Can you balance high-speed coasters with massive burgers and upscale Disney resorts?
Welcome back to Disney California Adventure! Sometimes, a Disney park day doesn't go exactly as planned. We started our morning hoping to hop on Grizzly River Run, only to find they were still doing water testing with test dummies!
But when one door closes, a beautiful hotel lobby door opens. We pivoted to a day filled with resort hopping, epic character dining, and some of the best burgers in Downtown Disney. If you are planning a trip to the Disneyland Resort, here is a look at what we got into and what is actually worth your time!
1. Touring Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Since our morning rides were a bust, we took the convenient private entrance directly from DCA into Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
If you have ever stayed at the Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World, this resort gives off a very similar, cozy Pacific Northwest vibe—but definitely scaled up to a more premium, high-end level.
The Lobby: It is absolutely breathtaking. With a self-playing piano, a massive roaring fireplace (currently adorned for the 70th anniversary!), and beautiful Craftsman architecture, it is worth a visit even if you aren't staying here.
The Gift Shop: Compared to the massive Fantasia shop at the Disneyland Hotel, this one is much smaller. However, the theming is fantastic. They have exclusive hiking-themed Mickey merch, high-end Tommy Bahama shirts, and tons of adorable gear featuring the resort's unofficial mascots: Chip and Dale!
2. Storytellers Cafe Character Brunch Review
Our main reason for visiting the Grand Californian was our brunch reservation at Storytellers Cafe. This is a character buffet featuring Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale, and Pluto in their adorable adventure outfits.
Because we went during brunch, the buffet was a massive mix of breakfast and lunch items. We loaded up on tri-tip roast, omelets, hashbrowns, and even chicken tenders and mac & cheese for the kids.
Our Honest Take: The food here was just okay. There were a few standouts—the teriyaki chicken was delicious, and the bread pudding was fantastic—but overall, the food isn't the star of the show. However, like most Disney character dining, you are paying for the experience. The characters are incredibly interactive, they host fun little dance parties throughout the restaurant, and the energy is top-notch. If you want great character interactions without waiting in park lines, it is worth it!
3. Pixar Pier Thrills & Meeting Bing Bong
After brunch, we headed back into DCA to hit Pixar Pier.
Chrissy tackled the Incredicoaster and gave it a stellar review for speed, but offered a very important warning: hold onto your glasses! We also grabbed some snacks at Angry Dogs (Nathan approved of the spicy dog!) and managed to meet the one and only Bing Bong from Inside Out! (Pro tip: if you don't say hi to Bing Bong and smell his cotton candy scent, did you even go to Pixar Pier?)
💡 PRO TIP: The Incredicoaster Launch If you love roller coasters, the launch on the Incredicoaster is one of the best on property! Just make sure you secure any loose items (especially sunglasses) before that countdown hits zero, because Dash takes off fast.
4. Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes
For dinner, we walked out into Downtown Disney to eat at a highly requested spot: Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes.
This place is famous for its massive portions and over-the-top "CrazyShake" milkshakes. Here is what we ordered:
The Wagyu Steakhouse Burger: Nathan ordered this monster loaded with bacon and onions, and it was incredible.
The Hot Chicken Sandwich: Chrissy braved the spicy chicken (with pickles and ranch) and loved it.
The 70th Anniversary "Nookie" Shake: This massive shake came topped with a full Rice Krispie treat, rock candy, and Mickey sprinkles.
Our Honest Take: Black Tap absolutely holds up! The beef quality on the burgers is phenomenal, the fries are great, and the atmosphere is hopping. Just be warned—those giant milkshakes are messy! (Ours somehow ended up on a shoe by the end of the meal).
5. Nighttime Drives & Construction Updates
We ended our night back in DCA with a chaotic, hilarious night drive on Autopia (Lauren drove, and we definitely ended up deep in the bushes!) and checked out the construction progress in Avengers Campus. The new Infinity Defense ride building is coming along, and we even caught a glimpse of what looks like trackless, robotic-arm ride vehicles through the construction fencing!
The Final Verdict
From high-end resorts to massive messy milkshakes, this was an incredible day of exploring the best food and vibes the Disneyland Resort has to offer.
Have you ever stayed at the Grand Californian or braved a CrazyShake at Black Tap? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Want to see the massive lobby fireplace, the characters dancing at brunch, and Lauren's wild Autopia driving? Watch our full vlog on YouTube right here:
👉 Grand Californian Hotel Tour 2026: Storytellers Cafe Review & Black Tap Burgers
Make sure to hit that LIKE button, SUBSCRIBE to the channel, and turn on the notification bell so you never miss a new adventure! Peace and love! ✌️
