Author: touringplans.com

The days of late nights in the parks are currently on pause. With a few exceptions, mainly on weekends, the Universal Orlando theme parks close around dinner time or shortly thereafter. If you’re used to spending your time enjoying the evening in the parks, you may be looking for other ways to spend your evening. Here are some ideas for how to have an enjoyable evening at Universal Orlando even when the parks close a little early.

• Universal CityWalk – dining and shopping
• Hollywood Drive-In Mini Golf
• Browse the park’s merchandise shops at the front of the park
• Bowling at Cabana Bay
• Stroll to Hard Rock Hotel if you’re coming from Universal Studios
• Stroll to Royal Pacific if you’re coming from Islands of Adventure
• Enjoy a boat ride to the Universal Orlando resort hotels
• Enjoy your resort’s pool
• International Drive

It’s practically impossible to find a more convenient way to keep your day going into the evening than by hanging around Universal CityWalk. You have to walk through CityWalk coming and going from the theme parks. You might as well make an evening of it. There’s plenty of bars, restaurants, and shops to keep you occupied. VooDoo Doughnuts and Toothsome Chocolate Emporium are must-dos if you want something sweet. BigFire is one of the newest restaurants and is receiving raving hot reviews. Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Cafe often has live entertainment, and serves up the best margaritas around.

A big highlight of CityWalk is the Hollywood Drive-In Mini Golf. It is wonderfully themed and has two very different courses. Both courses are full of delightful details and humor. It stays open until 10:00 p.m. and the nighttime lighting is fantastic.

If you’d rather stick around the parks a little longer, the main merchandise shops at the front of each park usually stay open after the official park closing. You’ll find a sampling of merchandise here that represents the main attractions at each park.

Over at Cabana Bay, one of Universal Orlando’s hotels, there is Galaxy Bowl. This bowling alley is full service with food and drink. The lanes are open to anyone, not just hotel guests, and it is open until midnight. The tricky part is getting there as it is not walkable from the parks, unless you’re willing to walk about 15 minutes or so. You can get on the Cabana Bay bus that departs from CityWalk, drive over (which involves a parking fee), or see about a ride-share service like Uber or Lyft. Cabana Bay is wonderfully retro themed and a destination itself.

Two other notable resorts on property are the Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific Hotel. You can walk to either resort from the theme parks. From Universal Studios just hang a hard left at the big Universal globe and walk along the water to Hard Rock Hotel. There you can explore the grounds or grab a nightcap. If you’re departing Islands of Adventure then walk towards Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. To the right of the outdoor dining here you’ll see a sidewalk, which will wind around the water to Royal Pacific Resort. Speaking of resorts, don’t forget to make time to enjoy your hotel or resort’s pool at the end of a busy day in the parks.

If you’re up for venturing outside of Universal Orlando property, head to International Drive. This multi-mile stretch of road has a plethora of dining and entertainment. The portion of International Drive from Sand Lake Road and south down to the convention center is the nice stretch of I-Drive. My personal favorite destinations in this area are ICEBAR Orlando, Cafe Tu Tu Tango, ICON Park, and Pointe Orlando.

How do you like to spend the evenings when you’re on vacation in Orlando?

The post How to Spend Your Evening When the Universal Orlando Parks Close Early appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: CityWalk, Trip Planning, Universal Orlando Resort, universal orlando hotels, universal orlando hours, universal orlando reopening, universal orlando tips

For years, thrill rides have been the name of the theme park game. In fact, before COVID-19, Disney World had begun construction on 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 EPCOT 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.

Frozen Ever After

Frozen Ever After is mostly a slow-moving boat ride featuring characters and songs from Disney’s hit film Frozen. Now I say mostly because when guests encounter Elsa in her ice castle, your boat is sent moving backward! Then, after encountering Marshmallow, your boat slides down a short drop.

Drop Rating: 1.5

The 28-foot drop is very much like what you experience on Pirates of the Caribbean. I liken it more to a slide than a plunge, and it’s meant to be more fun than scary.

Mission: SPACE

Mission: SPACE is a space flight simulator with two different experiences. The thrilling Orange Mission offers a journey to Mars complete with the sensation of space flight while the tame, family-friendly Green Mission allows guests to orbit around the Earth. For both missions, guests are assigned one of the four roles to perform during the mission: navigator, pilot, commander, or engineer.

So… this ride is incredibly unique in that it’s thrilling, but not because of major plunges or high speeds. Therefore, I’m using different categories just to appropriately rate Mission: SPACE, so be on the lookout for that!

Orange Mission – This version of the attraction uses a centrifuge to both spin and tilt the ride vehicle. As a result, guests experience the G-forces of launching into space and a few brief moments of weightlessness. If you’re prone to motion sickness, you may want to skip this one.

Darkness Rating: 3

There are moments of total darkness that may make guests uncomfortable.

Claustrophobic Rating: 3

Guests ride inside of capsules that only seat four guests at a time. Once guests are seated, and before the ride begins, the ride vehicle closes around guests and moves them closer to their screens and dashboard. It feels very close, and the shoulder restraints locking guests in place only add to the sensation.

Intensity Rating: 3

Due to the G-forces and brief sensation of weightlessness, Mission: SPACE’s Orange Mission maxes out my intensity rating, even though there are no sudden drops, heights, or high speeds.

Green Mission – Unlike the Orange Mission, Mission: SPACE’s Green Mission doesn’t spin so there are no G-forces or feelings of weightlessness.

Darkness Rating: 2

There are moments of darkness after being launched into space. Fortunately, guests can see stars in the distance and it’s not as dark as what you experience aboard the Orange Mission.

Claustrophobic Rating: 3

Just like the Orange Mission, the ride vehicle closes around guests and moves them closer to their screens and dashboards. It feels very close, and the shoulder restraints locking guests in place only add to the sensation.

Soarin’ Around the World

This popular EPCOT attraction is an elevated simulated hang-glider tour around the world! This popular EPCOT attraction lifts guests into the air and uses gentle motion, scents, and wind effects to create the sensation of flight as they take in an aerial view of world landmarks shown on a 180-degree, 80-foot IMAX digital projection dome.

In order to simulate the feeling of flight, your ride vehicle will gently bob and tip; however, the movement is incredibly smooth, natural, and even subtle.

Height Rating: 3

The rows of seats are lifted up in the air and towards the massive dome screen. So you’re not only high from in a literal sense, but the ride film also makes riders feel like they’re high in the air. However, the bowl-shaped screen really helps because when you look down, you’re still seeing the screen. Also, the rows of seats have high backs and canopies so you do feel secure.

Test Track

Feel the need for speed? Test Track allows guests to design their own car and put it through a series of tests. The finale is a high-speed lap around the pavilion topping at 65 mph!

Speed Rating: 3

Test Track is the fastest attraction at Walt Disney World, but it’s only during the final lap outside the show building that your car actually reaches 65 mph. Also, to put ride chickens a little more at ease, you’re buckled in and securely seated in your car for this high speed finale.

Are you a ride chicken when it comes to Disney attractions? Which EPCOT ride would you recommend for guests looking to avoid thrills?

The post A Ride Chicken’s Guide to EPCOT Attractions appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Attractions, Epcot, Disney Attractions, Disney Thrill Rides, disney world, Frozen Ever After, mission space, Mission:Space, Soarin Around the World, Soarin’, Test Track, thrill rides, walt disney world

We’re expecting this weekend to be one of the busiest, if not the busiest, weekend since Walt Disney World reopened in July. You’ve got a cauldron full of trouble when you mix Halloween on a Saturday, turning our clocks back an hour to gain an extra hour of rest Saturday night, and pent-up demand for celebrating a special occasion at Disney.

Here’s a look at the hours for this weekend. Magic Kingdom’s hours look nearly “normal”, back to the longer days before COVID-19. Disney’s Hollywood Studios hours have remained the same, which is curious since it has the longest wait times. However, with yesterday’s big news about being able to attempt to secure a boarding pass for Rise of the Resistance without having to physically be in the park, starting on November 3, maybe Disney is anticipating some locals to cancel their park pass for this weekend and wait until the new system rolls out.

The weather is forecasted to be very pleasant, for the first time in a while, so expect lots of Florida residents flocking to any park they can get into, in order to enjoy the weather. Disney Springs is bound to be extremely busy too.

	Magic Kingdom	EPCOT	Hollywood Studios	Animal Kingdom
Fri, 10/30	9 am – 8 pm	11 am – 9 pm	10 am – 7 pm	8 am – 6 pm
Sat, 10/31	9 am – 9 pm	11 am – 10 pm	10 am – 7 pm	7 am – 6 pm
Sun, 11/01	9 am – 8 pm	11 am – 9 pm	10 am – 7 pm	8 am – 6 pm

Earlier this week, Steve on our team shared some tips for this Halloween weekend at Walt Disney World. Now that our field team has seen some of the preparations in the parks, let’s add a few more tips to the list.

Touring Tips

• Arrive early; take advantage of the parks opening their gates 30-60 minutes before official park opening time.
• Take advantage of the longer park hours, and take a midday break.
• Use a Touring Plan.
• Avoid peak dining times.
• Use Disney’s Mobile Ordering, while you’re waiting in line for a ride, and check in to pick up your order when you’re done with the ride.
• If you’d like to see the character cavalcades, here are our tips for Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom.
• Use the Relaxation Stations marked on the park map, in each park, to take a break.
• Be prepared to be outside, no matter what park you’re in, due to physical distancing and extended queues.
• Fuel yourself with sugary Halloween treats – this is your last chance before gingerbread and peppermint move in.

Touring Tips for Magic Kingdom

• Magic Kingdom is going to be slammed on Halloween, perhaps the busiest day we’ve ever seen since reopening.
• If you are attending in costume, which is only allowed at Magic Kingdom, bring a change of clothes just in case.
• Read more of our tips for dressing in costume at Magic Kingdom.
• If you’d like to see the characters, here are our tips for Magic Kingdom’s character cavalcades.
• More dining locations have opened in recent weeks, but expect very long lines at all dining options.
• Table service dining offers less crowds and a less hectic dining experience. Use our Reservation Finder for help with last-minute reservations.

No matter where you go at Walt Disney World this weekend, please follow all safety precautions and Cast Member instructions. Bringing extra masks will make wearing one all day a little easier. Physical distancing goes well in the queues, but it may take extra effort when walking around in the parks. It’s going to be pretty tricky this weekend, but if you plan ahead and set expectations it can be a treat.

The post What To Expect at Walt Disney World for Halloween Weekend appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Dos and Don’ts, Halloween, Trip Planning, disney covid-19, disney crowds, disney halloween, disney halloween weekends, disney reopening, Disney Tips

This week, see what Dani and Shannon have to say about the loss of equity performers at Walt Disney World and what Joe thinks about the first house announced for 2021’s Halloween Horror Nights.

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

My heart and everyone else’s broke this week with the news that 720 performers were let go from Walt Disney World this week.

Shannon shared It makes me very sad!  I really love the entertainers and have hopes for their return.

Dani stated The loss of entertainment is not surprising, but it still stings. There is so much talent, including the technicians and others behind the scenes, and to see that talent removed from Disney is devastating. And it is disappointing since other theme parks have found ways to keep a lot of their entertainment.

I definitely agree with Dani…while we think mostly of just the performers, the behind the scenes talent should also not be forgotten. Let us know your thoughts and share your favorite Cast Member stories in the comments.

The Actors’ Equity Association has released a statement about equity performers who are being laid off at Disney World.

Tying into the whole loss of Cast Members, Elizabeth Warren is not happy with Bob Chapek’s response to her request asking why the executive salaries got restore, but many Cast Members are being laid off. In her response to Chapek, she stated “Disney won’t answer my questions because it has no good answers. The company said it was simply unfeasible to keep paying workers yet had no explanation for how it was feasible to restore senior executive pay.” Thoughts?

Get ready to be welcomed back to at least one Disney entity in California! The Walt Disney Family Museum will be able to reopen soon! Have you ever visited?

Disney is making inclusivity even more attainable with a brand new line of merchandise options. Learn about this new line of adaptive and sensory-friendly products which are bringing the magic in new ways. This is awesome!

Ever wanted to see Olaf share the story of the Star Wars prequels? Well, Josh Gad delivered this week. I didn’t know I needed this….but now…I know I do.

Halloween Horror Nights is my jam and I missed it dearly this year. (Yes, even a professed chicken can enjoy HHN!) So this week, they announced what the first house for 2021 will be in this awesome behind the scenes video. If you’ve ever wanted to know what it was like to experience a house and wanted to see what makes up building a house, this video is for you. (Note…it’s kind of gory).

Joe, who loves HHN, states This is the earliest we’ve ever seen a preview of the next HHN and I am so excited. This house looks terrifying (in the best way) and the creative execution of the concept is inspired. Is it September 2021 yet?

The post What We’re Talking About: Laid Off Equity Performers, Halloween Horror Nights 2021, 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

Thursday was another mild day of crowds across Walt Disney World, with all four parks’ posted wait times near their 30-day low averages. There’s usually a lull right before a very busy period, and that’s exactly what we saw today. Enjoy these low wait times because things are about to get busy this Halloween weekend.

Also, we counted 483 of 500 people (97%) in EPCOT’s World Showcase yesterday wearing their masks in full compliance with Disney’s guidelines.  Okay, let’s do the numbers.

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

Here’s something you don’t see every day: We received 5 actual wait times today at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and the actual wait averaged 103% of the posted wait time (it’s usually much lower than that – the park averaged 80% overall today). 7DMT had an average posted wait time today of 42 minutes, 12 lower than its 7-day average of 54 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 60 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month.

Splash Mountain had an average posted wait time today of 39 minutes. Its 7-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 91% of the posted wait time.

As you can see, weekdays are the way to go. If you’ve got to visit during a busy weekend, have a special tool at your side. Subscribe today and get our Lines app too.

 

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had an average wait time today of 26 minutes, 20 under its 7-day average of 46 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 72% of the posted wait time.

It was a nice leisurely day at Jungle Cruise had an average wait time today of 26 minutes, 10 less than its 7-day average of 36 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 41 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today at Jungle Cruise, and the actual wait averaged 56% of the posted wait time.

As spooky season begins to wind down, The Haunted Mansion had an average wait time today of 33 minutes. Its 7-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #26 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 57% of the posted wait time.

Peter Pan’s Flight had an average wait time today of 23 minutes. Its 7-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 78% of the posted wait time.

Pirates of the Caribbean had an average wait time today of 30 minutes. Its 7-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 48 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 82% of the posted wait time.

EPCOT Wait Times

Soarin’ had an average posted wait time today of 10 minutes. Its 7-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 36 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 147% of the posted wait time (holy cow!), which is not good.

Test Track had an average wait time today of 39 minutes. Its 7-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 46% of the posted wait time.  I mean, if you average out the actual percentages for Soarin’ and Test Track together, you get close to 100%? Just looking for something positive to take out of those two numbers.

Spaceship Earth had an average wait time today of 11 minutes. Its 7-day average is 17 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 19 minutes, so today ranks #24 for the past month.

Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 47 minutes. Its 7-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 63 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month.

And Journey Into Imagination With Figment had an average wait time today of 7 minutes, half of its 7-day average of 14 minutes; today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month.

Animal Kingdom Wait Times

I’m starting with It’s Tough to Be a Bug because we never do that, and it reminds me of Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train.  It’s Tough to Be a Bug! had an average wait time today of 12 minutes. Its 7-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #18 for the past month.

DINOSAUR had an average wait time today of 15 minutes, 13 below its 7-day average of 28 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month. TriceraTop Spin had an average wait time today of 5 minutes. Its 7-day average is 6 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 6 minutes, so today ranks #7 for the past month.

Na’vi River Journey had an average wait time today of 40 minutes (#3 week / #21 month / #168 year). And Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time today of 42 minutes (#4 week / #24 month / #175 year).

Hollywood Studios Wait Times

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster had an average wait time today of 38 minutes. Its 7-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 91% of the posted wait time.  Next door, Tower of Terror had an average wait time today of 36 minutes. Its 7-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 92% of the posted wait time.

In Toy Story Land:

• Toy Story Mania had an average wait time today of 23 minutes. Its 7-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month. We received 11 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 37% of the posted wait time (!).
• Slinky Dog Dash had an average wait time today of 50 minutes. Its 7-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 68 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month.
• Alien Swirling Saucers had an average wait time today of 18 minutes. Its 7-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #26 for the past month.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had an average wait time today of 61 minutes, 15 fewer than its 7-day average of 76 minutes (#6 week / #29 month). We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 91% of the posted wait time.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run had an average wait time today of 43 minutes. Its 7-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today at Falcon, and the actual wait averaged 105% of the posted wait time.

Rise of the Resistance ran really well today – it looks like they’re ramping up capacity, which is a good sign that more  people will be able to ride Disney World’s best ride soon.

The post Mild Crowds Again! – Walt Disney World Wait Times for Thursday, October 29, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Trip Planning, Walt Disney World (FL), disney crowds, disney wait times, walt disney world wait times