Ranking 8 of the Best Disneyland Snacks

As Walt Disney’s original magic kingdom, Disneyland is known for immersive rides and charming characters. But for some, the best aspect of Disneyland is its food offerings. Specifically, the snacks you can find around the park. Guests come from far and wide to try a Mickey Pretzel or a Corn Dog. Everyone raves about those Mickey Beignets, the Pineapple Dole Whip, or the Churros. But is the hype founded? We tried 8 of Disneyland's best treats, the best snacks most people agree you can get at the “Land” … But are they really?

Let’s find out.

1) Beignets and Mint Julep – (Rating 10/10) Found at the Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square, Beignets and a Mint Julep make a perfect snacking combo. The Hype on this one is very real. Beignets are airy, fluffy, and great for snacking size. Pro tip - Shake the bag to get them well covered in powdered sugar. The mint julep is not too sweet, and the mint isn’t overpowering, not to mention it's very refreshing on a warm day. Beware, you are going to get powdered sugar everywhere. Michelle would get them every time, but Chris says only for peppermint beignets during the holidays. A 3-Pack of Beignets will cost you $4.99 while the Mint Julep is $5.29.

2) Corn Dog at the Little Red Wagon – (Rating 9.5/10) Found at the Little Red Wagon cart just off Main Street, you can find what some say is the best corn dog in the world. Well, the verdict is in and the hot dog part was okay, nothing special about it. But it’s the corn breading that really makes this treat great. It’s dense but light, and the hot dog is perfectly battered. Not heavy or too oily. The hype is understandable. We got it with the Spicy Asian-style Dipping sauce which took it to another level. We tried it with mustard, which was just okay. Definitely go with sauce if available. Chris did indeed agree, best Corn Dog ever, but we would not get it every time though. The whole meal can lean on the heavy side. The Corn Dog comes was chips or a mandarin orange for $10.59, the sauce cost an extra $1.69.

3) Pineapple Dole Whip at Topical Hideaway – Rating 10/10) Found at the Tropical Hideaway or Tiki Juice Bar in Adventureland. The Dole Whips come in a variety of tropical flavors, and we got the classic pineapple. It’s a perfect treat for a warm day. Creamy, light, and refreshing. Hype is very real. The line at Tropical Hideaway was about 10 mins wait, so no doubt this treat is very popular. We got a packet of Tajin seasonings you can find at the checkout, and it gave the Whip a nice hint of salty flavor. Beware: a little Tajin goes a long way. We would get it every time, especially in the summer. Every time. Costs $6.49

4) Outpost Mix Popcorn at Kat Saka’s Kettle and Black Caf Cold Brew at Docking Bay 7 – 10/10 (Black Caf) 9/10 (Outpost Mix) – Both treats are found in Galaxy’s Edge. After trying these, we understand why people go to a galaxy far, far away for them. Hands down, telling you upfront, we would get the cold brew every time. Believe the hype, it's one of the best coffee drinks found on Disney property. The sweet cream cheese topping seemed weird, but after it was stirred in it added the perfect amount of sweetness without making it too clawingly sweet. Cocoa puffs are a great surprise and added a little crunch. Coffee is smooth and not too bitter. The popcorn was the perfect blend of sweet and salty. It’s chocolate and caramel, need we say more? Would not get it every time though, we are not too big on popcorn, but it’s a great occasional treat. Outpost mix goes for $6.99, and Cold Brew is $6.29

5) Mickey Pretzel –7/10 (with cheese), 4/10 (Without Cheese) - Found at various Pretzel carts around the park. It starts out warm and flaky, but quickly cools off to a dense, chewy, and gummy pretzel. Nothing special, the hype is in the novelty, would not get it otherwise. Needs more salt, just a basic pretzel. The cheese sauce does level it up though, it’s surprisingly cheesy and tangy, the perfect complement to the pretzel. Try other Mickey-shaped treats though. With cheese $7.50, without $6.00. Would get it just the one time for that great Instagram pic.

6) Raspberry Rose Mickey Macron – (Rating 10/10) Found at the Jolly Holiday Bakery off Main Street. The Hype is real you guys! Perfectly tart, juicy raspberries, the light macron cookie wasn’t heavy on the cream. Amazing dessert! It's a little fragile as you can tell from the crack. Would get it every time, no problem. Just a little on the sweet side but the raspberries give it a good balance of flavors. Costs $6.49.

7) Churros – (Rating 9.5/10) Found at Churro carts around the park. Hype is pretty much real. The churros are surprisingly fresh if you get them at a decent time. They are perfectly covered in cinnamon and sugar, crunchy on the outside yet soft on the inside. Pairs well with hot cocoa or coffee on a cold night. The smell is next level. Would get it every time. Specialty churros are also a great choice and come in a variety of flavors and dipping sauces depending on the season. Original churros costs $5.00.

8) Skewers at Bengal BBQ – 9/10 Found at Bengal BBQ in Adventureland. We got the Bengal Beef and Safari Skewers. Hype is real. Pro Tip - order extra Zulu sauce for the beef skewers. The beef is tender and the sauce is sweet and tangy. Beef can be a little dry, so getting the extra sauce helps. The Safari skewers are bacon-wrapped asparagus and they are amazing. Make sure to give it a squeeze of lemon, enhances the flavor. Well-cooked bacon and asparagus are tender and buttery. Would not get it every time though but a couple of skewers make a great meal. Bengal Beef is $6.99 and the Safari is $6.49.

Happy eating!

Year-Round Comic-Con? We went to Frank and Son Collectibles

Every summer, nerds and geeks alike descend upon San Diego to attend one of the biggest events in fandom: the San Diego Comic-Con. But SDCC is super expensive and hard to get into. So, when you can’t make it to San Diego or any other comic con being held around the world, we suggest making your way to Frank and Son Collectible Show.

Frank and Son has the best parts of any convention, the exhibitor hall. Rows and rows of booths where vendors sell everything a nerdy heart could want. Comic books, die-cast figures, pins, records, even VHS tapes of the most obscure horror movies, Nintendo 64 games, stuffed plushies, action figures from every franchise you can think of, Lego sets, and Hot Wheels.

Looking for a Sailor Moon Loungefly mini backpack? A Buffy, the Vampire Slayer Funko Pop? Or perhaps an Iron Man Nano Gauntlet with moveable fingers you can snap? With over 200 vendors, Frank and Son Collectibles just may have it! From games both tabletop and video, anime, Marvel, DC, collectibles, and even baseball cards, you can find it all.

Looking for that Man-at-Arms action figure you had when you were a kid? The Millennium Falcon playset your parents never brought you? Or that Strawberry Shortcake plushie your little sister destroyed? Every childhood disappointment can be rectified. Because odds are, someone at Franks and Son is selling just what you are looking for. There are even tables set up to play Settlers of Katan or Dungeons and Dragons. Also, video game cabinets to brush up on your Donkey Kong skills.

So if you are in Southern California and a comic convention is just too expensive, hop on down to Frank and Son where admission and parking are free.

Happy shopping!

Frank and Son Collectible Show is located at 17835 Gale Ave.

City of Industry, CA. 91748

https://www.frankandsonshow.net/

10 Favorite Disney Parks Characters

From Snitch, to Princess Jasmine, to Buzz Lightyear, and even the big guy himself, Mickey Mouse, Disney has created many memorable characters. And some of their best characters were not created for movies or television, but for their theme parks. Here are ten of our favorite “Parks Only” Disney characters.

10 – The Birds of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Opening at Disneyland on June 23, 1963, macaws Jose, Michael, Pierre, and Fritz have been serenading guests with a soundtrack by the Sherman Brothers daily for almost sixty years. The first attraction to feature Audio-Animatronics, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

was sponsored by United Airlines for 12 years before it was taken over by the Dole Food Company in 1976. Dole provides Dole Whip, a soft serve snack, that is sold near the attraction’s entrance. The attraction has copies in Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland, but it’s the one in Walt’s original magic kingdom in Disneyland that is the most endearing. With Jose, voiced by Wally Boag, Michael, voiced by Fulton Burley, Pierre, voiced Ernie Newton, and Fritz, voiced by Thrul Ravenscroft, these colorful birds invite you to enjoy this topical hideaway … you lovely people you. Along with the macaws, there are singing flowers, talking tiki statues, and drumming idols all creating the sights and sounds of an island paradise. The birds of the Enchanted Tiki Room are some of Walt Disney’s and WED Enterprises' best achievements. So, the next time you find yourself in Adventureland, grab a Dole Whip and enjoy the show.

9 - Harold from the Matterhorn

When the Matterhorn Bobsled attraction first opened on June 14, 1959, it was without its beloved mascot, the yeti nicknamed Harold. It wasn't until the 1977 refurbishment that Harold was added to Disneyland’s iconic ride. Standing at six feet tall with glowing red eyes, Harold the Yeti terrifies guests on the fast-moving bobsleds. His powerful roar can be heard throughout the ride, adding even more suspense, because you’re never quite sure where Harold will pop up next. In 2015, for Disneyland’s 60th anniversary, Harold was updated to keep up with new technology and advancement in Animatronics. The new Harold has a better range of movement and more fluid motion. A CGI effect was also added to the lift hill where Harold follows guests behind a wall of ice. But don’t feel too bad for the original Harold, he can be found among the Collector's treasures in the basement of Guardian of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout attraction at Disney California Adventure Park.

8 - Orange Bird

Debuting in 1971 as a mascot for the Florida Citrus Commission, Orange Bird is a delightful canary-like bird with green leaves for wings and a large head in the shape of, you guessed it, an orange. An Orange Bird figure was a feature at the Sunshine Tree Terrace at Walt Disney World for most of the 70s and 80s, as well as a walk-around character, bringing smiles to guests in Adventureland. But when Disney and the Florida Citrus Commission cut ties in 1987, Orange Bird almost faded into obscurity. However, you can thank a Japanese holiday for bringing Orange Bird back into the world. Every April 14th, people in Japan celebrate Orange Day, where couples exchange orange-themed gifts. Since there’s a Disneyland in Tokyo, the company was looking for new merchandising to sell at the park to coincide with the holiday. Turns out Orange Bird was just the right mix of cute and orange for guests. Orange Bird merchandise was soon selling at the parks again due to his regained popularity. Then in April of 2012, the Orange Bird figure was finally restored to the Sunshine Tree Terrace at Walt Disney World. It doesn’t appear this happy bird will be flying away any time soon. Check out the video below for more Orange Bird history.

7 - Skippy from Alien Encounter

The terrifying attraction known as ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter had a sordid history until it was eventually closed in October 2004 and replaced with something a bit more family-friendly, Snitch’s Great Escape. But the most endearing albeit awful part of the ride was in the pre-show. Skippy was a small, cute, and furry animatronic alien, whose job was to “demonstrate” Tomorrowland Interplanetary Convention Centers' “flawless” teleportation system. However, for poor Skippy, the system was less than perfect. When Skippy would be teleported across the room, guests would see a burned and mangled Skippy, showing that the technology was very dangerous and less than perfect. This set the tone for the rest of the attraction which included a horrifying alien escaping a large tube in the center of the room and “breathing and drooling” on guests. The attraction would see less than positive reviews over the years, as parents deemed the ride too scary for younger children. Even though ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter's run lasted for only 10 years, Skippy's legacy lives on in those of us who remember this ill-conceived ride.

6 - Fuzzball from Captain EO

When you bring the power of Michael Jackson, George Lucas, and Francis Ford Coppola together in the year 1986, you get the Disney Parks classic of Captain EO, a technologically advanced 3D science fiction film. Playing at the Magic Eye Theater in Tomorrowland at Disneyland and Epcot, Captain EO was regarded as one of the first “4D” films, due to it incorporating 3D film along with in-theater effects, like lasers and smoke which would be synchronized to the movie. Captain EO told the story of the titular character, played by Michael Jackson and his ragtag crew on a mission to deliver a gift to “The Supreme Leader.” One of Captain EO’s crew was a red, furry flying sidekick named Fuzzball, often resting upon the captain's shoulders. Fuzzball looked like a cross between a cat and a monkey with butterfly wings. While many things about Captain EO were iconic even for the time, there was something endearing about the fiercely loyal Fuzzball. Even with Captain EO officially closing in 1997, guests lucky enough to have seen this groundbreaking film still remember that little red fur ball. If you have never seen Captain EO, check out the video below.

5 - Buzzy from Cranium Command

Cranium Command was an attraction at the now-defunct Wonders of Life pavilion at Epcot. The show was a presentation on the importance of the human brain. The pre-show of Cranium Command was an animated film featuring a character called General Knowledge who would brief his troops on their mission: to pilot human brains and keep them away from trouble. Enter a bumbling little soldier named Buzzy, who was given the most difficult mission, to pilot a 12-year-old boy. After the pre-show, guests would enter a large theater with projection screens and a now animatronic Buzzy. With the help of the different parts of the brain, Buzzy would get 12-year-old Bobby through a typical day. Both educational and entertaining, Cranium Command showed the importance of each function of the brain. Cranium Command permanently closed in 2007 after running for 17 years, and the Wonders of Life pavilion was turned to part-time use for Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival. After the closure through, the attraction was pretty much left intact, just hidden behind walls, away from the public. In 2017, urban explorers discovered Buzzy was still there. But this is where Buzzy's story takes an unfortunate turn because in 2018 it was reported that Buzzy had been stolen. Check out Jenny Nicholson’s comprehensive history of Buzzy and well as the Orlando Sentinel article below for the full story. To this day, we still don’t quite know where Buzzy is, but his legacy will live on in the millions of guests he helped to understand who our brains work.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/crime/os-ne-patrick-spikes-arrested-disney-buzzy-20190518-jylgndquszh2nmgzv736tc43si-story.html

4) Redd, or The Redhead from Pirates of the Caribbean

Originally, the character known colloquially as “The Redhead” was a citizen of Puerto Dorado, the town in the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. The Redhead had been kidnapped and was being auctioned off in the “Take a Wench for a Bride Auction,” where a group of pirates would chant “We want the redhead.” Needless to say, the original scene was made at a different time. It wasn’t until 51 years later that Disney updated the scene to have the Redhead, or Redd as she would be called, as a woman of action. The new incarnation was modeled after historic pirate Anne Bonny. Disney Imagineer Marc Davis actually used Anne Bonny as the inspiration for the original Redhead. Redd now helps “auction” off goods stolen from the townspeople and declaring “It’s the rum they want” to a rowdy group of pirates. Disney also added a walk-around version of the character. Redd now joins Jack Sparrow and the other pirates in wreaking havoc and having a jolly good time. The original Redhead is preserved in the Walt Disney achieves.

3 - R-3X/DJ Rex from Star Tours/Oga’s Cantina

RX-24, or Captain Rex, started out his life as a Disney Parks character piloting a StarSpeeder 3000 in the Star Tours attraction. For years, Captain Rex would help guests navigate the world of Star Wars while also evading Imperial officers. Voiced by Paul Reubens, Rex was tasked to take guests to Endor but would get a little sidetracked and ended up helping destroy the Death Star. Guests felt like they were in their very own Star Wars adventure thanks to this flight simulator attraction. In 2010, Disney decided to update the ride, adding new destinations and scenes. That meant, unfortunately, Rex lost his job as StarSpeeder captain as he was replaced with a reluctant C-3PO. Guests could still find at least a version of Rex in the cargo bay area of the queue. But Rex didn’t stay unemployed for long. In 2019, when Disney open their new land inspired by Star Wars, you could find Rex, or now officially R-3X, at Oga’s Cantina where he DJs while guests enjoy a Fondor Fizz or Jedi Mind Trick. Check out the link below for DJ R-3X's cool space tunes.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2j0kB8eGOHta3Kwso90QG5

2 - Hatbox Ghost from the Haunted Mansion

When the Haunted Mansion opened at Disneyland in August of 1969, the Hatbox Ghost was a part of the attraction but was mysteriously removed shortly after. Did the Hatbox Ghost move on to haunt other attractions? Well, no. The Hatbox Ghost was installed for cast member previews, and it was noticeable how much the effect didn’t really work. The specter’s face was supposed to “disappear” and then reappear inside the hatbox he was holding. But the ambient light inside the attraction’s attic scene prevented the face from disappearing fully, so guests could see both faces. Even though Imagineers tried to rectify the issue, the effect was never fully convincing, so the Hatbox Ghost was removed and went into Disney Parks legend. Thankfully that wouldn’t be the end of the story of this dapper phantom. In 2015, to coincide with Disneyland's 60th anniversary, the Hatbox Ghost was restored to the Haunted Mansion. Using projection technology, the imaginer's effect was finally realized. Check out the time-stamped video below to see the Hatbox Ghost in all his spooky glory.

1 - Figment and Dreamfinder

The story of Figment and Dreamfinder starts with Discovery Bay, an unbuilt land for Disneyland designed by Disney Parks Legend Tony Baxter in the 70s. But that project fell through and Baxter moved on to other things. Eventually, he was assigned to work on Kodak’s Imagination pavilion at Epcot and decided to use some of his ideas from Discovery Bay. One of those ideas was Professor Marvel, an eccentric bearded inventor. For the Omnimover ride that was added to the Imagination pavilion, Professor Marvel was changed to Dreamfinder, and his dragon companion went from green to purple and was named Figment. In keeping with Epcot’s theme of entertainment and education, Dreamfinder was meant to represent the right brain, and Figment was the left brain. Journey Into Imagination debuted on March 3, 1983. The attraction quickly became a fan favorite with its colorful scenes, a soundtrack from the Sherman Brothers, and a whimsical storyline about the creative process. Figment's child-like personality played off well with Dreamfinder’s enchanting presence. However, to the dismay of many fans, Journey Into Imagination was closed in October of 1998. The ride was turned into a less-than-favorable version, erasing Dreamfinder completely and reducing Figment’s role. The attraction was changed again in 2002, adding Figment back into the ride but still didn’t have the lasting quality of the original. Fans who remember a walk-around version of Dreamfinder and Figment still lament his disappearance from the park, but fortunately, Figment remains a fixture at Epcot. He has become the unofficial mascot of Epcot's numerous food festivals. Check out the video below for Defuctland's amazing history of one of Disney Park's best attractions.