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).

Donald in Bronze

The impressive Partners statue of Walt and Mickey draws folks to the middle of Disneyland's Central Plaza, but alert guests soon realize they're surrounded by a charming circle of smaller character tributes.

We've looked at Pluto and the White Rabbit, but today we're focusing on Mickey's friend and rival, Donald Fauntleroy Duck. Positioned and posed to take full advantage of his castle-tastic backdrop, the temperamental fowl admirably conceals his boiling rage at the fact that--just a few yards away--Mickey gets to pose with the boss.

Scuttle's Endearing Rambling

The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure is basically DCA's answer to It's A Small World. It's not the thrilling journey among storms, sharks and ghost-ships-in-a-giant-whirlpool that I would have preferred, but it is a colorful, air-conditioned cruise through some pleasant musical setpieces.

Best of all, it's got Scuttle. I have a few gripes about the way a couple of the ride's scenes turned out, but the decision to have Scuttle open and close the journey was absolutely brilliant. I especially love his first scene, where he rambles on and on--trying to set up the story and never quite getting to the point.

When you reach the journey's end, and you hear him remark, "...that's how I remember it..." it adds a touch of humor to ease the disappointment of not getting to see the epic battle with the sea-witch.

Because, apparently, Scuttle remembers it like this. Ah, well....

Ariel's Air-Conditioned Omnimover (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

Disney's Omnimover ride system remains one of the most efficient and ingenious ways to carry large numbers of guests through an attraction. In DCA, it turns The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure into a great way to the quickly escape the afternoon heat for a few relaxing minutes of musical, air-conditioned entertainment. The wait to board is rarely more than a few minutes, and it's often a walk-on.

I must be honest; I wish the ride was more thrilling. The designers decided to leave out the battle with the Sea Witch, resulting in a ride with very little drama in its adventure. Still, it's pleasant, pretty, and a great way to get off your feet. Perhaps that final battle can be added to the ride at a future date; Many rides get "plussed" or reworked during their lifespan. Just don't ask a walrus for advice on this one...

Junkyard Jamboree Spins Its Tale in Book Form

While Christmas shopping the other day, the last thing I expected to find hundreds of miles from Disneyland Resort was a souvenir of Disney California Adventure.

But there it was in the book section of the local Target store. At first glance, Mater and the Little Tractors looks like any other Cars-themed beginning reader book, but it soon becomes clear that the book tells the backstory of Mater's Junkyard Jamboree in Cars Land.

King Triton Conquers Paradise Pier

After beginning his theme park career quietly at Disneyland, King Triton has moved on to Disney California Adventure in a big way; he holds the record for getting his face on more DCA attractions than any other character. Somehow, he's managed to take over Paradise Pier!

As seen in the above photo, Triton once reigned over his own jumping fountain garden, making sure the humans visiting his daughter's meet n' greet behaved themselves.

When the grotto was bulldozed to make room for Pixie Hollow, the impressive Triton statue found a new home across the way as the crowning exterior centerpiece of The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure.

Of course, Triton already had a presence in DCA'a seaside amusement park. He's got his very own sea-creature carousel.

And he guards his daughter's restaurant.

Okay, this one looks a bit freaky and began as an unnamed guardian for Wolfgang Puck's Avalon Cove restaurant.  Now that Ariel's moved in, however, we can only assume it's now supposed to be Triton...or the uncle we never hear about...

And, of course, King Triton also appears in the finale of The Little Mermaid ride.

At any rate, Paradise Pier is certainly well-protected. At this point, maybe Triton Pier would be a better name for the  place! In fact, he could burst out of the waters of Paradise Bay to host World of Color! The place needs a fun backstory...maybe Ariel's dad should simply take over.

WDW 1993: Dreamfinder & Figment

Epcot's original Journey Into Imagination quickly became one of my top three favorite attractions in all of Walt Disney World when my family visited the resort in 1993 (it tied with Horizons and Cranium Command). I couldn't get enough of Dreamfinder and Figment, and took several trips through the ride during our stay.

Journey Into Imagination astonished me with its ingenious little vehicle trains as they swiveled sideways to follow the revolving stage for the song One Little Spark -- what a brilliant way to stage a full-length musical number on a ride!

The musical and dramatic interplay between Dreamfinder and his newly-created friend Figment throughout the remainder of the ride made the adventure a warm-hearted, unforgettable experience. I'm very glad Figment still exists on the reworked version of the ride, and I hope someday Dreamfinder returns to the park as well. They're too good as a team to keep apart forever!