The very first land visitors ever encounter when crossing into the happiest place on earth is quite a pressure-filled position. Main Street USA has to instantaneously transport you from everyday life into the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy. As you can imagine, that means Imagineers put tremendous care into designing this important land. Through […] Read more…
The holiday season has always been a big deal at Disneyland. The décor, special treats, and live entertainment add extra excitement to this time of year, and during the park’s earliest seasons, that included the Dickens-style carolers. Source: D23 Starting during Disneyland’s first holiday season in 1955, groups of carolers performed classic songs on Main […] Read more…
Bob Weis has been shaping Disney parks for a long time, often from just out of view. If you’ve spent any time digging into the history of Tokyo DisneySea, Cars Land, or Shanghai Disney, you’ve already seen his influence without necessarily seeing his name. Dream Chasing: My Four Decades of Success and Failure with Walt […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess – Vol. 104, 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. Do single rider lines close even when the ride is open? (submitted by Kendra) Sometimes yes, […] Read more…
The countdown to 2026 is on! This was honestly a tricky post to write this month because unless I completely missed the memo…not a lot happened at the resort this month? It was kind of just a normal seamless transition between Halloween and the holiday season, with all the festivities that come along with it. […] Read more…
December 2024 – present LOCATION Downtown Disney –  Avengers Reserve is tucked on the west side of Downtown Disney, around a little corner so it’s easy to miss! To find the shop, head toward the Downtown Disney Monorail station. Cross the main walkway and continue straight, past the Parkside Market complex, and you’ll see the […] Read more…
If you have ever met a succession of princesses in the Fantasy Faire or watched Mary Poppins ride the King Arthur Carrousel, you know that characters are such an important piece of Disneyland’s storytelling. The special moments characters create often become some of visitors’ best trip memories. But characters weren’t always so seamless to interact […] Read more…
February 2025 – present Downtown Disney – Seoul Sister is a little spot on the western side of Downtown Disney. To find the restaurant, head toward the resort hotels side of the district, near the Monorail Station. You’ll see Seoul Sister across the walkway, within the Parkside Market space. EXPERIENCE Details: Service Type – quick […] Read more…
When you look back at concept art for the original Disneyland areas, many look radically different from the final product, even on opening day. But an exception to this rule might just be Adventureland. While not every concept image is a precise match, you can absolutely see the core themes or spirit or whatever you […] Read more…
Six weeks to go until my work’s holiday shutdown, and I can’t wait! I think most (if not all) of us are ready for a break and a little cheer this year. If you’re one to sprinkle in some Disneyland magic with your holiday shopping, I’ve gathered some of my favorite items this season that […] Read more…
It’s been a while since I went through my photos and shared some park snapshots! I absolutely love looking back at photos, and based on my DMs, you’re all really enjoying this series too. So here are some more pictures from around the resort to brighten your Tuesday. The back trail through Grizzly Peak is […] Read more…
July 2024 – present LOCATION Downtown Disney – Din Tai Fung is on the western side of the district, making it a convenient stop near the hotels. To find it, head toward the Downtown Disney Monorail station and keep walking toward the hotels. You’ll see it on your left, just before the entrance to the […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess – Vol. 103, 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. Can I bring a backpack into the park? (submitted by Georgia) Yes, so long as it’s […] Read more…
The transition from Halloween to the holidays at Disneyland comes fast. Like…blink and Main Street is suddenly wearing a sweater and offering peppermint everything fast. Starting tomorrow, bunting and pumpkins will quietly (and then not-so-quietly) disappear overnight, as garlands and twinkly lights take their place. But October had plenty happening before the witch hats go […] Read more…