Disney Wordless Wednesday – Theme: Disney Weenies
The theme for Disney (Almost) Wordless Wednesday this week is Disney Weenies. I had no idea what that meant but it turns out that Walt Disney and his team of imagineers coined the phrase “Weenies” for the iconic structures which are focal points in each of the parks or lands.
Most of the parks have several of these “weenies” that dominate the skyline and beckon guests to come closer for a better look. One of my favourites is Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland Paris. It’s similar in appearance to the mountain at the other parks but at the Parisian park it’s located on an island in the middle of the Rivers of the Far West and there is an excellent view of it from Phantom Manor.
There’s also a very elaborate backstory involving the mining town of Thunder Mesa that ties the Big Thunder Mountain and Phantom Manor rides together. Of course, I didn’t ride Big Thunder Mountain but I did enjoy looking at it, listening to the riders scream and wondering why exactly it is that people like roller coasters.
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Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris
Sean @DisneyDayByDay
Great shot, this is our son’s favorite ride, thus I get to see a lot of it :). Thanks for sharing!
Disney on Wheels
Great photo! I’d love to see that in person one day 🙂
Pirates and Pixie Dust Vacations
One of my favorites!!
Lisa Wood
yeah i dont get how people can ride on roller coasters! Mind you my son Zachery loves them 🙂
Great photo!
Debs at Focused on the Magic.com
Great shot! I can’t wait to try this DLP ride in Dec. The BTMR in WDW is pretty scary but I think I’m up for it. Thanks for sharing and joining in on the blog hop fun today.
Beth @ TheAngelForever
Gorgeous photo. Love how each of the Big Thunder areas at the parks are unique in their own way.
DIStherapy
Yes! Great choice- I LOVED that Big Thunder stood alone, on its own isle. Disneyland Paris has the BEST Frontierland!
Lorie Shewbridge
What a terrific photo!
I didn’t realize how similar the parks were, yet different.
I am amazed at how many places you and your family have been… I am so envious.
I have been to about 7 of the places you have listed on your sidebar, plus Ireland.
Hope you are enjoying your summer.
Lisa Goodmurphy
One of my daughter’s favourites as well – so I spend a lot of time waiting outside it!
Lisa Goodmurphy
I really enjoyed the Paris park – definitely one for the bucket list!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thank you!!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Yeah, I just don’t get the fun of a roller coaster. Emma doesn’t like them at all either. Katie picks and chooses – if they aren’t too extreme then she’s okay.
Lisa Goodmurphy
I’m sure you’ll be fine – you are much braver than me! 🙂 I gather there are some differences from the North American version but not having been on either, I can’t explain the difference very well. In Paris, the cars go through a tunnel at first to get to the island that the ride is on and I gather there’s more of the theme about the Wild West town that is tied to what you will then see at Phantom Manor (which by the way is much darker than the North American version).
Lisa Goodmurphy
I do too – and I loved the view that I could get of the Paris Big Thunder from the line at Phantom Manor.
Lisa Goodmurphy
I loved the Frontierland in Paris as well – definitely unique.
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Lorie – I love to travel and the kids get dragged along! Ireland is one of my favourite countries in the world although I haven’t been back since I had kids – going to have to get them there soon! 🙂
Mary @ The World Is A Book
Nice! I like the angle of this shot. It’s great to know there are some familiar things in Disneyland Paris. I used to like riding smaller roller coasters as a teenager but don’t care too much for them now. My husband and daughter loves riding them and I don’t see the appeal now either.
Steve
I love the idea of having the ride be on an island of it’s own. Sure gives it lots of room for beautiful pictures. Of course, imagine how great the pictures would be if you were ON the island. I’m pretty sure you could handle Big Thunder. There’s not really any of those real stomach dropping falls, just a lot of turns at reasonable speed. Just think of it as being in the car with your husband when he’s driving the 401 (only not during rush hour when it’s standing still).
Lisa Goodmurphy
They have been trying to talk me into it and maybe, just maybe, I’ll try it sometime. Emma won’t go on it either – she’s a bit like me about coasters. And the really fun thing is that I’m by far the faster driver – it would be much more like driving with me on the 401! 😉
Lisa Goodmurphy
I was never on a roller coaster as a child or a teenager because I grew up in the country nowhere near any theme parks. Maybe if I had then I wouldn’t get such a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach just thinking about riding one! I expect Katie is going to make me go on Big Thunder at some time – but I won’t like it!!
Grisel @ Living Life 2 Its Fullest
Great shot! It’s nice to see pics of Disneyland Paris, especially since I may never see it in person, LOL too chicken to take such a long flight!
Sonja
Really? He called them Weenies? Hmmm…
Lisa Goodmurphy
The flight’s not so bad – fly overnight and you can sleep the entire way!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Yeah, not his most inspired bit of thinking, in my opinion! 🙂
Flyingkids
Great shot! Disneyland Paris is truly fabulous. One of the best in the world.