Source: Daveland Web 1960 – 1972 LOCATION Main Street USA – Wonderland Music stood on the southern end of Main Street, and was the first storefront on the eastern side of the walkway. Today, this space houses the Main Street Magic Shop. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Disney movie soundtrack records, sheet music Unique Features – […] Read more…
Ballast Point Brewing Co.
January 2019 – present LOCATION Downtown Disney – Ballast Point overlooks Downtown Disney’s central circular courtyard. If you’re coming from the parks side, keep to the right along the main walkway. You’ll see the red doors on the right, just after Wetzel’s Pretzels. If you’re coming from the hotels side, keep to the left. The […] Read more…
Unusual Angles: Cars Land
I know I’ve said it many times before on this blog, but Cars Land remains my absolute favorite part of California Adventure. Even if you’ve never been, you’ve likely seen enough images to picture it in your mind. The long, bustling street leads right up to a tall mountain range. But part of the fun […] Read more…
Tear-Away Countdown Calendar
Sometimes, counting down for a Disneyland trip can be just as exciting as walking through the gates. A countdown calendar definitely helps build the excitement – especially when the numbers hit single digits. A while back, I shared a block countdown calendar that’s easy to put together. Here’s another variation that can be a daily […] Read more…
Tomorrowland’s 1969 Moon Landing Viewing Party
Yesterday marked an incredible anniversary for space exploration: 51 years since the Apollo 11 mission and moon landing. Incredibly, Disneyland visitors on July 20, 1969 had the opportunity to watch the events unfold live from inside the park. In Tomorrowland, across the plaza from Flight to the Moon, visitors watched an attraction become reality. Source: […] Read more…
The Wampa
There’s a weird, magical little shop hidden in Galaxy’s Edge. Visitors from other planets often find themselves in awe as they stand in the Den of Antiquities, a mysterious place with eclectic treasures stacked from floor to ceiling. Look up to the balcony, and you’ll spot a familiar creature: the wampa! Wampas come from the […] Read more…
Queue Closeup: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Frontierland‘s main plaza is a busy place. The shooting gallery, shops, and restaurants all beckon visitors from far and wide to come explore. And within Frontierland lies a small mining town, Rainbow Ridge. The mining town offers train rides through the mines – shall we go for a ride? As we head down the walkway […] Read more…
Mickey In Paradise
December 2000 – January 2024 LOCATION Paradise Pier Hotel – Mickey in Paradise faced the hotel’s central atrium. To find the shop, you’d turn to the right when you walked into the lobby. You’d see the shop on your right, across the walkway from Surfside Lounge. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Clothing, ears, hats, accessories, mugs, […] Read more…
Miniature Horse Corral
Source: Mickey Mouse Park July 1955 – July 1957 LOCATION Frontierland – The Miniature Horse Corral faced Frontierland’s central plaza, overlooking the Rivers of America. To find the animals, guests entering Frontierland took an immediate right, passing the trading post’s porch. Today, this space is used for the Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition and part of the […] Read more…
Toontown Windows
One of the highest possible honors for Disneyland Imagineers and employees is receiving their own window on Main Street; their name and a fictional business become part of Main Street’s story. Well, the residents of Toontown got wind of this tradition, and they liked it so much they adopted it themselves. You’ll see windows throughout […] Read more…
Disneyland’s 2020 Reopening Plan
Note: this post will be continually updated as Disney releases new information and details regarding the reopening. All comments will go through admin moderation and political and/or rude comments will not be approved. UPDATE: MARCH 9, 2021 Still no specific reopening date yet, but during today’s shareholder meeting, Chapek assured the public Disney is already […] Read more…
Unusual Angles: Tomorrowland
Close your eyes and picture Tomorrowland. What do you see? Probably the silhouette of Space Mountain, a lagoon, and maybe a lot of grey and blue. Those elements are all huge parts of Disneyland’s futuristic wonderland, but when taking pictures, I get pretty bored with so much grey! On my last trip to the park, […] Read more…
Ask The Duchess – Vol. 55
Welcome to Ask The Duchess – Vol. 55, 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. My annual pass expires in June. Should I renew? (submitted by Sharon) That’s a completely personal decision, so […] Read more…
Queue Closeup: Monsters, Inc.
Hollywood Land visitors know the backlot is no ordinary backlot…it’s also a portal to Monstropolis. If you care for a visit to the hometown of Monsters, Inc., you’ll need to visit the Monstropolis Transit Authority. Let’s go see what Mike and Sulley are up to today. Once we arrive inside the MTA, we’ll need to […] Read more…