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Disney Parks Disney Vacations

Here’s 3 More Disney World Vacation Tips That Everyone Forgets About

There’s lots to know when planning your Walt Disney World vacation. Even seasoned Disney fans can forget some of the smaller details and tips. We aim to make our website and Lines app as helpful as possible. We’ve previously shared three tips for visiting Walt Disney World that practically everyone forgets about, and we figured we’d share three more.

  1. Parking and transportation opens about 45 minutes before opening
  2. Baby Care Centers and First Aid
  3. You can walk through attraction queues without riding
Here’s 3 More Disney World Vacation Tips That Everyone Forgets About
Avatar Flight of Passage Queue
Here’s 3 More Disney World Vacation Tips That Everyone Forgets About
Epcot Parking Tram Loop March 2020

Parking and transportation opens about 45 minutes before opening

One of the keys to maximizing your time and avoiding long lines at Walt Disney World is getting there early. The famed rope drop experience allows many guests to get multiple attractions under their belt in the first hour of park operation. The key is to get to the park itself well before opening.

Disney resort transportation from the hotels as well as the theme park parking lots generally open about 45 minutes prior to the scheduled opening time of the park. On busier days, like peak holidays, this can even be stretched to an hour before opening.

Here’s 3 More Disney World Vacation Tips That Everyone Forgets About
Distanced Parking at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Baby Care Centers and First Aid

Whether you’re a parent of an infant or a preschooler, Disney’s Baby Care Centers are a godsend. Each of the four parks has one. They are marked on the maps and MyDisneyExperience app, and are generally located near the center of each park. Any Cast Member should be able to direct you if you have any trouble finding it. Here you can purchase any forgotten baby supplies like diapers, pull-ups, wipes, pacifiers, baby food, and more. You can also change diapers in a space that is much less congested than the regular restrooms throughout the park. Nursing rooms are also available.

Here’s 3 More Disney World Vacation Tips That Everyone Forgets About
Animal Kingdom Baby Care Center Changing Area

Each park also has a First Aid Station, usually near the Baby Care Center. Here you can get help with basic medical needs including some over-the-counter medications. I have utilized them for allergic reactions and dehydration, and appreciate the wonderful Cast Members and RNs here so much.

You can walk through attraction queues without riding

Walt Disney World does an awesome job of creating queues for attractions that are entertaining and immersive. Disney is big on storytelling and the story usually begins the moment you walk into the queue. But, not every ride is for every person. If you want to join your group as they wait in line, or if you just want to experience one of the cool queues, you can walk through without having to get on the ride. Just let the Cast Member at the boarding area know you do not wish to ride and they will point you in the direction of the exit. Of course, you should check the Expected Wait Time in our Lines app first to make sure you won’t be waiting too long.

What are some of your lesser known Disney World tips and tricks? Let us know in the comments.

Here’s 3 More Disney World Vacation Tips That Everyone Forgets About

The post Here’s 3 More Disney World Vacation 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, disney planning, disney vacation tips, disney world vacation

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Disney Lists Disney Parks Other

The Top 3 New Functions in MyDisneyExperience App in 2020

We’re big fans of helpful mobile apps. After all, we have our Lines app. Disney added lots of new functions in the MyDisneyExperience app this year. Let’s look at our three favorite functions that rolled out in 2020.

  • Mobile Dine Walk-Up Waitlist
  • Mobile Ordering at Select Table Service Restaurants for To Go Orders
  • Merchandise Mobile Checkout
The Top 3 New Functions in MyDisneyExperience App in 2020
MyDisneyExperience Functions

These three functions are in order of when they made their debut. Looking at them in this way you can get an idea of how things evolved to create more options for guests looking to minimize there exposure to other guests and Cast Members. Back in August Disney began rolling out the ability for guests to check on dining availability on a walk-up basis. You can now go to “Check Dining Availability” then select today’s date, and “Now” to see if any table service restaurants have walk-up availability. This is great for any guests who enjoy spontaneity.

The Top 3 New Functions in MyDisneyExperience App in 2020
MyDisneyExperience “Now” Dining Availability

Then in September Disney fans rejoiced as Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge became available to order for takeout via the MyDisneyExperience app. A few weeks later the ability to order takeout from Kona Café rolled out, and soon many other resort hotel restaurants followed. We think this feature is great for locals and vacationers alike, especially those looking to avoid the traditional dine-in experience right now.

The Top 3 New Functions in MyDisneyExperience App in 2020
Seared Gnocci and Chocolate Flight To Go at The Wave

Finally, earlier this month Disney began testing the ability to shop at select merchandise stores without having to go to a physical register to check out. At select Walt Disney World merchandise locations, Guests can scan items while shopping and check out simply by using the My Disney Experience app.

Have you used any of these new functions yet? Which one do you find to be the most helpful?

The Top 3 New Functions in MyDisneyExperience App in 2020

The post The Top 3 New Functions in MyDisneyExperience App in 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Just For Fun, MyDisneyExperience, Observations, disney dining, disney vacation planning, mydisneyexperience app

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Disney Parks Other

Holiday Crowds Increase – Disney World Wait Times for Monday, December 28, 2020

We’ve been waiting for the holiday crowds to truly materialize and it seems with the improve weather it’s happening. Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and EPCOT had their busiest day of the past 30 days today. Ok well, today at Animal Kingdom ranked number 2 of the past 30, and EPCOT’s wait times are severely inflated. Our actual wait time data shows the waits are about half of what Disney posts.

Since it is the last Monday of 2020 we’ll look at attractions that make any Monday better, as well as the attraction at which we received actual wait times today. Speaking of, we received 151 actual wait times today from our Lines app users, thank you so much Liners!

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

Holiday Crowds Increase – Disney World Wait Times for Monday, December 28, 2020
Magic Kingdom Wait Times 12-28-2020

Soaring high above Tomorrowland on Astro Orbiter will improve any Monday. It had an average wait time today of 46 minutes. Its 7-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #9 for the past year.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had an average wait time today of 64 minutes. Its 7-day average is 60 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 40% of the posted wait time, meaning the actual wait time was around 26 minutes – talk about a wild ride!

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin had an average wait time today of 46 minutes. Its 7-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 40 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 61% of the posted wait time.

Who wouldn’t love to see an elephant fly on a Monday? Dumbo the Flying Elephant had an average wait time today of 26 minutes. Its 7-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 17 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 20 minutes, so today ranks #63 for the past year.

Peter Pan’s Flight had an average wait time today of 53 minutes. Its 7-day average is 45 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 40 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 88% of the posted wait time.

Space Mountain had an average wait time today of 72 minutes. Its 7-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 65% of the posted wait time.

Splash Mountain had an average wait time today of 78 minutes. Its 7-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 68% of the posted wait time.

The Haunted Mansion 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 28 minutes, so today ranks #5 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 76% of the posted wait time.

Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid had an average wait time today of 32 minutes. Its 7-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 26 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 55% of the posted wait time.

EPCOT Wait Times

Holiday Crowds Increase – Disney World Wait Times for Monday, December 28, 2020
EPCOT Wait Times 12-28-2020

How about spending your Monday with Jose, Panchito, and Donald? Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros had an average wait time today of 18 minutes. Its 7-day average is 9 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 9 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 10 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past year.

Soarin’ had an average wait time today of 81 minutes. Its 7-day average is 39 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 57% of the posted wait time.

Spaceship Earth had an average wait time today of 40 minutes. Its 7-day average is 20 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 42% of the posted wait time.

Test Track had an average wait time today of 95 minutes. Its 7-day average is 63 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 64 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 38% of the posted wait time.

The Seas with Nemo & Friends had an average wait time today of 21 minutes. Its 7-day average is 9 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 11 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 23% of the posted wait time.

A trip to Arendelle will help with the Monday blues. Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 53 minutes. Its 7-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #19 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #148 for the past year.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Wait Times

Holiday Crowds Increase – Disney World Wait Times for Monday, December 28, 2020
Hollywood Studios Wait Times 12-28-2020

Rocking out to Phish, or ABBA, or I guess Aerosmith will do on a Monday. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith had an average wait time today of 49 minutes. Its 7-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 46 minutes, so today ranks #10 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 57 minutes, so today ranks #131 for the past year.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror had an average wait time today of 67 minutes. Its 7-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 60 minutes, so today ranks #4 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #60 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 88% of the posted wait time.

Toy Story Mania! had an average wait time today of 34 minutes. Its 7-day average is 36 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #5 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 84% of the posted wait time.

Slinky Dog Dash had an average wait time today of 71 minutes. Its 7-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #10 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 70 minutes, so today ranks #108 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 72% of the posted wait time.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had an average wait time today of 40 minutes. Its 7-day average is 41 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 67% of the posted wait time.

Taking the Falcon for a spin is a great way to improve your Monday mood. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run had an average wait time today of 65 minutes. Its 7-day average is 71 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 60 minutes, so today ranks #79 for the past year.

Rise of the Resistance is having a pretty decent day of operations. A few hiccups this morning, but it did get an early start and it is fairly on pace with the last 7 days.

Holiday Crowds Increase – Disney World Wait Times for Monday, December 28, 2020

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Wait Times

Holiday Crowds Increase – Disney World Wait Times for Monday, December 28, 2020
Animal Kingdom Wait Times 12-28-2020

DINOSAUR had an average wait time today of 71 minutes. Its 7-day average is 39 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 40 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month.  We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 96% of the posted wait time.

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain had an average wait time today of 45 minutes. Its 7-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 63% of the posted wait time.

Seeing the incredible animals on safari definitely soothes the soul on a Monday. Kilimanjaro Safaris had an average wait time today of 34 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 #4 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 41 minutes, so today ranks #85 for the past year. We received 10 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 44% of the posted wait time.

Na’vi River Journey had an average wait time today of 84 minutes. Its 7-day average is 60 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #47 for the past year.

Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time today of 80 minutes. Its 7-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #5 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 81 minutes, so today ranks #96 for the past year.

Holiday Crowds Increase – Disney World Wait Times for Monday, December 28, 2020

The post Holiday Crowds Increase – Disney World Wait Times for Monday, December 28, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Attractions, Observations, Trip Planning, disney attendance, disney crowds, disney planning, disney wait times

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Disney Parks

Better Weather Increases Christmas Crowds – Disney World Wait Times for Sunday, December 27, 2020

It’s been a very cold few days by Central Florida standards, but things are thawing out. Other nearby drive-in destinations in the southeastern states have improved weather in the past 24 hours. Both of these aspects could be some of the reasons wait times today increased compared to yesterday. Still, wait times aren’t as high as they could be, especially at EPCOT.

We received 153 actual wait times in our Lines app today – thank you, Liners! Let’s take a break from the holiday clean-up and look at the numbers.

EPCOT Wait Times

Let’s start at the park that really seems to be missing Gold and Silver Annual Passholders right now. Ever since the black outs started the wait times at EPCOT have noticeably decreased. Even then Disney’s posted wait times have been inflated. The actual wait times have been around 60% of what Disney is posting.

Better Weather Increases Christmas Crowds – Disney World Wait Times for Sunday, December 27, 2020
EPCOT Wait Times 12-27-2020

Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros had an average wait time today of 10 minutes. Its 7-day average is 9 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 9 minutes, so today ranks #12 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 10 minutes, so today ranks #116 for the past year.

Mission: SPACE Orange had an average wait time today of 43 minutes. Its 7-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #4 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #35 for the past year.

Soarin’ had an average wait time today of 53 minutes. Its 7-day average is 40 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #4 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 37 minutes, so today ranks #44 for the past year.

Test Track had an average wait time today of 66 minutes. Its 7-day average is 64 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #59 for the past year.

Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 34 minutes. Its 7-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 63 minutes, so today ranks #24 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #194 for the past year.

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

Magic Kingdom’s wait times picked up a little bit today, but today was still a reasonable day to visit the Most Magical Place on Earth. Today ranks as number four out of the past 30 days for average posted wait times.

Actual wait times show to be about 70% of Disney’s posted wait times. Showing actual wait time data and expected wait times to compare against Disney’s posted wait times help our Lines app users better plan their day and avoid wasting precious time.

Better Weather Increases Christmas Crowds – Disney World Wait Times for Sunday, December 27, 2020

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin had an average wait time today of 45 minutes. Its 7-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 39 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #64 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 57% of the posted wait time.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant had an average wait time today of 26 minutes. Its 7-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 17 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 79% of the posted wait time.

“it’s a small world” had an average wait time today of 45 minutes. Its 7-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #8 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #38 for the past year.

Better Weather Increases Christmas Crowds – Disney World Wait Times for Sunday, December 27, 2020
Magic Kingdom Wait Times 12-27-2020

Jungle Cruise had an average wait time today of 44 minutes. Its 7-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 46 minutes, so today ranks #19 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #122 for the past year.

Pirates of the Caribbean had an average wait time today of 58 minutes. Its 7-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #22 for the past year.

Space Mountain had an average wait time today of 68 minutes. Its 7-day average is 64 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #75 for the past year.

Splash Mountain had an average wait time today of 63 minutes. Its 7-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #6 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #49 for the past year.

The Haunted Mansion had an average wait time today of 29 minutes. Its 7-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 40 minutes, so today ranks #151 for the past year.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had an average wait time today of 82 minutes. Its 7-day average is 88 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 74 minutes, so today ranks #4 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 76 minutes, so today ranks #88 for the past year.

Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid had an average wait time today of 32 minutes. Its 7-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 34% of the posted wait time.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Wait Times

In the land of Hollywood wait times picked up today. Part of this is indeed due to the improve weather, but also Rise of the Resistance’s performance slowed down just a hair today. Today ranked number four out of the past 30 days in terms of average posted wait times.

Better Weather Increases Christmas Crowds – Disney World Wait Times for Sunday, December 27, 2020
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Wait Times 12-27-2020

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith had an average wait time today of 47 minutes. Its 7-day average is 48 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 46 minutes, so today ranks #15 for the past month. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 78% of the posted wait time.

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue had an average wait time today of 41 minutes. Its 7-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 51% of the posted wait time.

Toy Story Mania! had an average wait time today of 44 minutes. Its 7-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 10 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 52% of the posted wait time.

Slinky Dog Dash had an average wait time today of 69 minutes. Its 7-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 76% of the posted wait time.

Alien Swirling Saucers had an average wait time today of 41 minutes. Its 7-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 62% of the posted wait time.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had an average wait time today of 46 minutes. Its 7-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month. We received 11 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 71% of the posted wait time.

Better Weather Increases Christmas Crowds – Disney World Wait Times for Sunday, December 27, 2020

Rise of the Resistance is having a decent day. There are no major delays, and it is performing on pace with the past 7 days. Some of the last few days have outperformed compared to today, meaning higher number boarding groups were reached. This may be one of the reasons we are seeing slightly higher wait times across the park today.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Wait Times

Although Animal Kingdom is great in cooler weather, thanks to the animals being more active, sometimes when it gets too cold it’s outdoor attractions aren’t as fun. Today ranked number three out of the past 30 days, though actual wait times showed to be about 64% of Disney’s posted wait times.

Better Weather Increases Christmas Crowds – Disney World Wait Times for Sunday, December 27, 2020

DINOSAUR had an average wait time today of 66 minutes. Its 7-day average is 39 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 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 98% of the posted wait time.

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain had an average wait time today of 39 minutes. Its 7-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #5 for the past month. We received 16 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 49% of the posted wait time.

Kilimanjaro Safaris had an average wait time today of 51 minutes. Its 7-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 45% of the posted wait time.

Na’vi River Journey had an average wait time today of 72 minutes. Its 7-day average is 60 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 83% of the posted wait time.

Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time today of 87 minutes. Its 7-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 72% of the posted wait time.

The post Better Weather Increases Christmas Crowds – Disney World Wait Times for Sunday, December 27, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

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

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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

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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