Today marks a really cool milestone for this blog. 10 years ago, exactly today, I started a Disneyland blog. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with it or how long it would last; I just knew that I had a lot of Disneyland knowledge and excitement and needed somewhere to put it […] Read more…
Immersion seems to be a polarizing topic for theme park fans. Some LOVE it; they want to fully live in the world’s they’re visiting. And others…just kind of think it’s silly. And in some cases, they’ll say it can arguably make the theme park experience too complicated or even worse. So, where’s the happy medium? […] Read more…
I seldom trust the opinions of people who are 100% positive or 100% negative on a subject. Most topics, and most people, land somewhere in the middle – and of course, opinions shift. In that spirit, I felt like I should share how I’ve been feeling lately about the state of the Disneyland resort…and it’s […] Read more…
Ok, full disclosure…this is an extremely nerdy post. Every single person that passes through Disneyland starts in the same place: the front entrance. This largely empty, oval shaped space is the starting line for thousands of daily adventures, and most people never think twice about it. In fact, if you were to tell someone Disneyland’s […] Read more…
I’ve started and re-started writing this post a dozen times. What can you say when 28,000 people lose their jobs? This week, Disney Parks employees on both coasts found out they were being laid off. These talented, hard-working people devoted themselves to making magic every day – and somehow did it with a smile on […] Read more…
It’s hard to believe, but today’s post marks number 1000! Over the last few years, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to visit, research, photograph, and just enjoy the happiest place on earth. As I’ve wandered the park and snapped more photos than I can count, I’ve found some favorite little spots in each land. Some […] Read more…
The “dark rides” of the Disneyland Resort have a distinct method of storytelling. These attractions are 100% about storytelling, guiding riders through intricate scenes and plots. The dark rides based on classic fairy tales have an added storytelling device: murals. The dark ride murals aren’t just there to decorate blank walls. These works of art […] Read more…
Disney Animation has always been a direct source of inspiration for Disneyland. Some of the most iconic attractions, restaurants, and character experiences leap off the screen and into real life within the park. Disneyland’s magic transports visitors directly into their favorite stories. When the studio flourishes, the park has all kinds of characters and worlds […] Read more…
In college, I was fortunate enough to live only an hour and a half away from Disneyland, and visited the park all the time. One of my friends shares my Disney obsession, so she and I decided on a whim to audition to be performers in the park. We went in with zero expectations, and […] 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…
It’s hard to believe it, but today’s post marks number 500 on Duchess of Disneyland. Since I started this blog in December 2013, it has grown and changed so much. But one thing that remains the same is my seemingly endless need to learn more about the happiest place on earth – and share it! […] Read more…
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…
San Diego Comic-Con is in full swing this weekend, and Disney fans finally heard some news we were all a bit in denial about: the Tower of Terror is closing. The classic Hollywood Land attraction will become a Guardians of the Galaxy attraction called “Breakout”. This new ride will still be randomized drop-ride, but will […] Read more…
Tomorrowland has been a core part of Disneyland since 1955. Its premise is simple: a land that time travels, showing what life will be like in the future. But for me, the most interesting part of Tomorrowland is that in some ways, it is actually a snapshot of today. Whatever we imagine for the future […] Read more…