Daily Photo Tour - A Jolly Holiday Soundsation

The only parade that has really stuck with me over the years is the Main Street Electrical Parade. I remember as a child being so awestruck by its beauty and wonder. I haven't felt the same about a parade since. So when I heard about the new parade I didn't pay much attention. I quickly learned that Kevin & Jody designed the floats for the parade, and being a big fan of their work was intrigued and excited. I had seen pictures of Mickey's Soundsational Parade online and knew it was going to be good, but I had no idea just how good . The design was clever and beautifully done. The musicians and chimney sweeps seemed like they were having way too much fun and it made it even more entertaining to watch. I absolutely loved it and will be making a point to see it again.

Daily Photo Tour - The Backside of Water

Here it is. The moment you've all been waiting for - the backside of water! What can be said about the eighth wonder of world? It's in the top ten. It's wet. Yep, that pretty much sums it up. For those of you that enjoyed this post my name is Matthew. And for those of you that didn't my name is not important.

Daily Photo Tour - Toontown Depot

I've always wondered why Disneyland didn't include some sort of thematic tunnel entrance during the transition into Toontown while riding the Disneyland Railroad. The station here seemed to catch my attention as the classic Southern California Golden rays shined through illuminating the trees.

Daily Photo Tour - Star Tours 2: Epic Return

To be completely honest, I've never been a fan of Star Tours. I was never able to ride it without becoming nauseous. I don't know if it was because nothing on the screen was in focus or what, but I avoided the ride like the plague. So when it came time for the revamp I was a little apathetic about the whole thing and had slight hope that I would be able to ride it once it was finished. Well, as luck would have it, we were walking by when they started a soft opening and we jumped at the opportunity. I won't give anything away, but I will say this, they did an amazing job with this ride and I actually enjoyed myself.

Daily Photo Tour - The Force Returns

Continue do the adventures on Star Tours. Enjoy it you will. That's how Yoda would say it if he guest blogged for us. Unfortunately, Master Yoda was too busy playing a pickup game of basketball to join us this evening. In all seriousness though, it is really good to see the Star Tours sign aglow again, balancing out the neon lights of Tomorrowland. The updated facade is gorgeous and definitely up to par with the new ride experience.

Daily Photo Tour - The Adventures Continue

Star Tours opens to the public on June 3, 2011. The three of us (Matt, Michaela, and I) had the awesome opportunity of riding Star Tours before it opens officially. Yes, we feel extremely lucky and blessed! As we were walking by, we noticed several excited guests in line. Oh yes, it was a soft opening. For those of you that don't visit the park often, don't have an annual pass, don't frequent websites such as Micechat.com , Mouseplanet.com , Laughingplace.com , Insidethemagic.net, chipandco.com, or any other Disney Website, or have completely fallen off the face of the Disney Social Network, then you haven't heard of what a soft opening is! A soft opening is when Disneyland decides to open a new attraction to the public before the opening date. They just open the floodgates and let em' swarm in! We were so lucky to have walked by during this time. They even let us ride with cameras tripods and all. "The Adventures Continue" is an understatement. I will not give away any secrets, but you are in for a ride of your life!

Daily Photo Tour - Captain's Quarters

With Pirates of the Caribbean - On Stranger Tides out in theaters and all manner of swashbuckling afoot, I was feeling overdue for a piratey picture. This amazing scene can be found in the Pieces of Eight shop outside the exit to Pirates of the Caribbean. I had glanced at it before, but never really looked to see just how elaborate this theming is atop the shelves of merchandise. With the lack of light inside the shop, I had to set up the tripod, which drew looks from far and wide. A cast member came up to me to find out what had so taken my interest. When I shared this with her, she was surprised and confessed she'd never noticed it before. I'm still working out whether that makes me obsessive or not. I'd love to crawl up there and snuggle in those fancy pillows with a mint julep to think it over.

Daily Photo Tour - Mickey's Fun Wheel

Mickey's Fun Wheel has become an icon for California Adventure. The light effects, and color schemes at night are one of the most impressive features on the Paradise Pier Boardwalk. The glow of the Mickey's Fun Wheel seems to light up the entire bay at times!

Daily Photo Tour - The Colors of Mary Blair

The first place we stop every time we enter the park is The Disney Gallery. The amazing work of all the incredibly talented artists featured in the Gallery are inspiring to say the least. This month they opened a new exhibit featuring artist Mary Blair. She was the first woman to be honored as a Disney Legend in 1991. Her art is very unique and truly exquisite. If you haven't already had the opportunity to see it, I strongly suggest you do!

Daily Photo Tour - Tron

Ever since I saw Tron, I have been wanting to get back to ElecTRONica and Flynn's Arcade. We finally made it over there this weekend and it couldn't have been more perfect. When we entered the arcade it was like a scene from a movie. I knew I wanted this shot, but wasn't sure how crowded the Tron game would be. The crowd in front of us slowly parted as we made our way to the back and I saw it. A young man standing by himself at Tron. I couldn't have asked for a better scenario. We really enjoy taking pictures without people in them, but sometimes you need them. The feeling and emotion of some images are lost if left vacant.

Daily Photo Tour - Sailing Ship Columbia - The Hull

I love shooting interesting angles at Disneyland. Somehow this composition jumped out at me. I love the Sailing Ship Columbia. It is such an amazing ship. The large hull of this ship always seems to blow me away.

Daily Photo Tour - The Disney Theater

If you've been to Disney California Adventure lately, you have seen a lot of changes happening. If you haven't, you may not recognize it when you do! The work progresses so fast that it makes us feel like we are never at the Disneyland Resort and we try to make it every other weekend or so. I think the change I am most looking forward to is the entrance with the Hyperion standing proudly behind the gates. The whole Buena Vista Street thing for me really ties the Hollywood Pictures Backlot together with the rest of the park. I rarely ever make it over that way and I know I'm not the only one. I truly believe the changes being made will change all that. The Disney Theater was recently remodeled from the former Playhouse Disney. I am really excited by the look and personally feel that Disney is really on the right track with California Adventure.

Daily Photo Tour - Don't Pet the Jaguar

One of my favorite pastimes at Disneyland is climbing Tarzan's Treehouse. There is just something so magical about being above the hustle and bustle of the park and being able to overlook everything. On one of our trips through the treehouse we stopped to say hello to the Jaguar. Kevin extended his hand to pet him and all of a sudden he let out a deafening growl. Kevin jumped back at least two feet and we all lost it and started busting up. When we finally calmed down we took a break off to the side. Not two minutes later a small group of foreign tourists came up the steps and stopped to visit the jaguar as well. We watched as one in the group extended their hand and as the jaguar growled the entire group leaped back. We all, group included, started busting up together. I treasure moments like these and I love how Disneyland has the ability to bring people together from all over.

Daily Photo Tour - Main Street Mail

Did you know that if you actually leave an addressed envelope in one of these nifty boxes that are located throughout Disneyland, that your letter will actually be picked up and sent by the Anaheim Post Office? Okay people, why are we not sending and receiving letters from Disneyland like every day? I challenge you to sit down and write a letter to someone you know. Someone who loves Disneyland! And then tell them you sent it from Disneyland and I bet it will make their day!

Daily Photo Tour - The Staring Contest

Have you ever found yourself in a staring contest with an inanimate figure, somehow making yourself believe you can win? I love these seagulls. They totally crack me up, echoing "Mine, mine, mine!" For some reason, the silly side of me feels the need to argue with them, "No, it's mine!" I'm not sure exactly what "it" is but I'm pretty sure these guys will take just about anything they can get. And of course I don't win the staring contest or the argument because they're not about to stop and I'm at Disneyland. There are rides to be ridden and pictures to be taken and memories to be made. If I spent all day entertaining people by staring and arguing with these seagulls, Disney would have to make me a cast member and put me on the payroll.

Daily Photo Tour - Guten Tag

Deep in the forests of Anaheim stands a majestic, snow capped mountain. It is said to be the home of a monster. A monster who eats climbers that feel the need to yodel from atop this mountain. So before you get any ideas of breaking out your lederhosen and warming up those vocal cords, make sure you are ready to become a snack or your name is Tinker Bell. She seems to have no trouble evading this monster of the Anaheim mountain.

Daily Photo Tour - Golden Winery

I noticed the golden light hitting the facade of the Wine Country Trattoria at the Golden Valley Winery. I stopped, found a nice composition and decided to take a few shots. I really wasn't getting the shot that I had seen in my mind. The problem was a sneaky little umbrella that kept finding its way into the frame. So, being the determined (and annoying) individual that I am, I asked a couple of the cast members if it was okay if I moved the umbrella a little to the right. They gave me some awkward glances without any vocal communicaiton, and moved the umbrella for me! You gotta love the patience of those cast memebers! They must think we are pretty crazy sometimes!

Daily Photo Tour - Lady Through the Thicket

I really enjoy the diversity you can find at Disneyland. This shot is of a simple enough subject, the Haunted Mansion FastPass queue, but it's easy to feel like you've stumbled onto a statue hidden in a Savannah woodland. There are so many worlds within worlds at the park, it's an adventure discovering what's next! I know black & white is not what we typically offer, but it seemed to fit this one rather well. Hope you enjoy!

Daily Photo Tour - A Spring Fantasy

How can you pass up Sleeping Beauty Castle in Spring? With the trees in bloom, the sun casting it's warm glow across the majestic castle and the clouds providing a beautiful fairytale backdrop, it's too perfect. And, of course, Walt and Mickey are peeking up to say hello. It's times like these that I remember just how much I love Disneyland.

Daily Photo Tour - The Temple Snakes

Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye is one of those rides where I don't mind waiting hours in line. The queue is such a story in itself, that leads up to the ride. Even in the boiling heat it's still great to be able to take the time to chat with friends in line, and take in the amazing atmosphere!

Daily Photo Tour - There's Always My Way

"Is this haunted room actually stretching? Or is it your imagination, hmm?" What suspense and build to having the pants scared off of you with a hanging body illuminated by lightning storming overhead. I love trying to get pictures inside the Haunted Mansion. It's such an amazing ride and getting halfway decent shots is such a challenge. Maybe that's what the ghost host should say, "I offer you this chilling challenge - to take a good picture!" Of course, there's always my way.

Daily Photo Tour - A Night of Fun

Getting evening shots of Mickey's Fun Wheel over Paradise Bay is not as easy as it once was. With the addition of World of Color, the area to get these shots has to be cleared pretty early in the evening, often before it gets dark. We were happy to remember that fact one night before the time changed to give us longer days. It seemed perfect too, as the clouds crept up from the coast to give that authentic beach boardwalk feel.

Daily Photo Tour - The Enchanted Neighborhood

"Deep in the Hundred Acre Wood where Christopher Robin plays, you'll find the enchanted neighborhood of Christoper's childhood days." If this song doesn't bring back your childhood memories, then you probably didn't grow up on Winnie the Pooh. But for those of you that did, I'm sure that this song is a nostalgic and recollective moment that seems to transport you back in time. For me, it most definitely is. I grew up with a "chubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff", that when wound up, played this song. I would go to sleep listening to it every night. And now, whenever it's played, I immediately fall into a narcoleptic slumber. Okay, not really, but it really does make me very very tired!

Daily Photo Tour - Steam Engine No. 5

From a child, I have loved tunnels. There was just something extraordinary about them. Traveling into the mysterious unknown gives you such a sense of freedom and I think that really fed the wonder and curiosity of childhood for me. This shot is one I have wanted to get for a long time, a train in the New Orleans Station at night, lighting the tunnel behind the Haunted Mansion. I sat at the station for a while on the night that I took this just enjoying the trains come and go, listening to the voice come through the speaker, "The Disneyland Limited now approaching..." The Disneyland Railroad is still one of my favorite parts of Disneyland. I love seeing it when I approach the entrance, walking under it through that magical tunnel to Main Street U.S.A., and riding it for a grand circle tour of Walt Disney's Original Magic Kingdom.

Daily Photo Tour - The Trattoria Tower

A Tuscan villa in the middle of Southern California? You bet! Disney has a wonderful way of bringing worlds together and making them flow seamlessly. As you sit on one of the lovely terraces of the Wine Country Trattoria, enjoying a fabulous dish with a Meditteranean influence, you can enjoy the sights and sounds of a classic beach boardwalk atmosphere without even thinking twice about how different the two are. I don't know about you, but I could totally go for a glass of California wine and some Tony Bennett while I wait for World of Color to begin.

Daily Photo Tour - Morning Runaway

Sometimes I forget that Big Thunder Mountain is a runaway mine train. And then I stand on the bridge gazing at the large banking turn. And then the screaming mine train comes barreling through. And then I remember at any moment it could come off it's track and hit me right in the face. But thankfully Disneyland makes tasty Churros.

Daily Photo Tour - Torches Light the Way to Adventure

Adventureland has to be my favorite land. Every time we come to the end of Main Street and it comes time to decide which land to go to first, my feet start to take me towards Adventureland before a thought even crosses my mind. I find that it inspires me most. Maybe that is why my feet are compelled to lead me there. I usually need a few moments just walking around looking before I start shooting. I find that it helps me "see" things more clearly and this is my perfect spot to do just that.

Walt Disney once said - "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."

May 3, 2010 was the day we embarked as "Disneyland Resort in HDR" and you'll find that date at the bottom of our E-Ticket sidebar. Over the past year, Kevin, Michaela and myself have been pursuing our dreams and you all have been kind and gracious enough to join us and support us. We cannot begin to express how much that means to us. It's truly a special thing to be able to share your dreams with others and have them encourage you. And while it's hard to believe that it's already been a year, it feels as though it's always been. I imagine that to mean we're headed in the right direction. It's the same way I feel about Michaela and about God. I can't seem to recall my life before their presence in it.

So instead of sharing a new picture tonight, I wanted to share something to commemorate our "birthday", if you will. This is a photo mosaic with every picture we have published in the last year, presented as the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle. I made it with a really neat program called AndreaMosaic that you should check out if you're into this sort of thing. I hope you enjoy it and we all hope that we have been a source of joy and inspiration to all of you the way you have to us. We have a lot more tours in store for this year and a few surprises!

Daily Photo Tour - City Hall

It's warming up in Southern California, and what better activity to do than head to Disneyland? I can't help to think that summer is on the way. I took this picture last summer during Disneyland's 55 Anniversary Celebration. It was very reminiscent of the opening day on July, 17th 1955; hot, humid, and I think I lost a sandal in the pavement. Did I mention that the water fountains weren't working either, but the bathrooms were in full operation! Okay, maybe it wasn't exactly like opening day, but it was definitely a lot of fun!

Daily Photo Tour - At the Helm

Do you ever get so immersed in the atmosphere at Disneyland that you forget these are just props? I guess that is a good sign that they are doing a great job. Its fun to watch all the people, children and grown-ups alike, grasp the wheel and start to steer. It reminds me of Pirates of the Caribbean, when Captain Jack says that what a ship really is, is freedom. We love freedom. We love the ability to stand at the helm of our lives and choose the course. What a blessing it is to live in a country where we have that ability, and where we can celebrate our creativity, courage and that freedom with a place like Disneyland. A big thank you to our courageous troops for making that possible, and for tracking down Osama Bin Laden, all these years later. It's hard to believe it's been nearly a decade since 9/11. The memory of it doesn't feel that far displaced; but today it feels like there is a little more closure.