Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy

Every year around Halloween time, Disneyland makes some pretty big changes. One noteworthy makeover takes place in Space Mountain. Each fall, the ride portion of the beloved attraction becomes spookier than usual.

Riders enter a dark tunnel -- pitch black -- and are greeted by a fiery skeletal ghost. You're followed the whole time by these demons that chase you around the galaxy. At the end, riders get a startling surprise.

Unlike the Haunted Mansion's Halloween decorations which make it a fun and cheerful experience, Space Mountain becomes scary at this time of year. So if you're looking forward to some Halloween thrills with the kids, or if you like quality amusement park entertainment, check out Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy before it's too late.

The Golden Age of Disneyland

Disneyland is perhaps the most celebrated, and certainly the most iconic amusement park on planet earth. More than 16 million guests of all ages walk through those gates each year, to live the dream that Walt promised on opening day - that Disneyland would be "a source of joy and inspiration to all the world."

Last week, Disneyland commemorated its 58th anniversary. It has enchanted guests for nearly 60 years. I decided that to celebrate the occasion, I would look back on all 58 years of park history and single out Disneyland's best year. Obviously I haven't been around to experience all 58 years of Disneyland, so this choice is subjective. I will be choosing the best year based on what attractions were present in the park, thus, what year was the most ideal to visit Disneyland. Let's begin.

In the 1960s, the park was just beginning to come into form. The cherished It's A Small World came in 1966. New Orleans Square and Pirates of the Caribbean appeared in 1967. The Haunted Mansion came in 1969. However, the only true thrill ride in the park was the Matterhorn Bobsleds, and by 1969 it had already been around for a decade. In addition to the Matterhorn, 1959 had also brought about my all-time favorite ride, the Submarine Voyage. Disneyland had only just begun pandering to its older guests by the end of the 60s.

Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, which opened in 1963

Well, the 1970's were probably the biggest decade in Disneyland history. Long-haired males were finally allowed into the park, following the lifting of the ban that tried to keep hippies out. To start things off in 1970, the "yippies" invaded Disneyland, forcing the riot squad to show up and close the park early. In 1972, a copy of Disney World's Country Bear Jamboree appeared in Bear Country. Though Splash Mountain wasn't to be seen for many years, Tom Sawyer's Island and Frontierland now offered more than just hayrides and live animals.

America Sings replaced the Carousel of Progress in 1974, so the Carousel Theater was being put to more use than ever. As we all know, Tomorrowland is currently in desperate need of renovation. But in the mid-1970s, Tomorrowland was in its prime. Following the moon landing in '69, the popularity of space age technology and culture was in full swing.

The Rocket Jets soared above Tomorrowland. The Peoplemover was as vibrant as ever. The awesome Adventure Thru Inner Space was still in operation, and would remain so until 1985. Tomorrowland was still relevant, and still futuristic. Imagine a time when Tomorrowland truly felt like an advanced world, and not a dilapidated remnant of what the 80's would consider futuristic. So we can easily say that Disneyland's prime was sometime after 1974.

Unfortunately, the beloved Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland disappeared in 1977. It was said to be one of the most popular rides in history, and Walt Disney's personal favorite ride. Being one of the most classic and inventive attractions in Disneyland's history, the day the Mine Train shut down was a dark day in Disneyland. So I suppose we can determine that Disneyland's best year was between 1974 and 1977. But how to narrow it down further?

It seems that yet again, Space Mountain is the game changer. Space Mountain debuted in 1977, between the short window of Mine Train's closing and the birth of the 1980's. With this, it stands to reason that 1977 was indeed, the best year in Disneyland history.

Let's recap:

Frontierland
•Tom Sawyer's Island
•Country Bear Jamboree
•Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland
•Mike Fink Keel Boats
•Rivers of America

Fantasyland
•Vonroll Skyway
•Motor Boat Cruise
•Storybook Land Canal Boats
•Dumbo
•King Arthur Carousel
•Captain Hook's Galley

Tomorrowland
•Submarine Voyage
•America Sings
•Rocket Jets
•Adventure Thru Inner Space
•Mission to Mars
•Space Mountain
•Peoplemover

Adventureland and New Orleans Square
•Swiss Family Treehouse
•Jungle Cruise
•Enchanted Tiki Room

•Pirates of the Caribbean

•Haunted Mansion

So there you have it folks! Whether it's 1977, or 2013, Disneyland will always be a special place. Let's hope the next 58 years are just as magical.

Where Do Rides Go When They Die?

Where do the old Disneyland rides go after they die? This is a question I asked myself many times as a child. I remember watching many rides come and go. The Rocket Rods, the Mike Fink Keel Boats, and of course,  my all-time favorite ride: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - Submarine Voyage (may it rest in peace).

The answer is more simple than most would imagine. They are dismantled, and the parts are sent back to the Disney boneyard, recycled for use in other attractions. Anything unusable becomes scrap, and is never seen by the public again. Many ride vehicles such as PeopleMover trains and Mr. Toad Cars are sold to collectors. Others remain in the park, re-painted and decorated for guests of newer generations to enjoy, and older generations to remember. Like this Rocket Jets pod and Midget Autopia car.

Others suffer a more tragic fate; they are silently discarded to rot in an empty lot where they will rust away for many years. The forgotten attractions of the past are sometimes truly forgotten.

Sometimes they are just placed arbitrarily in Disneyland for use as decoration, where guests can watch the decay firsthand.

Article here

But surely some rides can still be used after their run, right? Sadly, most of the time this is not the case. They are often rebuilt or replicated in other parks so that they can be enjoyed by others, in a fashion reminiscent of the old days at Disneyland, but not quite the same. The rides are hardly ever salvaged entirely for use in another park, the only example coming to mind being the Carousel of Progress which is now located at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

The reason for this is that the rides simply wouldn't survive the cross-country journey. Take for example the tragic remains of the once beautiful Progress City. What used to be a gorgeous working model with moving parts and spectacular lights, is now a third of its original size with none of the functions that it had in Disneyland.

So you see, sometimes these attractions aren't always built to last. The problem with today's Disneyland is not that newer, more up-to-date attractions are taking over. It's that they are trying to fix what isn't broken. Timeless rides that aren't outdated shouldn't be scrapped. I have nothing against basing rides on Disney movies, but if you're going to do that make sure it's not something that will become stale in a few years. All but a few of Disney's oldest rides are not based on films, they're based on imagination. I couldn't see attractions based on Lilo & Stitch or Cars to last much more than a few years before they become antiquated.

Alas, there is one more fate of a beloved Disney ride that this article has not yet explored. Specifically, one from Walt Disney World in Florida. The 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Submarine Voyage.

When the ride closed in 1994, the submarines were first left in the boneyard along with the likes of many other old attractions. But a number of them found new homes. One was on temporary display in MGM Studios, in the queue for the backlot tour. But perhaps more interesting is one particular Nautilus, which has found its way out to sea. At the tropical Bahamian port for the Disney Cruise Line known as Castaway Cay, a Nautilus sub was painted red and submerged to the seafloor (for those unfamiliar with how light works underwater, red wavelengths are invisible below 30 feet, so red becomes green in deep water).

So there it is, sleeping peacefully on the ocean floor where it truly belongs. Maybe Captain Nemo finally hit that whirpool and met the watery grave he was destined to meet. I don't object to this display at all, as most of the other subs were shredded and destroyed. It was a long run, but it finally made the journey out to sea. Just another way that Disney has enchanted the aching hearts of 20kL fans once again.

But what happened to the submarines from Disneyland? I think that's a story better left untold...

*Shudder*

Splash Mountain: Animatronics Still Broken

The singing crocodile is nowhere to be seen

I visited Disneyland recently and noticed something wrong. For the past several weeks, there has been a glaring aberration on Splash Mountain. Many of the famed audio-animatronics have yet to be fixed. Everyone's favorite hitchhiking croc, the porcupine playing the happy turtle like an instrument, and even Br'er Bear, are completely stationary. Normally, Br'er Rabbit would push his handcar from side to side just as the riders pass underneath, but he too has lost his momentum.

In this scene, Br'er Bear is supposed to tip his hat and bob up and down, but now we see no movement at all. I remember first noticing these malfunctions during the 24-Hour Monstrous Summer event, on May 24th. That was 49 days ago. I think that the obvious reason the Imagineering Department is hesitant to fix these, is that it would mean shutting the entire ride down. With Big Thunder Mountain under construction, Disneyland would lose another of its most popular rides. Especially during a hot summer like this one, losing Splash Mountain would be a huge blow. Just remember that most of these animatronics were made in the 1970's for America Sings, and they're not going to last forever.

Many of the animals in the ride's grand finale are frozen like this

Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room 50th Anniversary

Last month, Disney celebrated the 50th birthday of the beloved Tiki Room attraction. For those outside the United States, Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room is an audio-animatronic show complete with music and talking birds. It first opened on June 23rd, 1963, and remains relatively unchanged to this day.

The Tiki Room was a showcase for the groundbreaking audio-animatronic technology seen in many attractions today. 50 years later, the technology has paved the way for countless Disney attractions around the world, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones, and Splash Mountain. So what did Disneyland do to commemorate this occasion?

Aside from holding many events and galleries, the Opera House lobby on Main Street has been decorated with Tiki Room concept art and images from throughout the years. It even contains memorabilia from the original attraction, like the original barker bird.

Notice the wires dangling below his feet

The barker bird was the Tiki Room's host, who sat perched outside the gateway to Adventureland enticing guests to stop in and watch the show. The novelty of his puns and character made him a very popular attraction, and guests would stop to listen to his spiel. Eventually, this caused too much pedestrian traffic in Adventureland and he was removed. But here he is once again, hopefully to stay.

The show also features a gallery of concept drawings and paintings from the early 1960's. Some show that the Imagineers were going for a more realistic look for the birds and settings, while others demonstrate a cartoony aesthetic. It seems they went with a combination of both.

More Tiki Room memorabilia

I love that we can visit Disneyland and not forget about the past, but be able to see it right before us. Though the park changes drastically year after year, it still holds tight to its wonderful history. Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room is proof that these old attractions are delighting families the same now as they were 50 years ago. I hope that for the upcoming 50th anniversary of Pirates of the Caribbean, we can expect the same sort of look back at history.

The History of Space Mountain

The History



Back in 1967, Disneyland was in the works to completely renovate Tomorrowland. It had been a showcase for corporate sponsors like Monsanto and Bell Telephone for many years, and the outdated retro-future needed a new upgrade. Gone were the antiquated structures like the World Clock and Moonliner. In came the PeopleMover, Carousel of Progress, and Adventure Thru Inner Space. But the most highly anticipated attraction of the 1967 Tomorrowland remodel was a new high-speed space-themed ride, imagined by Walt Disney in conjunction with Arrow Development Co. (now Arrow Dynamics). The ride was shelved after the death of Walt in 1966, and so 1967 came and went, with no sign of Space Mountain in sight.

Early Space Mountain concept art

But Walt Disney World in Florida longed for the same type of success that the Matterhorn was bringing to Disneyland, and there were talks of bringing a Matterhorn to Orlando. Unfortunately, Disney World's Fantasyland was not large enough to accommodate a Matterhorn, and the idea of Space Mountain was brought back to life.

Space Mountain would join the relatively new Carousel of Progress (moved from Disneyland in 1974), and the Tomorrowland of Disney World was finally coming into shape. The Space Mountain in Florida is essentially a similar track layout to the Matterhorn, and was quite like its Disneyland counterpart when Space Mountain arrived here in 1977. However, as the years went by, these old coasters became increasingly out-of-date. The Matterhorn received some new decoration in the '70's, including the now-famous yeti, and the Skyway was removed in the 1990's. Space Mountain received similar treatment in Florida, with new waiting queues and frequent updates. But California's Space Mountain was a smaller, less-impressive copycat of the one in Florida. By 1998, Tomorrowland was in need of refurbishment, and the now infamous redesign of Tomorrowland in Disneyland took place. New rides like Astro Orbitor and Rocket Rods appeared, while others received updated features and colors. Aside from fixing the many issues of Space Mountain, someone thought it needed a new coat of paint. And Space Mountain was painted brown and green.

Why they chose to do this is an absolute mystery, as it was well-hated by guests and didn't fit the "theme" of Tomorrowland whatsoever. Of the countless mistakes of the 1998 "New Tomorrowland", this ranks as one of the worst. Fortunately it didn't last long, and in 2003 Space Mountain was shut down.

2005 was a monumental year for Disneyland, as the park celebrated its 50th anniversary. Two days before Disneyland's birthday, Space Mountain reopened unannounced, with an entirely new waiting queue, ride decorations, and most importantly, a brand new track layout. The new Space Mountain trumped not only the old, but also its once dominant Disney World rival. Today it enjoys average wait times of 1-2 hours and doesn't disappoint. It remains to be arguably the best roller coaster in all of the Disney Parks.

My Perspective

Though my memories of the original Space Mountain are rather vague, I still recall the white tunnels and viewing platform of the queue (guests could actually watch the roller coaster while waiting in line). The original track was bumpy and uncomfortable, not unlike the Matterhorn, whereas the new track is smooth and fast. I first rode the Space Mountain in Orlando several years ago and couldn't stand it. It was like the Matterhorn, but in the dark with no cool scenery to look at. The awesome music adds so much to the experience of the one in Disneyland, and the only soundtrack that can be heard on the one in Disney World is the loud noise of the tracks and machinery. Which isn't to say I'm biased towards Disneyland. My favorite ride is Splash Mountain, and I much prefer Disney World's adaptation of it. But I hate the Space Mountain there, and it won't be one of the first rides I go to when I next visit. For now, the one here will more than suffice.

Disneyland Archives

An overlooked pocket of Main Street sits plain-as-day, to the right just as you cross under the Disneyland Ltd. railroad bridge and enter Disneyland. It's a sort of archive for Disney Park history. They have many fantastic scale models of attractions, and even a large model of Disneyland as it appeared on July 17th, 1955. It also has some relics from the Griffith Park Observatory that gave Walt Disney the inspiration behind Disneyland. And of course, this old piece of history:

That's the bench Walt was sitting on when he first dreamed of Disneyland. The spot where Disneyland was born.

Another amazing bit of Disneyland's legacy is the collection of tickets they have. There's a very large bulletproof case containing countless tickets, including ride ticket books and admission passes. But there's one particular silver slip of paper that makes this exhibit particularly interesting.

It's the greenish one at the top left

That ticket was one of the very first Disneyland tickets ever made. It was donated to the park by someone who was personally invited to attend opening day. After consulting a cast member, I learned that the case was recently insured for over $22,000,000. TWENTY-TWO MILLION DOLLARS. But I'm sure that the ticket itself is priceless.

So stop by, and enjoy the amazing details of Disneyland's past. I hope this exhibit will stay forever, because it truly is an amazing and informative museum documenting the beloved amusement park.

Iron Man Exhibit at Innoventions

For the first time ever, a Marvel-themed attraction has arrived at a Disney Park. For a limited time, the top floor of Innoventions in Tomorrowland will be dedicated to the Iron Man film franchise, starring Robert Downey Jr. Now, you can see all of the Iron Man suits that appear in the movies, including the original Mark 1 suit and the new Mark 42.

It even has a motion-sensor activity where you can stand in a designated spot and watch an Iron Man suit on a screen imitate your moves simultaneously. There is also a small display of prop costume parts actually screen-used in the movies. So check out this exhibit before its run comes to an end.

Fantasy Faire Review

It's finally arrived, Fantasyland's Fantasy Faire. As I mentioned in a previous article, I have been planning on reviewing this attraction since before it opened, so let's get straight to it.

Aside from the fancy new buildings, Fantasy Faire doesn't really offer anything new, in terms of things to do. It's targeted toward younger audiences, unlike the Carnation Plaza Gardens that preceded it. In fact, the only remnant of those gardens is the awning and dance stage, which have had a complete makeover to appear as the "Royal Theatre".

So, what is it? It's a storybook village centered around Disney princesses; ranging from classics such as Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, to more recent favorites like The Little Mermaid and Tangled. There's a meet-and-greet area, a new shop, and a ballroom. Obviously I don't fit the target demographic Disneyland was going for, but I'm going to leave my feedback anyway. The buildings look nice - in fact, they almost put Sleeping Beauty Castle to shame. The Imagineers really did a fantastic job creating a storybook village square, from the colorful tiled roofs down to the little maypole in the center of town.

Note the crane in the background

But WHY did they have to get rid of Carnation Plaza Gardens? I'll admit, I've only visited the gardens a couple of times. But as a regular guest, I know how much that dancing ground meant to many guests, and even to Walt Disney. I love the idea of having a designated area where guests could dance to music without disrupting crowds or feeling foolish. It was a stage where memories were shared, and remembered. I like the idea of Fantasy Faire, but couldn't it have been built somewhere less... in the middle of the park? It's not even technically in Fantasyland, although apparently Fantasyland has stretched its borders to accomodate the land outside of the Castle. Anyway, that's what I think. If you have small children, I suggest you check out this new attraction because I'm sure little kids would adore it. Me, personally? I think I'll head over to Frontierland instead.

Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular

Aladdin, a peasant from Agrabah in the days of the Arabian sultanate, longs to find wealth and prosperity. His love interest, Princess Jasmine of Agrabah, wants just the opposite: to be free of her throne and to marry whomever she chooses. This magical story of star-crossed lovers takes an interesting turn when Aladdin finds a genie who will grant him any three wishes of his choosing. But just like Aladdin and Jasmine, the Genie wants to be free as well.

Located at the Hyperion Theater in California Adventure's Hollywood Land, is Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular. This show is based on the 1992 Disney animated film, Aladdin, and it delivers. Make your way into the 2,000-seat theater and be treated to an array of lights, special effects, and a dramatic interpretation of Tim Rice, Alan Menken, and Howard Ashman's classic soundtrack. Just like the movie, the Aladdin show is abundant with witty pop-culture references that are always fresh. You might hear a joke about Brett Favre one day and Snooki the next. The Genie's wise cracks are almost never recycled. But the material can be appreciated by children too, as Aladdin features all the authentic music from the movie, and an original song written by the movie's songwriter specifically for the stage production!

You ain't never had a friend like me!

Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular brings fun and enjoyment to families of all ages and backgrounds. The theater is made accessible to handicapped and disabled patrons, and audio aid as well as sign language interpretation are also available. Don't forget to have a laugh and witness the truly fantastic interpretation of Disney's Aladdin.

Cars Land Review

Last year, the long-awaited Cars Land was finally opened to the public in Disney's California Adventure. And it didn't disappoint. The beautifully crafted new addition to DCA was well worth the hype, with three new fun rides and a gorgeous array of stores and scenery.


Cars Land boasts a fast new racing-themed ride, Radiator Springs Racers. Riders are taken through some of the memorable locations from Cars', fictional Route 66 roadside town, Radiator Springs. Then, a race ensues between two passenger cars. The ride has fantastic animatronics and a fork in the road that will give you a tour of either Luigi's Casa Della Tires, or Ramone's Body Shop. The long wait times are intimidating, but don't let that stop you from riding California Adventure's awesome attraction. Fans of the movie Cars, or just fans of fast thrill rides like Epcot's Test Track will enjoy it.

The other two rides are Mater's Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi's Flying Tires. Mater's Junkyard Jamboree is very similar to Francis' Lady Bug Boogie in A Bug's Land, and features songs sung by Mater (voiced by Larry the Cable Guy).

Luigi's Flying Tires is a remake of the Flying Saucers ride in Tomorrowland that closed in the 1960's. It works similarly to a gigantic air hockey table, where riders sit in "tires" on top of a surface of air vents that make the hovercrafts float and move around. There are even giant beach balls to spike at fellow riders!

All in all, fans of any age will enjoy Cars Land. Every building in Radiator Springs has been faithfully recreated. You can visit Sally's Kozy Kone Motel, Flo's V8 Cafe, Sarge's Surplus Hut, and many more, in this life-sized world of Pixar's Cars. My number one suggestion? Stop by the Kozy Kone and pick up a cup of Ramone's pear-flavored Pear o' Dice soda!

California Screamin'

The Mickey Mouse head, which has since been replaced with a golden sun

Where:

-Disney California Adventure (Anaheim, CA, USA)

Height:

-120 feet

Top Speed:

-55 mph

Manufacturer:

-Intamin

California Screamin' is one of those rare Disney park attractions that features an inversion. The wait times are always relatively short. Once riders board, they are taken down to the lake in Paradise Pier and stationed right on top of the water. A countdown begins, followed by a launch sending the train at the top speed up a hill. The ride swerves and turns before beginning up the second hill, this time a chain lift. California Screamin's helixes are so massive that they hardly feel like helixes at all. Finally, riders dive into a vertical loop that goes around a large sun (it used to be a giant Mickey Mouse head, as pictured). California Screamin' is enormous, covering a whopping 6,072 feet. The length of the ride makes up for its relatively low speed, but best of all is the scenery. Riders enjoy a view of Disney California Adventure from up high, and a high-speed tour of Paradise Pier. I especially appreciate the structure of the ride, making it appear to be a vintage wooden coaster, while closer inspection reveals that it's a smooth steel coaster. Whether you're a beginner or a veteran, California Screamin' offers excitement for all.