6-2-2026 - Cake, Crawl, California

Cake Bake

Okay, we're up and ready to go - well some of us more than others. Now yesterday we didn't find Pumba, so before we took off for Birthday Breakfast at Cake Bake, we searched high and low. No luck. We'll try again later.

    So it's always a trick to figure out how to get to your reservation if you're going to another resort, but it can also be fun. Kind of in the vein of Sam and Brian doing Four Parks 1-Day, using all modes of transportation, Ash and I are going to use all of them today! We jumped on a bus to Hollywood Studios and made our way to the boat launch. For those that haven't stayed at the boat connected resorts (which includes yours truly), there is a small dock that connects to the entrance of Hollywood Studios just past the Skyliner. While everyone else was taking off for early entry, Ashley and I were hoping on a boat to the Boardwalk. 

    It was my first time in the area, only having living vicariously through Sam's pictures from a few weeks prior. Ash had been here before, and was absolutely beaming to drag me around. Now it was Cake Bake day, so I was dressed in a pink Mickey shirt while Ash matched me in her pink dress. We did coffee's at the Cake Bake shop prior to our breakfast reservation, downing the much needed caffeine while strolling toward EPCOT's international gateway and looked across the water to Beach and Yacht Clubs. 

  Coffee's gone, we went over to Cake Bake restaurant (they're right next to each other) and were seated toward the back. So fun fact, Cake Bake is not owned by Disney. It is a partner, kind of like Swan and Dolphin, working within the bubble, but having the ability to do their own thing. That being said, it was a wonderful experience. They started us off with some delicious French Toast that I made sure was not left behind.

For drinks Ash had the Black Swan while I had the Through The Looking Glass - gotta start celebrating early!

For entrees I did the Steak and Eggs, which is a six ounce New York Strip, along with normal eggs, potatoes, and sausage. Normal meal for me, but no better way to celebrate. Ash had the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict, which makes sense. She can't say no to eggs benedict.  

    Great food, great service, and perfect company. Great way to start the day.

Skyliner

    To help us digest our big breakfast we did a lap around the Boardwalk area, moving our way to Yacht and Beach Clubs to explore. Samantha had stated that she was disappointed in the Beach Club gift shop, and I guess I can see it. There isn't much going on here beyond your normal items, and it kind of reminded me of Coronado's gift shop. Your normal Disney fair, and a few shirts with the resort name on it. Definitely not on the same page as Animal Kingdom Lodge, where you can buy more authentic items steered toward the resorts theme.

    Moving on, we putz'd around, got ourselves locked out into a pool area of Boardwalk, figured out way out of there, and went over to the Skyliner. It was Ash's first time on the ride? Transportation system? I guess both. She was worried that it would be too hot, but I assured her it moves right along and keeps you cool, which it does quite well. 

    We got off at Riviera and walked over to the resort. Time to get more coffee, and word on the street is Le Petit cafe has the best in the bubble. Solid drink! We took the elevator to Toppolina's Terrace, and ask the hostess's if we could go to the terrace and look out over. They were very kind, and I understand their trepidation. This was during a character breakfast event, and we were given instruction to go straight to the terrace, which makes sense since paying customers were there to see Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy. We sipped our drinks and looked out over Beach Club. Perfect view.

Pool Time

    We made our way back to the Skyliner, switching off at Beach Club to go back to Hollywood. Got on a bus, and made our way back to AKL. We changed into our swim gear, and started hunting for Pumba again. With a little help from a cast member, we were guided to find him again, taking our picture and getting another sticker. We made our way over to Kindani Village, found Timone, and got our third sticker of the trip. If we found either Pumba or Timone tomorrow we'd complete our little badge. I'm sure the award is knowing we completed the job.

    I love the Kidani Pool. Jambo's pool is convenient if you're staying there, but Kidani has a bigger water slide, the same zero entry ability, and a big splash pad area for the kiddo's. Ash and I made our way there, and hung out for about an hour or so, pruning up and staying cool in the hot summer sun. 

Crawl

    I made it a point that I wanted to recreate a part of our Monorail Crawl, same as we did in February. We went back to the room, showered, and got ready. I got into my striking salmon button down while Ash got into her dashing navy dress. We hopped on a bus and made our way to Magic Kingdom, getting onto the monorail just as some rain drops started to hit.

    Now I made a poor call because of the rain, and got on the side of the tracks that take you to the Contemporary, so we had to ride the whole way around until we got to Grand Floridian. Learned that for next time. Okay, long ride over, we decided to skip Polynesian because Sam's Grotto was under refurbishment, and made our way into GF. One of the things I do appreciate about Grand Floridian is that there are Photopass photographers there, giving the chance to use your purchased extra even while at the resort. I do feel that, at least at deluxe resorts, it would be welcomed if photopass members were there to take your picture at some of the iconic spots.

    After a little shopping we went to The Enchanted Rose, and were seated right away. We sat next to the windows and had our Smoked Crab and Trout Dip, same as before, and enjoyed our beverages. I have heard that Disney is moving away from resort hopping, and I would hope not, as getting the chance to enjoy these locations without having to stay at them can be a hidden gem. Whether it's Victoria Falls, The Enchanted Rose, the bar at Steakhouse 71, all of these areas that do not require a reservation, how would we attend them if we did not have reservations? I digress, another conversation for another time.

    Speaking of Steakhouse 71, that was our next stop. We did some shopping at the Contemporary shops and made our way downstairs to Steakhouse 71. During our February trip we were supposed to swing by here, but decided not too. I am glad we waited, as it gave the Crawl something new. You can put in a dining reservation, or like us, just ask if you can go to the bar. There was ample seating, and we went right in. We sat at the couches off to the side of the bar and ordered some beverages. I had the Twisted Figg while Ash had a French 71. The service was wonderful, and after we told them we were celebrating my 40th, we were given complementary glasses of champagne! How nice! To go with our drinks Ash ordered the onion rings, and while I'm not a big onion ring guy, I do have to say these were quite tasty. We texted Brian and Sam, and Brian said those were the best onion rings he's ever had, to which Ashley agreed. So if your an onion ring connoisseur, swing by Steakhouse 71 and give them a go!

    After hanging out for a bit we went and checked ourselves in for dinner at California Grill, which is located at the top of the Contemporary. We wandered off to the Contemporary's pool area and looked out over the lake. I admired the view of Wilderness Lodge and what will soon be Disney's new Lakeshore Lodge. The air was cooling off from the hot sunny day, and I could have imagined a better birthday.

California Grill

    This is my first time at California Grill, and what a beautiful sight. The atmosphere is perfect. You can look out over Magic Kingdom, or the lake and see Grand Floridian or Polynesian, the water reflecting the park lights making you feel like you're looking down on the stars. For me, it's intoxicating to know there's a lot of people enjoying a meal or a park day, all around you. It's not like being at home, looking over the city knowing people are grinding out their normal days - for this moment in time, the vast majority of us (this is why you be kind to the cast members), get to forget about that grind and simply exist. I can't think of a better way to celebrate a milestone birthday.

Beverage wise I got the Sonoma Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned while Ash decided she had had enough alcohol and got some water.

For food, I was excited to find out it's a three-course meal. It wasn't going to be cheap, and the meal was going to be an event, but it was going to be worth it. As part of the three-courses, we each got an appetizer, Ash going with the Surf and Turf Roll while I got the seasonal flatbread. The sushi was fantastic, and the flatbread was good. If I could only have one definitely would have just taken the sushi roll first. For entrees Ash got the Grilled Pork Tenderloin and I got the Oak Grilled Fillet of Beef. Both meals were cooked to perfection.

Desserts came around and I ordered the vanilla bean creme brulee and Ash picked at Blueberry Goat Cheese Cheesecake.

One of the best features of California Grill is the ability to see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the terrace. Even if your meal is earlier in the day you can come back to view the event, provided you show your receipt from earlier. They do go all out, piping in the music from the show along, so you can get the full experience without having to be huddled together with thousands of your closest friends. Alternatively, I've been told that you can get the same view from the fourth floor observation deck at the Contemporary, but in either case, Ash and I decided to not stick around for the fireworks. Tomorrow is Magic Kingdom day, and we'll be enjoying the parade and the fireworks up close. We paid our tab and made our getaway, only to be turned away at the monorail, which was down.

We hopped outside, and were going to walk across the street to Magic Kingdom, but a bus to Hollywood Studios was at the Contemporary bus stop. Maybe it was the alcohol that got us a bit flustered, but we hopped on and went to HS (along with another small group). We got off and jumped onto the bus to AKL, which was thankfully just about to leave, so there wasn't much time lost. 

With full bellies, we made our way back to Animal Kingdom Lodge, looking to get rested up for Magic Kingdom. Perfect birthday - wouldn't have changed a thing. I hope you all find your fortune same as I have found mine.