October is here, which means Disneyland’s halloween season is in full swing! Between new villains at Oogie Boogie Bash and all the tasty treats popping up across the resort, visitors have tons to explore this year. Warning: if you DON’T want Oogie Boogie Bash spoilers ahead of your party, you may not want to read […] Read more…
Paradise Gardens Park is a magnificently open land. Its southern border is Paradise Bay, and park’s attractions all face the waterway, giving guests beautiful views from almost everywhere. You’ve probably seen photos of the waterfront countless times, but many of the best views are actually found with your back to the bay! From this vantage […] Read more…
 Source: Disneyland Postcards Summer 1966 – Summer 2002 LOCATION New Orleans Square – From 1966 – 1996, Le Gourmet occupied the end of Royal Street, next to the Blue Bayou. In 1996, the shop moved down the street to the front end by the water, next to the Royal Street Veranda, where it remained until […] Read more…
If you’ve ever walked through the western side of Disneyland, you may have noticed a little white house on the riverbank. Okay, maybe it’s not so little…it’s a mansion. Long before New Orleans Square joined the park in the 60s, Imagineers had conceptualized some kind of haunted manor house – though at first, it was […] Read more…
 Source: iCollector March 1988 – June 1989 LOCATION Main Street USA – The Blast to the Past Celebration was primarily a parade, taking the usual route along Main Street. The only non-parade event was the hula hoop challenge, which took place at the hub, overlooking Sleeping Beauty Castle. BACKGROUND To quote the Netflix show Bojack Horseman, […] Read more…
For many years, Disney World visitors had a special event we Disneylanders did not: an after-hours holiday party. These mysterious ticketed events taunted us from the east coast, but we were left out of the fun…until this year! For the first time, Disneyland is hosting Merriest Nites – and the west coasters can finally get […] Read more…
Sometimes, finding concept art for Disneyland spaces can be really tricky, especially when they were designed more than 60 years ago. But other times, the art is so plentiful that it can feel overwhelming! And then…there’s Cars Land. Honestly, the best concept art for this space is the movie Cars itself. Imagineers really went as close […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess – Vol. 59, 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. Why did they change fast pass to Lightning Lane? (submitted by Aimee) I honestly don’t know what’s […] Read more…
Normally late summer months seem to cruise by without much but Halloween anticipation…not this time. Between new fast pass announcements, teasers for upcoming attractions, and construction kicking off across the park, there’s plenty to look back on this month at the Disneyland Resort. ANNUAL PASSES, FAST PASSES, & THE GENIE After officially ending the existing […] Read more…
If you visit Disneyland enough times, you’re bound to get evacuated from an attraction. From time to time, computers freeze, a blinking light comes on, the power goes out…any number of harmless things can happen. But many guests have yet to experience this phenomenon, and I get this question often: “what happens during ride evacuations?” […] Read more…
 Source: Mickey Mouse Park January 1972 – July 2008 LOCATION Main Street USA – EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – watches with Disney characters, Disney themed clocks Unique Features – in-shop artists personalizing watches for guests At New Century Watches & Clocks, guests didn’t just select a watch from the rack. Instead, this shop was all about the […] Read more…
Once I started blogging, I started taking pictures like crazy every time I visited the parks. Who knew if I’d eventually need a photo of that angle? That building? That seemingly insignificant tree? Over time, I’ve amassed quite the collection of fun – but useless – images from around the resort. Since they’ll probably never […] Read more…
When Disneyland reopened after it’s 2020 closure, the MaxPass and fast pass systems didn’t reappear in the parks. For months, fans have speculated as to how the system would be updated, or even if it would return at all. And finally, Disneyland has announced its replacement – along with a few other new additions to […] Read more…
Imagineers undoubtedly pave the way for future theme park designers, often being the first to implement a new technology, style, or even standard that raises the industry bar. But sometimes, Imagineers themselves achieve firsts within Disney itself. Meet Harriet Burns, the first female Imagineer. Â Source: D23 A born and raised Texan, Burns and her family […] Read more…