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.

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!

Mickey's Halloween Party in Disneyland 2012

Yes. Disneyland at Halloween!  I love it.  It really never gets old to me.  It was my third Disneyland Halloween party.  The first I was a bit out of sorts with no costume.  Last year I was short hair Rapunzel.  This year I was Mary Poppins.  Nanny Style!

Once I was in of course I went straight to the characters.  I can't help myself.  But unfortunately I did not come prepared when it came to something for autographs.  Yes I am that person.

I found some of my friends in the park about half way through.  We went through many Trick-or-treat lines.  I got two bagfuls of candy, probably 4 pounds worth!  Amazing.
We headed up to my old home away from home, Main Street Station, to watch the fireworks.  For once I put down my camera to just watch the show.  Halloween Screams is probably my favorite fireworks that Disneyland has right now.

New this year were the Villians in Town Square next to Main Street Station.  They came out on a horse drawn carriage with the Evil Stepmother and Stepsisters trailing behind.  Kinda fun.  Also new this year were the Dapper Dans singing on the Rivers of America.  They added a lot while trick or treating or waiting for a character!
And I finally met Malificicent in Disneyland!  But no autograph.  Nooooo!!  Oh well it was worth the wait.  I got there about 5 minutes before she was scheduled to arrive and I was the first in line.  Score!

Another first for me was Prince Ali.  I had always missed him in the past.  There was only 2 groups in front of me when I got in line.  Gotta love a less than 5 minute line in Disneyland.
And the longest line of the of night was Jack and Sally.  I hadn't seen them during the day so I waited out the line to be the last on for that set to see both of them together..  Excellent!
As always I had a wonderful time.  I wish I wasn't so far away so I could be sure to visit every year!

Finally Back to Disneyland, in October 2012!

I left in March and I'm finally back in October.  Six months was far too long.  At least I visited during my favorite time of the year, Halloween!  One of the best things about Halloween are the pumpkin carvers in Disneyland.  As always they make the most amazing sculptures.

For 2012 Disneyland opened Festival Arena for the festivities.  They had the Fab 5 (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto) along with Chip and Dale dressed in Halloween costumes.  If only Chip and Dale would be dressed as cop and robber like they used to be instead of cop and cop.  They also had Summon a Villain   A short show where you with the help of a cauldron summon a villain from the great beyond.  I loved the idea of it but both of the villains I saw were ones that are out every day.  I suppose I'd rather have less show and three rare villains like last year.

As always I had to see some characters.  Both of my friends know that I have a problem and indulged me.  They wanted to do the character meet and greets too.  Billy needed to see Tinkerbell.  I wanted to see Cinderella!

Billy Hill and the Hillbillies moved their show from the Golden Horseshoe into festival arena as well.  The show was great as usual.  I heard quite a few songs I'd never heard live

I had so much fun visiting my favorite place with my favorite people.  Who wouldn't love Disneyland at Halloweentime with friends?!

Day 24 Back to the States

My final adventure was getting back home.  I got up early so I could say goodbye to the boys.  They seemed a bit tired that morning because they probably had too much fun over the weekend.  Plus going to bed immediately after eating dinner so late and going immediately after has gotta be a little strange on the system.  The three of us sat at the table eating breakfast before they left for school with their dad.  I got some kisses and hugs goodbye from the three of them and off they went to start their day.  

We said goodbye and off I went out of the apartment, said goodbye to the Seine and headed up to the T2 line.  I hopped off at La Defense, bought my ticket from the same girl who couldn't help me before (she was the only truly curt French person I encountered) and off I went to the center of Paris via the RER A line.  Once in the middle of downtown, not that I would know it because I never left the station I transferred over to the B line to the airport.  For the second time I needed to go to the end of the line.  All and all it took me a little over an hour to get to the end of the line.  The nice thing was I didn't have anyone else touching me while traveling in the middle of the day.  It was a nice way to conclude my metro experience. 

When I finally got into the airport it took a bit of time to get checked in.  They have 3 large terminals with the number 2 terminal having probably 8 arms on it.  I found 2G and walked almost the entire length of the check in desks.  I checked in in one area and was sent to another location further down to check my bag.  That might have been a mistake because I have to pick it up in New York after customs.  Finally I made it through the passport check and into the terminal.  They were very efficient getting everyone though bag checks and through the metal detectors and I didn't even have to take my shoes off!

Once I got in there were all the fancy shops and a couple Paris souvenir shops.  I stopped in the souvenir shop and bought a small travel wallet with the money that Alice would not take.  After I found the macroon shop that I was hoping was there.  I bought some of them to take home with me to share with the family since I knew they were good from the day before, in fact too good.  I swore to the money gods for buying the wallet and not finding the macroons first.  So I had a bit left to spent in Euros buying a soda and some Kinder bars.  

Finally it was time to board the biggest plane to date, the A380.  Two complete floors full of passengers.   The plane is huge!  We got off late due to baggage getting on board and then sat on the runway for a while.  Finally almost an hour late we were off for the States. Since I was an Air France flight it came with an aperitif of champagne before the meal.  The meal was actually pretty good and of course had a bit of cheese on the side.  I watched a couple movies and never got up from my seat for the entire 8 hour flight.  Wow!
I got into New York city around 2 in the afternoon.  I went through customs again very quickly.  The US residents line was practically nothing while the visiting passports and visas had at least an hour.  Good thing because I only had about an hour between my flights.
Per security requirements I had to claim my bag, only immediately to recheck it about 30 steps away so it could be checked by American security.  Right...
The next step was finding my terminal.  I had come into the international terminal and needed to find the domestic.  I looked on the map and it looked like it was next door.  So a wandering I went.  No there, not there.  Oh the terminals are not connected.  Go outside and walk to the terminal.  Ok...  We I finally made it there with about 30 minutes to spare.  I got on my flight to Kansas City which was a little commuter jet.  3 seats across with about half of the plane open.  My last flight had 11 across with no open seats.  A bit of a difference. 
I made it home by 7pm which was 3am in Paris.  I stayed up for a couple hours to try to get back to central time.  I had such a fantastic time on my entire trip.
London, Oxford, Stratford-Upon-Avon, York, Hardrian's Wall

Scottish Border, Edinburgh

Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Edinburgh

Glasgow, Loch Lommond, Belfast, Giant's Causeway, Aran Islands, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Blarney Castle, Rock at Cashel

Dublin, Llangollen, Cardiff, Bath

Bath, Stonehenge, London

London

London

Versailles

Disneyland Paris

Paris

Paris

I hope that I get to have an experience like this again in my lifetime.

Disneyland Paris Flowers

I've made flowers from books and Disneyland maps.  Since I started crafting more frequently with paper I've been collecting it from every place I go.  Now to put some of them to use.

I guess one of my biggest souvenirs I acquired along my European trip were Disneyland Paris maps.  I grabbed about 20 of them while I was in the park to bring home.  Let me tell you that all that all those paper maps ended up pretty heavy coming back home.

The map itself it really quite colorful.  Compared to the US parks maps it has a lot more color.  And it's a two in one map, both parks are on one sheet.

And now for the finished product.  These are my favorite flowers that I've made so far.  The colors are fantastic and vary so much on each flower.

I wrapped the stems first with floral tape.  It give them a much more substantial look and feel.  Then I gathered all the stems together and wrapped them with ribbon.  To secure the ribbon I used fabric straight pins.

 What's not to like on how they came out.  

One map created this entire bouquet of 12 flowers.

Now to find them a proper place in the house.  

And to figure out what to do with the 19 other maps I acquired.

Day 21 Disneyland Paris continued

I had a couple hours before the parade so with my parkhopper I walked over to Walt Disney Studios Park.  Just like Disneyland it is just a short less than 5 minute walk to make it over to the park.

Once you pass the turnstiles they immediately funnel you through a sound stage.  Inside there are restaurants and stores themed to Hollywood boulevard.  Kinda fun but a bit cramped so walked straight through an into the park 

My first stop once inside was the Tower of Terror. It sat practically in the center of the park so it was hard to miss.  It is an exact copy of the one in California.  There was not much of a sense that the cast members where into it much.  The video in the library was still in English with French subtitles.  Once we got to the loading I moved up quickly as a single rider. Our cast member wasn't very into playing a character.   I was a suppose when you have to give safety instructions in multiple languages some of the storyline gets lost.  It's not very hard to play the bellhop character but unhappy is different than a bit scary/off kilter.  Like I said the ride was the same but still fun with views of their Downtown Disney.

I went from the ventured of the park to the newest part.  Not that I could really know that it was new since it was all new to me.  Toy Story land had a couple new attraction.  I started at RC Racer.  You sit in RC and go back and forth on a U shaped track.  Again nothing that I hadn't been on before but it was fun none the less.  I waited for it in the single rider line which was probably a mistake, it was slow moving and in the sun on a warm day and pushy people kept trying to cut in front of me.  I guess that part is not entirely different than a US park but it was more blatant.  From there I went onto Slinky Dog Zigzag Swing.  You sit in a car within Slinkly while the ride around in circles.  Been on that ride before but never in Slinky Dog!

My last attraction in Walt Disney Studios was Crush's coaster.  It was the one of the newest attractions.  For those of you who have been to Walt Disney World it is like Primeval Whril but with real themeing.  It was the longest line of the day by quite a bit, 45 minutes when most attractions were only 10.  It is an indoor mouse coaster on a turtle shell with Squirt and Crush as your guide.  Very cute.

It was coming closer to the time that I needed to head back to Disneyland.  I snapped a couple more photos on my way out.  They had a little Carsland area with all the kiddie rides.  There even was a little Radiator Springs.  But no Radiator Springs Racers.  I'll forgive them for now!

 I jumped back across the esplanade area back under the Disneyland Hotel to the main entrance of the park.  Compared to the first time that I walked through the gates, which was off to the far left, the center entrance gave a much bigger impression of walking into Disneyland.  You pass the Mickey Floral before passing under the hotel and ticket booths to enter the park.  I also walked under Main Street Station, which was featuring an impressive 20th anniversary sign, to finally make my way onto Main Street.  I walked by Walt's Restaurant which is the fanciest restaurant in the park.  I don't think that Walt would actually eat there, too many fancy meals and not enough Chili and Hot Dogs.  My final stop before the parade was back at the bakery for my free drink.  As I was in Paris I ordered a Cafe au Lait.  Can't go wrong with that, especially if it's free.

 Then the clock struck 6 and it was time for the parade, Disney Magic on Parade!.  As I have written on here before, or if I haven't, I would rather watch fireworks over a parade any day.  But it being Paris and I had never seen it before I thought why not.  Plus their characters had to be more attractive than Walt Disney World's!

Wow.  They had so many characters!  The Three Good Fairies, The Blue Fairy, Merlin, All the Princesses with their Princes, Pinocchio, Pirates, Toy Story, Lion King, Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Winnie the Pooh and of Course the Fab Five!

Once the parade was over I went back into Fantasyland to check out the castle.  Still closed!  Then off to the teacups!  They are under a beautiful canopy as Paris does get weather from time to time.  I took a spin under the canopy.  Whee!  

Right next door was Blanche Neige et les Sept Nains.  It's Snow White, like Disneyland's but with a happy ending.  No abrupt endings for Paris!  I would come back to Pinocchio later to find it closed for the day.  I missed it by about 2 minutes.  Closed early for fireworks.  Sadness. 

From there I went to the back of Fantasyland to It's a Small World.  It's much more colorful than the American counterparts.  And I'm not usually a fan of It's a Small World but this one I really liked.  Plus having been to a couple countries that the attraction featured it was fun to relive and continue living those places.  I also got a boat to myself which I will never complain about.

I rounded the corner to check out an oldie but a goodie.  They Old School Star Tours, in French.  I didn't think that I'd ever get to see Rex's adventure through the universe.  But it was not quite the same without Paul Rubens.  After Star Tours I walked over to Space Mountain to find that the line was still 5 minutes.  I mean when do you ever see Space Mountain with a 5 minute line!  Never!  But apparently it happens in Paris.

As I had accomplished most everything that I wanted to inside the park I walked out of Disneyland World of Disney - so tiny

So as my European trip wound down I had discovered that I really didn't need to eat much when I was busy.  Hungry stomach, pop some nuts from my bag with some water you're good to go for a couple hours!  Well I was in Disneyland so I couldn't resist everything.  The park closed early by summer standards so many of the resturants were already closed.  I decided on trying out Casey's at the end of Main Street.  I figured they would have a chili cheese dog but alas.  They only had a cheese dog.  Really?!  When have I ever been at a baseball game and had just a cheese dog.  It must work for Paris, like doughnuts in the bakery.  So I looked around some of the shops and restaurants and found a candied apple.  No caramel apples here just candied.  I really enjoyed it as it was a treat that I had no experienced in a long time.

Now to the highlight of my trip.  Disney Dreams was worth the price of admission alone.  Not that I actually paid to get in but I would have for that show!  Their 20th anniversary fireworks show combined 3 fantastic shows together into one spectacular one!  The fireworks from Remember Dreams Come True, the projections on water from World of Color and film projects on the castle from Magic, Memories, and You.  The only think that I can really complain about where the pushiness of the guests.  I had a good spot, then got pushed further and further back.  Oh well.  I still saw a fantastic show.  One of the best ones I've ever seen.  Ok... it was the best night show I've ever seen!  I'm so glad I stuck around.  

It was worth forty five minutes that I waited on the train for it to leave the station.

Thanks for reading Disney fans!