Category: Other

Whether you are a long-time Walt Disney World guest or visiting Orlando for the first time, planning a visit to Universal Orlando Resort poses a lot of questions. In this article, we will compare some offerings you know at Disney to equivalent options at Universal.

Attractions

We have found Universal’s attractions, across the board, are more intense than Disney’s. For example, while Peter Pan’s Flight and E.T. Adventure are equivalent attractions (slow-moving dark rides with a suspended ride vehicle) E.T. features slightly more intense special effects and movement. If you believe someone in your party might be scared or unable to handle an attraction we recommend finding an on-ride video of the attraction to compare (search YouTube for the attraction’s name and “Universal Orlando”).

Thrill Rides

• If you enjoy Space Mountain, check out Revenge of the Mummy (indoor rollercoaster)
• If you enjoy Star Wars Rise of the Resistance check out The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man or Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (multi-media dark ride)
• If you enjoy Rock’n’Roller Coaster, check out The Incredible Hulk Coaster (inverting, launched roller coaster)
• If you enjoy Big Thunder Mountain Railway or Expedition Everest, check out Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure (scenic roller coaster)
• If you enjoy Star Tours, check out The Simpsons Ride and Race Through New York starring Jimmy Fallon (stationary motion simulator)

Water Rides

• If you enjoy Splash Mountain, check out Dudley Doo Rights Rip-Saw Falls (comedic log flume) or Jurassic Park River Adventure (shoot the chutes ride past elaborate scenes and audio-animatronics)
• If you enjoy Kali River Rapids try Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-rat Barges (river raft ride)

Family Rides

• If you enjoy Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, check out Men in Black: Alien Attack (interactive shooter dark ride)
• If you enjoy Peter Pan’s Flight, check out E.T. Adventure (suspended dark ride)
• If you enjoy The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, check out The Cat in the Hat (dark ride)
• If you enjoy It’s Tough to be a Bug, check out Shrek 4-D (3D movie)

Kids Rides

• If kids enjoy Goofy’s Barnstormer try Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster or Flight of the Hippogriff (kid-friendly roller coasters)
• If kids enjoy Dumbo the Flying Elephant or The Magic Carpets of Aladdin try One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish or Kang and Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl (rotating “flying” kids flat ride)
• If kids enjoy The Mad Tea Party try Storm Force Acceleration (rotating flat ride)
• If kids enjoy The Boneyard try Camp Jurassic (kid-friendly playground)

Restaurants

There was a time when Universal’s food quality averaged “regional amusement park quality” levels. This all changed with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s dedication to quality and freshness. Since then the parks and CityWalk transformed their food offerings to worthy of the world-class resort. Now nearly everything offered is of good to great quality for an affordable price; in fact, it’s easier to say what to AVOID (anything in Marvel or Toon Lagoon, for instance) than it is to say what to seek out.

• If you enjoy Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex Cafe check out Toothsome Chocolate Emporium or Hard Rock Cafe
• If you enjoy ESPN Club and CityWorks check out NBC Sports Grill & Brew
• If you enjoy Beaches and Cream check out The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
• If you enjoy Fontera Concinca and check out Antojitos
• If you enjoy Terralina, Tuto Italia, or Trattoria al Forno, check out Vivo Italian Kitchen or Mama Della’s Ristorante
• If you enjoy Le Cellier or other steakhouses, try Bigfire or The Palm
• If you enjoy Blaze Pizza check out Red Oven Pizza Bakery
• If you enjoy The Rose & Crown or Raglan Road check out The Three Broomsticks, The Leaky Cauldron, or Finnegan’s Bar and Grill
• If you enjoy Skipper Canteen check out Mythos

Hotels

We love Universal’s hotels which offer great value for the amenities and money. The seven different hotels offer their own mood, atmosphere, amenities, and theme at price points that range from under $100 to over $500 a night. We find Universal’s hotels to match, or eclipse, the quality of Disney’s hotels at a fraction of the cost.

• If you like the Polynesian Resort, check out Loews Royal Pacific Resort
• If you like Riveria Resort or Grand Floridian, check out Loews Portofino Bay Resort
• If you like Caribbean Beach Resort, check out Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
• If you like Pop Century, check out Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort or Hard Rock Hotel
• If you like Disney’s All-Stars Resort (I mean, relatively “like”), check out Endless Summer Inn and Suites (a way better hotel)

Do you have questions about Universal Orlando Resort? Leave your questions and comments below!

The post Universal Orlando Resort for Newbies – Comparable Disney Experience at Universal appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Universal Orlando Resort, citywalk, Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida

Last year saw the debut of lots of holiday enhancements to Animal Kingdom. While all the wonderful decorations throughout the park have returned, the Merry Menagerie entertainment has not. It is totally understandable, but it still saddens me because the interaction of the puppets and guests was heartwarming. Last year the Menagerie Cupcake debuted as part of the celebration, and it has returned this year.

Gingerbread is severely under-represented this year in the long list of holiday treats available throughout Walt Disney World property. The Menagerie Cupcake, available via mobile order at Restaurantosaurus, is perfect for gingerbread fans. It is a gingerbread cupcake topped with cream cheese frosting. It sounds a bit like carrot cake, doesn’t it?

The frosting is on the sweet side thanks to the decorative sugar on top, and could have been a little thicker and tangier to be closer to traditional cream cheese frosting. The cake itself has a prevalent spice from the gingerbread flavor. All in all, this is a great cupcake if you desire something with traditional holiday flavor. It is $5.99, the standard price for any Disney specialty cupcake.

Are you a fan of gingerbread? How does the Menagerie Cupcake sound to you?

The post REVIEW – The Menagerie Cupcake is BACK at Animal Kingdom appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Snacks, disney christmas, disney desserts, Disney’s Animal Kingdom

The temperatures are creeping back up here in Orlando. So we thought it would be a good time to pull together the best ice cream-like treats of the season, at Walt Disney World. If you’re visiting from someplace that normally has chilly winter weather, it might be nice to enjoy a frosty festive treat in sunny Florida.

1) Pistachio Chai Tea Float

Up first, over at Adventureland’s Aloha Isle, we tried the Pistachio Chai Tea Float. If you’re looking for something festively different, you don’t want to miss this. Pistachio is a common flavor of gelato and glaces in Italy and France. It’s nice to see Magic Kingdom getting a little adventurous in Adventureland with this flavor. The Chai tea flavor and the Pistachio pair well for a holiday treat that has a nice balance of sweet and warm spices. It is topped with a small Red Velvet Cake Pop Ornament, which is tasty (as long as you like Red Velvet of course). This float is so great to have as another option besides peppermint, chocolate, gingerbread, or caramel for the holidays. It’s priced the same as a Dole Whip Float for $6.49.

2) Peppermint Bundt Cake Milkshake

You’ll find our next top ice cream treat at  Hollywood Scoops Ice Cream at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The description lists Peppermint Ice Cream as the base of the milkshake. I have to say, I think it was just vanilla. If it was made from Peppermint Ice Cream it had very weak flavor, and not bits of peppermint in it. However, there was a crushed peppermint rim which helped add the desired peppermint flavor. The topping is what makes this mammoth milkshake worthy of must-have status. A small piece of peppermint bark is nestled in a little mound of whipped cream. Then two mini bundt cakes are placed onto the straw. For $8.49 it is a fun treat and could be shared if you don’t want to overdo it.

3) Chocolate Peppermint Marshmallow Wand 

Okay, you caught me–this last one is totally cheating. It’s not ice cream at all. But, its shape and flavor is reminiscent of an ice cream bar. And the combination of chocolate and peppermint is irresistible. Even if you’re not a big marshmallow fan you should give this a try. As $4.99 it was of the lowest-price treats available and won’t weigh you down. You can find this at Zuri’s Sweet Shop in Animal Kingdom.

Have you tried any of the holiday treats at Walt Disney World this year? What’s your favorite? 

The post Top 3 Seasonal Holiday Treats for Ice Cream Lovers at Walt Disney World appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Snacks, disney christmas, disney desserts, disney ice cream

Ho, Ho, Ho and Happy Holidays! The temperatures may be dropping outside, but the holiday spirit is rising in the air. The most wonderful time of the year is quickly approaching, and you like many others, may find yourself decorating a bit earlier than previous years. Today we have two #DisneyCreators at Home who are here to share some festive DIY projects with a Disney twist! Get out the glitter and let’s get creative for this magical season.

Princess Tiana Wreath

Nneka Mosley, better known as One Handy Momma, has dreamed up a holiday wreath fit for a princess, let’s make that Princess Tiana! The wife and mom of three, not only loves connecting with her followers via her blog, but she is also as great of a woodworker as any of Santa’s elves! Her twin daughters can’t get enough of Princess Tiana, so they were the inspiration behind her Princess Tiana holiday wreath.

A wreath, Princess Tiana doll, and colorful mesh ribbon are all easy objects to gather for this DIY wreath. Follow Nneka’s step-by-step directions to create holiday décor that will be the envy of every little girl in your home this holiday season. 

Gingerbread Mickey Ornaments

With this Gingerbread Mickey template, puffy paint and a few other materials, you are on your way to making an ornament that will make even Scrooge smile! Leslie Brignac, the mom behind Minnie Van Mom, is the creator of this holiday keepsake that will no doubt become a family treasure. Inspired by her daughter’s Disney themed tree, this can be created at home in six easy steps! 

With these simple directions for two amazing crafts, all that’s left is gathering the family, making some hot chocolate and getting busy crafting! If you do create this wreath or ornament at your home, 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

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Crowds drove Magic Kingdom wait times to their fourth-highest posted average of the past month today, and EPCOT to the six-highest waits of the month. But average waits were lower at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.  We received 134 actual wait times today from Liners in the parks.  Let’s do the numbers!

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

A number of Magic Kingdom attractions had their highest average posted times of the week, including Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

EPCOT Wait Times

It looks like every attraction at EPCOT will post its highest posted wait time average of the week today, with solid crowds from park open to 4:30 p.m.

Hollywood Studios Wait Times

Slinky Dog continues to have the highest average posted waits, with Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster second and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run third.

Rise of the Resistance ran well from park open until around 2:30 p.m., when it stopped calling boarding groups for about half an hour.  Rise had another outage, this time for over an hour, right at 4 p.m.  Those two delays means Rise is running slower than average for the past week.

Animal Kingdom Wait Times

Just two attractions at Animal Kingdom posted their highest average wait times of the week today: DINOSAUR and Avatar Flight of Passage.

The post People Discover Magic Kingdom Is Fun! Disney World Wait Times for Saturday, November 21, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

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