Category: Other

One of the my wishes every holiday season is that Hollywood Scoops Ice Cream at Disney’s Hollywood Studios finally serve up some Peppermint Ice Cream. Well, this year I finally got my wish–sort of. This year Scoops is serving up a milkshake that is photogenic, and tastes great too. Let’s get the scoop on the Peppermint Bundt Cake Milkshake.

First, the name is deceiving. You might think that it has pieces of bundt cake mixed in, but it does not. 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. These cakes tasted of vanilla flavor and had such bright artificial red and green coloring I swear I could taste the colors. For $8.49 it is a fun treat and could be shared if you don’t want to overdo it.

Have you tried any of the holiday treats at Walt Disney World this year? Would you give this milkshake a try?

The post REVIEW – The Peppermint Bundt Cake Milkshake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Is a MUST appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Hollywood Studios, Snacks, disney christmas, disney christmas snacks, disney desserts, disney ice cream, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Get ready to add Groot to your wishlist this holiday season! The flora colossus himself is now available in an all-new Interactive Groot action figure at shopDisney.com, Disney stores and select Disney Parks around the world. Our little Groot wants to put down some roots and be your companion this holiday!

This is no ordinary action figure… Interactive Groot responds to over 20 spoken words and phrases with sounds, music, movements, and of course, the signature “I am Groot!” Instead of me just explaining it, check out this video and see just how rad this little one is:

As you can see, we’re taking it retro in true Guardians of the Galaxy fashion! For those of you who want to groove to your own awesome mix tape, you’ll also want to get this all-new Bluetooth speaker, sold separately and inspired by the one that Groot plugs into during the opening scene of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2!”

Both the Interactive Groot action figure and Bluetooth speaker are available now at shopDisney.com, Disney stores, Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and coming soon to Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort! Before you go and add them to your wish lists, remember, “We are Groot!”

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Marvel, Merchandise, shopDisney, Video

This week, see what our team has to say about Disney’s new holiday ad, what Natalie thinks about recognition that the Walt Disney World Resort received for their recycling process, and more.

What We’re Talking About – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors

You might have missed the news (who am I kidding…it was everywhere.) With the announcement of news that Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine was 90% effective in early trials, Disney and Universal stock (as well as just about every other stock) went WAY up! Investors appeared to be betting on the success of the vaccine to help the U.S. and world economies recover, which would help the tourism and restaurant industries rebound as well.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection gave their Recycling Recognition Award goes to Walt Disney World Resort for their commitment to sustainability and environmentally friendly recycling practices. Good on Disney for protecting the environment and being recognized for it!

Natalie shared her thoughts on this news: Disney’s environmental efforts continue to impress me as maybe the thing the company gets right more than anything else. Solar farms, recycling, alternative fuels: they set a strong example and don’t let their sheer size get in their way. 

I think I have something in my eye. I’m definitely not crying. (Totally crying!) And you’ll probably get something in your eye too after watching this year’s holiday ad from Disney.

Our team here all had thoughts about this ad. Julia shared: That ad — oh, the waterworks were flowing, especially since my daughter hasn’t been able to see her lola (lola = grandmother in Tagalog) for more than a year now because of COVID. Our last time seeing her? Our trip in May 2019 to Disneyland.

John said: Great video. * sniff * We were down with kids to see my Mom in Miami on her 90th 3 years ago, were in Orlando last year about to head down to see her and were chased away by the hurricane. At best we might see her next summer, but at this point I don’t feel too optimistic about our traveling anywhere.

And James said it perfectly: I was an absolute wreck watching that ad

Disney announced another shake-up to the studio’s release calendar. They have postponed both Ryan Reynolds’ Free Guy and Death on the Nile, the follow-up to The Murder on the Orient Express. Hopefully we can get back to being able to visit movie theaters here soon so these can be released.

A brand new Disney+ film is coming out called Godmothered. It will be a holiday film, which stars Jillian Bell and Isla Fisher and it will premiere exclusively in December. The premise finds Jillian playing an “inexperienced fairy godmother-in-training” but her profession is facing extinction. The film hits the streaming service on December 4 and definitely sounds like it will be interesting. Will you be adding this to your must watch list?

Dani will be. She said: I am all for silly, simple holiday movies. Noelle was cute and fun, hopefully this movie will have a similar feeling.

James also thought: Every year, you can expect the studios to release some new holiday content, and it’s always fun to see what they come up with. Godmothered looks like it has potential to be funny and heartwarming, which is just what the doctor ordered these days, and I’m looking forward to checking it out!

WandaVision – the more I hear about it, the more interesting it sounds. I love the fact that they filmed in front of a live studio audience. It’s going to make the whole thing even more unique. Entertainment Weekly learned more about the show and I get more and more excited about January 15. What about you?

Could Dwayne Johnson be back in the Scorpion King sequel that could be coming. Universal is developing a reboot of the 2002 film, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

This one however, this one….I may be down for. Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical! is coming to NBC with Glee‘s Matthew Morrison filling the title role. (Ok….I see you NBC.) Unlike previous musicals, The Grinch will not be performed live; instead it will be a two-hour production that will be filmed at the Troubadour Theatre in London and will air on Wednesday, Dec. 9.

The post What We’re Talking About: Environmental Practices, Holiday Ads, and More appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: In Case You Missed It, What We’re Talking About

Gusty winds and rain from Eta didn’t keep people out of Hollywood Studios today, while Animal Kingdom had its least-busy day of the past month, and the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT were only slightly busier.  We received more than 110 actual wait times today from rides all around Walt Disney World. Let’s do the numbers for Thursday, November 12, 2020!

Hollywood Studios Wait Times

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith had an average wait time today of 49 minutes. Its 7-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 51 minutes, so today ranks #21 for the past month. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 67% of the posted wait time.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror had an average wait time today of 55 minutes. Its 7-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #5 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #110 for the past year.

In Toy Story Land, Slinky Dog Dash had an average wait time today of 67 minutes. Its 7-day average is 70 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 66 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 80% of the posted wait time.

Toy Story Mania! had an average wait time today of 34 minutes. Its 7-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 43% of the posted wait time.

And Alien Swirling Saucers had an average wait time today of 25 minutes. Its 7-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #18 for the past month.

The park’s most fun attraction, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, had an average wait time today of 82 minutes. Its 7-day average is 81 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 80 minutes, so today ranks #12 for the past month. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 70% of the posted wait time.

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Over in Galaxy’s Edge, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run had an average wait time today of 46 minutes. Its 7-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 57 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 90% of the posted wait time.

Rise of the Resistance had another good day of operations, with only one minor delay around 2:45 p.m. I forgot to mention this earlier, but this might be a regularly scheduled cleaning pause.

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had an average wait time today of 49 minutes. Its 7-day average is 60 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 57 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 76% of the posted wait time.

Big Thunder Mountain had an average wait time today of 36 minutes. Its 7-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #24 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 61% of the posted wait time.

Space Mountain had an average wait time today of 23 minutes. Its 7-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 37 minutes, so today ranks #24 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 73% of the posted wait time.

Splash Mountain had an average wait time today of 44 minutes. Its 7-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #19 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 71% of the posted wait time.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin had an average wait time today of 20 minutes. Its 7-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #24 for the past month.

Jungle Cruise had an average wait time today of 37 minutes. Its 7-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 41 minutes, so today ranks #22 for the past month.

Peter Pan’s Flight had an average wait time today of 26 minutes. Its 7-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #24 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 48% of the posted wait time.

Pirates of the Caribbean had an average wait time today of 31 minutes. Its 7-day average is 45 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #182 for the past year.

Tomorrowland Speedway – we never talk about the speedway! – had an average wait time today of 12 minutes. Its 7-day average is 16 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #18 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #183 for the past year.

The Haunted Mansion had an average wait time today of 11 minutes. Its 7-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 39 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 57% of the posted wait time.

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin had an average wait time today of 6 minutes. Its 7-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 12 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #247 for the past year.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh had an average wait time today of 18 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 #24 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #196 for the past year.

Animal Kingdom Wait Times

DINOSAUR had an average wait time today of 5 minutes. Its 7-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #241 for the past year.

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain had an average wait time today of 24 minutes. Its 7-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #22 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 46 minutes, so today ranks #173 for the past year.

Kali River Rapids had an average wait time today of 11 minutes. Its 7-day average is 19 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #135 for the past year.

Kilimanjaro Safaris had an average wait time today of 12 minutes. Its 7-day average is 27 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #214 for the past year.

Na’vi River Journey had an average wait time today of 39 minutes. Its 7-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 60 minutes, so today ranks #168 for the past year.

Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time today of 30 minutes. Its 7-day average is 57 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 97 minutes, so today ranks #191 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 48% of the posted wait time.

EPCOT Wait Times

Living with the Land, the world’s greatest indoor hydroponic-themed boat ride, had an average wait time today of 12 minutes. Its 7-day average is 14 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #21 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #159 for the past year.

Mission: SPACE Orange had an average wait time today of 15 minutes. Its 7-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #207 for the past year.

Soarin’ had an average wait time today of 33 minutes. Its 7-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #14 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #140 for the past year.

Spaceship Earth had an average wait time today of 16 minutes. Its 7-day average is 18 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 18 minutes, so today ranks #14 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #146 for the past year.

Test Track had an average wait time today of 48 minutes. Its 7-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 60 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #125 for the past year.

And Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 69 minutes. Its 7-day average is 72 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #68 for the past year.

The post What’s a Little Breeze? Disney World Wait Times for Thursday, November 12, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Walt Disney World (FL)

One thing you do not have to worry about when celebrating the holiday season at Walt Disney World is snow. But this year there is snow in the forecast, right over Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom. The Let It Snow Chocolate Taco at Pecos Bill Tale Tale Inn and Cafe may sound like a weird creation, but it is one of our team’s favorite holiday treats this year.

The Let It Snow Chocolate Taco, according to the menu, is a Chocolate Taco Shell filled with Salted Caramel and Spiced Chocolate Mousse. However, we did not detect a chocolate taco shell, but more like a sugar cookie shell. Some may find the caramel and spice flavors to not be strong enough, but our team has tasted lots of this year’s holiday treats at Magic Kingdom and this one is at the top of our list. We welcome the light flavor. There are lots of heavy hitters to enjoy this holiday season and it is nice to have some festive flavors that don’t weigh you down.

For $5.29 the Let It Snow Chocolate Taco is one of the least expensive holiday desserts at Magic Kingdom. It is definitely one of the prettiest with a sprinkling of edible glitter; it’s hard to resist a treat that is so photogenic. If you’re looking for a festive sweet treat that won’t break the bank and that isn’t too heavy, this is a great choice.

Have you tried any of this year’s festive treats? Do you have a favorite?

The post REVIEW – Let It Snow Taco Is a Welcome Snowfall in Florida appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Dining, Holidays, Magic Kingdom, Snacks, disney desserts, magic kingdom christmas, magic kingdom snacks, magic kingdom treats