Trip Report!! ABD Disneyland Resort & Southern CA - 4/20 - 4/25/25 Updated 7/9/25

[sayhello]

Storytellers Cafe is a beautifully Craftsman-style decorated restaurant. It's a buffet, which is very extensive, but fairly ordinary.





When we arrived at our seats, these were waiting for us!



After dinner, we headed over to Disneyland Park. We were given a bit of free time before we were to meet up at the firehouse on Main Street. A few of us took our ears over to the hat shop to have them personalized. Dean had said to just tell them we were with ABD, and they'd do it (since we didn't have receipts). We did have to pay for any embroidery we wanted. But the folks in the shop had never heard of Adventures by Disney and had no idea what we were talking about. (They were pretty fascinated by our explanation of it!) Fortunately, one of them called a supervisor who *did* know what was going on. I got my first name and "ABD 2025" embroidered on it in gold.

We then headed over to the firehouse for our exclusive tour of Walt's apartment.



If anyone doesn't know, Walt Disney had an apartment built for himself and his family and guests above the firehouse on Main St. He could sit up there and look out the window at what was going on on Main St. It's not open to the general public, and is generally only accessible via a few different tours. You can see a lamp in the window above the Fire Dept. sign. It's always lit.



I had been there several years ago on the "Walk in Walt's Disneyland Footsteps" tour. It was still a very special event! We had both Dean and a VIP tour guide whose name I've forgotten, who told us about the history of the apartment and Walt's time there.



Photos are not allowed in Walt's apartment, except for a photo op where Dean took photos of us at the window that looks out over Main St. (Plus a few general shots he also took).









After the tour, we had some time to do whatever we wanted in Disneyland until it closed. I'm sure I rode a ride or two, but I was pretty pooped, and eventually headed back to the hotel, because the next morning was going to be an early start!

Next up: Day 4: Adventure Awaits - Disney California Adventure Park

 

[sayhello]

ArcLight and Pacific Theatres tanked financially due to COVID… it will never open again as it went out of business.

I assume you're talking about the Cinerama Dome? I suppose it's always possible someone else may buy it and it could eventually re-open. Hope dies hard!

Sayhello

 

[dt14890]

I did this trip in September 2019 and I have a picture of me holding both an Emmy from Jim Hanson’s Studio and an Oscar from the Disney Archives so the Oscar part is typical for the trip.

 

[sayhello]

I did this trip in September 2019 and I have a picture of me holding both an Emmy from Jim Hanson’s Studio and an Oscar from the Disney Archives so the Oscar part is typical for the trip.

Thanks! I didn't remember that the Jim Henson one was an Emmy, but that makes sense!

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[Eastridge]

I was on the Short Escape version of this trip, and yes we got to hold the Oscar statuette at the archives. It is heavy (8.5 pounds):

https://www.oscars.org/oscars/statuette

Sorry to hear that the buffet at Storytellers was just ordinary. It was good for many years. Last time I dined there, they had discontinued the corn chowder and I was very disappointed by that.

It appears they keep rotating "Walt's lamp" in the firehouse. I haven't seen that particular lamp previously.

 

[sayhello]

I was on the Short Escape version of this trip, and yes we got to hold the Oscar statuette at the archives. It is heavy (8.5 pounds):

https://www.oscars.org/oscars/statuette

Sorry to hear that the buffet at Storytellers was just ordinary. It was good for many years. Last time I dined there, they had discontinued the corn chowder and I was very disappointed by that.

It appears they keep rotating "Walt's lamp" in the firehouse. I haven't seen that particular lamp previously.

Cool!

Corn chowder sounds wonderful. Oh, well. I rarely have high hopes for buffets.

I didn't realize the lamp was rotated, I guess it makes sense. When I went before, it was actually a lit Christmas tree. Even the lamp behind the couch is different!



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[peppers]

Interesting how you were given the Mickey ears at dinner. When my late father and I took the trip last August, we were given the Mickey ears the following morning that we had to be at Disneyland before the park opened, AND our names were already embroidered on the back. So, did you have to pay for the embroidery?

Do you recall which side in the apartment Walt slept in - was it to the right or the left if you were facing the lamp looking outside? I cannot remember that detail, and it's been driving me nuts.

I'm so thankful I went on this trip with my dad, because it was truly a gift from God that my dad was able to enjoy it and participate. Within 3 months after our return home, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed away 5 months later.

 

[KyleD]

Do you recall which side in the apartment Walt slept in - was it to the right or the left if you were facing the lamp looking outside? I cannot remember that detail, and it's been driving me nuts.

We were told that he slept on the left side as you stood facing the lamp.

 

[sayhello]

Interesting how you were given the Mickey ears at dinner. When my late father and I took the trip last August, we were given the Mickey ears the following morning that we had to be at Disneyland before the park opened, AND our names were already embroidered on the back. So, did you have to pay for the embroidery?

Yes, we had to pay for the embroidery. That really sucks. That they dropped a perk like that so recently. It's not like it's super expensive, either. Did it just have your first name? Maybe people complained they wanted something different? Still sucks.

Do you recall which side in the apartment Walt slept in - was it to the right or the left if you were facing the lamp looking outside? I cannot remember that detail, and it's been driving me nuts.

I'm glad @KyleD had the answer for you, because I totally don't remember!

I'm so thankful I went on this trip with my dad, because it was truly a gift from God that my dad was able to enjoy it and participate. Within 3 months after our return home, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed away 5 months later.

I am *SO* sorry for your loss!! But I'm so glad you got that last chance with your dad! You just never know. What a wonderful memory!

We were told that he slept on the left side as you stood facing the lamp.

Thanks for remembering. I totally do not!

Sayhello

 

[peppers]

Yes, we had to pay for the embroidery. That really sucks. That they dropped a perk like that so recently. It's not like it's super expensive, either. Did it just have your first name? Maybe people complained they wanted something different? Still sucks.

I'm glad @KyleD had the answer for you, because I totally don't remember!
I am *SO* sorry for your loss!! But I'm so glad you got that last chance with your dad! You just never know. What a wonderful memory!

Thanks for remembering. I totally do not!

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Thanks for your kind words. Yes, they put only my first name on the ears; I think that is ridiculous that you had to pay, considering how expensive the trip is.

 

[peppers]

We were told that he slept on the left side as you stood facing the lamp.

Thanks so very much, Kyle! I had planned on writing down more details of the trip, and I never got around to it.

 

[sayhello]

Thanks for your kind words. Yes, they put only my first name on the ears; I think that is ridiculous that you had to pay, considering how expensive the trip is.

I have to agree with you!

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