I think it may have been in one of your reports (sorry if it wasn't, but all the good info seems to be in your reports!) that you had talked about a special anniversary map of 1958 Disneyland... anyhow, I was at the Disney Gallery the other night (my first trip to Disneyland in over a year, but I did finally renew my annual pass, so I'll be there weekly from now on!) and was told by the CM that the map is NOT going to be offered in the park anymore once they get more in stock.

It's only going to be available by Disneyland mail order, and I guess annual passholders are the ones who are on that mailing list. Just thought you'd want to know.
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The Anniversary map Jeannie mentioned was released in July for Disneyland’s 45th Anniversary celebration. Unfortunately, you had to be quick to get one as they sold out rather fast. I think Disneyland underestimated the popularity of the item. It seemed like a no-brainer to me. I mean, you had a map, how long have we been clamoring for those? And, the map was accompanied by some very nice pins. 

Below and above, the pins  that came with the 45th map
Pin art © Disney

Given that pin trading is very popular at the moment, it was not a surprise to me that the maps were gone in a blink of an eye. I do recall seeing one gentleman with a large amount of maps getting them stamped to collect his pins. He must have had at least a hundred friends he was giving a map to, such a generous fellow, no?

Above, how the 45th map was stamped, below the complete map package
Art © Disney

Maybe next time Disneyland will limit the amount each guest can purchase. That would be fair, don’t you think?

Well, Dear Readers, if you are one of those who lusted after said map and pins only to be left standing empty handed, don’t cry, don’t despair and for goodness sake, don’t bid on one on eBay... your desired map is just a phone call away (well, that and a few dollars charged to your credit card).

Disneyland is re- releasing them on September 15, 2000. The catch is you cannot purchase them at Disneyland, they are only available by calling DelivEars at (714) 781-4236 or e-mailing them at dldelivears.com. Annual Passholders, be sure to tell DelivEars who you are when you make the purchase. In addition to the map, banner pin, and "I walked in Walt Disney’s Original Magic Kingdom" button, you will receive an exclusive Annual Passholder map pin that is pretty nifty. [see above]

Oh, and for those of you, for whom one wall map is not enough, there is also a brand new regular wall map available in the park. It’s reasonably priced and if you cannot get to the park to purchase one for yourself, I’m sure MouseShoppe will be glad to help you procure one.

Do tell Adrienne I said hi, won’t you?
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My article on doing nothing at Disneyland struck cord with a lot of you, Dear Readers. It seems I am not the only one who spends time at Disneyland that way...

Scott writes:

1) I know what it's like to stand at the opening line and take off running. This time we did a Magic Morning and sat down near the Plaza Inn to watch them go running. It was so memorable.

2) Breakfast at the Harbour Galley. Great food, great prices, great service, cute birds, and not many people. Plus, the Rivers of America is beautiful in the morning.

3) Take one Coffee and one Blue Ribbon Cinnamon Roll and sit down in the side-street near the lockers. Yeah, there are a lot of people going in and out, but listening to the "Painless Dentist" and the showering hotel guest is fun!

4) Browse the shops from the north side of Main Street all of the way to the South side. There are soo many nook- and- crannies in there! (The East side is usually less crowded than the West)

5) As smokers, we rated the different smoking areas. They made some big mistakes (esp. the Haunted Mansion area. It *is* the most beautiful area to sit and sip a Mint Julep, but non- smokers shouldn't have to deal with the concentrated amount of smokers, and smokers shouldn't have to deal with trying to appease non- smokers. Big Thunder Trail is a perfect smoking area. It's plenty to the side and no one sits *right* there.

6) Take a flask and some Captain Morgan's Rum and ride pirates a couple of times. Not to get tipsy, mind you, but the taste of rum and the sounds of "Yo Ho" are priceless!

7) Talk to Rod, the piano guy. He gave me Cynthia's number and said to get a management job. "We need more people like you."

Just a little list and hopefully some hints to help others oversee the eminent decline of some aspects of Disneyland. As long as they don't ruin DL's atmosphere, I'll still go.
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On one of the rare occasions that I have been to Disneyland before the sun goes down, I too sat on the other side of the rope drop and watched the guests get on their marks, get set, go! I do have to admit it was fun to see. It didn’t merit dragging myself from my lovely soft feather mattress and black satin sheets at that hour of the day, but it was amusing. Everyone should do it at least once.

And I concur with you that Harbour Galley was the best. Was, is the operative word here. Harbour Galley has gone to Yesterland. That does provide moments of despair for me. How I used to love their tasty tuna sandwiches served in a little paper Columbia boat (you notice I am not mentioning how I loved breakfast there, do you not?) and their marvelous curly fries. Gone now forever to be replaced by, I shutter to mention this word -- McDonalds, so I hear. Ugh.

Now Scott, I do have to admonish you a bit. Sue stamps her dainty foot and shakes her pretty finger at your bad behavior. You are not supposed to drink Captain Morgan’s in the park. Alcohol in Disneyland, indeed ;^) You must save that for Disney’s California Adventure, dear (That is unless you are lucky enough to be dining in the cozy atmosphere of Club 33. Then, by all means, imbibe).
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More than a few of you wrote to tell me about your own experiences with "Nasty Excuses" in the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. It seems we have all run into them. It also seems we appreciate the marvelous Cast members like Jacob who turned a bad experience for me into a magical one. 

Next time you’re at Disneyland try to spend some time to be extra nice to the Cast members. Say hello and ask the them how their day is going. You’d be surprised how much a little pleasantry like that is appreciated. And just maybe, your little moment of kindness to a Cast member will transmute into a magical moment for another guest.

Mark sent these kind words to me:

In my fantasy version of that ride you took... Sue and group remain behind in the stretch room. The other guests, with the Idiots leading the pack, are directed down the corridor. They walk the dark hall toward the doombuggies. Wait -- what's this? -- this is different... An appropriately attired and ghoulish looking maid appears in the middle of the passage, and pulls open a panel to expose a previously unseen doorway.

Here's to many many more enchanted times in the Park --
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And you must remember, there are the Cast members. Most of them are sterling and very under-appreciated (especially by management — in my not so humble view). They do their best to make each guest’s experience a positive one. Every now and then you get a Cast member like Jacob who goes an extra step to make one guest’s day a truly magical one.

And that, Dear Readers is, as they say on Casey Junior, "The end of the lion"...-