As a general rule, wait times at Universal Orlando parks are low during the week and very high on weekends, especially at Universal Studios Park. Guests seem to be taking advantage of Universal’s generous promotion that allows those who purchased a 1-day ticket to visit multiple times until December 24.
Update for October and Beyond
There are no real surprises in this update. Crowd levels are going up on weekends and down during the week. However it is important to remember that the Crowd Calendar is based on posted times. If you are using the Lines app you will see a prediction for both the posted time and the actual time you should expect to wait in line. Often the latter is significantly less than the former.
You should avoid weekends at Universal this fall (if you can) but if you can’t, try Islands of Adventure on Sundays – that is by far the lowest crowd you are likely to experience.
Assumptions
This predictions in this update assume that health recommendations for theme parks will remain in place for the foreseeable future and that guests will continue to visit in similar fashion as they have since Labor Day. We will continue to review the daily crowd numbers at Universal Orlando and we expect to publish another update in early November.
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With the fall and winter seasons approaching in Florida, Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf will reopen to guests beginning Nov. 6 at Walt Disney World Resort.
Winter Summerland Miniature Golf offers two uniquely themed 18-hole courses, each with their own distinct musical soundtrack. As the name suggests, the first course draws inspiration from the winter season, including snow castles and ice hockey rinks. The second course represents all things summer. Guests navigate surf boards, sand sculptures and even a melted snowman.
As Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf reopens next month, Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will close for the season on Nov. 5 and reopen on Jan. 31, 2021.
The Disney difference. There are a number of things the Disney Parks do that sets them apart. Theming. Detail. Storytelling. But also scripts! While we remember the amusing pirates, soaring over London in a pixie-dusted pirate ship, and the feeling of losing our stomach in an elevator shaft long after we’ve left the parks, what we hear on these attractions stays with us too.
If you’ve been to Disney World before, you no doubt have heard and repeated “Please stand clear of the doors. Por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas” while riding the Monorail. It’s just one of the many phrases and spiels heard on Disney property that becomes synonymous with our vacation experience and part of the Disney fan vernacular. So, the question is, just how many attractions have scripts that we fans love to quote? There’s actually more than you might think!
Spaceship Earth broke the castle-mold and was the first to pull double-duty as both a park icon and an attraction show building! Spaceship Earth as an attraction has experienced several refurbs since its 1982 debut, but its current script narrated by Judi Dench has become as timeless as the attraction itself and as memorable as the smell of burning Rome. (If you know, you know.)
“Remember how easy it was to learn your ABC’s? Thank the Phoenicians, they invented them.” – Judi Dench
“Like a grand miraculous spaceship, our planet has sailed through the universe of time.” – Judi Dench
Soarin’
The perfect blend of relaxation and exhilaration, Soarin’ Around the World replaced the original California-centric Soarin’ back in 2016 and we’ve been unable to accept its crooked Eiffel Tower ever since. Thankfully, the original pre-show host Patrick Warburton (he also voices Kronk in The Emperor’s New Groove!), and his signature script, remained.
“When the doors to your flight open, please take a seat and store all carry-on items in the under-seat compartment. This includes cameras, purses, hats, and of course, these little beauties.” – Patrick
“Nice work pal!” – Patrick
“Soarin’ to tower, we’re ready for takeoff.” – Patrick
Magic Kingdom
Pirates of the Caribbean
(c) Disney
You know I had to. Pirates of the Caribbean is one of the most quotable attractions of all time! Apart from its earworm of a theme song, landlubber guests have repeated “Dead man tell no tales” and the now-retired “We wants the redhead” spiel for generations. But there are others you’ve probably said a time or two as well.
“Do not tell him, Carlos. Don’t be chee-ken!” – Carlos’ wife
“Ye come seekin’ adventure and salty old pirates, eh? Sure, you come to the proper place.” – Disembodied, mounted Pirate Skull
Haunted Mansion
Photo courtesy of Disney
Home to 999 happy haunts, the Haunted Mansion is yet another iconic Magic Kingdom attraction whose script is a literal marvel.
“When hinges creak in doorless chambers, and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls.” – Ghost Host
“Welcome, foolish mortals, to the Haunted Mansion. I am your host, your ghosthost.” – Ghost Host. Again.
“Your cadaverous pallor betrays an aura of foreboding, almost as though you sense a disquieting metamorphosis. Is this haunted room actually stretching? Or is it your imagination?” – Ghost Host (Sensing a pattern?)
“Do not pull down on the safety bar, please. I will lower it for you.” – Ghost Host. (I’ll stop now.)
Carousel of Progress
The definition of classic. Carousel of Progress tells the story of an American family experiencing progress throughout the 20th Century! It’s old school, but oh-so-charming and should be protected at all costs.
“There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow. Shining at the end of every day.” – “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” song written by the Sherman Brothers.
“No privacy at all around this place!” – Uncle Orville
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Photo courtesy of Disney
This runaway mine train is both hilarious and thrilling, but the safety spiel for this modern classic is just as memorable as the ride itself!
“If any of you folks are wearin’ hats or glasses, best remove ’em—’cause this here’s the wildest ride in the wilderness!”
Jungle Cruise
A Disney Park staple, the Jungle Cruise is known for its vintage charm and “punny” skippers. Nowadays, the star of the attraction is what the skippers have to say!
“If you want to take pictures, go ahead. All the elephants have their trunks on.” – Jungle Cruise Skipper
“Ladies and gentlemen, the eighth wonder of the world, the backside of water!” – Jungle Cruise Skipper
“Here’s Trader Sam. He’s our head salesman in the jungle. He’s got a pretty good deal for you guys today…two of his heads for just one of yours. Either way you slice it, you’ll always come out a-head.” – Also Jungle Cruise Skipper
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
Photo courtesy of Disney
Where all the bird sing words and the flowers croon, the original Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland is known as the first Disney attraction to utilize audio-animatronics.
“Buenos Dias, Senorita. My siestas are getting shorter and shorter.” – Jose
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
This 10 minute, elevated tour of Tomorrowland is a cult classic with Disney park fans and offers a glimpse at what the future could’ve been. If you too have experienced this attraction on the regular, you probably have quoted this line a time or two.
“Paging Mr. Morrow, Mr. Tom Morrow. Please contact Mr. Johnson in the control room to confirm your flight to the moon.” – Disembodied Tomorrowland Voice
Quotable Defunct Attractions (R.I.P)
Maelstrom: “Back! Over the falls!”
Ellen’s Universe of Energy: “Stupid Judy. Stupid Energy.”
Spaceship Earth, the Jeremy Irons version: “The Rrrrenaissance…”
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth: “I hope you enjoy our story tonight, Reflections of Earth. (Blows out flame).”
From our friends at touringplans.com Filed Under: Attractions, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World (FL), attraction quotes, attraction scripts, Disney Attractions, Disney History, disney quotes, quotable attractions
Halloween season is officially upon us and this year Freeform has conjured up a delightful “31 Nights of Halloween” treat for guests visiting Disney Springs this October. Located on the Northwest side of Disney’s Days of Christmas store, guests can check out a fun photo wall and capture the perfect selfie with a spooky scarecrow and jolly jack-o-lanterns. Don’t forget to tag your photos with #DisneySprings and #31NightsofHalloween!
When you’re home, be sure to tune in all month long to Freeform as they brew up another year of spine-chilling October programming and lineup of memorable Halloween films. From Oct. 1-31, viewers can celebrate All Hallows’ Eve with haunting movies, including “The Addams Family” (1991), “Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride” and “Hotel Transylvania.” Films new to the lineup this year include “Hotel Transylvania 2,” “Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation” and “Ghostbusters” (2016), among others.
To learn more about Freeform’s “31 Nights of Halloween” programming click the link below.
This year guests are allowed to wear costumes to Magic Kingdom during the day, due to the cancellation of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. I decided that it would be fun for my toddler son and I to take advantage of this. There was just one problem: I don’t like putting together elaborate costumes. So I aimed to devise a costume that would be comfortable and easy to put together.
If you’re like me and prefer to put together practical costumes, especially if you’re attending an outdoor event, comfort is key. Here are my tips for putting together a park-friendly costume. These tips can apply to any outdoor events you may attend, not just heading to Magic Kingdom.
Look for clothing that resembles the colors of the character or item you wish to portray.
Wearing regular clothes that resemble the character will allow for mobility and comfort.
Look for materials that breathe, like 100% cotton or performance wear, rather than stretch and polyester.
Loose fitting apparel helps with breathability, but be sure it won’t be a potential tripping hazard.
Pick out at least one accessory to add to your outfit that will help complete the look.
Bring a change of clothes in case the weather doesn’t match with your costume.
Sorcerer Mickey Costume at Magic Kingdom
I selected Sorcerer Mickey and one of his brooms as our costumes. My son loves the movie “Fantasia 2000” and he likes to pretend we’re the brooms from the Sorcerer Mickey segment, carrying around buckets through the house. I figured I could easily put together clothing that would resemble Sorcerer Mickey, since he wears a large red tunic, and his black legs are mostly covered by it. This led me to use a red shirt that was slightly too big for my son, and a pair of black leggings. Of course, we had to complete the look with a Sorcerer Mickey hat.
Sorcerer Mickey and His Broom From Fantasia and Fantasia 2000Sorcerer Mickey and His Broom Costumes at Magic KingdomSorcerer Mickey and His Broom Costumes at Magic Kingdom
For my costume I was totally about comfort. When I visit the theme parks, just me and my toddler, I am all about being able to move easy and take care of my toddler. I opted for beige pants and a long sleeve top. In hopes of conveying the image of a brooms bristles I used a brown hula skirt. The only way this look kind of worked is if my son was right next to me. Even then I am sure a few people thought I was a reject from Festival of the Lion King. I had hoped to have a wooden bucket to carry with me, sadly Amazon did not come through in time.
I did bring a change of clothes for us both. My son was not interested in changing, but I did change out of my long sleeve shirt after our photos were taken. I was so concerned with keeping him hydrated that I should have done a better job hydrating myself.
Sorcerer Mickey Costume at Magic Kingdom
We were fairly comfortable, and I think the look I was going for was accomplished in the end. I will certainly cherish the photos we have, and we can easily put these outfits together again if we end up having another outdoor Halloween event to attend.
What costume tips do you have? Have you dressed up in costume or done Disney Bound in the parks? Let us know in the comments.
From our friends at touringplans.com Filed Under: Celebrations, Dos and Don’ts, Halloween, kids, Magic Kingdom, disney bound, disney clothing, disney halloween, magic kingdom halloween
A Disney Park staple, the Jungle Cruise is known for its vintage charm and “punny” skippers. Nowadays, the star of the attraction is what the skippers have to say!
