News from the frontlines...

 
My wife last night asked me what some of my earliest memories of Disneyland were. My earliest is around 1980 going to Disneyland with my mom, dad and brother. He was probably just over a year old at that time. I have specific memories of Captain Hook's ship with the Chicken of Sea restaurant, seeing the front of Country Bear Jamboree with either a C or D ticket sign posted at the entrance. It may have been that trip that I took my first spin on Space Mtn, though that may have come later since I probably wasn't yet tall enough. I remember also going up to one of the rides in Fantasyland, I think it was Mr. Toad's, and seeing the track and the cars go by. This was back when Fantasyland still had the circus theme to it all.

I remember a couple years later going just after the new Fantasyland opened and seeing that Alice in Wonderland would not reopen until 1984. That was an exciting trip since my brother and I had worn out our video recording of "Believe You Can..And You Can," the promotional tv special for the new Fantasyland.

A couple years later I recall going to Disneyland for a few hours with my mother. This was when you could buy just a general admission ticket without getting ride tickets. They would use a button to attach your passport to your shirt. The day we went was during the infamous Disneyland strike in 1984. I vaguely recall some guy telling my mom not to take me into such a "horrible" place. We just walked past and went in. We probably went to some of the free rides like Adventure Thru Inner Space and stuff. Later in the day we went to a relatives house and I remember my mom telling her cousin about the experience. Just then, Jerry Dunphy came on the news talking about the strike. Most of it seemed to just go over my head, but I could tell something was wrong about it all. It was either later that year or the next that we got annual passes to the park.

Good memories. I can't wait for the day to take my children there for their first few visits. Of course, they'll be spoiled with multiple AP visits from a young age which didn't start for me until I was 8.

posted by M at 10:23 AM

 
Do yourself a big favor and go see Fahrenheit 9/11. I saw it last night and was thoroughly moved by it. Go see it and draw your own conclusions. Here a few responses sent in today 6/26/04 to michaelmoore.com regarding the film.

Hollywood:
"We just came back from the ARCLIGHT in Hollywood and the reception was fantastic! I even got my republican father a ticket to see the movie in Orange County. Needless to say after he saw the movie he now plans to vote against the Bush. He has voted Republican since Nixon."--R.S.

Lafayette:
Fahrenheit sold out in advance with people lining up an hour and a half in advance to get good seats. Nearby theaters were apparantly also all sold out. "The applause during the film and afterwards warranted the 95 minute wait to get in the door. Bravo. This is the most patriotic film I have ever seen." --A.G.

Oakland:
"'Just wanted to say that we went to the showing this afternoon at the Grand Lake Theater, and it was sold out. The line stretched for blocks and, thankfully, some of the media were there to see it. It give me shivers, and it gives me hope. We do not usually choose to stand in lines, but we did for this one, and it was well worth it. The line outside the theater, just as the movie, contained people of all ages, colors, and income groups. The line was probably, sadly, lacking in Republicans, but maybe that will change. We thought about having a campaign, "Buy a Republican a ticket." Perhaps the young people are a major key - one young man told us he was buying tickets for both his parents, a Democrat and a Republican."--K.M.

Orange County:
"It seemed like an endless line of people exited the theater. Finally the staff of the theater went in to clean up. I stood by the door waiting to get in. It was around 6:00 PM and the movie was not set to start until 7:15. By 6:30, there was a huge line to get into the theater. I was amazed. This was the most crowded movie at this Orange county movie theater; for a Friday night that says a lot. When it was time to enter the theater, I made my way to the seat which would remain mine for the next 2 or so hours. Luckily I was in front of the line, so I was able to pick a good seat. A guy and his wife/girlfriend (?) sat next to me and we spent the next 20 minutes talking. During this time, every seat in the house was being filled up. Just then, the manager of the theater comes in to say that he opened up another theater. By 7:00 both theaters were full; even people in the very front where people usually don’t sit. Once the move started I was glued to the screen; I didn’t miss a single scene. The audience laughed, cried, clapped as the movie continued. When the movie finished, there was applause for about 2-3 minutes before people started leaving the theater. I have been to so many movies in my life and have never been to any film that was this crowded with so many enthusiastic viewers. I have also never heard such a loud and heartfelt applause at any movie theater." --B.D.

La Jolla:
"All shows sold out; we went to the 7 pm showing and the line was around the theater, which was the reported case for all show times that day. It's so refreshing to see so many beacons of light in this republican corner of the country."--K.K.

San Francisco:
"I found myself in my car driving home, tears uncontrollably rolling down my face. I am 40 years old, own two companies and teach part-time at a high school. I have a post graduate degree and have been a fairly educated liberal all my life. Tonight I saw nothing many things I already knew, yet how you shared your thoughts and ideas will effect me for the rest of my life. I am deeply saddened by all of this, but yet thankful for all that you have done. So many American and Iraqi lives have been given, all in the name of greed."--M.P.G.

Camarillo:
"The line for the next show when we came out went around the theatre. It was amazing. People clapped and responded to the film in unison, they cried and uttered many exclamations as the film's argument kept building. It was like each time we had just begun to digest one point, the film took the issue to even a higher level, and people were visibly CRUSHED by the end of the film. Three theatres are showing the film in our area. Shows are filled to capacity at all three."--C.H.

Fresno:
"I'm in the middle of studying for the bar exam but there was no way in hell I was missing opening day. I went to a 4pm show at one theater only to find a line wrapped about the the building and into the parking lot. Hauled ass all the way across town and made it to another showing - full house, standing ovation. Fresno, CA is LOVING this film!"--P.C.

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posted by M at 9:48 PM

 
MSN Money - US:DIS Recent Stock News: Investing

Well here you have it. $9.2 million is a few bucks short of a blockbuster. In fact, that is an outright bomb for a picture that cost approximately $100 million to produce. This is following close on the heals of Home on the Range and Hildago, which both cost close to the same amount. 3 expensive failures and we are only in April?! You wonder what would happen to the head of any other studio in Hollywood with 3 duds-in-a-row.

Meanwhile, back in the Park: Come ride Big Thunder, if you dare. Come pet an animal in the "new" Big Thunder Ranch, just a shadow of it's former self. Come enjoy the huge Easter crowds while you pay only $49.75 to get in!
posted by M at 8:18 PM