Author: touringplans.com

With DVC points to use or lose, my husband and I made a trip to Walt Disney World. During this trip, he been working remotely and won’t be going to the parks. I convinced him that Disney’s Saratoga Springs resort, with easy access to the restaurants at Disney Springs, was the best resort for our needs on this trip.

I have stayed at Saratoga Springs resort more than a dozen times, but my husband has never been with me on those outings. He was sold on the location, but was slightly skeptical of the musty-looking, horsey decor he saw in photos of the Saratoga rooms. It was a wonderful surprise when we walked in to see that we were in a newly renovated room, with updated furniture and fixtures, new flooring, modern appliances and cabinet finishes, and brighter fabrics.

For a look at the old version of the decor take a look at the photos in this Saratoga Springs overview.

Here’s a tour:

BEDROOM

The bedroom includes a king-sized bed, television, side chair with ottoman, dresser, and nightstands. There is now room underneath the bed to stow suitcases. The ceiling fan is now a sleek, three-blade model, and there are copious USB and power outlets on either side of the bed.

LIVING ROOM

The living room area has a flat screen television (larger than the one in the bedroom), a couch with a pull-down queen-sized bed, a trunk-like coffee table (on wheels for easy movability) that converts into a table, and a dining table with a bench and two side chairs. There’s also a fold-down bed under the television.

KITCHEN

One-bedroom villas have full kitchens, complete with a refrigerator, oven and cooktop, microwave, dishwasher, coffee maker, toaster, and related dishes and cookware. A nearby space holds a full-size washer/dryer.

BATHROOM

The bathroom has three separate spaces: a room with just the toilet, a room with the shower stall and a sink, and a room with a tub and larger vanity with a sink. There have been real changes in the bathroom amenities. The tub no longer has jacuzzi-style jets, there is a rainforest-style showerhead, there are large dispensers of toiletries, and a magnifying mirror has been added.

Use the TouringPlans room finder to help you find your ideal accommodations. Learn more and become a subscriber here.

Have you stayed at an updated Saratoga villa? How did you think it compared to the old version? Let us know in the comments.

The post PHOTOS: Renovated Walt Disney World Saratoga Springs 1-Bedroom Villa appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Resorts, Walt Disney World (FL), Disney Vacation Club, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, one-bedroom villa, villas

The Disney difference. There are a number of things the Disney Parks do that sets them apart. Theming. Detail. Storytelling. But also scripts! While we remember the amusing pirates, soaring over London in a pixie-dusted pirate ship, and the feeling of losing our stomach in an elevator shaft long after we’ve left the parks, what we hear on these attractions stays with us too.

If you’ve been to Disney World before, you no doubt have heard and repeated “Please stand clear of the doors. Por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas” while riding the Monorail. It’s just one of the many phrases and spiels heard on Disney property that becomes synonymous with our vacation experience and part of the Disney fan vernacular. So, the question is, just how many attractions have scripts that we fans love to quote? There’s actually more than you might think!

So come along with me as I take a look at the Most Quotable Disney World Attractions at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios!

Animal Kingdom

Dinosaur

This quirky (and surprisingly scary!) time travel thrill ride often gets mixed reviews, but it’s a literal treasure trove of quotable lines courtesy of the equally quirky Dr. Seeker.

“Hello there! Welcome to our little trans-dimensional joyride, folks. I’m Dr. Seeker, your friendly controller, and a heck of a paleontologist if I do say so myself.” – Dr. Seeker.

“Definitely not our dino.” – Dr. Seeker

“They’re not gonna make it! They’re not gonna make it!” – Dr. Seeker. Again.

Flight of Passage

This attraction changed the game when it comes to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and is considered by many one of the BEST attractions at Walt Disney World along with Rise of the Resistance. But its two (count ’em two) pre-shows hosted by Dr. Stevens are, um, odd? One of his preshow lines has stuck with Disney fans (and launched a ton of memes) since the ride debuted back in 2017.

“Once we do that, you’ll be able to link to that avatar and, uh, fly!” – Dr. Stevens

“Sivako! Rise to the challenge!” – Dr. Ogden (Who looks like Sigourney Weaver who played in Avatar but whose character’s name isn’t Ogden. It’s, uh, confusing.)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

Since the audio we hear aboard this coaster is mainly Aerosmith soundtracks (“Sweet Emotion” is a personal fave!), the quotable element comes from the attraction’s preshow. In a simulated recording studio, guests are offered backstage passes and a ride in a super-stretch limo to an Aerosmith concert. This whole sequence is totally quotable, and many fans who know the script love to shout out “How ’bout some backstage passes?” to set up Steven Tyler’s next line.

“Wait a minute. I love that idea. How about some backstage passes?” – Steven Tyler

Muppet*Vision 3D

An absolute gem, Muppet*Vision 3D is based on The Muppet Show television series and was the final film directed by Jim Henson. In true Muppet fashion, this hilarious 3D show and its preshow is filled with zippy one-liners and clever quips too good not to quote.

“Will you stop this foolishness?” “What foolishness would you like to see?” – Sam Eagle and Gonzo

“Rat schmat. Besides, they’re tourists. What do they know?” – Rizzo the Rat

“It’s called ‘A Salute to All Nations, but Mostly America’.” – Sam Eagle

“It’s a glorious three-hour finale.” “You’ve got a minute and a half.” –  Sam Eagle and Kermit

Toy Story Mania!

This 4D shooting gallery game allows guests to not just ride but also compete! All five interactive shooting games showcase characters from the Toy Story franchise, and repeat competitors may find themselves echoing instructions from those characters long after they disembarked the ride!

“I am not your mother! Break those plates!” – Sarge

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

The attraction that took the drop-style ride to levels outside this dimension, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror allows guests to experience their own episode of The Twilight Zone. The quotable lines from this attraction’s script are too many to mention, but here are a few highlights.

“Hollywood, 1939. Amid the glitz and the glitter of a bustling young movie talent at the height of its golden age, the Hollywood Tower Hotel was a star in its own right.” – Rod Serling (actor)

“Tonight’s story on The Twilight Zone is somewhat unique and calls for a different kind of introduction. This, as you may recognize, is a maintenance service elevator, still in operation, waiting for you. We invite you, if you dare, to step aboard because in tonight’s episode you are the star. And this elevator travels directly to . . . The Twilight Zone.” – Rod Serling (actor)

“It’s raining. It’s pouring.” – Sally Shine

Quotable Defunct Attractions (R.I.P)

The Great Movie Ride: “Ready when you are, CB!”

Which of these Disney attractions do you love to quote? Let us know in the comments!

The post Most Quotable Disney World Attractions: Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Attractions, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World (FL), attraction quotes, attraction scripts, Disney Attractions, Disney History, disney quotes, disney world, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, hollywood studios, Monorail, quotable attractions, ride scripts, ride spiels

Disney’s implementation of social distancing has reduced the capacity of its transportation network, including buses, monorails, boats, and the Skyliner.  While there are fewer people at each resort, there’s still enough demand around park opening and park closing to result in longer-than-usual waits – Disney owns only so many boats and buses, and Skyliner capacity is fixed. The simplest way to reduce your transportation wait is to walk.

Walking

Currently, only guests at the Contemporary or Bay Lake Tower can walk to the Magic Kingdom. Soon (hopefully by November 1, 2020) the walkway from the Grand Floridian to the Magic Kingdom will be open. Guests at the Polynesian can walk to Grand Floridian and then to the Magic Kingdom. Guests at the Swan, Dolphin, Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk can walk to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. There are no options for walking to the Animal Kingdom. The benefits of walking are that you are not restricted by the capacity or schedule of the Disney transportation system. If you arrive too early to a park you will be held back until the temperature screening and security is open, but you will be ahead of other guests.

Buses

Buses are running at reduced capacity. The standard size bus only has room for six groups so social distancing can be maintained. Disney is deploying more buses at peak times but it still takes time to load buses. The official Disney word is that Disney Transportation starts 45 minutes before the parks open. Our experience is that buses start about an hour before park open and guests start lining up more than two hours before the parks open.

At Pop Century, Disney had an army of buses arriving at 8 a.m. to take guests to the Magic Kingdom. They were continuously loading 2 or 3 buses. There were so many buses that there was a traffic jam getting into Pop Century.

If there is an alternative mode of transportation for the Disney hotel, buses may not be running or running at a lower capacity. At Pop Century, Caribean Beach, and the Riviera there are no buses to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios. Since park hopping is not available, the park-to-park routes are suspended.

Disney has increased the number of buses running from the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) and the Magic Kingdom. The buses are typically the fastest way to get between the TTC and the Magic Kingdom.

Monorail

The Monorail is running with only four groups per train car. The Monorail only services The Transportation and Ticket Center, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, and the Magic Kingdom. The Monorail runs early between resorts to get guests to dining options, but will not stop at the Magic Kingdom until security is open. The EPCOT line is not running.

Watercraft

Boats are only running to the Magic Kingdom. Like all Disney transportation, the boats have limited capacity. A benefit of the watercraft is that all boats have all or some outdoor seating areas. At peak times Disney has employed extra boats to help move guests around Disney World.

Skyliner

The Disney Skyliner is WDW’s newest transportation option. The system is designed to carry 10 people per gondola but with social distancing rules only one party is permitted per gondola. Service to Hollywood Studios starts one hour before the park opens, and service to EPCOT starts 30 minutes before the park opens. If the system has cleared all morning checks it may start 10-15 minutes earlier. Currently, Caribean Beach, Pop Century, and Riviera are the only resorts with Skyliner service. On November 1, Art of Animation will open and will also have Skyliner access. Delays will increase on the Skyliner system with more guests using it. With lower capacity, the morning and evening rush will cause significant backups.  Just like the buses, people start queuing up more than 2 hours before the parks open. To make things worse, guests from Pop Century and Art of Animation have to switch gondolas and get into a second queue at the Caribean Beach station. Even with arriving early to the Pop/Art of Animation Skyliner station, it can take 30-60 minutes to get a park. When Art of Animation comes online expect longer delays.

Cars

A simple option to avoid Disney transportation is to drive yourself. For resort guests and annual passholders parking is free. There are a few changes in the parking system. First, parking lots are not open until temperature screening and security are open. Disney would rather have a backup of cars at the toll booths in cars, than in lines at the entrance at the parks. Once you park, an empty space is left between cars so guests are socially distanced when leaving their cars. The final change is no trams. Like everything else, people arrive early and there is a backup.

Taxis and Rideshares

Taxi and rideshare have similar restrictions on personal cars. The Disney operated Minnie Van service is unavailable. The best way to use a taxi or rideshare is to have them drop you off at a hotel where you can then walk to a park. Without a dining reservation, a Disney hotel may turn you away. You will have no problem being dropped off at the Swan a Dolphin. For the Magic Kingdom, there is a drop-off area at the TTC.

Thinking Outside the Box

With walking being the best option, but not an option for all parks or hotels, you will need to get creative.  If you have an early dining reservation you can be dropped off by a rideshare at the hotel, eat, and then walk to a park.  If this option doesn’t work for you, there is one more option. To get from one hotel to another hotel it is going to take two buses. The video below documents my experience getting from Pop Century to Hollywood Studios. I took a bus to the Animal Kingdom, then a bus to the Boardwalk, and then walked to Hollywood Studios.

 

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The post Current State of Transportation at Walt Disney World appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Walt Disney World (FL)

We’re here with a series of quick posts, “Disney in a Minute,” bite-sized nuggets of information that can better help you understand a Disney term or planning topic. Enjoy!

What is an ADR?

ADR is an abbreviation for “Advance Dining Reservation.” For many years, Disney called restaurant reservations “Advance Dining Reservations.” After more than a decade of using this term, someone at Disney finally realized that it was redundant and confusing. Of course you make a reservation in advance, that’s what a reservation is!

While you won’t find Disney itself talking about ADRs much these days (now they mostly call a reservation a reservation), you will still see “ADR” used on fan sites and in Disney-related chat forums.

For more information on Walt Disney World dining and dining reservations, take a look at our Disney World Restaurants page. If you want to eat at any sit-down, table service restaurant at Walt Disney World, it’s best practice to make an ADR – I mean, a reservation.

Let us know what Disney topics you think need just a bit more explanation.

The post Disney in a Minute: What is an ADR? appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Dining, adr, Advance Dining Reservations, reservations

One of the things they don’t tell you about the Sunshine State is that it rains quite a bit. Fall and winter days can sometimes be downright dreary. We’re having a dreary fall day in Orlando today, and our team is inside Magic Kingdom. We thought today would be a good day to look at how things are going inside Magic Kingdom today, and review some tips for enjoying the parks in the rain.

• Start your day with breakfast and a warm beverage to keep you fueled. You don’t want to be hangry on top of being soggy.
• Ponchos are great, rain jackets with hoods are even better.
• Sandals and flip flops are not rain friendly, closed toed shoes are safer. Bring a change of socks, though.
• Cover your stroller–ponchos work well if you don’t have a stroller cover.
• Outdoor rides can be fun, and can have lower waits in the rain. Just avoid riding them during heavy downpours, and understand that they will close if there’s lightning in the area.
• Florida rain in the fall and winter tends to last all day, rather than the quick and intense summer thunderstorms.

The best rainy day tip is to be a TouringPlans Subscriber so you’ll have access to our Lines app. With our Lines app you’ll have real-time data that shows Expected Wait Times compared to Disney’s Posted Wait Times. Today our Crowd Calendar shows Magic Kingdom at a level 3. So far we’re seeing average expected wait times at about 15 minutes, and our Expected Wait Times are 10 -15 minutes lower than Disney’s Posted Wait Times.

Have you visited the parks during a rainy day? What are your rainy day tips?

The post It’s a Rainy Day at Magic Kingdom Today – Here’s How We’re Making the Most of It appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Dos and Don’ts, Halloween, In the Parks, Live blogging, Magic Kingdom, Trip Planning, Weather, disney rain, disney rain jacket, Disney Tips, magic kingdom crowds, magic kingdom rides, magic kingdom tips