PhotoBlog - Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn

On Sunday, December 21st, my dad and I had the privilege of visiting Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn in Griffith Park. For those who are unaware, Walt had quite a passion for trains and railroads to the point of building his own model railroad in his Holmby Hills backyard. In order to facilitate the work he performed on his models, he had a small barn constructed in his backyard, where he spent many hours with his miniature engines. But enough with the talk - on with the pictures!


No longer residing in Walt's backyard, the barn now finds a home among the countless model trains and railways of Griffith Park.

The barn now serves as a museum and tribute to Walt's passion for railroads. It contains all kinds of fascinating models and memorabilia as well as displays featuring the Disneyland Railroad as well as the model railroads of several of Walt's animators.

Walt's backyard project was branded as the "Carolwood Pacific Railroad", named after the road that led to the Disney house. Walt also liked this name because it gave his railroad the initials "C.P.R.R.", exactly the same as the real-life Central Pacific Railroad.

This is a model of Walt's "C.K. Holiday" engine. Though the engine itself is a facsimile, the car displayed behind it is an authentic piece of Walt's railroad.

Walt had this engine brought over to America from England, but unfortunately it suffered damage on the trip over and could not be incorporated into Walt's railroad. Nevertheless, he put it to good use by taking it apart and studying its inner workings as a reference for his other engines.

Nestled in one corner of the barn lies Walt's master control board, which operated the entire layout. If you look closely, you'll notice such landmarks as "Rorex Tunnel" and "Yensid Valley". "Yensid", of course, is "Disney" spelled backwards. Similarly, "Rorex Tunnel" is named for Walt's friend, who helped him construct the tunnel through solid rock.

Throughout the barn, Walt's love for trains is captured not only through his model engines but also through railroad paraphernalia, such as this caboose lamp.

Various other odds and ends are displayed throughout the barn, including mementos based on the classic Donald Duck cartoon "Out of Scale". This cartoon, which featured Donald operating his own backyard railroad, was the animators' way of poking fun at Walt's obsession.

The opposite side of the barn features a tribute to the Disneyland Railroad, including models and memorabilia.


On the left is a model of the E.P. Ripley, one of the engines that was in service at Disneyland on opening day.

Opposite is the Ernest S. Marsh, which began operating at Disneyland in 1959.

In addition to the Disneyland Railroad, the barn also includes a display of the Disneyland Monorail system. The orange panel was taken from one of the very first monorails operating in the park.

Finally, one corner of the barn hosts displays for several of Walt's animators, who had railroads of their own. This section was devoted to Ward Kimball, who's backyard was dominated by the Grizzly Flats Railroad.


This engine resides out front, a tribute to Walt's passion for railroading. It signifies what was a very great part of his life, and reflects all that rests in Walt's Carolwood Barn. If you ever get a chance to visit this special place, do so. It's quite remarkable seeing the memories of Walt's Carolwood Pacific Railroad. For more information, visit www.carolwood.org.

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Film Fest Friday - The Bloody Olive

Welcome to the post-Christmas season, that time of year when you realize that yes all the holidays have indeed ended. As you pass through this time, enjoy this comedic film noir short entitled "The Bloody Olive".



Check back tomorrow for a PhotoBlog of my trip to Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn!
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Film Fest Saturday - Santa's Workshop

Sorry this is once again late - I pulled a super-long shift for event services last night, then I was at Disneyland for most of today. Anyway, with Christmas fast approaching, I'm featuring this classic Silly Symphony "Santa's Workshop".



And now to all a Merry Christmas, and a blessed New Year!
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Film Fest Saturday - Donald's Snow Fight

I think one of the best parts about the Christmas is the sharing of special moments with family. Apparently not everyone feels that way.



Merry Christmas all!
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Happy Birthday to a Very Influential Man

Today, December fifth, marks the 107th birthday of the late, great Walt Disney. I am continually amazed and astounded by the influence this man left with his ingenuity and innovative spirit, and it's a shame he left us so soon. As a tribute, here's "Steamboat Willie", Walt's groundbreaking cartoon, as you may know, integrating sound into the picture.



Remember, "all our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them."
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A Tribute to the Magic

Here's a tribute to the magic that cast members make every day. A fellow cast member from Splash Mountain was once doing a little guest interaction while the attraction was experiencing some downtime. A small child ran up to him and asked, "What's wrong with the ride?"

"You know that big snoring bear that you hear when you're up in the mountain?" the cast member started. "Well, he woke up and was very hungry, so he came down to the churro cart here for a churro. Except the cart was all out of churros, so he had to go all the way to Main Street to get one, and we can't start the ride again until he comes back."

The child nodded in understanding and walked away, at which point the father walked up to the cast member and said, "Okay, c'mon now, what really happened?"

"You know that big snoring bear..."

Film Fest Friday - Bugs Bunny's Christmas Carol

It's that time again! Here to kick off the Christmas season is "Bugs Bunny's Christmas Carol", an alternative take on the classic Dickens tale.



Here's to happy holidays, everyone!
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The Return of a Cast Member

About a month ago, I received a letter from Disneyland scheduling asking if I would like to work in the park during the week of Thanksgiving. I replied immediately with a, "YES!" And so Monday night marked my eventful return to the park at last as a cast member instead of as a guest. Though it felt as though I had never left, I did have to get used to being back in the role. Almost immediately after walking onstage, a guest asked me where the nearest restroom was. I was surprised enough that someone had asked me a question out of the blue, despite the fact that I had just realized that as a cast member I would get questions at a regular rate. Fortunately, I was able to maintain composure and point out the nearest restroom without difficulty. The night was fairly simple after that and I fell into pattern with ease. The rest of the night was spent as a valet for stroller parking, which, I might add, is my favorite job out on the Fantasmic front.

Film Fest Saturday - School of Life

It has been way too long since I posted something.

Today's feature is "School of Life", a piece with an interesting (and rather harsh) lesson.



Ta ta!
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Swamped!

So today I recorded a lecture and helped a friend with a film project, while yesterday I spent most of my evening on an audio project. Then I have several editing projects to do over the course of the next several weeks all while working on a film all this weekend.

Ah, it's good to be a film major.
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"Up" Trailer

Hey all! Pixar just released the trailer for their upcoming film "Up". Check it out here!



So whaddya think? I'm looking forward to this adventure!
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Film Fest Friday - What's Opera, Doc?

Today's feature is a favorite cartoon I recently rediscovered: "What's Opera, Doc?", a classic Bugs Bunny short that also happens to be an opera.



Ta ta!
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The Whole of Disneyland

On a recent trip to Disneyland, I decided to slow down a bit and enjoy a leisurely after-dark ride on the Mark Twain. Standing on the top deck, I was treated to a sight I hadn't seen before. As the old steamboat left the dock and slowly paddled her way around the river, I received a bird's-eye view of New Orleans Square, and consequently was able to see the entire scope of that French Quarter of Disneyland. And it was quite a beautiful sight to see! All the different elements - Pirates of the Caribbean, the restaurants, even the upper levels of Tarzan's Treehouse - came together to form a breathtaking landscape.

This only served to remind of something I've given thought to on several occasions - Disneyland is one of the few, if any, theme parks that succeeds not just in parts, but in whole. Not only does Disneyland have great individual attractions, but these attractions come together in such a way that they fit beautifully into one circle of land. This is something most theme parks don't accomplish. They might succeed in part, but not in whole. Disneyland's next-door neighbor, California Adventure, is an excellent example of this. There are quite a few parts of this park that succeed, from Tower of Terror to Soarin' Over California. There are quite a few attractions in California Adventure that are very well done and draw a lot of people away from Disneyland, at least for a little bit, so they can experience these adventures. But, as a whole, California Adventure is very weak, which is true of many other theme parks. They succeed in their individual parts, sometimes very well, but as a whole, they fail.

Just one more reason to love Disneyland.
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Film Fest Friday - Geri's Games

Today's edition of Film Fest Friday is somewhat unique and calls for a different kind of introduction. As I was searching for a short film to present to you, I was reminded of "Geri's Game", a short film by Pixar that we all remember from A Bug's Life. As I searched YouTube for the short, I discovered not only the short itself, but also various spinoffs done by amateur filmmakers. And so I present to you the original Pixar short "Geri's Game" followed by a home movie spin-off "Don's Game".



And now for something a little different...



Isn't that interesting? "Don's Game" is really just one of many spin-offs of "Geri's Game". I never realized that Pixar's wonderful little short film had inspired so many people to recreate their own production of that classic film.

Now for something completely different. I recently discovered this TV ad for the new "What Will You Celebrate?" campaign at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. What's so special about it? Well, I'll share that after you watch it.



Did you see that part at the end where the boy is celebrating his birthday with the pirates? That was being filmed on one of the nights I was doing guest control for Fantasmic. I knew the shoot was for a Disneyland ad (and I guessed it was for the "Celebrations" promotion), so it's nice to see what the idea was behind what was being shot. It's also quite amazing the amount of time and effort that went into that. The set utilized quite a bit of equipment, and the crew was working all night while I was there (probably even after I left). All that for a bit in a commercial that barely lasts ten seconds.

Okay, I'm outta here.
'Bye everyone!
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Film Fest Friday - Being Human

Today's film is entitled Being Human, and tells the story of two brothers who discover that one of them has a miraculous power.



Okay, that's all for now. See ya next time!
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Film Fest Saturday - Great White Hunters

Dang, I have got to get these up a day sooner!

Okay, for your pleasure, we have a short documentary entitled Great White Hunters, focusing on three fishermen who go out and hunt great white sharks. Just for kicks, of course.



Okay, see ya all next week!
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Film Fest Saturday - How to Play Football

Sorry for the lack of posts recently - I've been pretty busy, as usual.

Anyway, to kick off the fall season, here's a Goofy short highlighting that classic American sport of football!



Fun stuff, huh? Sure makes me ready for fall!
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What Will You Celebrate?

Today, the Walt Disney Company released their plans for next year's Disney Parks promotion. Themed around the question "What will you celebrate?", an emphasis is being placed on birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones. The highlight of this promotion is a free ticket on your birthday. Yes, that's right. Visit Disneyland or Walt Disney World on your birthday and receive complimentary admission.

I never thought I'd say this, but I actually like this promotion. I don't think we need another one, but this one actually makes sense, and is something people will understand. Plus, it could make a nice lead-in to the predicted 55th anniversary celebration of Disneyland. Hopefully it will turn out to be better than Year of a Million Dreams. I just hope a decision is made to do no more promotions for a while.

So, if it's your birthday, don't forget to stop by the park. Be sure to visit disneyland.com to register and get more info.
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Film Fest Saturday - Paradise

Sorry the film is one day late - had to get that railroad article out.

Anyway, here today is Paradise, a look into the nature of an automated life.



Okay, I'm off! Bye all!
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The Disneyland Railroad - A Most Valuable Asset

When Walt Disney first embarked on the design process of Disneyland, he said, "I just want it to look like nothing else in the world. And it should be surrounded by a train." Walt had a passion for trains, and even had built a miniature model railroad in his backyard. Thus, it should not be surprising that as he laid out a dream park, a railroad ran all the way around it.

Over the years, the Disneyland Railroad has been known as an icon of the park, nearly as well known as Sleeping Beauty Castle herself. Main Street Station is the first thing that guests see as they enter Disneyland, and the last thing they see when they leave. As guests continue to explore the park, the train can be seen and heard in many of the different wonderful realms of Disneyland, making it an unforgettable sight.

What most guests don't realize, however, is that the Disneyland Railroad is one of the most valuable assets the park possesses. "How?" you ask. To explain that, let's step away from the railroad for a moment and focus on Disneyland itself.

One of the greatest things about Disneyland is the surreal escapism of the park. Due to elaborate designs and details, all of which incorporate magnificent theming, Disneyland feels like no other place in the world. While visiting the park, you truly feel as though you're somewhere else entirely. This is achieved through the "suspension of disbelief", which refers to how people perceive aesthetic works. If you find yourself engulfed in the story presented by the book or film you're following, your mind will accept the fact that what you are following is otherwise completely implausible, or even impossible.

Disneyland takes this "suspension" to another level. As stated before, the park contains elaborate designs and details to make for an incredibly immersive experience. You believe you're in another world at Disneyland because it looks and feels and sounds like another world. However, all these designs and details aren't enough to create this suspension of disbelief. In order to properly feel the effect, guests cannot be allowed to see the outside world at all while visiting the park. Doing so breaks the illusion, and all the theming in the world can't cover it up.

Fortunately, shutting out the outside world isn't terribly difficult, and can be achieved by means of a simple barrier. But what barrier would suffice that wouldn't negatively affect the theming of the park? A fence or brick wall would look bland, and might even make guests feel as though they're being imprisoned.

Luckily, instead of a fence or wall, the Disneyland Railroad does the job just fine. With the exception of a few small areas built after Disneyland opened, the railroad surrounds the entire park, and is raised on a natural berm to prevent the outside world from becoming visible. Nearby elements, such as trees or buildings, fill in the remaining gaps. Thus you have a natural barrier that hides reality, yet is not imposing at all, but rather friendly looking.

Now you know one of the most important, as well as the most subtle aspects of the Disneyland Railroad. Granted, there are others, which could even be considered equally important. The railroad reflects Walt's legacy of trains, and serves as a transportation system around the park. Even so, I'm most impressed by the fact that Walt's train that surrounded Disneyland became a most effective element in keeping the world out and keeping the magic in.

That's it for now folks, all aboard!
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A Most Magical Model Railroad

I recently promised a post on the significance of the Disneyland Railroad, but that's still in the works. In the meantime, please enjoy this link featuring one man's model railroad and the magic surrounding it.

Click here.

That's all for now!
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Film Fest Friday - Bully for Bugs

It's Friday again! Time for another short film. Today's feature is a classic Looney Tunes cartoon entitled "Bully for Bugs".



On a side note, I have heard multiple good things about my post on tunnels at Disneyland, so I'm considering writing a second note entitled "The Importance of the Disneyland Railroad". Stay tuned for that, 'kay?
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The Importance of Tunnels

One of the great things about being a Disneyland cast member is slowly understanding the little intricacies and details of Disneyland, in operation, in design, and so on. This was particularly effective on Splash Mountain, since I spent most of my time there, but at the same time I came to know more about Disneyland in general as well. Perhaps one of my greatest discoveries was the importance of tunnels to both the park and individual attractions.

This was something I first discovered on Pirates of the Caribbean actually. For quite some time I had known that the placement of the waterfalls in the attraction was a practical application, as it allowed the Imagineers to take guests below the park's railroad berm and out into a much larger show building. However, it wasn't until this summer that I realized that these drops (particularly the first one) were actually incredibly effective storytelling techniques.

Consider things in this light. Pirates of the Caribbean is located in New Orleans Square. French quarter versus Caribbean town. That's quite the juxtaposition, and in my opinion it doesn't work very well. So how did Walt Disney get away with putting pirates in New Orleans? Simple. Guests enter the attraction and begin the ride in New Orleans. Suddenly, they pass under a bridge where they discover a mysterious skull and crossbones mounted above them. After being warned that "dead men tell no tales", the guests unexpectedly plunge down a waterfall into the darkness, essentially, a sloped tunnel. After emerging, they suddenly find themselves in a dark grotto full of skeletons and treasure.

So why does this tunnel device work so well? If nothing else, tunnels are disorienting. It doesn't matter where you were before you entered the tunnel. After passing through the dark for a few seconds, you have no idea where you are, where you're headed, and where you came from doesn't really matter any more. Combine that slight confusion with the added disorientation of the drop, and, well, you could be anywhere by now. Were you in a Louisiana swamp a moment ago? Who knows? You just plunged down a waterfall in the dark, and now you're somewhere else entirely.

At this point, I realized that this tunnel concept was utilized throughout the park. Many E-ticket attractions have some sort of tunnel, including Indiana Jones Adventure (Chamber of Destiny), Space Mountain (launch tunnel), Splash Mountain (second lift), and even the Submarine Voyage (bubble curtains). Some of these attractions even utilize two "tunnels", placing one in actual attraction as well utilizing a second, minor tunnel for the line. Space Mountain uses a good portion of its line space as a tunnel of sorts, causing guests to wind around inside the mountain and making them feel as though they're descending into a space station. Indiana Jones also uses a tunnel by taking guests deep into the Temple of the Forbidden Eye before they board their transports. These tunnels are incredibly immersive and allow guests to feel more and more like they're actually in a space station or jungle temple, so that by the time they've boarded the attraction, they actually believe that they are where they are.

Finally, two of the most effective as well as the earliest tunnels can be found just beyond the park gates. As guests enter, they see before them Main Street's train station, beyond which lies the Magic Kingdom. In order to truly enter the park, they must pass through one of the two tunnels underneath the train station. These tunnels are not dark or foreboding, but rather serve as portals. A plaque mounted above each tunnel reads "Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy." As guests pass through, they truly do leave behind the world of today, and quickly find themselves in Main Street U.S.A., the timeless turn-of-the-century town.

Two tunnels, dare I say portals, simple, but effective.

And now you know the importance of tunnels to Disneyland.
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Film Fest Friday - More

Sorry for the lack of posts. I've been quite busy for a while now, but I've finally had time to slow down from school enough to post this short film More.



Okay, back to school. Hopefully I'll get the time to post more often.
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Film Fest Friday - Donald's Vacation

This week we return to classic cartoons for Film Fest Friday. Because I will spend much of next week camping, I thought it fitting to host "Donald's Vacation", a short in which Donald attempts to camp in a scenic area of the forest, but cannot do so without contending with the local wildlife.



I wish I had a kayak like that.

As I stated earlier, I will be camping next week, so don't expect too many posts.
I'll see you all when I get back! Hopefully with pictures!
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Catalina PhotoBlog

Approximately a week ago, I attended a week-long family camp on Catalina Island, which was been a tradition for my family for fifteen years. During this period, I was able to get quite a few wonderful photos, and now I'm posting them here for you.

There were always a ton of sailboats out, and on this particular day we could even see one of the cruise ships visiting the island.


From here we have a nice view of Gallagher's Cove, where our family camp was located.


There can be quite a bit of cactus sometimes.








I always thought this looked like one of those pictures you'd see in those travel brochures.










The sunrises and sunsets can be really pretty.











The sunsets are lovely here.





That's all folks! Sorry that was a bit late.
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Film Fest Friday - The Clap

Today's short film is titled The Clap, focused on a classical music enthusiast who is obsessed with being the first to clap after each piece of music performed on stage.



Sorry for not posting for so long. I was recently at camp, and since then I've just been busy. Look for a PhotoBlog coming soon.
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Film Fest Saturday - 4960

Today's film is 4960, a film focusing on two people trying to contact each other between "point A and point B".



A bit different from the normal pace of films I feature here, but well-done nevertheless.

Okay, this is my last post for approximately a week. All next week I'll be on vacation, so don't expect anything until at least next Saturday.

Have a good week, everyone!
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PhotoBlog - Disneyland Edition!

It's been a while since I've done one of these, so I'm providing this nifty update, full of pics from the Disneyland Resort! Since I've been trying to get this up for a while, I'm actually going to delay Film Fest Friday in order to get this up. I apologize for any inconvenience.





I love all the details at Disneyland, including this piece of machinery in the line for Big Thunder Mountain.


The Astro Orbitor allows for a multitude of photographic possibilities!


The composition isn't the best, but I still love the way the colors turned out in this shot.


Every summer, Disneyland features their own All-American College Band. They're really amazing!


New Orleans Square is lovely at night.


Disneyland in general is amazing in the evening, actually.


I'm not entirely satisfied with this picture, but it looks pretty good so I'm posting it anyway.

I love the lights of Paradise Pier.


A nice castle shot.


And finally, the man and the mouse.

Okay, I'm done for now. 'Bye all!
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Happy Birthday to the Happiest Place on Earth

Today, July 17th, marks exactly 53 years of operation for Disneyland Park here in California. It's amazing how that incredible place has been transformed over the years, from adding new rides to updating old facades, and even adding a whole new theme park! Yet behind all the changes is the same park, still holding many of the same attractions that so many individuals have enjoyed and treasured for many, many years. Disneyland certainly has had an impact on our culture, particularly here in Southern California. And I must say it is a definite honor to be a part of it as a cast member.

For those interested, a small article was published today highlighting aerial views of Disneyland from a 1956 promotional film.
Link here.

And finally, keep an eye out for a Disneyland PhotoBlog in the next few days.

Okay, that should do it!
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The YouTube Screening Room

Big news! YouTube has recently released the YouTube Screening Room, a special section of the site that allows short films to be posted and reviewed by YouTube users. Reaching an audience is one of the hardest parts of filmmaking, and now YouTube is allowing it to be done. I personally am excited to see what short films might appear here, and look forward to what it may grow into.
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Film Fest Friday - Wrong Side of the Bed

It's Film Fest Friday! Today, we'll see what happens to someone who gets up on the wrong side of the bed and, as a result, continues to have terrible luck. Will he be doomed to continually suffer?



Simple short, but amusing. I must say I enjoyed the ending.
Look for a PhotoBlog coming soon!
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Behind the Scenes of the Disneyland Fireworks

June 30th marked one full month of my employment at the Disneyland Resort, and I must say I've quite enjoyed my time there so far. It's been great spending so much time in the park both in the roles of a cast member and a guest. There are so many things I enjoy about being there, from helping guests have a wonderful day to making sure everything runs smoothly, and even watching fireworks while I work!

Prior to the beginning of my time here at Disneyland, I actually hadn't taken the time to enjoy the park's nightly show "Remember... Dreams Come True". However, I've recently been scheduled for many night shifts and have been able to enjoy the show's lights and music on a regular basis. It was wonderful the first time I saw it, and it only gets better and better with each viewing. Thus, with my interest sparked in Disneyland's pyrotechnic efforts, I was pleased to find this video earlier this morning, highlighting some of the behind-the-scenes processes of Disneyland's nightly show in the sky.



That video was only a small sample of the amazing show that goes on over Disneyland every night. If you haven't seen the show yet, I highly encourage you to do so. And be sure to keep an eye out for me, okay?
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Film Fest Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July everyone! In honor of our great nation of America, I've posted a classic Bugs Bunny cartoon highlighting America's favorite pastime: baseball! In this short, Bugs takes on the meanest, roughest team in the major leagues all by himself! Can he defeat them? Watch and see!



That's all folks! Thanks for watching, and God bless America!
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Film Fest Friday - How to Ride a Horse

Today's short is an instructional video on riding horses. I hope you all will receive some sort of educational benefit from this.



Maybe that wasn't quite what you expected, but it was still a lot of fun, wasn't it?
Okay, I have to go. I'm a little under the weather right now.
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Film Fest Friday - Mainframe: The Art of the Sale

Today's feature is Mainframe: The Art of the Sale, depicting a salesman with a million dollar product and the wrong target market.

AtomFilms.com: Funny Videos | Funny Cartoons | Comedy Central

Okay, I'm off. I'll see y'all later.
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The Life of a Cast Member

Today marks one week since I started my official duties as a post-training cast member, and I must say this has been quite an exciting week! Almost every day I'm in the park, helping Splash Mountain to run smoothly. So far, it's been quite fun! I've really enjoyed interacting with guests and taking on the various roles required to operate the mountain.

Not that work has been all fun and games. The job certainly has its ups and downs, and sometimes it's easy to get really frustrated when confusion erupts or guests get upset over something. But making one guest happy completely compensates for dealing with twenty annoyed guests, and I must say I really take pride in the job. The best part of my day is closing up the attraction at midnight once Disneyland has closed. Afterwards, I walk to my car, enjoying the cool silence and the glowing lights of the empty park.

Okay, I need to go sleep. I've got an eight hour shift tomorrow, and it starts at 10:00 a.m.
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Film Fest Friday - Bone Trouble

Today's entry for Film Fest Friday is a recent Pluto cartoon I found and enjoyed. Here it is!



Quite interesting, eh?

On a side note before I wrap this up, I have successfully completed my training for Splash Mountain at Disneyland. Thus far, I have had a really great experience and I'm really enjoying my work. Hopefully that trend will continue.
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Film Fest Friday - Out of Scale

Sorry for the lack of a short film yesterday. I spent most of my time working at Disneyland, being trained in the various aspects of operating Splash Mountain. It's been incredibly intensive, but pretty fun as well, and I've had a great time going through the different cast member position.

Anyway, enough of that. Today's film is an old Donald Duck cartoon from 1951. This was one of my favorites when I was a kid, mostly due to the gargantuan model railroad in Donald's backyard.

Okay, I gotta go. I have to be in the park at 6:00 tomorrow.
'Bye for now,
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Slowing Down

On Monday, I once again visited Disneyland for a few hours with the intent of enjoying several attractions that I missed on my Saturday visit. Yet even though my main intent lay in the attractions, I spent a fair amount of time snapping pictures here and there, and I had a small collection ready to upload as I boarded Splash Mountain for my final adventure of the day.

Then something unexpected happened (I still don't know what) and my memory card had to be formatted, thus removing many of the pictures I had shot earlier. Fortunately, this wasn't too much of a blow. I didn't have that many pictures on my camera, and those that I had taken could easily be reshot later if necessary. So I simply moseyed around the Critter Country area and took a few more pictures before heading out. It was at that time that I realized how Disneyland is to truly be enjoyed.

When most people visit the park, they spend their whole time running from one place to another, hoping to catch a show at a certain time or trying to get into a line as quickly as possible. Most people don't take the time to slow down and examine their surroundings. I was forced to do that while I was snapping pictures, and I came to realize just how wonderful a place Disneyland is. Separated from reality, it carries its own sense of peace and wonder, with the dreams and fantasies of many masterfully blended together into one extraordinary park. When you take the time to slow down, there is an infinite amount of details to be found, some placed intentionally, others simply an inherent part of the place. A group of ducks perched on a docked canoe, for instance, or the laugh of a child in reaction to an amazing day. This is beautiful, I thought to myself. It is so wonderful that I get to work here.

The Sailing Ship Columbia was docked in Fowler's Harbor, resulting in her masts poking up over this roof. I'm not terribly satisfied with the way this photo turned out, but it looked lovely in the thought process.


I'm very fascinated with the Haunted Mansion's artistic style, so I spent several minutes grabbing a variety of shots.


Here's a black-and-white pic.


And finally a black-and-white with blue tint.


The canoe dock was very serene that evening.


All the guests and cast members had left, and the canoes were serving as a perch for a group of ducks.


A random shot of the Crystal Arcade on Main Street.


And to conclude, one final shot of the Partners statue in the central plaza.

Thanks for reading, everyone. I start guest interaction training tomorrow, so stay tuned!
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