Disneyland is known for its exciting coasters and nostalgic rides, but behind the headliners there’s so much more to discover. In fact, Disneyland holds so many hidden treasures, its almost like a museum in and of itself. Some of these treasures include a series of Orchestrions, early 20th century instruments meant to mimic the sound […] Read more…
When a land is set in the future, it has to be constantly updated in order to stay in the future. Tomorrowland has always been tweaked and updated, but has gone through two major overhauls since 1955. Each overhaul not only re-themed the land, but also brought in new headliner attractions, new technologies, and a […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess Vol. 7, 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. I’ve never been to Disneyland before. What is a “land”? (submitted by Quentin) A land is a distinct section of the park. […] Read more…
Disneyland is rapidly moving into summer mode, which means the bands are out more often, the sun is shining, and the crowds are gradually growing. Like April and March, May was a heavy construction month at the Disneyland Resort. But there are also some additions to the park unrelated to Star Wars Land, which have […] Read more…
May 2005 – January 2008 LOCATION Paradise Pier, Golden State, Sunshine Plaza, Hollywood Land – The Block Party Bash was a parade, and went in the opposite direction of California Adventure’s current parade. The Bash started in Paradise Pier, wound through Golden State (now Grizzly Peak & Pacific Wharf), passed through Sunshine Plaza, and ended […] Read more…
January 2001 – October 2016 LOCATION Downtown Disney – Something Silver was located right in the center of Downtown Disney, overlooking the outdoor Uva Bar. EXPERIENCE Details Merchandise – jewelry and collectibles Unique Features – mosaic detailing at the entryway Something Silver was Downtown Disney’s largest jewelry shop, and a popular destination for gifts and […] Read more…
January 2001 – present LOCATION Downtown Disney – Naples is located in the northeastern corner of Downtown Disney, near the park gates. If you are coming from the parks, keep to the right, and you’ll see Naples after the water fountain. If you are coming from the other end (by the hotels), keep to the […] Read more…
I’ve found that there are two distinct types of visitors at Disneyland: people that LOVE shows, and people that hate them. People that love shows are usually really on top of planning ahead, and there are tons of guides for visiting these shows – how stake out spots, grab fast passes, plan dining reservations, you […] Read more…
Source: DILCDN June 1956 – August 1956 LOCATION Frontierland – Guests could fish off Tom Sawyer Island, along the eastern dock. To find the fishing area, guests would cross the river on the rafts, and follow the walkway on the right side until they reached the mill. Today, this area is right below the raised […] Read more…
Disneyland in 1955 was a very different place. It has always been the epicenter of wholesome family entertainment, but several decades ago, standards of what is “Disney appropriate” were a little different. For one, you could purchase a much larger variety of items on Main Street USA that would never be in a Disney park […] Read more…
As much as I love running from one attraction to the next, sometimes you just have to sit down for a while and relax. It’s always an added bonus when you can find a place to unwind and still enjoy the gorgeous views all around the park! The following is my ranking of the top […] Read more…
Source: DLD History July 1955 – January 1960 LOCATION The World Beneath Us theater could be found at the end of the main walkway into Tomorrowland. Guests visiting from Main Street USA would keep to the left, and find the attraction at the end of the block, across from the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea […] Read more…
When I had the opportunity to visit Walt Disney World in Florida last year, I was incredibly struck by an exhibit called One Man’s Dream. It was the origin story of Walt, his dream, and how that dream came to life. Walt didn’t invent amusement parks, but he changed the game with one key ingredient: […] Read more…
If you’ve ever been gone shopping on Main Street USA, odds are you’ve visited the Disneyland Emporium. This corner shop next to the fire station is the largest store on the street, and has a huge selection of souvenirs and Disney merchandise. But for shoppers who take a moment to look above the wares for […] Read more…