Out of sight
When it comes to Disneyland, there are few places that are out of the public eye.
First and foremost, there is back stage. The places where the public never gets to see. Not particularly glamorous or magical. Utilitarian comes to mind. Where work is performed or just behind the scenes.
But there are some places where the magic hides from view. Like the one above.
Originally, this space was designed never to be shared with guests. It was to have been the dining room in the suite of apartments for the Disney family above New Orleans Square. Just next to one of the kitchens for Club 33, so that it could serve a meal or snacks at a moment’s call.
Sadly, Walt’s passing ended any plans for the apartment. This space lay empty until it became offices and storage. Ultimately, it became one of the display rooms of the Disney Gallery, showing off everything from animation concept art to theme park models to items on sale.
But even that was not to be permanent. When the Disney Gallery gave way to the Dream Suite during the park’s 50th (and the Year of A Million Dreams promotion), the dining room didn’t figure into those plans. And it sits today, as empty now as it was then.
In a way, I am glad it did not get the makeover that the rest of the rooms did. It sits pretty much as it was when the space was completed before it became the Disney Gallery. A step back in time if you will.
Disneyland has a few other places less well-known that slumber out of guest view. Occasionally, some guests visit Walt’s apartment above the Fire House on Main Street’s Town Square. Pay the price and you too can see the place.
Other spots might include the Fantasyland end of the Skyway with its faux Bavarian Chalet. Spies tell me that the termites love the place and eventually will seal its fate. Other than a few special events, not much has taken place here.
And Aladdin’s Oasis, formerly the Tahitian Terrace, has seen a revival of sorts as a spot for guests to use a handicapped accessible restroom. Sure, you can take your Dole Whip in to enjoy in a comfy chair, out of the hustle and bustle of Adventureland, too. Just the place was something more when the Polynesian dancers put on one heck of a show here.
Even the Big Thunder Festival Arena saw a return this summer. Although I’m not sure many guests stopped by.
But one last place remains above New Orleans Square. Never used as designed. Instead home to offices and storage. Above the French Market, once planned as an intimate jazz club. If you ever visit the Court of the Angels, that sweeping staircase? Would have led guests into a quiet spot just for music. Occasional rumors have Club 33 expanding into the space, but nothing has changed. Still offices and storage space.
I’m not one who thinks that every corner of the Park has to be loud and immersive. A quiet moment can inspire the magic just as much as a loud and exciting one. The Carthay Circle lounge and restaurant certainly prove that point, among others.
It’s just nice now and then to recall such moments and enjoy their memory. Would be even nicer if some of them came back. But hey! I’m terminally nostalgic. What do I know?
The Hunt For Green October
There’s nothing better than to have your team right in the thick of it as Labor Day approaches.
In the case of Oakland, it is indeed a pleasant surprise to find the team playing so well. Having been through enough years where third place looked like a bonus, as a fan I am excited.
Baseball as a group activity is always fun. As spectators, there is plenty of good food and drink to go along with that. Prices climb as usual but nothing quite like a beer and a hot dog with your ballgame. Insert James Earl Jones and Kevin Costner gag here (from Field of Dreams). Be it family, friends, co-workers or even alone. Just a good time watching folks playing the game.
That’s not to say that some people don’t add their own brand of nonsense to the game. Everything from running on the field to running one’s mouth about the umpires to starting a fight over spilled beer. You know how expensive that is? Not that I’ve ever enjoyed a game in hand cuffs. The press box maybe…
On the whole, folks out for the game are good people. There to enjoy the day and have a good time. Those who try to take advantage of a moment usually don’t succeed. Oh, the days when Mary Lou ruled over section 121… Now some of that was comedy. A benevolent dictatorship, it may have been. But for folks who had tickets to seats there, finest kind!
Baseball is pretty much the same where ever it is played. No matter if it’s the big leagues, minor league or even Little League. Just ask the kids from Petaluma. Spectators get into a game and live and die on the pitch, hit or caught by their favorite player.
My wife and I watched a game on television the other night while out for dinner. She mentioned that she didn’t recognize any names on the team. It is true that the guys who she may have watched are all gone now. Some to other teams, some to retirement, some to obscurity – simply released or waived. Still, we watch and we have a good time. As the new crop brings excitement back to the game.
As it should be.
What to drink?
I’m often accused of falling into a rut. And on the subject of beverages, too.
Being diabetic, I’ve changed my drink of choice to something usually low in sugar content. As well, I try to reduce my intake of diet soft drinks.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t still enjoy a good beverage now and then. Just more in moderation than I used to.
Now, on the subject of rum… Yes, there is still nothing that satisfies quite like a proper Mai Tai. Made as it should be. Don’t skimp on the ingredients, especially the lime. I get that produce isn’t as cheap as it once was, especially citrus fruit. But do it right or don’t do it at all.
I am fond of Trader Vic’s Dark Rum. Mixes really well with diet tonic water. Brings all of the proper flavors to the party. And it goes quite well with a nice Kuba Kuba cigar! Bacardi’s Anejo Rum has been attractive and enjoyed, too.
In other spirits, Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey call my name. Jim Beam wins out over Jack Daniels. Regular Jack just leaves an after taste that I don’t prefer. Jim Beam has a smoother finish for me. That doesn’t mean that Jack has no attraction. Honey Jack and Gentleman Jack are truly enjoyable, sipped neat. And I have had some fine punch that used Honey Jack as a base.
Another cigar accompaniment was a nice peaty single malt whiskey from Portland. Sipping a nice glass, rolling the miles by… Ah, that’s the life. But this whiskey isn’t for everyone. In other adult beverages on the liquor side, I’ve enjoyed a fair selection of Gins, Scotch Whiskey blends from time to time.
Beer? Oh, that could fill a column all it’s own. I have been to Germany and Oktoberfest, so good “bier” is a must. Out of all the German “biers”, I really enjoyed the Andescher Dopplebock. And who doesn’t love a good pint of freshly pulled Guinness? Of the local brews, yes it’s Anchor Steam. During the days of steam locomotive operation, Anchor Porter was another well enjoyed after a long day. But Stone Brewing’s Arrogant Bastard Ale not only has a great name but goes so well with all kind of snacks.
Wine and I have a long history. Even before I was legally able to enjoy it, there was an education. My maternal grandfather discovered it as a hobby later in life. So there were plenty of weekend adventures that included a stop at a winery along the way. I’m a fan of the Silverado Vineyards, especially the Soda Creek Ranch Zinfandel. And on that trip to Germany, we sampled a good bit. My favorite from the Rheingau was the Johanisberg Reisling at Schloss Johanisberg. Many great meals here have enjoyed a glass of Dr. Loosen Riesling from the Mosel.
When it comes to soft drinks, the diet side of the product is most often the choice. Coke over Pepsi, all the time. But there are plenty of great diet drinks about. Stewart’s Diet Root Beer as one example. And not to say that I don’t enjoy an occasional full product. Wailua Soda Works Root Beer has to be tasted to be believed! The pure cane brown sugar makes it’s presence known in a delightful way.
I’m a coffee guy more than tea, although a fresh brewed cup of either has it’s charms. Decaf works best for me for medical reasons. And Peets more than Starbucks, that’s my choice.
Even something as basic as water? A fan of Calistoga Water with lime. Although at work we’re good Arrowhead customers.
All this talk of a beverage… I gotta go.
It only takes a moment
As enjoyable as Buena Vista Street is, it likely never would have come to pass if this had not come first.
Yes, I recall various quotes, especially the one from John Hench, about the area as a parking lot. And I wonder what DCA might have been if Disney had spent the bucks here the first time around. As much of a fan of exploring the Golden State as I am, the idea behind the park intrigues me. The concept of giving guests a taste of California without actually having to travel all the miles? Not as bad as it sounds. That is, if Disney had remembered that people are what really make this state what it is.
For example, I would have love to have seen guests interact with some of the state’s more colorful characters. In the San Francisco area, it could have been Emperor Joshua Norton. One of the Gold Rush era’s best loved eccentrics. A tourist attraction all his own. Or something later, a hold over from the Sixties, The Automatic Human Jukebox. Inside that small space worked a great trumpeter. (Even if he was busted for selling pot out of the back.) A street artist who entertained tourists of all kinds.
The list can go on and on. So many great people with great stories to share. Sadly, Disney cheaped out and didn’t follow through as they should have. And now, it is great to see more street-mosphere cast members out and about. Interacting with guests. Making smiles and memories.
Even Walt recognized that people are an important part of the experience. “You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.”
Disneyland and California Adventure are not museums. You don’t walk through a gallery from one work of art to another, quietly admiring the work. No, here you are part of the experience, whether you intend to be or not. And that is what being part of the magic is all about. If there are no guests having a great time, then it is better as a parking lot.
But with the right bit of magic and the right guest experience, that smile is worth every penny spent to bring it to fruition.
And that’s just what Walt set out to do. Glad to see that that spirit keeps coming to life every day in those former orange groves and parking lots.
It’s not the years…
So, I mentioned that I should be heading east in October. Taking a ride along the route of Amtrak’s California Zephyr to Chicago for a start. When it comes to this, I have only traveled between Reno/Sparks and Denver twice. And beyond to Chicago, never.
It is a fair number of miles crossed in the three days between the San Francisco Bay and the Windy City. 2438 of them to be precise. With some of the best scenery that Amtrak has to offer along the way.
In the fall of 1980, I celebrated my first anniversary of employment with AAA. The first of what would become 26. And back then, it entitled me to a whole week of vacation. Careful planning would allow just the right amount of time to enjoy most of those seven days on the rails.
Departing on a Thursday, I rode Amtrak’s San Francisco Zephyr with brand new Superliner equipment from Martinez to Ogden. Friday morning saw a limousine (a.k.a. a van) ride to Salt Lake City and onward to Denver aboard the Rio Grande Zephyr – the last non-Amtrak intercity passenger train operating in the country. At that time, Amtrak followed the route of the Union Pacific over the Great Divide crossing through Wyoming and down into Denver.
Saturday was an excursion organized by the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club aboard a chartered train from Denver to Sterling and back – pulled by the Union Pacific’s last operational steam locomotive. I had a coach seat in the last car in the train, which happened to be in aboard the only dome car in the consist. A fun day, to say the least! (The UP operated the lounge car and the dining car for the trip. And they managed to run out of beer before the train got to Sterling. So, a few of us chipped in and bought a case of Coors for the ride home. I traded a cold one for a roll of Kodachrome slide film, which I then used for extra photos on the remaining photo run-by’s along the Platte River.) The day ended with a beer in the newly restored cocktail lounge at the Denver station and dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory in a former Denver Tramway power house.
Sunday I had plans to head off to Golden and visit the Colorado Railroad Museum. A miscue on my part put me on the wrong bus. (This was in the pre-Internet days, so I can be forgiven.) I did manage to salvage the day by visiting the Forney Transportation Museum instead. Really enjoyed visiting with the HO scale model railroad folks there
Monday was another chance to ride the Rio Grande Zephyr. Truly magnificent ride up the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Also picked up several Rio Grande hats at the station at Grand Junction – as well as a California Zephyr tablecloth purchased from one of the coach attendants. And who could forget a meal in the Silver Banquet, the dining car on the RGZ?
Tuesday, it was back aboard the San Francisco Zephyr for the ride across the Great Salt Lake and back across Nevada to home at Martinez. While riding aboard new Superliners was nice, I had enjoyed quite the renaissance those days before on the Rio Grande and the Union Pacific. Wednesday was a chance to catch up and be ready for work the next day.
So… what does this year’s trip hold in store? Frankly, a much quieter, less hectic pace. At least to start. If all goes as planned, a Saturday in October will see a mid-morning departure from Emeryville, headed east. Seven days later we’ll roll to our first destination and the fun will really start.
But that’s another story!