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…
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters always makes my “must do” list for a day at Disneyland. The shooting game is fun, and requires much more skill than Midway Mania. But shooting at targets without a strategy can be extremely frustrating, especially when your partner just keeps racking up points. So how can you score big on […] Read more…
Source: Disney Parks Blog January 2012 – October 2013 LOCATION Condor Flats – Minnie’s Fly Girls took the stage on a small platform in Condor Flats, directly across from the entrance to Soarin’ Over California. Today, this space is part of the widened walkway through Grizzly Peak. BACKGROUND After “Golden State” split into several different […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess Vol. 22, 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. Favorite shop? (submitted by Shannen) Elias & Co. on Buena Vista Street. Their selection is awesome, and the art deco styling is very cool. […] Read more…
Happy last day of August! And for Disney fans…happy last day of summer. Tomorrow, we’re officially in Halloween season, and the park is about to sprout up some pumpkins and cobwebs. So for today, I’m soaking up the last few moments of summertime Disneyland. Disneyland glows all year long, but I love how the colors […] Read more…
If you’ve ever read this blog before, it’s no secret that I love Disneyland history. I am always searching for books that go into the details, especially those obscure shops, hidden gems, or restaurants that aren’t talked about much. Out of all the Disneyland books I’ve ever read, none have been as thorough as The Disneyland […] Read more…
On my last trip to Disneyland, I stopped for a moment to think about Tomorrowland; I realized it has the fewest hidden gems of any land in Disneyland. And then it hit me: of course it does. Tomorrowland is constantly changing, to stay updated futuristic, and somewhat imaginary. With so much growth and change, not […] Read more…
Everything in Disneyland has a purpose. Lands develop to create certain emotions and connections as you walk through them, and attractions are perhaps the most important piece in “setting the stage” for each land. Not every attraction’s placement helps tell its story. But some of Disneyland’s most immersive spaces have a deliberate location – a […] Read more…
February 2001 – present LOCATION Hollywood Land – Off The Page stands tall, right in the middle of Hollywood Land’s main street. If you walk toward the backdrop, keep to the right and you’ll see the shop’s marquee, just after a rest area with bathrooms. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – Disney collectibles (jewelry, figurines, ornaments) and […] Read more…
Tons of different creatures call Critter Country’s forest home: Winnie the Pooh and his friends, the Br’er gang, families of ducks…and one mysterious little creature with his own private home. Welcome to Mr. Bluebird’s House! Have you ever seen this birdhouse? It’s outside the left entrance to Pooh Corner at the end of Critter Country’s […] Read more…
Cars Land might be my favorite land in California Adventure. It’s just so gorgeous, and I love all three attractions. It’s clear that Imagineers thought through every square inch of the space, because there’s no detail overlooked. Here are some pictures of my favorite little details in beautiful Radiator Springs! Read more…