Disneyland Trip Report

Disneyland Park

4/14-4/16/2011

Accommodations: Candy Cane Inn

• I really enjoyed CCI. The complimentary breakfast was good: orange/apple juice, coffee, bagels, donuts, fruit, yogurt, three types of cereal, and toast. The room was good size and very clean. Right around the corner from Disneyland. The only "negative" would have to be the fact that the walls are a little thin so late at night when people were coming home from the park and walking by our room we could hear them loud and clear. Not really the hotel's fault... more of people need to be more courteous.

Dining Reservations:

• Cafe Orleans (2:30pm 4/15/11): Excellent as always! I had the Mardi Gras Kitchen Sandwich, my mother had the Monte Cristo, and my sister had the Three Cheese Monte Cristo. For appetizers my mom and sister split the gumbo and we all shared the pommes frites. I did try my sister's Three Cheese Monte Cristo and it was tasty, but I don't think I could have eaten all four pieces of it in one sitting. It was interesting to say the least!
• Goofy's Kitchen (9:10am 4/16/11): It was really good! I was pleasantly surprised! The food selection was excellent and the food itself was delicious. Service was great. First we took a picture with Goofy at the front, then Chip, Dale, Baloo, Mulan, Aurora, and Pluto walked around and spent a great deal of time with each table, including us! It wasn't super busy so we weren't skipped by any characters and the characters that came to the table while my sister or I were up getting a plate, came back to see us just like they told my mom they would. I really enjoyed the meal!

Attractions

• Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough (twice) - 8:20am & 8:50am (walk on)
• Snow White's Scary Adventures (twice) - 8:25am & 8:39am (walk on)
• Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (twice) - 8:30am & 8:34am (walk on)
• Pinocchio's Daring Journey - 8:45am (walk on)
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant - 8:56am (5 min. wait)
• Storybook Land Canal Boats - 9:05am (5 min. wait)
• Disney Princess Fantasy Faire - 9:35am (30 min. wait)
• "it's a small world" - 10:15am (5 min. wait)
• SNACK BREAK - Chimichangas!
• Jungle Cruise - 11:00am (10 min. wait)
• Pirates of the Caribbean - 11:25am (10 min. wait)
• SNACK BREAK - Mint Julep!
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - 12:05pm (10 min. wait)
• Davy Crockett Explore Canoes - 12:30pm (5 min. wait)
• Haunted Mansion - 12:55pm (10 min. wait)
• Big Thunder Mountain - 1:20pm (10 min. wait)
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - 1:50pm (8 min. wait)
• LUNCH BREAK - Cafe Orleans!
• Indiana Jones Adventure - 3:30pm (FASTPASS)
• Casey Jr. Circus Train - 4:10pm (5 min. wait)
• Matterhorn Bobsleds - 4:30pm (20 min. wait)
• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage - 4:40pm (25 min. wait)
• Disneyland Railroad - 6:45pm
• Space Mountain - 7:15pm (FASTPASS)
• Disneyland Monorail - 7:35pm
• SNACK BREAK - Hot Chocolate
• Fantasmic! - 9:00pm

ABCDisney - C is for...

The door may not look any fancier from the others on ornate New Orleans Square. After the Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion rides it seems pretty unspectacular. But if your day at Disneyland in Anaheim, California includes a trip across this threshold and up the art deco glass elevator, you've made it. You have been to Club 33.

The club has only 487 members. The wait for a membership is up to fourteen year and the waiting list closed in April, 2007, and no new names are being accepted. For those lucky few who do get individual memberships, the cost is a $9,500 initiation fee and $3,175 yearly dues. Corporate memberships are $25,000 initially and almost $6,000 in yearly dues.

Photo credit to Keltron1

C is also for: City Hall, Carnation Cafe, Crystal Arcade, Cafe Orleans, Cristal d'Orleans, Chip 'n Dale's Treehouse, Clarabelle's Frozen Yogurt, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Character Close-Up, Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, California Screamin', Casey at Bat

ABCDisney - B is for...

Found at 31 Royal Street in New Orleans Square, The Blue Bayou appears to be situated on a mansion terrace overlooking a balmy, moonlit Louisiana bayou. Inside, however, the restaurant is adjacent to the mysterious waterway that carries would-be buccaneers on the Pirates of the Caribbean adventure. The food is decent, but it's the atmosphere you're paying for, and it's worth it. Be sure to get a reservation--there's hardly ever space for walk-ins. When you check in for your reservation, ask if there is a table by the water available; it's quite peaceful!

Photo credit to Express Monorail

B is also for: Blue Ribbon Bakery, Bengal Barbecue, Big Thunder Mountain, Big Thunder Ranch BBQ, Bonanza Outfitters, Briar Patch, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Bullseye Stallion Stampede, Between Takes,

Friday Favorites

Cafe Orleans is my absolute FAVORITE place to eat thus far in my journey to eat everywhere in the Disneyland Resort. These are the things I enjoyed most about Cafe Orleans.

1. Pommes Frites - these things are delicious! I think it was probably my favorite part of my meal. It comes as a fairly large serving, so I recommend sharing this appetizer! Basically it's French fries covered in Parmesan cheese, garlic, and parsley and is served with a Cajun spice remoulade. I have a high tolerance of spicy, so to me it wasn't spicy-- it was just the right amount to compliment the garlic. I will order these every time!
   
2. Mardi Gras Chicken Sandwich - It's essentially blackened chicken breast with Cajun spices and an avocado relish on a warm roll. I'm not a huge fan of avocado, but the combination was delicious! It's also served with a mixed green salad. I was so full from eating the entire basket of pommes frites by myself that I only finished half, but when I ate it 3 hours later it was just as good as the first half was. I highly recommend this sandwich if you don't want something as heavy as the Monte Cristo or something as light as a salad.
3. Quick service - I didn't have a reservation and I was by myself. I was immediately sat and the server was kind and attentive. She also asked me if I had an annual pass (which I do) so that she could give me the discount. I heard her ask the other two tables around me as well and it was nice of her to sort of remind us passholders that we get little perks. Sometimes I forget to ask!
4. Atmosphere/Location - Sure, it's not the Blue Bayou, but it's in a central location, and the New Orleans Square itself is a very beautifully decorated and heavily detailed land. I also like that I can sit outside and people watch.

The next time I eat here at Cafe Orleans I'm going to try the infamous Monte Cristo and the Chicken Gumbo crepes. Hopefully I'll be able to make it to dessert and get to try the beignets!

Check out the rest of the Cafe Orleans menu here.

Have a Magical day!