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View Full Version : Lunar New Year stuff, February foods, Soundsational and misc. stuff



cstephens
01-28-2019, 03:48 PM
Figured I'd forego starting a bunch of threads and just put it all here.


We had a chance to experience some of the Lunar New Year festivities this past weekend. I love the decorations (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1089587519857905664), and I especially love that they decorated the trees/bushes by the lighthouse with red packets and oranges/kumquats/whatever (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1089588759782338561). We did the math and decided to get the new Sip and Savor pass, which is $3 cheaper for APs, and you get the pretty lanyard and a button for each tab you use (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1089590052403896320). I liked the BBQ pork bao (which is in fact not a bao but is really a taco) with pickled onions and jalapeno (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1089663547695452161) - good flavor all around. We got the Mickey Chinese hot dog bun (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1089664407909543936)mostly because it was cute. It was fine but there was really nothing Chinese about it. I wish they'd used Chinese sausage instead of hot dogs. We also had the firecracker three cup chicken (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1089665392853676033), which I didn't care for last year because it was too bland, but it was much better this year - nice flavor and a decent kick of spiciness. I was amused, though, that what we got looked absolutely nothing like the picture that's on the Lunar New Year celebration website and the little brochure/flyer that they hand out at the park.


One of my goals for the day was to have dinner at Rancho del Zocalo because I wanted to try the molcajete (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1089669257745522689), which for some inexplicable reason is offered as part of the February/Valentine menus. It's expensive but it's totally worth it if you're wanting a splurge. I guess I've never had the carne asada there before because I kept commenting on how good it was (texture and flavor) but my favorite thing was the shrimp. It had a spice on it that was just amazingly delicious. I'd love if they just added the shrimp on rice to the regular menu. They also had a chocolate tamale (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1089670828533309440)there, which sounds kind of iffy, but I was convinced when I read the description, and it did not disappoint. Seriously yummy. A definite recommend.


I was also thrilled at the return of Soundsational. I absolutely love that parade and I wanted to see the new stuff that was being added. Pictures here (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1089921756033310720), the new birthday cake float (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1089922219881316352), the awesome new pull-toy float (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1089922638523187200), and returning favorites here (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1089922998688071681), one more here (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1089923324400943104), and one last one here (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1089923668652617733).


Some cool merchandise I ran across:

Love this mug (though I managed to refrain from buying it) - it's like a "to do" list of Disneyland (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1089666544768929792)! I'm now obsessed, however, with wanting a Haunted Mansion turkey leg. ;)

They had some cute Haunted Mansion stuff for dogs (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1089667179967012865).

I really LOVED this Haunted Mansion shirt (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1089667627776040960), which I again managed to refrain from buying.


Oh, one thing I wanted to mention - Fantasmic is down for the next month, I think, but while that's happening, they're running the Mark Twain at night, and that's always a treat for me because that's not usually possible. I can't remember how late it runs, but it was definitely dark when we went on it. I highly recommend an evening ride on the Twain.


And, we were sitting on Main Street around 5:30 in front of Disneyana, and a ton of crows were flying around, both in Town Square as well as further over Disneyland that we could see (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1089334816443514882). It was kind of cool but also a big creepy. I've noticed some crows above Main Street before, and of course, I've seen them by the Haunted Mansion, but nothing like this. On a different note, from that vantage point as the sun went down, we saw some gorgeous sunset colors above the train station (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1089338506806157313).

olegc
01-29-2019, 10:01 AM
the almost nightly crow "migration" usually happens near the end of daylight as sun goes down. You see a lot gather on buildings and trees on Main St. (The trees near matterhorn are a key area). And then when they take off for further move west it is creepy.

Thanks for the reviews. Definitely will look to try these.

NickP
01-30-2019, 10:06 AM
thanks for the report! I am going down next weekend and the sip and savor for the lunar offerings is at the top of my to-do list. Hoping the AP buckets get restocked by next weekend (assuming it's going to sell out this weekend)

olegc
01-31-2019, 08:09 AM
i had a chance to make a quick stop to sample some of the Food items (when you only have an hour you make the best of it). I did really enjoy the decor as described, and the lighting at night is really nice. Unfortunately all of the entertainment, meet and greets, and the AP photo op are done by 5pm or so (the last Mulan parade is 415pm).

Crispy Shrimp Fried Rice - it was good, and warm, but no amazing flavors. There was not a lot of differentiation where you could taste each ingredient. As usual - bacon takes most of it.

Disneyland's food will have to wait until the following week ;-).
Mandarin Orange-Green Tea Tart - I liked this a lot. The crisp flavors of the mandarins against the custard was a nice hit and the green tea tart shell was tasty. I brought one home to share with my wife.
Vegetable Egg Roll with chilled sesame garlic noodle - I enjoyed this one too. The sauce and the strong flavor of the noodles are a great opposite to the veggie egg rolls which were pretty standard. The peanuts in the dish gave the noodles a good crunch texture.
Steamed Short Rib Shumai - I really enjoyed this one too. Similar to the Egg roll dish with its opposites attract flavor profile. The savory short rib kinds of melts in your mouth and the cucumber salad has a very good pickled kick to it.

I will be going back to try some buns, and the Firecracker chicken. I also want to try some items at the Paradise Garden Grille and the fact that you can get festival sized portions of the Korean chicken and the Orange Tempeh. Now just how to figure out how to bring the Fried Tilapia dinner home (Im the only passholder, my wife is more "thrifty".

cstephens
01-31-2019, 11:27 AM
Vegetable Egg Roll with chilled sesame garlic noodle

That's on my list. A friend had it and liked it too.



Steamed Short Rib Shumai

They were out when my husband went there and they didn't know how long a wait it would be, so that will have to wait for another day.



I also want to try some items at the Paradise Garden Grille and the fact that you can get festival sized portions of the Korean chicken and the Orange Tempeh.

They said that the sip and savor tabs work for some of the items there, but they don't say which ones, so I'll have to go ask. I'm pretty sure it won't work on the tilapia, which I want but probably won't have a chance to have. I'm hoping it works on the banh mi. I want to try it, though the picture isn't entirely my preference, but for $6, I'm more willing.


Oh, and there's the little side cart with wings and something else I can't remember. Tabs are supposed to be good there too.

olegc
01-31-2019, 11:29 AM
That's on my list. A friend had it and liked it too.




They were out when my husband went there and they didn't know how long a wait it would be, so that will have to wait for another day.




They said that the sip and savor tabs work for some of the items there, but they don't say which ones, so I'll have to go ask. I'm pretty sure it won't work on the tilapia, which I want but probably won't have a chance to have. I'm hoping it works on the banh mi. I want to try it, though the picture isn't entirely my preference, but for $6, I'm more willing.


Oh, and there's the little side cart with wings and something else I can't remember. Tabs are supposed to be good there too.Ooh I forgot about the wings - but i was full! The ban mi last year was good. We shall see.

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Berry Princess
01-31-2019, 02:15 PM
Thanks for sharing your pics and review on the items. The crows are always like that. Some days there are more then others but we have seen them at times where it seemed like a lot more then other days. Agree it is creepy like. We need to head over since daughter wants the Mickey plush with the little pig. LOL

cstephens
02-09-2019, 01:20 PM
I had a chance to try the banh mi (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1094002840375152640) - I had a lot to say so it took me three (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1094003613511278593) extra (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1094004921429516288) posts (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1094005245884039168) to write about it. And then after thinking about it more and the husband reading the receipt, we're wondering now if the portion size is smaller when you order an item there using one of the tabs vs. a larger portion size if you order full price. The Sip and Savor pass tabs can be used on three of the four food items at Paradise Garden Grill (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1094008137412014080).

I also had a chance to try the Korean wings (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1094013525339430912) - I really enjoyed those.

AP corner had a very short line so I was able to pick up my AP goodies (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1094015608897777664).


Random other stuff - they've released the next set of plush from the Haunted Mansion, this time, opera ghosts (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1094055749544628224).


Re: Soundsational - I was really happy yesterday to see that Mickey was playing the drums again (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1094294891000037376)!

AnotherJenny
02-09-2019, 05:34 PM
The sip and savor pass gets you tastes at Garden Grill, not the full item.

I don't eat pork, so this is moot anyway, but I doubt I'd pay $12 for a Disney banh mi. You can get them so many other places that I don't need theirs. I feel the same way about all of the poke around the resort now. I was happy when they added bowls at Paradise Pier Hotel, but poke is available in so many other places that I don't need Disney's take on it that many times. I'd rather they focus their effort on making the pizza at Pizza Planet and Boardwalk edible.

Berry Princess
02-09-2019, 05:52 PM
I'd rather they focus their effort on making the pizza at Pizza Planet and Boardwalk edible.

While the pizza is not the worse I've ever had, I do wish we had the option still of the flat bread at Boardwalk. We really liked that a lot.

cstephens
02-10-2019, 09:41 PM
I was happy when they added bowls at Paradise Pier Hotel, but poke is available in so many other places that I don't need Disney's take on it that many times. I'd rather they focus their effort on making the pizza at Pizza Planet and Boardwalk edible.

I really like the pizza at Pizza Port. The pepperoni is a go-to unless I like the special. I've never had the ones at Boardwalk. I'm happy with the addition of poke to some of the menus, though I haven't tried most of them yet. I'm glad they're offering a healthy, tasty, alternative protein choice.




Today's adventures:

Steamed short rib shumai (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1094696925561991173) - They were out of them when we were having lunch on a prior visit so we went back to try it. I liked it ok.

Pan-fried wheat noodles with chicken meatballs (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1094707551042560000) - The meatballs were uneven but the noodles and sauce were good.

Korean grilled chicken (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1094743504146751488) - I thought this was uneventful. The kimchee was good but otherwise, the flavors just weren't strong enough. I'm glad we used the sip and savor tab on this (and I'm glad they offer smaller portions so you can use the tab - I just wish that was clear in the signage). From the description, I would have gotten a regular serving and would have been disappointed.

The husband got the small banh mi, since I'd had it on my own on Friday. He asked for it without cilantro and jalapeno, and they were able to modify it, so that was nice. I had a bite and still thought it needed more flavor to accompany the pork belly. Either the pickled cucumber from the shumai dish or the kimchee would have helped the banh mi.

I did see the full-size banh mi, and it's on a regular baguette, so the full price isn't as bad. Still not sure I'd have ordered it with full price.

NickP
02-11-2019, 07:41 AM
I was down in the parks Friday and Saturday and basically ordered all of the same things. No complaints about any of them. Got the sip and savor - banh mi, pan fried wheat noodles with chicken meatballs, steamed short rib shumai, crispy shrimp fried rice, gochujang chicken wings and char siu pork bao.

Now to start planning for my first ever food and wine fest!

cstephens
02-11-2019, 06:38 PM
I forgot to mention the different little buttons you get when you use your Sip and Savor tabs.
(https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1095025733447995392)

Berry Princess
02-12-2019, 07:27 AM
We were there yesterday and my daughter decided that the pan fried wheat noodles with chicken meatballs looked good. She honestly isn't a fan of meatballs, slaw or any kind of sauce like that. So we decided to share it and both of us enjoyed it. I was surprised she did but glad she was up for trying it.

NickP
02-12-2019, 08:50 AM
Yeah it looked a bit plain but the flavor was far from it. I ordered from that stand just to get a different button but glad I did haha

cstephens
02-18-2019, 09:46 AM
Finally had a chance to try the crispy shrimp fried rice - that was really good. (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1097256130453983232) And because it was from a cart we hadn't visited before, it means we completed our button collection (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1097257047798632448).


On a separate note, I also tried the s'mores at Smokejumpers (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1097562675544940544) - that was yummy! Well, it is if you like the components of s'mores. The husband does not, so I did not have to share. It was pretty sweet, even though I had water. I'd probably have coffee with it if I had it again.

olegc
02-18-2019, 12:08 PM
Finally had a chance to try the crispy shrimp fried rice - that was really good. (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1097256130453983232) And because it was from a cart we hadn't visited before, it means we completed our button collection (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1097257047798632448).


On a separate note, I also tried the s'mores at Smokejumpers (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1097562675544940544) - that was yummy! Well, it is if you like the components of s'mores. The husband does not, so I did not have to share. It was pretty sweet, even though I had water. I'd probably have coffee with it if I had it again.Thanks for confirming six buttons. I didn't realize there were six until Saturday when I picked up the wings. I don't recall reading it anywhere but I'm sure it was noted.

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cstephens
02-19-2019, 12:29 PM
Thanks for confirming six buttons. I didn't realize there were six until Saturday when I picked up the wings. I don't recall reading it anywhere but I'm sure it was noted.

Speaking of the wings, they were non-existent on Sunday. We went by around 1pm so the husband could try them, and instead of the regular food cart, they just had a display cart with "firecrackers" as a photo opp. It didn't even look like they had them at all that day. When I'd tried them the prior week, they did seem to have run out when I walked by them sometime after I'd bought them. Weird that they didn't seem to make many.


Oh, and I was surprised at how absolutely packed both parks were on Sunday. We generally go on Saturdays rather than Sundays nowadays because Saturdays are less crowded, but I figured with the holiday, it wouldn't be a normal busy Sunday. Well, I guess maybe it was "normal" to be that crowded because of the holiday. Deluxe AP holders were still blocked out so it must have been a ton of people with day tickets. Many of the lines for the lunar new year carts were 15 or so deep, and there were so many people lined up watching the lunar new year cavalcade. My go-to sign for how crowded DCA is the line for Little Mermaid, and it seems to be a good indicator. The line was looped and coming down onto the regular walkway in the back and curving a few times. Crazy.

olegc
02-19-2019, 12:32 PM
I had to come back to the wing cart on Saturday because they were out the first time.

Saturday was a little busy but not like Sunday from your description. It could have been "last day push" for sig and sig plus APs on the Lunar New Year.

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cstephens
03-23-2019, 09:09 PM
Putting this here because it's miscellaneous and not a big enough deal to start a new thread but I thought it was cute - saw these Dug and Russell cake pops at Bing Bong's (https://twitter.com/cstephens2/status/1109633539140575232) today.

tea4two
03-23-2019, 11:51 PM
Cute!