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Disneyland Paris Embarks on One of the Largest Solar Canopy Energy Projects in Europe

Today is World Energy Day, and we have some big news that we’re excited to share! Disneyland Paris is proud to announce that it is building one of the largest solar canopy plants in all of Europe! Pictured below, the solar plant will be developed in collaboration with Urbasolar and will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by more than 750 tons of CO2 per year. It will technically result in enough renewable clean energy to power 17% of the resort – equivalent to the annual energy consumption of a small city! 

This project is another step in our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and part of a global effort to our long-term goals of attaining net zero greenhouse gas emissions (Disney Parks Blog readers will remember the recently built 270-acre, 50-megawatt solar at Walt Disney World in 2019) and zero waste, while conserving water resources and reversing the decline of wildlife. 

The solar plant at Disneyland Paris began construction in July and is slated for completion in 2023, with our first milestone for the first phase in spring 2021. In total, it will encompass 17 hectares (42 acres) of solar canopies, using 67,500 solar panels for a production of 31 gigawatt-hours per year. 

Not only will the new plant shade guests from the sunlight, rain, and snow, but it will have a hint of Disney magic once the project is completed – illuminating a section in the shape of a Mickey Mouse head at night, which will be visible from the sky. 

In addition to these efforts, did you know that Disneyland Paris Parks and the Disneyland Hotel are already fed by geothermal energy through an innovative plant located at Villages Nature Paris, which uses naturally occurring underground heat and steam to help cover heating needs for the resort’s hot water and heating system? For more information on Disneyland Paris environmental efforts, visit: https://disneylandparis-news.com/en/our-commitments/environment/

Interested in learning even more about the environment and what you can do to help? Stay tuned on my Instagram handle @DrMarkatDisney.

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Disneyland Paris, DLP

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Reasonable Crowds Today Except at Hollywood Studios – Walt Disney World Wait Times October 22, 2020

Today proved to be a nice and easy weekday compared to the busy patterns we’re now used to seeing on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. A slight increase in some wait times indicates another busy weekend is on the horizon. But, if you’re looking to avoid crowds we’d recommend a visit during midweek, and to consult our Crowd Calendar, of course. Let’s see how today’s wait times shaped up.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Wait Times

We’ll start with the most relaxing and quietest park of the four Walt Disney World theme parks, Animal Kingdom. Today’s average wait times were some of the lowest of the last seven days. It was an easy day to take a trip back in time on DINOSAUR which had an average wait time today of 23 minutes. Its 7-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 365-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #165 for the past year. We received 12 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 81% of the posted wait time.

If you’re ready to conquer Mount Everest, Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain had an average wait time today of 26 minutes. Its 7-day average is 36 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month. We received 16 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 56% of the posted wait time.

Reasonable Crowds Today Except at Hollywood Studios – Walt Disney World Wait Times October 22, 2020

Today was a great day to float on down the Na’vi River Journey which had an average wait time today of 39 minutes. Its 7-day average is 51 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #22 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #173 for the past year. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 87% of the posted wait time.

It’s no surprise that Avatar Flight of Passage had the highest wait time of the park, with an average wait time today of 69 minutes. Its 7-day average is 87 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 365-day average is 104 minutes, so today ranks #156 for the past year. We received 13 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 66% of the posted wait time.

EPCOT Wait Times

Another semi-quiet park today is EPCOT, which sees a tremendous change in weekend wait times. If you’re thinking of going to EPCOT, go during the week when Florida Residents haven’t come out to play just yet.

Let’s start off with a splash at The Seas with Nemo & Friends which had an average wait time today of 9 minutes. Its 7-day average is 14 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 365-day average is 17 minutes, so today ranks #190 for the past year.

Right next door is Living with the Land which had an average wait time today of 11 minutes. Its 7-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 12 minutes, so today ranks #17 for the past month.

If you want to feel what it’s like to blast off into outer space, today was a good day for it. Mission: SPACE Orange had an average wait time today of 22 minutes. Its 7-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 365-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #119 for the past year.

Reasonable Crowds Today Except at Hollywood Studios – Walt Disney World Wait Times October 22, 2020

Over at World Showcase, Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros had an average wait time today of 12 minutes. Its 7-day average is 11 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 11 minutes, so today ranks #12 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 10 minutes, so today ranks #78 for the past year.

A rare occurrence, Test Track had the highest average wait time of 69 minutes today. While Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 63 minutes. Its 7-day average is 69 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #103 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 73% of the posted wait time.

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

Magic Kingdom was second only to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for average wait times today. And although Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are busier than the other two parks, today proved that weekdays still have relatively low wait times.

Reasonable Crowds Today Except at Hollywood Studios – Walt Disney World Wait Times October 22, 2020

The busiest attraction today, and on most days, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had an average wait time today of 54 minutes. Its 7-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 365-day average is 84 minutes, so today ranks #169 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 77% of the posted wait time.

Another dwarfed attraction, “it’s a small world” had an average wait time today of 34 minutes. Its 7-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #111 for the past year.

It is pretty to toy around at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin which had an average wait time today of 29 minutes. Its 7-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 365-day average is 36 minutes, so today ranks #147 for the past year. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 69% of the posted wait time.

On average it took less than 10 minutes to soar with Dumbo the Flying Elephant today which had an average wait time today of 9 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 #24 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #179 for the past year.

Reduced capacity on each boat does make The Jungle Cruise seem to have a high wait sometimes, today it had an average wait time today of 41 minutes. Its 7-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. And when you compare tis 365-day average is 55 minutes, today ranks #159 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 96% of the posted wait time.

Actual waits in line average under 20 minutes with our Walt Disney World touring plans.  Subscribe today and get our Lines app too.

Reasonable Crowds Today Except at Hollywood Studios – Walt Disney World Wait Times October 22, 2020

Today was relatively busy at Mickey’s PhilharMagic which had an average wait time today of 23 minutes. Its 7-day average is 19 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 18 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past year.

It was easy to go for a Wednesday drive on Tomorrowland Speedway which had an average wait time today of 8 minutes. Its 7-day average is 18 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 17 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #233 for the past year.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Wait Times

The busiest park at Walt Disney World, once again, is Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The attraction with the lowest average wait time, Alien Swirling Saucers had an average wait time today of 29 minutes. Its 7-day average is 27 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 365-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #140 for the past year.

Hopefully you’d have a moving buddy with you today at Toy Story Mania! which had an average wait time today of 34 minutes. Its 7-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #5 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #151 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 34% of the posted wait time.

Reasonable Crowds Today Except at Hollywood Studios – Walt Disney World Wait Times October 22, 2020

Today was the toughest day recently to drop in at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror which had an average wait time today of 61 minutes. Its 7-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 51 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 121% of the posted wait time.

It took an average of an hour to jump into hyperspace at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run which had an average wait time today of 63 minutes. Its 7-day average is 63 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 365-day average is 64 minutes, so today ranks #108 for the past year.

And of course the new ride featuring the big cheese was the busiest ride in all of Walt Disney World today. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had an average wait time today of 92 minutes. Its 7-day average is 87 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 83 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 70 minutes, so today ranks #13 for the past year.

Boarding groups at Rise of the Resistance were strong in the Force today and ran well most of the day. The past few days have been a little rough so it’s nice to see the star attraction had a relatively smooth day today.

Reasonable Crowds Today Except at Hollywood Studios – Walt Disney World Wait Times October 22, 2020 Reasonable Crowds Today Except at Hollywood Studios – Walt Disney World Wait Times October 22, 2020

 

 

The post Reasonable Crowds Today Except at Hollywood Studios – Walt Disney World Wait Times October 22, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Dos and Don’ts, Trip Planning, Walt Disney World (FL), disney crowds, disney wait times, disney world wait times, walt disney world crowds

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Experience Disney Magic In Whole New Way with @DisneyParks on TikTok

If you’re looking for the happiest place online, it may just be @DisneyParks on TikTok – our new channel featuring the magic of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products!  

Whether it’s a one-of-a-kind look at The Cadaver Dans coming out to socialize or a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the seasonal transformation at Magic Kingdom Park, @DisneyParks videos will stir the imagination, inspire the heart and bring a dose of happiness to your day – wherever you may be.    

As you can see, to share Disney magic in a new way, we’re pushing the boundaries of creativity and fun with exclusive videos highlighting the best from our parks, including Disney cast members and guests.  

Yesterday, @DisneyParks was the first place you could see a frightfully fun video from the iconic Dapper Dans Barbershop Quartet, appearing as their undead alter egos The Cadaver Dans – before their LIVE performance here on the Disney Parks Blog.

For the ultimate Transformation Tuesday, @DisneyParks recently shared an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at this year’s fall decorations – with style!

@DisneyParks also highlighted a spirited new addition to the Kilimanjaro Safari savanna with a heartwarming video of a special giraffe at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  

And there’s much more to see! Go and check out @DisneyParks on TikTok and follow along to experience Disney magic in a whole new way. 

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Uncategorized

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Our Favorite Friends at Magic Kingdom in Their Halloween Finest!

Halloween is right around the corner! One aspect that has been so much fun this year is being able to see some of our favorite character friends at Magic Kingdom during the daytime wearing their Halloween costumes — and of course some friends we don’t usually see at all, too! Here’s a look at Halloween characters in Magic Kingdom to help build that Halloween hype.

Do you have a favorite character or costume that you like to see? Let us know in the comments. 

The post Our Favorite Friends at Magic Kingdom in Their Halloween Finest! appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Holidays, Walt Disney World (FL), Halloween

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Tis the Season! Details on the 2020 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays

In just a few short weeks, the holiday season will be upon us at the Walt Disney World Resort. The majority of the holiday events will kick off on November 6, with the last of the holiday festivities kicking off on November 27, with the Taste of the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays. This year, Guests will be able to celebrate with a number of festivities, including a cookie stroll, Holiday Kitchens, entertainment, and more. As a reminder, due to distancing concerns, the Candlelight Processional will not be taking place this year. Here’s what Guests can expect:

Entertainment

  • JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season: In World Showplace, Guests will be able to experience the joy of Christmas and Kwanzaa with the Gospel, R&B and holiday songs performed by this vocal ensemble.
  • Voices of Liberty – Voices of the Season: Enjoy festive a cappella holiday music of the Voices of Liberty dressed as Dickens Carolers at the America Gardens Theatre
  • Las Posadas with Mariachi Cobre: A pair of colorful dancers join this exuberant band for Las Posadas, a celebration of Mexican holiday customs at the America Gardens Theatre
  • JAMMitors: The rhythmic clean-up crew rocks the Mill Stage at the Canada Pavilion with playful percussion

Holiday Promenades

  • Santa Claus Promenade: See Santa as he takes a grand tour around World Showcase in his horse-drawn carriage from November 27 – December 24.
  • Mickey and Friends World Tour: Around World Showcase, you may spot Mickey and his friends out dressed in their holiday finest from November 27 – December 30.
  • Frozen Promenade: Queen Anna and Elsa will discover the spirit of the holidays from November 27 – December 30.

Holiday Cookie Stroll

Find the 5 official Holiday Cookie Stroll locations. Each stop will offer a delicious dessert for purchase and a stamp for your Festival Passport. Once you’ve collected 5 stamps, bring your Passport to the Sweets & Treats Holiday Kitchen to receive a complimentary Peppermint Minnie Cookie!

Official Cookie Stroll Locations:

  • Bavaria Holiday Kitchen at the Germany Pavilion – Linzer Cookie
  • American Holiday Table at the America Pavilion – Chocolate Crinkle Cookie
  • Yukon Holiday Kitchen at the Canada Pavilion – Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie
  • Festival Favorites at the World Showplace. – Gingerbread Cookie
  • L’Chaim Holiday Kitchen between the Morocco and France Pavilions – Black-and-White Cookie

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition

This year, Guests will be able to enjoy a quest around World Showcase hunting for holiday traditions that Olaf has gathered for Anna and Elsa—and lost—along the way! To help him Guests can purchase a Scavenger Hunt map and stickers ($7.99) at participating locations, including Disney Traders, Mouse Gear, World Traveler and Port of Entry. You can also find them at Stroller Rental locations at the Main Entrance and at International Gateway, as well as the merchandise cart in the Canada Pavilion. Guests can search for Olaf in each pavilion, then match the tradition on his sleigh to the location on your sticker map. Once you have found all of the traditions, visit Disney Traders, Mouse Gear or World Traveler to redeem your map for a gift (while supplies last).

More Holiday Fun

Guests will be able to see a a realistic gingerbread city created by real Disney chefs in World Showplace! This patriotic display pays homage to some of the nation’s most iconic landmarks including the United States Capitol Building, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and a 5-foot tall Washington Monument.

Holiday Kitchens

The holiday kitchens will be located throughout World Showcase, including three kitchens inside World ShowPlace Pavilion. Guests will be able to stop at booths like the American Holiday Table, the Bavaria Holiday Kitchen, and the Yukon Holiday Kitchen. The full list of holiday kitchens have been released, however the menus have not. These Stay tuned, as we’ll be sharing those with you soon!

The EPCOT Festival of the Holidays takes place from November 27 through December 30.

The post Tis the Season! Details on the 2020 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Epcot, Festivals, News, Walt Disney World (FL), Epcot Festival of the Holidays