Tag: Disneyland

Big Thunder Ranch

Published on by Author Melissa Crismon
Halloween Carnival at the Big Thunder Ranch Oct. 31, 2014. Photo by M.C.
Halloween Carnival at the Big Thunder Ranch Oct. 31, 2014. Photo by M.C.

Big Thunder Ranch is a Halloween Carnival for just a few more hours at Disneyland. The big tents, decorations and entertainment will take you back in time like you are in the movie or book Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury.

Gypsy Ivana and Magician Micky entertain people at Conjure A Villain. Photo by M.C.
Gypsy Ivana and Magician Micky entertain people at Conjure A Villain. Photo by M.C.

You can play games like throw a rope over a witch’s hat. At Conjure A Villain, Gypsy Ivana entertains people while they wait to have a photo taken with Captain Hook. Ivana is super funny, a bit like Melissa McCarthy. The magician on the stage makes an audience member float. Today Goofy in a skeleton suit greets and takes photos with visitors.

This is a great day to be at Disneyland and to people watch. Some come dressed as a group. Female Giant’s fans have on black and orange with orange tutus. Homemade costumes are always fun to look at. One lady has real dreadlocks in a rainbow of colors with a rainbow tutu, My Little Pony backpack and silver Ugg-type boots.

Disneyland closes tonight at 7pm to start a party that goes until 10pm. Tickets are sold out for the special Halloween party. As soon as that is done The Big Thunder Ranch changes into a Christmas scene by tomorrow morning. The fairies will be working hard tonight in possible rainy weather.

Petting Zoo at Big Thunder Ranch. Photo by M.C.
Petting Zoo at Big Thunder Ranch. Photo by M.C.

Big Thunder Ranch has been part of Disneyland for ten years. The donkeys have been there for two weeks. When not on display they live behind Toon Town. The white horse that is usually there is out walking Main Street today. The goats are in a petting area. They seem to have been named after Disney characters like Lilo. They stand there so still as if you won’t notice them. There are two sheep also. I believe all the animals will be there through the holidays.

The Haunted Mansion carriage awaits you. Photo by M.C.
The Haunted Mansion carriage awaits you. Photo by M.C.

Don’t forget to swing by the Haunted Mansion. The line goes fast in the morning. Jack has taken over. He made a scary gingerbread house, set the table and decorated the Christmas tree with stars. Look for Zero at the top of the tree. Jack is sometimes by the Mansion taking photos.

Today there is snow on top of the Sleeping Beauty Castle. It wasn’t there about a week ago. Of course, Main Street has pumpkins everywhere, but that is soon to change to something else festive. There is magic everywhere.

Sleeping Beauty Castle with snow on rooftop. Photo by M.C.
Sleeping Beauty Castle with snow on rooftop. Photo by M.C.

Happy Holidays!

Mad T Party

Published on by Author Melissa Crismon
Alice and the Mad Hatter in Hollywood Land by M.C.
Alice and the Mad Hatter in Hollywood Land by M.C.

The music thumps out of Hollywood Land as people take photos with The Mad Hatter on a stilted eight foot pink flamingo. Everything is immersed in color.

On the stage Alice and another Mad Hatter duet current songs, such as, Counting Stars by One Republic. They do a little flirting on stage and belt out the songs not diverting from the written notes. Smoke fills the air floating through bright lights. The band hops around in colorful eighties inspired costumes and wigs. Alice has on a light blue jean dress with layers of short skirts and white stockings with black laces that run up her leg. She smiles after every song and poses with her duet partner. To end the half hour line up they perform Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard. The guitarist, one of the young ones in the band, plays well except the little ditty in the song isn’t quite right, showing he didn’t grow up to the hair band days. The crowd claps and dances with the band. It’s all high energy and close to perfect like watching a Disney television show where they break out into a concert like from the television show Austin and Ally.

The band directs the audience’s attention to the stage across the way. Four hip-hop dancers take the stage dressed in red, black and white. Maybe they are supposed to be the cards from Alice in Wonderland. Again it is well rehearsed with all the dancers in sync. The White Rabbit DJ plays the music for the dancers. Yes, he wears bunny ears that light-up.

Acrobats by M.C.
Acrobats by M.C.

Next, two acrobats swing on a suspended metal square. It is very impressive as they move in the air, but doesn’t look like an easy task. The routine is much like a small scale Vegas act.

This is definitely one of the spots worth hanging out at and dance. It’s near Tower of Terror if you dare. Night time at Disney California Adventure is so beautiful from Hollywood Land to Cars Land.

This month is spring break throughout southern California. Surprisingly, the parks are not too busy for a Sunday night. It’s difficult to figure out why one day or time of day is more crowded than the other.

At Disneyland there is a tendency for people to watch the “Remember … Dreams Come True” Fireworks Spectacular at 9:25pm then bolt out of the park. This is a good time to get on a ride in five minutes. The fireworks show has changed. In the winter Dumbo went across the sky. This time they added a Star Wars theme that surrounds the crowd in fireworks. Tinker Bell still goes across the sky. And it’s a real person on a wire! As she goes off stage so-to-speak she collapses bringing her arms and head down, probably for safety reasons. She doesn’t look real at first. Whoever it is must be the bravest character at the park.

If you are going to go to the fireworks that Disneyland is known for then get dessert at 7:00pm at the Candy Palace or Gibson Girl Ice Cream on Main Street. Sit on a bench or on the street up and down that road by 8:00pm. Some of the trees closer to the castle block a good photo opportunity so sitting in front of the Candy Palace is a good seat. There are places to eat like the Jolly Holiday Bakery Café that might have a good view that has plenty of seating.

After the fireworks catch a ride in Frontierland then when you come out Fantasnmic! will be coming up at 10:30pm. The boats float by with Disney characters then water rushes up used as a projection screen for the Mickey Mouse good versus evil show.

Nighttime at Disney is a magical time plus it isn’t as hot!