Exit Sutton

When Disney California Adventure, debuted, The Napa Rose restaurant was one of the few things that I was impressed with. It was different from anything else offered at the Disneyland Resort and a huge step above in both the culinary and customer service aspects of dining.



Andrew Sutton joined Disney in 2000 as the chef who oversaw the culinary portion of Napa Rose. Prior to joining Disney, Sutton spent seven years as executive chef at the Ivy Award-winning Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley and five years with Dean Fearing at the five-star, five-diamond Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. The December 2006 image below shows Sutton at work:



Dining at Napa Rose’s Chef's table in 2013, Sutton consulted us about what we liked before preparing our meal.



I always enjoyed Napa Rose; the food was delicious, the plates were pieces of art, and the service was impeccable.





The one difference I noticed between Napa Rose and other comparable high-caliber restaurants was that you definitely got the feeling that they didn’t want you to linger. Courses came out quickly like clockwork and tables were turned over just as fast. Eat, enjoy, and leave.



Sutton’s success with Napa made him the culinary golden boy of the Disney Corporation. Soon after, he was given the Carthay Circle restaurant at Disney California Adventure. The theme of that restaurant was old Hollywood, to align with the newly added Buena Vista Street.



The food, however, looked like it had just come out of the Napa Rose kitchen. The customer service didn’t quite port over as well. It seemed like they were trying to mimic professional wait-staff but couldn’t quite pull it off.



Looking for ways to maximize profits in other areas of the Disneyland Resort, Club 33 received a makeover and Sutton was also part of that package. Bye-bye Chef Marcel, hello Napa Rose cuisine.



Club 33 or Napa Rose? Hard to tell. Long-time Club 33 members were not happy that the more traditional and hearty fare was replaced with larger plates and smaller portions. Sutton’s “fancy” is not really what the typical Disney guest is looking for, let alone familiar with.



Sutton was also tasked with the 2017 21 Royal private dining venture, which charged nearly 20K for a multicourse meal. Nope, never dined there, but I could make a very educated guess about what the plates looked like.

Did I like Sutton’s culinary choices? Heck yes. However, having the same chef for four different restaurants is the dining equivalent of selling Disney plush in every store at the resort. You remove the diversity of experiencing culinary choices that resonate with the environment you are experiencing. While the reasons for Sutton’s “departure” have not been made public, it isn’t difficult to surmise what occurred. The announcement came shortly after a massive restructure of the Disneyland Resort. I would guess that a mix of economics and a desire for new trends played into that decision.

See more Napa Rose restaurant photos at my main website.

Trip to OC, Pt. 3

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.



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.

Disneyland Resort Christmas

Disneyland is a magical place; few can argue that it is most magical during the holidays when all of the special lights and decor are trotted out from the mothballs. The tree in Town Square towers over all; and to think the Bandstand that was originally here was removed because it blocked the view of the Castle!



The front of the Castle:



and while standing in line for Peter Pan, I got this one of the back of the Castle (which many know was originally supposed to be how the front looked!).



At night the lights go on and the Park is transformed once again. It almost makes the crowds bearable!



New Orleans Square is where I love to gravitate to.



Being able to experience the Court of Angels again is always a special treat. Our escort up to Club 33 danced down the stairs as if he was Gene Kelly!



He was gracious enough to take a shot of my friend Kevin and I before taking us up for our dinner.



As we entered the dining room, the Christmas Carolers were filling the room with their a capella harmonies.



They even took my request to sing "O Holy Night," and boy did it sound gorgeous!



A wreath hung over the controversial new window that is located where the fireplace once was.



Two more shots of the Court of Angels before returning to the Park:





Ah, the Castle at night, perfectly reflected in the moat.



Up close:



The Grand Californian is another place at the Disneyland Resort that is a favorite spot to hang out at the holidays.



Yet another massive tree to behold.



The Gingerbread House also appears to have been enlarged to gargantuan proportions!



The back side of Gingerbread!



Unfortunately, Santa was not here while I was taking my photos.



I hope you have a fantastic holiday weekend!

More Disneyland Resort Christmas photos at my main website.