Source: Passporter February 2001 – June 2009 LOCATION Paradise Pier – Souvenir 66 was the old-fashioned souvenir shop along the waterfront, across from the Golden Zephyr. Today, the structure remains, but has been rethemed as Seaside Souvenirs. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Assorted Disney collectibles, including pins, toys, hats, books, etc. Unique Features – Lighthouse roof, […] Read more…
One of my favorite lands to photograph has to be Fantasyland; every angle is gorgeous, with mountains, turrets, flowers, trees, and gold detailing in any direction you look. Between racing from attraction to attraction, I always stop to snap some pictures as I explore this beautiful section of the park. Here’s a little tribute to […] Read more…
Source: Matterhorn 1959 July 1955 – January 1997 LOCATION Main Street USA – Carnation Ice Cream Parlor occupied prime real estate on Main Street, at the corner intersection where the road opens up into two alleyways. Today, this space is used by the Carnation Café. EXPERIENCE Details: Service Type – table service Seating – indoor […] Read more…
June 2012 – present LOCATION Cars Land – Radiator Springs Curios sits toward the end of the main roadway in Cars Land. If you walk down the street, toward Radiator Springs Racers, you’ll see Radiator Springs Curios on the left, just before Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Cars-themed collectibles (pins, vinylmation, tsum tsums) […] Read more…
Disneyland is the happiest place on earth, but sometimes, it lets you down. Maybe the park is way more crowded than you thought it would be. Maybe your favorite attraction broke down, and has stayed down. Or, maybe you had a bad experience with a rude cast member. Whatever the case may be, having a […] Read more…
June 1986 – February 1996, April 2004 – January 2016 LOCATION Frontierland – Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue drew in visitors wandering between Fantasyland and Frontierland, on the trail circling Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Today, this space is part of the entryway into Star Wars Land. EXPERIENCE Details: Service Type – table service (buffet style) Seating […] Read more…
Hollywood Land is pretty busy during the daytime, but it gets a whole new vibe at night. The neon lights reflect off the street and trolley tracks, and the land suddenly feels like the famous umbrella scene from Singing In the Rain. It’s quiet, but vibrant, and there’s an extra dose of that old Hollywood feeling on […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess Vol. 19, a monthly Q&A post covering a variety of resort-related topics. Ask The Duchess answers questions submitted by readers. If you have a question you’d like answered, send me a message here! 1. I am a mug collector. Where should I go? (submitted by Susanna) A lot of gift shops have mugs with different theming, but […] Read more…
Oh boy. If ever there were a month for which I did NOT want to do a recap, it would be this one. Disneyland drama comes in waves, and this month’s wave flooded the beach. So let’s take a deep breath, and try to sort out the chaos of May 2017. If you stick with […] Read more…
Source: Lost World June 2001 – October 2006 LOCATION Tomorrowland – Club Buzz occupied the outdoor stage in Tomorrowland, sitting in the center plaza. Today, the Jedi Training Academy uses this stage, as well as periodic nighttime performances by various local bands. BACKGROUND When Toy Story 2 became smash hit in 1999, Disneyland saw an […] Read more…
When Disney announced that Disneyland would become the Disneyland Resort, and welcome a second park, the new park had huge expectations to meet. Aside from interest in new attractions and dining, the look and feel of the park would be hugely important. Being just a few steps away from Disneyland’s main gate meant the new […] Read more…
Disneyland’s popcorn carts are typically not noteworthy; they’re mobile stations too packed with snacks and drinks to have much room for theming. But on Buena Vista Street, there’s a special popcorn cart. It draws attention, with its shiny exterior and unusual appearance… This strange popcorn cart actually fits perfectly with its surroundings if you know […] Read more…
May 2011 – present LOCATION New Orleans Square – The Parfumerie occupies a small corner of Orleans Street. If you walk along the Square’s front walkway, toward Critter Country, you’ll find the Parfumerie on your left, between Café Orleans and the French Market. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – perfumes Price Range – expensive, you’ll be hard […] Read more…
Source: WDW Info February 2001 – November 2014 LOCATION Hollywood Land – The Muppets ruled Hollywood Land’s “Sunset Theater”, tucked in the back lot. Visitors arriving from Buena Vista Street (or its predecessor, Sunshine Plaza) would find the show on the left-hand side of Hollywood Land, around the corner from Award Wieners. Today, this theater […] Read more…