Another of my favorite corners of the park is on Tom Sawyer Island. There's a wooden bench along one side of Fort Wilderness. It's off the beaten path, so hardly anyone walks by. In fact, as far as you're concerned, you actually are reclining along the banks of the Mississippi.

You settle down for a moment alone with some lemonade. Almost before you hear it a sternwheeler rounds the river bend. A resplendant white boat navigates the dangerous waters as if on a track. Its smoke stacks paint the sky with steamy billows of white. A self constructed camoflauge of magic.

With a long and a two short whistles the captain signals the approach of civilization. Through the trees you see the passangers crowding the lower decks waiting to disembark after their long journey.

The sternwheeler glides past your hideout, its giant red wheel churning up silt and lost items from the river floor. Ducks mount a frenetic hunt through the muck for some tasty morsals.

A young boy in corderoys and white shirt, soiled with what looks like lemonade and dirt, scampers into your vision. The pristine scene you had witnessed cracks under his cry of 'help'. But before you can react a slightly older girl runs by shouting 'You come back here Tom. You won't get away with it this time.' Both kids duck into a nearby cave and you're tempted to follow them. But the distant solemn beat of indian drumbs entreat you to stay seated.

You turn your head to the sound and can just make out an encampment with teepees, canoes, and what looks like a chieftain or shaman telling a story around a campfire. By the looks of the pipe he's holding, he's telling the story of how the pipe came to his people. It's strange you can almost understand what he is saying.

Before you can compleat the deciphering a soldier from the fort brings you sad news. Dusk is approaching and it is not safe to remain on the island after dark. He tells you that rumors abound about courageous battles fought between good and evil nearby. You think about telling the soldier about the young boy and girl who ducked into the cave, but he'd never believe you. So you play it smart and catch the last raft off the island to the mainland. Maybe, you think, you'll stick around and see if those rumored battles are visible from the mainland.

This winter evening falls like a soft quilt across the Disneyland resort. At four pm, when the sun approaches the horizon, coats appear from the lockers or sweatshirts, previously tied snug around the waist, are swiftly pulled on. By five pm the sun has completely disappeared. Those from out of town, where a summer day is a warm 60 degrees, still wear their shorts and sandles. However, they do huddle closer, shivering slightly, barely noticable in the twilight.

You, on the otherhand, are bundled up tight. A scarf, gloves, and a heavy wool jacket are your complement tonight. It is six o'clock, fifteen minutes to the next showing of Animazement, and the theatre is full. Guests are being directed to the few remaining seats in the upper rows of the house. Not obstructed views by any means, but too far away from the stage for you. You like to be able to smile back when they smile at you and feel that, despite the show lights, they saw your pleasure. You like to see the performer's faces as they work hard to, as they say, put on the show.

The show begins. While you recognize a fair number of the faces, some you even remember from the Festival of Fools, many are new and their smiles will take some getting used to. It's obvious they're new as they don't hit exactly the same steps or interact exactly the way the original cast does. But it is nice to see some fresh blood.

Across the aisle a couple small girls are enthralled by the show. They giggle and grab each others shoulders as Belle descends from the stage. When Belle waves specifically at them, they bounce so high you think they're going to fall off the chair. The teenaged woman next to the girls waves back at Belle, then turns to the girls smiling knowingly. She knows it's not so long ago she was bouncing just as high.

The Little Mermaid solo--Daddy's favorite part of the show. The theatre is silent as the siren's voice becons the attention of every soul fortunate enough to hear her. Ariel also picks out certain children from the audience to smile or wave at. The two girls singled out by Belle are also targeted for attention by Ariel. This time they melt into their seats. You do exactly the same thing as the siren of the sea beams her smile directly at you.

All in all, a good show. The audience is composed mostly of first time viewers; they laugh at the appropriate moments; applaud the show stopping trio number; and even give a standing ovation at the very end. Okay, maybe they're just leaving during the curtain call. You stand, stretch, and watch as the teenager and the two little girls all bend over to scoop up some confetti. Not a bad idea you think and reach down to add some to your memory pouch.

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-- Indigo

-- Posted June 13, 2003