This past weekend, I attended my favorite Disneyland event of the year: Mickey’s Halloween Party! My roommate and I repeated our peasant princess costumes from last year, and this time, brought our friend Belle along with us. Gaston LOVED Belle. He chased her down in the Fantasy Faire, and then during the parade, pointed to […] Read more…
Disneyland uses all kinds of storytelling techniques. These extend far beyond the actual architecture and appearance of every land. Sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch all work together to transport visitors between imaginary worlds, which we believe are real. A key piece of the storytelling puzzle is music. Each land in the park has a […] Read more…
I recently asked a friend of mine what he thought of when he pictured Adventureland, He said, “Just trees. Trees everywhere.” It’s true, Adventureland is drowning in greenery. But there’s so much more detail to this little land, mixed within the trees, and chatting with my friend really motivated me to find it. Don’t get […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess Vol. 23, 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 you have any advice on choosing fast pass tickets or going for single rider instead? (submitted by Eleanor) Yes! Check out my post […] Read more…
Happy September! Halloween time has once again transformed the Disneyland Resort into a world of pumpkins, ghosts, and this year…even car spiders. Let’s take a look back at yet another busy month at the Happiest Place on Earth! DISNEYLAND HALF On Labor Day weekend, Disneyland hosted the Pixar Half. Runners could participate in 5k, 10k, […] Read more…
January 1993 – April 2021 LOCATION Mickey’s Toontown – The Gag Factory, also known as Toontown’s 5 & Dime, was the largest (and only) shop in the area. Visitors to Toontown would find it on the eastern side of the main town square, just beyond the exit to Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. EXPERIENCE Details: […] Read more…
If you’ve ever strolled down Main Street USA, you’ve seen the overwhelming variety of shops, window displays, and signs covering each block. But there’s more to Main Street than just shopping! This street, modeled after Walt’s hometown of Marceline, MO, has the workings of a functioning town. You’ll see City Hall, the fire house…even a […] Read more…
Source: Gorilla’s Don’t Blog July 1955 – September 1955 LOCATION Main Street USA – Grandma’s Baby Shop stood on the northern end of the street, next to the former lingerie store. Today, this space is home to the famous Silhouette Studio. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Baby clothes, shoes, and accessories Unique Features – Doll window […] Read more…
The #1 land visitors tend to skip in California Adventure is A Bug’s Land. If you don’t have little ones with you on your trip, there’s not much appeal at first glance. But if you take some time to explore this little land, you might just fall in love with it; I certainly did! This […] Read more…
It should come as no surprise to any reader of this blog that I’m a huge fan of tiaras. I wear one on virtually every visit to the park. Disney has some great options, both sparkly ones for grownups (New Orleans Square & Main Street) and sturdier ones for the little ones (all over the […] Read more…
Source: Frontierland Station July 1955 – June 1990 LOCATION Main Street USA – Fine Tobacco once boasted a coveted storefront at the entrance of Main Street USA, right next to the Main Street Cinema. Today, this space is home to the 20th Century Music Company. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – cigarettes, cigars, pipes, souvenir lighters and […] Read more…
July 1955 – present LOCATION Main Street USA – The Penny Arcade is hard to miss; it’s the largest open façade on the street. If you walk toward the castle, you’ll see it on the left side, just after Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – candy, pastries, souvenir tins Price Range – […] Read more…
I know I’ve said this before, but New Orleans Square is just the best. Every land in Disneyland pays meticulous attention to the little things, but there’s just so much to find in New Orleans Square. Every alleyway, shop, balcony, garden…EVERYTHING works together to transport you from Main Street to Bourbon Street. Here are just a […] Read more…
It’s no secret that New Orleans Square and Tom Sawyer Island have been captured by pirates. They lurk everywhere, leaving anchors and crypts in their wake. But what’s the most important thing pirates leave behind? Buried treasure! Over the years, two treasure chests have washed up on the Rivers of America shoreline. The first chest […] Read more…