Disney California Adventure looking gorgeous with blue skies.
Carthay Circle Theatre stands proud.
Grizzly River Run back up and running after an odd early summer refurb.
Tip #1: Purchase panchos in the adjacent gift store to avoid getting soaked.
Tip #2: If you ignore Tip #1, bring baby powder to avoid inner thigh chafing from walking in soggy jeans.
Great vistas along the ride path.
Sun just starting to set on Radiator Springs Racers.
Carthay Fountain at night. Looks good, huh? Remember when this wasn’t here?
Over to Disneyland where suddenly it’s daytime again! That’s the magic of Disney right there.
Disneyland was firing on all cylinders today. Only Finding Nemo subs down for a refurb. Can’t remember the last time the full compliment of E-Ticket rides were operational at once.
Got talked into a ride on the Matterhorn today, where I now request, nay, demand, to sit in the first car to avoid the brutal pain.
Highly recommend the Guardians of the Galaxy 4D Preview experience in the old Captain Eo Magic Eye Theatre.
Forgive the non-3-D blur. The sensory experience really enhanced what we were watching on screen. More on that later.
Alice in Wonderland is back open after an excessively long refurb period.
The Cal/OSHA mandated safety add-ons blend seamlessly and thematically with the ride. You would never notice anything was changed.
Skeptical internet bloggers out there can relax. Once again, Disney proves it knows what it’s doing.
The on-ride experience is just as trippy as ever.
I didn’t notice the new “Seven Dwarfs Mine Train” animatronic technology rumored to have been introduced here. But some great new animations, effects, and enhancements nonetheless.
Cheshire Cat still being mischievous.
Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are performing perfectly this summer, with a full compliment of rides and attractions helping to absorb the usual crowds.
The Guardians of the Galaxy preview was an unexpected surprise. The “4D” sensory experience truly gives a window into what could be a new moviegoing enhancement at our regular theaters. The old “Honey I Shrunk the Audience” motion-base added to the seats was utilized perfectly here, providing a hint of shaking during fast sequences. At times, whooshes of air popped in our faces, and pulses of light strobed, synced perfectly with the action we were seeing on screen.
What I thought was going to be gimmicky actually made the experience of watching the film so much more fun and spontaneous! Even more encouraging, the system utilizes very simple technologies that could easily be added to the standard AMC theater. Here’s to hoping the studios and exhibitors can work together to implement this across the country.
Disney did a great job with the Alice in Wonderland refurb, both with the safety add-ons and the fun enhancements.
That’s the update for today!