Beware of Gloating Wildlife

Could this be the most blunt sign in Disneyland? Once you've hiked all the way to Critter Country to see Splash Mountain, odds are good you're going to find yourself tired, hot and thinking of snacks. There aren't a lot of dining options in this remote cul-de-sac, and as you head up the ramp to the Hungry Bear Restaurant, the first thing you see is this smug little tree muncher rubbing your predicament in your face, as if envisioning his share of the profits.

I  like the concept of the animals finding ways to profit from human visitors. Disney should install related carvings throughout Critter Country; A troupe of opportunity-seizing entrepreneurial  critters could be a great way to tie the whole area together.

Breakfast at Flo's V8 Cafe

I just returned from a fantastic two day trip to Disneyland Resort. I already aired my only complaint yesterday (the Oz promo bumping out MuppetVision). Everything else was E tickets and smiles.

One thing really hit home during this trip for my whole group: Cars Land remains incredible and lovable even after the novelty wears off. It remains the most jaw-dropping, mind-blowing creation we've ever seen in a theme park. The land holds up to repeat visits and -- less than a year after its debute -- it feels like it's always been there. It's almost impossible now to imagine DCA without it.

It's also impossible to imagine a morning in DCA without two or three trips on Radiator Springs Racers (the Single Rider Line is your friend!) and then breakfast at Flo's.

We've looked at the Mater Waffles before, but this time I went for the good old American Breakfast.

It's basic, simple and delicious. The potatoes turned out to be the star of the plate -- spicy with a rich salsa flavor.

The food, however, is only half the reason that Flo's is our favorite place in the whole resort. The other half is the location, for breakfast is twice as much fun when...

...this is the view out the window.

Park Music on iTunes! A Review of The Circle Sessions

Happy New Year! If you're looking for some mellow music to unwind with after all last night's festivities, you're in luck; Disney has actually released an album of park music for digital download on iTunes and Amazon.

The Circle Sessions: The Music of Carthay Circle has been available at Disney California Adventure since early November, but just hit iTunes and Amazon a week before Christmas.

Comprised of twelve tracks from Buena Vista Street's Carthay Circle Restaurant, this album glides through smooth jazz interpretations of classic Disney tunes old and new, including "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes", "Ev'rybody Wants to Be a Cat", "Alice in Wonderland" "Be Our Guest" and "Married Life" from Up.

A Feral Cat Christmas (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

The Hungry Bear Restaurant marks the farthest point of guest access along Disneyland's riverbank. From there on, it's pure Anaheim wilderness, full of mecha-moose, electric elk, and some for-real wildlife, such as the park's hidden feral cat colony, which we've visited before.

If you spot feral cats in the park in real life, it's best to leave the cute critters alone. In a comic strip world, however...well...Happy Holidays, and here's Fish Heads & Crumbs...

Pooh's Pots Perfectly Posed

It's a bright afternoon in Critter Country, a land where frontier legends, southern folklore and British literature share the same bit of real estate. It's also a place where little creek-dwelling critters probably step out through their tiny front doors to pick up the morning paper, glance across the creek, and curse about a certain bear who never cleans up after himself.

The creek in 2012

Speaking of the creek, if we compare the above photo with a shot I took in 1975...

The creek in 1975 during the Bear Country era

...we can see two very different approaches to theming. When the land was called Bear Country, guests entered a naturalistic, rustic setting. Fantasy existed there, but folks had to seek it out by crossing a covered bridge to enter the Country Bears' domain.

Both approaches have their advantages. Although I loved the Pre-Pooh days when the area felt like an outpost village with a backstory, I have to admit that A.A. Milne's little bear certainly makes a lot of families very, very happy.

I do miss the Country Bears a lot, but at least I can still grab a peaceful riverside table at the Hungry Bear Restaurant (where the food's better than ever). And, before I leave the area, I can still visit that little steadfast creek that's flowed past so many changes...

The Original Character Breakfast (plus Fish Heads & Crumbs)

Time between sitting down and bird arrival: three seconds

Long before anyone dreamed up the concept of meeting Disney characters while wolfing down flapjacks, Disneyland's bold-as-blazes bird population has been entertaining and bemusing generations of outdoor diners.

Our favorite avian meet n' greet is River Belle Terrace in Frontierland. It boasts a great view of the river and pancakes cooked in front of you while you wait. Its proximity to Big Thunder, Indy, Pirates and Haunted Mansion makes it a perfect morning meal stop.

Then, of course, there are the birds. They're friendly and cute as can be, but make no mistake -- if you need to leave your table (even for a few seconds) to grab an extra straw or napkin, be sure to take your food with you, or you might return to find some new friends square-dancing on your pancakes.

Yet, breakfast at River Belle Terrace is always time well spent. I don't step away from my food, and the birds wait politely -- sometimes perched on a chair two feet away, but always politely. I can honestly say I've never had a bad experience with the little guys.

In an alternate comic strip world, however, A.W. just can't catch a break...

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Great Food plus a Runaway Mine Train: Rancho del Zocalo

It's no secret that the overall food quality at Disneyland has improved by leaps and bounds in the last few years. Our favorite Frontierland dining option, Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, offers more than just excellent Mexican food; you can watch the trains of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad rumble right past your table...if you know where to sit.

Disneyland's Mysterious Feral Cats (and Fish Heads & Crumbs)

They're elusive, they're quick, and they know a good home when they see it! They're the Feral Cats of Disneyland.

It's always a nice surprise to spot one of the park's uninvited-but-tolerated feline residents. The lower level of the Hungry Bear restaurant, near the river, is one of the more reliable places to see one of Figaro's wild relatives. Remember, though; look, don't touch. 'Cause, y'know, they're feral.

As it turns out, today's comic strip is -- for once -- in tune with the post. It's Feral Cat Day! 

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Time Machine: The Mark Twain Dressed for the 50th

We're hopping back to 2005 this time, just to sit at the Hungry Bear Restaurant and watch the Mark Twain chug by in its Fiftieth Birthday finery.

This picture was taken well into Disneyland's celebration year, and the bunting on the Twain's prow looks a bit rumpled, but that's all right.  It's still a beautiful, steam-powered marvel.