Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is honoring the Disneyland 70th anniversary and new Storyteller’s Cafe experience with a new chocolate sculpture added to the lobby.
Donald’s Tales of Adventure Sculpture at Grand Californian
According to the display sign, this “adventurous showpiece featuring Donald & friends took 400 hours to complete” and was created by the Disney Culinary Team using the following ingredients:
- 80 pounds of crisped rice cereal
- 80 pounds of powdered sugar
- 60 pounds of fondant
- 40 pounds of white chocolate
- 25 pounds of marshmallows
- 18 pounds of egg whites
The overall theming of this “Adventure Structure” fits in well with the overall decor and feel of the Grand Californian. It is also in reference to the new Donald’s Tales of Adventure Dinner Buffet at Storytellers Cafe.
The chocolate structure features several stacked layers beginning with a grass and dirt area, moving to a light-up “water” feature with fish, an awning with a 70th medallion and a campfire burning underneath, and finally Donald and his friends fishing around a rock feature.
Fittingly, Donald Duck is at the very top of the rock cliff. He is wearing an outdoorsy outfit while carrying a backpack and a walking stick. Just below Donald, Goofy and Clarabelle seem to be enjoying their time in the great outdoors.
Seen around other sides of the rock, Daisy is enjoying reading a book as Pluto chases a butterfly near a waterfall.
The 70th medallion adorned to the awning section of the structure is bronze and gold to match the hotel and outdoor theming of this piece.
Moving down the chocolate structure, we could see the campfire surrounded by smaller rocks just atop the circular fish tank. Several fish look to be swimming around the tank. One looks oddly like the fish-version of “The Incredible Mr. Limpet,” who is also an Easter egg in The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure.
The fish tank is held up by a twig, and underneath is what looks to be a larger version of Donald’s backpack and two books. One of the books is titled “The Perfect Cast: Standout Fishing Techniques.” Laid on top of the red-covered book is another bronze 70th medallion.
The bottom of the chocolate display is covered with grass, pinecones, mushrooms, rocks, and even a Mickey-shaped s’more.
A 70th anniversary medallion was also recently added to the lobby of Disney’s Grand Californian. The medallion hangs over a grate above a walkway between two stone columns. While most of the Disneyland Resort 70th decorations are bright colors, this medallion is bronze and gold to better match the hotel’s theming. A backdrop of golden strings hang behind it.
Donald’s Tales of Adventure Dinner Buffet
The new campfire-style barbecue buffet began at Storytellers Cafe on May 16, the start date of the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration. It’s the first time characters will appear during dinner as well as breakfast at Storytellers Cafe. The restaurant was recently closed for refurbishment.
Do you have plans to visit Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa during the Disneyland Resort 70th Anniversary Celebration? Let us know in the comments.
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