Category: Other

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!

Being the quintessential family-friendly vacation spot, it’s not surprising that Walt Disney World is a place where you’ll encounter strollers – lots and lots and lots of strollers. As prevalent as these wheeled child conveyances are, there are a number of places where you can’t bring them at Disney World. For example, strollers are not allowed in most attraction queues or in most table service restaurants. (A notable exception to this rule is strollers used as wheelchairs for guests with medical issues.)

So what do you do with your stroller when you want to take your tot on a ride? The answer is stroller parking.

Somewhere near the center of each region of each park (like Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom or Future World West at EPCOT) you’ll see “Stroller Parking” signage. If there are lots of people in the park it’s generally evident where the stroller parking areas are even without the signage; you’ll see a sea of prams clustered together. If you happen to get to the park early and the signs are not immediately evident, just ask any nearby cast member. In additional to stroller parking areas, also keep an eye out for “no stroller parking” signs that indicate areas where stroller parking is not allowed.

Whenever you leave a stroller in a stroller parking zone, be aware that it may not be precisely where you left it when you return. To keep the stroller parking areas organized, with the space used efficiently, cast members occasionally move strollers around a bit within the parking areas. If you’re concerned about this, try tying something like a colorful bandana to your stroller’s handle to make identification quick and easy.

Have any questions for Disney in a Minute? Let us know in the comments.

The post Disney in a Minute: What is Stroller Parking? appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: kids, Walt Disney World (FL), strollers

All calm, all is bright on this mild Wednesday. I should really not write these posts while waiting for UberEats to deliver chicken nuggets dinner.  Anyway, posted wait times were moderate throughout Walt Disney World today, and the new plexiglass barriers at Runaway Railway are really helping ride capacity.  We received 162 actual wait times today – thank you Lines app users.  Let’s do the numbers!

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

Pirates of the Caribbean had an average wait time today of 35 minutes. Its 7-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 86% of the posted wait time.

Space Mountain had an average wait time today of 22 minutes. Its 7-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 60% of the posted wait time.

Splash Mountain had an average wait time today of 34 minutes. Its 7-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #26 for the past month.  We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 46% of the posted wait time. Contrast that with Pirates (above).

The Haunted Mansion had an average wait time today of 20 minutes. Its 7-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 70% of the posted wait time.

Today’s Stat of the Weird: Astro Orbiter had an average wait time of 43 minutes. Its 7-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #17 for the past year.  The. Past. Year.

If you’re planning on visiting Walt Disney World this holiday season, you’ll need a special tool at your side. Subscribe today and get our Lines app too.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had an average wait time today of 57 minutes. Its 7-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #14 for the past month.

Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid had an average wait time today of 18 minutes. Its 7-day average is 20 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #20 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 51% of the posted wait time.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had an average wait time today of 41 minutes. Its 7-day average is 46 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #17 for the past month. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 36% of the posted wait time (!).

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin had an average wait time today of 26 minutes. Its 7-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #20 for the past month. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 58% of the posted wait time.

Hollywood Studios Wait Times

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had an average wait time today of 48 minutes. Its 7-day average is 74 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 78 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month.  We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 85% of the posted wait time.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Jim Croce (really Aerosmith) had an average wait time today of 48 minutes. Its 7-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #18 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 68% of the posted wait time.

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue had an average wait time today of 27 minutes. Its 7-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 27 minutes, so today ranks #12 for the past month.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror had an average wait time today of 47 minutes. Its 7-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 48 minutes, so today ranks #13 for the past month. IWe received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 72% of the posted wait time.

Toy Story Mania! had an average wait time today of 29 minutes. Its 7-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 39% of the posted wait time.

Slinky Dog Dash had an average wait time today of 64 minutes. Its 7-day average is 66 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 66 minutes, so today ranks #18 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 85% of the posted wait time.

Great day of consistent boarding at Rise of the Resistance.  Steady flow of boarding groups all day long. Great job by the park ops folks.

Animal Kingdom Wait Times

Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time today of 53 minutes. Its 7-day average is 57 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 96 minutes, so today ranks #154 for the past year. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 76% of the posted wait time.

Na’vi River Journey had an average wait time today of 44 minutes. Its 7-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #152 for the past year. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 79% of the posted wait time.

DINOSAUR had an average wait time today of 14 minutes. Its 7-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month.We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 74% of the posted wait time.

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain had an average wait time today of 21 minutes. Its 7-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 75% of the posted wait time.

Kali River Rapids had an average wait time today of 10 minutes. Its 7-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 19 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month.

Kilimanjaro Safaris had an average wait time today of 17 minutes. Its 7-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #20 for the past month. We received 12 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 51% of the posted wait time.

EPCOT Wait Times

Soarin’ had an average wait time today of 22 minutes. Its 7-day average is 36 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #181 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 72% of the posted wait time.

Spaceship Earth had an average wait time today of 12 minutes. Its 7-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 18 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #174 for the past year.

Test Track had an average wait time today of 45 minutes. Its 7-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #26 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #129 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 51% of the posted wait time.

Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 59 minutes. Its 7-day average is 66 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 64 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month.

Living with the Land had an average wait time today of 11 minutes. Its 7-day average is 12 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #179 for the past year.

Mission: SPACE Orange had an average wait time today of 13 minutes. Its 7-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month.

The post Tender and Mild Crowds – Walt Disney World Wait Times for Wednesday, November 18, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Trip Planning, Walt Disney World (FL), disney attendance, disney crowds, disney thanksgiving, disney wait times

The magic of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway has rolled into McDonald’s! Just in time for their birthday celebration, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse have inspired a brand-new line of Happy Meal® toys at McDonald’s, bringing Mouse Rules to the iconic Golden Arches. This means there’s only one rule you need to remember: Anything can happen! 

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This new collection features Mickey and Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald and Daisy experiencing some of the iconic attractions from across Walt Disney World Resort. Anchored by Engineer Goofy and Mickey and Minnie celebrating Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, these toys connect together to form a 10-car train. Each one also has a unique function to make the character move as it rolls, so as the attraction’s soundtrack says, nothing can stop us now from having fun!  

Now through Dec. 14, while supplies last, when you purchase a Happy Meal at participating McDonald’s locations, you can enter for a chance to win a vacation for four to Walt Disney World Resort and experience the attraction that inspired it all: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Families can also enjoy fun and engaging games at home as part of this Happy Meal program through the McDonald’s Happy Meal App. 

Click here for more information on how to enter this fun-filled family getaway!  

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER/WIN A PRIZE. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE CHANCES OF WINNING. 
Hop Aboard to Win Sweepstakes at McDonald’s entry period ends 1/18/21, at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time (“ET”). To participate, go to the McDonald’s App or www.MagicAtMcD.com and scan/enter the code found with the Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway toy in themed Happy Meal^® boxes available while supplies last at participating McDonald’s restaurants. Enter without making a purchase as described in the Official Rules avail. at participating McDonald’s, in the McDonald’s App or at www.MagicAtMcD.com. See Official Rules for complete no purchase entry/prizes/ARVs/odds/prize claim deadlines and other details. Open only to residents of the 50 U.S./DC who are 18+. Void where prohibited. Each Code or mail-in entry is valid for one entry into the Sweepstakes. Codes are not reusable. 15 prizes, each a trip for 4 to Walt Disney World_®Resort, ARV: $10,985 ea. The odds of winning a prize will be determined by the number of entries received. Limit 5 entries per day and limit one prize per household. Trip must be completed by 12/15/22. Sponsor: McDonald’s USA, LLC, 110 N. Carpenter St., Chicago, IL 60607-2101.  

 ©2020 McDonald’s The Happy Meal Box design is the trademark of the McDonald’s Corporation and its affiliates. ©Disney   

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Time for another installment of Pictures from the Parks, where we share some random sights from our recent trips in the Walt Disney World theme parks.

Without a doubt, the holidays are coming to every corner of Walt Disney World. If there’s a place to put up a tree or hang some evergreen swag, Disney will toss some holly jolly on it. This includes the theme parks, the resorts, and even having characters get into the act.

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And, of course, you can’t have holidays without all sorts of treats, right? Here’s some of the ones that we’ve tried recently. and reviewed here on the blog.

We love holiday overlays on attractions, and so we’re thrilled that The Land is doing their holiday decorating… plus we got surprised by a very special friend wearing a new holiday sweater!

But it is not all holiday lights that had us oohing and aahing. Mother Nature has provided some amazing sunsets recently.

And, one more photo from EPCOT that had us in awe — watching the SpaceX flight of the Resilience with its crew of four headed to the International Space Station.

We love the opportunity to share our experiences in the parks with you on our social media channels every day. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and we thank you for considering becoming a TouringPlans subscriber for access to our full crowd calendars, wait times tools, touring plans, and more. 

The post Pictures from the Parks, November 18, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Walt Disney World (FL), Holidays, spacex

EPCOT certainly takes a while to get into the holiday spirit, compared to its siblings. The Festival of the Holidays kicks off the day after Thanksgiving. But, the towering, glittering tree is now installed at EPCOT. And more resorts around Walt Disney World are decorated too. Let’s take a look.

EPCOT’s Christmas Tree is globally themed, of course. It evokes the spirit of the park’s emphasis on how each part of the world has its own way of celebrating the winter holidays. Visually its ornaments are not as popular as Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studio’s Christmas trees, but the message they convey is lovely. The different holiday greetings of the countries represented in EPCOT adorn this sky-high tree. An angel is perched at the top, holding the world in its hands. At night it’s as if the tree is made of glittering gold. It’s a serene symbol of the beauty of this season.

Not too far down the road from EPCOT is Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. This upgraded Moderate resort is popular with conventioneers, groups, and families with older kids. Christmas decorations adorn El Centro, the resort’s hub where the front desk, merchandise, and some dining options are located. The decorations have warm bronze and earth tones and white poinsettias. They’re inspired by the Central American culture.

The resort’s new Gran Destino Tower is also decorated. Here vibrant jewel tone colors are showcased, especially festive red and green. A modern influence is woven into the décor here as opposed to the traditional influence at El Centro. A glittering Christmas tree stands proud in the lobby and can be seen from outside thanks to the panoramic windows near where the tree is displayed.

Are you excited about the holiday season being in full swing at Walt Disney World? What do you think of the holiday decorations at Coronado Springs?

The post PHOTOS – EPCOT’s Christmas Tree Arrives and Coronado Springs Resort’s Holiday Decorations Shine appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays, Resorts, coronado springs resort, disney christmas, disney on site hotels, epcot christmas