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theme parks

Flying on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

by Mark Eades November 27, 2019

Roller Coasters do not have to go hundreds of feet in the air to be a thrilling ride, and the newest ride based on the Harry Potter movies at Universal Orlando in Florida proves it.

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, which recently opened at the Islands of Adventure theme park, shows that thrills and storytelling can be combined on a coaster-style ride – and can be delivered without over burdening the human body.

Hagrid appears during the ride on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Islands of Adventure/Universal Orlando. Photo Courtesy: Universal Orlando.

While going through the highly detailed (and long) queue line, visitors eventually view a video (in a mysterious cavern) where the character Hagrid, along with the help of Arthur Weasley, father of Harry’s friend Ron, are trying to charm and tame the rambunctious motorbikes so that we Muggles can ride them.

The motorbikes have a sidecar attached to them and riders riding together have to decide whom is in the car and whom gets to hold onto the handlebars during the magical journey.

Securely restrained in, (this is a Muggle theme park after all) the train of motorbikes is launched out into the Forbidden Forest. This is the first of seven times riders are launched as they whiz past a variety of magical creatures, some of which can be dangerous.

Enchanted motorbikes head up a hill on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at the Islands of Adventure theme park. Photo Courtesy: Universal Orlando.

At one point the motorbike goes up only to lose power as it nears the end of track. The ride goes backwards into a cave where more creatures threaten riders. After another dose of some more of Hagrid’s magic, which finally works, launches the motorbike train forward again on the finale of the ride where you finally see the creature Hagrid wanted riders to see.

The speed of the motorbikes hits nearly 50 mph as it banks and careens around the Enchanted Forest. But while it is fairly fast on the nearly one-mile journey, the turns are all well banked just like Disneyland’s Space Mountain.

Besides powered launches, there are also many moments when the motorbikes are deliberately slowed down for key story/show scenes – only to be magically launched onto another portion of the journey.

Gary Blumenstein, Creative Director for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Photo Courtesy: Universal Orlando.

Universal’s creative team, led by Creative Director Gary Blumenstein, have topped previous efforts at the park. Gary, who worked with me during our time together at Walt Disney Imagineering, successfully weaved a unique Harry Potter experience throughout this attraction with loads of details taken from the movies based on the novels by J.K. Rowling.

I can only hope that we will soon hear an announcement about this coming to Universal Studios Hollywood here in California so I can ride it again without taking a cross-country jet flight to Florida.

November 27, 2019 0 comment

Disney Disneyland Imagineer Railroads steam locomotives theme parks trains

Disneyland Mine Train Restoration underway

by Mark Eades May 16, 2019

The “abandoned” Mine Train that was once part of “Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland” sits by the Rivers of America in 2010. Photo courtesy: George Kissinger.

Remember when the mine train engine sat like an abandoned railroad by the Rivers of America at Disneyland?

It was removed in 2010 for a then newly imagined Rivers of America, and was replaced with a rockslide on the abandoned rails.

A rock from a “rockslide” now sits on the abandoned tracks of the “Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland” by the Rivers of America at Disneyland. Photo by Mark Eades

Those of us who go back further, remember when it was one of the locomotives on the “Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland” attraction at Disneyland. That was removed in 1977 to make room for “Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.”

The Mine Train travels across a trestle in “Bear Country” on the “Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland” in Frontierland at Disneyland. Photo courtesy: The Disneyland Resort.

The rails alongside the Rivers of America and two of the tunnels from the attraction are still there, but the engine and two cars were sent to an outside storage area owned by Disney.

Then, in 2015, they were sent to Walt’s Barn, to be restored by the Carolwood Foundation and put on display there. But there were some contractual issues that needed to be resolved between the foundation and the Walt Disney Company before anything could be done.

The wrapped up Mine Train waits for a restoration in 2015. Photo courtesy: Ed Romero.

Finally, in December 2016, an agreement was reached and the foundation started devising a plan to restore the engine and cars to their former glory, as written in this story by me for the Orange County Register. There were further delays in finding someone to do the work, but that person and their company was identified and the work is starting.

A member of the Carolwood Foundation holds up the sign that used be on the side of the engine from Disneyland’s Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland. The engine and two cars will be restored by the foundation, and eventually put on display at Walt’s Barn in Griffith Park. Photo courtesy Ed Romero.

The work is being done by Tim LaGaly and his company, TJL Construction, Inc. in Burbank.

Tim LaGaly of TJL Construction, Inc. stands by some of the metal pieces from the Mine Train that he is working on for the restoration. Photo by Mark Eades

But it also takes money. With that in mind, the Carolwood Foundation has launched a funding drive to raise $150,000 to fully restore the engine the cars, and even build a new tender, that held the actual motor and batteries for the train. (Though this restoration will not include a working motor nor batteries.)

The Mine Train engine sits in a storage bin at TLJ Construction, Inc. waiting for restoration work to start. Photo by Mark Eades

Here is the direct link at www.carolwood.org/contact and click on the donate to donate to this effort via PayPal. But people can also write a check made out to “The Carolwood Foundation” and put “Mine Train Resoration” in the memo space. Checks may be mailed to Carolwood Foundation, PO Box 2208, Toluca Lake, CA 91610, Attention: Larry Boone.

Some of the metal parts to the Mine Train that have all ready been restored. Photo by Mark Eades.

The foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit foundation, so donations may be tax deductible. It also operates and cares for Walt’s Barn, which is located at the Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum in Griffith Park. The Barn is open free to the public on the third Sunday of each month.

Bill Barbe (left), president of the Carolwood Foundation, along with Tim LaGaly of TJL Construction, Inc. show of the undercarriage for the Mine Train cars to four members of the Order of the Red Handkerchief led by their president, Scott Fleener. Photo by Mark Eades.

Recently, members of the Order of the Red Handkerchief visited to see some of the progress being made. Members of the order used to work the original attraction and include a few “Club 55ers” such as Ron Dominguez. The order is also helping with a financial donation and expertise from their time working the attraction.

Bill Barbe, president of the Carolwood Foundation, shows two members of the Order of the Red Handkerchief some of the wheels to the cars of the Mine Train. Photo by Mark Eades.

Besides money, foundation president Bill Barbe says they are looking for additional items to help with the restoration. Those items include a Drive Wheel, an oiler for the wheels, color photos, particularly of the controls for the engine, and good color photos of the tender.

The smokestack and part of the roof for the Mine Train. Photo by Mark Eades.

They would also like either receive a donation of, or borrow the following, so they can do a 3D scan of them: an original bell, an original whistle, and a number plate. All three have been purchased at Disney auctions, mostly through the Van Eaton Gallery.

“If those who own them could either let us have them on loan for display, or to borrow so we can make a 3D scan of them to reproduce for the display, that would be terrific,” said Bill adding, “We’re trying to make this as authentic to the original as we can.”

Anyone who has these materials can contact Bill via email at: waltsbarn@carolwood.org, or send him a snail mail to his attention at: Carolwood Foundation, PO Box 2208, Toluca Lake, CA 91620.

A wood siding from one of the rail cars for the Mine Train, it is completely rotted and will have to be replaced. Photo by Mark Eades.

Unfortunately, most of the cars that followed behind the engine and tender were made of wood, and the wood has rotted to such a condition that it will have to be replaced. The underlying metal carriage and other metal parts, including the wheels, are in good shape and refurbishment of all of them is underway.

Part of the wood that was once part of the rail car that was part of the Mine Train. Photo by Mark Eades.

Bill also said they would like a couple of the rails from the original attraction to set the engine, tender and cars on when the work is completed. Anyone who visits Disneyland can still catch a glimpse of those rails along the Rivers of America, but there are also some rails in the two tunnels that are not really visible and hopes to get a couple of them.

A tunnel through which the Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland still exists at Disneyland in Frontierland. Inside the tunnel are rails from the original attraction. Photo by Mark Eades.

May 16, 2019 3 comments

children kids Knott's Berry Farm theme parks

Where have all the chickens gone at Knott’s?

by Mark Eades March 31, 2019

Independence Hall at Knott’s Berry Farm

Take a look at the photo of Independence Hall at Knott’s Berry Farm. What do you see?

Now ask yourself this: What do you not see?

Chickens. That’s right no chickens around Independence Hall.

Some of the chickens or roosters that used to hang out around Independence Hall at Knott’s Berry Farm.

In fact, there are no chickens in this area or anywhere at Knott’s Berry Farm any more. They’ve all been removed and sent to a ranch in the Inland Empire with a do not destroy order.

Why? Well the Knott’s folks say the chickens left a lot of, well, chicken doo doo around and it’s a hassle to clean up.

That’s fine, I understand the health issues related to that, particularly with Soak City nearby and people could track that stuff into the water.

That said, I think Knott’s could have come up with a solution that would have kept the tradition of live chickens at the farm and not have the other issue.

Another chicken in the planter behind Independence Hall at Knott’s Berry Farm, as seen in years past.

How? By creating a new pen where some chickens could be kept. On display for guests, yet not out where they could cause a problem.

The pen would also solve another issue Knott’s was having with the chickens – they attracted coyotes would stalk them and slay one for food, leaving the remains to be seen the next morning. Not a pretty sight.

By the way, this has not been reported by any news organization including the one I used to work for. The reporter assigned to cover Knott’s can’t be bothered with getting real stories. That’s what you get when managers and editors think it’s better to let someone cover Knott’s who lives in Pasadena, versus one (me) who lives in Buena Park, three blocks from the park.

If you think me reporting this story says I’m anti-Knott’s – you’re wrong. I love the park. I just think there could have been a better solution to the chickens that visitors used to love there.

March 31, 2019 0 comment

Imagineer theme parks Universal Hollywood Universal Studios

My involvement with T2-3D: Battle Across Time

by Mark Eades February 19, 2019

It was late summer 1993, a few months after I had left the employ of Walt Disney Imagineering, when I got a phone call from a person I had worked with there. They were working on the concept for a new theme park attraction for another company and wanted me to come in for a meeting.

The meeting took place at Digital Domain, which was owned by James Cameron and a few others. The project had been developed by Landmark Entertainment and was for Universal and the title? T2-3D: Battle Across Time, based on the Terminator movies.

They had a storyline. They had a concept; a new one. 3D on three screens. The concept had a number of interesting and innovative gags including the Terminator (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) John Connor and Sarah Connor not only in the three-screen film, but the characters would leave the film and show up as live actors in the theater. And in one of the show-stopping gags, the Terminator would fly out of the film and into the theater on a motorcycle.

The issue? None of these fun concepts for a 3D experience had been done before. But I had worked on projects like Muppet*Vision 3D and Captain EO at Disney, and some other projects that I could not talk about at the time, that had done some similar things – just not on that grand a scale.

I was asked to develop a test mock-up program to prove it out so that Universal would okay the project. I would work for Digital Domain, not Universal, as Cameron wanted things that way as he would also shoot the 3-screen film tests needed. The idea for the attraction had come Gary Goddard and his Landmark Entertainment company.

Initially, I looked at the concept drawing and the story line. There were no detail (show set) drawings developed yet, just a general artist concept drawing of a theater, with the three film screens shown, planned (at the time) as 60-feet wide each.

Sight lines were going to be the toughest thing to figure out, and where to put the projectors so that people could see the film, and not be in the path of the projected image. The team also needed to be able to have a basic understanding of how the motorcycle would leave the film and enter the theater – then leap back into the film. Finally, the finale involved 3D on all three screens at the same time in the image of the T-One Million, and that had never been done before.

Courtesy: Universal Studios Hollywood

I started by doodling some rough sketches of where the projectors might go. I started working out some of the stuff on paper, and researched different lenses, throw distances from projector to screen and more. I worked out a lot of the math involved and figured lenses, distances and the offset height of the projectors relative to the center of the screen.

I knew my doodles would not be good enough as I needed clear drawings to show the team at Digital Domain what I was planning, including James Cameron, so I commenced to work on them.

I had a MacIntosh Plus back then and made use of the drawing programs I had at the time. I made two drawings: a top drawing showing projectors, audience area, stage area and screens; and a side view showing heights and seating rake. The drawings also had all the specifications for projector throw and lenses. Due to limitations of the software, I had to print the two drawings onto twelve 8.5-inch by 11-inch printouts each – then matched them up to tape them together.

I took those two taped together drawings to Kinko’s and made several copies.

This was all up against a deadline of a meeting with James Cameron. During that meeting, I would show what I had come up with, and the production team would talk about the different test shoots needed, along with another consultant, well-versed in magical illusions and special effects, to talk about how to transition from film to theater and back again.

I was supposed to go last after the others in that meeting, but when James showed up, he insisted on looking over my drawings first.

What I liked about James was that he had a good grasp of the technical challenges of the theater. I told him we really needed to mock this up full-scale. He said “no problem” and if Universal was a problem to let him know.

Well, flush with that, it was time for the team to meet with the Universal and Landmark Entertainment folks. We met with them in a very large conference on the lot. There were several folks on their staff in the meeting, along with some folks from Landmark, some consultants Universal had retained and of course the Digital team.

Universal didn’t have anything in the way of drawings for us – we asked. So I volunteered that I had done a couple of drawings of the theater layout. You would have thought I was feeding starved dogs the way they swooped in. I think they were shocked that someone had committed something to paper with actual numbers.

The two Universal consultants’ purpose seemed to consist of throwing brickbats at what I had come up with, but in the end they found the specifications I had developed were solid.

The end result for me was to estimate the cost of the mock-up and submit a budget. The budget needed to include six-70-mm projectors, three 60-foot wide screens, scaffolding for the projectors, and a location to mock it up. There were no sound stages around big enough and available for a long period. We eventually found that an aircraft hangar at the old Hughes airport property north of LAX would work, and was available.

The budget was submitted, with a big contingency, and approved. The longest lead items were the screens – they came from a company in New York, and had to be shipped by truck.

Meanwhile, I created a special multi-color alignment chart for the 70mm projectors – based on my experience with the Muppet*Vision 3D project. One that would make it easier for the projection engineers to properly align the projectors onto each screen.

After several months we finally had it all done, including myself spending a long day taping out the floor to show where the audience would be seated. We even set up some chairs on risers to simulate the correct height of the seats to the screens.

We did a quick test shoot just to see 3D on three screens, then it was set for the full test shoot. Then something happened. The Northridge earthquake on January 17, 1994.

Because of all the damage done, including the destruction of part of the Santa Monica Freeway, no one on the team went to work. Finally, three days later, I ventured out and over to the mock up. I was pleasantly surprised to find that we had done a good job of tying down the three 27-foot tall scaffolding structures upon which the projectors sat. The screens were still in place too.

Two days later I had a projection team in to check alignment of the projectors; they only needed some minor adjustments. My work was complete, and so I went off payroll for a while. During that time, I did some consulting on EFX for the MGM Grand.

Finally, they called me back after they had filmed and put together the full test shoot, including some CG of the T-One Million character. They needed some special screenings set up. I came in and organized them for the Universal executives, along with the Digital Domain team, James Cameron and his team, and the Landmark team.

Courtesy: Universal Studios

After a week of screenings, they went off and had meetings. At that time, Universal wanted to think about moving ahead with the project and didn’t want to spend any more money. So, I was told to tear down the mock up and put everything into storage. A couple of weeks later, I handed the keys to the hangar back to the property managers, and collected my last paycheck on that job.

A couple months later I was at Warner Bros. working on a 3D film project and was signed to a contract to write and produce that project. Two weeks after I signed that contract Universal called and wanted me to come back and be a producer on T2-3D for them but I had to turn them down due to the Warner Bros. deal.

They eventually had a large 3D screening facility created at Digital Domain, and I ended up renting it to screen 3D dailies for the Warner Bros. project. I ran into James Cameron a couple of times there; he was working on Titanic and in discussions with them about the models and special effects for that film.

When Universal finally got T2-3D done, I was invited out to the cast and crew screening of the finished film. They had built a mock-up in another airplane hangar, this time at the Van Nuys Airport. They had also downsized it slightly to 50-foot wide screens. Still, it was the same show we had done the tests for, and the same show that opened in California and Florida, and eventually in Japan.

Some of the great people I worked with on the project included: Peter Anderson, David Bartholomew, Adam Bezark, Cecil Kramer and Amy Jupiter.

February 19, 2019 0 comment

animation Disneyland Alumni Club Imagineer theme parks

Helping Ryman Arts

by Mark Eades December 19, 2018

For the past few years I’ve had the pleasure of serving as treasurer of the Disneyland Alumni Club, which is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit dedicated to helping current and former Disneyland Resort Cast Members stay in touch, and also give back to the community.

During my time we’ve instilled a strict financial discipline on the organization so that for the first time in a couple years, we’ve been able to give back. So, our first donation in a while was made to Ryman Arts. We’re going to continue this effort this year and beyond.

Diane Brigham of Ryman Arts, receives a $500 donation from the Disneyland Alumni Club. Pictured (l-r) are: Mark Keiser, president of the club, Brigham, Richard Ferrin, vice-president of the club and Mark Eades, secretary and treasurer of the club.

Here is more about that donation:

It was a beautiful Sunday at Walt’s Barn in Los Angeles, a perfect day and place for a special moment.

The moment was when Diane Brigham, executive director of Ryman Arts, stopped by to receive a donation of $500 to the Ryman Carroll foundation from representatives of the Disneyland Alumni Club.

Mark Keiser, president of the Disneyland Alumni Club, along with Richard Ferrin, its vice-president, presented her with the check.

“This check will help fund art supplies for a number of students accepted into our program,” Brigham said.

The donation came about thanks to the generosity of club members, and a disciplined approach to spending by the club.

“The legacy of Ryman Arts is part of the very foundation of Disneyland, Walt Disney and the man who helped Walt develop the first concepts for our Magic Kingdom,” Keiser said.

Keiser added that Ryman Arts commitment to providing solid training for young artists fits in with the Club’s mission to promote the spirit of Disneyland.

Vice-president Ferrin echoed those remarks saying, “The magical qualities that make Disneyland special are the magical qualities programs like those of Ryman Arts instills in budding artists.”

Ferrin, an artist and designer, also said Ryman Arts will be a part of the Club’s plans for its big Disneyland 65th anniversary reunion in 2020, and in 2019.

Ryman Arts was founded by friends and family of Disney artist and Legend Herbie Ryman after his passing in 1989. It was established to carry on his philosophy of teaching the foundational skills of drawing and painting to young artist to help them reach their full potential.

It primarily achieves this goal through a series of art classes taught by professional artists on weekends at Otis College of Art & Design and California State University, Fullerton. None of the students (mostly high school age) have to pay for the classes or the cost of their art supplies, thanks to the donations the foundation receives.

Founders included the late Marty Sklar, and Harrison “Buzz” Price – both Disney Legends, along with Sharon Disney Lund, Walt Disney’s adopted daughter.

The Disneyland Alumni Club was started by Disney Legend Van France who, along with Dick Nunis, wanted to create a group that would help current and former cast members stay in touch after leaving their positions at the Disneyland Resort. Additionally, it works to improve the community through its actions and donations to other organizations.

The Club’s motto is, “Always part of the Magic!”

Both organizations, along with Walt’s Barn through the Carolwood Foundation, are 501 (c) (3) non-profit organizations.

Walt’s Barn in Griffith Park.

The club plans to continue its efforts to give back in 2019, with several more $500 donations all ready approved by its board of directors.

December 19, 2018 0 comment

theme parks

The Christmas Tree Trail at Disney Springs

by Mark Eades December 5, 2018

While I was in the Orlando area at the IAAPA Expo, I spent some time over at Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs, and there I discovered their Christmas Tree Trail.

The trail wraps around one side of the shopping and retail complex and consists of a number of Christmas trees – each one decorated with a theme based on a Disney movie or attraction or other theme, even villains.

So Merry Christmas and leave a comment about which tree is your favorite and why.

And this is the large tree that is the main Christmas Tree at Disney Springs. I do not know the ladies, but they would not get out of the way while I was taking my photo.

Merry Christmas everyone.

December 5, 2018 0 comment

theme parks

The fun of fun at IAAPA – the theme park convention

by Mark Eades November 30, 2018

So I went to the big IAAPA Expo in Orlando. For those of you who don’t know what IAAPA is, it stands for International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. The Expo takes place in Orlando (of course) and it brings together thousands of folks who either design, build, engineer or operate a variety of amusement parks, theme parks, and other forms of Family Entertainment Centers.

So, of course, I took a bunch of photos. Enjoy.

These characters greeted us on the first day.

Doesn't this look really cool? Warp speed into IAAPA.

Neon lighting can have lots of twists and turns.

How to demonstrate clean toilets for your theme park? With Manneken Pis of course.

I can reach it, well he can. I didn't try.

A virtual futuristic motorcycle ride. Looks like something from TRON.

How about a virtual reality ride on a hover board?

Believe it or not, there is a company that will create your souvenir theme park map.

I was thinking this carpet would go great in the living room. Wife nixed that idea.

Don't mess with this lady.

This is my gratuitous shot of hot looking convention girls.

One company brought a working shooting gallery to the convention.

Would you invite him to lunch? Doubt it.

This guy was losing his head over all the theme park stuff at IAAPA.

Yet another virtual reality simulation vehicle.

There was lots of virtual reality and companies offering it at IAAPA

Perhaps a water and light show is something you want.

Yes, that's an amusement park ride, with people riding it, right there on the convention floor at IAAPA.

Yep, another virtual reality on board a simulator.

Not content with just virtual reality, this one tumbles you all around, even upside down.

It's hungry.

Some cool lighting effects on these critters.

My, what big teeth you have.

Why have a real fire when you can have a fake one?

Another ferocious looking creature.

Now this is old school, but it's still cool and it's perfect for me. Can someone buy me a few of these machines for my house?

Yet another thrill ride in the middle of the IAAPA Convention floor.

She was just sewn together.

IAAPA is udder fantastic.

We never had playhouses like this when we were kids.

Yes, it's a virtual reality pod.

Need a roller coaster wheel? Several companies were offering them.

There was even a virtual reality parachute drop.

Turnstiles were on display for those who needed to keep count.

This lion ain't lyin.

Well it might be a fake steam train, but it's still a locomotive and I just had to take a photo.

Something about this frog statue fascinates me.

There are locker suppliers for the parks here too.

Want your fortune told? Buy one of these.

I don't know why its eyes are glowing, but it's cool.

Ladies, a great thing to practice something for when you're mad at your man - ax throwing, the newest amusement park sport.

Shoot the bad guys virtually.

Walking the IAAPA Expo floor can be exhausting.

I loved this old school style soda display.

Okay, slow down and take a breath.

There was even a small roller coaster inside the convention center at the IAAPA Expo.

Yes, it's another thrill ride and people are puking, I mean riding it over and over.

Some interest riders.

Who knew penguins could sing?

As far as I'm concerned, the big hit of the show - the inflatable pile of poop. Kids can climb inside and bounce around all they want. I don't think it smelled bad.

It's an inflatable that's a giant snow globe.

Bounce around inside this snowman inflatable.

I have no clue why Costco was at the IAAPA Expo.

A new Aquaman display complete with wax figure for Madame Tussauds.

Sometimes you have to vent a little steam.

My one selfie at all of IAAPA.

This is an aquacar. People at waterparks can ride it, and with the top down, they get an air supply when the car goes underwater.

I hope this guy doesn't make an ass of himself.

This was amazing, those letters are made of water drops. Really cool.

Or you could just hang around on one of these climbing things.

This is a model of an actual new water slide that debuted very recently at a waterpark. It looks crazy, but it works.

What's Up Doc?

Let's count to ten, and this is brought to you by the letter "A."

This is a model of an immersive three-room inn under construction in Canada. Not only is the outside immersive, but the rooms are too.

November 30, 2018 0 comment

aging Daddy Zone fatherhood parenting theme parks

Day 4 of An Adventure in the Daddy Zone With My Father

by Mark Eades November 3, 2018

Today was a day for lazing around in the hotel room until it was time to visit Evermore Park, which opened at 6:30 p.m.

Mostly we watched a couple of movies on HBO, then got a late lunch/early dinner.

Dad (Jim Eades) warms himself by the fireplace in the Tavern at Evermore Park in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Then we bundled up for our visit to Evermore, as it is definitely November around the Pleasant Grove, Utah area, and it is a might cold. Cold enough to turn the leaves a very bright yellow on some of the nearby trees.

Bright fall colors explode forth in the evening sun in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Evermore Park is a unique themed entertainment experience. There are not rides, it is more like a themed village with real people – actors – playing roles in the village.

Pumpkins dot the landscape around Evermore Park for Halloween.

Because it was still Halloween, the park was decorated for the season, and the storyline – about how “the dark” could take over people and the village – was something to dig into and find out about from the townsfolk.

One of Evermore’s “residents” chats with some visitors.

The first hour and a half of the three-hour time is more about exploring the village.then the second half is when the actors get more active about problems they are encountering, and seeking help from us visitors.

An owl and its caretaker give visitors to Evermore a chance to get up close and personal and say “Who?”

We went into one building where there were several live critters, including an owl.

Dad liked spending time sitting at the bar in the Tavern, talking with “the wench” behind the bar.

Of course, Dad loved chatting with the ladies.

This young lass spent some time warming herself by the fire – and Dad joined her.

When you walk around the village you might see a few creatures that are not too friendly.

You do not want to touch, nor let this creature touch or bite you in Evermore. You could get “the black.”

The second half is when the actors get more active about problems they are encountering, and seeking help from us visitors.

A villager tells others of her scary encounter with “the black” while others in the Tavern look on.

At one point I encountered a knight who challenged me to a game of chess – I defeated him with a checkmate move by my queen. He honored me with a “Well played, good sir.”

I defeated this knight with a brilliant move of my queen to checkmate his king.

Part of the evening’s entertainment were these two ladies doing a thrilling and twirling routing with fire.

A pair of fire dancing lasses entertain visitors to Evermore.

You had to be careful walking along the trails and streets of the village, or you could be infected with “the black.”

We think this villager might have been infected with “the black.”

Dad was just walking along but it was claimed he might be a spreader of “the black” and he was put in the gallows for a few minutes to make sure he was not and was pure of heart.

It was thought that Dad might be “infected” and was put into the gallows until it was determined he was not.

I met up with Evermore’s creative director, Josh Shipley, who is also a former Disney Imagineer I’ve known for some time. He seemed to be enjoying himself immensely in this new career of his.

Josh Shipley (left) is the creative director of Evermore Park in Pleasant Grove, Utah. I’m on the right.

He also told he that kids loved the big scary monster near the park’s entrance almost more than the adults – something they didn’t think would happen as they had originally planned to put the creature more towards the back of the park. He even offered how people were asking for souvenir T-shirts with the creature on it.

This large scary looking creature will ask you your name, then send you on a quest.

Well it was an enjoyable evening, though cold. So we went to bed early to continue the adventure on the morrow.

The mill and mausoleum in Evermore.

Here is a link to Day 3.

November 3, 2018 2 comments

Knott's Berry Farm theme parks

Can the Catawampus make a comeback at Knott’s Berry Farm?

by Mark Eades August 23, 2018

At Knott’s Berry Farm in Ghost Town, near the stables and beneath the windmill stands an odd creature known as the Catawampus, or “Species Extinct.” Here is a link to Part 1 of my journey of discovery to learn more about this odd creature. Here is a link to Part 2 of my journey. Here is a link to Part 3. Here is a link to Part 4. Part 5, the last part for now, of the journey is below, read on…

Professor Ananias’ journal ended with his getting on a run as an engineer on the railroad that ran through Cajon Pass. Apparently, he left the railroad to, and we can only guess at this point, continue on his search for the Catawampus in the hills and mountains in that area.

There were unconfirmed reports that he ended up along the headwaters of the Santa Ana River in the nearby San Bernardino Mountains. But he was never heard from again. The only evidence was his journal, which was found in an abandoned cabin years ago, and donated to a local library where it languished on the shelves, and eventually found.

But that’s not the end of the story.

Years later, the son of Professor Ananias’ sister came west, wondering what had happened to him. He knew of the professor’s obsession with the Catawampus and retraced his steps, eventually finding the abandoned cabin and the journal shared here.

The son, however, needed work and eventually ended up in Orange County, working as a laborer for some of the farmers in the area.

Those white flowers on the boysenberry vine are future berries.

He eventually met up with Rudolph Boysen, who worked as the superintendent of city parks for Anaheim. Rudolph showed him some vines of a plant that grew purple berries growing along the banks of the Santa Ana River, and offered him some. They were very tasty.

Boysen told him that he had seen what appeared to be tracks, only they were made up of round holes like from a wooden cane. This was similar to the description of the tracks made by the Catawampus as he had read in his uncle’s journal.

Boysen also noted that when the plant dropped its leaves every year, he rarely had any to rake up, as if someone had been there and taken them all.

The berries drew the attention of Walter Knott, who took some cuttings from Boysen, and in a few years successfully turned Boysenberries (as Knott named them) into a booming business.

Anianas’ nephew went to work for Knott, and, at times, saw the same strange tracks – but never saw a Catawampas at that time.

As Knott’s enterprise grew to include Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant and then the added Ghost Town, the farm started to give way, with less and less fields to tend to. But Ananias’ nephew stayed on, caring for the vegetation at the farm. As the farm grew into an amusement enterprise, there were more and more attractions, and less and less actual farm land.

About that time the nephew met a man named Forrest Morrow. He had been told to find the nephew by Knott. Morrow had talked to Knott about creating a new location for a special collection of animals, called Wood-imals. He’d heard about the Catawampus, and thought it would make a fine addition to his collection. They would all be given a safe place to live and, as they generally did not move around during the day, it would be a unique place for kids to run and play. The place would be called Jungle Island.

However, Ananias’ nephew told him he had not seen one, though there was evidence of them being in the area. Morrow offered to help catch one or two.

What Morrow did, after reading up on the Catawampus in the professor’s journal, was suggest a way to trap one alive.

He brought in a stuffed, dead coyote, then rigged up a loudspeaker connected to a record player that would play sounds of a coyote howling. They decided to do it one night in the fields when there was no moon.

They stayed up late one night, waiting. After things got quiet, they turned on the record player. The howls could be heard across the boysenberry field. Then, after an hour, they heard the sound of a bell connected to the trap. They rushed out with their flashlights and there, in the cage, was a Catawampus.

As usual, it did not move when confronted by humans.

Morrow gently picked up the cage and put it in his pickup truck, along with a good helping of boysenberry plant leaves.

Later, he told the nephew he never saw the Catawampus move, though he did hear occasional mooing sounds coming from where he kept all the caged Wood-imals.

Months passed by, as Jungle Island was built. Then Morrow brought all his Wood-imals to the island and placed them throughout the place, opening the island in 1964.

Kids loved the place, and the Wood-imals had a place to live, and kids visiting Knott’s Berry Farm had a place to run and romp.

But eventually, progress took its toll and the island was changed into a nature area less then 20 years later. Most of the Wood-imals eventually disappeared.

Vines of the Boysenberry plant are thriving and doing well at Knott’s Berry Farm. Photo by Mark Eades

But the one Catawampus left somehow lived on. It is thought it still fed on Boysenberry plant leaves, the few that were left around Knott’s. And because coyotes occasionally roamed through the area, undoubtedly feeding on the chickens living there, it would occasionally catch a coyote for a meal.

Anania’s nephew finally left the farm for the east too, deciding he had finally seen his uncle’s Catawampus, and verified all the claims found in the journal and wanted to present the findings to the university that had laughed at him. But he never made it there, the victim of an automobile accident.

Still, one, lone Catawampus could be seen around Knott’s Berry Farm over the years, even as the Boysenberry plant all but disappeared. In fact, for a couple years there was only one plant that survived the loss of the farming of boysenberries in the area. It grew, quite by accident, by the farm’s train “roundhouse” and the engineers that cared for the engines kept it alive.

Then, a few years back, the farm decided it needed to bring back its legacy, and planted some boysenberry vines by the little lake. As the vines grew and berries appeared, the Catawampus – which had not looked well, seemed to grow too. It got healthier. It disappeared for a while, then a baby Catawampus appeared – along with the adult.

This Baby Catawampus can be seen standing next to its Momma under the Windmill in the Ghost Town Area at Knott’s Berry Farm. Photo by Mark Eades

Now both are alive and healthy, spending the daylight hours under the windmill where visitors can see them. Neither seem to be bothered by humans, but who knows? They don’t move around when people can see them.

And because there was a baby, that means there should be other Catawampus around – hiding. Could this be a sign that more Catawampus could appear around the farm, babies and adults?

One can only hope that’s the case.

August 23, 2018 0 comment

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The Catawampus have to be out here somewhere

by Mark Eades July 31, 2018

Professor Ananias’ career as a scholar in the field of rare animals was in ruins – even though he had seen a herd of Catawampus, he only had his drawing, and that drew nothing but skepticism and scorn from other scholars.

So, he left the world of academia and headed back west on the railroad, eventually working on the railroad as a fireman and then an engineer.

At first, he was on the Durango & Rio Grande Western Railroad in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, traveling the narrow-gauge railroad line that serviced the mines and loggers there. But eventually, he hooked up with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, ending up based out of Barstow, California.

The Catawampus as seen once upon a time at Knott’s Berry Farm.

Once there, he spent his spare time roaming the hills and mountains in a vain effort to find the Catawampus again. He would also listen to the town gossip and talk to others to see if anyone had heard of them.

No one really lived in Calico anymore, though there were a few prospectors in the hills. But none of them knew anything about the wooden creature.

One night, after getting back into town after steaming in from Arizona, he stopped off at one of the old watering holes (a bar) where he met two old codgers.

This is the entry from Professor Ananias’ journal about that meeting:

I met two older, bearded men, one was called Whiskey Bill (and he deserved the name judging by the quantities of that liquid he could down) and Handsome Brady (though how he got that name had to have been a joke!).

Statues of those famous western characters, Handsome Brady and Whiskey Bill.

I was sitting at the bar having a brandy when I overheard them talking to one of the ladies from a place called “Goldies,” and were trying to come to some sort of arrangement. During their discussion with the lady, they said that if they could come up to her place, they would take her out tomorrow to see the Catawampus. My ears perked up on hearing that.

After the lady denied their advances, I could see they had nothing else on for the evening, so I purchased a bottle, and walked over, setting the bottle in the middle of the table.

“Mind if I join you?” I asked.

Their eyes showed they had been around in the west for a long time. But they lit up when they saw the bottle.

“If y’all are sharin that, why shor,” said Whiskey Bill.

I set three glasses on the table, opened the whiskey and poured. Bill grabbed his glass and drank it down like a thirsty camel. I refilled it immediately. Bill started to drink that one, but stopped when Handsome Brady cleared his throat.

“What can we do for you stranger?” Brady asked.

I leaned forward and spoke in a low voice.

“I couldn’t help but overhear you mentioning a creature called a Catawampus.”

Handsome picked up his drink, looking at Bill while he slowly sipped. Bill’s eyes got a little larger, he took a short sip from his glass. Bill coughed.

“Uh, that was just talk, you know, for the lady.”

“Really?” I asked. “So, you haven’t seen one of the wooden creatures?”

Handsome seemed to choke on his drink. He set it down.
Handsome asked, “How do you know they’re made of wood?”

I looked around, no one in the bar was paying attention to us at all, but the two seemed unwilling to talk.

“I’ve heard about them too, years ago in Calico.”

They looked at me with disbelief in their eyes.

“I was there when it was booming, I’d hoped to get proof of their existence.”

Whiskey Bill asked, “What kind of proof?”

“Maybe capture one alive and take it back east to my old college.”

They both laughed.

Brady said, “If you can manage to catch one, they’ll just stop movin, and then people will think you’re nuts cuz all you’ll have is some pieces of wood.”

Bill added, “We seen a couple, we had ‘em cornered in a box canyon. They just stopped moving, they stopped their mooing – for all anyone could’ve known, they were just a prank played by some youngsters to make them look like they was livin things.”

I nodded and took a drink myself.

“Still, you’ve seen them?”

The two nodded.

“Where?”

“In the foothills on the other side of Cajon Pass,” Brady said.

I started to get up.

Bill asked, “You going to try and find ‘em?”

“Yes.”

“Well best of luck to you sir.”

I started to take the bottle, saw them both staring at me. I put the bottle back down.

Bill said, “I knew you was a gentleman when I laid eyes on you.”

I felt reborn as I walked out of that bar and headed to my place to get some sleep, I had a run across the desert, but now wanted to get on a run to Victorville, as that was much closer to the pass.