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The holiday season is at its peak and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is at its holly jolliest right now. Len and Chrissy on our team enjoyed some time at Hollywood Studios yesterday and we thought you’d like to take a stroll with us through tinsel town.

Starting off in Mickey’s of Hollywood, Chrissy spotted the new line of merchandise for the latest Pixar movie, Soul. I personally cannot wait for this movie. But, it’s merchandise-ability is pretty low. Anyone want to place a bet on how soon Derek will cover this merchandise in his outstanding outlet reports? Disney Princess- and Villain-inspired beauty masks were also found.

A brisk day by Florida standards calls for cocktails. We’ll have full reviews on these beverages coming soon. Of course, riding rides and checking actual wait times is all part of the research too. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is so photogenic, when your ride vehicle isn’t running amuck.

Sunset at Toy Story Land and stunning holiday projections on Tower of Terror marked the perfect way to end the day.

Are you planning on visiting Hollywood Studios this holiday season? What are you excited about the most?

The post PHOTOS – Holly Jolly Hollywood Studios From Day to Night appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Hollywood Studios, In the Parks, Photos and Video, disney christmas, disney drinks, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Toy Story Land

The end of 2020 is in sight, people. In less than a month, we will finally bid this strange year goodbye and ring in 2021 with the hopes of both good news and a return to normalcy. In the spirit of that great big, beautiful tomorrow, I’m taking a look at what’s coming to Walt Disney World in the future, specifically when it comes to new attractions and entertainment.

One of those new forms of entertainment is “Harmonious,” EPCOT’s new nighttime spectacular set to replace Epcot Forever which replaced IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. So if you’re thinking about visiting Walt Disney World in the future and looking forward to the future of Disney World’s new nighttime displays, here are 5 things you should know about “Harmonious!”

5. Will Be One of the Largest Shows Created for a Disney Park

Disney has described “Harmonious” as one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever made for a Disney Park! Considering how IllumiNations: Reflection of Earth, a show that debuted back in 1999, wowed guests for decades, Disney promising the largest nighttime show yet is talk worth paying attention to.

4. Will Integrate Disney Characters

Much like the gradual introduction of Disney characters into World Showcase a la Frozen in Norway and Ratatouille in France, “Harmonious” will include visuals and music from popular Disney films.

From the concept art we’ve seen, “Harmonious” looks to focus on newer Disney films like Moana, Tangled, Coco, and Brave, as well as films from the ’90s like Hercules and Pocahontas.

3. Features Massive Showpieces

Remember IllumiNations: Reflection of Earth’s massive globe centerpiece? Well, “Harmonious” sure isn’t holding back. Disney has revealed the nighttime show will feature 5 floating barges with dimensions in the ballpark of 30 feet wide and 75 feet long!

These barges will house custom-built LED panels, lasers, pyrotechnics, lighting effects, and moving fountains all of which will work together to create a variety of show scenes.

2. Will Feature Musicians & Artists From Around the World

In order to blend with the cultural experience offered at EPCOT’s World Showcase, Disney reports “Harmonious” will feature musicians and artists from around the world who will reimagine Disney’s music and images for the nighttime spectacular.

For those who want EPCOT to retain its focus on culture and “edutainment,” this news is a win. The question is whether or not it can compete with the IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth soundtrack. We wish it the best.

1. Daytime AND Nighttime Effects

Unlike past nighttime displays at EPCOT, “Harmonious” is set to change the World Showcase Lagoon! Disney announced that fountain effects will be out in World Showcase Lagoon and operating during the day, as well as at night. giving the lagoon a whole new look!

Since Disney took away our beloved Fountain of Nations in reimagining the front half of EPCOT, we’ll take whatever fountain game we can get.

When are you planning to visit Walt Disney World? Is Harmonious on your to-do list? Let us know in the comments!

The post 5 Things You Should Know About Harmonious Coming to EPCOT appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Epcot, Disney News, disney world, epcot attractions, HarmonioUS, Nighttime Spectacular, walt disney world, World Showcase

Although the Disney resort hotels on the monorail loop do not have their traditional gingerbread displays, they each are beautifully decorated and have delicious treats to enjoy. One of the best ways to celebrate the holidays at Walt Disney World is to hop from one resort to another to check out the decorations and treats. Here’s our suggestions for making your own merry monorail treats crawl.

You can start at any of the monorail resorts and take the Resort Monorail line. Keep in mind, Disney’s Polynesian is undergoing extensive construction and the monorail station there is currently closed. You can reach the Polynesian Resort via walking from the Transportation and Ticket Center. In all honesty, however, it is not worth the effort with the construction. And the holiday treats available here aren’t worth the effort either.

The Best Route for a Holiday Monorail Resort Crawl

1. Start at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
2. Take Resort Monorail to Disney’s Grand Floridian (there will be a brief stop at the TTC)
3. From Disney’s Grand Floridian you can walk, boat, or monorail to Magic Kingdom
4. Take the boat from Magic Kingdom to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
5. Return to Magic Kingdom to access transportation back to your resort

If you are not staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, whether staying at another Disney resort or off property, simply head to Magic Kingdom and walk over to the Contemporary. Why do I suggest starting at Disney’s Contemporary? Because its holiday decorations are pretty bland, so its best to start here and build up from there.

Which Holiday Treats to Order During Your Monorail Crawl

• Linzer Cookie at Contempo Café / Disney’s Contemporary
• Happy Holidays Grand Cake Pop at Gasparilla Island Grill / Disney’s Grand Floridian
• Spiced Moose Cookie at Roaring Fork / Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

We tried three holiday cookies at Contempo Café and it was difficult to pick a favorite. Our team gives a slight edge to the Linzer Cookie because of the quality of the cookie itself and the glistening, chewy jam sandwiched between.

It is difficult to pick a favorite of the holiday treats at Disney’s Grand Floridian between the Happy Holiday Grand Cake Pop and the Red Velvet Wreath Cupcake. If you are a fan of red velvet then the cupcake is a must. It is one of the best cupcakes currently on Disney property. But if chocolate is what you are after then the Grand Cake Pop will absolutely satisfy your craving. It is a generous-sized cake pop and packed with triple chocolate goodness.

I’ve suggested that Wilderness Lodge be your last stop of the three resorts on this tour because it is the most beautiful this time of year. The woodsy feel of this resort is elevated with gorgeous, wilderness-inspired holiday decorations. This year I tried two of the holiday treats at Wilderness Lodge. Both the Christmas Cupcake and Gingerbread Pine Tree were disappointing. I desperately wanted to like both, and of the two I would say the Christmas Cupcake is better. But, the Spiced Moose Cookie seems to be enjoyed by everyone who tries it, so it receives my recommendation.

Pro-tip: While you are in route to each stop, place your mobile order for whichever holiday treats you decide in which to indulge. You’ll save yourself a good amount of time by placing your order while riding the monorail or boat to your next stop rather than waiting until you get there. Check-in on the app to pick up your order as soon as you arrive to the resort. Often times the resort counter service locations take longer to get mobile orders reader than their in-park counterparts.

Have you ever done your own monorail crawl? What do you think of our itinerary? 

The post How To Create Your Own Merry Monorail Treats Crawl appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Resorts, Snacks, disney desserts, disney monorail, disney on site hotels

Nice weather here in Central Florida brought folks out to Walt Disney World today, with all four parks seeing wait times in the top 10 days of the past month.  We received 162 actual wait times today from folks in the parks, too.  Let’s do the numbers!

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

Lots of attractions had their highest wait times of the week today.  For example, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had an average wait time today of 55 minutes. Its 7-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month.  The good news is that we received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 62% of the posted wait time.

Hollywood Studios Wait Times

Likewise, the Studios was a popular choice today.  Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run had an average wait time today of 58 minutes. Its 7-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #130 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 104% of the posted wait time.

Rise of the Resistance had a great day today, running ahead of its last-week average for most of the day.  Boarding groups started getting called around 9:30 a.m., and continued apace until the usual afternoon pause around 3 p.m.  Good day for the park operations folks.

Animal Kingdom Wait Times

The good news at Animal Kingdom is that posted wait times seem like they were inflated more than usual.  Kilimanjaro Safaris had an average wait time today of 41 minutes. Its 7-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 13 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 36% of the posted wait time.  So that average posted wait of 41 minutes was probably an actual wait closer to 15 minutes.

EPCOT Wait Times

Every attraction in EPCOT posted its highest average wait time of the week today.  Even Living with the Land got in on the act: Living with the Land had an average wait time today of 24 minutes. Its 7-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month.

The post Good Weather Brings Crowds – Disney World Wait Times for Sunday, December 6, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Walt Disney World (FL), wait times

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!

A hallmark of the Walt Disney World theme parks is their ability to “surprise and delight” guests – providing them with something unexpected and fun that brings on a surge of warm fuzzies. One of such charming surprise is water painting.

Water painting is typically an illustration of a Disney character, rendered in water on theme park pavement. The artists are custodial cast members; their brush is a broom and their dustpan is a palatte. During a recent WDW visit I encountered this twice, once in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom and once adjacent to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Both times, the images began to fade almost immediately, as the sun started to dry and then evaporate the artwork. There is no set schedule or location for this activity, though typically you’ll see it relatively early in the morning on less busy days, when the walkways have fewer guests that might be inadvertently tripped by a wayward sweep. And obviously this is not something that happens on rainy days.

If you happen to see a water painting, enjoy it while you can, it’s an evanescent art form that will likely be gone within moments.

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From our friends at touringplans.com

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