A Blog About Disney Stuff

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has lots of blockbuster attractions. But, not everyone in your party is going to be ready to ride all the same rides as everyone else in your group. Many of the rides at Hollywood Studios have nice waiting areas near the exits. Get an idea of where to meet your party should you decide to not partake in an attraction.

You can also go through the queue with your party so you can stick together, and then let the Cast Member know you do not wish to ride, and they’ll direct you to where you can wait to meet your party. While in line, browse our Lines app to check out ratings for all the restaurants in the park. Place your lunch, snack, or dinner order through mobile ordering in the MyDisneyExperience app so your food will be ready when you’re done.

Here’s where to locate the exits for some of the most popular attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios–and yes, many of them do exit into a gift shop.

• Rock N’ Roller Coaster – If someone in your group wants to “walk this way” to the exit they may be disappointed in the waiting area options. This ride exits into the merchandise shop. There is not much by way of a formal waiting area on the inside, but outside the attraction there is a large courtyard with lots of seating.
• Tower of Terror – Not everyone may want to drop in at Tower of Terror. Thankfully, there is a multitude of seating options, mostly inside. The exit leads into the merchandise shop, so to meet your party go around the ride entrance to the right. There are benches outside the merchandise area. If you want to wait inside you can head through the merchandise shop around to the plethora of seating options.

• Star Tours – Yet another attraction that exits into a merchandise shop. There are a few benches inside if you go all the way up the ramp into the ride’s exit hallway. Otherwise there are some benches in the immediate area just outside Tatooine Traders where the ride exits.
• Rise of the Resistance – If you’re resisting joining the Resistance, then head to the right of the ride’s entrance. There you will find a large structure where you can wait for your party after they’ve faced the New Order.
• Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run: Not feeling up to doing some smuggling? There’s lots of seating in the courtyard in front of the ride’s entrance, plus you’ll get to enjoy awesome views of the Falcon itself.
• Slinky Dog Dash – The exit here is strange because it is over a bridge to the left of the ride entrance. There isn’t a real waiting area immediately at the exit, but there is plenty of seating near the ride entrance. There is a significant lack of natural shade in the entire Toy Story Land – be forewarned.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is where I usually end up waiting outside a lot of attractions, since I don’t do thrill rides. Thankfully there are some good waiting areas in this park (and good lounges which make for a nice place to wait too).

Do you prefer to stick together with your party, or enjoy some quiet from time to time?

The post Where to Find the Exits of Some of the Most Popular Rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Attractions, Galaxy’s Edge, Trip Planning, hollywood studios rides, Rock n Roller Coaster, Slinky Dog Dash, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

It’s one of the most special restaurants at EPCOT. With a breathtaking view of the second largest aquarium in North America, Coral Reef’s atmosphere is lovely. The delicious food is an equal match for this wonderful venue. And even though the menu is limited right now, a great dining experience is still offered. There are, however, a few drawbacks.

Based on over 500,000 surveys received from our readers, Coral Reef has a 78% thumbs up rating. It is ranked 79 out of 103 table service restaurants at Walt Disney World. One of the things that holds Coral Reef Restaurant back is it can be expensive to dine here, and the food doesn’t always match the price. Plus, although the restaurant is built with seating on multiple tiered levels to attempt to give a nice view of the aquarium to everyone, nothing beats a front row spot. There’s only so many of those front tables available, so sometimes this can lead to disappointment.

Our group started off their meal with a round of cocktails and the Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer. There are two cocktails that are specially themed to the Coral Reef restaurant, the Coral ‘Rita and the Abyss. Our team selected the Magical Star Cocktail and the Captain’s Mai Tai; both are found on the menu at many Disney lounges across property. The Magical Star Cocktail is a staple Disney cocktail with X-Fusion Organic Mango and Passion Fruit Liqueur, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Pineapple Juice, and a souvenir Multicolored Glow Cube.  At $15.00 it is little pricey compared to the average $13.00 cocktail, but it is popular for its fruity flavor that seems to magically transport you into vacation mode. The Captain’s Mai Tai is a great choice for a seafood dining experience.

The Shrimp Cocktail wins major points for its unique presentation. Rather than the standard, boring cold shrimp in a glass dish and a side of cocktail sauce, these large chilled shrimp are served on skewers, with a charred lemon. There are only three appetizers from which to choose and this one is our top pick due to the presentation and overall quality.

Our team selected all but one of the entrees currently available on the menu at Coral Reef.

• Shrimp and Grits – Sautéed Shrimp, Cheddar Cheese Grits, Local Corn Succotash, Andouille Sausage, Creole Spice Emulsion $30.00
• Grilled Vegetable Skewer – with Impossible Kefta, Basmati Rice, Lentils, Smoked Eggplant Salad $24.00
• Oven-roasted Herb Chicken – Seasonal Vegetables, Curry Vinaigrette $28.00
• 10-oz Slow-roasted Grilled Rib-Eye – Loaded Mashed Potatoes with Bacon, Butter $34.00
• Kid’s Junior Reef Steak – $13.00

Everything our team ordered was good, but not really worth the price. One of the surprise hits of the entrees was the Grilled Vegetable Skewer – outstanding! The peppers had a good char and everything was plated beautifully, and the Impossible Kefta is satisfying even for a frequent meat eater. The Oven-roasted Herb Chicken was good, and flavorful with the Curry Vinaigrette, but the potatoes were the star. They were buttery and herbed.

The Shrimp and Grits is a classic Southern seafood dish. Coral Reef’s version was satisfying. Those that enjoy Southern and Creole flavors will enjoy this dish. The corn in the succotash, which is a simple combination of corn and lima beans, is indeed local. Farms in the nearby Mount Dora and Zellwood area, about 45 minutes from Walt Disney World supplies this sweet corn.

Our junior field reporter had the kids steak, green beans, and broccoli. She may have been the happiest of the team. She loved everything and the Cast Member was very attentive to her which always makes me relax a bit.

The big highlight of the dining experience was the service. It was outstanding and the Cast Member let our team relax for a while with just drinks and the shrimp cocktails. It didn’t feel like the usual table service rush that is often experienced.

Have you ever dined at the Coral Reef Restaurant? Where’s your favorite place to dine at EPCOT?

We have listings of all the Walt Disney World restaurants, with ratings, on our site and in our Lines app so you can know the best places to dine. Become a TouringPlans Subscriber so you can have all our tools and resources and your finger tips.

The post REVIEW – Coral Reef Restaurant at EPCOT Satisfies, But Doesn’t Shine appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Dining, Drinking, Epcot, Trip Planning, disney dining, epcot dining, Epcot Restaurants

I cannot wait for this brand new offering that’s coming to Disney Springs. Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew was announced a few months back and this new shop is definitely going to be offering the Insta worthy treats! (I mean, just take a look at some of these delectable donuts and tell me you don’t want to try every single one of them!)

Today, Disney shared a look at the concept art of this brand new spot that will be opening on the West Side of Disney Springs. Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew will be located near Splitsville and right off the the west entrance and exit of the Orange Parking Garage.

As you can see, the overall design of this sweet spot will feature pops of color, iconic signage, and a beautiful outdoor seating area in the “donut garden.” In addition, Guests may catch a glimpse of the donuts being made through the windows of the exposed kitchen. Donuts will be baked hot and fresh daily.

Mark Gibson, co-owner of Everglazed, says “We like to say our little oasis of indulgences is going to be where ‘Happiness is Glazed Daily. The menu will be full of sweet surprises and a unique spot for guests wanting a quick treat, cold brew or nitro-infused chilled coffee.”

That’s right! While Everglazed will of course, specialize in hand-crafted yeast and cake donuts, you’ve gotta have something to drink with it! That’s where Everglazed’s assortment of cold brew lattes and coffee cocktails will come into play. Oh and if you aren’t necessarily looking for a donut to nosh on, consider one of their sweet-yet-savory sandwich bites.

According to the other co-owner of Everglazed, Guy Revelle, “The humble donut has truly become a global phenomenon. The fried circle of dough is a simple concoction with the ability to showcase chef-inspired flavors and toppings. We can’t wait to offer guests at Disney Springs our robust menu of sweet delights, but you are officially warned: We spoke to your diet – and it’s taking some time off when we open our doors.”

Guests who would like to follow on social media can find them at @everglazed_fl.

The post We Love It A Latte! A First Look at the New Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew at Disney Springs appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Disney Springs, News, Walt Disney World (FL), Disney food, Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew, West Side