Practically any day of the year that you visit EPCOT you’re bound to do so during one of its many festivals. The 2021 Taste of EPCOT Festival of the Arts starts on January 8, 2021, and we’re getting excited. Disney has been using the term “Taste of” for all of EPCOT’s festivals ever since the park’s reopening in July 2020. This term is used to help illustrate that each festival is a little lighter on its normal offerings. Still, there’s lots to look forward to.
The 15 Food Studios
Browsing beautiful art on display around World Showcase
Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt
Epcot Festival of the Arts – February 2020
It wouldn’t be an EPCOT festival without food and beverage booths all along World Showcase promenade. The food and beverage at the Festival of the Arts is often the most creative of any festival. This is when the beauty of culinary art is on display as a feast for the eyes and the taste buds.
Champagne with popping bubbles at Epcot’s Festival of the Arts 2020
EPCOT is already a beautiful park. (Well at least World Showcase is; Future World is a bit of a wreck right now.) Throughout World Showcase during the Festival of the Arts, there will be tents featuring different artists and their works. Most of the artists are there to greet guests and answer any questions. It will be interesting to see how this plays out with social distancing and other COVID-19 precautions.
Festival of the Arts Visiting Artist Rob Kaz (photo by Brandon Glover)Festival of the Arts Figment Topiary
Although it costs $7.99, Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt is a fun activity for families, and kids at heart. Each festival there is a different scavenger hunt around World Showcase and it results in a fun, themed prize. We look forward to seeing what this year’s prize will be. Any guesses?
Have you been to the EPCOT Festival of the Arts before? What’s your favorite part?
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.
Parking and transportation opens about 45 minutes before opening
Baby Care Centers and First Aid
You can walk through attraction queues without riding
Avatar Flight of Passage QueueEpcot 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.
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.
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.
When you’re staying at a Walt Disney World hotel it’s nice to have a few staples and groceries to help save money, and have fuel at your fingertips in your room. If you’re in a Disney Vacation Club Deluxe Villa, you may want to make use of that full kitchen or kitchenette. It is one of the perks of those villas, after all. During a recent visit to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge I was impressed by the selection, and thought it would help to show some of the groceries, sundries, drinks, beer, and wine you can expect to find at most Disney resort merchandise shops.
Although I am using Disney’s Wilderness Lodge as the example, other Disney resorts at the moderate and value level still have a selection of similar items. Certainly the Deluxe resorts, and specifically those that have Disney Vacation Club villas, have the widest variety and selection. Here’s what you can typically expect.
Snacks like chips, pretzels, crackers, and cookies
Dry groceries like bread, bagels, muffins, and cereal
Coffee, coffee filters, cream, sugar, sweetener, and select condiments
Cold groceries like eggs, milk, cheese, and lunch meat
Frozen groceries like pizza and frozen dinners
Select over-the-counter medicine, first aid items, and sundries
Soft drinks, water, and juice
Beer and wine
Most of the groceries are priced about 5% – 10% higher than the average grocery store in Central Florida. But, if you’re traveling from an area with higher grocery store prices, perhaps Disney’s prices won’t seem so bad. Philadelphia Cream Cheese is $4.29, a Lunchable is $4.49, and a half gallon of milk is $3.89. Novelty ice creams are also sold, such as the Mickey Premium Bar, and reflect the same prices as in the park.
Dry Groceries at Disney’s Wilderness LodgeFrozen Groceries in Cooler at Disney’s Wilderness LodgeGroceries in Cooler at Disney’s Wilderness LodgeSnack Groceries in Cooler at Disney’s Wilderness LodgeSundries and Over-the-Counter Items at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Where prices get really inflated is with beer, wine, and certain sundries like sunscreen, toothpaste, and medication. A six pack of Miller Light or Bud Light is $16.50. At a local Central Florida Wal-Mart that same six pack is $8.50. A bottle of Kendall Jackson Chardonnay is $22.00 at the merchandise shop at Wilderness Lodge. At the local Wal-Mart? It’s $11.98.
Groceries Section at Disney’s Wilderness LodgeBeer in Cooler at Disney’s Wilderness LodgeRed Wine Selection at Disney’s Wilderness LodgeWhite Wine Selection at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
The massive increase in the price of alcoholic drinks really is not surprising. Disney charges a premium for alcoholic drinks at its lounges and restaurants too. One neat thing I’ve noticed at some of the resort merchandise shops is there are usually a few beers and wines that fit the theme of the resort. At Wilderness Lodge I spotted a Frontier Red wine, as well as Firefly Moonshine. And to fit the magical theme, there was Once Upon a Vine wine too.
If you’re looking to save money and considering having groceries delivered, you can do so at your Disney resort. However, there is a $6.00 handling fee from Disney, in addition to any fees charged by whatever grocer you choose, as well as tip.
Do you usually stock up on groceries when staying at Walt Disney World? Have you ever used Disney’s merchandise shops to pick up a few items?
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
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
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
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.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Wait Times
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.
Researching the Walt Disney World theme parks every day makes our team hungry. One of the staples of theme park food is the hamburger. We’ve had quite a few this year and thought it would be fun to recap some of our favorites.
Note, these are all quick service burgers. Generally the burgers served at any table service restaurant will be better quality, but there are still some gems to be found at counter service locations.
Angus Bacon Cheeseburger at The Sand Bar
Backlot Burger at Backlot Express
Plant-Based Burger at Beaches and Cream
Honorable Mention: Turkey Holiday Burger at D-Luxe Burger
It’s hard to wholeheartedly recommend The Sand Bar at Disney’s Contemporary Resort considering there are more interesting options on the monorail loop, like Caption Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian. However, with the Contemporary being right next door to Magic Kingdom, it is a convenient place to have a nice break.
The Angus Bacon Cheeseburger, is served with a generous amount of French fries. This burger is better quality than the standard cheeseburgers served inside Magic Kingdom. Priced at $12.99, which is pretty standard for a Disney quick service cheeseburger, this Angus Bacon Cheeseburger is a better value than the standard burgers inside the parks because of the quality.
Backlot Burger at Backlot Express
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios you can take a step back in time at Backlot Express, which has not changed too much since the park’s opening year. The Backlot Burger is a specialty burger that offers so much more than the standard Disney quick service burger. This something extra is indicated in the price of $13.99, but the serving is pretty large and the 1/3 lb. Angus beef burger is loaded with barbecued pulled pork, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickle. The brioche bun holds this big pile of tasty food together, and you can have apple slices or fries as the side.
Plant-Based Burger at Beaches and Cream
This next burger is delicious, even if you’re not that into plant-based options. The Plant-Based Burger at Beaches and Cream, at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, is one of the most flavorful burgers we tried this year. The plant-based mayo and the balsamic-onion jam elevate this plant-based burger. The sweetness of the onion jam is addicting. The plant-based mayo is a little tangy and adds a little bit of creaminess. The multigrain bun is flavorful and fluffy, and solidifies this burger as one of the best plant-based burgers at Walt Disney World.
Holiday Turkey Burger and Eggnog Shake at D-Luxe Burger
This last burger is only available during the holiday season, but it is included as an Honorable Mention in this list because it showcases the great seasonal items that are available at D-Luxe Burger. If you enjoy checking out seasonal or new flavors at Disney Springs, D-Luxe Burger should be on your list. The Holiday Turkey Burger is a Turkey Burger patty topped with Bacon-Cranberry Jam, Butternut Squash Risotto Cake, Lettuce, and Tomato. Both the Bacon-Cranberry Jam and the Butternut Squash Risotto Cake elevate this burger to gourmet status, the flavor and quality is high. Our team was tempted to harass the cooks for the recipe of the Butternut Squash Risotto Cake. Here’s hoping this holly jolly burger is back on the menu next holiday season.
Did you visit Walt Disney World this year? What’s the best burger you had?
