Jumbo Santa eraser

The entryway for Flik's Fun Fair is decked out for the holidays. While much of DCA does not have a lot of decorations, Flik's Fun Fair does have some neat decorations. From the cheesy Santa eraser topper to the lights to the candy canes and more it is all an oversized holiday adventure.

Sorcerer tree

Outside the Fantasia Shop in the Disneyland Hotel is this cool little tree. What a great idea for a tree topper! The hotels are all decked out for the holiday and as you can see the shops get into the act as well. So if you are looking for a unique look for your tree here's an idea...

And a side note - Subsonic Radio has revved up their all holiday station so you can listen to holiday music from the Disney parks day and night from now till Christmas! It is the perfect cure for those of you that already have heard the same 20 tracks on the radio 50 times each by now.

Mickey wreath

Thanksgiving is behind us and it is time for Christmas! In Toontown this great Mickey Wreath hangs from a number of the lampposts. So where can I get one of these for my lamp out in the front yard? It would make a great addition to the neighborhood...

Happy Thanksgiving!

For all of the readers here in the US - Happy Thanksgiving! So why in the world are we headed to the Port Orleans Riverside resort today? Well, for a number of years the family used to down around Thanksgiving. The crowds were traditionally light except on Thanksgiving and the Friday after. To avoid the rush we would always eat Thanksgiving dinner at Dixie Landings/Riverside - they shut down all the different food stations and just served up the traditional turkey. It was always a tasty meal and fun to explore a different resort for a couple hours. So no matter where you today, hopefully you are having a very enjoyable holiday.

Westerhn Pacific 804-A

Western Pacific 804-A has a notable place in railroading history. It lead the final run of the legendary California Zephyr train in 1970 between Salt Lake City and Oakland. The Imagineers pay tribute to the train with a recreation of 804-A and a pair of the cars from the train.

The original 804-A has been gone for over 30 years but a shell of another nearly identical locomtive was bought from Via Rail in Canada and provided the basis for Engine-ears Toys, Baker's Field Bakery, and Bur-r-r Bank Ice Cream. Be sure to keep an eye out inside the bakery for a mural with 804-A and the California Zephyr inside.

A side note for those of you looking for an excuse for a train trip - Amtrak revived the route in 1983 and it still runs today. While the route has changed in places you still can ride from Chicago to Oakland...

Transported by beams of light...

In the future, packages will be sent to distant worlds through beams of light... As you leave Space Mountain and return to Tomorrowland there is an all-too-short post show with archeologists sending alien dinosaur bones by beams of light. It if mighty hard to get good photos of this area but this is the receiving port where lab retriever has already retrieved a few bones for a quick snack. Is it just me or does the yellow sticker have a Death Star looking logo?

Desktop: Take a break in Morocco

In the Morocco pavailion there is a lovely courtyard (I swear it has a name but I'm drawing blanks...) that is perfect for a short break. The tile work is wonderful, as is the architecture and wood work. Throw in interesting lighting and a soothing fountain and it makes for a quiet and relaxing corner of Epcot away from the crowds.

Flying Saucers have been spotted...

Yet another tribute banner hanging from Innoventions paying honor to Tomorrowland rides of the past. The Flying Saucers were a crazy yet shortlived ride in the 60's. I could try to describe them here but you can read up and see photos over at Yesterland where Werner Weiss have it
covered. There has been rumor that this sort of a ride might make a comeback in DCA, I don't know the latest and greatest on that rumor but at one point I believe it was in the big master rebuilding plan...

Flash pictures

See, now the flash works so much better if you don't point it at your eyes! Rizzo is demonstrating the dangers of flash photography to the world on this sign over at the Studio 1 store. Some people, er, rats just never learn...

Some light reading

For all your that devour books Minnie has a few on her shelf in Toontown. My Fair Mouse, Of Men and Mice, A Minnie Course on Geneology... And you have to love those bookends. The pottery is an interesting touch, not sure if Minnie took a class on it or what the story is, will have to do more research the next time I'm down there I guess...

Crates for Dr. Jones

Another photo of crates! On the banks of the Jungle Cruise and the exit queue from the Temple of the Forbidden Eye is a pile of crates and barrels for the Professor. Besides adding to the interesting variety of stuff on the docks they also help explain where the temple is located - the Lost Delta in India.

Curb your dino

Hey - you there, can't you read the sign? Curb that dino already, man we can't have that thing crashing through this store? I mean seriously, we here at Chester and Hester's take pride at our mess but we don't need your dinosaur adding to it!

Mickey of the Future

When you are riding the highway in the sky take a look at the monorail cabs - this classic hidden Mickey with a futuristic (well maybe more retro-futuristic) twist is on every train. This being Mickey's 80th birthday I figured we had to celebrate with some sort of Mickey detail!

Desktop: Night lights

The lights at night on Paradise Pier are really something. During the day the Pier area may be a mixed bag (I've never really figured out why they use precious space on the Boardwalk Games...) but at night the lights really bring it to life. This is actually from one of the outdoor stairwells at the Grand Californian, from the upper levels you get a great view of the action.

Go away!

No, not you! Get back here! Geez, there are few enough readers here as it is, I can't afford to lose you! But it seems that at least someone over at Studio 1 isn't exactly happy to see visitors coming into the set storage area...

Take a journey with Figment

Figment is one of my favorite Disney characters - I loved the original Journey into Imagination. It was so whimsical and fun and that still seems to be lacking in the current rendition. This version, while certainly much better than the second version, still have a long way to go before it can catch up to the first one with Dreamfinder. But at least it has Figment back! These colorful banners outside the pavilion welcome you inside to start your journey.

Popcorn serving Yeti

There is something a little odd about the popcorn cart at the Matterhorn. It isn't the Swiss styling, not the location... No, I think it has something to do with the yeti that is cranking the popcorn in the cart. It is actually a really nice touch by the Imagineers to add even more to this well themed cart!

Keep Hollywood Clean

Hollywood needs you to pitch in! The logo on this trash can should give you a clue to its location in the park - the theatre ought to look very familiar... Too bad there is a certain hat in the way today...

Power of the Yeti

These warnings line the queue while you are touring the museum next to the the Himalayan Escapes tour offices on the way to the Anadapur Rail station. I think I'm going to have to agree with the doctor on this one...

Another quiet fountain

This fountain is tucked back in the Morocco pavilion - it is another quiet corner of the park that would be a great place to seek out on a busy day. The tile work is terrific, and really stands out even more with the surrounding monotone masonry work.

Desktop: Your ride is here!

This cute little otter is your transport on King Triton's Carousel of the Sea. The entire carousel is made up of fanciful sea creatures. Now technically a carousel is only horses while merry-go-rounds can have all sorts of animals but come on, carousel sounds far more royal doesn't it?

Waiting for a codfish lunch

The weather vane over Peter Pan's Flight is the croc from the movie. He sits high above the ride among the other themed weather vanes over the rooftops of Fantasyland. Just another reason to remember to look up as you walk around the parks...

Tiki with a Mickey

In the rooms at the Polynesian the terrific decor includes tikis (of course!) and this guy under the lamp has a hidden Mickey.

Smile!

Look, all the faces are so happy to see you and ready to have their pictures taken. Ok, so it is Friday and with the temperature snap my brain is hibernating already. So it is on to warmer places, like the Mexico Pavillion in Epcot.

According to the Imagineers, the temple is a bit of everything from the 3rd century Mesoamerica culture, it is based heavily on the Aztec culture but there are also traces of Toltec and Mayan in there as well. As you face the entrance this artwork is to the left a bit - don't forget to take a few minutes to check it out.

Keep moving forward

This billboard for Meet the Robinsons was found for a time on a soundstage in MGM, it was one of those that you can only see from the Backlot Tour. There are always new ads up for the latest and greatest on the big and little screens along the tour, from inside the trams to the sides of soundstages. This one caught my eye in particular, I was really looking forward to the movie and come on, who deosn't enjoy all the Disneyland references? It's now been just over a year since Meet the Robinsons came out on DVD (and 19 months since it hit the big screen). While I could try and explain why this movie is so incredible on so many different fronts why not go over to Jeff's commentary at 2719 Hyperion instead? The movie deserved far more recognition than it got, it was much deeper and more entertaining than I possibly could have imagined. Haven't seen it yet? Go out there and rent it today, you'll be glad you did.

Ice cold and refreshing

Animal Kingdom has some great refreshment carts - the styling and the art in each area both fits the territory and often whimsical and entertaining. Located in Asia, this cart features tigers, lions, monkeys, and birds all in a city scene...

Get out and vote!

How often do you actually have a say in what is added to Disney World? Well at the Hall of Presidents you do, and today is election day. So for all of you reading this in the US tear yourself away from the computer and get to the voting booth already!

Desktop: Internet cafes are everywhere

You can get an internet connection just about everywhere these days, even in the Himalyas. The Shangri-La Trekkers Inn and Internet Cafe is ready to take care of all the expedition needs, stop in to relax, catch up on your email or better yet, sleep.

Speaking of journeys - for those of you keeping score at home (and for those still slogging along with us since you first boarded this boat) this one has been going on for 300 posts. I hope you all enjoyed your trip around the jungle. I had such a good time I'm going to go again! (and again...and again...and again...)

You gonna finish that?

At the Lucky Dragon Cookery there are a pair of dragons up in the rafters. This big guy is watching over everyone and especially your food (it would help if the eatery was open whenever I go to DCA). And the question he's thinking right now? No doubt something along the lines of you gonna finish that plate of Kung Pao chicken?

Toon Grow Seed Co.

Minnie has some pots of colorful plants in her house in Toontown. Here we have some Twolips and Dandelions from the Toon Grow Seed Co. Looks like the Dandelions have even placed 2nd in the County Fair! Now if only my dandelion crop could ever look that good...