Category: Blogs
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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…
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You Ain’t Never Had a Feast Like This! – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
It will surprise most readers that this month’s column is not about July 17, 1993. Yes, Disneyland did turn 38 years old that day (or on July 18, depending on how contentious you are). But July of 1993 had another auspicious opening, though not for a venue that would have the lasting impact of the…
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Pictorial: Rogers: The Musical – First Public Showing
On June 30, 2023, Rogers: The Musical debuted in front of the public for the first time. This is the story of Steve Rogers, also known as Captain America, and how he became the super hero that is known and loved by so many people around the globe. The Daps Magic team was on hand…
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A Very Special Episode of Blossom – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
With all the hoopla surrounding the opening of Mickey’s Toontown thirty years ago earlier this year, I managed to get past another memorable event that took place at Disneyland in January of 1993. Fortunately I have photos to share, and some rather fuzzy screen shots from an episode of a quintessential 90s sitcom, Blossom. Blossom…
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Knott’s Berry Farm Through a 35mm Lens
This last weekend Knott’s Berry Farm kicked off its summer festivities. This includes the opening of a re-imagined Fiesta Village, another summer of Ghost Town Alive, and also the return of Summer Nights! All of these are awesome and there are plenty of opportunities for fun and to make incredible memories throughout the summer. On…
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Bring the Whole Family! – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
After spending so much time on Toontown this year, this month’s entry will get us back into and around the rest of Disneyland. In May of 1993 (May eighth, to be precise) I again renewed my Annual Passport. This time it cost $119, but I felt the expense was worth it, considering the use I…
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Cast Members are People Too
Our YouTube channel (and other social platforms) get quite a few comments. Some of them are funny, some of them are touching, and some of them are just downright mean. Comments seem to come in waves that build on each other. One thing I’ve noticed recently is people seem to feel that it is ok…
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Aladdin’s Royal Caravan – 30 Years Ago at Disneyland
Parades have been a part of Disneyland from the very beginning. The live TV special on the park’s inaugural day included a unique one. It would be followed through the years by 60 or so different parades that have since strutted down Main Street. Aladdin’s Royal Caravan made its debut on April 2, 1993, running…
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‘Star Wars: Return of the Jedi’ on the Big Screen Reignites a Childhood Love of ‘Star Wars’
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi is in theaters for a limited run to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The third and final movie in the original trilogy, this movie was what many of us growing up in the 80s and 90s thought would be the end of what was believed to be the end of…
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Phat Cat Swinger Wraps Up 2023 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Run
On Monday April 24, Phat Cat Swinger, the West Coast’s little big band, finished up its season of performances for the 2023 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival. Fans were out in force to catch the band’s final performance of the season, and they weren’t disappointed. Throughout the afternoon and into the early evening…
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The Loss of Maleficent in Fantasmic! is More Than Just a Dragon
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On Saturday night the skies at Disneyland were aglow in a way that nobody wanted to see. Rather than fireworks brightening up the light, the Maleficent dragon in Fantasmic! caught fire and ended up burning to the ground in front of thousands of guests who were watching the second show of the night. The glow…
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Character Guide: Disneyland After Dark: Throwback Nite
For Disneyland After Dark: Throwback Nite there were at TON of characters to see and experience magical moments with. Unlike other events and days in the parks, the approach to the character experience was different for this. Instead of waiting in lines and getting a quick photo and then moving on, many of the characters…
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Pictorial: A Colorful Look at Spring on Easter Sunday at the Disneyland Resort
Spring is finally arriving at the Disneyland Resort. Easter Sunday was a beautiful cloud-free day at Disneyland. The colors found throughout the park was vibrant and beautiful as flowers bloomed and trees blossomed. Early in the afternoon, I took a stroll around Disneyland and took photos of some of the colors that were popping out…
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Pictorial: Magic Happens Parade on a Sunny Afternoon
On March 2, 2023 a couple of the Daps Magic team made their way into the parks to visit a friend from out of town. Because of the Disneyland After Dark: Princess Nite event that was happening later, the Magic Happens parade was offered at 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM instead of its normal times.…