One More Disney Day? ... I'd Go For the Food

Cafe Orleans Special - Lump Crabmeat Quiche - A Disney Parks Blog Photo

To commemorate Leap Year, Disneyland will stay open 24 hours beginning at 6:00am on Wednesday, February 29.  Does the thought of being able to ride Splash Mountain at 4am in the morning sound like bring a happy dance to your head?  Screw all that and check out what is on the special late night/early morning menu(s) for the One More Disney Day party as given to by Disney Parks Blog >>>  Late Night Dining For One More Disney Day.  I wish some of these things would make it to the permanent menus.

Oscar Sunday...Saved By A One Eyed Monster

It's Oscar Sunday the day Hollywood types get together in some degree of formality and give themselves little trophies.  Of course, most people will have never seen or plan to see the big winners of tonight's Awards.  Most (but not all) years its like that.  This year, with a lack of blockbuster movies up for trophies, the Academy brings back its' best host for the show - Billy Crystal.  Charming, witty, and an incredible gift for coming up with fall of the chair funny ab libs makes Billy the best thing to watch over the hours of tedium.  Billy has been in several movies himself of course but none bigger his voice over role as Mike Wazowski in Monsters Inc. (and the upcoming Monsters University).

Maybe there is a low level technical award that a Disney movie has a nomination for - I'm not sure.  This hasn't been a banner year for Disney movies.  I believe The Muppets will have a token offering with a best song nomination and it gives Kermit and Miss Piggy their chance to make an always welcome appearance to the festivities.  It's only fair since ABC is the home network for the Oscars and ABC is owned by Disney who also own The Muppets.

Pixar will finally lose their stranglehold on the Oscar for Best Animated Feature after years of success.  Their Cars 2 offering in 2011 wasn't even nominated and rightly so.  Cars 2 was so bad that John Lasseter and his Pixar pals should actually be ashamed of themselves.

Disney's biggest contribution to a highly nominated well received film that goes up for Awards tonight comes from The Help, a Dreamworks produced movie but is distributed by Disney.

I don't know if I'll be watching tonight.  Like I said earlier, I will if Mrs. DisneylandTraveler makes me (which is a good possibility).  Besides, there's nothing else on TV worth watching. I'm hoping for an Academy Award to go Woody Allen and his wonderful Midnight in Paris movie.  Of course, Woody won't be there.  The NBA All-Star game is also on tonight and Woody will be at home watching that instead.  He has his priorities.

The Tiny Disneyland Tradition

People have all kinds of Disneyland traditions (even superstitions) when they make a trip to the park.  These are things one feels they must absolutely have to do each and every time they visit Disneyland.  It's a topic certainly worth exploring in this blog.  For now I'll mention my tiny Disneyland tradition.  Every time we travel down to Disneyland, I'll always stop by the Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner to get a real cherry coke.  This isn't that concoction that Coke sells already mixed for you.  This is the old school stuff where a coke dispensed from a fountain gets significantly enhanced by a pump of cherry syrup (additional charge of course). Just plain old fashion good stuff.  It's the only place in either park that serves it.

Which brings me to a trip a few years back where I showed up a the Refreshment Corner counter and asked for a cherry coke.  "We're out of cherry syrup.  Would you like raspberry or vanilla?"  Huh?  I tried the raspberry but it's just not the same.  Not even close.  So I went back to the Refreshment Corner the next day and asked for my cherry coke. New cast member - same response - "We're all out of cherry flavoring".  I think I stopped by the Refreshment Corner 4 or 5 times that trip and got the same "Sorry, we're out" each time.  Are you kidding me?  This is Disneyland.  This is a place that produces bushels full of umbrellas and panchos in sunny California if two drops of water fall from the sky.  How can Disneyland be out of anything, ever?  

This is all kind of a backdrop because the Coca Cola Refreshment Corner is do to open up here any day after being closed several weeks for a refurbishment and people will be lining up once again for the Disneyland tradition of an old fashioned cherry coke and maybe listen to a little ragtime piano that plays on the patio right outside.  I'm sure they will be plenty of cherry syrup available. 

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.

"Slow Down, You Move Too Fast...."

"Slow down you move too fast. You got to make the morning last" so begins Paul Simon's 59th Street Bridge Song, a simple song of joy that reminds everyone to just stop a minute, take it easy a bit, and take a look around you where there are things to enjoy, things to look at.

A few years ago in Disneyland, and I remember it like it was yesterday, I was standing out in front of the Opera House when 2 teenagers came racing by me in full sprint with one saying to the other "We've got to get to Space Mountain".  I really felt kind of sad because between the Opera House and Space Mountain there are a multitude of things to enjoy, things to look at.  There is the old saying "the devil is in the details".  In Disneyland, the glory is in the details.  Those two kids are just missing out.  And besides, by the time they get to Space Mountain chances are the blasted thing will have broken down.  Planter boxes of flowers don't break down.

Earlier this week, Mrs. DisneylandTraveler was trying to bring together a plan (or hatch a scheme) that would get us to Disneyland for one day at the end of March.  One day.  We've been married almost 14 years and we have never been to Disneyland for a one day visit. Most of our visits a 4 days, 5 days, even 6 days. Plenty of time for us to take our time and enjoy the magical surroundings.  One day?  I have a friend that makes down to Disneyland about once a year for one day - I get exhausted just listening to him talk about how he and his wife make mad dashes from one place to the next.

I can't do that anymore.

Disneyland is not about rides or attractions.  It's about finding a way where I can become one with a park that has brought me so much joy.  Joy takes a bit of time, time to stop, time to take a look around, time to think.  One day.  I don't think so.  

Maybe its just me.

And The Mickey Goes To.... (2012)

We are smack in the middle of award season culminating with the Academy Awards sometime in March (not sure when, I seldom watch the show and if I do, it's probably because Mrs DisneylandTraveler made me).  I think Woody Allen used a variation of the following line many years ago in his great film Annie Hall "I can't believe it, they give an award for everything....".  The Disneyland Traveler is no different as I pass out my Mickey awards for 2012 that looks back at The Disneyland Resort in 2011 (note: in my world, you can win the award over and over again). So here we go with some fun.

Best Disneyland Resort Table Service Restaurant (inside the park)....and the Mickey goes to ... The Blue Bayou.  Yeah... the meal is expensive, especially at dinner, and the food may not justify the price, but the Blue Bayou is all about the setting.

Best Multi-Media Show ... and the Mickey goes to .... Fantasmic (beating out World of Color and A Christmas Fantasy Parade)

Best Cup of Coffee in park....  and the Mickey goes to .... The Market House (there isn't even a close second).

Best Dark Ride.... and the Mickey goes to.... Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin.

Best Interactive Ride Where Points Are Awarded .... and the Mickey goes to.... Toy Story Mania (too bad the wait is so long that you can't really play over and over again)

Best Sweet Treat ... and the Mickey goes to...  Dole Pineapple Whip (or Float)

Best Food That Comes Out Of A Cart... and the Mickey goes to... The Chocolate Covered Banana

Best Food Item Less Than 5 bucks... and the Mickey goes to... Safari Skewer (bacon wrapped asparagus) from Bengal BBQ

Best Animatronic.... and the Mickey goes to... Abraham Lincoln (watch the hand movements amazing).

Best Cast Member Uniform (Outfit The Disneyland Traveler Would Be Least Embarrassed to Wear.... and the Mickey goes to.... the Soarin' Over California jumpsuit

Best Show with Live Performers.... and the Mickey goes to.... Billy Hill and the Hillbillies

Best Beer Served in DCA... and the Mickey Goes to.... Karl Straus Red Trolley Ale

Best Counter Service Restaurant (Cafeteria Style).... and the Mickey goes to... The French Market

Best Counter Service Restaurant (Walk Up Window Style).... and the Mickey goes to... Cocina Cucamonga... (tough vote in this category but the chicken tamales are really good and you can get a beer to wash them down with....)

Best Counter Service Restaurant That Only Serves One Food Item....  and the Mickey goes to.... Corn Dog from The Red Wagon... ( I had to sneak a Disneyland corn dog in here somewhere)

Best World of Color Dining Package... and the Mickey goes to... Ariel's Grotto - dinner package

The Kurt Russsell Achievement Award for an Actor Who Shows Up In Disney Movies Over and Over Again.....and the special award goes to.... Johnny Depp.

Best In Park Retail Store.... and the Mickey goes to...  Off The Page

Best New Attraction Opened in 2011.... and the Mickey goes to.... Star Tours.... (yeah, a remake of an existing attraction but its changed enough to consider it all new.... I haven't been on it but all those people who rave about it can't be wrong).

Best Ride That's a 1955 Park Opening Original.... and the Mickey goes to....  The Jungle Cruise

Best Ride That Represents the Creative Genius of Walt Disney... and the Mickey goes to... Pirates of the Caribbean

Special Disneyland Lifetime Achievement Award....a tip of the scorcer's hat and the special award goes to Chef Oscar at the Carnation Cafe... 56 years and still going strong (and still doesn't know when he's going to retire).

Best TV Show On A Disney Owned Network... and the Mickey goes to.... PTI (Pardon the Interruption) ESPN (thanks Tony and Mike for all the entertainment)

Best Restaurant Downtown Disney... and the Mickey goes to... Naples (pizza to die for).

Best Downtown Disney Quick Snack Food... and the Mickey goes to.... Beignets - Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen Express

Best Disney Movie of 2011... and the Mickey goes to... Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (slim pickings in 2011 and I haven't seen The Muppets.  I reserve the right to change my vote later).

Best Themed Ride (Disneyland)... and the Mickey goes to...  The Haunted Mansion

Best Themed Ride (DCA)... and the Mickey goes to.... The Hollywood Tower of Terror

Best Ride in Either Park (Ride of the Year)... and the Mickey goes to... Pirates of the Caribbean

Best Park Character.... and the Mickey goes to.... Mickey Mouse, of course

******

Check back on Monday when I post my 2012 Irate Donald Awards for the worst of the Disneyland Resort in 2011.  I would have posted those awards first but then I would be accused of being negative and a curmudgeon (both of which are true).