Now let me say from the very start of today's photo essay that the Security Hosts who patrol the grounds of the Disneyland Resort actively discourage people from bringing knives on property (That's why they do those bag checks at Disneyland Plaza, after all). But that said, this time of year, you can still find folks inside of the Parks who do pretty amazing things with a blade.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
I am speaking – of course – about all of the pumpkin carvers who have set up shop at Big Thunder Ranch. Who (over the course of Disneyland's six week-long Halloween Time celebration) entertain Guests by using knives & various other carving tools to transport plain old pumpkins into some of your favorite Disney characters.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
And it wasn't just the Disney Villains that these talented artisans were bringing to life. I mean, sure. You got to see the Red Queen from "Alice in Wonderland" rendered in pumpkin form …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… But there was also a pumpkin-ified Mad Hatter on hand as well.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
From the Pixar side of the fence, Mike & Sulley from "Monsters, Inc." were in attendance.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
As was their little human friend, Boo.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
Nemo and Dori from "Finding Nemo" were also in the neighborhood.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
As was Carl Frederickson from "Up."
Photo by Noe Valladolid
And given that pumpkins play such a large role in their respective motion pictures, it wasn't really a surprise to find Ichabod Crane, the Headless Horseman …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… as well as Jack Skellington on display.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
Yeah, the pumpkin-ified Disney characters on display at Big Thunder Ranch ran the gamut from the much-beloved (like Dumbo ) …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… to the truly obscure (EX: The frog hunters from Disney's hand-drawn release for 2009, "The Princess and The Frog."
Photo by Noe Valladolid
Even Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… and Miss Piggy put in an appearance.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
Not to mention another famous film character that master puppeteer Frank Oz had a hand in (literally), Jedi Master Yoda from the "Star Wars" saga was on display.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
Mind you, given all of the knives that were being used to carve all of these pumpkins at Big Thunder Ranch, one wonders if any were left at the Disneyland Hotel. Where – in honor of that Resort's 55th anniversary yesterday — …
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… — the Resort's central bakery created a cake which featured edible versions of one of the Disneyland Hotel towers as well as the old Monorail station.
Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
From what I hear, the Cast Members who were on hand for the unveiling of this Disneyland Hotel cake applauded long & loud before they then dug into this dessert. Which – near as I can figure – wasn't pumpkin spice-flavored.
Your thoughts?