Disney Resort Anaheim Flowers, Foliage and Feathered Friends

     I love taking pictures of flowers so when I go to Disneyland I focus on the abundance of flowers and foliage available. So many great photo ops. I also love the little ducks that live in the parks and try to capture them from time to time.

     The video I created is of those things I focused on over the years while visiting Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.

     The last shots are of a duck family everyone stopped to watch walk by. Many of us made comments on how we were all at Disneyland and were so focused on this little family of feathered friends.

     Enjoy the video creation of my shots. I hope you enjoy the music too. My son wrote it and plays it with his band. Granted some of it is a bit "wild" for the shots but it is fun.

    Flowers, Foliage and Feathered Friends Video

    I am also adding a tribute I created last summer of the last summer of Main Street Electrical Parade.

     Electrical Parade

Wondering What Walt Would Think:Yet another Hotel Elite Only Can Afford

    I was saddened to hear that Disneyland is adding yet another five star hotel only the elite can afford.  Well I guess others can too but it will require a small fortune that many families do not have.

     I am also sad that some of the places we love to visit will be leaving the Downtown Disney area for this new hotel. Rainforest Cafe, AMC theater are the two we love. So now there will be no reason for us to venture down that far. It is not just the fact that they are removing places that we love, it is that they are adding a new place most families cannot afford to visit. It is the fact that Disneyland is becoming a place for only the elite.

     Tickets have become so expensive that many families are unable to visit unless they take out  a loan or max out credit cards.   Disneyland Resort is slowly becoming a place where many families are no longer able to visit together. It requires a small fortune for a family of five to visit the parks. That is sad because many of  those people are the ones who feel the magic, feel the love that Walt had for his dream.

      When Walt created Disneyland it was meant to be a place "where children and parents could have fun together." He did not want businesses around the park gouging customers. Now Disney is creating places that do just that. Granted it would be nice to stay in one of those five star hotels but realistically most families cannot afford it. One elite hotel was enough.

     Disney has the right to do what they want, they will do what they want regardless of who gets upset and who can no longer afford to visit. They will still have the elite, those who can afford the small fortune but I wonder what Walt would think of the fact that most families can no longer come to his magical place and have fun together without maxing out their credit cards. I wonder if that is truly what Walt had in mind or if somehow along the way his dream has gotten lost.

Guardians of the Galaxy is Intense and Even Better than Tower

      I was one of the many people who were extremely upset when Disney decided to get rid of Tower of Terror ttheme at California Adventure Park. I was sad and I was livid. I mean come on, Guardians o the Galaxy...yuck! I had never watched the entire movie because I found it boring so assumed theming the ride Guardians would ruin it.

     Before heading to California I assumed my friend who lives there what he thought about it. He told me I would love it even if I had never watched or likes the movie. He said it was more intense and extremely fun. I really had my doubts but decided it was time to have an open mind.

     As our vacation time drew closer I found myself excited to ride Guardians. I was still sad over the loss of the fun Tower theme but my friend kept say8ing how much I would love it...

     We arrived in Anaheim, checked into our room and I was informed by Steve, my friend, that we were not allowed to ride Guardians without him and could not even look at it. We couldn't help but look  however waited until we met up with him to ride.
   

     It was an hour wait which isn't bad for a new attraction. It also did not seem that long since we hadn't seen Steve in a year so had lots of catching up to do. He gave us little tidbits of information about the ride while we waited. He didn't tell us much but did say it is so much more intense. I asked how many time he had been on it and he said two was all his stomach could handle. That had us concerned but we were still excited.

     We were finally there, in the entrance room. It is so fun! Then we left and headed to our "doom" we got on and all I can say is WOW! It was amazing! The attraction is much more intense than Tower. It is longer and well as much as I loved Tower I must say it is more fun. The theme is cute and fits the attraction.

     That is all I am going to tell. I do not want to ruin it for the first time traveler. I was one of the biggest whiners and I am sold! Be sure to give it a chance, you will be pleasantly surprised!

Oddities of Disneyland Resort Guests

     Every year when we go to Disneyland we run into some extremely nice people. This year we did too but I must tell about the odd people or rather angry people we encountered. First of all there was the seat stealing mama.
     We decided to get a cone at Cozy Cone. My mom, my aunt and I were waiting in line. It was very hot and the line was not moving. A table opened up so my aunt went over to sit at it while we waited in line. As we were about to place our order a woman went to our table with two of her kids and told her son to sit down. He told her that it was taken and she said "we can share" My aunt did tell her that she was waiting for someone to sit down but the lady told her son to sit and she sat herself. My mom came up with her cone while I waited for mine and told the lady nicely that there was one more person coming to sit. (there are seats at the tables), The woman said "well my son is hot and we can share." My mom told her that actually we had one more person so we could not share...the woman said "you can't just send one person to save a table." My mom told her that you can do that and we had been waiting a long

time for ice cream.
     My mom had to go get the rest of her part of the order and when she went back the woman was still there so my mom told her that she needed to leave.  She was mad and said that my mom was just so rude. Then she went to her husband who was in line behind me and told him "that lady was so rude, she sent one person to sit and save a table." He told her that we had been waiting a long time and shut her down right away.  Talk about the nerve of people. First of all yes you can save tables, or you hover to get one...it is not like a ride, you can do that....and if the woman had been nice about it we would have let her son stay. However really who wants to sit with a bunch of strangers....some people!
     Then later we ran into a whining man. We rode Guardians and there was a couple who rode it for the first time. The man was excited and when we got off the ride we asked how he liked it. He said that he loved it. When he went to see the picture my aunt asked how he liked it and he said "I would have loved it but her arm was in my way." He pointed to my mom and we were confused what he meant until we saw the picture. My moms hand was over his face. Hmm like that never happens! It is an attraction, people get on to enjoy, we've had hands on our faces many times..it is a part of the attraction. And what a whiny man to be so concerned about his picture.
     We had a laugh at both people the rest of our trip. Oh the oddities of Disney guests.

Blueberry Gliltter Beignet Made Me Blue

     Disneyland is celebrating the return of Fantastic by offering a Glitter Blackberry Beignet sparkling with glitter to enjoy! So we decided to try this pretty treat.

     When I first purchased my beignet I was enveloped by the aroma of blackberries. These amazing treats sparkled and shined and were soft and warm.
     The important thing though is how they taste. They were good, I could taste the hint of blackberries and liked the crunch of the sparkling glitter.

     One warning to those who eat this delectable treat, you will be blue. Yes your lips and tongue will be blue as well as your fingers. But is it worth it to be blue? Of course it is, it is Disneyland!

Oh Disney, Don't Give in to the Whiners. Leave Pirates of the Caribbean Alone!

     The other day I read that Disney is removing the scene where the pirates are selling the wench in Pirates of the Caribbean. The story stated that  some people were offended by that scene. Come on Disney give me a break! Stop giving in to the politically correct morons in the world. People who are offended by things like that are offended by everything.

     Next they will say it is offensive for the pirates to sing "Pirates Life for Me" because they are singing about being villains, kidnapping and looting. Then they will need to get rid of the jail scene because well, we don't want to see people in jail. They can't dunk Carlos anymore because it is cruel and they will need to throw cupcakes at each other instead of shooting at each other in the battle scene. Because you know, pirates are such sweet and lovable fellows...

     Lets not stop at Pirates, what about Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh...bears steal honey...best not talk about that...lets get real people, pirates are villains, they sell wenches, drink rum and chase women...Disney don't give in to the easily offended or you will totally destroy all that Walt created! To those so easily offended...just don't go to the parks...Problem solved.

Guardians of the Galaxy-6 Hour Wait--What?

     I was shocked when I saw the wait times for Disney California Adventures Guardians of the Galaxy attraction on its opening day yesterday. The reports I saw at first were 3 hours and then it jumped to 6 hours. That is a heck of a long time.

     The line extended all the way to Buena Vista Street and then wound round four times. For those who are not familiar with the park Buena Vista Street is a long way from GOG. Also, the winds for rides can be very deceiving. Thankfully they post wait times because if they did not you would think it was a shorter wait than it actually is.

     However anyone entering the park knowing where GOG is located would know the wait was long if they approached the end of the line at Buena Vista street.

     I saw three hours and thought
that was long but when it extended to six hours I was shocked. Who would really want to wait that long? That is half of your day in the parks.

     I am not in that big of a hurry to see the new attraction. I'm actually not all that excited except I love the drops. I still miss Tower of Terror but will visit GOG when I am there in July however will not wait 6 or even 3 hours in line.

     My other thought when I saw the wait times was "I wonder if the wait times for the other rides are short?"

Maliboomer Memories

     I am not sure how many people remember The Maliboomer in Disney's California Adventure Park, but we recall it fondly. Not necessarily because it was one of our favorite rides but because it is a part of the park we first knew.

     Actually, it took several years for us to give the Maliboomer a chance. It looked so very dramatic, going up, up, up and then dropping. Nothing around you, just a clear view of the park as you dropped. Was it scary? Yes. Was it fun? Yes it was. But what prompted us to finally take the "dive" and ride it?

     Well for me it was getting over my fear of Tower of Terror. I finally realized that Maliboomer was nothing more than Tower without the theme, and without the walls surrounding me as I fell. While riding it I could see what was going on around me. Yes that was terrifying but I tried it a few times, I loved it. Finally however I couldn't make myself ride it any longer.

     My youngest was the first one to over come the fear to ride taking me with him...then finally in the summer of 2010, its last year,at DCA my oldest son decided to give it a try. He loved it and both boys rode it over and over again. Single rider of course. I remember sitting on the bench watching them go up and squeal with delight.

     The Maliboomer loomed like a protective friend over the park. It was loved by many, but like many other favorites it is now gone. Just a tree in its place.

 
Maliboomer Clip
   
+Maliboomer
+DCA
+Disney

Farewell Carousel Inn and Suites

     Thirteen years ago The Carousel Inn and Suites on Harbor Boulevard in Anaheim, California became our home. It was our home for the time we were on our yearly Disney vacation. The Carousel was not just a hotel to us, it was home. When we entered the parking lot we felt like we were where we belonged. Actually it felt more comfortable and like the placer we were supposed to be than the place we live the rest of the year. Yes the Carousel was special to us, it was a place we loved.

      Never in a million years did we think there would come a day it would be gone. I mean really, such a beautiful building, just gone. But, in April of 2017 the Carousel is being destroyed for a parking walk way. Disney is putting in a parking lot behind the property and the beautiful building we called home will be gone.

     We felt the magic at The Carousel, the magic we feel in the parks lived there. The atmosphere was relaxing and well...magical. After a day at the park it was always nice to go home.

     The staff was wonderful, many of them became wonderful friends and while we were there they felt like our family. We were welcomed with open arms!

     We started out staying on the 5th floor and eventually moved to a Club room on floor 2 where we had a balcony and larger room to live in for our time in California.

     When we first started staying at The Carousel they had a continental breakfast in the fifth floor room. It was a nice breakfast and a beautiful room.Up until two years ago the same room also served as a firework viewing area. Viewing the fireworks from the fifth floor was a tradition for us. We made sure that we watched from the viewing area once or twice during our visit. It was peaceful and memorable.

     Sadly we have to find a new home in California. Yes a home, the Carousel was that for us and we are sad. Sad to know our home will no longer exist. I imagine many others feel the same way we do. The Carousel was not just a building for us, the walls hold so many wonderful and magical memories we will forever hold in our hearts.

     I am so glad I took a lot of pictures while we were there. I hope those who read this blog will also enjoy the picture tribute I created from my shots of The Carousel. Just looking at them make me sad to think the beautiful building that many call home will no longer exist.

     Farewell Carousel, more than just a place to stay, you were home.

Farewell Carousel Inn and Suites Video Tribute

+Anaheim
+Carousel Inn and Suites
+Disney Resort

Rude Behavior is a Photo Op

     Back in 2016 I wrote a blog about how rude behavior at California Adventure Park provided me with an awesome photo op. I do not knot why I did not write it in this blog but decided I would share the link in this blog.

     I get annoyed at the rude behavior of some guests at Disney Resort, one of those behaviors is putting kids on your head while viewing a parade or World of Color. This type of rude person seems to think their kids are great windows. Well NEWSFLASH they are not, you can't see through those kids placed on the shoulders of their parents.

    However during our 2015 Disney visit I found one of those rude times became an awesome photo op. It was not even intentional that I took the shot. I was shooting the show and did not notice the neat looking photo until later while viewing my shots.

     So not to repeat myself I will provide the link to my blog...the picture in this blog is the one I wrote about.

 Disney Rudeness makes for Interesting Shot

Farewell Tower of Terror, We Will Miss You!

      I remember the first time my family and I saw Tower of Terror. It was in the process of being completed in 2003. It was this beautiful building that loomed over the parks. We had never heard of the movie but after learning that there was an attraction in Disney's California Adventure Park based on the movie or was the movie based on the attraction at Disney World? I am not sure, I just know that we decided to watch the movie.

     The movie Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is great! It is one of my all time favorite movies and I think that is part of the reason I love the attraction so much. Granted the drops are a blast but the theme is what makes  more than just a ride, it is what makes it special.

     I must admit when we returned in 2004 and the attraction had opened we were chickens and would not try riding it. We watched from below thinking those on the elevator were crazy.  But the following year we mustered up our courage and decided to ride. It took a lot of nerve for us to get into that elevator but once on we found that we absolutely loved the theme. The way we were taken into the movie that we loved.

     For several years just getting on the Tower was difficult for us. We had to really talk ourselves into riding but the theme would entice us to ride again and then as we dropped we remembered how much we loved the ride which made us wonder why we were ever scared to begin with. However the next day we would feel that same sense of fear and still feel it every time we rode. I thought maybe that was part of the attraction.

     However a few years ago the fear of getting on Tower of Terror ended. We entered a place where we never felt afraid, we were just excited for the thrill of the experience. We still loved the theme, the part of the attraction where the guests are told "This time that door is opening for you." right before the first drop. We also simply love the drops!

     I am not sure we would have loved the attraction as much if it had not been for the story line theme of the Tower. That is what drew us in and helped us overcome our fears. We learned to love the Tower.

     The Tower is gone now, the tower we know and love. I hear that the drops will remain but the theme is changing. Some are excited, some are sad and some are mad. I am among the sad and the mad. I do not like the new theme, Guardians of the Galaxy does not entertain me at all. It is like changing the theme of the Haunted Mansion to Walking Dead in my eyes. The drops will remain but the experience will not be the same. We will still love the thrill but thrills are not all we seek at DCA. We go for the themes. That is what it is all about for us.

    So farewell Tower of Terror, your theme will be greatly missed!