It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Disneyland is magical all year long, but there’s just something extra special about the holidays. From Main Street‘s glittering tree to Frontierland‘s rustic garlands – I can’t get enough of the holiday decor. But the cheer extends beyond the decorations – Main Street USA offers hand-pulled candy […] Read more…
February 2017 – present LOCATION Fantasyland – If you enter Fantasyland through the castle, keep left. You’ll see the Taverne around the first corner, beyond the exit for Pinocchio. If you are coming from Frontierland, you’ll see the patio on your right, after the bathrooms. And if you’re coming to Fantasyland from the Matterhorn side, […] Read more…
Note: this post covers Disneyland’s refurbishment “season”, from January-March. For current scheduled closures, please visit here. Each year, Disneyland schedules routine maintenance and refurbishments on their attractions. These keep attractions safe, scenery pristine, and guests happy! For most of the year, these refurbishments are staggered and spread out to prevent too many closures. But during […] Read more…
In the next few months, Paradise Pier will disappear into the Disneyland history books. This massive 14-acre land will split in half. Some of the space will maintain its turn-of-the-century charm, while the rest will become a Pixar wonderland. Though I think this is actually a very positive change for California Adventure (see my original […] Read more…
Source: Pin IMG June 1959 – September 1998 LOCATION Tomorrowland – The Submarine Voyage toured Tomorrowland’s lagoon, between the Matterhorn and Autopia. Today, the lagoon has an updated version of the attraction: the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. BACKGROUND In 1959, Disneyland went through its first major expansion. The area between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland completely transformed, […] Read more…
Main Street USA‘s shops draw in thousands and thousands of visitors per day. Guests circle each display, to the point where many guests have merchandise locations memorized. But even the most frequent visitors sometimes miss the street’s hidden details. At first glance, the Penny Arcade seems more like a candy shop than an actual arcade. […] Read more…
All is merry and bright at the happiest place on earth, and once again, California Adventure has joined in on the holiday fun. For the second year in a row, Pacific Wharf and Paradise Pier are hosting the Festival of the Holidays. Source: Disneyland AP This evening event celebrates Christmas (& Navidad), Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and […] Read more…
If you’ve ever stopped to admire the beautiful buildings along Main Street USA, you may have noticed a few names on the second story windows. These are the legendary Windows on Main Street, an extremely rare and much coveted Disney honor. Disney legend Marty Sklar shared the qualifications for a window: Only upon retirement Only […] Read more…
Fall 1994 – January 2017 LOCATION Fantasyland – The Castle Heraldry Shoppe started out within the castle, where the Enchanted Chamber currently resides. From 2008 until its closure, the shop moved across the courtyard, next to Peter Pan’s Flight. Today, this space houses the Castle Christmas Shoppe. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Family crest merchandise, collectible […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess Vol. 25, 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 far away is Disneyland from Sea World? (submitted by Henry) Sea World is in San Diego, which is a very easy day trip. […] Read more…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…and Disneyland just finished its first full month of the holiday season! Both parks have donned their shiny seasonal décor, and Main Street USA brought back its street-hanging garlands, which have been missing for a few years. Source: Guy Selga Let’s take a look back at November! ‘TIS […] Read more…
When the sun sets at the Disneyland Resort, most visitors start streaming back into Disneyland. It’s a shame, though, because California Adventure does neon lights like nobody else! Paradise Pier was one of my favorite places to spend the evening in California Adventure. The gorgeous glow brought new life to the boardwalk, and of course…World of […] Read more…
July 1966 – present LOCATION New Orleans Square – Cristal d’Orleans sits on New Orleans Square’s Orleans Street, between the French Market Restaurant and Cafe Orleans. You’ll see the shop about halfway down the alleyway, just beyond Mlle. Antoinette’s Parfumerie. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Tiaras, jewelry, and glass figurines/decor Price Range – Most items over […] Read more…
In college, I was fortunate enough to live only an hour and a half away from Disneyland, and visited the park all the time. One of my friends shares my Disney obsession, so she and I decided on a whim to audition to be performers in the park. We went in with zero expectations, and […] Read more…