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Best Places to Get Warm at Walt Disney World

We know Florida’s occasional chilly weather is no match for up north. Still, when it gets a little cold in Central Florida you may want to know where to go get warm. Yesterday we talked about the best festival food for cold weather, as well as where to grab a warm drink. Now, let’s review some of the best places to get warm around Walt Disney World.

Magic Kingdom

Best Places to Get Warm at Walt Disney World
Spice Up Your Holiday Chicken Sandwich at Cosmic Ray’s

EPCOT

Best Places to Get Warm at Walt Disney World
The Seas with Nemo and Friends

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Best Places to Get Warm at Walt Disney World
Star Tours queue

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

This park is rough if you want to stay warm, as most everything is outside. But the animals are usually very active in cooler weather

Walt Disney World Resorts

  • Enjoy the indoor firepit at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House
  • Relax by the fireplace at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, one in each lobby
    • Use resort transportation from Magic Kingdom
  • Sit around the fireplace at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
    • This fireplace is not used for an actual fire, but the lobby is cozy and inviting, and a short walk from Epcot
  • Break for a meal at Ale and Compass at Disney’s Yacht Club – such a cozy atmosphere
    • A short walk from EPCOT
  • Soak in hot tubs at each resort, if you’re feeling brave to wear a bathing suit in this chilly weather and are a guest of the resort
Best Places to Get Warm at Walt Disney World
Holiday Decorations at Wilderness Lodge 2020

Have you visited Walt Disney World during chilly weather? Where do you recommend warming up?

Best Places to Get Warm at Walt Disney World

The post Best Places to Get Warm at Walt Disney World appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays, Resorts, disney christmas, disney reopening, disney weather, on site disney resorts

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Everything You Need to Know About Relaxation Stations at Animal Kingdom

It’s okay to admit that wearing a mask all day in a theme park is not always easy or fun. It’s the right thing to do and the safe thing to do, but it’s okay if you want a break for a few minutes. Each major Orlando theme park has designated areas where guests can sit and take off their mask for a little bit. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom there are two Relaxation Stations. They provide a restful area whether you want to enjoy your snack or drink, or just have a place to sit down for a few minutes. Here’s everything you need to know about the Relaxation Stations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Location of Relaxation Stations at Animal Kingdom

There are two Relaxation Stations at Animal Kingdom. The first is located at Pizzafari at Discovery Island. This is normally a quick service dining location, but it is temporarily unavailable as it is used as a Relaxation Station. There are tables, chairs, and plenty of shade. This location is closest to the front of the park and is a good spot to rest before or after venturing into Pandora – World of Avatar. There are also restrooms here, making it an overall great place to stop and rest, or have a snack.

Everything You Need to Know About Relaxation Stations at Animal Kingdom
Relaxation Station at Pizzafari Animal Kingdom
Everything You Need to Know About Relaxation Stations at Animal Kingdom
Relaxation Station at Discovery River Animal Kingdom

The second Relaxation Station is located along the Discovery River. It is not as easy to find as the Pizzafari location, but it is midway along the pathway that connects the African land and Asian land. It is a beautiful pavilion with detailed wood carving. The views of the Discovery River and the Tree of Life are glorious, and you might even catch a character cavalcade go by. This is a good location if you’re in the back of the park. Restrooms aren’t as convenient as the Pizzafari location, but there are some a few steps away, across the pathway.

How to Use Relaxation Stations at Animal Kingdom

No reservations are needed for the Relaxation Stations, but they can reach capacity. It is rare for them to reach capacity as many guests do not know about them. The tables are placed six feet or more apart, so please do not move the tables or chairs. If you have a larger group it is asked that you keep your party at the designated tables and not combine them.

Everything You Need to Know About Relaxation Stations at Animal Kingdom
Relaxation Station at Pizzafari Animal Kingdom
Everything You Need to Know About Relaxation Stations at Animal Kingdom
Relaxation Station at Discovery River Animal Kingdom

It is asked that all guests keep their masks on until they are seated at their table. Once you are seated you can remove your mask whether you have food and drink, or if you just want to sit and relax. There is no time limit on using the stations. If you need to get up from your table, or whenever you are done, it is asked that you put your mask back on before getting up from your table.

Cast Members frequently clean and sanitize the tables, chairs, and the general area. The Relaxation Stations can have limited hours. They do not always open right when the park opens, and generally close a little earlier than the park itself does.

Have you made use of the Relaxation Stations yet? Do you think they are helpful?

Everything You Need to Know About Relaxation Stations at Animal Kingdom

The post Everything You Need to Know About Relaxation Stations at Animal Kingdom appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Dos and Don’ts, In the Parks, Trip Planning, disney covid, disney reopening, disnney’s animal kingdom tips

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#DisneyMagicMoments: How to Create Your Own Disney Themed Sweet & Savory ‘Charcuterie’ Boards

Haul out the holly,
as well as the chocolate, pretzels, peppermint, candy and oh yes, waffles, to
create these amazing Disney themed holiday “charcuterie” boards. Santa may not
leave your house when he gets a peek at the boards #DisneyCreator at Home, Ginny
Phillips of Making Main Street, has created!

This mom of three
has pulled out all the festive ideas and holiday magic to create sweet and
savory boards perfect for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning! Put on those matching
PJs, turn up your Disney holiday playlist and get ready for some merry good
fun!

Magical Christmas Eve Hot Chocolate Board

While some may have visions of sugar plums on Christmas Eve, you will only have visions of delectable hot cocoa filled with chocolate Mickey bombs with this creative board. Not sure how to make your own chocolate Mickey bomb? No worries! Ginny has supplied your elf crew with simple step-by-step directions on how to make this board!

#DisneyMagicMoments: How to Create Your Own Disney Themed Sweet & Savory ‘Charcuterie’ Boards Magical Christmas Eve Hot Chocolate Board

Christmas Morning Mickey Waffle Board

Your family will come bounding down the hall on Christmas morning when the air is filled with the delectable smell of Mickey waffles. The presents might have to wait when they see this holiday extravaganza laid out for breakfast. Ginny has included some of her favorite topping choices for her board, but the limit on your ideas is as high as the star on top of the tree! If the Mickey Waffle Maker is on your Christmas list, make sure you ask to open that gift a day early!

#DisneyMagicMoments: How to Create Your Own Disney Themed Sweet & Savory ‘Charcuterie’ Boards Mickey Waffle Board

Are you already envisioning your Disney themed holiday
board inspired by Ginny? If so, we want to see them! When you create your
magical board, be sure to share and use the hashtags #DisneyMagicMoments and #DisneyHolidayMoments.
Check back for more of these #DisneyCreators at Home stories on our “Everything Holidays” section on the Disney Parks Blog.

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com

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December 2020 – WDW Crowd Calendar Update

This Crowd Calendar update is an update through May 2021. The slight delay in publishing this month’s update due to us wanting to review the crowds during Thanksgiving and allow the statistical models to learn from what a major holiday is like in 2020.

December 2020 – WDW Crowd Calendar Update

On November 16, Disney CEO Bob Chapek announced that Walt Disney World’s capacity was raised from 25% to 35%. We do not expect another increase in attendance in 2020. We don’t expect the crowds in December will be any higher than what we saw in November. With COVID cases still going up, it is unlikely that more people will be traveling to theme parks. Florida is unlikely to restrict travel, but other states and CDC may recommend not to travel.

December 2020 – WDW Crowd Calendar Update

To handle the higher capacity Disney made some operational changes. Disney added Plexiglas between rows at Rise of the Resistance and Mickey’s & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. On other attractions, Disney started loading more ride vehicles. The Haunted Mansion and Mickey’s & Minnie’s Runaway Railway wait times show the biggest decrease in wait times. Rise of the Resistance is loading more boarding groups per day.

December 2020 – WDW Crowd Calendar Update December 2020 – WDW Crowd Calendar Update

COVID-19 Vaccine

Disney crowd levels will not return to normal levels until a vaccine is widely available. The initial distribution of a vaccine is going to go to First Responders, the elderly, and other high-risk populations. Summer will be likely the earliest Disney will see the return to normal. This means that the first half of 2021 is going to look more like 2020 than 2019. Martin Luther King Jr. (January 18, 2021), Presidents Day (February 15, 2021), Mardi Gras (February 16, 2021), Easter (April 4, 2021), and spring break are going to have a muted effect on crowds in 2021.

As always, we will be keeping a close watch on what is going on at the parks and will update the crowd calendar as needed.

Have any questions about the Crowd Calendar update? Feel free to leave them in the comments.

December 2020 – WDW Crowd Calendar Update

The post December 2020 – WDW Crowd Calendar Update appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Crowd Calendar, Walt Disney World (FL)

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Give The Gift That Gives Back With The Latest Disney Parks Wishables, With 100 Percent of Sales Donated to Make-A-Wish

‘Tis the season for giving! The celebration of Disney and Make-A-Wish® working together for 40 years to grant life-changing wishes continues with the debut of the latest collection of Disney Parks Wishables. Themed to the Magic Carpets of Aladdin attraction, the adorable new series features the original wish granter himself: Genie! This collection is available NOW at select Disney Parks around the world, the Disney store and online at shopDisney.com and is the perfect stocking stuffer for the holidays! 

This Disney Parks Wishables is the final collection in the trio of product this fall that began with the debut of the popular Wishes Come True Blue color collection and last month’s lovable Mickey Mouse plush, which unlocked donations to Make-A-Wish! I’m excited to announce that as of today, sales from these two merchandise offerings have unlocked a total donation of $591,100 to Make-A-Wish so far, and we’re not done yet… 

Disney will donate 100 percent of the purchase price from the sales of the Disney Parks Wishables: Magic Carpets of Aladdin series to Make-A-Wish to grant more life-changing wishes. 

That’s right, the Disney Parks Wishables: Magic Carpets of Aladdin series is the first-ever product collection from Disney Parks with 100 percent of the purchase price from each sale being donated to a charitable organization, and just in time for the holiday season! 

In the spirit of giving, we also launched a very special edition of Play Disney Parks trivia celebrating the magic of wishes! Don’t forget to check out the app to play now through Friday and stay tuned to the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps later today, where we’ll be sharing even more about Disney and Make-A-Wish!* 

Give The Gift That Gives Back With The Latest Disney Parks Wishables, With 100 Percent of Sales Donated to Make-A-Wish Disney Parks Wishables: Magic Carpets of Aladdin series

So join us in giving back this holiday season with The Wishes Come True Blue color collectionMickey Mouse vintage holiday plush and the latest Disney Parks Wishables: Magic Carpets of Aladdin series. All available now at shopDisney.com with select products available at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort and Disney stores in North America. To learn more, visit http://wish.org/disney

Available for iPhone® and AndroidTM smartphones. 

Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations, and features may vary by handset, service provider or otherwise. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first. Some app features require separate theme park admission. 

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Community Outreach, Merchandise