A Blog About Disney Stuff

The days of late nights in the parks are currently on pause. With a few exceptions, mainly on weekends, the Universal Orlando theme parks close around dinner time or shortly thereafter. If you’re used to spending your time enjoying the evening in the parks, you may be looking for other ways to spend your evening. Here are some ideas for how to have an enjoyable evening at Universal Orlando even when the parks close a little early.

• Universal CityWalk – dining and shopping
• Hollywood Drive-In Mini Golf
• Browse the park’s merchandise shops at the front of the park
• Bowling at Cabana Bay
• Stroll to Hard Rock Hotel if you’re coming from Universal Studios
• Stroll to Royal Pacific if you’re coming from Islands of Adventure
• Enjoy a boat ride to the Universal Orlando resort hotels
• Enjoy your resort’s pool
• International Drive

It’s practically impossible to find a more convenient way to keep your day going into the evening than by hanging around Universal CityWalk. You have to walk through CityWalk coming and going from the theme parks. You might as well make an evening of it. There’s plenty of bars, restaurants, and shops to keep you occupied. VooDoo Doughnuts and Toothsome Chocolate Emporium are must-dos if you want something sweet. BigFire is one of the newest restaurants and is receiving raving hot reviews. Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Cafe often has live entertainment, and serves up the best margaritas around.

A big highlight of CityWalk is the Hollywood Drive-In Mini Golf. It is wonderfully themed and has two very different courses. Both courses are full of delightful details and humor. It stays open until 10:00 p.m. and the nighttime lighting is fantastic.

If you’d rather stick around the parks a little longer, the main merchandise shops at the front of each park usually stay open after the official park closing. You’ll find a sampling of merchandise here that represents the main attractions at each park.

Over at Cabana Bay, one of Universal Orlando’s hotels, there is Galaxy Bowl. This bowling alley is full service with food and drink. The lanes are open to anyone, not just hotel guests, and it is open until midnight. The tricky part is getting there as it is not walkable from the parks, unless you’re willing to walk about 15 minutes or so. You can get on the Cabana Bay bus that departs from CityWalk, drive over (which involves a parking fee), or see about a ride-share service like Uber or Lyft. Cabana Bay is wonderfully retro themed and a destination itself.

Two other notable resorts on property are the Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific Hotel. You can walk to either resort from the theme parks. From Universal Studios just hang a hard left at the big Universal globe and walk along the water to Hard Rock Hotel. There you can explore the grounds or grab a nightcap. If you’re departing Islands of Adventure then walk towards Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. To the right of the outdoor dining here you’ll see a sidewalk, which will wind around the water to Royal Pacific Resort. Speaking of resorts, don’t forget to make time to enjoy your hotel or resort’s pool at the end of a busy day in the parks.

If you’re up for venturing outside of Universal Orlando property, head to International Drive. This multi-mile stretch of road has a plethora of dining and entertainment. The portion of International Drive from Sand Lake Road and south down to the convention center is the nice stretch of I-Drive. My personal favorite destinations in this area are ICEBAR Orlando, Cafe Tu Tu Tango, ICON Park, and Pointe Orlando.

How do you like to spend the evenings when you’re on vacation in Orlando?

The post How to Spend Your Evening When the Universal Orlando Parks Close Early appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: CityWalk, Trip Planning, Universal Orlando Resort, universal orlando hotels, universal orlando hours, universal orlando reopening, universal orlando tips

For the first time, guests of all ages have been able to wear costumes during Magic Kingdom Park regular operating hours from Sept. 15 to Oct. 31., and Disney PhotoPass photographers have loved capturing photos of your frightfully fun and fashionable attire!

Watch along in the video below to see a few of our favorite costume photos. 

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A post shared by Disney Parks Blog (@disneyparksblog) on Oct 30, 2020 at 10:06am PDT

Want to see more bewitching guest costumes? Check out DisneyPhotoPass on Facebook. 

Disney PhotoPass Service witches you a happy Halloween! 

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, MK, WDW

Walt Disney World Resort offers a treasure trove of experiences for guests of all ages. We recognize that part of the magic of visiting any Disney park is seeing favorite Disney friends and discovering one-of-a-kind shows and performances. Since reopening, we’ve continued to offer modified character experiences and entertainment throughout our resort, while also taking the appropriate steps for the health and safety of our guests and cast members.

Recently, we’ve had to make some difficult decisions to reduce our workforce as the business impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic have become more long-lasting than anyone could have predicted. As a result, we’ve had to pause many live shows and entertainment experiences at our resort for longer than originally anticipated.

While it’s impossible at this time to fully replace the incredible entertainment that existed throughout our parks before the pandemic, we are offering live entertainment in new ways wherever possible, including character cavalcades in all four parks and pop-up appearances, like discovering Joy from “Inside Out” frolicking on the lawn near the Imagination! pavilion in EPCOT. Additionally, we’re featuring modified shows such as the popular “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and live musical performances like the Main Street Philharmonic in Magic Kingdom or the Discovery Island Drummers at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This extends to our seasonal offerings, with Halloween underway and the holidays right around the corner. In fact, the fan-favorite Voices of Liberty are set to make their return and join the JAMMitors and Mariachi Cobre at the American Gardens Theatre during the upcoming Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, beginning on Nov. 27.

Determining which shows can return and when is a complex process. As with the rest of our phased reopening, we will also consider the guidance of health officials and government agencies in determining when the time will be right to adjust capacity, and as soon as it is appropriate, we will start to bring additional entertainment back.

Like most of our fans, we know that our beloved entertainment cast are an incredibly special and essential part of the Disney experience.  We look forward to the day when we can welcome back more live entertainment to our parks, and we will share more news about these announcements as we’re able to do so.

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Walt Disney World Resort, WDW

For years, thrill rides have been the name of the theme park game. In fact, before COVID-19, Disney World had begun construction on two new coasters – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind for EPCOT and TRON Lightcycle Run for the Magic Kingdom. However, not everyone loves coasters or thrill rides. In fact, there are many Disney guests out there who feel sudden drops, dizzying heights, and high speeds are anything but magical.

So for my fellow Disney ride chickens, I’ve created a ranking system to help you know what to expect and maybe what to avoid when compiling your EPCOT touring plan.

I’m breaking down the different elements of a ride that may be a little scary or extreme, such as drops, height, darkness, and speed. I’m also using a simple 1 to 3 scale with 1 being less intense and a 3 being the most intense.

Frozen Ever After

Frozen Ever After is mostly a slow-moving boat ride featuring characters and songs from Disney’s hit film Frozen. Now I say mostly because when guests encounter Elsa in her ice castle, your boat is sent moving backward! Then, after encountering Marshmallow, your boat slides down a short drop.

Drop Rating: 1.5

The 28-foot drop is very much like what you experience on Pirates of the Caribbean. I liken it more to a slide than a plunge, and it’s meant to be more fun than scary.

Mission: SPACE

Mission: SPACE is a space flight simulator with two different experiences. The thrilling Orange Mission offers a journey to Mars complete with the sensation of space flight while the tame, family-friendly Green Mission allows guests to orbit around the Earth. For both missions, guests are assigned one of the four roles to perform during the mission: navigator, pilot, commander, or engineer.

So… this ride is incredibly unique in that it’s thrilling, but not because of major plunges or high speeds. Therefore, I’m using different categories just to appropriately rate Mission: SPACE, so be on the lookout for that!

Orange Mission – This version of the attraction uses a centrifuge to both spin and tilt the ride vehicle. As a result, guests experience the G-forces of launching into space and a few brief moments of weightlessness. If you’re prone to motion sickness, you may want to skip this one.

Darkness Rating: 3

There are moments of total darkness that may make guests uncomfortable.

Claustrophobic Rating: 3

Guests ride inside of capsules that only seat four guests at a time. Once guests are seated, and before the ride begins, the ride vehicle closes around guests and moves them closer to their screens and dashboard. It feels very close, and the shoulder restraints locking guests in place only add to the sensation.

Intensity Rating: 3

Due to the G-forces and brief sensation of weightlessness, Mission: SPACE’s Orange Mission maxes out my intensity rating, even though there are no sudden drops, heights, or high speeds.

Green Mission – Unlike the Orange Mission, Mission: SPACE’s Green Mission doesn’t spin so there are no G-forces or feelings of weightlessness.

Darkness Rating: 2

There are moments of darkness after being launched into space. Fortunately, guests can see stars in the distance and it’s not as dark as what you experience aboard the Orange Mission.

Claustrophobic Rating: 3

Just like the Orange Mission, the ride vehicle closes around guests and moves them closer to their screens and dashboards. It feels very close, and the shoulder restraints locking guests in place only add to the sensation.

Soarin’ Around the World

This popular EPCOT attraction is an elevated simulated hang-glider tour around the world! This popular EPCOT attraction lifts guests into the air and uses gentle motion, scents, and wind effects to create the sensation of flight as they take in an aerial view of world landmarks shown on a 180-degree, 80-foot IMAX digital projection dome.

In order to simulate the feeling of flight, your ride vehicle will gently bob and tip; however, the movement is incredibly smooth, natural, and even subtle.

Height Rating: 3

The rows of seats are lifted up in the air and towards the massive dome screen. So you’re not only high from in a literal sense, but the ride film also makes riders feel like they’re high in the air. However, the bowl-shaped screen really helps because when you look down, you’re still seeing the screen. Also, the rows of seats have high backs and canopies so you do feel secure.

Test Track

Feel the need for speed? Test Track allows guests to design their own car and put it through a series of tests. The finale is a high-speed lap around the pavilion topping at 65 mph!

Speed Rating: 3

Test Track is the fastest attraction at Walt Disney World, but it’s only during the final lap outside the show building that your car actually reaches 65 mph. Also, to put ride chickens a little more at ease, you’re buckled in and securely seated in your car for this high speed finale.

Are you a ride chicken when it comes to Disney attractions? Which EPCOT ride would you recommend for guests looking to avoid thrills?

The post A Ride Chicken’s Guide to EPCOT Attractions appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Attractions, Epcot, Disney Attractions, Disney Thrill Rides, disney world, Frozen Ever After, mission space, Mission:Space, Soarin Around the World, Soarin’, Test Track, thrill rides, walt disney world

While Circle D horses and the cast members that care for them are used to having fun at the Disneyland Resort, current conditions called for a creative way to conjure up something wickedly wonderful to celebrate Halloween. So just in time for the spookiest day of the year, the majestic steeds of Circle D Ranch dressed to impress in costumes designed by their human cast member handlers. Oh hay!

Photographed in front of the vista of the Circle D ranch house, the horses donned various “looks” ranging from a Disney hero to an exotic mammal, as well as traditional amusement park steeds and even a tasty treat! Let’s take a look at the Disney equine fashion show:

First up above are Percheron Draft Horses, Chief and Chad, ridden by cast members Shana Miner and Jordan Nelson. These gracious grey beauties bedecked with flowers represent the traditional carousel horses loved around the world. 

Next, Jack, a Percheron and Belgian Draft Horse mix, dons the stripes of the African mammal known as the okapi. Jack is accompanied by his zookeeper, cast member Alyssa Denison. Fun fact: although the okapi has striped markings reminiscent of zebras, it is most closely related to the giraffe!

Snack time! Maximus, a Clydesdale Draft Horse, is dressed to appeal to baked potato lovers everywhere. Accompanying this equine spud are cast members Cindy Palacios, Margaret Escobedo and Alyssa Lambert. 

Anticipating the upcoming holiday season, Val, a Percheron Draft Horse, is dressed to deck the halls and spread good cheer to all as the ultimate Christmas horse. Val is with cast member Jill Borges.

Representing beloved Disney characters Flynn Rider and Rapunzel from “Tangled” are Finn, a Brabant Draft Horse, and cast member Tara Parker.

Last up in this frightfully fun costume cavalcade is Gracie, a Percheron Draft Horse, and cast member Hanna Richter. Could there be a sweeter ending than a Bumble Bee with its flower?

A big thank you to the staff of Circle D who care for the beloved horses of Disneyland Resort. Happy Halloween!

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Disneyland Resort, DLR