EPCOT holds a very special place in my heart. As a boy, it inspired me to dream of a better future – a place where anything is possible. And now I’m honored to lead the team of Disney Imagineers dreaming up the new future for this park we all love.
As part of the D23 Fantastic Worlds Celebration, today I joined Melissa Valiquette, vice president of EPCOT, to talk about the park’s historic transformation happening right now. You can watch the entire session by clicking on the video below, but to whet your appetite, I thought it’d be fun to share a few highlights from our discussion.
It’s been a while since we last talked with you about the new neighborhoods that will unify EPCOT, so we gave a refresher on World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature and World Showcase.
To that end, we talked a bit about the park’s reimagined entrance, and how it sets the tone for the entire transformation with its gorgeous new color palette and an open, inviting layout. Earlier this year we installed gleaming new pylons as part of the work we’re doing on the new fountain at the base of Spaceship Earth, which I’m excited to share will be completed by the end of this year. The fountain will have a new lighting package that will be joined by new lighting for the iconic geosphere of Spaceship Earth, as well. When we’re done, it will feel like a completely new way to begin your journey into the park.
Our work continues on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the awesome and out-of-this-world new coaster experience coming to what will soon be known as World Discovery. We’ve just recently put a few of the attraction’s vehicles on the track for initial “push/pull” testing, which you can see happening in the photo above. When it’s ready, this is going to be a great adventure for families to take together.
We have a new nighttime spectacular planned for World Showcase Lagoon – “Harmonious” will be one of the largest shows ever created for a Disney park. But as you can see in this new artist concept rendering, it will provide a new energy to the park during the daytime, too, with fountains out on the lagoon.
We also heard from Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald and, from Pixar Animation, Roger Gould and Harley Jessup, who gave us a deep dive into the creation of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, the fantastic new family-friendly attraction set to open next year as part of a newly expanded France pavilion. They provided a look at the attraction’s incredible marquee we recently installed, and discussed how it plays into the whimsical architecture of this newly expanded area of the pavilion. This session is a fascinating window into our collaborative work with Pixar I know you’ll enjoy.
This is just a snapshot from our in-depth discussion of all the goings-on at EPCOT right now. Go see the full presentation for yourself below, and then be sure to follow me @thezachriddley for more on the historic transformation of EPCOT as it unfolds!
All four Walt Disney World parks’ average wait times today were in the lower half of their monthly averages. And when you consider that actual wait times (we got 177 of them today!) were under 70% of the posted waits, it was even better to be in the parks today. We counted 493 of 500 people (99%) wearing masks according to Disney’s guidelines. Let’s do the numbers!
Hollywood Studios Wait Times
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had an average wait time today of 49 minutes. Its 7-day average is 68 minutes – some of those days were before the installation of plexiglass dividers on the ride vehicles – so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 76 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 71 minutes, so today ranks #122 for the past year. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 74% of the posted wait time.
An interesting side effect of the lower wait at Runaway Railway is that actual wait times at Slinky Dog Dash are closer to the posted wait time now. Slinky Dog had an average wait time today of 72 minutes. Its 7-day average is 66 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today at Slinky, and the actual wait averaged 101% of the posted wait time. Yesterday was 85%. For comparison, the same days last week were 65% and 72%.
Hollywood Studios wait times for Thursday, November 19, 2020
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Adele (really Aerosmith) had an average wait time today of 48 minutes. Its 7-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #21 for the past month.
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue had an average wait time today of 25 minutes. Its 7-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 27 minutes, so today ranks #18 for the past month.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror had an average wait time today of 43 minutes. Its 7-day average is 45 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 48 minutes, so today ranks #22 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 74% of the posted wait time.
Toy Story Mania! had an average wait time today of 28 minutes. Its 7-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #154 for the past year. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 50% of the posted wait time.
Rise of the Resistance had another solid day of operation. There was only one small delay in calling boarding groups at Rise, and that was for about half an hour around 3 p.m. But overall, great job by the park ops team again.
Rise of the Resistance boarding groups for Thursday, November 19, 2020
Animal Kingdom Wait Times
DINOSAUR had an average wait time today of 35 minutes. Its 7-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #9 for the past month.
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain had an average wait time today of 22 minutes. Its 7-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #22 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 42% of the posted wait time.
Kali River Rapids had an average wait time today of 12 minutes. Its 7-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 19 minutes, so today ranks #26 for the past month.
Kilimanjaro Safaris had an average wait time today of 16 minutes. Its 7-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #22 for the past month. We received 4 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 48 minutes. Its 7-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #10 for the past month.
Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time today of 45 minutes. Its 7-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #21 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 77% of the posted wait time.
Animal Kingdom wait times for Thursday, November 19, 2020
EPCOT Wait Times
Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 60 minutes – however we received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 52% of the posted wait time.. Its 7-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 64 minutes, so today ranks #17 for the past month.
Living with the Land had an average wait time today of 10 minutes. Its 7-day average is 11 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 12 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month.
Soarin’ had an average wait time today of 54 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 #2 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #44 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 89% of the posted wait time.
Spaceship Earth had an average wait time today of 10 minutes. Its 7-day average is 20 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 18 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #183 for the past year. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 63% of the posted wait time.
Test Track had an average wait time today of 42 minutes. Its 7-day average is 54 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #139 for the past year. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 41% of the posted wait time.
Mission: SPACE Orange had an average wait time today of 11 minutes. Its 7-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #243 for the past year.
EPCOT wait times for Thursday, November 19, 2020
Magic Kingdom Wait Times
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh had an average wait time today of 19 minutes. Its 7-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #189 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 49% of the posted wait time.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had an average wait time today of 53 minutes. Its 7-day average is 63 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #19 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 80 minutes, so today ranks #161 for the past year. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 76% of the posted wait time.
Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid had an average wait time today of 9 minutes. Its 7-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 21 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #204 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 55% of the posted wait time.
Magic Kingdom wait times for Thursday, November 19, 2020
Peter Pan’s Flight had an average wait time today of 27 minutes. Its 7-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #21 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #180 for the past year. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 90% of the posted wait time.
Pirates of the Caribbean had an average wait time today of 33 minutes. Its 7-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 41 minutes, so today ranks #24 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #179 for the past year. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 79% of the posted wait time.
Space Mountain had an average wait time today of 26 minutes. Its 7-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #19 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 59 minutes, so today ranks #174 for the past year. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 53% of the posted wait time.
Splash Mountain had an average wait time today of 53 minutes. Its 7-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 51 minutes, so today ranks #12 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #88 for the past year. We received 11 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 57% of the posted wait time.
The Haunted Mansion had an average wait time today of 17 minutes. Its 7-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #210 for the past year. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 63% of the posted wait time.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had an average wait time today of 40 minutes. Its 7-day average is 46 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #18 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #156 for the past year. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 43% of the posted wait time.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin had an average wait time today of 22 minutes. Its 7-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #22 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #175 for the past year. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 54% of the posted wait time.
Jungle Cruise had an average wait time today of 37 minutes. Its 7-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 41 minutes, so today ranks #21 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #172 for the past year. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 103% of the posted wait time.
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Have you ever wanted to explore the planet of Batuu beyond what you’ve seen at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? Well now, you can! ILMxLAB, Lucasfilm’s award-winning immersive entertainment studio, has just released their latest virtual reality adventure, Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge. The new experience, created in collaboration with Oculus Studios, is available now on the Oculus Quest platform.
Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge takes place on the outskirts of Black Spire Outpost on the planet of Batuu, as depicted in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the immersive epic lands at Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Players take on the role of a droid repair technician operating near Batuu, but when a group of Guavian Death Gang pirates attack they’ll be forced to jettison the ship’s mysterious cargo and head for the escape pods. After crashing on the planet, players will discover never-before-revealed areas of Batuu, and discover that anyone in the galaxy can become a hero.
During their adventure, players will meet unforgettable new characters like Seezelslak (Bobby Moynihan), a boisterous Azumel bartender and nefarious Guavian Death Gang cell leader Tara Rashin (Debra Wilson). They will also adventure alongside classic characters like R2-D2, C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) and the owner of Black Spire Outpost’s Droid Depot, Mubo (Matthew Wood).
“Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge is a dream project for all of us at ILMxLAB,” said director Jose Perez III. “Building off the groundbreaking work for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, our team worked tirelessly to expand the story of Black Spire Outpost. We are excited for fans to have the opportunity to battle evil space pirates, explore Batuu, engage with iconic characters, or just hang out in Seezelslak’s cantina and play a relaxing game of Repulsor Darts.”
Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge also features Temple of Darkness, an anthological VR story set hundreds of years before the events of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Thanks to Seezelslak’s storytelling skills, players will step into the role of Jedi Padawan Ady Sun’Zee (Ellie Araiza) and work alongside Jedi Master Yoda (Frank Oz) to confront the darkness that now lurks within a Jedi Temple — and within herself.
How’d you like to spend Christmas on Christmas Island? That’s how you’ll feel at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort this time of year. With its fantastic location as the hub of the Disney Skyliner system, and a recent refurbishment, Caribbean Beach is gaining some popularity. Come get away from sleigh bells, come get away from snow, and spend the holidays at a tropical escape.
Caribbean Beach Resort Holiday Decorations
The holiday decorations at Caribbean Beach are full of tropical colors, and beach and nautical touches. The vibrant decorations evoke a fun, celebratory feeling. It’s nice to get a break from traditional gold, red, and green, and yet still have that festive feeling.
Have you stayed at Caribbean Beach during the holidays? Which resort is your favorite this time of year?
When the remodel of Beaches and Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club Resort was announced, many expressed concern about the new look. I wasn’t too sure of the new look myself, but that was only judging by the concept art. After visiting in person, I am impressed, and was also surprised at the quality of the plant-based burger, too.
On a recent trip with my in-law family from Illinois we dined at Beaches and Cream as a break from our day at EPCOT. I was not too keen on dining indoors. The temperature check at the restaurant helped a little and the distanced tables helped as well. I felt better being seated near the door, and I took my son outside a few times after ordering and waiting for our food.
Beaches and Cream InteriorBeaches and Cream Interior
The dining room is sparkling and much brighter than before. Admittedly, I had not been to Beaches and Cream in ages, but the new interior feels like a great improvement. It is hard to let go of some of the classic, cartoon-like décor, but I feel the new interior does a good job of being both modern and whimsical. Pastel and muted colors are balanced with crisp white and bright metals. A few of the original details, like the small beach balls on top of the booths’ backs, are still there. A jukebox in the corner near our table made my grandmother-in-law smile, though she was disappointed it was not an actual working jukebox.
Beaches and Cream Interior
The menu at Beaches and Cream is simple, full of American soda fountain classics. Burgers and milkshakes, and massive ice cream sundaes, are the staples, but don’t overlook the Reuben that my brother-in-law loved, or the Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Sandwich. My son has a few food allergies, including beef, so when it came time to order I selected a Turkey Sandwich for him from the kids menu and the Plant-Based Burger for me. He is at the age that he loves to try what I’m eating, which is great, but it also means I need to order things that are safe for him to eat. I’ve become a part-time vegan as a result.
All the burgers and sandwiches at Beaches and Cream are $16.00 – $17.00, which is about $4-$5 more than a burger or sandwich at a quick-service location. Here you get to enjoy a table service experience. The Plant-based Burger is topped with plant-based mayonnaise and caramelized balsamic-onion jam on a house-baked multigrain bun. Fresh lettuce and tomato are included too, but the sandwich is served open so you can remove them easily if you wish.
The plant-based mayo and the balsamic-onion jam elevated this plant-based burger. I loved the sweetness of the onion jam, I could not get enough. The plant-based mayo was a little tangy and added a little bit of creaminess. I much prefer to use plant-based mayo rather than vegan cheese to add some creaminess to a plant-based burger. The multigrain bun was flavorful and fluffy, and solidified this burger as one of the best plant-based burgers I have had at Walt Disney World.
Plant-Based Burger at Beaches and CreamPlant-Based Burger at Beaches and Cream
When you order a burger or sandwich you can choose fries or potato barrels (tots), or upgrade to onion rings. Any of the three are a good choice. Our table had a variety of the three and each was served fresh and the perfect balance of crisp and fluffy. No one in our group ordered a milkshake, as the food was filling enough. There is a window outside where you can order to-go shakes and even adult “hard” shakes too. It would be awesome if they could come up with one plant-based shake.
Hard Adult Floats and Shakes To Go at Beaches and Cream
With over 500,000 submitted surveys from our readers, Beaches and Cream gets a 92% thumbs up rating. and is ranked number 15 out of 104 table service dining options at Walt Disney World. Overall, I am glad we stopped in and I would return for the plant-based burger. And my son loved his Turkey Sandwich, too!
Have you dined at Beaches and Cream? What’s your favorite thing on the menu?
