Disney Tip Tuesday: Fantasyland Thirst Quencher

Welcome to another Disney Tip Tuesday with Days in the Park and Magical Days with the Mouse. 

Chad and I have teamed up on our blogs to give you some tips you may or may not know about around the Disneyland Resort. 

Today we are taking a look into Fantasyland. 

When my son and I go to the Disneyland Resort, we pretty much load up on water for our drinks. I'll get the occasional soda and he will get a milk with his kid meal, but other then that we drink water, water, water! 

We do have a soft spot though... we have recently over the summer become addicted to Disneyland's frozen lemonade.  Now I'm not talking about those frozen cups of lemonade at the ice cream carts that are hard as a rock, and you are forced to dig out with a spoon. No this is a slushy type drink. 

 I first started getting them at a cart just outside of Storybook Land on your way to It's a Small World, but then I slowly noticed that these carts are all over the resort. 

As many times as we've rode Casey Jr. Circus Train, and then walked over to Big Thunder Ranch (and let me tell you it's A LOT), I never noticed the lemonade cart by the exit of Casey Jr. 

Now it's a must stop once we get off Casey Jr. Circus Train. 

 The frozen lemonade is $4.19 which comes out to $4.50 with tax, and you can have it as plain lemonade or add cherry or raspberry flavor to it for free!

 We've had all three flavors, but I really prefer just plain old lemonade. They are all delicious though, and are perfect for hot days when you are dying of thirst. They are a life saver!

 On one visit I was craving the frozen lemonade, and decided I didn't need to get one again that week. As I was walking through Downtown Disney I noticed that Wetzel Pretzel has a frozen lemonade too. Not only that, but it was also something like .50 cents cheaper. I decided to cave and buy one on our way to the car. Let me tell you right now... spend the extra money on the Disneyland one. Not only was the taste much nicer, but Disneyland's ice is chopped up perfectly into slush that doesn't lose it's juice. Nothing worse then getting a slushy drink, and you suck up all the juice leaving ice behind. 

So if you've never tried one of these, I say they are a must.

If you have... then you know what I'm talking about!

Even Mickey enjoys drinking the frozen lemonade. 

Now head over to Days in the Park to see Chad's tip for Fantasyland. If you have a lemonade or two, you may find it very useful. 

Have you tried the frozen lemonade? What do you think? Do you prefer plain lemonade like me or get one of the flavors? Speak up! I want to know. 

Disney Tip Tuesdays: Big Thunder Ranch

Welcome to another Disney Tip Tuesday, where I'll share a tip or two around the Disneyland Resort with my friend Chad, from Days in the Park. 

This week I want to talk about Big Thunder Ranch. 

I can't tell you how many times someone will tell me they didn't know Disneyland had the ranch. It is one of my favorite spots to take a break from the crowds and slow down a bit. 

Big Thunder Ranch is located next door to Big Thunder Ranch BBQ. It is also just around the corner from Casey Jr. Circus Train and Village Haus Restaurant in Fantasyland. A short little walk around the curve while exiting Fantasyland, you will run right into the ranch on your right. 

Here you will find goats, a cow name Maggie, and a donkey named Pocahontas.  

Enter the petting zoo and you will find many goats waiting for you to pet them.

Some like to relax behind a fence, but most you will find roaming around in the open or relaxing on the ground and barrels set up in the middle of the petting zoo. 

As you can see from my photos, this area is very clean. You will not find any goat droppings because as soon as that happens, a Cast Member is there to clean it up. They are really speedy on that. 

The goats are out year round except during the Christmas season when Santa's reindeers come out for a visit. 

When you are all done visiting the goats, they have a wash station set up for you to clean your hands.

Don't forget to look for the hidden Mickey under one of the soap dispensers too. 

Here is where my tip comes in... 

See this cabin? It's Miss Chris' Cabin, and if you go inside you will find a nice spot to relax for a bit with your children or by yourself. 

You see, inside they have two tables set up with coloring sheets and crayons for you to enjoy. 

Sometimes a visit to Disneyland can be a little overwhelming with all the people, and you just need a break. Next time consider spending a little time at Big Thunder Ranch, just make sure you go before 6PM as the goats leave the petting zoo for the night. 

The Halloween season is approaching fast and the inside will change with holiday decorations, but they will still have tables set up in a different spot around the ranch for coloring and that includes Christmas too. 

Now head over to Days in the Park to see what tip Chad has for you today. 

Disney Tip Tuesdays with Days in the Park: Paradise Pier

 I'm teaming up with Chad from Days in the Park for a new series we like to call Disney Tip Tuesdays. 

 Twice a month, we will be sharing a tip or two with you from a certain location at the Disneyland Resort. We will be talking about everything from food to attractions, so let's dive into the topic of the day... Paradise Pier at Disney California Adventure.

 I want to share one of my favorite spots at the Disneyland Resort to get a treat that is not only nice but perfect on a warm day and cheap too!

Paradise Pier Ice Cream Co. is located at Disney California Adventure tucked in the corner next to California Screamin' roller coaster.

It was formerly known at Catch a Flave, a soft serve ice cream shop that swirled different flavors like cotton candy and pecan around vanilla ice cream. In March 2010 it was changed to Paradise Pier Ice Cream Co, with only vanilla and chocolate soft serve ice cream for options. 

I was a big fan of Catch a Flave, so once it changed I didn't go back until recently. 

A few months ago on a very hot day, I decided to share a "swirl" (vanilla and chocolate swirled together) soft serve ice cream cone with my son. Wow! Not only was it delicious and creamy, but it was cheap too. There are two sizes, regular and large, but I can tell you that a regular is fairly large. The best part? It's only $2.99! 

You really can't beat that price for a sweet treat around the Disneyland Resort.

Ever since we gave it another shot that day, it has become one of our regular treats at the park. 

 My husband bought a frozen yogurt in a waffle cone at Haagen Dazs in Downtown Disney last week, and it cost him $6. That's right, Disney has a cone for half the price!

The only downside to Paradise Pier Ice Cream Co. is the lack of places to sit and enjoy it. I have often wondered why they don't have tables and chairs, or at least a few more benches along the railing to eat your ice cream and watch California Screamin' take off. 

We usually walk down to the front of Toy Story Mania to a group of benches to watch the coaster from there. 

So next time you're in Disney California and you want a cool, delicious, and cheap treat, give the Paradise Pier Ice Cream Co. a visit!

Now head over to Days in the Park to see Chad's tip about another yummy treat.... corn dogs at the Corn Dog Castle.