Disneyland has always done its best storytelling when it blurs reality with fantasy. To make “fake” things seem incredibly real, Imagineering turns to incredibly skilled artists, including Fred Joerger. Source: D23 Fred Joerger was born in Pekin, IL, in 1913 and earned a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Illinois in 1937. After […] Read more…
If you’ve visited Toontown in the last few years, you undoubtedly saw the stunning El CapiTOON Theater that now serves as a landmark in the downtown area. Head toward the entrance of the theater, and you’ll see one of my favorite Toontown hidden gems: The El CapiTOON box office. Inside the box office, you’ll find […] Read more…
Even casual Disney fans are familiar with the iconic Monorail. Disneyland’s version may not be the mega transportation system of Disney World, but it’s a beloved attraction that has swirling views inside Tomorrowland that bring riders back again and again. But how much do you know about the Monorail’s development, or why exactly it was […] Read more…
You’ve undoubtedly seen this building many, many times if you’ve ever visited Disneyland. It looms over New Orleans Square, usually flanked by massive crowds. But you probably don’t even know its name. This is the Cabildo, home to Pirates of the Caribbean and inspired by a very real building in the Big Easy with an […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess – Vol. 107, 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 early should I arrive at the parking structures to make it for rope drop […] Read more…
It’s officially spring! With warmer weather, spring break crowds, and Food and Wine festival in full swing, March was a very busy month at the Disneyland Resort. I hope you’re feeling renewed energy too…summer is so close! FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL IN FULL SWING As I mentioned above, the Food & Wine Festival kicked off […] Read more…
Grizzly Peak is the Disneyland Resort’s current “bear country”, but it wasn’t always that way. And one hidden gem inside of this land pays tribute to the Bear Country that came before it. Let’s go find Big Al. To visit him, let’s head toward the Grizzly River Run. To the left of the attractions entrance, […] Read more…
July 2025 – present LOCATION Main Street USA – Walt shares the same venue as President Lincoln at the front corner of Main Street. When you arrive in the park, turn right and you’ll see the theater toward the end of the block, next to the Disney Gallery. BACKGROUND To mark Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, Disney Parks […] Read more…
I absolutely love looking through old Disneyland photos. It’s so interesting to see how lands change and grow over time…and some of the guest fashion eras are so fun to look back on! With that in mind, please enjoy a new series that I hope is as fun to read through as it is for […] Read more…
January 2025 – present LOCATION Downtown Disney – Disney Storyland Boutique sits on the western side of Downtown Disney, on the main walkway between the park gates and hotels. To find the shop, head toward the Jazz Kitchen. You’ll see the Boutique next door, between the Jazz Kitchen and Centrico. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Custom […] Read more…
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is one of the most incredibly detailed, elaborately designed lands at the entire resort. So it’s not surprise that the hidden gems extend from the rooftops of the tallest buildings down to the floor beneath your feet. Which brings us to the subject of this post: the Batuu footprints. There are […] Read more…
When Disneyland was a startup project within a larger company, the early Imagineering team had to be scrappy. They had limited time, limited resources, and one big opportunity to “get it right”. The team members who helped make this project happen had to be an equal mix of talented and adaptable, able to work on […] Read more…
Regardless of the actual equinox date, in my brain it’s finally springtime when Food & Wine returns. Great news one and all – we’re finally in spring! California Adventure’s Food & Wine Festival is back now through April 27. Source: Disneyland Resort California Adventure’s Food & Wine Festival is a daily experience open to all park […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess – Vol. 106, 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. Is Rise of the Resistance worth the individual Lightning Lane, or should I just rope drop […] Read more…