A Blog About Disney Stuff

Despite being a dreary day in Orlando, attendance and wait times are picking up today. Magic Kingdom is actually seeing its second busiest day in terms of average wait times in the past 30 days. Disney’s Hollywood Studios has long average wait times, thanks in part to another bumpy day of operations at Rise of the Resistance. At Magic Kingdom today our team observed 487 out of 500 guests wearing masks properly in accordance with Disney’s guidelines.

We received 188 actual wait time submissions in our Lines app today. Thanks to our Liners! Let’s jump in.

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

Since it’s a gloomy day, let’s brighten things up with looking at attractions that feature sunshine, tropical vibes, or bright lights.

Few attractions have more of a day-glow than Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in all its black light glory. Today’s average wait time was 41 minutes. Its 7-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #4 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #89 for the past year.

There is just one moon and one golden sun at “it’s a small world” which had an average wait time today of 45 minutes. Its 7-day average is 40 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 39 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 111% of the posted wait time.

Jungle Cruise had an average wait time today of 46 minutes. Its 7-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #12 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 51 minutes, so today ranks #116 for the past year. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 116% of the posted wait time.

Things always seem brighter in Neverland. Peter Pan’s Flight had an average wait time today of 43 minutes. Its 7-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #105 for the past year.

Sail the seas at Pirates of the Caribbean which had an average wait time today of 52 minutes. Its 7-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 13 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 82% of the posted wait time, which means the actual wait was around 42 minutes.

Plenty of sunshine heading your way at Splash Mountain which had an average wait time today of 56 minutes. Its 7-day average is 45 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #14 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #75 for the past year. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 62% of the posted wait time.

Darling it’s better down where it’s wetter, Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid had an average wait time today of 28 minutes. Its 7-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #5 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #88 for the past year. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 47% of the posted wait time.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Wait Times

Let’s continue to brighten things up by featuring more bright light and sunny attractions.

It’s time to play the music, it’s time to light the lights. Muppet*Vision 3D had an average wait time today of 25 minutes, which is pretty gonzo! Its 7-day average is 14 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 14 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past year.

Look out for the bright flashing lights from the paparazzi. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith had an average wait time today of 61 minutes. Its 7-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #90 for the past year.

Things are always brighter in Toy Story Land. Toy Story Mania! had an average wait time today of 23 minutes. Its 7-day average is 27 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 27 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 40 minutes, so today ranks #179 for the past year. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 60% of the posted wait time.

Slinky Dog Dash had an average wait time today of 68 minutes. Its 7-day average is 71 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 70 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 73 minutes, so today ranks #134 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 76% of the posted wait time.

Have a picnic perfect day at Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway which had an average wait time today of 91 minutes. Its 7-day average is 84 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 84 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 70 minutes, so today ranks #12 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 86% of the posted wait time.

Bright suns! Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run had an average wait time today of 64 minutes. Its 7-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #8 for the past month. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 90% of the posted wait time.

Rise of the Resistance has been dealing with a bumpy day with a delay of almost an hour in calling boarding groups between 12:00 and 12:45 p.m, and some slow downs from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. It’s unlikely they’ll get anywhere close to 100 boarding groups today.

EPCOT Wait Times

There’s always a bright future at EPCOT. Let’s keep those sunshine vibes going.

Down sunny Mexico way, Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros had an average wait time today of 8 minutes. Its 7-day average is 7 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 8 minutes, so today ranks #12 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 10 minutes, so today ranks #137 for the past year.

Figment always brightens our day. Journey Into Imagination With Figment had an average wait time today of 13 minutes. Its 7-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 17 minutes, so today ranks #15 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #114 for the past year.

The nourishing power of the sun is on display at Living with the Land which had an average wait time today of 14 minutes. Its 7-day average is 12 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 12 minutes, so today ranks #7 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 14 minutes, so today ranks #100 for the past year.

Soarin’ had an average wait time today of 38 minutes. Its 7-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #15 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #112 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 62% of the posted wait time.

In the big blue world, The Seas with Nemo & Friends had an average wait time today of 13 minutes. Its 7-day average is 10 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 12 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 16 minutes, so today ranks #133 for the past year.

As Olaf dreams of sunny summer, Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 78 minutes. Its 7-day average is 69 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 72 minutes, so today ranks #12 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #42 for the past year.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Wait Times

Practically every attraction at Animal Kingdom is outdoors, but some bright lights and sunshine can still be found.

The ride formerly known as CTX may be a very dark ride, but when those strobe lights hit – whoa now! DINOSAUR had an average wait time today of 41 minutes. Its 7-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 36 minutes, so today ranks #14 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #86 for the past year.

Gloomy days are always better aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris which had an average wait time today of 19 minutes. Its 7-day average is 19 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #17 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 48% of the posted wait time.

Na’vi River Journey had an average wait time today of 55 minutes. Its 7-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #10 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 86% of the posted wait time.

Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time today of 62 minutes. Its 7-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #13 for the past month. We received 10 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 70% of the posted wait time, meaning the actual wait averaged about 43 minutes.

 

The post Weekend Crowds Begin to Arrive, Walt Disney World Wait Times – Friday, December 4, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Attractions, Trip Planning, disney covid, disney crowds, disney reopening, magic kingdom wait times

Trade your glass slippers for running shoes and get ready to move with magic with all-new runDisney merchandise coming soon to shopDisney.com! Whether you’re participating in an upcoming at-home runDisney event or just want to add a little extra magic to your workout gear, take a look at some of our favorites from the new collection:

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This magical collection, coming soon to shopDisney.com, features both runDisney logo performance apparel with art highlighting the classic Disney characters. From athletic tank tops for training to long-sleeve shirts and sweatshirts perfect for those winter miles, there’s something for everyone to don their runDisney style.

Need a little motivation for your workouts? Check out our cross-training workouts paired with some of your favorite Disney animated films that you can now stream on Disney+:

• Disney’s The Little Mermaid
• Disney’s Tangled
• Disney’s Hercules

How are you showing your Disney style during your workout sessions? Share with us in social using #runDisney in Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com

Filed Under: Uncategorized, runDisney

Good news for Annual Passholders! If you desire some nighttime fun at EPCOT you can now enjoy a 10% discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages at select Holiday Kitchens, until December 31, 2020. There’s two important things you need to know about this promotion.

• The discounts start after 7:00 p.m.
• Payment cannot be made in cash in order to receive the discount

Participating Holiday Kitchens with 10% Annual Passholder discount

• Refreshment Port
• Citrus Blossom
• Mele Kalikimaka Holiday Kitchen
• Holiday Sweets & Treats
• Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen
• Shanghai Holiday Kitchen
• Refreshment Outpost
• Bavaria Holiday Kitchen
• American Holiday Table
• Sapphire Holiday Kitchen
• L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen
• Festival Favorites
• Prost!
• Holiday Hearth
• Yukon Holiday Kitchen

Our team tried it out last night and it was a breeze. Just show your Annual Passholder card or the designation in the MyDisneyExperience app and you should be all set. Just remember it is only valid after 7:00 p.m., at the participating locations, and with non-cash payment.

If you’re looking for recommendations on what to eat at the festival, here’s our top 5 picks, another top 5 picks, and the best sweets.

Have you attended the International Festival of the Holidays yet? Will you take advantage of this promotion?

The post Two Things You Need to Know About Discounts at Select EPCOT Holiday Kitchens appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Dining, discounts, Epcot, Festivals, Saving Money, annual passholder discounts, disney discounts, epcot dining, Epcot International Festival of Holidays

Walt Disney World has been reopened for business since July. While the super sparse attendance of those early days is long gone, there are other bright spots that make for a favorable travel situation for some guests. And of course, 2020 being 2020 there are also a number of drawbacks to Disney World travel. We’re here to break down the Pros and Cons, to help you come up with the course of action that’s best for you and your family.

PROS

• Attendance caps are in place. While the socially distanced queues may make the WDW walkways feel packed, Disney is, in fact, limiting attendance to about 35% of capacity. This is particularly good news for guests planning to visit over the winter holidays, a time when 100% capacity is the norm. If you’ve ever been at the parks when they were full, you’ll understand that 35% capacity is comparatively a very light crowd.
• You know you’ll be able to get into the park in advance. A corollary of the above point is that during some holiday weeks the parks might be so crowded that they temporarily stop admitting more guests. For example, you might have your heart set on New Year’s Eve at Magic Kingdom, but be prevented from entering (even with a valid park ticket) if the crowds are too heavy. With the current park pass system in place, you have a real reservation to get into the park.
• There are plenty of hotel deals to be found. Disney is trying hard to attract guests, discounting many hotel stays in early 2021 from 10-35%. If you’re willing to stay off-site or roll the dice on a Priceline deal, you can save significantly more than that.
• There are unique experiences. Sure, some old favorite Disney experiences are currently on hiatus, but there are also new activities that have come to fill in the gaps. Character cavalcades are one example of a lovely addition to the parks – a quick burst of fun without the need to plan or wait for it.
• Disney is taking COVID precautions seriously. Disney has instituted strict cleaning and social distancing protocols throughout the parks and resorts. They’ve upped their already sound cleaning game. And masks are mandated everywhere. We’ve done our own counts and found that full mask compliance at Disney World is greater than 95%. Depending on where you’re coming from, that might make WDW a significantly safer spot than the supermarket in your hometown.
• You might enjoy that some experiences are missing. For example, lots of folks bemoan the loss of evening Magic Kingdom fireworks, but if you’re someone with sensory issues that are exacerbated by the cacophony and flashing lights, you might welcome a reprieve from the melee.
• Mental health boost. If Disney is your happy place and you’ve been struggling with mental health issues during the pandemic, a park-induced blast of serotonin could be a life saver.

CONS

• Um, COVID. The Coronavirus pandemic continues to spread full force. For many folks, that alone is reason to pause any travel right now. Seriously, if you or your loved ones are immunocompromised, older than 60, or have any other medical contraindication, PLEASE avoid the parks until at least the summer when you, and much of the rest of the population, are vaccinated
• You absolutely have to wear a mask. For many folks, this is a real pro of Disney travel, but if you’re someone who finds mask troublesome, then now is not the time to visit. If you can’t stomach having masks in your photos, then skip this trip.
• Some activities are missing. Evening fireworks at Magic Kingdom, character meet & greets, Disney’s All-Star Sports resort, and Victoria & Albert’s restaurant are just a few of the things at Walt Disney World that are not currently operational. If you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip, or if these omissions will make or break your visit, then you may want to postpone your trip for a year.
• There are no FastPasses. The lack of FastPasses means that you can’t, say, plan to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in the afternoon without a wait; it’s simply not possible. Some minor attractions rarely have significant lines.
• Mental health challenges. If you’re someone who likes routine and knowing what to expect, or who finds worry about potential illness as troublesome as the illness itself, then going to Disney World during COVID could be more stress than it’s worth.

Only you can make the right choice for your personal situation. If you do decide to visit Walt Disney World as the pandemic continues, Touring Plans can help by reducing your time waiting in lines, helping you score difficult meal reservations, and by helping you find the best hotel room in your budget.

Let us know what you think the pros and cons of WDW are right now.

The post Pros and Cons of Disney World Travel During COVID appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Walt Disney World (FL), COVID-19

One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort is gazing at the elaborate store window displays, especially along Main Street, U.S.A., in Magic Kingdom Park and World of Disney at Disney Springs. 

For our merchandise presentation team, the holiday season is the culmination of almost a year of work – they start planning for the holidays in January! They start with the concept phase, talking with the product and merchandise development team that gives them a glimpse of what the next season will bring. Then in summertime, they start working on the details of the design from ornaments, ribbons and everything that will be used to create their magic. Talk about Christmas in July, right? 

As soon as Halloween ends, the teams start to work on the actual install of the window displays. At that point, they can finally share with our guests what they have worked on for the whole year.    

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Installing these window displays is no small task. There are around 30 windows on Main Street, U.S.A., and each one receives unique décor and theming. At the Emporium, for example, the team retells the story of the shop’s original proprietor, Osium Osh Popham, by re-creating how the windows would have looked at the turn of the 20^th century. 

At Disney Springs, the team ensures all of the displays continue the story of World of Disney, which is an artists’ loft. They “merried” the product and décor to the theming of the store, as well.

Check out this video to see how cast members bring these windows to life!

Next time you are on Main Street U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom Park or at World of Disney at Disney Springs, make sure to look inside the windows to see the holiday season come to life!

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com

Filed Under: Disney Springs, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, MK, Video, WDW