If you’ve ever wandered New Orleans Square, you might’ve noticed some strange plaques on some of the building walls. There are 5 in total, scattered throughout the land. These are fire marks. In the 1800s, buildings in New Orleans used these to signal which fire brigades would respond to a building during an emergency. While […] Read more…
Maps of the Disney Parks
As a self admitted map nerd, I’m fascinated by Disney parks ones in particular. I just find it so interesting which landscape features artists choose to feature, how lands transition, and what new rides emerging does to change the overall look from above. So imagine my excitement when I found a book on shopDisney focused […] Read more…
Galaxy’s Edge, The Galactic Cruiser, and Hogsmeade – How Much Immersion Is Too Much?
Immersion seems to be a polarizing topic for theme park fans. Some LOVE it; they want to fully live in the world’s they’re visiting. And others…just kind of think it’s silly. And in some cases, they’ll say it can arguably make the theme park experience too complicated or even worse. So, where’s the happy medium? […] Read more…
Stan Lee Plaque
If you’ve ever seen a Marvel movie, read a Marvel comic, or watched a Marvel tv show, you’ve seen the work of Stan Lee. A writer, editor, publisher, and producer, Lee was the primary creative director of Marvel Comics for more than 20 years, co-creating some of the most famous superheroes in the world. It […] Read more…
Ask the Duchess – Vol. 79
Welcome to Ask The Duchess – Vol. 79, 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 idea how much it will cost to stay at the Disneyland Hotel? […] Read more…
Resort Updates – August 2023
I know technically summer goes for a few more weeks, but for me, September means it’s officially fall. Disneyland certainly seems to feel that way; with Halloween decor fully up and Oogie Boogie Bash starting up tonight. But not to be overshadowed, summer went out with a bang at the resort. A new land, the […] Read more…
Concept Art: Golden State
California Adventure 1.0 was a little confusing. There were big, clearly defined lands, like Paradise Pier and Sunshine Plaza. And then there were weird, little lands that were sometimes referred to as their own thing, and sometimes referred to as part of the larger “Golden State” region. Golden State was the most “California” part of […] Read more…
Imagineer Influence: Tania McKnight Norris
In the era of Disney blogs, podcasts, and YouTube channels, fans have access to more behind-the-scenes information than ever before. I’m loving the newfound excitement around celebrating Imagineering and celebrating contributions of particular Imagineers, which is why I started this “Imagineer Influence” series. Unfortunately, there are still tons of amazingly talented people that remain in […] Read more…
Summertime Photo Album 2023
This summer has been HOT. With long heat waves, one of the resort’s two water-based thrill rides under construction, and much of Downtown Disney‘s shaded bar space behind walls, it was hard to get much of a break from the brutal California sun. But even with the high temps, the Disneyland Resort was shining with […] Read more…
Light Magic
Source: Yesterland May 1997 – September 1997 LOCATION Main Street USA & Fantasyland – This parade followed the usual route for Disneyland. It began near It’s A Small World, wound down past the Matterhorn, circled the hub on Main Street, and finished by the Disneyland Railroad station. BACKGROUND Disneyland frequently swaps out even the most […] Read more…
Holiday Season 2023
It’s not even Halloween time, but Disneyland is already looking ahead to the upcoming holiday season. This year, the holiday magic runs from November 10 through January 7. Source: Disneyland Resort THE MOST FESTIVE SPOTS AT THE RESORT Disneyland, California Adventure, and Downtown Disney all bring out the shiny decor for the season, though some […] Read more…
Galaxy’s Edge Trash Code
Sometimes when I visit Disneyland, my friends and family are puzzled by the pictures I take. This post is a perfect example. I was trying to get some nice shots of…trash cans. What on earth could possibly be newsworthy about trash cans? Well, as it turns out…in Galaxy’s Edge, the trash cans each feature a […] Read more…
VOID
January 2018 – July 2020 LOCATION Downtown Disney – The VOID VR experience had a prime location in Downtown Disney, in the central circular courtyard. The shop sat next to Disney Home, and faced the UVA Bar. Today, this space is home to Lovepop and Pele. EXPERIENCE The VOID was collaborative VR, with parties of […] Read more…
Ask The Duchess – Vol. 78
Welcome to Ask The Duchess – Vol. 78, 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. Where can I learn to draw character sketches? (submitted by Nora) The Animation Academy within Disney […] Read more…