A Blog About Disney Stuff

Drinking around the world during any festival at EPCOT is popular, but during the holidays season it is a holly jolly tradition. As a result, EPCOT had its busiest day of the past 30 days. And yet, Disney’s Animal Kingdom had the busiest average wait time of the four Disney World theme parks today.

Since EPCOT and Animal Kingdom were so busy today, we’ll start there. And since today is a double date, 12/12/2020 let’s look at attractions that are double the fun.

EPCOT Wait Times

This beloved boat ride has two major parts, the dark ride beginning, and the green house section in the second half. Living with the Land had an average wait time today of 20 minutes. Its 7-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 14 minutes, so today ranks #34 for the past year.

This out of this world attraction has two sides. Mission: SPACE Orange had an average wait time today of 43 minutes. Its 7-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #4 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #40 for the past year.

Mission: SPACE Green had an average wait time today of 10 minutes. Its 7-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #26 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #181 for the past year.

This pavilion has had two lives, first as a purely scientific themed pavilion, and the second life as a character driven pavilion. The Seas with Nemo & Friends had an average wait time today of 18 minutes. Its 7-day average is 11 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 12 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 16 minutes, so today ranks #80 for the past year.

This attraction takes place in two directions: forward and backwards. Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 94 minutes. Its 7-day average is 78 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 75 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #6 for the past year.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Wait Times

The surprise news of the day is that Animal Kingdom had the longest average wait times of all the Disney World parks.

Which do you prefer? The forward moving portion of this coaster, or the backwards? Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain had an average wait time today of 31 minutes. Its 7-day average is 36 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 39 minutes, so today ranks #19 for the past month. We received 20 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 39% of the posted wait time, which means the average actual wait time was 12 minutes.

No two rides aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris are the same, which had an average wait time today of 45 minutes. Its 7-day average is 27 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 15 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 45% of the posted wait time.

With the second highest posted wait time of the day, Na’vi River Journey had an average wait time today of 72 minutes. Its 7-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #80 for the past year. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 83% of the posted wait time.

One ride aboard Avatar Flight of Passage is never enough. It had an average wait time today of 86 minutes. Its 7-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 68 minutes, so today ranks #6 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 89 minutes, so today ranks #105 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 84% of the posted wait time.

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

Continuing our double date and pairs theme, let’s look at Magic Kingdom – the second Disney theme park to ever exist.

You’ve got to go to the second level of the building to get aboard Astro Orbiter which had an average wait time today of 35 minutes. Its 7-day average is 36 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 37 minutes, so today ranks #20 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #81 for the past year.

There’s two blasters on each ride vehicle at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin which had an average wait time today of 42 minutes. Its 7-day average is 37 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 36 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #82 for the past year.

It’s dueling Dumbos at Dumbo the Flying Elephant which had an average wait time today of 14 minutes. Its 7-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 16 minutes, so today ranks #21 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #124 for the past year.

You can spin two ways aboard Mad Tea Party which had an average wait time today of 17 minutes. Its 7-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 14 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #74 for the past year.

You and your little driver can ride together on Tomorrowland Speedway which had an average wait time today of 21 minutes. Its 7-day average is 16 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 18 minutes, so today ranks #6 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #105 for the past year.

Ride side by side on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train which had an average wait time today of 71 minutes. Its 7-day average is 67 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 69 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 78 minutes, so today ranks #111 for the past year.

Ariel appears in both her human form and mermaid form in Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid which had an average wait time today of 27 minutes. Its 7-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #7 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #99 for the past year.

Whether you’re planning on visiting soon, or waiting it out, make the most of your trip to Walt Disney World. Save time by avoiding long lines by becoming a TouringPlans subscriber. 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Wait Times

There’s only two speeds at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith – fast and faster, which had an average wait time today of 34 minutes. Its 7-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 48 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 66% of the posted wait time.

It’s rare that two rides aboard Star Tours: The Adventures Continue are the same, which had an average wait time today of 33 minutes. Its 7-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 48% of the posted wait time.

You’re sure to drop at least two times on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror which had an average wait time today of 51 minutes. Its 7-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #9 for the past month. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 88% of the posted wait time, which means the actual wait time was around 44 minutes.

Go head to head aboard Toy Story Mania! which had an average wait time today of 26 minutes. Its 7-day average is 26 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 26 minutes, so today ranks #15 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 40 minutes, so today ranks #155 for the past year. We received 10 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 56% of the posted wait time.

Starring the perfect fair, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had an average wait time today of 43 minutes. Its 7-day average is 51 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 68 minutes, so today ranks #150 for the past year. We received 20 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 71% of the posted wait time.

The post EPCOT Draws a Crowd – Disney World Wait Times for Saturday, December 12, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Attractions, Epcot, Trip Planning, disney christmas, disney crowds, disney wait times

Although EPCOT currently remains without a nighttime spectacular due to COVID, work continues to plan for the debut of the new nighttime show Harmonious. Recently, it was announced that this show will be unique in that the massive barges for the show will also be stationed out in World Showcase lagoon during the day for fountain effects. This week, those barges started to move to their locations in World Showcase lagoon, and signage was added to start the massive hype for this show.

Will we see daytime testing of the fountains during the time when we are still on a nighttime show hiatus? Here’s hoping! With the removal of Fountain of Nations in Future World, there’s a lot of desire to bring fountains back to EPCOT.

Are you excited about this upcoming show? What are your thoughts about having these large barges there during the day? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

The post Harmonious Barges Now Moved into World Showcase Lagoon appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Epcot, Walt Disney World (FL), HarmonioUS, World Showcase Lagoon

The year is winding down and California has been hit with a new set of restrictions for businesses. The two restrictions that have affected Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort are retail locations being limited to 20% capacity, and no indoor or outdoor dining. This has changed a few things in Downtown Disney and the recently reopened Buena Vista Street, but we’ll get in to that later.

In Disney California Adventure, more of the Hollywood Land portion of the park has been made available for guest traffic. This means everyone can grab pictures right in front of the Red Car Trolley parked outside of the Disney Animation building.

Off the Page in DCA has also reopened. The shop’s usual assortment of art, collectable figures, and books is available, as well as Christmas ornaments and merchandise found in other stores around Downtown Disney.

Lithographs and other pieces of art on sale.

A large selection of pins and phone cases in Off the Page.

The Disney Art On Demand kiosks are available if you want something custom printed.

A small section of figures.

The higher-end framed pieces are also for sale.

A selection of books can be found in Off the Page

Over on Buena Vista Street, some merchandise carts have been set up in front of the park’s wait time board and guest information kiosk.

Plenty of Christmas merch at this location.

In many of the Disney stores in DCA or Downtown Disney you’ll see a rare sight, a substantial discount on select Christmas merchandise. It’s worth mentioning this will stack with your annual pass discount as well.

Certain items have also been discounted.

The dining restriction has brought the biggest change Downtown Disney and Buena Vista Street. While third-party eateries in the resort remain open only for to-go orders, Disney has opted to not even bother with food sales. All of their dining locations that opened only weeks ago have again been shuttered.

Sorry, no more Disney corn dogs for you.

Grizzly Peak reopened last month along with Buena Vista Street, but with Smokejumpers being closing down the land is again closed off and not accessible to guests.

Heading over to World of Disney I noticed Disney is advertising a mobile checkout option for visitors.

Spotted in Julius Katz & Sons on Buena Vista Street is this Walt Disney and Mickey vinyl figure for $29.99.

Back at World of Disney, a variety of fuzzy sweatshirts are now available for $69.99 each.

There’s also these cute kids versions.

Pretty nice Disneyland knitted sweater for $59.99.

These two shirts have some serious 90s vibes. $24.99 each.

It seems like the Spider-Bot is this is the latest thing that Disney wishes was A Thing. It’s definitely cute and looks like it would be fun to play with, but at $79.99, and the ride it’s based on being in limbo, there doesn’t seem to be much interest in these things.

I have no doubt demand for the Spider-Bots will pick up once Avengers Campus opens at DCA.

A decent amount of Soul merchandise is starting to appear at World of Disney. I’m excited for this movie.

That’s it for this Downtown Disney update. See anything you want? Have you visited Downtown Disney recently and want to share your experience? Let me know in the comments below. 

The post Downtown Disney Update: Discounts, New Merch, and Off the Page Reopens appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Disneyland (CA), Downtown Disney

Whether you are a long-time Walt Disney World guest looking to switch theme parks on your next trip or you are visiting Orlando for the first time, planning a visit to Universal Orlando Resort poses a lot of questions. This article covers your options for Universal Orlando tickets at theme parks, water parks, and shows.

Overview

Universal Orlando Resort comprises two theme parks and one water park, each requiring an admission ticket to enter. Tickets are valid for only one guest and are assigned to a person at the point of sale – fingerprint scans are used to validate the person entering the park is the ticket owner. Tickets bought for Walt Disney World (or other Orlando area attractions) are not valid at Universal Orlando Resort, and vice versa.

All pricing is accurate as of the day of publication, for up-to-date pricing visit the TouringPlans Universal Orlando Tickets site.

Single-Day Tickets

Single-day tickets to Universal Orlando’s two theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, start at $109 per adult plus tax. Prices vary based on projected attendance with higher attendance days costing more; visit Universal Orlando’s site for the ticket price calendar.

Multiday Tickets

If you are visiting for more than one day, consider purchasing a multi-day ticket. These tickets are valid for more than one day at a discounted per-day rate. Ticket pricing is based on a rolling average of the dates the ticket is valid, usually the number of days the ticket is for plus a buffer window of two to four days. Any days not used on a multiday ticket are forfeit after that ticket window has elapsed.

For more information on multi-day tickets and how to save money on them visit our break down on date-based tickets.

Multi-Park Add On

Similar to Disney’s “Park Hopper” option, the multi-park add-on grants guests the ability to visit more than one park per day and ride the Hogwarts Express. The multi-park ticket add-on is priced based on the number of days your ticket is valid with the cost per day reducing based on the length of your visit.

For more information on multi-park tickets and how to save money on them visit our breakdown on date-based tickets.

Volcano Bay

Universal sells single-day tickets to its water park, Volcano Bay, starting at $80 per adult plus tax. Pricing varies depending on the day of the visit. For guests visiting more than one day, a Volcano Bay add-on is available for multi-day tickets for an additional cost.

Annual Passes

If you are a local or plan on visiting more than six days during a year, consider purchasing an Annual Pass. Valid for a full year, Annual Passes start at $309 per adult plus tax and include discounts on food and beverage, hotel rooms, event tickets, and merchandise. Higher-level passes include free parking, free valet parking, free Halloween Horror Nights tickets, and free Express access after 4:00 p.m.

For more information, pricing, and benefits visit Universal Orlando’s Annual Passholder site.

Purchasing Tickets

• Travel Agent – Our TouringPlans Travel Agents will find the best deal for you including Annual Pass options, multi-day tickets, and more.
• Online – Universal Orlando and Undercover Tourist sell tickets online that are discounted from the cost at the theme park. Tickets can be printed out at home or picked up at Will Call.
• Hotel – All Universal hotels, and most in the surrounding area, sell theme park tickets at vacation counters.
• At The Parks – Each park features ticket windows with sales staff. These tickets are usually more expensive than purchasing beforehand online plus you miss out on critical early morning touring time.

Which Ticket Should I Purchase?

When choosing which tickets to purchase ask yourself the following questions:

• How Many Days Do I Have to Tour? No vacation is infinite and most visists are paired up with another Orlando area destination or activity. Determine how many days you will spend at the resort and purchase a corresponding ticket. We suggest one full day per park plus an additional day if you are a Potter-head to explore the area’s offerings.
• What is My Budget? Tickets are one of the most expensive items to purchase during a vacation; trimming options like Volcano Bay might save you some money.
• Will I Be Returning Within a Year? If so, consider an Annual Pass.
• Will I Be Staying On Site? Consider looking at an Annual Pass. Check for AP discounts on hotel rooms and factor in discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise. Upgrading from a multi-day ticket to an Annual Pass could save you hundreds of dollars in discounts alone.

Do you have questions about Universal Orlando Resort? Leave your questions and comments below!

The post Universal Orlando Resort for Newbies – Tickets appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Universal Orlando Resort, universal tickets

One of the down sides of any EPCOT festival is the price of the food and beverages. It is easy to get carried away trying tasting plates of international cuisine, and thus overspend. In hopes of helping you enjoy the festival without wreaking terror on your budget, Chrissy on our field team and our friend Chef Todd set off into EPCOT on a $50 challenge.

Each person needed to stay within a $50 budget and needed to select two items from the following categories: meat, vegetable or plant-based, seafood, and desserts. Chef Todd, being a chef, had the freedom to color outside these lines should he desire. In addition, they had very specific criteria about what would be a successful purchase.

Chrissy: Must taste good and be enough to share with a hungry 2nd grader

Chef Todd: Focus on quality–is the item what is advertised, and is it well prepared and delicious

Chrissy’s Picks: Total, $48.25

Chef Todd’s picks: Total, $54.20

Meat Category

Kālua Pork at Mele Kalikimaka $5.25 – This dish is a great balance between smoky, salty, and sweet. It is a hit with Chrissy and other members of our team and should be on your must-do list.

Chorizo Tostada at Los Posadas $9.25  -This dish can eat up the bulk of your budget, but it’s worth it. There are perfect bites of several flavors with each forkful. It’s enough for two people to share or one greedy person to enjoy.

Vegetable / Plant-Based Category

Potato Latkes at L’Chaim Holiday Kitchen at $3.75  – Perfectly cooked and flavorful these latkes have a lovely bit of  little dill cream popped on top. They are also available with smoked salmon.

Cheese Fondue at Bavaria Holiday Kitchen $8.75 – This comforting dish of warm cheese, bread, and vegetables is a hit with everyone on our team. Even my picky niece, who only ate mac and cheese and chicken fingers for the first 17 years of life, demands her own and we don’t argue. It’s good even when it cools off a bit and the cheese isn’t as runny.

Seafood Category

Blackened Sea Bass at Festival Favorites $7.00 – The price point is reasonable for a decent portion of fish. The pan-sear results in a nice, spicy crust. Not too much as to overpower the delicate filet. Toothy cheddar grits and a few hunks of fried okra make this Cajun classic a winner.

Chirashi Sushi Tree at Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen $6.00  – Any sushi lover will appreciate and enjoy this affordable, delicate dish. They say we eat with our eyes first and this one certainly delights.

Desserts Category

We saved the most important category for last – the sweets! We’ve previously put together a list of the best desserts at the festival, but the four picks below highlight the best values in the dessert category.

Maple Buche de Noel at Yukon Kitchen $4.50  – This is a lovely blend of sweet maple and chocolate, and the serving is very generous. We’ve been concerned that the serving size may end up being reduced, but so far, so good.

Pumpkin Gingerbread Cheesecake  at American Holiday Table $4.25  – A great treat for anyone who loves traditional holiday flavors of pumpkin or gingerbread. Chef Todd states this is a stunning dessert, simply irresistible.

Dulce de Leche Churros at Las Posadas $5.50  – Churros are ubiquitous in The World.  The standard churros in the parks can sometimes be stale. But these are fresh, crunchy out, fluffy fluffy in. A river of dulce de leche down the center guilds the lily.

Sfenj at Sapphire Holiday Kitchen $6.00  – These crispy little fried donuts are piped full of a magical cinnamon pastry cream. A little chocolate drizzle and some powdered sugar to make you cough finishes the top. Chef Todd believes in moderation and states he would limit himself to 25 – 50 of these.

Do you enjoy dining around during EPCOT’s festivals? How do you stay on budget?

The post The Best Ways to Spend $50 at EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Epcot, Festivals, epcot dining, epcot food, Epcot International Festival of the Holidays