers.

Then off to Disneyland.  They had Walt's nametag, the first ticket sold, the parking pass, the singing bird (which inspired audio animatronics) and the Disneyland map that sold Disneyland to investors.
Something I had not seen before was the draft for the signs as you enter the parks.  Orginally written - Where you leave today... and visit the world of fantasy, yesterday and tomorrow.  Walt changed it to read as it does today - Here you leave today and visit the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy. 

They added a pavillion outside that housed even more treasures.  What's not to love about seeing the original  head of Maleficent's dragon from Disneyland's Fantasmic.

And as it was at the Reagan library they had a Hall of Presidents display.  They had the sculptures of each of the presidents as they are in the show.  

And you have to love a mouse ear hat that says Mr. President.

Another great place that you can visit any time of the year is Walt's Barn in Griffith Park.  I'd heard about it for years but never made my way up as it is only open the third Sunday of every month.  Luckily my visit coincided with that particular Sunday so off we went.

On the inside of the barn they had lots of different railroad displays.  Some were about Walt, others about Ward Kimball, and some about the Disneyland Railroad.   The best parts of their collection, besides the barn itself, are one of the original train cars and the track map.

Another item that has been completely renovated is a original Disneyland train car.  There were two sets of cars on opening day, one still rides around the park, Holiday 2, while the other is no more (besides the Lilly Belle).  The Carolwood Pacific group rehabbed one of the cars.  I talked to one of the volunteers and as a former conductor they let me inside.  I can only imagine how long this would take people to get in and out of!

Why have I not visited here before.  But I guess better late than never.

Other California Adventures

Ah California.  The weather is so nice and there is so much to do.  I never took enough advantage of that when I lived there.  But when I visit I always find something to do.

I went with my Disneyland friend Shawna to Huntington Beach.  I'd never been.  We talked at length about the goings on in each of our lives.  We enjoyed a lunch at the Ruby's at the end of the pier.  The day ended at Downtown Disney where I'm always happy to enjoy a drink a Trader Sam's.

 Going out on Lake Mission Viejo was another first time activity.  With my grandpa, mom, and others from my grandpa retirement community we booked 3 boats and scooted around the lake for about an hour.  The lake is beautiful and calm with the Saddleback mountains as a fantastic backdrop. 

 Another first for me was the Reagan Library in Simi Valley.  Overall it was a good Presidential library.  Not the best one that I've visited but it is up there.

One of the unique things inside is Air Force One.  Inside.  And propped up like it is ready to fly out the window at any moment.  And you can go inside.  It feels like you are stepping right back into history onboard.  Computer, phones and fax machines that could only be found in the 80s.  Very cool none the less.

 Jelly Beans.  What says President Reagan than his portrait made out of Jelly Beans?  I'm not sure there is anything really.

The museum sits on the top of a hillside.  On the top of the hillside is a piece of the Berlin Wall.  It is so short after seeing the Belfast wall.  But important none the less.
 It is a beautiful final resting place for the president and his museum.  

The new California Adventure

Now off to everything new.  Why did I leave working at Disneyland again.  I missed out on all the fun this past summer.  Carsland and Buena Vista Street were new since I'd left.  There was quite a bit to see in the few days that I was there.  As I entered the gates all the light posts in the esplanade were covered with new attraction posters for new and old attractions in California Adventure.

Once inside I watched a cute short show around the lagoon called Just Add Water.  Goofy conducts the water like Mickey did in the Sorcerer's Apprentice.  Another new thing for me was the Mad Tea Party.  I'd seen GlowFest and ElecTRONica so this was nothing new to me.  I love Alice in Wonderland but not the Tim Burton version, which is what the Mad Tea Party is based off of.  

And speaking of Tim Burton, there was a display of Frankenweenie in the Animation Building.  Fitting.  They had a couple figures from the film in scenes in cases.  It's always amazing to me to see how small the figures actually are.

Of course the big new thing is Cars Land.  It really does feel like walking into Radiator Springs from the movie.  I just wish that I loved the movie.  Only two weeks earlier I was in Hogsmeade which I love about a thousand times more.  It was hard not to compare.  But it was very cool and a fantastic addition to California Adventure that it desperately needed.

We at Flo's V-8 Cafe.  We had the the Pork Loin in Coca-Cola BBQ sauce.  Defiantly big enough for two people.  But don't order the corn as a side, yuck! 

Once inside Cars Land we hit the attractions inside.  Radiator Springs Racers is a great ride.  Will you win or lose?  Who knows.

I'll be back.  Soon!

Grandpa's quilt

Again I'm interrupting my blogging about my trip to bring you a craft project that I finally finished!  This one has been in the works for a little less than a year.  Which is practically no time in Bryn crafting time.  This quilt I started in California, finished in Kansas, and is going to reside in California.  This one is for my Grandpa.

I was inspired by fall.  The colors are a little less bright than normal but still fitting of the season.  I made the back with the leftovers from the front plus more of the charcoal that I love.

The back is a quilt in itself.  I really like both sides.

Well that's it for now.  I'll be back on the blog in about a week or so.  I have another vacation to go on.  This time it is California, my home for the past 3 years.

3 days and 1650 miles

I used my tetris skills packing the trunk.  It was so full that you couldn't even see the light on in the trunk. 

The back seat was piled up as far as I felt comfortable seeing out the back window.  Wow, it's amazing how much stuff you can amass in three years. 

So off we went.  We went through desert,

changing landscapes,

Vegas,

rock bluffs,

red mountain passes

snow covered mountains,

and prairies.

1,650 miles later I was back in Kansas City.

At the moment it feels strange being back home.  Plus finding everything a home in the house has been an adventure in itself.  Back to crafting soon!

My last California Adventures

Sorry, it's been a while since my last post.  The last month has been full of life changes.

I left work at Disneyland on March 28.  It was a great time working there. 

I will treasure my memories from Disneyland and of course all the pictures I took over the years too!

Only my last day I worked at two of my attractions.

I started on Steam Trains with many Lilly Belle trips around the park.

I ended my Disney working experience at Opera House as the Mid Lead.

On my last day I attached some ruby red bows to my crappy work shoes.  They did make my travels back to Kansas very smooth if I don't say.

I will truly miss all my friends that I made there but it was defiantly time to move on from there.

Before we left my mom and I went to Seaworld with some free tickets.  We only spent four hours there.  Some of the shows are great but generally there is not a ton to do there. 

Our Final California adventure took us to Long Beach and the Queen Mary for a wedding.  My 3rd cousin, my mom's cousin's daughter got married.  She looked beautiful, the ceremony was great with the sun coming out about thirty minutes before and the food was great.

And we watched KU make it to the final game of the National Championship at the bar at the stern of the ship.  It was a great day overall.

And couple days later the drive began!

How I spent my Valentine's day

I'll have to say that my motivation has been low lately.  My life has had many changes of late and it has been tough dealing with all of them.  Most of my days have been spend online all day, watching TV or reading.  Not much action on the craft front I'm afraid.

Did I make anything on Valentine's day?  No!  I went to Disneyland instead.  Only one day a year they bring out all the Princes and Valentine's day is that day.  Off to Disneyland I went to play before work and took photos with the Princesses and Princes.

Prince Ali and Jasmine 

 The Giant Beast and Belle

Prince Naveen and Tiana 

 Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip

 Prince Charming and Cinderella

Snow White and the Prince

Three of those poor princes don't even have a real name, The Beast, Prince Charming and The Prince from Snow White.  It was great to see all of them.  The only couple I didn't get a picture with was Ariel and Eric. But I did grab a picture of them from a friend in line.

I suppose I didn't go the whole day without at least planning a craft.  I brought a piece of fabric to make a pillow out of.

I had the characters autograph the fabric.  I showed some of my friends from work and a couple of them suggested embroidering them.  What a great idea!  It would take forever but it would be awesome when it is done.  

Next week I'm off to collect more autographs in Florida at Walt Disney World with my mom.  We are also going to visit Universal Studios for Harry Potter.  I'm ready for a total geek out!

I'm going to make a new case for my Kindle before my vacation.  The first one I made ended up being too big and the elastic was not strong enough.  Another project for another day.

- Bryn