Category: Blogs
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Looking Through the Lens: Photos from Star Wars Day at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
May the 4th was the annual celebration of all that is Star Wars. At Disneyland, the center of this celebration was found at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on Star Wars Day. On that day, I stopped by the Disneyland Resort to enjoy being around other Star Wars fans and just capture moments and things that…
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More Construction Mysteries – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
The last couple of months have been spent unraveling some mysterious (for the time) construction that was taking place out in the parking lot to the west of the entrance to Disneyland. Early in 1994 all was revealed when the construction of the Indiana Jones Adventure was officially announced, and a big construction wall went…
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Construction Mystery Revealed – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
Last month’s column left us with a bit of a cliffhanger (at least, a cliffhanger thirty years ago). What was that very large structure rising up all the way out in the parking lot where the Eeyore section used to be? It was definitely looking more substantial as the steel skeleton was being filled in.…
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Tokyo Disneyland – Mr. Daps Goes to Japan
As the end of my trip to Japan began to near, it was time to visit the Tokyo Disney Resort once again. This time, the destination was Tokyo Disneyland. I will admit, I didn’t entirely know what to think ahead of the trip to this castle park. I had heard that really Tokyo DisneySea is…
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A Walk Around Disneyland on a Rainy Day as Seen Through a 35mm Lens
Saturday, March 2, 2024 was an interesting day. It couldn’t decide exactly what it wanted to be. At times, it was pouring with a cold rain. At other times, the sun was shining and Pixar-like clouds made the skies seem happy. And then there were the other times when the day just didn’t know what…
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A Construction Mystery – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
The January, 1994 opening of Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin started the year off on a high note at Disneyland. By now, fans had grown to expect something new and exciting on a fairly regular basis. After all, we were approaching the middle of “The Disney Decade.” Even walking through the vast parking lot that…
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Mount Fuji Adventures and a Fish on a Stick – Mr. Daps Goes to Japan
There are a few iconic scenes that come to mind when I think of Japan. Obviously, Mount Fuji is one of those icons. Another is the Chureito Pagoda, which overlooks Mount Fuji. The Chureito Pagoda has been seen in countless photos, postcards, books, and many other media forms showing off Japan. Many guides say that…
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PICTORIAL: Final Day of Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession
The Lunar New Year celebration at Disney California Adventure has once again come and gone. This annual tradition celebrates Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean customs traditions and ran from January 23 through February 18. This year saw some fun surprises, like the arrival of Meilin Lee and her mother Ming Lee from Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red…
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PICTORIAL: Magic Happens Returns to Disneyland
On February 2, 2024, Magic Happens made its return to the Disneyland Resort. After a very rainy Thursday, the sun peeked through the clouds and the parade was able to be performed at both 3:00 PM and 5:30 PM. The Daps Magic team was on hand to see the return of this parade. The day…
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Toontown Redux – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
If you were reading this blog a year ago (and I sincerely hope you were), you were sharing the excitement of the grand opening of Mickey’s Toontown, on January 24, 1993. Or January 26th. Or the 25th. (You will have to check out last year’s blog to figure that one out.) And what are we…
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Sarushima Island – Mr. Daps Goes to Japan
The next adventure while at Japan was a second try to go to Sarushima Island. Thankfully, this time was successful. The wind had died down and the sun was out in force as we made our way back to the ferry terminal to take the quick ride out to this island. I should say, it…
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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…