Petre, basura, waste

This tri-lingual trash can is one that I haven't really seen many places around Epcot - this one was hidden in a corner as you exit Impressions de France and the Palais de Cinema.

Shopping at the tar pits

Another creative sign and play on words - La Brea Carpets is your place to buy rugs in the Hollywood Backlot. I wonder if they are tar proof or have any fossil designs?

A great big beautiful tomorrow

Come on everyone, sing along! Ok, maybe not. But this great tribute banner that can be found hanging on the former home of the Carousel of Progress is one of a number of Tomorrowland tributes that went up over the last couple years. Now if only they will bring back the Peoplemover...

Pardon our dust, we're changing our name

No need to worry, no name changes or construction here!

I found this a few weeks after they adopted the Hollywood Studios name, it was surprising how there were still some small MGM references were here and there considering how comprehensive they attacked the park with the new name. You would think they would have simply unscrewed and replaced the sign, this was a particularly easy one outside the ABC/Monster Sound Stage. Though I was sure happy to at least see a few old MGM references here and there. I suppose the Hollywood Studios name will grow on me but then again I'm still on Epcot Center so it might be awhile...

Biking or rafting - choices, choices...

Just two more of the signs on the popular Anadapur sign post - you can rent a bike if you like or you can go river rafting or trekking with Manam Travel. So many ways to see the area...

Toontown Postal Service

Desktop: The great white north

This week's desktop is a trip to the north. With the totem pole and Aboriginal artwork along with the classic architecture of the Hotel du Canada you do feel like you could be in Canada. It is almost more like British Columbia with the totem poles - even though the hotel is modeled on one in Quebec you can find similar architecture in western Canada. We've discussed the Hotel du Canada signage before and its history, so enjoy the big picture (literally).

Hello? Anyone there?

The party lines from the turn of the last century are an often overlooked attraction tucked inside the Market House. You can listen in on the chaos and gossip of the day while you are waiting for your party to purchase their cooking goods - you never know what sort of good dirt you'll pick up from the locals...

Cabin No. 6

More theming at Rushin River Outfitters... Canoe paddles, fishing buckets, an antique cabinet, luggage, it does feel like a cabin or rustic lodge along this back wall. It must be a blast going to antique stores, thrift shops, and the likes shopping for all this!

Clean up after - oh, never mind

The Muppets are once again doing what they do best, not following directions. The paint shop area of Studio 1 is a mess. I swear it is a universal thing - if the sign says keep it clean there is no way anything is clean within 10 feet of the sign...

Potable water

Deep in the Maharajah Jungle Trek is a water fountain for the weary travelers. At one time (before it faded) the sign above it talked about how this water is safe for consumption. The locals seem to have figured it out judging by the number of pots there are lined up... So go ahead, drink up weary travelers. You have a long way to go before you reach civilization again.

I'd like to teach...

It's another Coke dispenser at the Outpost - based on our recent heat wave I could use a few of these in strategic places. Once again my world language skills completely fail me (anyone out there able to help?) but I love how they have it rigged up ready to head out on the next truck.

A stop in Tokyo...

What, we changed locations to Tokyo Disneyland? Ok, so this is really Main Street back in the lockers but I love the sticker. Let's see, I'm a railfan, would love to travel to Japan, would love to visit Tokyo Disneyland... Yep, I'll sign up for that trip and a stay there if that was a real hotel!

Ship to Fort Dixon

More crates - this time we have one bound for Fort Dixon as well as one that appears to be headed to a certain S.L. Clemens of Hannibal, Missouri. Fort Dixon really did exist at one time, it was located near the town of Dixon, Illinois on the Rock River. There appears to be a bit of a time line issue here, the information that I found shows the fort only in service for a brief time in the 1830's while Mr. Clemens wasn't even born until 1835. Although this could be a heck of a big birthday present for the soon-to-be-famous author in which case the dates would match up. How come I never get any gifts that have to be shipped in crates?

You otter ride...

This sign for King Triton's Carousel of the Sea features a playful otter just waiting to take you for a ride. Along with the Zephyr sign it follows a tradition of advertising what is coming up in the land. Think about when you walk under the Disneyland Railroad as you are about to enter Main Street - those signs are doing to the same thing. In the Paradise Pier examples it is on a smaller scale but along the same lines...

Dept. of Line Engineering

This one goes out to all my fellow engineers out there, if only we all had coworkers this cool or this famous. Of course, leave it to Dr. Honeydew and Beaker to come up with a Line Engineering Department. It no doubt makes for some great experiments and projects but also for a lot of injuries - apparently poor Beaker was once again on the losing side...

Go left or right?

Another look at everyone's favorite topic - signs! Bathrooms were a quick second judging by the votes yelled out in the back row... This directional sign is another in a long line of similar signs around the parks. Today we're in Africa and have some choices. Go eat the the Tusker House, take a ride on the Eastern Star Railroad's Wildlife Express, or wander around the Pangani Forest trails... Or if you have a safari Fastpass there is always that option... Choices, choices.

And a side note but since my stomach is rumbling it came to mind - am I the only one that is still bummed that Tusker House is no long quick-serve?

Does each one come with a box of steaks?

If this were are real test facility I'm afraid these windshields wouldn't long for this world... At Test Track the supply of windshields in the queue ready for installation looks like it is just enough to last the day. And something tells me the insurance company won't give them a box of steaks for each windshield replacement!

Remy and Linguini at work

The windows on Main Street almost always have something fun, and hopefully animated, to check out. Last year the stars from Ratatouille made their appearance - Remy is helping Linguini here in his apartment kitchen. The detail level is high even in the windows, check out the Post-It notes on the fridge! I tried for a better detail shot but it was dark. Still, pizza anyone? He's got the number handy...

Cleo is a goldfish

I've concentrated on Figaro in the past here at the Village Haus (being the cat lover that I am) but today we take a quick look at Cleo. She has her own area at the restaurant, and of course now that we're talking food I have this sudden urge for some grub and a relaxing ride on it's a small world afterwards!

And there is this rumor going around that it is a certain nerd's birthday...

Desktop: We have spotted Imperial walkers...

The AT-AT walker that guards the entrance to Star Tours has long been a landmark at MGM, not to mention a killer photo spot. These monsters were, of course, sent to the icy planet of Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back as a part of the Battle of Hoth. Seeing them in the Florida tropics is a far cry from the Echo Base. Either way they are still menacing machines.

Not completely familiar with the walkers? Go learn more about the AT-AT walkers, young Jedi. Just be happy that this one's only defense system is made up of water canons.

Assembly instructions

Once again the Muppets find new another new way to assemble their set. Excuse me, their Lavish Theater Set. Somehow, no matter how many times they mixed Tab C with Point K and all that it still turned out just fine on the other side. How do they do that?

Funnel Necked Dinosaur

Yet another creative dino over at Chester and Hester's - there is a never ending supply at that shop! Mr. Funnel Neck is chowing down on a palm tree hidden behind the plastic dinos on the wall it would appear...

It's your lucky day

Today is obviously the start of the summer Olympics in Beijing and of course the rather hyped 08-08-08. Over in China the number 8 is considered to be a lucky number, often tied to prosperity and wealth. So here's to good luck on this rather memorable day. Hey, it's a Friday and the weekend is almost here so you're already doing good!

Hand me the 7/16, please

Hanging in Mickey's garage a set of Craftsmouse wrenches (do the come with the same guarantee as Craftsman?) and some medical help. Never mind that it is Last Aid and by that point you might be a lost cause, this is Toontown after all, if they can survive anvils you'll be just fine.

A colorful meal

Once again we're back at the Backlot Express and having yet another colorful meal. This time we're not out back with the forklift and drums of paint but in the indoor paint shop. Here you can dine along a wall of paint cans, among other items. You never quite know what you will find down in those safety cabinets so don't forget to look while you are enjoying your meal!

Take a left at the sign...

You can hardly miss the sign directing you to the Eastern Star Railway. The arrow sign with one of their steam locomotives on top though is a very nice touch and the two together lend authenticity to the path to the train station. And no doubt it helps the cast members when it comes to questions. "Just look for the big sign with the arrow and wing a left. Don't worry, you won't miss the sign..."

Close but not quite

There are a lot of logos here that aren't quite right. This street corner model is one that I've never been able figure out. For some reason it just doesn't seem right to have the knock-off names. Maybe it just seems cheap or un-Disney-like to take the shortcut out, I'm not sure. Usually everything is so professional so this one seems a bit out of place. The rest of the set pieces around the stores are excellent and add to the theme but these ones...

But back to the logos - see if you can identify them all... Meanwhile I'll continue shopping at the World Showcase Plaza store and you can catch up when you get all of them figured out.

Keep Hollywood clean

In the ongoing look at trash cans around the parks we take a look today at a pair located in the Hollywood Backlot. These ones were right across from Award Wieners. The Imagineers have used a classic version of the Please Help Keep Our City Clean logo (with search lights, of course - this is Hollywood!) to bring the modern cans back in time.

A boatload of fries

The greasy ship Mac and Don has landed and they have a load of fries instead of fish today. The decor at their shop, however, still goes back to the days that they hawked salmon over spuds. That is with the exception of a few details, such as a certain modified wind vane up on the roof... Appears the whale is doing just fine up there with his new diet of fries!

Now arriving, bound for...

I want a ticket to Big Thunder, please. Another park reference inside the park itself and a bit of foreshadowing at the same time, the timetable posted in the Frontierland train station lists not only trains to Tuscon, Santa Fe, San Francisco, and Red Bluff but also Big Thunder. With the run away trains just around the corner it is a rather fitting destination.

Of other interest - Disney has ties to the city of Red Bluff, CA and the St. Elizabeth Hospital where Disney legend Al Dempster helped to create a shrine located at the hospital at the request of Walt himself. And of course for those of you that are familiar with the railroading side of things, the Santa Fe Railway was an early sponsor of the (then) Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad.