Trick or Treat

Even though Halloween is almost over, I thought I would do some last minute celebrating with some fun details at the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney/MGM Studios.

The Tower Gallery gift shop display window has a Halloween theme featuring exotic gifts from around the world.

This menu outside the Sunset Room displays the last meal that hotel patrons would have enjoyed before the lightning struck. Anyone up for some Calf's Liver and Bacon?

One of my absolute favorite details is this little Permit to Operate that can be found in each elevator shaft (you need to be sitting in Row 1 against the wall to be able to see it well). Although the signature is hard to make out, the date of last inspection is unmistakeably clear: October 31, 1939.

Drop In For Halloween

In honor of tomorrow, I thought there would be no better ride to highlight than The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Of course, the fateful event that closed the hotel down occurred on October 31, 1939 so it is wonderful to see that California Adventure chooses to decorate their version for the holiday.

A special archway comprised of black bats (complete with red glowing eyes) graces the entrance.

Stained glass spiderwebs with the "HTH" logo adorn the light posts.

Even the gift shop area receives special Halloween decorations.

An Initial Memory

Above the Pirate's of the Caribbean entrance sits Walt and Roy's unfinished apartment in New Orleans Square. Although the wonderful Disney Gallery that used to occupy the space is no more, and Imagineers are presently hard at work to transform the place into a Year of Million Dreams suite, it is nice to see that the original wrought-iron railings bearing Walt and Roy's initials can still be seen.

In the Nick of Time

So I'm going to take a slight detour from my usual Disney World details to focus on some fun things I found while in Disneyland. I'll start with one from Engine-Ears Toys, a great little toy shop located in the entrance area of Disney's California Adventure. It has this wonderful train schedule with a clock full of puns such as "El Noonyo" to "Time Out." I personally enjoy the destination for the 19:65 train.

Back from The Happiest Place on Earth

So my blog absence was due in part to my long weekend trip to Disneyland. It was only my second time visiting the west coast parks, so it was quite off-putting having the need to learn my way around! But the two parks are as wonderful as I had remembered them, and despite being smoked out on our last night there (as a result of those horrible wildfires) I found it difficult to leave.

One of the very first things we did upon entering Disneyland was take the fire truck on a one-way trip up Main Street USA. Before we departed, the driver informed us that Walt himself would personally drive the truck around Main Street before the park opened for the day to check on things. It is little things like this that make you realize that Walt's spirit is still there, alive and well. You really feel his presence as you wander through each land.

Of course, being the detail nut that I am, I had to document the west coast's trash can collection. For this, I need to thank my friends Melissa, Trish, and Jenny, for putting up with my constant stopping!


So now that I have returned to the east coast and am unpacking my things, I guess the only thing left to do is ask, "When can I go back?"

Train Skiing

Chester and Hester's shop in Dinoland is filled with sight gags and just plain silly stuff, such as this sign that hangs from the ceiling. It certainly contains words to live by...

Root for the Home Team

The Hall of Champions section of the Emporium has what may be the most well themed "Cast Member Only" signs. Instead of stating the obvious, these signs stick to the sports theme in a humorous and creative way.

What's the Point?

I just can't get enough of the Muppet Store! This fun little sign seems to sum up the whole area nicely.

Take Flight

The next time you are in line for one of those delicious frozen raspberry lemonades at Peevey's Frozen Concoctions, take the time to look at the various props used to decorate the area. The name Peevey is a reference to A. "Peevy" Peabody, the character from The Rocketeer who helped Cliff Secord with the mysterious jet pack.

The right hand side features a pennant from Bigelow's October 15, 1938 Air Circus as well as a newspaper clipping questioning the true identity of the mysterious Rocketeer.


On the left side, the Rocketeer's jet pack and helmet are on display, possibly awaiting the next flight.

While this delightful movie was never considered a commercial success, it is nice to see that references still exist in the parks (the Fountain of Nations also features a show set to the movie's main theme).

The Invisible Leash Returns

On September 17th I wrote a post about the humorous invisible dog leash sign at the Muppet store, questioning whether it was an intentional joke or not.

Well, it looks like my question has been answered, as the leashes have been restocked and those dogs are just waiting to be walked. Oh well, it was a great joke while it lasted!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

In honor of the Playoffs, I thought I would share this fun little detail etched into the pavement on New York Street.

A Photo Retrospective of Monday

As requested, here are a few of my photos from Monday's Celebration 25:

The flower logo topiary with a special 25th Anniversary sign


Just a small segment of the massive line to buy the limited edition Figment plush and shirts. These items sold out park-wide only a few hours after park opening!


And here they are! The special shirts and Figments (or what is left of them!).


The crowd assembles for the Re-dedication ceremony at 10:01.


Celebrating the Future World pavilions during the ceremony.


Cast Members from the World Showcase pavilions bring water jugs from their respective countries to pour into the Fountain of Nations, as Imagineering legend Marty Sklar looks on.


Fireworks signal the end of the ceremony.


The World War III barges are ready for the special IllumiNations tag.


The "Bat/Cat" Figment from the original Journey Into Imagination - isn't he cute?


The wonderful Epcot 25th gallery in Innoventions West.

Give a Hand

This "Palm" tree (get it?) can be found growing in Minnie's solarium, among the dandelions, sunflowers, daisies, blue bells, and buttercups.

A "Hole" Bunch of Toons...

Where you would normally expect to find a Manhole cover, in Toontown things are a little different. Here, it seems almost obvious that there would be a Toonhole cover! I guess this solves the mystery of what is used to cover those black holes to nothing that you always see in the cartoons.

We've Just Begun to Dream!

My week-long absence from posting has been the direct result of one amazing event: Celebration 25 at Epcot. I am still recovering from the eighteen straight hours spent in the park on Monday, but it was an experience I will not soon forget! So many memories created, so many friends made, and so many pins bought!

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved with organizing the event: Adam, Jenn, Jason, Lou, and Jeff just to name a few - as well as the hundreds and hundreds of devoted Epcot fans who came to celebrate together. I have never seen such an outpouring of emotion and I feel honored to have been a part of it all.

Congratulations Epcot on 25 wonderful years - and here's to the future! We've just begun to dream.