Storyteller and Grizzly Peak

Breakfast at the Disneyland Resort Hotels often means a lot of screaming children and sub-par buffet food. Not so at the Grand Californian's Storytellers Cafe. Their Critter Breakfast is delicious and a a lot quieter than its neighboring counterparts.

The lobby area is warm and inviting, reflecting the Craftsman-style of the Grand Californian Hotel where it is located.



A very cool carved detail that gives a peak into the dining area.



Light fixtures that I covet:



Paintings adorn the dining room that are reminiscent of the storybook illustrations by N.C. Wyeth:





These silhouetted tableaus do double duty:





A beautiful place to dine:



The characters are fun and add to the enjoyment of the meal:



with plenty of personality to spare:





After breakfast, I took some of my first shots of the re-themed Grizzly Peak Airfield area of DCA. I'd call it a definite improvement.









A few quotes to enhance your restroom experience:







Soarin' has also benefitted from the retheming:







I am digging this vintage car, which makes one think of a retro family vacation:





Even the interior is chock full of cool details:







Finally for today, a look at the map of the Grizzly Peak area:





Happy New Year to all of you; I hope it is safe AND fun and a great start to 2016!

More Storytellers Cafe photos at my main website.

April at Disneyland: Disney California Adventure

California Here I Come! I really like the "new" entrance to DCA, done in Streamline Moderne. Here's a grainy 1957 shot of its inspiration, the long-gone Pan Pacific Auditorium.



Back to Anaheim, this vintage-style billboard is difficult to see unless you are outside of the gates to Buena Vista Street.



My destination was the Tower of Terror; along the way I got to see the gleaming Red Car Trolley:



I still hold hope that one day they'll turn the Hyperion into a real theater with a lobby instead of a cheap faux façade.



Sharp eyes would have noticed this Chip and Dale Easter "egg" perched atop the theater.



The Red Car was parked outside of the Tower of Terror. This new "old" mode of transportation is one of my favorite parts of the revamped DCA.



This will sound crazy to some, but the main reason I love the Tower of Terror attraction is the lobby. I don't mind standing in line, as it gives me time to view all of the vintage details.



I wonder what Room 403 looked like?



Those are some crazy cobwebs.



The Shirley Temple doll and Oz book are still sitting on the couch.



The overstuffed furniture sure looks comfy.



Think there's anything to eat inside of that covered dish?



Don't bother ringing the bell. Nobody is going to answer, except maybe DCA security.



Lunch was at the Carthay.



What a lovely entrance to this stylish restaurant.



Inside the lobby area, there was a display of vintage Dumbo items.



I cannot rave enough about the beautiful interior.



Lunch was inside the sun room area, which has some great views of Buena Vista Street from above.







My soup was tasty, with just the right amount of spice.



The Chicken Scallopini was flavorful, providing a delicious finale to a very fun day.



There you have it readers. You have now shared my April trip to the Disneyland Resort!

See more vintage & current Daveland Disney California Adventure photos on my main website.