My vote for best Character goes to...

this guy! Oh my heck! Thor and I were people watching in New Orleans Square at Disneyland when we noticed a line beginning to form. This is Jack Sparrow. He had all the nuances, gestures and even a pretty fair voice representation that mimicked Johnny Depp's Captain Jack to a tee. He had a terrific time playing the role.

One couple came up for their photo op dressed similarly in dark denim jeans and matching brown shirts, each wearing Mickey Mouse ears. "Jack" took one staggered look and said dryly, "Oh cute. You're both dressed alike." and just as the camera was about to click, he tilted his head to the man and added,"Really bloke, you gotta stop wearing women's clothing!" The man's reaction was great as the crowd burst out laughing.

He had a comment to just about everyone who came up and all sounded as if they were part of the Pirate's movies.
Speaking of Pirates... We went through the ride and well...I am underwhelmed. I think perhaps it is a case of too high of expectations. I didn't notice that much difference in the old and the new and then I am a picky poo about the way Disney has slacked on renovations. Example: Before the renovation, the opening to the Pirate's ride had a ceiling that was literally falling apart, paint chipping, pipes exposed from years of neglect. Now with the new 'improved' ride, you can still see the paint chipping underneath a bunch of tree branches and vines they stuck on the ceiling. How does that renovate?

As far as the ride portion, well they took out most of the "Yo Ho, Pirates'Life" singing. In its' place you get a monotone "Dead men tell no tales...dead men tell no tales..." that repeats itself on and on and on and on and freakin' on. I miss the jolly singing. I am old, I like the singing.

There are three places where "Jack Sparrow" are featured, one is particularly good, but all are nice. There is place in the ride that is very dark where they placed a cool special effect water fall with an image of a pirate talking etc. that you go through. The little kids on the ride with us thought they were going to get wet...so that is totally fun. And then in the big battle between the ship and the village they have Capt. Barbosa on the ship. But they have taken out some of the other places where there used to be action going on. (insert sad face here)

And I miss the singing. "We're blighters and beggars and ne'er do well cads! Drink up Me Hearties Yo Ho! But of how we're loved by our mummies and dads! Drink up me hearties Yo HO!"

So there's the Disney Report for this week (winking at Chronicler). Yo Ho! Yo Ho! A Pirate's Life for S'mee!