Since it had been eight years since I had been in California, obviously it had been eight years since I had been to Disneyland. Thursday, October 6, 2005 would mark my fourth visit to the park. This would also be my first time to Disney’s California Adventure which had opened in 2001 – built in the former Disneyland parking lot. Jimmy and I woke up that morning, had a bite to eat, and then made a brief pit stop elsewhere in San Pedro.
An early morning chuckle with So What About Fin?
He took me to the San Pedro Harbor so that I could get a feel for the area where Laurel and Hardy had filmed portions of their 1940 feature film Saps at Sea. Although there were no buildings remaining that could be identified as having been there 65 years prior, it was neat to see the way the landscape matched its 1940 appearance. Although we though that the storage shed seen below may have been one and the same, further study indicated that it was not.
The San Pedro Harbor as seen in Saps at Sea, 1940
The skyline still matches in 2005
From there we headed out to Disneyland. Jimmy drove and I kept him entertained reading snippets from So What About Fin? from the passenger seat. Once we arrived at the park, we met up with our friends David and Bob. Since David worked for Disney, he has a silver pass that entitles him to get guests into the park for free. Quite a perk I must say. Although technically I can get my friends into Kroger for free too.
Bob, Jimmy, me, and David in front of California Adventure
Another fun pose at our meeting spot
Bob and I inadvertently butted in front of a whole group of people waiting to get their photos with Pluto. Sorry.
The Tower of Terror at California Adventure
Genuine terror from Jimmy and Bob. I ‘knowingly’ wave to the camera.
We started off with the California Adventure park and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Both Bob and Jimmy had to summon their courage to embark on this attraction, which was markedly different from the ride at Disney-MGM in Florida. We also hit Muppet Vision 3-D and It’s Tough to Be a Bug, the two 3-D movies that the park opened with. It’s difficult to imagine this park being much good without the Tower, which didn’t open until 2004. I opted to skip the amusement park-style section (including the rollercoaster California Screamin’) in favor of heading over to Disneyland. I would hit this area during my next visit in February 2007.
Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, which I always thought was vastly inferior to Cinderella’s Castle at Disney World
Haunted Mansion Holiday
The colorful interior of the holiday Haunted Mansion
It was getting close to lunchtime when we headed over to the other park. Bob and I had our mouths all upset for a nice Monte Cristo at the Blue Bayou restaurant inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride area. We made it just in time to be seated, but were informed that they were not still serving the Monte Cristos. I was disappointed and Bob was housebroken, but we found something else to eat – later learning that we could have gotten a Monte Cristo across the way at the Cafe Orleans.
Traveling through space
Space Mountain shreiks
Of course we hit the tried-and-true standards in New Orleans square, like Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. I was particularly excited to see the Haunted Mansion dressed up in it’s Nightmare Before Christmas motif – it being so close to Halloween and all. This is essentially a completely different ride. Of course it would be inexcusable to transform it to this year-round, but it was a nice change of pace to see it at least once. The ride is completely decorated for Christmas, the narration and music is different, and Jack Skellington replace the caretake in the graveyard scene.
We ventured around the park until early evening picking up all of the standards and a few attractions unique to Disneyland like the Indiana Jones Adventure, Storybook Land Canal Boats, the Matterhorn, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (by then long-gone from Disney World),and the newly designed Tarzan’s Treehouse (replacing the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse of yore).
The theme of the park this year was 50 Years of Magic, as it was the park’s 50th Anniversary that year. It may be because I grew up with Disney World, or it may be because there is much more space at Disney World, or it may just be that Disney World is actually the better park, but I have always enjoyed Disneyland less than Disney World. Still it is always great to visit the place ‘where it all began’ especially with aficianodos like Dave and Jimmy who can point out all of the cool subtleties around the park.
The end of a long day
As long as I continue to visit California, Disneyland will always be one of my required destinations.
My 2005 California trip will continue as we leave for Las Vegas…
I’m confused by the car in Space Mountain. Was it a side-by-side car (like in the first picture), or a one-person-seater, back-to-back (as it appears in the second picture)? Obviously the ride at Disney World is the latter, but your photos make the car at Disneyland appear to be both ways. Explain!!!
Denise
April 14th, 2008
Well, after careful review and consulting both Jimmy and Dave, we’ve come to the unanimous conclusion that the ride in the second photo must actually be the Matterhorn (note that it appears I am outside).
Good eye, Denise. All the better to enjoy Muppet Vison 3eeeee-Deeeeee!
Brad
April 14th, 2008
You are correct Bradly, The second picture was from the Matterhorn as I belive I took it sitting in front of you. The first picture was Space Mountain with those two fruities from the Jimmy Kimbal Show sitting together again in the front of the car. Hope that clears it all up. (Those two guys were also spotted later sharing a seat on the Small World ride too)
Bob
April 15th, 2008