January 2001 – September 2017 LOCATION Downtown Disney – Fossil held a coveted spot in the center courtyard of Downtown Disney. Whether you were coming from the hotel side or the park side of the district, you’d walk to the center circle with the outdoor bar (Uva). Fossil was on the southern side of the […] Read more…
The Market House on Main Street USA is Disneyland’s largest coffee shop. Thousands of guests stream by every day, some stopping in for hot drinks, pastries, and sandwiches. But most park visitors have no idea that within the Market House lies an amazing artifact: a real turn-of-the-century Potbelly Stove. This Potbelly Stove came from Baltimore, […] Read more…
 Source: Photo Bucket July 1955 – October 1973 LOCATION Frontierland – The Pack Mules led guests on a tour of Frontierland, starting in the town square. Guests would wander through Nature’s Wonderland, which included the land currently beneath Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the now-closed Big Thunder Ranch. BACKGROUND In the early years of Disneyland, […] Read more…
Waiting in line is a fact of life at Disneyland. But sometimes, the lines can be part of the fun! Different queuing spaces throughout the resort offer spectacular views of landscapes, and a few even have interactive features to explore. Here’s my list of the top 5 queues at the resort. Which are your favorites? 5. […] Read more…
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: cast members make the magic at the Disneyland Resort. They really do go above and beyond to give visitors the best experience possible, and sometimes even create “magic moments”. These magic moments come in all forms: special fast passes, awesome tables in busy restaurants, or even a […] Read more…
When guests walk into Disneyland, the very first thing they see is the Main Street USA railroad station, typically with a train parked out front. Many park visitors don’t realize that Disneyland actually runs multiple trains, and one train tows a hidden gem at the rear. Train #1, the C.K. Holiday, dates all the way […] Read more…
November 2006 – September 2017 LOCATION Downtown Disney – Disney Vault 28’s spot was one of the busiest in the district; right at the central circle plaza. You’d find the Vault just as the circle opened up for the Uva Bar, across from Build-A-Bear Workshop. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – primarily women’s clothing and accessories, limited […] Read more…
A lot of my friends didn’t understand why I was so excited to visit Walt Disney World last year. They all said the same thing: “Why’s it any different than Disneyland?” And keeping unique parks like Epcot and California Adventure aside, I completely understand the question. Each has basically the same setup, and a lot […] Read more…
Now that September is here, it’s officially Halloween season at the Disneyland Resort. The biggest event of the Halloween season is Mickey’s Halloween Party, a villain-centric party with trick-or-treating, special parades and fireworks, and costumed fans of all ages. Planning for the party is tons of fun, but finding a great costume can be a little […] Read more…
 Source: Matterhorn 1959 July 1955 – June 1960 LOCATION Main Street USA – The Bakery had one of the best locations on Main Street, just to the left of the grand Penny Arcade entrance. Park visitors would find the Puffin Bakery on the west side, just before the intersection with the small cross street. EXPERIENCE Details: […] Read more…
Anyone who’s ever been to Disneyland before knows that the sheer amount of detail can be overwhelming. There’s always so much to see and do…and most guests walk right past hidden gems without ever knowing it! Case in point: the Disneyland Resort Mailboxes. How many times have you walked through Main Street, and never even […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess Vol. 10, 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. Does Disneyland have a day care center? (submitted by Jeanette) Disneyland does not offer a drop-off day care center in the parks. They […] Read more…
Summer is winding down at the Disneyland Resort, and as the spooky Halloween season approaches, Disney has announced even more changes coming headed to Anaheim. Aside from typical refurbishments, and the Star Wars Land construction, Disney revealed a huge new project, has sparked the rumor mill about another, and even threw in a change or […] Read more…