In Avengers Campus (or California Adventure more broadly), there is no building that stands out quite like the Collector’s Fortress. This looming, mysterious structure houses one of the most popular attractions at the resort (Mission Breakout), and is home to just a fraction of the Collector’s massive store of treasures. But why does this building […] Read more…
In Mickey’s Toontown, the place to catch a show (and maybe a ride on a runaway train…?) is none other than El CapiToon Theater. This building arrived in Toontown in 2023, and has become one of the most photographed and popular places in the land. Let’s take a closer look. El CapiTOON Theater’s name spoofs […] Read more…
When you walk down Main Street, there’s a magical pink castle waiting for you at the end, signifying your entrance into another world. And in California Adventure, Buena Vista Street‘s answer to an iconic castle is the Carthay Circle Theater. Let’s take a closer look at the street’s crown jewel and its real life inspiration. […] Read more…
Every western town needs a saloon. It’s the gathering place for the community, and often the epicenter of local entertainment. So when Walt Disney started construction on his wild village within Disneyland, he knew the area needed its own special building. Meet the Golden Horseshoe. Walt turned to Harper Goff, a set designer who had […] Read more…
Toontown‘s most famous couple lives a little unconventionally – in side by side houses rather than a shared home. But this affords them the opportunity to make their living spaces completely reflective of their personalities and styles, which don’t exactly match. Let’s take a closer look at Minnie’s House. Like Mickey’s House, Minnie’s home has […] Read more…
There are many beautiful buildings on Main Street, but none have quite the regal, ornate presence as the Main Street Opera House. And it makes sense – this is the building directly facing Walt’s private apartment. If it’s the boss’ view, it has to be good. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this […] Read more…
It’s A Small World might just be the most famous Disney parks attraction of all time. Some version of this ride appears at every resort worldwide except for Shanghai, and even casual Disney fans can sing its theme song…and get it stuck in their heads. But this post isn’t about the ride itself. Instead, let’s […] Read more…
In a land as energetic and colorful as Toontown, it’s hard to know what to look at first. But as you leave downtown and head toward the western side of the area, your eye will go to one building above all the rest: Mickey’s House. Let’s take a closer look at the home of Disneyland’s […] Read more…
If you’ve ever walked through the western side of Disneyland, you may have noticed a little white house on the riverbank. Okay, maybe it’s not so little…it’s a mansion. Long before New Orleans Square joined the park in the 60s, Imagineers had conceptualized some kind of haunted manor house – though at first, it was […] Read more…
Paradise Gardens Park overlooks a gorgeous waterfront, and it’s easy to find yourself wandering toward the water’s edge to admire the view. But one special attraction goes a step further, inviting you to take a dip under the sea. Welcome to the Aquarium, home of Princess Ariel and all of her friends. The Little Mermaid […] Read more…
On the western side of Main Street, there’s a little red building you’ve probably walked past a thousand times. The little Main Street Firehouse quietly watches over Main Street without much fanfare. But this small building boasts a lot of details, from a secret apartment to an authentic turn-of-the-century fire engine. Let’s take a closer […] Read more…
The more you visit Disneyland, the more you notice the amazing details from land to land. In the last few years, I’ve found myself looking closer and closer at specific buildings hidden in the parks, noticing architectural elements and styling that help shape the world within each area. Welcome to Behind the Building, a new series […] Read more…