A couple of weeks ago, it was Jack Sparrow (of Pirates of the Caribbean) at the red carpet at Disneyland. Today — again thanks to good friend (and world-renown podcaster) Michael Geoghegan– today was a blue carpet and Nemo (no last name, as far as I know). Today was the press event for the grand opening (tomorrow) of Disney’s “Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage” … you know, the new disney sub ride … the successor to the old 20,000 Leagues subs that disappeared in 1998.

And I have to say … today was probably even more fun than the Pirates Premier.

Full gallery is here: Finding Nemo Submarine Premier Pictures

Not that there weren’t celebs… Brooke Shields and her adorable kids were my favorite, but also cool to see Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Geena Davis, Lisa Kudrow, Courtney Cox & David Arquette, Melissa Joan Hart, Denise Richards, blah blah blah …. but the celebs were melting in the afternoon heat.

Disney, in a stroke of typical Disney genius, hosted a great press party afterwards. It was my first time having a drink (Jack & Coke) in the park. Not only did I enjoy the gigantic shrimp … but I’m still laughing at one of the dishes they served: Broiled Sydney Harbor Dory. (The irony being, of course, that “Dory” is a main character in the Nemo movie, and I even think she was in Sydney Harbor … glad there weren’t any kids around!) I can’t imagine that was intentional … but maybe?

And the sub ride… how was that, you ask? In typical style, it was great. High-tech combined with tradition. As the guests we pulled in from the park said “two thumbs up!” The podcast of the event will be up in a few days on Disneyland’s official podcast on iTunes. (If you have iTunes, this link should open the podcast for you.)

Below are a few photos … I’ll post a highlights page of the top 20-30 pictures in the next day or two, for easier access. Read the rest of this entry »