This post always brings me such mixed feelings. I hate that summer is ending, but I also love looking back at photos of the park when the whole area is at its brightest and most energetic. I can feel how hot I was in some of these shots! I hope you all had fantastic summers […] Read more…
 Source: Disneyland Resort January 2024 – present LOCATION Downtown Disney – Great Maple is one of Pixar Place Hotel‘s dining options, located in the central atrium area. When you enter the hotel, you’ll see the signage for it; it’s an open concept restaurant with a large central bar. EXPERIENCE Details: Service Type: Table service Seating: Indoor dining […] Read more…
July 2025 – present LOCATION Downtown Disney – Nectar Life is located on the western side of Downtown Disney. To find the shop, head toward the resort hotels. You’ll see the shop down the walkway on your left, after D-Lander. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Vegan bath accessories like bath bombs, whipped soaps, body scrubs, and […] Read more…
When you think of Disneyland, a few icons instantly come to mind, like Sleeping Beauty Castle or the Haunted Mansion. While no single person can take credit for any of these architectural feats in Disneyland, one had a heavy hand in many of your favorite sight lines. Let’s take a look at the career and […] Read more…
The smallest land in Disneyland has had the most identities. Indian Village. Bear Country. Critter Country. Bayou Country. With each change in theming, little bits of the old personality stay behind, becoming hidden gems. Let’s find the subject of today’s post: Teddi Barra’s Swing. To find this hidden gem, let’s go to the Hungry Bear […] Read more…
 Source: Disneyland Resort October 2024– present LOCATION Disneyland Hotel – The Broken Spell Lounge is the Disneyland Hotel’s cocktail bar. To find the lounge, head to the main lobby area. You’ll see it next to Goofy’s Kitchen, where Steakhouse 55 used to be. EXPERIENCE Details: Service Type: Table service Seating: Indoor lounge seating Reservations: No Entertainment: None […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess – Vol. 111, 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. Can I bring food in through security? (submitted by Colleen) Yes! When you go through […] Read more…
It’s August! Summer is my absolute favorite time of year, even when it’s brutally hot…which is pretty much the case right now in most of the US. Disneyland never slows down though, no matter the temps. And July was a busy month across the board. From milestones to new offerings to a very unfortunate water […] Read more…
When walking through Galaxy’s Edge, you’ll probably notice an unassuming building with a line of people waiting outside. This is Oga’s Cantina, the central social hub of the area. And despite the building’s lack of exterior drama, it’s one of the most intricately detailed spaces in the land. When Imagineers developed Galaxy’s Edge, the goal […] Read more…
I’m of the opinion that there’s no better way to learn about Disneyland than to hear directly from the people that helped shape it. You get so much perspective on intention, engineering, and design that you’d never pick up on just from walking around the park. These Imagineer books are also how I learn about […] Read more…
June 2021 – present LOCATION Avengers Campus – Terran Treats straddles the line between Hollywood Land and Avengers Campus. To find this quick service spot, head toward Guardians of the Galaxy. You’ll see it to the left of the attraction, near the Hyperion Theater. EXPERIENCE Details: Service Type:Â Quick service Seating: None Reservations:Â No Entertainment:Â None Menu Terran […] Read more…
In California Adventure, Grizzly Peak is the quiet respite land. Despite having two major thrill rides, the land’s thick forests and winding trails make it a little haven in a busy park. The land transports you to a California state park…and every state park has a trail map. To find the Grizzly Peak Trail Map, […] Read more…
When you walk into the back of Adventureland, you find the Temple of the Forbidden Eye. This stone structure houses the Indiana Jones Adventure. While the ride attracts most of the attention, the building itself is an example of architectural storytelling, literally a bridge between the park and an attraction’s world. Imagineers faced a logistical […] Read more…
I know, I know. It is barely even mid-summer. For those of us who love the long days and warm sunshine, we are still firmly holding onto every bit of summer we can get. But the Disney parks operate on their own calendar, and the autumn rollout happens earlier every year. Whether you are ready […] Read more…