Thursday, December 31, 2020

Top 10 Things To Never Change at Disneyland



 

Since the announcement about the completed/nearly completed upgrades to Snow White's Scary Adventures last week (or should we say Snow White's Enchanted Wish?), we've been doing some thinking. We're usually pretty on board with changes and updates to Disneyland. I mean, the main man himself said it best. 

Disneyland Secrets | Disney epcot, Epcot, Disney world

So when it comes to retheming Splash Mountain (still have our fingers crossed for the new name to be Princess and the Log), updating Fantasyland attractions (they absolutely KILLED it with Alice in Wonderland), or even changing some well loved recipes (Did the Mint Juleps really need to be green? No! The fairly colorless ones they have now are just as delicious with a beignet), we try not to complain too much and go with the flow. 

But the new Snow White changes had us thinking: What would we *never* want to see changed at Disneyland? What hill are we willing to die on? So that's what we have for you today! Our top 10 things we never want to see changed at Disneyland. 

Let's do it!

1. The Snow White Queue Area

Starting with Snow White because that's obviously on our minds. Also, this is a three parter! It's REALLY on our minds. Please, Imagineers, don't take away the Witch's Cackling Apple in the front of the ride queue area! My family loves surprising unsuspecting guests by touching the apple and having the witch's ridiculously loud evil laugh startle everyone around us. Bonus points if they try to make the sound next but don't wait long enough and nothing happens, making my fam look magical. 

I can't imagine they would, but fingers crossed the Wicked Queen keeps peeking from her curtains high above the ride. Such a classic!

I'm not sure how much luck we'll have with this piece, but we really love the little area when you're in line for the ride where you can see the Queen's spell book and can toss pennies in for good luck. I've even seen a twenty in there!

2. The Red and White Lightbulb


I think the fact that they've never changed this one in 65 years is a good sign that they'll keep it around. The lightbulb at the Refreshment Corner on Main Street that's painted half white and half red to fix an error in the red and white pattern is one of my favorite details in the park. I'd be so sad to see this little bit of Walt's original ingenuity disappear.

3. Themed Trash Cans


Perhaps one of the most bizarre and wonderful details by the Imagineers are the specially themed trash cans all over the parks. I'm fine with an update, a change to the overall design and theming, but I can't imagine Disneyland without these beauties! Never make them generic, never get rid of them in an attempt to streamline appearances in the parks. These are perfect just the way they are. 

Also, is it just me that has a favorite? Because its 100% the Adventureland ones!

4. Main Street Cinema


They tried to change this one back in 2019 and it failed spectacularly. Does anyone else remember when they tried to turn the Main Street Cinema into a store??? Craziness! The beauty of this spot is that you can sit there quietly, in the air conditioning, and just enjoy some down time with classic cartoons. No one's in there to bug you, they're not selling you anything. It's pure Disney magic. Last year they started adding racks of merch and some cash registers
and let's just say that didn't last too long. Hopefully they don't try that again any time soon. 

5. The Little Statues

During the closures, the Walt and Mickey Partners statue has gotten a little refurb to make it look as wonderful as it did when it was new in the 90s. I'm all for it! But it got me thinking about all of the other cute little statues that encircle Partners at the Hub. While I could see swapping a character or two, it would be such a shame if those were ever completely replaced. Its nice to see Walt's other famous characters get some love, even if they're not Mickey.

6. Hidden Tributes to Old Attractions


We've blogged about this one before, because we love it. Sometimes when an attraction is changed or removed to make room for something new, they'll keep up a piece of the old attraction as a little tribute. Those spots are so special because it shows a true appreciation for the history of Disneyland. Like the Mind Thy Head sign at Tarzan's Treehouse (leftover from the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse) or the stuffed heads in the Winnie the Pooh Rides (from the Country Bear Jamboree), these help us stay nostalgic while not stopping movement into the future. 

7. The Pirates Smell


Ok, we heard a rumor that a smell is being piped in to the Pirates at Disney World that is NOT the weird, musty smell we all know and love. And that is NOT cool. It's such a bizarre piece of the ride that it has its own unique smell. Nothing is piped in. It's just the water, the air conditioning, and whatever else makes it smell like that. I don't even need to know. It's Disney magic and I'm not questioning it. 

8. The Cheesy Tombstones

File:Disneyland Haunted Mansion 10.jpg
Pic From WikiMedia Commons

I hope they never decide these are too silly! I love waiting in line for the Haunted Mansion on a crowded day and reading the cheesy tombstones in the back section of the queue. M. T. Tomb and I. L. Beback are permanent residents of the Haunted Mansion, you hear me?

9. Main Street Store Names


When the old Plaza Pavillion was changed to the Mary Poppins themed Jolly Holiday Bakery, we weren't too bummed, because that space had been underutilized for years! But when we love when they keep the outsides of the buildings the same even if the insides change. The Market House is still the Market House, even if it's also Starbucks. Let's keep it that way. Let's keep as much of Walt's original magic at left in tact as possible.

10. Nice Work Pal

Nice work, pal - Album on Imgur

Patrick Warburton stays on Soarin'. No explanation needed. 

Monday, December 21, 2020

Snow White's Enchanted Wish: Updated Ride to be Ready When Disneyland Reopens




Snow White
All Images from D23

Well this was a surprise! We knew since before the park closure that Snow White's Scary Adventure would be getting an update, much like Alice and Wonderland and Peter Pan's Flight. What we didn't know was how much of a change it would be! It'll be ready for us all when the park is able to reopen, and we've got the scoop on what to expect.

First and most obviously is the name change. Snow White's Scary Adventure will now be Snow White's Enchanted wish. I only just learned that this is actually the SECOND time this ride has been renamed. It was just Snow White's Adventure until the Fantasyland remodel in the early 80s. The new name reflects the fact that the ride will now be much more focused on Snow White herself, and not the Evil Queen. Along with the new name on the front of the ride, the brickwork has been refurbished to have the richer colors that were added to the castle a year back. 

There'll be two new animatronics. There's an updated Snow White animatronic in the opening scene. Rather than just standing on the stairs and watching, she'll now be dancing along with Dopey and Sneezy while the other dwarves sing and play music. We'll also get a Dopey in the mine scene, bringing to life the classic moment from the movie when Dopey puts diamonds in his eyes. Adorbs!

Snow White

We'll also be getting new projected animation. This is honestly all I was expecting out of the update, since that's pretty much all we got on the other two rides that have been revamped. And I was excited for even just that! We'll get some action in the mine while the dwarves are working. 

Check out this super exciting and informative video that D23 shared today for more details. 

I do have to say, my wish for this updated attraction is that they'll keep the Queen peeking out of the window above the ride entrance and that they'll keep the golden apple and storybook at the front of the ride - surprising guests by making the apple cackle is honestly one of my greatest joys in life! But other than that, I'm all in! This will make Disneyland's reopening, whenever that can be, even more exciting and special. And I can't wait to see new life brought to an aging classic.