Contributing photographer Jason of disneygeek.com sends us these photos from his trip to the parks on Saturday, May 5, 2012. Quite a few changes, so we will be presenting his blog in three parts: Disneyland, DCA, and Downtown Disney.
This past week the Gibson Girl, Penny Arcade, and Candy Palace have reopened on Main Street USA at Disneyland.First stop the Gibson Girl. They have moved the counter all the way to the back so there is plenty of space for the queue now.
The menu appears to be the same.
Still a couple of tables inside but not much seating.
There is a nice window now to watch them make the waffle cones and bowls.
A look at some of the detail around the room.
Stepping next door to the Penny Arcade.
Some of the machines from the arcade are still around but integrated into the displays.
All restored and looking/sounding great!
A look at the front display case.
The candy kitchen has been enlarged and there are several windows/stations now.
The small indoor seating area for Coke Corner is now gone and a place to sell more candy.
April 29 marked the end of Plaza Gardens as we know it. Walls are up and the transformation to the Princess Fantasy Faire has begun.
Speakers for Grad Night are up around the hub.
There is still a narrow walkway open to get to Fantasyland and for pictures of the Castle.
With Plaza Gardens gone they have moved the Performing Arts groups out to the Big Thunder Ranch as part of the Jamboree taking place in the Festival Arena. The Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree opened May 3.
It appears they have added some more covers to the area for shade.
A few tables with wood carving going on.
The set up is very much like the Family Fun Days. With a kids activity area in the middle.
The stage being readied for the next performance.
A couple of ODV carts. They received signage for the event.
Cowboy Mickey out for pictures.
Look familiar? The cows that used to be in the Bountiful Farm area and then backstage at DCA for the past couple of years have made their way to the Jamboree.
Cowgirl Minnie was also out roaming around.
Chip and Dale were running around causing trouble..
Another cow lurking in the bushes.
Chip and Dale caught Donald…
But he broke free eventually.
Time for the Cowboy Roundup. This happens twice a day over the weekend, high noon and 2:15pm this weekend.
Mickey and Minnie taking in the show.
Farley the Fiddler and Miss Chris host the round-up.
There are a set of dancers too.
Here is a video of the performance.
Big Al came out for pictures. Still great to see him in the park and listen to the fans.
Goofy was in the second wave of characters too.
The Irvington Wind Ensemble.
One of the tables set up for coloring.
Walked by the Matterhorn. All the scaffolding is down from the mountain as well as the station.
Some water has returned too.
Tomorrowland Terrace has new menu boards. I think the menu items are the same. (Laura’s note: Yes, the menu is the same, not even a price change.)
Hmm the seagulls flew away from the submarine lagoon??
Thought this was fun. A table set up with a puzzle as you walked through the stores on Main Street.
From the monorail here are some Matterhorn pictures as we circled Tomorrowland.
They were cycling some bobsleds this afternoon.
The back nose cone of Monorail Orange has a wrap. Guessing this is to help with the heat in there.
The shooting gallery in Frontierland is being worked on.
Looks like they were or are going to be working on one of the Fantasmic units in the river. They have the walls up. There was water in there, just a bit lower than the river level.
Some work going on in New Orleans Square making for some tight walkways.
The companion restroom in the Oasis is open, but nothing else going on.
Made a second pass through the Jamboree. Two more Country Bears out having fun. Here they were playing the drums.
Goofy joining the gang.
A choir performing.
Big Al was checking out the wood carving.
Elvis, Scot Bruce, was at the Tomorrowland Terrace and he had quite a few couples dancing there too.
Time for Magical (it premiered Friday night for the summer).
Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3, with updates from DCA and Downtown Disney. For additional photos and details from this trip you can check out the full Disneyland Update I posted on my site, http://disneygeek.com. I have also been Tweeting live pictures from the parks @disneygeekcom.
Thanks for the updates!