Loren
Posts: 253
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This weekend's report from Disneyland isn't a long one. There didn't seem to be a lot going on characterwise. Although, Dan just reported in the blog that somebody on MiceChat saw a ton of characters, many of them rare, near "it's a small world" on Friday afternoon. Darn! I would have loved to have seen some of these characters out and about. I mean, Friar Tuck! I know people have seen him at other parks, but who knows when the last time somebody saw him at Disneyland! Not sure why they were out, but I can only imagine that they were doing some kind of training as this is what often happens when the rare characters spontaneously come out at random times.
Anyway, getting back to the day I was there...LOL!
While this does not necessarily involve character meet-and-greets, it kind of involves characters. It was neat to see the walls finally down around Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. The design looks similar, but refreshed and a bit updated. While they covered up one of the sets of doors, you could see in to see the similar site of C-3PO at the console and R2-D2 in the Starspeeder (albeit now in a Starspeeder 1000 rather than 3000).
View of C-3PO in the Star Tours: The Adventures Continue queue by Loren Javier, on Flickr
View of R2-D2 in the new Starspeeder in the Star Tours: The Adventures Continue Queue by Loren Javier, on Flickr
I'm so excited for this ride to open and, thankfully, I get to ride it at a cast member preview on Thursday. Although, there is a strict no photography rule, so I will not be able to share any photos until the ride actually opens.
Over at Disney California Adventure, I've constantly looked to see if the Brother Bear theming is being removed at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Despite reports that the theming would be removed weeks ago, there was not really any movement there over the last couple of weeks that I've gone. However, when I stopped by there last week, I did notice that the totems, including the one of Rutt and Tuke from Brother Bear, have been removed from the Ahwahnee Camp Circle which once housed the "Magic of Brother Bear" show.
In this photo from two weeks ago, you can see the totem of Rutt and Tuke:
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail by Loren Javier, on Flickr
And, in this photo from yesterday, while taken from another angle, you can see the totem is no longer there:
Brother Bear theming being removed from Ahwahnee Camp Circle at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail by Loren Javier, on Flickr
As I mentioned before, Koda and Kenai, who's greeting times used to be listed on the times guide, are no longer listed and they were not out on Saturday. However, the Koda and Kenai statue still stands proud in front of the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail and the Spirit Cave is still named "Kenai's Spirit Cave." So, whether the rumored UP Wilderness Explorer theming will happen still remains to be seen. But, seeing some of the theming removed does give me hope. 
Outside of this, I went to see the Musical Chairs game over at the Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner and Corner Cafe. It's always such an entertaining show and always makes me laugh.
Disneyland Musical Chairs at the Corner Cafe by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Disneyland Musical Chairs at the Corner Cafe by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Disneyland Musical Chairs at the Corner Cafe by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Disneyland Musical Chairs at the Corner Cafe by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Disneyland Musical Chairs at the Corner Cafe by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Disneyland Musical Chairs at the Corner Cafe by Loren Javier, on Flickr
But, what was even more special was that, after the show, Alan the ragtime piano player came to sit down with us and then, Peter Pan came over to play. He created napkin animals (all of which resembled a snake) and played a game of Hangman.
Peter Pan makes napkin animals for Alan and Amelia by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Peter Pan makes napkin animals for Alan and Amelia by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Peter Pan makes napkin animals for Alan and Amelia by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Peter Pan makes napkin animals for Alan and Amelia by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Peter Pan plays hangman with Alan and Amelia by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Peter Pan plays hangman with Alan and Amelia by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Peter Pan plays hangman with Alan and Amelia by Loren Javier, on Flickr
While Disneyland does not have a lot of variety of characters, there are some characters that are out quite often that are just such a pleasure to watch. Mad Hatter and Alice are some of them. But, Peter Pan is just magical to watch and it's no surprise that he has so many fans. The way he plays with and engages the guests is just wonderful. He's also one of the few characters who are not pinned down to one meet-and-greet location. If you're lucky, he'll tap you on the shoulder and say hello as you're walking through Fantasyland or happen by the Castle or sitting and eating at the Corner Cafe.
To wrap up this report, I'll leave you with these photos I took of Aurora greeting guests outside her Castle. It's always fun to get a picture with her there.
Meeting Aurora at Sleeping Beauty Castle by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Meeting Aurora at Sleeping Beauty Castle by Loren Javier, on Flickr
Next weekend, I will be going up to my sister's, so I won't have an update. But, the weekend afterward is the opening of the much anticipated Soundsational parade and I plan to be there that day and hopefully watch it twice. So, see you in a couple of weeks!
edited by Loren on 5/15/2011
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