Rajah
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 17, 1999
- Messages
- 9,633
(Hopefully these will work for everyone. If they don't on the first try, try hitting stop and refresh and that should fix the problem.
I'm posting this same message on the Disneyland board, but I wanted to make sure no one missed it.
I'm working on a full trip report as well, but this will summarize the trip through pictures. All of the pictures were either cropped or resized from images that are 1024x768, so if you want a larger version of any of the pictures, just let me know
Also, I did do retouching on several of them that were too dark or whatever, but I tried to get the colors as true as possible (except in the case of the sky when it was smoggy). For the most part, the main image editing I've done was to sharpen the images since none of the resized pictures were as sharp as the full-size image)
This post shows the first half of our second day (first full one) at the Disneyland Resort.
We started off at Goofy's Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel for breakfast. I *highly* recommend it -- I think this was the best breakfast we've ever had character-wise and among the best food-wise.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_139.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Belle was in the dining area greeting guests.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_140.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
At one point during the meal, the Tiki Room Macarena (sp?) plays and all the characters come to the buffet area to do the macarena, of course inviting kids to join them. Here's Goofy greeting a boy.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_141.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
And being goofy with another boy.
Pluto and Gepetto were just dancing to the music.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_142.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Goofy (and Pluto, though you can barely see him) doing the Macarena while the Mad Hatter dances with a boy.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_143.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Mad Hatter joining in on the fun.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_144.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Mad Hatter waving goodbye to his "subjects" and "fans" and returning the floor to Goofy.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_145.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Goofy dancing with a boy. This was really cute to watch -- you could tell the boy was having the time of his life.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_146.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Gepetto then came to the table. He was a real sweetheart.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_147.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
One of the better Gepettos I've met, actually.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_148.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
Michael went over to the buffet for dessert (we ate *huge* breakfasts here this morning) where he found Goofy's Goof Cake (we both got sugar-sick just *looking* at it! LOL!) and Pluto's Dirt and Worms. He's laughing at the dirt and worms. The expression on his face was worth the cost of eating there alone. I only caught the latter part of the expression.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_149.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
This is what he was laughing at.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_150.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
A couple more desserts on the buffet. Oh, they did have *real* food, too, but those bars were crowded enough I couldn't get any good shots.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_151.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Goofy himself came by and we complimented him on the food. He really did a wonderful job with the kids. Was very fun and sweet to a couple of kids at the tables next to us.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_152.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
Michael, looking serious, to counter Goofy's goofiness.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_153.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
A sleepy Pluto was next.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_154.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
He of course made me laugh while I was trying to smile for the camera, hence the strange expression on my face.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_155.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
And then the star of the show, the Mad Hatter. He really was fantastic, just as I remember from my trip 3 years ago when I ate solo at Goofy's Kitchen.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_156.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
He loved the hat. I was hoping he'd be there -- he was the whole reason I brought the hat that morning. We had a fun conversation about hats before he moved on to the next table.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_157.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
On our way out, we stopped to meet Belle.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_158.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
Back in the hall of black and white photos, I spotted one of my favorite pictures. I think they've named this photo "Footsteps".
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_159.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Close-up of Walt walking in the picture. I also converted this to black and white so it's more true to form. The lighting added a yellow/amber tint.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_160.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Now, on to the touring of the day: our first visit to California Adventure (DCA). This is in the esplanade between the two parks. I'm almost backed up as far as you can go toward Disneyland in order to get this shot -- that tells you how close the entrance to Disneyland is to the entrance of DCA. When you park-hop here, it's literally just a hop away.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_161.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
Had to get the "required" photo in front of one of the letters. We were anxious enough to get into the park that we didn't get one of *me* at the R -- now I wish we had
My biggest complaint about DCA, is that the entrance area just isn't very photogenic. Not for my tastes, anyway. I didn't take any pictures at all until we got into the Condor Flats area.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_162.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
As we entered Condor Flats, we saw Minnie in her flight suit greeting guests. I'm a sucker for kids getting hugs from characters.
Okay, so I didn't consider Condor Flats photogenic, either.
But, we're on to what I *did* find *very* photogenic, the Grizzly River area.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_163.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
This is a picture of Grizzly Peak and the Grizzly River Run. That's one of the rafts coming down the main slide there on the left, Grizzly Peak in the back center, and a hint of the geyser area to the right.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_164.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Raft coming through the geyser area. The geysers were very unpredictable.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_165.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Disney sure does geysers well! Same area with one of the geysers going off. That's the Grand Californian Hotel in the background. It's like a Frank Lloyd Wright (sp?) version of the Wilderness Lodge.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_166.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
And yet another shot of the geysers, this time with a rainbow in the mist of the gurgling geyser. One geyser created consistent picture-perfect fountains of water. The other was more turbulent (the better to get guests soaking!) and created more misting effect.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_167.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
Moving up the Grizzly walk (I forget what the name of the path is), I caught this sight of the beautiful theming. Grizzly Peak to the rear, waterfalls left and center front, and a nice bridge crossing the waterfalls, with a fire-tower to the right.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_168.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Okay, I just couldn't stay away from those geysers! LOL!
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_169.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
On to the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Originally, I thought this was just a kid's play area, but reading a few guest reviews left me open to visiting it, and the CMs at the front encouraged one and all to enter. I'm glad we did -- it was one of my favorite things at DCA! They've done a good job capturing the flavor of the Redwood Forest in a theme-park setting, complete with hollow tree stump through which to walk!
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_170.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
A huge slab of a real redwood tree, with markings indicating important events in the tree's timeline of rings, and a sign explaining the tree rings and about Redwoods.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_171.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
I just liked this cute little waterfall, though the water didn't show up well in the photos.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_172.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
The trail itself is very pretty, even if you don't actively participate in anything.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_173.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
One of the activities for kids only. They did have a height maximum on this, or I would have ridden the swing! I used to love this kind of tire swing!
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_174.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Over to the water play area, where they have a cute little rock slide, and I found this "hidden Grizzly".
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_175.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Ahh, on to the fun! All throughout the Trail, there are these eagle's nest rope bridges. I haven't done one of these for YEARS! I was in the wrong shoes for it, but I didn't care. I don't think DH and I have laughed that hard in a long time! A lot of other adults were laughing just as hard as we were while they went through.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_176.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
The view of Grizzly Peak from the fire lookout station (complete with instructions for junior fire rangers, and a fire-spotter device in the station, a little history information... I need to go back, I didn't get pictures of that!). This is what we were climbing for. If you want the more normal way up, there's also a normal staircase.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_177.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
And the view toward some of the other rope bridges on top and kids activities below. That's the tire swing again down below.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_178.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
And the view between the previous pictures. Grand Californian in the background.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_179.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Another shot of the rope bridges.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_180.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
And another shot of DH trying to navigate that bridge! He did a beautiful job going the opposite direction, but when I told him to turn around and come back toward me for a picture, he stumbled.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_181.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
More Grizzly Peak from the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_182.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Molholland (sp?) Madness, a wild-mouse kind of coaster closer to the Paradise Pier area, with the Paradise Pier Hotel in the background.
Walking around the remainder of the trail, we circled the campfire area where you can watch shows with Chip and Dale or Native American storytelling. We found these critters along the route. I think they're from various Native American folklore. I'll let these pictures tell their own tales.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_183.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_184.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_185.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_186.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_187.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_188.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_189.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_190.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Okay, we've now left the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail and have backtracked to the Hollywood Backlot area.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_191.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
This is essentially a miniature MGM tucked in a corner of DCA. Since I'm not a huge MGM fan, I didn't get much pictures of it, either.
But, I did get these from inside the Animation Studios area. Take the Animation Tour from MGM, and divide it into individual exhibits and demonstrations. Very worth a stop if you're into animation.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_192.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
Character sketches of Buzz and Woody from Toy Story.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_193.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Tantor from Tarzan.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_194.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
Beast from Beauty and the Beast (I like what they ended up with best of all the sketches, of course. )
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_195.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
And Tinkerbell, with a hint of Alice thrown in.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_196.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Back outside, where I saw this interesting tree. I have no idea what it is, besides interesting.
Now on to the Pacific Wharf area, yet *another* spot I didn't consider as photogenic for my tastes. (When I say photogenic, I look at things and say "would I want this as my computer background?" or "does this capture a special moment?" -- I had little of that in DCA besides in the Grizzly Peak area and Paradise Pier area)
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_197.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
This group was a lot of fun to listen to, and brought a fun point to the Wharf area. We sat and listened to them for a little bit while I ate a sundae and Michael drank a beer.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_198.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Ducks in the Wharf waters.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_199.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
And I'll finish this post on with some more ducks.
The best of DCA is yet to come. I promise! Including night shots of Paradise Pier.
(And if you missed my first two picture posts, they can be found:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=294887&highlight=Disneyland+pictures
and
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=295330&highlight=Disneyland+pictures )
I'm posting this same message on the Disneyland board, but I wanted to make sure no one missed it.
I'm working on a full trip report as well, but this will summarize the trip through pictures. All of the pictures were either cropped or resized from images that are 1024x768, so if you want a larger version of any of the pictures, just let me know
Also, I did do retouching on several of them that were too dark or whatever, but I tried to get the colors as true as possible (except in the case of the sky when it was smoggy). For the most part, the main image editing I've done was to sharpen the images since none of the resized pictures were as sharp as the full-size image)
This post shows the first half of our second day (first full one) at the Disneyland Resort.
We started off at Goofy's Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel for breakfast. I *highly* recommend it -- I think this was the best breakfast we've ever had character-wise and among the best food-wise.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_139.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Belle was in the dining area greeting guests.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_140.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
At one point during the meal, the Tiki Room Macarena (sp?) plays and all the characters come to the buffet area to do the macarena, of course inviting kids to join them. Here's Goofy greeting a boy.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_141.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
And being goofy with another boy.
Pluto and Gepetto were just dancing to the music.<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_142.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Goofy (and Pluto, though you can barely see him) doing the Macarena while the Mad Hatter dances with a boy.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_143.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Mad Hatter joining in on the fun.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_144.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Mad Hatter waving goodbye to his "subjects" and "fans" and returning the floor to Goofy.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_145.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Goofy dancing with a boy. This was really cute to watch -- you could tell the boy was having the time of his life.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_146.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Gepetto then came to the table. He was a real sweetheart.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_147.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
One of the better Gepettos I've met, actually.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_148.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
Michael went over to the buffet for dessert (we ate *huge* breakfasts here this morning) where he found Goofy's Goof Cake (we both got sugar-sick just *looking* at it! LOL!) and Pluto's Dirt and Worms. He's laughing at the dirt and worms. The expression on his face was worth the cost of eating there alone. I only caught the latter part of the expression.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_149.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
This is what he was laughing at.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_150.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
A couple more desserts on the buffet. Oh, they did have *real* food, too, but those bars were crowded enough I couldn't get any good shots.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_151.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Goofy himself came by and we complimented him on the food. He really did a wonderful job with the kids. Was very fun and sweet to a couple of kids at the tables next to us.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_152.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
Michael, looking serious, to counter Goofy's goofiness.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_153.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
A sleepy Pluto was next.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_154.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
He of course made me laugh while I was trying to smile for the camera, hence the strange expression on my face.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_155.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
And then the star of the show, the Mad Hatter. He really was fantastic, just as I remember from my trip 3 years ago when I ate solo at Goofy's Kitchen.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_156.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
He loved the hat. I was hoping he'd be there -- he was the whole reason I brought the hat that morning.
We had a fun conversation about hats before he moved on to the next table. <img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_157.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
On our way out, we stopped to meet Belle.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_158.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
Back in the hall of black and white photos, I spotted one of my favorite pictures. I think they've named this photo "Footsteps".
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_159.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Close-up of Walt walking in the picture. I also converted this to black and white so it's more true to form. The lighting added a yellow/amber tint.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_160.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Now, on to the touring of the day: our first visit to California Adventure (DCA). This is in the esplanade between the two parks. I'm almost backed up as far as you can go toward Disneyland in order to get this shot -- that tells you how close the entrance to Disneyland is to the entrance of DCA. When you park-hop here, it's literally just a hop away.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_161.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
Had to get the "required" photo in front of one of the letters. We were anxious enough to get into the park that we didn't get one of *me* at the R -- now I wish we had
My biggest complaint about DCA, is that the entrance area just isn't very photogenic. Not for my tastes, anyway. I didn't take any pictures at all until we got into the Condor Flats area.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_162.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
As we entered Condor Flats, we saw Minnie in her flight suit greeting guests. I'm a sucker for kids getting hugs from characters.
Okay, so I didn't consider Condor Flats photogenic, either.
But, we're on to what I *did* find *very* photogenic, the Grizzly River area.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_163.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
This is a picture of Grizzly Peak and the Grizzly River Run. That's one of the rafts coming down the main slide there on the left, Grizzly Peak in the back center, and a hint of the geyser area to the right.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_164.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Raft coming through the geyser area. The geysers were very unpredictable.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_165.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Disney sure does geysers well! Same area with one of the geysers going off. That's the Grand Californian Hotel in the background. It's like a Frank Lloyd Wright (sp?) version of the Wilderness Lodge.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_166.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
And yet another shot of the geysers, this time with a rainbow in the mist of the gurgling geyser. One geyser created consistent picture-perfect fountains of water. The other was more turbulent (the better to get guests soaking!) and created more misting effect.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_167.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
Moving up the Grizzly walk (I forget what the name of the path is), I caught this sight of the beautiful theming. Grizzly Peak to the rear, waterfalls left and center front, and a nice bridge crossing the waterfalls, with a fire-tower to the right.
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_168.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
Okay, I just couldn't stay away from those geysers! LOL!
<img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_169.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" border="0">
On to the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Originally, I thought this was just a kid's play area, but reading a few guest reviews left me open to visiting it, and the CMs at the front encouraged one and all to enter. I'm glad we did -- it was one of my favorite things at DCA! They've done a good job capturing the flavor of the Redwood Forest in a theme-park setting, complete with hollow tree stump through which to walk!
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A huge slab of a real redwood tree, with markings indicating important events in the tree's timeline of rings, and a sign explaining the tree rings and about Redwoods.
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I just liked this cute little waterfall, though the water didn't show up well in the photos.
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The trail itself is very pretty, even if you don't actively participate in anything.
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One of the activities for kids only. They did have a height maximum on this, or I would have ridden the swing! I used to love this kind of tire swing!
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Over to the water play area, where they have a cute little rock slide, and I found this "hidden Grizzly".
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Ahh, on to the fun! All throughout the Trail, there are these eagle's nest rope bridges. I haven't done one of these for YEARS! I was in the wrong shoes for it, but I didn't care.
I don't think DH and I have laughed that hard in a long time! A lot of other adults were laughing just as hard as we were while they went through. <img src="http://www.stardustdreams.net/DLNov02/DLR_Nov02_176.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" border="0">
The view of Grizzly Peak from the fire lookout station (complete with instructions for junior fire rangers, and a fire-spotter device in the station, a little history information... I need to go back, I didn't get pictures of that!). This is what we were climbing for. If you want the more normal way up, there's also a normal staircase.
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And the view toward some of the other rope bridges on top and kids activities below. That's the tire swing again down below.
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And the view between the previous pictures. Grand Californian in the background.
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Another shot of the rope bridges.
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And another shot of DH trying to navigate that bridge! He did a beautiful job going the opposite direction, but when I told him to turn around and come back toward me for a picture, he stumbled.
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More Grizzly Peak from the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
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Molholland (sp?) Madness, a wild-mouse kind of coaster closer to the Paradise Pier area, with the Paradise Pier Hotel in the background.
Walking around the remainder of the trail, we circled the campfire area where you can watch shows with Chip and Dale or Native American storytelling. We found these critters along the route. I think they're from various Native American folklore. I'll let these pictures tell their own tales.
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Okay, we've now left the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail and have backtracked to the Hollywood Backlot area.
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This is essentially a miniature MGM tucked in a corner of DCA. Since I'm not a huge MGM fan, I didn't get much pictures of it, either.
But, I did get these from inside the Animation Studios area. Take the Animation Tour from MGM, and divide it into individual exhibits and demonstrations. Very worth a stop if you're into animation.
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Character sketches of Buzz and Woody from Toy Story.
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Tantor from Tarzan.
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Beast from Beauty and the Beast (I like what they ended up with best of all the sketches, of course.
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And Tinkerbell, with a hint of Alice thrown in.
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Back outside, where I saw this interesting tree. I have no idea what it is, besides interesting.
Now on to the Pacific Wharf area, yet *another* spot I didn't consider as photogenic for my tastes. (When I say photogenic, I look at things and say "would I want this as my computer background?" or "does this capture a special moment?" -- I had little of that in DCA besides in the Grizzly Peak area and Paradise Pier area)
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This group was a lot of fun to listen to, and brought a fun point to the Wharf area. We sat and listened to them for a little bit while I ate a sundae and Michael drank a beer.
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Ducks in the Wharf waters.
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And I'll finish this post on with some more ducks.
The best of DCA is yet to come. I promise!
Including night shots of Paradise Pier.(And if you missed my first two picture posts, they can be found:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=294887&highlight=Disneyland+pictures
and
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=295330&highlight=Disneyland+pictures )
