The Disneyland Book of Secrets 2014: One Local's Unauthorized, Rapturous and Indispensable Guide to the Happiest Places on Earth (182 page)

Laod Bhang’s Pin Traders

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This tiny cart packs a punch when it comes to pins—a big selection for such limited space.
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Just across
Pacific Wharf
’s iron bridge, near the coffee cart, the
Embarcadero
shop, and
Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
, sits a
Disney
pin cart vibrantly themed–with its tiled roof and red-and-gold dragons–to Chinese fireworks.  Hence the “punny” name–you decide whether or not it’s in good taste–
Laod Bhang
(pronounced “Loud Bang”).

Instead of fireworks,
Laod Bhang
sells
Disney pins
–lots and lots of them.  If you’re a
Disney pin
collector or trader, swing by this cart and see what’s new.  The small cart is heavily barnacled with an impressive variety of pins for many different
Disney
characters, features, lands, and attractions.  You’ll also find lanyards and starter pin sets, and Cast Members stationed here tend to be friendly and knowledgeable.  Don’t see what you want here?  The Cast Member can probably direct you to the right store.

Disney pin trading
is fun, and while some Guests dive into it with fervor, even infrequent traders on a tight budget will enjoy their occasional trades.  Cast Members wearing
Disney pins
absolutely
must
trade up to two pins with each Guest who requests a trade.  Note that you should wear your
Disney pins
on a lanyard or vest, or carry them in a pin case.  Many Guests take pride in displaying their favorite pins (and some not-so-favorite pins for trading!) during resort visits.

Although
I respect serious
Disney pin traders and collectors
, I rarely trade.  I tend toward collecting, buying a pin for each new attraction or show experienced, and to commemorate special events.  Among my most prized pins are those for
DCA
’s rededication on June 15, 2012, and the opening of
Buena Vista Street
and
Cars Land
.  When you collect pins, they bring back a lot of great memories connected with those events.

Whether you’re a pin veteran or first-timer, whether you want to collect, trade
, or display
Disney pins
, make
Laod Bhang’s
one of your stops–you never know what treasures you might find.

Grub:

Al Fresco Lounge
(S)

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Tuscan appetizers, fine wines, and lovely views.
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Part of the lovely
Golden Vine Winery
, this upstairs lounge offers a limited menu that includes a flight of
California wines
($20), a
Tour of Italy
flight ($18),
Sangria
and
White Sangria
($8.50 each).

You can also enjoy
appetizers from the
Wine Country Trattoria
.  Selections are
Caprese Salad
($7.50),
Fritto Misto
($9.50),
Rustic Bruschetta
($7),
Tenderloin Panini
($11), and
Wine Country Shrimp
($9.50).  (Expect slightly higher prices in 2014.)

A 2011 addition to the winery, this restaurant offers delightful
al fresco
drinking and dining with gorgeous views.  A wonderful place to relax with friends or business associates.

Boudin Bread Cart
(S)

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Fresh loaves of sourdough.  If all you want is bread, skip the long lines at the
Pacific Wharf Café
and queue at the bread cart.  (Note that the cart isn’t always open.)
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There are no frills, and no frills are needed, for this simple bread cart strategically located near the exit of the
Boudin Bakery Tour
.  Guests strolling through the
Pacific Wharf
area or exiting from the mouthwatering tour of the
Boudin Bakery
can choose from several types of freshly baked, dense, chewy
Boudin
sourdough bread.

This is the same bread that both parks use for their soup and gumbo
and chili bread bowls, fashioned from the “mother dough” that
Boudin
’s been using since the 1840’s.  It’s delicious and filling, and if you’re a bread lover, you simply
can’t
pass this cart without purchasing a loaf.

The cart isn’t always in operation, so if you see it, take that opportunity to buy a loaf or two of sourdough. 
During one trip my niece, then ten or eleven, bought a sourdough loaf and fresh butter with her carefully saved allowance–
that’s
how tasty this bread is.  Sourdough bread on the picturesque
Pacific Wharf
makes a perfect snack. 
Did You Know?
 
Boudin Bakery
launched in San Francisco and is most strongly associated with Northern California, but it has outlets in Southern California too. 
Boudin
fans on-the-go will find
Boudin Sourdough Bakery
locations in San Diego. 
Kid’s Eye View:
  I love this bread!

Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill
(L, D, S)

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Tasty dishes in lovely surroundings.  The award-winning
Mariachi Divas
play here on weekends and during peak seasons.
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California is known for many things, but one of the
first
things people think of when they hear “California” is “cuisine”.  California is known for its diverse dishes which have evolved from its cultural melting pot.  And one of the most important branches of California cuisine is Mexican food.

Mexican food in today’s California is actually a blend of American and Mexican ingredients, recipes
, and cooking techniques, a delicious Cal-Mex blend.  In
DCA
’s
Pacific Wharf
area, which is largely devoted to celebrating California cuisine and culture, Guests will find Cal-Mex dishes at
Cocina Cucamonga
, a popular eatery that was moved to a larger space in the southeast quadrant of the wharf to better accommodate its crowds of Guests.

Although still a counter restaurant, the
Cocina
now boasts a more extensive menu.  Meals are served on pretty sunset-orange ceramic plates, the same type as at
Disneyland
’s
Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante
; and real, not plastic, silverware is used.

Cocina Cucamonga
means “Cucamonga kitchen”.  The Kukamonga were a Native American people that flourished in Southern California well before California became a U.S. state in 1850.  The Cucamonga area is now called Rancho Cucamonga, created by merging the communities of Alta Loma, Cucamonga, and Etiwanda in the 1970’s.  This region has long been a vibrant mix of Native American, Mexican, and European people and influences.

DCA
’s
Cocina Cucamonga
was sponsored by
Mission Foods
until the wharf’s
Mission Tortilla Factory
closed; its tortillas were once crafted at the nearby (now defunct)
Mission Tortilla Factory
.

The menu is enticing and the portions generous enough for light eaters or children to share.

Entrées include
Burrito Sonora
($11),
Carne Asada and Chicken Tamale
($12),
Chicken Tamales
($10),
Fire Grilled Citrus Chicken
($13.50), and
Soft Tacos Monterrey
($11).  All entrées include rice,
frijoles
(refried beans),
guacamole
,
pico de gallo
, and sour cream.

Guacamole
is a smooth sauce made from avocados and served with many meals in California. 
Pico de gallo
(meaning “rooster beak”) is a pungent mix of onions and tomatoes and sometimes chili pepper.  If rice and
frijoles
are too starchy or caloric for your diet, substitute sautéed vegetables.

Salad lovers won’t feel left out, as they can choose from two
ensaladas
, the
Fajitas Ensalada
($11) or the
Hacienda Chicken Caesar Salad
($12).

Ch
ildren can order one of two kid’s meals, the
Bean and Cheese Burrito
($7) or the
Chicken Quesadilla
($7).  Both kid’s meals include a fruit cup, rice, and a juice, milk, or water.  Toddlers under three can dine on the
Arroz Con Pollo
(rice with chicken), applesauce and milk for around $4.50.  Take note, however–the kid and toddler meals are small, so older children and hearty eaters should order from the grown-up menu or share with mom and dad.

Beverages include cocoa, coffee, juice, milk, soda, tea
, and water, priced from $2 to $3.50.  And, since this is
DCA
and not alcohol-free
Disneyland
, Mexican beer
aficionados
will be pleased to learn that they can buy
Dos Equis Amber
or
Tecate
for about $7 each, with a limit of two per Guest to maintain the park’s family atmosphere. 
Did You Know?
  In mid-December 2009 the
Mariachi Divas
returned to
DCA
.  An all-female, multicultural mariachi quintet founded in 1999, the
Mariachi Divas
stroll throughout
Pacific Wharf
, including
Cocina Cucamonga
, playing mariachi music, traditional music that originated in Jalisco, Mexico and draws from a variety of regional Mexican influences.  Like all mariachis, the
Divas
sport dark
charro
(cowboy/cowgirl) outfits and wide-brimmed
charro
hats. 
DCA
is just one of the
Divas
’ venues.  The 2009 Grammy winners have appeared in many live shows and on American and Mexican television, including appearing on MTV and the popular “Sabado Gigante”.  They’ve been associated with
DCA
since 2003.  For much more about the group, visit
www.mariachidivas.com
.
  If they’re appearing in the park during your visit, you’ll find show times in the park’s entertainment guides.

Dulce Aventura
(S)  (Closed 2012)

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Defunct.  Presented here for historical information only.
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When it opened in summer 2011, this cheerful snack shop next to
Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill
served up delicious and imaginative treats. 
Dulce Aventura
means “sweet adventure” in Spanish, and what a sweet adventure a stop at this counter was!  No matter what your sweet tooth craved, you could probably satisfy it here.

Dulce Aventura
sold
Caramel
and
Caramel Peanut
and
Spicy Peanut
Apples
for $4.95 each, not to mention the
Apple Pie Apple
for the
true
apple lover, and a bargain at $8.95.  Cookie monsters gobbled up the
Chocolate Chip Supreme Cookie
,
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie
, or
White Chocolate Chip Cookie
for $3.95 each.  And those seeking something a little different chose among
Goofy Candies
($3.95 per bag),
Milk-Chocolate Covered Pretzel
($1.95),
Oreo Brownie
($3.95), or
Spicy Peanut Brittle
($3.00), and washed it all down with soda or water for $2.79.