Author: touringplans.com

Normally we love to bring you the day’s wait times and other data each evening, but thankfully our team was able to enjoy a relaxing Thanksgiving. Here’s hoping each of you had a nice holiday. This week has been a busy one, though yesterday saw a slight slow down compared to Monday and Tuesday. Let’s do the numbers.

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

As one might imagine, Magic Kingdom is a popular park on major holidays. Yesterday was a busy day, though not quite as busy as the week started. The average wait times put it as number 4 of the past 30 day average. We received 100 submitted wait times in our Lines app, so thank you to everyone for sending those in as you’re in the parks.

Let’s start by looking at Magic Kingdom’s mountain range. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had an average wait time yesterday of 53 minutes. Its 7-day average is 52 minutes, so yesterday ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 45 minutes, so yesterday ranks #5 for the past month. We received 16 actual wait times yesterday, and the actual wait averaged 48% of the posted wait time, which means the actual wait time averaged about 25 minutes.

In Tomorrowland, Space Mountain had an average wait time yesterday of 54 minutes. Its 7-day average is 54 minutes, so yesterday ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 37 minutes, so yesterday ranks #4 for the past month. We received 10 actual wait times yesterday, and the actual wait averaged 68% of the posted wait time.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had an average wait time yesterday of 80 minutes, which made it the busiest ride of the day. Its 7-day average is 76 minutes, so yesterday ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 60 minutes, so yesterday ranks #3 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 79 minutes, so yesterday ranks #105 for the past year. We received 8 actual wait times yesterday, and the actual wait averaged 89% of the posted wait time.

A family favorite, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin had an average wait time yesterday of 35 minutes. Its 7-day average is 39 minutes, so yesterday ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 30 minutes, so yesterday ranks #8 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 35 minutes, so yesterday ranks #115 for the past year. We received 7 actual wait times yesterday, and the actual wait averaged 67% of the posted wait time.

EPCOT Wait Times

EPCOT was the only park yesterday to have its busiest day of the last 30 days. Being the best park for good food this comes as no surprise. We received 45 actual wait times thanks to our Liners and the actual wait times were about 52% of the posted wait time, so that does mean lots of Disney’s posted wait times were drastically inflated.

Let’s start with Festive Figment at Journey Into Imagination With Figment had an average wait time yesterday of 36 minutes. Its 7-day average is 23 minutes, so yesterday ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 16 minutes, so yesterday ranks #1 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times yesterday, and the actual wait averaged 37% of the posted wait time.

With all the eating yesterday you would think Mission: SPACE wouldn’t be all that busy, but it had an average wait time yesterday of 59 minutes (Orange side). Its 7-day average is 39 minutes, so yesterday ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 26 minutes, so yesterday ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 28 minutes, so yesterday ranks #20 for the past year.

The airways seemed very busy at Soarin’ which had an average wait time yesterday of 71 minutes. Its 7-day average is 53 minutes, so yesterday ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 38 minutes, so yesterday ranks #1 for the past month. We received 12 actual wait times yesterday, and the actual wait averaged 57% of the posted wait time, so the actual wait time was around 40 minutes.

The iconic Spaceship Earth had an average wait time yesterday of 33 minutes. Its 7-day average is 26 minutes, so yesterday ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 19 minutes, so yesterday ranks #1 for the past month. We received 8 actual wait times yesterday, and the actual wait averaged 38% of the posted wait time, so the actual wait time was around 13 minutes.

The Queendom of Arendelle had the busiest day in forever. Frozen Ever After had an average wait time yesterday of 111 minutes. Its 7-day average is 80 minutes, so yesterday ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 69 minutes, so yesterday ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 59 minutes, so yesterday ranks #1 for the past year.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Wait Times

Yesterday was a middle of the road day, ranking number 15 of the past 30 days. We received 29 actual wait times at Disney’s Hollywood Studios yesterday and the average actual wait in line was 87% of the posted wait.

For some people the holiday season can be scary and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror had an average wait time yesterday of 54 minutes. Its 7-day average is 46 minutes, so yesterday ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 48 minutes, so yesterday ranks #6 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 60 minutes, so yesterday ranks #107 for the past year.

During the holidays Toy Story Land can feel like Toyland. Toy Story Mania! had an average wait time yesterday of 27 minutes. Its 7-day average is 25 minutes, so yesterday ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 27 minutes, so yesterday ranks #12 for the past month. We received 9 actual wait times yesterday, and the actual wait averaged 66% of the posted wait time, so the actual wait time was around 18 minutes.

Slinky Dog Dash had an average wait time yesterday of 86 minutes. Its 7-day average is 72 minutes, so yesterday ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 66 minutes, so yesterday ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 73 minutes, so yesterday ranks #69 for the past year.

Alien Swirling Saucers had an average wait time yesterday of 24 minutes. Its 7-day average is 24 minutes, so yesterday ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 25 minutes, so yesterday ranks #18 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 28 minutes, so yesterday ranks #162 for the past year.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had an average wait time yesterday of 40 minutes. Its 7-day average is 47 minutes, so yesterday ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 68 minutes, so yesterday ranks #29 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times yesterday, and the actual wait averaged 72% of the posted wait time.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Wait Times

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain had an average wait time yesterday of 72 minutes. Its 7-day average is 45 minutes, so yesterday ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 34 minutes, so yesterday ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 45 minutes, so yesterday ranks #44 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times yesterday, and the actual wait averaged 55% of the posted wait time.

Kilimanjaro Safaris had an average wait time yesterday of 27 minutes. Its 7-day average is 26 minutes, so yesterday ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 23 minutes, so yesterday ranks #10 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 46 minutes, so yesterday ranks #125 for the past year. We received 7 actual wait times yesterday, and the actual wait averaged 62% of the posted wait time.

Na’vi River Journey had an average wait time yesterday of 51 minutes. Its 7-day average is 53 minutes, so yesterday ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 48 minutes, so yesterday ranks #10 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 58 minutes, so yesterday ranks #123 for the past year.

Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time yesterday of 85 minutes. Its 7-day average is 91 minutes, so yesterday ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 60 minutes, so yesterday ranks #4 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 93 minutes, so yesterday ranks #119 for the past year. We received 11 actual wait times yesterday, and the actual wait averaged 80% of the posted wait time.

And now for some shameless promotion. If you’re planning on visiting Walt Disney World this holiday season, you’ll need a special tool at your side. Subscribe today and get our Lines app too.

The post Thanksgiving Crowds Taper Off Slightly – Walt Disney World Wait Times for Thursday, November 26, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

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

EPCOT is often called the foodie’s park. There’s almost always a festival of some kind with countless food and beverage booths. Plus there is a long list of wonderful restaurants, most of which serve international cuisine. But sometimes you’re in a hurry and want something quick, but satisfying. Our readers have submitted over 500,000 surveys over the past two years and we have ratings for every Walt Disney World restaurant on our site and Lines app.

Let’s look at the best places for quick food at EPCOT

1. Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie 96.9% – Exceptional
2. Kringla Bakeri og Kafe 94.2% – Exceptional
3. Refreshment Port 94.7% – Exceptional
4. Yorkshire County Fish Shop 93.0% – Much Above Average
5. Sunshine Seasons 89.5% – Much Above Average
6. La Cantina de San Angel 89.4% – Above Average
7. Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue 91.6% – Above Average

The highest-rated quick service restaurant at EPCOT is Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie at the France Pavilion. We recently enjoyed a meal there that solidified this as a great place to enjoy approachable international cuisine at a decent price compared to other similar options.

Kringla Bakeri og Kafe at the Norway Pavilion has a few savory options, but is best known for its wonderful sweet baked goods. If you need to satisfy your sweet tooth or need to add a burst of sugar to fuel you, the School Bread or the Norwegian Kringla pastry are two popular choices. If you want an adult beverage that will perk you up the Viking Coffee with Baileys Irish Cream and Kamora Coffee Liqueur will do the trick.

Just before the Canada Pavilion, at the start of World Showcase is Refreshment Port. This walk-up kiosk is a good choice for anyone who would rather stick to familiar flavors. With so many great international flavors in EPCOT it is hard to recommend Refreshment Port as a place for a meal, but if you need a good snack currently your two choices are chicken nuggets or traditional poutine. An event better spot for American inspired fare is Sunshine Season at the Land pavilion. Our team recently enjoyed The Land Crusher sandwich served there. Sunshine Seasons is also one of the rare places in EPCOT that offers mobile ordering.

A very popular spot for something quick, but very satisfying, is the Yorkshire County Fish Shop. This little walk-up counter at the United Kingdom pavilion is popular for its delicious fish and chips. That’s the only food on the menu and there is usually a line.

Another very popular spot inside World Showcase is La Cantina de San Angel. For casual Mexican fare this a great choice, and there is lovely outdoor seating on World Showcase lagoon. Finally, the newest quick service location at EPCOT is Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue. You can mobile order here and enjoy genuine barbeque paired with craft beer and scrumptious sides.

You can view listings and ratings for all Walt Disney World restaurants on our site, and you can filter them by location and by type, too!

Which of these quick service options sounds best to you? What’s your favorite place to eat at EPCOT?

The post The Best Places for Quick Food at EPCOT appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Dining, Epcot, Trip Planning, epcot dining, Epcot Restaurants, epcot snacks

When ABC Commissary reopened last month, I don’t think any of us were prepared for its new menu to impress us as much as it has. Then our team tried it out and loved it. But, then I lunched there earlier this month and fell in love with a plant-based dish. Whether your diet is purely plant-based or if you’re like me and are a part time plant-based diner, you’ve got to try this dish.

The new menu at ABC Commissary is full of fresh, vibrant dishes. The Curry Rice Bowl with Tofu caught my eye and I am so glad I gave it a try. The Crispy Pineapple-marinated Tofu was sweet and perfectly crispy. It is served on top of the sauce and  the Sautéed Vegetables. Said vegetables are tossed in Red Curry Sauce and served with Jasmine Coconut Rice. The dish is a fantastic blend of sweet tropical flavors from the Crispy Pineapple-marinated Tofu as well as the Jasmine Coconut Rice. The rice itself was so fluffy, almost creamy. I could have eaten a bowl just of it. The Red Curry Sauce is savory and rich, not spicy. The vegetables including squash, cauliflower, carrots, and more were tender, but al dente. For $11.99 this is a great value.

You should have seen the looks of delight on my face as I savored each bite. With each forkful I’d snagged a bit of rice, some sauce, and either a few vegetables or a piece of the crispy tofu. I sat outside with my son in tow and reveled in the flavorful dish and the lovely fall Florida weather. For my son I ordered a side of Mexican rice, mostly because of the protein packed peas for him. And I couldn’t resist the Arugula-Farro Salad as a side for $3.79. I now have cravings for this meal.

Do you like to explore plant-based dishes at Disney? What’s your favorite?

The post REVIEW – ABC Commissary is Home to the BEST Plant-Based Dish in Hollywood Studios appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Dining, Hollywood Studios, ABC Commissary, disney dining, hollywood studios dining, hollywood studios restaurants

Many Disney fans love making use of Disney’s refillable mug program. But, due to COVID-19 things are a little different. While self-serve is not currently an option, you can still make great use of this program. Here’s how it works.

These refillable mugs are formerly known as Rapid Fill. Each mug cost $19.99 for your length of stay. Normally they are included in the Disney Dining Plan, too. Each mug entitles you to unlimited refills at the Disney hotels for the duration of your stay. This includes all Disney-owned hotels, not just the one at which you are staying. Each mug has an RFID chip that communicates with the soda fountain machines to indicate if the mug is still valid or not.

With COVID-19 precautions in place you can no longer refill the mug yourself. Sorry folks, this does mean not combining drinks to make your own magical concoction. Instead, there is a table placed near the soda fountain, and staffed by a Cast Member. Simply place your open mug on the table. Keep the lid with you. The cast member will ask for your drink order and will fill it for you, leaving you to place the lid back on the mug. Easy, right?

This is also the case with regular fountain drinks too. Simply show your receipt and let the Cast Member know what you want to drink, and they will place the filled drink on the table. There can be a crowd in the mornings as guests head out to the parks, though I didn’t feel it was much different than the crowds that would gather to fill their own mugs in the mornings back in the before-time. Just keep your distance, of course.

Are you a fan of Disney’s Rapid Fill program? Will this new process change your use of it?

The post How Refillable Mugs and Soft Drinks Have Changed at Resorts Due to COVID-19 Precautions appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Dining, Resorts, Trip Planning, disney dining, disney refillable mugs, on site disney hotels

Last week, Touring Plans boss mom Julia messaged me about our blog post plans for Thanksgiving. Between preparing for the mega-event of Derek’s Turkeys of the Year and an outlet report she suggested I pen a “thankful” list of things from Universal Orlando. This year has hit everyone hard to varying degrees, so I took up the suggestion of finding some good things to celebrate.

While I am spending my first Thanksgiving alone (but lots of Zoom calls) there are many not as lucky as I, who have put their souls into jobs only to have them ripped away due to the pandemic. If you are financially able to please consider donating to Orlando or Anaheim food banks. Additionally, I participated in a fundraiser last week where we raised money for Cast and Team Members in the Orlando area featuring Thrill Geek, Inside Universal, RetroWDW, Theme Park Bar, and more. You can watch our live stream here.

Team Members

The parks simply would not be what they are without the amazing Team Members. I am thankful for every single one of them during my vacations in January and September, from the bartenders at Endless Summer to haunted house operations, Kyle and Keith over at Bigfire Grill to Ryan at Hagrid, and bus drivers to enhanced cleaning crews. You all rock and make this resort as great as it is.

Today Cafe

I am, as the kids say, basic af. I like my coffee cold-brewed, food fresh, my beer craft made, and there’s only one place at Universal that offers that – Today Cafe. This counter-service restaurant replaced the Beverly Hills Boulangerie which served pastries, deli items, and store-brand coffee. The new menu that highlights fresh ingredients, healthy choices, delicious coffee, and a New York attitude. For those who rolled into Horror Nights late, the shop also served draft beer and wine on tap. I am thankful for all the amazing new options here, especially the incredible potato salad (I normally HATE potato salad).

Fall Halloween Event & Christmas

There was a time we did not know if the parks would celebrate Halloween or Christmas this year as attractions and entertainment were cut around Orlando. But then in September, something magical happened: Universal said they will be testing a Halloween event. After a rousing success, Universal continued the event through October by opening two haunted houses, offering exclusive food and beverage, trick or treating, and costumes. Then, miraculously, Universal quickly shared their plans for Christmas featuring socially distanced meet and greets, a Christmas walkthrough, and more. I am thankful for Universal taking a big risk in adding more experiences to the parks and keeping some of the holidays alive during this weird time.

The Brussels Sprouts at Bigfire Grille

Ok, this one is pretty simple but hear me out. The Brussels sprouts at Bigfire are, well, fire. The appetizer-sized dish features perfectly crispy sprouts, each leaf crunchy and seasoned perfectly. Accompanying the dish are shishito peppers and a toasted almond smear. The flavors and textures of this dish highlight how much I enjoy Bigfire: simple, but well-executed dishes.

Horror Make-Up Show

pic.twitter.com/rdxoXtDQ4I

— Summerbellies the snowman (@Summerbellies) November 21, 2020

If you know, you KNOW. Horror Make-Up Show is an institution, an annual passholder favorite, and easily the funniest show in the Orlando parks. What is billed as an insider’s look into make-up and practical special effects in movies quickly descends into madness as the two hosts play off each other and the audience. No two shows are ever alike and I always make the effort to watch at least once a trip.

(For those wondering, my list is: Robyn, Josh, Summer, then Bill as favs. But they are all amazing.)

You, The Readers

I am not here if you are not here, so thank you dear readers for reading our posts about the caloric content of a cupcake, outlet reports, body augmentation, and more. This column is always a fun challenge that I love surprising and delighting you all with. Now one of these days I will finally get the Touring Plans company card…

The post Giving Thanks at Universal Orlando appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Universal Orlando Resort, thanksgiving