Back to the Haunted Mansion #disneyland

A couple more pics from girl1.....she was testing new equipment, so of course we had to ride a dark ride (or two).

Disney Themed Photography -- Bad Weather Days

Think of Disneyland and you usually picture gorgeous blue skies and pretty much perfect weather.   But it's not always that way....California does have some bad weather days.    It does actually rain here.   Sometimes it so miserably hot that you can't breathe.  Other times, the wind howls and the air is filled with smoke from fires.  So let's explore those trips to the park that might not have been perfect in the weather department.  

Our most recent rainy day trip was December 7, 2009.   Not normal Southern California rain, but real rain....the kind that soaks you to the skin.   And it was cold.   And it was windy.   And we rode Splash Mountain first...."cuz we're going to be wet anyway"....

Please remember that they take the picture at the top of the drop....before the Splash.    Look at us....just walking to the ride and we were already drenched.   It was a long, cold day.   Happy Birthday, Kayt.....only for you would we stay all day.  


It's easy to play along.   Just post a picture on your blog that fits the theme....however you interpret it.  Then come back here and post a link to your blog in the comment section.   Please but a paragraph in your blog explaining Disney Themed Photography to your readers, so they can play along too.

Looking forward to your pics this week.   Remember, you can play as often as you like!

Astro Orbiter #disneyland

We don't take the time to ride the Astro Orbiter very often.   It was so much more exciting when it was up on the platform.   But on a beautiful day last October, there was no line and that's all it took to convince us to go for a spin.

And sometimes, when you snap a bunch of pictures you get a treasure like this.   Completely cheesy and a fun shot of the castle in the background.

On the Rides -- Teacups #disneyland

continuing this week's Disney Theme Photography - On the Rides (click on the link to find out how to share your awesome pics).

I love everything about this picture except the fact that I didn't take it.....my amazingly talented daughter did.  She's always managed to capture the best moments...it comes naturally to her.   

She was at the park with a group of young people who had just returned from a 4 month missions trip to Kenya.   Several of them added a couple of extra days so they could explore California before heading home.  This young man was the director of the trip....it was great to see him having such a great time!

Disney Themed Photography - "on the rides" #disneyland

Welcome to another installment of Disney Themed Photography.   This week, we want to see those crazy pictures that you take of yourself while actually on the rides.   I know you have pics on space mountain, I've seen the flashes going off on the ride.   Let's see 'em!!!

Here's my all-time favorite AstroBlaster pic....those would be two of our kids being themselves:

It's easy to play along....just post a picture that fits the theme on your blog and post a link in the comment section on this post.   You can play as many times during the week as you like....we love looking at Disney pics.    Invite your friends....the more, the merrier.

We post a new theme each Friday, so if you don't happen to have something that fits this week, be sure to come back then.  

fuzzy pictures are okay....right?

These guys always crack me up....All I can think when i see the one in front is "You'd scream too, if  you had a pole stuck thru your head.."

We're continuing our Disney Themed Photography this week with "pumpkins."  You can find out how to join us over HERE.  Can't wait to see your pics!

Yo Ho, Yo Ho.....

Big Thunder Mountain

he's baaack

It's funny how everyone missed this guy.   I heard rumors recently that he was back but haven't had a chance to verify them.   Yesterday, we made it a point to ride POC and, sure enough, there he sits.....

Tarzan's Treehouse

Yesterday, I took some advantage of the small crowds and spent some time exploring Tarzan's treehouse.  Enjoy!

California Screamin'

Just a few shots of people when the roller coaster takes off.....so much fun!

rainy days @ Disneyland

Rainy days are awesome!

On this particular day we decided "we should do Splash Mountain,

we're gonna be wet anyway."

hahahahaha

Later we headed over to California Adventure and

gathered proof that there really are days when no one is on the rides.

won't be seeing Tower of Terror like this for awhile...it's spring break season.

ugh....parks will be packed for at least the next couple of weeks.

Disneyland Rides: Buzz Lightyear

We love the Buzz Lightyear ride at Disneyland.   It's basically a video game and who doesn't love those?

None of us are very good at it but we always take the time to collect our picture at the end.

Not so much for the scores but just for the memories.

They make us smile.  =D

Hurry baaaaack.......

Yesterday's speed trip to Disneyland to test the new camera involved trying it out on a "dark" ride.  Ride of choice?  The Haunted Mansion...chosen because of a wait time of less than 5 minutes vs the hour plus at Pirates.   Enjoy!


“…And consider this dismaying observation: this chamber has no windows, and no doors... which offers you this chilling challenge: to find a way out! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Of course, there's always my way...”

Only in Disneyland is the room actually an elevator.  The room slowly lowers to give the illusion that the room itself is getting longer.  This elevator was necessary to lower the guests below the level of the park-circling railroad at Disneyland. The actual ride building of this attraction is located outside of the berm surrounding the park.

Gotta say that I'm loving the new camera.

all aboard!

Your attention please. The Disneyland Limited now leaving for a grand circle tour of the Magic Kingdom, with stops at New Orleans Square, Mickey's Toontown, and Tomorrowland. All passengers 'Booooard!

We're now traveling along the banks of The Rivers of America into the true backwoods.

(Rivers of America are still empty.)

Just ahead, Walt Disney's happy salute to children everywhere: it's a small world. This musical cruise premiered at the New York World's Fair in 1964 and has been making people smile ever since.

We're crossing into Tomorrowland, a land where everything is on the move. If you look overhead, you might catch a glimpse of a Mark V Monorail. When Disneyland introduced the Monorail back in 1959, it was the first daily operating Monorail system in the Western Hemisphere. Today's Monorail trains glide along a two-and-a-half-mile route, traveling to the Disneyland Hotel and back.

Winding below is the Autopia, where drivers of all ages can take to the road...and no license is required.
And if you've ever dreamed about seeing what lies beyond the stars, Space Mountain and Star Tours offer thrilling trips into the furthest reaches of the galaxy.
Yes, it all seems pretty amazing, but if there's one thing we've learned, it's that here in Tomorrowland,
everything is possible.

That's the spectacular Grand Canyon as we know it today, but it wasn't always that way. In fact, millions of years ago, warm primeval seas covered the region we call the Grand Canyon. Strange creatures crawled from the seas and one day giant animals thundered over the land and roamed the swamps and marshes. Our ancestors never heard the sounds we're about to hear, nor saw the sights of this fantastic Primeval World!

Ladies and Gentlemen, we're now approaching the Main Street Station. To those of you leaving the train here, please remain seated until we come to a complete stop. Check your personal belongings, and watch your step as you leave. Thank you for joining us on the Disneyland Railroad, and may we wish you a happy day here in Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom!

This is Main Street! MAIN STREET STATION! DISNEYLAND - U.S.A.!

disneyland thru the eyes of a 5 year old

I always carry a little point and shoot camera with me.    You never know when a great picture op will present itself.   I also love to give my camera to children and just let them shoot away.   No rules or instructions (other than to wear the wrist strap)....just shoot whatever they feel like.

Yesterday, I was at Disneyland with one of my favorite families. I gave their 5 year old the camera and let him play.   Here's how he saw "It's a Small World" and the Bug's Life area of Calif. Adventure.

I really like this one.

All children eventually turn the camera around and take pics of themselves.