Crowds returned to Walt Disney World today after a couple days of rain and before Eta heads over Florida on Thursday. Happy Veterans Day, everyone! We’re also testing new infographics for individual park attractions – leave a comment below with your thoughts on this new format. Now let’s do the numbers!
Hollywood Studios Wait Times
Today was the second-busiest day of the past month at Hollywood Studios! Here are the wait times:
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.
Rise of the Resistance is having a very good day of operations, too! Only one minor delay in calling boarding groups, about 30 minutes just before 3 p.m. Other than that, a solid day’s work at Rise.
Magic Kingdom Wait Times
Magic Kingdom wasn’t as busy, relatively speaking, as the Studios. And compared to historical averages, the park’s average posted wait times ranked as the 129th-highest of the past year.
Animal Kingdom Wait Times
Animal Kingdom was also busy today, no doubt people wanting to see TriceraTop Spin one more time.
EPCOT Wait Times
And EPCOT had its second-busiest day of the month, opening to high wait times that subsided later in the day.
I’m not one to care much about souvenir popcorn buckets, but when it comes to Halloween and Christmas holiday editions, I make an exception. We shared pics of these two popcorn buckets on our social media channels recently and there was such a reaction we thought we’d share a little more info, in case you missed it.
Last year a green Christmas tree popcorn bucket was released at Walt Disney World. It features Mickey Mouse holding a present wrapped in yellow with a red bow. The tree is adorned with translucent colored ornaments and bulbs, and a yellow star sits on top. Inside the bucket is a button to turn the bucket’s light on which lights up the star and shines down into the bucket to illuminate the ornaments. Last year’s green Christmas Tree bucket was found just a few days ago at the Canada Pavilion at EPCOT. The best part about getting a popcorn bucket at the Canada Pavilion? It’s the only place where you can get maple popcorn!
2019 Christmas Tree Popcorn Bucket
This year’s bucket is very similar, but is a white base instead of green. And it features Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse in red and white attire, each holding a candy cane. Both buckets are $25.00, and includes a serving of popcorn which is normally $6.25. You can get refills of popcorn in any souvenir bucket for $2.00.
This year’s white Christmas tree bucket was spotted at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If you’re visiting Walt Disney World this holiday season, make sure you have holiday magic at your fingertips. Become a TouringPlans Subscriber and gain access to our Lines app. Our Lines app users save 2-3 hours on average per day in the parks, so you’ll have more time to savor the magic of this festive season.
Now more than ever we could all use a little Disney holiday magic in our lives and I’m so excited we’ve officially kicked off the holidays at Disney Springs. One of my favorite traditions is watching the amazing transformation at World of Disney as beautiful window displays appear and holiday merchandise fills the shelves. Have you seen this year’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and Silver and Gold Collections? (Everything is on my shopping list!) This year is even more special as we find new and safe ways to celebrate with our loved ones and Disney Springs is the perfect place to enjoy the spirit of the season with family-friendly fun, sparkling décor, and gift ideas galore. Here’s a look at what’s happening:
Virtual Gift
Guide
Need a little gift-giving inspiration? The Disney Springs Gift Guide is back with an all-new format on Instagram! Head to @disneysprings and use the highlight buttons to explore 8 different gift categories including classics like “For Her” and “For Kids” and of course, the “For the Disney Fan” that has a little something for everyone! This collection of items will give you can find at Disney Springs but it gives you a little taste of the amazing variety of gifts to complete your shopping for everyone on your list. There’s always something new to discover so make sure you keep checking back through the holiday season.
Disney Springs
Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth
We’ve taken all the holiday magic and spread out the fun with the new Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth featuring a collection of elaborately decorated Disney-themed Christmas trees. As in year’s past, each tree is themed to a popular Disney character, attraction, or story, with trees now spread throughout all four Disney Springs neighborhoods.
My absolute favorite tree is located in the heart of Town Center and is the crowning jewel to the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stoll presented by AdventHealth. Check out this time-lapse video of our cast members hard at work as they turn the holiday magic on for our guests.
Create a new holiday family tradition and prepare for a jolly holiday scavenger hunt that allows you to safely wander and explore the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth. The scavenger hunt is complimentary and collateral can be picked up from select retail stores, Disney Springs Welcome Center, and Disney’s PhotoPass Studio. As you explore, don’t forget to take advantage of special discounts and offers available on the back of your map from select retail and dining locations. Once you complete your scavenger hunt, bring it to a redemption location for a special surprise.
Santa’s Winter
Watercade & Holiday Entertainment
Discover other select entertainment throughout Disney Springs that will immerse you in the holidays while you safely enjoy time together and make new memories. The popular Toy Soldier stiltwalkers and Snowflake Skaters will be back bringing holiday magic to the promenade along with guest DJs cranking out your favorite seasonal tunes at the AdventHealth Waterside Stage and at Exposition Park across from Disney’s Candy Cauldron.
Of course, it wouldn’t be the holidays without a little snow and it’s in the forecast! Be delighted in a magical snowfall that will add a little extra touch to your holiday shopping happening intermittently at Disney Springs Town Center and West Side.
Later this month, Santa and Mrs. Claus will pack their winter wear as they plan to soak up the last bit of Florida sun before their big night. Keep an eye out this season on the waters of Lake Buena Vista where you might spot them waving and sending season’s greetings from afar in a festive and colorfully-decorated pontoon boat.
Jock Lindsey’s
Holiday Bar
Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar is back and has been transformed with merry décor and festive fun through December 30, 2020. The Light Deviled Eggs return to the menu alongside some new delicious additions like Grandma’s Favorite Sliders (made with venison!) and Milk and Cookies by the Fireside paired with Coquito and Malibu Rum (believe me, this is a must-try!). Popular holiday cocktails are back as well like the Jock’s Holiday Nog, Berry, Merry Margarita and a new Mistletoe Mule. Keep an eye out on the Disney Parks Blog for another story coming soon with a roundup of other delicious Holiday Eats & Treats you’ll find this holiday season at Disney Springs.
Disney’s PhotoPass Studio
It’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays at the Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs! Starting November 16, get all your family photos for the holidays, including a virtual backdrop featuring Santa, and other festive virtual backdrops that combine the magic of the holidays with the magic of Disney! To download all the photos taken the day of your visit (including your photos from the studio from that day), take advantage of a special offer of $49.99 for Memory Maker One Day*, in addition to great prices and specials on prints, available only at this location November 16 through December 26, 2020. Put on your ugly (or not-so-ugly) Christmas sweater, and jingle all the way to the studio – no reservations required.
FreeForm’s “25
Days of Christmas” Photo Op
Freefrom is counting down to the holidays with another themed photo-op at Disney Springs. Be sure to make a stop at the new “25 Days of Christmas” Instagram wall located right outside Disney’s Days of Christmas. Tag those “elfies” using #DisneySprings and #25DaysofChristmas.
As you can see, there’s so much holiday shopping, dining, and fun to be had at Disney Springs this holiday season. Be sure to follow us on social media @DisneySprings as we continue to highlight new merchandise arrivals including any special Thanksgiving week deals and releases.
As a friendly reminder, be sure check our “Know Before You Go” resources to learn more about our current health and safety measures. If you’re planning to drive, please allow at least 60 minutes to reach your destination. Digital message boards along Buena Vista Drive will indicate when garages and surface lots are full.
*Disney PhotoPass Service and Memory Maker One Day are subject to the applicable terms and policies. Memory Maker One Day includes photos taken during the applicable Memory Maker Window as defined in such terms (generally, photos taken within one day). Online registration required. Disney PhotoPass Photos in your account will expire pursuant to the expiration policy. Downloads are restricted to personal use only. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. Valid theme park admission required for certain photo locations. The $49.99 special offer on Memory Maker One Day is available for purchase only at the Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs from November 16, 2020, through December 26, 2020. Special offer not valid for purchases made at other locations, online or in the My Disney Experience app. Offer cannot be combined with any other offers or used on previous purchases. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.
Last year we saw the debut of holiday decorations in every land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Although the entertainment has been temporarily paused this year, the decorations throughout the entire park have returned. From Discovery Island to Dinoland U.S.A. and even Pandora – World of Avatar, every land inside Animal Kingdom shows its festive side this time of year. Let’s take a stroll around the entire park, from day to night, to see all the unique holiday decorations. All photos taken by Ivonne on our team (@servoisnaked on Twitter and Instagram).
Discovery Island decorations are inspired by cold weather animals
Pandora’s decorations are inspired by the ex-pat humans now living on this alien world
Dinoland USA’s decorations are zany and bright
Harambe Market’s decorations showcase how real villages in Africa are often decorated using recycled materials
The Asia section celebrates Diwali, the Indian festival of lights
Animal Kingdom Christmas TreeDiscovery Island Holiday DecorationsDiscovery Island Holiday DecorationsDinoland USA Holiday DecorationsDinoland USA Holiday Decorations
Pandora World of Avatar Holiday DecorationsHarambe Village Holiday DecorationsHarambe Village Holiday Decorations
If you’re visiting Walt Disney World this holiday season, make sure you have holiday magic at your fingertips. Become a TouringPlans Subscriber and gain access to our Lines app. Our Lines app users save 2-3 hours on average per day in the parks, so you’ll have more time to savor the magic of this festive season.
Which land is your favorite at Animal Kingdom this time of year?
Filed Under: Christmas, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Holidays, animal kingdom christmas, disney christmas, disney christmas decorations, walt disney world christmas
Disney Channel is celebrating the holidays for kids and families in some special ways this year, including bringing more holiday magic to Walt Disney World Resort! Disney Channel’s first of three holiday specials is “Disney Holiday Magic Quest,” a high-stakes challenge that navigates Magic Kingdom Park.
Raven-Symoné virtually hosts the challenge, which features “ZOMBIES 2” stars Milo Manheim, Kylee Russell, Ariel Martin, and Pearce Joza competing in a holiday adventure through Magic Kingdom Park. After iconic Disney villains Maleficent and Evil Queen steal holiday magic, the stars must overcome obstacles and complete challenges to restore the joy of the season. The challenges take place throughout Magic Kingdom Park and include iconic attractions and locations like Haunted Mansion and Cinderella Castle. The four stars are also competing for a grand prize that will benefit Toys for Tots, a nonprofit organization that delivers hope and the magic of the holidays to less fortunate children.
Tune in for the premiere of “Disney Holiday Magic Quest” on Disney Channel, Friday, Dec. 4 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT to see if the stars successfully restore the holiday magic throughout their Magic Kingdom Park adventure!
