Down the Street, Around the Corner: Knott's Merry Farm

Happy Friday, Everyone!

I hope you all are having a happy holiday season. Today, I'm going to give you a little pictorial of my recent trip to Knott's Berry Farm (Merry for the Holidays). My mother and I took my aunt's three children as a birthday present for the youngest, Olivia.  So, be aware, I was kind of limited in the coverage I got, but I hope you'll find something helpful in here nonetheless.

Here we are! The children are on loan, courtesy of Erika Alvarado...and it's her birthday today.  Happy Birthday, Auntie!

Camp Snoopy had some cute as heck decorations.  I'm already kind of heavy on Peanuts decorations at home, but I'd still grab these if I could!

We loved these little vignettes in Camp Snoopy.

Now, Knott's uses its Ghost Town area for the bulk of its "Merry Farm" stuff. It gives, yet another interesting take on Christmas' development anthropologically, when you put it alongside Main Street and Buena Vista Street in Disneyland and DCA. But in the area here, they have a lot of local artist type knick knacks and activities.  My cousin, Reuben, is not a fan of rides, so while I took the girls on a couple of things, my mom took him to look in the shops and he got to hand dip some candles, which thoroughly pleased him. So, you can definitely find things to do depending on your family's needs and chicken-levels.

This is the original Bottle House, which you might recognize from the queue of Radiator Springs Racers.  That structure is a tribute to this one.

The Calico Mine Train is pretty fun. Longer than I thought. It's sort of a good, old school, Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland kind of attraction.  But, if you're claustrophobic, you might want to skip it. Also, get comfy with your neighbors, no seatbelts, so while you're going uphill a little, you slide RIGHT into the people next to you.  Olivia did NOT appreciate that.

The Christmas show in Campy Snoopy was a great little treat.  I wonder how much latitude the Entertainment people get because it seemed they thoroughly dove into the original Schulz comics to get jokes.  As kind of a die hard Peanuts fan, I appreciated that.

Over in the graveyard (because of course the kids were morbidly fascinated), we came upon this one grave, which gave "good luck" to those who stood on the grave and felt a heartbeat.

This good luck better work!

The highlight of the trip was the "Merry Christmas, Snoopy!" Ice Show. Again, Entertainment here just knocked it out of the park.

The stage didn't seem all that big, but man, did they make use of it!

A LOT of costume changes.

This was a gorgeous little "Old Fashioned Christmas" section.  It was surprising, but really nice.
Bring tissue.

Snoopy got jazzy, but didn't try too hard to be hip.

Santa...?

No! Snoopy Claus and his reindeer!

Dogs CAN fly!

I love this move, and I didn't think they had the space to do it.

An interesting note, at one point, Linus came center stage and recited his original explanation of the meaning of Christmas, pulled from the Bible, as he does in the 1965 special "A Charlie Brown Christmas".  The poignant moment was met with thunderous applause from the crowd.

It was ridiculously moving.  Great job, Knott's Entertainment.

One thing I'd like to note, the attractions don't have wait times listed.  I literally took the girls into the same attraction line twice because we misjudged how long the line was, and we had to bail to see the Camp Snoopy show.  What I can really say about Knott's, in a less positive way, is that it functions so much more like a regional amusement park than Disney.  It didn't feel as organized at all. And it's a real shame because it does a good job in spots of reminding you of the park's roots.

Perhaps in the new year, I'll need to take a solo trip to get a little bit of a better look. Does that sound like a good idea?

Well, that about does it. I'll have at least two great posts in the next week to accompany you on your holiday chores and shopping. Be safe, and have a good weekend!

Whale of a Tale....Happenin' Down the Street Around the Corner

Hello, readers!

I had other plans, but I think I ought to start a new post for you all with a whole tale. It was intended to be just a "Down the Street Around the Corner" to Walt's Barn in Griffith Park, but the more I thought about it, the more I think this is a story to be shared, hence the half title "Whale of a Tale".

These Disney puns for blog titles working for anybody?

Alright, it's best to begin at the beginning.  Or at least half way through.

In 2013, I met the Disney Legend Marty Sklar at the D23 Expo.  To those who might not know, Marty Sklar is the International Ambassador for Walt Disney Imagineering, having started by writing a Disneyland newspaper, and coming to the company full time upon graduation from UCLA in 1956. He has been a major figure in the Disney theme parks for decades. Anyway, I met him when he did signings of his first book, "Dream It! Do It!: My Half-Century Creating Disney's Magic Kingdoms". As is often the case with the grand old men and women of the Walt era, he was kindly and personable as he autographed my copy. I took it home and eventually read it.

To my surprise, I found out, through the book, his father, Leon Sklar, was a teacher, and actually taught and was principal of Banning High School, the closest high school to my home, and the school many of my family members went to (my grandmother and her siblings certainly). When I told my family this, my grandmother said the name Sklar had sounded familiar.

As one does, we mentioned this story to my Uncle Manuel. For a little more background, my grandmother is the 8th of 13 children.  Uncle Manuel is the 9th sibling.  Not only did he remember Mr. Leon Sklar, but Mr. Sklar was a mentor to him and quite formative in his education.

(And if you think the possibility of Mr. Feeny of Boy Meets World going from middle school to high school with his students isn't believable....Mr. Sklar went from Wilmington Junior High to Banning with my grandmother and her siblings of that age. Yet another funny little Disney connection in an unlikely place.)

When the 2015 D23 Expo rolled around, my mother and I decided to take these memories and deliver them TO Marty Sklar.  We wrote these remembrances down (well, Mom did; her handwriting is pretty as heck) and at an autograph session, we explained the situation to Marty. He was quite touched by the whole story.

With the letter, we also enclosed a picture of my grandmother and uncle at Ariel's Grotto in Disney California Adventure, to more adequately put a face to a name, along with my mother's business card, just in case.

My mother and myself with Marty after
presenting him with the letter regarding his father.

It proved to be a smart move.  A few weeks later, my mother received a letter at work - from Marty Sklar.  It was addressed to my grandmother and great-uncle, thanking them for their memories of his father.  To those who don't know, the Sklars are a very learned family.  In fact, Marty called himself the Black Sheep of the family, being the only member (including his daughter) who isn't in academia.

Well, Sir, I beg to differ.  He has taught a generation of Imagineers how to bring magic to millions of people all over the world. And, as a retiree, he teaches us the history of how all that happened.  Now, if you're reading a Disney blog, you're obviously already a fan, so I don't need to convince you.  But, to those who don't think Disney is important...then I ask why it has survived? Because it's meaningful...and anything meaningful has something to say, to teach.  Marty Sklar has and continues to do his part in teaching us all through theme park experiences.

What does this all have to do with Sunday at Walt's Barn? Well, we finally had an opportunity for my uncle and grandmother to meet Marty.  Up to this point, only my mother and I had met Marty.

It was actually a really nice day, weather-wise. I don't know that I have much more to say, I feel the pictures truly to speak 1,000 words and more as to the kind of moment, the kind of connection this was for all three.  Marty, my Uncle, and my Grandmother.

I can report Marty did say how emotional this moment made him, and I can imagine so. My family, as his seems to be, is very close, and to have someone you love brought back to you in such a way.... The Chinese believe that people are connected by an invisible thread, no matter how far apart they are physically.  The thread Leon Sklar left his son, Marty, and to my Uncle Manny, met again on Sunday in the shadow of Walt Disney's Barn. It's the kind of story I believe Walt would have liked.

The Golden moment my Uncle and Mr. Sklar finally meet.

Now, since we were here to see Marty, I don't have much to report on the Barn just yet.  I plan to come back on another one of the Sundays it's open to get a better look. (Also, my camera was not cooperating with me. Frustration and heat are a bad mix.)

Marty signed his own autograph next to his father's in my Uncle's  yearbook.
Two autographs 50 years apart from one family. 

It was, still, such an important experience to see and go into the barn.  It really anchors you to the man behind the empire.  Just a guy, like any other man of his time, with a hobby.  One of the things that continues to cement his legacy is the fact that Walt was just an ordinary man, who did extraordinary things.  Exhibits like Walt's Barn are wonderful examples.  I hope non-Disney geeks also take the time to see the Barn and all its treasures, including artifacts from Disney artists Ollie Johnston and Ward Kimball.  It really causes my heart to swell, to see the fun and hobby activities that enabled these fine men to do the incredible work they did.

Here are a few pictures, as I said, just for a taste.  I will certainly be coming back for another experience at Walt's Barn, located in Griffith Park.


OK, so in the next couple of weeks, I'll be posting a review of Pete's Dragon (finally!) and a nice little tribute to the 60th.

The Barn itself.  Breathe it in.

Walt's own railroad coveralls.

Everyone have a great week, and remember to #SavetheTower!

This is actually from Ollie Johnston's backyard railroad. 

Down the Street, Around the Corner to....WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER at Universal Studios

In a way, this is a new "series" called "Down the street around the corner".  These blog posts are going to cover things that aren't directly Disneyland (or even Disney.  Scandalous, I know) but are also places and activities to enjoy in the Southern California area (and perhaps beyond).

And let's just start off with a bang....I went to Universal Studios Hollywood to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter before its official opening on April 7th, 2016.

A little background, I LOVE Harry Potter.  I'm one of those people who grew up with it and it means a heck of a lot to me.  Please, no follow up questions or I'll cry.  Can anyone email me a hanky? I went to see the new addition with my mother, also a Harry Potter lover, and my sister, April, who is newly converted to the faith.  So with any hope, we can give you an idea of what's up before you brave the certain insanity that will ensue when the area officially opens.

That being said, we're not...Universal people.  This was only my 5th trip to the park, and my mother's first.  It was a similar feeling to the first time I entered the Magic Kingdom at WDW in 2007, familiar yet different.

Ta-da!  Yes, that's me...in my Back to the Future shirt (yeah, I still protest the removal of the ride. Still.)

For the expedient shopper, there is a store near the entrance with a decent variety of Harry Potter merchandise.  It's not comprehensive, but there were a few things I didn't see in WWoHP itself.  Also, if you didn't dress for the occasion and panic, go grab something in there. 

Quick, someone play the theme to Harry Potter! Oh, I don't have the budget for that, never mind. 

The area is incredibly....perfect.  The details are expansive as well as minute.  Almost ridiculous.  A monument to the art of theme park design.  How it rivals Disney, I don't know that I can say.  It's a tough call.  A better comparison than Carsland will probably be Star Wars Land.  It's similar to Carsland in that feeling of stepping entirely into a different environment.  

One of the "criticisms" amongst theme park fans is that Carsland just isn't as beloved a franchise as, say, Harry Potter.  The level of detail is definitely similar, but it is that affection I feel sets WWoHP apart.  I could really go on at length for the emotions it created in us all.  The highest praise I can give is how WWoHP elicits the feeling that you are stepping physically into the books, heart and soul. 

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey 

OK, here is where we have to have a more serious conversation (sprinkled with pictures so we all at least finish happy).  Warning #1, outside of the main attraction, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, you will be required to sit in an example ride vehicle to ensure you are fit to ride the attraction.  This is for your safety, don't complain.  And if you do not pass muster, I don't know that you should feel too bad.  Universal has put so much into the queue, that they certainly allow everyone to go through it.

And THEN, there is the ride itself.  Take a Dramamine before you ride it.  The premise is that Hermione (using fabulous projection technology) enchants your seats so that you can fly with your Hogwarts friends. Which is all well and good, 3-D screens and all, until you meet a few...challenges.

Let me just preface this with the confession that I'm kind of a wimp.  I also have rampant arachnophobia.  

See where this may be going?

As you're flying through Hogwarts, you encounter a dragon, and you transition from the screens to an "actual" dragon.  Kind of scary, but no more than the T-Rex in the Jurassic Park attraction.... But once you recover from that, then come the spiders.  I knew about these in advance, so I closed my eyes...and the attraction momentarily stopped right in that section.  Needless to say, some very adult language ensued between my sister and myself as we hoped to God we wouldn't have to be evacuated because I was going to have to do it blind! (Or literally die of fright...)

We were only stuck for a moment or two, then once you get away from the spiders (after it spits venom at you.  Thanks, Universal.) you are on the Quidditch pitch in the middle of a game...but then come the Dementors.  If you want an idea of my depth of love for the series, I started yelling at them to leave Harry alone.  I'm not sure if that counts as a psychotic break, but if it is, let's just keep it between us, ok?

But...of course.... then you get "real" Dementors.  Right in your face.  We were two grown adults screaming.  Why, Universal? Why? What did we do to you? 

Technologically, it's a fantastic ride.  But can't I just ride with my Harry Potter friends without being threatened with psychological torture? Wasn't reading the books depressing and terrifying enough? 

Three Broomsticks

So, once we recovered (BTW, no soda in the area.  JK Rowling's orders.  There is a small shop just outside the land that sells bottled sodas.  Go grab one before you ride Forbidden Journey), it was time to sample the pub fare of Three Broomsticks.

 Here is the beef stew, with a salad (and a great raspberry vinaigrette).

The chicken which came with potatoes and corn. 

The Sunday Roast with Yorkshire pudding. 

Dessert: Sticky toffee

Butterbeer potted cream (with my sister as the lovely hand model!)

Strawberry and chocolate trifle got short changed mainly because ALL the food was so good, and it was the third dessert we tried.  

Honestly, there wasn't a bad piece of food here.  Not your usual theme park food, a plus, but still so good, tasted bold and freshly prepared. 

And the promised land...BUTTERBEER.  Now, I thought I was going to lose my mind and cry when I entered WWoHP.  Nope, I was relatively calm.  It was the butterbeer that brought a tear to my eye. It's one of those things that is so tied to the series, in such a day-to-day fashion, I think the added sense of taste was more than my mind could handle.  It was exactly what I imagined all those years ago when I first read the books over 15 years ago.

The Three Broomsticks as a building is just a continued triumph of theme park design (I keep almost saying Imagineering!).  Every detail was just beautiful and perfect.  I'm almost afraid of overstating its perfection. 

Honeydukes 

The shopping itself is varied, of course.  There are just shops ALL over.  Honeydukes for candy, Ollivanders for wands (give me a second and I'll elaborate), the Owl Post, it's all there.  Much of it functions like the Main Street Emporium, with open doorways between shops, but different (accurate) themes within each individual "shop".  Or would it be Ye Old Shoppes, in this case? Hmm..

OK, Ollivanders.  Now, it wasn't really possible to take pictures inside, and I don't want to spoil it anyway, but go ahead and get in line for the experience.  It's part of the Harry Potter baggage and entirely worth it.  I was going to say if you're less than familiar, don't bother...but if you aren't familiar with the material, please...just get out. Or I'll use the wand I bought on you.
Yes, I bought a wand.  You have the option of regular and interactive (though the "regular" wand is only as interactive as your imagination, kids).  The interactive wands, when waved at certain windows through WWoHP, makes magic happen. Also, you have the option of wands specific to a character (I got Hermione), or general wands not connected to a specific character.  The wands are of a fantastic quality, but $39.99 for regular, a little more for interactive.  You can tell I didn't pay much mind to the interactive, right?

If your kid is interested in getting a wand, hold out and do it here.  I'm glad I did.  It comes in a great box and a bag that SAYS Ollivander's on it.  It brings that part of the experience to life.  Again, it's the side experiences you can't underestimate.

Flight of the Hippogriff

And, the second attraction in the land, Flight of the Hippogriff.  If Disney wants to up their game, they need to look at this attraction and Gadget's Go Coaster, which could certainly use some love.  THIS ride is the goal.  It is just a simple mini-coaster, but your vehicle is a woven basket-like hippogriff and as you pull out of the station, you bow to Buckbeak the Hippogriff himself, an impressive animatronic if I ever saw one.  I was truly blown away.  

Miscellaneous and Conclusions

One thing I didn't get pictures of but saw often enough were the performers right near Hogwarts.  Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students as well as a Hogwarts choir (complete with frogs) could be found quite regularly. I know in Orlando, they have a puppet version of The Tale of the Three Brothers from Deathly Hallows, but perhaps that's soon to come.  I certainly hope so. 

Overall, I'm impressed.  Wizarding World is truly the place my little wizarding heart has yearned for since my grandmother first lent me Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.  I could do without the terror of Forbidden Journey, and the crowds sure to come, but I would certainly go again...once my sister finishes the books and movies.  

We didn't explore the rest of the park much, but we DID go into Springfield and take the tram tour.  If I get enough comments....any comments as a matter of fact, I can cover those for you all, as well.

Have a Happy Week! 

*waves wand* Mischief managed.....