Meet Baymax (and Hiro)

Now that everyone and their grandma has been to see Big Hero 6, it's time to head over to Disneyland and meet Baymax and his buddy Hiro.  These two started meeting at the former Wreck it Ralph area at the back of the Starcade in Tomorrowland Veterans Day weekend.  

The area is designed to look like Hiro's garage workshop.  You can even see his original bot sitting on a shelf.  There is a door in the side through which Hiro and Baymax enter and exit the meet and greet.  

I got in line outside the Starcade (look for the taped off areas against the wall) and was told by the character host that the wait was approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes and that it was possible that you would meet only Hiro and not Baymax.  (This is common, but unpopular with guests...think Jack without Sally or Anna without Elsa).  Undeterred, I stepped inside the lines and waited.  And waited.  And waited.  It only took 1 hour and 15 minutes to get to the front of the line.  Only.  Lol!  

However, when I was second in line, the twosome had to go "recharge" Baymax.  This happened a couple of times while I was there, but they only left briefly and both returned each time.  I'm not sure if that will always be the case, but they probably don't want a riot on their hands, lol!  I did get a cute video of Baymax trying to fit into the doorway, just like he does in the movies!  The Stormtroopers seemed to think that there might be a rebel spy amongst us, because I saw them come through at least twice.  Bonus! 

I hadn't actually seen the movie until today, but I met them last weekend because I didn't want to pass it up in case the lines got even longer!  (Looking at you, Frozen).  I thought the bot was some kind of Maleficent doll, hahaha!  Hiro asked me whether I'd been on any adventures.  I told him that I visited with the mermaids and mice, to which he replied that Mochi wasn't very good at catching mice.  I guessed that Mochi was the cat in the trailers.  

Since I didn't have a photo for him to sign, I had Hiro sign a blank index card.  I have done this with newer characters in case they don't stick around long enough for me to come back with a photo.  Naturally, Baymax doesn't sign, but I thought maybe Hiro would for him...he didn't.  While he was busy writing, I took the opportunity to give Baymax a big hug.  He doesn't speak, but his eyes blink.  I was very happy with our photos, I can't wait to go back (when the line is a little shorter, lol!).  

Meet Hiro and Baymax at the Tomorrowland Starcade from 10:30AM-5:00PM daily!  

Treat: Caramel Apple Funnel Cake

So I waited until attending the Halloween party to give this baby a try.  The caramel apple funnel cake at Hungry Bear Restaurant was calling my name.  For just $6.49, this funnel cake is very reasonable, considering you can easily share with 2-3 people.  

It honestly took a while to get our funnel cake since they make them to order.  The funnel cake itself is very crisp, the funnel must be very fine because the pieces are the thickness of yarn, lol!  It is topped with powdered sugar, an apple pie-like topping, caramel and a copious amount of whipped cream.  

You definitely want some cold milk or water to wash this down with!  I liked it enough to hope it makes the menu, but I would be hard pressed to order it again unless I know someone else will share it with me!  

Restaurant: Big Thunder Ranch BBQ

One of our guiltiest pleasures at the parks is stuffing our faces at the Big Thunder Ranch BBQ.  Since it is all you can eat (AYCE), we usually make it our only in park meal of the day, as a late lunch/early dinner.  The timing is important because there is about a $5 difference and additional menu items for dinner.  

Is it uncomfortable eating so much meat right next to the ranch petting zoo?  Nope.  It's delicious.  Lol!  

If you are joining in for lunch, you can expect to be served:  BBQ chicken and ribs, coleslaw, beans, and cornbread.  Food is served family style in buckets. The chicken and ribs are tender and flavorful.  Coleslaw is made without mayonnaise and I hear the cornbread is a mixture of cornmeal and yellow cake.  

For dinner, you also get smoked sausage and wheels of corn on the cob.  The corn is made with milk and butter...oh mah gawd.  If you have a vegetarian in your party, or even if you don't, you can get tofu/veggie skewers.  Be sure to let your server know if this is the case. 

My party typically gets one of each to start, but will ask for second (and third or fourth) helpings of the meat and corn buckets.  In fact, one time my brother put away almost 5 little buckets of meat, virtually single handed!  

When I first started eating here, they would give you a to-go box for the leftovers, which would pretty much make up another meal.  This is no longer done, but they did once tell us that we were free to take it home if we had our own containers.  Your mileage may vary, hahaha!  

Most of the time there is entertainment while you dine, a western themed music show or sometimes characters like Woody and Jessie stop by for a visit.  We didn't see either on our last trip.  

If you still have any room left for dessert, they have several options, generally gigantic skillets of baked goods and ice cream.  You can actually just come for dessert, if space is available.  If it's your birthday, or other special occasion, you may just get a chocolate cupcake.  

Lunch is about $25 and dinner $30, with most desserts costing just under $10.  I believe beverages are included for dinner.  Big Thunder Ranch BBQ is located at the eastern edge of Frontierland, close to the Village Haus Restaurant.  

Company D, Part II

Well, apparently wishes do come true!  I found out last week about a Friends & Family day at the property control parking lot sale.  We got there bright and early and even though a lot of the really cool finds were gone by Sunday, we did see a few things which caught our eye.  

This large "Mechanical Kingdoms" sign was made of metal and hung over the Gallery on Main Street.  For just $25, I did contemplate buying it...as I did with many an item that day.

On the left is a two-piece item which cost $35.  Not sure where it came from, but wouldn't that have made an adorable facade for a playhouse?  It's a good 6-8 feet tall assembled.  

On the top right are two commodes from Club 33.  Yes, you read that right.  Those are the old toilet seats from the men's room from before the remodel.  Yours for the low price of $20 each.  I couldn't bear to use those toilets on my visit to the Club, but you bet I took pictures of it, lol!  I'm really after the dishes, so if anyone hears of them coming up for sale, let me know!

What I really came for was the fabric.  I have a little hoarding problem when it comes to fabric.  Okay, a big problem.  Rolls and rolls of fabric like those pictured could be had for as little as $1.  The choir robe was $5 and you could fill up a large brown shopping bag with as many ornaments as you could fit into it for $4. I picked them up to wire together into a swag for work.  I also picked up some odds and ends like postcards, luggage tags and cookie boxes (for all that holiday baking) for pennies.  

Now wouldn't you know, I left that bag when I went to load up my car.  After spending the whole day playing at the parks, I realized that I left it behind.  I called first thing the next morning and was surprised to hear back from them that they had the bag and would be holding it for me.  I picked it up this evening!  Truly, things rarely get lost at Disney that can't be reunited with their owners.  I once lost a camera and didn't even realize it for at least a week.  When I called, they were able to locate it in their computer system based on my description!  Always check with guest services when you lose something that can be identified!  

Anyway, I am so glad I have awesome Disney cast member friends who don't mind me spending all my money on random tchotchkes!  I don't even mind all the tsk-tsk'ing.  ;p

Company D

One of the great perks of being a castmember or a friend of a castmember is getting to shop at Company D.  

For those that don't know, Company D is the off-site Team Center for Disney's "castmembers" (employees).  There, you can take care of some of your castmember business, buy groceries, or (and this is why non-castmembers like to go) buy discounted parks merchandise.  From the street, it looks like any other warehouse.  Once inside, it looks like any other warehouse, but filled with treasures untold!

Certain things are meant to be purchased solely by castmembers.  Strangely, this includes the grocery items like bread or bananas.  However, they do have some cool merchandise like special lanyards or clothing.  If you want to purchase those things, bring cash because the castmember will have to buy them for you.  This is basically true of the right front portion of the "store."  Also, these are usually priced as marked.  

The rest of the store is pretty much 50% off or more and as long as the castmember is there to show ID or you have a pass (they occasionally get "friends and family" passes), you can buy what you want, cash and credit cards accepted, no checks.  The left side usually has the latest merchandise, from clothing to pins and even Vinylmations.  If you're lucky, they may even have manager's specials in place where they take an additional percentage off the already discounted price.  

Now, here's where you get down and dirty with your cheap self!  In the back is the "warehouse."  This is where you'll find the older items or one-offs.  Boxes and boxes of things that cost as little as a quarter.  I've gotten earhats for $1.  Why would I want a D23 earhat when I didn't even go to D23?  Silly, you just peel off that logo and add your own for a custom number!  Many things are still 50% off, but you can find some real gems in here, even items that are still being sold at full price in the parks.  

If you are a castmember, then you probably already know about "the cage," aka "property control."  Inside the warehouse is a separate section that is surrounded by chain link fence.  In the cage are items that are either "damaged" merchandise or from non-merch departments at deeeeeep discounts!  On my latest visit, I spotted the huge Jack Skellington head that used to hang in the Haunted Mansion stretching room at Christmas, Club 33 tables and chairs, and tons of pieces of costuming from the Entertainment dept.  Not all of the items in this area are necessarily for sale, some are up for auction or being held for some other reason, like there is sometimes a parking lot sale.  Friends have bought etched headboards and armoires ($100) from the hotels and I have even seen mini-fridges for $10.  I personally own a bedspread from the Disneyland Hotel ($8), an embossed leather binder from the Grand Californian ($2), and my latest acquisition...this lamp from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ($15)!  

Unfortunately, you have to have a Disney-issued ID to even set foot in the cage.  I wandered in the first time I went, not knowing I wasn't allowed, oops!  I just gave my friend the money to buy what I'd picked out, but on future trips, could only look in longingly from the outside.  It's hard to pick out goodies when you can't go in and you feel bad having your friend trot merchandise over to you, saying "This?"  Lol!  So of course, what this means is that I need to get a part-time gig at Disneyland, just for the property control shopping!  

 

Zero Popcorn Bucket!

I think there's something in the wind...

Isn't this just the cutest popcorn bucket ever?!  I heard rumblings on Friday about this Zero popcorn bucket and just had to come see for myself on Sunday!  

As far as I know, it is currently only available at the popcorn cart near The Haunted Mansion.  The line for popcorn was unusually long when I arrived in the early afternoon and only grew longer as the day went on.  A regular scoop of popcorn usually costs about $4, and the basic buckets about $6, but premium buckets like Zero will run a whopping $12.50.  It's a good size, you can use it as a purse if need be, or squeeze in a sandwich and drink for a picnic at the parks.  Oh, but that's not all!  Zero's nose lights up!  It blinks on and off with the flip of a tiny switch.  

I got a bucket (popcorn on the side) and then saw that Jack was meeting over by the HM fastpass area.  So naturally, I moseyed on down there to stand in line.  Since the line looked to be about 30-45 minutes long, I took the opportunity to devour my box of popcorn, lol!  As it turns out, Sally was getting stitched up, but with just a few people ahead of me, Jack went to escort his lady love back to meet us.  

The couple were thrilled to see Zero again and graciously posed for several photos.  I look forward to visiting with them every year, Jack and Sally are very playful and always up for a good scare!  

Disney California Adventure Characters

So you may have noticed that I enjoy meeting characters at the Disney parks.  ;)  A few weeks back I had about two hours in DCA to do whatever I wanted all by myself, so I set about taking as many character photos as I could.  I took all those above and more!  

Anyway, I thought people might like some tips on how to have the most efficient character experience at DCA!  If you get to these areas and don't see a character, keep an eye out for a PhotoPass photographer and/or character host.  The host can be identified by the rectangular "Ask me about Characters" buttons.  That's a good sign that a character is on their way, but you can certainly ask the host as they have the schedule.  

First up, when you enter the gates, scan to the left and right.  On the left, by Oswald's Filling Station is the newest M&G, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.  To the right, you may see Chip & Dale.  I have usually found them near the benches in front, near the trolley.  I've yet to meet Oswald, so I would make a beeline there!  Continue down Buena Vista Street and you can meet some of the Fab 5 in their 1930's garb.  Typically you will see Mickey, Goofy, or Pluto outside of Elias and Co. on the left and Trolley Treats on the right.  On very rare occasions I have seen Minnie, Donald and Daisy but that tends to be for special events.  Also wandering around are the Citizens of Buena Vista Street (Molly the Messenger, Donna and Lady, PhiPhi the Photographer, and Officer Blue).

After BVS, head towards Hollywood Land.  Over by the Animation Building, in front of the Once Upon a Time costumes, you will find Disney Junior characters like Sofia the First, Jake (Neverland Pirates) and Doc McStuffins.  A little further down I sometimes see The Incredibles characters (Mr. & Mrs. or Frozone), either on the corner or over in front of the Hyperion Theater.  Make a left to Monsters U and see if Sulley is greeting.  Remember, he doesn't sign autographs and his line often closes quickly, so don't daudle!  It's best to look for him early, I don't often see him out after 3.  If you are a Disney Visa customer, present your card at the special M&G behind the House of Cards from 10:30-1:30. Normally I see Minnie and Stitch there, but lately Daisy and Pluto have been spotted as well.  Remember to use the voucher they give you for a free 5x7!  

At this point, you can walk over to A Bug's Land.  The only character I know that meets here now is Flik.  I believe Atta used to appear as well.  There is a little area over by the watermelon of Heimlich's Chew Chew Train where he is usually to be found.  

As you leave A Bug's Land, you might see Red the Firetruck on the right, across from Luigi's Flying Tires.  I've also seen him meeting at the Cozy Cone Motel, alternating with Lightning McQueen and Mater.  Obviously none of the cars sign.  DJ also comes out for a little street show, but does not do M&G

If you've made it this far, you're doing pretty well, half way there!  Walk through Pacific Wharf up to Paradise Pier.  Duffy is no longer meeting over at Treasures in Paradise, so keep walking to the gazebo next to the Cove Bar (Ariel's Grotto).  In the past I've met Captain Mickey here, but usually it's Sailor Donald or Daisy.   Walk around towards Toy Story Midway Mania.  Across the way is a covered area where characters sometimes meet.  I've met Phineas and Ferb there, but this is not typical.  Past the boardwalk shops on the left is the Toy Story M&G, where you may see Buzz, Woody, or Jessie.  On that day, I caught Buzz and Jessie enjoying a little "Spanish mode" fun.  

Over near Paradise Garden Grill there is sometimes seasonal entertainment with character M&G, though nothing is going on right now.  For example, last Christmas they had a Mexican theme with the Three Caballeros and Mexican costumed Mickey, Goofy, etc. and for Lunar New Year Mulan and Mushu rotated with Chinese costumed characters.  

Turn left at Ariel's Undersea Adventure to Redwood Creek.  Sometimes you may see Russell or Dug meeting out near the Eureka building of Grizzly River Run.  However, usually Russell greets guests after the Wilderness Explorer Ceremony inside the Redwood Creek Challenge area.  Dug can also be found inside the entrance.  

Finally, look for the propeller plane over at Condor Flats to see Aviator Minnie.  She used to wear an Amelia Earhart type flight suit, but currently dresses in her "Fly Girls" uniform.  Goofy also used to meet here, but I haven't seen him in years.  

Well, I think that's it!  If you haven't caught all of the characters at this point, but have more time, you can always circle around back, lol!  Hope that's been helpful and maybe I'll do a little walk through of the Disneyland characters sometime.  

Do You Wanna Meet a Princess (and Queen)?

*photo from insidethemagic.net 

I had heard they were issuing return times for the Frozen meet and greet, so yesterday my friend and I stopped by and talked to Guest Services to find out more.  I haven't been inside to see Anna and Elsa since before Christmas, when the lines were still under 30 minutes (hence I had to google a picture, lol!).  While we didn't get in, we did learn some information that will be helpful for future possible visits.  

1) Go straight to the Frozen meet and greet when you arrive, preferably at opening.  We went on a Saturday and were told they were full by 9:45AM.

2) You will need to show your ticket or annual pass to get a return time.  If you are picking up for other guests, you will need their passes or tickets.  Return times are linked and not transferable.  

3) Your return time is a 20 minute window some time during the day, you must return with your ticket and get in line at this time.  

4) At this point, you will wait in line.  There may be up to 20 other people in line with you, as that's about how many tickets they issue per window.

5) There is NO STANDBY line, you MUST have a return ticket.  

6) The meet and greet seems to be running later these days, up to 8PM, so you may have to stick around or come back later in the evening than you might like.

If you don't get a return ticket for the meet and greet, you can also see Anna and Elsa on their float in the pre-parade before Soundsational.  Another tip is to have a snack inside the Village Haus restaurant.  The Arendelle royals usually walk through here on their way to break time.  They most likely won't stop for pictures or autographs, but it's more up-close than the parade.  

Halloweentime!

Yup, it's that time of year again, Halloweentime at Disneyland!  The festivities officially began this Friday, September 12, on what may be the hottest weekend of the year.  Since I haven't been to the parks in a while (I was in Maui!), I paid a visit on Saturday to see what new wonders await.  

 

Priority #1 for me:  the Conjure a Villain tent.  It is here that you can meet the Disney Villains, such as the Queen of Hearts, Jafar, Captain Hook, The Evil Queen (and her alter ego The Hag) and Maleficent.  I cannot tell you how many times I cycled through the tent last year, only to miss Maleficent.  Well, luck was on my side Saturday as I met her on my first try!  For the uninitiated, this is how it works: 1) wait in the queue, sit on hay bales; 2) enter the air conditioned (thank you jeebus!) tent, only about 30 at a time; 3) participate in a brief "show" where a villain is "conjured" via magic spell, you will not be told which villain you will meet; 4) line up for your meet and greet opportunity, line starts on the left.  While there did not appear to be anything new here, I did see a "gypsy" appear in front of the tent on occasion to entertain guests in line.  

There are also games and crafts to entertain guests of all ages if you choose to mill around.  You can check out the pumpkin carvers, I've already seen Groot, Maleficent and Han Solo in carbonite pumpkins and many more.  They continue adding to the collection all season.  The Pirates League is also set up here if you are interested in getting made up for the occasion.  

The Fab 5 and Chip and Dale also make appearances here throughout the day, dressed in their Halloween costumes.  They will stop for pictures and autographs, but every so often they do a Mask-a-Rade where they parade around with the kids and stilt walking scarecrows and witches.  

The newest major feature here is the magic show.  On this day, the magician was John George (not sure if they use different magicians).  While some of the illusions were enjoyable, it was a little bit long and at times slow, especially when we were sitting in 100 degree temps.  Also, little use was made of the scarecrows and witches who mainly just stood in front of the stage looking pretty, or "Zester," who cleared the props and made announcements.  When Sorcerer Mickey arrives, I expected the action to pick up a bit, but that just spelled the end.  All in all, I think the live music they used to have on stage was a better fit.  

We also visited the Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy.  After all the major updates to HMH last year, we didn't notice much this time around.  The current gingerbread house is actually an iron maiden, with candy spikes.  I thought GG seemed to be even faster than normal, which is not a bad thing!  I'm anticipating seeing all the hysterical children crying at the end of this one.  

If you want to visit the ranch, be sure to get over there before 6pm, as it closes well before the rest of the park.  Fastpasses are not (currently) available for HMH this year, but you can get them for SMGG, so plan accordingly!  

Haunted Mansion Prints

Can I say how much I love this set of prints?  Created for the 45th anniversary of my favorite ride, The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland, the artwork represents the four portraits seen in the "Stretching Room."  

They are exclusive to four of the restaurants of Disneyland:  Tightrope Minnie at Rancho del Zocalo, Widow Daisy at Plaza Inn, Mickey and friends at River Belle Terrace, and Barrel Goofy at French Market.  They are printed on a canvas material and rolled up, they would look amazing framed!  

Unfortunately, you are required to make a single food purchase of $30 or more to buy the prints for an additional $5.  The total must be after any applicable discounts.  You may need to buy someone lunch, lol!

Surprisingly, there are a limited number of prints still available.  I have managed to talk friends into dining at three of these, so now I just need to bite the bullet and have breakfast at River Belle!  

Wreck-it-Ralph

I think Wreck-it-Ralph is one of the more underrated movies in recent Disney history.  Maybe it was too geeky, too 80s?  Like most of their movies lately, I didn't have great expectations for it beforehand, but I loved it once I watched it.  

Thus, when the Wreck-it-Ralph meet and greet opened at the Starcade in 2012, I only hopped in line because it was about 5 people deep.  At the time, the movie hadn't yet opened, so when Vanellope motioned for me to do a driving pose, I had no idea why!  I was even asked to sign a release for Disney Parks Blog, in case I was featured in their promo materials.  

I really appreciated all the work they put into revamping the Starcade for the promo, which included the meet and greet backgrounds (patterned after the outlet "stations") and refurbished classic 80s arcade games.  Unfortunately, the meet and greet closed rather prematurely, and the arcade games and decor were pushed aside to make more room for merchandise.  You can still meet Ralph and Vanellope at Walt Disney World, so it's too bad Disneyland doesn't have them.  Tomorrowland doesn't have a lot of meet and greet opportunities and the theming here was spot-on.

There are still remnants of Wreck-it-Ralph at the Starcade.  You can see the "stations," although they have faded into the background.  I believe there were originally 5 Fix-it Felix games, but last I visited, I only saw 3.  These games are actually free play, and are similar to the free app that was available.  Love it!  Lastly, for the pressed penny collectors, there is the specially themed penny machine.  Get 'em while you can!

Treats: Raspberry Rose Mickey Macaron

I've been meaning to try the new Raspberry Rose Mickey Macaron at Jolly Holiday for a couple of weeks now, and today was the day!  At first glance, you might not realize the size of this baby, but the plate is about the size of their massive cinnamon rolls, and you probably know how big those are.  Plus, look at the fresh raspberries...there must be at least 8 in there!  

Upon getting my macaron, I set about trying to eat it, lol!  I wondered if I should pick it up and eat it like an Uncrustables pb&j.  Instead, I broke off the ears, one at a time, as you do with anything Mickey shaped.  Then I broke the rest in half, savoring every chewy, creamy, sweet-tart bite.  

For $4.99 (before AP discount), this is a decadent, but reasonably priced treat, perfect for a warm summer day.  

Frozen Pre-Parade

I know, totally on the late train here, but I had never seen the Frozen pre-parade...until Sunday.  We were leaving Disneyland to head over to Ghiradelli when we saw the float round the corner onto Main Street!  Surprisingly, there didn't seem to be any music or fanfare until they had made it about halfway down the street.  We would have missed it if not for a companion turning to take one last look at the castle.    

If your little darlings just LOVE Frozen but the 2 hour wait for a meet and greet just isn't in the cards, you'll want to check this out for a glimpse of Arendellian royalty.  This pre-parade is only before the FIRST run of Soundsational, so make sure to check the park schedule.  (**I recently caught the parade on 9/13 and they have added it to the second run as well!). The float makes it's way along the main parade route from It's a Small World to Town Square, some good last minute viewing spots include the Main Street train station and The Mad Hatter.  

In other Frozen news, it appears that shops in the parks are fully stocked with merchandise now.  Previously hard to find items like the dolls were readily available on Sunday afternoon, even Elsas.  

Playing Hookie on Main Street

Who's the leader of the club, that's made for you and me?  There goes bandleader Mickey, leading the Disneyland Band down Main Street!  I managed to slip away from work responsibilities to have a little fun on Saturday.  

Speaking of Main Street, the buildings and lampposts are a-festooned with colorful buntings and flags, ready for the 4th of July festivities.  If you plan to visit on Friday, pack your patience and don't forget your handstamp!  Even if you are a passholder, you may need one if the park reaches capacity.  Don't get stuck outside the gates during the fireworks!  

Hiya, Pal!

Mickey's Spring Outfit @ Big Thunder Ranch

So I wanted to call this blog the Daily Disney, but I think that is taken, and then I wanted to call it the Disney Daily, but then I realized that it would be overly ambitious to even use Daily, and I'm afraid I am not at all ambitious.  What I am, though, is a pretty big fan of Disney, and more specifically, Disneyland.  I have been an annual passholder on and off (mostly on) for years, including a Premier pass about a year ago.  I've even been to Walt Disney World three times so far.  While I'm not there every day, only about 50 times a year, my friends and family all think I am, so I thought I would share a little bit of Disney from my perspective.

Lately one of my favorite things to do is "Meet and Greets."  This is an in-park interaction with a costumed character.  You can take pictures with them or collect autographs, but some amazing encounters involve totally in-character conversations or unexpected moments, like a photo-bombing reindeer running through your Christmas tree portrait (yes, it really happened!).  Many characters are accompanied by "Character Hosts" and PhotoPass photographers, so don't be put off, they are friendly and will use your camera or phone to take your picture.  Or just take a selfie, you know you want to.  ;)

Anyway, I'm going to try and share the magic.  I'm pretty lucky to get to visit the parks as often as I do and I'll bet I can shine a little light on some things that you might not know...maybe.  I'm at peak work mode right now, which is of course why I am procrastinating by starting a new blog, lol, so I won't be visiting too much in the next month, but...look out August!  Welcome to The Almost Daily Disney.