Sunday is for Pancakes!

As a child, Sundays were my favorite day when it came to breakfast. Mom always made pancakes (sometimes she would do waffles or French toast for variety). As you can see by the look on my face, I was pretty happy with the pancakes!

At Disneyland, in 1957 they held their first Western National Pancake race. Look at #3 giving it her all as she is about to cross the finish line!



The background on this event can be found at the Seattle Times online:

Women in matching checkered aprons, headscarves and a rainbow of running shoes limbered up Tuesday as they prepared for the centuries-old pancake race in this English country town. At the word “Go” they sprinted through the streets, trying not to drop their pancakes as they roughly traced the path taken by a harried housewife in 1445, who legend has it heard the church bells signaling the Shrove Tuesday service and raced off with her skillet. The tradition has been repeated over the centuries — not only in Olney but across England and even in the United States, where the Kansas town of Liberal copied the idea and has been trying to outrun their friendly British rivals for 75 years. The race is held the day before the start of Lent, the Christian period of repentance and sacrifice before Easter. Celebrated as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday in other parts of the world, the name Shrove Tuesday derives from the English word meaning to seek forgiveness or be granted absolution. Runners must flip the pancake at the start and finish. The 415-yard (380-meter) sprint itself may be a form of penance ahead of Lent.

Because Disneyland had an Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen restaurant, naturally Aunt Jemima participated in the parade/event herself:



This image from November 1962 shows Aunt Jemima leading the parade with Minnie and Mickey Mouse:



In the back you can see two of the Three Little pigs with a sign behind them:



Pluto is carrying the sign announcing the 6th annual Western National Pancake Races with Goofy lagging behind. Unfortunately, I do not have any shots of the actual race from 1962.



At Disneyland, Riverbelle Terrace (the former Aunt Jemima’s) was the usual place to get pancakes when at the Park:



For a more upscale experience, you could have these at Steakhouse 55:



For variety, Storytellers Cafe provided Mickey waffles:



It looks like Pluto liked waffles as much as I did!



Is your griddle out now?

See more Disneyland Main Street, U.S.A. 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.

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.