Category: Blogs
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Remembering Disneyland 55 Years Ago
As I look back over my 68 years on this earth, I think of three experiences that profoundly and forever changed my reality of entertainment. The first was in 1964 when I was eight years old. We were visiting my Aunt Susie in Alexandria, Virginia and I came down sick. I remember the doctor coming…
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A Surprise Trip to Yokohama – Mr. Daps Goes to Japan
After a “rest day” from our trip to Enoshima, Izu Peninsula, and Odawara Castle, we decided to take a local boat out to Sarushima Island. It was a windy morning as we made our way to the ferry (a catamaran that was like a tour boat). Arriving at the office for the ferry, we discovered…
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An Island, a Peninsula, and a Castle – Mr. Daps Goes to Japan
Some days in Japan one adventure would lead to the next… and then lead to the next. What started out as a rather simple excursion turned into quite the adventure on this specific day. The original plan was to go to Enoshima Island. This can be reached by either train or by car. In our…
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New Orleans Square’s Old New Waterfront – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
The last new “land” that Walt Disney personally dedicated at Disneyland was New Orleans Square. The appearance of the deceptively small area has remained pretty much the same since that July 24, 1966 day, with winding streets and secluded courtyards creating the illusion that it is much larger. One important area of New Orleans Square…
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An Evening at Knott’s Merry Farm Through a 35mm Lens
Tonight I stopped by Knott’s Berry Farm to enjoy a couple of hours of it’s holiday celebration, Knott’s Merry Farm. I brought my Canon 6D with a 35mm lens attached and thought it would be fun to just take a few photos as I strolled around the park. Below is a look at Knott’s Merry…
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The Kannonzaki Roller Slide – Mr. Daps Goes to Japan
The next adventure that we went on in Japan was a shorter, albeit exciting. It was a trip back to Kannonzaki, where we had previously seen the lighthouse. This time, however, we were going to another part of this fairly massive park. On this side of the park, my sister and the kids told me…
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A Trip To a Volcano – Mr. Daps Goes to Japan
One of the things on the list of destinations for me to visit while in Japan is a place called Hakone. There are quite a few things that are pretty awesome and worth checking out there. This includes a volcano that is active, a beautiful lake, great views of Mount Fuji, the Hakone Shrine, and…
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The Arrival of the Partners – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
Do you remember “The Globe of Death?” If you do, it will remain only a vivid memory. That is because, thirty years ago this month, Disneyland dedicated the Partners statue at the center of the park, creating a permanent tribute to the man who started it all, and the mouse that he said started it…
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A Big Thank You On Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving! This is one of my favorite holidays of the year. For me it is a chance to slow down and reflect on what I’m thankful for and express gratitude. Today, I’d like to do that here in Japan as well. This year, in particular, I am incredibly thankful to the community that surrounds…
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Fushimi Hakuseki Shrine – Mr. Daps Goes to Japan
Our next adventure was the Fushimi Hakuseki Shrine in Yokosuka, Japan. This is a shrine that is found up in the jungle behind a farm and requires a bit of a hike and a bit of a climb. I will say this, it was totally worth it. The day we chose to go visit this…
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McDonald’s – Mr. Daps Goes to Japan
McDonald’s are everywhere. I have flown around the globe and if there is one constant thing I have seen everywhere, it is the Golden Arches. This trip to Japan is no different. Although I’ve been in Japan for a few weeks, today was the first day I had Japanese McDonald’s. We stopped by one of…
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Visiting Nikko – Mr. Daps Goes to Japan
Nikko is a couple of hours north in Japan from where I’m staying. Getting there involves a drive through Tokyo (and a REALLY long tunnel) that continues through the countryside and then into the mountains. Nikko itself is nestled in the middle of the mountains. As we drove and got closer to the town I…
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Another Stop in Kamakura – Mr. Daps Goes to Japan
One of the great things about Japan is that there are lots of trains. Because there are lots of trains, there are also a lot of opportunities to go on adventures. One adventure that I’ve really been enjoying is taking the train to Kamakura. Really, I should say taking the train to different parts of…
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Climbing Kannonzaki – Mr. Daps Goes to Japan
Kannonzaki is a park that is not too far from where I’m staying in Japan. It is a beautiful park that is on the northeastern tip of the Miura Peninsula that offers gorgeous views of the ocean. It also has a lighthouse that is found on the top of the hill that the park is built…
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A First Visit to Tokyo DisneySea – Mr. Daps Goes to Japan
Earlier this week I had the opportunity and pleasure of going to Tokyo DisneySea for the first time as I continue to have adventures throughout Japan. This first visit was everyone one could hope for. It was full of magic, beautiful vistas, amazing food, and incredible cast members (and guests for that matter)! For this…
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New Old Boats Appear in Adventureland – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
Some changes at Disneyland are so abrupt or momentous or large that they cannot be missed when they are happening, and the change itself is long remembered. Other changes, more subtle and instantly familiar, are soon forgotten. In October, 1993, Disneyland’s venerable Jungle Cruise rolled out the first subtle change in a years-long makeover that…
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A Trip to Kamakura – Mr. Daps Goes to Japan
The second grand adventure of my trip to Japan was to visit Kamakura. This day trip involved train rides, walking, temples, shrines, and a beautiful day. This was a great day that was full of some really amazing cultural experiences. It also was a day that really impressed me with how kind the Japanese people…
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Arriving in Japan and Exploring Parks – Mr. Daps Goes to Japan
Konnichiwa! Greetings from a lovely evening in Japan! As I write this (not necessarily when publishing it) I have completed my first full day in Japan. I thought about writing a post yesterday, however, most of that day was spent on a plane so it didn’t seem like it was going to be that exciting.…
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Photos/Videos: Final Day of Magic Happens at Disneyland in 2023
On Sunday October 15, 2023, Magic Happens had its final performances at the Disneyland Resort for the year. Both parades went on without hitch and fans camped out quite early to be able to watch the final two performances. As is often the case, the energy ahead of the final parade was electric. Cast members…
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Daps Magic: A Culture of Kindness
Let’s face it, the world is not an easy place these days. In many ways, it is more divisive and difficult than ever before. It is easier than ever to get angry at situations, technology, slow internet, long lines, incompetence, oh and did I mention people? Any or all of these things make it so…
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A Trip to Japan
In less than a month, I will be making my first trip to Japan. I have family out there that I will be visiting that I’m very much looking forward to. I will also be visiting Tokyo Disney Resort. However, as we are planning this trip we are seeing that there is so much more…
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Thoughts on the Haunted Mansion Expansion at Disneyland
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Expanding the Queue to the Extended Queue One of the big things I’ve seen discussion about is the expansion of the queue into the area that is currently utilized as an extended queue. While on the rare occasional quiet morning in the park this area can sometimes be fairly open for photos or to just…
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Souvenir Guidebook and Disneyland Today – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
If you read this column last year, you may recall we explored the 1992 Disneyland Souvenir Guide, which weighed in at a hefty 32 pages. This month, we will be looking at the 1993 Souvenir Guidebook. The addition of “book” to the guide was most appropriate, as it had expanded to no less than 36…
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No Longer Banking on Main Street – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
Last month’s article was all about an auspicious early July opening (Aladdin’s Oasis, if you missed it). This month’s is all about a quiet closure that took place near the end of July. One of Main Street’s older tenants, in continuous operation since 1955 in fact, closed its doors for the last time on July…