Dining away from Disney

Let's face it, there does seem to be a limit in Disneyland California as to how many places it's possible to eat in DLCA or Downtown Disney CA before the "I am an adult, not an alcoholic" raises its head. Why not look at the success they have had with the better eating venues in DLP ( can you imagine a Frenchman or for that matter anyone in any civilised country allowing you to beautiful food and then refusing you the delight of a matching glass of wine)

So based on that lets look at some initial options for the next Californian trip. I'm ruling out the Californian Adventure options, I was unimpressed by the Vineyard last time and it is not a place that entices me back in the winter months to its outdoor inadequately heated terraces. So I want to look further afield this year even though Catal and the Napa Rose are definites.

One restaurant has struck me as worth checking out, nothing certain yet, but I think its very high up on the list. It looks nicely independent, a bit quirky in a pulp fiction sort of way and just a short taxi drive away in Stanton.

http://www.parkavedining.com/

One thing's for sure, if we do check it, we will be certain to share our views here.

An update

The problem with blogs is that they either go wrong, become neglected or simply die under their own weight of information. This blog suffered all three. I'm going to try to update it however.

Whats been happening..

Health wise .. Not that great, things looked promising with the trip to Glasgow but surgery has been ruled out due to the location the surgeon would have to have been entering the brain. Put simply it's too near the hearing and vocal areas to take any risks so its a big no. On the plus side we now know where the problem is so in the future who knows.

Jackie and Markee music/guitars Kosheen

Music wise.. some great concerts over April and May with Kosheen rocking out the Academy Manchester, Marillion going down an absolute storm in Leeds with possibly the concert of the year so far and a fun gig by the Pet Shop Boys at the Apollo. Kosheen and Marillion return to the stage in September and November this year for more.

Holidays, as I mentioned, quite a lot to update including more California, two more trips to WDW Florida and DLP. I will include some fantastic restaurant reports as soon as I can.

The first priority has to be getting the video archives corrected so that they will play properly from this site regardless of what browser you're using. Hopefully the first trial of that will go up today.

Rush MEN Arena on the last tour

Future plans.. Quite a lot really now the house extension is finished.. Quick trip down (by air)to the Headland Hotel in Newquay for some fine food courtesy of Rick Stein (report to follow). Then finally Rush reappear on these shows to hopefully give us a concert to remember, this time however we will be following them over to Amsterdam for the gigs at Rotterdam Arena as well so another nice break there.

Spot of indulgence in November satisfying two of my loves (Disney and all things aviation). A trip back to Disneyland California followed by a stopover for a few more days on the way back in Vegas, timed to coincide with the Nellis AFB 60th anniversary air show http://aviationnation.org/ , can't wait as we've booked a suite at the MGM Signature so I'm not sure we will actually get out of the rooms. http://www.signaturemgmgrand.com/Suites/One-Bedroom.aspx

Ok below is the first test video.. .

Looking Back

A look back in time

Currently having a great time with some software and my new scanner that's allowing me to restore my negatives back to their original quality. I noticed recently how all my prints before the advent of digital cameras were starting to get into a shocking condition, fading and rotting away in some cases; and it's slightly defeating the object if I just scan the print, no amount of digital trickery can get rid of the worst of the mess without adding its own layer of noise to the image.

This system allows me to simply feed in the original negatives and create new copies inside the computer. Im doing it at the most basic of resolutions to start with so bear with me, but its already interesting to see how things have changed for better or worse. Spaceship Earth I think looks so much better without the clutter of scaffolding supporting Mickeys arm surrounding it.

Dibb Meet: North West 2006

NW Dibb meet Blackpool 2006

So here's the video from yesterday's event in Blackpool. The weather held for us and I think we can agree a great time was had by all. Thanks to Anne for organising again and thanks to all of us for turning up and making it a great occasion.

I have been wanting to use this music for a while because its high octane, making it easy to edit to, so I can get the results out fast. Its quite apt as well as it was quite a mission trying to get the names to the faces, especially for someone with my memory. Anyway I was all set to publish earlier and Jackie has just corrected all my mistakes.

If I have a roll on the floor laughing moment it has to be between Judy clinging on to the steeplechase for dear life and Steve (mapmans) well or ill timed wave (I laugh thinking of that now).

It's so nice to have met you all and we had such a lovely time, again, can't wait to do it all again.

Danny and Jackie

DLP Paris and Studios Video

Disneyland Paris and Studios March 06

This video has been a long time coming and for various reasons, initially illness has played a part in delaying it but on top of that I have been frustrated at every turn by my rendering and editing software giving me headaches of diabolical proportions.

In fact I think I have a slight idea now why at premieres of films, after the introductions have been made, the directors usually make a quick exit in the dark by a side door. I really hope I dont have to hear Franz Ferdinand again or struggle with this software.. Time for a major system upgrade I think. I can only assume that the amount of material I have thrown now at this particular package is a bit beyond its limits. Or maybe I just pressed the wrong button in my sleep..

Dibb Blackpool Meet 2005

Thanks again to Anne from the Dibb arranging another meet this year. I have added a link below to take you to the video from the 05 meeting. If the link redirects to the homepage of my video server simply select the Dibb Blackpool video it's number 12, you may have to scroll down the list. Don't forget if you want to add your name to the post on the Dibbs forums.

Inventions Restaurant DLP

Inventions Restaurant in the Disneyland Hotel

This is the latest in the restaurant reviews from the March trip so click on over using the links on the right and enjoy. Now I am feeeling a little more up to it I will continue with all speed on these reports and the DLP videos. I am also going to try and tidy up the menu system on this blog as its currently set up using an archive method which means things drop off the bottom and have to be accessed via the date archive links on the right. This may mean eventually locating to a new server.

DVD available

Quick Update

Just a quick update really to say we will be adding as promised to the blog, however illness this last couple of weeks has kept Danny away from the PC. Of interest though to Mac users is the fact that a beta download from Mac themselves is now available, which allows you to run windows XP SP2 on Intel based Macs http://nl.com.com/view_online_newsletter.jsp?list_id=e497 . This should allow you to view the videos. Failing that Danny has burnt all ten U.S. videos on to a DVD which can be posted at a cost of GBP£2.80 inc p&p within the UK, GBP£4.50 inc p&p for international destinations , if you are interested use the comments button and leave us a message.)

Phantom Manor DLP Video

Phantom Manor DLP

Welcome foolish mortals, todays gruesome update is a new video, a ride through, of DLP Phantom Manor. Its not a fully detailed report examining every piece of wallpaper (We do sometimes enjoy riding and soaking up a ride/show without a camera in hand you know) but a little trip to give you just enough feel and atmosphere to remind you and make you want to hurray back (shouldn't Disney pay me for that). Some notes and thanks. When Disneyland Paris opened their dark ride, Phantom Manor, in the early 1990s they had a Vincent Price voice-over as the Phantom. However, French policies indicated that the narration in the beginning of the ride must be in French, so Vincent's English narration was discarded, and Gerard Chevalier got the job as the new 'Phantom.' However, we only hear his voice in the beginning, as Vincent's demonic laughter is still heard throughout the rest of the ride. TY to Imdb for that info and a big TY to The Sound of Magics archive section for the sound edits. Note how in this video we get to see a fleeting glance of Dans pin hat which is slowly getting heavier after each trip. The big win this year being a LE Stitch St Patricks day pin.

Click for Phantom Manor Video

Disneyland Paris restaurant reviews.

So far on the dining pages we now have 3 mouth watering, illustrated reviews from the Blue Lagoon, the California Grill and todays update the Manhattan restaurant inside the New York Hotel. Still to come from DLP are reviews for Walts, Inventions and the Silver Spur. Don't forget there are also many more reviews from Florida and California with more to be added as well.

Click here for the latest restaurant reports

St Patrick's Day Disneyland Paris

Have a look at our Chip & Dale try Irish dancing extravaganza, including a special pre parade for St Patricks day. We were very fortunate over these few days to be given clear bright blue skies with no rain whatsover. However it was cold, so if your wondering why some shots are not quite as steady as normal, especially in the close ups, you have our excuse already.This video is slightly different than our normal style as it concentrates a little more on the parade and the special St Patricks day events. This is the first of our Paris videos...more coming soon. Dont forget to leave a comment

Click for Video

DLP Castle by night

A little update today. We are part way through the editing of the first video for DLP. This has taken a little longer because there are a couple of key things that required suitable music, namely the St Patricks day celebrations. I also have a hospital appointment today so I have been preparing myself for that as well, its been a little on my mind as it has approached, hence the lack of updates. Anyway hopefully this week we will have a short video ready and will get all the DLP restaurant reports uploaded.

The picture above is Jackies handywork, I took four attempts at this long exposure of the castle but the evening chill caused my hands to shake everytime. Jackie got it in one, with a little help from the railings in Discoveryland and her big thick pink gloves. Au revoir Danny and Jackie.

Click for Blue Lagoon Paris report

Just back from Disneyland Paris

We are back from a fab few days in DLP. Coming soon are reviews of all the best restaurants in the parks and Disney hotels. First up is the California Grill at The Disneyland Hotel. Also to come are our videos of the Studios including the construction of Tower of Terror and Disneyland Park with St Patrick's Day celebrations with Chip n Dale.

Click for California Grill Paris report

Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris

Just a quick update this morning. In a few hours time we will be setting off to DLP. We will bring a full update when we return plus lots of new video reports and dining information. In the meantime here are a couple of easy links to the videos or the restaurant reviews.

Click for trip Videos

Click for restaurant reviews

The V&A Restaurant at the Grand Floridian

Another restaurant review today to please all the foodies. This one is from our Christmas 04/05 trip and is lavishly illustrated so don't even think of looking on an empty stomach.We visited the V&A at the end of our Christmas to New Year trip and what a perfect conclusion to a wonderful holiday.
We must thank Susan for pointing out that the comments links have not been working, hopefully we have fixed this. If you're looking for any of the videos remember you can just scroll down the page to a video link or use the archives or previous post links to the right.

Click for V&A report