Turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie – all of that is great for Thanksgiving dinner, but what if you are on the go at your favorite theme park and just want a hint of the holiday?
You turn to the turkey leg, of course. That smoked, greasy goodness that makes a magical meal portable. Found at quick service food carts at theme parks from Universal Studios and Disney, this tempting treat is like having Thanksgiving all year long.
Renaissance Beginnings
While turkey legs can be found in theme parks around the world, they aren’t a Mickey Mouse original. Just as the Walt Disney Company was starting to expand its empire in the 1970s, the large leg of America’s almost national bird was flying off the counters at Renaissance fairs across the country.
Everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask
This tasty salt and smoke-infused treat was such a hit that it soon found its way into Disney’s theme parks the following decade. The hand-held hunk of happiness was first sold at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and was such a succulent success that it soon spread to the company’s other theme parks. Over 2 million are sold each year!
Turkey legs come from big birds (apologies to the Henson Company, but no connection) in the upper mid-west. Since these great gobblers average from 40-50 pounds, their meaty mouthwatering legs weigh in at an average 1 ½ pounds each (though some have been spotted offering a full pound more than that).
Consuming one turkey leg will bring in 1500 calories and over 5,000 mg of sodium (but, hey, you’ve earned those calories walking around the theme park all day, right?). Contrary to rumor these treats do not come the much larger Emu, but are, in fact, real turkey.
Disney isn’t the only theme park smoking these brined bird legs. Busch Gardens, Six Flags, Knott’s Berry Farm and Universal theme parks also offer turkey legs to their guests.
Touting turkey leg popularity
Such is the popularity of this Renaissance fair flavor that turkey legs have been immortalized in song and stores. From turkey leg pants and T-shirts to inflatable drumsticks and headbands, if you love the leg, there’s more than one way to show your pride.
Inflatable turkey Leg ($5.82 Amazon)
Turkey leg headband ($5.95 Amazon)
Turkey leg socks ($11.53 Amazon)
Play along at home
For those who cannot make a quick trip to any of the above mentioned theme parks or don’t have a Renaissance fair coming to town anytime soon, there are a few ways to fetch the flavor and have it delivered to home.
Prepared smoked turkey legs -20 pieces ($89.50 Amazon)
Giant gummy turkey leg lollipop cherry ($17.95 Amazon)
Candy turkey leg ($18.99 Amazon)
Of course you make this must-have munchie at home too:
Have you enjoyed a turkey leg at the theme parks or a Renaissance fair? What was your first impression? Talk turkey in the comments below.
