Knott's Berry Farm: It's Not Disneyland

     For years we have been asked if we ever go to any other parks during our California vacation. We went to Sea World one year but had not tried any of the other parks in the Anaheim area. This year though we decided to try Knott's Berry Farm,. Our annual passes were blocked the 2,3, and 4th of July so we figured we might as well give Knott's a try. We also wanted to see Kirk and the Hillbillies who used to be at Disneyland and were one of our favorite shows.

     We were excited for this new venture. We took the Anaheim Resort Transportation so we didn't have to find a place to park. It was not a long drive and when we saw the park we were excited. The outside shopping area looked like fun.

     The entrance to the park is different than we are used to, we had our tickets already so didn't have to wait in the ticket line. They have security and scan you with a metal detector which made us feel good. When we arrived they looked in our bags but we left the park for  while during the day and when we came back they didn't check our bags which was concerning.

     We entered the park excited for this new day but we quickly realized it was not going to be what we thought it would be. We didn't expect it to be Disneyland but we did expect it to be special in its own way. The feel of the park however was more like being in an old western town which to us is not that thrilling.

     Disneyland is full of happy sounds and music. The sounds at Knotts were of birds, chickens and other sounds that were not pleasing. But we still were determined to enjoy our day.

     Our first stop was the restroom, the restrooms at Knotts are very dirty. They are old and need some severe updating. I did like how they have a sign on the door saying it is against the park rules to take pictures in the restroom. But other than that they were gross. They had an extremely nasty smell which seemed to be throughout the park.

     The bathrooms were not the only dirty part of the park. The entire park was dirty. We rode a sky ride so we could see the park from above but the view was foggy due to the dirty windows. Pretty much everything in the park was dirty.

     We rode a few rides and they were fun. Well except the stage coach. It was boring and smelly.

     For lunch we decided to try some barbecue only to find the food prices were high. People talk about Disneyland's food prices like they are horrible but we found the food at Knott's to be twice as much as what we pay at Disneyland. Our barbecue was ok, nothing great. We did get a funnel cake later on and it was delicious but again much more expensive than what we pay at Disneyland. The funnel cake had their famous boysenberries and they were fantastic.

     Kirk and the Hillbillies were a lot of fun, we loved seeing them again. we had missed their show a lot. I will write about them in a blog just about them though. We weren't impressed with their venue.

     My aunt and I rode the GhostRider and it was a blast. The wait was very long though and we had no idea how long it was when we got in line.They don't have signs telling the wait times on their rides. It looked to be about 45 minutes but took around 90. We were told by another guest that you had to download an app to know wait times which we did not want to do. We could not figure out why it was so long because there were not enough people for it to be that long however when we got to the loading station we figured out why it was so long. They don't load people up quickly. As a matter of fact it is very sluggish. They also have cubbies for people to put their things in before the ride begins. You get in the coaster, go to the other side, put your belongings in and then get back in the ride. This all takes a lot of time and makes the wait times extra long. We did love the ride though and wanted to ride again but did not want to wait in that line again. It was hot and miserable. They had us wait in a room where there was only one small fan.

We knew that it was not Disneyland and didn't expect that but we did not expect it to be so dirty consist of annoying noises. We sure did not expect the food to cost more.

     We could have stayed until 9:30 but decided to leave after the Hillbilly show. We had a fun day but were done. The western feel of most of the park is just not our thing. We enjoyed our day but will not go back. We did discover a beautiful area while we were shopping. It was the entrance area to the restrooms in one of the shops.

     Knott's Berry Farm could be a fun place, it has a lot of potential however does need some updating and lower prices, and cleaning.





   

Fantastically Fantasmic Funnel Cakes by Disney

     I love funnel cakes, every year when I go to Disneyland I make it a point to get at least one or two. This year was no different, I did get two but they were different and they were both absolutely delicious. They were heavenly to be exact.  Both can be found at Hungry Bear in Critter Country at Disneyland in Anaheim. My family and I bought one of each and shared them because they are so big. We enjoyed every bite and were stuffed when we were done.

     Several months ago I heard about the new churro funnel cake. I love churros and I love funnel cakes so I knew this would  be great. I could not wait until our vacation to try one. This one was my aunts favorite. I liked both of the new cakes equally, however found the churro funnel cake to be less filling. Probably because the peaches in the other one are one more ingredient to fill you up.

 

     The other is a peach cobbler funnel cake. I love peach cobbler and of course funnel cake so I knew this one would also be good. The peaches and cobbler are delectable.The cobbler is not too sweet and adds a delicious taste to the funnel cake. My mom and other aunt liked this one  best but again I liked them both a lot.

     Both funnel cakes cost only $7.49 and are well worth the price! They are larger than they appear in the pictures so go with a huge appetite or share like we did. Even then be ready to be filled up.

     Once again Disney out did themselves. They came up with yet another desert we will look forward to eating every year.

+churro +funnel cake + Disneyland +Cobbler +peach cobbler

   

Path of the Jedi at Disneyland is a Must See

     Disneyland has used the theater where Captain EO got its fame for many different things since Captain EO. It was used for the show Honey I Shrunk the Audience for many years.Then Captain EO returned, next it had a Guardian of the Galaxy preview and now the theater is host to Path of the Jedi. I loved Captain EO and Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Did not see Guardians premier but experienced Path several times this year.

     Path of the Jedi is a journey through the many different Jedi paths, yes it is exactly what you would think. You are taken from Luke's journey to Darth's, then Rae and on. Of course there are other highlights along the way because the path would not be complete without Han Solo, Yoda and the droids.

     This show lasts ten minutes and made us want to come home and have a Star Wars marathon, like we need a reason...

     I am not sure how long the Path will be at Disneyland but it is a must for all guests especially those who love Star Wars.

+Star Wars  + Path of the Jedi +Disneyland

Frozen at The Hyperion: A Spectacularly Magical Experience

     First I will say, get a Fast Pass for the show. Don't take your chance on standby. It is worth seeing and a Fast Pass will ensure you a seat.  
             I knew that the live performance Frozen at the Hyperion would be good but I had no idea how completely magical  the show would be. From the set  to the performance I was amazed. Every aspect of the show is Disney quality at its best. It has a Broadway feel and well, I have nothing but good to say about the show.

     When I first saw the stage I was amazed. They used the same moving screen technology for the background that is used in Mickey's Magical Map. To add to it all making it more realistic the stage appears to be moving water. When the show begins you are taken away to another land. The technical aspect of Frozen is well, something you have to experience live to truly appreciate. The set designers did an amazing job with all aspects of stage design but then they are imagineers.

     The actors are funny, serious and have beautiful voices. I got to see the show twice during my visit. I do not know who played Anna while we were there but she amused me so much, I actually think it was the same Anna both times.. Her voice is lilting and I enjoyed hearing her sing. The actress who played Elsa was just as remarkable. I think I saw two different Elsa's though. Anna made me cry with "Do You Want to Build a Snowman" and Elsa when she sang "Let it Go."

     I think the highlight for me is the staircase during "Let it Go". The technology there is spectacular.

     The puppeteers playing Olaf and Sven do such a great job of making the puppets move and the characters believable. They show the correct expression without distracting from the actual puppets.  Only Disney could pull it all off.

     I wish I lived closer so I could experience the show on a regular basis. It is one I suggest everyone take the time to see when visiting Disney Resort in Anaheim.

+Disney +Frozen +Anaheim

Post Vacation Blues

     Every year after I return to Colorado from my Disney vacation I feel the blues for several days. Don't get me wrong, I have two wonderful sons and a grandson I love coming home to but even so I still feel sad to be back. I have a special love for Disney Resort and California. Even just being in California makes me happy.

     I think of my time in California all year long. Yes I find things to do that are fun where I live but still my heart is in California...not San Francisco but still California. I enjoy my kids and love my job, I go hiking in Colorado sometimes and have fun visiting friends on the rare occasions the stars align so we have time to get together lol. But as for feeling "at home" I really do not feel that comfort except in California.

     When we pull into California I actually feel at home. I feel like that is where I am supposed to be, the smell, sights and sounds are comfortable and well, just feel like home. When I return to Colorado I just don't get that special feeling, for a while I feel depressed and sad, then later I feel fortunate to have a roof over my head, a job, a wonderful family and am very blessed but still do not feel at home.

     Many say I would not feel that way if I lived there but I felt that way when I lived there so I am sure I would still love it if I did now. However circumstances don't allow that in my life right now and so for a while after returning from vacation I do have the blues. They do pass for the most part even though I always feel a yearning and something calling me back to California.

     I am happy I have my little grandson here with me so I can better battle these post vacation blues.

No More River Belle Breakfast

    Every year when we visit Disneyland we love to go to the River Belle Terrace for breakfast. We don't go every day but we do go once or twice. We love the food and the atmosphere. It is also a tradition.

     The food at River Belle is delicious. The atmosphere is just as great. Much of Disney is about the atmosphere, it is the "feel" of things Well, we will no longer get that River Belle feel.

     We decided to have our annual River breakfast the other day....we were so excited. We got there only to find that they moved the breakfast to Rancho del Zocalo. We were bummed but headed over there to eat our breakfast.

     The atmosphere at Rancho though is just not the same, The River Belle is a relaxing and quite place to eat. The music is low key and it is peaceful to be there. The atmosphere at  Rancho del Zocalo  is loud and not very peaceful. It is not a comfortable place to eat breakfast. We really missed our relaxing breakfast.

     They did have most of the same food though, they only no longer have the cinnamon roll and and french toast. I was able to get my favorite meal though. I get the Steamboat which has pancakes, sausage and eggs. They also now have some Mexican breakfasts which my aunts got and said were good. My food was delicious and I didn't notice a difference in the taste of the meal.

     We most likely won't have breakfast at Rancho again unless we go for lunch. We however sadly will never get to eat at River Belle for breakfast again. Change is rough sometimes...

Baked Potato Blues

     Last year my mom and aunt found a Baked Potato at Disneyland they absolutely loved. They bought it at Harbor Galley. It had barbecue meat and Cole slaw on it. The thought it was totally the bomb. Well, this year their mouths were watering for this yummy find they found last year.

     So, last night we decided to eat this delicious potato. We were at DCA but left to go eat at Disneyland. When we got to the Galley we found that they no longer serve this potato. The cast member said that Troubadour Tavern used to have the potato but they closed and they had it for  while, then this year it went back to the Tavern. This was at 8 :00 PM and the Tavern closed at 6:30 so we decided to get a potato the next day.

     The next day arrived and so we left DCA again to go over and eat the baked potato. I was not that thrilled about a baked potato but do love barbecue meat so decided that it might be good.  We went to the Troubadour Tavern and found they no longer have the barbecue and cold slaw baked potato. My mom and aunts were bummed, they had looked forward to that all year. I was bummed because I don't like any of the food they have at that place. They have bratwurst and then the potato that just has sour cream and bacon bits. Or you can get one with broccoli and cheese. A far cry from the amazing potato of last year. We were all disappointed.

     So, if you loved the baked potato at the Harbor Galley, don't bother going because it is no more and we had the Baked Potato Blues.