I’ve just recently entered the world of pin collecting. It’s an old Disney tradition, and most collectors also participate in a second hobby: trading! Pin traders visit Disneyland with a lanyard full of treasure, and leave with brand new bling. You don’t have to trade if you collect pins (I don’t), but if you want […] Read more…
Source: Daveland Web July 1955 – July 1957 LOCATION Main Street USA – Bluebird Shoes couldn’t have asked for a better spot on Main Street. The tiny shop overlooked the castle on the eastern side of the street, next to the Kodak shop. Today, this space is part of two different shops: the Silhouette Studio […] Read more…
The jungles of Adventureland are full of mysterious temples, wild animals, and of course, mysterious treasures. Even the gift shop and rest areas have strange mysteries to uncover, and some are friendlier than others. Wander into the Bazaar and you may just bump into a mysterious figure…Shrunken Ned. This strange, floating head claims to be […] Read more…
Adventureland has always captured my imagination. In fact, it was the very first topic I wrote about for the blog. There’s just something exciting and inspiring about wandering beneath the treetops, with busy markets and mysterious pathways around every corner. Join me as I take a walk through Disneyland’s remote jungle! Read more…
Toontown is Disneyland’s busiest neighborhood. With character meet & greets, houses to explore, and musical fountains to interact with, there’s no shortage of things to do. But if you stop for a second to look around, you might discover a hidden gem. Right in the center of Toontown, Goofy is the proud owner of his […] Read more…
Disneyland and California Adventure both share similar traits; they’re boisterous, busy, and sometimes completely chaotic. But there’s a land in the heart of California Adventure that somehow manages to stay quiet, peaceful, and serene. Grizzly Peak is truly an oasis, a quick escape to the California wilderness in the midst of theme park adventures. Here […] Read more…
Source: Farm 2 May 1998 – October 2003 LOCATION Tomorrowland – The American Space Experience could be found at the front of Tomorrowland, on the lower level of the former Circarama building. Today, this space is part of the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters attraction, gift shop, and fast pass distribution area. BACKGROUND After decades of slow […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess Vol. 16, 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. How does buying a ticket work? Where do I go, what do I need? (submitted by Angela) You have two options when it […] Read more…
I’m sorry for sounding like a broken record, but this month was kind of crazy at the Disneyland Resort! AP days, fires, concerts…and one new restaurant that’s causing a bit of hysteria. Let’s try to recap February madness at the happiest place on earth. CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL California Adventure brought back a popular event this year: […] Read more…
Source: Disney Pix July 1966 – May 1996 LOCATION New Orleans Square – The One-Of-A-Kind shop had an ideal location in New Orleans Square, right at the front corner. Guests arriving from Frontierland would spot the shop on the left side, just beyond the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean. Today, this space houses Port Royal, […] Read more…
It’s hard to believe it, but today’s post marks number 500 on Duchess of Disneyland. Since I started this blog in December 2013, it has grown and changed so much. But one thing that remains the same is my seemingly endless need to learn more about the happiest place on earth – and share it! […] Read more…
The Haunted Mansion boasts 999 happy haunts, roaming its chilly halls and dancing through its ballroom. But what started the haunting? Why is the Haunted Mansion haunted? During development for the attraction, Imagineers floated tons of different ideas. There were tales of murder, abandonment, jealousy, limbo…all the ingredients for a great ghost story. But in […] Read more…
If I had to pick the most magical land in Disneyland, I’d have to choose Fantasyland. Every single thing in the land, from the trash cans to the weather vanes, is perfectly detailed and ornately decorated. These pieces all work together to create an atmosphere perfect for princesses, flying elephants, and rambunctious toads. Here are just […] Read more…
Disneyland fans have been anxiously (or begrudgingly) awaiting the arrival of GOTG in Hollywood Land. And now, we have a date: May 27th. But we also have a brand new seasonal event to mark the occasion: the Summer of Heroes! Like Season of the Force in Tomorrowland, the Summer of Heroes will be a temporary overlay of […] Read more…