Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1139
February 18, 2015
First Details of Star Wars Weekends 2015
©Disney
Star Wars Weekends are rapidly approaching; we are only 3 months away from Weekend I! This year the event takes place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on weekends (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) from May 15 through June 14.
Star Wars Weekends dates for 2015 are:
Weekend I: May 15-17
Weekend II: May 22-24
Weekend III: May 29-31
Weekend IV: June 5-7
Weekend V: June 12-14
The excitement is ramping up as new details are starting to trickle out about this year’s events, like that fact that once again performing hosting duties each weekend will be character actor, James Arnold Taylor, who voiced Obi-Wan Kenobi in “Star Wars: Clone Wars.”
In addition to his general hosting duties, he will also be hosting the “Stars of the Saga” talk show, where he will interview some of the many celebrities that appear during Star Wars Weekends. The “Stars of the Saga” show will be taking place in an all new venue this year, the Theater of the Stars, allowing for more Guests than ever to experience the show. (The Theater of the Stars is where Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage is held, however don’t despair Beauty and the Beast fans! The show will still also be performed in the Theater of the Stars during Star Wars Weekends.)
For those who like shopping, Darth’s Mall will also be moving; the new location will be found near the Streets of America. Darth’s Mall is where you’ll be able to pick up the latest and greatest in Star Wars merchandise.
As part of the evening’s events, there will be the “Summon the Force” celebration, which is where your favorite characters will assemble and your social media moments will be shared. The evening will end with the “Symphony in the Stars” fireworks extravaganza, saluting the saga’s most memorable stories.
Disney had previously announced that two fantastic character meals that were introduced last year will be returning. Guests can participate in the Star Wars Dine-In Galactic Breakfast at Sci Fi Dine-In Theater. Here guests can meet characters from the Star Wars universe, including Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Greedo, Jawas, and Stormtroopers. The cost for this breakfast is $49.99 per adult (ages 10 and up) and $31.99 per child (ages 3 to 9). (Again, tax is included, but gratuity is not).
There’s also the Jedi Mickey’s Star Wars Dine at Hollywood and Vine, where guests can meet Disney characters dressed as those from the Star Wars universe, such as, Jedi Mickey, Princess Leia Minnie, Darth Vader Goofy, Storm Trooper Donald, and Ewoks Chip ‘n’ Dale. The cost for this meal is $57.99 per adult (ages 10 and up) and $34.99 per child (ages 3 to 9). (Tax is included, but gratuity is not). The Jedi Mickey’s Star Wars Dine is only available for dinner.
These two character meals are available daily from May 4 through June 14.
There are still more details left to be finalized and announced, like other additional entertainment offerings and which celebrities will be appearing. One thing is for sure though, with Star Wars VII opening in theaters this year, this year’s Star Wars Weekends are hopefully going to be very exciting!
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10 Ways to Find the Best Deal on a Disney Cruise
I’ve said before that a Disney Cruise is worth every penny to me. So does that mean I just throw money at Disney and don’t worry about the price? Of course not! More money saved means more money for cruises! So here are a few tips to save money I’ve learned over the years.
1. Book Early! – I always say this. Book early!! If you know you want to be on a particular cruise, book it. Prices usually only go up on Disney cruises, and particular categories will certainly sell out. Don’t risk missing out or paying a higher price. The itineraries for the rest of 2016 will be out soon, so be ready! Last year the 11-night Norway and Iceland cruise filled up extremely fast even as prices went up and up. Verandahs are long gone on that sailing. If you know you want something, book it while you still can! Aside from concierge, all deposits are refundable up to a certain date, so know that date and book away! If you book concierge and have to cancel, as long as you are outside the penalty period, you can move that deposit to another date or category. You just won’t ever get that deposit back, it’s still non-refundable.
2. Watch for Last Minute Restricted Fares – So you didn’t book early and the prices are too high now? Don’t give up. If a sailing isn’t very full, there are often last minute restricted fares, called IGT (inside guarantee), OGT (oceanview guarantee) and VGT (verandah guarantee). If these fares confuse you, I have a previous blog post all about them. These fares often take the prices back to opening day rates and aren’t usually released until after the final payment is due for a particular sailing. Are you watching a cruise and wondering if one of these fares will be released? There are some indicators. As final payment approaches, price out the cruise on the Disney Cruise Line website. Price it for four people to really get a good idea of how many rooms are unsold because they sell out first. If there are lots of options left in each room type (inside, oceanview, verandah, concierge), the odds are good that restricted fares will come out. Take it further and choose one of the specific categories and see if you can pick a stateroom number. If you can, there are several rooms left in that category. Finally, see if Main Dining is available! If it is, that ship is wide open. If you’re flexible (and won’t be devastated if it doesn’t happen), and the ship looks like there’s a lot of availability, don’t book right away. Be patient and take a chance.
3. Use Our Fare Tracker – Not sure when to book? Use our Fare Tracker. The Fare Tracker is invaluable if you’re tracking fares. (See what I did there?) The Fare Tracker will give you historical data on any sailing. Plug in your desired itinerary, ship and sail date and you’ll instantly see what has historically happened price wise with that sailing. Did the price go up and go up fast after it was released? Book it now!!! Has the price stayed the same? Then you are safer to wait it out and take a chance. Use this tool! It’s an awesome planning resource!
4. Special Fares – Know what special fares you qualify for and be ready for them. On Monday mornings Disney releases a list of current Florida resident and military discounts, but they actually usually show up even a few days before that. You can find them before they’re published by plugging in the proper codes into the advanced search engine on the Disney Cruise Line site and see what comes up. They’ll start showing up as early as Friday. The military code is MTO and the Florida resident code is FLR. You can use the same tips as above to get an indicator of whether or not one of these special fares will be released. FYI, Florida resident rates will only be released for sailings out of Florida. Also, currently you can apply Florida resident discounts even after you are paid in full without penalty. So if you’re planning on going (discount or no discount), book it now and watch for the rate to be released. Military rates cannot be applied after final payment without penalty. It’s considered a cancel and rebook and applicable fees will apply. If you are already booked and see the rate, run the numbers on cancelling and rebooking. Sometimes the discounts are steep enough that it will save you money. These two discounts can be quite steep.
5. Any Other Discounts – There are other discounts from time to time that aren’t nearly as reliable as Florida resident and military rates, but they do happen. Over the last few years there have been a few discounts for Disney Vacation Club members. The Disney Vacation Club doesn’t do a great job of promoting these cruises unfortunately and they’re sometimes sold out before some members even hear about them. These discounts are very steep and should not be confused with the Disney Vacation Club Member Sailings which are for members only and are not discounted (in fact they tend to be priced fairly high). If you’re a DVC member, watch our blog for posts when the discounts come out, watch Disney Vacation Club message boards, or have your travel agent watch for you. While not plentiful, lately discounts for Canadian residents have been pretty steady as well. The code to check for them is CAN. Finally, while it won’t take any money off your bottom line, Disney just finished a 50% off deposit special as well.
6. Go Off Season – If those prices for a 7-night cruise on the Disney Fantasy in the summer are blowing you away, change your dates. Most people want to go in the summer when the kids are out of school. Or over the holidays when they don’t have to take as much time off work, so prices are much higher than during those times. If your schedule is more flexible, you can save a small fortune! An inside room for two in July on the Fantasy will run you around $4400. The same room in September on the Fantasy will cost around $2600. Are you worried about sailing during hurricane season in September? You’ll find almost identical prices in several weeks in January. Better prices are out there if you’ve got some flexibility.
7. Disney Visa Credit – If you have a Disney Visa and use it to pay your cruise in full, you can get a $50 onboard credit on your cruise. An onboard credit is a credit to your shipboard account. Chase recently decided this particular onboard credit can only be used for beverages, but it’s still nice to have. If you don’t drink alcohol, I can personally recommend the smoothies onboard! This one can’t be combined with some other specials and it’s not automatic. So make sure to ask at final payment if you qualify.
8. Pay with Discounted Gift Cards – Several savvy cruise shoppers have found ways to work the system with gift cards. Sometimes grocery stores will run specials on gift cards. The sales often don’t attract a lot of attention because the discount is small, usually around 5%. That’s not a lot on a $50 gift card ($2.50 to be exact). But think on a bigger scale, say a $3000 cruise. That’s sixty $50 gift cards which takes your savings up to $150! Now we’re getting somewhere! And if you’re getting gas points at the grocery store, you’re saving money there too! If you have a Target Red Card, another option would be to use that. It generally allows you to buy Disney gift cards and get 5% off. As a word of caution, paying for a cruise with dozens of gift cards is time consuming and it’s possible Disney will limit this in some way one day. But for now, watch for the small sales people! They’re bigger than they seem!
9. Book with a Travel Agent – Yes, I know a travel agent telling you to book with a travel agent seems self-serving, but (among other benefits) travel agents really can save you money! Disney won’t let anyone discount their cruises so the actual price should be the same no matter where you book. Travel agents help you save in other ways. Many travel agencies offer onboard credits when you book with them, and some of them are quite generous. Many travel agencies also have fare-watching programs (for the cruise you are specifically interested in) or will keep a close tab on sailings for you. They can tell you when a price goes up, goes down, a ship fills up, a restricted fare is released, or a sold out category is back. Let them do the work for you. Having said all that, do some research. Find an agency with good reviews, who you’re comfortable with, and who knows what they’re doing. No amount of onboard credit is worth a bad experience with an agency or agent.
10. Rebook Onboard – Once you’ve made it on your first Disney cruise you will probably spend a good portion of that cruise figuring out how to get back on your next Disney cruise. Of course Disney knows this and wants to make that as easy as possible for you! There’s a rebooking desk right there in the atrium, and the constant line isn’t just because people are impatient to rebook. It’s because there is a financial incentive to book your next cruise while onboard. With a few exceptions (usually holiday sailings), when you rebook onboard, the cruise you book will be 10% off, you’ll only pay a 10% deposit instead of the usual 20%, and you’ll receive an onboard credit on that sailing. And in more good news, if you’re not yet sure when that next sailing will be, you can book any future date and move it around later. You can move it anytime within a 24 month period and retain those benefits!
So how about you? Have you found any good ways to save money on your Disney Cruise?
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February 17, 2015
Take Part in the “My First Oscar Moment” Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
©Disney
Many people dream of walking the red carpet, hearing people shouting at them “Who are you wearing?” and seeing that beautiful golden statue in front of their eyes. Well, while I can’t guarantee you’ll ever get to experience taking part in the Oscars, I can guarantee you’ll get to experience a really neat and unique opportunity. You see, for a limited time, until February 22, Guests who visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see and take a photo with a gorgeous Oscar statuette.
The opportunity is being billed as the “My First Oscar Moment” and will be taking place during park hours inside The Magic of Disney Animation building. To find the photo opportunity, guests need to head to the location where Minnie Mouse meets (the section marked “Drawing Room”). The room has been taken over temporarily by the “My First Oscar Moment” experience, so Guests will be able to find Minnie in the hub area.
During the opportunity, Guests will get to walk the red carpet and pose with the Oscar statue, against a signature backdrop similar to one you’ll see the actual Oscar winners pose against, just moments after they win the golden statue. Guests are encouraged to post their unique photos to social media using the hashtag, #Oscars.
The 87th Oscars are airing this Sunday, February 22, on ABC at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT and will feature host Neil Patrick Harris.
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Take Part in the “My First Oscar Moment” Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Don’t Bust Your Budget: Don’t Buy These at Theme Parks!
By Dora
Budgeting for a trip, be it to Walt Disney World or Universal Studios Orlando, is hard whether you live down the street, or you’re flying down for a week with the whole family. Between gas, hotels, meals, transportation, not to mention the tickets themselves (and don’t even pretend you ain’t all about a pair of those mouse ears), a trip of any length is already expensive. So why make it harder on your budget by buying the things in the theme parks that will gouge you the worst? Today we’re going to talk about some of the things you should never buy in a theme park or an on-property hotel if you value your wallet, and no, we’re not talking about souveniers or turkey legs… we’re talking about the necessities you might not think of, or might be thinking you can just pick up inside the park itself. And just because they don’t get enough love, let’s bring Lilo and Stitch along for the ride.
Remember, a creepy smile costs nothing. Photo © Disney
Sunscreen
I want you to imagine this item strung from the ceiling above you with streamers, confetti, and a couple big neon Las Vegas arrows pointing at it for good measure. If you’re not from Florida, you might be underestimating just how abysmally evil that great big daystar is no matter what the season, and when you or your family starts turning pink, it’s usually far too late. (One poor British woman stopped me outside the lady’s room to ask me if her back was “as bad as it felt”. I think my face melted off like in Raiders of the Lost Ark when I saw it. It’s okay… I got better.) While most stores in the parks will carry some sort of sunscreen, not only are the types and SPF factor going to be extremely limited, but you’re going to pay upwards of $12.00 USD or more for a tiny bottle! You definitely shouldn’t mess around with sun protection, but you should definitely bring your own!
Sunglasses
Studies show a cute button nose increases sunglasses effectiveness 50 percent. Photo © Disney.
These arguably aren’t as vital as sunscreen, but they tend to wind up an impulse purchase for most people after their first day spent squinting at their travel companions over a Dole Whip. The problem is, in addition to being expensive, at least if you don’t want one of those little plastic pairs that won’t withstand its first sweet kiss with the sidewalk (it will happen), sunglasses are one of those things that kids and adults tend to play with the most at the stores, posing for photos or just trying them on for fun. This means they wind up getting grunged up and scratched up before they’re bought. Save your money and buy something flattering before you leave home!
Last Minute Food and Drinks
Inhalation counts as chewing, right? Photo © Disney
My husband and I will both tell you that there are times we have stumbled out of a theme park at the end of the day and been willing to do terrible, unspeakable things for a) something to eat and/or b) a simple drink of water. Both Universal Studios Orlando and Disney World allow you to bring certain food and beverage items with you, and while nobody really wants to be the one to have to carry it or (worse!) suffer through the bag check line, picking up snacks and drinks in the parks are one of the worst ways you can eat into your budget without realizing it! If you aren’t willing or able to bring some inside with you, leave some in your hotel or car in a cheap cooler… your tummy and your budget will thank you.
Extra Clothes
I AM THE NIGHT. Photo © Disney
I’m not saying I’ve ever sent a cascade of condiments down the front of my blouse while at a theme park, because I am a lady and anyway that hamburger was improperly wrapped, but what I am saying is that there are all sorts of reasons you could find yourself wanting to buy more clothes than you brought. Embarrassing stains are one, of course, as are rips and other annoyances, but bathing suits, shorts, and tank tops, are some of the most common items you’ll hear singing you their siren song when the Florida sun is beating down on you. And on the other side of things, hey, do you know how you can spot a tourist in the Winter down here? There’s the ones looking disgruntled and forking over $40.00 USD or more for a branded sweatshirt from a smug shop owner who just finished pushing racks of them out to the sidewalk, or those trudging resolutely with their arms crossed and shivering with bare legs and arms. Believe it or not, Florida’s Winters can get very chilly, especially with wind and cloud cover, so do yourself a favour and pack pants and some long sleeves whether you think you can handle a little nip or not.
Charging Cables and Other Smartphone Accessories
It’s no use pretending anymore… all of us are hopelessly attached to our gadgets, and if we don’t have the ability to check our Tumbletwitfaces every thirty seconds, we get a little crazy. If something happens and you realize you don’t have a charging cable for the hotel, car, or, well, anywhere you need it, you can find them in both theme parks most likely, but it’s going to be an even worse deal than that redhead with the purple clams got from the sea witch. Extra charging cables and entire chargers of all sorts can be ridiculously cheap when picked up online, and they take up next to no space, making there very few good reasons not to ever be packing a spare or three. While we’re at it, add screen protectors and styli to the list!
Makeup and Hair Care
Look, I promise you, unless you’re staying at one of the more expensive on-property hotels, washing your no doubt lustrous locks with the stuff room service provides you with is going to feel a lot like washing your hair with dish soap. And, hey, if that’s not important to you, praise! For the rest of us, even if we can stand it, the Barbie-sized bottles don’t go far, and it’s easy to start eyeballing the nicer, higher-end shampoo and conditioner most of the hotels and some of the parks will sell you. Save your money and bring your own instead, provided you can get it in a size to be acceptable if you’re getting on a plane, of course. This goes double for any of the things you might want for your daily routine… I do not know a female friend who has not lost their favourite lip balm/eyeliner/hairbrush/dead sea soak at least once and then gone to great lengths to replace it. This is especially true if you have any sort of sensitivities that would mean you can’t just throw on any old product anyway. Keep your face, and your budget, safe… one is your money maker, the other is, well… money.
Medicine of Any Kind
Lucy Van Pelt is gonna be maaaaad Lilo is muscling in. Photo © Disney
Look, you don’t want to get sick or hurt, I don’t want you to get sick or hurt, but, well, it happens, and whether it’s aspirin for a headache, feminine products, cough drops, or more, these things can take a small but painful nibble from your budget if you’re unprepared. Theme parks and hotels will sell you all of them, of course, but do you really want to pay four bucks for a single dose of Advil? Things like Ibuprofen can be carried for a day in your pocket in a simple twist of saran wrap, but if you’re staying longer, keeping a kit of the basics in your hotel room is easily the way to go, especially if you have any allergies or sensitives, or if you just have a specific brand you prefer. (Ladies, lets not pretend we don’t have our preferences between Midol and Pamprin and other brands, psychosomatic or not.) Things like those wonderful Band-Aid Blister Pods, throat lozenges, and so forth can keep a trip on track, so they’re important to have… just stock up before you get in the car!
Ponchos and Umbrellas
Admittedly, rain is much more useful for Man, Alanis should have sung about this instead. Photo © Disney
Do you really need to pay eight bucks for a piece of sheet plastic with a cartoon mouse or Minion on it? No, not as long as Dollar Stores and their wonderful ilk exist. Florida is rainy. Depending on the time of year, really, really rainy. While there’s nothing to be done for the soul-crushing mugginess this often brings, you can and should stock up on any rain gear you need elsewhere rather than breaking your budget for cheap branded merchandise when the skies open up and you feel like you have no other choice. My husband and I keep a stockpile of one-size-fits-all rain ponchos around the house… they cost a buck at your average Dollar Store, they fit in your pocket, and the ones in the park really are no better… sturdier, I suppose, but hey, you’re just sprinting to your dinner reservation, not fighting off the Fire Nation. Don’t be suckered in by the expensive rainy weather items both Universal and Disney World will try to sell you, and pack your own!
These are just a few very important things you should take into consideration when you’re packing and making up a budget for your trip, and we’d love to see a few of your own personal recommendations of things you always make sure to bring with you. There are a lot of expensive things you’ll want to buy on your trip, and items like this that you can pack ahead of time for much, much cheaper shouldn’t be some of them, freeing up even more of your budget to spend on what really matters… souvenirs.
Thank you, thank you very much. ©Disney
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Don’t Bust Your Budget: Don’t Buy These at Theme Parks! is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Universal Crowd Calendar Report – February 8 to 14, 2015
Each day last week, crowds at Universal Orlando Resort came in at or below levels predicted by our Universal Crowd Calendar. The beginning of the week was particularly slower than expected but then crowds picked up by midweek and continued through the weekend.
Let’s look at how the crowd levels stacked up each day last week on the TouringPlans.com Universal Orlando Resort Crowd Report:
Universal Orlando Resort Crowd Levels – Daily Breakdown
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
5
3
Sunday’s crowd levels were lower than expected at both parks although despite missing by two levels on the resort-wide prediction, not drastically so at the parks. For example, we saw average waits like 13 minutes at Disaster (predicted 18) and 20 at Doctor Doom’s Fearfall (predicted 26).
Islands of Adventure
4
3
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
5
3
More low waits on Tuesday at both parks. The longest average wait at The Studios was 45 minutes at Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem.
Islands of Adventure
5
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
3
3
Good predictions at both parks on Tuesday. We saw low waits across most major attractions at both parks.
Islands of Adventure
3
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
4
3
Wednesday’s wait times were similarly low. In fact, Wednesday represents the fourth day in a row without a park reaching a level on our scale above ‘3’.
Islands of Adventure
3
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
4
4
Perfect predictions by the Universal Crowd Calendar on Thursday. The Simpsons Ride averaged 18 minutes (predicted 18) and Pteranodon Flyers averaged 37 (predicted 41).
Islands of Adventure
3
3
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
6
6
Friday’s bump in attendance is likely due to guests arriving for the long holiday weekend (Presidents Day). We saw waits like 20 for Men in Black and 52 at Forbidden Journey.
Islands of Adventure
5
4
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
7
7
Universal held one of it’s Mardi Gras concert series event on Saturday which partially contributed to the increase in wait times at both parks.
Islands of Adventure
7
5
What to Expect This Week
February 15 to 21, 2015
How Crowded is Universal Orlando Resort?
Presidents Day crowds have arrived! That means guests at Universal Orlando should expect long wait times throughout the week with no relief until Sunday at the earliest.
To see Universal Orlando Resort Crowd predictions for the days of your vacation, check the Crowd Calendar.
To get details about our predictions of future crowds or details about crowds in the past check out the Crowd Calendar and select “Jump to Date” on the left margin.
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Disney World Crowd Calendar Report – February 8 to 14, 2015
Crowds at Walt Disney World started off much lower than our crowd calendar predicted in the first part of the week but then we quickly saw an increase in-line with the predicted arrival of guests for Presidents Day weekend. The peak in attendance on Friday and Saturday is not due to a surge of guests arriving to celebrate Valentines Day but rather due to the combination of Presidents Day and Mardi Gras occurring the following week.
Let’s look at how the crowd levels stacked up each day last week on the Disney World Crowd Calendar Report:
Walt Disney World Resort Crowd Levels – Daily Breakdown
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
6
2
All parks showed wait times much lower than predicted by the crowd calendar although it correctly predicted that Animal Kingdom would be very crowded. It is rare to see Magic Kingdom at a level ‘2’ and Animal Kingdom at a level ‘8’ but that was the case on Sunday.
Epcot
5
3
Hollywood Studios
6
3
Animal Kingdom
9
8
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
6
1
Monday saw wait times so low that it fell into the slowest three days of 2015 so far. Splash Mountain averaged 14 minutes and Pirates of the Caribbean 23.
Epcot
3
2
Hollywood Studios
5
3
Animal Kingdom
5
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
4
5
Magic Kingdom wait times spiked much higher on Tuesday, and more in-line with what the calendar predicted. We saw averages of 34 minutes at Pirate of the Caribbean and 48 at Big Thunder Mountain railroad.
Epcot
3
3
Hollywood Studios
2
2
Animal Kingdom
2
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
5
2
Level ‘2’s across the board on Wednesday, thanks to average wait times like 36 minutes at Jungle Cruise (predicted 22), 57 at Soarin’ (52), 58 at Toy Story Midway Mania (55) and 20 minutes at Dinosaur (predicted 19).
Epcot
3
2
Hollywood Studios
3
2
Animal Kingdom
3
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
5
5
Extra Magic Hour morning at Magic Kingdom on Thursday pushed wait times up several minutes higher than Wednesday. Jungle Cruise averaged 47 minutes (predicted 39).
Epcot
4
3
Hollywood Studios
4
2
Animal Kingdom
3
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
7
6
Our calendar predicted that Friday would be the first day that we see an increase in wait times due to the February holiday period. It proved accurate with average wait times like 82 minutes at Soarin’ and 84 at Toy Story Midway Mania.
Epcot
5
7
Hollywood Studios
6
5
Animal Kingdom
5
4
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
8
9
Saturday was very busy at all four parks. As busy as we’ve seen since New Year’s Eve. Three out of the four parks hit a level ‘9’ on our scale. Presidents Day crowds have arrived!
Epcot
8
9
Hollywood Studios
9
7
Animal Kingdom
9
9
What to Expect This Week
February 15 to 22, 2015
How Crowded is Disney World?
Last week we saw the beginning of the February holiday rush. We expect the holiday rush to continue most of this week then taper off as the weekend approaches.
To see Walt Disney World Crowd predictions for the days of your vacation, check the Crowd Calendar.
To get details about our predictions of future crowds or details about crowds in the past check out the Crowd Calendar and select “Jump to Date” on the left margin.
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Disney World Crowd Calendar Report – February 8 to 14, 2015 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
February 16, 2015
A Tour of Re-Imagined Disney Magic Cruise Ship
By Dani
It’s the ship that started it all. The majestic mother of the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Magic is Disney’s first ship and now she sparkles with renewed pixie dust. While Disney Cruise Line has been expanded to offer two new, larger ships there is still something so marvelous about Disney’s very first ship, especially after an extensive makeover. After many journeys aboard this beauty, I’d like to take you on a tour from stern to bow, of the beautiful Disney Magic and point out the many magical enhancements she recently received.
Overview – Getting your bearings
The Disney Magic (and its sister ship) offer ten decks full of fun. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to check out the Deck Plans. If you’ve never been on a cruise ship, especially one of this size, there’s a couple terms you should get comfortable with. You’ll save lots of time that could be spent getting disoriented on the ship later by getting to know these terms now.
Aft, Forward, and Midship: The Disney Cruise ships (and most other major cruise ships) are divided into three sections. These are vertical sections, each deck has these three sections. When you are on the ship the restaurants, theaters, and other areas will be described with two descriptors: the deck number it is on and then the section. For example, the Walt Disney Theater is Deck 4 Forward.
Aft is the rear of the ship. One way I use to remember what’s located in Aft is “aft for appetite.” All the restaurants are in Aft, just on different decks (with the exception of Lumiere’s which is Midship).
Forward is well, you guessed it, the front of the ship. I liked to think “forward is for fun.” The Walt Disney Theater and more importantly all the adults only areas of the ship, like the After Hours collection of bars and lounges and the Quiet Cove pool, are forward.
I am sure Midship requires no explanation. Think of it as the heart of the ship. Here you’ll find the atrium (taking up Decks 3-5). You can think of it like the lobby of a hotel. Guest Services and Port Adventures desks are here. Another helpful tip if you are in the atrium the Mickey statue faces forward.
Port and Starboard: I am sure you’ve heard these boating terms before. Surprising you won’t really hear them too much aboard a Disney Cruise. But you’ll hear it enough that you need to know the difference. Port refers to the left hand side of the ship when you are facing the forward part of the ship. I remember that port has four letters just like the word left. Therefore, Starboard refers to the right side of the ship when you are facing the forward part of the ship.
Ok now that we’ve gotten to know some of the terminology, let’s go on our tour.
Decks 1 and 2
These first two decks are very similar. Both of these decks consist of mostly staterooms (all inside or oceanview). Ob Deck 2, you’ll also find The Edge which is the youth activities hangout for tweens and teens ages 11-14. Edge was recently updated and includes new computers and video games with an updated look.
Deck 3
This deck is pure fun! There are no staterooms here, so it’s packed with all kinds of fun places. Plus, this deck received some of the most extensive refurbishment in multiple areas. Let’s start at the front of the ship, or Forward. On Deck 3 Forward you’ll find one of my favorite sections: After Hours. Three distinct bars and lounges welcome adults 18 years and older each night. During the day, particularly on 7 night or longer cruises, various activities -some for all ages, are presented in the After Hours venues.
After Hours received one of the most extensive makeovers during the recent refurbishment of the Disney Magic. Each venue was rethemed and reimagined. Fathoms is the largest nightclub, hosting many events throughout the cruise, boasting a large bar, plenty of seating, and a welcoming dance floor. This venue used to be known as Rockin’ Bar D with a music theme that got played out pretty quickly in the early life of the Magic.
Fathoms makes use of more contemporary styles with a beautiful design evoking the feeling of being in the depths of the ocean, or fathoms below if you will. Light fixtures hanging above mimic the form of glowing jellyfish. Lighting around the floor and stage pulse as if to the rhythm of the sea.
Keys is often the most underappreciated venue within After Hours. Here guests can enjoy deluxe, handcrafted cocktails and the sophisticated sounds of jazz, Broadway, and other classics. With the refurbishment Keys (formerly Sessions) has been made even classier with luxurious, plush furnishings and décor. An elegant motif of black and white is dazzled with a few sparkles of gold and platinum.
Perhaps the most effective makeover was performed in what used to be known as Diversions. The overall purpose of the venue is the same: to serve as the “local” sports bar or pub on board. However, Diversions has now become O’Gills and given a much stronger sense of place and purpose. O’Gills has a fun little backstory, I’ll leave you to learn it while on board, with fun details throughout the venue to support this little story. An exclusive beer is now served here as well.
My husband was a little too excited about Guinness at sea
At midship, Guest Services and Port Adventures desks used to have stylized murals that were a blend of whimsical and art deco. However, after a few years those murals felt a little dated. Both desks have a cleaner, sleeker look. The Port Adventures desk now has vertical, digital screens showcasing the ports of that voyage.
One of the more dramatic makeovers took place in the atrium, the heart of the Disney Magic. Of course, Helmsman Mickey still stands proudly as the centerpiece, a popular photo location and icon. However, gone are the bolder jewel tones in the fabrics and carpet, gone is the Dale Chilhuly chandelier, and gone is a second grand staircase. The art deco motif has been toned down a little. The atrium lobby feels softer, perhaps more open. The carpet has more of a flow to it and a soft color palette. The remaining grand staircase feels more prominent since it is now the only one. Other furnishings bring in more seafaring tones of turquoise and golden sand.
Finally, heading aft we encounter the new restaurant, Carioca’s. Gone is the Caribbean styled Parrot Cay, which always felt uber casual for a signature dining location. Carioca’s brings a South American beat and energy that feels a little elevated in comparison. The entryway floor resembles the Portuguese pavement style sidewalks, the most famous found in Rio de Janeiro. Much of the structure of the former Parrot Cay was kept in tact, however the color scheme and light fixtures are deeper, urban colors.
Deck 4
At first thought it may not feel like much has changed on Deck 4. Here you will find the Walt Disney Theater, merchandise shops, D Lounge (a family nightclub), a few sales desks, Shutters photography, and Animator’s Palate. In actuality a fair amount of enhancements were made to this deck.
D Lounge has been given a more modern look with a few new bells and whistles. Shutter’s photography is now much easier to navigate through your professional photos than ever before. You simply tap your room key whenever a professional photo is taken and then when you’re ready to view your photos, tap your room key at one of the Shutter’s kiosks and you can view your photos digitally. Your photos will also be printed and placed in an assigned folder. When you go to one of the kiosks your folder number will be given to you.
Animator’s Palate is possibly the most loved restaurant on the Disney Magic. While the Fantasy and Dream have their own newer, more techy versions of Animator’s Palate, I actually prefer the charm and focus on hand drawn animation that primarily makes up the decor on the Magic’s version. There is a new feature that the Magic has taken from Animator’s Palate aboard the Dream and Fantasy. This feature enables guests to draw a figure at the beginning of dinner and then see it come to life towards the end of dinner. Our table full of adults immediately became kids again drawing our little characters and seeing them dance on screen. It’s important that you follow the instructions explicitly and note that the screen closest to your table will be the only one to show your characters.
Deck 5
Here on Deck 5 you’ll find a small amount of staterooms, a large amount of youth activities venues, and the Buena Vista Theater. All three of the youth activities venues received re-theming and updates. The Oceaneer Lab (ages 3 -12) is more immersive and detailed than ever. The venue is themed as a hideout or club for young explorer’s venturing the high seas in search of adventure and discovery. There’s some pretty cool Disney details here so even if you do not have young ones with you it’s fun to visit for a few moments during the open house, usually held at the beginning of the voyage.
The most buzzed about youth venue is The Oceaneer Club (ages 3 -12). Here kids can become part of a variety of popular Disney and Marvel stories from Toy Story to Iron Man. The venue is super cool even for adults (ok I admit I am a little jealous of all the cool toys and experiences offered here). Again, I recommend swinging by just to check it out when the open house is offered. (Unfortunately I was not able to take pictures of these venues on my recent cruise.)
Deck 6-8
I am just going to skim over these decks as they are home to the majority of staterooms.
Deck 9
Welcome to one of, if not the, busiest decks on the Disney Magic. Here all three pools call for a plunge, Cabanas’ bountiful buffets beckon, multiple quick service locations offer quick, satisfying bites, and two water slides are ready to delight. Some of the more exciting enhancements, especially for veteran Disney Magic cruisers, took place on Deck 9.
My personal favorite enhancement is the Twist n Spout. Back in my day the Disney Magic had one water slide and it could only be used by kids. Disney Cruise Line has doubled the fun with two water slides! The Twist n Spout replaces the former water slide located in the same spot but reserved for little kids. It’s not thrilling by any definition, but it is a great experience for someone like me who just doesn’t do the thrill scene.
Speaking of the thrill scene, let me introduce you to the AquaDunk. Located at the forward funnel, the AquaDunk calls out to all thrill seekers. Those willing to take the plunge enter the top of the slide in a capsule. The door closes, the countdown begins, and suddenly the floor drops out and you’re sliding over the side of the ship, into a loop, and splashing down with your bathing suit in a different position than it was when you started.
Finally, the new Aqualab and Nephew’s Splash Zone complete the pool package. There is so much fun to be had for kids and kids at heart in the Aqualab, featuring popular splash buckets and other gadgets that make this a wonderful water playground. The Nephew’s Splash Zone is simply fantastic for little tikes still earning their sea legs. It is enclosed making it very easy for moms and dads to get an eye of their little ducklings.
All this swimming and sliding is sure to make you hungry. Here on Deck 9 you’ll find three quick service options, two of which have been rethemed and enhanced after the renovation, as well as the free unlimited ice cream station and soft drink station. Pinocchio’s Pizzeria has stayed the same and offers fairly good pizza by the slice throughout the day and most of the evening. Pete’s Broiler Bites offers burgers, sandwiches, and other quick service staples, and was given some touch ups. Finally Daisy De-Lite’s is located near Cabanas – a great choice for lighter quick fare like wraps and paninis; a few cosmetic changes took place here.
Cabanas is the ship’s buffet destination for breakfast and lunch, as well as a quiet “freestyle” alternative for dinner with table service available when you wish, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM. Cabanas received a massive makeover. Formerly known as Topsiders, Cabanas is completely rethemed with a Finding Nemo / Australia motif. The decor is much richer and brighter, a great improvement overall. Cabanas is in the aft section, remember “aft for appetite.”
Some minor enhancements on Deck 9 include improved quality lounge chairs and dining areas. Prior to the renovation there were a few sports tables for games like ping pong and foosball. However, these sports tables were taken up to Deck 10 and placed inside the Wide World of Sports area. This enabled more tables and chairs to be added to Deck 9. The adult exclusive Quiet Cove pool received a few enhancements to the overall appearance. Finally, what was known as the Vista Spa has now been rebranded to Senses Spa. The look and branding of the Senses Spa reflects the two spas located at Walt Disney World itself.
In Summary
The Disney Magic will always hold a special place in my heart. She’s the ship that made the Disney Cruise Line what it is today. Many people like to think of the Disney Magic as the ambassador ship for the entire fleet. I certainly hold that opinion. While she may not be the newest, thanks to this remarkable renovation her charms are as dazzling as ever.
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Menu Monday: Best Counter Service Restaurant at Hollywood Studios
By Lisa Gilmore
We continue this journey to find the best counter service restaurants in Hollywood Studios. Hollywood Studios has to be one of the hardest counter service options to track because the menus and prices tend to change for each season. Add in the continuing construction, and things are bound to change. Before your next trip to the Studios, be sure to check out the latest menus for options and prices either at the Touring Plans menu page, or at the official Walt Disney World menu page. With that said, most of the menu staples will stay consistent. If a counter service location offers burgers and sandwiches, you can expect for it to be consistent, but you may find an updated price or a new “gourmet” option available. If you missed previous entries, be sure to read all about the best counter service options in Magic Kingdom, as well as in Animal Kingdom. To refresh your memory, here is the grading scale I’ve used to determining how each counter service location has earned it’s ranking:
Value (portion/cost ratio) = 10 points
Flavor = 10 points
Originality = 5 points
Atmosphere = 5 points
Grand total = 30 possible points
Sunset Boulevard Restaurant Row
Catalina Eddie’s, Rosie’s All-American Café, and Fairfaxe Fare are all located on Sunset Boulevard near Tower of Terror.
It may seem like cheating, but due to the proximity of all of these options in the same area. They can easily be viewed as one dining location with multiple options, similar to the concept of the food court at your local mall. Catalina Eddie’s, Fairfax Fare, and Rosie’s All-American Café are all situated at the end of Sunset Boulevard, near the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. Because of this prime real estate by two of the park’s powerhouse rides, and the fact that the three restaurants share the same seating area, this place gets packed quickly. It’s often a spot for families to gather and wait while a portion of their party experiences one ride or the other (or both). Because of this, finding an open table is tricky, and it gets busy early in the day and stays that way. The best plan of attack is to find a table before ordering food, then go in shifts to the location that appeals to your taste buds while another holds the table while you order. Never leave a child alone, but if you’re traveling with a several adults or teenagers, this is the best strategy.
Value: Catalina Eddie’s = 7/10 Fairfax Fare = 8/10 Rosie’s All-American Café = 7/10
Fairfax Fare edges out the competition in terms of value. This menu offers a wide selection and some portions, like the chicken and ribs, are large enough to share. All three locations share several a condiment bars, which is not to be confused with a “toppings” bar. Condiment bars offer individual packets of ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, barbecue sauce, and other, well, condiments.
Rosie’s All-American Café Menu
Flavor: Catalina Eddie’s = 7/10 Fairfax Fare = 8/10 Rosie’s All-American Café = 7/10
Catalina Eddie’s serves limited pizza options and an Italian Deli sandwich. The Caesar salad they serve is hearty portion, and though they can be a little heavy handed with the dressing, it’s still not a bad option if you want something more refreshing in the warmer months. The deli sandwich is nothing to get excited over; it seems to be more bread than anything else. The pizza is the same type they serve across the park at Pizza Planet, a little greasy at times, but usually a palate pleaser among the kids.
Fairfax Fare has a barbecue themed menu with ribs, barbecue chicken, smoked turkey leg, and hot dogs. Some great options all served with their really tasty baked beans. You’ll need to make sure you can snag a table for a meal from this menu as you’ll need both hands and plenty of napkins. My eye is usually drawn straight to the barbecue options, but don’t underestimate the tastiness of their hot dogs. They’re hot, and loaded with toppings.
Rosie’s All-American Café offers more of your standard fast food options, including cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets. Rosie’s tries to fancy up their burger selection with “onion straws”, which can be compared to onion rings. The burgers and nuggets here are nothing special, but they’re consistently hot and fresh, so that’s a good thing.
Fairfax Fare Menu
Originality: Catalina Eddie’s = 2/5 Fairfax Fare = 3/5 Rosie’s All-American Café = 2/5
Fairfax Fare gets the edge in Originality as well. It’s the only of these three options to have a breakfast menu, and its lunch/dinner menu options surpass the limited selections of its neighbors. Their menu offers ribs, chicken, hot dogs (even gourmet ones!), even a turkey leg meal!
Catalina Eddie’s Menu
Atmosphere: Catalina Eddie’s = 2/5 Fairfax Fare = 2/5 Rosie’s All-American Café = 2/5
All being located in the same little dining cul de sac, means they all get the same marks for atmosphere. If you get lucky enough to grab a table, it can be a fun place to people watch, and it’s nice having so much variety so close. If you’re feeling healthy, skip the “combo” option when you order so you can grab a piece of fruit or some veggies from the close by Anaheim Produce. Or save room for dessert and get a giant ice cream sandwich or sundae from Hollywood Scoops, also in the same area.
Total: Catalina Eddie’s = 18/30 Fairfax Fare = 21/30 Rosie’s All-American Café = 18/30
Of this dining trio showdown, Fairfax Fare pulls into the lead. But depending on your dining preferences and craving-of-the-hour, you can find a good meal at any of these spots. 
ABC Commissary – Streets of America
ABC Commissary is very centrally located in Hollywood Studios, but despite this, it can be difficult to locate. It’s experienced some bad reviews in the past and has never been a favorite among guests, but it does have some good qualities.
Value = 7/10
The value at ABC Commissary is pretty standard. The portions are the same size as other counter service locations. I think ABC Commissary could get a few bonus value points if they had a toppings bar (like Cosmic Ray’s in Magic Kingdom) rather than just a condiment bar. Though it is nice to have a good selection of ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce, and other condiments, I think a topping bar including warm, gooey cheese, sautéed onions/mushrooms, fresh sliced lettuce, tomatoes and pickles could really improve this location’s offerings. So, if any Imagineers or Disney restaurateurs are reading this, feel free to use this suggestion!
Photo courtesy of Disney (c)
Flavor = 6/10
Here is where ABC Commissary takes a big hit. The consistency in the quality of food served here is lacking. Some burgers seem to suffer and die under the heat lamp, only to be served to an unsuspecting guest. Other times, food is surprisingly tasty. Though I admit, it’s probably “surprisingly” tasty because past experience has me expecting it to be barely edible. ABC does have a few good attributes. The salads are pretty consistently fresh, made to order, and not over- dressed. The fried seafood options have also been pretty good, not too greasy or cold, but crisp and flavorful, even if they are on the small side.
Originality = 4/5
As far as counter service option, ABC has an unexpected variety. They often offer the most vegetarian options and even some kosher meals. I don’t often think of quinoa on a counter service menu, but you can find it here, and even enjoy it!
Photo courtesy of Disney (c)
Atmosphere = 2/5
As the name implies, ABC Commissary is designed to be like a studio cafeteria. And in keeping with the bland, unimaginative theming of a cafeteria, it is indeed dull and bland. There are some props and posters of current ABC shows scattered throughout the dining area to add to the concept. I’m not sure if it’s because the food doesn’t get the best review, because the theming is pretty boring, or because it can be difficult to find, but ABC Commissary always has seats available. And on hot summer days, this is a good thing! With air conditioning and lots of available tables, with a few interesting pop culture artifacts to appreciate, that’s about all that this has going for it in terms of ambiance.
Total = 19/30
Definitely not the paramount counter service option of Hollywood Studios, but it does have some thing for those with specific dietary needs, offers a good respite from the Florida heat, and even has a few neat Hollywood trinkets to see.
Backlot Express – Echo Lake
For how large this dining space is, it’s amazing how many guests walk right past it. Backlot Express is sandwiched between Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and Star Tours. Given its proximity to Star Tours and the Jedi Training Academy, this place can be a popular spot for those families waiting for their little Jedi to use the Force.
Value = 7/10
Backlot is neither a great nor a poor value – it offers standard portion sizes comparable to other park counter service burger joints. I appreciate the option of carrot sticks or French fries as sides for their combos.
Flavor = 6/10
The menu won’t “wow” you, but you can probably find something on here for most of your travel party. This is a counter service that offers a slight variation of standard “fast food” fare. You’ll find burgers and sandwiches with a salad option thrown in the mix. The unsung hero of the menu is the Pressed Turkey Club which gives a nice option to, in my opinion, a somewhat mundane menu. I’m not a fan of spicy buffalo sauce in general, but commentary from friends of mine who do enjoy it have been pleased with the Buffalo Chicken nuggets.
Originality = 4/5
I give Backlot a bit of edge in originality with its panini-style Club Turkey sandwich and Vegetable sandwich. The Buffalo Chicken nuggets and Cantalope Cucumber salad also deserve a nod to uniqueness. I feel like Backlot can make you happy if you’re looking for standard fast food or if you want to be a braver in your selections.
Photo courtesy of Disney (c)
Atmosphere = 3/5
The Backlot tries to capture the experience that you’ve wandered into the backlot of The Studios. As you take in your surroundings, you see props, machinery, stunt gear, paint and fixtures, lighting and other props stacked and stored around the seating area. It does offer little gems for you to examine as you enjoy your meal, but its sense of atmosphere is only slightly elevated above the ABC Commissary.
Total = 20/30
I think some of the unique options on the menu and its proximity to some popular attractions make Backlot Express a decent choice. As far as counter service in Hollywood Studios goes, it’s not the best nor the worst choice. Depending on your food selection, you may be disappoint with the quality or freshness, but that factor has been steadily improving over the last 18 months.
Photo courtesy of Disney (c)
Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner - Echo Lake
Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner is a cute counter service window housed in a tugboat façade on Echo Lake. It’s seasonally open, so you may get lucky enough on your next visit to try some of the fare offered at this quaint spot.
Value = 7/10
Whether you stop here for a snack or a full meal, your tummy will definitely be full. Maybe it’s just the size of the giant turkey legs or maybe it’s because the macaroni and cheese tends to expand in your stomach, but you won’t walk away hungry.
Flavor = 7/10
The menu is brief but flavor-packed. You can get a choice of combos with the Turkey Leg, Italian Sausage in French bread with onions and peppers, or the classic Frankfurter in a pretzel roll. For a la carte options, they currently serving Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese, and Barbeque Pulled Pork Macaroni and Cheese. But beware, as it is open seasonally, the menu has been to known to change.
Frankfurter in a pretzel roll served with chips and Dijon mustard
Originality = 4/5
Min & Bill’s stops the originality chart. Maybe it’s because the coupling of a frankfurter in a pretzel roll and a beer go so well together, maybe it’s because of the fairly recent addition of the gourmet mac and cheese options, or perhaps it’s even because you have to see what new flavor of shakes they have in stock this season, but Min & Bill fans keep coming back, and there’s a reason for it – even if I can’t quite nail down which exact reason it is!
Atmosphere = 3/5
Given that it’s merely a food window, three out of five points, is actually high praise. The tugboat façade really adds to this venue’s charm. There are also some great umbrella-covered picnic tables nearby around Echo Lake that contribute to the vibe of dining alfresco on a Californian bay. And the proximity to the Sorcerer’s Hat Grumman’s Theatre make it a prime spot for catching some of the dance and music performances given throughout the day.
Total = 21/30
Min & Bill’s offers a fun and unique selection of food with the bonus of also serving a small selection of alcoholic beverages and their seasonally changing milkshakes. It’s a great place to grab a snack or a full meal while you watch some of the Streetmosphere performers or a fun musical concert. As they continue to take down the Sorcerer’s Hat, you’ll get a front seat view of the dynamic changes in store for Hollywood Studios, as you nosh on some mac and cheese or a turkey leg.
Photo courtesy of Disney (c)
Pizza Planet - Streets of America
If you’re traveling with Toy Story fans, you may have to make a stop at the Pizza Planet Arcade back by Muppet Vision 3D off of Streets of America. It offers some fun theming with larger than life Toy Story characters and some kid-friendly nosh.
Value = 7/10
Pizza and sub combos come with a Caesar salad which is essentially served in a cup. I give Disney props for efficiency, the cup offers a standard portion size and helps contain any mess from dressing spillage or contaminating your pizza crust with soggy salad dressing, however the presentation is lacking. The pizzas themselves are the individually sized pizzas often with more crust than anything else. The meatball sub is a hearty offering for the bolder appetite, the flavors are good but the execution is messy – be sure to grab plenty of napkins!
Cup-o-salad and pepperoni pizza
Flavor = 6/10
The pizzas are crusty, the salads are predictable, and the sub is flavorful but messy. If you’re lucky enough to get a pizza with properly proportioned sauce, cheese and toppings, to its fluffy crust, it is surprisingly tasty. The cup-o-salad lacks in originality, it is simply romaine lettuce, some croutons and Caesar dressing. Not unappetizing, but nothing to get excited over, and definitely doesn’t qualify as a “healthy” food. The meatball sub offers the most flavor and the proportional distribution of meatballs, sauce, cheese, and bread makes it a good value. But the lack of popularity of meatball subs, in general, wouldn’t make Pizza Planet a must-do meal.
Originality = 3/5
It’s a pizza place, and as such, it serves pizza. It’s not the best pizza in the world, but it is palatable, and the simplicity of it really appeals to kids. There’s usually one salad that’s available as an entrée but that tends to change from time to time, previously offered was a Grilled Chicken Breast salad, and the current menu offers an Antipasto Salad with a variety of cured Italian meats on some greens.
Atmosphere = 5/5
The atmosphere is really well executed. It has a fun vibe of an arcade, bright colors, and Toy Story characters decorating the walls. There is patio seating outside, for those who may want to escape the cavernous volume of indoor dining area and enjoy people watching the guest leaving Muppet Vision 3D. The prime spot is the second floor seating. The second floors offers tons of seating, great views of the kids playing below (without risk of being trampled or bumped by excited youngsters) and ample air conditioning!
Second floor dining haven. Photo courtesy of Disney (c)
Total = 21/30
The kids are hot, cranky, and hungry, then this is the spot to revive them. They’ll chow down on some grub that’s familiar, simple, and not the same ol’ PB&J Smucker’s pocket. They’ll cool down in the air conditioned dining room and burn off some of that pent up energy running around the arcade. You will enjoy the break from the heat and the ability to watch your kids from the chair, so the quality of the food probably plays second-fiddle to your ability to chill for a few minutes.
Photo courtesy of Disney (c)
Starring Rolls – Hollywood Boulevard
This “hidden gem” of Hollywood Studios always tends to get a lot of press, so it’s not so hidden any more. If you can find the Brown Derby, you can find Starring Rolls, just walk around the corner (if you hit Animation Court, you went the wrong way). This place packs more than just a walloping dessert punch, be sure to check out their lunch offerings!
Value = 8/10
The sandwiches are huge, the sushi is great quality and the pastry cases lure you into a sugar coma just by walking by them. Sandwich portions may not be exactly large enough to share, but the cupcakes are. Considering the quality, quantity, and price, this place ranks high on the value meter.
Miles of Turkey on this tasty sandwich.
Flavor = 8/10
This is not a predictable burger joint, nor a greasy pizza spot. No, this is Starring Rolls. For carnivores that still like to enjoy some healthy options, or just not feel weighed down by grease and salt, Starring Rolls delivers. The sandwiches offer thinly sliced turkey or ham layered on a spongey, herbed focaccia with a choice of fruit or chips. For a more exotic palate, try their sushi rolls. And you can’t leave without grabbing one of their amazing pastries.
Originality = 5/5
The mere presence of sushi on the menu makes this counter service one-of-a-kind. You may balk at the decision of sushi from a counter service, but believe me, the quality here is beyond question. You won’t find a ton of specialty rolls, but if Spicy Tuna is your thing, look no further. Finish your meal off with a giant, unique cupcake (you know I’m talking the notorious Butterfinger cupcake), and you’ve had one of the most exclusive and decadent meals offered at a counter service, anywhere.
Photo courtesy of Disney (c)
Atmosphere = 3/5
There is no indoor seating and the outdoor seating is limited to a few picnic tables which fill up quickly, especially around the lunch hour. If you’re lucky enough to grab a table, it’s a great place to enjoy your meal and watch other guests rush by or the Streetmosphere performers parade by. The lack of indoor seating and air conditioning is a drawback in the busy and hot summer months, but if you visit during a non-peak season when the weather cooperates, it’s pretty much heaven.
Total = 24/30
Spicy tuna rolls. Butterfinger cupcake. Corner lot with a view. This place may be the counter service jackpot.
Studios Catering Co. – Streets of America
Hidden in place sight, Studio Catering Co is on the border of Mickey Avenue and Streets of America. Many people may know it’s location since it’s right next to the Honey I Shrunk the Kid play area. It’s a sandwich-inspired counter service with an interesting selection ranging from comfort food to counter service gourmet.
Value = 7/10
The sandwiches here are served on a long hoagie-style roll, which can make splitting a sandwich between smaller appetites possible. The sides available are the standard options of cole slaw, apple slices, or French fries. With the presence of High Octane Fueling Station nearby, you can easily complement your sandwich with a margarita or other flavorful adult beverage.
Spicy Buffalo Chicken sandwich – can you see the Buffalo sauce? It’s really well hidden – maybe too well hidden…
Flavor = 6/10
The Pressed Turkey Club and Grilled Vegetable Sandwich are the same ones you’ll find across the park at the Backlot Express, but Studios Catering does have a few other options including a sweet and smokey Sloppy Joe and unique Buffalo Chicken Sandwich (be sure to ask for extra buffalo sauce on the side, if you really want some spice). The sandwiches are fresh, but sometimes lack that balance of dry or being over-dressed. So just beware, and if you want to make sure your sandwich isn’t too soggy, ask for the dressing on the side.
Originality = 3/5
The Studios Catering Co gives some great options to the world of sandwiches, but the selections definitely cater to adults. If you have teens in your group, they may not find a choice that meets their culinary preferences.
Atmosphere = 3/5
It has only outdoor seating, but all of it is covered with plenty of fans to help stave off the summer heat. Its proximity to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area, is a nice perk, with tables even next to the play area so parents can watch their kids play while also enjoying a seat and meal.
Photo courtesy of Disney (c)
Total = 19/30
The sandwiches are hearty and pretty tasty, the location is convenient, the only thing missing is a bit more menu variety and some air conditioning. All in all, a decent dining choice when you’re hungry, and if you have some kids that want to run around the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area.
Summary:
Hollywood Studios has really made some strong strides in the quality of counter service offerings, though there is definitely room for improvement. Here is how the line-up measures up:
Starring Rolls – 24/30
Min & Bills – 21/30
Pizza Planet – 21/30
Fairfax Fare – 21/30
Backlot Express – 20/30
Studios Catering Co – 19/30
ABC Commissary – 19/30
Catalina Eddie’s – 18/30
Rosie’s All-American Café – 18/30
What do you think? Would you re-arrange this ranking? Would you just skip these and head to the Trolley Car for some Starbucks? Which Hollywood Studios counter service is your favorite? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!
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Menu Monday: Best Counter Service Restaurant at Hollywood Studios is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Disneyland Crowd Calendar Report – February 8 to 14, 2015
As you can see from our chart of “What We Predicted” versus “What We Saw” although we only matched on one day, our Disneyland Crowd Calendar did a great job predicting the change in crowds from day to day last week. Weekends continue to be much more crowded than weekdays although Mondays and Fridays seem to be a mix of weekend-type crowds and weekday-type crowds.
Let’s look at how the crowd levels stacked up each day last week on the TouringPlans.com Disneyland Resort Crowd Report:
Disneyland Resort Crowd Levels – Daily Breakdown
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
6
8
Both parks saw wait times that measured two levels higher on our scale than the calendar predicted. Average wait times were 47 minutes at Indiana Jones Adventure and 60 minutes at Tower of Terror.
Disney California Adventure
7
9
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
5
6
Wait times dropped on Monday but not be much. We still saw average waits like 29 minutes at Autopia and 24 at California Screamin’.
Disney California Adventure
6
7
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
3
3
Tuesday’s crowds were significantly lower at both park, as predicted by the calendar. Toy Story Mania averaged 24 minutes, a 1 out of 10 for that attraction.
Disney California Adventure
4
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
3
1
Disneyland Park saw the rare level ‘1’ on our scale on Wednesday. That means guests experienced average wait times like 5 minutes at Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and 4 minutes at Haunted Mansion.
Disney California Adventure
3
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
4
3
Thursday brought level ‘3’s to both parks. A stark contrast to what we saw just three days prior and to what we would see on the following two days.
Disney California Adventure
3
3
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
7
6
By contrast, average wait times on Friday were 20 at Autopia, 15 at Buzz Lightyear, 44 at Indiana Jones and 19 at Haunted Mansion.
Disney California Adventure
6
8
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
9
9
Both parks hit average wait times that translate to one level from the top of our scale on Saturday. That means long waits at most headliner attractions all day, like 39 minutes at Alice in Wonderland and 65 minutes at Indiana Jones.
Disney California Adventure
6
9
What to Expect This Week
February 15 to 21, 2015
How Crowded is Disneyland Resort?
Presidents Day crowds have arrived! That means long wait times all week. Guests need to arrive early and use a touring plan to minimize waits.
To see Disneyland Resort Crowd predictions for the days of your vacation, check the Crowd Calendar.
To get details about our predictions of future crowds or details about crowds in the past check out the Crowd Calendar and select “Jump to Date” on the left margin.
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Disneyland Crowd Calendar Report – February 8 to 14, 2015 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Menu Monday: Cowfish at Universal CityWalk Orlando Review
By Dora
Cowfish Logo
Disclosure: Please note that while we were not compensated for our meal, we were seated at Cowfish by management after my husband spoke to someone at corporate office.
Despite the fact that we’ve been driving down the road to party it up at Universal Studios Orlando for nearly eight years now, it’s hard to pry my husband and me away from our beloved outdoor bars and into restaurants. Hey, we like to people-watch… how else would I be able to snobbishly judge passersby on the nerd culture displayed on their clothing? So we were a little disappointed to hear that one of CityWalk’s newest establishments, the sushi-burger fusion place Cowfish, had nixed its outdoor bar food service literally the day before we arrived. Typically, that’s how you get lazy, food-obsessed locals to swear vengeance on your establishment… hey, my name isn’t Inigo Montoya, I take my vendettas where I can. Cowfish’s menu had come so highly recommended, however, and from so many different people, that we had to give it a try. Turns out, it’s a good thing we did, since Cowfish is really, really worth the trip. Enough that we went twice just to tell you about different things!
Cowfish Third Floor View
When we arrived at Cowfish, upon mentioning our totally-not-creepy-for-real preference to people watch, we were seated in a quiet upstairs room with a view that was, well, kinda perfect. While it’s easy to see how Cowfish might get noisy when it’s packed given how big it is and the multiple bars, at the time the vibe was mellow and casual. Service? Pretty exemplary… not only was our server Stephanie managing to balance being friendly with prompt and professional service, but we were visited several times throughout the meal by four different members of management, not just for Cowfish itself but CityWalk as a whole, all just checking in to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. One of the few complaints diners have made against Cowfish is lengthy wait times for food, but in our experience, they had the timing about perfect. Our appetizer showed up in a speedy fashion, with enough time for us to graze on it before our mains arrived, and not once did we feel rushed, which is one of the main reasons why we typically tend to be barfolk. The week before we’d actually stopped by their outdoor bar area and bought a round of drinks, which as it turned out hadn’t been a bad idea either… the Buffalos and Bacon cocktail is worth it if you like a simple, smooth bourbon drink, and hey… the candied bacon tastes like Honey Baked Ham.
Cowfish Calamari
While it’s not hard to sell someone a good burger and good sushi, combining the two into one place is a little odd, and it gets odder when you start talking about fusing them like Dr Frankenstein… or, I guess, Wolfgang Puck. Still, it was, specifically, those very unique dishes that kept popping up when people insisted we needed to try Cowfish, and I was determined to do so despite my inherent fear of new things. We decided to start things out fairly simple with the calamari, which is one of those starter staples that is a good way to judge what you’re in for. The pieces were thick enough that I was surprised they were still so tender and not chewy, with a heavy but crunchy breading that stood up to cooking very well. The sauce, spread on the plate beneath the calamari, was a light and sweet, and very mildly spicy-sour affair that perfectly fit the calamari itself, not too cloying, not too heavy. The portion was more than big enough for two people, and I likely would have made a bigger dent in it had I not sensed a carb coma looming on the horizon.
Cowfish Fusion Specialty Bento Box
My husband went a familiar route with the Fusion Specialty Bento Box, which includes a mini-burger, sweet potato fries, edamame, Thai cucumbers, and your choice of either four pieces of one of the three different Fusion Specialty rolls, or three pieces of mixed nagiri. It may look small in the photo, but it’s a solid amount of food, and is the sort of combination that allows you to try a bit of everything. Neither of us (for it is the right of the spouse to poach tastes of the other’s meal) were taken by the sweet potato fries, which were crispy but very lightly seasoned, though the Thai Cucumbers were another story. What you’re getting there is a very lightly dressed sort of vinegar chopped cucumber salad with a gentle kick of spice, refreshing enough to make us glad it was an optional side for other dishes. He went with the Firecracker roll, which had shrimp tempura and kani inside and was topped with yellowtail and salmon, along with spicy mayo, masago, tobiko and scallions. This he proclaimed fantastic, and the four pieces are big enough for anyone, but to be honest, the real star was probably those cucumbers… if only because you can’t surprise a guy with something that tastes exactly like his deceased Polish grandmother’s cucumber salad, which he hasn’t had in well over a decade, and not expect him to develop a bit of a bias. Well played, Cowfish. Well played.
Now, here’s where it gets tricky. Once upon a time, this article contained a loving homage to the taste sensation known as the Pittsburgoo-shi. I spent a paragraph or two marveling about how its “spring roll buns”, actually strips of crab meat and sushi rice between rice paper to form a sort of chewy flatbread, was a wonderful surprise.
And then I had to delete all that because I decided to go back and try some of the fusion rolls and discovered in the intervening week since I’d last been there, that sandwich and several others had been removed from the menu. RIP Pittsburgoo-shi. The manager I spoke to about it said the change had been a long time coming, and was an effort to streamline the kitchen services and ensure patrons got their orders as fast as possible. Understandable? Sure. Disappointing? I’d be lying if I said no, since it was easily the most creative and unique thing on the menu.
Cowfish’s Georgia Roll
But hey, let’s take this as a sign that you and I should talk about their sushi rolls because, surprise, we should really talk about their sushi rolls oh my gosh. I wound up ordering the Georgia Roll… tempura shrimp and kani, topped with yellowfin tuna, eel, a sweet eel sauce, and a spicy mayo for dipping. You guys, Cowfish is not messing around when it comes to their sushi. This roll was perfectly formed so you could pick it up without it falling apart, and all the visible cuts were clean and sharp as a whistle. If the idea of sushi freaks you out, or if you’re just a little iffy on the texture of raw fish (as I am), this roll’s firm, chewy but not dense texture makes it a great choice to start. The tuna tastes clean, and the eel sauce adds just a little bit of sweet heat to it without overpowering the other flavors. The mayo was… well… the mayo was there. I tried a few bites with it, and while it didn’t taste bad, it also didn’t really add anything to the roll itself, which I happily devoured. My husband, unfortunately, did not fare as well this trip, with a hamburger that was supposed to be medium arriving nearly mooing the first go, and very well done the next. The cucumber salad? Still nostalgically delicious.
Cowfish’s “Burgushi” rolls may sound strange, though once you look at them, they’re not really as odd as they seem. The High Class Hillbilly roll, with its pulled pork, barbecue sauce, and bacon coleslaw, for example, raises some eyebrows until you realize that none of the other items in it are traditional sushi ingredients. It isn’t pulled pork and fish, it’s wrapped in flash-fried potato, which goes with its ingredients quite well. Doug’s Filet roll may be the closest you’ll get to surf-and-turf-ish sushi, with filet mignon wrapped up with kani, cream cheese, and other ingredients, but is any of that really that terrifying in combination? The knee-jerk reaction when you first hear the words “burger sushi fusion” probably doesn’t match up with what you get when you start thinking about the ingredients in each menu item.
Cowfish View at Night
These fusion creations are, largely, priced the same as everything else on the menu, so don’t feel like you’ll be breaking the bank if you already plan on going there. Cowfish also uses local ingredients whenever possible, so you know that whatever you try will be high in quality and fresh. Their prices, with the Pittsburgoo-shi clocking in at $18.00 and “standard” burgers in the $12-17.00 range, might make Cowfish a little high on the end of casual dining range, but for the quality and the location, it’s actually a pretty good deal. For two people with two drinks, each getting an entree and sharing an appetizer, our meal for our first trip hit at around $50.00 without tip, with our second trip clocking in at about $40.00. Not an unreasonable amount at all. And if you’re a Universal Annual Passholder, there’s the usual 10 – 15% discount depending on which pass you carry. If you’re aiming to try a lot of things, the best bet is likely to bring along other adventurous souls and share… all Fusion Specialty rolls are nine substantial pieces, which means if everyone is getting something different, there’s plenty to go around when someone wants to sample. And hey… turns out the nighttime view is even nicer. Just wait ’til the fireworks start going off.
Cowfish is one of those places that seems intimidating in concept, but in practice, is just plain good eats. As of this writing, it doesn’t take reservations, so if you have your heart on eating there during your trip, you’re probably going to want to prioritize it sooner rather than later. Check with the host/hostess at the podium outside the restaurant and see if they can recommend another time to return. For large groups or families who simply want to grab a burger, it might be both too hard to get into until the initial craze wears down, and a bit pricey. For food fans who love to plan their trips around a good meal, however, Cowfish is more than worth the effort and cost. We’re already planning our next day trip… maybe we’ll see you there?
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Menu Monday: Cowfish at Universal CityWalk Orlando Review is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
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