Author: touringplans.com

Crowds were not as high at Walt Disney World today as compared to earlier in the week, with no park registering posted wait times in the top 5 days of the past month. It seems folks have started to hit the roadways and airways to head back home. We counted 482 of 500 people (96%) in Hollywood Studios wearing masks according to Disney’s guidelines today, and 486 of 500 (97%) at Disney Springs today, too.

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

No attraction at the Magic Kingdom had a posted wait time average that was near the top of its average over the past week.  Splash Mountain was the closest, with an average wait time today of 70 minutes. Its 7-day average is 71 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week.

Hollywood Studios Wait Times

Only Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run had its highest average posted wait times of the week today. Smugglers Run had an average wait time today of 55 minutes. Its 7-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #10 for the past month.

Rise of the Resistance has run smoothly throughout the day today, and was at boarding group #115 as I started writing this.  Rise of the Resistance had one minor delay calling boarding groups, around 30 minutes just before 3 p.m.  This happens regularly, so it’s likely this is some sort of scheduled maintenance or cleaning time.  Great day of operations at Rise so far.

Animal Kingdom Wait Times

Like the Magic Kingdom, no major attraction at Animal Kingdom had posted wait times today that would’ve placed it in the top two over the past week.  The closest any attraction came was Kali River Rapids, which had an average wait time today of 39 minutes. Its 7-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month.

EPCOT Wait Times

While today wasn’t busy at most EPCOT attractions as compared with the past week, one attraction set a weekly high for its average posted wait time: Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 91 minutes. Its 7-day average is 88 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 72 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month.

The post The Crowds Are Headed Home – Disney World Wait Times for Saturday, November 28, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Trip Planning, Walt Disney World (FL), disney christmas, disney crowds, disney wait times

Odds are good that someone you know, or perhaps even you personally, took up playing the Animal Crossing video game this spring. (They’re easy to spot, constantly fretting over the prices of turnips on a Saturday night — or is that just me?) If you’re looking for a little something for an Animal Crossing fan, and you plan to be over in the Mitsukoshi department store at the Japan pavilion in EPCOT, these plush might be a way to spend some hard-earned Bells.

Items include Isabelle (who we’re pretty sure didn’t murder the mayor before you arrived in New Leaf because she still is around for New Horizons), Bunnie (a peppy rabbit villager), Porter (the train station monkey attendant from New Leaf), and the ever-popular Saturday Night Singer K.K. Slider. Isabelle, Bunnie, and Porter are $22.95 and K.K. is $25.95. Much like the Pokemon plush selection, I wouldn’t be surprised if other villagers end up showing up from time to time in new shipments, too.

Are you an Animal Crossing fan? Would you buy one of these plush to travel home with you on a Dodo flight or is there a character you’d like to see (except Tom Nook, of course!)? (Got a dream code that you want to share with other fans?) Let us know in the comments. 

The post Animal Crossing Merchandise at EPCOT’s Japan Pavilion appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Merchandise, Walt Disney World (FL), Japan Pavilion, Mitsukoshi

He’s the man of the hour, Santa Claus, and for the first time ever, he is appearing in all four Walt Disney World theme parks. This year Santa is making the rounds during physically distant character cavalcade-style appearances in each of the four parks. Each appearance is styled and themed to each specific park. These themed appearances showcase just how timeless and special the spirit of Santa Claus is, and the uniqueness of each park.

At Magic Kingdom, Santa appears on how incredible rooftoop-style float led by prancing reindeer. This float is from Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade and it is a treat to see it multiple times a day parading through Magic Kingdom. If you want to be sure to see Santa’s cavalcade, read our tips for viewing the character cavalcades at Magic Kingdom.

At EPCOT a new character cavalcade featuring Santa debuted yesterday. This appearance of Santa Claus is very worldly and sophisticated. It is the most refined appearance of the four parks. Santa is in a horse-drawn carriage adorned with Old World toys and decorations. The other character cavalcades at EPCOT have been given a holiday makeover too, with Mickey and Minnie in wintery sweaters and other special touches.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios brings a very Hollywood version of Santa as he parades down Hollywood Boulevard in a red sports car convertible. Anyone who likes sports cars will love this appearance.

Finally, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has the most lowkey appearance, but perhaps the most on-brand for Florida. Santa makes a loop around the Discovery River on a decorated pontoon boat. There is not as much fanfare during this appearance, but it is still heartwarming.

Besides Santa Claus himself, you can see Buzz Lightyear and Stitch in Tomorrowland, each wearing their own Santa suit. Also according to the official Disney Springs website there is supposed to be a Santa Claus Winter Watercade. This is described as being similar to Santa’s appearance at Aninal Kingdom, out on a boat. This would take place on Lake Buena Vista that stretches along most of Disney Springs. So far, we have not witnessed this ourselves. If you have let us know in the comments.

Have you seen Santa Claus at Walt Disney World? Which appearance is your favorite?

The post Where Can You Find Santa Claus at Walt Disney World? appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Epcot, kids, Trip Planning, disney christmas, disney santa, magic kingdom santa

There is so much to do at this year’s EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, it can be overwhelming. If you have any kids in your group, or kids at heart, you have got to check out the brand new Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition. This scavenger hunt style experience is based on the animated holiday special “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure.” Here’s how to participate, and why we recommend it as a great family experience.

In the short “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” Olaf is worried that Anna and Elsa need a holiday tradition of their own, since they spent so many holidays apart. He journeys through Arendelle to find the best holiday tradition. This holly jolly adventure is replicated throughout World Showcase as Olaf explores the many holiday traditions around the world. As only Olaf can, things get a little bumpy and silly along the way.

How to Participate in Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition

You’ll first need to purchase a scavenger hunt map and stickers ($7.99) at participating locations, including Disney Traders, MouseGear, World Traveler, and Port of Entry. Additional locations are said to be at Stroller Rental locations at the Main Entrance and at International Gateway, and the merchandise cart in the Canada Pavilion.

To play, look for Olaf in each World Showcase pavilion. After you’ve spotted our snowman friend, match the tradition on his sleigh to the location on your sticker map. Once you have found all of the locations and traditions, visit Disney Traders, MouseGear, or World Traveler to redeem your map for a gift that any fans of Frozen will love – a Frozen-themed cup. While supplies last you can choose between an Olaf cup and an Anna and Elsa cup. You can redeem the map at any participating location, not just the location where you purchased your map.

Why Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition is a Must-Do

The International Festival of the Holidays is special because of how it showcases the diversity of the winter holiday season. All around the world families and friends celebrate their own holidays and traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition provides a way for children and families to learn about different holiday traditions around the world in a way that is fun, and a little silly. As you find Olaf in each pavilion you’ll be able to notice each tradition and mark it on your map. If you’re not familiar with a particular tradition take some time to look it up and learn more about it.

This is also a great way to notice details in each pavilion that maybe you haven’t noticed before. In order to find Olaf in each pavilion you’ll need to walk around, looking up and down. Perhaps this will lead you to parts of each pavilion that maybe you haven’t explored before.

Have you ever participated in one of EPCOT’s scavenger hunts? What’s been your favorite?

The post How to Participate in the NEW Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Epcot, Festivals, kids, Trip Planning, disney frozen, epcot christmas, Epcot Festival of the Holidays

It’s the tastiest time of the year! The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays has so many wonderful offerings, and for many guests the biggest highlight is the festive food at the Holiday Kitchens. There is such great food and drink available it can be overwhelming to decide what to purchase. In hopes of helping here are top 5 best eats, going from the Mexico Pavilion to the Germany Pavilion.

• Giant Tostada de Chorizo – Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen
• Dulce De Leche Churros – Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen
• Curry Chicken Rice Bowl – Shanghai Holiday Kitchen
• Pork Schnitzel – Bavaria Holiday Kitchen
• Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl – Bavaria Holiday Kitchen

At Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen you’ll find our first two eats in our top 5 list. The Giant Tostada de Chorizo is full of flavors that work so well together. Chorizo is the star (Mexican, spicy sausage), plus Chipotle Black Bean Purée, Salsa Verde, Queso Cotija, Crema Mexicana, and Pickled Onion. At $9.25 it is one of the priciest options and for the price a slightly larger portion would have been nice.

Also at Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen, the Dulce De Leche Churros are more than just your average churro. Filled with sweet, buttery Dulce De Leche, these churros are a nice holiday treat and they’re only $0.25 more than a plain churro at a regular snack cart.

For something filling and a break from holiday flavors you may be used to, the Curry Chicken Rice Bowl is one our top picks. At Shanghai Holiday Kitchen this Curry Rice Bowl is a nice portion size for $8.00. Even if you’re not too familiar with curry, this is a good way to try since it is smaller and costs less than a full portion. This yellow curry is mostly sweet, with some lingering warm spices that do not overpower this dish.

The Bavaria Holiday Kitchen is a popular stop as the rich flavors offered here are very familiar for many guests. The Pork Schnitzel is hearty and flavorful with Mushroom Sauce, Spätzle, and Braised Red Cabbage. The pork on our serving was cooked perfectly, crispy on the outside, but tender and juicy inside. At $6.25 it is a good value and a good portion.

It’s hard to resist gooey cheese and carbs. The Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl is comfort food at its best. The fondue itself was served nice and warm with crisp veggies, but the bread bowl and accompanying bread won out as our favorite thing to pair with the cheese fondue. At $8.25 it is pricey, but the portion size is pretty generous.

There are over 35 different festival foods to try so we’ll have more coverage of other must-eats, and some to potentially avoid. So stay tuned! If you’re visiting Walt Disney World this holiday season, make sure you have holiday magic at your fingertips. Become a TouringPlans Subscriber and gain access to our Lines app. Our Lines app users save 2-3 hours on average per day in the parks, so you’ll have more time to savor the magic of this festive season.

Have you attended the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays before? Which of these foods sound best to you?

The post Top 5 Eats at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays for 2020, Part 1: Mexico through Germany appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Epcot, Festivals, Snacks, Trip Planning, disney best food, epcot christmas, epcot festivals, epcot food