The last time I was at Disneyland was December 2016, when my friend Kevin and I dined at Club 33. Nine years later, we were in Garden Grove touring the Stanley Ranch Museum, just minutes from the Disneyland Resort. “We should go to Disneyland!” my spontaneous friend cheerfully chirped. “No…I can’t leave Willis that long and it’s too late in the day to spend that kind of money,” I responded in my best Debbie Downer voice. I will admit that I considered it; there are a handful of things I haven’t experienced that are new to me that I’d be curious to try (the new train route around the Rivers of America, the Walt animatronic, and lowest on the totem pole is Star Wars Land). As a compromise, I threw out, “We COULD have lunch at Storytellers!” While we wouldn’t actually be in the Park, we’d still experience my favorite Disneyland Hotel (The Grand Californian) and get a decent meal. Easy-peasy, right?
As Kevin’s car turned the corner onto Disneyland Drive, I will admit I had a flood of emotions, thinking about all of the special memories that had been created during my too-many-to-count visits to the Disneyland Resort. Pulling into the Grand Californian Hotel, Kevin told the cast member at the gate that we were going to eat at Storytellers. No problem — next thing we knew, we were being directed to valet parking. Entering the hotel was so familiar - the oak tables inside the entrance with the beautiful dragonfly stained glass lamps were still there! A chalkboard calling out the Halloween season was positioned in the lobby.
The dramatic ceiling with Craftsman-style lighting still impresses:
I want one of these sooooooo badly for my home!
Signage celebrating the 70th Anniversary of Disneyland was hung over the fireplace:
A Nightmare Before Christmas display with Sally and Jack was also in the lobby:
with Zero off to the side:
This was an odd display; I suppose it is a nod to Dr. Finkelstein, but could have used a little more whimsy or at least the character itself to give more appropriate context.
We made out way to Storytellers, anxious to get something to eat as neither one of us had eaten all day.
We had about fifteen minutes to chill until the restaurant opened at 4pm.
What does one do? Take photos…
and selfies to commemorate the occasion.
Kevin had attempted to make a reservation online, but none were available. We figured the hostess would let us have a walk-on spot since we were there at opening and just two people.
Think again. When we reached the hostess after waiting in line for a bit, we were cheerfully told we need a reservation. Explaining that there were none to be had, she (once again) cheerfully told us it didn’t matter what time we put in, just make a reservation, get back in the line, and then she might be able to get us a table. The message was clear…we are not interested in deviating from the system even if it sounds stupid, so please get out of line and leave me alone.
Kevin checked the app again…same thing. No spots available. Period. By that time, we said screw it and just went to Downtown Disney. After easily passing through the security checkpoint between the Grand Californian and Downtown Disney (something new for me), I noticed Paseo:
Which had been Catal last time I was there. This was a rare occasion where the Resort chose to drain the color in a building instead of bumping it up.
We settled on Ballast Point Brewing Company, which was a more than serviceable choice Afterwards we had ice cream at Salt & Straw:
…which had been Haagen Dazs when I last visited. This change of vendor is definitely an upgrade.
The exterior of the World of Disney store was much simpler than when I last saw it:
Compared to October 2013:
I do love these “lanterns” though; you know that with me it’s all about the light fixtures.
Then we got to the Esplanade. It was light somebody had vomited a rainbow. I cannot imagine a more tacky looking tribute for Disneyland’s 70th. Well, I probably could, but wouldn’t want to entertain that possibility.
The one positive about this monstrosity were the tiny little tributes to the individual lands. I doubt that most of the Resort guests even notice them.
While I took photos, Kevin contemplated life…and the new turnstiles into the park, which are now huge plastic shields.
The DCA gates had Oogie Boogie on top for the Halloween season:
Disneyland had the same ol’ Mickey and Minnie pumpkin heads above their entryway:
I was happy to find that my 50th anniversary paver with Doug was still there. We spent A LOT of time at the Park back in the day.
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After the brief sentimental journey, it was time to head home, taking a few pics of all the 70th anniversary displays on the way back to the GC valet:
I kind of liked the art for the doors…but would have preferred a more restrained color palette.
While Kevin got the car, I snapped a few more shots at the GC:
When his car was brought up and we got in, he informed me that since we didn’t eat at Storyteller, the valet desk staff had told him the price for parking his car at the GC would be $70. Validation from a Downtown Disney vendor is only good in the DD parking lot. Kevin explained that we had attempted to eat at Storytellers but the restaurant was full. The staff took pity on him and waived the charge, which was a huge relief. Still…I don’t think that was much of a sacrifice for the execs of the Disney Corporation.
Was it nice to be back? Yes. Was I reminded of why it has been nine years since my last visit? Yes.
When I am on vacation or doing something fun, I don’t want to have to be in planning/business mode. The current way the Disneyland Resort is set-up post pandemic forces visitors to be on their phone with the app making and checking multiple reservations. This allows them to have lower staff counts while still charging the same (or higher) prices. No thanks. While it’s easy to criticize the Disney Corporation, I also realize that the state of the world and how people function now plays a large part to this shift, too. The reliance on “smart phones” for living and short attention spans as a result of social media are all contributing factors. A corporation has to do what a corporation has to do. However, as consumers, we all have a choice as to where we spend our money, right?
See more of my Disneyland (vintage and contemporary!) photos at my main website.
