Author: touringplans.com

Today we wrap up our look at all the touring plans that reflect changes in the Walt Disney World theme parks from social distancing rules and closures due to COVID-19. The Animal Kingdom One-Day Touring Plan is the standard one-day touring plan of the park, and includes major attractions. If you then wish to ride Flight of Passage without an excessive wait we suggest you arrive at the Animal Kingdom gates one hour before the park opens and ride Flight of Passage first.

STEPS
1) Avatar Flight of Passage Take flight on Avatar Flight of Passage as soon as the park opens. Avatar Flight of Passage is one of the most technologically advanced rides Disney has ever produced: a flight simulator in which you hop on the back of a winged, dragonlike Pandora banshee for a spin to take in the planet’s scenery. The flying effects are very well done. You can turn your head almost 90° either way, and about 45° up and down, to survey the Pandora landscape. Flight of Passage ranks high with all age groups.
2) Na’vi River Journey Take a cruise on Na’vi River Journey.   The Na’vi River Journey is a 4½-minute boat ride through the Pandora jungle. You begin by boarding one of two small, hewn rafts joined together. Each raft has two rows of seats, and each row can fit up to three adults. The big star is displayed in the ride’s culminating scene: the Shaman of Songs, easily one of  the most lifelike animatronic figure Disney has ever created.
3) Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain Confront the yeti on Expedition Everest.   The only true roller coaster in Animal Kingdom, Expedition Everest vies with Avatar Flight of Passage for the park’s longest waits in line—and for good reason. Your journey begins in an elaborate waiting area modeled after a Nepalese village; then you board an old train headed for the base camp of Mount Everest. Throughout the waiting area are posted notes from previous expeditions, some with cryptic observations regarding a mysterious creature said to guard the mountain. These ominous signs are ignored (as if you have a choice!), resulting in a high-speed encounter with the Abominable Snowman himself.
4) DINOSAUR Go to DinoLand and ride Dinosaur. Dinosaur is a combination track ride and motion simulator. In addition to moving along a cleverly hidden track, the ride vehicle also bucks and pitches (the simulator part) in sync with the visuals and special effects. Dinosaur serves up nonstop action from beginning to end, with brilliant visual effects. Elaborate even by Disney standards, the tense, frenetic ride is embellished by the entire Imagineering arsenal of high-tech gimmickry.
5) Maharajah Jungle Trek Walk through the Maharajah Jungle Trek.   This walk is similar to the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail but with an Asian setting and Asian animals. You start with Komodo dragons and work up to Malayan flying foxes. Next is a cave with fruit bats. Ruins of the maharajah’s palace provide the setting for Bengal tigers. From the top of a parapet in the palace you can view a herd of blackbuck antelope and Asian deer. The trek concludes with an aviary. Labyrinthine, overgrown, and elaborately detailed, the temple ruin would be a compelling attraction even without the animals.
6) Eat Lunch   Eat lunch. Our favorite counter-service restaurants are Flame Tree Barbecue on Discovery Island and Satu’li Canteen in Pandora.
7) Kilimanjaro Safaris Take a trip on Kilimanjaro Safaris.   Animal Kingdom’s premier zoological attraction, Kilimanjaro Safaris offers an exceptionally realistic, albeit brief, imitation of an actual African photo safari. Guests board tall, open vehicles and are dispatched into a simulated African veldt habitat. Animals such as zebras, wildebeests, impalas, Thomson’s gazelles, giraffes, and even rhinos roam apparently free, while predators such as lions, as well as potentially dangerous large animals like hippos, are separated from both prey and guests by all-but-invisible, natural-appearing barriers. Another high ranking attraction for all ages.
8) Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail Explore Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.   As the trail winds between the domain of two troops of lowland gorillas, it’s hard to see what, if anything, separates you from the primates. Also on the trail is a hippo pool with an underwater viewing area, plus a naked mole rat exhibit. A highlight is an exotic-bird aviary so craftily designed that you can barely tell you’re in an enclosure.
9) Feathered Friends In Flight! Watch Feathered Friends In Flight.   This is a bird show in Asia’s Anandapur Theater, formerly home to UP! A Great Bird Adventure. Expect some audience participation.
10) Discovery Island Trails Walk through Discovery Island Trails.   Winding behind The Tree of Life is a series of walking trails that include around a dozen animal-viewing opportunities, from otters and kangaroos to lemurs, storks, and porcupines. Besides the animals, you’ll find verdant landscaping, waterfalls, and quiet spots to sit and reflect on your relationship with nature.
11) Eat Dinner   Eat Dinner if you’re hungry. Tiffins is the best Table Service restaurant in Animal Kingdom, or eat at Quick Service restaurant that you did not have lunch at.
12) Kali River Rapids Ride Kali River Rapids. Kali River Rapids is an unguided trip in a circular rubber raft down an artificial river; each raft has a topmounted platform that seats 12 people. The raft essentially floats free in the current and is washed downstream through rapids and waves. Because the “river” is fairly wide, with various currents, eddies, and obstacles, each trip is different and exciting. Oh, and you WILL get wet.
13) Valley of Mo’ara This is the part of the plan where we would tell you to tour Pandora after dark, but Animal Kingdom currently closes before the sun goes down. We’ll leave this step here for when Disney keeps the park open later than 5 p.m.

There’s no FastPass+ being offered at this time so you’ll have to do only standby lines. Don’t forget, you can customize and optimize this or any of our other touring plans using our personalized touring plans creator on the site or in our mobile app, Lines. Be sure to check out our other touring plans that will help you save time and money in Walt Disney World.

The post Animal Kingdom One-Day Touring Plan Updated For COVID-19 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Trip Planning, Walt Disney World (FL), touring plan

Whether you are a long-time Walt Disney World guest or visiting Orlando for the first time, planning a visit to Universal Orlando Resort poses a lot of questions. Where do I stay? What is the Wizarding World? Which restaurants should I check out? In the Universal Orlando for Newbies series of articles, we will cover frequently asked questions, offer comparisons to Disney’s offerings, and help you plan a successful vacation to Universal Orlando.

What is Universal Orlando Resort?

Universal Orlando Resort is a theme park resort owned by NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast. Unlike Walt Disney World, which comprises 4200 acres, Universal Orlando Resort is a compact 541 acres. Universal Orlando is comprised of:

• CityWalk – A Disney Springs-esque dining, shopping, and entertainment district.
• Universal Studios Florida – a movie and TV studio themed park where guests ride the movies.
• Islands of Adventure – Seven themed “islands”, each focusing on a popular property such as Marvel, Jurassic Park, Dr. Seuss, and Harry Potter.
• Volcano Bay – South Pacific islands themed water park with modern water park features.
• Resort wide transportation network
• Seven resort hotels

Where is Universal Orlando located?

Universal Orlando Resort is located off I-4, south of Orlando and north of Walt Disney World, in the Doctor Phillips neighborhood.

Where do I park?

Parking for Universal Orlando theme parks is in a large parking garage complex; each resort offers its own parking. When driving take exit 74B coming from the North on I-4W and exit 75A from Walt Disney World on I-4E. Follow the signage to the parking garages or resorts.

What is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter?

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a pair of themed lands – Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida. Referred to as “a theme park within a theme park”, the combined Potter lands equate to five attractions, two restaurants, ten shops, four shows, and dozens of interactive wand stations.

Access to The Wizarding World is included with admission to the theme parks, but a park-to-park ticket is required to ride the Hogwarts Express between the two themed lands.

Are there onsite resorts?

Yes! Universal partnered with luxury hotel company Loews to operate Universal’s resorts. Currently, there are seven resorts with pricing ranging from under $100 a night to over $500 a night.

For a complete list of room types, benefits, and pricing visit Universal Orlando’s website.

Is there a MyDisneyExperience-like app?

Yes, the Universal Orlando app is available on Android and iOS app stores. The app allows guests to mobile order from counter service restaurants, book Virtual Line times for attractions, check wait times, and more. For more information check out our Universal Orlando App 101 article. For even more features, TouringPlans offers a Universal Orlando Lines app as well.

Does Universal offer complimentary transportation from the airport?

No, Universal does not offer free transportation from the airport to the resort. Universal and Mears have paired up to offer the Universal SuperStar Shuttle, a paid airport shuttle to and from the resort and airport for $34 per adult, round trip. Unlike Disney’s Magical Express, the SuperStar Shuttle does not offer complimentary baggage service to your resort–you will need to bring your luggage with you.

What are my ticket options?

Universal Orlando Resort offers three ticket options:

• Single-Day Admission – Starting at $109 per ticket, valid for one day.
• Multi-Day Admission – Best value for visiting between two and five days, depending on the time of year. Prices start at $218 per ticket for two day, one park per day tickets.
• Annual Pass – Starting at $304, annual passes offer year-long admission to the parks. All annual passes are park-to-park.

Tickets purchased for Walt Disney World are not valid for Universal Orlando, and vice versa.

What is Universal Express Pass?

Express Pass is Universal’s skip the line offering. Guests use a separate line that reduces wait times by at least half. Unlike Disney’s FastPass+ no return times are required but Express is not included with admission.

Two Express Passes are offered: a single-use Express Pass that’s good for one use at each attraction, and an Unlimited Express Pass which can be used as many times as desired.

Unlimited Express Pass is offered as a benefit of staying at Universal’s three Premier resorts.

How Do I Travel Around the Resort?

Guests driving to the resort and visiting one of the two theme parks walk from the garages to the parks. If visiting Volcano Bay there is a bus route that operates from the garage to the park.

Guests staying at one of the resorts have several transportation methods to the parks: bus, boat, or walk. Buses drop guests off at the security rotunda for CityWalk and the main two theme parks, Volcano Bay buses drop guests off directly at the park. Boats from the Premier and Preferred hotels deposit guests in the middle of CityWalk.

What Is Early Park Admission?

Early Park Admission is Universal’s version of Extra Magic Hours at Walt Disney World – every morning at least one park opens their gates an hour early just for resort guests. Attractions open during Early Park Admission change frequently but usually include that park’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter attractions and at least one other attraction.

For up to date Early Park Admission locations, times, and attractions visit the Universal Orlando website.

What are our dining options? Do we need to make reservations?

Universal operates dozens of food stands, quick-service, and sit-down restaurants around the resort. Food quality is universally (pun intended) good to very good – just avoid the dining locations in Marvel and Toon Lagoon.

Unlike at Disney, most restaurants do not require advanced reservations (some do not even take them). If you decide to book a reservation at a restaurant that offers them, we suggest booking reservations on the morning of your visit.

Does Universal offer a Dining Plan?

Yes, Universal offers two dining plan options:

• Universal Dining Plan: Available to Vacation Package guests only; each guest receives one sit-down meal, one quick-service meal, one snack, and one non-meal drink per day.
• Quick Service Dining Plan: One quick-service meal, one snack, and one non-meal drink per day. Prices start at $25.99 per adult per day.

Universal also sells a refillable Coke Freestyle cup for $16.99 that is good for unlimited refills of drinks at Coke Freestyle machines throughout the parks.

Is there a TouringPlans subscription for Universal Orlando?

Yes, there is! A subscription to TouringPlans Universal Orlando grants you access to our crowd calendar, actual wait times, and customized touring plans!

Coming Soon to Universal for Newbies: Picking a Universal Resort, Comparable Experiences at Disney, Virtual Line, Mobile Ordering, Tickets, and more!

Have any questions you’d like to see answered in our Universal for Newbies series? Let us know in the comments! 

The post Universal Orlando for Newbies – Frequently Asked Questions appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Universal Orlando Resort, FAQ

This truly is a weird year for EPCOT. With construction now moving at a snail’s pace and a lighter version of the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, EPCOT feels a little watered down right now. It’s still a great park; it’s just not at full strength right now. To add to the weirdness, a new Pop-Up Annual Passholder store has, well, popped up inside the Germany Pavilion of all places. It’s a weird fit thematically, but the savings make up for it.

Our team spotted a blended collection of Annual Passholder-exclusive merchandise as well as a variety of World Showcase-themed merchandise, and collectibles like special MagicBands. Many of the items are 50% off, and the regular annual passholder discount can be stacked, which is currently 30% off.

This shop is definitely intended to clear some merchandise, and also to kick start the holiday shopping season. A few holiday decorations are part of the merchandise display.

The store is exclusive to annual passholders inside Der Teddybar shop at the Germany Pavilion, and is open Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to park close until Nov. 17, 2020. Capacity is limited as part of COVID-19 precautions and virtual return times are issued when the store reaches capacity.

What do you think? Anything at this pop-up store catch your eye?

The post PHOTOS – New Annual Passholder Store Opens (Which is Basically an EPCOT Outlet Store with BIG Savings) appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: discounts, Epcot, Merchandise, Saving Money, Walt Disney World (FL), disney annual pass, disney discount, Epcot merchandise

This week, see what Dani has to say about the layoff of thousands of Cast Members, we find out why you need to see this new artwork that’s found in the Disneyland Resort, and what Joe thinks of how the VelociCoaster will change the Orlando area, plus more.

What We’re Talking About – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors

According to Bob Chapek, the Walt Disney World Resort has been capped at 25%. Does it feel that way to you? I was in the parks this past weekend and it definitely felt a bit busier than 25%.

California Governor Gavin Newsom recently sent a team to Walt Disney World to help develop California theme park reopening guidelines. He plans to visit Disneyland this week to help figure out how they could draft guidelines to reopen the parks following the visits.

Unpopular opinion time: I agree with Ryan Gosling. He also dislikes the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay on The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland.

This week, the big news was the fact that Disney is going all in on their streaming service. The company announced a massive reorganization of its media and entertainment business that will focus on developing productions that will debut on its streaming and broadcast services.

Dani thought this about this news: It is interesting to see Disney going “all in” on streaming. I can’t blame them. But it speaks to how COVID has impacted every aspect of our lives and it will have a long term effect. 

In addition, Julia said: Moving towards streaming as a primary is one of those “Blue Ocean” type of corporate decisions that was probably nudged forward by COVID but wasn’t caused by it. I don’t think that movie theaters will cease to exist, but I think they’ll also need to develop a different business model. Movie theaters will be akin to stage shows — something that has a somewhat small but devoted following. They’ll need to modify revenue by doing smaller venues with more niche or upscale restaurant offerings (craft beer, sushi bars, etc.). Just like people can drop $100+ for a stage show event, it will become the norm to drop that for the experience of seeing a movie in a theater, and so you’ll only see it for a small slate of films.

Soul was announce to be officially coming out only on Disney+ and critics have already seen some of the film and they say that it’s fantastic. Catch the official trailer here.

According to Joe: Soul looks incredible and I cannot wait to see it. As someone who’s been cool on recent Pixar movies it’s nice to be excited about one of their films again. It also helps the main characters name is Joe.

Savannah also has thoughts: While I’m interested to see what Pixar has in store for us with ‘Soul’, I’m just as interested to see what film Disney intends to move to streaming next and what criteria they will develop in determining what to slate for a theatrical release and what best serves their bottom line on Disney+.

It’s Halloween time, so time to carve your pumpkins. And Disney On Ice shared these awesome stencils to help you carve your pumpkin like Mickey, Minnie, Olaf, or Moana! Which will you do?

The post What We’re Talking About: Disney Goes All In on Streaming, Soul Looks Amazing, and more appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: In Case You Missed It

Posted wait times at the Animal Kingdom today were the second highest they’ve been over the past month, and those posted wait times continue to be the most accurate (relatively speaking) throughout Walt Disney World. We also collected 187 actual wait times around Walt Disney World today, so we can see how those compare to Disney’s posted waits.  Let’s do the numbers.

Animal Kingdom Wait Times

Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time today of 87 minutes.  That’s 20 minutes higher than its 7-day average, making today #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month too.  Na’vi River Journey’s average wait today was 49 minutes, matching its 7-day average (and #2 for the week), and #3 for the past month. Lots of people over in Pandora today.

Other Animal Kingdom attractions that had their second-busiest day of the week today:

• DINOSAUR (46 minutes, #3 for the month)
• Expedition Everest (40 minutes, #3 for the month)
• Kali River Rapids (37 minutes, #4 for the month)
• Kilimanjaro Safaris (27 minutes, #4 for the month)

Actual wait times were around 75% of the posted wait times today.  The park’s average posted wait was 38 minutes, so the average actual wait was about 29 minutes, or 9 minutes less than posted.

EPCOT Wait Times

The first thing to note about EPCOT’s posted wait times today is that they were wayyy overestimated as compared to a normal day.  Actual waits in line today were less than half of posted waits – 48% – so a posted wait of 30 minutes at Mission: Space would’ve meant an actual wait of just under 15 minutes.  Contrast that with Animal Kingdom (above), where actual waits were 75% of the posted waits, and a much more accurate estimate.

Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 75 minutes, 5 above its weekly average, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 57 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. Test Track had an average wait time today of 68 minutes, 3 under its 7-day average (#2 for this week, #5 for the past month).

Soarin’ had an average wait time today of 57 minutes. Its 7-day average is 48 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week, and it’s #2 for the month. Living with the Land had an average wait time today of 16 minutes, so that’s always a good alternative ride.  And Spaceship Earth had an average posted wait time today of 24 minutes – your actual wait was probably lower.

Hollywood Studios Wait Times

Today was one of the least busy days at Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway over the past month, with an average wait time of 74 minutes. Its 7-day average is 83 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 83 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month.  Same thing over at Slinky Dog Dash, which had an average wait 65 minutes (#6 for the week and #15 for the past month).

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror had an average wait time today of 44 minutes, less than its 7-day average of 50 minutes – today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #21 for the past month.  But Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster was busier, with an average wait time of 57 minutes. Its 7-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #4 for the past month.

Actual wait times were 70% of the posted wait time across the park, so a posted wait time of 30 minutes at Alien Swirling Saucers would’ve meant an actual wait of around 21 minutes in line.

And here’s how Rise of the Resistance boarding groups were called today – another solid day of performance.  The last few boarding groups got called earlier today than they’ve been called all week.

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had an average wait time today of 63 minutes. Its 7-day average is 67 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had an average wait time today of 50 minutes, its highest average for the week! Its 30-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #4 for the past month.

The Haunted Mansion had an average wait time today of 45 minutes. Its 7-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #13 for the past month. Pirates of the Caribbean had an average wait time today of 50 minutes. Its 7-day average is 53 minutes (#5 for the week). Its 30-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #12 for the past month.

Actual wait times were 64% of the posted wait time today at the Magic Kingdom, so a posted wait time of 25 minutes at The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh meant an actual wait of around 16 minutes.

Wait times are only part of the story. If you’d like to be ahead of the curve and know which attractions are best to visit at what time of the day then become a TouringPlans Subscriber and use our Lines app.

The post Animal Kingdom Gets Busy, EPCOT Lines Are Overstated – Walt Disney World Wait Times for Thursday, October 15, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Trip Planning, Walt Disney World (FL), animal kingdom wait times, disney reopening, disney wait times, magic kingdom wait times, Rise of Resistance