Hooray for the costumed characters! They've always been popular with the guests, and have become even more so in recent years. I don't know if you'll ever see characters just walking around like they are in today's photos. Is there a handler nearby, disguised so cleverly that they appear to be regular schmoes?
Goofy's wearing his classic orange shirt and blue pants, and the white gloves betray the fact that he is a germaphobe. He was also a bit of an obsessive-compulsive, touching the spikes of the portcullis 3 times whenever he walked beneath them. I love how the lady behind him is so delighted; it's as if she's saying, "Only in Disneyland, right?" to the gentleman.
A small crowd has gathered for Goofy, but poor Pluto can't get the time of day. "What's a dog gotta do around here?" he wonders, not for the first time. May I suggest tic-tacs, my canine friend? Wait, wait! The lady in the purple dress might want a picture with her Kodak Brownie! Don't worry Pluto, you are still loved.
Major-
ReplyDeleteBack then, the handlers were so well-disguised, often they appeared as the castle's stonework. I believe in the shot with Goofy, he's the second row down, fourth from the left. (Pretty great disguise, don't-cha think-?) Just imagine the surprise if some unruly youngster attempted to step on Goofy's foot, only to be caught off-balance by a section of rubble masonry on the attack-!)
Thanks, Major.
Ha, ha, Nanook! Speaking of masonry, that wall is looking a little too plain back there. I think they should change the color on those bricks so that every color of the rainbow is represented. And they should cover the Castle rooftops with mirrored tiles, like a disco ball!
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, I like the way that Pluto has one ear in front of his shoulder and the other ear thrown over his shoulder.
@ TokyoMagic!-
ReplyDeleteCan you throw 'em o'er your shoulder
Like a continental soldier? (Pluto's ears, that is).
Pluto's thinking, "you know, this wall could really use an eight-inch, wrought-iron extension on top."
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Goofy was a fan of the ivy on the castle wall behind him?
ReplyDeleteNice pictures!
Someone was just out “walkin the dogs”...
ReplyDeleteNo! Pluto, don't jump!!
ReplyDeleteI had a random unscheduled meeting with Meeko, the raccoon from Pocahontas, at Disney's Hollywood studios. He did have a handler with him, though.
Nanook, it sounds like the handlers might have had a cloaking device, like the Predators. At just the right angle you might discern some creepy eyes staring at you. “Is that wall watching me?”.
ReplyDeleteTokyoMagic!, I will NEVER understand the change to the garish multicolored stones. It’s so ugly, and unnecessary. Pluto was playing around with a new look - sometimes a dog just needs a change.
Chuck, I would have suggested a coil of razor wire, but I admit that this might not be a popular solution.
Penna. Andrew, EVERYONE is a fan of the ivy! It should have fans, like the smell in “Pirates”. How about a castle ivy pin? Disney could make millions.
Budblade, or are the dogs walking the people?!?!
Melissa, Pluto has had a rough week, but he’ll have an “It’s a Wonderful Life” moment and realize how much better the world is with him in it. Meeko’s handler was there to make sure he didn’t start rooting through the nearest trashcan.
How come nobody's asked 'Who let the dogs out?'
ReplyDeleteGoofy is also a mouth breather, apparently. My kids always liked the characters. I was young enough on my first visits to notice them but I have no recollection of ever interacting with them.
Wait! Is that a Starbucks coffee cup?
DZ
Isn't it obvious? Goofy let go a silent, and everyone is fleeing, even the woman in the glasses is protecting her nose. Pluto sensed it coming and beat feet. Goofy has one thing going for him, that hat. I have searched in vain for one like it I can wear for special occasions. Weddings, Bar Mitsvas and such.
ReplyDeleteTokyoMagic, do I sense a note of sarcasm in your castle comments? Thanks Major, for the very cool scans.
Goofy had the oddest hat in the comics, it doesn't translate well to 3D reality.
ReplyDeleteI know it has been commented by others, but Goofy and Pluto are both dogs, yet Goofy talks and drives a car, while Pluto is limited to more customary dog activities. How can this be? Was Goofy bitten by a radioactive flea to gain these supercanine powers? Will there be an MCU tie-in to this miraculous enhancement?
Pluto's casual ear management reminds me of some cartoon where he was twirling his tail like a watch chain.
Somehow the idea of Pluto having dog breath and Goofy dropping an SBD are just killing me today.
But the jocular mood is being dampened by fearful consideration of what the vandals are planning for the Castle upgrade. I see the construction walls in current photos and cringe for the outcome.
I wonder if Goofy will get a "Wookie" overlay with a bandolier like Chewie.
JG
Maybe I imagined it, but I thought the company line was that Goofy is not a dog, but a "Goof."
ReplyDelete"Okay, Mickey's a mouse, Donald's a duck, Pluto's a dog. What's Goofy?"
ReplyDeleteJG, I'm afraid it's already been done.
@Chuck, I'm always about two drinks behind.
ReplyDelete@Melissa, then he should have a Thanos glove with a bunch of jewels.
Clarence and Clarabelle Cow are shaking their heads.
JG
dzacher, nobody has asked because it might have been one of US. Goofy might be a mouth breather, but he takes great care of his two teeth. Those things are the pride of the dental profession. Starbucks cup, where?? There apparently was one left in a scene on “Game of Thrones” last night!
ReplyDeleteJonathan, I have never thought about Goofy “breaking wind”, but now I won’t be able to un-think it. Pluto knew how to git when the gittin’ was good. My mom, who is a fairly conservative person, bought a green souvenir Goofy hat the last time she was at Disneyland, I couldn’t have been more surprised.
JG, it IS an odd hat, isn’t it? I wonder if it is based on anything in the real world, or if it is just “cartoony”. Remember the scene from “Stand By Me” when they discuss how Pluto is a dog, but “What the hell is Goofy?”. At this point they can do just about anything to the park and it won’t hurt me that much - I am “comfortably numb”.
Melissa, I don’t know if that is the company line, but his original name was “Dippy Dawg”.
Chuck, ha ha, great minds think alike.
JG, NO AVENGERS SPOILERS! ;-) It’s OK, I saw it yesterday, I can relax finally. I sure didn’t expect the Hulk and Scarlet Witch to get married.
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ReplyDeleteYes, Goofy's obsessive-compulsive portcullis touching indicated his penchant for crime-solving. Actually, this Tony Shalhoub secretly stole this and used it in the hit tv series 'Monk.'
ReplyDeleteGoofy would whisper 'Here's what happened' when a handler went missing...
Pluto is so lonely! My Dad had a dog named Pluto who always got car sick.. maybe that's why Pluto is all alone? :)