Moody Chandelier

You know that I like to look at the lamps of Disneyland by now, right? Well I do. I am always looking for new ones to photograph, and there are practically endless possibilities. I finally photographed a few of my favorites on the last visit, but I'll share that soon.

Anyway, this beauty can be found in the front half of the Pieces of Eight store in New Orleans Square. Pirates of the Caribbean conveniently dumps you out right beside this very cool store. You can find of course, all things pirate from hats to fake gold to candy in treasure sheets to Jack Sparrow wigs. Then in the front part of the store, you can find tons of Nightmare Before Christmas themed items. They have a pair of really cute Jack Skellington pajamas that I've been eyeing. Maybe on the next visit.

Alice & The Queen of Hearts

Let's take a break from themed land visits for the week. We'll just hop around the park instead. I have never seen Alice in Wonderland characters around as much as I have in the past month or so. I can only imagine it is at least partially due to the pending movie release. I would love to see recreations of the characters from the Tim Burton flick walking around, but I am pretty sure they want to preserve the animated versions for park visitors. The Mad Hatter was about with these two as well, and they were quite funny to watch. Those cast members sure know how to interact with each other.

The poor Queen though. That get-up looks terribly uncomfortable.

Walt & Mickey

Sometimes, you really don't need many words. Or any. :)

More Matterhorn

Oops - this didn't post like it was supposed to earlier last week:


Matterhorn facts:
- This is where Tinkerbell takes off from on her nightly dash through the sky during the fireworks. In case you didn't know, that's what all the lines overhead are for. (Fun fact: I know one of the fireworks Tinkerbells. She's been doing it for at least six years now).

- There is indeed a basketball half court inside the Matterhorn.

- Walt Disney conceived the idea for the attraction when visiting Switzerland during filming of his film, Third Man on the Mountain.

- It was the first tube steel-track roller coaster in the world when it premiered in 1959.

Crocodile!

Yep, little touches like these are why I'm constantly looking up at Disneyland. There are few fun weather vanes in the park. I bet you'll never guess where in the park I found this weather vane. Actually, go ahead and guess. :)

The Matterhorn

Somehow, and I have no idea how, I had never photographed the Matterhorn prior to my last visit. This trip though I couldn't stop noticing it. Maybe the blue of the skies made it jump out? Who knows. I'm glad I noticed this angle though. I like seeing the 1/100 scale Matterhorn loom over the relatively tiny Fantasyland village.

I don't know if people always realize that the Matterhorn is a part of Fantasyland, not Tomorrowland (it changed in the early 70s). It's right on the edge. The bobsleds of the ride take you up eight stories and then plunge you right back down in a jaw jarring fashion. Keep an eye out for the abominable snowman who has been surviving renovations since 1978.

More Matterhorn tomorrow.

Wishing Star

Before my last visit, I had never noticed this sign. Appropriately, it is tucked in beside Pinocchio's Daring Adventures. According to what I've found on the internet, you used to be able to get laser engraved crystal souvenirs here. The store was only open a few months. Maybe it wasn't a popular souvenir? Anyone have more info about this shop?