Welcome to Ask The Duchess Vol. 34, 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. Did Walt Disney live on the Disneyland grounds? (submitted by Ethel)
Walt had an apartment above the fire house, but he did not live in Disneyland full time.
2. What’s the difference between quick service and table service dining? (submitted by Angelina)
Quick service means you order at the counter, and sit anywhere you want. A table service restaurant means you are seated, and served by wait staff. If you choose to do table service dining, I’d highly recommend making a reservation if you can!
3. Are there any kind of boats that go out onto the water where World of Color plays? (But not during a show obviously). (submitted by Anonymous)
    Nope. Those waters are strictly off limits!
4. What time is check in at the Disneyland Hotel? (submitted by Linda)
You can technically check in at any time, and they’ll text you when your room is ready. But the official check in time is 3 pm.
5. I’m going to propose to my girlfriend on our Disneyland trip. Any suggestions for unique spots other than in front of the castle? (submitted by Chris)
That is so exciting! I do have some suggestions:
Disneyland:
- Blue Bayou Restaurant
- Hungry Bear patio, in the evening
- Small World Plaza (go up the stairs to the platform overlooking the lagoon)
- Sword in the Stone (bonus – there’s usually a photographer here)
- Tom Sawyer Island, on the Fantasmic! stage overlooking New Orleans Square
California Adventure:
- Cars Land, on the walkway behind Flo’s V8 Café
- Carthay Circle Restaurant
- Disney Animation (in Beast’s Library or the Animation Courtyard room)
- Grizzly trail, behind Grizzly River Run
- Paradise Park, down the steps at the edge of the water
Downtown Disney/Hotels
- Disneyland Hotel rose garden
- Napa Rose
- Steakhouse 55
Best of luck with your proposal!