Absolutely one of the best episodes of Wonderful World of Color! That Ambassador they had in 1967 is hysterical with her breathy presentation. But it's bittersweet that it all happened a few months after Walt passed away.
I went to Disneyland this evening to meet some family, and the youngest had actually made a reservation a month ago for the Blue Bayou tonight.
Surprise!
While waiting to be seated out in the alley, I saw Michael Colglazier walk quickly past us in suit and tie with a fancy gift bag in his hand. He zipped down the alley and disappeared into the Club 33 doorway. Funny. In person he looks
exactly like he looks in pictures and videos, and the second I saw him I knew who he was.
Our name was called, and we were all given Blue Bayou 50th Anniversary buttons and some Pirates trading cards and fake pirates tattoos by the hostess; I skipped the tattoo but pinned the button to my sport coat lapel for the evening and got jealous looks from the Disneyland crowds. Service from our gracious waitress was good. The whole table had Mint Juleps, and we all agreed the new recipe using cane sugar instead of corn syrup was a big improvement. Most of the table also chose the circa '67 Fruits de Mer special on suggestion by the waitress, and so glad we did. It was very good, and nicely presented. (Although the presentation was very modern looking, and not at all how that dish would have been plated or presented in 1967) The teenage boy at the table had the ribeye steak, he's already a Morton's fan, and said it was delicious. The food quality was comparable to any upscale "fancy" restaurant out in the real world, which you couldn't have said about the Blue Bayou 10 years ago. Big improvements there. It was a chatty family dinner and we didn't feel rushed, and we stayed for desserts.
After dinner we went on Pirates, of course. The ride looks fantastic. Nothing new has been added, but it all just looks great. Very crisp and clear projections everywhere, all the little effects working, moody lighting levels throughout, crisp and clear audio, fresh and vibrant costumes and fabrics and accessories on all the animatronics, very fluid animatronic movement, etc., etc. Even the loading belts, the chain lift, the conveyor belts, all seemed very smooth and silent and perfectly tuned. It looks and feels like it must have looked in 1967, which I think is most appropriate for this ride.
Left Pirates and wandered out to a very crowded Hub, but since we are a tall Swedish family we just stood against a planter and watched over the heads at the Electrical Parade which was just arriving. While I think the Electrical Parade is way past its prime, there is something very charming about that Baroque Hoedown soundtrack playing at night with a packed audience clapping along. Fireworks were also great tonight.
All in all, a crowded but fun early spring evening at Disneyland. Welcome back Pirates of the Caribbean and happy 50th!
