ย Source: Dining at Disney June 1962 – January 1989 LOCATION Adventureland – Sunkist, I Presume faced the central walkway of Adventureland. When visitors came from New Orleans Square, the dining spot was on the left, just beyond the River Belle Terrace. And when visitors walked through Adventureland’s main entrance, they’d see the restaurant on the […] Read more…
Aurebesh Translator
As you walk around Galaxy’s Edge, you might notice some strange writing on different signs and buildings. This is Aurebesh, the most common written language in a galaxy far, far away. (You’ll even see it in Return of the Jedi!)ย That’s cool, you’re probably thinking,ย but I have no idea what it means. Turns out, there’s an […] Read more…
Ancient Sanctum
June 2021 – present LOCATION Avengers Campus – The Ancient Sanctum is tucked into the only somewhat quiet corner in the campus. If you’re visiting from the land’s main entrance, you’ll see it on the right, just after WEB Suppliers. And if you’re visiting from the Cars Land or Hollywood Land entrances, head toward the […] Read more…
The Imagineering Story on Disney+
I know I am extremely late to the party, but I just realized I never talked about a very special Disney+ series on this blog, released in 2019. ย Source: Disney+ The Imagineering Story is an incredibly well done series, covering attractions and park projects from all 6 resorts around the world. Narrated by Angela Bassett, […] Read more…
Disillusioned
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…
Teddi Barra’s Swingin’ Arcade
ย Source: Four Kingdoms March 1972 – April 2003 LOCATION Bear Country – Teddi Barra’s Swingin’ Arcade faced the lower courtyard in Bear Country, near the exit to Splash Mountain. Today, the arcade space is part of Pooh Corner. BACKGROUND In the 70s, arcades started popping up across Disneyland. Frontierland, Main Street, Adventureland, and Tomorrowland all […] Read more…
Ask the Duchess – Vol. 64
Welcome to Ask The Duchess โ Vol. 64, 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 youโd like answered, send me a message here. 1.ย What was Walt’s involvement in developing California Adventure?ย (submitted by Noreen) None. Walt died in 1966, and […] Read more…
Resort Updates – February 2022
Happy first day of March! I’m so ready for spring to come rolling in, no matter what the groundhog said this year. And it seems like Disneyland is too – there’s quite a bit on the horizon, from new entertainment to the return of a much-needed staple. Let’s jump right in. THE PARTY STARTS […] Read more…
Lands in Pictures: Avengers Campus
Avengers Campus draws fans of all ages into California Adventure. From the detailed ruins of the ancient sanctum to the towering fortress housing the Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel fans have a new stomping ground to explore within the park. I’m particularly fond of the sanctum – the architectural details are really stunning and it […] Read more…
Food & Wine Festival 2022
After a two year hiatus, California Adventure’s most popular annual festival is BACK! Food & Wine, a celebration of California cuisine, will run in the park from March 4 – April 26. This event is open to all guests of the park without a separate ticket, and you’ll find activitiesย across Hollywood Land, Pacific Wharf, and […] Read more…
Pym Test Kitchen
June 2021 โ present LOCATION Avengers Campus – The Pym Test Kitchen faces the central courtyard of Avengers Campus. If you’re coming from the main entrance to the land, walk toward Mission Breakout. You’ll see the seating area on your left before you hit the Quinjet building. And if you’re coming from the Hollywood Land […] Read more…
Snapshots Vol. 3
Here we go again! It’s so wonderful to hear how many of you share my enthusiasm for miscellaneous Disneyland photos. Whether I’m getting excited for an upcoming trip or just strolling through memory lane, I really enjoy looking back at different places throughout the parks. So please enjoy another round of park snapshots from my […] Read more…
Refreshment Corner Bottles
It’s no secret that Main Street USA is bursting with hidden details for guests to uncover. Some are more interactive, like the Party Line Phones, while others are more subdued, like the Hitching Posts. One of my favorite little details serves like a historical timeline for one particular product: Coca Cola. Let’s head over to […] Read more…
Behind the Building: Mickey’s House
In a land as energetic and colorful as Toontown, it’s hard to know what to look at first. But as you leave downtown and head toward the western side of the area, your eye will go to one building above all the rest: Mickey’s House. Let’s take a closer look at the home of Disneyland’s […] Read more…