A Portal to Wondrous, Dark Adventures

Sleeping Beauty Castle is more than a fanciful park icon; It beckons you into a land containing the best collection of classic-style dark rides on the planet. And, once upon a time (before the mid-eighties), those rides were darker and more mysterious. Today's guests experience the adventures of Snow White, Pinocchio, Peter Pan and Alice as journeys into film worlds they're well acquainted with. Mr. Toad's movie remains relatively obscure, but at least the film's available.

But the dark rides weren't always visits to familiar film worlds. Two factors originally combined to make each ride a stranger, more thrilling experience, particularly for children. Sure, there was the massive Fantasyland makeover in 1983, but most of it revolves around the fact that Disney animation was not always something you could view anytime you wanted.

Anyone who grew up in the 1950's, 60's or 70's might remember the particularly strong sense of otherworldliness Fantasyland held. Because...

In the pre-home-video days, more park guests knew the Disney versions of Alice, Snow White, Peter Pan, and Mr. Toad from their Fantasyland dark rides than from the films themselves.

Fifty-Eight Years Ago...

The Matterhorn's a Movie Star

The Award for Best Performance by a Theme Park Attraction in a 90's Tom Hanks Movie goes to....Matterhorn Bobsleds in That Thing You Do!

Written and directed by Hanks, the joyous, light-on-its-feet 1996 musical comedy follows the stunningly brief career of The Wonders, a fictional small town pop group who form, rise to stardom, and dissolve all in the course of a single amazing summer in 1964. The film stars Hanks (as the manager), Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, and the world's first tubular steel roller coaster.

Okay, the Matterhorn only gets one scene--But it's a great one! It involves the band's unnamed (even in the credits!) Bass Player who enlisted in the Marines right before the group's record became a hit and who wants to see Disneyland more than anything. Toward the end of the film, he fails to show up for a live television broadcast in Los Angeles. Hanks and the rest of the band are frantic. "Where IS he ???"

The camera CUTS TO the answer:

Now, of course, Disney geeks know the Matterhorn had a different style of bobsled (and single sleds, not tandem) running on the ride in the 60's. But Hanks & crew went to the trouble of repainting the on-camera bobsleds to match a recognizable color scheme from that era of the ride's history. It's a great nod toward accuracy.

If you haven't seen the film, give it a go if you're in the mood for a great, breezy, fun flick full of enjoyable songs and one of Liv Tyler's most powerful scenes ever. If you actually grew up in the 60's, it'll make your jaw drop open at some of the period touches it gets just right: I do remember buying phonograph needles at the local mom n' pop appliance store!

Keep an eye out for the next Tom Hanks/60's Disneyland movie pairing as Hanks plays Walt Disney in the upcoming Saving Mr. Banks!

Gone to Disneyland!

Today's post is very brief, because Mouse Troop is in Disneyland Resort for some fun, food and photos! Even though a few attractions are currently closed for refurbishment, we're looking forward to the lighter-than-average pre-Spring Break crowds. Can not wait to hop aboard Radiator Springs Racers and the Indiana Jones Adventure!

The Walrus has tagged along, so the Fish Heads & Crumbs comic, which would normally appear today, will return next week. Normal posting resumes tomorrow, even if I'm stuffed to the gills with Apple Freeze and Chili Cone Queso!

Armor and Swords at the Heraldry Shoppe

This terrific suit of armor guards the entry to Fantasyland's Castle Heraldry Shoppe at Disneyland -- your one-stop destination for family crests and really expensive Middle Earth swords. Although I miss the Disney Villains Shop that once occuppied this space, I do love the blend of history and fantasy found within the newer store.

With one foot in the real past (your own past!) and one foot in the domain of legends, it's one of the park's most interesting shops, and a perfect, classy fit for the castle courtyard.

Corn Dog Castle (and Fish Heads & Crumbs)

Word's getting around; Disneyland Resort features the best corn dogs on the planet. They're delicious, crispy, and cooked just right. Disneyland Park sells them from the Little Red Wagon on Main Street, while Disney California Adventure fries them up at Paradise Pier's Corn Dog Castle.

Few seem to mind that Corn Dog Castle retains the deliberately gaudy decor of Paradise Pier's first years. Now that most of the rest of the pier has been made over, the little hold-out looks kind of cute (believe it or not, this billboard's a lot more subtle than the one CD Castle started with!)

There's only one problem: The place does not open until lunch time. My sister caught my brother-in-law (the tall one) and me staring forlornly through the windows, realizing we were too early. No matter how much we stared, the place just wouldn't magically open for breakfast for us. Go figure.

And now, Fish Heads & Crumbs....

Click to Enlarge

Screamin', Swingin' and Waiting for Corn Dogs

You trek from Cars Land to Corn Dog Castle, only to remember your favorite Paradise Pier food stand doesn't open until 11:00. What do you do? You take pictures! This end of California Screamin' doesn't get much photo-love, but that banked, swoopy twist is one of the best parts of the ride.

This early in the morning, nearly everyone's in Cars Land, leaving Paradise Pier full of wide open walkways and very short lines. In true Anaheim weather fashion, those clouds will soon give way to blue skies and bright sunshine -- just in time for corn dogs!

Our Amazing, Tiny Castle

Sleeping Beauty Castle appears to be struggling to make itself seen over Disneyland's Plaza treetops -- and those aren't exactly giant sequoias.

It's time we embrace the nearly-huggable modest height of SBC. Not only is it charming, but there's not an inch of wasted space; that structure houses five dark rides and a walk-through attraction. It's the workhorse of make-believe palaces.

Florida's castle is grand. California's is flat-out adorable. Both are awesome.

The Castle's Flip-Side

The courtyard side of Sleeping Beauty Castle doesn't get photographed nearly as much as its famous front. This view's "cozy and protective" vibe doesn't inspire as many shutter clicks as the grand entry across the drawbridge, but I think it looks fantastic.

How can any one spot stay so busy and yet feel so relaxed? Even with that huge line for Peter Pan's Flight seen here on the left and the parked strollers nearby (why do so many people take their babies on Snow White's SCARY Adventures?), the inner court itself maintains a calm, relaxed atmosphere.

I can't forget the unsung heroes of this shot: the trees. Most guests seem to take them for granted, but Disneyland's trees are the living, breathing soul of the park. They're part of Disneyland's unique style, and make the place feel like home to its many, many fans.

The Owl Guard Never Sleeps

This wonderful little statue guards the equally wonderful Sleeping Beauty Castle. Overlooked by most guests, he's a fan favorite and a must-visit character for those who know he's there.

Some folks understandably believe him to be Archimedes, Merilin's grumpy sidekick from the Sword in the Stone...but he's not. He's the playful and nameless owl from Sleeping Beauty. Stop by the next time you're in Disneyland; he loves to pose.

Maleficent on the Castle

As you pass through Sleeping Beauty Castle into the main Fantasyland courtyard, it's natural to immediately focus your attention on the great rides ahead. If, however, you slow down a moment and look to the left, you'll spot this wonderful painting on the castle wall depicting one of the best moments in Disney animation: Prince Phillip's confrontation with the dragon Maleficent. Look at that great use of color, pulling your eyes to the flame's impact on the shield.

No doubt about it, that dragon is one of the best film monsters of all time. When I finally took the time to really get a good look at this painting, however, one element made me smile most. Let's zoom in on the real star of Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty.

Yes, Samson the horse is one of Disney's great unsung heroes. Sleeping Beauty's happy ending couldn't happen without this stalwart, long-suffering trooper -- and all he gets is a carrot. I think the artist in charge of this great painting felt the same way; he took the time to capture the humor and determination in the character. I mean, compare the horse's face to Prince Phillip's; who got the most flattering portrait?

Disneyland contains a bazillion great little details. This painting, quietly tucked to the side, is just one of them.