Daily Photo Tour - Finding the Right Pony

There's nothing that will bring back your childhood more than an old fashioned ride on a carousel! Okay, well, maybe for you it's Sponge Bob, Nancy Drew, or Mouse Trap, but for me it's riding a fake horse around and around listening to a syncopated melody that will inevitably by stuck in my head for the rest of the day. Yes it's true. I am a man who likes his carousel's. There is just something that is so nostalgic that it has the power to transport you to another era. Even the horse's themselves, stuck in an infinite rotation with gnarly expressions and a gallop frozen in time seem to create this fantasy world. One of the most interesting parts is finding that particular horse that suits you. You might adore a finely decorated pony, or you might prefer a more simple horse. Maybe you like the more visually calm looking horse, or maybe you like the ones that appear as if a turbine engine has been placed in front of its snout. Yes, you know what I'm talking about. Whatever it is, you have to find the right pony and stick with it! What is your favorite pony?

Daily Photo Tour - The Heart of Fantasyland

I've always enjoyed the ambiance of King Arthur's Carrousel. It's probably the music from the Carrousel that is really the heart of Fantasyland for me. It provides for such a rich atmosphere. I remember running around Fantasyland like a crazy little kid when I was a child. Makes sense right? It still seems to be the case today, and even with all the other youngsters as well!

Daily Photo Tour - A Noble Steed

I don't know if all the horses of King Arthur's Carrousel have names. I imagine they must with the amazing workmanship present in each one. This horse has a name, Jingles, after the beautiful jingle bells that adorn it. I've read that this was Walt's favorite horse and that really wouldn't surprise me. If I've learned anything about Walt's Park it's that he wouldn't settle for anything that wasn't beautifully detailed. If you look closely you'll notice nods to Mary Poppins. That's because this horse was dedicated to Julie Andrews back in 2008. Disneyland is not a museum, I know that. But I sure love the nostalgia.

Daily Photo Tour - Alone at the Carousel

Even with all of the energy of the overnight crowd from Disneyland's One More Day, there were still quiet moments to be found. It was an interesting, unusual contrast and I found myself drawn to the solitude of the carousel during interims between spinning its noble steeds. It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how wild and crazy things get at Disneyland, there's always a special moment waiting just around the bend.

Daily Photo Tour - The Golden Jester

This whimsical guy can be found on the King Arthur Carrousel, basking in its glow and innate charm. He made me think of the beautifully detailed architecture you might find in places like Italy or France. He reminds me just how refined Disneyland is. Sure Disneyland has cartoon characters and fantasy around every corner but it's also one of the most elegant places around. And it's filled with works of art.

Daily Photo Tour - In the Midst of Fantasy and Figment

It's always difficult to capture the regalness of Fantasyland. King Arthur's Carrousel stands out among the many attractions and for me is one of the crown jewels of Disneyland. This is a picture I would have never taken, or never would have thought to take. But as I stood in the middle of Fantasyland, adjacent to the Sword in the Stone, I looked up and saw something new, a new angle, a new perspective. Sometimes all it takes is a new angle on things to realize something new about yourself, someone else, or something new about your surroundings. The hardest part though is the willingness to bring yourself to understand that a new perspective actually exists.

Daily Photo Tour - The Final Turn Around the Carousel

The King Arthur Carrousel seems to be the heart of Fantasyland at night. The warm glow from the carousel illuminates the entire land and affects the kid within all of us. It's a magical time when Disneyland has closed, and you are left in Fantasyland with two of your best friends. Every land in the park has it's own kind of atmosphere during after hours. Fantasyland is no exception. Even though all the happy children that occupied the area have gone home to sleep, there is a sense of joy, excitement, and peace that resides in the land. This night, we walked into Fantasyland just as The King Arthur Carrousel was rounding it's final turn. I am very thankful for the moments the three of us get to have in the park, seemingly, by ourselves. It gives us the opportunity to capture scenes like this, where all that is left is an empty carousel, and a magical moment.

Daily Photo Tour - Drawing Near to Fantasy

The entrance to Fantasyland over the Sleeping Beauty Castle drawbridge is one of the most magical places at Disneyland. It's also one of the most difficult to find empty. No matter what time it is, there is someone there with a camera. That fact alone really speaks to the beauty of this place. Staying once again very late, well past the official closing time of Disneyland Park, I was able to stand in front of a vacant castle, an experience that definitely drew me near to fantasy.

Daily Photo Tour - King Arthur Carrousel

Once upon a dream, Walt Disney wanted a carousel in Disneyland. I imagine he wanted to pay homage to the Griffith Park Carousel, where he got his inspiration for the park. There are eighty-five wooden, antique horses in all, cared for by one cast member, whose sole employment is their maintenance. Seventy-two of these Canadian imports occupy the ride at a time. They used to vary in color, but were all changed to white because of its popularity. One of the horses was dedicated to Julie Andrews for her role as Mary Poppins and is designated with an "M". King Arthur Carrousel is a special ride, placed in the heart of Fantasyland, surely by no accident or lack of planning. It was one of those shots I knew we had to get.