Just like all Disneyland Resort cast members, the animal cast members at Circle D Ranch want to look their best for our Disneyland guests. Our horses are brushed until their coats gleam and their tails and forelocks often sport elaborate braids. Our goats are also brushed every day before they play with guests at Big Thunder Ranch Petting Farm. And, both our horses and goats are bathed regularly to maintain healthy skin and coats. On a beautiful day recently, I watched as Pongo, our senior goat and leader of the herd, received his beauty bath. Please take a look at the music video we created, starring Pongo, then let me know in the comments section below if you agree with the lyrics!
The folks at Circle D Ranch are very excited about the recent arrival of two new horses, Bug and Finn. This pair of Brabant Belgian draft horses came to the Disneyland Resort from a farm in the Midwest.
Known for their robust, muscular builds and excellent dispositions, Brabants also have trademark physical features that distinguish them, such as black-tipped ears and black stocking feet. While Bug and Finn aren’t brothers, they are very good friends and will work together as a pair, and also pull the Main Street Trolley. Over the next few months they’ll be completing their training at the Circle D, but guests can meet these two gentle giants now during their weekend “shifts” at Big Thunder Ranch.
Current hours at Big Thunder Ranch are Friday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
One of the great holiday traditions here at the Disneyland Resort is the Candlelight Ceremony and Processional. Featuring a cast member choir, as well as a full orchestra and other choirs from around Southern California, the ceremony in Town Square at Disneyland park is majestic. I had the privilege to sing in this ceremony in 2003, and this year I had the great privilege to interview some of the celebrity narrators for this year’s performances. Please take a look at some highlights from this year as well as some very special comments from our narrators.
UPDATE: The results are in! Our new calf’s name is Clarabelle and our new lamb’s name is Thunder. Thanks to everyone who came out to vote!
This summer we welcomed our new sheep, Bolt, to Big Thunder Ranch in Disneyland park, and tomorrow two more little friends will join him. A 6-month-old Babydoll sheep, born in Northern California, and a 7-month-old miniature Hereford cow, born in La Cresta, Calif., will begin appearing at the ranch tomorrow.
But there’s just one problem: they don’t have names! That’s where we need your help. Just like we did with Bolt, we’re asking Disneyland park guests to help us name our newest Circle D friends. So be sure to visit this Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17 and vote for your favorite names. You will be able to choose from the following:
Cow names:
Grace
Clarabelle
Moo-leficent
Minnie
Drizella
Sheep names:
Thunder
Rhino
Lightning
Mater
Frollo
Remember – you’ve got to vote in-person at Big Thunder Ranch this Friday and Saturday, so come out to Disneyland park and help give these new Circle D cuties their names!
Want to meet more of the animals at the Disneyland Resort? Take a look at these posts:
Hi, Disney Parks Blog – I’m Donna Fisk, a member of the Broadcast News team at the Disneyland Resort. I’m also a huge animal lover, so I’m very excited that I will be bringing you the latest “animal news” happening here at the resort.
In a festive nod to the spooky season, the goats at Big Thunder Ranch are gussied up each day with their very own Halloween kerchiefs. Did you know each goat is named for a Disney character? We paid our Disney goats a visit recently and let them get in on the action by helping shoot the video below. Using a very lightweight camera carried by the goats themselves, we get to see the petting zoo, the guests and even the other goats from a unique point of view. We call it, “Goat Cam.” Special thanks to Pongo, Dory, Madame Mim, Madame Leota, Shock, Barrel and Jane, who helped us create this video. Take a look and come see our goats during Halloween Time!
Want to meet more of the animals at the Disneyland Resort? Take a look at these posts:
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