| If you don't think of Disneyland in California as an | | | | and Disneyworld in Florida more than anyone we |
| adult hangout you haven't been there lately. It's new | | | | know. |
| name is Disneyland Resort. The name changed after | | | | At DCA we hit our favorites right away, Soaring |
| the opening of Downtown Disney and Disney's | | | | Over California, Maliboomer, and Monsters Inc. The |
| California Adventure locally referred to as DCA. | | | | lines were pretty long so we ended up just walking |
| Downtown Disney is a shopping and Dining center | | | | the park and soaking up the sun. By noon we had hit |
| that features restaurants like ESPN Zone, House of | | | | the back and stopped in to the San Francisco Bread |
| Blues and Brennans' Jazz Kitchen. Brennan's has | | | | Company to sample some fresh from the oven |
| genuine New Orleans Beignets. If you can't make it | | | | sourdough bread. Next it was over to the tortilla |
| to Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans, this is a pretty | | | | factory for a quick tortilla sample. |
| good wake up spot in Southern California. | | | | So here we are at noon, lazy and thirsty on the big |
| Early mornings in Downtown Disney can be very | | | | Monterey Cannery Row style patio. My wife |
| quiet. If you fly in from the East Coast like we did on | | | | wandered over and grabbed a margarita while I |
| this trip, getting up at 5 am looking for breakfast | | | | wandered to the beer truck. Now this is Disney living. |
| was a fruitless effort. About 6am a couple of places | | | | Standing at the beer truck, it was after 3 on my |
| open up but coffee, tea, and danishes are it until 7. | | | | body clock but clearly the rest of the guests didn't |
| That was a little odd, but we also noted we were | | | | feel the same since there wasn't a line. Realizing I |
| the only two people without a pressure washer or a | | | | was looking at a selection of microbrews, I wasn't |
| clipboard. | | | | sure what to get. Not being a real beer nut, I |
| Once we got past the morning delay, we ended up | | | | generally stick to Bud Light and call it a day. The guy |
| eating breakfast at the little cafe all the way behind | | | | behind the counter suggested I try the Oktoberfest, |
| the pool at the Grand Californian Hotel. The $8 | | | | so I did. |
| breakfast sandwich was a little pricey, and we split it | | | | Karl Strauss is a micro brew out of San Diego |
| since it was HUGE. This breakfast sandwich had a | | | | California. For the most part I find micro brews to be |
| fresh cooked egg, really good bacon, and fresh | | | | bland three day old ales. Oktoberfest changed my |
| bread. No microwaving here. We sat outside on the | | | | idea quickly. A deep colored very wall balanced lager |
| picnic style benches and enjoyed the company of a | | | | with just a hint of Fall spiciness, this was a really |
| very patient and quiet calico cat. The hostess told us | | | | good beer. I felt a little guilty drinking such a nice |
| the cat was there as a mouse catcher. | | | | beer out of a plastic cup at DCA, but hey, no glass |
| On the way to DCA I got sidetracked at Latitude 33 | | | | allowed park safety you know. A sourdough bowl of |
| and bought some island style resort clothes and a | | | | chili was added and I had a great lunch in the |
| couple signs for my pool. My wife got trapped at | | | | California sun. |
| another store shopping for Christmas goodies. After | | | | Next time you are in SoCal, stop by, or if you are in |
| a quick trip back to the room we set back on our | | | | San Diego, find Karl Strauss and tell them what you |
| way. Now I need to admit for two adults that grew | | | | think of their other beers. |
| up in Southern California, we probably visit Disneyland | | | | |
