I knew construction was taking place.
So I knew I'd have to take the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure tram back so I could get a shot of it.
Knowing not much was going on in Disney California Adventure, I made a quick stop there first
Very quiet here
Another spire taking shape in Tomorrowland
But later, we'll see that it belongs to the repainting of the Autopia tower
Now your Duffy can be like Oswald
New Hipster Mickey vinylmation figure
A train?
Must mean we are in Disneyland
Love is in the air when hearts have holes in them
Hey Dale, Happy Valentine's Day!
Snakes.
You're on your own!
A quick shot of Big Thunder Ranch
Across from the exit of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, some work being done on the small hillside there
River Belle Terrace has been transformed in a table service restaurant that now serves Lunch and Dinner
You know what this need?
A moving sidewalk
I can't believe Disney was too cheap to provide us a moving walkway to get us across the railroad tracks. I mean, the Trains are out for at least a year.
/sarcasm
Its curtains for you, I say.
Curtains!
Beware of Hitchhiking Ghosts
Splash Mountain is under a small refurbishment at this time.
Too bad too, cause it's been really warm this week
A podium has been set outside to greet Guests
Work being done along the Big Thunder Trail and Big Thunder Ranch
You can see all the way back to the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree stage.
The Autopia tower is being repainted
Old meets New
Stormtroopers come out
Too many kids and strollers.
I can't take it anymore
From here, you can see the golden white spires of "it's a small world"
Reaction when Star Wars Land opens
You know, some of these signs look like the would be great to own
I just wish they weren't wood.
I would prefer for them to look like the real signs you see in the Parks
Adios!
Arriving at the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure, looking at the new set up for the Trams fueling station
It is being relocated since Star Wars Land will soon occupy the tram's fueling station
Speaking of Star Wars Land, I walk around to see if anything has been started
Looking at the Circle D coral
Man, amazing how this will all be dedicated to Star Wars
That will conclude today's pictorial
Thanks for stopping by and checking it out
Feel free to leave a comment
Until Next Time...
Great update, as always. I like the photos looking at Star Wars land construction from the parking lot and from the Big Thunder ride, and the commentary on the stormtrooper walking back backstage, and Mickey's and Minnie's thoughts in the Main Street shop.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about taking photos on Big Thunder. Do cast members discourage guests from having their cameras or phones out on the ride? I ask because I understand parks like Knott's or Magic Mountain won't let you have a camera on a roller coaster unless it's strapped on to your chest or helmet (for Go Pros).
I understand that Big Thunder isn't a white knuckle ride where you are likely to drop your camera, but what happens if someone loses their camera on the ride, and it hits another train or becomes a hazard on the track? I think I've read about California Screamin' being shut down in the past because people lose their selfie sticks while the roller coaster train is in motion.
I don't think they discourage. The only time they may say something (other than no flash) is if they feel the position of a camera or phone might be unsafe. They know that they are a world-class destination and so people will have cameras, and they'll take pictures. Some people have camera bags to put them in, others just carry it around, exposed. So unless the camera poses in kind of danger, they just want you to be careful with it.
DeleteThe roller coasters at Magic Mountain and Knott's have a lot of open space and most travel above Guests walkway. So yeah, I don't think I would want a camera or any other object to fall on my head.
Now, about selfie sticks. They easily go beyond the reach of a typical arm and hand. Because of that, there is a potential for the selfie stick to hit something and the camera/phone breaks into pieces. And that's what Disney doesn't want to happen. They don't want pieces of camera/phone bits to hit other Guests.
Thank you for the explanation.
DeleteI know that I've used my phone to take on-ride video on the Matterhorn and Gadget's Go Coaster without the cast members saying anything. But if you have a quality 35 mm camera, I wondered if they would discourage you from having the camera in your hands or on a camera strap around your neck when they dispatch the roller coaster train.
I wonder how often an expensive camera ends up falling off a thrill ride at Disneyland or California Adventure, and if Disney assumes any liability for equipment loss, especially if there is no attempt to warn the visitor.
I remember going on the Giant Dipper in Santa Cruz, which is a lot more violent than anything at Disneyland/California Adventure, maybe 10 or 15 years ago planning to take video with a bulky digital camera. I believe the ride employees didn't say anything, but I ended up putting the camera away because I was afraid I would lose it.
I asked a good friend of mine who actually works at Disney. He was telling me that surprisingly people don't loose cameras. They may loose hats, glasses, cell phones, and other small objects. I mentioned to him about my earlier response, and he agreed with it. If the Cast Members see any kind of potential risk, they will say something to the Guest.
DeleteI think in general, people are more careful with cameras. He doesn't recall any major time where a camera had fallen on a thrill ride.
He did mention something that I didn't think about .. is that chances are, the Guests may have already been on the rides before. And they may be familiar with layouts and speed variations. Enough for them to feel comfortable to have their cameras out.