Top 10: Splash Mountain Photos

Most people would scream or make an embarrassing face on Splash Mountain. But not these people. These are the top 10 coordinated Splash Mountain photos, mostly coordinated before they stepped on the ride. Maybe some of them couldn't stay entertained long enough to finish the ride before engaging in other activities. This is how to ride that classic flume LIKE A BOSS.

#10. Surgeons

Oh, you know, just a procedural operation being performed at Disneyland. It makes one wonder what the other guests thought seeing people walking around in scrubs.

#9. Taking shots

"Every time they say something racist, we take a shot."

#8. WHY???

Just a classic expression on the drop. I can't tell if this person planned this or is actually scared... or what gender they are.

#7. Beer Pong

Enough said.

#6. Stormtrooper

The best part is his stormtrooper shirt to match his mask. I wonder if he enjoyed Star Tours?

#5. Connect Four

The dude with the Jenga tower kills me. I wonder how they got a Connect Four game into Disneyland.

#4. Marriage Proposal

How sweet! Assuming that's Lindsay in the front I doubt she is as flattered by the picture.

#3. Shaving

 Classic stuff. I hope he didn't cut himself.

#2. Monopoly

This must have taken a lot of planning. I see they're playing with the "No Parking" rules.

#1. Gamecube

This is just awesome. A+ for the idea of playing Super Smash Bros. on the ride. One has to think that was the first (and only) time a video game console rode on Splash Mountain. Also, the poster board being used as a TV was a nice touch.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: Skyway

The Skyway's tunnels, which have since been patched up

The Skyway at Disneyland opened way back in 1956, and ran for an impressive 38 years. It took riders in a gondola above Fantasyland, through the Matterhorn, to and from Tomorrowland. Interestingly enough, the Matterhorn was built around the Skyway three years later. While our man-made Matterhorn isn't actually from Switzerland, the Skyway was; a product of the Swiss company Von Roll Holding.

Sadly, the Skyway closed in 1994 due to damage the ride was causing to the Matterhorn. Although most evidence of the ride is gone, various gondolas have been auctioned off or donated to collectors, the Imagineer headquarters, and other such places. But one piece of the original Skyway still exists, and it can be found in Fantasyland. Although the Tomorrowland station was demolished in 1994, the Fantasyland station can be found in the trees behind Dumbo. The stairway queue is still intact and in fact the "entrance" and "exit" signs on the ground are still legible. While I don't recommend that you sneak your way up the stairs and to the station (as I did), it is still entirely possible. However, doing this might cause some trouble with the cast members if you get caught!

Now if you aren't fortunate (or foolish) enough to visit the actual Skyway loading area, here's a video of what remains:

Dole Whip Stand

Left to right: the Tiki Room and the Dole Whip Stand

Right through the entrance to Adventureland, adjacent to the well-known Enchanted Tiki Room sits a discreet little stand with lines as long as the Indiana Jones queue. Rain or shine, there is a constant flood of customers at this otherwise inconspicuous hut. Seriously, this line can stretch all the way down to Jungle Cruise even on the gloomiest days. If ever you find a fellow Disneyland visitor with a pineapple juice or familiar swirls of yellow ice cream, this is where they got it.

Yes, this stand offers one of the best and most popular snacks in the park: Dole Whip pineapple soft-serve. This delicious snack can be ordered at the top of a glass of cool pineapple juice in float-form or on its own, but either way you're in for a treat. At only five bucks, it's worth the (relatively long) wait to find out what everyone's talking about.

 A delicious Dole Whip float with a customary umbrella

Price: $2.79 - $4.79

Location: Adventureland

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!

Hidden Gems: Buena Vista Street

Okay, so they're not exactly "hidden". But have you ever noticed that some of the stores on the new Buena Vista Street at Disney's California Adventure are cleverly named after important Disney icons?

For instance, the gas station right by the entrance is named "Oswald's Tires". As you can probably guess, this name derives from the once popular Universal cartoon character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Oswald was created by Disney and Ub Iwerks, a fellow animator, for Universal Studios. Disney and Iwerks were forced to leave the company due to financial issues, thus leading to the creation of Mickey Mouse. Oswald was bought by Disney in 2006, 79 years after Walt left Universal. Since his appearance in the 2010 video game Epic Mickey, Oswald has regained popularity and now appears in many places throughout the park.

Another homage is Clarabelle's Ice Cream, a reference to the Disney character Clarabelle Cow.

Clarabelle's, Buena Vista Street

Alternatively, there is another Clarabelle's Ice Cream that can be found in Toontown.

The Clarabelle's Toontown location

And the shop on the end called "Elias & Company"? That's likely named after old Walt Disney. Walt's middle name was Elias.

Well, there you have it. Why, Buena Vista Street has so many references you'd think the street was named after something! Oh wait...

Hidden Gems: Tower of Terror Corpse!

Hollywood, 1939...

The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror is a thrilling drop tower ride that holds many homages to the 1959-1964 TV series, The Twilight Zone. The TV show was known for its creepy theme song and dramatic stories, so it should come as no surprise that the ride would be just as eerie. But not many are aware of just how eerie this ride can be...

When you're stepping off the ride, be sure to look under the left flight of stairs. Under the normal light, you'll see just the silhouettes of boxes in the dark. But be sure to bring a flashlight, because a bright enough light will reveal the feet of a corpse!

I was able to take this picture with my iPhone

If you're too terrified to ride the Tower of Terror but still want to see this hidden gem, ask a cast member near the exit if you can look for the body. They'll know what you mean.