Author: touringplans.com

Today was a nice day of  low to moderate waits throughout Walt Disney World. The weather was fantastic, too. And we received at least 130 actual wait times today from our Lines app folks! Let’s do the numbers.

Animal Kingdom Wait Times

Avatar Flight of Passage had an average posted wait time today of 51 minutes. That’s just 2 above its 7-day average is 49 minutes, putting today at #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #19 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 65% of the posted wait time.

Na’vi River Journey had an average wait time today of 46 minutes. Its 7-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 46 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month.

DINOSAUR had an average wait time today of 35 minutes. Its 7-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 85% of the posted wait time.

Expedition Everest had an average wait time today of 27 minutes. Its 7-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #18 for the past month.  We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 50% of the posted wait time.

Kali River Rapids had an average wait time today of 24 minutes. Its 7-day average is 20 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #14 for the past month.

Kilimanjaro Safaris had an average wait time today of 18 minutes. Its 7-day average is 19 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #21 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 60% of the posted wait time.

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.

 

Hollywood Studios Wait Times

Rise of the Resistance had a tough day, which led to long wait times in the rest of the park. Today’s overall average wait times rank at number 18 in the last 30 days.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster had an average wait time today of 50 minutes. Its 7-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 51 minutes, so today ranks #17 for the past month.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror had an average wait time today of 50 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 #11 for the past month.

Toy Story Mania! had an average wait time today of 29 minutes. Its 7-day average is 27 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #17 for the past month. We received 10 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 36% of the posted wait time.

Slinky Dog Dash had an average wait time today of 64 minutes. Its 7-day average is 64 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 67 minutes, so today ranks #20 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 76 minutes, so today ranks #159 for the past year.

Alien Swirling Saucers had an average wait time today of 20 minutes. Its 7-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #26 for the past month.

Tough day at Rise of the Resistance, which had several delays in calling boarding groups today.  The longest outage was from around 10:45 a.m. through noon, with another from around 1 p.m. until 1:35 p.m.; a third, shorter delay seems to have been experienced around 3 p.m.

EPCOT Wait Times

Soarin’ had an average wait time today of 32 minutes. Its 7-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 37 minutes, so today ranks #14 for the past month.  We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 81% of the posted wait time.

Spaceship Earth had an average wait time today of 16 minutes. Its 7-day average is 18 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 19 minutes, so today ranks #15 for the past month.

Test Track had an average wait time today of 47 minutes. Its 7-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 63 minutes, so today ranks #26 for the past month.

Living with the Land had an average wait time today of 13 minutes. Its 7-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month.

Mission: SPACE Orange had an average wait time today of 21 minutes. Its 7-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 27 minutes, so today ranks #17 for the past month.

The Seas with Nemo & Friends had an average wait time today of 10 minutes. Its 7-day average is 11 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #17 for the past month.

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had an average wait time today of 40 minutes. Its 7-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 72% of the posted wait time.

Space Mountain had an average wait time today of 21 minutes. Its 7-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 40 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 60% of the posted wait time.

Splash Mountain had an average wait time today of 33 minutes. Its 7-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 60 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 89% of the posted wait time.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had an average wait time today of 35 minutes. Its 7-day average is 39 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 56% of the posted wait time.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin had an average wait time today of 18 minutes. Its 7-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #26 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 72% of the posted wait time.

“it’s a small world” had an average wait time today of 29 minutes. Its 7-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 36 minutes, so today ranks #24 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 117% of the posted wait time.

Jungle Cruise had an average wait time today of 33 minutes. Its 7-day average is 40 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 41 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 108% of the posted wait time.

Peter Pan’s Flight had an average wait time today of 22 minutes. Its 7-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month.  We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 83% of the posted wait time.

Pirates of the Caribbean had an average wait time today of 30 minutes. Its 7-day average is 39 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 45 minutes, so today ranks #26 for the past month. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 105% of the posted wait time.

The Haunted Mansion had an average wait time today of 26 minutes. Its 7-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 61% of the posted wait time.

Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid had an average wait time today of 14 minutes. Its 7-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 111% of the posted wait time.

The post Another Nice Weekday – Walt Disney World Wait Times for Thursday, November 5, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Attractions, Walt Disney World (FL), disney wait times, walt disney world crowds

At first glance it can seem like visiting Walt Disney World means missing out on a quite a few things that many believe are what make Disney a magical place. But after months of our team, and myself, visiting Walt Disney World during this unique time, we’ve got good news. Visiting Walt Disney World is still magical. Yes, it is different. Yes, it is modified. But, there is still magic.

To help you decide if visiting Walt Disney World still offers any value for you, we thought it would be good to talk about what’s missing right now.

• FastPass+
• Live shows
• Full character appearances
• Parades
• Nighttime spectaculars
• Some restaurants
• Extra magic hours
• Park hopping
• Spa services and certain resort recreational activities

So, there certainly is a lot missing at Walt Disney World. But let’s talk about what this all really means. Some things are missing, but there are revised experiences offered in place of some of the traditional experiences. There are practically no live shows right now, but the Frozen Sing Along at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is running, one of the most popular live shows at Walt Disney World. There are also live performances of Mariachi Cobre and the JAMMiators at EPCOT’s American Gardens Theater.

Although there are no traditional parades, there are character cavalcades. And there are no individual meet and greets. Let me tell you, practically everyone on our team and others that I have spoken with say they prefer the character cavalcades. They are very short, but they appear every hour, other than the first of the morning, around lunch time, and continue until around 5:00 p.m. The schedule is not published to avoid crowds gathering beforehand. I prefer these cavalcades because there are multiple ones so you get to see a variety of characters with different music for each one. And they are so frequent it is much easier to see a few here and there than to wait for one long parade that impedes that walkability of nearly half the park. With reduced crowds in the park the characters are able to give a quick wave or gesture to practically every guest as they go by.

And yes, there are no nighttime spectaculars right now. But you know what this means? No more crowded streets as people pull up to a spot an hour before showtime. No more tired and cranky kids whose routine is totally disrupted and it’s past their bedtime and everyone is exhausted (spoken like a true tired toddler mom). No more mad rush immediately following the end of the show as everyone books it to the exit to get to their car or bus. Yes, the nighttime spectaculars can be breathtaking and truly a magical way to end a day, but there are some up sides.

Not all Walt Disney World restaurants, whether table service and quick service, are open right now. But, there are already over 200 restaurants at Walt Disney World to begin with. And, in recent weeks more locations have reopened. Additionally, all quick service locations that are owned and operated by Disney have moved to mobile ordering exclusively. You can make things very convenient on yourself by ordering your food while waiting in line for an attraction. Then when you’re done you can check in for your order and it will be ready for you shortly. There’s also a select number of table service restaurants at Disney resorts that offer takeout food via mobile ordering. Each theme park is missing one to three dining locations right now, and each resort that is open may have just one dining location unavailable right now.

The loss of Extra Magic Hours as a benefit for staying at select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels is a notable loss. However, in recent months prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, Extra Magic Hours were reduced, both in length and frequency. Other offerings at the resorts have changed a little too. Sunrise Yoga offered at many Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts is temporarily suspended, but bicycle rental and similar recreation is still available. Movies Under the Stars are still happening, just at a reduced schedule – essentially one night on, one night off. Arcades are still open at most resorts, but at a reduced schedule.

Now, let’s talk about the loss of FastPass+. It was nice to wake up in the morning and head out to the park knowing you’ve got at least three attractions that are essentially guaranteed because you reserved FastPass+ for them in advance. Now that is not an option. However, average wait times for  many of the attractions at the parks are around 30 minutes these days. And, if you’re a TouringPlans Subscriber you’ve got two really awesome tools at your disposal.

You can create your own Touring Plan or use one of our own. A Touring Plan will give you a step-by-step guide on how to go about your day in the parks including which rides to do when and in what order. As you go about your day you can optimize your plan in our Lines app in case there are any changes to your day. If you’d rather just wing it, you can use our Lines app to see Expected Wait Times compared to Disney’s Posted Wait Times. Our Expected Wait Times are calculated using real-time data. You can also see if it’s a good time to ride something now or wait until later. So, even with the loss of FastPass+ you can still accomplish a lot, and perhaps even more, with the right tools.

Everyone has to decide for themselves what constitutes a valuable vacation to Walt Disney World. For some, traveling to the Most Magical Place on Earth has been a welcome respite from a very trying time. Many guests have reported feeling more safe at Walt Disney World than they do in their own local supermarket thanks to Disney’s stringent COVID-19 safety precautions. Our team periodically observes guest mask compliance, and so far we’ve seen an average of 96% compliance among observed guests (500 guests observed at one time).

There are fewer guests in the parks now to allow for physical distancing. Wait times overall are lower than they were a year ago. But ultimately, deciding to visit Walt Disney World right now is an individual choice.

Are any of these missing experiences an absolute deal breaker for you? What questions do you have about visiting Walt Disney World right now?

The post What’s REALLY Missing from Walt Disney World Right Now? appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Attractions, Disney Vacation Club, Dos and Don’ts, Observations, Transportation, Trip Planning, Disney Characters, disney hours, disney parade, disney reopening, disney rides, walt disney world tips

We love a good EPCOT festival and this year, with the Taste of the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, while we aren’t getting to experience everything that the park usually offers for the holidays, one thing we are going to get to experience is the Holiday Kitchens which offer up food and beverages to help celebrate the season. And today, Disney released the delicious menus! Take a look here at what you’ll be able to enjoy during the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays:

Refreshment Port (Showcase Plaza)

Food Items:

• Turkey Poutine French Fries with Turkey Gravy, Cranberry Relish, and Crispy Onions

Beverage Items:

• T.G. Lee Eggnog (non-alcoholic)
• T.G. Lee Eggnog with Spiced Rum

Citrus Blossom (Showcase Plaza)

Beverage Items:

• Orange Cream Shake in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper Cup (non-alcoholic)
• 81Bay Brewing Co. Cinnamon Cranberry Orange Wheat Ale, Tampa, FL (New)
• Florida Orange Groves Winery Selections

Mele Kalikimaka Holiday Kitchen (Showcase Plaza)

Food Items:

• Kālua Pork with Okinawa Purple Sweet Potatoes and Mango Salad (New)
• Lomi Lomi Salmon with Tomatoes, Onions, Salmon Roe, Yuzu Mayonnaise, and Yucca Chips (New)
• Haupia: Hawaiian Coconut Pudding with Candied Macadamia Nuts and Coconut (New)

Beverage Items:

• Kona Brewing Co. Big Wave Golden Ale, Kailua-Kona, HI
• Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Pineapple Wine, St. Petersburg, FL
• Melon Breeze with Spiced Rum (New)

Holiday Sweets & Treats (Promenade Refreshments):

Food Items:

• Peppermint Sundae: Chocolate Ice Cream, Whipped Cream, and Peppermint Candy (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
• Minnie Peppermint Cookie (Cookie Stroll)

Beverage Items:

• Hot Cocoa (non-alcoholic)
• Chocolate Peppermint Shake featuring Twinings® Peppermint Cheer Tea (non-alcoholic)
• Shipyard Eggnog White Porter, Clearwater, FL
• M.I.A. Beer Company Coquito Beer, Doral, FL (New)
• Hot Cocoa with Assorted Alcoholic Cordials (Baileys Irish Cream, Frangelico Liqueur or Fireball Cinnamon Whisky)
• Chocolate Peppermint Shake featuring Twinings® Peppermint Cheer Tea and Whipped Cream Vodka

Refreshment Outpost:

 

Food Items:

Warm Brown Sugar-stuffed Pretzel with Soft-serve Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce

Beverage Items:

• Frozen Slushy Coca-Cola® or Minute Maid® Lemonade in a Souvenir Spike The Bee Sipper Cup (non-alcoholic)
• 3 Daughters Brewing Spicy Apple Cinnamon Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL

Bavaria Holiday Kitchen (Germany)

Food Items:

• Pork Schnitzel with Mushroom Sauce, Spätzle, and Braised Red Cabbage
• Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl with Steamed Baby Vegetables and Marble Potatoes
• Linzer Cookie (Cookie Stroll)

Beverage Items:

• Possmann Pure Hard Apple Cider, Frankfurt, Germany
• Ayinger Brewery Celebrator Doppelbock, Bavaria, Germany (New)
• Regional Riesling
• Glühwein: House-made Hot Spiced Wine

American Holiday Table

Food Items:

• Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, and Cranberry Sauce
• Holiday Pot Pie with Jackfruit, Mushrooms, Carrots, Peas, Onions, and Puff Pastry (Plant-based item) (New)
• Pumpkin Gingerbread Cheesecake with Cranberry Whipped Cream and Candied Pumpkin Seeds (New)
• Chocolate Crinkle Cookie (Cookie Stroll)

Beverages Items:

• Bell’s Bright White Ale, Comstock, MI
• Shipyard Eggnog White Porter, Clearwater, FL
• Playalinda Brewing Co. Peppermint Chocolate Stout, Titusville, FL
• Chalk Hill Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
• Martin Bay Vineyards & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen (Between Morocco & France)

Food Items:

• Pastrami on Rye with House-made Pickles and Deli Mustard
• Smoked Salmon Potato Latke
• Potato Latkes (Plant-based item)
• Sufganiyot: Mini Jelly-filled Donuts
• Black and White Cookie (Plant-based item) (Cookie Stroll)

Beverages Items:

• Shmaltz Brewing Company Hanukkah Beer: Golden Jelly Doughnut Pastry Ale, Clifton Park, NY
• Blue Cosmo Cocktail

Festival Favorites (World Showplace)

Food Items:

• Blackened Bass, White Cheddar Grits, and Okra with Tomato and Onion Stew, Seasonal Southern Delights
• Duck Confit and Dumplings with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Fig Reduction, Alpine Haus
• Gingerbread Cookie (Cookie Stroll)

Beverages Items:

• Coquito: Tropical Eggnog (non-alcoholic)
• Frozen S’mores (non-alcoholic)
• Coquito: Tropical Eggnog with Bacardi Gold Dark Rum
• Frozen S’mores with Whipped Cream Vodka

Holiday Hearth (World Showplace)

 

Food Items:

• Red Velvet Mini Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Icing (New)
• Salted Caramel Spaceship Earth® Cookie (New)
• Snowball Cookies (New)
• Peppermint Bark
• Stollen: Holiday Fruit Cake
• Mouse Crunch (New)

Beverages Items:

• Gingerbread Milkshake (non-alcoholic) (New)
• Hot Cocoa (non-alcoholic)
• Gingerbread Milkshake with Whipped Cream Vodka (New)
• Cocoa Candy Cane: Hot Cocoa with Peppermint Schnapps

Prost! (World Showplace)

Food Items:

• Charcuterie and Cheese Plate

Beverages Items:

• M.I.A. Beer Company White Christmas IPA, Doral, FL
• 3 Daughters Brewing 70 Degree Winter Weizen, St. Petersburg, FL
• Playlalinda Brewing Co. Gingerblonde House Ale, Titusville, FL (New)
• Ciderboys Mad Bark Apple Cinnamon Hard Cider, Stevens Point, WI (New)
• 3 Daughters Brewing Blueberry Peppercorn Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL (New)
• Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards 1911 Honey Crisp Hard Cider, Lafayette, NY (New)

Yukon Holiday Kitchen (Canada)

Food Items:

• Seared Scallops with Parsnip Silk, Apple Chutney, and Hazelnut Croquant (New)
• Beef Bourguignon with Crushed Potatoes (New)
• Maple Bûche de Noël: Maple Mousse and Cranberry rolled in Gingerbread Chiffon Cake
• Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie (Cookie Stroll)

Beverages items:

• Frozen Coffee (non-alcoholic)
• 81Bay Brewing Co. Maple Cinnamon Coffee Beer, Tampa, FL (New)
• Regional Icewine
• Regional Red Wine
• Frozen Coffee with Tap 357 Whisky

Holiday Beverages in the English Garden (Behind The Tea Caddy)

• Twinings® Christmas Tea Toddy served with a Cinnamon Stick (non-alcoholic)
• Twinings® Christmas Tea Toddy and Drambui served with a Cinnamon Stick

Le Marché de Noël Holiday Kitchen (France)

Food Items:

• Rillette de Saumon: Salmon Spread with House-made Bread
• Dinde Forestière, Pommes Dauphines: Turkey with Bacon, Mushrooms, and Onions in a Mustard Cream Sauce with Puffed Potatoes (New)
• Bûche de Noël au Caramel: Christmas Log with Chocolate Cake and Dark Chocolate Caramel Ganache

Beverage Items:

• Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc Fruits Rouges Draft
• Rosé Pétillant Méthode Traditionnelle Champenoise: Rosé Sparkling Wine, Pink Flamingo
• Cabernet Sauvignon, Village de France
• Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini: Grey Goose Vanilla, Vodka and Chocolate Milk

Sapphire Holiday Kitchen (Morocco)

Food Items:

• Grilled Lamb Kefta Kebab and Grapes with Euro Cucumber, Red Pepper, Pickled Pearl Onions, and Harissa-Cilantro Dressing
• Confit of Chermoula Chicken Drum with Cinnamon Granny Smith Apple, Toasted Almonds, Brussels Sprouts, and Pinot Noir Glaze
• Sfenj: Warm Beignets with Cream, Cinnamon-Sugar, and Chocolate Sauce

Beverage Items:

• Mediterranean Beer
• Kasbah Prestige Red Wine
• The Andalusian “Poinsettia” Cocktail: Sparking Wine, Orange Liqueur, and Cranberry Juice topped with Orange Blossom Water

Tuscany Holiday Kitchen (Italy)

Food Items:

• Biancaneve Italian Flatbread with Mozzarella, Asiago, and Parmesan
• Sacchetti alla Boscaiola: Four-cheese Mini Beggar’s Purses filled with Sweet Sausage, Caramelized Onions, Pancetta, and Cremini Mushrooms with a Creamy Sauce (New)
• Cannoli Siciliani: Crisp Pastry filled with Sweet Ricotta, Chocolate, and Candied Orange

Beverage Items:

• Peroni Nastro Azzurro Pilsner
• Pinot Grigio
• Chianti
• Prosecco
• Rosa Regale
• Moscato
• Italian White Sangria with Prosecco
• Italian Red Sangria with Cabernet Sauvignon
• Italian Margarita with Limoncello and Tequila

Shanghai Holiday Kitchen (China)

Food Items:

• Red-stewed Beef Rice Bowl (New)
• Curry Chicken Rice Bowl (New)
• House-made Crab and Cheese Wontons

Beverage Items:

• “Panda” Bubble Tea: Classic Milk Tea with Black and White Bobas (non-alcoholic)
• Tsigntao Lager
• Jasmine Draft Beer
• Dragonfly: Jose Cuervo Tequila Gold, Vodka, Mango Syrup, and Orange Juice
• Marco Boba: Amaretto, Iced Coffee, Milk, and Boba
• The Lucky Mo: Peach Schnapps, Peach Syrup, Orange Juice, and Piña Colada Mix

Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen (Japan)

Food Items:

• New Year Celebration Soba: Buckwheat Soba Noodles in Hot Dashi Soup with Shrimp Tempura, Fish Cake, and Chopped Green Onion
• Chirashi Sushi Tree: Sashimi-grade Tuna, Salmon, Ikura, and Yellowtail with Vegetables decorated on a bed of Rice
• Ichigo Mont Blanc Tart: Strawberry and Bavarian Cream-filled Tart sprinkled with Konpeito (New)

Beverages items:

• Ichigo Milk Boba: Cranberry and Yuzu Cream Drink with Japanese Calpico and popping Strawberry Boba Pearls (non-alcoholic)
• Sapporo Draft Beer
• Tsubaki Whiskey Sour: Plum Wine with Whiskey, Cranberry Juice, Sugar, and Lemon

Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen (Mexico)

Food Items:

• Giant Tostada de Chorizo: Chorizo served on a Giant Tostada with Chipotle Black Bean Purée, Salsa Verde, Queso Cotija, Crema Mexicana, and Pickled Onion (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) (New)
• Tamal de Pollo: Braised Chipotle Chicken served in a Corn Masa topped with Mole Verde, Queso Cotija, Crema Mexicana, and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
• Dulce de Leche Churros: Dulce de Leche filled Churros sprinkled with Cinnamon-Sugar (New)

Beverages Items:

• Tulum Mexican Craft Beer with a Blackcurrant and Ginger Liqueur Floater
• Pumpkin Spice Margarita: Tomba Blanco Tequila, Ojo de Tigre Mezcal, Nixta Corn Liqueur, Pumpkin Spice Purée, and Lime-Agave Juice with Cinnamon-Sugar Rim (New)
• Horchata Margarita: Casa Noble Blanco Tequila, Abasolo Corn Whiskey, Horchata Rum, Agua de Horchata, and a hint of Cinnamon-infused Mezcal Liqueur

Funnel Cake (The American Adventure)

• Sweet Potato Casserole Funnel Cake topped with Marshmallow Topping, Cinnamon-Sugar, Honey-roasted Pecans, and a Caramel Drizzle (New)

Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company® – All Locations:

• Caramel Tinsel Latte: A cheerful Chocolatey Latte drizzled with Caramel Sauce and crumbled TWIX® Original, available hot or iced (New)
• Caramel Tinsel Donut topped with crumbled TWIX® Original

 

Take a look here to see what else is being offered for the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays. The EPCOT Festival of the Holidays runs from November 27 through December 30.

 

The post Yes! The EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Menus Have Been Released appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Epcot, Festivals, News, Epcot Festival of the Holidays

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!

What is a cast member?

Take a look around the Disney theme parks. See all the folks that work there, the ones with the name tags pinned to their chests? They’re cast members, as is everyone else who works for the Disney parks elsewhere. In Disney parlance, travel destinations like the theme parks are a “show” for the guests. And who is part of a show? The cast!

In other words, cast members are the Disney employees.

There are hundreds of different cast member roles, some that you see and some that you don’t (Disney considers behind-the-scenes folks to be cast members too) – everyone from the dancers in a Magic Kingdom parade to the groundskeepers that refresh the plantings is a cast member. The person that serves your dinner is a cast member, as is the person who cleans the bathroom, the person who loads you onto Space Mountain, the person who designed the lighting for the castle, and the person who stocks the shelves at The Emporium.

Cast members make you feel welcome, keep you safe, and help you have fun.

During the pandemic, Disney has laid off or furloughed tens of thousands of cast members. The remaining folks are working extra hard under challenging circumstances. Please take some time to thank the cast members whenever you can.

Have any topics you want to see covered in Disney in a Minute? Let us know in the comments.

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

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Walt Disney World (FL), disney in a minute

Halloween might be over but Universal already has their sights on next year with an exclusive preview of Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights 2021. Plus holiday decorations, resort reopenings, deals, discounts, construction updates, news, and more in this week’s Around the Universe!

Halloween Horror Nights 30 Preview

In a first, Universal Parks & Resorts takes us behind the scenes to preview one of the houses created for Halloween Horror Nights 30 (aka HHN 2021). Take a step into one of the houses featured in next year’s event, Puppet Theatre: Captive Audience, and learn some of the tricks of the trade from make-up artists and house designers. If you pay attention you might see some hints and surprises for other houses.

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice! pic.twitter.com/fptaDlxE2g

— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) October 31, 2020

This week Universal also opened a small preview of next year for fans: Beetlejuice! The house briefly opened 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, and Sunday, November 1. Word on the street is Universal opened the house for two days in order to continue its contract for the event next year – we expect Beetlejuice to be part of the 2021 lineup.

Halloween Horror Nights 30 will return in fall 2021 with dates running from September to November. Stay tuned for more details, dates, and information in the coming months.

CityWalk Construction

Opposing views of a section of CityWalk store redo. In foreground of the first photo is likely frame for a marquee. pic.twitter.com/cLeSR4ytcA

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) October 28, 2020

Current work at the high-traffic corner of a CityWalk store redo. Shorter wall being added in front. pic.twitter.com/D6eSqLZw7t

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) October 28, 2020

Progress is being made on a new venue at CityWalk that takes over the former Island Merchantile, Fossil, and Piq! stores. While Universal has not announced this replacement yet, we speculate this will house a new Universal Studios Store.

VelociCoaster Construction

We have movement! VelociCoaster began testing the full ride this week. In the below video you can see the coaster ride vehicle make its way through the inversions in the first half of the ride then launch over top hat and into the second half of the ride.

Construction on the waterfront, paddocks, and interior are progressing with the installation of foliage and waterfall testing.

Trees added near the South end of the Jurassic World VelociCoaster waterfront. pic.twitter.com/KhOzVKbITP

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) October 28, 2020

The planting continues… @UniversalORL pic.twitter.com/ozqp5QVdlT

— Inside Universal (@insideuniversal) October 29, 2020

Aerial look at the first launch area of Jurassic World VelociCoaster. Trains leave the station at top left, and return through the U-turn at right. pic.twitter.com/ZC4CzlQgxg

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) October 31, 2020

Jurassic World VelociCoaster opens Summer 2021.

Christmas Decorations

‘Tis the season (okay, maybe a little early). Universal Orlando is already decorating for Christmas with decorations going up around Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Talking about Potter, warm Butterbeer is back on tap!

Universal currently has not announced which holiday activities are returning during the pandemic – we expect Manheim Steamroller, Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, and Grinchmas show to be mothballed this year.

Loews Portofino Bay & Endless Summer Dockside Re-Opening

2020 has been a rough year for the travel industry, but in a sign of some good news, Universal has begun accepting reservations for Loews Portofino Bay Resort on December 1, 2020. Portofino has yet to open since Universal Orlando Resort closed in March 2020.

Universal’s Endless Summer Dockside Inn and Suites never opened; its original opening date was the Tuesday after the resort shut down in March. Now after an 8-month delay, the hotel is opening f0r guests starting December 15, 2020. The newest Universal hotel, Endless Summer Dockside Inn and Suites has 937 standard rooms and 1113 2-bedroom suites at a value price point.

Looking to book your next Universal Orlando vacation? Check out our Touring Plans Travel Agents – receive a fast and free quote today.

Discounts and Deals

• Buy 2-Day, 2-Park Ticket, Receive 3 Days Free – Starting at $243.99 plux tax for adults
• Save 30% on Universal Express Pass (Annual Passholders only)
• Annual Passholder Resort Discounts – Dates Now Through February 2021
  • Endless Summer Surfside – Standard rooms starting $74 a night plus tax
  • Cabana Bay Beach Resort – Standard rooms starting $79 a night plus tax
  • Loews Royal Pacific Resort – Standard rooms starting at $169 a night plus tax
  • Hard Rock Hotel – Standard rooms starting at $189 a night plus tax
• Buy A Day, Go Every Day Through December 24 – $164.00 per guest plus tax (FL residents only)
• Save Up To $100 On Select Annual Passes (FL residents only)

Refurbishments and Closures

The following attractions are closed due to COVID-19. At this time there are no dates for reopening unless otherwise listed.

• Volcano Bay – Reopening March 1, 2021
• Fievel’s Playground
• Curious George Goes to Town
• A Day in the Park with Barney
• Fear Factor Live
• Fast & Furious: Supercharged
• Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl – Closed weekdays
• Camp Jurassic
• If I Ran the Zoo
• Jurassic Discovery Center
• Me Ship, The Olive
• Poseidon’s Fury
• Storm Force Acceleration

Leave your thoughts in the comments below! 

The post Around the Universe – Discounts and News for November 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

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Filed Under: CityWalk, Universal Orlando Resort, citywalk, Halloween Horror Nights, universal citywalk, VelociCoaster