Author: touringplans.com

Remember before Coronavirus hit the U.S. in force and Guests would line up to get into Disney’s Hollywood Studios to give them the chance to actually get a boarding pass for the hit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge attraction, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance? (Oh my gosh…that feels SO  long ago!) Well, due to the fact that the parks now need to utilize physical distancing, the practice of getting to the parks early to ensure that you get your boarding pass is a thing of the past.

In a move that I had personally been suggesting they do months ago, when Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopens on July 15, Disney is still going to offer the virtual queue, but they are going to stagger the times in which boarding passes are released. This means that Guests will have opportunities to obtain a boarding pass throughout the day moving forward, not just at the beginning of the day like you would have to before.

Moving forward, Guests will have an opportunity at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. to request to join the virtual queue.

Here’s what you need to know about being able to obtain a boarding pass:

• Make sure you have the My Disney Experience app. Once you enter the park, you’ll need to log in to your account at one of the three distribution times.
• Once you have logged in, select “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Virtual Queue” on the home screen. You will be able to view the current status and learn the next steps for joining the virtual queue.
• The app will indicate when there is no availability for a specific distribution time. Like before, backup groups will be available.
• As long as your My Disney Experience account is linked to park tickets for you and the others in your group, you can enroll everyone in the virtual queue at the same time. Guests can only enter the virtual queue once per day.
• Guests will want to make sure push notifications are turned on for My Disney Experience. This will allow you will be alerted if your group is called to return.
• Guests will have up to an hour from the time of the alert to go to the entrance of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance to be able to ride the attraction.
• Joining the virtual queue does not guarantee the ability to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
• If you have any questions or need assistance with joining the virtual queue, Cast Members at Guest Experience Team locations throughout the park are available to assist.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is one of the most popular attractions at Walt Disney World Resort, which is why the virtual queue is necessary for Guests to utilize it to be able to ride. Currently, this is the only attraction where Guests will need to “reserve” their spot in line. For other attractions at Walt Disney World Resort, the regular standby queues will be in use. Fastpass+ will not be available.

The post Virtual Queue Will Be Utilized for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – With Changes appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Hollywood Studios, News, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

A few more restaurants will be available for Guests to be able to dine at when visiting EPCOT beginning next week when the park reopens. In the Italy Pavilion, not only will the already announced Via Napoli reopen, but Tutto Italia and Tutto Gusto will also be available for Guests to enjoy beginning July 15. Do keep in mind that abbreviated menus will be available for these restaurants.

Operating hours for these restaurants will be as follows:

Via Napoli

Open from Noon to 8:00 p.m.

Tutto Italia

Open from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Tutto Gusto

Open from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

 

Who else is excited to be able to enjoy these Italy Pavilion favorites once again?

The post Restaurants in the Italy Pavilion at Epcot to Reopen Next Week appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Epcot, News, Italy Pavilion, tutto gusto, Tutto Italia, Via Napoli, World Showcase

This week on Getting to Know Universal we are back in the parks to cover the iconic Leaky Cauldron restaurant. Located inside Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, the Leaky Cauldron serves English pub food based on London dishes.

The Experience

Per Potter lore, Leaky Cauldron “opened” in the 1500s as the gateway between Diagon Alley and the muggle world. Due to the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy, the pub’s muggle exterior appears as a closed shop while wizards and witches know inside is a friendly inn and pub for weary travelers. The backyard acts as a barrier where if the correct bricks are tapped the wall parts and opens to Diagon Alley.

Universal Studios’ version of Leaky Cauldron foregoes the secrecy and is only accessible from Diagon Alley; look for the hanging sign featuring a witch and cauldron across from Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes. Leaky Cauldron’s interior mimics the one seen in the movies with communal seating and a (fake) inn above the guests.

The Food & Drink

Leaky Cauldron features fresh British pub food such as fish and chips, stews, meat pies, and sausages. Entrees come with a side of either salad, vegetables, or potato wedges. The star of the menu is the Ploughman’s Platter, a feast for two including salad, several types of cheeses, crusty bread, and fried Scottish eggs. For less-adventurous eaters a grilled chicken breast sandwich is available; do not expect to find burgers or chicken tenders here. Kids options include fish and chips, mac and cheese, and a mini pie.

As with all Wizarding World locations, no Coke products are offered. Instead, totally unique and new drinks were created for the land and this restaurant. The famous Butterbeer is offered in frozen and cold varieties along with Tongue-Tying Lemon Squash (fizzy lemonade), Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice (fizzy OJ), Peachtree Fizz Tea (fizzy peach tea), and Pumpkin Juice on tap (fizzy apple juice with pumpkin spices–notice a trend?). If you are adventurous try the boba Fishy Green Ale with flavors of mint and blueberry boba.

For adults, there are imported British beers like Strongbow, Heinekin, and New Castle on tap and exclusive beers, Wizards Brew and Dragon Scale, brewed by Florida Beer Company.

Breakfast is also offered but we advise to avoid; items are either “college dorm” levels of quality or severely overpriced. We advise you to skip breakfast and hit Leaky Cauldron up for an early lunch instead.

The Opinion

Leaky Cauldron receives a 91% approval rating on Touring Plans, ranking it a top 10 counter service location at Universal Orlando. While we cannot recommend breakfast, I always find myself at Leaky Cauldron for fish and chips or a pie at least once per trip. A trip to the Leaky Cauldron is a must-do for any Potter fan.

Have you eaten at the Leaky Cauldron? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

The post Getting to Know Universal – Leaky Cauldron appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

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

You may recall that back in the fall of 2019, it was announced that FuelRod — the service with locations sprinkled around Disney that allows you to pay once for a portable charger and then swap it out for a free one each time you needed more power — would begin charging for swaps at Disney properties. You may also recall that that announcement was met with predictable outrage from the Disney community, that a class action lawsuit was filed against the manufacturer of FuelRod, and that FuelRod reversed course and kept the swaps free. Well, what you may not realize is that while that resolved the issue in the short term, the lawsuit continued. The matter has now been settled, however, and we finally know how this service is going to work going forward.

In conjunction with the settlement, FuelRod has agreed to the creation of what it is calling a “Founders’ Club,” and if you owned a FuelRod as of that October announcement, you’re eligible to become a member. The focus of the lawsuit was that in conjunction with the initial purchase, FuelRod promised to provide “Free Unlimited Swaps,” and as part of the settlement, they have agreed to provide that for members of the Founders’ Club. You’ll download an app, create an account, and any time you need to swap out your device, the app will give you a QR code that you will scan at the kiosk. That QR code will allow you to swap for a fresh charger for free, even if FuelRod chooses to charge new customers to swap going forward.

To take advantage of the settlement, and become a member of the Founders’ Club, you need to do the following:

• Sign up here by completing a brief questionnaire within the next three months.
• Download the FuelRod Mobile app (iOS — Android).
• Set up an account using the same email address as indicated in the questionnaire. 

If you are already a user of the app or otherwise in FuelRod’s database, watch your email for a message that will allow you to quickly click to verify your eligibility.

For any questions or assistance in verifying and activating their account, customers can call FuelRod’s customer service number (844) 383-5763, or send an email to support@fuel-rod.com.  If you have any questions about the litigation, you can contact James Rosemergy, who represented the Plaintiff in the case.

Consumers who did pay to swap their device at any time will have the charge automatically refunded to the card used to pay for the swap without further action on their part. This agreement applies to the current generation of FuelRods only, but FuelRod has not announced plans to introduce a new version, and has agreed to refrain from doing so for a minimum of two years.   

The post FuelRod Litigation Ends, Current Users Eligible to Continue to Get Free Swaps appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Disneyland (CA), News, Technology, Walt Disney World (FL), Fuel Rods, FuelRods

A bit of normalcy this week. It was so wonderful to be able to see my social media timeline filled with Disney theme park goodness again!

This week, we learn just how much Hamilton helped to influence people to download Disney+, learn more about what’s going on with the NBA at Walt Disney World, and more.

In Case You Missed It – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors

It’s official. The Disney College Program has been suspended indefinitely, as of right now.

Well, it looks like The VOID may be no more, at least at the Disneyland Resort. Did you ever get to experience The VOID?

Wow! The total Disney+ downloads were up 74% thanks to a little thing called Hamilton. Also, I am still singing those songs!

This guy, Julian Bass, even caught the attention of Bob Iger thanks to his social media post. He does a pretty amazing job!

Tron 3….it’s supposedly going to be a thing, as rumors are indicating that the film is a go once again.

Get ready to restart the NBA with this special on ABC on July 25. (And because I’m a good wife, I must shout out Go Spurs Go!)

Want to see a first look of what’s going on with the NBA at Walt Disney World? The TODAY Show has a pretty good glimpse for us.

The Walt Disney Company now has a first-look deal with Colin Kaepernick. In addition, ESPN Films will produce an exclusive docuseries on Kaepernick’s life as part of the overall deal.

The post In Case You Missed It: News and Rumors – Week of July 10, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

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