Weekend Update: Mystery Spot; WDW Update; Tokyo DisneySea; Santa Cruz Boardwalk;
We start and end our Weekend Update trip around the world this week in Santa Cruz, California. Fishbulb spent a few hours at the "gravitational anomaly" known as the Mystery Spot and I think you'll find his photo report fun and witty. Denise nbodyhome Preskitt is back this week after a brief absence with some up-to-date photos from Walt Disney World. TDLFAN shares photos of one of my favorite Disney parks (if only voyeuristically...is that a word?)
Sunshine Seasons inside The Land Pavilion at Epcot is a great spot for a quick meal or a snack and SummerInFL shares her review of this popular Disney dining venue. Finally we end up in Santa Cruz again, this time for sir clinksalot's behind the scenes look at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
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Stop by to say hello, pick up some free stuff, and find out all the insider info that you can only get from us! If you enjoy reading Weekend Update every week, please ask for Rixter. I would love to meet you.
The Mystery Spot
Santa Cruz, California
Our good friend Fishbulb treats us to a rare trip to Santa Cruz's Mystery Spot. If you grew up in SoCal like I did, this will bring back fond memories of Knott's Berry Farm's Haunted Shack.
Here are our pics from our July trip to the world famous Mystery Spot of Santa Cruz California
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The Mystery Spot is a tourist attraction located near Santa Cruz, California. It was opened in 1939. The operators of the small site (which is about 150 feet in diameter) claim that it is a place where the laws of physics and gravity do not apply and provide a number of demonstrations in support of these claims.
Phenomena demonstrated by the tour guides (and by visitors using levels) include two people standing on opposite sides of a level surface who appear to change height as they switch positions and a ball that appears to roll up a plank. At the site, an old shed appears to have lost part of its foundation and is slanted and oddly angled. Additional claims of mystery are the growth patterns of trees and their branches within the Mystery Spot, the lack of animals such as dogs, rodents or even birds inside the compound (visitors are not allowed to bring their dogs on the tour) and the distortion of magnetically calibrated measurement devices such as compasses or even GPS devices.
Phenomena demonstrated by the tour guides (and by visitors using levels) include two people standing on opposite sides of a level surface who appear to change height as they switch positions and a ball that appears to roll up a plank. At the site, an old shed appears to have lost part of its foundation and is slanted and oddly angled. Additional claims of mystery are the growth patterns of trees and their branches within the Mystery Spot, the lack of animals such as dogs, rodents or even birds inside the compound (visitors are not allowed to bring their dogs on the tour) and the distortion of magnetically calibrated measurement devices such as compasses or even GPS devices.
The trip begins on a wooded path barely big enough for two cars to pass each other on.
Ticket Booth
Your Mystery trip begins here where the areas gravitational anomaly is demonstrated
Then up the hill to the shack that was built on this peace of land
Gravitational illusions are demonstrated and volunteers are asked for.
The tour guide demonstrates how leaning off of this piece of
furniture poses no threat when the gravity is out of whack
We tried it
Look out Fishbulb!
Dustysage demonstrates the odd equilibrium in the room by standing next to the hanging weight
Out the other end of the shack. The Haunted Shack (get it?)
Yep this is level
A group stands shortest to tallest
then they reverse places
Same here
At the end of the tour everyone gets the free, ubiquitous yellow bumper sticker
Dusty applauds our tour guide
The website Sandlot Science has an article about "mystery spots" plus a list of some existing and defunct spots around the country:
Quote:
We know them by many names but collectively they are known as Mystery Spots because of the mysterious events which often occur in, or near them. Lucky for us their owners love to show them off and visitors are welcome to come in and see the resident "alien vortex," and other strange phenomenon...for a small fee. Mystery Spots are a product of the Great Depression, a time when entertainment was just about the only industry still growing in America. Mystery Spots continue to draw crowds and delight visitors to this day.
Walt Disney World
Orlando, Florida
Denise nbodyhome Preskitt share shares a brief Walt Disney World update with us. As always, you can find out what Denise has been up to lately by reading her website: mousesteps.com.
A recent rainy day at the Studios:
Last weekend, I was at two events to honor veterans. Singer Tony Orlando was at both of them (he is a big veterans advocate):
Congressman Gus Bilrakis from Tarpon Springs had arranged the events, he is in the photo along with myself, my dad, and former Congressman Mike Bilrakis (and Tony Orlando):
Over at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Luxo Jr. is in testing phase again - I was able to get photos and video of him back in June, but he's not been out as often since then:
And the Osborne Lights are quickly going up:
There is a new paint job on Innoventions:
And everything is pretty much decked out for Halloween at the Magic Kingdom:
Space Mountain's name has been ripped off:
The skyway is now being demolished:
Tokyo DisneySea
Tokyo, Japan
TDLFAN's back with some photos from Tokyo DisneySeas.
TDLFAN goes to Tokyo DisneySea... "Where Imagination Sets Sail"... and enjoy the surroundings as well as a performance of this summer special show "Bonfire Dance".
TDS' signature icon.. Mount Prometheus, at dusk.
Mediterranean harbor is a lovely place for a stroll as the Sun sets...
Guests become part of a show by the shores of Mediterranean Harbor.
All is well in New York Street.
Fanciest restrooms of all in any Disney park worldwide.
Tower of Terror sitting pretty.
This is going to be the main entrance into Turtle Talk.
Turtle Talk with Crush.. Opens on October 1st 2009.
American Waterfront.
Cape Cod's sleepy village.
Sun sets over Cape Cod.
Underpass to Mediterranean Harbor from Cape Cod.
That lovely volcano, again...
Guests line up to participate in the Leonardo Challenge, an interactive adventure that takes place inside Fortress Explorations.
The Lovely Miracosta Hotel...
Banners announcing "Bonfire Dance" greet guests as they arrive at Arabian Coast.
Mickey performs during the Bonfire Dance show..
Aquatopia lights up the night in Port Discovery.
Tower of Terror looms eerily in the night time sky...
Night time in the City...
Beams of lights herald the arrival of Mickey Mouse as tonight's "BraviSEAmo!" performance begins..
The volcano does some nifty things and if you blink during the show.. you will miss it. Here the volcano 'spits' smoke circles into the night sky... Try to match that Cinderella castle!!
The Firebird commands everyone's attention during it's fiery rise from the icy waters below... It's one of Disney's most impressive show tricks ever produced. I am still wondering how they light up fireworks from a prop that sits below water.... Hmmm...
Fireworks fill Mediterranean Harbor as BraviSEAmo! comes to it's climax.
Mount Prometheus lights up the sky as BraviSEAmo! comes to an end.
That concludes our visit to Tokyo DisneySea.
Mediterranean harbor is a lovely place for a stroll as the Sun sets...
Guests become part of a show by the shores of Mediterranean Harbor.
All is well in New York Street.
Fanciest restrooms of all in any Disney park worldwide.
Tower of Terror sitting pretty.
This is going to be the main entrance into Turtle Talk.
Turtle Talk with Crush.. Opens on October 1st 2009.
American Waterfront.
Cape Cod's sleepy village.
Sun sets over Cape Cod.
Underpass to Mediterranean Harbor from Cape Cod.
That lovely volcano, again...
Guests line up to participate in the Leonardo Challenge, an interactive adventure that takes place inside Fortress Explorations.
The Lovely Miracosta Hotel...
Banners announcing "Bonfire Dance" greet guests as they arrive at Arabian Coast.
Mickey performs during the Bonfire Dance show..
Aquatopia lights up the night in Port Discovery.
Tower of Terror looms eerily in the night time sky...
Night time in the City...
Beams of lights herald the arrival of Mickey Mouse as tonight's "BraviSEAmo!" performance begins..
The volcano does some nifty things and if you blink during the show.. you will miss it. Here the volcano 'spits' smoke circles into the night sky... Try to match that Cinderella castle!!
The Firebird commands everyone's attention during it's fiery rise from the icy waters below... It's one of Disney's most impressive show tricks ever produced. I am still wondering how they light up fireworks from a prop that sits below water.... Hmmm...
Fireworks fill Mediterranean Harbor as BraviSEAmo! comes to it's climax.
Mount Prometheus lights up the sky as BraviSEAmo! comes to an end.
That concludes our visit to Tokyo DisneySea.
San Diego Zoo
San Diego, California
CaptPhoebus continues his San Diego weekend trip report with photos from the San Diego Zoo including the newest feature of the Zoo: Elephant Odyssey.
No visit to San Diego is complete until you make a stop at the World Famous San Diego Zoo. Definitely plan on spending the day here as it's very easy to loose track of time as you check out all the trails, paths, and exhibits which are so nicely laid out adjacent to each other. If hilly terrain is an issue, take note that the Zoo is basically in a canyon, and while it might be easy to get down to the lower areas, it's not so easy to get back uphill quickly.
This trip to the World Famous San Diego Zoo is going to be focused on its newest exhibit area, Elephant Odyssey.
Quote:
The World Famous San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, San Diego, California is one of the largest and most progressive zoos in the world with over 4,000 animals of more than 800 species. It is also one of the few zoos in the world that houses the giant panda.[1] It is privately operated by the nonprofit Zoological Society of San Diego on 100 acres (0.40 km2) of parkland leased from the City of San Diego, and ownership of all animals, equipment and other assets rests with the City of San Diego.
Quote:
Elephant Odyssey
This exhibit opened on May 26, 2009 in the area once known as Hoof and Horn Mesa. The main feature of the exhibit is the 2.5-acre elephant habitat--more than 3 times the size of the Zoo's former elephant exhibit. The herd includes one male and six females and blends the Zoo's herd of one African and two Asian elephants with the Wild Animal Park's four Asian Elephants. Elephant Odyssey also features a glimpse of the past with the Fossil Portal and life-size statues of ancient creatures of Southern California next to the exhibits of their modern-day counterparts. The ancient life represented include the Columbian Mammoth, the saber-tooth cat, the American lion, the Daggett's eagle, and the Giant Ground Sloth. Elephant Odyssey's other animal exhibits include African lions, jaguars, tapirs, guanacos, tree sloths, Secretary birds, dung beetles, turtles, frogs, camels, pronghorn, horses, rattlesnakes, and for the first time at the Zoo, the California condor.
This exhibit opened on May 26, 2009 in the area once known as Hoof and Horn Mesa. The main feature of the exhibit is the 2.5-acre elephant habitat--more than 3 times the size of the Zoo's former elephant exhibit. The herd includes one male and six females and blends the Zoo's herd of one African and two Asian elephants with the Wild Animal Park's four Asian Elephants. Elephant Odyssey also features a glimpse of the past with the Fossil Portal and life-size statues of ancient creatures of Southern California next to the exhibits of their modern-day counterparts. The ancient life represented include the Columbian Mammoth, the saber-tooth cat, the American lion, the Daggett's eagle, and the Giant Ground Sloth. Elephant Odyssey's other animal exhibits include African lions, jaguars, tapirs, guanacos, tree sloths, Secretary birds, dung beetles, turtles, frogs, camels, pronghorn, horses, rattlesnakes, and for the first time at the Zoo, the California condor.
Welcome sign.
The first area you encounter focuses on California's past animals.
Past meets present in the next exhibit area. Now who's a pretty kitty/
Half of the new elephant enclosure.
Tree of Life? You be the judge.
At the end of the exhibit, the graceful California Condors.
And lastly, here's a few selected shots from the park:
Meerkats
Gorilla
Bonobo
One of the many trails to explore, doesn't it just look peaceful.
For more of my zoo pictures, check out my San Diego Trip Report thread.
SummerInFL shares another installment of her "The World Unfurled" series. Sunshine Seasons is one of my favorite counter service venues in Walt Disney World. It has a wide variety of food and a huge capacity for hungry visitors. In fact, a few MiceChat meets have been held there for those very reasons.
The World Unfurled
Sunshine Seasons
Sunshine Seasons
Too many times it's easy to get stuck in a groove with the same food choices at Walt Disney World. Whether something is convenient, familiar or you just know you'll never be disappointed when you go. Well I want to cover a less talked about location that offers not only variety, but excellent food for the price. I'm talking about Sunshine Seasons in the Land Pavilion at Epcot.
It is located on the lower level of the Land Pavilion and it is themed after the four seasons, each seating area given to a respective time of the year, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
The "seasoned" tables.
The entrance to the area is near Soarin, with a convenient visual menu of what they have to offer.
Once you have decided what it is you'd like to eat, you walk to the respective area and get in line.
I would also like to mention that they do serve breakfast, although the menu is limited. It consists of an adult platter (Bacon, eggs, sausage and a biscuit), oatmeal, a bacon egg and cheese croissant and Kid's French toast. Lunch and dinner however, has multiple areas that satisfy even the pickiest eater.
Asian Noodles
Soup and Salad
Sandwiches
The Grill
A "Grab and Go" area for those quick snacks.
And who could forget dessert?
With so many options to pick from I've never had a problem satisfying everyone's tastes in my party and because it's indoors, it's a great refuge from the often times unpredictable, Florida weather.
So sip an espresso or your favorite drink and grab a seat! (I recommend the "Winter" section) It's one of my favorite places to just sit back and people watch. As with any restaurant in WDW, I suggest going outside the standard times of day to eat a meal as it does tend to get crowded. But after you're done, I suggest a ride on Living with the Land to settle your satisfied tummy.
Looking for up-to-date reports from Disneyland
including photos, gossip, park schedules and more?
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
Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Santa Cruz, California
We're back in Santa Cruz, this time courtesy of sir clinksalot. He recently had an opportunity to visit this century old seaside amusement park and was treated to an unusual backstage tour.
Quote:
An overview of the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Pier
Welcome to the Boardwalk
The Giant Dipper is celebrating it's 85th Birthday
The Giant Dipper is a National Historic Landmark as well as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark
Let's go for a ride, shall we
The Queue features some facts of the ride
The ride has been featured in quite a few movies
The station is very unique
Now for a back-stage tour of the coaster
Wheee
Ooops ... (don't worry, we had permission)
The Chain Lift
The Chain Lift Motor
Back-Stage at the world famous classic brass ring carousel - Once again, we did have permission.
You have to go down the scary tunnel to see what's next
This is the brass ring return machine
And this us the underneath of the carousel
Truly a great "theme-park-geek" moment
The Cave Train is one of the most classic rides to be found at the boardwalk. No visit is complete without a ride.
We leave you with one last shot of the Giant Dippers unique station.
Welcome to the Boardwalk
The Giant Dipper is celebrating it's 85th Birthday
The Giant Dipper is a National Historic Landmark as well as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark
Let's go for a ride, shall we
The Queue features some facts of the ride
The ride has been featured in quite a few movies
The station is very unique
Now for a back-stage tour of the coaster
Wheee
Ooops ... (don't worry, we had permission)
The Chain Lift
The Chain Lift Motor
Back-Stage at the world famous classic brass ring carousel - Once again, we did have permission.
You have to go down the scary tunnel to see what's next
This is the brass ring return machine
And this us the underneath of the carousel
Truly a great "theme-park-geek" moment
The Cave Train is one of the most classic rides to be found at the boardwalk. No visit is complete without a ride.
We leave you with one last shot of the Giant Dippers unique station.
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
sir clinksalot
MickeyMaxx
CaptPhoebus
Ian Parkinson
BigPigletFan
Abominable Snowman
Fishbulb
PhotoMatt
Jack Hollywood 1939 Wixom
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.
or send me an email: oceansiderick@gmail.com.
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Total Comments 24
Comments
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WOW I just love this update!!!!!! Gravity with the mix of Explosion with hints of Classic Roller Coaster Can you top it any better I dont think so I think?? Just an awesome update!!! Keep up the SPECTACULAR work!!!!Posted 09-05-2009 at 02:23 AM by hurricanefreak
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I wish I had known you were going to Santa Cruz. I would have given you a list of other places to go there (like the cement ship). In the 10 years I lived there I never went to the Mystery Spot.Posted 09-05-2009 at 02:32 AM by Orcatime -
Great update!
Love the Zoo--what an amazing place.
Tokyo Disneyland--sigh.
Tony Orlando--what a nice guy.
Can't wait for more Halloween and Christmas decorations!Posted 09-05-2009 at 06:31 AM by Silver7 -
Great shots, everyone! Kudos to the San Diego for bucking the trend and keeping their Skyfari. Easily one of my favorite things about the San Diego Zoo.
Posted 09-05-2009 at 08:56 AM by Mac Daddy -
You brought back great memories of trips to Santa Cruz with this week's update. When I was a kid the bumper stickers at The Mystery Spot weren't handed out, they were affixed to every car in the parking lot by an employee. We made a game of spotting the cars on the road which sported them. Having early childhood memories of Atlantic City, the first time we pulled into Santa Cruz for a vacation, I felt like I was back home. The smell of salt air, an honest-to-goodness boardwalk, with the full-on quirky assemblage of shops, attractions, and oddities one might expect.
Denise, you must have been so proud to have been present as your Dad was honored! Thanks for sharing that moment with us!
Thanks for a great update!Posted 09-05-2009 at 10:31 AM by MickeyMaxx -
Love the Mystery Spot. Brings back memories of a now defunct attraction at a certain berry farm in Buena Park (boy I miss that).
And they're tearing done the skyway? That was the ride like Disneyland's People Mover, right? If so, I'm glad we went on it when we were back there last Spring.
Posted 09-05-2009 at 10:41 AM by Wendygirl - Great update Tokyo Disney sea excellent shots... Happy belated 8th birthday btw Tokyo Disney sea , cant wait to see you again in a couple years!Posted 09-05-2009 at 10:49 AM by lighttragic
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Very great update, full of magic and wonder I like that mystery spot, I am adding that to my to do list, Dusty and Fishbulb look like there had a blast. Thanks againPosted 09-05-2009 at 10:55 AM by Joshnyah -
Oh my gosh. I really want to try Sunshine Seasons now. My last trip I thought nothing of it, but now I have to try it myself.
Denise, that is wonderful that you got to see your dad get recognized with the honor that he deserves.
Another great update. Keep up the good work!Posted 09-05-2009 at 11:19 AM by Disney1978 - Mystery Spot - I'm glad to see it getting a good number of visitors. The gravity and visual tricks are obvious (especially when you see the vertical trees in the background, and in the one picture the girl with the purple top was still shorter than the guy) but what about the tree growth patterns and compass/GPS distortions? We went to Santa Cruz a lot when I was a kid, please give us more pictures of the Boardwalk!Posted 09-05-2009 at 11:54 AM by Disneykin Kid
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Mystery Spot looks like somethings that Knott's use to have.....I miss it, I think it was FUN!
Elephant Odyssey at the San Diego Zoo is now
on my must see list....it's look's way to cool!
I also like the Skyfari.....to bad Disneyland can not understand why many miss the skyway?
Again .....Why always that Tokyo Disney parks LOOK's so mush cleaner than the American ,Disney Parks!
I do not understand?
And I would love to go to Tokyo DisneySea, look like the place to be!
Thank You for the weekend report it's was very good!
( do we have any more old postcard's)
Posted 09-05-2009 at 12:42 PM by Eagleman
Updated 09-05-2009 at 12:43 PM by Eagleman (fix it up) -
Thanks, my dad was one of a number of veterans honored - all veterans deserve to be!
DenisePosted 09-05-2009 at 12:51 PM by nbodyhome -
WDW's skyway was taken down years ago just like in DL-they are just removing the Tomorrowland station now. This is NOT the same as the People Mover. The Magic Kingdom's version of the People Mover is called the Tommorowland Transit Authority and it is still in service, though it is closed right now due to the Space Mountain rehab.Posted 09-05-2009 at 01:02 PM by WorldLover71 -
Or the Wi-Fi Ride as it is known to some MiceChatters (just wishful thinking)!Quote:The Magic Kingdom's version of the People Mover is called the Tommorowland Transit Authority and it is still in service...
Posted 09-05-2009 at 02:09 PM by Rixter
Updated 09-05-2009 at 02:24 PM by Rixter -
GREAT update. Really enjoyed this one! Mystery Spot looks too cool! I especally enjoyed seeing the Disney World update. We need more regular coverage of the Florida park. Keep the pictures coming of the Skyway demo, and other things going on at the WDW resort!
Posted 09-05-2009 at 02:31 PM by a-net-fan -
LOL @ Mystery Spot. There's also the Oregon Vortex and a place like that in northwest Montana. Strange that the magnetic field is always messed up in that one particular area, messed up enough for a tourist to plunk down some money.
I want to check out the Santa Cruz boardwalk one day. I've been wanting to go down there and visit Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad, so, when I visit the railroad, I'll check out the boardwalk as well.
Great weekend update.Posted 09-05-2009 at 04:05 PM by Barbossa - Six Flags Over Texas used to have an anti-gravity house also; they called theirs "Casa Magnetica" and was in the Spanish section.Posted 09-05-2009 at 04:48 PM by Not My Real Name
- So was the Smooth Criminal music video filmed at MysterySpot?
Posted 09-05-2009 at 05:49 PM by gusapple - It looks like something may be going right at WDW -- with the exception of Space Mountain currently looking like a warzone, the pictures seem to show parks that are unusually clean and cared-for. But WHAT is with that green at Innoventions? When will someone recognize that EPCOT is a park whose design aesthetic may not please everyone but is uniform and wonderfully crafted? That green just does not belong and stands out in a very bad way.
Tokyo DisneySea......ahhhh! If only it weren't so far away for us in the states. What a perfect park!Posted 09-05-2009 at 05:55 PM by EC82 -
Singer, Surgery Victim, Wacky Inventor
No, they didn't have to. Michael Jackson patented the Mystery Shoes instead...Quote:Originally Posted by gusapple
So was the Smooth Criminal music video filmed at MysterySpot?
Michael Jackson's patented "Smooth Criminal" leaning shoes | Boing Boing GadgetsPosted 09-05-2009 at 10:23 PM by JohnnyQuest
