Random Thoughts – Spaceship Earth

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SSE with NickEvery fan of Spaceship Earth has their favorite parts of the attraction.  What I want to know is if I’m the only one who has the same pattern of random thoughts every time I journey through the past, present, and future of communication technology.  Seriously – it’s like my own little internal dialogue has become tradition for every Disney World vacation.  If I’m alone and this is weird…hmmmm…I’m okay with that.  Surely you’ve thought at least a couple of these thoughts at least once though, right?

Random Thoughts – Spaceship Earth

  1.  How cool would it be to listen to this thing in a different language!  I’m gonna pick something new.  How about….English.  I might miss my favorite “Thank the Phoenicians” if I don’t hear the narration in English.  Would it still be Dame Judy in another language?  If not, I’d miss her too.SSE Language Selection
  2.  Why are the cavemen and wooly mammoths so dark?  I can barely see them.  I want to see them better.  This part’s a disappointment…I wish there were an animatronic mammoth!SSE Caveman
  3. Papyrus pounding guy!  I love you!  You are working so hard every time I see you.
  4. Ahhhh….the smell of Rome burning.  Wait.  I should feel bad about liking this smell.  I mean, Rome! Oh, NO!  How devastating!SSE Garlic Hat Guy
  5. Garlic hats!  How did that even become a thing?  How much do those weigh?  I wonder what they’d look like with Mickey ears on them?
  6. Painting laying down like that must be really hard!
  7. Why is that paperboy facing away from us?  He’s selling papers over there in the corner to nobody.  Why can’t we see him?  Has he been disfigured in some way and now hides in the corner?  What is up with that?
  8. That family watching the lunar landing.  Hey, look!  There’s Mousetrap!  I love that game.RM-SSE6
  9. 1970’s fashion.  Ohhhhhhh….so unfortunate.
  10. Yay!  The going down backwards part.  This is so relaxing.  Is it hot in here or is it just me?  Look at all those mirrors…you can see forever.
  11. We are such dorks.  Wait, that outfit makes me look super skinny though!SSE Our Future
  12. Look we have a dog!  I miss Junior.RM-SSE7

Do you have random thoughts on Space Ship Earth?  What’s your favorite part?

Disney Action Figures – Pirates!

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Welcome to the weekend! As we’ve seen before, Nick’s collection of awesome Disney items knows no bounds.  Being the Pirates fan that I am, I’m particularly envious of today’s featured treasures.  Enjoy and have a great Saturday, Everybody!!!

Disney Action Figures – Pirates!

By Nick

I discovered these Pirates of the Caribbean Action Figures a few years ago on eBay. I can’t recall seeing them in the parks. They are from the beloved attraction, and not from the beloved hit movie series.

I’ve bought a few through the years, and would like to share some today.

This first one, I left in the package, because, well, it’s some cool packaging!

The Treasure Keeper comes with a plethora of accessories, as do all the figures from this line.

Relive all the high seas fun!
The original price for these figures was $10.
Next up, we have the Scalawag, and his little piggy buddies.
His accessories are couple of bottles, a cup, a sword and a pistol.

Last, but certainly not least, we have the Redhead. As in, “We wants the Redhead!”

 

I have the Walt Disney Classics Collection figure of the Redhead, as well as the Auctioneer, and I’ve done a post on them, which can be found here.

 

Not only does the Redhead have a purse and a rose, she is also packing heat! She has a rifle and a pistol. I’m a little surprised the pirates didn’t disarm her when they took her captive!

I have one more action figure from the collection, and will share that in my next post, with some other members of his skeletal crew, so please stop back.

To read more about Nick’s amazing Disney collectibles and his many Disney adventures, visit the Disney Musings Blog (where this article first appeared).  You can follow Nick on Twitter, on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Pinterest.  You can also listen to Nick, our friend Dave, and me on The Disney Exchange Podcast where we talk about our love for all things Disney – new episodes every Sunday morning.

WDW Attractions – Best Lead Up

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RM-Haunted-Mansion-Exterior2We’ve talked about queues, we’ve talked about favorites and today it’s time to talk about the best attractions for attention-grabbing from afar – the one’s with real curb appeal, if you will.  With some of the very best rides, it’s all about the lead up!

Some attraction exteriors offer absolutely no clue what to expect (think Soarin’, Country Bears, Space Mountain), but some attractions draw you in from far away – the theme, the park setting – long before you step into the queue, you know you’re about to experience something extraordinary!  I’m going to talk about just five today – go ahead and leave a comment if your favorite gets left out – I’ll do a “part 2” in the future!

WDW Attractions – Best Lead Up

  1.  Haunted MansionRM-Haunted-Mansion-GraveyardFrom WAY far away, the draw to Haunted Mansion is incredible!  It looks exactly the way you hope it will – Grand yet a bit sinister.  You can immediately tell the Mansion holds room after room to explore – haunted corridors, ballrooms, attic and much more!  RM-Haunted-Mansion-ExteriorThe minute you see it, you know it’s going to be the perfect combination of scary and fun!
  2. Big Thunder Mountain RailroadThe Red Rock of Big Thunder MountainThe train flies along the track – you can see the passengers raise their hands, you can hear them screaming in delight, but that’s not the primary draw.  In Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland, the whole landscape of Big Thunder that makes you eager to get inside that mountain – so out of place with the surrounding Florida palm trees and lush tropical plants.  Big Thunder Mountain is a wasteland of epic proportions and the details are mesmerizing!  Best of all, the queue at this mountain is top notch.
  3. Twilight Zone Tower of TerrorDisney's Hollywood Studios Tower of TerrorIt looks elegant and disheveled, classic but unique – first impressions are everything here in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Strolling down Sunset Boulevard, you can’t help but notice the tower’s façade and how it stands out.  Walk a little farther, and you’ll notice something else – the SCREAMING!  The sound will draw your eyes closer to the tower where in an upstairs window, you’ll see motion, but little else.  If you’re a thrill ride junkie, this is the ride for you!
  4. Rock’n’ Roller CoasterRock'n'-Roller-Coaster-GuitarThe location actually hurts this attraction because Tower of Terror tends to steal Rock’n’ Roller Coaster’s thunder.  You have to turn left at the very end of Sunset Boulevard to even notice the upside down Cadillac let alone the gigantic guitar, but once you see the setting, you know that for music fans and coaster addicts alike will find this the place to be!
  5. Expedition EverestRM-Expedition-Everest-ApproachIn Animal Kingdom, you can be far from Everest and still be drawn in.  Call me biased, but there’s a reason this is my favorite ride in all of Walt Disney World and one of the main reasons is that from the moment you see the mountain in the distance, you can’t help but want to be a part of its magic.  “Forbidden Mountain” is like a double-dog dare to those of us who love an amazing coaster – every single detail is beyond perfect!  Hands down, Expedition Everest has the best draw from afar of any attraction in the World.

Is your favorite “love at first sight” attraction missing from this list?  Which Walt Disney World rides grab you from afar and draw you in?Expedition Everest

Disneyland Vacationland Guide – Summer 1970

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Before the Disney Vacation DVD, there was the Vacationland Guide!  Ah, the 1970’s – such a unique decade full of great music and cringe-worthy fashion…I remember it well.  Today Nick is sharing with us some of the ’70’s treasures his Aunt Sandy gave him from her Disney vacations.

Disneyland Vacationland Guide – Summer 1970

By Nick

Aunt Sandy comes through once again, finding me some more of her great Disney ephemera from her past vacations.
This is a Disneyland Vacationland booklet from Summer of 1970. This magazine was “published three times yearly by Walt Disney Productions, Disneyland Division”

Our inside cover, interestingly, opens with a Dolly Madison ad, featuring the Peanuts Gang.

This is Volume 14, No. 2 of this publication.

Next is a look at Tom Sawyer Island, told from the perspective of an adventure seeking, and very imaginative young man.

“Disney on Parade” was an arena show that toured the United States and Canada from 1969 to 1973.

A too short look at one of my favorite attractions, The Haunted Mansion, and a United Airlines ad.

A nice montage of Disneyland photos for the center-spread.

 

A look at the clock on the facade of It’s a Small World, with a cute, if not very well illustrated, look at time through, er, time.

Fun events coming to Disneyland for it’s 15th Anniversary, including “Show Me America”, a 45 minute musical tour of the United States that appeared on the Tomorrowland Stage.

A few pages of ads.
 

A page showcases other attractions in the Orange County area.

 

And more ads.

 

The last page is an ad for Disneyland. Wait, what, it’s for Knott’s Berry Farm and Ghost Town?!

I also received some other great stuff, such as this brochure for “Show Me America”, and other fun Summer activities throughout Disneyland.

Finally, we have another Disney Guide and ticket book.

 

Were you around in the ’70’s?  Do you have any Disney vacation memories from that time?  What stands out in your mind from way back then?

To read more about Nick’s amazing Disney collectibles and his many Disney adventures, visit the Disney Musings Blog (where this article first appeared).  You can follow Nick on Twitter, on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Pinterest.  You can also listen to Nick, our friend Dave, and me on The Disney Exchange Podcast where we talk about our love for all things Disney – new episodes every Sunday morning.