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Pluto St. Patrick's Day Pin

It all started with Mardi Gras. Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix, Adrienne Krock and her son Matthew braved the beautifully wet Irish weather for Mardi Gras, so Lee and I decided we would brave the horribly mild St. Patrick's Day.

I remember back when I was a lad. I was attending St. Francis De Sales parochial school in Sherman Oaks. The nuns were all from Ireland and most of them were very nice. The principal was very much like Barry Fitzgerald in Going My Way; very Irish and quite fun to talk to, even when it meant talking to the principal. She was nothing like the stereotype of Irish nuns and steel rulers. In fact, she was quite the opposite.

During the several years I spent St. Patrick's at Disneyland, there would be bands with Irish music, special pins, and special treats throughout the park. Our mission today was to try and find something resembling those past St. Patrick's Days.

Now as someone who likes to plan things out, I sent an email the Monday before St. Patrick's Day to the Disney Online Guide asking if there would be any special events at Disneyland or Downtown Disney. Thursday afternoon I received a response from them informing me of a St. Patrick's dinner that evening at the Paradise Pier Hotel. When I called the hotel to see what the dinner would be, I was told it was a beer tasting event and it was fully booked. Next time I would have to give the Disney Online Guide more time to get back to me.

Picture from House of Blues Calendar. Art © House of Blues

Checking the schedule for the House of Blues, I discovered the Fenians, the hottest Irish band in Orange County (I know, ironic; isn't it?), would be playing Saturday night. I asked Lee to check on this as she was in charge of locating St. Patrick's Day in Downtown Disney.

Irish Key Pattern on plate at Hoy Poloi

Lee: Searching for traces of St. Patrick’s Day festivities at Downtown Disney was a quick experience. Though my fellow trackers Sean and Andrew and I spent several hours there, we already suspected where something Celtic might turn up. I already knew where a few things Celtic were. There is an exquisite glass plate with a gold key pattern that is displayed in the window of "Hoy Poloi -an Uncommon Gallery". The key pattern is one of the designs from the Book of Kells.

Rob: I made a beeline for the Emporium to check for pins. I asked if there were any pins for St. Patrick's. I found out they had Mickey and Goofy pins two weeks ago. They did have a Pluto pin available only at Disney's California Adventure.  I checked with a cast member, Howard, and he did have one so I was able to get a picture of it (see top).

Foam Lego Swords

Lee: Going to the other extreme, at the Lego store there were an assortment of foam swords and shields. One style of the soft swords had a dark gray interlace pattern all up and down the spongy blade. These toys are part of their Viking / Knights play sets.

From the Candy Store on Main Street

Rob: I looked at Century Timepieces to see if there were any watches for St. Patrick's but there were none. I also checked at the Disneyana store and nothing there either. I was able to find Irish Creme Truffles at the Candy Store on Main Street.

Marceline's Candy Apple

Lee: At Marceline’s Confectionery they had delicious chocolate covered apples and also pretzel sticks dipped in chocolate with little candy green shamrocks pressed into the chocolate. And at Compass books and Cafe we found several books for St. Patrick's in the children’s section, prominently displayed, along with other holiday selection books. Over at the checkout stand there are the more traditional (less traditional?) Irish books such an Irish joke book, Irish Proverbs and the obligatory "How to be Irish" book. Books of this sort usually get remaindered by the next week, so best policy is to hold off a week and buy them at reduced prices.

The Cafe section of had green sugar sprinkles on cupcakes and, to our delight, scones! And these were especially made for St. Paddy’s day, being green. We got a couple to try them out. They were tasty, with raisins, and pretty much made the way you find them in most of the bakeries here in California, more like a sweet bisquet. If you’ve ever tried real scones, however, those made in Ireland with clotted cream, they have a much smoother texture, are more moist, and very delicate and light. In fact, they are even finer in texture than French pastries. If you want real Irish scones, you would probably have to go to a good import shop.

Rob: I found Blueberry and Cranberry scones at the Blue Ribbon Bakery, but they were not green. I checked the shops for Darby O'Gill and the Little People, The Gnome-Mobile, or The Fighting Prince of Donegal; but again no luck. The Castle Heraldry Shoppe has information on Irish clans and family names as well as a few pieces of Irish jewelry. I also ran up to It's a Small World as they have an section for Ireland.

Jazz Kitchen and Creole Cafe

Lee: The most festive spot in all of Downtown Disney was, by far, is Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen. Those people know how to party! They weren’t even open when we first passed by, but later in the morning we saw them putting up the green garlands and little green Irish hats, and putting on the green beads, probably reminiscent of Mardi Gras. There were also green balloons floating above the open doors of the Creole Cafe., where we had to get a couple orders of those fine beignets. One order is never enough, you know, especially when you have a couple of fine lads along.

We sat down in the patio to enjoy, and A.J., one of the waiters, came by to see if we wanted anything else, or if we would like drinks. We all ordered cokes, and he brought them out to us, free of charge! This was very much appreciated. Thanks, A.J.! I’m hoping to see you when we stop in for lunch some time soon! We discovered that the Jazz Kitchen added corned beef and Harp beer to their menu.

Puddle Prance!

Rob: The Golden Horseshoe has Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. As part a great show they also have Puddle Prance, a tribute to Riverdance. If you want a foot-stomping good time, this is one of the best shows at Disneyland. None of the bands around the park were playing any Irish tunes, but I might have missed a few. As it was getting near the time we have agreed to meet and compare notes, I picked up some of the mint fudge at Westward Ho in Frontierland. On the way over to meet Lee and the boys, I checked Tin Pan Alley at Downtown Disney and found they carry pennywhistles. Since Andrew is learning to play the recorder, I got one for him.

Lee: Though I won’t be there because we found out they were sold out two months in advance, the House of Blues will be the most Irish of any place down in Anaheim. They will be featuring a real knock-out band, The Fenians. We heard them up at the Orange County Street Festival in Orange last summer, and if they don’t bring down the house with their music, nobody can! Whether you realize it or not, much of the music we listen to in the U.S. today had its roots in the old melodies and rhythms of the Celts. So even if I can’t be at House of Blues tonight, I can still put on the Fenians CD and enjoy the spirit of the day.

Rob: Well, I figure the best way to really enjoy St. Patrick's at Disneyland is to plan a couple of months ahead. There is so little live Irish music in Southern California it sells out well in advance, especially at a location like Downtown Disney. I have no idea how long the beer tasting party on Thursday had been sold out, but earlier planning would have helped. The pins were something I think should have been available today at both parks, hopefully next year Disney will agree with me.

Andrew, Lee, and Sean.

Who:
Robert Meyer
Lee Garig-Meyer
Sean Garig-Meyer
Andrew Garig-Meyer

What:
A Disney fix for Craic addicts (Craic is the Gaelic word for fun. Pronounced crack)

When:
Saturday, March 17, 2001

Where:
Disneyland and
Downtown Disney

Why:
Dublin canceled their St. Patrick's Day celebration due to hoof and mouth, so we had to stay home.

If you have any questions, write Robert Meyer  at:

rob@mouseplanet.com