A Blog About Disney Stuff

This weekend is unlike any other in Walt Disney World history. Most annual passholders are blacked out this weekend and next, which is not new. But, Disney has been reliant on annual passholders and other drive-in guests since reopening in July. And while we anticipated holiday travel to pick up this week and next, we’ve been curious as to how things would turn out without the help of annual passholder attendance. The answer? Every park, but Magic Kingdom, had a pretty middle-of-the-road kind of day compared to the average of the past 30 days.

EPCOT’s average wait time’s today ranked number 26 compared to the last 30 days – that’s pretty telling considering it is the Saturday before Christmas week. At EPCOT today we observed 13 out of 500 guests not wearing their mask in accordance with Disney’s guidelines. Put another way, 97.5% of observed guests were wearing their masks properly. Let’s do the numbers, starting with EPCOT.

EPCOT Wait Times

Without annual passholders coming to eat up and drink up at the International Festival of the Holidays, EPCOT seems a little lonely today. We’ve noticed that EPCOT has the most inaccurate posted wait times of the four theme parks, and today was no exception. The reported actual wait times were at 60% of Disney’s posted wait times.

Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros had an average wait time today of 7 minutes. Its 7-day average is 9 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 9 minutes, so today ranks #20 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 10 minutes, so today ranks #158 for the past year.

Living with the Land had an average wait time today of 7 minutes. Its 7-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 14 minutes, so today ranks #236 for the past year.

Soarin’ had an average wait time today of 44 minutes. Its 7-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 46 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #93 for the past year.

Spaceship Earth had an average wait time today of 20 minutes. Its 7-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #22 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #126 for the past year.

Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 38 minutes. Its 7-day average is 72 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 77 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 60 minutes, so today ranks #188 for the past year.

Animal Kingdom Wait Times

It’s chilly by Central Florida standards, which does make it a great day for animal viewing. But, wait times stayed pretty low at Animal Kingdom today.

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain had an average wait time today of 27 minutes. Its 7-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 37 minutes, so today ranks #18 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #148 for the past year. We received 21 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 52% of the posted wait time.

Kilimanjaro Safaris had an average wait time today of 14 minutes. Its 7-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 26 minutes, so today ranks #26 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #196 for the past year. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 30% of the posted wait time.

It’s Tough to Be a Bug! had an average wait time today of 19 minutes. Its 7-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #18 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #42 for the past year. Keep in mind, theater based attractions are at reduced capacity due to physical distancing.

Na’vi River Journey had an average wait time today of 50 minutes. Its 7-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #20 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #118 for the past year.

Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time today of 74 minutes. Its 7-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 70 minutes, so today ranks #9 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 86 minutes, so today ranks #108 for the past year. We received 10 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 89% of the posted wait time.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Wait Times

Today was about middle of the road compared to the past 30 days. Some attractions like Tower of Terror and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway had fairly low average wait times compared to other days this week.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith had an average wait time today of 40 minutes. Its 7-day average is 39 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 46 minutes, so today ranks #20 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #171 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 84% of the posted wait time.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror had an average wait time today of 61 minutes. Its 7-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #8 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #84 for the past year.

Toy Story Mania! had an average wait time today of 31 minutes. Its 7-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 26 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 39 minutes, so today ranks #102 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 66% of the posted wait time.

Slinky Dog Dash had an average wait time today of 60 minutes. Its 7-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 67 minutes, so today ranks #20 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 72 minutes, so today ranks #161 for the past year. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 71% of the posted wait time.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had an average wait time today of 41 minutes. Its 7-day average is 46 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 48 minutes, so today ranks #26 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 67 minutes, so today ranks #165 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 68% of the posted wait time.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run had an average wait time today of 72 minutes. Its 7-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #56 for the past year.

Rise of the Resistance is having another good day of operations. As we’ve seen, if Rise is operating well, the rest of the park has decent wait times compared to when Rise has issues. There was one minor blip around 11:00 a.m. There was also the small break we’re used to seeing each day for cleaning or maintenance at 3:00 p.m. In the past 7 days Boarding Groups in the 160 range have been called and it looks like Rise is fairly on pace to do so this evening.

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

We’re accustomed to Disney’s Hollywood Studios having the longest average wait times of the four Walt Disney World theme parks. But today Magic Kingdom reclaimed its throne in that category. Let’s look at all the attractions that had their highest average wait times of the past week.

Astro Orbiter had an average wait time today of 43 minutes. Its 7-day average is 37 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 37 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past year.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had an average wait time today of 57 minutes. Its 7-day average is 51 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 51 minutes, so today ranks #5 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 51 minutes, so today ranks #73 for the past year. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 58% of the posted wait time.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant had an average wait time today of 20 minutes. Its 7-day average is 14 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 16 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #87 for the past year.

“it’s a small world” had an average wait time today of 45 minutes. Its 7-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #34 for the past year.

Space Mountain had an average wait time today of 54 minutes. Its 7-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #6 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #99 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 96% of the posted wait time.

Tomorrowland Speedway had an average wait time today of 27 minutes. Its 7-day average is 16 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 17 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #77 for the past year.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had an average wait time today of 74 minutes. Its 7-day average is 70 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 71 minutes, so today ranks #8 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 77 minutes, so today ranks #97 for the past year.

 

The post First Weekend Without Annual Passholders – Disney World Wait Times for Saturday, December 19, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Attractions, disney christmas, disney crowds, disney wait times

One of the things we love about Disney’s mobile ordering is that it has brought attention to many forgotten restaurants. At every Disney resort hotel the quick service dining location offers mobile ordering. At Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground you can mobile order from P&J’s Southern Takeout, and we decided to check out the holiday eats on the menu.

Right now you can celebrate the holidays with your taste buds with a Gingerbread Cupcake, Gobbler Sandwich, or a Holiday Turkey Dinner (available Christmas week). Since it is not yet Christmas (at the time of our visit) Ivonne on our team opted for the cupcake and sandwich.

P&J’s Southern Takeout is right next to Trail’s End Restaurant, and it essentially serves the restaurant’s food as takeout. Our readers give it a 78% thumbs up rating and it is only ranked number 101 out of 107 quick service restaurants at Walt Disney World.

The Gobbler Sandwich is an example of why P&J’s does not have a higher rating. The Turkey Gobbler Sandwich is made with House-smoked Turkey Breast with Cornbread Stuffing, Gravy, and Orange-Cranberry Sauce. For $11.99 it is priced in line with other quick service sandwiches. With the amount of toppings you’d think this sandwich would be very flavorful; sadly that was not the case. To make matters worse, the roll did not stand up this sloppy sandwich, making it messy and difficult to eat. We’d recommend getting the traditional fried chicken or ribs instead.

Thankfully the Gingerbread Cupcake delivered the holiday yumminess we were looking for. The combination of gingerbread cake with cinnamon apple filling was a little worrisome, as it could be a case of conflicting spices. But the gingerbread cake was so mild, which would have been a problem if the filling hadn’t been as delicious as it was. Plus, there’s a cute white chocolate decoration on it featuring Chip and Dale – the campground’s official mascots. Of the various cupcakes we’ve had over the course of the holiday season, this one ranks fairly high.

You do not have to be a guest of the campground to make use of mobile ordering from P&J’s Southern Takeout, or any other resort restaurant.

Have you made use of mobile ordering at a Disney resort restaurant? What’s been your favorite experience?

The post REVIEW – Holiday Eats at P&J’s Southern Takeout at Fort Wilderness appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Dining, Resorts, disney dining, disney on site hotels, disney’s fort wilderness campground

Disney Springs, much like the theme parks, is always evolving. The West Side portion in particular feels like it is always in a state of improvement. There are lots of forthcoming projects like the M&M Store and Everglazed so let’s take a look at how things are progressing.

We’ll start with a spot that is sure to be a popular spot in the morning, Everglazed. This new spot is between Splitsville and the AMC Theater. This cold brew coffee and doughnut shop replaces the Pop Gallery. It will be nice to have a breakfast option on this side of Disney Springs, but it sure is taking a while for this thing to brew. In early November they announced that they were hiring, but no opening date is announced.

Another sweet spot in this area will be the M&M Store. Similar to the Coca-Cola Store, this destination will represent a big, well-known brand. The concept art looks very similar to the M&M World Store at the Florida Mall which is now permanently closed.

Sadly, two attractions at Disney Springs West Side remain closed for the foreseeable future. The poor unfortunate NBA Experience barely got its footing and then it shut down as part of the March 2020 COVID-19 closure. It has not reopened due to the hands-on nature of its attractions. Despite Disney’s involvement in the NBA Playoffs and Finals, there is no reopening date.

Just a few buildings away, the beautiful Cirque du Soleil theater remains shuttered. An incredible new show themed around Disney animation was set to debut in Spring 2020. In fact, a media preview of the show took place at the beginning of March this year. The future of this show is unclear at this point.

The holiday season is now at its peak, so if you’re planning on visiting Disney Springs get there early and avoid the weekends.

Have you been to Disney Springs lately? What are your favorite things to do at Disney Springs?

The post PHOTOS – What’s New at Disney Springs appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Disney Springs, Observations, Photos and Video, disney construction, disney shops, NBA Experience

Is one of your favorite holiday traditions driving around your neighborhood to look at lights? Well, one of the most magical neighborhoods on Earth is Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground. Ivonne on our team paid a visit to check out the decorations and grab a dinner via mobile order at P&J’s Southern Takeout. Let’s take a look at some of the festive and creative decorations around the campground and campsites.

Ivonne took the ferry boat from Magic Kingdom over to Disney’s Fort Wilderness. The boat ride over is so relaxing and full of Disney charm. All of the common areas at Fort Wilderness have rustic, country-style holiday decorations. Throughout the holiday season, campers tend to decorate their campsite. But the decorations tend to hit their peak as Christmas Day itself nears.

Have you ever stayed at Fort Wilderness Campground during the holidays? What’s the best decorations you saw?

The post PHOTOS – Festive Fort Wilderness Decorations appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Resorts, disney camping, disney christmas, disney on site hotels, disney’s fort wilderness campground

Universal’s Express Pass is a popular splurge purchase for theme park fans who despise lines. But we are here to tell you there’s a better way: stay on site at a Universal Premier hotel. In this article, I will explain Express Pass, its variants, and show you how to price out a hotel with Express versus buying Express separately.

What is Express Pass?

Express Pass is Universal’s skip-the-line offering for attractions and shows. There are two Express Pass versions: a standard Express Pass, which is valid only once per attraction, and Express Unlimited Pass, which offers unlimited access for each attraction. Passes also have an option to upgrade the Express Pass to work at both theme parks.

Express is valid only for one day and for one person – each party member must have an Express Pass. Vaid theme park admission is still necessary for entry.

Unlike Disney’s FastPass+ no reservations or return times are required.

How Much Does Unlimited Express Pass Cost?

Express Pass starts at $59.99 per person for a base one-park Express Pass and $89.99 per person for a one-park Express Unlimited Pass. During holidays and weekends, these prices can inflate to astronomical amounts – during Christmas week the one-park Express Pass swells to an eye-watering $249.99 per person!

Vacation Hack – Stay at a Premier Hotel Instead

Universal’s Premier hotels (Loews Portofino Bay, Loews Royal Pacific, and Hard Rock Hotel) offer complimentary Express Unlimited Pass included in the price of the room. You heard that right–this isn’t just any Express, it’s the highest tier, two-park, unlimited Express that costs $99.99 to $289.99 per person per day. The complementary Express Passes are valid for each person in the room for every day of the stay, including check-in and check-out days.

Doing the Math

Let’s take a look at a long weekend trip for March 5 – 7, 2021. We are assuming you will spend three days, two nights at the parks for four guests. Checking Universal’s booking site the least expensive Premier hotel that weekend is Loews Royal Pacific at $1278 including taxes and fees for three days, two nights.

Compare this to the price of Express Pass on its own. Using Universal’s ticket site I pulled prices for Express Pass and Express Unlimited Pass, one-park and two-park varieties, for the same dates:

Booking a resort saves you over $600 for the exact same tickets, and that’s not including the price of a hotel!

If you are visiting the parks on check-in and check-out day it is cheaper to book a room at a Premier resort rather than purchase Express separately, even if you are not paying for accommodations while in Orlando. There are exceptions to this: if you are taking days off not to go to the parks, not visiting the parks on the check-in and check-out dates, or if you do not want Express.

If you have an Annual Pass or are a Florida resident the savings could be even greater. Annual Passholders and Florida Residents can save up to 30% off rack rates, although inventory is limited.

Do I REALLY Need Express Pass?

No.

Express is a nice luxury and creates a more relaxed, stress-free vacation. Unlike FastPass+, which feels necessary and required for effective touring, Express does not make or break a vacation. Showing up thirty minutes to an hour prior to park opening, with a Touring Plan in hand, will also let you experience the parks at a fraction of the cost.

We suggest investing the extra time to investigate the savings or you could work with our own Touring Plans Travel Agency who will help you!

The post Universal’s Best Secret – Complementary Hotel Express Pass appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Saving Money, Universal Orlando Resort, express pass