Film Friday: Pardon our Pixie Dust!

Today's Film Friday is an instax close-up of a construction wall in the Paradise Pier area of Disney's California Adventure. Although I don't love that the construction in Disney Parks seems to be ongoing, I love the graphics printed on them. I thought this one especially charming :)

Film Friday: Alice, the Mad Hatter and me!

I used to be one of those people that didn't care to meet characters. In the past, the long lines and what could only be a forced interaction seemed like a waste of time when there are rides to be ridden and treats to be consumed!

Thankfully, this past trip completely changed my opinion on the subject! I think this is in large part due to the fact that at Disneyland, some characters still walk around the park (as opposed to remaining stationary at their official meet and greet), opening up the possibility for organic interaction.

This photo was taken behind the Alice in Wonderland dark ride. Ryan and I were en route to the Matterhorn and happened upon the Mad Hatter and Alice scuffling. Some of the banter:

Mad Hatter: 'I'm a ghost!' (In reaction to the developing film.)

Mad Hatter: 'This is the best picture of you Alice, you can't hardly see you!' (before the film developed)

Mad Hatter: 'Stop bumping me!'

Alice: 'I'm not!'

Mad Hatter: 'Bump.'

The pair is a RIOT, and our serendipitous meeting made for a unexpectedly delightful few minutes. And really... if 'unexpected delight' isn't another term for magic, I don't know what is.



Film Friday: Instax shot of the Mad Tea Party...

on Alice in Wonderland printed film!

Just perfect :)

Film Friday: Tiki Knick-Knacks in Adventureland!

Although most people associate Disney with princesses and mice, the company also has a highly developed dialogue with Hawaiian culture and tiki kitsch. This comes as no surprise given that 50's America was Hawaii crazy (Hawaii became a state in 1955)! 

Although Adventureland is a more general exotica than authentic French Polynesia, the strong gravitation towards tiki kitsch cannot be missed by even the most casual visitor.  These details out side Disneyland's Enchanted Tiki Room serve as just one example. Enjoy!

Film Friday: Partners, Pumpkins and a Pink Castle!

Loyal readers of the blog will have noticed that I missed the usual and Sunday and Wednesday posts. This is of COURSE because I was taking my first trip to the place it all started, The Disneyland Resort in California! I am now completely obsessed with Disneyland and will be discussing it and my trip at length on the blog, but until then, enjoy this Instax shot of the Partners statue and Sleeping Beauty's castle <3.

FIlm Friday: Stave Church at the Norway Pavilion

Super bummed out to read this announcement on the Disney Parks Blog that Maelstrom will be replaced with a Frozen attraction. Norway is wonderful and complete and charming just as it is and it is a dirty rotten shame that Disney would sacrifice the integrity of World Showcase in order to capitalize on what is sure to be a fleeting fad. I hope they sell enough Olaf plushes to justify my broken heart.

The Stave Church at the Pavilion, who knows what will happen to it now...

Film Friday: Quotable Disney!

Walt Disney was a fairly quotable guy, but this particular quote that is written on a wall at 'One Man's Dream' (the Walt Disney Tribute at Hollywood Studios, one of my favorite attractions at the Studios) is one of the most well-known and best-loved. KEEP MOVING FORWARD. Words to live by.

Film Friday: The Greenhouses at the Land Pavilion

When EPCOT Center opened October 1, 1982, the park's mission was use technology and innovation to create attractions that educated its visitors in an entertaining way. Although EPCOT is still my favorite Disney Park, the Future World area has somewhat lost sight of that simple mission as attractions have closed and been replaced by new, sparkly thrill-ish rides. 

One attraction that continues to convey that original message is Living with the Land (which also happens to be one of my favorites).  These photos were snapped in the working greenhouse portion of the attractions. Although these were taken from one of the boat vehicles, I plan on taking the 'Behind the Seeds' tour next time I am down to get a closer look at some of the amazing plants here!

Film Friday: Storybook Circus at Twilight

Dusk is a special time of day anywhere, but it is especially enchanting at Disney Parks.  This picture was taken on the first evening of my 2013 trip with my boyfriend and his nephew… I remember arriving at Magic Kingdom at the tail-end of the golden hour, strolling down Main Street and entering Storybook Circus as sun really began to set.  The sign really looked so lovely, lit up in the twilight and I was pleased to get a decent shot with my (then-new) camera as instant photography can be a bit finicky without enough light.  The Imagineers did a tremendous job with the re-themeing in this area.

Shot with my Instax 7s.

Film Friday: Miss Minnie at the Studios!

For film, Friday, this Instax snap of our leading lady, Miss Minnie Mouse!  This is her in her meet and greet spot spot at Hollywood Studios.  This Minnie was like 4 feet tall and ultra adorable. What a Betty!

Film Friday: Chinese Theater.

For Film Friday, a snap of the Chinese theater at Hollywood Studios.  Almost an exact replica of Grauman's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, this show building (The Great Movie Ride is inside) served as the park icon until the powers that be built a giant, stupid, no-good Sorcerer Mickey Hat in front of it.  Such a shame, it really is a stunning replica.

Fun fact: Mary Poppins premiered at the real Grauman's Chinese theater in Los Angeles August 26th, 1964.

Film Friday: Snack cart detail in Future World!

For Film Friday, a detail shot of the pattern on the front of a snack cart in Future World. I love that so much of Epcot is so 80's and I hope that never changes! Can I get an amen!

Film Friday: Cinderella Fountain

If there's one thing this girl loves, it's a high-detail water feature.  The Cinderella fountain is one the loveliest:

This particular exposure was taken with Instax 'Pandora' film, and by chance had a cute little carousel doodle at the bottom.  So pretty.

Film Friday!: Quotable Disney!

The walls that are put up to cover any construction that goes on have Walt Disney quotes printed on them.  I have taken pictures of a bunch of them… I love anything that is a nod to the man himself!

Film Friday!

For film friday, a detail shot from the snack cart in the Asia portion of Animal Kingdom.  This little monster can eat four ice cream cones at the same time!

Disney Mermaids: 'Splash' fountain at the Studios

A lot of people don't realize that the Disney 'fold' extends beyond animation, Pixar, Star Wars, and the Muppets, to include films released by Touchstone Films, a sub-label of the Disney Company, and even Miramax (acquired by Disney in 1993).

The 1984 romantic comedy Splash is one of my favorite live-action Disney films for all it's silliness, fantasy, and Tom Hanksiness, not to mention the little fact that it's a mermaid movie i.e. the best kind of movie!  This, coupled with my love for great water features, makes the Splash fountain one of my favorite little things at the Studios!

An Instax photo I took of the fountain.

The fountain as it appears in the film.

In addition, this fountain as an actual prop from the film supports the waning notion that Hollywood Studios celebrates the process of film creation.  With the inevitable Star Wars expansion, I can only hope this beautiful piece finds a good home where it can be enjoyed for decades to come.

Film Friday

I think we can all agree that the flags in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom are rustic and wonderful and authentic (and that the $8 dollars or so for a short length in the shops is way too much).  Love these so very much, even on what was a very rainy day :).

Film Friday:Cast Member with Balloons on Main St.

A cast member on Main Street.

Film Friday: Anadapur Ice Cream Truck

For Film Friday, this lovely instax photo of the Anadapur ice-cream truck in the Asia portion of Animal Kingdom.  This area of the park's theming is lovely and complete, and this truck is a prime example.

Film Friday (I said I would catch up!): Quote from the American Adventure

From the walls inside the American Adventure at Epcot.  This is by far the most resonant of the bunch, but the completionist in me wants to snap the rest next time so I have the set.  This was taken with Mickey and Friends Instax mini film.