Splash Mountain: From Laughing Place to the Bayou

Big news from Disney! Besides the fact that they are pushing back Disneyland’s scheduled reopening on July 17th (and honestly, they should also push back Walt Disney World’s looking at the numbers coming out of Florida). Splash Mountain is getting reimagined, going from its current Song of the South theme to a Princess and the Frog theme.


You can read about it on the Disney Parks Blog.


Usually, I’m one of those Disney fans who doesn’t like when they change things. I still am not over the fact they took out Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. And I would love to know who I have to blackmail to get the original Journey into Imagination ride restored.

(Splash Mountain in Walt Disney World)

But this change? I’m good with it.

A Plea

Here's a sad story:

Back in 1990, The Disneyland Story aired to celebrate Disneyland's 35th anniversary. Hosted by Harry Anderson (Night Court), the special went through the history of the California theme park. It was a great special that also highlighted what would come in the parks. My family taped the special and we would watch it often. 

Well, one day after several years with the tape (which also held The Care Bears Movie II and Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer), it got taped over. We lost Rainbow Brite and The Disneyland Story ( The Care Bears Movie II we were able to keep) and the family was sad. We knew it was lost to the ages and every so often, scenes from the show creep into my mind and I get sad again. 

A couple years ago, I was able to get Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealers on DVD--a treasured piece of my childhood returned after an excited friend called me to tell me where to get it. It gave me hope that I might be able to get some other treasured childhood pieces returned to me as well. So, I took to the internet to see if a copy of The Disneyland Story was available. I knew it was a long shot as it had been just a TV special and surprisingly, Disney had never hinted at releasing. But I held out hope--Disneyland had just celebrated its 50th anniversary. There could've been a chance that the old special was released as part of the celebration. No such luck. 

And now comes my plea--either for those who read this or for the people at Disney. If you know where I can obtain a copy, please tell me. And if there isn't a copy--Dear Disney, Release it. Please? 

Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams

In her latest weekend escape, Sam goes clear across the country to Los Angeles. She gets picked up by a helicopter at the airport and is given an air tour of LA. Complete of course with a glass of champagne. Not complete, however, with a Robin Leach voiceover. If helicopters didn’t give me the heebie-jeebies, I’d be jealous. This episode’s theme is “Get Sam into the movie business” apparently as she goes to take a class in stage fighting. She rocks the Rocky portion of the class and can hold her own with the Errol Flynn portion.

After a work out, she joins a bunch of people with lawn chairs and pillows…going into a cemetery. It’s Hollywood Forever, the resting place of many of Tinsel Town’s big names. Sam breaks down at Mel Blanc’s grave, mourning for the characters of our youth. But the reason everyone brought the chairs and pillows? They screen a movie on the back of a mausoleum. Now that is cool. I can’t see my sister complaining about us visiting a graveyard if there was a movie to be seen.

After the movie, Sam decides to take some lessons with fire throwers. She practices and reveals she used to work a mean baton. But in a major accomplishment, manages not to singe herself and safely makes it for drinks. It looks like she’s in a hotel bar, but it’s nice and quiet. She meets up with a fellow travel host who lives out in LA and they discuss the difference between the East and West Coasts. The friend comments how in LA, you can go to the local Starbucks and have a conversation with the barista. “You’d be shot in New York,” she says. Yes, yes, you would. And you’re lucky I don’t like coffee or else I’d be holding the gun.

You know what, I love the Surfing Rabbi. That congregation must be very popular. “My rabbi surfs! What does your rabbi do?” He gives Sam surfing instructions as “Hava Nagila” plays in the background. She wipes out a lot, but I’d daresay I would be any better. Nor am I surprised because I love her cruise specials and she didn’t take to the surfing machine on that either.

Two weeks ago I’d never heard of the Magic Castle. Now, it’s been on my television within the past two weeks—first Tyra sent the model-wannabes there to meet the judges, now Sam is getting a tour. She is introduced to a piano that plays itself and plays “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.” She goes to a few magic shows, even letting one use her ring for a trip. I hope it wasn’t her wedding band!

At the end, Sam travels back to the airport via helicopter. Actually, you know, I’ve sat in LA traffic. I think that may have been the smart way to travel.

Of course, I went to LA when I was five. My dad was working for ABC at the time and they sent him out to do some work in the LA bureau. So my mom booked the two of us tickets on a flight there and planned a trip to Disneyland. My mother loves to tell the story of all the businessmen who boarded the flight, took one look at me, and groaned. Who wants to be trapped on a five hour flight with a kindergartener? But I’ve always been the quiet child and I had homework to do—my Hickory Dickery Dock book wouldn’t fill itself, you know—so the suits kept coming up to make sure I was still on the flight. Unfortunately, I was victim to the pressure change that affects small children. The pain, I remember. The suits kept trying to help me as we landed.

In LA, we stayed in the Plaza Hotel and I knew we had made it. My mother still laughs at the sight of five-years-old me standing there, waiting for the doorman to open the door for me. We checked in, went to the room and I had no problem ordering room service as my mom caught a nap. I must say, I’ve always been the independent sort. The next day we drove to Anaheim, which in theory isn’t that far a drive. But we sat. And we sat. And we sat so long that by the time we checked into the Ramada (Type F on the Disneyland Chart), it was time to get back in the car to pick up my dad from work. “He can take the bus,” I told my mom.

We went and picked him up. Our Disneyland trip started! Naturally, I remember Disneyland more than I remember LA. Across the street from our hotel was Space Mountain, clearly visible from our room. It was also a memorable trip because I was finally 48 inches tall—I could finally go on the roller coasters! Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, the Matterhorn—here I come! It was such a great trip. I wish we could go back there someday. My sister was born the following September and has never been there.

Anyone up for a trip to Disneyland?