Jack Spence

Mr. Toad and the Haunted Mansion

March 7, 2009 by Jack Spence

After publishing my Everest Shrine and Cool Wash blogs, I received a number of requests for similar bits of information. It seems you all love this type of Disney trivia. I’m not sure I can deliver, but I’ll do my best. This next item isn’t so much a “hidden but obvious” detail. It’s just sort … Continue reading "Mr. Toad and the Haunted Mansion"

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Disneyland Paris – Fantasyland — Part 1 — Castle Courtyard and Carousel

March 6, 2009 by Jack Spence

When I visit a Disney park, it’s not always necessary for me to ride on an attraction. Sometimes, simply being immersed in the wonderful atmosphere is pleasure enough. And for me, Fantasyland at Disneyland Paris is near the top of the list when it comes to ambiance. It is truly a magical place that allows … Continue reading "Disneyland Paris – Fantasyland — Part 1 — Castle Courtyard and Carousel"

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Disneyland Paris – Adventureland — Part 3 — Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Caribbean

March 3, 2009 by Jack Spence

In the furthest reaches of Adventureland, intrepid explores can discover “Indiana Jones et le Temple du PÃ©ril.” Here you’ll find an abandoned temple decaying in the jungle. As you near the temple, a stone lion can be seen guarding the entrance. Continuing further into the underbrush, you pass the base camp used by the archeologists … Continue reading "Disneyland Paris – Adventureland — Part 3 — Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Caribbean"

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Downtown Disney Stage

March 2, 2009 by Jack Spence

The other day I received a comment from someone telling me that they had recently eaten at Wolfgang Puck Express at Downtown Disney. After reading their positive review, I thought to myself, “I haven’t eaten there in a long time.” So today, that was my destination for lunch. When I arrived at the parking lot, … Continue reading "Downtown Disney Stage"

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Disneyland Paris – Adventureland — Part 2 — Adventure Isle

February 28, 2009 by Jack Spence

Disneyland Paris does not have a Tom Sawyer Island. It was decided that most Europeans were not familiar enough with Mark Twain’s writings to design an entire attraction around his stories. Instead, the Imagineers came up with Adventure Isle. Here, pirates and castaways are used as a backdrop for this colorful environment. This is a … Continue reading "Disneyland Paris – Adventureland — Part 2 — Adventure Isle"

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Cool Wash — Epcot

February 27, 2009 by Jack Spence

I recently wrote about the Everest Shrine at the Animal Kingdom. In it, I pointed out how the shrine is the same shape as the mountains in the background. I thought everyone was aware of this little bit of trivia, but I found that many of you had no idea and were happy that I … Continue reading "Cool Wash — Epcot"

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Disneyland Paris – Adventureland — Part 1 — General Area

February 25, 2009 by Jack Spence

Just like Frontierland, Adventureland is set back from The Hub. Because of this, it is much less intrusive in this otherwise Victorian area. I’ve also mentioned that the transition between lands is remarkably seamless at Disneyland Paris. Here is a picture taken from Fantasyland, looking through a portal to Adventureland. If you study the photo … Continue reading "Disneyland Paris – Adventureland — Part 1 — General Area"

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Caribbean Beach Resort — Pirate Room

February 24, 2009 by Jack Spence

I recently spent the night at the Caribbean Beach Resort in one of the new pirate themed rooms. In this blog, I’ll be discussing the overall resort and describe this new experience in Disney accommodations. When Michael Eisner was hired by shareholders Sid Bass and Roy E. Disney in 1984, he was given the directive … Continue reading "Caribbean Beach Resort — Pirate Room"

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Everest Temple

February 22, 2009 by Jack Spence

This is a blog that almost didn’t happen. I made an assumption (I know, a dumb thing to do), that what was obvious to me was obvious to everyone else. But when I would mention this upcoming fact to others, they had no idea what I was talking about. So I finally realized that I … Continue reading "Everest Temple"

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Disneyland Paris – Frontierland — Part 4 — Phantom Manor

February 21, 2009 by Jack Spence

Phantom Manor is Disneyland Paris’ version of the Haunted Mansion. It is neither better than nor inferior to its cousins around the world. It’s simply different. And these differences make it very intriguing for those of us familiar with the original version. Phantom Manor has a more complete storyline than the Haunted Mansion. It goes … Continue reading "Disneyland Paris – Frontierland — Part 4 — Phantom Manor"

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