Your agent is calling

It is only a few days after the introduction of the new Hollywood Studios name but I could still find a few traces of the beloved MGM name around the park. This was just outside the gate on the way to the buses. And not only is it a very dated sign, it is on a very dated pay phone...

Leafy lamp

Today we'll have another look at the beautiful lamps at the Grand Californian - this hanging one is has a forest, or more precise, leaf theme. With the core part of the lamp a wood toned glass, the top is green with leaves as opposed to the blue winter winds on some of the lamps outside. The use of a wide variety of detailed Arts and Crafts style light fixtures really help add to the mood around the resort, photographing all of them would be its own project!

Telegraph for Mr. Code

This creative take on Morse Code system can be found on a door along the platform on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I can't remember which track it is on but you should be able to see it while waiting on the ramp to the platforms...

Pink fire hydrants on parade

This just goes to show what you can find when you keep your eyes open. This colorful hydrant near the bridge between the Oasis and Africa does its best to stand out yet not look anything like a normal fire hydrant...

Ready for take off

As you board Astro Blasters be sure to keep an eye out for the alien in charge of ground control. Even in deep space they still have air traffic control wand lights. Except it isn't air traffic control since they aren't flying through just air... Hmmm.... My question - will our baggage arrive in the same place we do?

Missed it by that much

Sorry folks, you missed the express train. But the transfer is here - if that will get you to your end desitination you might be able to catch it... This schedule hangs in Engine-Ear's Toys over at California Adventure. At least you know that the arrival is coming in before the departure...

Light speed to Endor!

Now this is a light! At Tatooine Traders they have a bunch of these cool galactic lamps. Too bad you can't pick up one of your own inside the store because I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love to have this outside the house...

Solar powered dinos

As you enter the Universe of Energy take a second look at the greenery around you. Notice anything interesting? No, not the energy saving solar panels, the colorful architecture, or the mirrored facade. How about the fact that it is inhabited by dinosaurs of the topiary variety? While you are filling your gas tank with dinosaur soup at home, these green giants are doing their part to clean up the air arou - Look out for for that dinosaur! Ha ha ha, kidding. I'm a kidder. Bye bye now.

Happy Birthday & Earth Day

I know there are going to be a lot of AK 10 year anniversary posts out there but this is one that is a bit different. I was trying to come up with a way to blend Earth Day and the birthday into one post that also picked up some detail part of the park. Then I thought about it - the trash and recycling cans! Here we are near the exit to the Kilimanjaro Safari. They have the Harambe city crest, the Tree of Life, and the Environmentality logo.

AK has come a long way in the last 10 years, from a small park where Asia wasn't even open yet to a park with its own full blown mountain and highly themed lands. It does a great job of both educating and entertaining all at the same time. So here's to another impressive 10 years of progress and environmental awareness. And remember - don't litter, please recycle, and keep Harambe beautiful!

Desktop: A rosy outlook

Spring has finally started to arrive up here in the frozen tundra. So to celebrate here is a desktop of a rose with the castle. This overachieving bloom was hanging over the top of the rest in the rose garden and was just begging to be used in a photo or two...

Spare parts

Chester and Hester have hung on to some of their old car and truck parts from the service station days it looks like. While not in the same class as the more appreciated crates, these boxes can be found tucked up under the roof beams around the shop.

Sassagoula Steamboat Co.

One of the most creatively named transportation options around, the Sassagoula Steamboat Co. transports guests from the Port Orleans resorts to Downtown Disney in these super-sized pontoon boats decked out to look like old fashioned boats from down south.

Half way for half fare

A favorite sign in Adventureland, what more can I even say?

Ping pong champs

It is tournament time over at Mickey's house! There are all sorts of details around the rec room, the highlight is the ping-pong tournament. Looks like Donald is losing again, even Goofy is beating him! Check out the cool Mickey paddle - more space to slam that shot across the net. And how about that Donald paddle on the other side of the net? That has to be tougher to use but then again losing your temper while using it would be justified...

Safety first, part 2

Today we have another look at worker safety around the Studios. The stunt office in the Backlot Express has some helpful reminders about safety. Unfortunately it looks like their safety record might not be quite as good as they would like it to be, not only do they have no days that are accident free, their record isn't even a full day... Reason enough to think twice about the stunt business I suppose.

Hidden doorway

Yet another hidden doorway, this one in the China Pavilion. An intriguing staircase leads up to the second floor of the department store...

Take the A Train

The preshow for Muppet Vision is just as good as the main feature. And you can't just see it once, to catch the details both on screen and all around the crowd you need to see it a few times. Here is just one of the many details inside. The production? Muppets take Manhattan - via the A train of course...

Bird mansion

This is no ordinary bird house, this is more of a mansion! These amazing houses can be found on the Maharajah Jungle Trek, keep an eye out for them as some of them blend in to the trees fairly well.

Alpine instructions

While you are waiting to go on your Alpine Adventure racing down the Matterhorn check out the signage around you. Overhead are seating instructions complete with local artistic touches, the flowers are a nice look! Though trying to fit four riders in your bobsled can be, well, interesting. I prefer racing with a two man team...

Dancing Bears

At the check-in counter at the Grand Californian there are partying bears just under the counter top. This picture doesn't do it justice but the ceramic work is wonderful up and down the check in area. So if you are waiting to get your room be sure to look down and check out the bears.

Keg of spikes

One of the least consumable kegs - this keg of spikes (yes, that is what they are called, even today when they come in metal cans) sits at the Frontierland Station across from the platform. Not quite a crate but it is the in the same line of propping, it could be just a plain barrel but a quick label by the imagineers changes everything...

Prop Dept

In the Studio One Company Store there is, of all things, a crate sitting on one of the shelves. Everyone knows that the Muppets don't take directions all that seriously (with the Muppet Vision queue being a good display of up being down) so to see it actually stored with up being, well, up is amazing.

Mission silos

Before you head into the Mission Tortilla Factory take a look at the silos around the outside. One each for wheat and corn flour, the imagineers have done the math for the guests and you can see just how many tortillas can be made per ton of flour! There is a Mission plant near my home with the same logos (minus the tortilla calculations) on the silos - I wonder if they give out hot free samples...

Desktop: Yakitori House

Time for a serene desktop - a trip to Japan and the Yakitori House is in order. From the distinctive architecture to the waterfall and bamboo bridge, you feel like you are really walking around Japan... So here is a calming image to make your desktop look like it is in Japan.

Meet me at the Disco

I love this concert poster, I'm not sure what but there is just something about it... It is simple yet has a party feel to it. I'm not sure if One Love Concerts is a take on the famed One Love Peace Concert by Bob Marley and many others in Jamaica or if Three Stars refers to the Buddy Holly/Big Bopper/Richie Valens 1959 airplane crash tribute but they seem like more than a coincidence...

Anyway - you better clear the calendar for Friday night's show, I'll meet you down at the club.

TL59

When you are in the queue for the subs at Disneyland look up and check out some of the pipes under the monorail station. Seawater supply line TL59 isn't, of course, any random name. Break it up and you get Tomorrowland 1959 - original opening year of the subs.

Wash day on the frontier

Another look up at the Prairie Outpost and the merchandise that hangs on the beams and walls. Washboard anyone? How about a basket?

Frankly my dear...

Yet another creative crate, this one destined for Tara Plantation. You can find it amongst the assorted cargo awaiting loading at Min and Bill's, it is one of the more well known crates thanks to its location...

One Mustang Coffee to go

Inside the Expedition Everest queue the menu offers some refreshments for the visitors, I think I'll just take the popcorn before the trek today. Much as some of the other offerings sound good I've got a strange feeling about the upcoming trip on Anandapur Rail Service...

Presented by...

Flik's Fun Fair has its Kodak sponsor sign out front with what else but a piece of a classic film box. Look for it next to the cereal box on the huge bendy straw as you enter the land of everything creatively huge.