Disneyland Gay Days 2011

This is the weekend to either wear red...or to totally NOT wear red, if you'll be at Disneyland or California Adventure.  It is Gay Days at the Disneyland Resort.  So this is either notification if you are interested in participating or a warning if you have issues with it.

Disney Castle Parks: Hong Kong Disneyland

Finally, (for at least a couple years, anyway), the Hong Kong Resort opened in 2005.  This Castle Park was the smallest built thus far, and as so, needed an appropriate sized castle.  Anaheim's Sleeping Beauty Castle was selected to be duplicated in Hong Kong due to its appropriate scale.

Now, I always felt Tokyo made the wrong choice, by selecting the Florida Castle to duplicate.  However, once I found my beloved Anaheim Castle was being copied elsewhere, I felt betrayed.  Apparently, I actually had been quite happy Tokyo went east-coast all these years, I just didn't know it.

I do like that the HK Castle has a beautiful mountain backdrop behind it.  In my interpretation, I did opt to color the castle turrets in a more fitting Chinese red... not as it is in reality, but how I view it.  Besides, it compliments the pink castle walls.

Hong Kong Disneyland's Castle

International Talk Like A Pirate Day

I realize that Pirate Day on a Disney related blog has some obvious references.  I choose to discard all of them and go my own route.

Ahoy, me mateys. This be Bailey, me first mate. He be ARRGGuably the cutest cat on the seven seas.

Disney Castle Parks: EuroDisney/Disneyland Paris

(You must know, I thought EuroDisney was a brilliant name, and find it to be unique and informative toward the Paris Park, so I continue to use it still)

The Castle at EuroDisney, (the Disneyland style, Magic Kingdom, outside of Paris, France), is absolutely stunning and beautiful.  If I didn't already have a love affair with my own Anaheim Castle, this would easily top the charts.

As the story goes, Disney was gonna build a Castle in France, right among the hundreds of real European Castles throughout the continent, so they had to make this one really special and magical.  I think they succeeded.  I especially love the rectilinear lines of the structure and gardens that mimic the artistic style of the Sleeping Beauty animation aesthetic.

(FYI, although I am sure your might already know this, "Le Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant" translates to "Sleeping Beauty Castle")

Euro Disneyland Paris' Castle

Disney Castle Parks: Tokyo Disneyland

When Oriental Land Company reached an agreement with Walt Disney Productions in the 70s regarding building a new Disney Park in Tokyo, they had two different, existing parks to pick and choose the best elements from in creating their own, third kingdom.  By-and-large, I agree with most of the choices they selected (after all, I also have the added benefit and critical eye of perfect hindsight). 

They chose the Florida version, with its impressive size and grandeur.  I know there are subtle difference between the two, but they are mostly too subtle for even me.  I always felt it was the wrong choice, but again I understand the reasoning.

Tokyo Disneyland's Castle

Other than Labor Day

Instead of celebrating today's US Holiday, today's date, September 5th, has quite a long running history with me, particularly as it pertains to Disney.

If you have read some of my previous posts, you might already know my favorite Disney character is Pluto.  Today happens to be his 81st Birthday.  (Or 17 in dog years.  I was 17 when I became a cast member at Disneyland.)

You might also already know that another of my favorites is Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.  He is approximately 62 weeks older than Mickey Mouse, but also celebrating his 84th Birthday today.  (Honestly, he doesn't look a day over 7, don't ya think?)

Another big event that occurred on this day, 33 years ago, was the first day of 8th Grade.  Presumably, it was on that day I met my Best Friend for the first time... or at least heard her name on the roll call for the first time.  (My memories might be a bit vague, but I do recall we sat one in front of the other from day one... perhaps she can share her memories about this in the comments section.)

We would go on the see "The Fox and the Hound" in theaters on its original release, sport matching Mickey Mouse t-shirts, visit Disneyland together a zillion times, and share her first Walt Disney World visit.  She represents a little bit of Tinkerbell's sass, Mulan's identity search, Mrs. Potts' comfort & guidance, and Minnie's sweetness & friendship. (Beast's Library in the Sorcerer's Workshop within DCA's Animation Building revealed she was definitely Mrs. Potts, definitely.)  Little did either of us know at the time, that we really would become "friends forever", just like Tod and Copper.

So, that is what I am gonna celebrate, on this day... rather than the 47th occurrence of Labor Day of my life.

Disney Castle Parks: Magic Kingdom

The second Disney Castle was in Florida in 1971.  Home to Cinderella, it is much taller and sleeker than its California cousin.  While I do admire this Castle, I also find it a bit bland.  As I was attempting to create my graphic version (below), I found it to be void of interesting details found on the previous castle.  I do like, however, that this castle represents a different style, time, and place.  And to be honest, I'll admit it is much more majestic and awe inspiring just 'cuz its so darn big!

WDW Magic Kingdom's Castle