January 2001 – present LOCATION Downtown Disney – The Hearthstone Lounge faces the central atrium inside the Grand Californian. To find the bar, head into the main seating area near the front desk (it’s huge and hard to miss!). Head toward the hallway to the left of the massive fireplace, and you’ll see it at […] Read more…
Source: PhotoBucket July 1955 – January 1983 LOCATION Fantasyland – Merlin’s Magic Shop faced the center courtyard in Fantasyland, overlooking the castle. Today, this small building houses the Castle Holiday Shoppe. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Magic kits, cards, and other gags Unique Features – Classic magic items in the window, including a Ouija board, rabbit […] Read more…
Walt Disney designed Disneyland as a magical home for all of his stories, and of course, the characters from those stories. Peter Pan, Alice, Snow White, Mickey, and many others roamed the various lands from day one, and the list of residents in the park grows with every new Disney film. Walt wasn’t often photographed […] Read more…
March 1964 – present LOCATION Main Street USA – The China Closet stands on the east side of the street, near the end by the central hub. To find the shop, head toward the castle. You’ll see the first entrance on your right, just after the porch. Alternatively, turn the corner as the street ends […] Read more…
March 2018 – present LOCATION Downtown Disney – Splitsville Luxury Lanes faces Downtown Disney’s courtyard, west of the Uva Bar circle section. If you’re coming from the parks side, you’ll see Splitsville on your right, across the plaza from Tortilla Jo’s. EXPERIENCE Details: Service Type – table service or lane-side service Seating – dining room […] Read more…
February 2001 – present LOCATION Grizzly Peak – Rushin’ River Outfitters faces the winding trail on Grizzly Peak’s southern end. To find the shop, head through Grizzly Peak, starting from Buena Vista Street. Keep to the left, and you’ll see the cabin just after the entrance to the River Run. If you’re coming from Paradise […] Read more…
Hollywood Land is California Adventure’s living movie set. You’ll see painted backdrops, false buildings, even a few soundstages. And no backlot would be complete without its own water tower. You’ll find it in the backlot section of the land, to the right of Monsters, Inc. The Hollywood Water Tower draws inspiration from those located on […] Read more…
Source: Disney Parks Blog It’s that time of year again…the Disneyland Resort is bringing back one of its most popular annual events! From April 5-21, visitors can participate in Eggstravaganza, a resort-wide egg hunt featuring classic Disney characters. Source: Disney Parks Blog To play, you can purchase a map for $6.99 from various shops across […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess – Vol. 41, 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 you help me understand how to use fast pass? (submitted by George) Yes! I have a post explaining the system and […] Read more…
It’s the end of March, and you know what that means…we Disney fans are about to have a HUGE wave of movies headed our way. But if you’re paying as much attention to the parks as you are to the studios, you know there have been a ton of announcements, events, and changes happening at […] Read more…
It’s no secret that Goofy’s Sky School is a little unorthodox. Given the twists, turns, and frantic stops…it doesn’t really seem like Goofy knows what he’s doing. Well, if you still dare venture into his school, pay close attention to the Sky School Bulletin Board. You’ll see it on the wall as the ramp turns […] Read more…
Source: Daveland Web February 1967 – spring 1980 LOCATION New Orleans Square – the Pirates Arcade Museum hid behind a little façade on Royal Street. Visitors wandering the square found the attraction on the left side of the street, next to the exit to Pirates of the Caribbean. Today, this space houses Pieces of Eight. […] Read more…
In the 2000s and early 2010s, Downtown Disney had a RIDEMAKERZ shop, where kids could build their own custom model cars. Inside the shop’s entryway was a special hidden gem: a real stock car, hanging upside down! The stock car towered from the second story ceiling in the shop, so visitors often walked right beneath […] Read more…
June 1984 – June 2017 LOCATION Adventureland – South Seas Traders faced the open walkway through central Adventureland, across from the Jungle Cruise. Today, the building still holds the marquee, though the space is used as an open seating and rest area. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise– Clothing, hats, accessories Unique Features– Shrunken Ned, Aladdin’s Other Lamp, […] Read more…