Source 1966 – 1988 LOCATION New Orleans Square – Laffite had a coveted corner shop across from the exit to Pirates of the Caribbean. Today, the plaza in front of the shop is home to a caricature artist, and the interior of the shop is actually a dining room for nearby Cafe Orleans. EXPERIENCE Details: […] Read more…
I used to largely ignore Frontierland; I’ve always loved Big Thunder Mountain, but otherwise, this land was pretty much a pass-through for me. But I have to admit that over the last few years, I’ve become a much bigger fan of the wildest land in the wilderness. This land has so many little rustic details, […] Read more…
Any Disneyland fan knows Main Street USA takes you back in time, to an old school American town. But did you know that it’s based on a real place? Source: Farm 8 Walt Disney was raised in a small town called Marceline, Missouri. When he grew up and created his magical park, he drew inspiration […] Read more…
March 2013 – present LOCATION Fantasyland – Fairytale Treasures is part of Fantasyland’s little side hub, known as the Fantasy Faire. You’ll see a small bridge leading to the Faire on the left side of the castle. The Fairytale Treasures Shop stands on the left side of the Faire, next to the open theater. EXPERIENCE […] Read more…
I’ve just recently entered the world of pin collecting. It’s an old Disney tradition, and most collectors also participate in a second hobby: trading! Pin traders visit Disneyland with a lanyard full of treasure, and leave with brand new bling. You don’t have to trade if you collect pins (I don’t), but if you want […] Read more…
Source: Daveland Web July 1955 – July 1957 LOCATION Main Street USA – Bluebird Shoes couldn’t have asked for a better spot on Main Street. The tiny shop overlooked the castle on the eastern side of the street, next to the Kodak shop. Today, this space is part of two different shops: the Silhouette Studio […] Read more…
The jungles of Adventureland are full of mysterious temples, wild animals, and of course, mysterious treasures. Even the gift shop and rest areas have strange mysteries to uncover, and some are friendlier than others. Wander into the Bazaar and you may just bump into a mysterious figure…Shrunken Ned. This strange, floating head claims to be […] Read more…
Adventureland has always captured my imagination. In fact, it was the very first topic I wrote about for the blog. There’s just something exciting and inspiring about wandering beneath the treetops, with busy markets and mysterious pathways around every corner. Join me as I take a walk through Disneyland’s remote jungle! Read more…
Toontown is Disneyland’s busiest neighborhood. With character meet & greets, houses to explore, and musical fountains to interact with, there’s no shortage of things to do. But if you stop for a second to look around, you might discover a hidden gem. Right in the center of Toontown, Goofy is the proud owner of his […] Read more…
Disneyland and California Adventure both share similar traits; they’re boisterous, busy, and sometimes completely chaotic. But there’s a land in the heart of California Adventure that somehow manages to stay quiet, peaceful, and serene. Grizzly Peak is truly an oasis, a quick escape to the California wilderness in the midst of theme park adventures. Here […] Read more…
Source: Farm 2 May 1998 – October 2003 LOCATION Tomorrowland – The American Space Experience could be found at the front of Tomorrowland, on the lower level of the former Circarama building. Today, this space is part of the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters attraction, gift shop, and fast pass distribution area. BACKGROUND After decades of slow […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess Vol. 16, 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. How does buying a ticket work? Where do I go, what do I need? (submitted by Angela) You have two options when it […] Read more…
I’m sorry for sounding like a broken record, but this month was kind of crazy at the Disneyland Resort! AP days, fires, concerts…and one new restaurant that’s causing a bit of hysteria. Let’s try to recap February madness at the happiest place on earth. CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL California Adventure brought back a popular event this year: […] Read more…
Source: Disney Pix July 1966 – May 1996 LOCATION New Orleans Square – The One-Of-A-Kind shop had an ideal location in New Orleans Square, right at the front corner. Guests arriving from Frontierland would spot the shop on the left side, just beyond the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean. Today, this space houses Port Royal, […] Read more…