Disneyland on Beltane. Well, in theory.

The trip almost didn't happen. Actually, looking back on it now almost two weeks ago, it probably shouldn't have. My hubby had the flu, was still recuperating when our plane took off at stupid o'clock on May 1st. Then, en route, I started feeling off. Which, of course, only meant one thing: I picked up the same upper respiratory crud he had. And so I did. And we walked around Disneyland, our Mother Ship, the source for so much magic and purpose for my work, like stuffy-headed zombies, until our hotel room was ready. At which point, I collapsed in a heap on the bed and didn't move much at all until the next day. So, to cut to the chase, my plans for a magical Beltane at Disneyland were dashed.

Well, sorta. Because you push through things like this.

May 2nd, the next day. I figured the fae at the park (and, boy oh boy, there are a few), wouldn't be exactly flipping calendar pages if I did my magical work there the next day. And so I did. Because it was our wedding anniversary, the main reason for our visit, and I was not about to let a blooming upper respiratory disaster squelch our fun or my work.

I had purchased a small specimen of fairy amethyst the previous week at Crystal Life Technologies, a wonderful crystal shop about 40 minutes from my house. I muscle tested and found the exact right one. No, this is not a photo of my crystal. But THIS is. If you look closely, you can see it:

See that little whitish jobbie that's slightly conical? Yep, that's my fairy crystal, given as a little gift* to the Little Man of Disneyland. I wrote about his legend in my book, "The Mystical Mouse", but a quick summary: this plucky little leprechaun is the protagonist of a children's book that was written as Disneyland was being built and he shows up a little frustrated and cranky because Disney is plowing down the orange tree groves to build the park. But he is assured that he will always have a home and that the past will always be respected at the park. His home can be found to this day by a special tree in Adventureland, pictured above.

I felt it was particularly important to honor The Little Man at this time, on Beltane, but also because the park is in the midst of a shake-up of sorts. Star Wars Land is opening very soon and with its opening will come a whole new slew of guests who are there specifically to enter that brilliant new land. I'm afraid some of the quieter, sweeter, more magical elements and areas of the park might be glossed over. Certain things might be considered "quaint" and of an older time and might not be respected as much as the glamour of touring the Millenium Falcon or quaffing a sapphire blue cocktail at the Star Wars Cantina.

Our anniversary visit continued, with dinner in New Orleans Square, with a visit to Tinkerbell, to Snow White's Grotto (big magic therein) - and some quick shopping and even quicker ride visiting. Then I took to our hotel room, sleeping through the next day, and making it through the airport the next day as weak as a newborn kitten. A sickly, newborn kitten.

Was our experience still magical? Yes. Did I do the work I had set out to do? Just barely, but yes. Would we push through such a trip in the future? No way, Jose Carioca. But was it important to do the little bit of ceremony I did do and do I feel it added to the spirit of place and left good will, honoring What Really Matters? Yes. Yes, indeed.

Blessed be, Disneyland. May your new chapter be happy and filled with light and The Force.


* I did a speedy little ceremony with the crystal, thanked The Little Man, assured him he mattered, then snatched up the crystal; Disney does not endorse guests leaving things in the park and I respect that.

"The Mystical Mouse" has been published!

Ever wonder about the REAL magic behind the attractions at Disneyland? Curious about the inspiration behind such treasured rides as The Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean?  Care to learn more?  Well, lookee here!:

It's here, it's here!  I'm thrilled to announce my newest book, "The Mystical Mouse" has been published through Theme Park Press and is now available through Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1683900936//ref=cm_sw_su_
dp?tag=bob0e9-20

Yep, it's available in print and on Kindle, but order the print version and I'll autograph it for you - which is a lot harder to do on a Kindle.  Just sayin'. Plus, you'll want to see the amazing cover art by talented artist Jim Martin up close.

And ... if you purchase a copy THIS MONTH, by golly, I'll not only autograph it for you - I'll give you a free tarot reading! Oh, yes indeed!!

Happy October to all!!!

31 days of Spooktober, Days 19 and 20: The new "Haunted Mansion" swag!!

Hello ghoulies!  I was not able to write yesterday because of a jam-packed schedule compounded with the fact that I threw my lower back out.  It happens every couple years or so.  The last time was because I was sitting for hours in a rental car while travelling all over the East Coast to visit vintage amusement parks for my book, "The Cotton Candy Road Trip".  Yes, I visited the last few parks on my journey barely able to walk. It was pretty pathetic.  This time, I was bending over to wash my face, and my back just said, "Okay - I'm done." And it doesn't matter how much exercise I do (cuz I'm power walking at TOP speed); my back was just kaput. (Shakes fist at onstage injury I suffered twenty years ago ... bah, bah and double bah).

So, what will make up for my absence?  And what will come close to soothing my tender back? Oh, looking at recent posts about the new Memento Mori shop in Disney World, with all items devoted to my beloved Haunted Mansion!

http://www.insidethemagic.net/2014/10/haunted-mansion-store-memento-mori-officially-opens-appropriately-amidst-halloween-season-at-walt-disney-world/

https://d23.com/walt-disney-world-memento-mori/

Image from D23.  Definitely a print I must own to add to my "Witches and Gypsies" wall in my meditation room.

More info about the store on the Disney Parks blog: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/10/memento-mori-shop-now-open-in-magic-kingdom-park-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

Some other "Die hard" fans made these things: https://d23.com/101614_haunted-mansion-fan-creations/

And this blogger is feeling pretty much like I'm sure I will when I finally get there in November: take my money!  You win!: http://www.themainstreetmouse.com/2014/10/10/ok-memento-mori-you-win-take-my-money/

Finally, a video tour of the store: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9dIveVeZJ0

My favorite versions of "Alice in Wonderland"

While I'm enjoying a fine meritage, absorbing the scents of a heady patchouli incense, and thrilling to Jonathan Miller's exquisitely trippy 60s version of "Alice in Wonderland", I realize that, as a life-long Alice aficionado, it's about time to list my Top Three versions of the story, in order.  Because they all have something to do with my Mid-Century heritage and my penchant for the sense of experimentation inherent in the era:

Number One Version: the one in my head when I read the original text.  The classic Tenniel drawings come to life.  And the voices in my head are, truly, more mystical and vibrant than any other interpretation.



Number Two Version: Hands down, the 1951 Disney animated version.  Because this one has songs and, even more importantly,the incredible artwork of the supreme and sublime Mary Blair.Pay close attention to the film next time you watch: the backgrounds are almost ALL Blair.

Beyond-wonderful Mary Blair concept art for the Disney version.

And, newly realized, as of 8 PM today:

Number Three Version: the 1966 Jonathan Miller BBC TV play.

Sitar music.  Peter Cook as the Mad Hatter.  And an Alice who tumbles through her own world, no animal caricatures in sight, but real adults showing up as the mad, stressed-out caricatures themselves, trying to make sense out of the nonsensical Victorian world they're a part of.  As Miller put it himself, "Once you take the animal heads off, you begin to see what it's all about. A small child, surrounded by hurrying, worried people, thinking 'Is that what being grown up is like?'"

What could possibly hedge out these Top Three?  That would be the much-anticipated tarot version, as interpreted by Baba Studio of Prague, the launch date (hopefully) this autumn.

Monday is Tarot Day: The Three of Cups and the urge to Partay!

As I've already shared, I spent my birthday at Disneyand with over a dozen people, riding rides, savoring Dole Whip, and soaking up all the goodness and whimsy a soul can possibly take in.  But after all the gifts were opened, the photos were sent and enjoyed, the thing that remains most vividly for me is the spirit of camaraderie and the birth of new friendships that this trip encouraged.

Besides myself and Ben, thirteen people, ages 9 to somewhere in the mid-5os, came together to celebrate my Day of Days - and came away with deep connections, forged due their connection with me and, more importantly I think, the love of All Things Disney.

The 3 of Cups is a card of celebration, of sharing, and enjoying time together.  The three women depicted are all different, yet similar, brought together for some sort of shared event.  Their gowns seem to suggest that it's somehow an important occasion - and there's movement and dancing and frolic in the drawing here in the Rider-Waite version (some versions depict three static women holding three static cups, but I prefer this version's sense of whimsy and play).

Since Disneyland on my birthday, I've become rather a glutton for bringing folks together under the umbrella of "Pam's Parties".  So I've decided to call 2013 the Year of the Celebration - and I'm planning a Party a Month.  Some may be small in scope (like a girl get-together), while others will have all the bells a'ringing and the whistles a'blarin' (like last night's Oscar party).

The celebratory essence of the 3 of Cups - in a teacup!

To watch the alchemy that happens when souls meet and sparks of friendship ignite is the greatest gift anyone can give me - or I can give to myself. 

Disneyland's Court des Anges - our mystical visit.

Folks, where to begin?

Last week, on Friday, February 1, I celebrated my 50th birthday at Disneyland with 14 other Disneyphiles (or Disneyphiles-in-training.  Or Soon-to-be-Disneyphiles who had no idea they'd end the day being Disneyphiles), riding the Indiana Jones ride, enjoying lunch at the Jolly Holiday cafe (sipping the Practically Perfect Punch, but of course ...), visiting old pals Pinocchio and Mr. Toad, and rounding out the evening with a fireworks spectacular.  When the voice of Julie Andrews spoke about "dreams do come true", I cried an ugly cry, while being held by my sweet hubby - and holding hands with my Lil' Sis Sara, as she shared in the ugly cry.  My dream had come true, a dream I held dear for at least five years: to bring a group of like-minded Disney fans together on my day of days, to revel in Walt Disney's creativity and soul.  And for all to have the chance to become an honorary 1000th "happy haunt".

But let me begin near the end of the day, at the Court des Anges in New Orleans Square.

After dinner, but before visiting the Pirates and the aforementioned Happy Haunts, I led our intrepid troupe through the streets of New Orleans and up to the tucked-away alcove.  Occasionally, the area is used for a Princess Tatiana (of "Princess and the Frog" fame) meet & greet.  But it's usually just a quiet, beautiful area to rest a spell during a long day of Disney play.

I've been doing a little research; the area isn't just a place designed for no apparent reason.  Seems that Uncle Walt himself was looking to open a jazz club in the Square; these stairs would've lead to that club.  The space the stairs lead to is now used for storage for the exclusive Club 33, an area Walt had designed to host special guests to Land.  Sadly, Walt passed before these dreams could be realized.

So.  It's a quiet, still area in a busy part of the park.  Few people give it much notice.  But whenever I visit it, even if it's perfectly silent, I feel movement, a stirring of spirit.

Enter the group photo!  Here's our gang, aged 9 to 55, a dozen+ Magicseekers, enjoying their time at the Happiest Place on Earth as the day slips into night, about to embark upon their last ride together as a bunch of Mouseketeers:

Look closely at the arched window at the left.  And above Melissa, the tall girl with red hair.  Could those be orbs, the manifestation of spirit - or angels?  Look very closely at the larger orb.  Do you see a face?  Who does the face look like to you?

Friends, that is Disney magic, at its most mystical.


To see some more photos of the space, go here:  http://gallery.toursdepartingdaily.com/Disneyland-Resort/Photos/16408290_jb4Kv8/1860146902_BmjjqL9#!i=1860146902&k=BmjjqL9

Happy birthday, Dean Jones (you "Love Bug", you!)

Oh, to be 5 years old again and thrill to this live-action Disney gem, "The Love Bug"!  Oh, to fall madly in love with Dean Jones (whose 82nd birthday is today.  Happy natal day, good sir!) and to wish you were as spunky and sparkly as Michelle Lee!  Oh, to own a VW Bug that splits in two!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjEjY0eV9u8

Oh, and there's Buddy Hackett and David Tomlinson, too!!  Man, what Disney film WASN'T Tomlinson in??

Because every day is better with a little Blair

Mary Blair, that is.

http://animationresources.org/?p=597

Please check out this great post from Animation Resources, featuring a rare, out-of-print book that Mary did the illustrations for: "Baby's House".  It seems any time I need a little pick-me-up to my day, I either find out about a new Blair item at one of the Disney parks, or encounter a super blog post like this one.  I'm heartened by the fact that so many people admire and appreciate her whimsical, wonderful style.

Enjoy!

Image found at animationresources.org, from the collection of Mike Fontanelli.



Monday is Tarot Day!

Just like on the "Mickey Mouse Club", I've decided to assign something to the days of the week.  Well, okay, I actually don't want to pen myself in for every day of the week, but Mondays need some help with their image.  Bob Geldoff hated Mondays.  The Mamas and the Papas didn't trust them.  But I like them; they help to put me in motion, like a guiding hand that gently sets down my wind-up week, turns the key, and gives it a push.

From now on, Monday will be Tarot Day on my odd little blog.  So my wondering mind asked, "Which Mouseketeer quickly brings to mind a tarot card first?  No thinking - gut reaction!"  That would be Annette Funicello.

And the card which embodies her perky, optimistic nature would be the Page (or in this case, the Princess) of Cups (or Hearts).  Alright - the Princess of Hearts it is.

Emotional, sensitive and caring, this Princess (and let's face it: Annette was a TRUE Disney princess - no tiara, magical carriages or frogs needing kissing required) took us into a world filled with wonder, surprises and, eventually, romance.  Because as she matured, Annette became a Teen Princess who all the boys swooned over.  Annette was the Miley Cyrus of her day, with many a hit record to her name.  Here's a link to one of her first rockin' tunes, "Tall Paul":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne2yFQPYYmU&feature=fvst

In film, her star still shined brightly, full of perkiness and dimples while she maintained a coating of child-like innocence in the many beach party movies she starred in (most often opposite Frankie Avalon, who most certainly qualifies as a Prince of Hearts.)

"Goin' steady" with your "dream boat", the twist and frug, warm summer days, clam bakes, and soda pop.  A true Princess of Hearts.