Category: Other

How to Walk from Disney’s Coronado Springs to Blizzard Beach, Winter Summerland, and McDonald’s

Post author By touringplans.com
Post date December 30, 2020

Not too long ago we posted a guide on how to navigate Walt Disney World by foot. One of our awesome readers pointed out that Disney’s Coronado Springs is walkable to Winter Summerland mini-golf and Disney’s Blizzard Beach, as well as the McDonald’s near Osceola Parkway. Ivonne on our team kindly obliged to embark on said walk. With photos and tips, here’s how to walk from Disney’s Coronado Springs to Blizzard Beach, Winter Summerland, and McDonald’s.

How to Walk from Disney’s Coronado Springs to Blizzard Beach, Winter Summerland, and McDonald’s — Disney’s Coronado Springs Gran Destino Tower

First, let’s start off with the big challenge this walk presents. There is no sidewalk leading out of Disney’s Coronado Springs. When you walk towards the front entrance of the resort there is no sidewalk, so you’ll need to be very careful and aware as you walk on the road leading in and out of the resort. Please pay attention, and look and listen for traffic (insert stern mother voice here).

There is, thankfully, a pedestrian crosswalk from the entrance to the resort to cross Buena Vista Drive, which you will need to do in order to reach the sidewalk. Once you have crossed Buena Vista Drive, turn right to walk on the sidewalk along Buena Vista Drive and head towards Blizzard Beach and Winter Summerland. It generally takes 15 minutes to walk from Disney’s Coronado Springs to Winter Summerland.

If you wish to continue on to McDonald’s continue to follow the sidewalk. You will come to an intersection with an overpass for Osceola Parkway. Continue along the crosswalk to go under the overpass and you’ll see the McDonald’s just a few more steps away. It generally takes about 10 more minutes from Winter Summerland to the McDonald’s.

It is important to note that the McDonald’s does not have any seating available right now. That’s right, this brand new, state-of-the-art McDonald’s has closed all of its seating for the time being. Only its drive-thru is open.

Going beyond the McDonald’s, the sidewalk continues over to the currently closed All-Star Resorts.

Have you stayed at Coronado Springs Resort? Would you walk to Blizzard Beach, Winter Summerland, or McDonald’s?

The post How to Walk from Disney’s Coronado Springs to Blizzard Beach, Winter Summerland, and McDonald’s appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Dining, Dos and Don’ts, Resorts, Transportation, disney mcdonald’s, disney mini golf, disney on site hotels, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Tags dining, disney mcdonald's, disney mini golf, disney on site hotels, Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, Dos and Don'ts, Resorts, transportation

Disney Lists Disney Parks Other

3 Things We Are Looking Forward to at the 2021 Taste of EPCOT Festival of the Arts

Post author By touringplans.com
Post date December 30, 2020

Practically any day of the year that you visit EPCOT you’re bound to do so during one of its many festivals. The 2021 Taste of EPCOT Festival of the Arts starts on January 8, 2021, and we’re getting excited. Disney has been using the term “Taste of” for all of EPCOT’s festivals ever since the park’s reopening in July 2020. This term is used to help illustrate that each festival is a little lighter on its normal offerings. Still, there’s lots to look forward to.

The 15 Food Studios
Browsing beautiful art on display around World Showcase
Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt

3 Things We Are Looking Forward to at the 2021 Taste of EPCOT Festival of the Arts EPCOT Festival of the Arts — Epcot Festival of the Arts – February 2020

It wouldn’t be an EPCOT festival without food and beverage booths all along World Showcase promenade. The food and beverage at the Festival of the Arts is often the most creative of any festival. This is when the beauty of culinary art is on display as a feast for the eyes and the taste buds.

3 Things We Are Looking Forward to at the 2021 Taste of EPCOT Festival of the Arts — Champagne with popping bubbles at Epcot’s Festival of the Arts 2020

EPCOT is already a beautiful park. (Well at least World Showcase is; Future World is a bit of a wreck right now.) Throughout World Showcase during the Festival of the Arts, there will be tents featuring different artists and their works. Most of the artists are there to greet guests and answer any questions. It will be interesting to see how this plays out with social distancing and other COVID-19 precautions.

Although it costs $7.99, Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt is a fun activity for families, and kids at heart. Each festival there is a different scavenger hunt around World Showcase and it results in a fun, themed prize. We look forward to seeing what this year’s prize will be. Any guesses?

Have you been to the EPCOT Festival of the Arts before? What’s your favorite part?

The post 3 Things We Are Looking Forward to at the 2021 Taste of EPCOT Festival of the Arts appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Epcot, Festivals, Just For Fun, Trip Planning, 2021 festival of the arts, Epcot Festival of the Arts

Tags 2021 festival of the arts, epcot, Epcot Festival of the Arts, Festivals, Just For Fun, Trip Planning

Disney Lists Disney Parks Other

The Top 3 New Functions in MyDisneyExperience App in 2020

Post author By touringplans.com
Post date December 29, 2020

We’re big fans of helpful mobile apps. After all, we have our Lines app. Disney added lots of new functions in the MyDisneyExperience app this year. Let’s look at our three favorite functions that rolled out in 2020.

Mobile Dine Walk-Up Waitlist
Mobile Ordering at Select Table Service Restaurants for To Go Orders
Merchandise Mobile Checkout

The Top 3 New Functions in MyDisneyExperience App in 2020 — MyDisneyExperience Functions

These three functions are in order of when they made their debut. Looking at them in this way you can get an idea of how things evolved to create more options for guests looking to minimize there exposure to other guests and Cast Members. Back in August Disney began rolling out the ability for guests to check on dining availability on a walk-up basis. You can now go to “Check Dining Availability” then select today’s date, and “Now” to see if any table service restaurants have walk-up availability. This is great for any guests who enjoy spontaneity.

Then in September Disney fans rejoiced as Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge became available to order for takeout via the MyDisneyExperience app. A few weeks later the ability to order takeout from Kona Café rolled out, and soon many other resort hotel restaurants followed. We think this feature is great for locals and vacationers alike, especially those looking to avoid the traditional dine-in experience right now.

Finally, earlier this month Disney began testing the ability to shop at select merchandise stores without having to go to a physical register to check out. At select Walt Disney World merchandise locations, Guests can scan items while shopping and check out simply by using the My Disney Experience app.

Have you used any of these new functions yet? Which one do you find to be the most helpful?

The post The Top 3 New Functions in MyDisneyExperience App in 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Just For Fun, MyDisneyExperience, Observations, disney dining, disney vacation planning, mydisneyexperience app

Tags disney dining, disney vacation planning, Just For Fun, MyDisneyExperience, mydisneyexperience app, Observations

Disney Guides Disney Parks Other

Best Ways to Enjoy Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the Rain

Post author By touringplans.com
Post date December 29, 2020

Into each life, a little rain must fall. And if that rain happens to fall on your Disney day, you may be singing the blues. There’s still plenty of ways to have fun at the parks, though. Today, we’re looking at four ways to have fun at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on a rainy day.

Indoor Attractions or Attractions with Indoor Queues

Best Ways to Enjoy Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the Rain

Although many attractions at Animal Kingdom are outside, there are a few that can help take you out of the rain for a while, including It’s Tough to be a Bug and Dinosaur. Also, depending on line length, Flight of Passage has a queue that is partially indoors, and much of Kilimanjaro Safaris’ queue is under cover. A trip on the Wildlife Express is under cover, and then Conservation Station is inside.

Go Shopping for a While

Best Ways to Enjoy Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the Rain

Animal Kingdom has several unique shopping locations where you can spend some time to get out of the rain. You can read more about the variety that you can find here.

Grab a Drink and Watch the Crowds Go By

Best Ways to Enjoy Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the Rain

A good bar experience may not be what you think of when you think of Animal Kingdom, but two of our favorite bars at Walt Disney World can be found here. For a casual drink and good crowd-watching opportunities, Dawa Bar in Africa is highly recommended. Looking for an even more relaxing experience? Nomad Lounge, located near the Discovery Island bridge into Pandora offers quality drinks and food. You can see more of our recommendations here.

Ride Kali River Rapids

Best Ways to Enjoy Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the Rain

If it’s raining, you’re probably already wet. As long as it isn’t severe weather that necessitates a closure, why not enjoy riding on Kali River Rapids to get thoroughly soaked?

Do you have other favorite things to do at Animal Kingdom when it rains? Let us know in the comments.

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From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Walt Disney World (FL), Disney’s Animal Kingdom, rain

Tags Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, rain, Walt Disney World (FL)

Disney Food Disney Parks Disney Reviews Other

REVIEW – Rose and Crown Continues Its Reign of Quality and Value

Post author By touringplans.com
Post date December 29, 2020

Dining at World Showcase in EPCOT is usually a fantastic experience no matter which restaurant you choose. But, there are some that are EPCOT classics. One such classic is the Rose an Crown Dining Room. Our team revisited this popular pub-style restaurant to make sure its quality continues to be brilliant.

The Rose and Crown stands proudly on World Showcase promenade in the United Kingdom Pavilion. There is a proper pub in the front, and a dining room in the back with outside dining as well. The outdoor dining offers some relaxing views of World Showcase and the lagoon.

REVIEW – Rose and Crown Continues Its Reign of Quality and Value — ©Rikki Niblett

The menu at Rose and Crown consists of classic fare from the United Kingdom including favorites like Fish and Chips, Shepherd’s Pie, and Bangers and Mash. It mustn’t be easy to be a British themed restaurant and pub in the United States that’s a popular destination for guests actually from the United Kingdom who are very familiar with the real deal. But, Rose and Crown Dining Room generally satisfies most guests.

We have listings and ratings for all Walt Disney World restaurants on our site and our readers give Rose and Crown an 89% thumbs up rating. It is ranked 33 out of 106 table service restaurants at Disney World. So while it is not in the top tier, it is still a solid choice.

Chrissy on our team, and our junior researcher Gigi stopped in for an early dinner and ordered some of the classics on the menu:

Fish and Chips – “Rose & Crown’s Signature Dish” Beer-battered and served with Tartar Sauce – $25.00
Shepherd’s Pie – Ground Beef, Seasonal Vegetables, English Peas, and Mashed Potatoes with McCall’s Irish Cheddar – $22.00
English Trifle – Layers of Strawberries, Vanilla Custard, Graham Crackers, and Whipped Cream – $8.00

The Fish and Chips are indeed the signature dish. Although you can get a serving of fish and chips from the Yorkshire County Fish Shop outside for half the price, the quality of the fish is lesser and the serving is smaller. At the dining room the Fish and Chip are thick Cod and fried to perfection. The chips are tender and fluffy, with a crispy exterior. It is near perfection for being in a theme park.

On a rare chilly Central Florida Day a piping hot dish of Shepherd’s Pie is just the thing. Our team’s serving was rich and decadent. The Irish Cheddar on top added a delightful tang, and it’s hard not to be jealous of the perfect preparation and presentation of the mashed potatoes.

It was hard for our team to decide between the Sticky Toffee Pudding or the English Trifle, but with the heavy entrees, the English Trifle won out. This generous serving of strawberry and vanilla custard was still light enough to not feel like a brick on top of a heavy meal. Refreshing and sweet, it can make you feel like a child again as it resembles an ice cream sundae so many Americans are fond of.

Like so many other restaurants since the July 2020 reopening, the menu at Rose and Crown has been reduced a little. The Corned Beef and Cabbage, Grilled Scottish Salmon, and Savory Vegetable Crumble are currently not on the menu. The Vegetable Crumble is replaced by an Impossible Savory Hot Pot, which is very similar to the Shepherd’s Pie.

Have you dined at Rose and Crown before? What’s your favorite item on the menu?

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From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Dining, Drinking, Epcot, disney dining, Epcot Restaurants

Tags dining, disney dining, Drinking, epcot, Epcot Restaurants