Author: touringplans.com

When the remodel of Beaches and Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club Resort was announced, many expressed concern about the new look. I wasn’t too sure of the new look myself, but that was only judging by the concept art. After visiting in person, I am impressed, and was also surprised at the quality of the plant-based burger, too.

On a recent trip with my in-law family from Illinois we dined at Beaches and Cream as a break from our day at EPCOT. I was not too keen on dining indoors. The temperature check at the restaurant helped a little and the distanced tables helped as well. I felt better being seated near the door, and I took my son outside a few times after ordering and waiting for our food.

The dining room is sparkling and much brighter than before. Admittedly, I had not been to Beaches and Cream in ages, but the new interior feels like a great improvement. It is hard to let go of some of the classic, cartoon-like décor, but I feel the new interior does a good job of being both modern and whimsical. Pastel and muted colors are balanced with crisp white and bright metals. A few of the original details, like the small beach balls on top of the booths’ backs, are still there. A jukebox in the corner near our table made my grandmother-in-law smile, though she was disappointed it was not an actual working jukebox.

The menu at Beaches and Cream is simple, full of American soda fountain classics. Burgers and milkshakes, and massive ice cream sundaes, are the staples, but don’t overlook the Reuben that my brother-in-law loved, or the Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Sandwich. My son has a few food allergies, including beef, so when it came time to order I selected a Turkey Sandwich for him from the kids menu and the Plant-Based Burger for me. He is at the age that he loves to try what I’m eating, which is great, but it also means I need to order things that are safe for him to eat. I’ve become a part-time vegan as a result.

All the burgers and sandwiches at Beaches and Cream are $16.00 – $17.00, which is about $4-$5 more than a burger or sandwich at a quick-service location. Here you get to enjoy a table service experience. The Plant-based Burger is topped with plant-based mayonnaise and caramelized balsamic-onion jam on a house-baked multigrain bun. Fresh lettuce and tomato are included too, but the sandwich is served open so you can remove them easily if you wish.

The plant-based mayo and the balsamic-onion jam elevated this plant-based burger. I loved the sweetness of the onion jam, I could not get enough. The plant-based mayo was a little tangy and added a little bit of creaminess. I much prefer to use plant-based mayo rather than vegan cheese to add some creaminess to a plant-based burger. The multigrain bun was flavorful and fluffy, and solidified this burger as one of the best plant-based burgers I have had at Walt Disney World.

When you order a burger or sandwich you can choose fries or potato barrels (tots), or upgrade to onion rings. Any of the three are a good choice. Our table had a variety of the three and each was served fresh and the perfect balance of crisp and fluffy. No one in our group ordered a milkshake, as the food was filling enough. There is a window outside where you can order to-go shakes and even adult “hard” shakes too. It would be awesome if they could come up with one plant-based shake.

With over 500,000 submitted surveys from our readers, Beaches and Cream gets a 92% thumbs up rating. and is ranked number 15 out of 104 table service dining options at Walt Disney World. Overall, I am glad we stopped in and I would return for the plant-based burger. And my son loved his Turkey Sandwich, too!

Have you dined at Beaches and Cream? What’s your favorite thing on the menu?

The post REVIEW – Beaches and Cream New Interior and a FANTASTIC Plant-Based Burger appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Dining, Resorts, Trip Planning, Beaches and Cream, disney burgers, disney dining, disney plant based, disney vegan, disney’s beach club

When compared to the other Walt Disney World theme parks, the amount of holiday treats at Animal Kingdom is dismal. Still, there are some festive foods to be found if you do a little searching. At Zuri’s Sweet Shop at Animal Kingdom we tried some sweets that will satisfy your craving for holiday time tastes.

Zuri’s Sweet Shop is located in Harambe Village, tucked in a corner of a merchandise shop, across from Kilimanjaro Safaris. Every Walt Disney World theme park has a sweet shop of some kind, carrying many of the same standard sweets like caramel apples, cupcakes, fudge, and crisped rice treats. During the holiday season many of these standard treats are given a festive treatment. On her trip to Animal Kingdom this week, Ivonne decided to give the Peppermint Chocolate Covered Mickey Marshmallow Wand a try, as well as two different flavors of fudge.

The Peppermint Chocolate Covered Mickey Marshmallow Wand looks festive with crushed peppermint candy dusted on top. Chocolate enrobed a large Mickey Mouse shaped marshmallow on a stick. Even if you’re not a big marshmallow fan you should give this a try. As $4.99 it was of the lowest-price treats available and won’t weigh you down.

Each sweet shop usually has a selection of fudge year-round. We were a little disappointed in the lack of seasonal flavors, pumpkin being the only one. Ivonne tried out the Pumpkin Fudge as well as the Cookies and Cream Fudge. Each square of fudge is $4.49, another relatively low price compared to other treats.  The Pumpkin Fudge tasted like eating very dense pumpkin pie filling. The Cookies and Cream Fudge tasted just like cookies and cream ice cream, just in fudge form. The fudge is dense and heavy, more so than the fudge we tried at Beach Club Marketplace.

The serving of fudge is large enough to serve as a sweet snack for 2-3 people. The marshmallow wand is not very easy to share, but could be if necessary.

Have you visited Animal Kingdom during the holiday season? Do you have a favorite way to celebrate the holidays in this park?

The post REVIEW – Low-Priced Festive Sweets from Zuri’s Sweet Shop at Animal Kingdom appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Snacks, disney christmas, disney desserts, Disney Snacks

The holiday shopping season is ramping up, and many people may already be trying to check items off their shopping list. If you happen to be at Walt Disney World, maybe you’re considering an evening at Disney Springs. If so, there’s plenty of options for shopping that doesn’t involve Mickey Mouse merchandise for all. Here’s four places you’ll want to check out to help with your holiday shopping.

 

Basin

With its assortment of adorable fresh-cut soaps, quality bath bombs, sugar scrubs for helping dry winter skin, or more, Basin is a favorite place to browse. Although the Disney Springs shop has some Disney-themed items, they also have a huge assortment of holiday and year-round items, perfect for a gift for someone on your holiday shopping list.

LEGO Store

Whether you’re shopping for someone young or young at heart, you can find a huge variety of fun and creative kits at the LEGO store. Although there aren’t Disney-exclusive sets here, there are plenty of Disney and non-Disney sets available, and a much wider selection than you’ll likely find at your local store.

Coca-Cola Store

Got a fan of fizz in your fam? The Coca-Cola store sells a variety of Coke-branded merchandise–everything from t-shirts and drinking glasses that look like they’ve come right from an old-fashioned soda shop to items made with recycled cans and pop top tabs. For the holidays, look for merchandise featuring the Coca-Cola Polar Bear and Santa, too.

What’s great about these stores is that their prices aren’t significantly inflated to “Disney bubble” levels. What’s even better is that, if you’re a Disney annual passholder, you get a 10% discount on many of the items at these locations.

Have you picked up any holiday gifts before at Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments.

The post Three Disney Springs Stores for Non-Disney Holiday Gifts (at Non-Disney Prices) appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Shopping, Walt Disney World (FL), Disney Springs

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!

Being the quintessential family-friendly vacation spot, it’s not surprising that Walt Disney World is a place where you’ll encounter strollers – lots and lots and lots of strollers. As prevalent as these wheeled child conveyances are, there are a number of places where you can’t bring them at Disney World. For example, strollers are not allowed in most attraction queues or in most table service restaurants. (A notable exception to this rule is strollers used as wheelchairs for guests with medical issues.)

So what do you do with your stroller when you want to take your tot on a ride? The answer is stroller parking.

Somewhere near the center of each region of each park (like Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom or Future World West at EPCOT) you’ll see “Stroller Parking” signage. If there are lots of people in the park it’s generally evident where the stroller parking areas are even without the signage; you’ll see a sea of prams clustered together. If you happen to get to the park early and the signs are not immediately evident, just ask any nearby cast member. In additional to stroller parking areas, also keep an eye out for “no stroller parking” signs that indicate areas where stroller parking is not allowed.

Whenever you leave a stroller in a stroller parking zone, be aware that it may not be precisely where you left it when you return. To keep the stroller parking areas organized, with the space used efficiently, cast members occasionally move strollers around a bit within the parking areas. If you’re concerned about this, try tying something like a colorful bandana to your stroller’s handle to make identification quick and easy.

Have any questions for Disney in a Minute? Let us know in the comments.

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

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: kids, Walt Disney World (FL), strollers

All calm, all is bright on this mild Wednesday. I should really not write these posts while waiting for UberEats to deliver chicken nuggets dinner.  Anyway, posted wait times were moderate throughout Walt Disney World today, and the new plexiglass barriers at Runaway Railway are really helping ride capacity.  We received 162 actual wait times today – thank you Lines app users.  Let’s do the numbers!

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

Pirates of the Caribbean had an average wait time today of 35 minutes. Its 7-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 86% of the posted wait time.

Space Mountain had an average wait time today of 22 minutes. Its 7-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 60% of the posted wait time.

Splash Mountain had an average wait time today of 34 minutes. Its 7-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #26 for the past month.  We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 46% of the posted wait time. Contrast that with Pirates (above).

The Haunted Mansion had an average wait time today of 20 minutes. Its 7-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 70% of the posted wait time.

Today’s Stat of the Weird: Astro Orbiter had an average wait time of 43 minutes. Its 7-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #17 for the past year.  The. Past. Year.

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.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had an average wait time today of 57 minutes. Its 7-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #14 for the past month.

Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid had an average wait time today of 18 minutes. Its 7-day average is 20 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #20 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 51% of the posted wait time.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had an average wait time today of 41 minutes. Its 7-day average is 46 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #17 for the past month. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 36% of the posted wait time (!).

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin had an average wait time today of 26 minutes. Its 7-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #20 for the past month. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 58% of the posted wait time.

Hollywood Studios Wait Times

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had an average wait time today of 48 minutes. Its 7-day average is 74 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 78 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month.  We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 85% of the posted wait time.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Jim Croce (really Aerosmith) had an average wait time today of 48 minutes. Its 7-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #18 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 68% of the posted wait time.

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue had an average wait time today of 27 minutes. Its 7-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 27 minutes, so today ranks #12 for the past month.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror had an average wait time today of 47 minutes. Its 7-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 48 minutes, so today ranks #13 for the past month. IWe received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 72% of the posted wait time.

Toy Story Mania! had an average wait time today of 29 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. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 39% of the posted wait time.

Slinky Dog Dash had an average wait time today of 64 minutes. Its 7-day average is 66 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 66 minutes, so today ranks #18 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 85% of the posted wait time.

Great day of consistent boarding at Rise of the Resistance.  Steady flow of boarding groups all day long. Great job by the park ops folks.

Animal Kingdom Wait Times

Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time today of 53 minutes. Its 7-day average is 57 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 96 minutes, so today ranks #154 for the past year. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 76% of the posted wait time.

Na’vi River Journey had an average wait time today of 44 minutes. Its 7-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #152 for the past year. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 79% of the posted wait time.

DINOSAUR had an average wait time today of 14 minutes. Its 7-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month.We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 74% of the posted wait time.

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain had an average wait time today of 21 minutes. Its 7-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 75% of the posted wait time.

Kali River Rapids had an average wait time today of 10 minutes. Its 7-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 19 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month.

Kilimanjaro Safaris had an average wait time today of 17 minutes. Its 7-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #20 for the past month. We received 12 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 51% of the posted wait time.

EPCOT Wait Times

Soarin’ had an average wait time today of 22 minutes. Its 7-day average is 36 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #181 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 72% of the posted wait time.

Spaceship Earth had an average wait time today of 12 minutes. Its 7-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 18 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #174 for the past year.

Test Track had an average wait time today of 45 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 #26 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #129 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 51% of the posted wait time.

Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 59 minutes. Its 7-day average is 66 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 64 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month.

Living with the Land had an average wait time today of 11 minutes. Its 7-day average is 12 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #179 for the past year.

Mission: SPACE Orange had an average wait time today of 13 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.

The post Tender and Mild Crowds – Walt Disney World Wait Times for Wednesday, November 18, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

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