Every now and then I stumble across something a little baffling. Usually it’s that “Move It Shake It Celebrate It” mini-parade on Main Street. What is that thing? A couple modest parade floats, some awkward dance moves, a few lip-synching college kids. If it weren’t for the fact that some of the performers were dogs, ducks, and orangutans, it would be just another C-list boy band concert.
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| Donald and Goofy perform their hit “Girl, You Are Wicked Awesome.” |
Today I’d like to highlight one of the architectural features at Pinocchio Village Haus. Yes, it’s spelled “Haus”, because that is the German word for House. Hey, why does Pinocchio have a German restaurant anyway? He’s Italian, the food is Italian. They should call it Casa di Pinocchio (that’s gold, Jerry!)
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| The cup is round. The jar is round. They should call it roundtine. |
Anyway, have you ever noticed the bell? Not the big glockenspiel, an Italian word that means Giant German Bell Tower. That’s actually pretty cool and one of the better themed elements in Fantasyland. No, I’m talking about the bronze bell mounted outside one of the doors in that little courtyard with the fountain. It’s sort of concealed behind a cast iron weaving of vines.
The bell really works if you can manage to push the lever, which always feels a little rusted over. If you’ve been exercising regularly and bring along a can of WD-40, you can make it emit a nice solid clang. I never really noticed it before. I guess it’s a dinner bell or something. I have no idea why it’s hanging on the wall. I’ve never seen anybody ringing it before. It’s just a decoration that isn’t glued down for once.
Be sure to check it out the next time you’re enjoying some of that famous Sicilian wienerschnitzel and sauerkraut.
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| An annoying noise-maker that your kids amazingly haven’t discovered. |
It’s called “Haus” because it’s an east coast version of the “Village Haus” in Disneyland, which is decidedly German in flavor. As is the whole FL, taking its cue from Snow White. There are Pinocchio decorations in Anaheim, too, but that has to do with the nearby Pinocchio ride.
In other words, this is a bi-coastal import accident 🙂
BC, you have hit upon my 2 favorite restaurant spots in MK. That balcony at village haus usually is open, but it always seems like people are reluctant to go up there. it feels a little forbidden.
Lately I go up there a lot to check on the Fantasyland expansion, though they’ve since obscured the view by trees.
The Harbor House “bridge” is totally fantastic. Usually quiet, and a great place to watch the crowds flowing from Small World to Liberty Square.
Of course they used German in Italy! In fact, it was quite prevalent sometimes in the early 1940s. 🙂
Maybe I’m the exception, but I rarely get good service at any of the counter-service restaurants. That said, I still love the Village Haus for its thematic appeal.
I’ve always liked Pinocchio’s Village Haus because of the little balcony that nobody ever seems to use. Assuming it’s not too hot outside, I like eating on the balcony and looking down over the crowds in Fantasyland. Kind of a private hideaway that’s in plain sight, since nobody really bothers to look up.
If it is too hot for the balcony, I like eating in the upstairs section of Harbour House that serves as a sort of bridge over the sidewalk below. It’s always quiet up there but you can watch the throngs below.
Well, it’s Fantasyland, not World Showcase. It’s an amalgamation of different countries architectures, food. etc. So ‘ole Pinoche can call his restaurant whatever he wants. Besides, don’tcha think they sometimes use German in Italy?
As for the restaurant, I’ve always had good service there. Don’t know what you two smartalecs are talking about. It’s a not so bad, it’s a nice place, AW SHADDUP YOU FACE!
Good point, George. If this were an Arby’s, it would be my favorite counter service restaurant in the park.
I wonder if this is like the bell that is at my local Arby’s? You ring it when you’ve had great service.
That might explain why it never gets rung!!!