We happened upon #Rey teaching a group of new recruits how to be undercover spies, to pass as an Imperial stormtrooper by learning how to be at "attention", to be "at ease", and to recite the affirmation "For the Order". I laughed because most of the kids said that last bit complete with Rey's British accent. #BlackSpireOutpost#GalaxysEdge#StarWarsGalaxysEdge#Batuu#Disneyland#StarWars 1/2
My favorite thing from the #runDisney#Disneyland 5k this morning also checked off two things on my list.
We came into #BlackSpireOutpost through the giant door in First Order Square.
And best of all, we exited out the giant door just to the left of the marketplace, and I've been wondering about that door since I first stared at the giant model of #Batuu at a D23 Expo those many years ago. #GalaxysEdge#StarWarsGalaxysEdge#StarWars 1/2
Pluto came out for a minute, and he apparently had a dog house, though I only got a glimpse of it. And then it was time to start, with the race logo projected on the Matterhorn. #runDisney#Disneyland 2/2
Against popular advice and Los Angeles norms, we used public transit (Metrolink regional trains and LA Metro subway) to get from Disneyland to Univeral Studios Hollywood.
8/10. Would do it again.
The LA public transit system still needs improvements (like higher frequency), but it was way better than I expected.
Yesterday, I was lucky enough to see the last two shows of #TaleOfTheLionKing in #Disneyland, made all the more special because additional cast and friends & family of cast were in attendance at both shows. The energy was electrifying.
This picture is from the final curtain call from the last show. Everyone was in tears. What an amazing show it's been. I've loved the show since I first saw it in June of 2019 in the blazing sun on the Paradise Pier stage area in #DisneyCaliforniaAdventure . /1
Thank you to all who have been a part of the show in either incarnation. I hope to see these familiar faces in other shows elsewhere in and outside of the resort. #FantasylandTheatre#Disneyland /5 end
The signature event, though, is "A Gastronomic Journey at Napa Rose" which includes the Executive Chefs of Napa Rose, Carthay Circle Restaurant, and Club 33 / 21 Royal, as well as Culinary Director Andrew Sutton. I question the choice to use "Fur" to describe the entree course, but maybe that's just me. And, vegetarians need not apply. It sounds like an amazing night, but it's gonna cost you, to the tune of $450 per person. #NapaRose /3 end
It's no secret that I'm a big fan of #TaleOfTheLionKing at the #FantasylandTheatre in #Disneyland . While it's of course hard to tear your eyes away from watching the leads, I absolutely appreciate the ensemble performers, who add so much to this show and elevate it beyond a simple musical. It's gonna be sad to say goodbye to all of them next Sunday, but I'll be there. 1/2
Here's the first of four videos showing segments that particularly display their talents. This is the amazing #IJustCantWaitToBeKing and #BePrepared mashup, made even better with the dance battle. Watch the individual performers when the focus isn't on them.
Special shout-out to the performer who plays, among others, Ed the hyena. It's been a pleasure watching you.
I finally decided to try the mis-named gyoza sausage bun from #PortOfSanFranSokyoCerveceria . It's a steamed bun with ground pork, ginger, mushrooms and leeks, with a chili-soy dipping sauce. The filling had nice flavor, and the sauce was wonderful. No wonder you can just buy the sauce to put on anything you want. #SanFranSokyoSquare#SanFranSokyo#DisneyCaliforniaAdventure#BigHero6 /1
The bun was pretty good, but it was a little bit soggy, likely because the item is kept in the warmer bag and then kept in a warming drawer, given the circumstances of being in a fast service theme park environment and wanting to keep the bun warm. In a restaurant, they'd just be able to replenish the supply freshly without the bag or drawer. #PortOfSanFranSokyoCerveceria#SanFranSokyoSquare#SanFranSokyo#DisneyCaliforniaAdventure#BigHero6 /3
My only issue is calling it a gyoza of any form. A gyoza does not involve a bun of any sort, but rather, a flour wrapper. It seems like they decided to go with the dish, but the bun doesn't really go with the Japan-influences of the land, so decided to call it a gyoza to fit in with the theming, even though it's not close to being a gyoza. 🤷
Lunch on New Year's Day was at #AuntCassCafe , and I tried the chilled shrimp soba noodle salad, which I really enjoyed. The noodles (which are hard to see here because they're underneath everything else) had a nice texture and were really tasty with the sesame ginger dressing which is included on the salad. #SanFranSokyoSquare#SanFranSokyo#DisneyCaliforniaAdventure#BigHero6 1/2
After watching the midnight fireworks from #BlackSpireOutpost, we sat for a few minutes, and the winds blew the smoke everywhere. The view seemed appropriate for where we were. Lots of ash fallout from the fireworks too. The area from the top of the stairs outside Dok's to the area just past Oga's Cantina on the way to the Falcon was closed off to guests before the fireworks, #Batuu#GalaxysEdge#StarWarsGalaxysEdge#Disneyland 1/2
presumably because they knew the winds were blowing that way and would carry too many fireworks remnants. We got some, and we watched over by the garage. As we were leaving the area, we also saw fallout over by the merchandise area next to Rise of the Resistance. #BlackSpireOutpost#Batuu#GalaxysEdge#StarWarsGalaxysEdge#Disneyland 2/2
I like the retro style of the #runDisney merchandise for the #Disneyland races in January. I guess that's why the new 2024 #DisneylandResort merchandise seems retro 80s?
But I'm dismayed that the article lists a much later opening and earlier closing to the Expo and store on Thursday. The article says noon to 7pm, but the official runDisney site says 10am to 8pm. 1/3
"New runDisney Retro Merch Drops for 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend"
Also, the virtual queue information seems to indicate that while you can join from your home or a hotel, that's only possible if those are at the resort. So if you want to join the queue first thing, you'd have to be at the resort by 7am and then wait around until 10am (or even potentially noon) at least before you could go to the store? #runDisney#Disneyland 2/3
That's a lot of waiting around with nothing to do, as opposed to being able to join the queue from home and just making it to the resort in time for the Expo to open and/or your return time for the virtual queue.
I've asked those questions of #runDisney on multiple platforms, so I'm hoping for some clarification. #Disneyland 3/3
"New runDisney Retro Merch Drops for 2024 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend"
From January 9 through January 18, 2024, Magic Key holders will have another chance to pick up the previously released party favor magnet from our Magic Key dance party.
Available, while supplies last, at the following locations during regular operating hours:
• Disneyana in Disneyland Park
• Studio Store in Disney California Adventure Park
All offers are subject to change or cancellation without notice.
A Magic Key holder must present a valid Magic Key pass to participate or purchase. Both a park reservation and valid admission are required for park entry. Magic Key park reservations are limited and subject to the availability of park reservations allocated to Magic Key passes, blockout dates and capacity. Park entry is not guaranteed for any date, for any pass.
*Limit one bucket per Magic Key holder per transaction, while supplies last."
We started with warm cheddar parker house rolls, which were really good. I liked the calabrian chili pine nut romesco butter spread too.
My starter was Mediterranean mussels and bay scallops. I really loved this dish. So much flavor, and the mussels were hearty & delicious. Such good flavor in the broth that I asked for a spoon. Take this dish & put it on top of some pasta, and it would make a great entree. 1/2
For my entree, I decided to try the thick cut pork chop. Yeah, it's quite the hunk of meat. It was so good. Good flavor and texture, not too dense. I knew I couldn't finish it so brought the rest home for later this week.
With dinner, I had a proper mai tai, aka with a float of 151. Tasty.
It seems weird to think of a theme park ride having a smell association, but there is just such a unique odor to Pirates of the Caribbean. Like its not just a pool water smell, it’s distinct and specific. I dunno what they put in the water to produce that smell. #disneyland
Because there weren't a lot of people in #SanFranSokyoSquare that late last night, I got a chance to look at the postings on the community message boards. So much fun stuff to read, which would normally be difficult to do without hovering over people enjoying their food at the tables in front of the signs.
For the record, #CocinaCucamongaMexicanGrill does not serve octopus tacos, but I think they absolutely should. Make sure it's grilled properly, though. Mushy tako is not good. #TakoTuesday
