Flanking the Columbia's entry to the right
is a character show "Sail Away" (which also seems to help
introduce the areas of the park to visitors).
Take a close look at the building below at
the left of the stage area as you face it - no, it's not a building with
a roof built up high! It is actually a light tower that has been hidden
in a shack - when the tower goes up, so does the roof! When the show is
done, the tower drops down until the roof falls into place on the
building below. Not only is this a clever solution to hiding a less
frequently used piece of equipment - but it also somewhat protects the
tower during inclement weather.
Below is a large shot, then a detail from
it, illustrating the Sail Away show. Complete with a major cast (which
you can see up on the balcony above and on the stage below) and moving
props (like the rowboat Mickey & Minnie are in) it appears to be a
first class production.
Compare this to the cheap character shows at
California Adventure - it just makes you wonder why the Walt Disney
Company doesn't feel you deserve something of this level.
Further to the left of the ship's entrance
is the "Sailing Day Buffet" (in what appears to be a customs
like building) - what a great idea.
In this detail from the above shot, note the
vehicles parked outside...
...and the level of detailing in the
building itself.
...here's a close-up of the lavishly
detailed sign.
CONTINUED
"Todd Meigan" is our insider's pen
name. Todd is a cast member currently working at the Tokyo Disney
Resort. Want to send some comments to Todd? E-mail him at todd_meigan@hotmail.com
