Weekend Update: Tokyo's 25th, Adventuredome, Hamilton Gardens, Commando L.A.

We have another fun jaunt around the world for you this week with an emphasis on history. TDLFAN shares a retrospective on the events surrounding the historical 25th anniversary of Tokyo Disneyland. He has so many photos from this past year, we'll be running this story over the next two weeks. MickeyMaxx takes us on a tour of a Las Vegas style amusement park - under a pink dome, no less.

From the desert of Nevada we'll pop over to the lush Hamilton Gardens in Hamilton, New Zealand, courtesy of Ian Parkinson. Then Andy Castro shares some beautiful images of the historic Pasadena, California City Hall. Last but not least, MickeyMaxx takes us on a zany retro tour of 1960's Los Angeles via some historical post card images.


Tokyo Disneyland Resort
Tokyo, Japan


TDLFAN brings us a spectacular roundup in the first three parts of a five part photo journey celebrating the 25th anniversary of Tokyo Disneyland Resort.


This week, April 14, 2009, marks the end of Tokyo Disney Resort's 25th anniversary. It has been quite a year at TDR... lots of new shows, and the return of some fan favorite events, lovely decor and a million of magical memories made by all who attended the resort during this very special time.
As the resort moves on to it's 26th year with the promise of many more magical memories to come, TDLFAN invites you to take a look back and review one TDR's most memorable moments of the 25th anniversary celebration during each of it's 5 Stages. It was a year of surprises and fun all around!

1st Stage: 25th Anniversary Official Opening event!

The colorful resort logo fountain greeted everyone who arrived at the Kingdom of Dreams and Magic on it's 25th anniversary!


Welcome to Tokyo Disneyland on this glorious 25th anniversary morning!


Even the Disney Resort Line was dressed for the ocasion!


It was cheek to cheek as Tokyo Disney fans from Japan and abroad came together to celebrate the 25th. Even Cast Members from all park areas came to World Bazaar to greet the guests!! This was a most emotional moment for those of us who love Tokyo Disneyland! Pass the Kleenex.


The huge crowd waited patiently at the hub to witness the official 25th Anniversary opening day ceremony, hosted by Bob Iger and OLC's top executives.


Here ye here ye!! The 25th anniversary celebration has officially BEGUN!!!


The guests got their first viewing of TDL's newest anniversary parade "Jubilation!"


In the meantime.. over at TDS.. the park was hosting "Spring Carnival" event.


"Spring Carnival" brought a lot of color and flower topiaries to TDS.


Mediterranean Harbor hosted a huge spring time show, "Spring Carnival Primavera"


2nd Stage: Summer at TDR

Arriving at the park for Summer season


Roy Disney also arrives at TDL for his first visit.


Castle Stage hosted "Cool the Heat", TDL's splashiest show ever!!


Stitch crash landed at the Tiki Room!


Night time, and the Castle Stage hosted "Starlight Dreams", a tribute to fireworks shows from TDL's past but with a dash of Fantasmic! added. Here, Sorcerer Mickey showers Cinderella Castle in pixie dust.


Mickey has to fight the Powers of Evil before they destroy Cinderella Castle.


"Starlight Dreams" ends in spectacular water and fire effects!


Summer also brought the grand opening of the spectacular Tokyo Disneyland Hotel.


Meanwhile at TDS...


"Legend of Mythica" continued to wow! the crowds around Mediterranean Harbor.


Arabian Coast hosted "Bonfire Dance" TDS' most high NRG show ever!!! feat. Mickey...


..and Minnie in gorgeous asian costumes.


3rd Stage: TDL's Disney's Halloween and TDS' A La Carte events.

Halloween arrived at TDL park.


Spooky halloween castle!


Minnie rode the Hag during the Halloween parade "Let's Go! Villains!"


Mickey also fought Maleficent during the parade! Can't those two ever be friends??


Meanwhile, over at TDS...


TDS hosted "Disney A La Carte", a most delicious gastronomical event.


The fabulous "A Table is Waiting" shows was a huge hit with guests during the fall season!




Circus Circus Adventuredome as seen from the Stratosphere.


We were in need of a theme park, and with Disneyland five hours away, our choices were limited. So, off we were to the Adventuredome at Circus Circus. Getting to the parking, was a little circuitous, but once out back, the parking garages cannot be missed, and one of them is topped with a 5 acre pink and teal box made of glass, our destination today. Parking was easy, the walk short. For being a bit of a hodge-podge of hotel towers, it is surprisingly easy to access the public areas. The clowns and acrobats are still working under the big top, the smallish, dated casino had not much of a crowd, and the infamous Circus Buffet is off to one side, but we're looking for a big thrill theme park today.

That's a lot of pink!


We remember when this buffet was $1.99, $2.99, and $3.99. Hard to believe we questioned the value of that way back when. Looking at those carefully styled plates of food on the sign, that same questioning feeling is coming over me again. We ate in their coffee shop, and service and food were excellent!


Maybe this fellow can help us find our way.


Here we go!


Our first impression, was that there was an awful lot packed into not a very big space. Kind of like the one man band of amusement parks. The rollercoaster snakes through the water flume ride, which squeezes by the rocking Viking boat, and so on and so forth. It's impressive in its compactness.


The affect of all that pink (why pink) glass is that the entire park is bathed in a less than pleasant pink glow. Pink rides, pink food, pink people. I decided that maybe light greenish-yellow glasses might correct the colors a bit.

I've tried to correct the color on the rest of the photos here, but this is exactly what hue the world of Adventuredome looks like.


This would be the roller coaster.


Two loops, one after the other.


We didn't see Mickey or Minnie, but that does not mean there are not characters about.


The flume ride was not operating on our visit.


There were lots of games.


And magic tricks to buy.


And attractions for Kiddies.


Including a stage show with a Clown/Magician/Juggler


Interesting to the geek in us, we caught sight of a game graveyard from an upper level.


There is a lot to do, and a person could have quite a bit of fun for the $25 all day pass. There are 11 rides and attractions by my count aimed at adults and others, like bumper cars adults might also enjoy. Games of chance and arcade games are extra.

One last "attraction" we noticed as we headed through the parking garage on the way to our car. Nearly every pillar and overhead support was littered with footprints! How do they do that?








Ian takes us to the beautiful Hamilton Gardens in Hamilton, New Zealand.




We're privileged to have some great photos from Dateline Disneyland's Andy Castro. Andy visited the historic Pasadena City Hall and shares these dynamite images.

Pasadena City Hall
Pasadena, California




Thanks, Andy, for sharing some of your great photography with the Weekend Update! You can see lots of Andy's photos along with up-to-date Disneyland news every Monday on MiceAge.com (see the link below).

Looking for up-to-date reports from Disneyland
including photos, gossip, park schedules and more?

Visit these MiceChat columns each week:

Andy Castro's Dateline Disneyland

David DarkBeer Michael's In the Parks

We haven't heard from our resident postcard junkie darkfairycthulu for the last couple of weeks, so MickeyMaxx scanned some post cards from my personal collection and assembled this tongue in cheek trip to Los Angeles.


Commando Los Angeles, 1960's


We're always amused and more than a little in awe of what we call the Commando style of attacking theme parks, in which a couple or family make every single minute of their day count when on vacation. The back pack is full of snacks, bandaids, and fluids to keep them hydrated. They hold in their outstretched hand, the game plan, purchased or one they put together themselves, and mark off the attractions as they finish them, striding with purpose to the next one on the list.

This postcard tour presumes the same sort of tactic, because with a three day weekend in Southern California, this family is up for seeing all they can in their limited time. The time is in the mid 60's, and the sun is shining as they touch down at LAX. First task, pick up the rental car, because even though these folks are not from the Southland, they know the only way to get around is by automobile. (Yes, we know the car below is a 1961, but this is an imaginary trip, so do your best to imagine it's a mid-sixties model.)


Sadly, there will be no time for Disneyland or Knott's on this trip, but the family has heard of a place that offers up a monorail, boat rides, and FREE beer! A quick hop north on the I-405 and they've arrived at their destination.

Monorails, check!


Boats, check!


Beer? Maybe in here.


Bingo!


Places, Earth, Busch Gardens, Van Nuys, California

"OK, Mother, times a wasting, where too next?" "Chinatown, my love! Since it's still light, there's time to take in the sights before an authentic Los Angeles Chinese dinner!"


After a good night's sleep, they are up at the crack of dawn to experience Olvera Street in Downtown Los Angeles.

Heels are optional, we hear.


Olvera Street - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This afternoon, they head off to Long Beach where they hear there is a pretty good amusement park, called the Pike, right on the ocean!

Well, this can't be it!


Or this.


Well, there's a beach!


Now we're cookin'!


Oh, yeah!


The Pike History

Another productive day! See how good this commando thing works? At least on paper?

Day three is a short one because they have an afternoon flight to catch, so they head over to Buena Park to see the Movieland Wax Museum and Palace of Fine Arts.

Ooooo!


Ahhhhh!


Uhhhhh!


On the flight home our group finally gets some rest, as they plan their next trip, tour of Nevada's most famous gambling towns.



And that brings us to the end of another week. Our photographers have just enough time to reload their cameras before we see you all again next weekend. Thank you to all of our wonderful readers, and as always, a huge thank you to our amazing team of global photographers, spies, and gossips:


TDLFAN
Denise nbodyhome Preskitt (mousesteps.com)
SummerInFl (wdwfanpics.com)
sir clinksalot
MickeyMaxx
BigPigletFan
Abominable Snowman
"Postcard Junkie" darkfairycthulu (postcardjunkie.blogspot.com)
Fishbulb
Ian Parkinson
PhotoMatt
Jack Hollywood 1939 Wixom

A very special thank you to to our wonderful guest photographer Andy Castro for sharing his vision with us.

Your Editor - Rixter

Where have YOU been recently? We invite you to share your photos of theme parks or any other destination that may be of interest to our readers. Please feel free to contact me via MiceChat Private Message (screen name Rixter)
or send me an email: oceansiderick@gmail.com.