Santa's Reindeer Round-Up at Disneyland

Pluto plays a reindeer and the musical sounds of a Country Christmas fill the air. Yes, Christmas does beat Halloween at the Disneyland Resort, particularly in Walt's park. There's just something intangible but heartwarming about it all. The thrills of Halloween give way to the charm of the most delightful time of year. Hearts are softened and people are nicer, friendships more precious, and family time more treasured. Even times of worship in local churches ask on a fresh significance as believers celebrate the Savior of the World, Jesus of Nazareth.

Santa's Reindeer Round-Up was a fun little show that highlighted Disneyland as only the Imagineers could reimagine it for the season. The show didn't last long- and the photos from 2008- but the memories remain.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

The Mature Garden

The changing landscape of a "mature" garden. The colors of patina of the garden. Fall is a beautiful time of year! God's rainbow colored leaves change to even brighter, richer, deeper hues. The weather is milder with warm days, cooler nights, and the perfect opportunity to enjoy activities with family and friends. I just love the colors of the world this time of year!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Do You Remember?

We remember every year! Today is the 21st of September, and in honor of my youngest daughter, I want to play this iconic song by Earth Wind & Fire. Of course, I would love to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to this song. Maybe one day, but for now... Ba Dee Ah Dee Ah on!

 

From the Mouths of Children

One of my all time favorite photos! Who can resist this? An innocent child watching his grandmother and his father worship the one, true, living God! And then doing the same? Even better. 

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

The Walt Disney Story Florida Style

The Walt Disney Story in Florida's Magic Kingdom was always a must-do attraction. There was something very fitting about it all. Although the man himself was long gone by the time the attraction opened, putting the Walt into Walt Disney World seemed at once honoring and genteel. Certainly, the multimedia attraction was a precursor to Hollywood Studios' great One Man's Dream. But there was more. Among all the awards on display and memorabilia, there was also a small side show exhibit on Disney's great unbuilt Western River Expedition. I believe the Audio-Animatronic owl was named Hoot. He shared a bit about what was coming to Frontierland in the near future, one that never materialized. Oh, how I miss the days that the Walt Disney Company was proud of our country!

The Real Brilliance Behind Dark Universe

Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. It's a mouthful, but it may well be the attraction everyone is talking about when Epic Universe opens in 2025. What's behind this new land and why is Universal Orlando going to play a very significant role in something no one is talking about? Check out this video:

Back to the monsters unchained. I think this one will give Harry Potter and The Battle at the Ministry a run for its money. And sounds like Universal is betting on the whole of Darkmoor as well.

Let Us Always Remember, and Let Us Put Our Hope in God Almighty

Please remember this day. Don't remember just the evil events, though. Yes, it was a day of tragedy, but it was also a day for heroes! Big, big heroes. When radical Islamists decided to attack the United States of America on our land on this day in 2001, we as an American people came together as one. For a time, we were all Americans first before we were anything else. 

Now, let us gather together now in prayer for our nation and to think again of the sacrifices made. There was a loss of family and friends because of heroic acts on behalf of those who loved this country more than their own lives. Let us preserve our freedoms and not hand them over to other nations to destroy or politicians who will remove what made this country great. Let us honor God most of all, and Praise His Name spite of all the evil around us and evil done against us.

It's A Family Affair

 

Simple timestamp of September 2024. Nothing more, nothing less.

Epcot Attraction Poster That I Forgot to Share

The character infusion at EPCOT began years ago, long before Frozen Ever After overtook Maelstrom and the Three Cabarellos axed El Rio del Tiempo. Some additions were more subtle, like the DuckTales World Showcase Adventure, an interactive eye spy game that took younger visitors and their families into several pavilions to hunt for clues and solve a mystery. The attraction poster was a nice touch to advertise something unique, rather fun, and an introduction to the park's future.

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

 

Carpenters "Christmas Once More" Announces the Start of the Season

Nothing begins the Christmas season like Karen Carpenter crooning "Frosted Window Panes, Candles Gleaming Inside". Oh, that voice! Now a brand new holiday album, Christmas Once More, brings the best of two classic albums into one. Using selections from both the iconic Christmas Portrait and An Old Fashioned Christmas, fans of the beloved Carpenters duo will be amazed by the sparkle of these newly remixed recordings. The arrangements by brother Richard Carpenter are gorgeous, timeless, and inviting, making this collection one you'll want to have on vinyl and CD. Released to the world on November 1.

New Disneyland Paris Le Pays des Contes de Fées Attraction Poster

Say what you want about Disneyland Paris, but you can't deny that place has style! The new attraction poster for Le Pays des Contes de Fées (a French version of Disneyland's Story Book land Canal Boats) is a beautiful piece of Imagineering art. The attraction now features scenes from Frozen, Up, and Winnie the Pooh. Those of you who have not been to the most beautiful of Disney castle parks may not know this attraction comes with an added bonus: Casey Jr. Circus Train is a real live roller coaster. Family friendly? Absolutely- and much more charming than the Florida kingdom's Goofy kids' coaster.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

A Mickey Mouse Thing

A Mickey Mouse occurrence with Blogger stopped me from posting with photos for a few days. I wanted to share the results of my fairly accurate prediction for D23. If you look back, you'll note I told you that the Magic Kingdom would be the focus of additions announced. Why? Because pure and simple, Disney will not give up the crown of Number One World's Most Visited Theme Park to Universal. They just won't- and nor should they. With Epic Universe on the horizon, the suits are running scared into spending big bucks. That's a great thing for fans! Let Imagineering have some fun, and we all win. Walt Disney World will be changing... as always.

The Lights are Out

 Notice anything different? I do. The light seem to be out at blogspot. I have no availability to upload an image for any post. It's definitely an odd situation that I hope will work itself out soon. Stay tuned.

Dreams and the Dreamweaver

Ah, the power of dreams! We've been singing about them for decades, and there's something about these nighttime sleeping visions that draw us in. Dreamweaver by Gary Wright might be one of the most known but Dreams by Fleetwood Mac has to be up there neck and neck.

As a fan of the Carpenters, Richard and Karen Carpenter created a couple of songs that are quite beloved: Those Good Old Dreams from the album Made in America, and then the heart wrenching Look to Your Dreams, the closing cut from Voice of the Heart, the first album released after Karen's untimely death.

The biggest dreamweaver is God himself! Just look at these two verses that were given to me during a dream I had in February of this year. It was just weeks before a significant change in my life. Wow, He is good- all the time!

Enduring Forever

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who alone does great wonders,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who by understanding made the heavens,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who made the great lights,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

  the sun to rule over the day,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

  the moon and stars to rule over the night,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

  to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

  and brought Israel out from among them,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

  with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

  to him who divided the Red Sea in two,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

  and made Israel pass through the midst of it,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

  but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

  to him who led his people through the wilderness,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

  to him who struck down great kings,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

  and killed mighty kings,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

  Sihon, king of the Amorites,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

  and Og, king of Bashan,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

  and gave their land as a heritage,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

  a heritage to Israel his servant,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

  It is he who remembered us in our low estate,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

 and rescued us from our foes,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

  he who gives food to all flesh,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

  Give thanks to the God of heaven,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

(Psalm 136)