Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a destination all its own. It is such an immersive resort that you could make a vacation of just enjoying this resort. Our team ventured over to both Jambo House and Kidani Village to view the holiday decorations that arrived this week.
From the colossal towering Christmas tree in the center of Jambo House’s lobby, to the garlands adorned with handcrafted decorations inspired by African art, there is a lot to see and admire. The lights and color palate are warm and rich. Gold, bronze, and Earth tones mirror the motif of the resort itself.
Have you ever stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge during the holiday season? Which resort is your favorite this time of year?
If you’re a Star Wars fan, then Walt Disney World truly is the place where dreams come true. I’m referring to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While this attraction isn’t on the same level as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (which to be fair – what is?), it offers guests the experience of piloting the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy.
The attraction itself is an interactive simulator where guests are assigned unique roles and tasks to perform throughout the ride. Think of it as an upgraded version of EPCOT’s Mission: Space set in the Star Wars Universe and minus the claustrophobia and motion sickness courtesy of detached screens.
The cockpit is designed to replicate the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon down to the most minute details. You will truly feel like you’re stepping into a Star Wars movie when those whooshing doors slide open and you see inside.
However, this Millennium Falcon has three rows of seats with six seats in total; and every row has a different job to perform.
The two pilots are seated at the front and at the controls. The gunners sit behind them followed by the engineers. These latter two positions have buttons to push and functions to perform on the wall panel beside them.
So here’s the thing. The pilot positions are simply the best. They’re closest to the screen and have the most to do. What’s a little unusual is the shared piloting. For instance, the left pilot controls the ship moving left and right while the right pilot controls up and down.
Tip: The right pilot is way better than the left simply because they get to pull the lever for lightspeed! (By the way, if you don’t yell punch it; you’re doing it wrong. Just sayin’.)
When the ride first opened with Galaxy’s Edge in late August of 2019, some guests found that the pilot positions came with a lot of pressure since the actions of the pilots impact the ride the most. This was especially awkward when the pilots didn’t know the other guests riding with them.
Well, due to our current global situation, that’s no longer a concern. In order to allow for social distancing, each party now receives their own cockpit when riding Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Now there’s no concern about riding with strangers or feeling their ride experience is entirely in your hands! It also increases your odds of receiving the pilot position since it’s now up to you and your group what your role is as opposed to being assigned it by a Cast Member.
2. Your Performance (Sort Of) Makes a Difference
Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in the Rain (@servoisnaked)
Back in the day when we were first hearing about Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and the rest of Galaxy’s Edge, eager guests were told their actions and performance would influence their other interactions in the land. For instance, a Cast Member at Oga’s Cantina would know if you crashed the Falcon or did a great job and say something to you about it.
That never quite happened. While the pilots do impact the overall ride, it’s more along the lines of damage. The ride film doesn’t allow for much deviation; and in some cases, guests who have intentionally tried to do a terrible job have received a similar, if not better, score than when they actually tried! And if you attempt to crash the Falcon, you still go through the motions of the ride film and reach the same endpoint.
So even though there’s an element of control on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, it still too much like Mission: SPACE. Great for kids; not so much for teens and adults.
It’s true. Apart from sitting in the cockpit of the Falcon and going to lightspeed, the queue for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run may wow fans more than the ride experience itself.
The first half of the queue is through a detailed space garage for Ohnaka’s Transport Solutions offering incredible views of the life-size Millennium Falcon parked just outside. But it gets really awesome when guests encounter audio-animatronic Hondo Ohnaka, a jolly but shady pirate from the Star Wars Universe, who needs you to join the Falcon’s crew for a job.
The next phase of the queue allows guests to enter the hold of the Millennium Falcon which, again, looks exactly as it does in the film complete with the iconic holographic chess table, porg nests, the hallway where Han and Leia first kissed, familiar trinkets from the films, and more.
“Chewbacca Mode” is a special modification or cheat code you can activate while aboard Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. This mode basically replaces Hondo Ohnaka’s narration with Chewie for the length of the ride experience.
According to the FreshBaked! YouTube channel, there’s a process to activate this mode. First of all, you should not choose manual or automatic flight mode right away. Instead, have the left and right pilots push their controls to the extreme left, right, up, or down. With the controls pushed, the pilots should then press the flight mode activation button followed by the engineers and gunners pressing any of the white buttons before pressing the orange flight mode button.
All of these steps need to be completed before the Cast Member finishes checking seatbelts and starts the attraction.
5. The Characters and Locations Are Not Mainstream Star Wars
Casual Star Wars fans may be confused by the ride’s story. Who is Hondo Ohnaka? Why is Chewbacca working with him? And after leaving Batuu, where did you go and why?
So Hondo Ohnaka is a legit Star Wars character from Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels animated series. Imagine a blend between an enthusiastic salesman and a Captain Jack Sparrow – that’s Hondo. He’s been known to help out the Rebels and now the Resistance, as long as he profits in the end. That’s why Chewbacca is letting him use the Falcon and that’s why Hondo needs you.
Now after you leave Batuu on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, you go to Corellia. That’s Han Solo’s home planet featured in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Your mission is to obtain containers of coaxium, a material needed for hyperspace travel, from a First Order train on Corellia.
Hopefully, this will prevent any confusion for when you ride Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
Is Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run on your to-do list? Let us know in the comments!
Filed Under: Attractions, Galaxy’s Edge, Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World (FL), Batuu, Disney Attractions, disney world, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, galaxy’s edge, hollywood studios, hollywood studios attractions, Hondo Ohnaka, Millennium Falcon, Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, Smugglers Run, Star Wars, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, walt disney world
It’s hard to believe that Disneyland and Disney California Adventure have been closed since March 14. While Disneyland remains completely closed, Disney California Adventure’s Buena Vista Street (as well as portions of Hollywood Land and Grizzly Peak) reopened today for shopping and outdoor dining. In this post we’ll go over what’s available and share our experience from today’s reopening.
Starting off with this sight for sore eyes. The Storytellers statue with Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse has been restored (aka cleaned and polished) just in time for the opening of Buena Vista Street.
Looking good!
Entry in to DCA/Buena Vista Street is via the gate on the far right of the entrance (when coming from Downtown Disney). If the park is at capacity you can join a virtual queue and wait for your turn to enter. Getting in this morning is pretty painless for me. I parked my car in the Downtown Disney parking lot at 9:15 and got in line to enter. By 9:30 Disney started to let people in for temperature check and security screening. We then walked through Downtown Disney and entered DCA around 9:45. I saw that Buena Vista Street was at capacity shortly after 10 a.m.
Upon entering Buena Vista Street we were greeted by waving cast members.
You’ll see these signs everywhere reminding visitors of the safety rules. From my observations the facemask and social distancing rules are strictly enforced by cast members.
Most people got in line to make a reservation for Carthay Circle Lounge, which features an expanded outdoor seating area.
The outdoor seating area is partially located in the extended queue for the Disney Junior Dance Party.
Speaking of outdoor seating, a ton of extra tables and chairs have been added in the areas that reopened today.
The park’s usual Christmas tree was not installed this year. We assume it’s because Disney is afraid of guests crowding around it for pictures.
Thankfully there are other Christmas decorations around the land, including garland, bows, and wreaths.
Speaking of Christmas decorations, the shops on Buena Vista Street are adorned with some nice ones.
Plenty of Christmas items are available.
Ding ding!
The beloved Disney churros are once again available to Disneyland fans. Popcorn is also available at other carts.
Moving on to Grizzly Peak, Smokejumpers Grill is open.
The menu is limited, but at least there’s mobile ordering and plenty of available seating.
Seating in front of Soarin’.
The restrooms in Grizzly Peak are also open.
Over on Hollywood Blvd. Award Wieners is open, serving Disneyland’s famous corndogs.
The Red Car Trolley is available as a photo opportunity, but it’s about 20 feet away.
Moving back to Buena Vista Street, here’s the posted wait times for the park
Taking a look over the construction wall in to Avengers Campus.
A new gate behind has appeared behind Carthay Circle.
Before we wrap this up it’s worth mentioning there are more Christmas decorations scattered around Downtown Disney.
Buena Vista Street and Downtown Disney are open daily, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. Demand will be high through the entire holiday season and capacity is limited.
Are you excited for the reopening of Buena Vista Street? Are you excited to be reunited with a Disney corn dog and churro? Let us know in the comments below.
All four Walt Disney World parks’ average wait times today were in the lower half of their monthly averages. And when you consider that actual wait times (we got 177 of them today!) were under 70% of the posted waits, it was even better to be in the parks today. We counted 493 of 500 people (99%) wearing masks according to Disney’s guidelines. Let’s do the numbers!
Hollywood Studios Wait Times
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had an average wait time today of 49 minutes. Its 7-day average is 68 minutes – some of those days were before the installation of plexiglass dividers on the ride vehicles – so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 76 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 71 minutes, so today ranks #122 for the past year. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 74% of the posted wait time.
An interesting side effect of the lower wait at Runaway Railway is that actual wait times at Slinky Dog Dash are closer to the posted wait time now. Slinky Dog had an average wait time today of 72 minutes. Its 7-day average is 66 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today at Slinky, and the actual wait averaged 101% of the posted wait time. Yesterday was 85%. For comparison, the same days last week were 65% and 72%.
Hollywood Studios wait times for Thursday, November 19, 2020
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Adele (really Aerosmith) had an average wait time today of 48 minutes. Its 7-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #21 for the past month.
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue had an average wait time today of 25 minutes. Its 7-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 27 minutes, so today ranks #18 for the past month.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror had an average wait time today of 43 minutes. Its 7-day average is 45 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 48 minutes, so today ranks #22 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 74% of the posted wait time.
Toy Story Mania! had an average wait time today of 28 minutes. Its 7-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #154 for the past year. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 50% of the posted wait time.
Rise of the Resistance had another solid day of operation. There was only one small delay in calling boarding groups at Rise, and that was for about half an hour around 3 p.m. But overall, great job by the park ops team again.
Rise of the Resistance boarding groups for Thursday, November 19, 2020
Animal Kingdom Wait Times
DINOSAUR had an average wait time today of 35 minutes. Its 7-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #9 for the past month.
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain had an average wait time today of 22 minutes. Its 7-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #22 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 42% of the posted wait time.
Kali River Rapids had an average wait time today of 12 minutes. Its 7-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 19 minutes, so today ranks #26 for the past month.
Kilimanjaro Safaris had an average wait time today of 16 minutes. Its 7-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #22 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 46% of the posted wait time.
Na’vi River Journey had an average wait time today of 48 minutes. Its 7-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #10 for the past month.
Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time today of 45 minutes. Its 7-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #21 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 77% of the posted wait time.
Animal Kingdom wait times for Thursday, November 19, 2020
EPCOT Wait Times
Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 60 minutes – however we received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 52% of the posted wait time.. Its 7-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 64 minutes, so today ranks #17 for the past month.
Living with the Land had an average wait time today of 10 minutes. Its 7-day average is 11 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 12 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month.
Soarin’ had an average wait time today of 54 minutes. Its 7-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #44 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 89% of the posted wait time.
Spaceship Earth had an average wait time today of 10 minutes. Its 7-day average is 20 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 18 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #183 for the past year. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 63% of the posted wait time.
Test Track had an average wait time today of 42 minutes. Its 7-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #139 for the past year. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 41% of the posted wait time.
Mission: SPACE Orange had an average wait time today of 11 minutes. Its 7-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #243 for the past year.
EPCOT wait times for Thursday, November 19, 2020
Magic Kingdom Wait Times
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh had an average wait time today of 19 minutes. Its 7-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #189 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 49% of the posted wait time.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had an average wait time today of 53 minutes. Its 7-day average is 63 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #19 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 80 minutes, so today ranks #161 for the past year. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 76% of the posted wait time.
Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid had an average wait time today of 9 minutes. Its 7-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #204 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 55% of the posted wait time.
Magic Kingdom wait times for Thursday, November 19, 2020
Peter Pan’s Flight had an average wait time today of 27 minutes. Its 7-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #21 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #180 for the past year. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 90% of the posted wait time.
Pirates of the Caribbean had an average wait time today of 33 minutes. Its 7-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 41 minutes, so today ranks #24 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #179 for the past year. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 79% of the posted wait time.
Space Mountain had an average wait time today of 26 minutes. Its 7-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #19 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #174 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 53% of the posted wait time.
Splash Mountain had an average wait time today of 53 minutes. Its 7-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 51 minutes, so today ranks #12 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #88 for the past year. We received 11 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 57% of the posted wait time.
The Haunted Mansion had an average wait time today of 17 minutes. Its 7-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #210 for the past year. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 63% of the posted wait time.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had an average wait time today of 40 minutes. Its 7-day average is 46 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #18 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #156 for the past year. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 43% of the posted wait time.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin had an average wait time today of 22 minutes. Its 7-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #22 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #175 for the past year. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 54% of the posted wait time.
Jungle Cruise had an average wait time today of 37 minutes. Its 7-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 41 minutes, so today ranks #21 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #172 for the past year. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 103% of the posted wait time.
And finally, a word from our sponsor:
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How’d you like to spend Christmas on Christmas Island? That’s how you’ll feel at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort this time of year. With its fantastic location as the hub of the Disney Skyliner system, and a recent refurbishment, Caribbean Beach is gaining some popularity. Come get away from sleigh bells, come get away from snow, and spend the holidays at a tropical escape.
Caribbean Beach Resort Holiday Decorations
The holiday decorations at Caribbean Beach are full of tropical colors, and beach and nautical touches. The vibrant decorations evoke a fun, celebratory feeling. It’s nice to get a break from traditional gold, red, and green, and yet still have that festive feeling.
Have you stayed at Caribbean Beach during the holidays? Which resort is your favorite this time of year?
The two pilots are seated at the front and at the controls. The gunners sit behind them followed by the engineers. These latter two positions have buttons to push and functions to perform on the wall panel beside them.
Tip: The right pilot is way better than the left simply because they get to pull the lever for lightspeed! (By the way, if you don’t yell punch it; you’re doing it wrong. Just sayin’.)
Casual Star Wars fans may be confused by the ride’s story. Who is Hondo Ohnaka? Why is Chewbacca working with him? And after leaving Batuu, where did you go and why?
Looking good!
Entry in to DCA/Buena Vista Street is via the gate on the far right of the entrance (when coming from Downtown Disney). If the park is at capacity you can join a virtual queue and wait for your turn to enter. Getting in this morning is pretty painless for me. I parked my car in the Downtown Disney parking lot at 9:15 and got in line to enter. By 9:30 Disney started to let people in for temperature check and security screening. We then walked through Downtown Disney and entered DCA around 9:45. I saw that Buena Vista Street was at capacity shortly after 10 a.m.
Upon entering Buena Vista Street we were greeted by waving cast members.
You’ll see these signs everywhere reminding visitors of the safety rules. From my observations the facemask and social distancing rules are strictly enforced by cast members.
Most people got in line to make a reservation for Carthay Circle Lounge, which features an expanded outdoor seating area.
The outdoor seating area is partially located in the extended queue for the Disney Junior Dance Party.
Speaking of outdoor seating, a ton of extra tables and chairs have been added in the areas that reopened today.
The park’s usual Christmas tree was not installed this year. We assume it’s because Disney is afraid of guests crowding around it for pictures.
Thankfully there are other Christmas decorations around the land, including garland, bows, and wreaths.
Speaking of Christmas decorations, the shops on Buena Vista Street are adorned with some nice ones.
Plenty of Christmas items are available.
Ding ding!
The beloved Disney churros are once again available to Disneyland fans. Popcorn is also available at other carts.
Moving on to Grizzly Peak, Smokejumpers Grill is open.
The menu is limited, but at least there’s mobile ordering and plenty of available seating.
Seating in front of Soarin’.
The restrooms in Grizzly Peak are also open.
Over on Hollywood Blvd. Award Wieners is open, serving Disneyland’s famous corndogs.
The Red Car Trolley is available as a photo opportunity, but it’s about 20 feet away.
Moving back to Buena Vista Street, here’s the posted wait times for the park 
Taking a look over the construction wall in to Avengers Campus.
A new gate behind has appeared behind Carthay Circle.
Before we wrap this up it’s worth mentioning there are more Christmas decorations scattered around Downtown Disney.
