A Blog About Disney Stuff

For the holiday season, so many of us will be staying home and saying hi to friends and family via Zoom. (Or maybe, like many of us, the festive season consists of strings of Zoom meetings.) Whatever the reason, if you’re on Zoom instead of Disney, you can bring a bit of Disney holiday joy into your virtual home. Here’s 10 holiday-themed Zoom backgrounds that you can use for your next meeting. (Not tech savvy? No worries–here’s a post from Erin walking you through the steps to use these pretty pics on your computer.)

Got any requests for future Zoom backgrounds? Let us know in the comments.

The post 10 Holiday Zoom Backgrounds with Disney Flair appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Walt Disney World (FL), zoom

‘Tis the season! Freeform has delivered a delightful “25 Days of Christmas” gift for guests visiting Disney Springs this November and December. Located on the Northwest side of Disney’s Days of Christmas store, guests can check out a festive photo wall. Capture the perfect selfie in front of a wintery wonderland featuring some of Freeform’s holiday icons. Don’t forget to tag your photos with #DisneySprings and #25DaysOfChristmas!

When you’re home, be sure to watch Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas” December 1-25 as they deck the halls and celebrate Christmas with a cheerful lineup of merry Holiday films. Beginning Tuesday, December 1^st grab a cup of cocoa and enjoy a full slate of Christmas favorites including “Home Alone,” “The Santa Clause” trilogy, “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and much more! 

To learn more about Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas” programming click the link below:
Freeform.com/25DaysSchedule

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com

Filed Under: Disney Springs, Walt Disney World Resort, WDW

There’s no place like the most magical place on Earth for the holidays and we’re now seeing the crowds arrive for Thanksgiving week. Disney has made some changes to certain attractions to increase their capacity in recent weeks, no doubt in preparation for these busy holidays. Every Walt Disney World theme park had its busiest day of the past month, aside from Hollywood Studios. Let’s take a look at the wait times as Thanksgiving visitors arrive.

Animal Kingdom Wait Times

DINOSAUR had an average wait time today of 59 minutes. Its 7-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #30 for the past year.

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain had an average wait time today of 59 minutes. Its 7-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 56% of the posted wait time, so the actual wait time on average is 33 minutes.

Kilimanjaro Safaris had an average wait time today of 34 minutes. Its 7-day average is 17 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #4 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #114 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 46% of the posted wait time.

Na’vi River Journey had an average wait time today of 56 minutes. Its 7-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #5 for the past month.  We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 58% of the posted wait time, so the actual wait time on average was 32 minutes.

Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time today of 124 minutes. Its 7-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 94 minutes, so today ranks #98 for the past year.

Hollywood Studios Wait Times

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith had an average wait time today of 49 minutes. Its 7-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #12 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #150 for the past year.

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue had an average wait time today of 21 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 #26 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 27 minutes, so today ranks #157 for the past year.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror had an average wait time today of 43 minutes. Its 7-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #20 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 60 minutes, so today ranks #170 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 76% of the posted wait time.

Slinky Dog Dash had an average wait time today of 74 minutes. Its 7-day average is 68 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 74 minutes, so today ranks #109 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 76% of the posted wait time.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had an average wait time today of 48 minutes. Its 7-day average is 48 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 71 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 70 minutes, so today ranks #127 for the past year.

Boarding groups at Rise of the Resistance started off well – and then around 2:00 p.m. there was a disturbance in the Force, and again at 3:30 p.m. Thankfully, both were small blips and so far it seems things are running more smoothly.

EPCOT Wait Times

Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros had an average wait time today of 13 minutes. Its 7-day average is 8 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 9 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 10 minutes, so today ranks #67 for the past year.

Journey Into Imagination With Figment had an average wait time today of 26 minutes. Its 7-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 15 minutes, so today ranks #32 for the past year.

Soarin’ had an average wait time today of 67 minutes. Its 7-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past year.

Spaceship Earth had an average wait time today of 35 minutes. Its 7-day average is 17 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 21 minutes, so today ranks #31 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 68% of the posted wait time.

Test Track had an average wait time today of 83 minutes. Its 7-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 57 minutes, so today ranks #24 for the past year.

Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 95 minutes. Its 7-day average is 67 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #5 for the past year.

Get actual wait times that are more accurate than Disney’s posted wait times, with our Walt Disney World touring plans.  Subscribe today and get our Lines app.

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had an average wait time today of 60 minutes. Its 7-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 10 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 50% of the posted wait time, which means the actual wait time was closer to 30 minutes on average.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant had an average wait time today of 24 minutes. Its 7-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 12 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #91 for the past year.

“it’s a small world” had an average wait time today of 47 minutes. Its 7-day average is 37 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 36 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #24 for the past year.

Peter Pan’s Flight had an average wait time today of 46 minutes. Its 7-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 51 minutes, so today ranks #114 for the past year.

Pirates of the Caribbean had an average wait time today of 54 minutes. Its 7-day average is 40 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 41 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #54 for the past year. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 78% of the posted wait time.

Space Mountain had an average wait time today of 66 minutes. Its 7-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #95 for the past year.

Splash Mountain had an average wait time today of 75 minutes. Its 7-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #41 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 60% of the posted wait time.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had an average wait time today of 86 minutes. Its 7-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 80 minutes, so today ranks #101 for the past year. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 83% of the posted wait time.

Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid had an average wait time today of 32 minutes. Its 7-day average is 18 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 20 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #66 for the past year. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 33% of the posted wait time.

 

The post The Holiday Crowds Are Here! – Walt Disney World Wait Times for Monday, November 23, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Attractions, Trip Planning, disney crowds, disney resopening, disney wait times

You might think our field research team and myself would be sick of pumpkin flavors at Walt Disney World, but alas there is one pumpkin treat I’m glad has stuck around past Halloween. Since September PizzeRizzo has served up the Pumpkin Cheesecake Cannoli. Now that the holiday season has arrived, it’s been renamed to the Holiday Cannoli. It’s the same flavors and the same price, and here’s why this regifting is perfectly fine with me.

The Holiday Cannoli has a light, slightly crispy cannoli shell that is the perfect texture and lightness. The pumpkin cheesecake filling is rich and decadent, but not heavy. I love the combination of the warm, sweet pumpkin spices and the slight tang of cheesecake. Pumpkin cheesecake might just be my favorite fall flavor.

The edges of the cannoli are dipped in chocolate and festive red and green sprinkles are about the only thing that differentiates this from the fall version. I unabashedly ate this treat by myself. However, if two people wanted to share it would give each of them about three bites.

You can mobile order it, just like anything else on PizzeRizo’s menu. At $4.99 it is one of the lowest priced holiday treats in Walt Disney World.

Have you tried any of the holiday treats this year? What’s your favorite?

 

The post REVIEW – The Pumpkin Cheesecake Cannoli Sticks Around for the Holidays at Hollywood Studios appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, Hollywood Studios, Snacks, disney christmas, disney dining, hollywood studios chrtistmas

The seating situation on Disney World rides and attractions is a cause for concern for many guests. Physical constraints and family configuration are two of many reasons why you might have issues with the attraction seating.

For example:

• I’m a single parent with two small children, will I be separated from them on rides?
• I’m a plus-sized person, can I fit into the ride vehicles without embarrassment?
• My knees are bad, will I have to step up or down to get into the ride vehicles?
• I’m in a wheelchair, do I have to transfer out of it to go on the rides?
• I have a large party, how will we be split up when visiting the attractions?
• I have balance issues, will the attraction vehicle be moving while I’m trying to board?

And now with COVID-19 precautions in the mix, there are more than the usual questions about ride vehicle procedures, though bear in mind that COVID-related procedures are a moving target and could change at any time. [Note: the row/vehicle capacity comments below are for non-COVID conditions. In many cases, attraction capacity is currently reduced. There are social distancing markers in all attraction queues.]

To answer these questions and more, here’s a photo guide to all the vehicle and attraction seating at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Pull down on that lap bar, we’re going for a ride…

Currently Operating Attractions

Affection Section at Conservation Station

• Seating capacity per row/vehicle: NA. There is no ride vehicle.
• Seating surface: There are few backless wire benches in the animal interaction area, but most guests will remain standing or walking during the experience.
• Safety restraints: NA
• Boarding procedure: Walk into the animal enclosure.
• Accessibility: ECV users must transfer to a standard wheelchair.
• COVID procedures: Attraction capacity is reduced to allow guests to maintain social distance. The handwashing station must be used before and after visiting with the animals.

Animation Experience at Conservation Station

• Seating capacity per row: About a dozen
• Seating capacity per vehicle: NA. Show-style attraction.
• Seating surface: Individual chair with back.
• Safety restraints: None
• Boarding procedure: Walk into theater.
• Height requirement: None
• Accessibility: Wheelchair and ECV users may ride directly into the theater.
• COVID procedures: Chairs are placed so that guests remain socially distant. Art materials are sanitized between uses.

Avatar Flight of Passage

• Seating capacity per row: 1 (Each vehicle seats a single person)
• Seating capacity per vehicle: 16 vehicles per room, in one straight row. The seats are about a foot apart.
• Seating surface: Padded seat somewhat like a motorcycle.
• Boarding procedure: Getting onto the vehicle is very much like mounting a bike or motorcycle. You have to swing one leg over the “bike” to ride.
• Accessibility: Wheelchair and ECV users must transfer to the standard ride vehicle. There is an attraction transfer device that can be used to help you get from a wheelchair to the ride vehicle.
• Height requirement: 44″
• Posted warnings: Standard motion sickness, pregnancy, and heart/back/neck warnings.
• COVID procedures: Reduced attraction capacity. Seats are left vacant between parties.
• Safety restraints: Once you’re on the “bike,” you have to scoot forward a bit. Then there are padded restraints that automatically deploy to hold your body in place. These touch your lower back and calves. The fit is snug, but not tight.
• Note: The ride vehicles can be problematic for larger or taller guests who may not fit in the restraint system. There is a modified test vehicle outside the attraction that you can use to assess your comfort with boarding. Ask a cast member for assistance.

Dinosaur

• Seating capacity per row: 4
• Seating capacity per vehicle: 12
• Seating surface: Lightly padded chair
• Safety restraints: Individual fabric lap belt for each guest.
• Boarding procedure: Small step up (less than 12″) into ride vehicle.
• Height requirement: 40″
• Posted warnings: Standard motion sickness, pregnancy, and heart/back/neck warnings.
• Accessibility: Wheelchair and ECV users must transfer to the standard ride vehicle.
• COVID procedures: Plexiglass partitions in use. Center row rarely used.

Expedition Everest

• Seating capacity per row: 2
• Seating capacity per vehicle: 4 or 6. Approximately 34 guests per train.
• Seating surface: Hard chair with armrest.
• Safety restraints: Individual lap bar for each guest.
• Boarding procedure: Small step up (less than 12″) into ride vehicle.
• Height requirement: 44″
• Posted warnings: Standard motion sickness, pregnancy, and heart/back/neck warnings.
• Accessibility: Wheelchair and ECV users must transfer to the standard ride vehicle. There is a practice vehicle located near the single rider entrance (ask cast members for directions). Wheelchair and ECV users can assess their ability to board at the practice train. The last car on each train has a modified opening to give more room to guests with mobility issues.
• COVID procedures: Rows left empty between parties.

Feathered Friends in Flight (formerly Flights of Wonder, formerly Up! a Great Bird Adventure)

• Seating capacity per row: Several dozen
• Seating capacity per vehicle: NA. Show-style attraction. More than 100 guests per show.
• Seating surface: Backless wooden bench or backless metal bleacher.
• Safety restraints: None
• Boarding procedure: Walk into theater.
• Height requirement: None
• Accessibility: Wheelchair and ECV users may ride directly into the theater.
• COVID procedures: Attraction capacity is reduced. Rows and seats are blocked to keep guests socially distant.
• Note: Seats at the rear of the theater are bleacher-style with no handrails. If you are unsteady, ask a cast member to seat you near the front of the theater.

Harambe Wildlife Express (Train to Conservation Station)

• Seating capacity per row: More than a dozen
• Seating capacity per vehicle: About 30 per train car, more than 100 per train
• Seating surface: Bench with back
• Safety restraints: None
• Boarding procedure: For the first row, walk on flat surface into train. For the second row, moderate step (about 12″) into seating area.
• Height requirement: None
• Accessibility: There is a wheelchair capable car. Wheelchair and ECV users may remain seated and ride onto the train car.
• COVID procedures: Reduced capacity. Rows and seats are blocked to keep guests socially distant.
• Note: Personal strollers may be brought on board if folded.
• Note 2: This train is the only way to access the attractions at Conservation Station.

It’s Tough to Be a Bug

• Seating capacity per row: Several dozen
• Seating capacity per vehicle: NA. Show-style attraction. More than 100 guests per show.
• Seating surface: Hard bench seat with back.
• Safety restraints: None
• Boarding procedure: Walk into theater.
• Height requirement: None
• Accessibility: Wheelchair and ECV users may ride directly into the theater.
• COVID procedures: Attraction capacity is reduced. Rows and seats are blocked to keep guests socially distant. Plexiglass divider between parties.

Kali River Rapids

• Seating capacity per row: Six sets of two seats.
• Seating capacity per vehicle: 12
• Seating surface: Plastic chair with armrest on one side.
• Safety restraints: Fabric lap belt. One belt for every two guests to share.
• Boarding procedure: Small step (less than 12″) from moving walkway to moving raft, then moderate step down (about 12″) into raft, then walk to seat. Ride exit is also on a moving walkway.
• Height requirement: 38″
• Posted warnings: Standard motion sickness, pregnancy, and heart/back/neck warnings.
• Accessibility: Wheelchair and ECV users must transfer to the ride on their own.
• COVID procedures: Attraction capacity is reduced. One party per raft whenever possible. Parties are not loaded in adjacent seats.
• Note: Most guests get wet, some guests get soaked. Consider ponchos for guests averse to water. Protect camera equipment and medical devices – free lockers are available to store items that should not get wet.

Kilimanjaro Safari

• Seating capacity per row: 3-5 depending on size
• Seating capacity per vehicle: Approximately 35
• Seating surface: Lightly padded bench with back.
• Safety restraints: None
• Boarding procedure: Small step (less than 12″) up into vehicle.
• Height requirement: None
• Posted warnings: Standard motion sickness, pregnancy, and heart/back/neck warnings.
• Accessibility: There is a wheelchair capable vehicle. ECV users must transfer to a standard wheelchair.
• COVID procedures: One party per row. Clear plastic dividers between rows.
• Note: Cast members will ask you to seat children at the center of the row for safety purposes. All guests have good views, but photographers will want to sit at the outside of their row.

Na’vi River Journey

• Seating capacity per row: 2-3 guests depending on size
• Seating capacity per vehicle: 4-6
• Seating surface: Hard plastic bench with back.
• Safety restraints: None
• Boarding procedure: Moderate step (about 12″) over the boat wall then down a moderate step into boat.
• Height requirement: None
• Accessibility: Wheelchair and ECV users must transfer to the ride on their own.
• COVID procedures: One party per boat.

Currently Paused Attractions

The Boneyard

• Seating capacity per row: NA
• Seating capacity per vehicle: NA. Playground experience. More than 100 guests permitted entrance simultaneously.
• Seating surface: There is very little seating here. There are few picnic tables where adults may sit, but these do not have sight lines on the entire play area.
• Safety restraints: None
• Boarding procedure: Walk into playground
• Height requirement: None
• Accessibility: Wheelchair and ECV users may ride into the attraction. Much of the attraction is inaccessible to guests with mobility issues. The attraction includes stairs, slides, and rope climbing activities.
• COVID procedures: NA
• Note: It is extremely easy to temporarily lose sight of your child here. There are cavelike areas and child-size tunnels. However, there is only one exit to the attraction. If you have an elementary age child, you may feel comfortable “guarding” the exit and letting him roam. Parents of preschoolers will likely want to closely supervise their kids to avoid minor injury or separation anxiety. The dig area is separate from, and typically calmer than, the slide area. If you need some unstructured chill time, head to the dig site. During warm weather, a water feature will be activated. Children may get wet.

Festival of the Lion King

• Seating capacity per row: Several dozen
• Seating capacity per vehicle: NA. Show-style attraction. More than 100 guests per show.
• Seating surface: Backless metal bench.
• Safety restraints: None
• Boarding procedure: Walk into theater.
• Height requirement: None
• Accessibility: Wheelchair and ECV users may ride directly into the theater.
• Note: This is bleacher-style seating with no handrails. If you are unsteady, ask a cast member to seat you near the front of the theater.
• COVID procedures: NA

Finding Nemo, The Musical

• Seating capacity per row: Several dozen
• Seating capacity per vehicle: NA. Show-style attraction. More than 100 guests per show.
• Seating surface: Wood bench with back.
• Safety restraints: None
• Boarding procedure: Walk into theater.
• Height requirement: None
• Accessibility: Wheelchair and ECV users may ride directly into the theater.
• COVID procedures: NA

See our previous posts on Attraction Vehicles at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Attraction Vehicles at Magic Kingdom, and Attraction Vehicles at EPCOT.

 

The post Animal Kingdom Attraction Vehicles and Seating: A Disney World Guide appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Walt Disney World (FL), COVID-19, ride vehicles