DISNEYLAND ENTRANCE & MAIN STREET U.S.A. PART ONE #87

How many of you remember your parents driving right up to the front entrance of Disneyland?
and if they parked farther back, riding on the blue and yellow tram.

Once you got in, did you stop at City Hall and sign in? or did you take a trip down Main street via Horseless carriage or horse drawn trolleys? either way you could get a good view of the sights and sounds of the city life.
If you look at the street lamps that line Main Street, you will notice they start out using gas to light the flame, by the time you got down to the hub the lights are electric.
One of my traditions is, when arriving I must ring the bell in the fire department below Walt's Apartment.
And visit Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.

stay tuned for more pictures from the Carnation Plaza and the Sleeping beauty's Castle.

DISNEYLAND REMINISCING THOSE OLDER DAYS. A SEVEN PART SERIES #85

A while back I put up a poll on what you wanted to see more of, Many of you asked for pictures from the past of Disneyland.
I went to Disneyland at least twice a year when I was a kid, Our parents would take all five of us brothers. We would enter the park via the Monorail at the Monorail Café during the winter. As my dad would go to the NAMM show in January. and send my mom and us to Disneyland.
My dad would then join us around 6pm , so he could watch the live bands play at Carnation Plaza, and under Space Mountain stage (sorry I cannot remember the name). and over at the Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square.

And we would go in the summer close to my birthday in August. We would then see the bands that played at Tomorrowland Terrace and the Parades and a Must see Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks.
I will take you on a tour from the past and then bring you up to speed in the future, Well 1980's.
Unfortunately I will be using other peoples pictures as all the family photos were split up between my 4 other brothers, for some reason I didn't end up with Disneyland pictures, I got the Knott's Berry Farm pictures.
So I would like to thank these people now. Gorillasdontblog, Davesblogland, Yesterland, DisneyGoblog, Disneylandblog, and Google Images. But most of all I want to thank Walt Disney for creating the Park for his daughters and us.

 

So lets start at the Main Street Station. Travel back in time . There are a lot of pictures, which means there will be seven blogs, not including this one.
We will visit rides from the past, rides that have been revamped or taken out of the park.
I will also try to find pictures of classic Mickey Mouse Balloons, Parades, Places to eat, Bands, Stages merchandise.
I thought I would just give you a small preview of what is in store.

 

 

 

Remember, you can always just click on the picture to make them larger.
Stay tuned for Part one of this Adventure through time.
 

MOVIE REVIEW: 2016 PETE'S DRAGON #84

No! Not that one...

Yes This one, That is better.
Yesterday I finally decided to go see this new version of  Pete's Dragon, I have been putting it off after the 1st experience of the 1977 version.
I was hoping it wasn't a musical.
I was Not a fan of that movie.
This new version is not a sequel, Much better. The animation was unbelievable as Elliot looked like a real animal, he blended in great with the live actors.
we had bumped into old friends in theaters before we saw it. They said it is a tear jerker.
Yes Michelle and Brandon were correct. In Disney style, they get you coming and going. So if you go to see this movie, be sure to bring napkins to wipe your eyes.
This movie keeps you interested in it (No Singing) lol.
There was a family next to us, who had 3 children and I could see them smiling. They weren't trying to run around or no crying.
Robert Redford and the other cast did a really good job.
I wont give away the plot, The only thing I will say is that Pete is an Orphan, and this kind loving green furry dragon takes him in.
Pete is discovered and brought to a hospital to check him out, He escapes and the woman who finds him, takes him in.
This is pretty much the only thing I can see that is like the 1977 Version.
Pete wants to return to the forrest where Elliot lives.

There is one thing I don't understand, What happened to Elliot's Fang Tooth, as you can see it is badly chipped off and there is a scar on his muzzle on the same side of his face.
Maybe they will make a prequel.
All in all this is a Great new take on Pete's Dragon. I cannot wait until it comes out on DVD so I can add it to my collection.
Oh One more thing. Disneyland will be getting the Main Street Electrical parade back soon. I wonder if they will upgrade Elliot and Pete.

Now I am glad my wife got me to go see this movie. I give it a 6 on a scale of 1-6 Dragons.....
Go see it!

DISNEY PARKS BLOG SHARED THIS TODAY: Main Street Electrical Parade Coming to Disneyland Park for a Limited Time; Last Chance to ‘Paint the Night’ #81

As we just announced, night time at Disneyland park will get even brighter with the return of Main Street Electrical Parade early next year! Twenty years since it last glowed down Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland park, this “spectacular festival pageant of nighttime magic and imagination” will return for a limited-time encore engagement.

The quintessential Disney Parks nighttime parade, the Main Street Electrical Parade began at Disneyland park in 1972, shining brightly in the memories of thousands of Disneyland park guests until the end of its initial run in 1996. It returned to the Disneyland Resort as Disney’s Electrical Parade, bringing magical Disney stories to Disney California Adventure park from 2001 until 2010, when it crossed the country to begin its most recent run at Walt Disney World Resort.
Before its half-million tiny lights return to illuminate the imaginations of a whole new generation of Disneyland park guests, there is still time enjoy the experience this beloved favorite inspired – “Paint the Night” parade.

“Paint the Night” parade will continue nightly performances, just before “Disneyland Forever” fireworks, through September 5 as part of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration. And I’m excited to share today that this popular parade will return on select nights during the holiday season later this year. Be sure to keep an eye on the entertainment calendar at Disneyland.com for performance dates and times.
Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more details — including dates — for this special engagement of Main Street Electrical Parade at Disneyland park next year!
I want to thank Erin Glover for sharing this news.

I am glad that the MSEP is returning to the Disneyland Resort. Just a note to the people on Facebook who thought the Paint the Night parade was heading to Walt Disney World, Not at this moment. It will still be at Disneyland for Special events and Holidays. 

A DIFFERENT KIND OF DINING EXPERIENCE LUNCH AT CLUB 33 ON ROYAL ST. NEW ORLEANS #79

This past Sunday was our 1st wedding anniversary and our friends birthday.
We have celebrated our birthday's in the past at the club for dinner, But this time we decided to try lunch.

After ringing the doorbell, they answered the do and asked us in to wait in the Court of Angels, waiting area. and offered us Orange spearmint chilled water and cooling cloths.

When our table was ready they had us ride in the elevator up to the 2nd floor, This is where the magic happens.
As we were seated there was two envelopes on the table, one was for Susan's birthday blue ribbon,  and the other was our Anniversary card silver ribbon. The cards we signed by all of the staff and our server Kirstin.

We ordered from the 4 course lunch menu, which was an appetizer, salad, main course and desert.
we shared a bottle of sparkling apple cider as a toast to our celebrations.

soup and salad  artichoke , and spread was very good.
I had Chicken with bacon and potato and peas with a ranch and BBQ sauce.
and the deserts were to die for.

 Everyone that works at the club was very nice, we got to go out on the balcony. took pictures. They allowed me to play Lillian Disney's Harpsichord. and I took a picture looking down the hall for Members Only lounge.

I think lunch is much better then the last time we went for dinner 1 year ago. If we ever return it will be for lunch. as a gift to us, Club 33 gave us Macaroon cookies, Sorry I didn't take a picture of them and now they are gone.

I want to thank all the Staff at Club 33, Our Contacts and the McDonnell's
For a excellent 1st year Wedding anniversary present.

 

 

Please remember to click on photos to make them larger.