Sleeping Beauty Castle

The first thing you notice as you enter Disneyland is undoubtedly the castle standing at the end of Main Street. Walt wanted the structure to make a statement and it certainly does. I wasn't particularly fascinated by the castle as a child, it tends to draw my attention more now that I'm older.

 

As a kid we would pretty much just walk over the drawbridge and into Fantasyland without too much hullabaloo. It was much easier to get my sister and I on most of these rides as compared to Splash Mountain and the Haunted Mansion. I do remember the waterfall with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs always confused me, why was she hanging around Sleeping Beauty's castle? I know it was their first movie and all, but if you aren't calling it 'Snow White Castle' I think Snow White might have been more appropriate somewhere else.

 

A Glimpse Behind the Magic

The drawbridge is actually functional. It has only been raised/lowered twice, once on opening day, and then again after the Fantasyland refurbishment in 1983

 

If you walk through the interior of the castle and out the other side you can turn to your left and see an entrance to a less-traveled attraction. I don't remember doing this as a child, but I was very excited when they re-opened it in 2008. (It was closed after the events of 9/11)

 

Through a series of cleverly designed vignettes they tell the story of Sleeping Beauty, complete with sound effects, music and animation. The spot where you watch Maleficent (Spoiler Alert!) transform into the dragon is particularly impressive. I also love getting to the end to see Sleeping Beauty and the Prince dancing in their storybook with her dress changing from blue to pink and back again.

 

I always thought Maleficent was the most amazing of all the Disney Villains. She didn't want to rule the kingdom, she just wanted to be invited to the party. She was so offended by being overlooked that she curses a baby to DIE on her 16th birthday! She is volatile and unpredictable, going from disturbingly quiet to screaming at the top of her lungs in seconds. She is an ultimate Disney villain, and I always gasped a little as a child when she screamed the word 'HELL' just before she changes into the dragon.

 

I can only imagine how proud Walt must have been when he saw the reaction of the first group of guests as they walked onto Main Street and saw this marvel. Well done Disney on making this the symbol of so many of our childhoods.

 

 

 

Lesson Learned

Some things are easier to appreciate when you are older.

Fantasyland or Bust

Now we move on into Fantasyland, the second area my family would move into during our day at Disney. We would make it a point to walk back to the central hub and walk through the castle which is always a magical experience. Lets get ready for fun and fairy dust in Fantasyland!

The Country Bears Turn to Pooh

There were some things I could always count on as a kid, I would always be hungry roughly 45 minutes after not eating enough at dinner, math would always be my worst subject in school, I would always be too afraid to go straight down the hill on my roller blades instead of weaving back and forth into neighbors yards and every summer I would get to enjoy the Country Bear Jamboree Vacation Hoedown.

 

Then, the year I graduated, the year I became an official 'adult' they closed the jamboree.

 

I enjoy live theater a lot, but the Country Bears were a step above that. What is more fun than a bunch of jovial singing bears?! For those of you who never got to see this show, or choose to pass it up, you are missing out.

 

 

We meet our host, Henry, who is revealed from behind a red velvet curtain after a short intro by three mounted heads (A deer, a buffalo and a moose). Mom liked to point out that the deer's name was Max, my Grandpa's name. Henry is kind of the glue that holds the show together as the rest of the cast seems to be slightly out of their minds most of the time.

 

Like I said, my main memories come from the Vacation Hoedown, which was not the standard show for the bears. Every year over the summer months the entire show was altered with new costumes and songs for the vacation holidays, as well as during the winter. In true Disney fashion they would do massive changes with complex costumes and re-programming the bears to sing new songs.

 

Instead of his top hat and tie, Henry was dressed in a camp t-shirt (still fits, kinda) and a park ranger hat. He and the Bear Skin Rugs, the house band, would sing about how much bears love the outdoors and it kind of became their anthem for a minute. Then they had a range of acts including a mountain climbing Elvis bear, a snorkeling bear with an octopus girlfriend, a bear vacation slide show and three singing lady bears in bikinis. All the lyrics were all changed to bear-themed things and there is plenty of corny jokes and sight gags.

 

Two parts of the show always made me smile,

 

1) The 'Ghost Riders in the Sky' sung by the Bear Skin Rugs. Its one of those foot-stomping, clap along kind of songs. Plus, little Oscar, the bear who sits on the front of the stage with his bottom lip sticking out and his teddy bear gets his only line, well kind of, he just says "Uh-huh"

 

2) Teddi Barra coming down from the ceiling. During the Vacation Hoedown she was dressed in a yellow rain slicker and sang 'Singing in the Rain' after descending from a giant flower. I think she fascinated me because she balanced on a tiny swing overhead and I was amazed at how they got her to move so much.

 

 

It was a chance to sit down and relax and watch the bears put on a great show, usually after being traumatized by Splash Mountain. You could hum the songs for the rest of the day, or at least until you got on 'It's a Small World'. I was so sad when I got back to Disneyland and Pooh had taken over the space.

 

A Glimpse Behind the Magic

Disney is very good at paying homage to attractions they change or remove, and the bears do get a wink during the Pooh ride, in one room if you look behind you, you can see Max, Buff and Melvin, the buffalo, moose and deer from the Jamboree.

 

Not only was this show very entertaining, but it also showed me that I could enjoy different genres of music. Despite living in the south, I was more or less discouraged from listening to country music, so for a while the bears were my only country performer I could reference.

 

I had a neat experience with the bears again however, when I made my first trip to Disney World, where the show is still alive and kicking.  It was late in the evening before I got a chance to go, and none of my fellow park goers were too keen to see the show so I went alone. It was a magical moment for me to sit in a nearly empty theater and see the gang all together again, singing new songs (for me at least). It was like sitting down with a group of friends you haven't seen in years.

 

Lesson Learned

Sooner or later you have to grow up, but that doesn't mean you have to forget the little things that made you who you are.

 

 



Splashing Down

Me in Splash Mountain with the gospel chicken!

I think I have established that I was not an adventurous child. I have never broken a bone or been rushed to an emergency room for any kind of injury because I'm just not a risk taker. Until I was about eight or nine, Splash Mountain was a risk I was just not willing to take. Being a rather small child, Splash Mountain looked HUGE looming over me every time we walked by. Mom would kind of urge me to go on it, but eventually I would bury my face in her hip and say that this wasn't the year for Splash Mountain.

 

I'm not sure what came over me that year, maybe it was hot enough or my sister teased me enough or because my Uncle agreed to take me on it, but I finally consented. I could practically feel my knees knocking together as we stood in line, my stomach tied in knots. The only thing worse than waiting in a long line, is waiting in a long line for something you are not sure you want to do.

 

We finally got to the loading point and I experienced for the first time what I still constantly experience; they put the smallest one up front. WHY?! I was obviously terrified, why would they put the trembling tiny kid in the front? Even now I frown when they motion me to get in the front of the log, I'm not sure why they think I'm so thrilled to get wet.

 

So we take off, every bump and click making me jump, for some reason I'm positive they are trying to trick me and drop me down the big hill without warning. The first part of the ride is outside, the sun shinning, cheery music playing as you glide easily along. What I didn't realize is there is more than one drop in this ride. They drop you a few times down smaller hills, like this is fun. I don't think I've ever been so afraid to let go of the sides of the log.

 

Inside the mountain, Splash Mountain does what Disney does best; lulls you into a false sense of security. They are singing chipper songs as you float past, B'er fox, B'er Bear and B'er Rabbit interacting with each other.

 

A Glimpse Behind the Magic

All the characters in Splash Mountain were harvested from a ride that resided in Tomorrow Land called "America Sings" which closed in 1988. (Besides the main characters) It was in the rotating theater where you would sit down to hear the critters sing songs from different eras before you would turn to a new stage. The cost of Splash Mountain was escalating so they pulled the happy crew out and transplanted them.

 

 Oh yeah, just relaxing

 

Oops, stuck?

Ha ha, oh that bear.

 

I had almost forgotten what this ride was at this point. The animals were all so happy and we  had rolled down a few hills that weren't too bad, it was actually kind of fun. I might have smiled a few times even. And then...

 

 

Oh dear. I gripped the sides of the log with a death grip as we clicked up the hill. You reach the top and see the certain doom that awaits you.

 

PS- That is not my hand..and this is the Florida Splash Mountain.

 

I have never heard of anyone actually falling out at this point in the ride, but at the time I was sure I was about to be blown out of the log like a leaf. I didn't see anything on the way down through my clenched eyes and gritted teeth. The drop seemed to last forever! When we finally hit the bottom I don't even remember if I got wet or not, I was just so relieved to be alive! As I slowly stopped hyperventilating we drifted into my favorite part of the ride, the showboat scene.

 

I love the gospel singing chickens!!

 

We weren't usually fond of buying on-ride pictures in my family, but when they caught a glimpse of my utterly terrified face they had to rush off and get it right away. I'm not sure where that picture is today (lost during a move no doubt) but it hung in my room for years after that. I was some kind of proud of myself for getting on that ride.

 

 

Lesson Learned;

Sometimes all it takes is the right circumstances for you to feel brave enough to try something you never thought you would.

 

 

 



The Happier Happy Mansion

The Haunted Mansion Holiday through the trees.

So one would think that after my traumatic childhood interactions with the Haunted Mansion that I would have a developed a hatred for it, quite the contrary, it had become one of my favorite attractions. My more "mature" self learned to enjoy the change in atmosphere it brought to your day at Disney. So when I went back one year in October I was a bit disturbed to see that they had changed it to a "Nightmare Before Christmas" ride for the season.

 

Now I do have to say that I enjoy the movie. It's fun to think of Tim Burton working at Disney, like a dark, brooding creature surrounded by pastels and singing rodents, hunched over a drawing board to write this story out. The songs are very catchy and what else can you even listen to around Halloween time besides this soundtrack and 'Thriller'? I also found the only person I feel like I can believably dress up as for Halloween, Jack. This is probably the only time my extreme skinniness would come in handy, when dressing up as a skeleton in a suit. If I wasn't so utterly terrified of costumed characters I would try and get a closer look at Jack when he is walking around the park.

 

Jack and I as roommates..

 

At first I figured they would have just draped some black fabric around the mansion and shoved some random characters waving at you as you went past, but I was pleasantly surprised when almost every aspect of the ride was altered in some way. The outside of the attraction is decked out in Halloween/Christmas decor with pumpkins (all hand-carved) all over the property, Jack's garbage can sleigh perched on the roof, the countdown clock spinning wildly over the door and the scarecrow keeping guard on the front lawn.

 

 

I especially love the stretching room. In place of the usual portraits there are stained glass art that shatter as the room begins to stretch. They have done a new arrangement of 'Grim Grinning Ghosts' and boisterously play part of the tune as Jack's giant head appears above you. (I sing this short part almost constantly in anticipation whenever I know I get to go on this ride.)

 

A Glimpse Behind the Magic

The original portraits in the stretching room are actually still there, under the stained glass replacements. The creators where told they are so difficult to get set correctly that they needed to leave them where they were.

 

The whole attraction takes on a brighter, more neon/glow in the dark type of style, with characters from the film lurking all over. Every year they even have a haunted gingerbread house that is displayed on the ballroom table which is completely real! I love the smell of gingerbread in that room for the holidays.

 

The graveyard scene has been changed into a snowy Christma-ween party with the jovial music and singing pumpkins. Jack and Zero stand in place of the graveyard caretaker and his dog and welcome you to the fun. This figure is very impressive, I'm not sure how tall he is, but he is very imposing. I can see why people would be terrified to walk into their living rooms and find this guy putting presents under your tree.

 

Then they finally bring my favorite character into the ride;

 

 

Oogie Claws!! I like that even though he and Jack have had their differences, that he allows Oogie to finish off the ride, passing out gifts/tricks. Ive always been drawn to this character, I love his over-the-top personality and his neat design. In a movie full of creatures who are mischievous but generally good natured, Oogie Boogie is a real bad guy. He was going to kill Santa Clause for goodness sake. I think Disney needs to make more Oogie merchandise! There is Jack and Sally all over, but no Oogie? What gives? I really want an Oogie pin to wear around.

 

 

I love my cool Jack pins, but give Oogie some love Disney!

 

 

 

Lesson Learned;

Doing something different isn't a bad thing as long as you commit and make it the best that you can.

 

 

 

 



The Pirate's Life Isn't for Me

 

I can remember climbing into the back of my step father's truck, pretending it was a pirate ship and singing the song from Pirates of the Caribbean. (Or at least what I thought were the words, that song has some complex lyrics) I would tie a rock to the end of a rope and huck it overboard as my anchor and hold up an old towel as my sail. I'm sure my neighbors thought I needed to be committed.

 

One reason I had such an affinity for this ride is because of the first few minutes you are on the boat. You are loaded in and you shove off into the dark of a bayou, the clinking of silverware and smell of food wafting over from the Blue Bayou Restaurant. (which I still have never eaten at) This is one of the most peaceful moments for me in Disneyland. It is basically silent, aside from the sound of the water and the distant strumming on a banjo, (which I have always wanted to learn how to play, but everyone laughs and calls me a hick when I bring it up) Its basically pitch black except for the random flashing from neon bugs in the trees and hovering over the water. When we first moved to Georgia we were all outside on a muggy summer evening when my mother gasped at the sight of 'lightning bugs' or fireflies. "I always thought Disney made them up!"

 

You are lulled into this false sense of security by the easy drift past abandoned boats and a cast reject from "Deliverance" as you glide under a brick arch and are greeted by the talking skull mounted on the wall ahead. He speaks in a voice just above a whisper as he urges you to hold on (with both hands if you please) before the rushing sound of water alerts you to the eminent drop, or drops as it were. 

A quick cartoon of the drops


 

A Glimpse Behind the Magic

The reason for the two drops is to move you to the main show building, which requires you to pass under the railroad tracks. I originally thought they did it just to freak me out.

 

My favorite part of the ride (aside from the beginning) has always been the first few scenes, with the skeletons and the haunting sound of the music being played. There are quite a few rumors about the first few rooms;

 

1. In the bar room scene, the busty redhead depicted behind the bar is actually the same one that you will see later in the auction scene, after years of living the pirate life. I'm not sure I believe this one, but it makes it fun to look for.

 

2. The skull mounted on the headboard of the bed (with the skeleton looking through the magnifying glass) is either an actual human skull or a exact replica of one supposedly left to Disney by a zealous fan. I have a hard time believing this one as well, because if they were willing to mount real people's skulls in here, they would be swamped with them, mine included.

 

3. The Aztec chest from the first 'Pirates' movie is one of the last things you will see in these scenes. This one is true as confirmed by a special feature on the DVD.

 

Yeah, I have a piece of Aztec Gold.

 

 

They have added in a lot of new special effects to add to the experience since I was a kid, plus some Johnny Depps sprinkled about, but the good ones have stayed put. During the battle scene with cannon fire overhead I ALWAYS manage to get splashed. I don't get drenched, just splashed by one of the cannonballs hitting the water. I have always liked the Mayor getting dunked in the well and for some reason I have strange vivid memories about two other random pirates. The first is the one sitting on a bridge that you sail under, I always remember being repulsed by how dirty his feet were, and yet wanting to reach up and touch them; he also had a handkerchief between his toes when I was younger, but apparently too many other people had the urge to reach up and couldn't resist it. The second is the pirate with one foot on a boat and the other on land, for some reason I was always stressed that he was going to fall.

 

I also have to take a moment to also comment on something that I thought I was weird for loving; the smell of Pirates of the Caribbean. There is a musty, wet smell that I LOVE. I'm not sure if it's just the water, or if the smell just permeates the entire attraction, but I love stepping in the doors and taking a deep breath.

 

I know I would be a lousy pirate. I'm not terribly fond of being on boats for long periods of time, I like wearing clean clothes, I don't play the accordion (maybe if I played the banjo?) my facial hair grows in patchy and mostly as a goatee, my glasses would make seeing in the rain difficult, I'm very skinny so I get cold easily, I look terrible in hats and I'm not a big fan of being rude or violent for no real reason.

 

All that said; I would make an AWESOME Disney pirate! If you are ever lucky enough to be riding this ride with me, I'll show you the dance I'd want my pirate figure to do. On the off chance that Disney doesn't randomly select me to be added to the group of pirates, I guess I could be satisfied with my skull mounted somewhere instead.

 

Lesson Learned;

I could only be a good pirate in robot form...or the back of a truck.

Swiss-Tarzan Tree House

I LOVE the movie 'The Swiss Family Robinson'. I've already mentioned how much I enjoy jungles and such, so the concept of people actually setting up house and living there is just about the coolest thing ever. I made several attempts at making tree houses when I was younger, none of which were very impressive, but the things this family made where amazing.

 

The movie is based on the book by Johann David Wyss, and what I found fun about the script was that a group listed the things they would want in an island adventure movie, then turned it over to the screen writer. The water system that supplies the ice box and rooms with water was always one of my favorite parts of their tree, and the staircase that was manipulated by the ships wheel. Sure the movie has it's corny parts, but I think the overall effect is an exciting adventure with an interesting family. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.



A quick doodle of my brothers and I during the race depicted in the movie.

 

 While I LIKED Tarzan as a movie, I was definitely sad when they altered the Swiss Family Tree house in Disneyland to make room for the Tarzan motif. The general ambiance is still there, but there is something jolting about walking through the Swiss Family Robinson's house and running into stuff like this;

 

 Sabor, the jaguar that killed both Tarzan's parents and the child of a gorilla family

 

Jane Porter, doodling. (I love her line; "And Daddy, they took my boot!")

Baby Tarzan and his adopted mother, Kala

The wild man himself.

 

Like I said, no beef with Tarzan, but I LOVED the Robinsons. This was one of the first times I remember being really effected by an attraction changing/closing, something that many Disney parks lovers have had to learn to deal with. I just wish enough people would have shown this film to their kids so we could have kept it the way it was.

 

A Glimpse Behind the Scenes

When you walk past the room with the music playing on an old gramophone, you can hear the Swiss Polka playing, its like Mother Robinson is haunting the tree house!

 

To be fair, the Swiss Family Robinson still have residences in every other Disney park, but I still feel the need to point grumpily at Tarzan as I walk past.

 

Lesson Learned;

It's important to appreciate things all the time, you never know when it might be gone.