May 2019 – present LOCATION Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – The Toydarian Toymaker is right in the middle of the bustling marketplace section of the land. To find this shop, head into the covered marketplace, between the rebel-led west side and First Order controlled east side (between Rise of the Resistance and Smuggler’s Run). The […] Read more…
December 2000 – January 2024 LOCATION Paradise Pier Hotel – The Surfside Lounge was easy to find inside the Paradise Pier Hotel, right next to the lobby. To find the lobby from Downtown Disney, you would follow the main street walkway past the Disneyland Hotel, and turn right when the path opened up to the […] Read more…
Galaxy’s Edge has the distinction of being the largest land in Disneyland. As a result, it does have an unfair advantage – there’s just SO much space for hidden little details! I can only imagine that the longer guests roam this newest land, the more details and surprises we’ll all discover. From the open plazas […] Read more…
If you’ve ever been to Disneyland, you’ve probably experienced the “hangover” once you get home…that tired, ache-y, FOMO feeling, even though you just got home. Nothing cures the Disneyland hangover quite like another trip, but there are a few other things you can do in the meantime to bounce back after visiting the mouse. Recharge […] 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…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess – Vol. 54, 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. How do you find out about the “hidden gems” you write about? (submitted by Claire) Some […] Read more…
With the closures from COVID-19 back in March, Disneyland had a sadly short spring season this year. We didn’t get to see as much of the baby ducks, blooming flowers, and spring decor as we normally do. But I did get the chance to visit shortly before the craziness started, and managed to capture a […] Read more…
Source: The Blue Parrot approx.1988 – approx. 2004 LOCATION New Orleans Square – La Petite Patisserie hid along one of the alleyways in New Orleans Square, across from the entrance to the French Market. Today, this space is no longer its own dining spot, instead extending as a seating area behind Cafe Orleans. EXPERIENCE Details: […] Read more…
May 2019 – present LOCATION Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Kat Saka’s Kettle is nestled right at the start of Batuu’s marketplace, between the open stalls and Ronto Roasters. To find the shop from the Critter Country side of Galaxy’s Edge, follow the marketplace to the end; you’ll see it on your left. Or if […] Read more…
The 1970s were a wild time for Disneyland. The park opened two of its most famous rides: Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain. Iconic but old-fashioned attractions closed their doors, including the Carousel of Progress and Flight to the Moon. And of course…there was that one protest that shut down Disneyland five hours early. Source: Atlas […] Read more…
With the addition of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to Disneyland, Frontierland bent and adapted a little bit to accommodate. Aside from the closure of Big Thunder Ranch, the most noticeable change came on the waterfront. The Rivers of America changed slightly, and the addition of waterfalls and a bridge for the Railroad added some natural […] 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…
I’ve talked about Pinocchio’s Daring Journey a few times on this blog. I love this attraction so much – it’s charming, beautifully decorated, and the exterior building is one of my favorites in all of Fantasyland. Though Fantasyland’s theme is mostly that of a Bavarian village, Pinocchio’s building brings some charm straight from the Italian […] Read more…
Over the years, Disneyland has offered a few different membership clubs and perk programs for frequent visitors. The first of these programs, Magic Kingdom Club, actually started all the way back in 1957, just two years after the park opened. Source: iCollector The Magic Kingdom Club offered memberships to employees of local companies and local […] Read more…