Ask The Duchess – Vol. 9

Welcome to Ask The Duchess Vol. 9, 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. Do I have to go through bag check every time I hop parks? (submitted by Ken)

No! The great thing about Disneyland and California Adventure sharing an esplanade is that they create kind of a bubble. The esplanade is a square: Disneyland to the north, California Adventure to the south, Harbor Blvd to the east, and Downtown Disney to the west. That square connects the two parks, and thus forms the “bubble” where all bags have been checked. Whether you are coming from the east or the west, you have to go through bag check to get into that square. But once you’re in the bubble, you are good to go.

2. My family likes to break off into smaller groups, and sometimes we have trouble finding each other again because it’s so crowded. Any tips on setting up good meeting places? (submitted by Jean)

I feel your pain on this one; my family splits up all the time when we visit the parks! First of all, I’d obviously steer clear of the busiest places, like meeting at the hub on Main Street or by the carousel in Fantasyland. I’d also recommend avoiding attraction entrances, because people tend to gather by the front and create extra crowding. Instead, go for attraction exits, restaurant patios, or viewing areas (like the waterfront in New Orleans Square or Paradise Park). These spaces will generally have less congestion and you’ll have a much easier time reorganizing your group.

3. Is Disneyland going to build a third park? (submitted by Anna)

At this point, no. Disney has been pretty adamant about the fact that they will not be adding a third park. And honestly, I have no idea where they could put it; Anaheim has the resort tightly surrounded.

4. Are the princesses only in the Fantasy Faire? (submitted by Anonymous)

Most of the time. Once in a while the princesses will greet guests in Snow White’s Grotto or at Disneyland’s entrance, and they occasionally walk around Fantasyland (or in Tiana’s case, New Orleans Square). But for the most part, they hang out in the Fantasy Faire.

5. How do you know so much about Disneyland? (submitted by Joie)

I’ve spent lots of time learning about it! As an annual passholder, I go to the park quite a bit. But I also like to read about the park and its history, and I listen to podcasts that interview Imagineers, cast members, and others in the Disney community (plus I am part of a podcast myself!).