Grim Grinning - Pumpkins?

These pumpkins can be found outside the Haunted Mansion during the holiday season - just keep an eye out when you are in the queue. Hope you have yours ready for trick or treaters tonight. And don't forget to get extra candy - if you don't give it all away you can eat it yourself!

Another one rides the bus

Here we are, its morning on the Streets of America. There aren't a lot of folks out and about, a cup of coffee here and there. And here I am waiting for by ride from BART. Hmm, should check that schedule, I don't see any buses coming anytime soon. In fact I don't see any traffic. Maybe I should go check and see if the street is closed or the bus is on detour. But that takes effort and it is too early in the morning. Maybe if I wait for a few more minutes...

Source of the Stream

This quiet little fountain sits behind the Cantina de San Angel in the outdoor patio dining. It is a peaceful little corner of the park. The translation is Source of the Stream, though Chorrito has a number of translation, including trickle...

Note the meals by the fountain - enough photos for the moment, I'm going to go eat!

Wipe yer paws

Do dinos have paws? Well either way don't even think about bringing mud into the shopkeeper's area at Chester and Hester's. Note the house number (even though this door is inside the store) and of course the footprints over the doorway...

Desktop: Welcome, foolish mortals...

Doorless chambers? Check. Creaking hinges? Check. Are those strange and frightening sounds that I'm hearing? Or is it just my imagination? Well, better keep moving in the queue I guess. Let's all stay together, please. Your doombuggy is awaiting you...

I found Nemo

In the Hidden-Mickeys-that-aren't-Mickeys category... I found Nemo! Last year when the subs were still under a year old they put Nemo on a lamp near the Matterhorn. It is certainly hidden and while I had heard rumor that they were out there I didn't know where to look for them. I'm not sure if they are still there but keep an eye out!

Tom Morrow 2.0

Paging Mr. Morrow, Mr. Tom Morrow, your party from Saturn has arrived. Please give them a ring... Sorry, that was just too easy.

It's the Road to Tomorrow and Mr. Tom Morrow is there to guide the way around Innoventions. Sadly, I see only a road and no TTA in sight on this road of the future...

Actually, this little guy is Tom 2.0. I would assume that makes Tom Morrow at the Disneyland Innoventions Tom 1.0. Of course, Tom Morrow from the old Rocket to the Moon was the first (and so far, only human) Tom Morrow. While Rocket to the Moon has been gone for over four decades, Mr. Morrow has been made famous in the TTA spiel. You just have to wonder if he ever did hook up with his party from Saturn...

Hollywood Gossiper

The press is everything in Hollywood (come on, you're nobody if you're not in the papers) and the food world (the world doesn't know you exist until the reviews come out) and outside of Award Wieners is a glowing review cut out and hung in the window for all to read. So take a read and get in line - or better yet just get the dog and then read while you are enjoying your tasty meal.

Fly East Africa Air

When you fly East Africa Air you'll be flying safely and comfortably. This sticker is stuck on a hippo supply shipping container on the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. While you are looking at the hippos be sure to look around a bit and take in all the surroundings, there are lots of details in the monitoring area.

No pepper games

It's the World Series time! And the sign in Studio 1 trying to ban pepper games certainly fits. Well, the Muppets interpreted it a bit differently than how it normally is interpreted in the ballpark...

Railroad and mining tools

This stock pile of tools labeled for the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (hence the BTMRR initials) is ready and waiting to go near the station. There is a little bit over everything, shovels, barrels, and even a crate or two. Good thing that you are in line to ride rather than in line to pick up a shovel and get to work!

Desktop: Just in time for Halloween

Mickey's garden over in Mickey's Toontown Fair has some pumpkins that seem to be doing quite well. So well, in fact, that they are both huge and also in the likeness of their caretaker. Now the next question in - how would one of these look carved with, oh, say, Mickey's face?

Boat and bird

Outside the Mexico pavilion is another boat - and this little fishing one is making a nice perch for this gull. The seagulls aren't nearly in the mobs that they used to be a few years ago (which makes eating at the Cantina all that much more enjoyable) although on my last trip they still went after the McD's fries like they were going out of style. Wait, they are out of style at the parks now...

Watch where you sit

The colorful chairs in the Pizzafari are decorated to match their surroundings - in this case we're dining in the room where the creatures either carry their homes with them or have shells (snails, beatles, etc.). So be sure to take a quick look at your chair before you get ready to chow down on some pizza to see just who else is occupying your seat...

Friday night movies

It's Friday, the weather is kind of, well, meh, and you are in need of a good movie but out of ideas (this is going to be a long, cold winter isn't it?). Don't fear, over at the Backlot Express they are here to help. Continuing the tradition of stage crews and prop shops everywhere they have decorated areas with show promotions from past gigs. There is a little bit of everything for everyone here so take your time reviewing it all and then start revving up the popcorn popper. I, for one, have Bedknobs and Broomsticks ready to go for tonight so I'm all set. Now where did I put that extra butter?

Hidden Mickey - entrance plaza

This hidden Mickey is not the easiest to find but as you are entering the park take a quick look behind you. The stainless steel ticket reader has this classic Mickey cut into the surface. I couldn't tell if it was a speaker or just ornamental touch...

Hello? Hello?

The National Telephone Authority is still active in Harambe - good luck with your cell phone out in the wild. I love this old sign still hanging up across the street from the Tusker House, it adds a bit more of realism to the neighborhood. I wonder if they get a good deal with their service out there...

Neck calibration work

A bit of a different chiropractor is needed at Test Track, this one comes with a tool box and wrench set. If you look closely the dummy has a lei around its neck. Put there on purpose by Imagineers, an item found at the end of the day in the queue that the CM's placed on the dummy, or a gift from someone over at Polynesian? Who knows - but a creative touch no matter what!

Desktop: Welcome to Muppet Vision

At DCA their Muppet Vision queue is completely different than the MGM queue and neighborhood. This sign, complete with the 3D sign that Gonzo has in the opening of the movie, is outside their DCA home. That moving 3D is a nice bit of hidden foreshadowing... Sadly, in one of the recent refurbishments the facade lost most of the faces on the pipes and other utilities outside the building...

Jumbo sized Magna Doodle

I loved playing with the magna doodles when I was a kid. But this huge one in the queue at the Space Ranger Spin takes it to a new level, here are all the secrets behind the XP-37 Space Cruisers. Ion cannons, cysrallic fusion power unit, you have everything you need to fight Zurg. And now that you have seen what you're piloting you are ready to go.

Hey - can't you read the sign?

One of my favorite signs, whether on New York Street or on the streets of New York, the No Standing signs are perfect for photos. For those that haven't tried it - get your photo taken while you are standing under the sign some time. While this one is slightly dated (more of an 80's era sign, but the No Parking sign is still a standard sign design) it is just one more detail to add to the feel of New York Street. Though I miss the old NYCT bus they used to have parked on the street...

To our esteemed visitors

Along the Pangani Forest Trail you'll find this sign near the school. School director and founder Dr. Kulunda welcomes all of us to the forest and the school.

Teddi Barra's Swingin' Arcade

Tucked in the back corner of Critter Country you can find this Country Bear tribute if you keep an eye on the buildings and look up. Teddi Barra's Swingin' Arcade is of course referring to Teddi Barra, whose appearances in the show were always made from her swing (she was the only bear to never technically appear on stage). It is within sight of the old theatre, now the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh...

Eureka Mine Shaft 2

If you take the Grizzly Peak Pass you will find Eureka Mine Shaft #2. They have the old ore chutes and even a trio of old mining cars still intact as well as the old warning signs from when it was an active mine many decades ago. Scattered around the place are pieces of old mine equipment, like the large gear to the right in the photo above.

Today it is used by the entrepreneurs of the Grizzly River Rafting company for kayak storage. I'm not too sure that I would use an old mine for storage but hey, if the rapids don't scare these folks an old mine is no worse.

Plan your trip

Time to plan your next vacation! These maps, inc. the centerpiece from the Santa Fe Railroad are located under the Main Street station. There is also some luggage stored above the maps. I can't figure out who RL Nicholas is and if he has ties to the Santa Fe or Disney or both... Any ideas, folks?

Checking in?

With Halloween just around the corner it is time for a good spooky desktop and what better location than the Hollywood Tower Hotel? Nothing like a hotel with an elevator that can transport you across dimensions to bring in the season...

Popcorn time!

As you wait to enter the park at the crack of dawn there is a really cool popcorn cart near the Island Mercantile. Look for it the next time you are waiting for the rope drop, it is well worth the investigation. Bright colors, fanciful animals and details... I'm sort of glad they don't have the popcorn going right when the park opens, otherwise I'd be tempted to have popcorn for breakfast!

Welcome to The Land

With the recent talk of the departure of Nestle as sponsor I thought it might be time to take a quick look at the artistic sign out front. It has tile mosaics, matching some of the interior decor, as well as the waterfall which again it tied to the pavilion and the terrific Living with the Land boat ride. And of course, the sign features the Nestle logo. It will be interesting to see how the sponsor situation plays out in the coming months...

Free donuts!

Pork Security is maybe not the best money can buy. But the Muppets are on a budget and Link Hogthrob, if nothing else, will confuse anyone to death so they don't have to worry about people getting past security. Unless, of course, you need their help and then you just have to shout and they'll be right there. Meanwhile, while Link is on break you might as well sneak in to the labs and see what the Muppets are up to...

Room Service

This is the kind of room service I would expect at the Happiness Hotel! The Studio 1 store set has this hi-tech room service option. With Rizzo and Co. as bellhops you can't exactly expect high cuisine, you're just lucky you are getting service!

No Pane No Gain

Mickey has some excellent books around his garage that could prove useful once in awhile. Titles include ones like Fixing Electrical and Bermuda Shorts, The Handy Mouse Around the House, No Pane No Gain Window Repair and more. Back to that shorts one, that has to be an interesting read!