This week the Disney resort hotels have begun to receive their holiday decorations and it has put us in great spirits. This year is a little disappointing in that the gingerbread displays across many of the deluxe resorts are not on display this year. This is to help with safety precautions and deter crowds, so it is certainly understandable. Many of the resorts, like Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Grand Floridian are still charming and whimsical with their Christmas trees and decorations. There is one resort, however, that is missing that extra holiday magic this year.
Holiday Decorations at Disney’s ContemporaryHoliday Decorations at Disney’s Contemporary
Disney’s Contemporary is one of the least themed resorts on Disney property. Being a modern-styled resort, there’s less overt touches of whimsy. This is especially true with their holiday decorations which are simple modern decorations without any creative theme. Without the gingerbread display, the lack of special theming in the holiday décor is very evident this year.
Holiday Decorations at Disney’s ContemporaryHoliday Decorations at Disney’s ContemporaryHoliday Decorations at Disney’s Contemporary
While the decorations are quite plain compared to the other deluxe resorts, there is a little extra décor at Fantasia Gifts on the Grand Canyon Concourse level. And, there is a special Gingerbread Contemporary Resort Kit you can purchase to build your own tasty version of the Contemporary, complete with white chocolate monorails and other fun details.
Gingerbread Kit with Monorail – Disney’s Contemporary ResortChristmas Cookies at Contempo Cafe
There are also three different Christmas cookies available for purchase at Contempo Café. So, while the Contemporary is lacking in holiday magic and whimsy compared to the other nearby resorts, there’s still some charm to be found.
Have you ever visited Disney’s Contemporary during the holidays? Do you have a favorite Disney resort during the holiday season?
Filed Under: Christmas, Photos and Video, Resorts, disney christmas, disney holiday decorations, disney on site hotels, Disney Resorts, Disney’s Contemporary Resort
For years, thrill rides have been the name of the theme park game. In fact, before COVID-19, construction was well underway at Walt Disney World for two new coasters – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind for EPCOT and TRON Lightcycle Run for the Magic Kingdom. However, not everyone loves coasters or thrill rides. In fact, there are many Disney guests out there who feel sudden drops, dizzying heights, and high speeds are anything but magical.
So for my fellow Disney ride chickens, I’ve created a ranking system to help you know what to expect and maybe what to avoid when compiling your Hollywood Studios touring plan.
I’m breaking down the different elements of a ride that may be a little scary or extreme, such as drops, height, darkness, and speed. I’m also using a simple 1 to 3 scale with 1 being less intense and a 3 being the most intense.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is an interactive simulator where guests perform functions act as either pilots, gunners, or engineers aboard the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy! Before boarding the six-person cockpit, guests receive their roles which they will perform during the flight much like EPCOT’s Mission: SPACE.
How well a guest performs their role impacts the overall success of the mission. But don’t worry! Hondo Ohnaka who owns the whole operation is there to help guests along and many of the buttons and switches light up when needed.
Motion Sickness: 1 (if that)
So… Smugglers Run is a simulator meaning there are no actual drops, heights, or high speeds. But whenever a simulator is involved, we have to talk about motion sickness. Generally speaking, most guests don’t have motion sickness issues with Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. I think it helps that you have to look away from the screen and focus on actual tasks. Also, the whole ride experience is smoother and a lot less jittery than Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is a high-speed indoor roller coaster where guests board a coaster resembling a super-stretch limo to race across town for an Aerosmith concert. The coaster launches guests from 0 to 57 mph in less than three seconds and straight into an inversion which pulls 5 gs! Guests continue rocketing through a dark Los Angeles to the tunes of Aerosmith and are sent through another loop and a corkscrew before arriving at the concert.
Darkness Rating: 2.5
Much like Space Mountain, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster takes place in the dark; but due to its neon lights and illuminated signs scattered through the ride space, it’s not as dark as Space Mountain.
Motion Sickness: 3
Due to multiple inversions and a few dips, this is definitely an attraction those prone to motion sickness should carefully consider.
Speed Rating: 3
Even though Test Track is technically the fastest attraction at Walt Disney World, it only reaches that top speed of 65 mph for a moment. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, however, literally launches you from 0 to 57 mph in less than three seconds so it feels faster and stays fast!
Slinky Dog Dash
Slinky Dog Dash is a mild outdoor coaster designed to look as if Andy constructed it in his backyard using his new Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Playkit and Slinky Dog as the coaster’s train.
Drop Rating: 2
Yes, there are drops on Slinky Dog Dash, but they’re very smooth and not nearly as stomach-dropping as other attractions around Walt Disney World. Plus, the tone of this ride is very lighthearted and geared more towards families than thrills.
Height Rating: 3
Slinky Dog Dash is rare in that it has an elevated, exposed track offering an aerial view of Toy Story Land. Some sections of track are seriously high off the ground which may alarm some guests. However, I will say that it’s somehow not as scary as it looks. Whether it’s the smoothness of the ride, the ride vehicles themselves, or the attraction’s overall feel, Slinky Dog Dash’s height isn’t as alarming as it might look from the ground.
Speed Rating: 1.5
Slinky Dog Dash reaches a top speed of 40 mph. But keep in mind, the ride slows down considerably at points and even stops completely at others. Therefore, it doesn’t maintain its top speed throughout the experience.
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue is a 3-D flight simulator attraction where guests embark on an adventure to familiar locales and with familiar characters from the Star Wars Saga. The ride film for this attraction features more than 50 combinations so who you see and where you’ll go is completely randomized and in 3-D!
Motion Sickness Rating: 3
This simulator is definitely on the rough side and may cause motion sickness. Be prepared to lean, slide, and tilt with the screen as your ship flies through space and dodges blaster fire.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Photo by Tom Bricker.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a free-fall drop ride within a story and setting inspired by The Twilight Zone television series.
Darkness Rating: 3
There are moments of total, pitch-black darkness in addition to dimly lit (and scary!) scenes. If you’re uncomfortable in the dark apart from the eerie premise, you want to skip this one.
Drop Rating: 3
This ride is all about the drops! And yes, that’s drops and not drop. While other freefall theme park attractions drop you once, Tower of Terror drops you repetitively and the drops vary in their intensity! For those who hate the feeling of losing their stomach, this is NOT the attraction for you.
Height Rating: 2
If drops are involved, heights are obviously a ride component we need to discuss. Yes, you are up high; but for most of the ride, you’re in an enclosed elevator shaft and can’t see down. The doors of the elevator open at times allowing you a super quick view of the park from up high; but again, these moments are brief.
Are you a ride chicken when it comes to Disney attractions? Which Hollywood Studios ride would you recommend for guests looking to avoid thrills?
Filed Under: Attractions, Hollywood Studios, disney world, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, hollywood studios, hollywood studios attractions, Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, ride chickens, Rise of the Resistance, Rock n Roller Coaster, Slinky Dog Dash, Star Tours, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Toy Story Land, walt disney world
Today I’m digging back in to my stash of Disney News Magazines from the 80s and 90s to bring you five vintage theme park recipes from Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Tokyo Disneyland. If you’re not aware, I’ve written severalposts with vintage ads from the old Disney News issues, including my personal favorite, one entirely made up entirely of ads for ancient rental cars. I’m very excited to share with you these old recipes, as this feature was a staple of the magazine for many years. Each month the staff would pick an a restaurant from one of the Disney parks around the world and highlight an item from the menu with some history and instructions about how to prepare it for yourself. How cool is that?
#1: Mickey Mouse Pancakes – River Belle Terrace – Disneyland
Starting off with an all time classic Disneyland food, which is still served in the park to this day, the iconic Mickey Mouse Pancake. According to this post by Jason Schultz, the earliest mention of the Mickey Mouse Pancake being sold in Disneyland was summer of 1975. As far as I’m aware it consistently been available since then, although it has switched restaurateurs in recent years. Its former home for decades was River Belle Terrace, which was a quick service restaurant up until 2015. The pancake was then briefly moved to Rancho Del Zocalo before landing at Red Rose Taverne, where it’s available for $9.49. If you’re familiar with the Mickey Mouse Pancake you can look at the page from Disney News and see it hasn’t changed one bit. Mickey Mouse Pancakes are still served with a pineapple mouth, cherry nose, and blueberry eyes. This is a nostalgic breakfast for millions of Disneyland visitors over the years, so it’s safe to say it’s not going anywhere any time soon.
#2: Peanut Butter and Jelly Shake – 50’s Prime Time Cafe – Walt Disney World
LOOK AT THAT HUGE PILE OF FRIES. Sorry, got distracted. Anyway, if anyone knows one thing about 50’s Prime Time Cafe, it’s that they have a peanut butter and jelly shake. As this scan from right after Disney-MGM Studios opened shows, it’s been on the menu since day one. That’s an impressive 31-year run so far. Earlier this year Disney posted their official recipe for the shake on Disney Parks Blog. Let’s see how it matches up to the one listed on the page:
2020 Ingredients:
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons jelly (strawberry or grape)
2 cups vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup milk
1989 Ingredients:
1 1/4 oz. creamy peanut butter (2.8 tablespoons)
1 1/4 oz grape jelly (2.8 tablespoons)
8 oz vanilla ice cream (1 cup)
4 oz. milk (half a cup)
It looks like the 1989 version had slightly more peanut butter, jelly, ice cream, and milk, as well as additional toppings like chocolate shavings. Fascinating.
#3: Filet de Porc Saute’ aux Pruneaux – Blue Bayou Restaurant – Tokyo Disneyland
French food exploded in popularity in Japan in the 1960s, so it’s no surprise that Tokyo Disneyland has offered this style of food for most of its existence. The park’s Blue Bayou Restaurant is almost an exact copy of the location found in Disneyland, but what I find more interesting is that chef Shigetaka Hirayama traveled to the U.S. in 1980 to train at the original Disneyland in preparation for Tokyo Disneyland’s opening. I’d love to hear more about this person’s story, but I can’t find any mention of his time at Disney. Anyway, this recipe sounds delicious! I can’t imagine many readers tried to replicate this one at home but I sure hope they did.
#4: Cinema Sundae – Town Square Cafe – Disneyland
Here’s an extinct Disney food item from an extinct Disney restaurant. Town Square Cafe was a restaurant located on Main Street, U.S.A. where the Disney Showcase shop currently is. The restaurant started out as Maxwell Coffee House, and then Town Square Cafe 1976 to 1978. It then became American Egg House 1978 to 1983 (the cash register booth inside the current store used to be the egg cooking station). Town Square Cafe returned in the same spot in 1983 and ran until 1992. Stuff From the Park posted this menu from 1987, and you can see nothing too exciting was offered here. Just the usual burgers and salads. You can also see the price of a Cinema Sundae was $2.50. Not bad!
#5: New England Clam Chowder – Liberty Tree Tavern – Walt Disney World
I really enjoy clam chowder but the thought of slurpring down a bowl of hot heavy cream-based soup and then walking around Magic Kingdom with that Florida sun pounding down on me is giving the shivers. With that being said, Liberty Tree Tavern is currently a solid dining location and the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake is wonderful. Clam chowder isn’t on the menu anymore, as is anything else in the picture above but it still looks like a good spread of food.
Check out my other posts with even more vintage Disney News Magazine content:
Crowds were up at all four Walt Disney World parks today. Posted wait times were the second-highest they’ve been at Animal Kingdom over the past month. Waits at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios were also in the top 8 of the past 30 days, too. We received 176 actual wait times today. Let’s do the numbers!
Animal Kingdom
Let’s start in Pandora. Flight of Passage had the highest average posted waits in the park today at 81 minutes. Its 7-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 79% of the posted wait time.
Na’vi River Journey had an average wait time today of 68 minutes. Its 7-day average is 48 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 76% of the posted wait time.
Animal Kingdom wait times for Saturday, November 14, 2020
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DINOSAUR had an average wait time today of 52 minutes. Its 7-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #46 for the past year. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 99% of the posted wait time.
Expedition Everest had an average wait time today of 46 minutes. Its 7-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. We received 13 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 41 minutes. Its 7-day average is 14 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 20 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 97% of the posted wait time.
Kilimanjaro Safaris had an average wait time today of 38 minutes. Its 7-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 54% of the posted wait time.
Hollywood Studios
As usual Runaway Railway had the highest posted wait time average in the park – 81 minutes. Its 7-day average is 81 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 80 minutes, so today ranks #12 for the past month.
Toy Story Mania! had an average wait time today of 30 minutes. Its 7-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #13 for the past month. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 34% of the posted wait time – that’s low.
Slinky Dog Dash had an average wait time today of 65 minutes. Its 7-day average is 69 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 66 minutes, so today ranks #18 for the past month.
Alien Swirling Saucers had an average wait time today of 26 minutes. Its 7-day average is 26 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #10 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 61% of the posted wait time.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster had an average wait time today of 58 minutes. Its 7-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 51 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month.
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue had an average wait time today of 29 minutes. Its 7-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 27 minutes, so today ranks #9 for the past month.
The Tower of Terror had an average wait time today of 47 minutes. Its 7-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #5 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 74% of the posted wait time.
Hollywood Studios wait times for Saturday, November 14, 2020
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run had an average wait time today of 56 minutes. Its 7-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #17 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 106% of the posted wait time.
Rise of the Resistance is having a really good day of operations, with only a handful of minor delays in calling boarding groups. The park opened an hour early, so the attraction is already above boarding group 110.
Rise of the Resistance boarding groups for Saturday, November 14, 2020
Magic Kingdom
The Tomorrowland Speedway – you all want to know about it – had an average wait time today of 16 minutes. Its 7-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #10 for the past month.
Astro Orbiter had an average wait time today of 36 minutes. Its 7-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #5 for the past month.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin had an average wait time today of 38 minutes. Its 7-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #5 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 62% of the posted wait time.
“it’s a small world” had an average wait time today of 44 minutes. Its 7-day average is 36 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 36 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 69% of the posted wait time.
Jungle Cruise 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 41 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 82% of the posted wait time.
Magic Kingdom wait times for Saturday, November 14, 2020
Peter Pan’s Flight had an average wait time today of 39 minutes. Its 7-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #6 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #135 for the past year.
Pirates of the Caribbean had an average wait time today of 50 minutes. Its 7-day average is 41 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #8 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #71 for the past year. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 82% of the posted wait time.
Space Mountain had an average wait time today of 42 minutes. Its 7-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 36 minutes, so today ranks #9 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #141 for the past year. We received 10 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 50% of the posted wait time.
Splash Mountain had an average wait time today of 64 minutes. Its 7-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #7 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #56 for the past year. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 60% of the posted wait time.
The Haunted Mansion had an average wait time today of 27 minutes. Its 7-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #22 for the past month. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 85% of the posted wait time.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had an average wait time today of 67 minutes. Its 7-day average is 57 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 57 minutes, so today ranks #6 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 62% of the posted wait time.
EPCOT
Living with the Land had an average wait time today of 12 minutes. Its 7-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #17 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #151 for the past year.
Mission: SPACE Orange had an average wait time today of 41 minutes. Its 7-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #42 for the past year.
Soarin’ had an average wait time today of 50 minutes. Its 7-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #4 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #58 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 47% of the posted wait time.
Spaceship Earth had an average wait time today of 31 minutes. Its 7-day average is 17 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 18 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #49 for the past year.
Test Track had an average wait time today of 63 minutes. Its 7-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #13 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #80 for the past year.
The Seas with Nemo & Friends had an average wait time today of 15 minutes. Its 7-day average is 10 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 12 minutes, so today ranks #5 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 17 minutes, so today ranks #118 for the past year.
Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 78 minutes. Its 7-day average is 67 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #6 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #39 for the past year.
There’s a lot to love in Disney Parks–so much so that narrowing it down to what we love most is pretty impossible. Here then, the challenge of picking the Top 3 Reasons We Love Liberty Square. It would have been easy to have other items make this list, so see if your favorites made the list.
The Haunted Mansion
I’m sure there’s someone out there who doesn’t like Haunted Mansion — I haven’t met them yet, however. To me, this ride is the ultimate Disney classic. A storyline that grows throughout the years. Special effects that, although not high-tech by modern standards, still wow. A catchy song. And that script–they simply don’t write them like that anymore. If anyone has a top 3 list for Liberty Square that doesn’t include Haunted Mansion, I’m going to need to show them another feature of Liberty Square–the pillory.
The Food
When it comes to grabbing a bite to eat, my rule has often been Never Eat In Fantasyland (although I’ve softened up a bit over the years on that). If I had a corollary to that, it would be Always Eat In Liberty Square Instead. Looking for a nibble? Sleepy Hollow succeeds with its waffles and waffle sandwiches. Want a solid choice for a quick service meal? Once it reopens from its COVID-necessitated closure, Columbia Harbour House has some of the best food at Magic Kingdom. And how can you go wrong with the all-you-can-eat meal at Liberty Tree Tavern? (More Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake, please!) Liberty Square is my comfort food at Magic Kingdom, and I’m sure many would agree.
The History-Inspired Details
From the Liberty Tree with its lanterns to the Liberty Bell, and more, there’s so many hidden details paying homage to American colonial-era history around Liberty Square. Informative signs can be found explaining some key features, but there’s even more that you can find out by talking to cast members in the area. Want a preview of some of what you can find? You can see some of the hidden details here.
There’s so much to love about Liberty Square — what makes your top three list? Let us know in the comments.
Slinky Dog Dash is a mild outdoor coaster designed to look as if Andy constructed it in his backyard using his new Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Playkit and Slinky Dog as the coaster’s train.
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue is a 3-D flight simulator attraction where guests embark on an adventure to familiar locales and with familiar characters from the Star Wars Saga. The ride film for this attraction features more than 50 combinations so who you see and where you’ll go is completely randomized and in 3-D!
Here’s an extinct Disney food item from an extinct Disney restaurant. Town Square Cafe was a restaurant located on Main Street, U.S.A. where the Disney Showcase shop currently is. The restaurant started out as Maxwell Coffee House, and then Town Square Cafe 1976 to 1978. It then became American Egg House 1978 to 1983 (the cash register booth inside the current store used to be the egg cooking station). Town Square Cafe returned in the same spot in 1983 and ran until 1992. 
I really enjoy clam chowder but the thought of slurpring down a bowl of hot heavy cream-based soup and then walking around Magic Kingdom with that Florida sun pounding down on me is giving the shivers. With that being said, Liberty Tree Tavern is currently a solid dining location and the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake is wonderful. Clam chowder isn’t on the menu anymore, as is anything else in the picture above but it still looks like a good spread of food.
