Earlier this year on the Disney Parks Blog, we shared the tremendous passion that The Walt Disney Company’s Supplier Diversity team has for positively impacting the diverse supplier community. Now, I am thrilled to share that this hard work has been recognized as Disney has been named as a “Corporation of the Year” by The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)!
This award is NMSDC’s highest honor to a major corporation for the utilization of ethnic minority-owned suppliers, specifically those with Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Native-American owners. Our Supplier Diversity team works hard to create an inclusive supply chain where we identify diverse suppliers that help the company deliver world-class entertainment experiences to our guests in our theme parks and resorts around the world. When we identify and work with diverse companies, not only do we contribute to their growth, but we also gain marketplace insights that enrich our content, enhance our offerings and make a difference in the communities where we live, work and play.
The Supplier Diversity team also recently showcased the story of Badia Spices on the Disney Parks Blog. The inspiring story highlighted the business who supplies spices and seasoning blends to our restaurants and has been one of our leading suppliers since 2005. Thanks to the variety of the spices that Badia supplies to our parks, we’re able to create magic through fan-favorite culinary delights. We are proud of our work in ensuring a pipeline of opportunity where minority businesses can participate and thrive in Disney’s economic system, and I am thankful for the entire team’s efforts in making this possible.
I had the honor to accept this award on behalf of Disney and could not help beaming with pride for my team and the immeasurable support and passion that they have for this line of work. Stay tuned for even more stories on our diverse suppliers in the months to come!
2020 IS ALMOST OVER! Oh, and we have deals, construction updates, and refurbishment news out of Universal Orlando this week. BRING ON 2021.
Holiday 2020 Events
Universal Orlando is celebrating the holidays with new physically distant holiday offerings for 2020. New this year is the Universal’s Holiday Experience with Macy’s Balloons walkthrough, Holiday Tribute Store, Holiday Tree Trail scavenger hunt, and physically distant Grinch meet and greet.
Construction Updates
Inside Islands of Adventure, VelociCoaster construction continues. Nighttime testing and adjustment continues with the coaster, landscaping installation continues around the Jurassic Park waterfront, and work walls have come down inside the land.
Today Universal revealed the new coaster trains which feature on-board lighting, lap-bar restraints, and a slick futuristic design.
Construction is wrapping up on the most anticipated change to an attraction ever: the upgrading of Forbidden Journey’s nightmare lockers. These new lockers will support a larger space outside of the castle basement which will improve guest access before and after riding.
Aerial view of new lockers for Forbidden Journey. Seem ready, but still behind construction fence. pic.twitter.com/O7oQ9ZRgUT
Meanwhile, in CityWalk, the new store construction continues. We are expecting an official announcement in early 2021 with rumors suggesting it could be an expanded and upgraded Studio Store.
Portofino Bay and Endless Summer Dockside Open, Surfside Closes
As reported last month two resorts are re-opening at Universal while another is closing. Portofino Bay reopened this week after closing in mid-March due to COVID-19. While closed, the resort refreshed all their rooms with a new look and soft items. Endless Summer – Dockside is opening for the first time on December 15. The sister, and smaller, resort Endless Summer – Surfside is closing at the end of the year with all bookings moving to the larger Dockside.
Welcome, Adventurers! I hope you have enjoyed traveling “around the world” with our collection of at-home virtual trips inspired by beloved Adventures by Disney destinations.
Today we’re taking you to the storied land of pyramids and pharaohs, where many have traveled to experience the mystery and wonder of this ancient civilization. Next stop: Egypt!
Gather your family together to virtually explore this remarkable destination.
1. Play like an Egyptian
When it comes to Egypt, there are so many stories to share. It is a destination that has fascinated historians, archeologists and explorers for centuries. On an Adventures by Disney guided group tour or Private Adventure to Egypt, you will experience this amazing destination and learn so much about the people, places and culture. But rather than simply sharing some of the highlights, why not give you a chance to test your knowledge? We’ve put together a matching game in which you and your family pair each subject with its corresponding description. Think you can get a perfect score? Print out the game and answer sheet to get started.
2. Taste the flavors of Egypt
On day six of our Adventures by Disney itinerary in Egypt, families learn how to cook traditional dishes using fresh, local ingredients. Well today, get ready to enjoy the flavors of Egypt in your own kitchen with this delicious Ginger Carrot Soup recipe. This savory dish, from our friends at Disney Family, is the perfect addition to your at-home Egyptian adventure.
3. Take your next meeting to Egypt
Display your love for travel during your next video conference with these Adventures by Disney virtual backgrounds. Guests visit the pyramids and Sphinx of Giza (left) and the Luxor temple (right) on both our Adventures by Disney guided group itinerary and Private Adventure to Egypt. Just marvel at the grandeur of these iconic monuments! How the ancient Egyptians built these impressive structures remains somewhat of a mystery to this day.
To use the backgrounds, right-click on the images and save them to your computer. Be sure to check out the terms of use before downloading. Then, follow the conferencing platform’s instructions to add some Adventures by Disney magic to your video conferencing.
4. Become a “seasoned” traveler
On every Adventures by Disney trip, guests are immersed in the culture and experiences that make up the heart of each destination. And in Egypt, the traditional “souks,” or marketplaces, are a big part of everyday life. On the Egypt itinerary, adventurers will visit Khan el-Khalili, a famous marketplace established in the 14th century. There, you’ll find all sorts of goods and products – including herbs and spices.
So, let’s bring a small taste of this adventure to you with a sampling of spices you might find when exploring the marketplaces of Egypt. For this activity, gather together the below list of spices and display them in separate bowls. Take turns with your family members exploring the properties of each spice as you read its description (listed below). Do you taste the strong bite of the ginger? How about the sweetness of the cinnamon? Which one is most fragrant?
After trying them all, make a meal combining your favorite flavors. May we suggest the Ginger Carrot Soup? (See above recipe.)
Ginger: Refreshing, spicy, pungent, sweet and warm. Ginger is considered a “hot-tasting” spice and is used for many things, including herbal medicine, baked goods, condiments, beverages, candies and even pickled ginger.
Cinnamon: Sweet, spicy and warm with a woody fragrance. Used in both sweet and savory dishes. In ancient times, cinnamon was a highly sought-after and valuable spice. Did you know that Egyptians used cinnamon – along with other spices – in the embalming process due to its antibacterial properties?
Coriander: Warm, nutty and spicy with a distinctive citrus flavor. Some uses for this spice include condiments, desserts, stews, marinades and meat dishes. Coriander leaves are popular garnishes.
Cardamom: Intense sweet flavor and aromatic. Cardamom seeds are often used for cooking, but this spice is also commonly used to flavor coffee. If using whole cardamom pods, break open the pods and grind the seeds to taste this spice.
Cumin: Earthy, spicy and strongly aromatic. Cumin is one of the ancient Mediterranean spices. The seeds can be used whole or ground, and popular uses include kabobs, couscous, stews, breads and sauces.
Turmeric: Aromatic and bitter. This spice is believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is commonly used in curry and rice dishes. With its bold color, this spice serves as a natural coloring agent.
Expert at-home traveler tip! Enjoy your meal along with some freshly brewed mint or hibiscus tea – two popular beverages in Egypt.
For more Adventures at Home, be sure to check out our collection of virtual trips and at-home activities. Travel to Greece, the land of powerful gods and extraordinary heroes; explore the majestic natural wonders of Iceland; discover the wilderness and rich culture of Alaska; learn about time-honored traditions in Ireland; join a safari to South Africa or experience the beauty of Montana and Yellowstone National Park.
Stay tuned to Disney Parks Blog for even more #DisneyMagicMoments and experience the magic of Disney wherever you may be.
One of our favorite little “secrets” is visiting Dockside Margaritas at Disney Springs for their seasonal margaritas. For the holiday season you can say “Feliz Navidad” at Dockside Margaritas with a seasonal margarita. Our team enjoyed the waterside views as they sipped on this festive seasonal margarita.
Dockside Margaritas
The Feliz Navidad Margarita is a fairly simple recipe with Herradura Blanco Tequila, Crème de Cassis, and apple juice. The color is simply gorgeous thanks to the Crème de Cassis (which is a sweet liqueur made from black currants). The Blanco Tequila is very light, so combining that with the sweet Crème de Cassis and the apple juice, you’ve got a very sweet and light margarita.
Feliz Navidad Margarta DescriptionFeliz Navidad Margarta at Dockside Margaritas
Thankfully the chili salt rim adds a nice contrast and some mild heat. A lime wedge is added as a garnish, and our team recommends squeezing it in to add some tartness, and perhaps asking for a second one if you really want to cut back the sweet. Sipping on this beauty at Dockside Margaritas is a great way to stop and take a minute to enjoy the season in a relaxing outdoor venue.
Feliz Navidad Margarta at Dockside Margaritas
For $15.00 this is a very good, fresh-made cocktail. It certainly beats the disaster that was the Peppermint Margarita last year. Yes, there are a few tiny ways 2020 is better than 2019 – we’ll take the small victory.
Have you ever stopped for a margarita at Dockside Margaritas? Where do you love to grab a drink at Disney Springs?
Overall wait times and crowds have been pretty mild, but bumps in the road for some headliner attraction have had a cascading effect on wait times. Our team observed at EPCOT today 9 out of 500 guests that were not wearing their masks in accordance with Disney’s guidelines, and at Magic Kingdom today 13 out of 500. That means 98.2% of guests observed at EPCOT and 97.4% at Magic Kingdom were wearing their masks correctly. Finally, we received 196 actual wait time submissions in our Lines app today – thank you, Liners! Let’s dive in.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Wait Times
We’ve been seeing long wait times at Na’vi River Journey. Expedition Everest had some unexpected downtime which may have impacted wait times and other big attractions. And today’s weather was near perfection, which does tend to drive attendance at Animal Kingdom.
DINOSAUR had an average wait time today of 30 minutes. Its 7-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 36 minutes, so today ranks #17 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #138 for the past year.
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain had an average wait time today of 35 minutes. Its 7-day average is 37 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 37 minutes, so today ranks #15 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 41% of the posted wait time.
had an average wait time today of 52 minutes. Its 7-day average is 48 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #12 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 57 minutes, so today ranks #118 for the past year.
Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time today of 55 minutes. Its 7-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 64 minutes, so today ranks #15 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 85% of the posted wait time.
Rise of the Resistance had a very rough day today with operations. The first boarding groups did not get called until about 12:15 p.m. Then there was a gap in operations around 3:00 p.m., though this has been a trend for a while. With the new procedures and increased capacity, we were recently seeing boarding groups in the 120 range and higher being called toward the end of the day, but they’re barely reaching 60 today.
EPCOT Wait Times
Living with the Land had an average wait time today of 12 minutes. Its 7-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 12 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 14 minutes, so today ranks #156 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 24% of the posted wait time.
Mission: SPACE Orange had an average wait time today of 21 minutes. Its 7-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #133 for the past year.
Soarin’ had an average wait time today of 35 minutes. Its 7-day average is 39 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 41 minutes, so today ranks #15 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 62% of the posted wait time.
Test Track had an average wait time today of 56 minutes. Its 7-day average is 64 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #14 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 57 minutes, so today ranks #92 for the past year.
Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 67 minutes. Its 7-day average is 73 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 73 minutes, so today ranks #14 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #81 for the past year.
Here’s a quick look at some of the crowds, and lack thereof, at EPCOT today.
Spaceship Earth December 3, 2020Yukon Kitchen December 3, 2020Mexico Pavilion December 3, 2020
Magic Kingdom Wait Times
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had an average wait time today of 50 minutes. Its 7-day average is 48 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 51 minutes, so today ranks #103 for the past year. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 61% of the posted wait time.
Jungle Cruise had an average wait time today of 44 minutes. Its 7-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #14 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 51 minutes, so today ranks #123 for the past year.
Peter Pan’s Flight 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 34 minutes, so today ranks #9 for the past month. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 58% of the posted wait time.
Pirates of the Caribbean had an average wait time today of 47 minutes. Its 7-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #12 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #110 for the past year.
Space Mountain had an average wait time today of 39 minutes. Its 7-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 40 minutes, so today ranks #14 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 57 minutes, so today ranks #145 for the past year. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 78% of the posted wait time.
Splash Mountain had an average wait time today of 56 minutes. Its 7-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #14 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #76 for the past year. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 72% of the posted wait time.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had an average wait time today of 69 minutes. Its 7-day average is 70 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 78 minutes, so today ranks #120 for the past year. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 99% of the posted wait time.
Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid had an average wait time today of 24 minutes. Its 7-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #14 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #118 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 43% of the posted wait time.
