When you’re staying at a Walt Disney World hotel it’s nice to have a few staples and groceries to help save money, and have fuel at your fingertips in your room. If you’re in a Disney Vacation Club Deluxe Villa, you may want to make use of that full kitchen or kitchenette. It is one of the perks of those villas, after all. During a recent visit to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge I was impressed by the selection, and thought it would help to show some of the groceries, sundries, drinks, beer, and wine you can expect to find at most Disney resort merchandise shops.
Although I am using Disney’s Wilderness Lodge as the example, other Disney resorts at the moderate and value level still have a selection of similar items. Certainly the Deluxe resorts, and specifically those that have Disney Vacation Club villas, have the widest variety and selection. Here’s what you can typically expect.
Snacks like chips, pretzels, crackers, and cookies
Dry groceries like bread, bagels, muffins, and cereal
Coffee, coffee filters, cream, sugar, sweetener, and select condiments
Cold groceries like eggs, milk, cheese, and lunch meat
Frozen groceries like pizza and frozen dinners
Select over-the-counter medicine, first aid items, and sundries
Soft drinks, water, and juice
Beer and wine
Most of the groceries are priced about 5% – 10% higher than the average grocery store in Central Florida. But, if you’re traveling from an area with higher grocery store prices, perhaps Disney’s prices won’t seem so bad. Philadelphia Cream Cheese is $4.29, a Lunchable is $4.49, and a half gallon of milk is $3.89. Novelty ice creams are also sold, such as the Mickey Premium Bar, and reflect the same prices as in the park.
Dry Groceries at Disney’s Wilderness LodgeFrozen Groceries in Cooler at Disney’s Wilderness LodgeGroceries in Cooler at Disney’s Wilderness LodgeSnack Groceries in Cooler at Disney’s Wilderness LodgeSundries and Over-the-Counter Items at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Where prices get really inflated is with beer, wine, and certain sundries like sunscreen, toothpaste, and medication. A six pack of Miller Light or Bud Light is $16.50. At a local Central Florida Wal-Mart that same six pack is $8.50. A bottle of Kendall Jackson Chardonnay is $22.00 at the merchandise shop at Wilderness Lodge. At the local Wal-Mart? It’s $11.98.
Groceries Section at Disney’s Wilderness LodgeBeer in Cooler at Disney’s Wilderness LodgeRed Wine Selection at Disney’s Wilderness LodgeWhite Wine Selection at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
The massive increase in the price of alcoholic drinks really is not surprising. Disney charges a premium for alcoholic drinks at its lounges and restaurants too. One neat thing I’ve noticed at some of the resort merchandise shops is there are usually a few beers and wines that fit the theme of the resort. At Wilderness Lodge I spotted a Frontier Red wine, as well as Firefly Moonshine. And to fit the magical theme, there was Once Upon a Vine wine too.
If you’re looking to save money and considering having groceries delivered, you can do so at your Disney resort. However, there is a $6.00 handling fee from Disney, in addition to any fees charged by whatever grocer you choose, as well as tip.
Do you usually stock up on groceries when staying at Walt Disney World? Have you ever used Disney’s merchandise shops to pick up a few items?
We’ve been waiting for the holiday crowds to truly materialize and it seems with the improve weather it’s happening. Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and EPCOT had their busiest day of the past 30 days today. Ok well, today at Animal Kingdom ranked number 2 of the past 30, and EPCOT’s wait times are severely inflated. Our actual wait time data shows the waits are about half of what Disney posts.
Since it is the last Monday of 2020 we’ll look at attractions that make any Monday better, as well as the attraction at which we received actual wait times today. Speaking of, we received 151 actual wait times today from our Lines app users, thank you so much Liners!
Magic Kingdom Wait Times
Magic Kingdom Wait Times 12-28-2020
Soaring high above Tomorrowland on Astro Orbiter will improve any Monday. It had an average wait time today of 46 minutes. Its 7-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #9 for the past year.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had an average wait time today of 64 minutes. Its 7-day average is 60 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 40% of the posted wait time, meaning the actual wait time was around 26 minutes – talk about a wild ride!
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin had an average wait time today of 46 minutes. Its 7-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 40 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 61% of the posted wait time.
Who wouldn’t love to see an elephant fly on a Monday? Dumbo the Flying Elephant had an average wait time today of 26 minutes. Its 7-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 17 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 20 minutes, so today ranks #63 for the past year.
Peter Pan’s Flight had an average wait time today of 53 minutes. Its 7-day average is 45 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 40 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 88% of the posted wait time.
Space Mountain had an average wait time today of 72 minutes. Its 7-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 65% of the posted wait time.
Splash Mountain had an average wait time today of 78 minutes. Its 7-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 68% of the posted wait time.
The Haunted Mansion had an average wait time today of 33 minutes. Its 7-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #5 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 76% of the posted wait time.
Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid had an average wait time today of 32 minutes. Its 7-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 26 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 55% of the posted wait time.
EPCOT Wait Times
EPCOT Wait Times 12-28-2020
How about spending your Monday with Jose, Panchito, and Donald? Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros had an average wait time today of 18 minutes. Its 7-day average is 9 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 9 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 10 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past year.
Soarin’ had an average wait time today of 81 minutes. Its 7-day average is 39 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 57% of the posted wait time.
Spaceship Earth had an average wait time today of 40 minutes. Its 7-day average is 20 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 42% of the posted wait time.
Test Track had an average wait time today of 95 minutes. Its 7-day average is 63 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 64 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 38% of the posted wait time.
The Seas with Nemo & Friends had an average wait time today of 21 minutes. Its 7-day average is 9 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 11 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 23% of the posted wait time.
A trip to Arendelle will help with the Monday blues. Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 53 minutes. Its 7-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #19 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #148 for the past year.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Wait Times
Hollywood Studios Wait Times 12-28-2020
Rocking out to Phish, or ABBA, or I guess Aerosmith will do on a Monday. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith had an average wait time today of 49 minutes. Its 7-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 46 minutes, so today ranks #10 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 57 minutes, so today ranks #131 for the past year.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror had an average wait time today of 67 minutes. Its 7-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 60 minutes, so today ranks #4 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #60 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 88% of the posted wait time.
Toy Story Mania! had an average wait time today of 34 minutes. Its 7-day average is 36 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #5 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 84% of the posted wait time.
Slinky Dog Dash had an average wait time today of 71 minutes. Its 7-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #10 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 70 minutes, so today ranks #108 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 72% of the posted wait time.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had an average wait time today of 40 minutes. Its 7-day average is 41 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 67% of the posted wait time.
Taking the Falcon for a spin is a great way to improve your Monday mood. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run had an average wait time today of 65 minutes. Its 7-day average is 71 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 60 minutes, so today ranks #79 for the past year.
Rise of the Resistance is having a pretty decent day of operations. A few hiccups this morning, but it did get an early start and it is fairly on pace with the last 7 days.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Wait Times
Animal Kingdom Wait Times 12-28-2020
DINOSAUR had an average wait time today of 71 minutes. Its 7-day average is 39 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 40 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 96% of the posted wait time.
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain had an average wait time today of 45 minutes. Its 7-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 63% of the posted wait time.
Seeing the incredible animals on safari definitely soothes the soul on a Monday. Kilimanjaro Safaris had an average wait time today of 34 minutes. Its 7-day average is 27 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #4 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 41 minutes, so today ranks #85 for the past year. We received 10 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 44% of the posted wait time.
Na’vi River Journey had an average wait time today of 84 minutes. Its 7-day average is 60 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #47 for the past year.
Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time today of 80 minutes. Its 7-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #5 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 81 minutes, so today ranks #96 for the past year.
Whether it’s a headliner attraction opening or something that just makes life better, or an experience of making lemonade out of lemons, there were some things we loved about 2020. Here’s our list of the things that we actually loved from 2020.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway – December 9, 2020
If there’s ever a year where we just needed something fun, it was this year. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is just plain fun. It may not be as high-tech as Rise of the Resistance, and certainly won’t be as heart-stopping as Guardians of the Galaxy or TRON when they open, but that’s what makes this so incredible. It’s something the whole family can enjoy and it is fun to do again and again. It also has the perfect 2020 motto “Nothing Can Stop Us Now…” which also wins for best irony in that this attraction launched and then Walt Disney World closed that same month. Ah, 2020.
Character Cavalcades for the Holidays
Jack and Sally in Halloween Cavalcade at Magic Kingdom
With the desire to keep people from congregating for things like parades, and with meet and greets on hold, Disney introduced character cavalcades at all Walt Disney World theme parks. What was really wonderful, however, were the cavalcades for Halloween and Christmas, allowing daytime guests to experience some of the beloved aspects of the nighttime parades during hard-ticket events but without the extra cost of attending the event. Even when the nighttime events come back, I’d personally love to see these little cavalcades continue.
The NBA Bubble
Disney has been host to all sorts of sports events in the past, but the sheer scope and logistics behind the NBA Bubble were mind-boggling. It was surreal hearing commentators talking about “that shot on basket went so far that it almost hit EPCOT” and seeing glimpses inside Bubble life at Disney resorts. Even if you weren’t a basketball fan, it was a welcome escape over the summer.
New Bag Check Procedure
Gone are the days of standing behind the person with a backpack that has 50 different zippered pouches that all have to be opened one at a time! The new walk-through security screening at Disney Parks is so much easier and more efficient. For most people, just walk on through security without having your bag checked. (If you have something that sets off the scanner, for instance umbrellas seem to be problematic at times, you go for quick additional screening.) This has made for a much more pleasant experience entering the parks without compromising safety.
Got any items you’d include on this year’s list of things we loved? Let us know in the comments.
For one reason or another you may find yourself with a day at Walt Disney World without going into the theme parks. One of the best ways to spend such a day is to hop around some of the Disney resort hotels. One of the best places to do this is the Magic Kingdom resorts including Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
That’s exactly what Ivonne on our team (@servoisnaked on Twitter and Instagram) did yesterday.
The year 2020 certainly was an unusual one, and it’s easy to be overwhelmed with the negative. To help brighten your holidays, we’re running a series of articles of the best of what we saw for 2020.
Yes, the TouringPlans blog covers content that you’d expect to find on many Disney blogs (although with our own unique twists and data-centric focus), we’re also famous for posts that you just plain won’t find anywhere else–even beyond the truly unique content of the Saturday Six. We’ve already shared three “only on TouringPlans” posts of 2020, but we have just too much content to fit in one post. Here’s three MORE of our favorite posts that are unlike content you’ll find elsewhere on Disney blogs.
Testing Mask Efficacy
We knew when the Disney Parks reopened that masks would be a requirement, but which mask would be best? In true Mythbusters style, the TouringPlans staff rigged up gear to test a variety of masks. See the results of the study here.
Choosing an NBA Team Based on Hotel
When the NBA bubble came into play at Walt Disney World, suddenly there were many non-basketball fans who took an interest in basketball season. But if you’re not a fan, how do you choose which team to support? How about comparing each team and their record to a Disney resort?
Becoming a Disney Cyborg
And by far the most 2020 of our article series was when one of our bloggers decided to see if it would be possible to have an RFID chip implanted that would be able to substitute for a MagicBand. Long story short–it is possible. Read the progression of this experiment in Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3, if you dare.
