thankful thursday - new adventures at an old favorite

It is no secret that we like Disneyland and go as often as we can. Some years we get an annual pass and go four or five times. Other years we go once or maybe twice. We have often been asked if it gets old. Our answer is always a resounding, "NO!"

One of the advantages of going often is knowing the layout of the park so well that we don't need a map to find the nearest restroom or to know the fastest way to get from Indiana Jones in Adventureland to Dumbo in Fantasyland is NOT through the hub. Another advantage is knowing when something is new or different.

We were at Disneyland this past week and experienced several new adventures!

1. NEW FOODS - Disney chefs work overtime developing new recipes to ensure their menus are varied and tasty. Some foods are permanent replacements or additions while others are holiday or seasonal favorites. We try to enjoy both our favorites as well as something new when we go.

I am not a big mayonnaise fan. Period. But, being adventurous, I tried two foods this trip that most people would not put mayo on but for some reason the Disney chefs thought they should.  Elote corn-on-the-cob is a seasonal favorite at the park. If anyone told me I would eat corn-on-the-cob with mayo, parmesan cheese and Tajin seasoning (chili, lime and salt), I would say they were crazy - but I tried it and it was delicious! The second was a bratwurst with sauerkraut, green onion aioli sauce (like mayo) and dried cranberries on a grilled bun. I was doubtful about the cranberries and almost ordered it without them but was sooo glad I didn't. The combination of flavors and textures was a dance party in my mouth!

2. NEW TWIST TO AN OLD RIDE - The Disneyland Monorail, the first daily operating monorail in the Western Hemisphere, opened in 1959 and we have ridden it dozens of times. It's a great way to get a bird's-eye view of the park and to rest your tired feet for a few minutes. 

   

Often there is a long wait for the monorail but this trip there wasn't and we were able to ride in the very front with the driver. Similar to the difference between sitting in the front seat of a car and in the back seat, the view is totally different up front. And, a bit scarier as you see the monorail lean to the side on the narrow, single rail as it makes a turn! FYI - anyone can sit "up front" - just ask!

3. NEW USE OF THE PARKING LOT - This trip we stayed at the Grand Californian, one of the Disneyland properties. Like everything Disney, they go out of their way to make their guests comfortable. The entire downstairs is a lobby area with lots of comfortable couches and chairs, a fireplace and a pianist playing a grand piano. It's a great place to relax for a few minutes. 

One evening when we returned from the park, we were enjoying a cup of coffee, a Mickey gingerbread cookie and the beautiful music in the lobby when the fire alarm went off. Within minutes they resort staff had the lobby evacuated to the front parking lot. Along with hundreds of other folks, we enjoyed the nightly Disneyland fireworks from the parking lot of the hotel where the staff tried to make sure guests were as comfortable as possible, passing out solar blankets and engaging in conversation. After about half an hour the all-clear was given and we returned to the hotel.

4. NEW WEATHER - Southern California is noted for it's beautiful weather pretty much year round and most of the time we are at Disneyland it is sunny and beautiful. Occasionally we've had overcast days with intermittent showers.  

But this trip we had rain ALL DAY LONG. Despite the wet weather, people were still having a good time with lots of smiles and laughter. We made it a game to find the route with the most covered walkways.  A few rides were closed like the Storybookland Canal Boats and the Tea Cups but most were open and had lines waiting in the rain. Now that's what I call true fans!

I am thankful for new adventures wherever we go. They make life unpredictable and fun. They give us something to anticipate even when we're doing something we've done before. They help us see the positives around us rather than dwell on the negatives.  

"I think what I want Disneyland to be most of all is a happy place - a place where adults and children can experience together some of the wonders of life, of adventure, and feel better because of it."

~ Walt Disney