Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide Rail (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

I'm staring at this photo, taken inside Trolley Treats on Buena Vista Street, and all I can think is, "I should've bought more peanut brittle."

One of the few perks about traveling on a tight budget is the built-in moderation factor: I can't afford to over-indulge (much). End of story. If I lived close enough to the resort to visit the parks more often -- and without the hotel and travel expenditure -- I'm afraid to imagine how many park goodies I'd wolf down on a typical visit. If I wasn't careful, I might wind up in a situation a walrus friend of mine recently -- ouch! Sorry, I just tripped over the segue...

The Pinocchio That Never Was (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

The entry for Pinocchio's Daring Journey, featuring the cheerful title character, misleads some first-time riders into thinking it's a happy trip through a puppet show. If you've seen the film, you know how that scenario plays out, and the ride is every bit as dark and full of villainy.

During the film's production, Walt Disney and co. made a wise decision when they scrapped their original concepts for the character -- which stuck fairly close to the book version -- in favor of a more likable, naive personality an audience could actually care about. Carlo Collodi's book is an amazing work of fantasy, but his Pinocchio is one of the most obnoxious, self-centered and irritating characters in children's literature.

Thank goodness you don't have to worry about running into that version of Pinocchio on the Disneyland dark ride. Er....

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...

Oz the Pretty Good (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

I saw Oz the Great and Powerful yesterday, and enjoyed it a lot, particularly the first and final acts. I wish its structure wasn't so incredibly similar to Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, which was incredibly similar to Narnia (The prophesy's come true--free us from tyranny! But I don't wanna! But you must! Oh, okay...), but for a prequel tale that sets up the Wizard of Oz, the film works very well.

James Franco does a fine job as Oscar "Oz" Diggs. It's a tough role, since Oscar's a shallow, opportunistic jerk until the last act, but Franco manages to make his eventual change of heart believable. I love all the ties and nods to the 1939 film, starting with Oscar breaking up with Dorothy's future mom! Finley the Flying Monkey and the China Girl are two of the most likable CGI film characters I've ever seen, and the brilliant opening credits are worth the price of admission.

Overall, Oz The Great and Powerful is a spectacular and tremendously entertaining film. Seems I'm not the only one at Mouse Troop who saw it this week....

When Hinges Creak (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

There's no mistaking this creepy foyer for any other; we've just stepped into The Haunted Mansion, and this is the view you get when you're near the back of the group.

Despite the crowd, this is one of those classic Disneyland moments. How many of you are old enough to remember the pre-internet days, back even before Disney released the music on CD, LP or tape, when the only time you could hear that unforgettable organ theme was when you were actually standing there in the foyer? The creepy awesomeness would wash over you in a wave of...I dunno...welcoming forboding? You felt like you'd come home...to the dead...and it made you grin...It could only happen at Disneyland or WDW's Magic Kingdom!

The 999 Happy Haunts of Haunted Mansion keep looking for number 1,000. They just don't want it to be one particular guy. Shoebox is back. I am so sorry...

The Ride Adults Fear Most (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

What's the scariest ride at Disneyland Resort for many adults? Tower of Terror? No, that's in second place. We're talking about the good old Mad Tea Party. If you belong to the large percentage of adult humans who get motion sick when spinning wildly in circles, it can be a supreme act of courage to brave these jolly cups simply because your children don't want to ride alone.

Every day at Disneyland, that act of selflessness is carried out over and over again. It's kind of inspiring.

Primeval Walrus (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

The grand locomotive Fred Gurley has returned safely to Main Street Station after another thrilling trip through the prehistoric Primeval World. No other railroad on Earth takes you on a tour of the Old South, the Old West, the World of Tomorrow, the Grand Canyon and the Age of Dinosaurs -- and gets you back to Main Street in time for the afternoon parade!

Aston Walrus looks forward to park train trips as a chance to relax and reflect. But he lives in a comic strip, so things rarely work out that way...

When a Cold Strikes at Disneyland (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

Must...get..to...hotel...(I knew I'd find a use for this photo someday!)

There's no such thing as a good time to catch a cold, but feeling it hit right as vacation starts is just plain aggravating. I can tell you from personal experience that riding the Matterhorn with a pounding headache is not a good idea. Sometimes there's simply no other choice but to slog back to the hotel, collapse like a sack of coconuts, try not to blame the co-worker back home (who came to work with a fever) and hope it eases up in time to allow you at least a few good rides...or at least an Apple Freeze and a fritter.

For locals, it's not quite such a big deal; they just postpone for a week or two. They might even use the parks as their own comfort-food takeout service. Cue the walrus...oh, wait, he can't leave his house today...

Flying Saucers, Tires, Fish Heads & Crumbs

 

Yes, I am the proud owner of a Luigi's Flying Tire hat, one of the most delightfully goofball souvenirs in Cars Land. I don't wear it to work (very often), but it's definitely a cheery item to keep around.

As many readers know, the Luigi's Flying Tires ride (which I love) owes its existence to a legendary ride from Disneyland's early years, the Flying Saucers. As someone who rode the Saucers twice as a small child, I can honestly say that I remember very little of the experience.

Aston Walrus, on the other hand, remembers quite a bit...or so he claims...

Bobsleds & Abominables (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

Bobsledders prepare for their wild coaster trip through the Matterhorn. Since this is the Tomorrowland side, they're getting the track with craziest turns, the bridge drop and the best splash.

If you've visited Mouse Troop before, you know I like to keep a positive attitude around here. So I'm not going to say how I really feel about these new bobsleds.  Let me just nod toward those guys in the second sled and remark that the new seating arrangement is every bit as comfortable as it looks.

Fortunately, the ride itself is as awesome as ever, and the Abominable Snowman (unofficially known as "Harold") has never been louder or more startling. And speaking of loud things, here's our weekly walrus..

Reviewing the Netflix Disney Films: Alice in Wonderland

With several great Disney classics readily available to stream on Netflix, there's no better time to take another look at these amazing films. Today Mouse Troop turns its attention to one of the most problematic and interesting films ever to come out of Walt Disney Studios. It has a castle, but no princess, no love story, no battles, no time, no way (except the Queen's way), no mustard in the watch, no oysters for the Carpenter and no tea (ever) for Alice.

Few would deny that Disney’s animated Alice in Wonderland fails on a few levels. It lacks emotion, it’s episodic, the story has no goal…

And yet…

It’s my favorite Disney film. I first saw it on Wonderful World of Color way back during my 1960's childhood (when a chance to see Disney animation was a rare treat), and it haunted my dreams. I think small children can relate to Alice’s fear of being lost, and if you experience this film at a young age, the movie retains a deep-rooted sense of peril that’s lost on those who initially view it as an adult.

The Haunted Mansion Wannabe (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

Just a few more days until the Haunted Mansion reopens following the seasonal departure of Jack Skellington and crew (this photo was taken before the holiday switch).

Last week, we met the unfortunate Shoebox Ghost, who just can't get accepted into the Haunted Mansion's exclusive community. As it turns out, once you meet a ghost, they're hard to shake. They tend to, y'know...follow you home...

Dreaming of the Hatbox Ghost (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

The Haunted Mansion will be closed through January 17th in order to switch back from Holiday mode to HM classic. Each year as this happens, all Mansion fans wonder if any surprise changes or additions will take place during the closure.

Everyone wants the Hatbox Ghost to return someday. That legendary attic dweller (whose head disappeared from his shoulders and reappeared in the hatbox he held) was evicted from the ride soon after its debut, as the lighting-dependent effect didn't work as well as hoped. With all of today's technological advances, there seems to be no reason the Hatbox Ghost couldn't make a triumphant return.

But if they can't get ol' Hatbox back, well...they could always hold auditions for an equally awesome replacement...

A Farewell to the Original Big Thunder (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

We all have one week left to ride the original Big Thunder trains through the little mining town of Rainbow Ridge. As we mentioned earlier this month, Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closes its gates on January 7th in order to undergo a massive refurbishment and track replacement. Rides on a new fleet of runaway mine trains will begin when the attraction reopens this Fall.

I'll miss the old bench-style seats and the original Rainbow Ridge (it's getting rebuilt), but I can't wait to see what new surprises might wait along that wild run through Coyote Canyon, Big Thunder Mine and Dinosaur Gap.

Goodbye for now, Big Thunder. Can't wait to see the new you. Before I get too emotional about this, here's Fish Heads & Crumbs...

A Feral Cat Christmas (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

The Hungry Bear Restaurant marks the farthest point of guest access along Disneyland's riverbank. From there on, it's pure Anaheim wilderness, full of mecha-moose, electric elk, and some for-real wildlife, such as the park's hidden feral cat colony, which we've visited before.

If you spot feral cats in the park in real life, it's best to leave the cute critters alone. In a comic strip world, however...well...Happy Holidays, and here's Fish Heads & Crumbs...

Blue Sky Dreams (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

For years, Disneyland hosted a Previews of Coming Attractions exhibit on Main Street, featuring such wonders as the models of Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain back when those attractions were under construction.

Today, the Blue Sky Cellar at Disney California Adventure provides the latest peeks at the Imagineering process. A new generation of future world-builders can spend hours there among the blueprints, models and concept art behind the latest park marvels.

Today's crayon doodlers could end up designing tomorrow's parks! Time for Fish Heads & Crumbs...

Vinylmation Negotiation (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

Disney Parks don't need Casinos. They've got Vinylmation. So far, I've been able to restrict my collecting to a few wonderful examples provided by family generosity and chance. Don't, however, ask me how many die-cast Pixar Cars I've purchased -- but, with Cars, you know what you're getting. Of course, the thrill of opening a mystery box is what makes a Vinylmation purchase so much fun -- and so potentially addictive.

Presenting a Vinylmation as a gift can lead to...complications. Time for Fish Heads & Crumbs...

Waiting For Fantasmic (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

Once it was Harper's Mill and now it's Lafitte's Tavern, but in both guises the rustic structure on Tom Sawyer Island has harbored Fantasmic's main stage.

It's hard to believe the gigantic Maleficent Dragon waits below, ready to rise up and set the Rivers of America afire...only to be fried by a dreaming mouse.  The thing I love most about the Disneyland version of Fantasmic is the way the show elements leap forth to take over the whole area -- and then when it's over and the lights go up, the old river has returned to normal in the blink of an eye.

It's a good thing the stage is so pleasant to look at, because a lot of die hard Fantasmic fans camp out for hours to secure a good spot for the show...and I believe that's a cue for Fish Heads & Crumbs...

Rare Characters From 1983's Flights of Fantasy

In a recent post we watched the giant Fantasia brooms march by, and now we're taking a look at some more rarely-seen characters who grabbed the spotlight in Disneyland's 1983 Flights of Fantasy parade. We've got a dozen photos today, starting with the best armored oddballs ever:

 

The Trumpeter, Hippo Knight and Rhino Guards from Robin Hood show up! Check out the rhino on the far right menacing the crowd.

Heffalumps and Woozles. Hide the honey!

Once There Was a PeopleMover (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

The abandoned tracks twist above Disneyland's Tomorrowland, serving no purpose except as a nighttime lighting fixture for the area's entry strip. Once there was a PeopleMover ride bustling along that wonderful elevated roadway. Why it went away, and what happened to its much-hyped  and ill-fated replacement remains one of Disneyland's saddest tales. It's clearly time to move on, tear those old tracks down and have fun imagining the possibilities for Tomorrowland's future.

Younger Disneyland fans often ask about those old tracks. It's the duty of PeopleMover pros to pass along their knowledge to these eager learners. And it's important to get the facts straight. And avoid fibbing. And...hey, look, it's Fish Heads and Crumbs...