I used to wait in line for 20, 30 minutes at Disneyland’s Little Red Wagon for a freshly dipped and fried corn dog, one that could stand up to any county fair version. When I cut beef from my diet, I mourned the loss of my corn dog more than anything, as the only other red meat I enjoyed on a regular basis was a hamburger. Turkey burgers proved a solid alternative since I still ate poultry. But nothing existed to keep my Red Wagon corn dog jones in check.
Enter Disney’s California Adventure. Early on in my Annual Passholder years, the kids and I spent most of our visits at DCA, as it was less crowded, housed my youngest’s preferred rides, and sold booze. And it kept an infrequently visited restaurant that sold corn dogs. And even better than that, served cheese dogs as well, the corn dog’s meat-free cousin puffed full of hot processed cheesy goo (which is quite healthy, I’m sure). Better than an alternative, the cheese dog proved solid in its own right.
While the restaurant listed other offerings, the only order I ever put in was for dogs. Cheese dogs. The kids hopped on board too (though they preferred the meaty version). Eventually, word spread. In time, business there picked up, a longer line with each visit we made.
We took a year off of passes. Coming back, slick new pass in hand, the second thing on my We’re Back! to-do list was a cheese dog at DCA. (Riding Tower of Terror held the #1 spot.) I stepped to the window of my familiar place with vigor, not bothering to glance up at the menu board. “I’ll take two cheese dogs and two corn dogs, please.”
The woman on the other side of the counter shook her head. “We don’t have corn dogs here anymore.”
I screamed internally. I nearly fainted. I wanted to bang on the window and demand they bring back the dogs immediately – everyone loved the dogs. I may have even considered demanding a refund for my family’s three passes, the dogs being the sole reason we came back (oh, and Tower of Terror), but the woman was saying something.
“They have them at Corn Dog Castle – over in Paradise Pier.”
Could it be? An entire castle of corn dogs? It sounded like a thing of legend. But after hustling through the amblers, the strollers, the sightseers and Disney first-timers, we learned the Castle truly existed.
Since that day, I’ve spent many a minute at the Castle waiting for cheese dogs, their line now rivaling that of the Little Red Wagon. But the wait is well rewarded. Once, we even drove all the way from Long Beach to the Disneyland Resort after a full day of school, work, and dance just to pick up dinner at the Castle with 15 minutes to spare before DCA closed. Tells you that’s a pretty good snack on a stick (and that I’m also a chow-downer with no major life goals). Whether you go velvety cheese, like me; or get beefy with a juicy, plump corn dog; or take it Big Daddy style with a hot link corn dog, you’ll certainly be satisfied with one of these on each visit.
And ten pounds heavier. Especially if followed by a churro. Happy eating.
Corn Dog Castle
In Paradise Pier at Disney’s California Adventure