Hello Dear Readers! Let’s get right into it with this week’s Pressing Matters; here are today’s topics: Checking out Knott’s Berry Farm & Snoopy’s Starlight Spectacular • Disneyland Hotel’s Koi take to their new digs at the Huntington Library • Walking With Dinosaurs • Alice? The Alice at FIDM • What’s new at D Street • Disneyland Alumni Club & the 55 Magical Years Celebration • Cheers and Boos Come In Twos
It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been to Knott’s Berry Farm. I’m not and never have been a big roller coaster fan so for me, Knott’s is always about Ghost Town and Camp Snoopy. But the last time I was there, the state of Ghost Town was awfully depressing and I didn’t want to go back. Those terrific old buildings I’ve loved since I was a wee kiddy looked so neglected and so bad that I thought if someone gave them one good shove or a good gust of wind came along, they’d fall to pieces. I didn’t like seeing that, so I never went back, until ... last Saturday when I was invited to spend the day at Knott’s to see what they’ve done with the place.
I have to say what I found was a pleasant surprise. Though I’m still not a coaster fan (and hate how they seem to be planted in the most incongruous spots throughout the park) and pretty much avoided all those rides during my visit, I found that Ghost Town lives again. Cedar Fair has really done a terrific job of sprucing up the old buildings and making them look alive again. All the old peek-ins look mighty fine too — The Chinese Laundry is open for business, the Boot Hill Undertaker is at the ready to supply you with a coffin, & Sad Eye Joe is still sittin’ in jail just waiting to talk to you.
I wandered over to the Calico Square area, which all day was abuzz with activity (lots of very popular country dancing during the day & Elvis in the evening), popped into the Calico Saloon for a sarsaparilla (mighty tasty), & took a turn on the Calico Mine Ride and the Log Ride. I have to say, it was all loads of fun.
It was later in the day though, that I had the best experience. It’s hard for me to believe so much time has flown by, but the Peanuts gang are 60 years old this year and Knott’s is celebrating with the Everyone Loves Snoopy Ice Show at the Charles M. Schulz Theatre & Snoopy’s Starlight Spectacular in Camp Snoopy. I’ll let Knott’s describe Everyone Loves Snoopy:
In this musical extravaganza you will fall in love with the Peanuts Gang all over again as Snoopy takes center stage along with world-class ice skaters in a show that will delight the entire family.
Me? I’d describe the show as good cheesy fun (that’s a compliment) and I can say I really enjoyed watching it. As fun as the ice show is, the thing I loved the best at Knott’s was over at Camp Snoopy. Once darkness descends Camp Snoopy takes on a whole new look with zillions of twinkling lights and catchy music of Snoopy’s Starlight Spectacular:
When darkness falls over Knott’s Berry Farm, Camp Snoopy will come alive with a continuous light show filled with Peanuts’ three dimensional figures, themed music, sound effects, voice-overs and colorful projections of the Peanuts’ characters.“Snoopy’s Starlight Spectacular” will run every evening the park is open after 8:00 p.m.
Sometimes simple pleasures are more enjoyable than overblown extravaganzas. And while Snoopy’s Starlight Spectacular can’t begin to compete with something like World of Color on the extravaganza level (let alone be compared to it), it sure falls into the simple pleasures category. What Snoopy’s Starlight Spectacular is, is pure, good, joyful, fun that every member of the family can enjoy without the planning-the-invasion-of-Normandy-type-stress one must currently endure to see World of Color (not to mention the fact that for the smaller kiddies, the World of Color viewing area in general, makes it hard for them to see the show).
At first glance, Snoopy’s Starlight Spectacular may seem like a bunch of Christmas lights strung up pulsating along to some catchy music, but a lot of thought went into the lights which are layered into Camp Snoopy in a way that makes it possible for everyone, no matter how big or how small, to take pleasure in the light show. Each area in Camp Snoopy has a different theme and my favorite displays were the UFO (Aliens watch as a UFO begins to spew smoke and rise up all the while firing off colorful lasers into the trees), Snoopy’s little camp (complete with campfire & tents & fireflies in the trees), and the Ferris wheel (gorgeous & colorful patterns constantly changing on the wheel).
When Andrew Strain, the lighting designer (who I was lucky enough to get to walk around with in Camp Snoopy), explained how much work went into the lighting effects and how difficult it was to illuminate the very old Ferris wheel (no electricity to plug into, amongst other factors), it made me appreciate the beautiful colors and changing patterns on the wheel all the more. A lot of thought went into the design of Snoopy’s Starlight Spectacular and it shows. The happy faces of all the kiddies (and adults) bopping around to the music and lights was enough to put a smile on anyone’s face ... but you also get to enjoy all those pretty lights. It’s all a little mesmerizing and in the end, Snoopy’s Starlight Spectacular has the effect of just making you happy.
For a more in-depth description of all Snoopy’s Starlight Spectacular has to offer, head on over to Motherhood Magic, where Sarah (who came along with me for the day), will give you her mommy’s-eye-view. For more information about Knott’s Berry Farm, including ticket prices (At $26.99 for adults, the after 4PM ticket is a bargain) & operating hours, visit: www.knotts.com or call: (714) 220-5200
Are you as sad as I am about the removal of the waterfalls & koi pond from the Disneyland Hotel? At least my heart was warmed to learn that the koi have found a new home at the Huntington Library in San Marino. The other day I received a text message from the Huntington letting me know that the koi were adjusting to their new digs just fine, and that pleased me no end. If the koi can’t live at the Disneyland Hotel any more at least they have a spectacular new home (and they all went there together) where I am quite sure they will be happy.
Want to see how the fishies were moved? The Huntington Library has photos for you:
Some new arrivals are making a splash at The Huntington this summer: More than 250 koi, a gift from Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. The donation came about when renovations at the Disneyland Hotel made it necessary to find a new permanent home for the colorful fish that lived in the Hotel’s koi pond. The Huntington, with a series of five lily ponds below the Jungle Garden, another pond in the Japanese Garden, and a lake in the Chinese Garden, had plenty of space to accommodate the whole outstanding collection. The transfer from Anaheim to San Marino was successful, and the new residents took to the water like—well—like fish to water. They were soon happily exploring their new environment and making the acquaintance of resident fish, ducks, and turtles, and lots of admiring visitors.
For more information about the Huntington Library visit: http://huntington.org/
This Saturday and Sunday The Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana (near Main Place Mall not far from Disneyland) is hosting a special Walking With Dinosaurs exhibit:
Walking with Dinosaurs DinoQuest, the world’s only interactive dinosaur exhibit gets a fresh start with a grand re-opening featuring Baby Triceratops and special presentations about dinosaurs. Hands-on activities include a Fossil Dig and learning stations on how fossils are made. Plus, brush up on your Dino IQ and be a contestant on Dino Jeopardy! Saturday, June 26 & Sunday, June 27
For more information visit this link.
The DVD is out, but if you still haven’t gotten your fill of Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland, head on over to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in LA to see the
Disney Alice in Wonderland Design Exhibition that runs from May 27, 2010 through September 30, 2010. The exhibition includes Colleen Atwood’s original costumes from the film as well as Alice–inspired clothing and products designed by a variety of celebrities, designers, and fashion icons, including Sue Wong, Tom Binns, Avril Lavigne, and FIDM Alumni. This free exhibition will be open to the public Tuesday – Saturday during the exhibition period from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. For more information visit this link.
From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 26th at D Street in Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort, the store will be hosting an art exhibit of new posters that I think are pretty cool (I’m particularly fond of the Evil Queen poster).
The best part about the art show is that it will have something for everyone – you’re sure to find something that’s right up your alley. As if seeing some of this great art wasn’t enough… Disney Underground artist Steven Daily has just signed on to do a special demonstration starting at 5 pm. For more information visit this link and/or www.DisneyDStreet.com.
Did you know there’s a Disneyland Alumni Club? Anyone who is or has ever been a cast member is eligible to join in on the fun:
Every five years the Disneyland Alumni Club recognizes a Disneyland milestone anniversary with a gala reunion paying tribute to the men and women who made magic for countless guests over the years at “The Happiest Place on Earth”. It’s a perfect time for reconnecting with old friends, meeting new ones, reminiscing, and making memories come to life. Happening Saturday, July 17, 2010, the Disneyland Alumni Club celebrates 55 magical years! To celebrate Walt’s great dream, the Disneyland Alumni Club invites you, your family, and your guests to attend their gala celebration, “55 Years of Music Magic!” in the Grand Ballroom of the Disneyland Hotel.
Joining us that night will be Disney Legend Richard Sherman of the Sherman Brothers songwriting duo; the JK Jazz Band; the popular Nocturnes surf band; Disney Legend Ron Logan, former executive vice president and executive producer for Walt Disney Entertainment, original Mouseketeers Tommy Cole and Sherry Albaroni—and that’s just for starters. Leading off the festivities will be Disney Legend Ron Dominguez, whose family actually owned the land on which Disneyland was built. Add Roy P. Disney; Disneyland veteran Coke Corner pianist Rod Miller; the Dapper Dans barbershop quartet; Billy Hill and the Hillbillies; Disney Legend and Imagineer X. Atencio, who wrote the songs for the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean; Don Dorsey who helped bring the fabled Main Street Electrical Parade to life, and the excitement just keeps growing.
For information about purchasing tickets ($95 per person — which includes dinner, parking, and entertainment, with the profit portion of the ticket donated to CHOC) visit: http://disneyland55.eventbrite.com/ If you need more information about the event call Jill Fletcher at: (775) 835-3431 or email her at: [email protected].
I’ve mentioned the All American Melodrama Theatre in Long Beach before but they’ve got something special coming up that merits another look. They’re about to celebrate their second-year anniversary of bringing old-time entertainment to their audiences:
The All American Melodrama Theater located in Long Beach's Shoreline Village will celebrate its second year of entertaining local families on June 27, 2010 with a performance that will feature free cake and ice cream for the audience. During the past two seasons, audiences have been encouraged to share in the Melodramatic fun as they cheer the hero, boo the villain, and sing along with theater's comedic characters. Owner and artistic director Ken Parks is a long Beach resident, who for the past fifteen years has worked with Knott's Berry Farm's Bird Cage Melodrama Theater and as a writer and show director for The Walt Disney Company.
For more information on The All American Melodrama Theater and Music Hall visit their website at: www.allamericanmelodrama.com or call: (562) 495 – 5900
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And that should do it for this week's... |
