Downtown Disney Update Part 4: Disney Dress Shop and Disney Gallery

World of Disney Dress Shop

Our last stop takes us back through Downtown Disney (part 1, part 2, and part 3) to two of my other favorite stores: the Dress Shop and the Disney Gallery. 

The Dress Shop

Disney Dress Shop cats

Downtown Disney Update Part 3: World of Disney

Did you enjoy part 1 and part 2? We're back on our tour of Downtown Disney under quarantine, circa March 2021. There's so many cool new things at the World of Disney, including adorable nuiMOs that I can't wait to show you!

World of Disney

Downtown Disney Update Part 2: WandaVision Photo Op

We're back with more exciting updates from Downtown Disney in March 2021, a year after Disney was forced to shut its doors due to COVID-19. There's plenty you can still experience before Disneyland reopens on April 30, including a brand new photo op on the tails of the exciting conclusion to the hit Disney+ series WandaVision.

WandaVision Photo Op

Downtown Disney Update: Star Wars Trading Post, WandaVision Photo Op, and More

Raya and the Last Dragon mural at Downtown Disney

I made it back to Downtown Disney during COVID-19 for another update. Just how is Disney faring with its year-long shut down? Pretty well, if they've begun charging $10 for parking.

TIP: During high-peak attendance (namely weekends) you could end up waiting over 2 hours to enter the area even after parking. Schedule some much-needed time off and hit it on a weekday morning so you get there just before they open. Even so, you'll find yourself waiting in line soon after to enter most stores.

Day Trip to Miyajima Shrine

Back in 2017, right before I left Japan, I took the time to revisit one of my favorite places: Hiroshima. (Yes, this absolutely has to do with Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, which I ate all three days). I had originally visited Hiroshima on a high school exchange trip several years earlier, but didn't have the chance to go to one of Hiroshima's most popular nearby attractions: Miyajima Shrine.

Located on Itsukushima island a short train trip south, Miyajima is home to under 2,000 residents and over 500 deer. There's an aquarium, several shrines, a resort, botanical garden, and even a ropeway offering stunning panoramic views.

Check Out My New Author Websites

Check out my official author website! I'll be posting more excerpts of my novels and writing, sharing unique quotes, and more!

FREE Preview of Novella "Blood Magic" Available on Amazon

Besides blogging and working as a professional freelance writer and editor, I also write fantasy and sci-fi novels and have completed 14 full-length manuscripts and one novella. Some of you may recall that I officially published my novella Blood Magic back in 2017. Now I'm sharing it exclusively with you readers by offering a FREE excerpt of the first five pages!

Money-Saving Strategies, as Told by Mr. Krabs

If there's one productive thing I did in my child, it's watching SpongeBob SquarePants and committing whole episodes to memory. (Geometry? Dump. Algebra? Shred. SpongeBob? KEEP. Fine-dining and breathing? Also keep).

One thing was certain: Since 1999 Mr. Krabs has proven himself a successful and money-savvy businessman. We can learn a lot of money-saving strategies from him. Not convinced? Let's take a closer look.

(Note: This only covers the first 3 seasons until 2005, which I consider to be the best and only quality episodes. I haven't watched the ones after that.)

Inside Look: Downtown Disneyland Under Quarantine

COVID precautions in full-swing at Downtown Disney

While Disneyland California remains closed for the seventh month in a row (the kiss of death for all us Disney fans), the one godsend is that Downtown Disney is open. I headed there this October for an update on merchandise, COVID practices, and more.

COVID-19 Compliance Measures

Disneyland is following all safety measures related to COVID-19, which you will have to follow in order to enter the premises (a small price to pay for a few hours of happiness). This includes temperature screening, mask wearing, hand-washing, and physical distancing.

Disneyland Coming Attractions

Josh D'Amaro checks out blueprints for Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railroad

While Disneyland California continues to be shut down due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Disneyland imagineers are using this time to make many exciting park updates, including Disneyland coming attractions. Earlier in August 2020, the titular Splash Mountain song Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah was removed from the park, and a complete revamp is underway to convert the beloved ride to the theme of The Princess and the Frog.

Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway

Inside the cartoon world of Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railroad

More Posts from Disney Elite

If you enjoyed my latest blogs for Disney Elite, check out my second compilation of articles listed below. Don't forget to check out my author page for easy reading of all my blogs!

Coronavirus Halts Lunar New Year Festivities at Disney Shanghai

New Minnie Mouse Collection Debuts Featuring Beloved Disneyland Attractions

Disney vs Etsy: The Bounty Hunt for Baby Yoda Merchandise

Ultimate Marvel Quiz

When Disney Wedding Fairytales Come True

Avengers Unite for Avengers Campus 2020

6 Ways to Ring in Disney's Chinese Lunar New Year

MaxPass vs FASTPASS vs Single Rider: Which Is Best?

How Disney Parks Celebrate New Year's Around the World

8 Rainy Day Attractions at Disneyland Parks You Should Check Out

Where to Find Mistletoe at Disney: A Little-known Secret

12 Days of Magical Deals at shopDisney for All Your Holiday Shopping

Find Your Dream Dress at the Dress Shop in Downtown Disney

Stay tuned for more updates!

New Disney Blogs Available on Disney Elite!

Hi all, you may have noticed my extended absence after returning from Japan as I have focused on my professional writing career. While sadly my writing on izanau.com was removed after a website overhaul, I am now a writer for disneyelite.com! If you've enjoyed reading my many Disney store updates and guides to Tokyo Disney parks, you'll enjoy even more Disney-themed blogs surrounding the latest news, events, shopping, and more.

Check out all of my posts at my author page, including:

Disney Face Masks Debut to Curb Coronavirus

The History Behind King Arthur Carousel: "Created for the Young and the Young-at-Heart"

Disney Coronavirus Update: What's Postponed, What's Canceled?

Pixar Moves Onward with Their Latest Hit

Making Modern Magic Happen with New Parade

Build a Better Bear with Baby Yoda

Create Your Own Custom Disney Phone Case in Tomorrowland

Lunar New Year Celebration and Recap at California Adventure

Star Wars Galaxy Edge Update

New Minnie Mouse Collection and More Debut in Time for Valentine's Day

...and many more!

Pompompurin Cafe: Spend an Adorable Afternoon with Pompompurin and Friends!

A cozy evening at the Pompompurin Cafe

If you know me, it's obvious that I love cute things (and not just Disney things!). When I was living in Yokohama, I knew I had to visit the Pompompurin Cafe at least once, and was more than pleased with the results!

The cafe is situated outside the station but in a very out-of-the-way location you won't find without a little bit of exploring. Sadly I was a bit short on time during my last month in Japan and had to squeeze this in after work one day, which was a chilly, rainy day. Thus I was at the cafe by myself, and also it was pretty empty inside, so it was a different kind of experience than visiting during peak hours. Luckily for me I have no qualms about solo-adventures, so I still enjoyed it thoroughly.

For those of you who don't know, Pompompurin is a Sanrio character made to look like Japanese purin, or pudding (which is topped with caramel sauce and similar to flan), and is actually a Golden Retriever. He has a girlfriend named Macaron and his friends are cute little animals with names like Custard, Bagel, and Scone.