A Blog About Disney Stuff

Crowds are bringing higher wait times to Walt Disney World ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.  The Magic Kingdom and EPCOT posted their highest average wait times of the past month today, while Animal Kingdom posted its second-highest average of the past month. Hollywood Studios wasn’t less busy, either.

At the Magic Kingdom, we counted 485 of 500 people (97%) following Disney’s rules for wearing face masks.  We received 116 actual wait times today. Let’s do the numbers!

 

Animal Kingdom Wait Times

Every Animal Kingdom attraction except Avatar Flight of Passage reached its highest average posted wait time of the month today – and Flight of Passage’s was #2 for the month.

 

EPCOT Wait Times

Every EPCOT attraction except Living with the Land (#15) and Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros (#10) posted its highest average wait times of the month today.

Hollywood Studios Wait Times

Rise of the Resistance had another solid day of operation. Rise started calling boarding groups around 9:45 a.m. and continued almost continuously until 3 p.m. (as usual), when boarding group returns were paused for around 40 minutes.  Even with that delay, boarding groups were being called earlier today than they’ve been for the past week.

 

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

Every major attraction at the Magic Kingdom set new monthly highs for average posted wait times today. Actual wait times we received ranged from 52% to 72% of the posted waits.

The post Crowds Keep Increasing – Disney World Wait Times for Tuesday, November 24, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Walt Disney World (FL), wait times

If this sign does not get you excited, you don’t know what you are missing. Having a rodent as your mascot is always good in our book. Buc-ee’s is to gas stations as Walt Disney World is to amusement parks. Buc-ee’s holds two world records: The World’s Largest Convenience Store and  World’s Longest Car Wash.

Buc-ee’s was founded in Texas in 1982. The first two Buc-ee’s outside of the Lone Star State are now open for travelers on their way to Florida. The Alabama location is off I-10, and the newest store is in Georgia, south of Macon off I-75. Their first Florida location is planned to open in 2021, south of Jacksonville off I-95.

First off, Buc-ee’s is a gas station; a huge gas station with 120 pumps. Central Georgia typically has good gas prices. On our visit, regular gas was $1.539 per gallon. This was about 20 cents less than the surrounding gas stations.

Bathrooms

Buc-ee’s claims the cleanest bathrooms. As well as being clean, the bathrooms are big. Taking pictures in a bathroom is a bit weird. Below is the only picture I took. It only shows half of the bathroom.  The men’s bathroom has 12 urinals, 12 toilets, and 12 sinks. The bathrooms have their own dedicated cleaning crew.

The Store

If cheap gas and clean bathrooms don’t get you excited, the “convenient store” will. As with everything at Buc-ee’s, the store is not your typical convenience store. Their stores are 50,000 square feet, the size of a normal grocery store. Anything you expect to find in a convenience store can be found at Buc-ee’s with 10 times the selection.

Coffee

Buc-ee’s ranked the best gas station coffee based on a GasBuddy survey. The coffee condiment-bar has an almost unlimited options of syrups, creamers, and toppings.

Snacks

Buc-ee’s has all the candy and snacks you expect from a convenience store.

 

 

Buc-ee’s is most famous for their beef jerky and Beaver Nuggets.

 

Entree

Buc-ee’s has a full selection of sandwiches, tacos, burritos, and salads. As well as the freshly made grab and go items, there is a kiosk to order custom made items.

The star of the show is the Texas BBQ.

Bakery and Sweets

Buc-ee’s has an in-shop bakery and sweet shop. You can pick up fresh pastries, fudge, and roasted nuts.

A good video that covers and reviews several of the food options is posted below.

 

Other Stuff

Buc-ee’s does not stop with consumables. Anything that can have Buc-ee the Beaver printed on it is available. From underwear to outerwear you can have the Buc-ee version. They also have homewares with either a Buc-ee or Texas themes. If you need a fire pit, or smoker Buc-ee’s has you covered.

Staff

The store is well staffed. The staff is friendly and helpful. The company seems to respect their workers.

What Buc-ee’s is not

Buc-ee’s is not a truck stop. There are no pumps for commercial trucks. Buc-ee’s is not a restaurant. There are no tables inside or outside for dining.

COVID-19

The Georgia store just opened and it was crowded. Besides the store having signs stating the requirement of face masks, there were no enforcement efforts. Inside the store, there was about 90% mask compliance and no social distancing. The chaos and lack of COVID-19 safety measures were too much for my wife and son. Until the crowds die down, or COVID-19 spread decreases you may just want to stop for gas.

 

Have you heard of Buc-ee’s before? Would this be a place you’d like to stop on an upcoming drive to Florida? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. 

 

The post New Destination for Drivers to Florida appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Transportation, Trip Planning, Walt Disney World (FL), Beyond the Parks, Driving

Comfortable shoes…check! Shorts and bathing suits…check! Mickey ears and face coverings… heck! Now when you are packing for your Walt Disney World Resort face coverings are as important as the comfy shoes you bring. Today the planDisney panelists are here with some timely tips on selection of face coverings, how many you need, and yes, even tips on how to get that stylish teenager to enjoy wearing a mask!

Choices, choices, and a few more choices are what Lauren recommends. Just as you don’t want to wear the same shirt each day, neither do your family members want to wear the same mask each day. Lauren says her family is most comfortable when they can select their mask for the day. Maybe your family prefers a solid color, or perhaps they prefer a print from the amazing collection shopDisney has to offer. No matter your style, pack up as many as you desire.

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Samantha agrees different styles for different days is a great recommendation, and she also suggests trying out a variety of disposable and cloth masks while running errands at home. For Samantha, this means having her children put their mask on before they leave their house and not removing it until they get home. “Then when you need to wear a mask for longer periods of time, like during your Walt Disney World Resort vacation, you’ll know which mask you find the most comfortable.”

planDisney Pro Tip: Bring a small package of detergent suggests Lauren. “I washed everyone’s (cloth face coverings) in our sink and hung them to dry overnight. Having a fresh and clean mask for the start of your park day really helps.”

The Florida sun is bright, but sometimes sunglasses and masks don’t mix well. Betsy has a suntastic idea for fixing this issue, wear a hat! “I get much better airflow to the rest of my face when I wear a hat with my mask AND I have less resting on my ears!”

And what about that teenager you ask? Our panelists agree that no matter if your child is 5 or 15, they key is allowing them to select their face covering. The more they like it, the better the chance they will not complain about wearing it! 

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Remember, encouragement is a great tip to help your little one understand the importance of wearing his or her mask. Play games to keep their mind off the mask. And maybe, just maybe, the promise of a Mickey premium bar at the end of the day might be all the inspiration they need!

planDisney Pro Tip: Betsy talks to her kids a lot about “fighting the virus” and reminds them that wearing a mask makes them superheroes in helping with the battle! 

Break Time

Kristin says, “Don’t forget to get your snack on!” Her top tips include scheduling multiple snack and dining breaks throughout the day; giving you and your family a chance to rest and enjoy a delectable snack! 

planDisney Pro Tip: Make an Advanced Dining Reservation for lunch instead of dinner recommends Andrea H. “Take a break AND give your feet a rest by enjoying that special meal midday instead of waiting until later. You’ll feel rejuvenated in so many ways!”

Just back from a trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth, Aena can’t say enough great things about the Relaxation Stations. “They are wonderful! And there are indoor and outdoor Relaxation Stations to suit everyone’s preferences.” She adds that the Disney Resort pools are also a perfect place to cool off and relax.

As a reminder, face coverings are required for all guests (ages 2 and up). Guests must supply their own face covering and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming. You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you must be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing. So, from the parking lot, to the park, and back to the parking lot, don’t forget to wear a mask! Please also note neck gaiters, open-chin triangle bandanas and face coverings containing valves, mesh material or holes of any kind are not acceptable face coverings. For a list of other important items, be sure to review our commitment to health and safety measures.

The world looks different, but the magic of a Walt Disney World Resort vacation is still alive and well. planDisney wants to especially thank every Cast Member who helps to remind Guests about health and safety and to Guests who comply with the current protocols. Together we are truly making a difference!

If you have questions regarding operational updates or questions about your next Disney vacation, visit us at planDisney.com. We are here to make your Disney vacation planning as easy as wearing your face covering! 

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com

Filed Under: Walt Disney World Resort, planDisney, shopDisney, WDW

It’s time again to come take a stroll with us to view some more holiday decorations. This time we’re at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort. The cheery atmosphere of this resort is elevated this time of year. There is so much whimsy in the décor and ornaments. The lobby here is a little small compared to other grand lobbies like at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge. But there is so much packed into the space during the holidays without it feeling cramped in the lobby. Part of this is thanks to the resort’s Christmas tree actually being outside.

 

In the courtyard, facing out onto the boardwalk itself, the resort’s Christmas tree stands proudly. It is a nice touch to have this brightly colored and warmly lit tree out on the boardwalk for all to see. It adds to the wonderful energy of this area. Thanks to Ivonne (@servoisnaked on Twitter and Instagram) on our team for these great photos.

Have you stayed at Disney’s Boardwalk for the holidays? What resort is your favorite this time of year?

The post PHOTOS – Beautiful Holiday Decorations Arrive at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Photos and Video, Resorts, disney christmas, disney on site hotels, Disney’s BoardWalk

For many of us, Thanksgiving leftovers are as much a part of the holiday as the meal itself. But plain ham or turkey sandwiches can get old fast – real fast!

I checked our files for fun Disney recipes that will take your Thanksgiving leftovers up a notch and are so delicious your family will crave year-round!

Our recipe today is Ham Sliders with Pineapple Cherry Jam. Offered during past Disney California Adventure Festival of Holidays at Disneyland Resort, it is the yummy Pineapple Cherry Jam that takes this seemingly simple slider to the next level. (Note to the cook – be sure to reserve some of the tasty jam to spread on warm buttered toast for a morning treat. You deserve it!)

Check back tomorrow for another recipe that is a fun remix of traditional Thanksgiving leftovers!

HOLIDAY HAM SLIDER WITH PINEAPPLE CHERRY JAM
Makes 8

PINEAPPLE CHERRY JAM

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 white onion, diced
• 1 fresh pineapple, cored and diced
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup dried cherries
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• Coarse salt, to taste

HAM SLIDER

• 8 brioche buns
• 2 tablespoons softened butter
• 1 1/2 pounds Applewood smoked ham, sliced medium thickness

FOR PINEAPPLE CHERRY JAM:

1. Melt butter in medium saucepan. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes, or until translucent.
2. Add pineapple, vinegar and sugar; cook on low heat for 45 minutes, until vinegar and pineapple juices are reduced and pineapple begins to break down.
3. Stir in cherries and mustard; season with salt.
4. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

FOR HAM SLIDER:

1. Preheat griddle or skillet over medium heat. Cut brioche buns in half and spread butter on cut side. Toast on hot griddle for 1 minute, or until golden brown.
2. Heat a sauté pan over medium heat and warm ham.
3. Evenly divide ham on warm brioche buns and top with jam.

Cook’s Note: Refrigerate any leftover jam—it’s delicious spread on warm buttered toast.

Note: Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents. Please supervise children who are helping or nearby. This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version. 

Click here for a print-at-home version of this recipe.

Stay connected with Disney Parks Blog for more delicious Disney recipes and be sure to share the magic with other Disney fans using the hashtag #DisneyMagicMoments. Happy cooking!

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com

Filed Under: Disney Dining, Disneyland Resort