Wrapping up AP Days: Bits from around the Land

Good morning, Everyone!

Just a quick final peek at AP Days and a sort of "final thoughts".



Side note, if you're in the Market House getting your Starbucks, listen to the party line while you wait!

Gadgets & Gizmos

And....while on my way to the Starcade, I walked though the China Closet shop and saw this beautiful little line of Peter Pan merch.

They've got these nice little bowls....

a mug and what looks like a vase.  It was hard to tell, but cute is cute, right?

And with another design, you've got this tall mug.

....a very pretty frame....

...and then matching dish towels.

AP Days - Thank God I'm a Country Bear

So, the last recipe was for "Fantasia Cheesecake".  I'm looking forward to trying it at some point, see how it is.  And Elliot graces the final button. 

Last week and this week, the Country Bears have been the meet and greet characters available.  Makes me happy.....

Wendell and Liver-Lips were great fun to watch.

And characters are entirely happy to have you take their picture....without you.


Another little diversion, the outside patio at Redd Rocket's is closed for some reason. So, just be aware when you go in for your cardboard pizza....

 Kanine Krunchies - The Light Side

I tried out the "Light Side" lemonade at the Galactic Grill (normally Tomorrowland Terrace).

It's Lemonade.  Let's not question how they made it green. 

It was actually kind of nice and refreshing.  Next time I'll try the "Dark Side", which is strawberry lemonade (it is not green...)

The Light Side comes with a Millennium Falcon in your drink, the Dark Side a Death Star.

Please, don't accidentally swallow either.

And, on my way out of the park, I noticed some painting going on down Main Street.  It's always nice to see constant upkeep.

AP Days - Final Thoughts

After experiencing AP Days for four weeks, there are benefits and drawbacks.  The lounge area and screenings are always a good and useful perk.  The merchandise left something to be desired (I'm sure they're left with MANY AP wine glasses....).  While Disney gets that character interaction is a good part of AP Days, they kind of phoned it in this time around....

This...rush job on the Starcade made me wonder when Disney will just bite the bullet and make a lounge space for APs....it would be nice to have a space to just relax in quiet, with the mess the parks are these days crowd-wise. I'm not saying APs "deserve" something more, but I could see the benefit of it.  Charging stations, drinks and snacks, respite from the crowd. 

Also, I was surprised, on my last visit, on the number of uninformed APs. I happened to be in line to get into AP Days behind a pair who had no idea of what this event entailed or knowledge of any other upcoming events. That left them open to being lectured by a "gentleman" who seemed to (at least in his mind) know everything about being an AP...and while he directed them to the Disneyland website, he neglected to mention all this information is available on the Disneyland AP twitter and Facebook feeds. That's a little more real time....

I could continue with interesting eavesdroppings (I hope that's a word....) from my time in AP Days, but perhaps that's for another time.  I think it's an open secret that part of the crowding issue IN the parks lies with the Annual Passholders, so how AP Days figures into that, I'd be interested to find out. The motivation behind an action or event isn't always clear, and with APs, a polarizing group of Disney fans (again, another conversation) the mystery still stands. 

I suddenly feel as if I talked myself around in a circle....

If you have anything you'd like to add about AP Days or the Annual Passholder "culture", in general, please feel free to add your comments at the bottom of the post.  I'd like the blog to be interactive, so if you feel like I missed a point, or you'd like to add a point of view, please let me know! 

And, that's it for now.  I will be in the parks on Friday to try out the Food & Wine Festival, so keep your eyes to the blog, probably Monday...

Kanine Krunchies: Steakhouse 55 Revisited - OC Restaurants Week

Happy Monday, Everyone!

I wanted to shoot this out to everyone quickly.  This week, until Saturday, is OC Restaurants Week, an opportunity for you to try out different 4 and 5 star restaurants in Orange County.

More information: http://www.ocrestaurantweek.com

One of the restaurants offering a special menu this week is the Disneyland Hotel's Steakhouse 55.  Now, the blog reviewed it last year at this time (View the original blog here.) So, this will be a small update, just to bring you up to speed and hopefully remind you to go in and sample if this is normally out of your budget!

5:10 was about the earliest seating we could get.  I recommend you make your reservation ASAP and arrive early.  You don't want to come into this refined experience harassed and worried about being on time.

The decor is just so perfect, with splashes of Walt everywhere.  (Seriously, they're always lucky I don't attempt to make off with this stuff!)

Here is the menu for OC Restaurants Week (zoom for better viewing).

As Naomi says, "I like bread."

She's to the point.

We also got this nice little pre-appetizer. Watermelon braised (I think so) in basil with a feta cheese.  You wouldn't think this made a great combination, but the sweet and savory was quite interesting.

Your starter choices were either the French Onion Soup or a Wedge Salad.  We all elected for the salad.  The dressing was a little strong for me, but it's a great salad, nonetheless.

Naomi (who is 13) happily chose the prime rib.  All of the entrées come with sautéed French green beans and scalloped potatoes.  The prime rib came with horseradish and au jus.

Scalloped potatoes....the return of the potatoes dressed like a brownie.  This time, it has a Parmesan top.

Here is the Filet Mignon.  The third option was a good looking salmon, but you're in a steakhouse, eat the STEAK!

For dessert, the Vanilla Bean Crème Brȗlée, which comes with a cute little fresh made donut!

The other option was the chocolate mousse cake.

As opposed to a moose cake, which is its own problem.

And just a quick shot of the coffee service.  It's all such a great presentation in a refined atmosphere, so close to a theme park!

That's all for now.  I have a nice loaded week for you all, so check back, and head over for OC Restaurants Week!

Gadgets and Gizmos Aplenty - Pieces of Eight

Hello, everyone!

This is just a short post to give you some nice little merchandise finds I unearthed (like it was hard!) while browsing through Pieces of Eight in New Orleans Square.

The "Gadgets & Gizmos Aplenty" segments don't intend to be comprehensive, but Disney has so many interesting avenues when it comes to merchandising their various franchises, I just like to share the stuff I find different or unusual.

Also, if you wanna buy me any of this.....for research.......
What? You don't believe me? Try me!

You wouldn't think Pirates of the Caribbean would make for a good plush collection, but even Disney can surprise me.  The parrot is actually really adorable.

And the puppy (with the key) is part of the line of "babies" Disney's been doing with their little baby blanket.  It's a cute set of plush, and I admit, I enjoy seeing the creativity used to give the character...talismans from their story in their baby blankie.

I'm a big fan of these sets of simple figures you seem to only find in the Parks. Just a nice basic group of characters, and let your kid use their imagination from there.  I got a lot of mileage out of stuff like that as a kid.  Nice to see Disney keep them up, AND create a Pirates set that doesn't have to do with the movies.

No offense to the movies, I rather enjoy them.  Anyone else looking forward to Dead Men Tell No Tales?

OK, these are the living end! Pie-eyed Mickey and Minnie as Pirates?!?! Adorable! I really had to resist buying them!

And Pluto as the dog with the keys on top of it! They think of everything!


Well....as they say....

Have a good week!

Kanine Krunchies: Red Rose Taverne

Happy Monday, Everyone!

On Friday, I was able to get a fairly comprehensive look at the new Red Rose Taverne in Fantasyland.

Just to catch you all up, it is not a new restaurant so much as an overlay of Pinocchio's Village Haus, intended to celebrate (and promote) the upcoming live action release of Beauty and the Beast. Maybe you heard about it.....(March 17th.  St. Patrick's Day).

However, since I got to the parks early on a Friday, with my mother, grandmother, great-uncle and great-aunt (senior count: 3), I was not 100% in control of the day.  But that led to a more comprehensive review for you, and interesting content for a little while! Consider them all my support team!

OK, this is Adventureland at 9 am.....

The Adventureland restrooms are still under refurbishment.  Just FYI, you can head either to the Rancho De Zocalo restrooms (tiny, though), the Main Street restrooms near Star Tours (a little closer than the Carnation Cafe) OR.....if you're going to the Tiki Room anyway, they do have a little tiny restroom.

I don't think I've ever seen Adventureland this empty in daylight.

Granted once we got off the Jungle Cruise, there were already a bunch of strollers parked there.

Moana didn't seem to do be doing meet & greets outside the Oasis as usual, but coming back from the Haunted Mansion, she was in front of Tarzan's Treehouse.  Now, even for what was a quiet period, it was causing a bit of a traffic jam, so I'm not sure who let that happen.

Just another quiet view.

And just a little jaunt around New Orleans Square.

Look! A quiet Indiana Jones! Again, we're in unicorn territory!

The Main Event: Be Our Guest! 

Now, that you're in the mood.....

So, like I said, the Village Haus is currently being re-themed...temporarily to support the release of the live action Beauty and the Beast. Friday was the first day of operation, and God Bless the Cast Members, they were working their behinds off.  Lines were out the door, so please pack your patience. 

Here is the menu, if you want to check in advance: https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/02/beauty-and-the-beast-inspired-red-rose-taverne-opens-february-24-at-disneyland-park/

Quick banners on all signs, but still very nice.

Now, while I don't mind the re-theme...temporarily, I do love the original Pinocchio theme. It just has always maintained that old school Imagineering look.  While Imagineering does so well these days at being on model, as they call it, Disneyland's design has always had its own aesthetic that is comforting and singular.

Look! It's Gaston!

(Btw, I did catch him in passing in Fantasyland. Y'know, while riding a sea of screaming toddlers and  harassed parents.)

He really does use antlers in all of his decorating......

And the frescos I love (would you call them frescos in this case?) were quickly and efficiently covered with beautiful backgrounds from the original 1991 animated film. Again, nice, not complaining, but concerning in their own way.

I know, I know, change is good. It's just not always easy.

The lovely Pinocchio figure in the center of the restaurant has been replaced with a nice little rose display.  It doesn't have an equal visibility factor, though. Y'know...clear glass....

Again, nice overlay.

I just wanted to show a little bit more of the detail they didn't cover up.

Funny how easy it is to go from Italian Provincial to French Provincial, huh?

Cute little rice crispy treats! I just kind of wonder how they get the pictures on there......

The menu boards, while digital, didn't have their frames replaced.  So they are still Pinocchio themed.

Now...to the food.   Let's just start with the question on everyone's lips. How's the grey stuff?

It's delicious!

Don't believe me?

Well, go try it yourself then!
(That's the line, right?)

In all seriousness, I've been wondering about the grey stuff ever since it appeared at the Be Our Guest Restaurant at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. To take ONE line from the song and help flesh out the world like that....perfection. And it tasted wonderful.

Inside was a lovely and moist red velvet cake, and a whole little raspberry! The sugar cookie base was a nice little finish.  I'm not big on the desserts in the Disneyland restaurants, but this might be a sign things are heading in a new direction.

The other dessert is the Lemon Rose cake, which wasn't my cup of tea, but still a nice dessert with a BEAUTIFUL presentation.

It's got another fanciful strawberry filling.

I had the Slow-Cooked Beef Poutine.  Now, I hadn't had poutine at all before, so I was being about as brave as I get.  The cheese curds were interesting, and the waffle fries a little soggy.  I saw this complaint on Instagram, and I think it was just misunderstanding of the dish.  Personally, I kind of agree, I'm not a fan of soggy, but it wasn't the restaurant's fault so much as that seems to be the tradition with poutine, which I believe is Canadian.

All the pieces were very good though, especially the slow-cooked beef.  It was tender and flavorful.  So, depending on how you feel about poutine, it's all good.

This was the Beast's Burger, with garlic fries.  My grandmother was raving about it even a day later.  The meat was very good and the ciabatta-like bun was a great match.  Not to mention the garlic fried were great.  If they revert back to the Pinocchio theme, they should keep the garlic fries.

This is the Classic Angus Burger, dressed up with the garlic fries.  It's nice to have a more simple staple on the menu for the less daring.

THIS is the Poutine Flatbread.  Yes, with fries ON it.  My great-aunt (and she's pretty great, and a darn good sport this day!) said it was also very good.  They're really scoring with the meat, here.

My mother was responsible and had the Chef's Chopped Salad.  It actually has shredded apples in it! The dressing was an odd vinaigrette type concoction, but also very good.  She described the salad as very light and bright.  It's a great alternative to some of the salads in-park.

A Note on AP Days

I didn't get to"explore" AP Days really this week, but here's the recipe card and button for the week, resetting on Friday. The recipe is from the old Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship, talk about a blast from the past! I'm not a seafood person myself but I still greatly appreciate the effort to get a true old park recipe!

Also, as to the characters to meet this week, they've got the Country Bears! Now, the Bears were making appearances during the Festival of Holidays, so it's nice to see Disney understanding the demand over here.  Listen, y'all brought Captain EO back......can we get a little Bear action? You're gonna need something back in Critter Country when Star Wars Land opens.........I'm just sayin'!

I think for now, that well does it.  If you have any questions, particularly about Red Rose Taverne, PLEASE feel free to comment below, it's really easy. I'll be back on during the week with a few other things, and I don't think I can hold Fred back from a post much longer.  He's getting kind of antsy....if rabbits get antsy.....