Tuesday Trivia - Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland, the dark-ride attraction in Disneyland's Fantasyland, inspired of course by the Walt Disney's animated film, is the only such dark-ride to occupy two levels.  When added to the park in 1958, the queue and the "hole that Alice falls down" were located (what was then) behind the neighboring Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.  As guests progress through the attraction, their caterpillar-styled vehicles then proceed to go up and above the Mr. Toad's attraction, coming back out into the open-air for a return trip back to the ground level exit along a curving leaf-shaped, downhill track.

Wordless Wednesday - Waiting for World of Color to Begin

Tuesday Trivia - Dinoland USA

The Boneyard section of Dinoland, U.S.A. at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park was originally designed to include a roller coaster attraction that would have been called, The Excavator.

Tuesday Trivia - Pirates of the Caribbean

Did you know that Pirates of the Caribbean first opened at Disneyland in 1967, and is home to not just swashbuckling pirates, but also a host of creatures from the animal world? Throughout the excursion you'll find fireflies, alligators, crabs, a seagull, cats, dogs, chickens, pigs, a donkey, a goat and parrots?  Did you also know that along your journey, there are 14 boats (not including the attraction vehicles) that are either sunken or afloat?

Today in Disney Parks & Resorts History - Ride Photos

January 31, 1992 - Disneyland


Professor Barnaby Owl's Photographic Art Studio, located at the end of Splash Mountain in Critter Country, opens and offers ride photos of guests as they exit the attraction.  It is the first installation of on-board ride photography in a Disney park. The idea was suggested by Walt Disney Company CEO Michael Eisner. 

Wordless Wednesday - Should We Go In?

Tuesday Trivia - Mark Twain Riverboat

Did you know that Disneyland's Mark Twain Riverboat, a July 17, 1955 opening day attraction found in Frontierland, was at the time of its' construction, the first functional paddlewheel steamship built in America in over 50 years?  The 105 ft long, 150 ton ship was constructed in two different locations, and then transported to the still-under construction theme park site. The hull was constructed at Todd Shipyards in the nearby Long Beach/San Pedro port, and the body was built in Burbank at the Disney Studios. They were assembled together in the park's dry dock, "Fowler's Harbor" on the southwest edge of the Rivers of America. The Mark Twain embarked on its' maiden voyage on July 13, 1955, four days prior to the park's Grand Opening, during a private party to celebrate Walt & Lillian Disney's 30th wedding anniversary.

Today in Disney Parks & Resorts History - Animal Kingdom Park

December 1, 2001 - Walt Disney World


TriceraTop Spin opens at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, located inside Dinoland USA, in Chester & Hester's Dino-o-Rama area.

Wordless Wednesday - It's a Small World Holiday at Disneyland

Magical Mondays - World of Color Marks 1,000 Performances

I just read elsewhere that WORLD OF COLOR at Disney California Adventure just marked its 1,000th performance, and has been seen by millions of guests.  That's so very cool.  It is an amazing show, and certainly a "must-do" in my book.  The show is performed on Paradise Bay in the Paradise Pier section of the park. It first premiered in early June 2010 to rave reviews, and continues to receive them.  The 28 minute show features favorite Disney and Pixar characters; a gorgeous orchestral soundtrack; as well as fountains, lights, lasers, mist screens, and fire; and oh yeah, you might get wet too.   


Did you know that the show uses over 1,200 fountains on a "show table" that rises up to the surface of the water for the performances, and is hidden during the day?  Did you know that the show was created by Steve Davison, the same genius who designed "It's a Small World Holiday", and various fireworks spectaculars such as "Wishes!", "Remember...Dreams Come True", "Believe in Holiday Magic" and "Holiday Wishes!"?  Did you know that the show table the fountains rest upon is actually comprised of 3 separate show tables, each able to raise or lower independently?  Did you know that the show table is longer than a football field?  Did you know that since the show is 100% computer generated, it can easily be modified for seasonal or promotional tie-ins such as last year's "Tron" overlay at the end, "Pirates 4" and now Christmas additions?  Did you know that the show's title drew its' inspiration from Walt Disney's transition from black & white to color on his Sunday night television show - "The Wonderful World of Color?" but the show itself was inspired by the fountains at the Bellagio in Las Vegas?  Did you know that both Mickey's Fun Wheel and California Screamin', other Paradise Pier area attractions are used as part of the show during various sequences? You may not have previously known these details, but now you do.  


I absolutely love this show, and highly recommend it to anyone heading to the Disneyland Resort.  Perhaps someday a version of the show will make its way east to Walt Disney World as Fantasmic! did years ago, - maybe it will even be added in the water near Pleasure Island & Downtown Disney as several online rumors have suggested - but for now... you can only experience it for yourself in Anaheim.  Check out this video from You Tube and you'll get a glimpse of just how big the show really is.While this view does not use any music from the show, rather just a bland piece of audio, this clip shows a great aerial perspective of the show that no regular guest can ever see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSTfuti9nvg.


Here are just a few images from the show, and one short clip as well:

Wordless Wednesday - At Disney California Adventure

Today in Disney Parks & Resorts History - Skyway Closures

November 9, 1994 - Disneyland


The Skyway flies between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland for the very last time. First opened in 1956, this popular attraction is officially grounded, closing forever. Within a short time the tunnels in the middle of the Matterhorn Bobsleds (through which the Skyway was traveled since 1959) will be closed permanently.




November 9, 1999 - Walt Disney World


Exactly 5 years after Disneyland, the Skyway at the Magic Kingdom flies between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland for the very last time. This 1971 opening day attraction is officially grounded, closing forever.

Tuesday Trivia - Haunted Mansion / Carousel of Progress

Did you know that the Carousel of Progress and The Haunted Mansion are connected?  Not literally, but they do share "someone" in common. The ghostly figure of a woman rocking in a chair during the ballroom sequence in The Haunted Mansion was created using the same mold as the grandmother from Carousel of Progress.

Today in Disney Parks & Resorts History - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

November 8, 1980 - Walt Disney World


Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is officially opened in Frontierland, despite having operated in soft opening status since September. The attraction marks the second "mountain" at the Magic Kingdom. (It is also the second Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction, following the 1979 opening at Disneyland in California).

Tuesday Trivia - The Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion was the first attraction completely built, installed and ready to entertain guests at the Magic Kingdom when the park opened in October 1971. This was due to the fact that in 1969, when the imagineers were building the attraction at Disneyland, decided that the new attraction would be included in the Florida park's opening attraction roster and built duplicate sets and props. Those duplicates were then stored until they were needed for installation in Florida.

Today in Disney Parks & Resorts History - Pirates of the Caribbean

October 31, 1966 - Disneyland

Water is filled for the first time inside the flume of Disneyland's upcoming new attraction - Pirates of the Caribbean (which would open in March 1967). Pirates of the Caribbean was the last attraction personally overseen by Walt Disney, and is located in the first, entirely new land added to the park since Disneyland opened in 1955 - New Orleans Square. 

(Pirates of the Caribbean, while not included in the original attraction roster for Florida, would later be added to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in 1973).

Today in Disney Parks & Resorts History - El Rio del Tiempo

October 21, 1982 - Walt Disney World Resort

El Rio del Tiempo, along with the rest of the Mexico Pavilion, is officially dedicated inside World Showcase at Epcot Center. 

My Favorite

My all-time favorite Disney attraction.  Just wanted to share.

Cheers.