Great Disneyland Paris Christmas Ad

What a very clever ad for Disneyland Paris at Christmas time! Whoever comes up with this type of out of the box thinking should be rewarded. Without a doubt, this ad is fresh and clever! Jesus is the reason for my season, but the fun and frivolity of Santa Claus doesn't offend me at all. We've been to France this time of year and seen all the displays both secular and sacred, but for Disney theme park lovers, no one does it up like the original Parisian park. Thanks to Disney Geek for this photograph. Go to that site for a great trip report!

Disney Freaks and Geeks

Freak or fool? Sometimes I just hate who I am! The words above have been hurled at me for years and not always in the way most admirable. Yes sir, I sure love the Disney theme parks, and I love so many of the animated movies. I brought this upon myself by even being up front about my love for the creativity and innocence of it all. Give me a trip to Disneyland or Walt Disney World over Las Vegas any day. But I'm not just a Disney freak.

As a big fan of the Carpenters, I take a lot of flack as well. For years! Let's be real, a guy just doesn't like Karen Carpenter (and brother Richard) without opening himself up to some crap from the people around him. No matter- good music never goes out of style, and Karen Carpenter had a once in a century voice. She was an Ordinary Fool (one of her best songs), and I guess I am as well. (And I'm so honored to be a part of Randy L. Schmidt's new book, Carpenters: An Illustrated Discography.)

You see, as much as I am a freak and a geek, I'm also a fool. A fool for Jesus, and I'm in good company! The Apostle Paul put up with much more than I ever will! He writes:

"We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!" (I Corinthians 4:10)

I didn't get it either until I did. Why?

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,  but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." (I Corinthians 1:18-25)

In many ways, I'd like to be different than I am. But I am who I am, and God's grace on me is more than sufficient. My life, though strange and out of the ordinary in many ways, is a huge blessing- and I pray it is an ongoing testimony of who Jesus Christ is and the difference He can make through one single life.

Geek's Goodbye to Paradise Pier

Paradise Pier gives way to Pixar Pier, and the great Disney Geek site is there to photograph the change. Good or bad, the opening day attraction California Screamin' is transforming into the new-ish Incredicoaster, a forced but probably fun, character overlay. If you want to watch the land change, start your park photographic journey here. And the next chapter is here.

(Photograph copyright The Disney Geek.)

Disney Geek and Chris Hemsworth

Are you looking for some great Christmas photos to see the beauty and crowds of Disneyland and California Adventure during the season? The Disney Geek is the place to go! Or maybe you just want some photos of actor Chris Hemsworth reading at the traditional Christmas Candlelight Processional. Again, head on over to the Geek for a great set of photos. Go here- and enjoy!

(Photo copyright The Disney Geek.)

Just Around the Riverbend

Disneyland's Rivers of America and the reimagining of the farthest part of the riverbend is in the midst of its renaissance. This great photo from the always terrific Disney Geek, gives a great up close look of the almost finished product.

Right behind that forest and rock formation is the new Star Wars Land under construction. Looks like the Imagineers have done a pretty good job of maintaining the integrity of the river even if they had to shoehorn Star Wars here instead of in the third Anaheim Disney park where it belonged. 

Here's a slice of the concept art. Looks pretty good with the Mark Twain Steamboat rounding the bend of Tom Sawyer Island. And I've heard there's a hat tip to the original Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland for those riding the Disneyland Railroad. 

All in all, count me impressed so far. Very different than how they've incorporated Guardians of the Galaxy into Hollywoodland and Buena Vista Street at California Adventure!

(Photograph copyright Disney Geek. Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Celebrating the Lunar New Year with the Disney Geek

The Lunar New Year celebration at Disney California Adventure concludes this weekend, so there is not much of a chance I'll get to see it. Maybe you won't either, but a look at the dozens of photos from the Disney Geek should help ease the pain.  The way the newest West Coast park celebrates the various cultures of California makes me think of Epcot and World Showcase. I'd like to see them bring back the California Food & Wine Festival. Wouldn't you?

(Photograph copyright DisneyGeek.com)

New Attractions for Disneyland

Here's a great little piece of advertising/concept art. As most of us long term Disney geeks know (even those of us not of the D23 variety), Walt Disney and his Imagineers "put the pedal to the metal" when it came to expanding the Anaheim park.

In 1959, Disneyland debuted the Matterhorn Bobsleds, the Submarine Voyage, the Motor Boat Cruise, the Autopia, and a little non-attraction billed as one, the Alpine Gardens. A pretty terrific expansion! But I have to say, this sort of takes the bite out of Disney advertising non-attractions- like those gardens- as the real item. I mean, wow, they were doing it back in Walt's day, too!
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)