January 1987 – present LOCATION Tomorrowland – The Star Trader faces Tomorrowland’s inner plaza. To find the shop, head toward Space Mountain. You’ll see the shop on the right, just after the pathway turns right (by the fountain and seating area). EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Star Wars clothing, toys, mugs, pins, and other souvenirs Price […] Read more…
Long before the days of Disneyland, when Walt first began his career as an animator, he met a woman named Lillian Bounds. Walt and Lillian married in 1925, and together, the Disneys built an empire. While Walt was the creative force behind the animation studio, and later the theme park, Lillian was his unwavering support […] Read more…
Trips to the Happiest Place on Earth get expensive…especially when you’re factoring in food. Many families opt to bring in their own food, which can be a huge money saver. But if lugging around your food all day sounds less than appealing, fear not – Disneyland has its own picnic and rest area between the […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess Vol. 35, 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. Does Disneyland do anything to celebrate Dia de los Muertos? (submitted by Elena) Yes! Part of the Halloween festivities include Dia de los Muertos. […] Read more…
As September fades into October, Disneyland has once again transformed into a Halloween wonderland. Pumpkins, bats, and cobwebs cover both parks, and even Downtown Disney displays autumn floral arrangements and décor. Let’s take a look at all the September happenings at the Disneyland Resort. THE BUGS GET EXTERMINATED On September 4, A Bug’s Land finally […] Read more…
BASIC INFO App Name: Play Disney Parks Company Name: Disney App Price: Free Free Version: N/A HOW IT WORKS The Play Disney Parks App has three components: interactive queues, games and trivia, and music playlists. To start, you choose your version: Disneyland or Walt Disney World. (For the purposes of this post, I’m just looking […] Read more…
April 1997 – present LOCATION Fantasyland – Le Petit Chalet hides in the shadow of the Matterhorn. To find this little gift shop, head toward the Matterhorn’s entrance. Once you’re standing in front of it, start walking as if you were headed to It’s A Small World. You’ll see the Chalet on your left, across […] Read more…
When the sun sets in Disneyland, the park’s atmosphere completely changes. Most lands glow by lamplight, and landmarks and buildings sometimes overlooked during the daytime get their moment in the spotlight. In Frontierland, Big Thunder Mountain and the Golden Horseshoe light up the town square. The waterfront quiets down, making Frontierland feel like the quieter, […] Read more…
April 2003 – present LOCATION Critter Country – Pooh Corner marks the end of Critter Country (the land only has one entrance and exit). To find the shop, follow Critter Country’s main path past Hungry Bear and Splash Mountain. You’ll see it straight ahead, next to the exit to Winnie the Pooh. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise […] Read more…
I don’t know about you, but for me, the smells of different places in Disneyland are as familiar as the buildings. Places like Pirates of the Caribbean or Main Street USA have a distinct smell, somehow reaching your nose through hordes of people, churro carts, and popcorn buckets. Smell is an important component of Disneyland. […] Read more…
In Disneyland, sometimes it’s easy to forget the park has only been around since 1955. So many of the park’s fixtures just feel like they’ve always been there, from the stone architecture of Fantasyland to the dense forests of Critter Country. In fact, most of Disneyland’s components serve that specific purpose – to alter your […] Read more…
February 2017 – present LOCATION Downtown Disney – Curl Surf stands on the park gate side of Downtown Disney, between PANDORA and Sunglass Hut. If you’re coming from the hotels side of the district, keep to the right; you’ll see the shop across from Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Clothing, sunglasses, swimwear […] Read more…
Source: Jim Hill Media February 2001 – October 2001 LOCATION Paradise Pier – Avalon Cove drew attention not just from its high-profile owner (Wolfgang Puck), but due to its massive building jutting out into Paradise Bay. You couldn’t miss this dining spot; it was the only table service restaurant on the boardwalk side of the […] Read more…
I know I’ve said this before, but I love hanging out in Critter Country. This little land tucked by the Rivers of America makes the perfect place to eat, explore, or just relax under strung lights. Once the sun goes down, crowds lighten up in Critter Country significantly, making the space all the more peaceful. […] Read more…