The Disneyland Book of Secrets 2014: One Local's Unauthorized, Rapturous and Indispensable Guide to the Happiest Places on Earth (43 page)

Be forewarned:  O
n crowded days, these carts usually have long lines, and on any day, they’re often surprisingly expensive.  Ask the vendors for the prices if an item isn’t marked, and do the math before you make a purchase.  You might find that it’ll be the same, or even less expensive, to bring your family over to the
Little Red Wagon
or
Refreshment Corner
on
Main Street
for a meal.  The snack carts are one way to nickel-and-dime away your vacation spending money if you’re not careful.  On the other hand, snacks like popcorn and bottles of water are reasonably priced, and the churros are large enough for Guests to share. 
Taste Tip:
  My sister swears by the popcorn from the cart near
“it’s a small world”
.  She claims it’s the best in the park–and it’s certainly one of the resort’s most economical treats, as well as being vegan and gluten-free.  Most Guests have a favorite popcorn cart.  Where iss yours?

Troubadour Tavern
(L, D, S)

[
FastView:
 
Sink your teeth into savory treats more Bavarian than medieval.  The open-air theater next door allows Guests to carry in food and beverages.
]

A snack shop set against the woods and hedges of the former
Disney Princess Fantasy Faire
, until summer of 2009 this eatery was called
Enchanted Cottage Sweets and Treats
, with a theme and menu that was largely Bavarian:  Bavarian pretzels, bratwurst, knackwurst, and German Chocolate brownies.

But this is one of those spots that is constantly being revamped—not only the structure, or the name, but also the menu.  You never quite know what to expect when you drop by this eatery.

In winter 2010, after one of these refreshes, the refurbished snack counter was unveiled.  Rechristened the
Troubadour Tavern
, the
Enchanted Cottage
’s lighter palette was replaced by rich gold and brown colors complemented by a medieval-style tent and pennants.

The style
and menu had changed, but like its predecessor,
Troubadour Tavern
catered to princes and princesses-in-training and their families as they braved the lines for the
Princess Fantasy Faire Royal Walk
.  Over the years, corn-on-the-cobb and baked potatoes were added to the menu.

Leap ahead to
2013, when the princesses next door prepared to move to the new
Fantasy Faire
.  With the
Fantasyland Theatre
closed for reconstruction,
Troubadour Tavern
was shuttered for the first half of 2013.  Yup—time for more changes.  As the
Fantasyland Theatre
was revamped to welcome the new stage production
Mickey and the Magical Map
, the
Troubadour Tavern
and its menu were refreshed.

The tavern reopened in May 2013 to
serve theater-goers attending
Mickey and the Magical Map
.

The
Troubadour Tavern
’s new menu is similar to its previous menu, but it has been substantially streamlined.  Goodbye corn-on-the-cobb and baked potatoes!

The
Troubadour Tavern
once offered modest breakfast choices (muffins, croissants, and fruit), but those were gone by summer 2012, and didn’t return in summer 2013.  Neither did the popcorn, or the
Enchanted Castle Cookie Kit
(which for $5.50 gave Guests castle cookies, frosting and sprinkles), or the
German Chocolate Cake Brownie
, or the
Giant Bavarian Pretzel
with cheese or honey-mustard topping.

Although favorite treats have vanished, let us rejoice that
the tavern’s Bavarian-themed menu was revived during the 2013 refurbishment.

For those craving something savory, t
he star on the menu now is the
Bratwurst Sausage
for about $7.50, served on a “garlic & herb brioche” with “hickory smoked bacon sauerkraut”.  Tasty!  (The
Bratwurst
survived, but
auf wiedersehen
,
Knackwurst
!  It’s no longer offered here.)

There are also flaky and sweet
Cinnamon-Apple Batons
for $3.50,
Pretzel Bites
with cheese sauce for $5, and
Apple Slices
with caramel sauce for $4.  Guests not keen on
wurst
, pastries, or pretzels can order the
Dibs
ice cream bites for $5.

Gone are the special
Café Mochas
and
Café Lattes
that Guests used to be able to purchase here, but you can find plenty of standard beverages (cocoa, coffee, lemonade, sodas, water) for $2.79 to $3.50 per drink, and $5 to $5.50 if you select a
Disney Travel Mug
or
Souvenir Sipper
.

The best thing about the
Troubadour Tavern
is location, location, location.  Since it’s right next to the
Fantastyland Theatre
, it’s the perfect place to grab snacks and beverages your family can consume while enjoying
Mickey and the Magical Map
. 
Wunderbar!
 
Did You Know?
  Troubadours were medieval musicians who traveled throughout Europe and the Middle East performing songs that celebrated romance, chivalry and heroism.  Royals not only welcomed, but sometimes were, troubadours.
Did You Also Know?
 
Anaheim
, the city that hosts
the happiest place on earth
, has a strong connection to Bavaria, as it was founded by settlers from Bavaria in 1857.
Baked Potato Vision:
  Where do you go for your baked potato fix now?  Drop by the
Harbour Galley
in
Critter Country
.

Village Haus Restaurant
(L, D, S)

[
FastView:
 
Burgers, pizzas, and salads are served at
Fantasyland
’s biggest restaurant.  Queues are long, but the Pinocchio-inspired surroundings are a delight for Guests of all ages.  Family-friendly eatery with plentiful seating and reasonable prices.
]

The
Village Haus Restaurant
is the largest dining venue in
Fantasyland
. It’s a sprawling alpine complex just north of
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
.  Like the
Pinocchio
attraction, the
Village Haus
is crafted with beautiful alpine elements like flower boxes, flower beds, and intricately carved wooden furniture, toys, and architectural details.

Haus
is German for “house”, and this restaurant really is
Fantasyland
’s “village house,” the place that most
Fantasyland
Guests end up visiting at some point during their time in this fantasy world for a drink, a meal, or a place to relax for a few moments.  Except on the most crowded days, seating is ample, with a choice between sun-exposed or umbrella-shaded tables and chairs on an outdoor patio, or carved wooden tables and chairs inside the homey restaurant.

Though lines can be long around noon and 5
pm, this is one of the most pleasant restaurants in the park, made all the more lovely during extensive refreshes in 2010 and 2011.  Cheerful alpine music plays continuously over hidden speakers.  Don’t get stressed if the line is long, just polka to the music!

On the left wall of the order area is a colorful mural of
Pinocchio
’s
Pleasure Island
, and above the meal pick-up windows is a cute statue of
Pinocchio
holding a glass of milk and a plate of chocolate-frosted cake.  If you dine inside, peruse the walls while you eat; you’ll see charming murals and carved wooden shelves, furniture, and toys; this place always reminds me of my early childhood in Germany.

Typically o
pening at 11 am, the
Village Haus Restaurant
serves hearty, stick-to-your ribs lunches and suppers and the menu unveiled in early 2011 boasts some intriguing fare you won’t find at other park restaurants.  The
BLT Flatbread Pizza
is tasty and fresh and a bargain at around $8.50.  In the same price range, the
Chicken Sausage with Sauerkraut
is served on a soft pretzel roll.

You can purchase cheeseburgers
here, and they’re even more delicious and fresh since the refurb.  The big headliner is the
Angus 1/3
Pastrami Cheeseburger
–pastrami, Swiss cheese, onions, and horseradish sauce for $11.  Talk about flavorful and stick-to-your ribs!  The
Angus Cheeseburger
is about $9.50, and a
Vegetarian Burger
is available upon request (as it is at many places that serve burgers).

K
een not to leave anyone out, the
Village Haus
offers healthier fare like the
Apple and Cheddar Salad
for $7.50.

Pizza lovers
can order the aforementioned flatbread pizza, or
Cheese Pizza
for $7.79, or
Pepperoni Pizza
for $8.

Portions are generous
, in some cases generous enough to share, but if you have room for dessert, consider the
Apple Strudel
or
Chocolate Black Forest Cupcake
, delicious and perfectly themed to the area, although a hit to the wallet at $5 each.  Crispy treats and cookies range from about $3.50 to $4.

Your beverage selection includes cocoa, coffee, tea,
juice, milk, soda, and water, ranging from around $2 to $3.50 each.  The price climbs if you get your beverage in a
Travel Mug
($5.79) or
Souvenir Sipper
($6.49).

Children have their own special menu, as is the case at most
Disneyland
restaurants and snack venues.  At the
Village Haus
, they can choose between a
Kid’s Hamburger
,
Pizza
, or
Turkey Sandwich
for $6.49 each, all served with apple slices, carrots, and juice, milk or water.  Toddlers can enjoy
Yummy Cheesy Macaroni
with apple sauce and milk for $4.49.

After a morning of waiting in line for
Peter Pan’s Flight
, eluding the
Evil Queen
, climbing the
Sleeping Beauty Castle
stairs and whirling on
King Arthur’s Carrousel
, chomping into a burger or salad or slice of pizza at the
Village Haus
, surrounded by fragrant flowers, polka music, and alpine architecture, is the perfect way to recharge your batteries and take some time to chat with your friends and family.
Did You Know?
  This is one of the many restaurants in
Disneyland
that operates on the alternating left-right ordering system.  The Cast Member at each register handles two lines of Guests, one on the left and one on the right.  The Cast Member alternates between taking the order and money from the party on the left, then the party on the right, then the party on the left, etc.  Many Guests don’t understand or even know about this system, so they tend to queue in a single line on one side of the register, usually the right.  That’s your opportunity to get in line on the other, empty side, usually the left!  You’ll be next to order, no matter how many people are standing in the other line.  It’s all perfectly right and proper, but don’t be surprised if a tired or cranky Guest in the long line on the opposite side of the register complains!  If you want to be a benevolent fellow Guest (which is, I think, always the way to go), instead of working this system, clue in your clueless peers, and if they were waiting in line before you arrived, let them let them go ahead of you in the new queue. 
Kid’s Eye View:
  I wouldn’t suggest eating pizza here, but the burgers are so delicious–they’re really good!  You’ll probably have to look through the restaurant for a seat.  You’ll have better luck finding a seat outside.  I don’t like how they organize the lines.

Fantasyland
Character Meetings and Performers

Because
Fantasyland
is home to the stars of
Disney
’s animated features, there’s a wealth of character activity here, and you never know who you might meet!  Of course, to give parents and children some structure in terms of meeting characters,
Fantasyland
, like the other lands, has designated character greeting areas, and you can check online, with Cast Members, or refer to the daily list of show times for scheduled character greeting times and locations.