Modern Family's Fantasy Visit to Disneyland

I just finished "Toontown Abbey," the Modern Family episode where the family takes a trim to The Happiest Place on earth. A place I know so well that was depicted in some realistic and unrealistic ways.

I thought this scene was funny, with the visible roped off crowd taking
pictures in the back ground. 

For starters, the episode starts off at the Dunphy's house, with sun flowing in the windows, seeming to be about 9 o'clock. Now, I'm not a Southern California resident, so I don't know how they do it, but I'd expect if you're going to make a day out of a Disneyland trip, you'd leave a little earlier than that. At least I would.

I did appreciate the fodder that went on between Gloria and Jay Pritchett have when Gloria tries to wear high heels to the park. Any frequent visitor knows the feeling of confinement and slight fury that hits when they see a women wearing those uncomfortable shoes for a day at the enormous parks. Since the show is a ABC production, it's nice to know that the owners of the park know its ridiculous too.

When the family gets there, Phil and Luke hit up Indianna Jones first, and are elated when Luke passes the height test, and they gleefully run 10 feet to the end of a 45 minute line. It was a funny gag, and again I appreciated the realistic view of a day at the park it provided. The show didn't have to make anything real, and often didn't, because the episode was a synergistic commercial for the park, more or less.

The unrealistic parts: when Haley's ex-bofriend shows up and turn out to be part of the Dapper Dan's. This kid is like 17,18. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think I've ever seen a Dapper Dan under the age of thirty, nor on a tandem bicycle. Then he shows up in a Little Bear costume, which I have never seen before, and proceeds to talk while in it: one of the biggest no-no's for a character. The show does end up revealing that the kid gets fired. It was another funny gag, but depicted something that just about never happens, and if it does, it's a big deal. Luke, after going on Indianna Jones, suggests going on the Matterhorn, which his dad Phil is ok with, and they run off and end up on Thunder Mountain. The Matterhorn was closed during the filming of the episode. And after they go on Thunder Mountain, Luke decided to go on Space Mountain, across the park from Thunder Mountain. Not the most economical decision, speaking in terms of distance.

Then the family leaves before the sun even sets. Disney is so spectacular when the sun goes down, I don't think a family would take off during daylight. I did appreciate that the family's last stop was "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln," a Disneyland classic, and something I always try to make my last stop in adherence to my family's tradition.

Overall, the episode had some good laughs, and I always love seeing the Happiest Place on Earth, even if it is in a half hour long subtle commercial. They did a good job for the most part of depicting what a real person's experience at the park would be, so kudos to them. But a talking character...I don't know.

Remaking the Mountain

My Google updates (my secret has been revealed! It's like you've seen my backstage) have been exploding (I've gotten like 6 updates) about the Matterhorn's $1 million refurbishment. 

Many of the articles (at least two) mention the fact that some guests to Disneyland were disappointed to find out upon seeing the mountain dressed in scaffolding that they would not get to ride down the famous 1/100 reproduction of the Swiss peak.


When I was working at Walt Disney World, I showed up in January and in February, Mickey's Toontown Faire was closed to become the double-Dumbo'ed Storybook Circus.

You want to know how many times people asked me where Mickey's house was? (Hint: that was a rhetorical question, with the answer being a large, annoying answer.)

If I was in a smart-alec mood, I would tell them "It's in Anaheim!" If I was in a literal mood, I'd tell them the truth. But always, after the question, I would ask myself "How much money did these people spend to come here, and they didn't figure out pre-visit that Toontown would be a relic of the past?"

The Disneyland monorail passes by the Matterhorn
(Glenn Koenig, Los Angeles Times / February 2, 2012)

So, it's no secret how much sympathy I feel for these people who are surprised about the Matterhorn's status. It's always been my strong held belief to make plans and do your research.  

You know the internet? That thing you're connected to right now. It's a great resource, especially when you're about to drop a couple grand on a vacation and you'd like to know what you're going to get for all that money you spent. Though, if you're reading this, you probably know that, and I just wasted your time. Sorry about that.

Since I will not be missing anything, as I won't be visiting Disneyland between now and June (but my mom will, sorry mom! But I don't get to go so ha! Serves you right for not taking me!), I'm happy that the mountain will be shiny with it's new snow (paint) and its new ride vehicles when my next visit comes!