So you can see that my recent trip to Disneyland kind of jump-started the blog this pumpkin season!  The full story is that we actually traveled out west for our anniversary this year as a surprise trip put together by my wife.  By the time I finally found out, it didn’t even dawn on me that we’d be going right in the middle of their Halloween Time celebrations, but it certainly did add a special flair to our already magical surroundings!

Anywho, you’ve seen the last of my pumpkin reviews that stemmed from the trip, but I leave you now with a few other favorite appropriately-themed sights that we took in from around the parks!  Enjoy…

Disneyland Locale: Marceline’s Confectionary @ Disneyland Park

Revisiting the Past: So yes, it’s true – we most certainly have seen this fudge before.  In fact, this particular fudge first made its modest debut as the very first post on this blog more than two years ago!  Sure, that one was technically from Disney World as opposed to Disneyland, but let’s not kid ourselves – it’s not just the attractions that get duplicated from one coast to the other…
Why Go Back?: Really, why not?! A) it’s fudge, B) it’s pumpkin fudge, and most notably C) if you look back to that original post from 2008, it’s not like I was real verbose with my first effort, if you know what I mean!
Review, Part Deux: Extraordinarily rich and sweet, almost to the point of being “too much.”  Although I didn’t try any other flavors here, I have sampled others at Walt Disney World and in general most of them don’t usually have that “biting into a block of sugar” rush of sweetness to them, so it very well could just be this particular flavor.  On the upside, though, you certainly won’t catch me saying that this one doesn’t really taste all that much like actual pumpkin!
Fly or Die: I didn’t really see much else pumpkin-related for candy around Disneyland, so if pumpkin sweets are your goal, then dive in … just make sure you’ve got milk or at least water handy afterwards.  It probably wouldn’t be wise to tell your dentist, either…

Disneyland Locale: Downtown Disney

Initial Reaction: “Ooooh – pumpkin!”
Rethinking It In Line: “Hmmmm – this might not actually be any good after all…”
Financial Exchange: “Five bucks for a smoothie?! A small smoothie?!?!?!”
Beverage In Hand – The Actual Opinion: “Holy cow – this little puppy ain’t bad!  Worth every penny!”

Exposition: This one was definitely an unexpected surprise, but in retrospect I’m certainly glad that I took the leap because the flavor in that styrofoam cup was fantastic. For a minute there I had genuine concern that this icy treat might contain actual chunks of pumpkin, which admittedly was somewhat less than appetizing, but fortunately if there’s one thing the fine folks of Jamba Juice have under wraps, it’s the art of the blend, and by the time I had reached the bottom of this Smash Hit, you’d better believe that this pumpkin aficionado had a new frozen favorite!

Disneyland Locale: Blue Bayou Restaurant @ Disneyland Park

My Wife Is Awesome: Who else would plan a romantic, anniversary dinner inside Pirates of the Caribbean?!
Irresistible: After a dinner of pretty much the most delectable crab cakes that I’ve ever tasted, I didn’t see how I could possibly fit dessert in, too, but once the light bulb went on that I could always get it to go, well…
So How Was It?!: As you might imagine from the picture, it ended up actually being too tall to fit in the to-go container comfortably, so I ended up taking my first few bites just outside the restaurant after taking the photo and boy, was it heavenly. Longtime Pumpkin! readers will know that I certainly don’t throw that word around lightly, but this was probably one of the best pumpkin desserts I’ve ever tasted!  It was rich, but not overbearing; and sweet, but not get me a glass of water-sweet.  In a single word – delicious.
Caveat: I should note that underneath the awesome pumpkin mousse was the actual tiramisu that was hazelnut-flavored, which I didn’t much care for, but by the time I got there, it didn’t really matter because this wonderful anniversary dessert had already stole my heart, cute, commemorative serving dish and all!

Disneyland Locale: Baker’s Field Bakery @ Disney’s California Adventure

Preface: It didn’t even dawn on me that our anniversary trip to Disneyland would be falling right in the middle of their Halloween Time celebrations and thus would also be a great time to sample some west coast pumpkin offerings, but I suppose sometimes a guy is just lucky like that…
First Impression: This is one of those miscellaneous snack products that you can actually find in several bakery-type establishments throughout the resort, so admittedly my expectations weren’t super high, but it did end up having a moderately nice flavor to it and the raisins nestled inside were a surprising touch as well.
Highlights: The chocolate pumpkin decoration on top was actually attached with a very tasty cream cheese icing.
Suggestions: Instead of offering just so-so muffins, why not pump these puppies full of that same icing and call them Pumpkin Cupcakes?  In my experience, a little cream cheese frosting can go a long way in covering up an otherwise sub-par flavor, and besides, who doesn’t love a good cupcake when they’re at Disneyland?!