When did Churros arrive at Disneyland?

[darkfairycthulu]

Nothing earthshaking, this query...but when was the humble churro, delight of many a MiceChatter, introduced to the park? Does anyone know? I have a hard time picturing them being sold from opening day, but it's possible....anyone have the inside scoop?

[Datameister]

Good question! I really don't know, but I've wondered that myself...

[daffodilklown]

I have no idea when the were introduced at Disneyland. I know as a kid I don't remember seeing them anywhere. The first time I saw a churro was early 80's in Ensenada, being made in a big pan of oil (not the sticks we are used to). I would say the first time I remember seeing them in the states was probably in the 90's.

[BigThunder]

Not sure on the exact date, but I don't remember ever seeing them in the '60s, '70s or '80s, so my guess would be sometime in the early 1990s.

[tomrules1955]

Paul Pressler knows, I'm sure.

[DisneyIPresume]

I don't remember when -- I'd say the early to mid 80s. But I definitely remember the days when they didn't sell them and popcorn was the main snack.

I do remember being a little upset when they started selling them though for some reason that I either don't remember nor care about anymore. Too bad there was no internet back then. That would have been the topic of heated debate for sure!

[Gregmh48]

I believe that churros were first introduced in the late 1980s when Videopolis opened in Fantasyland. It's funny that while they have since spread throughout Disneyland, Walt Disney World has kept them restricted only to Mexico in World Showcase.

[Ride Warrior]

Originally Posted by DisneyIPresume

I don't remember when -- I'd say the early to mid 80s. But I definitely remember the days when they didn't sell them and popcorn was the main snack.

I do remember being a little upset when they started selling them though for some reason that I either don't remember nor care about anymore. Too bad there was no internet back then. That would have been the topic of heated debate for sure!

You are so close that you're on fire DisneyIPresume and Greg. The answer is 1985.

Churros were first introduced at Disneyland in the summer of 1985 on a cart in front of Videopolis (now the Fantasyland Theater) and sold along with pretzels.

Now that we know, let's celebrate by making pretzel shaped churros ..and eat them along with a nice cold beer.

[Tomorrowland Tourist]

Originally Posted by Gregmh48

I believe that churros were first introduced in the late 1980s when Videopolis opened in Fantasyland. It's funny that while they have since spread throughout Disneyland, Walt Disney World has kept them restricted only to Mexico in World Showcase.

I find that really interesting actually. I mean, with higher numbers of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans in Southern California, maybe churros were intended to appeal to that market, and park guests that were not familiar with churros could not resist fried dough doused in sugar.

Interesting that Disney World restricts it to one park though. Churros may just be a SoCal phenomenon.

[BigThunder]

Originally Posted by Ride Warrior

Churros were first introduced at Disneyland in the summer of 1985 on a cart in front of Videopolis (now the Fantasyland Theater) and sold along with pretzels.

Ah, that explains it. I never set foot anywhere near Videopolis in the 1980s.

[Anders]

Originally Posted by Ride Warrior

You are so close that you're on fire DisneyIPresume. The answer is 1985.

Churros were first introduced at Disneyland in the summer of 1985 on a cart in front of Videopolis (now the Fantasyland Theater) and sold along with pretzels.

Now that we know, let's celebrate by making pretzel shaped churros ..and eat them along with a nice cold beer.

I figured it would be the mid 80's. I remember in elementary school, in the mid 80's, back in MN we would occasionally have mini churros with school lunches whenever it was taco day.

[Ride Warrior]

Originally Posted by Anders

I figured it would be the mid 80's. I remember in elementary school, in the mid 80's, back in MN we would occasionally have mini churros with school lunches whenever it was taco day.

Churros and tacos are a delightful combination. Think I'll go to Del Taco and have them both for lunch today. Cinammon is healthy in that it keeps your sugar level from rising. Unfortunately, it almost always comes with something sugary.

[darkfairycthulu]

Thanks for the answer, great info all! That is interesting, that they first came in with Videopolis...now if only we knew who came up with the idea heh, and settled upon churros as the new Park snack.....the food-division operations of the park rather interest me.

[tomrules1955]

At my sisters wedding in Mexico they had a 3 level Churro cake and everyone was nuts about them, (most of the guests were international and east coast) my wife and I just looked at each other and were like "whatever, we've only eaten about 10,000 of those things at DL!"

[Radiobarry]

Originally Posted by darkfairycthulu

Thanks for the answer, great info all! That is interesting, that they first came in with Videopolis...now if only we knew who came up with the idea heh, and settled upon churros as the new Park snack.....the food-division operations of the park rather interest me.

Let's just say that the idea for the churro itself somewhat predates 1985.

from churrisimo.com:

Churros are traditional Spanish desserts developed centuries ago by Spanish shepherds. Up high in the mountains, fresh baked goods were impossible to come by, so the ingenious, nomadic folk of the hills came up with a delicious cake-like, cylindrical, daily staple which they could easily cook in a pan over an open fire. This was the birth of Churros.
Originally churros were about the size of a breadstick, and they were eaten plain or rolled in cinnamon sugar. In Spain, churros are still a very popular breakfast, snack or dessert. But something this tasty wasn’t destined to remain in its country of origin.
It was only a matter of time before churros traveled to South America and other Hispanic countries and communities, eventually making their way to North America.
Once churros were adopted by peoples outside of Spain, they continued to evolve. Instead of being eaten plain, or rolled in sugar, a hollow, jumbo-sized churro was created, and stuffed with all kinds of delectable fillings such as chocolate, dulce de leche and fruit.

The delectable art of churro making is passed down from generation to generation, and today in Spain the churro is almost a national symbol. Therefore it’s not surprising that someone who specializes in making churros is held in very high regard.

A churro maker, or specialist, is called a Churrero.

Next time you're at the park, make sure to say hello to your friendly CM, er, Churrero.

-- Barry