Happy New Year’s Eve! For me, 2024 seemed like a really long, wild year – I actually spent some time today reading through the monthly updates from this year, because I couldn’t keep track of everything that happened. The resort is definitely in a phase of change – particularly with Downtown Disney. But with the […] Read more…
While many of us are going through either the end of holiday celebrations or a nice big holiday hangover, Disneyland already has eyes on the next event on the calendar: Lunar New Year. From January 17 to February 16, Paradise Gardens Park will host festivities to kick off the year of the snake. Good news – […] Read more…
Merry Christmas! (Or happy [insert whatever holiday you celebrate here]!) Today I’ll be eating lots of junk food with my family, and I hope you’re doing something equally fun and festive. Disneyland’s holiday season lasts until January 6, so if you haven’t yet had time to roam the park and see the decor, you still have […] Read more…
Note: this post covers Disneyland’s refurbishment “season”, from January-March. For current scheduled closures, please visit here. We’re just a few weeks away from an unofficial season in the Disneyland Resort’s calendar – refurbishment season. This is a period roughly from January through March where the resort stacks more ride closures than usual, since the post-holiday period […] Read more…
In Avengers Campus (or California Adventure more broadly), there is no building that stands out quite like the Collector’s Fortress. This looming, mysterious structure houses one of the most popular attractions at the resort (Mission Breakout), and is home to just a fraction of the Collector’s massive store of treasures. But why does this building […] Read more…
Source: Daveland Web January 1955 – January 1959 LOCATION Main Street USA – The Pen Shop was one of the trickier shops on the street to find, nestled into a hidden corner. To find the shop, you’d stop about halfway down the street and turn right into the courtyard. The shop’s doorway was on the […] Read more…
November 2023 – present LOCATION Adventureland – when entering from Main Street USA, you will find the treehouse at the end of Adventureland, just before the walkway to New Orleans Square. BACKGROUND The Adventureland Treehouse is a home open for self-guided exploration in the treetops above Adventureland. Over the years, this treehouse has had a […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess – Vol. 93, 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. Is there a way to see what characters are going to be roaming the park […] Read more…
Happy belated Thanksgiving! As 2024 races to the finish line, the Disneyland Resort did not slow down with new offerings, teasers of more to come, and as always, the usual pile of sweet treats to celebrate the holiday season. Let’s take a look back at November at the happiest place on earth. A NEW HEADLINE […] Read more…
November 2024 – present BACKGROUND Bayou country has had many iterations since it opened in 1956. First, the area started simply as an extension of Frontierland called Indian Village, and housed Native American shows and attractions, including dances and canoeing. But the land wasn’t very popular among park guests (not to mention the majorly problematic […] Read more…
Source: Wikipedia July 1955 – September 1987 LOCATION Frontierland – Frontier Trading Post was one of the first stops in the land for visitors traveling from Main Street USA. Once they crossed the bridge into Frontierland, guests could find the post on the immediate right. Today, this space houses Westward Ho Trading Co. EXPERIENCE Details: […] Read more…
I’m always one to plan ahead when it comes to holiday shopping – I can’t get organized soon enough. If you’re like me and already trying to build out a list of what you need this year (and want some Disneyland magic mixed in there), I’ve organized some items in different categories I think would […] Read more…
May 2024 – present LOCATION Downtown Disney – Centrico’s location suits its name (“central” in Spanish). The restaurant sits at the center of Downtown Disney, approximately halfway between the park gates and resort hotels. You can’t miss the spot if you walk through the district from either direction; it’s exactly where Uva Bar used to […] Read more…
One of the most common questions I get from readers is, “Can I bring my own water bottle into the park?” And the answer is YES! (so long as it’s not glass). Not only are guests welcome to avoid buying an overpriced plastic Dasani during their visit, they are invited to use a super handy […] Read more…