Forever Magical
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Soon we were preparing to board Soarin’ Over California. The preshow wasn’t functioning so I wasn’t alerted to the movement of the vehicle. I knew it would move but didn’t quite realize how and must admit that it was a bit unsettling for me at first. But mostly it was just exhilarating. Soarin’ over San Francisco’s Golden Gate bridge, along a beautiful river in Northern California, over the crowded Los Angeles highways and other picturesque areas of the state. I especially loved this film because it reminded me of the classic CircleVision America the Beautiful. Unfortunately I cannot stand without some discomfort for a long period of time so CircleVision was at the bottom of my list of attractions to do at Disneyland. If I were renting a wheelchair they would put me in the back, which defeated the surround screen purpose so I enjoyed being seated and experiencing a film that encompasses you. I also suspect that seeing many of these images on the big screen will motivate us to travel to see these areas for ourselves. I know that is the effect that CircleVision had on our family. In fact I can think of several times our family drove around various areas of the USA looking for the specific location that we had seen in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland.

The Beauty and the Beast number from Steps in Time

We headed back past the Sun over to the Hollywood Pictures Backlot to see Steps In Time. Walking towards the theater there is a large backdrop that looks like a Hollywood street. There are representations of the Beverly, the Roosevelt Hotel and the El Capitan Theater. I’m not sure why but it made me a little dizzy. After a short wait we were seated in the Hyperion Theater. The theater was less than half full and we sat in the first row center of the mezzanine level. We could smell the heat of the stage lighting, which hangs on the front of the balcony. I found the chairs very comfortable. When the curtain opened and the show began I was transported to an Academy Awards show. Each number felt like a presentation of the “Best Song” category often featuring a dance interpretation. Although I enjoyed the show mostly I wondered why various decisions were made which, to be honest, is the same way I feel during the Academy’s musical numbers. I would’ve liked to have seen it in a full theater as I was curious if others felt the same way as I did throughout the performance. I must admit the pieces I enjoyed received scattered applause including a female solo presentation of Go the Distance but the Beauty and the Beast number, which left me flat, received the strongest applause of the evening. [Ed Note: Steps in Time will reportedly be altered prior to DCA's February 8th opening. The extent of the change is unclear at this time]

Next we visited Superstar Limo. What an odd attraction! I’d heard terrible, terrible things before riding it. Entering the queue guests can see images of airplanes and hear announcements, which spoof the usual loading / unloading zone announcements heard at airports. The mural of the adorable pudgy planes reminded me once again of CircleVision back when it was sponsored by an airline - not Delta, was it PSA? Inside the attraction guests board a limo and our agent calls to inform us of a job and orders us to get there immediately so we are whisked through Hollywood. The agent is disturbingly ugly. I know agents are often on the receiving end of harsh jokes but this guy is really bad. His movements are also inhuman making him more grotesque. Travelling through the attraction we encountered a number of celebrities. It appeared that these characters could be easily changed to keep the attraction fresh and showcase the Disney Company’s latest talent. I got a kick out of the attraction and want to go on it again because I know there are some sight gags I completely missed.

The Beast's Library in the Animation attraction

When I walked into the Animation Building the beauty of the entry room struck me. It is as if you have stepped into a Disney film. Various scenes from the movies completely surround you as the film’s main theme fills the air. I took a seat on one of the available couches and simply watched for a bit. Sitting there I was reminded that animation is an art. I know that may sound weird but sometimes I forget that they actually draw or create the locations on the screen as well as the characters. They don’t simply take a camera to a location and shoot it. They create it. I could sit in that room for quite awhile and simply soak up the power and emotion the images evoke and be quite happy but instead I ventured into the Animation Building’s various exhibits. In fact, now that I think about it, I didn’t visit the exhibits on the first day but on my second visit. My favorite is the Sorcerer’s Workshop. Here guests can create the Disney magic or just play around a bit with the pixie dust. Let me explain..in the first room people can create brief cartoons and explore the magical nature of human vision. The second room is more my speed. It is the Beast’s Library. The room itself is alive and changes while you are in it. But drawing most of the attention are the large books. Guests seated in front of the books are asked a series of questions and after answering them find out which Disney character they are most like. I was very happy to be declared similar to my favorite princess, Cinderella. In the next room guests can act or sing along with select Disney scenes. We chose one of my favorite Disney scenes. It is the moment Bambi first meets Flower. Our friend Laura was the voice of Flower and I was the voice of Thumper. At the last minute we added Doobie as the voice of Bambi. Instead of saying his line “Pretty, Pretty Flower” straight Doobie decided to drop his voice and made Bambi sound more like a truck driver. It was a fun opportunity to interact with the classic film. Boy am I glad they didn’t select a voice talent like Doobie’s for the original. I’ve heard other people have swapped gender roles for example the male portrays Belle while the female voices Beast’s lines.