December 2021 – present LOCATION Downtown Disney – Lovepop is tucked neatly into Downtown Disney’s large circular courtyard. To find the shop, head toward the center of the district (no matter which side you’re coming from). You’ll see the store within the circle on the south side, next to Pele. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Greeting […] Read more…
January 2001 – present LOCATION Grand Californian – Napa Rose is the Grand Californian’s signature restaurant. If you’re coming from the hotels’ central atrium, follow the walkway past Acorn Gifts & Goods toward the pools. Keep going straight and you’ll see Napa Rose straight ahead, very close to the hotel’s private entrance to California Adventure. […] Read more…
If you’ve ever visited Galaxy’s Edge, you know the land is filled with docked ships. Some are kept under close watch by Storm Troopers, while others are resistance ships hidden in the landscape. But did you know there’s one place where you can see ships suspended in the middle of battle? Let’s head over to […] Read more…
March 2022 – present LOCATION Fantasyland – Merlin’s Marvelous Miscellany faces the castle courtyard, in a prime spot next to Peter Pan’s Flight. To find the shop, walk over the castle drawbridge and through the archway, and it will be the first building on your right. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Small selection of clothing, bags, […] Read more…
Source: Disney Parks Blog July 2019 – present LOCATION Grand Californian Hotel – The Craftsman Bar & Grill overlooks the Grand Californian pool, in a fairly central location on the hotel grounds. If you’re coming from the lobby, walk down the hall that leads to the Storytellers Cafe and turn right at the end of the […] Read more…
It makes sense for a land based on a comic universe to have a backstory. Avengers Campus‘ story is interwoven with that of the Stark family, specifically Tony’s father Howard. Howard Stark’s company Stark Industries once owned the land and built a complex here. But when Tony inherited it from his father, he repurposed the old […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess – Vol. 74, 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. Which parking structures take you on the bus vs. the tram? My son is honestly […] Read more…
Happy March! Here in California we’ve had a month of dreary weather (cold and massive amounts of rain), so I’m looking forward to a brighter, warmer month in April (fingers crossed). But the grey skies didn’t stop Disneyland from lots of work this month. From a land re-opening to a major attraction showing an error […] Read more…
May 2011 – July 2019 LOCATION Main Street USA & Fantasyland – Mickey’s Soundsational Parade followed the typical Disneyland parade route. It started in Fantasyland, near It’s A Small World. From there it continued past the Matterhorn, around the hub in front of the castle, and down Main Street. It ended at the town square, […] Read more…
Whenever I see pictures of Avengers Campus on social media, I tend to see the same couple of vantage points (the Quinjet with Guardians of the Galaxy behind it being the most popular). And don’t get me wrong; they’re great shots I’ve also taken myself. But on my last few trips, I’ve been really trying […] Read more…
After roughly a year and a half of construction and anticipation, Mickey’s Toontown has officially reopened it’s gates to the public. Mickey’s neighborhood has gone through substantial changes, all focused on one key word: play. Everything (yes, everything) from the water fountains to the grassy spaces is meant to be interactive for guests of all […] Read more…
With the reopening of Mickey’s Toontown just days away, I thought it would be fun to look back at the concept art that shaped Disneyland’s wild child land. This redesign gives us two different eras of concept art to look through: the original, leading up to the grand opening in 1993, and the updated, teasing […] Read more…
Source: Disneyland Resort January 2001 – present LOCATION Grand Californian – Acorn Gifts & Goods faces the hotel’s massive central room, so it’s hard to miss. Whether you’re coming from the front door or Downtown Disney, make your way to the lounge and turn your back to the hearth. You’ll see it in front of you […] Read more…
Each building in New Orleans Square houses elaborate decorations. From the cobwebs lining the Haunted Mansion‘s halls to the sparkling crystal in Cristal d’Orleans, everything feels intentional and helps tell the land’s story. But one hidden gem within the square went so far as to inspire a character from one of Disney’s most successful franchises. […] Read more…