The main attraction of the holidays at Disney’s Grand Floridian may be missing this year, but the decorations are still lovely. Holiday decorations are beginning to adorn many Disney resort hotels this week. Disney’s Grand Floridian is a popular spot, and admittedly it does feel a little strange without the Victorian style gingerbread house. There’s no sweet shop this year either, though you can tempt your taste buds with a few seasonal treats at Gasparilla Island Grill.
When you arrive into the sophisticated lobby of the Grand Floridian the Christmas tree that stands multi-stories tall is sure to capture your eye. Once you’ve picked your jaw off the floor make sure to look at the garlands draped on the balconies and banisters. Venture further into the atrium and walk around the upper levels to see smaller Christmas trees. Each is decorated with Victorian-inspired ornaments, including some in the motif of the twelve days of Christmas (which are actually the twelve days of and following Christmas Day).
Christmas Tree at Grand FloridianTwelve Days of Christmas Ornaments at Grand Floridian – you just sang “FIVE Gooooolden Riiiiings” in your head, didn’t you?Twelve Days of Christmas Ornaments at Grand FloridianTwelve Days of Christmas Ornaments at Grand FloridianTwelve Days of Christmas Ornaments at Grand FloridianTwelve Days of Christmas Ornaments at Grand Floridian
While visiting the Grand Floridian is not as much as a major attraction as years past, it is still lovely and delightful. Be sure to venture around the entire main building so you don’t miss any of the precious decorations.
Do you have a favorite Disney resort this time of year? What do you think of the Grand Floridian’s decorations?
Sometimes when you’re at the Magic Kingdom, you’re on a mission. And if that sounds like you, you’re probably looking for the quickest food possible so you can stay on target at Magic Kingdom. The Lunching Pad in Tomorrowland recently reopened, so our field team decided to revisit this quick and casual location.
The Lunching Pad is in the heart of Tomorrowland and offers a limited variety of hot dogs. Photo courtesy of Disney (c)
The Lunching Pad is a walk-up counter in the center of Tomorrowland. Mobile ordering is not available due to the size of this location. Seating is all outdoors, and can be limited as many guests use this area to wait for their party as they go on rides. Our readers have submitted over 500,000 surveys in the past few years, and our site and Lines app have ratings and menus for all Walt Disney World dining locations. Our readers give The Lunching Pad a meager 79% thumbs up rating. It is ranked 83 out of 107.
The menu at The Lunching Pad is very limited, which helps it stick to being quick. Hot dogs, pretzels, and frozen carbonated soft drinks are the main highlights, but there is also a Pulled Pork Sandwich. This Pulled Pork Sandwich comes with chips and is $11.49. It is sweet and savory, and easy to eat in a hurry. For the price it is not the best value in the park, but if you’re looking for quick and something other than a hot dog, it is a good option.
Lunching Pad at Magic KingdomLunching Pad at Magic Kingdom
One of the most popular snacks here is the Mickey Mouse shaped Pepper Jack Warm Stuffed Pretzel. For $6.79 it is not a bad value, and is large enough to share. It comes with a cup of cheese for dipping. It’s not as spicy as you would expect, and if you prefer something sweeter then go for the Cream Cheese Warm Stuffed Pretzel.
If you’re looking for something quick you’ve got a few options at Magic Kingdom. The Friar’s Nook in Fantasyland has higher ratings and a little more variety. Overall, The Lunching Pad is nothing special, but satisfies a need for quick and easy snacks or lunch at the Magic Kingdom.
What’s your favorite place to grab something quick to eat at Magic Kingdom?
One ride we did not expect to ever get a holiday makeover is Living With The Land. This relaxing boat ride at EPCOT is a classic, and loved by many. Last year Christmas lights and other holiday decorations were added to this attraction. We’re pleased to share that these decorations have returned!
The first half of the ride, which takes place indoors, is unchanged. But the second half, taking place in the greenhouses, is given a few festive touches. It’s even better when you ride at dusk or at night so the lights shine bright. Come take a trip with us to see these decorations as they were installed recently.
Holiday Lights Added To Living With The LandHoliday Lights Added To Living With The LandHoliday Lights Added To Living With The LandHoliday Lights Added To Living With The Land
If you’re visiting Walt Disney World this holiday season, make sure you have holiday magic at your fingertips. Become a TouringPlans Subscriber and gain access to our Lines app. Our Lines app users save 2-3 hours on average per day in the parks, so you’ll have more time to savor the magic of this festive season.
Have you been on Living With The Land with the decorations up? What do you think of this holiday addition?
This week’s SATURDAY SIXtakes a look at the news via MEMES! While Spaceship Earth has always explained the history of human communication, there’s always been one area that’s been noticeably missing. Oh sure, EPCOT’s park icon features minor achievements in communication within civilizations, such as the creation of an alphabet, newspapers, and the personal computer, but it has a glaring omission…memes. The SATURDAY SIX is here to right that wrong, and unlike those credit hungry Phoenicians, we’re doing it not for a “thank you,” but because it’s our civic duty. So what has happened over the last two weeks? Funny you should ask…
# 6 – Pre-Election: Does the White House Remind You of a Certain Theme Park…
Shortly before our country’s Presidential election on November 3rd, a new structure was installed in front of the White House in Washington, D.C. What was billed as an “unscalable fence” was installed, and unfortunately it wasn’t because Hollywood was trying to film a scene for a movie set during a dystopian future. Those of us in the theme park world know there is no such thing as an non-scalable fence, and were fully prepared to send That Guy Who Climbed the Mexico Pavilion in World Showcase to prove it.
White House protected from Americans. (photo by @wfla)
Seeing these walls did remind theme park fans of another place near and dear to their hearts…
White House preparing for WDW’s 50th Anniversary. (meme by @TheDisneyDelete)EPCOT. (photo by @bioreconstruct)EPCOT. (photo by @bioreconstruct)
# 5 – The Election – Biden Celebrates “270” By Looking Up…
In the days after November 3rd election, the counting began to show that Joe Biden was going to have electoral collage votes to surpass 270 and thus become the President-Elect of the United States. (He ended up with 306.) On the night Biden was officially projected to win 270, he celebrated with a speech and a pretty spectacular drone show. The drone show started an instant meme trend, with people using the photo of President-Elect Biden looking up at the sky.
Universal and stilt-walker characters are like “peas and carrots,” and two of my favorite of these characters are Bride of Frankenstein and her significant other…
My personal favorite of this entire meme format may have been the inclusion of the still unbuilt Polercoaster.
# 4 – Post-Election: Meet Ya at The Four Seasons (Total Landscaping)
If the annual Theme Park Turkey of the Year awards could include things outside of Disney and Universal, the following story would have been an easy winner. The saga started this time last week, when on Saturday President Trump tweeted about a “Lawyers Press Conference” at the “Four Seasons.” Every person on Earth assumed this meant the Four Season Hotel in Philadelphia, which is a natural setting for a legitimate press conference by people of stature.
Nay Nay.
Moments later, the Four Seasons hotel tweeted that there was no press conference being held at the hotel and instead it would be at the Four Seasons Total Landscaping company, also in Philadelphia.
That’s right, the Four Seasons Total Landscaping company. The story is even crazier than you could possibly think, and is so ridiculous on every level that you wouldn’t even be able to use this scenario in a comedy movie because no audience would find it believable. However, it DID happen, and users on social media began wondering what are the most insane places they could hold a press conference…
TouringPlans’ own Guy Selga chose an appropriate place, in front of overfilled garbage cans outside the TTC.
The backside of Expedition Everest was picked by @ClaytonicShift.
Hard to think of anything more appropriate than one of the worst dumpster fires in theme park history, as chosen by @spadearts.
While the Trump administration has yet to admit it, most believe that this all started because someone was tasked with booking “the Four Seasons” and got the wrong place. Instead of just admitting the mistake, they doubled down on it and had the embarrassing press conference. In their defense, we can imagine something like this happening in the theme park world as well…
Universal went above and beyond the call of duty for this one.
# 2 – Is It Live Or Is It Memorex
You never know what will catch on in the viral world of memes. When Kim Kardashian West posted a video which featured her father as a hologram, the theme park social media community took it’s cue…
You can’t go wrong using references from Horizons…
# 1 – True Disney Legends
An extremely popular meme format over the past few days were individuals starting a conversation by asking something along the lines of “Who (or what) ISN’T ____ but FEELS like ____?”
For example, “What isn’t a theme park ride but FEELS like a theme park ride?” had some fun responses such as the monorail at the MCO airport, the Tangled restrooms at the Magic Kingdom, and the gigantic escalators out at Universal Studios Hollywood.
One of the themes I thought was most interesting was a thread that asked people to suggest who they thought felt like an honored Disney Legend, but actually wasn’t.
But ultimately it comes down to the one person who definitely should be a Disney Legend. Heck, he even played Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks.
Honorable Mention – What to do with the Trump A.A. in Hall of Presidents
It’s always good when those in the theme park community try to help the thousands of Cast Members and Team Members (along with other hospitality workers) who have been drastically affected by the furloughs in Florida and California. Theme park photography icon Tom Bricker and his wife Sarah helped raise over $30,000 for an Orlando food bank. While Florida gets the lion’s share of theme park coverage due to the sheer amount of bloggers in the state, it’s important to realize that their counterparts in California also need help.
When I saw the above tweet, I posted a promise (or maybe it’s more of a threat) of drawing some art if donations hit a certain threshold.
TouringPlans’ own Len Testa said NAY NAY and just donated the entire amount needed for the goal immediately.
So I put “pen to paper” and created a series of drawings based on the theme of what Disney could do with the President Trump audio-animatronic now that the elections are over. First up, Pirates of the Caribbean…
Maybe replacing Big Al in Country Bear Jamboree…
Could always give Madame Leota a break in the Haunted Mansion…
…or even in Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress.
Others had a different suggestion for what Disney could do with the Trump A.A. in Hall of Presidents. The most creative used something that is still hard to believe happened last year. Remember the amazing audio-animatronic of Hondo Ohnaka in Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run? When the highly complicated A.A. didn’t work correctly, Disney just threw a tarp over it and ran the pre-show anyway.
BEFORE WE GO: While we use memes and jokes to cope and deal with some pretty serious things going on with our country, one thing I want people to know that we are absolutely serious about is our support of Trans Awareness Week. Our nation is at its best when we understand that it’s the differences between us which makes us stronger. For too long, too many people have had to deal with hate and bigotry when ultimately they are just like everyone else. They are sons and daughters. They are friends and coworkers and people on the street. They are us, and when one of us struggles, we all struggle. When one of us is attacked, we’re all attacked. Here’s looking forward to the day when we won’t need a Trans Awareness Week because we understand a Trans individual is a person with all the hopes, dreams and – most importantly – basic human rights that we all have.
For more information on being an ally to transgender and nonbinary youth, please check out TheTrevorProject.org
So there you have it: The SATURDAY SIX Looks Back at a WILD WEEK of News!See you next weekend for the latest installment of the SATURDAY SIX, where we’ll look at something fun from the world of Disney and Universal. If you enjoyed yourself, be sure to check out The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! articles covering the latest from the Disney Outlet Stores. You can also follow Your Humble Author on Twitter (@derekburgan).
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The Kingdoms – Magic and Animal – were the busiest parks today as we get past the remnants of Eta and head into the weekend. We received 189 actual wait times today from folks in line at Walt Disney World – thanks to all of you! Besides using data to accurately provide Expected Wait Times in our Lines app, we also collect data on mask compliance in the parks. Today our field team counted 500 people at Magic Kingdom and 481 of those guests (96%) were wearing masks in accordance with Disney’s guidelines. Yesterday we counted 488 out of 500 (98%) wearing masks properly at EPCOT.
Let’s do the wait time numbers!
EPCOT Wait Times
Things usually get their busiest at EPCOT on the weekends, starting with Friday evenings. This trend continued today.
EPCOT crowds were middle of the road for the month, with average waits under 30 minutes all day. Living with the Land had an average wait time today of 14 minutes. Its 7-day average is 14 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #9 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #112 for the past year.
Mission: SPACE Orange had an average wait time today of 16 minutes. Its 7-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #24 for the past month. Mission: SPACE Green’s wait times were lower, as always.
Soarin’ had an average wait time today of 28 minutes. Its 7-day average is 39 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #20 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 64% of the posted wait time.
Spaceship Earth had an average wait time today of 21 minutes. Its 7-day average is 19 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 18 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 54% of the posted wait time.
Test Track had an average wait time today of 49 minutes. Its 7-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 57% of the posted wait time.
Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 61 minutes. Its 7-day average is 70 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #15 for the past month.
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.
Magic Kingdom Wait Times
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had an average wait time today of 53 minutes. Its 7-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #6 for the past month.We received 11 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 49% of the posted wait time.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin had an average wait time today of 35 minutes. Its 7-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #6 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 54% of the posted wait time.
“it’s a small world” had an average wait time today of 46 minutes. Its 7-day average is 37 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 36 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #32 for the past year. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 79% of the posted wait time.
Jungle Cruise had an average wait time today of 53 minutes. Its 7-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 41 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 60% of the posted wait time.
Peter Pan’s Flight had an average wait time today of 37 minutes. Its 7-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #7 for the past month.
Pirates of the Caribbean had an average wait time today of 51 minutes. Its 7-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #7 for the past month. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 66% of the posted wait time.
Space Mountain had an average wait time today of 41 minutes. Its 7-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 36 minutes, so today ranks #10 for the past month. We received 16 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 94% of the posted wait time.
Splash Mountain had an average wait time today of 58 minutes. Its 7-day average is 51 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #10 for the past month. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 59% of the posted wait time.
The Haunted Mansion had an average wait time today of 25 minutes. Its 7-day average is 26 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 67% of the posted wait time.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh had an average wait time today of 30 minutes. Its 7-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month.
Tomorrowland Speedway had an average wait time today of 16 minutes. Its 7-day average is 16 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 86% of the posted wait time.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had an average wait time today of 67 minutes. Its 7-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 57 minutes, so today ranks #5 for the past month.
Actual wait times at the Magic Kingdom were just under 70% of the posted waits, which is in line with historical averages.
Animal Kingdom Wait Times
After some not-so-nice weather the past few days, today’s weather was quite pleasant making it an ideal day to visit Animal Kingdom.
DINOSAUR had an average wait time today of 51 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. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 87% of the posted wait time.
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain had an average wait time today of 37 minutes. Its 7-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #10 for the past month. We received 10 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 40% of the posted wait time.
Kali River Rapids had an average wait time today of 13 minutes. Its 7-day average is 16 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #24 for the past month.
Kilimanjaro Safaris had an average wait time today of 30 minutes. Its 7-day average is 26 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #5 for the past month. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 63% of the posted wait time.
It’s Tough to Be a Bug! had an average wait time today of 23 minutes. Its 7-day average is 16 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month.
Na’vi River Journey had an average wait time today of 54 minutes. Its 7-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 46 minutes, so today ranks #6 for the past month.
Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time today of 57 minutes. Its 7-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #15 for the past month. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 77% of the posted wait time, which means the actual average wait time was around 43 minutes.
Hollywood Studios Wait Times
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith had an average wait time today of 52 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 #13 for the past month.
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue had an average wait time today of 24 minutes. Its 7-day average is 26 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 46% of the posted wait time.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror had an average wait time today of 49 minutes. Its 7-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #13 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 80% of the posted wait time.
Toy Story Mania! had an average wait time today of 26 minutes. Its 7-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #21 for the past month. We received 10 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 47% of the posted wait time.
Slinky Dog Dash had an average wait time today of 67 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 #15 for the past month.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had an average wait time today of 78 minutes. Its 7-day average is 81 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 79 minutes, so today ranks #19 for the past month.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run had an average wait time today of 49 minutes. Its 7-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 57 minutes, so today ranks #24 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 64 minutes, so today ranks #179 for the past year. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 146% of the posted wait time.
Rise of the Resistance started calling boarding groups around 8:45 a.m. today, around an hour before they’ve been starting this week. There have been three long pauses in calling Rise of the Resistance boarding groups so far today: one for about at hour starting at 9:30 a.m.; another for about 30 minutes at 11:30 a.m.; and a third from around 12:50 p.m. for about an hour. Still, with increased ride capacity Rise is in good shape to get beyond a hundred boarding groups today.
