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.

Duck, Duck, Elephant

Ducks don't care about "story" or "theme." They just want a safe place to wash, drink and hunt for bugs -- and this feathered couple seems to have found a good protector, to boot.

Anyone who grew up with the classic children's book Make Way For Ducklings can find a whole new reason to love Jungle Cruise at moments like this. One can only hope Mr. and Mrs. Mallard someday bring their future ducklings back to this very spot!

Six Flags from a Disney Fan's Perspective

As my group approached the gates of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, I innocently said, "Let's ride Superman. It looks fun." I would soon regret those words...

I usually save all my theme park funds for Disneyland, but I was fortunate enough to be invited to an off-season private event at Discovery Kingdom in Northern California with friends and family. I'd never visited DK before, and I'm not a Six Flags fan. I was heading for a day of surprises.

1994: Disneyland's Amazing Lion King Celebration

1994 saw the debut of the greatest daytime parade Disneyland has ever presented: The Lion King Celebration. This amazing production combined music, dance, puppetry, audioanimatronics, acrobatics, radio-controlled creatures, live percussion and audience interaction into a joyful fusion of Disney animation and African art that was unlike any previous park attraction.

More of these two awesome hams after the break

Employing nearly 100 performers and operators, the production became an instant smash-hit for the park, prompting many return visits and repeat viewings.

The Elephant Bathing Pool

One moment, you're cursing at traffic on I-5. An hour later, you could be gazing at this. See, this is why the world needs Disneyland.

No matter how many times people ride the Jungle Cruise, I think -- as they listen to the guide's jokes -- they always forget the Elephant Bathing Pool's coming. Then the boat emerges into the clearing, and you hear that collective gasp of wonderment from everyone, adults and children alike.

I'll bet the guides love that moment.