Some people think it’s strange that I continue to love Disneyland into my adulthood, and tend to make a return pilgrimage every four years or so.  That’s because they don’t realize that the park can have serious resonance for grown ups.

For example, take my absolute favorite ride: Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye.  It used to be that right before the riders plunged into a maelstrom of color and movement, they would see a demonic figure warning them not to proceed further.  As the photo below shows, the ride has been updated and now displays the floating head of Karl Rove, explaining his side of the story in the C.I.A. disclosure scandal:

The big deal this weekend, though, was the reopening of Space Mountain.  I was astounded to learn that the ride has been closed since 2003.  That’s two years worth of revamping and remodeling.  Radio stations were on hand to record the event, and even the Fast Pass lines were two hours long.  With all that, you can imagine the high expectations people had as they stood in line:

My review?  It’s pretty much the same old ride, but it has a few new flashing lights on it.  So basically, this ride was overbudget, past its deadline, and delivered far below expectations.  Frankly, that’s a bit too much like the real space program for my taste.  I prefer more of an escapist element in my roller coasters.

Speaking of which, who needs Autopia? 

You drive around on a track and get stuck behind slow traffic.  And if you bump other cars, people yell at you.  Again, far too much like real life. Except that out of all my friends, I’m the one who got a free prize--a tiny little Autopia car.  See what I mean?  Disneyland gives even when it takes away.

In conclusion, Disneyland isn’t old hat.  The end.