Daily Photo Tour - Waiting to Check In

It's late afternoon, check-in time at the Hollywood Tower Hotel, only there's no one at the front desk. In fact, there's no one else at all. It didn't hit you when you first walked in because all the usual signs were in place - a newspaper, an umbrella, several bags and a child's doll. Upon closer inspection, you find that these items have not been tended to in some time. You see, time has stood still in this lobby and from all appearances it doesn't seem it will be getting back into motion. That may be unusual in the hustle and bustle of today's world but it's not all that uncommon when you're waiting to check in to the Twilight Zone.

Daily Photo Tour - The Height of Elegance

Amazing artistic details can be found in the most unexpected places at Disney. This amazing advertisement for the Tip Top Club is right between The Hollywood Tower Hotel and a Bug's Land. Rumor has it that the Red Car Trolleys are just behind the doors. Rumor and the tracks running beneath it...

Daily Photo Tour - The Essence of Terror

I would normally go on about this attraction and how scary it is. It would be very commonplace for me to write about the complexity of the inner workings, and the visionary minds that have created such a monster. No, this time I am going to really dig deep.

What is the essence of terror? Well, I will tell you it is not a dramatically themed ride. Nor is it the feeling of your stomach in your throat as you plummet towards the earth faster then the acceleration of gravity. And it definitely isn't the screams of Jr. Higher's hopped up on Starbucks that can be heard all the way from the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure. No, no. The essence of terror is something much more illusive. It's that feeling you get right before you take a test. It's the first day on the new job. It's the second you hear those three life changing words... "I love you", or even scarier... "I am pregnant." It's the moments before a big interview, it's the seconds before a kiss. It's the day before the wedding. It's the day of the wedding!

Most of these things aren't terrifying at all. In fact, some of them are wonderful amazing moments in life. The terrorizing part is the what if? It's that gap between the known and the unknown. Failure is not an option! Follow your dreams! Find that passion that drives you. You have to step out and look over the cliff, imagine what it will be like to jump head first into it all. Soon, you'll realize following your dreams is nothing like falling off a cliff at all. In fact, it's much more like rappelling down the side of the mountain with your best friends. The only real terrorizing part is actually never following your dreams at all.

Daily Photo Tour - Farewell Flynn's

Last night was the last night for Flynn's Arcade at Disney California Adventure. I don't often espouse my opinion on such things but I truly wish Flynn's Arcade was sticking around. The awesome factor of this place is off the charts. For me it's one of the rare cases I feel immersed as soon as I walk in. What might be a faux movie set to some quickly becomes reality. Admittedly, I am a Tron fan and I understand it's not everyone's cup of tea. The nostalgia of the games themselves, however, seems like it ought to be enough to warrant the space Flynn's occupies. Perhaps I'm complaining prematurely; maybe there's some grand scheme for Flynn's to be reborn in another part of the Disneyland Resort. That would certainly make this present, rambling complaint null and void. I fear that's likely not the case though. If you share my opinion, I bid you come bask with me in the warm neon glow, as we say adieu. Farewell Flynn's.

Daily Photo Tour - Waiting for Terror

I imagine if I had a workbench it would look something like this. I wish. I'm starting to grow an affinity for classic antiquities. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's my fascination with the past, and the era's of history that have faded away. It's meticulous queues like this that leave me in a daze holding the line back a good thirty feet. Yeah, you know what I'm talking about. That one guy that doesn't move because he isn't paying any attention at all to the people in front of him. Well, it's nice to meet you, I'm that guy. I'll be holding the line up and not moving the thirty feet because I'm going to enjoy the dedication and research that was put into the experience of this queue. It's not always about the destination, but the journey that gets you there. It's true. Plus, thirty feet isn't going to get anyone any closer on to The Tower of Terror. I promise. Okay, goodnight all, my rant is finished.

Daily Photo Tour - Walt Disney Has Gone Hollywood

Hollywood is a place where movies are made and dreams are chased. When Walt Disney came to California he felt that it was too late to get into animation and was intimidated by the larger production companies that were already so commonplace. Could you believe it if Walt Disney never persisted? If he never pushed for his dream? I honestly can't. Walt Disney wasn't the only one. There have been many corporation's that fell into their niche after it had already been established. Apple was late in the mp3 player market, Facebook wasn't the first in the social networking boom, and Google wasn't the first search engine website. If you have an idea, it must come from some place right? It must be some culmination of creativity and thought processes that wants to manifest itself in a physical form. So why should we say no just because someone else has already done it? We shouldn't. Follow your heart, follow your dreams. Amazing, big, crazy things can happen.

Daily Photo Tour - Welcome to the Hollywood Tower Hotel

After a short hiatus, we finally made it back to the park this last Saturday. I think the boys would agree with me when I say it was by far one of our best trips yet. The morning started off with a little rain, but shortly after we arrived, the rain cleared and the sun made it's way through the clouds. It created a beautiful backdrop for just about every picture we took. We began our day at DCA with a glimpse of Cars Land, which looks even better than I imagined it would, and quickly headed to the pier for some shooting. It was mid-afternoon when we finally made our way over to Disneyland. What really made our day was the opportunity we had to meet some new people and catch up with some of our good friends that work in the park. The more we do this, the greater our appreciation for this amazing place and the incredible people behind it grows. They do so much to make you feel welcome and a part of something special. The one thing that I continue to take away from our experiences, are the conversations we have with people we would have never met outside of this common interest. I feel overwhelming blessed and am continually grateful. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Daily Photo Tour - Change the Speed, Alter the Mood

A new year has begun and it's time to change the speed and alter the mood. We spent most of the holiday season posting pictures from Disneyland. It seemed appropriate to showcase Disney California Adventure today, especially since 2012 is going to be such a big year for DCA. I couldn't think of a better way to energize things than stopping off at ElecTRONica to share a glimpse of an amazing light cycle. Doesn't it feel great to have that fresh start atmosphere? I'm loving it and hope you are too. I'm really excited and hopeful for this year and all that it has in store. From a Tours Departing Daily standpoint, we have a ton of ideas to make 2012 our biggest and best year yet. We may even have some big news to share with you along the way.

Daily Photo Tour - Flynn's Arcade

I love Flynn's Arcade. Even though I don't get over there often, the nostalgia of it always brings warm feelings. It reminds me of going to arcades as a kid, the high pitched synthesized sounds, the flashing lights, the feeling of adventure and, of course, getting change for whatever bill you were able to bum from your parents. The sound of the tokens crashing into the metal tray is a symphony all on its own. Flynn's is the embodiment of the perfect arcade and it begs the question - what experience can't you find at Disney?

Daily Photo Tour - Terror at Twilight

As you approach The Hollywood Tower Hotel, you can hear faint screams of riders from the top of the tower. I've always thought there was something very unsettling about this. When you enter the outside queue the music makes you realize you are in another time, a much older, simpler time perhaps. Things begin to change even more as you enter this enormous hotel. You never thought it was possible to have creepier cast members than those of The Haunted Mansion, but they do exist. They seem to reside as bellhops here at the Hollywood Tower Hotel. You enter the belly of the beast and step into the maintenance portion of the building. There is no turning back now. The tension rises even more as you begin to be herded into your “maintenance elevator.” As with all Disney attractions suddenly, you become a number, but this number is just a little creepier. When the anticipation for an attraction is so much that it leaves you frightened to your core, you know you are in for a great ride. As you finally sit down and the ride begins, everything that you have experienced in the queue has had a purpose and a meaning. That is, to bring you to the point of pure terror. But you have nothing to worry about right? You’re only in another dimension. (Insert evil laughter here)

Equipment and Such

Another piece of content we'll be adding that you might look forward to is a page that lists our equipment. We get questioned quite a lot as to what cameras and lenses we use, so we figured it might be a good idea just to have a spot for that sort of thing.

Daily Photo Tour - The Vintage Hollywood Tower Hotel

It seems like forever since we've been to the Hollywood Tower Hotel. I shouldn't complain though, because it's my fault. I chicken out on the crew for this one. I love roller coasters of all shapes and size, but when it comes to dropping straight down, my stomach is not a fan. Couple that with the fact that this ride is themed so well for the creepy factor and you'll find me suggesting other activities. I have ridden it several times and had fun, so don't be too mislead. And I love taking pictures of it. I just need proper motivation and encouragement. Art deco anything is something you will find me staring at and drooling over for hours. That's partly why I decided to take this one the vintage sepia/black & white direction. It felt right for the Art Deco era and I really wanted this to be reminiscent of a vintage postcard.

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 - 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 - Ursula's Grotto

Exploring is one thing, finding an area of California Adventure that I never knew existed, that just means I have failed as an obsessive, compulsive, Disney-a-holic! But seriously, as the three of us dived down into the Sorcerer's Workshop, we entered a world of some super detailed interactive attractions! Ursula's Grotto is one of three interactive realms where guests can create one of a kind memories with their families and friends. If you haven't checked out this area of The Hollywood Pictures Backlot, I suggest you do. It is one of the hidden gems in California Adventure.

Daily Photo Tour - End of the Line at Electronica

It's not very easy dancing with a tripod but I couldn't help it. ElecTRONica is definitely a lot of fun and I have to admit that I much prefer it to Glow Fest. Flynn's Arcade is amazing and the way Disney went all out to theme this party is awesome. It's definitely a multifaceted experience that is well worth the time.

Daily Photo Tour - You've Entered... The Twilight Zone

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror dominates the skyline of the Disneyland Resort. Night or day it coerces attention, but night is when it really shines. With its black light glow and flickering Hollywood Tower Hotel sign, it conspicuously forebodes a disquieting fifth dimension experience. The evening I took this picture, ghostly clouds gathered in the subsequent sky. It was perfect. This is one of the many pictures I took. I invite you, if you dare, to step aboard.

Daily Photo Tour - The Backlot Stage Props

I don't make my way back to the Hollywood Picture Backlot all that often, but I always enjoy it when I do. To find these really cool props, you have to make your way to the side of the Backlot opposite the Hollywood Tower Hotel. It's usually pretty tranquil in this area, and there's some nice shade, which add up to make it a great place to take a break. That's exactly what I was doing when I saw this shot.

Daily Photo Tour - The Beast's Library

I remember the first time I saw Beauty and the Beast. I was 5, and I was with my Aunt Ellen. I don't know why but for some reason seeing this movie sticks out in my mind. I specifically remember the opening shot in the forest peering through the trees into the castle. For some reason this is ingrained into my mind. There must be something subliminally stuck in my brain about this movie. After many years, during Halloween in the 3rd grade, I decided to be the beast. I couldn't have been more excited. Although, a little embarrassing now that I look back on it, it was one of my better kid costumes. The Beast's Library is located in the Disney Animation building in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot at California Adventure. I did not know this. You have to walk down to the Sorcerer's Workshop, a handicap looking walkway that dives below the floor. When I first entered the room, I literally felt like I was immersed in the movie. It was pretty surreal. If you look closely, you can see on the mantle that they even have the rose. Pretty authentic in my opinion.

Daily Photo Tour - Lanterns of Alchemy

The many lights of this first room of the Sorcerer's Workshop serve to illuminate the creative process. In this enchanted room, you can create your very own cartoons, brought to life by being placed in spinning cylinders. There are plenty of Disney characters to be found around, no matter which direction you look, providing inspiration from imaginations past. So grab a piece of paper and a pencil and start sketching. Let your imagination be your guide and your cartoon may well be the fairest one of all.

Daily Photo Tour - Hollywood Tower Hotel

Hollywood Tower Hotel has got to be one of the most thrilling rides Disney has to offer. Although I have never been fond of rides that thrust you upwards only to have you plummet to the ground, this one is an exception. Maybe it's that it feels more controlled, or perhaps it's that the visual effects and ambiance are so intoxicating you almost forget you're about to lose your stomach. Whatever the reason, it is in a class of its own.