Disneyland - Tomorrowland Entrance - 1979-ish - Cast Member Photo

Look at this! Isn't Tomorrowland radiant? You simply could not take this photo today because the Astro Orbiter and its queue would be in your way. This is an "Area Shot" of the cast members taken in the early morning prior to opening. It is a gem and I thought I would share it with you, dear Reader!

How about old Adventure Thru Inner Space shining in the background!? I also love how the sun is reflecting off the pavement in Tomorrowland, as well as the old cobblestone walkway where the entrance to Tomorrowland met Main Street (i.e., under the folks in the photo).

Adventureland - Swiss Family Treehouse (Walt Disney World) June 21, 2008

On its own island in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom's Adventureland stands the Swiss Family Treehouse. We had the original at Disneyland until it was Eisnerized into Tarzan's Treehouse. My stomach has churned just a touch ever since. In a way, I felt transported back to Disneyland's Adventureland circa 1986-87. WDW's Treehouse is a bit different in its layout from Disneyland's original version, but the feel is very much the same. The Swisskapolka tune bounced from the organ in the treetop above and stirred fond memories of the past. As we scaled the tree, it was amazing how perfectly it fit into its surroundings. Talk about theming!
The walkway and stairs wind their way up through the branches, allowing us to peer into the Robinson's arboreal home. Each of their "rooms" is tucked into the branches and topped with a thatch of palm fronds for a roof. It is the realism of the Treehouse that helps sell its charm, in my opinion. You can imagine a family actually living in this space (the bed upstairs sure looks comfortable). In the story laid out in both the book and movie, the Robinsons used salvaged portions of their wrecked vessel to build their home (somehow they got the organ ashore AND about four stories up into a tree---thank Providence for all those pulleys, block and tackle they were able to retrieve from the wreck!).Central Florida's climate is utterly conducive to foliage that blends perfectly with the Treehouse. Take a look. It is tropical and beautiful.
In order to get to the base of the tree (on its own island) one must cross this bridge.
Of course, the ingenious system of running water remains impressive. The waterwheel, powered by the stream, operates pulleys that carry the water in bamboo "cups" high up into the tree, where it is deposited into a bamboo flume.

The Treehouse remains a gem. Thank Goodness attractions like the Swiss Family Treehouse, the Carousel of Progress and The Country Bear Jamboree remain unchanged at Walt Disney World so that those of us who loved them when they were part of Disneyland can still experience them.

Mike Fink Keel Boats - May 1997 Accident

Well...there went the Gullywhumper. On May 17, 1997, this overloaded Keel Boat was rocked side to side and then rolled over, with 49 guests aboard. The vessel was not designed to hold this capacity, especially with guests seated on the highest deck.

The photograph above shows the Disney team taking a look at the wreckage. This dumb accident led to the complete closure of the attraction. Now the Gullywhumper rots along the Rivers of America as a "prop." Doh!

Disneyland Musings - Volume 2 - Familiar Scents

Disneyland is not simply a three dimensional reality. It has additional dimensions of sound and smell that accompany all that our eyes perceive.

Smell is the sense said to be most directly linked to memory. When I smell diesel fumes, for example, a link appears in my mind to the Disneyland parking lot trams that I have boarded over the years. Indeed, the smell of diesel (or other fuel) links to a variety of vehicles in and around the Park: the subs, the Jungle Cruise, the Main Street vehicles, Storybookland.

Disneyland has many other familiar smells. How about the sticky mint julep and apple fritter smell in the direct vicinity of the Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square? Or that moist, chlorine-ish, watery smell as you enter and exit the Pirates of the Caribbean? The smell of the trains of the Disneyland Railroad as they pull into the station? The smell of the moat in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle and at the entrances to Adventureland and Frontierland? For that matter, the smell of the Rivers of America and the waters of the Jungle Cruise? Popcorn at the Hub? Or the distinct, clean chlorine odor of the water as you enter It's A Small World.? Sticky pineapple in front of Tiki Room? Exhaust from Autopia cars? The planter in front of the Matterhorn? Even the shops on Main Street, especially The Emporium, have their own, unique aroma of new clothes, plush toys, and hundreds of guests! The train steaming through the tunnels (at Splash Mountain, just before Mickey's Toontown station, and at the Grand Canyon and Primeval World dioramas) has its own heady aroma of diesel, steam, wood, oil, etc.

I'm sure there are many folks more olfactorily gifted than yours truly who could add to this meager list, but I have provided a start, a sampler. I am sure one could add things like the smell of turkey legs or peanut brittle (or whatever else is being cooked up at the candy shop on Main Street) or the odor smoke drifting by after the evening fireworks. Each person certainly will have their own memories of smells associated with the Park.

Thanks for allowing your noses to join me on this little jaunt. If you have a moment, please post some Disneyland "scent memories" of your own.

Disneyland Musings - Volume 1 - "Your Attention Please!"

The melodic recorded call of the conductor rings out from Main Street Station, Disneyland USA: "Your attention please! The Disneyland Limited now arriving from a trip around Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom. Passengers will stand by to board."

Jack Wagner's voice haunts my memories of the Park. It echoes from my earliest trip, unseen and beckoning. As I walked through the tunnel onto Main Street, I would hear that call time and again. Over the years, the recording has changed a bit, but it has still retained its tone and essential content. For most folk, Jack Wagner's is the first voice they hear of the many thousands recorded and calling to them from inside the berm. For those of us who have been to the Park hundreds and hundreds of times (if not more) it is as familiar as a favorite t-shirt. Its call rings through the years, at once present and distant. It is another one of those billion little details that makes Disneyland so utterly unique in our dark universe. I do not think anyone can adequately sum up the overall scope and span of Disneyland's architecture, design, ambiance and terroir. Like any work of art, each observer experiences it from their own perspective and takes away their own interpretation.

All I know is that I spent many, many hours and days sweeping Main Street and "Your attention please!" is ever present in the soundtrack of my recollection of those times. Since so many things about Disneyland were absolutely intended by its designers, it is probably no accident that one of the things you first hear upon entering the Park is an invitation, a call, to embark on a tour of the Magic Kingdom. I guess in a way it is like the Park itself is speaking the words to its guests: "Your Attention Please! You are now leaving your world and entering mine!"

On quiet nights while working unload on the Jungle Cruise, the call from the Main Street station would float in over the treetops of the Jungle. I found myself stopping and soaking it up on those occasions. It always happened on slow nights and between boats. The Jungle sounds were always present, along with the trickle of water and the organ piping in from the Swiss Family Treehouse. Amidst all that, alone on the dock in relative quietude, the far off call would come. It was faint but certain. Like the pinpoint glint of a distant lighthouse. Even as a cast member of several years and a lifetime Disneyland goer, the call seemed fresh and new. Somewhere inside part of me responded, yes! Where do I board?!

So here's to Walt! Here's to Jack Wagner! Here's to Disneyland! A simple toast of thanks for inviting us in and sharing some real magic with each of along the way. Many happy returns!

"Last call! Booooooaard!"

(My sincere thanks to davelandweb.com for the classic photo of the west tunnel main entrance at the top of this post).

Signs Around the Grounds of Disney's Polynesian Resort

Today we are going to take a look at signs from around the Polynesian---in no particular order. We begin our little tour with the signs at the entrance to the Hawaii longhouse and Concierge Lounge. Ahhh. I can still feel the blast of cool, air-conditioned air as the sliding doors open! What's on the menu upstairs today? BBQ pulled pork with whole grain buns and Asian slaw? Spirit of Aloha chicken drumsticks and fried rice? Marinated turkey skewers with peanut sauce? Kona Sticky Wings? It's all good, my friends.
This sign greets you as you walk back to the Polynesian from the Transportation and Ticket Center ("TTC"). The TTC is almost due east of the Polynesian's grounds. I need to found the Polynesian font to download onto my computer!
Here's the path leading to Hawaii from the Volcano Pool. Too bad the landscaping isn't lush, the resort isn't centrally located, the food isn't good and the kids hate the Volcano Pool. Otherwise, we'd simply love staying here.
Here's the sign posted next to the service counter in the Concierge Lounge. All you foodies can set your clocks to the daily service (or services) of your choice. I'm partial to Kakahiaka (although I don't recommend saying this out loud while eating) and Ahiahi (which sounds as though one is being tickled when spoken aloud).
Here is the building where you can find the Never Land Club and do some laundry while you're at it. God bless Rolly Crump!
Above is the directional sign located just behind the bus stop, near the Monorail tracks, on the path that leads past the Never Land Club in one direction (to the right, as shown in the photograph) and back toward the main entrance of the Grand Ceremonial house in the other direction (to the left or almost straight ahead). Here we also find our wooden friend, Uti, one of many tiki statues designed by Disney legend Rolly Crump. He shows up at several locations around the resort. The fish he has speared symbolizes hospitality.
This sign is located on the path leading to the Hawaii longhouse (and Concierge Lounge aka the King Kamehameha Club) from the "quiet pool" or "east pool." The longhouse directly in front of the viewer in the photograph is Samoa. If you walk to the right of the sign and down the path between Samoa and Hawaii, you will come to the Volcano Pool. Of course, walking to your left will lead you back toward the GCH and Luau Cove!
This one is on the path leading toward the bus stop from the Quiet Pool area of the grounds. You can see the Monorail track in the background. If you take a left, you're off to do laundry (or can drop off the kids at the Neverland Club). Or, swing a right and head back to the GCH for some Lapu Lapus at the Tambu Lounge.
Now you are walking from the GCH toward the TTC. The building in front of you houses the Tongaroa Terrace banquet facility and the Never Land Club.

This concludes our tour for today. For those of you departing here, please be sure to collect your personal belongings and take small children by the hand as you exit.

Rosa Brooks - "Resist The Princesses" A Witty Insight

Belated applause for the Los Angeles Times' Rosa Brooks and her stunningly insightful essay "Resist the Princesses," which appeared back on March 27, 2008. Loved it the moment I came across it at the breakfast table. I immediately shared it with my wife. Our youngest daughter is a headlong victim of the new "Cult of the Disney Princess." She dresses primarily in pink. She is blonde (like Cinderella). She has seen "Cinderella" umpty times. She fits the profile outlined by Rosa Brooks in her article. Or maybe we fit the profile as parents of a modern "Disney Princess!"

America Sings - 1985 - "Choir Practice"

A tradition was established among the sweepers in Tomorrowland in the mid-1980s. It involved the unique access we in Day Custodial had to certain "back stage" areas that were otherwise "off limits." Our friendship with maintenance crew and ride operators (as well as a healthy amount of curiosity) earned us access to many unique places, including the central theater stage of the "America Sings" attraction.

There was an underground access tunnel that connected the attraction, the Tomorrowland Terrace (Coke Terrace) and the Tomorrowland stage. Some sweepers were able to get to the stage area of "America Sings," which was stationary. The outer portion of the building rotated around the stage. Sadly, in 1974, a young female ride operator, Deborah Gail Stone, was killed when she was caught between the center stage and the large rotating theater portion of the building.

By our day, however, that danger had been addressed and when a group of sweepers went into the attraction, they were nowhere near the rotating wall located off the center stage. "Choir Practice" involved three or four sweepers crowding in the wings near the right side of the stage where "Blossom Nosed Murphy" sang "Sweet Adeline," along with the quartet of geese who were stationed on the left side of the stage. The song went like this:

MURPHY: (drunkenly) Sweeeeeet Aaaaaaaaduuuuuuhliiiiine.
GEESE: (echo) Sweet Adeline.
MURPHY: Mmmmmmmmy Aaaaaaduuuhliiiiiiiiiine.
GEESE: My Adeline.
MURPHY: Aaaaat niiiiiiiight, dear heaaaaaaaart.
GEESE: At night, dear heart.
MURPHY: Ffffffffffforrrrrrrr youuuuuuu I piiiiiiiine.
GEESE: For you I pine.

The covert sweepers would sing along with Murphy during his supposed "solo" portion of the song. They sang loudly and badly. The poor ride operator (who could see and hear the sweepers from her position) would be practically on the ground laughing during the performance. The guests never seemed to notice (maybe they thought it was part of the attraction), though I'm sure they wondered why the ride operator found the "Sweet Adeline" segment so amusing. The guests could not see the sweepers from their seats in the theater, but the sweepers could definitely be heard.

If you rode the attraction back then (about three years before it closed down and was replaced with the essentially worthless "Innoventions") and you thought something was amiss during "Sweet Adeline," you were right. Below is a video of this section of the attraction's show (thanks to scottof83 at YouTube. Check out time slot 2:15 through 2:45 on the video.

Polynesian Resort - Saying Aloha On Our Last Day

We are leaving today and boarding our Disney's Magical Express bus at 2:45 p.m. It is almost noon and we are going to stop by the Concierge Lounge one more time for a little lunch/snack on the way out of Dodge. I will leave you with a few more Polynesian photos until we get back home and can post more from the parks!

Greetings from the Polynesian Resort!

As I write this I am sitting in Room 3511 of the Hawaii longhouse at Disney's Polynesian Resort, on Day 8 of our 9-day trip to Walt Disney World. As promised, I am sharing a few photographs from our stay. It is currently humid and about 88 degrees (surprise). The morning was warm and clear with full, white Florida clouds in the sky. About an hour and a half ago we had a nice thunderstorm. It was nice for us because we were boarding the Resort Monorail at Magic Kingdom as the storm rolled in. It rained hard but we were comfortably inside the air conditioned Monorail and delivered to the Polynesian. The fountain in the main lobby was bubbling while outside the thunder was booming. Fortunately, thanks to the Monorail and good timing, I'm still dry. Quick story: When we arrived we were informed by our hostess upon check in that we had been "upgraded" to Club (i.e., Concierge) Level by way of some "Disney magic." I don't care what the magic was (Year of a Million Dreams??), but we went from Lagoon View to Magic Kingdom view in Hawaii with Concierge Lounge privileges. This was a pricey upgrade to say the least---especially since we debated going Concierge and had priced it out. We had opted to be "economical" and had resigned ourselves to a "regular" room, albeit "Lagoon View." We were absolutely thrilled with the Concierge upgrade. We've made the most of the Concierge during our trip, too! Pictured above is the entrance to the Hawaii Longhouse and Concierge building---our "Home" for the past week. Here's the door to our room and a quick shot of the interior as it appeared upon our arrival last Wednesday. Things at the Polynesian as as beautiful and as relaxing as ever! If you happen to be heading there in the next few weeks, you will not be disappointed! Aloha! In any event, here's Room 3511:
Room 3511 --- interior shot, June 23, 2008 --- see below.The views from the balcony of Room 3511 (first, a view toward the Magic Kingdom and Contemporary Resort):
Above: looking toward the Grand Floridian. I was up early most days and got some shots of an empty Volcano Pool---a June rarity (except during electrical storms!). These shots were taken on June 24, 2008:Very serene. The Barefoot Bar in the background was where "Steve" the bartender and I discussed life's mysteries over some "custom" Mai Tai's---151 floater on top of the Myers' Rum and Steve's mix as opposed to the standard mass-produced Mai Taim mixer. I tipped him well. But (if I may overuse an overused segue), I digress. So...here's another photo:Did I mention we ate at "Ohana" on our first night here? It was fabulous as always. We generally agreed (my son is the exception) that the new noodle dish they added as an appetizer was not the greatest. Otherwise, the skewers of turkey, pork, steak and shrimp were fabulous! The salad was great. The dessert (bananas foster) was fabulous---for those who had not gorged on all the prior courses!

I'll post more later. For now, I must run downstairs and get with the Concierge folks to check in and get boarding passes for tomorrow's flight home. Don't even make me think about it! Leaving is tough. We have had a great stay. Mahalo, Polynesian! Aloha!