Welcomed by the Turnstyle Ducks

Our Extra Magic Hour at Disneyland got a bonus touch of charm on our recent trip when a delightful pair of ducks (no relation to Donald) waddled up to inspect the crowd waiting to enter. I believe this smart feathered couple figured out how to get a jump on their comrades farther back in the park, and reasoned that early morning guests are often equipped with muffins and bagels.

Most of the waiting crowd had no idea of the cute antics happening up ahead. See, this is another reason to arrive early! Look at this crowd stretching back toward the entry to DCA. Keep in mind, these are just the Magic Morning/Extra Magic Hour ticket holders, an hour and fifteen minutes before the park's public opening on a Tuesday non-holiday in February!

Meanwhile, everyone up front (including the family chosen to lead the opening countdown) continued be delighted by the tiny unofficial greeting committee/donut inspectors.

Disneyland's high-tech marvels are often enriched by the simplest, most basic pleasures in life. As a life-long fan of the children's classic Make Way For Ducklings, I love the thought that this web-footed pair have chosen the best place on Earth to safely raise their family.

The Poppy Fountain in Downtown Disney

I have a confession: I walked past this crazy, wonderful fountain dozens of times over the past several years before I realized it was a California Poppy. In my defense, the petals do look more abstract up close. Ah, well.

Situated in Downtown Disney near the Parking Lot Tram station (we can see a tram in the background), this large fountain launches its water column skyward in varied bursts, creating a playful atmosphere as the stream rises and falls back on itself, up and down, loudly splashing all over the giant State Flower.

As park Early Birds know, this fountain sometimes makes the weirdest noises when it starts up in the morning. It sounds like a giant cartoon whale with indigestion. People tend to back away a few steps. Then the water starts flowing and Downtown Disney moves one step closer to fully opening for the day.

Stopping By Booths on a Magic Morning

Whose booths these are I think I know.

It's too early for most folks, though;

The sleepyheads will show up late

To find the queues have filled up -- D'OH!

Red Welcomes Visitors to Radiator Springs

At 7:03 A.M., it's a typically overcast Southern California summer morning. Although blue skies won't show up for a couple of hours, the scene's instantly brightened by Red the Fire Engine as he welcomes the first guests of the day to Radiator Springs.

You can tell from the "awww"s and cries of "Red!!!" that everyone wants to stop, but we're all caught in the quick-walk rush to ride Radiator Springs Racers. Our own meet-and-greet with the town's heroic truck of few words will have to wait a bit.

But, man, Red looks great. I can't think of a more cheerful sight to wake up several thousand groggy, coffee-craving parents staggering toward the ride entry. And he looks so perfectly at home.

There's something truly "magical" about Cars Land. Everything works. The town's completely convincing, and the characters couldn't look more natural in the setting. It feels as if you've literally been dropped into the movie, and the view stretches as far as your eyes can see. It's amazing.

Paradise in the City

This photo of early-morning Paradise Pier, taken from an upper corridor window at the Paradise Pier Hotel, shows how the city of Anaheim brushes right up to the borders of Disney California Adventure. Inside the park, the illusion of strolling along an early-20th century waterfront boardwalk works brilliantly; the outside world seems miles away.

Zooming in a bit. On the left, we see the green rooftops of Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, the California Screamin' launch track along the edge of Paradise Bay, and the Pier-facing cliffside of Cars Land's Ornament Valley mountains.

In a couple of hours, this tranquil scene will come (literally) roaring to life with thousands of excited visitors.

Disneyland Ducklings

Whether it's a feral cat scooting around Critter Country or some wise-guy bird hopping onto my pancakes, encounters with Disneyland's peek-a-boo wildlife never fail to make me smile. During Saturday morning's early entry I had the pleasure of watching this charming duck family as they hopped out of the Storybookland canal and stampede-waddled to the all-you-can-eat garden buffet near Toad's place.

All the juvenile birds quicklly disappeared into the flowerbed, their heads popping in and out of the foliage as they gobbled grubs...or pixies, or whatever it is they find in there.