Close your eyes and picture Grizzly Peak for a moment. What do you see? For most people, it’s Soarin’ and the River Run. And yes, those two things are super important and beautiful parts of this forested land. But the space has so much more to offer. On my last park trip, I challenged myself […] Read more…
Disneyland has played host to countless events, parties, celebrations, and grand ceremonies since the 50’s. But perhaps its weirdest event was a contest – a competition for decorated Volkswagen Beetles in celebration of The Love Bug. On March 23, 1969, 101 decorated Beetles drove down Main Street and were judged based on different themed categories. […] Read more…
Election years seem to just drag on and on, don’t they? I’m sure you’re as tired as I am of political ads and campaign news. But the 2020 cast of rambunctious candidates has nothing on the 1972 election. You probably know about the major party candidates, but did you know that one candidate campaigned at […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess – Vol. 52, 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. What is the difference between Pixar Pier and Pixar Place? (submitted by Gloria) Pixar Pier is […] Read more…
Happy Leap Day! I hope you’re using your extra day to do something fun. I’m using mine to look back at this month’s happenings at one of my favorite places – Disneyland! February at the resort included rare character sightings, some new offerings, and a scary fire impacting two lands. Let’s dive right in. FAST […] Read more…
Any Fantasyland fan knows about Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, a celebration of Disney’s 1940 classic. But the dark ride is not the only Pinocchio tribute in central Fantasyland. In fact, there’s a very important artifact from Pinocchio’s life hidden in plain sight: Stromboli’s Wagon. Walk past the entrance to Pinocchio’s attraction, and turn left as Fantasyland […] Read more…
Source: Apple Valley Blogs July 1955 – 1964 LOCATION Main Street USA – Yale & Towne’s little storefront was tucked on the southern side of Main Street, a few doors down from the Market House. Today, the Market House has absorbed this space, though it still displays a marquee reading “The Book Rest”. EXPERIENCE Details: […] Read more…
Disneyland is famous for its attention to detail – everything from trash can placement to smells in different lands. But this obsession with perfection didn’t happen overnight. Over the years, Imagineers get better and better at manufacturing the perfect park experience. This starts with the gates opening in the morning, and ends with lighting the […] Read more…
We’re just a week away from one of California Adventure’s most popular annual events! From February 28 through April 21, park visitors can experience the Food & Wine Festival, spanning Paradise Gardens Park and a few other parts of the resort. This festival celebrates the best of California food and drink, and includes a variety […] Read more…
The largest gift shop in Critter Country is known as Pooh Corner; it’s a place where you can meet characters, shop for handmade sweets, or build your pin collection. Most visitors to Critter Country have undoubtedly wandered through the shop’s sweet smelling rooms or wandered along the old-fashioned porch. But few notice a hidden detail […] Read more…
During the day, Pixar Pier is bright and bold: reds, yellows, and blues cover every building and cart. And unlike most lands in the park, after sunset, those colors don’t fade. Instead, they glow neon, with each building shining just as brightly underneath a black sky. From the bridge to the wheel and everything in […] Read more…
Some people fly in a plane, some take Amtrak, many drive…there are tons of ways to get to Disneyland. And from 1956 to the early 70s, a helicopter was one of your options for transportation to the resort. The Disneyland Heliport operated from various locations throughout its run, taking guests to and from LAX on […] Read more…
You know them, you love them. I wouldn’t dare suggest the beautiful mountains of Radiator Springs are themselves a hidden gem – it’s one of the most recognizable views in all of the Disneyland Resort! But look closer at the parts, not just the whole, and you’ll see seven hidden gems inside this landmark. The […] Read more…
Source: Disney Examiner Spring 1977 – Spring 1998 LOCATION Tomorrowland – The Lunching Pad utilized the space directly beneath the PeopleMover‘s main platform, smack in the center of Tomorrowland. Visitors could see the platform from almost anywhere in the land, lined up perfectly at the end of the main walkway. Today, this space is multi-purpose; […] Read more…