Author: touringplans.com

One of the best resorts this time of year is Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Even when the temperature outside is in the 80 degrees Fahrenheit range, Wilderness Lodge makes it feel like a glorious winter’s day. Even when it isn’t the holiday season this Deluxe resort in the Magic Kingdom area is one of the best. This time of year Wilderness Lodge absolutely shines, and we are so pleased to see the return of its holiday decorations.

This year is a little sad as the new gingerbread cabin that debuted last year is not returning. Still, all our favorite holiday decorations are in place. The massive, towering tree stands proud in the center of the lobby. The Christmas tree in Wilderness Lodge is special because it is decorated with woodsy, rustic adornments including antlers and teepees.

The fireplace in the corner of the lobby resembles the layers of stone and rock in the Grand Canyon and beckons guests to relax in the rocking chairs and gaze into the dancing fire. A babbling creek starts in the lobby and winds its way outside to become a roaring waterfall near the pool. Garland adorns the little bridge over the creek in the lobby.

When viewing this beautiful decorations make sure to head outside towards the Boulder Ridge Villas, the original Disney Vacation Club Villas at this resort. The walkway to this building is decorated with garlands. And the small lobby of the Boulder Ridge building is decorated as well.

If the weather is pleasant, I emplore you to have a bite to eat and a drink at Geyser Point Bar and Grill, along the shore of Bay Lake. Not only is it one of my favorite spots at Walt Disney World, our readers have given it a 96% thumbs up rating. Geyser Point is ranked number 4 out of 107 similar dining options at Walt Disney World. You can view listings and ratings for all Walt Disney World dining locations on our site and in our Lines app.

Have you ever visit Wilderness Lodge to see the holiday decorations? What’s your favorite Disney resort during the holidays?

The post PHOTOS – The Gorgeous Holiday Decorations of Wilderness Lodge Are Here appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays, Photos and Video, Resorts, disney christmas, disney christmas decorations, disney on site hotels, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

When you spend some time in Orlando during the holiday season you generally do not have to worry about winter weather. In case you want to heat things up regardless of the weather there are two seasonal treats at Magic Kingdom that give cozy vibes without actually turning up the heat.

The Spice Up Your Holiday Chicken Sandwich is featured at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café. This spicy chicken sandwich is topped with Sriracha Aïoli and Pickle Slaw and sandwiched on a Santa Mickey Brioche Bun. For $11.99 it is one of the best deals in Magic Kingdom considering its elevated flavors and toppings. Many have compared it to popular chicken chains like Popeyes and Chik-Fil-A, and while it is not exactly on that level, it comes close. The spice is not overpowering and could be handled by most everyone, though if your level of spiciness tolerance doesn’t go beyond mild this may be a tad too spicy for you.

After something spicy you may want to satisfy your sweet tooth. Over at Pinocchio Village Haus you can cozy up to Yuletide Wishes. This chocolate Yule-log-style dessert is full of delightful chocolate. Chocolate cake is filled chocolate mousse and covered in chocolate ganache. At $4.99 it is one of the lowest price seasonal treats available.

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.

Which sounds better to you – the Spice Up Your Holiday Chicken Sandwich or the Yuletide Wishes?

The post REVIEW – Heat Things Up With Two Seasonal Items at Magic Kingdom appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays, Magic Kingdom, disney desserts, disney dining, magic kingdom christmas, magic kingdom food

If you’re ready to expand your horizons and explore the fascinating world of tequila and mezcal, La Cava del Tequila at EPCOT is the place to be. Tucked inside what used to be a merchandise shop in the Mexico Pavilion, La Cava is an intimate, dimly lit tequila bar that beckons to be explored. The staff at La Cava hail from Mexico, many from Tequila itself. And their latest creation is creating quite the buzz.

For months tequila fans have been asking the staff at La Cava if they would offer a margarita with the new tequila brought to market by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. La Cava has a history of featuring specialty drinks and tequilas from celebrities. There’s a margarita from Neil Patrick Harris who is a self-proclaimed fan of La Cava. Currently, La Cava only serves their margaritas to-go; the seating area is not available as a safety precaution. Still, you don’t want to pass up a chance to enjoy the delicious margaritas here. Our readers have given La Cava del Tequila a 94% thumbs up rating, and it is ranked number 11 out of 58 lounges at Walt Disney World.

The new Tomato Margarita is made with Teremana Tequila, tomatoes, agave, lime juice, and a hint of watermelon. Teremana is a somewhat high-end tequila, though not unattainable. It is said to be extremely smooth, with bright citrus notes. This quality tequila, blended with fresh ingredients fetches a $19.00 price tag. La Cava’s margaritas are generally $3-$4 more than the average Disney cocktail.

Now, you might be thinking this could be like a not-spicy Bloody Mary perhaps, at least that’s what I thought. But reports from our field team indicate it is a slightly sweet, refreshing, and delicious frozen margarita. You do not necessarily need to be a fan of tomatoes to enjoy the Tomato Margarita. It’s a great blend of vibrant flavors. Could this newcomer dethrone the popular Avocado Margarita? Perhaps – after all it does have the appeal of sounding like a weird combination, but surprisingly pulls through and delivers.

Have you been to La Cava del Tequila? Do you have a favorite margarita or tequila to order there?

 

The post REVIEW – La Cava del Tequila’s NEW Tomato Margarita Is Not What You Expect appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Adults, Drinking, Epcot, Trip Planning, disney bars, disney drinks, epcot bars, epcot drinks, epcot mexico

One of the my wishes every holiday season is that Hollywood Scoops Ice Cream at Disney’s Hollywood Studios finally serve up some Peppermint Ice Cream. Well, this year I finally got my wish–sort of. This year Scoops is serving up a milkshake that is photogenic, and tastes great too. Let’s get the scoop on the Peppermint Bundt Cake Milkshake.

First, the name is deceiving. You might think that it has pieces of bundt cake mixed in, but it does not. The description lists Peppermint Ice Cream as the base of the milkshake. I have to say, I think it was just vanilla. If it was made from Peppermint Ice Cream it had very weak flavor, and not bits of peppermint in it. However, there was a crushed peppermint rim which helped add the desired peppermint flavor.

The topping is what makes this mammoth milkshake worthy of must-have status. A small piece of peppermint bark is nestled in a little mound of whipped cream. Then two mini bundt cakes are placed onto the straw. These cakes tasted of vanilla flavor and had such bright artificial red and green coloring I swear I could taste the colors. For $8.49 it is a fun treat and could be shared if you don’t want to overdo it.

Have you tried any of the holiday treats at Walt Disney World this year? Would you give this milkshake a try?

The post REVIEW – The Peppermint Bundt Cake Milkshake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Is a MUST appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Hollywood Studios, Snacks, disney christmas, disney christmas snacks, disney desserts, disney ice cream, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

This week, see what our team has to say about Disney’s new holiday ad, what Natalie thinks about recognition that the Walt Disney World Resort received for their recycling process, and more.

What We’re Talking About – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors

You might have missed the news (who am I kidding…it was everywhere.) With the announcement of news that Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine was 90% effective in early trials, Disney and Universal stock (as well as just about every other stock) went WAY up! Investors appeared to be betting on the success of the vaccine to help the U.S. and world economies recover, which would help the tourism and restaurant industries rebound as well.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection gave their Recycling Recognition Award goes to Walt Disney World Resort for their commitment to sustainability and environmentally friendly recycling practices. Good on Disney for protecting the environment and being recognized for it!

Natalie shared her thoughts on this news: Disney’s environmental efforts continue to impress me as maybe the thing the company gets right more than anything else. Solar farms, recycling, alternative fuels: they set a strong example and don’t let their sheer size get in their way. 

I think I have something in my eye. I’m definitely not crying. (Totally crying!) And you’ll probably get something in your eye too after watching this year’s holiday ad from Disney.

Our team here all had thoughts about this ad. Julia shared: That ad — oh, the waterworks were flowing, especially since my daughter hasn’t been able to see her lola (lola = grandmother in Tagalog) for more than a year now because of COVID. Our last time seeing her? Our trip in May 2019 to Disneyland.

John said: Great video. * sniff * We were down with kids to see my Mom in Miami on her 90th 3 years ago, were in Orlando last year about to head down to see her and were chased away by the hurricane. At best we might see her next summer, but at this point I don’t feel too optimistic about our traveling anywhere.

And James said it perfectly: I was an absolute wreck watching that ad

Disney announced another shake-up to the studio’s release calendar. They have postponed both Ryan Reynolds’ Free Guy and Death on the Nile, the follow-up to The Murder on the Orient Express. Hopefully we can get back to being able to visit movie theaters here soon so these can be released.

A brand new Disney+ film is coming out called Godmothered. It will be a holiday film, which stars Jillian Bell and Isla Fisher and it will premiere exclusively in December. The premise finds Jillian playing an “inexperienced fairy godmother-in-training” but her profession is facing extinction. The film hits the streaming service on December 4 and definitely sounds like it will be interesting. Will you be adding this to your must watch list?

Dani will be. She said: I am all for silly, simple holiday movies. Noelle was cute and fun, hopefully this movie will have a similar feeling.

James also thought: Every year, you can expect the studios to release some new holiday content, and it’s always fun to see what they come up with. Godmothered looks like it has potential to be funny and heartwarming, which is just what the doctor ordered these days, and I’m looking forward to checking it out!

WandaVision – the more I hear about it, the more interesting it sounds. I love the fact that they filmed in front of a live studio audience. It’s going to make the whole thing even more unique. Entertainment Weekly learned more about the show and I get more and more excited about January 15. What about you?

Could Dwayne Johnson be back in the Scorpion King sequel that could be coming. Universal is developing a reboot of the 2002 film, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

This one however, this one….I may be down for. Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical! is coming to NBC with Glee‘s Matthew Morrison filling the title role. (Ok….I see you NBC.) Unlike previous musicals, The Grinch will not be performed live; instead it will be a two-hour production that will be filmed at the Troubadour Theatre in London and will air on Wednesday, Dec. 9.

The post What We’re Talking About: Environmental Practices, Holiday Ads, and More appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: In Case You Missed It, What We’re Talking About