I think it’s safe to say for most of us, this year has been a lot. For me, that’s definitely true. A grandparent’s funeral, a close friend’s wedding, a 460 mile move, travel to new places, and a new role within my same work team…it’s been great and terrible at the same time. But in […] Read more…
Note: this post covers Disneyland’s refurbishment “season”, from January-March. For current scheduled closures, please visit here. With a few long term projects ongoing throughout this year and next, 2024 doesn’t appear to be having a conventional refurbishment season. Typically, the quiet time after the holidays (roughly January – March), Disneyland stacks a lot of construction together […] Read more…
Happy trunk or treat! (Or if you’re not in Cars Land at the moment, happy Halloween!) The candy supply is running low, Oogie Boogie’s tired, and the castle rooftop is ready for snow. But today, let’s savor the last moments of this year’s Halloween season with a quick look back at some spooky decor throughout […] Read more…
As I was organizing some folders on my computer recently, I realized it has been a while since I shared some snapshots! To refresh your memory (or for anyone who’s new here), from time to time I like to share photos I’ve taken that won’t necessarily fit into a blog post; I just think they’re […] Read more…
I tend to get a lot of emails & DMs with questions about parking at the Disneyland Resort, and I totally get it…how do you know where to go, or which transit vehicles take you to what structures? Luckily, the west coast resort is much smaller and simpler to navigate than Walt Disney World, but […] Read more…
Sometimes the most important details in Disneyland are the ones you never think twice about. Easy example: landscape architecture. Do you notice the subtle changes in trees from land to land? Probably not. But these kinds of design elements shape the storytelling and help distinguish each land. Today, let’s talk about the woman behind this […] Read more…
When designing an out-of-this-world land, Imagineers have to have out-of-this-world imaginations, with concept art to match. But as I was looking through Galaxy’s Edge concept art, I was amazed to discover that most of it is remarkably close to the final product, especially compared to other lands at the resort. While sometimes scale is a little […] Read more…
For some, visiting Disneyland is a bravery test. Not everyone loves the thrill and intensity of the “bigger” rides, and it’s especially tough when you’re the only one in your group feeling the pressure. In those cases, you might have a minute of bravery getting in line…and then have immediate regrets. If that’s the case […] Read more…
California Adventure 1.0 was a little confusing. There were big, clearly defined lands, like Paradise Pier and Sunshine Plaza. And then there were weird, little lands that were sometimes referred to as their own thing, and sometimes referred to as part of the larger “Golden State” region. Golden State was the most “California” part of […] Read more…
In the era of Disney blogs, podcasts, and YouTube channels, fans have access to more behind-the-scenes information than ever before. I’m loving the newfound excitement around celebrating Imagineering and celebrating contributions of particular Imagineers, which is why I started this “Imagineer Influence” series. Unfortunately, there are still tons of amazingly talented people that remain in […] Read more…
This summer has been HOT. With long heat waves, one of the resort’s two water-based thrill rides under construction, and much of Downtown Disney‘s shaded bar space behind walls, it was hard to get much of a break from the brutal California sun. But even with the high temps, the Disneyland Resort was shining with […] Read more…
It’s not even Halloween time, but Disneyland is already looking ahead to the upcoming holiday season. This year, the holiday magic runs from November 10 through January 7. Source: Disneyland Resort THE MOST FESTIVE SPOTS AT THE RESORT Disneyland, California Adventure, and Downtown Disney all bring out the shiny decor for the season, though some […] Read more…
No matter the season, you’ll find an abundance of flowers beautifying the Disneyland resort. But one particular flower holds a special place in the group – a namesake specially cultivated for the mouse. Source: Disneyland Today The Disneyland rose is a rich pink and golden flower that is particular popular with butterflies. In the early […] Read more…
If you have any interest in Imagineering or the development of Disney Parks, you’re likely already familiar with Marty Sklar. He started working on Disney Parks before the first one ever opened, and left his mark on every single park that followed (until Shanghai, which opened after his death). Let’s get to know his story. Source: […] Read more…