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Member for

6 years 6 months

Name

Ashley Varela

Location

Bay Area

Country

United States

Biography

Ashley is a freelance writer based in the Bay Area. She has a deep-seated passion for the Disney Parks and theme park history and can often be found nose-deep in a history book -- when she's not planning her next trip to Disneyland, that is! She recently completed her first book, a retrospective on Disney's 1992 film and Broadway smash hit, Newsies.

Articles by Ashley Varela:

Bob Chapek Wants the Disney Parks to Have a ‘Franchise Orientation.’ That’s Not a Bad Thing.

Here’s what Chapek’s comments mean for the future of the Disney Parks—and why his refusal to copy Walt’s model might be good for the company.

Women Who Changed the Disney Parks Forever: Leota Toombs Thomas

You may not recognize her as an Imagineer, but you’ve definitely seen her face before…

Secret Disney Snacks Worth Going Out of Your Way For

These days, there's a whole new world beyond popcorn, turkey legs, and churros...

4 Attractions Disney Didn’t Care Enough About to Save

We hardly knew ye, Discovery River Boats…

4 Outrageous Crimes Committed INSIDE Disney Parks

It may be the ‘happiest’ place on earth, but it’s not always the safest…

4 Disneyland Attractions That Desperately Need an Upgrade

Are nostalgia goggles preventing Disney from making some much-needed changes to the park?

4 Unbelievable Facts about the History of the Magic Kingdom

How much do you know about the most popular Disney Park in the world?

3 Bizarre Secrets about the History of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Creating a fake Hollywood is harder than you might think.

Women Who Changed the Disney Parks Forever: Dorothea Redmond

Meet the woman responsible for some of the most secretive spots in the Disney Parks.

Is Disneyland's New Crowd Control System Going to Wreck the Park?

The new crowd-control system makes logistical sense, but it may end up being a headache for some of Disney’s long-suffering fans.

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