Disneyland Monorail Opened 67 Years Ago Today

Above, the Nixon family and Walt Disney on opening day of the monorail.

67 years ago, the Disneyland Monorail system was opened to the public. It was opened four years after the park itself opened in former orange groves in Anaheim, California. These were the days when one didn't need a third home mortgage to afford to take the family to Disneyland.

The grand opening took place on June 14, 1959. It was dedicated by Vice President Richard Nixon and family. They were the first to ride it on opening day.

According to Wikipedia:

The Disneyland Monorail (originally named the Disneyland Alweg Monorail System) is an attraction and transportation line at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, United States. It was the first daily operating monorail in the country.

Walt Disney originally envisioned the monorail as a practical form of public transport for the future. However, the technology never became widespread in the United States beyond a select few novelty installations. The monorail came about during a time when America's—and particularly Los Angeles'—obsession with the automobile was increasing, and monorails in the United States were mostly only located in Disney's theme parks.

To read more, go here.

RV Travel Poll: Would You Ride A Roller Coaster At An Amusement Park?

Above, my second roller coaster ride ten years ago.

The first time I rode a roller coaster was when I was about eight years old. It was Disneyland's Matterhorn Bobsleds. 

I did not enjoy the ride, but at least I survived it. I didn't ride one again until ten years ago when I was talked into taking a ride on the Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster at Universal Studios. I was quite apprehensive at first, but I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would. 

The reason I am bringing this subject up is the RV Travel has a poll: Would your ride a roller coaster at an amusement park?

They start it with:

Some of us love roller coasters, and some of us are terrified of roller coasters! Where do you stand?

Some people chase the thrill—the rush of wind in their hair, the clack-clack-clack of the climb, the heart-pounding plunge into the first drop. Others prefer to watch from the ground with a churro or corn dog in hand, perfectly happy to let others do the screaming.

And then there are the in-betweeners, the ones who get talked into “just one ride” and end up loving (or regretting) every second.

To read the rest and participate in the poll, go here. 

Would I do it again? Probably not.

Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.

To start off the new week and new month, we have Smokey Robinson & The Miracles with their number one hit from 1967, "Tears of a Clown" I saw them in 1972 at Disneyland for Grad Nite on the Tomorrowland stage.

From Wikipedia:

The Miracles (later known as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles from 1965 to 1972) were an American vocal group formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1955. They were the first successful recording act for Motown Records and are considered one of the most important and most influential groups in the history of pop, soul, rhythm and blues and rock and roll music. The group's international fame in the 1960s, alongside other Motown acts, led to a greater acceptance of R&B and pop music in the U.S., with the group being considered influential and important in the development of modern popular music.

Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.

Ideas for these Classic Rock Music Mondays come from a variety of sources. Last week, I saw for the first time The Mule (2018) starring Clint Eastwood. In the movie, the song "More Today Than Yesterday" by the Spiral Staircase from 1969 was featured.

If memory serves, the Spiral Staircase performed at the 1969 Grad Nite at Disneyland. There was a special featuring Sam Riddle and Kam Nelson of Los Angeles's KHJ-AM and Spiral Staircase were seen performing the song. 

Spiral Staircase was active until 1982.

From Wikipedia: 

The Spiral Starecase was an American pop band, best known for its 1969 single "More Today Than Yesterday". Hailing from Sacramento, California, United States, the band was recognizable for its horns and lead singer/guitarist Pat Upton's voice.

Beginning life under the name The Fydallions, the group first formed in 1964, changing their name to Spiral Starecase several years later. In addition to Upton the band included Harvey Kaye (organ), Dick Lopes (saxophone), Bobby Raymond (bass guitar), Gene Austin (bass guitar), Vinny Parello (drums), Mark Barrett (drums), Al Sebay (electric guitar), and Mike Caschera.

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Superman

One of the classic Disneyland (Anaheim) rides is Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in Fantasyland. 

It opened at Disneyland on July 17, 1955 and refurbished in 1983. It was closed at Walt Disney World and was replaced by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

Speaking of Disneyland's opening day of July 17, 1955, here's Walt Disney chatting with Adventures of Superman star George Reeves:

Old Photos From the 1970s

Last evening, while Clint was working on the Jeep's brakes, I was going thought some boxes in the garage and found one small box of photographs and negatives dating back to the 1970s. I haven's seen these for many moons. Some were in Fotomat sleeves (remember Fotomat?).

Some were of everyday things, travel and miscellaneous family shots. Some were badly faded, despite being kept in a box out of light. I took these photos, except where I'm in them (obviously).

I scanned a few of them.

Above, my parents and I in Las Vegas, 1974.

Above, my uncle Ralph and aunt Rose, Thanksgiving 1975.

Above, co-worker Jeannie McDonald in January 1979. We did a photo shoot at her house. This was an outtake.

Above, my parents in Cedar City, Utah in 1975 on vacation. My dad hated this photo.

Above, Al Geriminsky and my dad working on a car (probably mine) in Hawthorne, California, 1975.

Above, yours truly at Grad Nite at Disneyland, 1972.

Above, Goodyear blimp over Long Beach. 

Disneyland and Disney World: “The Most Expensive Place on Earth”

Above, Disneyland's Mark Twain steamboat in Frontierland in 1988. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There was once a time when a visit to Disneyland in Anaheim, California or Walt Disney World in Florida didn't require taking out a second or third mortgage, or even a co-signer. 

Not anymore. 

I used to go to Disneyland quite often with family or friends from the 1960s to the 1980s. The last two times I was there were both in 1988. The admission price for one day in 1988 was $28.00. 

The last Disney theme park I visited was Tokyo DisneySea in Japan in 2015. Since it seemed like half of Tokyo's population was there, we didn't go on any rides. The wait times were excessively long.

Today, the powers-that-be of the Walt Disney Company has seen fit to raise their prices again for Walt Disney World and Disneyland, practically to the stratosphere, and people are raising hell.

The New York Post reported:

“The Most Magical Place on Earth” is being rebranded as “The Most Expensive Place on Earth” by angry customers who slammed Disney for price hikes at its Disney World and Disneyland theme parks.

Disney customers took to Reddit over the past week to rip the Mouse House’s theme parks over higher admission fees, as well as a subpar experience that includes more expensive, lackluster food and staffing shortages.

Disney, which has been hit hard by the pandemic, has been increasing prices in order to make up for the loss of business.

Late last year, Disney said it would increase ticket prices at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, Calif., this year, noting that its popular single-day ticket price would jump 6.5% to $164 for admission to one park, while a two-day park hopper pass would cost $319, up nearly 9 percent.

That's not all, the food concessions and souvenirs at Disneyland has also become more expensive, but you'll have to read the full article to see just how expensive they've become.

Just to bring a date to Disneyland, for a halfway decent time for two, one should at least have $600 in their wallet. Imagine what a family of four would cost!

Walt Disney would probably spin in his grave if he knew how expensive it is to spend a day at Disneyland.  

To read more, go here.

Yosemite National Park Considering Raising Camping Fees

Above, The Beast at Yosemite's North Pines Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The powers-that-be at Yosemite National Park are considering raising camping fees that, if enacted, will begin in October.

Jeepers (as Jimmy Olsen would say), it seems like (eventually) camping in Yosemite will be as pricey as Disneyland (which is 1 Day 1-Park Ticket - Tier 5 for adults:$154).

According to KRON4:

SIERRA, Calif. (KRON) — Yosemite National Park is considering asking visitors to pay a bit more to enjoy its overnight camping.

The park said it will use the additional money to upgrade restroom, toilet and shower facilities, improve and maintain park campgrounds, restore native plants and repair/replace signage throughout the park.

“These proposed fee increases are consistent with other public and private campgrounds within the greater Sierra Nevada region,” according to the park.

I'm glad I camped in Yosemite Valley in 2016, so that's off my "bucket list".

To read more, go here. 

Disney Buys Godzilla and Related Characters

Above, Sleeping Beauty's Castle at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

Following in the footsteps of George Lucas, who sold the rights to Star Wars, the Walt Disney Company announced a $6 million deal with Toho Co., Ltd. for the purchase of Godzilla and related kaiju characters.

The deal was inked today at the Disney Co. offices in Burbank, California with the company's Executive Chairman, Robert A. Iger and CEO Bob Chapek.

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios main entrance. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

"We are very pleased with this deal with Toho," said Chapek. "We hope to do for Godzilla and the other monsters what we did for Star Wars. We will be developing movies after the current contract with Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. ends. Eventually, there will be Godzilla attractions at our theme parks, including Disneyland in Anaheim and Walt Disney World in Orlando."

Maybe there will be a Godzilla figure looming over Disneyland that will tower over the Matterhorn.

To read more, go here.

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea: Top Tips

Above, Mediterranean Harbor at Tokyo DisneySea. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2015, during my last trip to Japan, our group arrived back in Tokyo after a trek of a few days to Atami, Kyoto and Osaka. We decided to take in a Disney theme park.

Since (at the time) I lived in Southern California and have been to Disneyland in Anaheim many times, it was decided to go see Tokyo DisneySea instead of Tokyo Disneyland. Tokyo Disneyland is patterned after the one in Anaheim, so it was preferred to see something new.

The two parks are next door to each other outside of Tokyo, so it takes a commute to get there. We went on a Saturday, so it seemed like half the population of Tokyo was there.

The Japan Times has an article with the "top tips" for visiting the parks.

They begin with:

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea are special theme parks, being the first Disney parks built outside of the United States. As the third and fourth busiest theme parks in the world, with Tokyo Disneyland seeing 17.9 million visitors in 2018, it’s a good idea to do your research before you visit the happiest place on Earth — or, at least, the happiest place in Japan.

To read more, go here. 

Apollo Test Capsule

During my November 2016 trip to Metropolis, Illinois (the trip where I discovered New Mexico), I stopped at Meteor Crater, Arizona to see the crater and the visitor center.

Outside of the visitor center stands a "boilerplate" test Apollo capsule. I remember seeing either this or a similar one next to a big water tank at the Rockwell plant in Downey, California off Imperial Highway.

Above, the Apollo test capsule at Meteor Crater in Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This was during the time in the late-1960s before the 91 Freeway was built. In order to get to Disneyland from the South Bay area of Los Angeles County, one usually drove east on Imperial Highway to Interstate 5 (Santa Ana Freeway). We would pass the Downey Rockwell plant along the way.

The Disneyland Railroad Is Back

Above, Adventures of Superman star George Reeves with the E.P. Ripley
 locomotive of the Disneyland Railroad on Disneyland's 1955 opening day.

It has been a fixture at Disneyland in Anaheim from the beginning and now it's back.

The Disneyland Railroad is back in operation after being closed for 18 months and it has a new route.

Travel + Leisure reported:

Train enthusiasts can enjoy riding along the Disneyland Railroad in Anaheim this summer, as the iconic attraction has reopened to the public. 

After closing down for 18 months due to construction on the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the Disneyland Railroad began taking riders through a scenic new route within the California park on July 29. 

As visitors board one of the few remaining steam-powered trains still in operation today, they’ll be taken to a shoreline along the Rivers of America attraction in Frontierland, where they'll see an updated waterfront with an elevated trestle offering mesmerizing views over five new waterfalls in the Colombia Gorge section.

To read more, go here. 

Disneyland's Tower of Terror Shutting Down

Above, the Tower of Terror at Tokyo DisneySea. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Until I saw the one last year at Tokyo DisneySea, I didn't know much about the Tower of Terrror ride.

According to Travel + Leisure, the Tower of Terror at Disneyland in Anaheim ride will soon be no more. It will "embark" on its last ride January 2, 2017.

Travel + Leisure wrote:

Back in July, Disney announced that they would be closing the iconic Tower of Terror ride to make room for a new Guardians of the Galaxy experience. The park has promised a "free-fall sensation with all-new audio and visual affects," according to a blog post on its website. 

While we're all excited to see how the replacement ride ranks among the others, but for many this is an event worth mourning. 

Tower of Terror has held its statuesque location at the northwest corner of Disney's California Adventure park since its first ride on July 22, 1994.

But all is not lost, the article states:

You can still get a taste of the ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris, and Tokyo DisneySea, which all have a version of the Tower of Terror.

To read more, go here. 

Tokyo DisneySea: Seemed Like Half of Tokyo's Population Was There

Above, the Tower of Terror. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Saturday began with a morning Shinkansen ride from Osaka to Tokyo. It was a pleasant 3-hour ride and we enjoyed the sights of Japan along the way.

Above, a Teddy Roosevelt poster. I saw several of them around the park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After getting back into Tokyo and settled into our hotel, I headed off to Tokyo DisneySea, a separate amusement park next door to Tokyo Disneyland.

Above, the show at the S.S. Columbia. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It seemed that half of Tokyo's population also decided to go to DisneySea this day as the park was overloaded with people. It was virtually impossible to get on any rides due to the waiting times. We should have gone there mid-week, but we didn't have the time to fit it into our schedule.

At least we wondered around and caught some shows. One was at the S.S. Columbia, another in front of McDuck's Department Store and the biggest show was at the Mediterranean Harbor, where the crowds were thick and dense. It was strange to hear Disney characters speaking in Japanese. And, it was amusing to see "stoic" Japanese men wearing Mickey Mouse ears.

Above, the show at Mediterranean Harbor. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We enjoyed Tokyo DisneySea enough to promise ourselves to return there during another Japan vacation, but during mid-week.

I can see why a lot of people rave about the park.

Above, the park's "Mount Prometheus" erupted several times during the Mediterranean Harbor show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At the end of the day, our feet were killing us and we couldn't wait to get our shoes off to soak our feet. The days of walking around are finally taking their toll.

Nerd Tour Japan 2014: Days 5 & 6

Above, a view of Osaka's business district. From a video by Armand Vaquer.

In this edition, Anime News Network's Zac Bertschy and Hope Chapman travel down to Osaka for shopping and checking out some of the city's famous eateries.

After this, they head back up to Tokyo and pay a visit to DisneySea. One of these days, I will visit DisneySea myself as I've never been there. I have no interest in Tokyo's Disneyland as it is almost a carbon copy of the original in Anaheim, California, which I've been the dozens of times (as far back when they still had 'E' tickets).

To see many photos of Osaka and DisneySea, go here.

Their next edition will spotlight Kyoto.

"5 Worst Places To Visit In Japan"

Above, one of the moats at the Imperial Palace.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in January, RocketNews24 posted an article on the "5 Worst Places To Visit In Japan."

This was based on a survey by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). The survey was as of September 2012.

They begin it with this:

When foreigners do find themselves in Japan, travel guidebook in hand, they are inundated with advice regarding must-see places. But the worst part about taking a trip is arriving to one of these “must-see” locations and realizing it isn’t all that great. That’s why we’ve gathered up a list of the top five most disappointing tourist spots in Japan as recommended (unrecommended?) by users on Reddit.

Generally, what may be of interest to one person, may not be of any interest to another. Some have been called "tourist traps" by survey participants. Maybe so. However, I would consider such a survey to be somewhat subjective. It's all in the eye of the beholder.

When I come across such survey or poll results, I usually just furnish the link to it so readers can go there to see for themselves. In this case, I will list the places that made the list with my own comments.

They are:

#1 Roppongi:  I've been in Roppongi a few times and have enjoyed myself there and have gone to a couple of the clubs there. In 2004, I organized a dinner party at the T.G.I. Friday's there for G-Tour and everyone had a great time. Some even went back to Roppongi after the party was over.

#2 Tokyo Disneyland:  From what I've heard, there isn't that much difference between Tokyo's Disneyland and the one in Anaheim, California (and I've been there many times). Why should I go to a place in Japan where I can see and do the same things as in California?  But, as the article mentions, I've heard DisneySea is "awesome." Still, why should I spend most of my day waiting in line for rides when I can do something else?

#3 Imperial Palace:  I've been there twice (the first time was on my own and the second time was with a tour). The article states that there isn't much to see, but I enjoyed it anyway. I think it's worth at least one visit and it is a beautiful place.

#4 Sapporo Clock Tower: The article called it a “a boring rip-off" and is not even worth going inside. The only thing I would do is take an outside picture of it and move on. It was (briefly) featured in Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991).

#5 Tokyo: The article says that some people recommend "avoiding the bustling city" and visit rural areas instead. I've always enjoyed Tokyo. But I would also recommend seeing rural areas as well as other Japanese cities such as Osaka, Kyoto and Fukuoka.

Whether or not to visit these places is all up to the traveler.

To read the full article, go here.

Walt Disney Must Be Spinning In His Grave

Above, 1958 Disneyland ticket book backs.  Note the prices.

If Walt Disney saw what is being charged for admission to either Disneyland in California or Walt Disney World in Florida, he'd be spinning in his grave.

MyFoxNY.com reported:

When you wish upon a star, be sure to bring your wallet. Disneyland and Disney World have raised their ticket prices. 

Disney said in a statement that starting Sunday, a one-day adult ticket to one park at Disneyland will cost $92, a $5 increase. Kids' tickets also jumped $5, to $87. 

The prices apply to either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park. Buyers of annual passes will see similar increases.

Walt Disney once said:

"What this country really needs is an amusement park that families can take their children to. They've gotten so honky tonk with a lot of questionable characters running around, and they're not to safe. They're not well kept. I want to have a place that's as clean as anything could ever be, and all the people in it [his park] are first-class citizens, and treated like guests."

It looks like people would have to be rich in order to take their families to either park or get a co-signer. I remember the days when $8.00 (in the 1960s) would get you a day's admission with the various tickets at different levels (the 'E' ticket would get you on the more popular (and better) rides.

Now, the cost for a family of four would be $355, and that's just to get in.  Add to that food and souvenirs, the price would likely be over $500 (you can almost fly to Japan for that amount).

Yep, ol' Walt would be spinning in his grave if he saw how the Walt Disney Company is gouging people.

To read more, go here.

Rare Disneyland Photos

The Adventures Continue website pointed to a blog devoted to Disneyland, from opening day to the years thereafter. It is called Stuff From The Park.

One interesting photo is one of Adventures of Superman star George Reeves from the 1955 Opening Day (at top). I've seen one other photo of George at Disneyland, but this is a new one to me.

To see all of the photos, go to http://matterhorn1959.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html

Great stuff!