I can’t believe it’s already May! Springtime is always chaotic at the Disneyland Resort, so time just seems to fly by so fast. With refurbishment season officially over, Disney typically launches a bunch of events, announces summer schedules and activities, and teases D23 announcements (the annual Disney convention held in July). Let’s take a look […] Read more…
I write a lot about “hidden gems” on this blog: little details to find around the park. Some take on a life of their own, and most guests spot them right away. But others remain very, very hidden. Perhaps the most secretive hidden gem in the entire resort is the hidden Pascal. Remember Pascal, Rapunzel’s chameleon […] Read more…
December 2004 – present LOCATION Frontierland – The hat shop sits on Frontierland’s main street, overlooking the center plaza. If you arrive in Frontierland from Main Street, you’ll see the store on the left, next to Silver Spur Supplies. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Disney clothing & accessories Price Range – Most merchandise ranges from $20 […] Read more…
A few weeks ago, I was browsing the shops in New Orleans Square when I spotted a book I had never seen before. The Haunted Mansion: Imagineering A Disney Classic features the mansion and our three favorite hitchhiking ghosts on the cover. It took me maybe two seconds of flipping through the pages to know I had to […] Read more…
I try really hard not to be a negative person (especially when it comes to Disneyland!), but we all know that each of us have things that drive us nuts, no matter how positive we are. Here’s my list of Disneyland pet peeves, a.k.a. things that drive me crazy. What’s on your list? 1. Using […] Read more…
If you’ve ever read this blog before, you know I’m obsessed with New Orleans Square. Every street and alleyway has hidden secrets to uncover! And if you ever find yourself wandering the alleys, you may just bump into a mysterious pirate: Fortune Red. Drop a coin into Red’s mysterious trunk, and he may just send […] Read more…
 Source: 2 BP November 1988 – April 2003 LOCATION Critter Country – The Crocodile Mercantile was the first gift shop opened in the newly named Critter Country (formerly Bear Country). This shop sat at the very end of the land, next to the exit to Splash Mountain. Today, this space belongs to Pooh’s Corner. EXPERIENCE […] Read more…
If you asked me what land in California Adventure deserves more attention, I’d definitely pick Buena Vista Street. This stylish, glamorous little town square has so much to offer, yet most visitors breeze right through without a second thought! Buena Vista Street has a cute little corner market, a massive candy store, and shopping that rivals Main […] Read more…
The Astro Orbitor has been a fan favorite in Tomorrowland since the park opened. But like the rest of Disneyland, the Orbitor regularly updates and occasionally overhauls to stay updated and exciting. Did you know that the rockets currently on the Orbitor are not original? That may not seem surprising. But I bet you didn’t […] Read more…
 Source: Lost World February 2001 – September 2010 LOCATION Golden State – Bountiful Valley Farm was a sprawling walkthrough on the eastern side of California Adventure. Guests could find it adjacent to the Pacific Wharf walkway, just after Sunshine Plaza. Today, this space is partially used by A Bug’s Land, and partially used by Cars Land. […] Read more…
May 2011 – present LOCATION Paradise Gardens Park – The Embarcadero marks the border between two lands: Grizzly Peak and Paradise Pier. If you’re passing from Grizzly Peak to the bay, follow the path to the right of Grizzly River Run and keep to the left. If you’re coming from Buena Vista Street or Pacific Wharf, you’ll see […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess Vol. 17, 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 Hall of Presidents? (submitted by Marie) No, sadly it doesn’t. But it does have a show called Great Moments With […] Read more…
It’s finally springtime at the Disneyland Resort, which means one thing: color! Walk through the park and you’ll see Main Street’s flowers in full bloom, refurbishment scaffolding coming down, and new seasonal treats popping up in shop windows. I saw this amazing photo on Twitter, snapped by Jesse Rhian.  Source Let’s recap what happened this […] Read more…