A Blog About Disney Stuff

We have had an intrepid eye upon resort deals and had begun to give up hope on December deals – until today! We’ve just spotted some very nice Coronado Springs deals on Hotwire all through December at rates from $99 to $139.

That is not a typo: even during the weeks either side of Christmas you are looking at either $135 or $139 per night. (And with coupon code you can shave an additional 8% off those rates.)

The last time I recorded Coronado deals in December was back in 2018 – admittedly those were even crazier deals down around $99 – $119 leading into Christmas. But, those deals were only on a few dates, while this year’s deals cover almost every night in the month.

Now, you may be saying to yourself, “Self, Disney has some good discounts going on right now, how good are these Hot Rate deals?” My first response would be: you may need to get outside a little more. (Don’t we all.) But secondly: I’ve got you covered! Here’s a quick tally of how the deal compares to the current Disney rates. (I didn’t apply the coupon code in this chart, but I did include it below for reference.)

As you can see: for this date the Hot Rate beats even the current annual pass discount by almost $60. Them’s good dealings.

To find yourself one of these Coronado deals, look for a 3.5-star 4.3-guest rated resort in Bonnet Creek. The only other resort with those ratings and location on Hotwire right now is Wyndham Bonnet Creek – but the sub-ratings are different, so you should be able to spot Coronado easily.

By the way, as of this morning I’ve also noticed Coronado deals appearing in December with similar rates. You can spot it there easily too as it is the only 3.5-star 8-guest rated resort in Bonnet Creek with reviews in the 400s. (Caribbean Beach reviews are in the 300s and Wyndham Bonnet Creek has 21 reviews.)

If you’ve booked any of these deals or have any questions – let us know in the comments!

The post Hotwire Deals: Coronado Springs in December appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: discounts, Resorts, Saving Money, Walt Disney World (FL), hotwire

We’re here with a series of quick posts, “Disney in a Minute,” bite-sized nuggets of information that can better help you understand a Disney term or planning topic. Enjoy!

Who is the Redhead?

If you take a ride on the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Walt Disney World, about half way through the attraction, on the left you’ll see an auction scene featuring a sultry redheaded lass sporting a dress of red petticoats and jaunty pirate hat. That redhead, sometimes called Redd or Scarlet, has been in the Pirates attractions in some form or another since the ride’s inception. According to the book Pirates of the Caribbean: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies by Jason Surrell, she is a “fiery femme fatale” and “a brazen woman in red.”

While there have been multiple changes to the auction scene over the years, the redhead has always remained. Her persistent presence and sartorial flamboyance have earned her a place as one of the most iconic animatronic figures in all of Disney World.

The story told in the auction scene has been tweaked and updated several times. Initially, women were depicted as being sold off as brides. As the women were auctioned away, a lusty pirate could be heard yelling, “We wants the redhead.” The wisdom of that plot point was debated even during the ride’s design phases, yet it remained for decades.

Now the auction is shown to be a more generic sale of goods, though the redhead still presides, as does fan devotion to her character. The redhead has been a design element on numerous merchandise pieces including toys, tees, and women’s accessories. Disney has sold versions of her dress as a Halloween costume. There has been a dessert created in her honor (Redd’s Revenge – strawberry Dole Whip, strawberry soda, and a chocolate pirate hat). And in 2018, Redd greeted guests as a live character at Disneyland.

Though times have changed, the redhead remains.

Have any questions you’d like to see answered in our Disney in a Minute series? Let us know in the comments.

The post Disney in a Minute: Who is the Redhead? appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World (FL), Pirates of the Caribbean

Tuesday was another good day to be at Walt Disney World, with low crowds throughout all four parks, and the Animal Kingdom registering its second-lowest crowds of the past month.

We received 132 actual wait times in line today.  Yesterday in Hollywood Studios we counted 500 guests and 489 of them (98%) were wearing masks according to Disney’s guidelines.  And today in Magic Kingdom, 476 of 500 (95%) were wearing masks according to Disney’s guidelines. Let’s do the other numbers!

Animal Kingdom Wait Times

Na’vi River Journey had an average wait time today of 36 minutes. Its 7-day average is 48 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 75% of the posted wait time.

Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time today of 34 minutes. Its 7-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 63 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 79% of the posted wait time.

DINOSAUR had an average wait time today of 20 minutes. Its 7-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month.

Expedition Everest had an average wait time today of 21 minutes. Its 7-day average is 37 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #24 for the past month.

Kali River Rapids 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 23 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month.

Kilimanjaro Safaris had an average wait time today of 11 minutes. Its 7-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 23 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month.  We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 47% of the posted wait time.

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Magic Kingdom Wait Times

We’re going to present the Magic Kingdom attractions in ascending order of actual wait time ratio, because why not?  The Haunted Mansion had an average wait time today of 20 minutes. Its 7-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 41% of the posted wait time.

Splash Mountain had an average wait time today of 36 minutes. Its 7-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 54% of the posted wait time.

Peter Pan’s Flight had an average wait time today of 27 minutes. Its 7-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #22 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 64% of the posted wait time.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad 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 44 minutes, so today ranks #15 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 65% of the posted wait time.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had an average wait time today of 51 minutes. Its 7-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #22 for the past month. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 71% of the posted wait time.

Jungle Cruise had an average wait time today of 36 minutes. Its 7-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 41 minutes, so today ranks #23 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 80% of the posted wait time.

Space Mountain had an average wait time today of 27 minutes. Its 7-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 39 minutes, so today ranks #22 for the past month.  We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 98% of the posted wait time.

EPCOT Wait Times

Living with the Land had an average wait time today of 11 minutes. Its 7-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 13 minutes, so today ranks #26 for the past month.

Mission: SPACE Orange had an average wait time today of 15 minutes. Its 7-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 27 minutes, so today ranks #28 for the past month.

Soarin’ had an average wait time today of 27 minutes. Its 7-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 37 minutes, so today ranks #22 for the past month.

Spaceship Earth had an average wait time today of 12 minutes. Its 7-day average is 18 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 19 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month.

Test Track had an average wait time today of 53 minutes. Its 7-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #18 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 68% of the posted wait time.

The Seas with Nemo & Friends had an average wait time today of 6 minutes. Its 7-day average is 10 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 12 minutes, so today ranks #29 for the past month.

Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 61 minutes. Its 7-day average is 82 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 66 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #121 for the past year.

Hollywood Studios Wait Times

Alien Swirling Saucers had an average wait time today of 23 minutes. Its 7-day average is 26 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #21 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 36% of the posted wait time.

Toy Story Mania! had an average wait time today of 22 minutes. Its 7-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #30 for the past month.  We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 54% of the posted wait time.

Slinky Dog Dash had an average wait time today of 81 minutes. Its 7-day average is 66 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 67 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month.  We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 58% of the posted wait time.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster had an average wait time today of 45 minutes. Its 7-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #25 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 62% of the posted wait time.

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue had an average wait time today of 22 minutes. Its 7-day average is 26 minutes, so today ranks #6 for this week. Its 30-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #27 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 64% of the posted wait time.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror had an average wait time today of 50 minutes. Its 7-day average is 51 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month. We received 8 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 77% of the posted wait time.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had an average wait time today of 84 minutes. Its 7-day average is 78 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 79 minutes, so today ranks #9 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 71 minutes, so today ranks #31 for the past year. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 74% of the posted wait time.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run had an average wait time today of 60 minutes. Its 7-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #15 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 64 minutes, so today ranks #135 for the past year. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 83% of the posted wait time.

Finally, Rise of the Resistance had a pretty good day today, with only minor blips in operation. Rise recently expanded its hourly capacity by installing plexiglas dividers between rows in each ride vehicle.  This allows two unrelated groups to ride in the same ride vehicle (but not in the same row).

The post Low Crowds Again! Disney World Wait Times for Tuesday, November 10, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

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

Rise of the Resistance, the hot ticket attraction at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, is still breaking in its new boarding group procedure. But there’s new changes at the ride itself. Our team noticed more plexiglass dividers throughout the preshow area and on the ride vehicle itself. And now we are experiencing more than one group being loaded into each ride vehicle. This will increase capacity, but does reduce the distancing between parties.

The good news is the ride vehicle is constantly moving which should help with concerns about more than one party being on the same vehicle. We continue to monitor the mask compliance among observed guests and it continues to be in the 95% or more range.

 

Have you had a chance to ride Rise of the Resistance yet? Will these changes impact your decision to experience this breakthrough attraction?

The post PHOTOS – Rise of the Resistance Changes to Loading Procedures appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Attractions, Hollywood Studios, Photos and Video, Rise of the Resistance, Star Wars, Trip Planning, disney star wars, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

One of our favorite things about The Daily Poutine at Disney Springs is the seasonal creations it offers. Now that Thanksgiving is upon us, it’s time for all things turkey and cranberry. With that in mind we present to you the Gobbler Poutine and the Canadian Apple (boozy) Slushy.

The Gobbler Poutine is piled with turkey, cranberry chutney, brown gravy, and cheese curds. If you’re ready to talk turkey this is a must! For $9.99 it is a good serving and a great snack when shared, on a satisfying meal for one. The Canadian Apple Slushy is boozy and delicious. The Crown Royal Apple is smooth and blended with lemonade, apple syrup and caramel syrup. For $14.00 it is a little pricey, but it is in line with similar alcoholic beverages at Disney Springs. Both are fantastic ways to kick off this festive season.

 

Have you eaten at The Daily Poutine? Do you have a favorite seasonal creation?

The post REVIEW – Gobbler Poutine and Canadian Apple Slushy Make the Perfect Pair appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Adults, Dining, Disney Springs, Drinking, disney christmas, disney drinks, Disney Snacks, disney thanksgiving