Categories
Disney Guides Disney Lists Disney Parks

Top 3 Disney World Tips That Everyone Forgets About

Planning your Walt Disney World vacation can feel overwhelming. Are you making the most of your trip? Is there something you’re forgetting? There’s lots to know, and we aim to make our website and Lines app as helpful as possible. In that spirit here are three tips for visiting Walt Disney World that practically everyone forgets about.

  1. Merchandise Pick-up / Delivery
  2. Adults can order from kid’s menu
  3. The park doesn’t actually close at closing time

Disney’s Merchandise Pick-up / Delivery

This first tip you may not want to share with your kids. If you’ve ever said, “no we can’t buy that, we don’t want to carry it around all day,” this one’s for you. At most Disney theme park merchandise shops you can send your purchase to the front of the park to pick up at the end of your day. This service is free, and it was suspended during the initial reopening on the parks, but it is now back in service.

When you’re checking out, ask the Cast Member about the Merchandise Pick-Up option. Usually they need just 2-3 hours to ensure your purchase makes it to the park exit. Be sure to double check on if you have enough time, and ask about the exact location for picking up your merchandise. At EPCOT you will need to know if you will exit at the front of the park or at International Gateway.

The other free option is for your purchase to be sent to your Disney resort hotel. Not all hotels on Disney property participate, so be sure to double check with the Cast Member. You will need to provide your room number. The purchase will be sent overnight and available for pick up the next day at your resort’s merchandise shop. This service cannot be done for delivery on the day you check out of your hotel.

Top 3 Disney World Tips That Everyone Forgets About
Hester’s and Chester’s Dinoland USA Merchandise

Adults can order from the kid’s menu

If you’re not too hungry, or you’re trying to save a little money at Walt Disney World, you can order from the kid’s menu. This mainly pertains to quick service dining locations. At table service restaurants it may be a little trickier. Thanks to Mobile Ordering you can easily order from the kids menu and simply pick up your order when it is ready. Disney does have the basics of children’s eating habits like chicken nuggets, burgers, and pizza, but they also have some creative, healthy options too. Be sure to explore!

Top 3 Disney World Tips That Everyone Forgets About
Kid’s Finger Food at Geyser Point

There’s also a great snack pack available at select quick service locations which provides a decent amount of snacks that can keep you going throughout the day.

The park doesn’t actually close at closing time

Each park’s published closing time indicates a few things. First, no more guests will be admitted into the park at that point. Second, no additional guests will be allowed entrance into any of the queues for the attractions. Most quick service locations and many shops will close at closing time or just before. However, if you are already in line, you can remain in line. So, yes, if you’ve got five minutes until the park closes and you jump into a line with a 45 minute wait, for example, you’ll be able to continue in line and ride the ride.

Top 3 Disney World Tips That Everyone Forgets About
Tomorrowland at Night October 2020

You can also dine past closing time. Many table service restaurants will have timeslots available all the way until just before closing time. There’s also been cases when we’ve found timeslots for right after park closing, say 15 minutes. You use our Reservation Finder to help secure a reservation at popular spots and popular timeslots.

Enjoying a meal that goes beyond the published park closing time will not only satisfy your hunger, but will give you a chance to stroll through the park with less people–an enchanting way to end your day. Merchandise shops at the front of the park are open for about an hour past closing as well, in case you need those last-minute mementos.

There’s plenty more tips where these came from. Let us know in the comments if you’d like to see more tips like these.

Top 3 Disney World Tips That Everyone Forgets About

The post Top 3 Disney World Tips That Everyone Forgets About appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Dos and Don’ts, Observations, Park Hours, Trip Planning, best tips for disney world, disney dining, disney park hours, disney world planning tips

Categories
Disney Parks Disney Reviews Other

Universal Orlando Resort 2021 Preview

As we yeet 2020 off a cliff into oblivion it is finally time to look ahead to 2021. In addition to a year of change, firsts, and hopefully many vials of vaccines, 2021 also is bringing many additions and changes to the Universal Orlando Resort. In this article, we will preview the year ahead at Universal Orlando Resort.

Before we get any further, please consider donating to the Cast Member Pantry or other local food banks to help support employees let go in 2020.

Jurassic World VelociCoaster

Universal Orlando Resort 2021 Preview
Concept art copyright Universal Orlando.

One of the most anticipated coasters in the world for 2021, the Jurassic World VelociCoaster opens in summer 2021 at Islands of Aventure. This brand-new coaster combines all the elaborate theming and intricate design work from Universal’s recent projects, such as Hagrid, with the design of a modern steel coaster. VelociCoaster features two launches, four inversions, near missing “head-chopper” rockwork, and a 155-foot-tall top hat element.

Universal Orlando Resort 2021 Preview
Photograph copyright Universal Orlando.

You will be racing through the raptor paddock in style on slick, 24-seat coaster vehicles. The head-rest mounted spot-lights will illuminate our path while the lap bars will provide unparalleled freedom of movement during the ride’s sustained airtime.

Jurassic World VelociCoaster opens in summer 2021.

New CityWalk Store

In early 2020 several CityWalk retail establishments closed for a new project. Throughout 2020 the stores were gutted and reconfigured into one large venue. While Universal has not confirmed the replacement, we believe the store will be a new, larger Universal Studios Store with more retail space and themed sections. Expect an official announcement sometime in early 2021 for a 2021 opening.

Mardi Gras 2021

Universal Orlando Resort 2021 Preview

Feet don’t fail me now. Mardi Gras 2020 was cut short due to COVID-19 but expect a return of a modified Mardi Gras in 2021. While we are not expecting any concerts this year, expect an updated Tribute Store, Mardi Gras float walk-through experience, more unique food and beverage options, and of course stilt walkers. Stilt walkers are Universal.

Universal has not announced Mardi Gras 2021 dates yet, but the event is likely to occur from February through April 2021.

Halloween Horror Nights 30

Universal Orlando Resort 2021 Preview

The biggest gut-punch this year was the cancelation of 2020’s Halloween Horror Nights in what would have been the event’s 30th anniversary year. Thankfully Universal provided a small taste of the event in September and October with a daytime Halloween event to satiate us. 2021 will bring us the full anniversary year with 10 houses, multiple shows, scare zones, and more. Universal even went the extra mile and teased us with a house debuting next year, Puppet Theater Captive Audience:

Due to 2020’s cancellation, expect Universal to keep announcements close to the vest for a while. We believe Halloween Horror Nights 2021 will run from the beginning of September through October 31, 2021.

Other Surprises…

Universal always has a few surprises up its sleeves for any given year, from new experiences like meeting dinosaurs, to new restaurants, and even all-new theme parks. We expect lots of additions and updates throughout the year and you can find all that coverage, and more, on the TouringPlans blog!


Universal Orlando Resort 2021 Preview

The post Universal Orlando Resort 2021 Preview appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Attractions, CityWalk, News, Universal Orlando Resort, Halloween Horror Nights, Islands of Adventure, Mardi Gras, Universal Studios Florida, VelociCoaster

Categories
Disney Parks

Crowds Pause at Parks – Disney World Wait Times for Thursday, December 24, 2020

Crowds seem to have stayed away from most of Walt Disney World’s parks today.  Posted wait times at Animal Kingdom were lowest of the past month, while EPCOT’s were not much higher (and were overinflated, too).  Hollywood Studios had respectable crowds, and the Magic Kingdom is as popular as ever.  We counted 493 of 500 (99%) guests in Hollywood Studios wearing masks according to Disney’s guidelines.  And we got 119 actual wait times in line from our fabulous Liner community.  Let’s do the numbers!

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

Splash Mountain may have had the highest posted wait times of the day, but those posted waits were more than double the actual waits we measured today.  Splash Mountain had an average wait time today of 88 minutes. Its 7-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 41% of the posted wait time.

Crowds Pause at Parks – Disney World Wait Times for Thursday, December 24, 2020
Magic Kingdom wait times for Thursday, December 24, 2020

Animal Kingdom Wait Times

To illustrate how slow it was at Animal Kingdom today, Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time today of 26 minutes. Its 7-day average is 74 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 68 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. But even then, we received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged just 51% of the posted wait time.

Crowds Pause at Parks – Disney World Wait Times for Thursday, December 24, 2020
Animal Kingdom wait times for Thursday, December 24, 2020

Hollywood Studios Wait Times

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had an average wait time today of 37 minutes. Its 7-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 48 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 66 minutes, so today ranks #174 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 63% of the posted wait time.

Crowds Pause at Parks – Disney World Wait Times for Thursday, December 24, 2020
Hollywood Studios wait times for Thursday, December 24, 2020

Rise of the Resistance had an excellent day of operations, with no delays in calling boarding groups.  Boarding group 1 was called at 8:30 a.m., and as I write this we were up to boarding group 143 at 5 p.m.  Rise didn’t even have its usual 3 p.m. pause, which (I think ) is the first time there hasn’t been an afternoon pause in a long while.

Crowds Pause at Parks – Disney World Wait Times for Thursday, December 24, 2020
Rise of the Resistance boarding groups for Thursday, December 24, 2020

EPCOT Wait Times

EPCOT’s just not busy today.  Soarin’ had an average wait time today of 34 minutes. Its 7-day average is 41 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 45 minutes, so today ranks #24 for the past month. And we received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 56% of the posted wait time.

Crowds Pause at Parks – Disney World Wait Times for Thursday, December 24, 2020
EPCOT wait times for Thursday, December 24, 2020

The post Crowds Pause at Parks – Disney World Wait Times for Thursday, December 24, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Walt Disney World (FL), wait times

Categories
Disney Parks

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The holiday crowds have arrived. Here’s what we observed earlier today at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a morning rope drop.

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The post Christmas Eve Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World (FL), Christmas, hollywood studios, in the parks

Categories
Disney Food Disney Parks

Gideon’s Bakeshop Opening Day Taste Test

Yesterday, with lines reaching three hours at times, Gideon’s Bakeshop opened in Disney Springs. This popular local bakery from the East End Market in Orlando always draws a crowd for its monster cookies. These cookies with over-the-top amounts of chocolate chips and other mix-ins coating the cookies have an absolute wow factor. But when it comes to cookies, looking good is one thing–but more important is taste. Here’s what you can expect.

Currently the Disney Springs location has seven all-day flavors and one morning-exclusive Coffee Cake Cookie flavor.

Gideon’s Bakeshop Opening Day Taste Test

A couple notes about these cookies: they’re big, thick, and rich, weighing in at nearly a half pound each, and the texture is extremely dense — in some cases, almost like fudge. This makes it possible to cut slices of cookie to share.

Gideon’s Bakeshop Opening Day Taste Test
Gideon’s Bakeshop Opening Day Taste Test

We picked six to give a taste test, and here’s our rankings:

#1: Pistachio Toffee: A perfect combination of sweet and salty, this was the perfect flavor combination.

Gideon’s Bakeshop Opening Day Taste Test
Weight of cookie
Gideon’s Bakeshop Opening Day Taste Test
Pistachio Toffee

#2: Original Chocolate Chip: If you’ve eaten at Polite Pig, you may have noticed these as one of their dessert offerings before the opening of Gideon’s. It may be possible to add more chocolate chips to a cookie, but we’re not really sure how. A solid choice if you’re only going to try one.

Gideon’s Bakeshop Opening Day Taste Test
Weight of cookie
Gideon’s Bakeshop Opening Day Taste Test
Chocolate Chip

#3: Peanut Butter Crunch: So. Much. Peanut. Butter. It’s a good cookie, but you really have to like peanut butter to dive into this one.

Gideon’s Bakeshop Opening Day Taste Test
Weight of cookie
Gideon’s Bakeshop Opening Day Taste Test
Peanut Butter Crunch

#4: Triple Chocolate: Like the peanut butter cookie, this is one for extreme chocoholics. It is unlikely anyone would want to even try to eat this one alone, but if you’re looking for a cookie that eats more like a slab of fudge, you’ll want to try this one.

Gideon’s Bakeshop Opening Day Taste Test
Weight of cookie
Gideon’s Bakeshop Opening Day Taste Test
Triple Chocolate

#5: Santa’s White Christmas: This one has an unusual blend of flavors — coconut, caramel, nuts, white chocolate, and even ground-up coffee beans. There’s no doubt that this cookie will have a dedicated following around the holidays, but it just seemed like there was too much going on. Good, but not a top choice.

Gideon’s Bakeshop Opening Day Taste Test
Weight of cookie
Gideon’s Bakeshop Opening Day Taste Test
Santa’s White Christmas

#6: Cookies & Cream: This is the only one that we probably wouldn’t buy again. It seemed like there was just too much “cookie within a cookie” feeling about it, making it difficult to feel enthusiastic with all the flavors mushing together. Visually, it was also the least appealing.

Gideon’s Bakeshop Opening Day Taste Test
Weight of cookie
Gideon’s Bakeshop Opening Day Taste Test
Cookies and Cream

But here’s the real surprise on the menu — yes, go to Gideon’s for the cookies, but if you’re a fan of coffee, the Peanut Butter Iced Coffee (a nitro cold brew on tap) was exceptionally good. Something to note, their iced coffees are made with oat milk, but taste-wise, we couldn’t tell the difference between the oat milk and regular milk. We can’t wait to go back and try the other coffees on the menu.

Gideon’s Bakeshop Opening Day Taste Test

Prices are surprisingly reasonable — cookies are $6 each (a bargain given that you can easily split these among several people) and the nitro cold brew coffee is $5.

We’ve got more to review, but we need to let these cookies settle for a while!

Do any of these flavors sound tempting to you? Which ones would you like to try?

The post Gideon’s Bakeshop Opening Day Taste Test appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Disney Springs, Snacks, Walt Disney World (FL), Cookies, Gideon’s Bakehouse