Originally Posted By Goofyernmost OK, I’m back. As a free agent I spent a lot of time just wandering about and taking everything in. Some things I felt good about, others, not so much. Fantasyland is very nice in Disneyland but since I was an older single man I found that some of the rides were a little too young for me. I think a good business venture within that area would be a “rent a kid for a ride†booth. A place where you could get a kid to go with you on the rides so you don’t have to feel silly by yourself. I did manage to go on Peter Pan but the rest were just too embarrassing for me. That being undoable I ventured further in and rode on Small World, very nice. I then headed again towards Tomorrowland and decided to see what they had done with the old Carousel of Progress ride. Innovations, was interesting but wasn’t CoP by any stretch of the imagination. I couldn’t decide if the continued playing of “It’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow†within the building was a tribute or a mockery. I felt offended that one of my favorites was replaced by computers and then connected by music to an old classic. I have often heard that the antiquity of the revolving area was the reason that CoP had to be discontinued and yet, the floor is still moving, constantly now. Another thought that came to me immediately upon viewing the refurbishment of the submarine basin for the new “Finding Nemo†ride would be why WDW was motivated to get rid of the 20K lagoon and show building when it did. I can hear the executives sitting in the board room saying, “Man if we don’t get rid of that place right now the WDW people will never stop screaming for us to do the same thing in Floridaâ€. Finally, it explains why after all those years now was picked to illuminate it and put in a playground. Out of sight…Out of mind! As an east coaster I now feel shortchanged. Of course, to see the lagoon meant I had to be getting ready to board the Monorail for it’s trip around the MK. Since I have never been to Disneyland previously, I don’t really know what the function of the Monorail was way back. It appears that at one point it must have ventured into the Parking Lot therefore providing the ride into the park. I don’t really know. What I do know now is that it is pretty unspectacular as it stands now. Most of the time it is behind walls and really doesn’t provide much opportunity to see anything other than Harbor Blvd. and some of California Adventure. Some of my best picture opportunities at WDW have been from the Monorail. I didn’t have time to aim a camera during this trip because the open areas were very small. And if Walt hated the view of Harbor Blvd. so much why is the longest straight portion of the ride along Harbor Blvd.? At any rate, do not take that as negative criticism. Overall Disneyland is all that was promised both by them and in my imagination. An imagination that has had 50 years to flower. I watched the opening on TV and even though I was only 7 at the time, the vision of the Swirling Tea Cups and that castle were forever embedded in my mind. Add on top of that, my incredible good luck to be in the park at the same time the old Mouseketeers came home to celebrate their 50th anniversary, it leaves me almost speechless. (no such luck) When I tell you I don’t plan trips you have to believe me. I didn’t know where I was going until I got up that morning checked out my feelings on the subject and decided when and where to go. To be there the same day as the Mouseketeers 50th and at Disneyland during it’s 50th just seems too unlikely, but it happened. It is doubtful that I will get the chance to visit again, so this was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. I didn’t go on everything but I did see everything. I sat in the town square and imagined Walt Disney looking down that same street, seeing close to the same thing I was looking at and it sent chills up my spine. I don’t think of Mr. Disney as a god like creature but I do think that he had ideas that most people never did and the courage to see them through. I can’t tell you how thankful I am for that. Many times in my later years when things seemed to be unraveling, Walt Disney’s vision, as interpreted by WDW, gave me that moment of recognition as to what one man can do with the courage of his convictions and an awesome imagination. All that being said, let’s cross the promenade to California Adventure and have a quick look see over there. I cannot understand why there seems to be so much negativity about this park. It is beautifully and meticulously themed and offers the stuff that Disneyland does not have anymore room for or would ruin the ambience of the grand ole park. Unfortunately, it isn’t really geared to someone my age. Sourin’ is one exception along with the Muppets but other than that it seems to be for the adolescent or the very young. Nothing wrong with that, just didn’t offer much for me. I marveled at the detail on Grisly Bear Run…what a lot of work and imagination went into that attraction. Even Paradise Pier was well done and pleasant to look at, just not my cup of tea. IMHO the presence of CA will enable Disneyland to remain the classic park that it always has been and CA can be the thrill ride location. It was obvious to me that it made the attempt to incorporate sections of Epcot, Disney Studios and Animal Kingdom within its walls and added in many new dimensions unique to California. So even though it isn’t a park that would draw me in, free standing, it is very nicely done and will be a thrill a minute for your action crazy adolescents. Much to my surprise and, I’m sure to your happiness I have run out of dialogue. I probably have forgotten a million things so if anyone has any questions do not hesitate to ask. End of rambling!
Originally Posted By basas <<It was obvious to me that it made the attempt to incorporate sections of Epcot, Disney Studios and Animal Kingdom within its walls and added in many new dimensions unique to California. So even though it isn’t a park that would draw me in, free standing, it is very nicely done and will be a thrill a minute for your action crazy adolescents. >> An interesting point. I actually thought DCA had a very "Universal" type feel to it (mainly IOA). I also think part of the PROBLEM is that they are trying to put too much into one park (as you said, parts of AK, MGM, and Epcot). It seems as though random clones from all different parts are being thrown in here with little connection the theme of THIS park (California). There were a few decent parts of DCA, but i personally would take any of the 4 parks at WDW over it. Thanks for more comments- i enjoyed reading it!
Originally Posted By basas <<from all different parts are being thrown in here with little connection the theme>> EDIT: from all different PARKS are being thrown in here with little connection TO the theme of this park.
Originally Posted By Daannzzz Thanks for the thoughts and perceptions. While I enjoy the monorail I have often thought it should be removed from inside the park. It was originally just inside the park doing its thing on the bean twisting in and out of itself. When they built the Disneyland Hotel they extended the monorail to the hotel. There was never a stop in the parking lot. I am glad you enjoyed your time in Anaheim and had a chance to see the Mouseketeers.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Another thought that came to me immediately upon viewing the refurbishment of the submarine basin for the new “Finding Nemo†ride would be why WDW was motivated to get rid of the 20K lagoon and show building when it did. I can hear the executives sitting in the board room saying, “Man if we don’t get rid of that place right now the WDW people will never stop screaming for us to do the same thing in Floridaâ€. Finally, it explains why after all those years now was picked to illuminate it and put in a playground. Out of sight…Out of mind! As an east coaster I now feel shortchanged. < yes indeed
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost Just noticed...illuminate should be eliminate, but you all knew that! I told you I was tired.
Originally Posted By 45YearsofMagic The Disneyland Hotel opened in 1955. The monorail opened in 1959...its purpose has always been to provide transportation from the Hotel to Tomorrowland and back again.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost And for that, it works. As I said, I was not familier with the history there so I was just observing what it seemed to me. I wanted it to be great but after standing out in the hot sun for almost 45 minutes, it kind of lost its luster for me. Still, in it's time it must have been a huge deal.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<The monorail opened in 1959...its purpose has always been to provide transportation from the Hotel to Tomorrowland and back again.>> Actually, when the Disneyland Alweg monorail opened in 1959, it only made a loop around Tomorrowland. The track wasn't extended to the Disneyland Hotel until 1961.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN The "rent a kid" concept does not sound amusing to me but if I could slap someones else's kid, especially those of parents who think ewverything their little monkey does is cute, then I am sold.
