Month: November 2016

Behind the Scenes at the Disneyland Railroad

Behind The Scenes At The Disneyland Railroad

With Star Wars Land construction changing much of the park’s landscape, Disneyland’s Railroad will be closed until the new land’s debut. But this closure isn’t all bad; guests now have a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the train! Let’s go behind the scenes at the Disneyland Railroad. Stop by the New […] Read more…

Holiday Shopping Guide 2016

Now that Thanksgiving has ended and we’re all recovering from our food comas, it’s time to shift our attention to the holidays. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, or another holiday, you’re probably thinking about doing a little shopping. And why not add a little Disneyland magic to your gifts? The following is my list of […] Read more…

Holiday Features and Decor

Holiday Features And Decor

Once the Halloween season wraps up in Disneyland, the park goes into full holiday mode. Snow, wreaths, garlands, and ornaments flood the park, and the Dapper Dans bust out their best renditions of winter classics. So what exactly can you expect from a wintertime trip to the Disneyland Resort? LAND CHANGES In Disneyland, Main Street […] Read more…

Festival of the Holidays 2016

Festival Of The Holidays 2016

Now that the holiday season is in full swing at Disneyland, the spirit seems to be rubbing off on California Adventure. For the first time, the resort’s newer park is hosting a winter celebration, for Christmas (& Navidad), Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Diwali. The festival has taken over most of Pacific Wharf and Paradise Pier. Stop by […] Read more…

Mrs. Potts and Chip

Mrs. Potts and Chip

Disneyland tends to keep storytelling elements distinctly separated by land. You’d be hard pressed to find any cowboys outside of Frontierland, or rockets beyond the borders of Tomorrowland. But there is one exception to this rule…an out-of-place hidden gem: Mrs. Potts and Chip. Welcome to Adventureland, a land celebrating the world’s most exotic and remote jungles. Let’s take […] Read more…

What's In My Park Bag?

What’s In My Park Bag?

One of the most common questions I’m asked is, “what’s in my park bag?” My answer is: not much. I don’t have kids and I generally visit with groups of friends, so I don’t have to worry about bottles or medication or other things larger families might need to bring. But I do pack differently depending on […] Read more…

How To Score Big On Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

The Omnimover System

Disney has always been creative with attraction technology. With holograms, animatronics, tubular coasters, and the Pepper’s Ghost Illusion, there are countless tricks and moving parts that make rides and shows so magical. One of Disney’s own patented technologies created a whole new type of attraction, with forced sight lines and more room for equipment without the […] Read more…

Sephora

Sephora

January 2001 – present LOCATION Downtown Disney – Sephora is one of the larger stores in the Downtown Disney district. You can find it on the southern side, next to the Grand Californian entrance off the strip. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – cosmetics & beauty accessories Price Range – most individual products are under $50, with […] Read more…

10 Simple Disneyland Things I'm Grateful For

10 Simple Disneyland Things I’m Grateful For

There’s been so much drama in the news this week, thanks to the United States’ presidential election. I have no intention of going political on this blog, so I’m not going to comment on it. But with all the heightened emotions happening right now, I’ve found myself taking a step back and trying to be […] Read more…

Photo Transfer Tee

Photo Transfer Tee

I have to admit…I’m a sucker for a Disney tee. And when I can’t find one that has a particular image or style I’m looking for, I make my own! And you can too, with this super simple DIY project. What you’ll need: Computer & printer A photo transfer kit (I used Transfermations for dark material) […] Read more…

Ask the Duchess – Vol. 12

Welcome to Ask The Duchess Vol. 12, 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. At what age do I need to buy my son a ticket? (submitted by Edyta) Kids under 3 get in for free. If your […] Read more…

Resort Updates – October 2016

Feliz dia de los muertos! The Halloween season has finally come to a close at the Disneyland Resort, and that means we move straight into Christmas mode (Thanksgiving is so neglected in the parks!). As rides like It’s A Small World and the Jungle Cruise close to adopt their holiday overlays, construction rages on in […] Read more…