With theme parks temporarily closed, you can’t get doused with water on a log ride today or stand under the fireworks this evening. But you can enjoy some of their tastiest treats right now. To tide over fans who are hungry for theme park thrills, a few California parks have released special recipes. So get cooking! (And if you want to boost the theme park ambience in your kitchen, check out the virtual rides that are part of these cool online experiences for kids.)
Disneyland Resort
The iconic Anaheim destination has started rolling out classic park recipes on its blog and app, and they’re pretty easy to make. The famous Dole Whip, released on the My Disney Experience app, requires only three very basic ingredients, while the churro bites happily don’t call for a deep fryer.
Or, whip up one of the park’s old-school favorite recipes: this Monte Cristo sandwich, for instance, has been on the menu of the park’s beloved Blue Bayou restaurant since 1967. Then make a magical pot of chili the way Walt did himself: his personal recipe is pretty hearty, calling for two pounds of beef and two pounds of pink beans. While you’re eating, watch this virtual version of the Magic Happens parade from Main Street, USA.
Knott’s Berry Farm
This theme park in Buena Park originally grew out of a boysenberry farm, and management has posted a collection of recipes that harken back to those berry beginnings. Start your day with the Lemon Pancakes with Boysenberry Sauce, have a healthy lunch of a Boysenberry Broccoli Salad, a Boysenberry Sangria Sparkler for your Zoom happy hour, and boysenberry ice cream, shortcake, or cheesecake for dessert. Don’t have boysenberry sauce in your pantry? The recipes offer easy substitutions, and the Knott’s online marketplace is currently hoping to re-open in May.
LEGOLAND California
The Carlsbad park has not released a recipe for its beloved apple fries, but for now it does offer a “recipe” for creating a cupcake—out of LEGO bricks. This inedible-but-zero-calorie goodie was built to celebrate the park’s 21st birthday in March, as part of the park’s free, virtual LEGO Building Challenge. While you’re at it, recreate a little section of the theme park by ordering one of the LEGO sets available through the online store—like kits to build the Driving School, a Micro Castle, or the Fire Academy.
