This weekend marked a weird time at Walt Disney World, in which Halloween decorations and goodies remained, but Christmas and winter holiday decorations started to appear. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a favorite for the holidays among many Disney fans thanks to its 1940s-inspired décor. When the Echo Lake Christmas decorations debuted a few years ago it elevated this park’s holiday offerings, which were lacking due to the loss of the Osborne Lights.
The decorations were just getting started at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this weekend. We’ll definitely be back to show you the rest of the decorations once they’re fully up, and to show you the changes that 2020 brings to the normal holiday lineup at this park themed around Tinsel Town.
Echo Lake Christmas OrnamentsHollywood Blvd Holiday Window DisplaySunset Blvd Tinsel StarsMickey’s of Hollywood Holiday MerchandiseWinter Holiday Porgs
Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World for the holiday season? Become a TouringPlans Subscriber so you can give yourself the gift of avoiding long lines. Many of our users save 2-3 hours on an average day in the parks. You’ll have more time to enjoy the holiday cheer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and throughout Walt Disney World.
What’s your favorite part of the holidays at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Christmas, Hollywood Studios, Photos and Video, disney christmas, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, walt disney world decorations
Disney’s Animal Kingdom has a good balance of animal experiences and attractions that range from thrills to relaxed chills. But there may be folks in your group that prefer to just chill and avoid the thrills. In that case it’s good to know where the exits to the rides they are not interested in are at so they can plan to meet up with you when you’re done.
If you want to meet up with your party at the exit area the options at Animal Kingdom are a little weak compared to other parks. But, you can also go through the queue with your party so you can stick together, and then let the Cast Member know you do not wish to ride, and they’ll direct you to where you can wait to meet your party. While in line, browse our Lines app to check out ratings for all the restaurants in the park. Place your lunch, snack, or dinner order through mobile ordering in the MyDisneyExperience app so your food will be ready when you’re done.
Rivers of Light Amphitheater for Expedition Everest Waiting
Here’s where to locate the exit for some of Animal Kingdom’s most popular attractions, and yes, some of them do exit into a gift shop.
Expedition Everest– The queue for this attraction is well detailed so you may want to consider at least walking through with your party. The “chicken exit” is easy to get to from the loading area. This attraction exits into the gift shop, without any seats nearby. But there is a small waiting area to the far right of the entrance, or you can sit in the Rivers of Light amphitheater.
Kali River Rapids – If you’re not up for getting wet like the rest of your group, there’s a few benches just on the other side of the bridge that riders will cross once they exit.
Kali River Rapids Exit AreaDINOSAUR Exit Area
DINOSAUR – Besides being a rough and often fast ride, DINOSAUR is dark at parts and loud. This ride exits into a merchandise shop, but there is a nice shaded area just outside the building, to the right of the entrance.
Kilimanjaro Safaris – Although Safaris is not a thrill ride, some folks may elect not to ride, like expectant mothers and those with heart or back conditions. The exit for Safaris is really awkward, down a winding trail near the entrance to Gorilla Falls. There are some tables and chairs near the ride’s entrance, and Harambe Market quick service is currently not open, but has tables and chairs available.
Avatar Flight of Passage – If you’d rather not uh… fly (this attraction is very thrilling after all), there is not much of a waiting area here. This ride does exit into a merchandise shop, and there are a few benches outside.
Flight of Passage Exit Area
I like to enjoy some quiet time while my party goes on thrill rides. I usually go grab a drink as soon as they get in line, and then grab a seat near the exit while I sip, sit, and people watch. Of course, in the park it is tempting to just sit and enjoy Nomad Lounge while I wait.
Do you prefer to stick together with your party, or enjoy some quiet from time to time?
Mira, star of the hit Disney Junior series “Mira, Royal Detective,” recently paid a visit to Walt Disney World Resort, on a special case to track down her missing mongoose friends, Mikku and Chikku. Her adventure, which took her through all four of the Disney theme parks, was being filmed for a special Disney Junior video celebrating Diwali, the holiday festival of lights in India. Have a look!
Mira’s special appearance at Walt Disney World Resort was for just one day, but you can spend time with other Disney Junior friends every day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney Junior fans are invited to join the fun at “Disney Junior Play & Dance!” in the Animation Courtyard. Each party performance throughout the day features a dynamic DJ spinning favorite songs from Disney Junior TV shows, plus special onstage appearances by Disney Junior stars, including Roadster Racer Mickey. And returning after the holiday season, Disney Junior Stars Motorcade brings favorites like Doc McStuffins, Fancy Nancy and Vampirina to the park’s Hollywood Boulevard.
Disney Junior’s “Mira, Royal Detective” is an animated mystery-adventure series for preschoolers, inspired by the cultures and customs of India. Set in the fictional land of Jalpur, the series follows the brave and resourceful Mira, a commoner who is appointed to the role of royal detective by the Queen. Along with her friend and talented inventor Prince Neel, creative cousin Priya and comical mongoose sidekicks Mikku and Chikku, Mira will stop at nothing to solve a case. Each episode features two 11-minute music- and dance-filled stories which showcase Mira utilizing critical thinking and deductive reasoning to help her family, friends and extended community.
You can catch “Mira, Royal Detective” every day on Disney Junior and in the DisneyNOW app.
From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Characters, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort
We’ve become accustomed to Magic Kingdom being all decked out for Christmas as soon as the sun rises on November 1 in recent years. What we weren’t expecting was to see Animal Kingdom begin its holiday decorations so soon, and to be the lucky recipient of the first Holiday Exclusive treat. Last year marked the first year that Disney’s Animal Kingdom was decked out with holiday decorations in every section of the park. It will be interesting to see how much of that is brought back for the 2020 holiday season.
We’ll definitely be back to scope out the decorations once they are fully on display. For now, we hope you enjoy this sneak peek at the decorations that we spotted yesterday at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
All photos were taken by Ivonne on our team, @servoisnaked on Twitter and Instagram.
Merry Menagerie Luminaries at Discovery IslandMerry Menagerie Luminaries at Discovery IslandMerry Menagerie Luminaries at Discovery IslandMerry Menagerie Luminaries at Discovery IslandLights Starting to Go Up at Dinoland USA
Another gift we received yesterday is the return of Pandora – World of Avatar, at night. With the time change yesterday, guests who visit during days with extended hours at Animal Kingdom (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays primarily) will be treated to the other worldly night setting offered at Pandora.
Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World for the holiday season? Become a TouringPlans Subscriber so you can give yourself the gift of avoiding long lines. Many of our users save 2-3 hours on an average day in the parks. You’ll have more time to enjoy the holiday cheer at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and throughout Walt Disney World.
Did you get a chance to the new holiday decorations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom last year? What’s your favorite part?
From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Christmas, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Trip Planning, disney christmas, walt disney world christmas decorations
The clock struck midnight on November 1, 2020 and for many it marked the beginning of the holiday season. Disney’s Animal Kingdom may not have the classic Christmas decorations that just arrived at Magic Kingdom, but it does have the first Holiday Exclusive treat of 2020. The Autumn Tree of Life cupcake just debuted at Animal Kingdom’s Restaurantosaurus. Here’s what we think of it.
The Autumn Tree of Life Cupcake may have an autumn theme, but it is listed as a Holiday Exclusive treat on the menu and when looking at the mobile order option. It is a pumpkin cupcake with cinnamon buttercream on top, and garnished with a white chocolate tree of life, and fondant pumpkins. Inside is a delightful toffee cheesecake filling. The pumpkin cupcake is very similar to the Pumpkin Cupcake that was available for Halloween. But the extra toppings and fillings in this cupcake elevate it. This is definitely a great way to prepare for the holiday season and we can’t wait to try more holiday treats as they debut this year.
Warm Caramel Chocolate Brownie
Although it is not a Holiday Exclusive, you may be wondering about the Warm Caramel Chocolate Brownie listed in the mobile ordering above. We tried it on a previous visit and were disappointed it was not gooey on the inside. But, if you need a brownie fix, it will satisfy.
Do you prefer fall flavors or winter flavors like gingerbread and peppermint? Would you try this cupcake?
From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Christmas, Dining, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Snacks, animal kingdom snacks, disney christmas, disney cupcake
