When I think of Summer I think of War. War because I've always loved their song 'Summer' (HERE). I dig that line "Kids of all ages diggin' Disneyland". I grew up on the beach in "Dogtown", which you already knew if you read my last blog bit (HERE). But I also used to be a Disneyland junkie.
I purchased my first Disneyland annual pass in 1985 or '86 and it cost less than $100 at that time. Today a one-day admission ticket for an adult is $95 to $119, depending on the day you visit! That's called "Inflation" (you un'erstan' what causes that, right?) and it's called "Disney Greed".
I had an annual pass up until I moved to Arizona in late '92, and oftentimes I'd go to D-Land after getting off work at UCLA around 3 PM, just to spend the evening unwinding at "The Happiest Place On Earth".
However, I still have some of those old D-Land tickets. They're collectors' items now. Did you know that the expression "That's an E-Ticket!" originates with the best, most valuable ticket in an old Disneyland coupon book?
What does all this have to do with 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' ('BOTB')? Well, we're going to Disneyland for this installment. I'm giving you a Day Pass at the discounted cheaper rate. Send a check or money order for $95 to:
STMcC
Rip-U-Off Vacations
P.O. Box 86
San Quentin State Prison, CA.
Anyone who's been to Disneyland or Disney World has probably gone on the (formerly) E-Ticket Rides 'THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN' and 'THE HAUNTED MANSION', both of them located in New Orleans Square.
THE PIRATES ride opened at Disneyland in 1967. These cute gals in cute little pirate outfits with eye-catching blouses... well, never mind. What happens is that you're assisted into a little boat by little pirates and it takes you past fighting pirates and carousing pirates and incarcerated pirates. There are lots of lions and tigers and bears - oh, my!
There's even a little pirate-wannabe dog:
The Countess and I used to go to Disneyland together all the time and the singing pirate below, in the red and white striped pants, we nicknamed him "Van Morrison"...
 |
| VAN MORRISON PIRATE IN THE MIDDLE |
 |
| THE REAL VAN MORRISON ON THE LEFT |
Another favorite ride within rummy-stumbling distance of THE PIRATES is...
THE HAUNTED MANSION opened in 1969. At the end of this ride your "Doom Buggy" takes you past three hitchhiking ghosts. Right after you pass them, you go down a long hallway of mirrors and find in your reflection that one of the three ghosts has hitched a ride home with you.
The gaunt ghost in the middle looks an awful lot like an old guy who was also a regular at 'The Crest House' (HERE), a cocktail lounge in L.A. that The Countess and I used to frequent. So we nicknamed that patron "Mr. Doom". Mr. Doom always arrived and departed in a taxi cab. I 'spose that cab was his "Doom Buggy".
Mr. Doom, who must have become a ghost many years ago, ALWAYS sat on that last stool at the bar -- the vacant one next to the man in the light blue shirt [below]. The Countess and I always sat in the booth behind Mr. Doom's spot and closest to that famous, magical jukebox which contained so much "E-Ticket Music"! It was THAT jukebox which made Glenn Miller's [Link-->] 'MOONLIGHT SERENADE' my #1 favorite musical recording, then, now, and forever...
 |
| 'THE CREST HOUSE LOUNGE': HOME OF THE COUNTESS, STMcC, AND MR. DOOM |
Alright, let's get on it!...
.
Vote for the E-Ticket Ride theme song you like better, and after that, you can even vote for the ride itself that you prefer...
'GRIM GRINNING GHOSTS'
from THE HAUNTED MANSION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
.
https://www.youtube.com/
.
NOTE TO CANADIAN BOTBers:
Debbie found a working video for the song 'GRIM GRINNING GHOSTS'. You can use the link below:
Unfortunately,
the video she found for The Pirate's song is from the Disney movie, not
the Disneyland attraction. Below are more videos I've found for the
song 'Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life For Me)'. Hopefully at least one of these
will work for you Canadian participants:
https://www.youtube.com/
https://www.youtube.com/
https://www.youtube.com/
https://www.youtube.com/
.
Now that you've decided on the theme song, perhaps you wanna vote for one of the two rides? Originally, I conceived this as a Two-Way Battle, in which I would request separate official votes for both song and ride. But then I considered the time investment: you'd need to watch a 15-min and a 12-min video.
Also, although both of these "low-light" videos are pretty exceptional, I felt that many of the wonderful details in 'THE HAUNTED MANSION' do not come across nearly as well in video, so that ride would have been at a distinct disadvantage in a 'BOTR' ('Battle Of The Rides'), unless the voter had experienced the rides in reality and knows them very well.
For example, shortly after entering your "Doom Buggy" in 'The Haunted Mansion', you travel down a hallway with doors on either side. The wooden doors appear to be breathing -- expanding and contracting -- but this is not apparent in the video. Also, the talking Madame Leota in the crystal ball can barely even be discerned in the video.
Madame Leota:
Likewise, you don't get a clear view of "The Hat Box Ghost" weirdness in the full-ride video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtCXB709l-A
Nevertheless, if you'd like to also cast a voluntary vote for "The Pirates" ride or "The Ghosts" ride, based on the videos below, or based upon your own personal firsthand experience riding them at Disneyland or Disney World, or any other D-Place, I would LOVE to see how you vote. And I will announce the winner of the 'Voluntary E-Ticket Ride Battle' at the same time I announce the 'BOTB' Theme Song winner on July 7th.
'The Pirates Of The Caribbean'
VIDEO OF THE RIDE
Click the URL link below
for a big image in a new window:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
'The Haunted Mansion'
VIDEO OF THE RIDE
Click the URL link below
for a big image in a new window:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
So? Which song do you like better? Which ride do you like better?
Alright now, “you know the gig”... I welcome you (whoever you are) to vote for your favorite of these songs in the comment section below. And feel free to tell us WHY you chose one song over the other.
After voting here, I suggest - actually I insist - you pop over to the blogs of the other 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' participants to see which songs they have chosen and vote there also.
Voice Your Vote...
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ by clicking HERE.
@ 'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CURIOUS AS A CATHY' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING' by clicking HERE.
@ 'DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'ANGELS BARK' by clicking HERE.
@ 'JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'JANIE JUNEBUG, RIGHTING & EDITING' by clicking HERE.
@ 'J.A. SCOTT' by clicking HERE.
@ 'QUIET LAUGHTER' by clicking HERE.
@ 'REINVINTAGED' by clicking HERE.
@ 'EVIL POP TART' by clicking HERE.
As I've done in the past, I will continue to return to my 'BOTB' blog bits on the 7th and 21st of each month to post my own votes and announce the winners in the comment sections.
~ Stephen T. McCarthy
FUN FACT POSTSCRIPT: I have always had the hots for Tinkerbell, but I have NO IDEA WHY!!
2016, July 01
ReplyDeleteRobin ("Girl Wonder")
'YOUR DAILY DOSE'
I've not been to Disneyland, but we lived in south Florida when Disney World came to Orlando. I still have memories of that first trip to the theme park. I was probably eight years old, which means my brother was only four. I doubt he remembers it at all. My mom still has the unused colored tickets for the rides we didn't use. I'm not sure that I rode The Haunted Mansion ride on that first trip to Disney. I know I rode the Pirate ride. It was memorable for a variety of reasons. One was that it was so cool in there after being out in the hot sun. Another was the excitement of the fight when the cannonball were flying and landing in the water. I think that made the scenes after all the more entertaining, because images of the women chasing those pirates around with broomsticks stuck with me for a long time (I guess that would be forever!). My favorite thing at Disney World (and not up for a vote in this post), was The Country Bear Jamboree. As soon as the animals on the wall started talking I was hooked. I guess my parents knew I loved it because they bought me the record at the park, and they normally didn't spend their money on that sort of thing. It was money well spent as I played that record to death.
Link: 'The Country Bear Jamboree'
Anyway, this was a fun battle for me. I've been to Disney World as an adult and a kid. It's fun as an adult, but it's magic when you're a kid. Maybe that's the thing Walt Disney understood about kids... and why the theme park(s) are still the hot spots they are today.
My song pick would be the Ghost song for The Haunted Mansion ride. I love the spooky feel to it.
My ride pick is probably a nostalgia pick for The Pirate Ride. So many great memories of my own experience on that ride.
I'd tell you that's my ruling, but I gave the gavel back to Judge Al, so I don't make rulings anymore. So, there's my vote(s).
NOTE TO BOTBers:
DeleteIn case you're wondering why Robin the Girl Wonder submitted a comment and vote here but she ignored YOUR Battles...
I actually knew in advance which songs and contestants I'd be using for my July 1st and July 15th BOTB installments. So about a week before Robin skipped town and went camping, I sent her Emails of my Battles and asked her to send me her votes and comments in advance.
So, that's why Robin is here and will be present in my 7/15 BOTB comment section also, even though right now she is totally unplugged, swatting away mosquitoes and sleeping on Pine needles. ...Boy, do I ever miss camping!
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
SONG: GHOSTS
DeleteRIDE: PIRATES
~ D-FensDogG
It's been years--no decades (2 1/2) since I've been to the Magic Kingdom. I went to California Disney in 1999 soon after it opened. The place is way too expensive for me now and I've with you on the hyper-capitalism factor. But I guess someone's got to pay for all that innovation, technology, and all.
ReplyDeleteI liked the concept of the Haunted Mansion ride, but the music not all that much. Ride and music I prefer the Pirates ride.
My wife is talking about going to Disney this coming week when her daughter visits with husband and child. Knowing my wife she'll insist on footing the bill which will be a small fortune. I'll likely find a way to opt out so we'll least save on my $200 worth of admission, food, and whatever. I don't need no stinkin' Disney.
Oh, and again, I vote both for the Pirates song and ride.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
LEE ~
DeleteThere is nuttin' Disney could possibly invent, build, and operate that wasn't paid for a godzillion times over by 1985. They're just gouging visitors now because it's "the American way".
If someone wanted to pay for me, I'd go to Disneyland again in a heartbeat. But I certainly won't be giving Disney any more of my own money.
SONG: PIRATES
RIDE: PIRATES
~ D-FensDogG
Neither one of those videos is available in Canada! Sigh....I'll look around for alternates. This makes these battles so time-consuming! Thanks for the tour of Disneyland. I've never been, so that was enjoyable. I'll be back if I find Canadian-friendly videos.
ReplyDeleteSTMcC, maybe you've been given this link before, but you can check videos to see if they are restricted anywhere by going to http://polsy.org.uk/stuff/ytrestrict.cgi and putting in the YouTube address for whatever video you are investigating. It's very helpful and saves your readers some time.
DeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Damn-it! I never heard about that site for testing URL accessibility before. Why has this not been made widely known, since we have at least 3 Canadian BOTB participants now?
DeleteThanks. I will definitely be spotlighting that site in my next Battle. Wish it had been mentioned by someone -- anyone -- long before now. All the trouble I've unnecessarily put my Canadian voters through... Shoot!
~ D-FensDogG
Here we go: Alternate Pirates video HERE
ReplyDeleteGhosts video HERE. If these versions are correct, then I pick the Grinning Ghosts! Is that James Earl Jones? I LOVE baritone voices. ☺ As for the ride itself, I would choose Pirates, as I'm a fan of the movies.
DEBBIE, I now know a site where I can test videos for Canadian accessibility. Hopefully you won't have any future trouble with my Battles.
DeleteThat's definitely not James Earl Jones (what a great voice though!) Although he's not credited, I wonder if it could be Thurl Ravenscroft, who DID provide his voice for 'YO HO!' He was also the voice of TONY THE TIGER and did the singing on the animated Christmas classic 'HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS'.
The beginning narration part of 'GRIM GRINNING GHOSTS' sounds a lot to me like Vincent Price, although he's not credited on this video either.
SONG: GHOSTS
RIDE: PIRATES
~ D-FensDogG
I've never been to Disneyland. It would have been too much for my parents take a family of 8. And considering how expensive it is now, I attribute Disney with expense, so I have no ambition to go. Perhaps I may have back in the day when it was more about fun and less about how much money they can fleece from the general population.
ReplyDeleteSo I can't vote for the ride and unfortunately, my time constrain limits me from watching the videos at this time. I'm about to go out of town for the weekend and I'd like to try and get to the other battles before that.
So, let's get to it. My vote.
How can you go wrong with a Pirate? And I'm not even from Pittsburgh. Besides, they have RUM!!!!
Sign me up!
Vote - Pirates.
JEFFY ~
DeleteYep, Disney is all about fleecing the sheeple these days. Well, that and social conditioning the sheeple toward "Progressive" ideas. Today, I hate the Disney company every bit as much as I used to love the Disney company.
No problem on the lack of a ride vote. I knew it was a real time investment with so many other Battles, which is why I made it entirely optional.
I hope you have a fun trip.
SONG: "RUM!!!!"
~ D-FensDogG
Oh what is it with men and butts? Poor Tinkerbell..hahahaaaa I'm certain more than one man daydreamed about tinkering with her bells. Anyway, I had to go to YouTube to listen to both and I Bieber it to the ghostly Grim. I like the style of it more and I also like the ride. It gets my vote
ReplyDeleteBIRGIT ~
DeleteHey, I'll have you know that I totally, 100% respect women for their minds. I'm attracted to TINKERBELL solely because she had a beautiful... b-- b-- b--rain.
SONG: GHOSTS
RIDE: GHOSTS
~ D-FensDogG
Well I guess I should be thankful that you didn't choose this one:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jiaU0xbOKs
ReplyDeleteI guess I'll vote the ghosts-I've not been on the pirate ride since 1977 (in Orlando) and was not amused then (but I was 16). I do not really recall the ghost ride at all-maybe they did not have it at Disney World.
I never lived close enough to a theme park for an annual pass to make sense, but my brother has lived near Six Flags parks in several states and while his kids were young he always got them, so I got to avail myself of them when visitng. Not a bad deal.
When I moved to AZ, I was amazed that the goofy amusement park near where we both worked cost as much as a Disneyland or Six Flags-I shudder to think of what it costs today.
LC ~
DeleteI would NEVER pull a "It's A Small World" torture on my bloggy buddies! That's just cruel; not funny at all.
Man, I loved Disneyland when I was 16 (and 6, and 26, and 36). You were a cynical teen, I see.
I took my niece to that amusement park in Phoenix when she was really young. She was afraid of all the big, fun rides, so... it wasn't a lotta fun for Uncle Stephen.
SONG: GHOSTS
~ D-FensDogG
I haven't been to an amusement park for years and I've never had the pleasure of going to a Disney park. My brother just went and took his clan and he raved about it (they went to the one in Florida). He just couldn't say enough good things about it so now I want to go. Maybe one of these days...
ReplyDeleteAs for the songs, I like the Pirate song the best. I especially like the squawk of the parrot. And the Yo-Hos.
As for the rides, since I'm so into ghosts and the paranormal, I think I'd enjoy the ghost ride the best. Though both look really cool. That was very neat to include a full visual experience in both rides. Thanks for that!
So, to recap: my votes are the Pirate song and the Ghost ride.
Fun battle Stephen. I enjoyed reading about your experiences at DisneyLand.
PS: Tinkerbell? Really??? :)
Michele at Angels Bark
MICHELE ~
DeleteI'm not normally attracted to blondes, but there is just something... uh-- there's just some... THING about Tinkerbell that makes her hotter'n 'ell! Who can 'splain it?
I mean, if she were real, and authentic adult-sized... I'd be in prison today.
Thanks! Glad you liked this outside-the-box Battle. BTW, I also LOVE that "squawk of the parrot".
I own both of these songs on compact discs. I've been known to play on "repeat" the GHOSTS song while answering my door to Trick-Or-Treaters on Halloween.
And that parrot's squawk in 'Yo Ho!'... waiting for it is like "waiting for the other shoe to drop". Ha!
SONG: PIRATES
RIDE: GHOSTS
~ D-FensDogG
I've been to Disney World once, and enjoyed 'Pirates of the Caribbean.' "Yo-Ho, a Pirate's Life for Me" is great fun and goes with the sitting.
ReplyDeleteA warning about Disney World: "It's a Small World" with the singing dolls is nightmareish, not the cute, comical pirates. Maybe I just like pirates? Arrr!
E-evil Woman ~
DeleteOh, believe me, 'IT'S A SMALL WORLD' was at Disneyland before it was at Disney World, and I lived that nightmare before you were even born.
Hell, even the Disney company itself poked fun at 'It's A Small World' in their movie 'The Lion King':
Link...>> 'THE LION KING' denigrates 'IT'S A SMALL WORLD'. Funny!
SONG: PIRATES
~ D-FensDogG
Belieb it or not, I've never been to any of the Disney parks. The closest I've come is an amusement park in Utah called Lagoon. My parents idea of a vacation was a day trip to Craters of The Moon, Idaho. If you've ever been or have seen the 'exciting' photos.. you'll know my pain.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to give my vote to the Ghosts. They sounded spooky and fun.
Mary
Jingle Jangle Jungle
MARY, I don't Belieb it!
DeleteAn amusement park in Utah? The Mormons allow that? Sheesh! Don't they know that an amusement park could lead to... DANCING!!!
I feel your pain, Mary. My Pa's idea of a vacation was pushing twelve-year-old ME out of a small rowboat in the middle of Lake Tahoe. Do you have ANY idea how cold Lake Tahoe is?!
Let's put it this way: I was actually a very good swimmer at twelve, but that water was SO COLD I forgot how to swim. When I re-surfaced after being submerged in Lake Tahoe, I was blue in the face and dog-paddling for my life!!!
That water was so cold that my "manhood" shrunk and hasn't been seen since then! Now THAT'S frigid and then some!
Thanks to my Pa's idea of "a vacation", I'm still a virgin. (On the bright side, however, I AM able to use the women's restrooms.)
SONG: GHOSTS
~ Stephen
I suspect I am the most qualified person to respond to this among all your readers. I don’t mean my opinion is more valuable… just that I would be surprised if I were not more personally experienced with the subject matter than all your regulars.
ReplyDeleteI spent over 40 years of my life in SOCAL, and we had seasons passes many years in a row. On years when we did not buy passes, we still paid for daily admission at least three times each year. The Pirates of the Caribbean ride was a “never miss” - and I mean NEVER - and the Haunted Mansion was a 90%-er. The times I skipped that ride were primarily because of lines. The Mansion simply cannot load as fast in Disneyland as the Pirates, because of the first room you are herded into (the best part of that attraction, in my view.) I have ridden each ride over 50 times, I am sure.
Also, I have been to Walt Disney World in Orlando at least six times and hence am able to compare the rides in both “World” and “Land”. I would say that the Mansion is slightly better in Florida and the Pirates is way better in California. The drop of the boat in Orlando is small and boring… whereas that first drop in CA is scary the first time, especially if someone has not spoiled the surprise like I just did.
Both attractions really are fabulous! They are well-thought-out and pull you in to the experience really well. New little details pop out each time you ride them.
For the ride: my vote goes - by a slight margin - to Pirates Disneyland.
As for the song, both are really really great songs. I could vote for either one depending upon how to weigh the criteria. For nostalgia: Pirates. For lyrics: Mansion. For singing along: Pirates. For voices: Mansion. For appropriateness for ride: tie.
I have often gone to visit Pirates with my extroverted Disney-fanatic friend Frank. At the bottom of the waterslide when the music first starts he always replaces the words and bellows out: “Yo-Ho, Yo-Ho, a pirates life for me! We RAPE AND RAPE AND RAPE AND RAPE, and then we RAPE some more!” Those with no sense of humor will be horrified at the un-pc behavior, but it is actually pretty funny: replacing the whitewashed and cleansed version of pirate life as depicted by Walt with perhaps a more accurate one. Still sung with joy, of course! He checks to be sure no small children are in the boat first, BTW.
Because of nostalgia and the ability to sing along (with the original lyrics!), I will vote for the Pirates song by another slight margin.
I forgot to add: "YES!" in regard to Tinkerbell.
DeleteSHEBOYGANBOY 6 ~
DeleteA-list comment all the way through! I will echo a few of your observations when I post my own votes.
I know Nappy will be here to vote in a day or two, and he also knows these rides like nobody's bidnizz. However, other than myself, you have probably ridden them more than anyone else who will appear in this comment section.
I've been to EPCOT CENTER in Florida, but not to Disney World, so I can't speak to how the rides compare in each state.
Both rides get my highest grade of "R" (which is like an A++).
Tinkerbell gets an "R" too, [...]
(I deleted the rest of that sentence because it was too insensitive toward women. ...Damn! I'm actually mellowing as I get older. Never before did I ever give any special consideration to the "women's sen-siiiii-tiviteeeees". I guess the SJW finally got to me, too! Whoda thunk it?)
Anyway, GREAT COMMENT. In some ways we agree totally, and in some other ways, slightly different. You shall see...
~ D-FensDogG
POSTSCRIPT: Did I mention what I'd like to do to Tinkerbell?
POST-POSTSCRIPT:
DeleteSONG: PIRATES
RIDE: PIRATES
~ D-FensDogG
Yo Ho gets my vote. I'm more of a Pirate kind of guy.
ReplyDeleteSONG: PIRATES
Delete~ D-FensDogG
Rip-U-Off Vacations... I think I used them on my trip to Miami a couple years back. So if we send a check/money order, should we send $190, or will one pass cover us both? We're essentially twins, so more than one pass seems like a waste.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think I've mentioned it before, but Van Morrison - the living example of don't judge a book by its cover. Who would ever think a guy that looks like that had that incredible, powerful voice?
And sorry, Sheboyganboy, but I think WE'RE the most qualified to answer this question. Oh, did I say most? I meant least. Neither of us have ever been to any incarnation of Disney-anything, nor have we ever heard either song. So everything we're basing our votes on is entirely from this post.
Song: I vote Yo-Ho, other B votes for GGG.
Ride: We both vote for the Haunted Mansion. That was a much easier choice for us, because we both love horror, and have to admit that that looks like a fun ride, even for our slightly-adultish selves.
~6B
>>... should we send $190, or will one pass cover us both? We're essentially twins, so more than one pass seems like a waste.
DeleteSend $95 and beer. We'll call it "even Stephen".
I'll tell ya, even "Van Morrison The Pirate" is a good singer. Really! I am so familiar with this ride and the song that I could point out to you which voice is "Pirate Van's" in the audio recording you heard. SERIOUSLY!!
SONG: PIRATES
..... GHOSTS
RIDE: 2 x GHOSTS
~ D-FensDogG
Once again, I'm on the short list, ha ha. My vote has to go to the Grim Grinning Ghosts and The Haunted Mansion.
ReplyDeleteNow for the shocker, so sit down. I don't want to be responsible for injuries. I'VE NEVER BEEN TO DISNEYLAND, DISNEY WORLD OR DISNEY ANYTHING. Juggernaut and Magoo have been there with school trips and Gonzo is the only hold out.
Injuries?
Turns out, the happiest place in the world for vacations is around my grill. But you CAN give me $119 and I'll feed you grilled VEGETABLES, no problemo.
[By the way: Gonzo has stuck to the plan so far...I'm amazed. Learning some new recipes because we can't follow your "never ever cook" plan, however tempting.]
Tanks a yot, brudder!
SISTER FROM ANUDDER MISTER ~
DeleteNever been to Disney-anything?! Why, if you were in my will I'd disinherit ya!
You are much too much a big kid to have never been to "The Happiest Place On Earth". My heart breaks for you like never before.
See, "THE ANGEL" is a lot like me (which should worry the sh*t outta ya!)
But in ALL SERIOUSNESS, remember what I told ya, based on 30 years of firsthand experience. Tell The Angel to satisfy EVERY CRAVING. (Except for that one related to Tinkerbell :o)
~ D-FensDogG
POSTSCRIPT:
DeleteSONG: GHOSTS
RIDE: GHOSTS
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen, fun interesting battle. The Grim Grinning Ghosts theme song and the Haunted Mansion amusement ride gets my votes! Isn't it horrible how inflation knocks things like this out of the ballpark? Your sense of humor cranks me up, though. I love your phony address for the ticket reimbursement. lol BTW, we met the original Tinkerbell, Margaret Kerry, last September at the Mayberry Days event in Mt. Airy. She was a delight to meet, too. Thanks for hosting the BoTB and for stopping in at my place to vote.
ReplyDeleteAmerican Girl #BoTB showdown
CATHY~
DeleteGlad you enjoyed this "special" BOTB installment. I really had a blast putting it together. I'm not sure it's tickled people like I thought it would, but that doesn't change the fact I had so much fun creating it.
Ha! I don't even know how I came up with that address. It happened in a moment. I must attribute it to many years of listening to Bob Dylan's albums from the late 1960s. His lyrics taught my mind how to go outside-the-box.
CATHY, have I told you before that 'The Andy Griffith Show' has been my favorite since I was a kid? My brother Nappy's, too! And did I tell you that we once took a vacation to Mount Airy for the specific reason of seeing the "real" MAYBERRY?
It wasn't during "Mayberry Days" that Nappy and I were there, but I would have rather seen it in "normal time" anyway.
I love "TAGS"! I loved Mt. Airy, too. We went to "Snappy Lunch" and ever'thin'.
"WE DEFY THE MAFIA!!!"
~ Deputy Barney Fife
~ D-FensDogG
POSTSCRIPT:
DeleteSONG: GHOSTS
RIDE: GHOSTS
~ D-FensDogG
I've been a couple of times to Disneyland and I like the song and the ride of the Pirates of the Caribbean best, even before the J. Depp movies! I liked the town scene with the guns shooting over the water and all the actors running about and the creepy jail cells. . . I did also like the Haunted House a lot but there can be only one in a BOTBs.
ReplyDeleteD.G. ~
DeleteI think I remember seeing you at Disneyland. Aren't you the girl who took my giant Mickey lollipop from me and then popped me in the mouth when I said, "Whatcha doin', EH?"
Thanks for coming by again with your two cents. Actually, this time, it was FOUR CENTS!
SONG: PIRATES
RIDE: PIRATES
This is an A-list Battle X 2. I'm LOVIN' it!
~ D-FensDogG
Oh, way fun; and funny. I really wanted to prefer the Pirates, but the Grinning Ghosts have more haunting effect. I'll vote for them for music; but I think I would rather ride with the pirates.
ReplyDeleteAmazing how inflation - and greed - has made happiness too expensive for most folks to enjoy.
OH-DONNA, You WILD THING! ~
DeleteThanks for coming by and adding to the fun.
And this Battle really is F-U-N for me because it's about carefree days in "The Happiest Place On Earth", and also because the Battle is really, Really, REALLY close for both SONG and RIDE. This was nice to get after my last contest which was a blowout.
I like how you put that: Inflation and Greed have made happiness too expensive. Thank God though that we can still get a pint of anti-misery tonic for about $6.
SONG: GHOSTS
RIDE: PIRATES
~ Stephen
DogGtor of Alcohology and
King of Inebriation Nation
Stephen,
ReplyDeleteYo Ho, Yo Ho it's a PARTY life for me! You saw it comin' Pirates has to be my vote for it being the basis for one of the very best lines I ever made up ...unless of course that was Doug's line. Hopefully, I get credit. Now for the rides, I still like Pirates as it is actually scarier due to the dives the ride takes. Also, it was scariest for my sister Marie who was indeed a red head when they say We wants the red head.
Now both rides are good and especially nice on a hot day in Anaheim as they get you out of the sun and are air conditioned. Haunted mansion has a lot going on visually but I still like pirates better as it has more memories attached to it.
There ya have it.
Pooh!
...AND POOH, THAT'S NOT ALL...
DeleteOK, good observations. And, yep, I'll vouch for ya that you get credit for that one.
I guess I'm the only Pirate still partying but... no one's ever made that call.
SONG: PIRATES
RIDE: PIRATES
This has definitely been an "E-TICKET CONTEST"!
~ D-FensDogG
Inflation? You got that right. Those monopoly money federal reserve notes only buy half of what they bought back in 1986, yet Disney’s annual pass cost seven or ten times what they did back then. Even so, I’d give Disney more of my money just to send you back to Disneyland. Too bad you don’t have a “Send Stephen back to Disneyland” donation link in your blog margin. Wouldn’t cost much divided up among all the musketeers that visit here.
ReplyDeleteAs for those songs, it was easy for me to choose ‘Yo Ho’. Although I always enjoy hearing Tony the Tiger singing about ghosts, it sounded like they used every instrument in the orchestra in the pirate song; so much to hear. I think that’s the reason I would choose the haunted mansion ride over the other; so much to see…even with the addition of the Johnny Depp pirate animatronics.
I’ll do it for you (not referring to Tinkerbell)…
SONG: PIRATES
RIDE: GHOSTS
Who ya gonna call?
SigBuster!
SigBusterToo ~
Delete[Not to be confused with "Ghost Busters II"]
>>... Those monopoly money federal reserve notes only buy half of what they bought back in 1986, yet Disney’s annual pass cost seven or ten times what they did back then.
Well, you can do what you you want to me, but I'm not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth the United States of Disney!
I appreciate your generous heart though. And you're right... before I posted this BOTB contest, I should have thought to set up a Go Fund Me account dedicated to getting me within arm's reach of Tinkerbell at Disneyland.
Are there really "Johnny Depp pirate animatronics" in the ride now? I hope not! I haven't been there since late '92, but let's face it: Depp rode the Animatronics' and Keith Richards' coattails, NOT the other way around!
I like how you recorded your own votes so I didn't hafta.
~ D-FensDogG
Al Bondigas here. Great battle!! It's hard to believe we lived so close to Disneyland as kids and never really realized it. We probably thought that 10 minute drive was an eternity. I remember once, during one of those rare times when I was upset about something, I had a helium filled balloon in my hand and I let it go, thinking I was getting back at mom and dad. I immediately regretted it and asked dad to get it back for me. When he couldn't retrieve it, it was at that moment when I realized dad was not a super hero. I truly believed he could do anything at that age. Anyway, Vote for Pirates for song and ride. Both are awesome rides and I have so many wonderful memories of both, but that's it. That's my rulin. Woow!! my gavel is cleaned and polished. I feel like a new judge.
ReplyDeleteJUDGE AL ~
Delete>>... during one of those rare times when I was upset about something
Were you ever upset about anything? I don't remember that. Rare times indeed, I guess. (Of course, battery-operated calculators didn't exist then, so there would have been no point in me trying to keep tabs on those rare occurrences.)
I NEVER believed Pa was a super hero... until he made you "disappear" at Grandpa's house 3-minutes into our 1970 family vacation. HA!-HA!
Damn! That was the most peaceful family vacation we ever took!
:o)
Thanks for your equanimous rulings, Judge!
SONG: PIRATES
RIDE: PIRATES
~ D-FensDogG
Wow, Dogman!
ReplyDeleteMy great-uncle was head electrician for the Orlando Disney Park. I got to see rides, and especially the Cinderella Castle while being built. Never did see the finished park.
That said... I am always into Pirates, whether it's music or the ride!
My vote goes to the "Yo-ho's."
Hot for Tinkerbell? Wow, what a confession.
DIXIE POLKA ~
Delete>>... "Hot for Tinkerbell? Wow, what a confession"
Truth be known, EVERY SINGLE LIVING MAN IS HOT FOR TINKERBELL! They just won't admit it. Me? I have no shame.
Dang! Yer Great Uncle must have made some good money. For an electrician, that was definitely the big time!
>>... "That said... I am always into Pirates"
OK, so you're hot for Pirates and I'm hot for Tinkerbell. Let's admit it: EVERYONE is lusting after SOMEONE!
~ D-FensDogG
POSTSCRIPT:
DeleteSONG: PIRATES
RIDE: PIRATES
~ D-FensDogG
Something tells me that, if Walt Disney were still alive today and knew what they were charging for admission into Disneyland and Disney World, he'd lose his mind. The only people who can afford to go anymore are the people who get free or discounted tickets, and even then, I can't imagine how much money a family of four could blow there. And, personally, I wasn't all that impressed: Mom and the three of us went to Disneyland in 1967, and I went to Disney World with people I work with thirty years later, and I couldn't see the "magic" or whatever it is. I was like "enh." I think the rate of increase in the cost to go there is about the same as that of college tuition...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, sorry for getting all worked up there.
I'll go with the Pirates over the Ghosts.
>>... Something tells me that if Walt Disney were still alive today and knew what they were charging for admission into Disneyland and Disney World, he'd lose his mind.
DeleteJOHN, I got news for ya: Walt was a very conservative guy, and he would lose his mind over plenty of things his company has done, over and above "the price of admission".
If he ever gets thawed out from that cryogenic tube and returns to life, every single person working for the Disney Company today will be looking for a job inside of 24 hours!
I see, hear, and feel "the magic" at "The Magic Kingdom", but I agree with you about the preposterous price! It's a friggin' day at an amusement park! Granted, it's the greatest amusement park ever conceived but... it's still one day at an amusement park, and that should hardly cost the price of a college education!
But then again, since no one really gets "educated" at college -- they only get brainwashed -- maybe I personally would rather spend the money on a day at Disneyland.
Anyway, no problem about the rant. It bugs me too!
I'm assuming your vote pertains strictly to the song. If not, please let me know before my BOTB Results get published.
SONG: PIRATES
~ D-FensDogG
Well look at you all coming up with a very exciting new and different kind of BOTB. I have to say, I really, Really, REALLY enjoyed this one. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that you have chosen my two very most favorite rides at Disneyland/World. No matter how long the line, and there usually is quite a wait, I stand around anticipating the fun that each of these rides brings to my soul.
ReplyDeleteI’m most definitely not one of those ‘spin around til you puke’ kind of fans, and although I like a good old fashioned roller coaster, these new-fangled ones where you’re hanging upside down and making loop de loops endlessly, do not thrill me. But rides of the caliber of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and ‘the Haunted Mansion’ intrigue me to no end. It seems there is something different to see every time you ride. For me at least, they epitomize the theory of the ‘E Ticket Ride’.
I think they did an incredible job ringing those characters to life in the movie ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, but not so much in the horrible movie they made out of ‘The Haunted Mansion’. Just goes to show that Hollywood…ain’t no Disney. Sometimes they get it right but most often they fall flat on their faces.
Anyway, as far as my vote. I love the Yo Ho, Yo Ho of Pirates of the Caribbean so give that song my vote, but when it comes to rides I’ve got to go with the Haunted Mansion. The creativity and sheer genius in all of the little gimmicks serve to enchant me no matter how many times I see them. So, as for ride I vote for The Haunted Mansion. Not saying that the Pirates ride isn’t great, but in having to make a choice, I’ll go Haunted. I love it when that ghost ends up riding in your car with you near the end.
I've read a few of the other comments and have to agree that's it's a shame the price they charge for admission, but it still is a magical place and when you consider most folks think nothing of a $5-6 coffee each morning, I'll take my magical enchantment at the price. It works best if you take a kids with you, which is exactly what I'm planning to do this coming Thanksgiving.
Oh, FAE, I had dinner 3 hours ago and I'm still so stuffed I can hardly think. Santa Claus ate too good tonight!
DeleteNow I'm dehydrated and want some water but I have no place to put it.
Thanks for the E-Ticket comment! I'm pleased you liked this Battle so much, as I had a blast putting it together. It's one of my very favorites I've come up with.
These are not my own two favorite rides, but I do agree that they epitomize the "E-Ticket" idea and they are the two most immediately remembered Disney rides there are. Even more than The Matterhorn.
I saw the original Johnny Depp 'PIRATES' movie once, years ago, and I liked it better'n I expected I would. Although I really don't remember an ARRRful lot about it now. And I didn't even know that there WAS a 'HAUNTED MANSION' movie.
I think my favorite part of the 'MANSION' ride is when your Doom Buggy takes you across that hallway overlooking the ballroom. There's just SO MUCH going on down there (which unfortunately does not come across very well in the video I found). And the elegantly dressed ghost couples waltzing on the ballroom floor is just super-creepy to me. (Even reminds me of that one scene in 'Scrooge' -- if you know which one I mean.)
And, you're right! People paying $5-6 for a cup of Starbucks coffee? Has the world gone mad? (No need to answer that.) It'll be a cold August day in Phoenix when I pay $5 for a cup of coffee!
Thanks again for this E-Ticket comment ride! I'm happy that my "Happiest Place On Earth" BOTB installment provided some readers with happy memories.
SONG: PIRATES
RIDE: GHOSTS
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
FINAL TALLY:
ReplyDeleteSONG:
'YO HO (A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME)' = 15 VOTES
'GRIM GRINNING GHOSTS' = 9 VOTES
RIDE:
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN = 9 VOTES
THE HAUNTED MANSION = 9 VOTES
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'