Beautiful flowers as always at California Adventure.

Over by the Sky Cellar ivy climbing up the side of the building.

I tried taking several different views of the Mickey Ferris Wheel. I love taking photos with water reflection in them.

More water reflection.

Nope, I don’t get tired of it.

A new Asian fast food restaurant in Pacific Wharf, California Adventure.

Loved their dragon plaque.

How Disney keeps such a big area like Cars Land under wraps is beyond me. I rode Screamin’ to get a better view. Wow.

A new chocolate store is opening in Disneyland’s California Adventure. Yum.

It’s always easy to get on Ariel’s Underwater Sea Adventure in Disney’s California Adventure. Lots to take in in such a short time.

All kinds of fish antics going on here.

Pretty cute characters though.

Have to love a King no matter where he’s at!

Finally, Ariel!

It wouldn’t be complete without Ursula, and she’s a big one!

The finale of Ariel and Prince Eric kissing.

As if you couldn’t get enough of Ariel, she appeared on Disneyland’s Main Street as I headed out of the park.

I love horses, especially Clydesdales!

Surprisingly enough the parks weren’t that busy today, as evident by all the trams lined up in the parking lot.

As always I enjoy all the work Disney’s Master Gardener’s put into keeping Disneyland and California Adventure parks full of colorful flower and foilage. With our weather being so cyclic it’s easy to see why spring has arrived early, especially at the parks. Such a delight to the senses!

Whenever I go to the parks I love to pay attention to the small things. Disney is all about attention to detail and if taken enough time I feel surrounded by just that, joy in all the little things that make the parks interesting every time I go. I’m also drawn to not only Disney merchandise that reminds me of loved ones, a small porcelain bird that I know my husband Jerry would love, a ceramic Captain for my good friend Bill Bell, maybe even a Mickey Fireman for Jeremy, Teresa Hord’s husband. For all my girlsfriends who have children, a silhouette framed and hanging in The Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe, where there’s also a colorful stained glass window sporting a penquin waiter. Hi Steve Wilson and David Meyers! Sometimes overlooked doorways that say “Animation Department, Staff Entrance” are just waiting to be opened by one of their outstanding new Animators, Frank Pepito! And a small nod to my father, George, who when on a trip to Disneyland with our family once commented on all the wonderful, oranate ironwork all throughout the parks.

A lot of new changes are coming to both Disneyland Resort and California Adventure. During my visit today I noticed small flags above the entrance to Disneyland. Anyone have any information about these? It would be interesting to know the story behind them. The resurfacing and paint job of the Matterhorn is finally showing through the scaffold covering the outside of this large man made mountain. The Carthay Circle theater is looking quite beautiful as it rises above the outer walls of the construction area. Peaking out from behind the theater looms the Hollywood Tower Hotel. A refurbished building on the Hollywood Backlot stands tall with it’s disquinshed new colors, bearing the name of the Argyle Building. And another large screen printed cover hides the Blue Ribbon Bakery building over on Main Street in Disneyland. Definately lots of changes.

One of my favorite “extra’s” that Disney does during new construction in California Adventure, and maybe often ignored, are posters painted on the wooden walls that are put up to hide all the new creations going on in the park. Some posters proudly announcing a few of their well known rides such as Screamin’ or HTH with illustrations each with Disney’s unquie brand of enthusiasm. For me they practically jump off the wood and shout, stop and look at me. Talented artists took the time to create each and every one of these unique paintings. The posters also show illustrations of the many exciting changes undergoing construction and make me anxious to see them come to life. Such wonderful and exciting changes to look forward to.

Pluto quickly strolled off of Main Street in Disneyland leaving behind children and adults calling out his name for one last photo reminded me of one of the first photos we have of our son Matt near Cinderella’s Castle standing next to Pluto. Those photos have faded, though not the memories. I’ve never seen this character over in Bugs Land, his name is Heimlich from the Disney movie “A Bugs Life”. Seeing him munching on candy corn reminds me of a few of my friends who share my passion for sweets, right Beth and Maria Ah, the memories of eating too many Valentine hearts, or a melted box of See’s candy! haha! And who could live without the Little Green Men (also referred to as “LGMs”) in the movie Toy Story. I dare Kathleen Fuller to take a photo of her entire collection of these 3 eyed aliens and post it! Peaking out from the trees in A Bugs Land is a frazzled looking walking stick, “Slim”. He reminds me of how I feel and walk lately, well except for the slim part! haha! And can you just imagine a Disneyland without Tinkerbell. Shame. On. You. for even thinking about that. Nods to my sweet friend Pauline and daughter Valerie who both have given me many a beloved Tink Never last, never least, are 2 young girls wearing matching pink dresses walking hand in hand in the land of magic. Love you my sweet sis’s, Dee and Jill. In case other dear friends and family feel left out, never fear. I have a vast collection of Disneyland/California Adventure photos (another photo? said Jerry!) that reminds me of each and every one of you. Until next time……

Hotel Del Coronado. We spent our 30th anniversary here at this magical place. Going back again this year for sure!

Orange County’s Great Park. The scene from the height of this balloon ride is spectacular.

Home of the Desperate Housewives TV show, Wisteria Lane. On the backlots tour at Universal Studios.

Catalina Island. We’ve been there a couple of times and it is such a great place to go. One day is never really enough time to explore though.

Before you dive into this blog you might wonder if these topiaries at Disney World and Disneyland Resort are real. I am not sure if the Peter Pan and Snow White topiaries shown here at Disney World in Florida are real, but I do know the others are as I’ve seen them up close. The only part that is not real on the topiaries in Disneyland Resort is the yellow main on the lion. That is made out of some synthetic fiber. I hope this bit of information is helpful.

My girlfriend Pauline took these topiary photos while on a trip to Disney World in Florida with her 2 children, David and Valerie, a place I someday hope to enjoy to the fullest. I am a huge fan of Tinkerbell, for those of you who don’t know me well. I love the fact that Peter Pan is getting some recognition in these topiaires, he’s really how Tinkerbell came to be know now isn’t it?

This topiary of Snow White and a few of her adorable dwarfs is just remarkable. I wonder why they can’t do this in Disneyland or California Adventure. Maybe because of Florida’s climate, where it is more humid. The California sun can sure beat down on our horticulture.

I’m not saying Disneyland doesn’t have some amazing topiaries, as shown here with their lion ornamental tree. I’ve looked at this lion up close and the mane is made out of some kind of synthetic fibers. This particular topiary is over by It’s A Small World, where they have the largest variety of topiaries in all of Disneyland and California Adventure displayed.

I love their swan featured also by It’s A Small World. The pink flowers are geraniums and are remind me of a peacocks feathers.