My Disneyland Bucket List - Item #7

You learn something new about Disneyland every day. Well, maybe not every day, but there seems to be no shortage of new things to stumble upon going on at the park. I've written before about how I am a fan of the little petting zoo at Big Thunder Ranch. It's charming and great for kids. The goats and other animal residents make me smile and smiling is what Disneyland is all about.

So I knew that the goats reside at the petting zoo during the day. I knew their permanent home was back in the friendly confines of Circle D ranch which is behind Frontierland. What I did not know until a little while ago is that every day about 4 pm there is a very minor event affectionately known as "The Running of Goats" - Disneyland's takeoff on the Running of the Bulls annual event in Pamplona Spain (complete with human carnage).

At 4 pm, the Petting Zoo handlers herd the goats up to the gate then open the gate and let the little rascals make a made dash off to the Circle D Ranch. There are a couple of short YouTube videos below to show the goats sprinting back to their home. And as of today, it's something I really want to see perhaps just once. The Running of the Goats is officially on my Disneyland Bucket List. I do not believe there have any humans trampled during this event.

My DIsneyland Bucket List - Item #6

My personal Disneyland Bucket List has been stuck on 5 items now for a few months. You can see all my bucket list posts from this link. Most of them have to do with eating or food. Just when I was beginning to think there was nothing more to add to the list a question in the MiceChat Disneyland forum got me to think about something else kind fun that could be added. The question simply asked "How many rides have you ridden in a day?"

So I remember back to my younger days, days when there was enough energy in me to get to the park when it first opened then literally ran from ride to ride to ride hitting all the major attractions (mostly the so called mountain rides) first before the lines got ridiculous. By the end of the day, the total was quite impressive though I don't think I ever bothered to keep count.

Well some people do keep count. In fact, MiceChat does a whole game based on the number of rides teams of people can do in a day. It's called the Gumball Rally and I think they do it a couple of times a year (not sure). While I have no interest in participating in a competition, it may be something of a personal challenge to go back and see just how many rides (and I'll include shows and attractions) I can still do in the course of a Disney day. It is something that is Bucket List worthy mostly because I am not young anymore and mad dashes to rides and attractions is something that is no longer part of my Disneyland experience.

Now in later years, I am more of a Disneyland wanderer, picking and choosing my favorite rides and attractions. I spend a lot of time sitting on park benches thinking about where to go next (usually while Mrs. DisneylandTraveler is spending money in a store). And we spend a lot of time eating, table service restaurants, counter service restaurants, doesn't matter, dining is definitely a large chunk of time for our Disney day.

But eliminate the bench sitting, the sitting down for formal meals, the time contemplating what to do next next. Just go and and as Nike says - just do it. My friend Mike and his wife are a couple of years younger than I am. He goes to Disneyland about once a year but only goes for day, perhaps two at the most (usually on a Club 33 reservation because he has a connection). By the time he recounts everything he did on one of his trips, I'm exhausted just listening. But I could do it, I know I can, if it was just one day. (Mrs. DLT and I usually make 5 day trips to which would definitely be needed in this effort if for nothing else, recovery time)

I have to relegate myself to the fact that this may be a solitary pursuit as, like me, Mrs. DLT's energy and endurance has pretty much got up and went. And she may not be the type to say, "Yeah, running around the park like I was 16 again might actually be fun". She may think this all to be just plain silly. Haven't mentioned it to her yet. In fact, some of my most productive mornings in Disneyland have been when she's back at the hotel making the slow climb out of bed.

Yes..... this does seem Buck List worthy - when a man who is far closer to the end of life than to the beginning gives it one last try. I have heard there is something of an unwritten Disneyland goal that they want every guest to be able to enjoy about 10 ride or attractions in the course of a day. That seems about right. Maybe on a good day, Mrs. DLT and I can get up to about 12 or so. But what if I could do 20, 25. The pursuit alone may kill me but for one day, I can repeat feats of a time when I was much younger.

Look out Heimlich and Pinocchio, I may be coming for you again some day.... 

PS.... the two rides I would not go on - Bucket List of no Bucket List - Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes and Silly Symphony Swings.

Mrs. DLT Bursts My Bucket List Bubble

USA Today Travel Photo

And there you have it. My Disney Bucket List Item #4 is a visit to the new Carthay Circle Theater Restaurant. So Mrs. DisneylandTraveler walks over to me yesterday and says "You know, I'm not really seeing anything on that menu that is appealing to me. There's the burger, but I'm not paying $22.00 for a burger!".

"What about the appetizers?" I ask, "There's got to be an appetizer or salad that's appealing to you".

"Nope" is all she said shaking her head, walking away.

So begins the test of wills and the battle of wits. It's been going on for 14 years now. The battle between someone who want to try new and different things vs. the person who almost never wants to try new and different things. I'm sure I will get her to go at some point but she won't go willingly. Every step of the way heading to our table she'll be thinking about the vile mushrooms, or olives, or goat cheese they may try to slip in on her order.

Then again, I can always make my call ahead dine time and request a table for one.

My Disneyland Bucket List - Item #5

As comedian Bill Cosby once said "I started out as a child...." and so it is with me and Dumbo. I'm sure I have ridden Dumbo the Flying Elephant in Disneyland, but that was back in childhood and childhood is now a long time ago. Me riding Dumbo isn't even a memory anymore. It's gone, a memory vanished into thin air.

Dumbo is an original attraction to Disneyland dating back to 1955. Oh, the ride has been moved around once or twice. The water feature part of the ride wasn't always there. But Dumbo is one of the quintessential Disneyland rides. Riding Dumbo is a rite of passage for all children fortunate enough to pass through the front gates. And my memory is gone.

Dumbo is a child's ride if there is such a thing. Children ride Dumbo. Parents with children ride Dumbo. Young couples in love ride Dumbo. Grown-ups riding Dumbo alone get stared at. At least that would be my impression ("Hey, isn't that guy a little old to ride Dumbo. What a loser"). I suppose when he was very young, there may have been an opportunity to ride Dumbo with the Boy but for whatever reason, it didn't happen. But he's 23 now and about 6'5". The two of us together? That's not going to work very well. When Mrs. DisneylandTraveler and I were making trips to Disneyland with my nieces and their kids, I always kind of wanted to borrow a kid to take on Dumbo but somehow, mom or dad always got that opportunity while I stood by the railing and took pictures of family in full flight.

So on the bucket list I know at some point I am going to have to bite the bullet, stand in line, and ride Dumbo alone just to recapture a memory that is long forgotten. Silly? A bit, but it's something that has to be done.

I shouldn't feel too embarrassed. After all, if Darth Vader can ride Dumbo alone, so can I. Enjoy a Disneyland classic video from last year.....

My Disneyland Bucket List - Item #4

I said I was going to do it. When Disney announced that is was now accepting reservations for the new Carthay Circle Restaurant in California Adventure, I knew it had to go on the bucket list. Now if I were I a betting person, and I'm really not, I'd be willing to wager a meal in this new high end restaurant is going to make a meal at the Blue Bayou seem like a deal so for Mrs. DisneylandTraveler and I, we'd have to look at our projected park budget. If we were going on the cheap, a meal at CCR may not be practical as a meal there probably is going to equal and entire days food budget and maybe then some. But sometimes we really do treat ourselves and this where Carthay Circle dining experience comes in. It's going on the bucket list. We may not go on our next trip (hopefully later this year) but we are definitely going to eat there.

We have eaten at every table service restaurant in Disneyland and DCA, we can't leave CCR out. 

My Disneyland Bucket List - Item #3

I have to admit, I'm happy to stand in line for a brew or two over at the Karl Strauss Beer Wagon in DCA (Red Trolley Ale - outstanding). Look forward to visiting the latest beer stand over in Paradise Pier that serves the equally tasty Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA. And I enjoy a nice glass of (way overpriced) wine with my meal at Wine Country Trattoria.  But I have yet to spend a little time on a warm afternoon or evening enjoying a cold, refreshing, fruity cocktail at the Cover Bar overlooking the water at Paradise Pier. There are a couple of reasons for this of course, 1) Mrs. DisneylandTraveler doesn't drink at all (but I know I could sell her on the idea of an icy virgin strawberry daiquiri which she really does enjoy especially if its warm outside) and 2) A couple of cocktails at the Cove Bar is going dent the wallet and Mrs. DLT would be thinking to herself if not outright saying "I could be spending this money in a store buying souvenirs".  So because of this, I really haven't pushed the issue just yet.  I think of this currently because the Cove Bar is under refurbishment wraps until I believe June but as of today, I'm not going to longingly stare into but pass by the place on my next visit.  I'm going in.  Enjoying a beverage at the Cove Bar is officially on My Disneyland Bucket list with or without Mrs. DLT.

My Disneyland Bucket List - Item #2

This is at the almost opposite end of the dining spectrum from having dinner at the Napa Rose restaurant.  Mrs. DisneylandTraveler and I have eaten at almost every table service and counter service restaurant in Disneyland except one.  We have never eaten a meal at the Plaza Inn restaurant.  Now to be fair, we have gone there and had dessert (while watching fireworks), we just haven't had a meal there.

And having a meal at the Plaza Inn really only means one thing (though they do have a few selections).  The Plaza Inn is noted for their "broasted" fried chicken.  People I know personally, people on the internet, they all rave about the chicken served up in a portion so big its easy enough to share.  Why haven't we gotten to the Plaza Inn?  The only thing I can really think of is that in recent years, we've become such big fans of the Carnation Cafe and its only a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Plaza Inn.

Mark it down, a broasted chicken lunch or dinner from the Plaza Inn is now officially #2 on my Disneyland bucket list.

My Disneyland Bucket List - Item #1

It's a quiet Sunday around the Disneyland Traveler's house.  I've just been surfing around YouTube looking at assorted Disney videos, nothing in particular.  Just so you know I haven't completely wasted my day, I did get the lawn mowed and did a load of laundry.  Anyway, while perusing the videos, I was struck by a couple of items that just made me think to myself  "I just haven't gotten around to that yet".   You just never know when that last trip to Disneyland is going to come (or if it has already come).  Hopefully I got some time left, time to get around to a few things I just haven't gotten around to yet.

Mrs. DisneylandTraveler and I have been fortunate enough to stay at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel - we just didn't eat there during our stay.  I'm not sure why but probably we just had more important things to think about like hitting the parks.  By all accounts, the Napa Rose restaurant inside the Grand Californian is one of the great restaurants in Southern California and provides a truly luxurious and memorable dining experience to its guests.  For me to eat a dinner at the Napa Rose is now officially on my Disneyland bucket list.  Now convincing Mrs. DLT to do the same is another story.

You see, I have a pretty broad palette when it comes to trying new experiences in dining. I'm open to almost anything new and different.  The same can't be said for Mrs. DLT who has a much more narrower view of dining.  Meat, potatoes, a few vegetables, and a basic salad. Don't get to creative and for god's sake, don't put a mushroom on her plate or she'll end up running outside screaming into the night.

Some months ago in a discussion forum about Napa Rose dining, I posed my dilemma.  I got some very nice responses from people who know the restaurant well and it comes down to this.  The Napa Rose staff wants everyone that comes into their restaurant to have a personal dining experience.  If you want you basic steak or chop void of exotic sauces or creative side dishes, just ask, and they will be more than happy to accommodate anyone's preference or taste.  Sound like problem solved.

Dinner at the Napa Rose is #1 on my Disneyland bucket list.