Tale of Three Mr. Toads

Do you recognize the painter's self-portrait? It's Mr. Toad himself in the style of Van Gogh! His legendary Wild Ride at Disneyland remains a fan favorite. So much so that it was one of the opening day attractions in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom as well.

Eventually, that Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, with its two distinctively different but interconnected routes, was replaced by an adventure with Winnie the Pooh- but not before he was transplanted over to EuroDisney aka Disneyland Paris. Where is that ride, you say?

No. not a ride. Mr. Toad made the journey to Paris but instead of an attraction, Toad Hall is home to a pretty good fish and chips restaurant. Exploring each of the rooms, you can discover interesting tributes to the master of the house. Three portraits done in the style of Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and (in the middle of this post) Toad as Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Clever, huh? 

Imagineer Tom Morris was the creative director for Fantasyland until the leadership of Tony Baxter, who oversaw the development of the parc. The whole place is full of eye candy, and it remains the ultimate version of the Magic Kingdom. 

These portraits are just one of many reasons you should see Disneyland Paris for yourself. But that's a whole different article for another day.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Starry Starry Night

My good friend and awesome photographer Len Yokoyama has sent yet another incredible photograph! It's called a Perseid Meteor Shower. And the heavens declare God's glory:

Psalm 19

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5     It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
    like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
    and makes its circuit to the other;
    nothing is deprived of its warmth.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
    refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
    giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
    giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
    and all of them are righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,
    than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
    than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
    Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
    may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
    innocent of great transgression.

14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
    be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

The DaVinci Toad

Take one classic Disney dark ride, throw in an opportunity to cast a new light on it, and add a dash of Imagineering creativity. What do you get?  

Well, when it came time to build the brand new version of Fantasyland for the gorgeous Disneyland Paris, creative lead on the project Imagineer Tony Baxter pulled off an all star team. Tom Morris must have given quite  bit of thought in translating a Disneyland original into a restaurant, but Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was the absolute right vehicle to complete the transition.

Yes, that is the Pirates of the Caribbean fortress

 blended into the Fantasyland scenery. 

Toad Hall would itself remain, becoming a very welcoming pub type environment open for a course of British fish and chips and other delights. 

Inside the elegant doors, if guests waited long enough while exploring the place, they would find a painting of the master in three distinct styles: Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and finally, DaVinci- with the Toad man  transformed into Mona Lisa. All in one portrait that changes every few moments. It takes patience to see them all, but it's worth the wait. Like all of Disneyland Paris, the amount of details are worth looking for.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company. Photo copyright Mark Taft.)