Darker Than You Think: Pinocchio's Daring Journey

I love the whimsical puppet theater exterior of Pinocchio's Daring Journey at Disneyland. Yet this 1983 dark ride is a lot spookier than it appears from outside. If you've seen the classic film, you know why.

My family witnessed a little scene while waiting in line. A nervous little girl asked her father, "What's going to happen on this ride?"

"Happen?" snapped the Dad, confused by the question. "Yer gonna see Pinocchio!" The girl was not reassured; clearly, she (unlike her pop) knew the story.

Yes, folks, "Yer gonna see Pinocchio." Yer also gonna get locked in a cage by Stromboli, stumble down Tobacco Row, watch kids turn into donkeys, nearly get shoved into a crate, and get attacked by Monstro the Whale, all while Jiminy Cricket yells, "Look out!" and "You're going the wrong way!"

I love this ride, but -- similar to what happens with Snow White's Scary Adventures -- parents should remember that Disney dark rides reflect their source material quite well, and Pinocchio's journey is loaded with villains, threats and narrow escapes. Just as with all good films and rides, the happy ending must be earned.

Radiator Springs Highway Poetry

Mind your speed as you go.
Sheriff's old, but he's not slow.
                            -- Rust-eze

In a tribute to the old Burma-Shave poetry signs that once dotted Route 66, Cars Land includes short poems for guests to discover if they enter or exit Carburetor County via the Pacific Wharf route. The signs replicate the originals' white-on-red color scheme and six-sign sequence.

These nostalgic ads are, of course, presented by Lightning McQueen's official sponsor, Rust-eze Medicated Bumper Ointment.

If I'm not mistaken, these verses also appear in the Cars wing of Walt Disney World's new Art of Animation Resort.

Mr. Potato Head Works the Crowd

Entering Toy Story Midway Mania requires a stroll past the watchful and witty Mr. Potato Head, Paradise Pier's number one (and only) sideshow barker.

While the Florida version of the ride uses its queue to make guests feel they've shrunk to toy size, California's Midway Mania queue enlarges the Toy Story world to blend in with an early-twentieth-century boardwalk.

On both coasts, riders are treated to one of the most amazing interactive adventures in theme park history.

Fish Heads & Crumbs #2

Happy Labor Day! And, just as we warned last week, Mondays at Mouse Troop are now also Walrus Days.

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.

Time Machine: The Mark Twain Dressed for the 50th

We're hopping back to 2005 this time, just to sit at the Hungry Bear Restaurant and watch the Mark Twain chug by in its Fiftieth Birthday finery.

This picture was taken well into Disneyland's celebration year, and the bunting on the Twain's prow looks a bit rumpled, but that's all right.  It's still a beautiful, steam-powered marvel.

Toontown Skyline

Happy Labor Day Weekend, everyone! In downtown Toontown, there seems to be no holiday rest for the workers at the Toontown Post Office, Fire Station, Fireworks Factory (seen in side view here), or Gag Warehouse. Things just keep right on clanging, barking, honking and booming along!

Of all the lands in Disneyland, Toontown seems to be the one designed specifically to cut a great silhouette against the blue Southern California sky.