Dining with Mickey and Minnie

I hadn't been to Disneyland for so long I can't remember when it actually was.  I do remember that the only negative factor was the food.  The selection was very limited.  The quality was poor at best. The prices were high. Heaven forbid there was any alcohol served.  

I went as a guest with my family over Memorial Day Weekend.  We stayed in the Disneyland Hotel in a suite of 3 rooms connected with a sitting room on the tenth floor.  I shared a room with my pre-teen granddaughter.  Wheeee!!!  









Was I surprised at the changes in Disneyland!  The food is not only tasty but imaginative (as it should be!).  Our first meal was brunch at Goofy's kitchen. Reservations had been wisely made in advance by my daughter-in-law (after all it was Memorial Day Weekend).  It was a typical buffet in some ways but had an appropriate

Disney twist- smallish Mickey Mouse waffles and the big-eared

logo reflected where-ever possible. Characters came to every table and posed for pictures.  They were sensitive to children who were shy or nervous around these characters come to life. They also seemed to sense those who relished the encounter. 

Our family stayed for three nights- the occasion being my granddaughter's dance competition in the convention hall.  We heard the park itself was at capacity and was closed one day as a result of the holiday crowd.  .  The Disney staff never seemed to appeared to be ruffled- always friendly.  My youngest grandson favored the pool slide near us.  I have never seen so many lifeguards in one place.

           
Candy apples are imaginative and popular with the crowd. Themes of familiar characters are integrated into eye catching treats.  Food tastes good and is available for every visitor- large or small.  

  

The Night I Met Julia Child

Before I became a foods' writer I was a middle school foods' teacher.  My principal was Judy White.  She had approached me regarding an upcoming in-service day for the staff.  What would I suggest for my department.  It was a hard question to answer due to the wide diversity of the teachers who taught electives.  Then she asked me what I personally would want to do.  

Julia Child had just written a new cookbook.  To promote it, Bristol Farms would close down for one evening.  Tickets were being sold for a supper featuring recipes from the cookbook.  Stations were to be set up at various spots in the store featuring food from the book as well as wines from the store.  Julia Child would be there to sign her new book.  

Judy agreed to send me to the event.  I bought an extra ticket for my husband but he was sick on that day so my son, Tim agreed reluctantly to go in his place.  I took along my copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking   I didn't think I would really meet her.  

We arrived early to get a good parking place.  The back of the store carries pots and pans and other food related items.  I suggested walking through it while we waited.  To my astonishment, she too was browsing in the back room waiting for her appearance.  

Tim stood around looking bored but watched as I asked her to sign my well worn cookbook.  She towered over me.  I am on on the short side and she was tall and bent over to graciously take my old book to sign.  Of course I could have kicked myself for not bring a camera but who knew???

Finally the store reopened and we went into the main event.  Tim has always been a music lover and spotted Leland Sklar- I'm not sure I am spelling his name correctly but Tim could not believe he was there to see Julia Child.  Finally Tim was enjoying himself.  \

We went for our supper samples and I think both of us had a good time but the event for me was special meeting my idol in the back room.  I still have the book on my shelf as a treasured memory of a great evening.