Frozen Review: A Home Run for Disney Animation

Full of surprises, intense emotions, dazzling art and terrific music, Frozen is Disney's best non-Pixar animated film in ages. The studio publicists have been advertising it as their best movie since The Lion King, and I agree; Disney hasn't produced such a powerful, crowd-pleasing and memorable film since that 1994 hit.

Towering Tinkertoys

As we've mentioned before, the Pixar Play Parade at DCA is one of the most charming day parades Disney's ever produced. Today we've got a look at the Tinkertoys man, strutting happily with the assistance of two very courageous cast members stuck in the goofiest costumes on Earth.

Talk about team players; Give these guys a raise!

Like many elements in this parade, this scene makes the crowd smile with its clever, unpretentious way of focusing on the pure fun of childhood toys. It's one of DCA's most pleasant surprises--Just watch out for the water spray from his fingers!

Photos by Lana Whitham

Mickey Rides the Red Car

Mickey, newly arrived in Southern California, takes in the sights and sounds of Hollywood Boulevard on his way to Buena Vista Street. At least, that's his backstory in the Red Car Newsboys show at DCA.

It's refreshing to see The Mouse portrayed as an average Joe instead of a global superstar, and it's one of the many charming elements that's begun forming DCA's unique atmosphere. After the park's original 2001 grating attempts to distiniguish itself by being "edgy" and banning Disney characters from the grounds, it turned out that presenting the characters in unexpected, period-appropriate roles was a much better way to go.

Photo by Lana Whitham

Early Morning in the Junkyard

Summer mornings at Disneyland Resort during Extra Magic Hour often come equipped with overcast skies and cool temperatures. Mater's Junkyard takes on a calm, relaxed atmosphere during these moments despite the swirling tractors and Mater's loud, tongue-in-cheek serenades.

The Junkyard Jukebox Stands Outside of Mater's House

It's a perfect time to check out the hundreds of details in the junkyard queue while taking multiple spins on the funniest tractor pull that ever square-danced through Radiator Springs.


Even at 7:00 A.M., these tractors have their dancin' tires on!

As we've mentioned before, Mater's Junkyard Jamboree is one of the most enjoyable family thrill rides in any Disney park, and much wilder than it looks from outside the fence. Don't miss this one on your next pass through Carburetor County.

Photos by Lana Whitham

Condor Flats Needs More Personality. Planes, Anyone?

An unusual new Disney animated film is nearly upon us (the first non-Pixar feature film set in a Pixar world), and--no surprise--the Planes merchandise has landed ahead of the movie to begin the ballyhoo.

As usual for the Cars franchise, the little collectible die-cast characters are slickly packaged, and I love the backdrop for Skipper (shown above), as it looks like a ready-made Imagineering pitch for an upgrade to DCA's airstrip-themed Condor Flats.

This area, of course, holds the gigantic hangar-shaped show building for Soarin', the only real reason anyone ventures into Condor Flats. This land needs another ride and a big boost in the personality department.

It's got an appealing theme, and I love the ramshackle airstrip buildings on the Grizzly Peak side.

Perhaps, however, it's time to get rid of the giant rocket jet mist-blaster (which is an eyesore even when it's working) and really add some more charm (and much more shade) to the whole zone. I know I'm not the first blogger to point out that this would be a fantastic photo-op location for meeting the cast of Planes.

Any chance of the film's mythical Propwash Junction coming to life here in any form depends, I'm sure, on the movie's box office take. With or without the Planes crew, however, DCA's Condor Flats needs to become a truly beautiful and memorable destination, and not just the place you hurry through on your way to Soarin'.

In Every Park, One Ride Has To Be The Worst

I hate to bad-mouth such a jolly-looking ride, but Jumpin' Jellyfish takes top spot on our short list of things we'd (still) love to see replaced at DCA.

It has an identity crisis. It's basically a children's ride that looks too intimidating for many kids to want to ride alone. For adults, it's not worth any kind of wait in line. It goes gently up, it comes gently down. You get a nice view for a few moments, and wonder is this all it does? Yes, that's all it does.

The kicker, though, is the seat design. See, there's this knob on each seat that fits between the rider's legs. The seats come to rest inconveniently high off the ground, so you have to do a backwards hop to get aboard. If you happen to be male, and miss the mark slightly...you might find yourself turning green and doubling over before the ride even begins. Fun times.

One of the last untouched holdovers from DCA's opening day, Jumpin' Jellyfish simply takes up too much valuable waterfront space. The same might also be said of its neighbor, Golden Zephyr, but the Zephyr's actually fun to ride. Jumpin' Jellyfish, on the other hand, is the one attraction at DCA I wouldn't recommend to anyone unless there's absolutely no wait--and even then, watch out for those seats!

Photo by Lana Whitham

Heimlich in Hollywood Land

Everyone's favorite ravenous caterpillar winds his way (in several pieces) along Hollywood Blvd. during the Pixar Play Parade at DCA. This parade never fails to make me grin as it passes by. It's impressive and filled with ingenious costume and puppetry concepts, yet manages to feel completely casual, light-on-its-feet and unpretentious.

By the way, that's DCA's best shop in the background: Off the Page. Filled with Disney art prints, cels, books and collectibles, it also gives you a chance to commission a personalized character sketch from an on-duty Disney artist. You could request a drawing of anything from Mufasa to Mickey to...well, how about Heimlich?

DCA's Rushin' River Outfitters

Located near the Grizzly River Run whitewater ride, Rushin' River Outfitters has always been one of DCA's most enjoyable shops. Its name is a twist on Northern California's Russian River (DCA's original designers certainly loved puns), its decor can be described as mountain-highway-truckstop-town-chainsaw-sculpture-classic, and its merchandise is generally worth a gander.

I love the interior of this shop. Despite the intentionally cluttered look of the props hanging about, the place has an open, airy atmosphere that's cozy in the winter and refreshingly cool in the summer.

And, just so you don't miss it, let's zoom in on that little sign up there...

A pause to groan. Bonus wordplay down on the lower right! I do admire the clever use of fake merchandise as shelves for the actual merchandise; They've almost got a little WDW Blizzard Beach West vibe going here.

For clothing and coffee mugs with a Disney-Goes-Pacific-Northwest theme (as well as Grizzly River Run souvenirs), Rushin' River Outfitters offers a relaxed and comfortable shopping option with a focused, well-chosen inventory. As a bonus, it's right by the gate to the Grand Californian Hotel, making it extra convenient for the hotel's guests (and Paradise Pier Hotel guests using the gate as a shortcut).

Flik's Flyers in A Bug's Land

DCA features several great ways to fly, carrying guests skyward on everything from virtual hang-gliders to the nerve-jangling swinging gondolas of Mickey's Fun Wheel. For pure strangeness and wonderment, though, I can't pick a more delightful DCA aircraft than the airborne juice boxes and take-out containers of Flik's Flyers.

As with Dumbo and The Mad Tea Party, here's another case of incredible theming transforming a basic carnival ride into something amazing. Although A Bug's Land is aimed toward families with small children, this ride manages to catch the attention of many an adult party heading through en route to Cars Land. Seriously, who wouldn't want to cruise the heavens in an egg roll box?

Photo by Lana Whitham

Cars Land at Night

Welcome back to Disney California Adventure! The sun's down, the neon's lit and the music's playing as we take a nine photo stroll through nighttime Cars Land.

Fillmore's Place, home of black light, folk art, bootleg fuel and fresh fruit.

Outside Mater's Junkyard, looking down Route 66.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Seen through a thin web of overhead Trolley wires, the supernaturally twisted Tower of Terror rises above Hollywood Land at DCA.

It's the only ride at Disneyland resort that still scares me every single time I climb aboard. The anticipation during the story scenes--knowing what's coming--creates one of the most awesomely tense, nerve-wracking first moments of any ride I can think of.

And when the drops begin, the whole elevator cabin echoes with passengers' screams and laughter (a perfect combination of both) at an intensity you'll find nowhere else on property. This ride plugs directly into everyone's instinctive fear of falling, and somehow makes the sensation fun and terrifying at the same time. When it all finally ends, I always find myself grateful it's over, yet glad I went.

An import from Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida, DCA's version of ToT lacks the original's horizontal track Fifth Dimension corridor, opting instead for an extra scene inside the main drop shaft. I hope to someday try the Florida original to compare the adventures; I'm sure I'll be every bit as scared dropping faster than freefall on the East coast as on the West.

Photo by Lana Whitham

Fillmore's Windmill Watchamacallit

Welded together from cast-off oil barrels, this odd, quirky bit of Cars Land kinetic sculpture sits in a quiet corner of Fillmore's yard, just a few yards away from the hippy van's geodesic garage home.

The horizontal windmill might simply represent the aging VW's artistic leanings. I wouldn't be surprised, however, to find it playing a role in the manufacturing of Fillmore's organic, non-petroleum home-brewed fuel.

In the upper right, we can glimpse the top of Grizzly Peak, looking as if it's trying to take one tiny nibble of folk art.

Celebrating Buena Vista Street's First Year

During the amazing June 2012 relaunch of Disney California Adventure, most media coverage focused on Cars Land (we wished it a Happy First Birthday this past Saturday). The other new land, Buena Vista Street, took a stalwart back seat while performing its vital role perfectly.

One year and two days ago, Disney California Adventure gained something it never had before: a heart. That's what Buena Vista Street brought to the park.

Looking back at the Street's terrific first year at the resort, we're listing our Top Ten favorite elements the new land has brought to the reborn park.

1) A HOME BASE

When DCA opened in 2001, its entry area, Sunshine Plaza, greeted arriving guests with a hodgepodge of pop culture imagery, a miniature Golden Gate Bridge, and an odd-looking sun fountain. To many, it came across as sterile and cynical. Buena Vista Street took its cue from Disneyland's Main Street and transformed DCA's entry land into a welcoming trip back to an idealized Old Los Angeles. The relaxing, welcoming atmosphere, sparked with a theme of enterprise and enthusiasm, provides a perfect "home base" for a day at the revitalized DCA.

2) OSWALD

As you enter the park, you see Oswald before you see Mickey. That's a terrific bit of subtle history right there. Everyone knows the line, "It all started with a mouse." The mouse started because Walt lost the rights to his rabbit. Now the rabbit has come home, and his shop begins your journey into DCA, where, a short distance away, you will next encounter Walt and Mickey. I love this. And speaking of Walt and Mickey....

3) STORYTELLERS

The statue of young Walt and Friend greets guests at eye level. I've written a bit about this before, and I can't think of much else to say, except that it looks as if the two are ready to discover the park with us. The story begins...

Happy Birthday, Cars Land! Our Radiator Springs Top Ten

One year ago today, Cars Land opened to the public, rocketing Disneyland Resort into one of the most exciting and successful seasons in theme park history. Overnight, the once-ridiculed DCA became an outstanding full-day park and the entire resort began firing on all cylinders like never before.

In honor of the land that saved an entire park, Mouse Troop happily presents the top ten reasons we find it tough to leave DCA's amazing automotive universe.

1) THE ROCK WORK

Pictures and videos don't do justice to this enormous, amazing fantasy landscape. Although it's all part of Radiator Springs Racers, the rock work of Cars Land is also an attraction in itself--one that can be enjoyed at leisure by all guests. It's certainly the main reason we find it hard to tear ourselves away from the place.

2) RADIATOR SPRINGS RACERS

Currently our favorite ride on the planet, this masterpiece of humor, heart, thrills and joy isn't just a great ride--it completely succeeds at pulling you into the story and making you the main character in a quest to take part in Race Day at Radiator Springs. Absolutely amazing. The Single Rider queue provides a great way to avoid the often two-plus hour waits.

Disneyland Hotel's Adventure Tower

The Disneyland Hotel's towers are themed to three of the park's realms: Adventure, Fantasy and Frontier. Each tower contains models and concept art relating to its namesake's development.

Here in the Adventure Tower's lobby, guests are greeted by a terrific mural and a series of Jungle Cruise maquettes...

Including these charming elephants, made slightly less charming by my amazing ability to place a ceiling light reflection in the worst possible spot.

Classic Mickey in Both Parks

Mickey's been drawn, sculpted and digitized in many different styles over the decades, but my favorite versions of Walt's superstar graced the studio's early years. Here's a shot of the terrific old-fashioned promo art beckoning guests into the Main Street Cinema at Disneyland.

Meanwhile, across the Esplanade...

This cheerful poster enlivens the base of  DCA's Silly Symphony Swings. This may be my favorite bit of Mouse art ever. I know Mickey's not the tallest character on Earth, but--man, those are big seals.

Under the Sea: The Best Scene in a Controversial Ride

Here's a burst of color for a June Sunday. In a previous post, we've mentioned a couple of things we like and dislike about The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure. Today, let's simply enjoy the very best scene on the ride: The Under the Sea room.

In this chamber, the Imagineers had to create one big, active environment based on a movie scene that's mostly composed of many quick, individual shots. This ride may not have much in the way of thrills, but it can certainly boast one heck of a cheerful centerpiece.

Plus, it no longer features Dole-Whip-Hair Ariel (a horror Florida fans never had to encounter).

California Screamin's Single Rider Shortcut

DCA's California Screamin' is one of the park's most efficient crowd-movers. With the ability to run five trains on the track at once, the massive coaster's wait times remain reasonable even on the busiest days. If you're touring the park solo, however (or don't mind temporarily splitting your group), the Single Rider Entry can cut your wait to just a few minutes!

The Single Rider Entrance is to the left of the Standby Line. A cast member will direct you through to this area, which is actually the ride's unloading side. A moment later, you'll be directed to the right, where you'll take an elevator up to the queue's over-the-tracks bridge.

Treating Disneyland and DCA as One Big Park

Since last June, when DCA re-launched as a spectacular and satisfying park (at long last), many guests, particularly frequent-visitor locals and Annual Passholders, began approaching the resort with a new outlook.

Many folks now treat Disneyland and DCA as one enormous mega-theme park. With the two halves facing each other, separated only by a one-minute walk across the central Esplanade, it's an easy mindset to embrace! In this way of looking at the parks, the security bag check becomes the actual main entrance. The turnstyles at DL and DCA seem like mere formalities.

Cars Land Details: The Hidden Pixar SnowGlobe

We're inside Lizzie's Radiator Springs Curios Shop today. It's a crazy little store full of antique decor and whimsical knick knacks. Speaking of knick knacks...if you look in the right place, you'll spot a tribute to one of Pixar's earliest short films.

Check out the line of snow globes atop one of the display cabinets.

Knick the Snowman has found a home in the Cars universe! I guess things didn't go well for him with the fishbowl mermaid...