Disneyland - Innoventions

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/disneyland/innoventions/

There are ways in which keeping Tomorrowland futuristic has always been a problem. The last time we visited it, the way it was set up, where you could view new products, kind of made sense, but it was also annoying, feeling too much like a sales pitch.

Now that there is a Tomorrowland movie coming out, they may simply re-brand to that. For now, there are three things going on at Innoventions.

Two of them are character meet and greets, both based on Marvel films. So you can stand in line to meet Captain America or Thor. I had thought about doing both, and then decided not to. (We almost never stand in line for characters.)

There are fairly cool displays around the line, and other Avengers-related displays as well. Probably the most impressive is the row of Iron Man suits.

The Marvel displays blend pretty seamlessly into the future displays, because Tony Stark is all about the futuristic technology and also there are video games. I was not drawn to many of them, but a lot of people were trying out different applications and seemed to be enjoying themselves. There is still a the element of corporate sponsorship, especially with Siemens and Honda, but it feels less obtrusive because it is more self-directed.

There was one aspect of the display that may be underrated, but I appreciated it. In showing the home of the future there were a lot of connected devices, but there was also a lot of seating, and air conditioning. So the World of Tomorrow can be a wind down for a moment.

Disneyland - Big Thunder Ranch Petting Zoo

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/disneyland/big-thunder-ranch-petting-zoo/

My love for animals is pretty consistent. I am always glad to see animals, always want to touch them, but am also likely to worry about them.

We would sometimes see references to a petting zoo without it being there, so I think there was a gradual buildup and acclimatization before it became what it is today, and I suppose it may change again.

We saw goats, sheep, a horse, and donkeys. One of the biggest letdowns with a petting zoo is when the animals aren't that interested in being pet (or fed for some attractions) because they get too much contact.

There was a little of that here, but not as much as you might think, because they seem to rotate the animals. We looked around on our way between Frontierland and Fantasyland once, and then came back later to pet animals. It was a different horse when we came back, and the donkeys were gone. There are pens where the animals can be seen but not touched, and other areas where they can be touched. They do get rests. Other animals mentioned as being at the ranch that we did not see include cows, pigs, turkeys, and even reindeer at times, but we did not see these.

(Also, the horses always have a handler, which I'm sure is a safety issue, but is good for the welfare of the horse as well.)

This does not guarantee that every animal is longing for attention, but at least one goat moved to be closer to me, and I felt good about that.

Disneyland - Mickey and the Magical Map

We don't generally go to a lot of shows. We did our first time in California Adventure, because it was really hot and we were looking for ways to get out of the sun, and it was fine, but we're more into riding rides.

I first started to get interested in the Fantasyland Theatre when I saw that they had a Snow White show, though it was not playing when we were there. Later it changed to Mickey and the Magical Map, and the key thing that made me feel that we needed to make an effort to see it was finding out that King Louie was in it. My sisters love him.

They also love Junior, so not only was his appearance a nice surprise, but this shot is a good example of the way they incorporate animation into the show, which is also live action.

Animation and performers take you to various locations for musical numbers. There are also special effects, like bubbles and confetti.

The premise is that apprentice Mickey was trying to finish creating a map, and the last blank spot is trying to escape being painted, so it uses the map to transport itself, and Mickey pursues. You may not remember the sorcerer whom Mickey was apprenticed to as being a mapmaker, but that's how it goes.

In the end, Mickey has sympathy for the spot's desire to not be painted over, but leaving it there is what makes the map magical, so it all works out, and becomes time for a splashy musical number.

It was fine. The shows aren't our thing, but they did a good job with it, and attending shows can build in a rest break.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/entertainment/disneyland/mickey-magical-map/

Disneyland - French Market Restaurant

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disneyland/french-market-restaurant/

The French Market restaurant is another one that was new to us. We had thought about checking it out before, because this is one of the restaurants where you can get live entertainment. We were there fairly late, and only for a snack. We wanted to try two things that were new to us: the mint julep and the beignets.

Both can also be purchased at the Mint Julep Bar, which is quick services instead of sit down.

We're more likely to go back for the beignets than the mint julep. We tried both regular and pumpkin varieties (the pumpkin is seasonal), and they were good, though I had thought they would be more melt in  your mouth. I don't really have any basis for comparison though, for how they would be in, for example, New Orleans. It does seem appropriate that after The Princess and the Frog that you can get beignets in New Orleans Square. I think the beignets are better than the fritters, which are also an offering in that area.

We also have no basis of comparison for the mint julep, alcoholic or otherwise. This version is non-alcoholic. We didn't love it either. The first sip was really strong and pungent. After that it was better, whether because the palate adjusts or the stronger flavorings sit on top, I don't know.

The primary flavors were mint and citrus. It probably would be refreshing on a hot day, but so are lots of other things.

Those don't sound like glowing reviews, but we tried these for curiosity, and that's a reasonable thing to do.