Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1147
January 22, 2015
Daisy Laurenâs Best Week Ever: January 22, 2015
By Daisy Lauren
Hi, Everyone! Welcome to the Best Week Ever here at Walt Disney World. This week we’ll be visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios for all the latest updates, stopping by Downtown Disney for a little food truck action, and finishing upÂ
at Magic Kingdom. Ready for some beautiful, blue Florida skies? Let’s get moving! 
Early Saturday morning we set out for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I knew with the holiday weekend and awesome weather that we’d be facing a crowd. You can see from the photo that it wasn’t too crowded when we arrived, but that changed fast. Speaking of fast, check out the progress removing the hat! I can’t believe how fast it’s coming down. In the bottom right hand side of the photo you can see the actual top of the hat behind the construction wall. It’s so much bigger than it looks! Want to see what other fun stuff we found this weekend? Be sure to click to read more!
Last week the new Cinderella preview opened in ABC Sound Studio (former home of Sounds Dangerous). I decided to skip watching it because they’re generally just extended movie previews. I’ve heard that everyone gets a magnet at the end, but I’d still rather see the movie when it comes out rather than spoiling it. Not to mention with the sad state of the Studios, this actually had a line! What do you think of this space being used for rotating movie previews? What would you like to see instead?
There’s no Starbucks news to report this week. The Studios location still looks like it could open any day. Just next door the shop pictured below was gutted of merchandise and filled to the brim with Frozen goodies. It looked like most of what was previously found in Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post. So if you have a little one looking for Frozen merchandise this location and Sir Mickey’s at Magic Kingdom are still your best bets.
 
I found this very interesting sign in this shop above the Frozen MagicBands. I’d never seen this notice so clearly posted before. Have you seen it? What do you think of what it says? I’m not sure how I feel about the MagicBands if they’re watching them so closely. I might switch back to using my ticket.
Several folks have asked me about Pandora bracelets and exclusive charms in the parks. This weekend I checked at both Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom, but neither location had the laminated sheet with all the charms available to show guests. At Hollywood Studios they didn’t have any Disney charms at all. There were very few available at Magic Kingdom, but I’m hearing that they will all be back in stock on February 11, when the Pandora store opens on Main Street. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for you guys!
It came to my attention last week that folks are looking for barcodes so they can order merchandise, so I’ll be sure to include them from now on. At the Studios I was specifically looking for items that featured the Sorcerer Mickey hat as the park icon. The shirt on the left retails for $24.95, barcode: 400101 620556. The hoodie on the right was super cute! It was pricey at $49.99, but it’s a piece of history now! 
The barcode is: 400165 264260. (Remember, you can always click on any photo to see it larger.)
 
Next we moved on to Downtown Disney. As you can see from the photo below, the parking garage is looking very close to done, but progress has been slow on the walkway connecting it to the future Disney Springs. This current parking garage has also been labeled as the “Orange” garage, and parking is available to guests all the way up to the third floor. I can’t tell you what a difference this structure makes when visiting Downtown Disney! There was plenty of parking, even with the holiday crowds.
The real reason we were at Downtown Disney was to visit the food truck park because I’d read somewhere that there was going to be an event featuring the new Trattoria al Forno menu. They had a few different menu items, but we decided to split lasagna for $10.75. After we ordered we waited at least 10 minutes for our food, which I found odd since they obviously weren’t cooking lasagna in there! The portion was huge; honestly, it might have weighed a pound! We agreed it wasn’t the best we’d ever had, and it had crunchy bits of onion that really bothered my hubby. To make matters worse, much later in the day we started showing signs of food poisoning. After comparing notes, this was the only thing we had both eaten. While I’m sure Trattoria al Forno will be great, I’m not sure I’ll be trying lasagna off a truck again any time soon!
 
Next we’re visiting the Magic Kingdom! It occurred to me that people who don’t drive to the parks would miss this pretty entry way into the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC). This is where the trams pass between the parking lot and the TTC. This is also where you’d walk to the TTC if you’re lucky enough to have a decent parking spot. We were just that lucky, and being that it was late in the day, I was able to snap a shot to share with you without a bunch of people sneaking into frame.
Last week I had a request to show the monorails, but I wasn’t sure if that meant inside or outside. I decided to show both. Can’t go wrong that way, right? Of course, I personally prefer the ferryboats. They’re a slower way to get from the TTC to Magic Kingdom, but normally they aren’t as busy. As you can see from the photo below, crowds weren’t an issue heading into the Magic Kingdom on Sunday afternoon.
 
One of my main reasons for visiting Magic Kingdom this week was that I wanted to collect the barcodes for all the Haunted Mansion Dooney & Bourke bags for anyone who has been hunting that information. I must have looked a little nutty taking all those photos, but here’s the complete list! If there’s a merchandise item you’ve been trying to track down please let me know in the comments below and I’ll do everything I can to help! (Starbucks mugs, anyone?)
HM Wristlet – 400008 665667 – $88
HM Small Crossbody – 400008 675611 – $108
HM Large Tote – 400008 665650 – $248
HM Letter Carrier – 400008 675628 – $188
HM Smith Bag – 400007 854505 – $358
My efforts were rewarded when the Festival of Fantasy Parade came rolling by just as I was finishing up. I hadn’t planned on making it for the parade, but grabbed a spot on Main Street to join in the fun. All the action happens up so high with this parade, so I almost feel like you don’t really have to get there early and wait on the rope to see it. What do you think? Do you like to be in the front for parades? Let me know in the comments.
Before the parade ended I ducked into Tomorrowland to get ahead of the crowds. As you can see from the photo below, work is still moving along on the changes to the Magic Kingdom Hub. I know the photo looks really messy, but it’s so much better than it has been. They’re really making great progress, and I’m excited that we’re getting close to having this area put back together.
Since it was a holiday weekend I didn’t think we’d be riding anything without a FastPass+ reservation. However, when we walked by the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover the line only looked to be about 10 minutes, so we went for it. Little did I know it would lead us on quite an adventure! When I snapped the below photo my hubby declared that he saw the partners statue was walled off. Now, he has eagle eyes, but how could he possibly see that? I called his bluff and made us walk all the way back over to the hub.. only to find…..
The partners statue was walled off!! This was the strangest thing I’ve seen in ages. Even stranger were all the visitors taking photos in front of this green box. Now, if you were following along on Twitter this weekend, then you already knew this happened. If you weren’t, I hope you’ll follow us on our next adventure! You can find us @TouringPlans with lots of breaking news and fun from the parks.
This weekend was the first time I’d spotted the Mine Train popcorn bucket in the Magic Kingdom. It actually has working wheels! I almost rolled it right off the popcorn cart by accident! The mine train also rocks side to side. Despite all the working parts I think I’ll be skipping this one. I don’t know why, but it doesn’t appeal to me at all. What do you think? Over in Adventureland I finally stopped into the new Sunglass Hut. This shop was mostly filled with outside brands before, anyway, so the rented space doesn’t really bother me. Passholders also get a 10% discount on purchases!
 
Since the weather was so beautiful, I booked all of our FastPass+ for outdoor attractions. First up was The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. I don’t think this is one I’ve filmed before, so I decided to take you guys with me for the entire ride! I don’t mention it enough, but my Youtube “channel” is just to link video here. Guy does and amazing job posting videos on the Touring Plans channel. You can check it out here if you’d like to subscribe. Now, let’s fly!
Next we wandered around a bit before our next FastPass+. I’d received a request to include a photo of the “hidden” walkway that connects Tomorrowland to New Fantasyland, so you can find that photo below. I had my doubts that this walkway would be the normal peaceful retreat it always is because the holiday crowds were swelling in the parks. As you can see, it was our own little piece of paradise on a crowded day. You guys always give me the best suggestions! Is there somewhere you’d like to see next week? Just let me know in the comments below, and I’ll do my best to include it.
Our next FastPass+ was for the Tomorrowland Speedway, and if I haven’t mentioned it, FastPass+ has been working flawlessly for me lately. Honestly, it’s like a switch flipped. Suddenly I understand why everyone loves this system! We didn’t even wait 5 minutes to board our car on a busy holiday weekend.
I’d been daydreaming about a Nutella and Fresh Fruit Waffle Sandwich, so we decided to wait in our longest line of the day over at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments. This might be the best $6.69 you can spend in the park! However, my better piece of advice is where we enjoyed this delightful treat. The tables at Sleepy Hollow were all full, so on a whim I decided to stop over by the Christmas Shoppe. There is a small courtyard on the side of this shop with a table and chairs. For some reason people seem to assume this table is off limits, but it isn’t. We enjoyed a quiet and semi-private snack while everyone else was fighting for tables.
 
Our last FastPass+ for the night was for Jungle Cruise. This was somewhat of a fail as we waited nearly 20 minutes to board a boat. The line was very long for both FastPass+ and Standby, but I think we just hit it at the wrong time. They were bringing out additional boats as quickly as possible and obviously trying to meet the demand. The jokes were just as corny as every, and good times were had by all! What’s a little wait when you get to see the back side of water?
 
As we were leaving we passed the Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It! Street Party. (I’ll be honest, I had to look that name up. Is that not the craziest name Disney has ever come up with?) Despite the odd name, people really are responding to this parade. It seems much more popular than it was in the past.
 
Thatâs everything for this week. Now letâs see what you can expect if youâre visiting next week.
Crowd Calendar: The parks will be nice and slow. Enjoy this week!
Weather: It looks like the beautiful weather will be staying a little longer! Highs in the low 70s and lows in the low 50s – magical!
Remember: Liberty Square Riverboat will be closed January 23 – 27th.
Hereâs my top tip for this week: The table that I mentioned beside the Christmas Shoppe sits beside a sleigh in that same courtyard. The sleigh is excellent for parade viewing!
Do you have any news I missed or any requests for coverage next week? Iâd love to hear from you in the comments below, and thanks so much for reading! Iâm wishing all of you the Best Week Ever, until next time!
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Daisy Lauren’s Best Week Ever: January 22, 2015 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Daisy Lauren’s Best Week Ever: January 22, 2015
By Daisy Lauren
Hi, Everyone! Welcome to the Best Week Ever here at Walt Disney World. This week we’ll be visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios for all the latest updates, stopping by Downtown Disney for a little food truck action, and finishing up
at Magic Kingdom. Ready for some beautiful, blue Florida skies? Let’s get moving!
Early Saturday morning we set out for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I knew with the holiday weekend and awesome weather that we’d be facing a crowd. You can see from the photo that it wasn’t too crowded when we arrived, but that changed fast. Speaking of fast, check out the progress removing the hat! I can’t believe how fast it’s coming down. In the bottom right hand side of the photo you can see the actual top of the hat behind the construction wall. It’s so much bigger than it looks! Want to see what over fun stuff we found this weekend? Be sure to click to read more!
Last week the new Cinderella preview opened in the Sounds Dangerous Theater. I decided to skip watching it because they’re generally just extended movie previews. I’ve heard that everyone gets a magnet at the end, but I’d still rather see the movie when it comes out rather than spoiling it. Not to mention with the sad state of the Studios, this actually had a line! What do you think of this space being used for rotating movie previews? What would you like to see instead?
There’s no Starbucks news to report this week. The Studios location still looks like it could open any day. Just next door the shop pictured below was gutted of merchandise and filled to the brim with Frozen goodies. It looked like most of what was previously found in Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post. So if you have a little one looking for Frozen merchandise this location and Sir Mickey’s at Magic Kingdom are still your best bets.
I found this very interesting sign in this shop above the Frozen MagicBands. I’d never seen this notice so clearly posted before. Have you seen it? What do you think of what it says? I’m not sure how I feel about the MagicBands if they’re watching them so closely. I might switch back to using my ticket.
Several folks have asked me about Pandora bracelets and exclusive charms in the parks. This weekend I checked at both Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom, but neither location had the laminated sheet with all the charms available to show guests. At Hollywood Studios they didn’t have any Disney charms at all. There were very few available at Magic Kingdom, but I’m hearing that they will all be back in stock on February 11th when the Pandora store opens on Main Street. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for you guys!
It came to my attention last week that folks are looking for barcodes so they can order merchandise, so I’ll be sure to include them from now on. At the Studios I was specifically looking for items that featured the Sorcerer Mickey hat as the park icon. The shirt on the left retails for $24.95, barcode: 400101 620556. The hoodie on the right was super cute! It was pricey at $49.99, but it’s a piece of history now! The barcode is: 400165 264260. (Remember, you can always click on any photo to see it larger.)
Next we moved on to Downtown Disney. As you can see from the photo below, the parking garage is looking very close to done but progress has been slow on the walkway connecting it to the future Disney Springs. This current parking garage has also been labeled as the “Orange” garage and parking is available to guests all the way up to the third floor. I can’t tell you what a difference this structure makes when visiting Downtown Disney. There was plenty of parking even with the holiday crowds.
The real reason we were at Downtown Disney was to visit the food truck park because I’d read somewhere that there was going to be an event featuring the new Trattoria al Forno menu. They had a few different menu items but we decided to split lasagna for $10.75. After we ordered we waited at least 10 minutes for our food, which I found odd since they obviously weren’t cooking lasagna in there! The portion was huge, honestly it might have weighed a pound. We agreed it wasn’t the best we’d ever had and it had crunchy bits of onion that really bothered my hubby. To make matters worse, much later in the day we started showing signs of food poisoning. After comparing notes this was the only thing we had both eaten. While I’m sure Trattoria al Forno will be great, I’m not sure I’ll be trying lasagna off a truck again any time soon!
Next we’re visiting the Magic Kingdom! It occurred to me that people who don’t drive to the parks would miss this pretty entry way into the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC). This is where the trams pass between the parking lot and the TTC. This is also where you’d walk to the TTC if you’re lucky enough to have a decent parking spot. We were just that lucky and being that it was late in the day I was able to snap a shot to share with you without a bunch of people sneaking into frame.
Last week I had a request to show the monorails, but I wasn’t sure if that meant inside or outside. I decided to show both. Can’t go wrong that way, right? Of course, I personally prefer the Ferryboats. They’re a slower way to get from the TTC to Magic Kingdom but normally they aren’t as busy. As you can see from the photo below, crowds weren’t an issue heading into the Magic Kingdom on Sunday afternoon.
One of my main reasons for visiting Magic Kingdom this week was because I wanted to collect the barcodes for all the Haunted Mansion Dooney & Bourke bags for anyone that’s been hunting that information. I must have looked a little nutty taking all those photos, but here’s the complete list! If there’s a merchandise item you’ve been trying to track down please let me know in the comments below and I’ll do everything I can to help! (Starbucks mugs, anyone?)
HM Wristlet – 400008 665667 – $88
HM Small Crossbody – 400008 675611 – $108
HM Large Tote – 400008 665650 – $248
HM Letter Carrier – 400008 675628 – $188
HM Smith Bag – 400007 854505 – $358
My efforts were rewarded when the Festival of Fantasy parade came rolling by just as I was finishing up. I hadn’t planned on making it for the parade, but grabbed a spot on Main Street to join in the fun. All the action happens up so high with this parade I almost feel like you don’t really have to get there early and wait on the rope to see it. What do you think? Do you like to be in the front for parades? Let me know in the comments.
Before the parade ended I ducked into Tomorrowland to get ahead of the crowds. As you can see from the photo below work is still moving along on the changes to the Magic Kingdom Hub. I know the photo looks really messy, but it’s so much better than it has been. They’re really making great progress and I’m excited that we’re getting close to having this area put back together.
Since it was a holiday weekend I didn’t think we’d be riding anything without a FastPass+ reservation. However, when we walked but the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover the line only looked to be about 10 minutes, so we went for it. Little did I know it would lead us on quite an adventure! When I snapped the below photo my hubby declared that he saw the partners statue was walled off. Now, he has eagle eyes, but how could he possibly see that? I called his bluff and made us walk all the way back over to the hub.. only to find…..
The partners statue was walled off!! This was the strangest thing I’ve seen in ages. Even stranger were all the visitors taking photos in front of this green box. Now, if you were following along on Twitter this weekend then you already knew this happened. If you weren’t, I hope you’ll follow us on our next adventure! You can find us @TouringPlans with lots of breaking news and fun from the parks.
This weekend was the first time I’d spotted the Mine Train popcorn bucket in the Magic Kingdom. It actually has working wheels. I almost rolled it right off the popcorn cart by accident! The mine train also rocks side to side. Despite all the working parts I think I’ll be skipping this one. I don’t know why but it doesn’t appeal to me at all. What do you think? Over in Adventureland I finally stopped into the new Sunglass Hut. This shop was mostly filled with outside brands before anyway so the rented space doesn’t really bother me. Passholders also get a 10% discount on purchases!
Since the weather was so beautiful I booked all of our FastPass+ for outdoor attractions. First up was The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. I don’t think this is one I’ve filmed before so I decided to take you guys with me for the entire ride! I don’t mention it enough, but my Youtube “channel” is just to link video here. Guy does and amazing job posting videos on the Touring Plans channel. You can check it out here if you’d like to subscribe. Now, let’s fly!
Next we wondered around a bit before our next FastPass+. I’d received a request to include a photo of the “hidden” walkway that connects Tomorrowland to New Fantasyland so you can find that photo below. I had my doubts that this walkway would be the normal peaceful retreat it always is because the holiday crowds were swelling in the parks. As you can see, it was our own little piece of paradise on a crowded day. You guys always give me the best suggestions! Is there somewhere you’d like to seen next week? Just let me know in the comments below and I’ll do my best to include it.
Our next FastPass+ was for the Tomorrowland Speedway and if I haven’t mentioned it FastPass+ has been working flawlessly for me lately. Honestly, it’s like a switch flipped. Suddenly I understand why everyone loves this system! We didn’t even wait 5 minutes to board our car on a busy holiday weekend.
I’d been daydreaming about a Nutella and Fresh Fruit Waffle Sandwich so we decided to wait in our longest line of the day over at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments. This might be the best $6.69 you can spend in the park! However, my better piece of advice is where we enjoyed this delightful treat. The tables at Sleepy Hollow were all full so on a whim I decided to stop over by the Christmas Shoppe. There is a small courtyard on the side of this shop with a table and chairs. For some reason people seem to assume this table is off limits, but it isn’t. We enjoyed a quiet and semi-private snack while everyone else was fighting for tables.
Our last FastPass+ for the night was for Jungle Cruise. This was somewhat of a fail as we waited nearly 20 minutes to board a boat. The line was very long for Fastpass and Standby, but I think we just hit it at the wrong time. They were bringing out additional boats as quickly as possible and obviously trying to meet the demand. The jokes were just as corny as every and good times were had by all! What’s a little wait when you get to see the back side of water?
As we were leaving we passed the Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It! Street Party. (I’ll be honest, I had to look that name up. Is that not the craziest name Disney has ever come up with?) Despite the odd name, people really are responding to this parade. It seems much more popular than it was in the past.
That’s everything for this week. Now let’s see what you can expect if you’re visiting next week.
Crowd Calendar: The parks will be nice and slow. Enjoy this week!
Weather: It looks like the beautiful weather will be staying a little longer! Highs in the low 70s and lows in the low 50s – magical!
Remember: Liberty Square Riverboat will be closed January 23rd – 27th.
Here’s my top tip for this week: The table that I mentioned beside the Christmas Shoppe sits beside a sleigh in that same courtyard. The sleigh is excellent for parade viewing!
Do you have any news I missed or any requests for coverage next week? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below, and thanks so much for reading! I’m wishing all of you the Best Week Ever, until next time!
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Daisy Lauren’s Best Week Ever: January 22, 2015 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
January 21, 2015
What You Get at Disney World for $500, $1,000, $1,500, and $2,000
By Len Testa
Abuela Testa’s gaspacho soup mix is an excellent money-saver
For the next edition of the Unofficial Guide, we interviewed dozens of families planning their first Disney trip, and Disney-specialist travel agents who talk to Orlando-bound families every day. Almost all of them said the cost of a Disney vacation was the biggest surprise, and more important to them than when to travel, where to stay, or how to beat the lines.
All money questions involve trade-offs, of course, and only you know what you’re willing to do to save a buck. For every person who thinks a $65 per day food allowance is malnourishment, there’s another who says they can feed a family of 5 on $10 and some budget gazpacho made with leftover Taco Bell sauce and hot water.
To give you a realistic idea of how much to budget, we’ve created the following set of charts showing the kind of Disney World vacation your family can get for $500, $1,000, $1,500, and $2,000. Each column represents a different family demographic, and each row represents a different budget amount. Our starting assumptions are at the bottom of the page.
Most cells in the chart contain several options at different price points. These are usually different combinations of how many days you’ll visit the theme parks, and how many nights you’ll stay at hotels of different cost.
For example, a family of 2 adults and 1 child could spend $1,500 on 3 days of theme park admission, have a nice sit-down dinner every night, and stay 3 nights at a budget off-site hotel, then drive home on the fourth morning of their trip. Or they could save $25 by eating nothing but fast food meals for their 3 days in the park and only stay at a Disney value resort for 2 nights, driving home at the end of their third day. So there’s an explicit trade-off between better dinners and more nights at a budget motel, or simpler meals with better accommodations, but for fewer nights.
The Details
Here’s the chart showing different price options for the following family types. Remember than Disney consider an “adult” anyone age 10 and up. So if you and your partner have a 10-year old and a 9-year old, you’re a family of 3 adults and 1 child to Disney. Click the chart image to view at full size.
Observations
A few things:
It was moderately interesting to see that for $500, families of 2 adults and 2 kids, and 3 adults and 1 child were priced out of even 1 day at Disney’s theme parks.
The average family can easily drop $1,000 on a quick 2-day trip to Disney World, even if they’re only stopping by on the way to somewhere else.
For most scenarios, the cost of Disney theme park tickets represent about half of your total vacation budget (roughly 40 to 60%). Admission to the theme parks is more than most people will spend on lodging or food, and that’s a surprise to a lot of families.
Assumptions
We’ve made some straightforward assumptions to go along with actual prices from Disney’s website:
Children are ages 3-9, adults are ages 10 and up
The cost of base Magic Your Way tickets is from Disney’s website and includes tax
One night at our off-site, budget hotel (The Magic Castle Inn and Suites) is $45 via Expedia
One night at Disney’s Pop Century value resort is $130 with the Spring Value discount on Disney’s site
One night at Disney’s Coronado Springs moderate resort is $170 using the same discount
One night at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge deluxe resort is $330 using the same discount
A day’s worth of counter-service meals, plus one snack, is $45 for adults and $30 for kids.
A counter-service breakfast and lunch, a snack, and a table-service meal is $65 per adult and $45 per child
All hotel prices are quoted for mid-June nights in 2015, and include tax.
Because it varies so much, we don’t include transportation costs in the spreadsheet.
Here’s the spreadsheet if you’d like to change the assumptions.
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What You Get at Disney World for $500, $1,000, $1,500, and $2,000 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Memory Maker FAQs
The Memory Maker gets you digital copies of all of your PhotoPass photos. Photo ©Disney
Philosophers of the age ask: If there are no pictures, did it really happen? Photos are an integral part of preserving your Disney moments and sharing the memories with family and friends. To that end, Disney offers the Memory Maker for purchase. The Memory Maker is a way to get digital copies of all of the PhotoPass photos and videos from your Walt Disney World vacation. Like any major Disney purchase, you should look at the pros and cons before you decide to drop the cash. I recently had the opportunity to use a Memory Maker as a Guest and participated in the One-day Memory Maker pilot program as a Cast Member. Here are the questions I heard from Guests—and had myself—about the Memory Maker.
How much does the Memory Maker cost?
The full Memory Maker is offered at the advance purchase price and the regular price. Purchasing the Memory Maker in advance—at least three days before your trip begins—costs $169 before tax. Buying the Memory Maker less than three days before, during, or after your trip costs $199. If you purchase the Memory Maker at the advance purchase price, you will not be able to download any photos taken during the three days after your purchase. The One-day Memory Maker—which, as its name would imply, is valid for a single day of photos—is $39. The One-day Memory Maker can only be added to a single-day ticket.
If you were thinking about buying several One-day Memory Makers instead of the full Memory Maker, I ran the numbers for you: If you’re going more than three days, the full Memory Maker plus your ticket costs less.
How do I purchase a Memory Maker?
The Memory Maker can be purchased in advance online from MyDisneyExperience. The regular-priced Memory Maker can be purchased online or in the parks at select retail locations. The One-day Memory Maker can only be purchased at the vacation planning booths at the Ticket and Transportation Center or at Guest Relations. The One-day Memory Maker was offered beginning in September 2014 as a pilot program with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, but is still available to purchase with any single-day ticket. As of now, there is no word on when (or if) the pilot program will end.
How will I carry my Memory Maker?
Your photos can be connected to any of your family’s MagicBands.
A Memory Maker can be stored on a MagicBand or an RF-enabled card. If you order your Memory Maker ahead of time, it will be mailed to you on a Memory Maker-branded RF-enabled card. A free MagicBand is included with your One-day Memory Maker. If you want to use a MagicBand with your full Memory Maker, it will need to be purchased separately.
How do I use my Memory Maker?
When a photo is taken by a PhotoPass photographer, the photographer will touch an RFID scanner to your card or MagicBand after your “photoshoot” to add the photos to your MyDisneyExperience account.
With the MagicBand, ride photos are automatically added to your My Disney Experience account using long-range RFID technology—there is no need to stop at the photo kiosk at the end of the attraction. If you choose to use a card instead of a MagicBand, you can stop at the photo kiosk after the attraction and touch the touch point under the photo display. The videos from Tower of Terror or Seven Dwarves Mine Train are only available on a MagicBand.
How do I get my Memory Maker photos?
All photos that are attached to any media affiliated with your MyDisneyExperience account will appear on your account. This includes any photos from people whose profiles you manage or any people on your “Friends and Family” list.
The One-day Memory Maker is activated when you use your ticket, so you will only be able to download photos taken on that day. If you have a single-day ticket with the Water Park Fun & More option, the Memory Maker will still be activated on first use—even if that first use is at a water park where there are no PhotoPass photographers. If you plan to visit one of the Water Park Fun & More visits first, add the One-day Memory Maker later.
The Memory Maker is active 30 days after your first download. Because PhotoPass photos do not expire for 45 days, you can theoretically download photos from a 75-day time period: from 45 days before your first download to 30 days after. An important note: if you purchase the Memory Maker at the advance purchase price, you will not be able to download any photos taken three days after your purchase date.
From the MyDisneyExperience website, you can edit your photos—including the ability to add Disney-exclusive borders and clip art. You can download the original photos, the edited photos, and any videos.
How do I get the most out of my Memory Maker?
PhotoPass photographers can add some extra magic to your photos with a magic shot.
Get a MagicBand. Even if you have to purchase a MagicBand, the convenience and ride videos are worth the extra cost.
Stop at every PhotoPass photographer. The higher the volume of photos, the better value you’re getting.
Meet characters. The PhotoPass photographers at the character meet-and-greets will take several photos of you, both in poses and interacting with the character.
Ask for magic shots. The PhotoPass photographer will set you in a specific pose and the effect will be added to your photo on you MyDisneyExperience account.
Is the Memory Maker worth it?
Full disclosure: I did not pay for my Memory Maker—I won it through a contest. However, I would recommend the purchase for some people. If you’re with a large group, it is probably worth it to split the cost since you’ll be able to download photos for the whole group. It’s also great for special events; we used ours for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, the Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, and the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade filming. A longer trip reduces the cost per day, so the more days the better; I think five days is a good minimum since it puts the cost at about $40 per day.
Have you used Memory Maker? Decided it wasn’t worth it for your family? Tell us all about it in the comments.
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5 Outdated Disneyland Tips and Tricks to Avoid
By Ray
My mother always told me to not believe everything you hear. This is definitely true when it comes to things you find on the internet. Searching for an answer to any of your questions on the web will take only seconds but is it the correct answer? Is that answer up to date? That is the thing about looking for information on the internet, once you find an answer to your question, you always have to double and triple check to make sure that it is the correct one. The same thing goes for looking for tips and tricks for Disneyland.
If you search up “Disneyland tips and tricks” on any search engine, you will discover hundreds of different lists and suggestions on the subject. Now, are all these tips and tricks you just discovered true, out of date, or just plain false? Well, I am here to help you weed through the five most popular outdated and false tips that I have seen around the web. These five tips come up frequently, and I wanted to set the record straight so that all of you know which tips are simply fools gold.
Free Pickles
This is an interesting false tip I have seen spread rapidly on Twitter recently. The story is that if you go to any pickle stand in Disneyland, and ask the Cast Member their how their day is going, that they will give you a free pickle. Unfortunately this tip is not true. The interesting thing about this “tip” is that it has never been true. It is just something that someone made up and it has been spreading around like wildfire ever since. Even though this tip is not true, you should still ask any Cast Member about their day. Your free gift will be showing those hard working Cast Members that you care.
“Andy’s Coming!”
The rumor is that if you go up to the Woody and Jessie characters–from Toy Story–and yell out “Andy’s coming!” – that they will fall to the floor just like they do in the movies. I have heard that this rumor used to be true, but Disney made these characters stop doing it because it was dangerous. Either way, this “tip” is not true. Even though this “tip” is false, I still see it on many different tips and tricks lists (especially on Pinterest) all the time. So friends, just do not do it.
People everywhere.
Less Crowds = More Fun and Done
This is the number one tip that I read all the time that simply is not true. Just because the park is not busy does not mean that you will get to experience all the attractions and things you want that day. If you use a touring plan, go early, and make use of FASTPASSes, then you will take advantage of any day you go to Disneyland. Believe me, I have gone on extremely busy days and have gotten so much done just by following those three tips. Also, going during off peak season means that many of the attractions might be closed for refurbishment during that time. So it would be wise to bookmark TouringPlans’ Disneyland refurbishment attraction page and always check if any attractions will be closed on your next trip. Remember, it is all about having a plan, being flexible, and making adjustments.
Do Not Be Late Using Your Fastpass
Recently, Disneyland and Disney World have cracked down on guests being late with their FASTPASSes. But that does not mean that if you are late they are useless. On my last trip to Disneyland (this past December), I had the chance to talk with a Cast Member about how late someone could be with FASTPASSes. This Cast Member explained to me that it all depends on the Cast Member but usually a 15 to 30 minute grace period is acceptable. However, on an extremely busy day, you can even be closer to 45-55 minutes late. Also, it is wise to have a good reason why you are late.
Photo from Disneyland’s website
Free Coffee Refills
This is one tip that use to be true but ever since Starbucks made its way into Market House on Main Street U.S.A. in Disneyland, it is no longer valid. The tip was that if you bought coffee inside Disneyland–and kept your receipt–that you will be able to refill your coffee for free just by showing your receipt. However, now that Starbucks is in the parks, they stopped doing this. Either way, it is great that Disneyland has better coffee than they did before. That stuff was awful.
So, what are some tips, tricks, and hacks have you come across that are untrue or out of date? Leave a comment below so we can add to this list. Let us keep this list up-to-date to help others no fall for misleading tips. In the meantime, checkout some of TouringPlans’ tips and tricks that will not steer you wrong.
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5 Outdated Disneyland Tips and Tricks to Avoid is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
January 20, 2015
10 Differences between the Classic and Dream Class Ships on Disney Cruise Line
I get asked all the time how the four Disney Cruise Line ships differ. And I especially get this question from guests who have sailed on one of the two newer ships (Disney Dream or Disney Fantasy) and are contemplating sailing on one of the classic ships (Disney Magic or Disney Wonder). “What are the differences?” “Will I like the Magic and Wonder as much as I liked the new ships?”
To be sure, there are many things about the four ships which are the same, like the level of service Disney Cruise Line is known for, those amazing Disney stylistic touches, and the excellent officers and crew. But, make no mistake, there are differences. I’ll break them down for you here!
1. Size and Capacity– The most obvious difference between the ships is the physical size, and thus the number of passengers each can carry. The Magic and Wonder were originally 83,000 gross tonnage when constructed, but the Magic, after its 2013 reimagination when it added a little bit more weight and then length to balance that weight, is now approximately 84,000 GT. The Dream and Fantasy, however, are longer, wider, and heavier, weighing in at just under 130,000 GT. The physical size difference is most apparent to me in the lobby. The lobbies of the Dream and Fantasy feel practically cavernous if you’re used to the Magic or Wonder. The Dream and Fantasy have 14 passenger decks while the Magic and Wonder only have 11. The Magic and Wonder have a passenger capacity of around 2,400, while the Dream and Fantasy hold more than 50% more passengers at 4,100 (with a similar increase in the crew size).
2. Crowds – More passengers mean bigger crowds. But with the added space do you really feel it? Sometimes. The terminal in Port Canaveral will feel more crowded when the Dream and Fantasy are in port vs. when the Magic and Wonder are there. Castaway Cay should also feel a little more crowded with more people there, but in truth I’ve never felt a big difference while on that little strip of paradise. I’ve found lines can definitely be longer on the new ships, but the good news is you don’t have to line up that often. The waterslides will have lines, the counter service restaurants, and some (non-ticketed) character meets, but other than that, there aren’t too many lines. Even the buffets are set up in food stations on the Dream and Fantasy (and now the Magic) so you don’t have to wait in line. Most of the time, the added passengers won’t make a significant difference either way in your cruise experience.
3. Staterooms – The basic layout, size, and feel of most staterooms is very similar on all four ships. The Wonder was the last hold out on the main-bed-that-can-be-split-into-two but they are all being replaced now, so all the beds and bedding will be the same in the standard staterooms. There will be some differences in specific categories, however. The biggest difference for inside rooms is the addition of virtual portholes in all inside rooms on the Dream and Fantasy. All four ships have a category 7A Navigators Verandah. On the Magic and Wonder it means the verandah is basically enclosed with a cut out open air porthole. On the Dream and Fantasy the Navigator Verandahs are undersized or partly obstructed verandahs. There are category 6 staterooms on all ships, but on the Dream and Fantasy it means there is a very short white metal wall on the bottom of the verandah railing. On the Magic and Wonder the white wall covers the entire railing. Category 4 staterooms sleep up to 5 people on all four ships, but the Dream and Fantasy added a new (less expensive) category that sleeps 5 people a category 8 Deluxe Family Oceanview. Family staterooms on the Dream and Fantasy usually have round tubs and rain shower heads. The Dream and Fantasy added staterooms on the aft and forward of the ship which is a pretty neat view. Some have huge verandahs as well and are well worth checking out! The staterooms on the Dream and Fantasy also have TV’s with On Demand which is a great addition.
4. Slides and Pools– The newer ships upped the game on water activities. The Dream and Fantasy both have the first water coaster at sea – the AquaDuck. All three pools were redesigned and the hot tubs hang out over the edge of the pool deck with clear windows in the floor to see the water (far) below. The Fantasy added a water play/splash area called the AquaLab as well as two other small splash pools. Satellite Falls is one of them and is for adults only. It’s located forward on deck 13. The other is for families and is called the Funnel Paddle. It’s located forward on deck 12. When the Magic was reimagined, they redid the children’s pool and slide, and added a splash zone there too. They also added the AquaDunk, a super fun three story body slide. The Dream, Fantasy, and now Magic also upgraded the baby/toddler splash areas.
5. Youth Clubs – The children’s clubs were significantly upgraded on the Dream and Fantasy. The teen club, Vibe, is amazing and has its own outdoor deck with hot tubs and sun chairs. Seriously, I’d hang out there if they’d let me. Vibe on the classic ships doesn’t have all of the extras the new Vibes do, it’s much more just a cool space to go and hang out with friends. The Edge (for tweens) is great on all the ships in my opinion, although it’s in a neat location in one of the funnels on the newer ships. The Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab on the new ships and the reimagined Magic are pretty cool to say the least with high tech electronic dance floors, tons of play space and dress up areas, and theming to the nines. The Magic has a great new Marvel-themed area in the Oceaneer Club. The Wonder is the only ship that hasn’t updated their youth areas yet, but the clubs were so well done to begin with that I can’t imagine very many children would be disappointed in them.
6. Restaurants – While the servers and food quality is pretty much the same across the four ships, there are some differences in the restaurants. One notable addition to the new ships is a second adult-only restaurant option called Remy. Remy is an excellent French restaurant with topnotch cuisine and service (and dinner without a wine pairing costs a cool $75 per person). The new ships also did away with the traditional buffet line and created a buffet area full of convenient food stations named Cabanas. The Magic redid their buffet and is now set up the same way. The Wonder still has a traditional buffet named Beach Blanket Buffet. The Pool Deck on all four ships has similar offerings (although the restaurants have different names) of hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, salads, paninis, fruit, wraps, ice cream (can’t forget that!) and the like. The main dining rooms also have different names and theming but similar food. The one dining room with the biggest difference would be Animator’s Palate on the Dream and Fantasy. The theming is amazing and the screens set up all over the restaurant bring a couple of different experiences. On both the Dream and Fantasy, an interactive Crush (everyone’s favorite sea turtle) visits the tables during dinner. On the Fantasy there is also an incredible animation experience called Animation Magic one night of the cruise. I wasn’t expecting much the first time I saw it, but by the end I was giggling like a school girl. It’s so popular the Magic also added it after its reimagination. Animator’s Palate on the Wonder is a great experience as well with the walls, screens, and even the servers clothes changing from black and white to color as you dine, but perhaps it’s due for an update.
7. Nightclubs – While two of the nightclubs are repeated on two ships, (Skyline on the Dream and Fantasy is truly amazing, and O’Gills on the Magic and Fantasy is always fun) even those are different enough that you should try each of them. All the nightclubs and lounges are unique and well done. There are a few treasures and I’m sure you’ll quickly find a favorite, but suffice it to say that none of the ships are lacking for great nightclubs.
8. Activities – The four ships all offer several activities and we don’t ever find ourselves bored on any of them, but the Dream and Fantasy do bring a few new things to the table. The interactive artwork and Midship Detective Agency are great additions. The Dream and Fantasy also have golf simulators (which do cost extra although there’s usually no charge the first afternoon) and mini golf. The Dream and Fantasy also added more stores! All the better to take your money from you. The Magic did add space to its existing stores as well. The spa onboard all four ships is great, but the new ships and the reimagined Magic are a little bit nicer in my opinion. Shutters, the onboard photography shop, on the Magic has been updated to the better set up on the Dream and Fantasy. The Walt Disney Theater has the same feel on all four ships but is much larger on the new ships with a balcony to accommodate even more guests. There are different shows on different ships, but all four have excellent shows.
9. Concierge – If you happen to be sailing concierge, there are some differences between the four ships. I covered most of them in a previous blog post on sailing concierge, but the most obvious difference would be the addition of a Concierge Lounge and Sun Deck on the Dream and Fantasy. The Concierge Lounge is a great space and you may miss it on the classic ships if you sail concierge on one of the new ships first. The suites are also very different on the Dream and Fantasy. The one bedroom suites on the Dream and Fantasy have a very open layout as opposed to the Magic and Wonder which feel more like two rooms joined together. The Magic and Wonder do have two bedroom suites whereas the newer ships do not. On the newer ships if you want to sleep more than 5 in concierge, you have to either go right to a Royal Suite or get two concierge rooms. The Magic and Wonder also do not have the category V concierge options which are very similar to the category 4 – Deluxe Family Oceanview Staterooms with Verandah.
10. Itineraries – The final (huge) difference between the four ships is the itineraries. The four ships do not, and cannot, visit the same ports all the time. The Dream and Fantasy are sticking with their usual itineraries out of Port Canaveral for the foreseeable future, with the Dream visiting the Bahamas on 3, 4 and 5 night itineraries and the Fantasy sailing 7 night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. The Magic does sometimes take over Western Caribbean itineraries from the Fantasy and it has the added benefit of being able to fit into the port at Key West when it sails to the Caribbean. Until it completes its expansion, the Wonder is the only ship that will still fit through the Panama Canal, so it will continue to sail any West coast itineraries, including Alaska. That means the Magic is the go-to ship for Europe itineraries in the summer.
So is one ship better than the other? Should you avoid any of the ships? My answer is a very firm no. All four ships are different. If you’ve been on all four, you probably have a favorite. Some people prefer one of the smaller, more-intimate classic ships, others prefer the new amenities the Dream and Fantasy bring to the table. I too have a favorite ship, but I wouldn’t hesitate to sail on a single one of them if it’s going where I want to go! After 17 cruises, many different itineraries and a few times on each ship, I’ve never been disappointed!
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10 Differences between the Classic and Dream Class Ships on Disney Cruise Line is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Disneyland Resort Crowd Calendar Report – January 11 to 17, 2015
Last week, Disneyland Parks were most crowded on Friday and Saturday, least crowded on Sunday and Thursday and moderate in between. Our predictions did well, missing by no more than one level at Disneyland Park each day. As expected, Saturday’s crowds were higher than usual thanks to the Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend.
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
3
2
Very light crowds at Disney California Adventure on Sunday with average waits like 8 minutes at California Screamin’ (predicted 16) and 27 minutes at Toy Story Midway Mania (predicted 39).
Disney California Adventure
4
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
2
3
Slightly longer waits at both parks on Monday including a 31 minute average wait at Indiana Jones Adventure (predicted 19).
Disney California Adventure
2
4
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
2
3
Tuesday’s crowds were about the same as the previous day. Average waits were 17 minutes at Autopia (predicted 16) and 58 minutes at Radiator Springs Racers (predicted 64).
Disney California Adventure
2
3
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
1
2
Our predictions were one level too high at both parks on Wednesday. Standout attractions were Alice in Wonderland (21 minutes, predicted 18) and Grizzly River Run (5 minutes, predicted 4).
Disney California Adventure
2
3
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
2
2
Registration for the Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend began on Thursday but wait times in the park stayed very low as they had all week.
Disney California Adventure
2
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
4
5
Friday was the first day of the week when both parks hit crowd levels above a level ‘3’. Wait times were still very reasonable though like 14 minutes at Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.
Disney California Adventure
5
4
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
7
8
Saturday was a different day than the rest of the week. We saw average wait times like 43 at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (predicted 21) and 57 at Indiana Jones Adventure (predicted 39).
Disney California Adventure
6
8
What to Expect This Week
January 18 to 24, 2014
How Crowded is Disneyland Resort?
Next week should bring another week of low crowds during the week with increases on the weekend.
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 Resort Crowd Calendar Report – January 11 to 17, 2015 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Universal Orlando Resort Crowd Calendar Report – January 11 to 17, 2015
Last week, the flow of guests to Universal parks mirrored what we saw across town at the Disney parks: very quiet the first half of the week then busier towards the weekend. Our goal is to be within one index level for each prediction and to minimize the number of times we miss by more than two. Based on that standard we did very well last week, missing by no more than one index level resort-wide each day.
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
2
3
Sunday’s crowd at Universal Studios was highlighted by a 51 minute wait at Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem. At Islands of Adventure only Forbidden Journey averaged more than 30 minutes (34 minutes, predicted 21).
Islands of Adventure
2
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
3
3
Light crowds continued on Monday with Islands of Adventure having no attraction that averaged more than 30 minutes.
Islands of Adventure
2
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
2
2
More of the same on Tuesday with both parks having crowd levels in the lowest levels of our scale for the third day in a row. Rip Ride Rockit averaged 11 minutes, very low for that coaster.
Islands of Adventure
2
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
2
4
Universal Studios crowd level inched upward to a level ‘4’ on Wednesday which means average posted times were 5 to 8 minutes higher, on average.
Islands of Adventure
1
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
3
4
E.T. Adventure was a surprise on Thursday where we saw an average posted wait time of 28 minutes (predicted 19). Elsewhere, most attractions were within a few minutes of what we predicted.
Islands of Adventure
2
3
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
5
4
On Friday, Islands of Adventure caught up to the level ‘4’s that we had seen at Universal on Wednesday and Thursday. E.T.’s wait time returned to normal (6 minutes).
Islands of Adventure
4
4
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
7
6
Saturday at Universal was the first day where we saw an influx of guests arriving for the extended weekend that includes Martin Luther King Junior Day on Monday.
Islands of Adventure
5
7
What to Expect This Week
January 18 to 24, 2014
How Crowded is Universal Studios Orlando?
January is a great month to visit Universal Orlando Resort. Once Martin Luther King Junior Day passes by we expect to see moderate crowds at worst.
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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Universal Orlando Resort Crowd Calendar Report – January 11 to 17, 2015 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Disney World Crowd Calendar Report – January 11 to 17, 2015
Last week at Walt Disney World we saw the lightest crowds we’ve seen since September, especially in the first half of the week. The light crowds were short-lived however with several ‘7’s and ‘8’s on Friday and Saturday even though we saw the rare case on Wednesday where all parks were a level ‘1’ on our scale.
Let’s look at how the crowd levels stacked up each day last week:
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
3
1
Sunday, the final day of Marathon weekend brought very light crowds across the resort. Big Thunder Mountain railroad averaged 26 minutes (predicted 36) while Toy Story Midway Mania averaged 48 minutes (predicted 49).
Epcot
3
1
Hollywood Studios
3
1
Animal Kingdom
3
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
3
1
Magic Kingdom stayed at the lowest level on our scale again on Monday, as was Animal Kingdom. Hollywood Studios hit a level ‘3’ which is still very manageable with waits like 36 minutes at Tower of Terror and 66 at Toy Story Midway Mania.
Epcot
4
2
Hollywood Studios
6
3
Animal Kingdom
3
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
3
2
Tuesday’s crowds were similarly quiet at all parks. Epcot’s longest average wait was 49 minutes at Test Track (predicted 51).
Epcot
3
2
Hollywood Studios
3
1
Animal Kingdom
2
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
3
1
Wow! Our models predicted the same crowd level at all four parks Wednesday but it was two levels too high in all cases. Even during the slowest times of the year it is rare to see all four parks at the lowest level on our scale.
Epcot
3
1
Hollywood Studios
3
1
Animal Kingdom
3
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
4
2
Animal Kingdom’s crowd level on Thursday was ‘1’ for the fourth day in a row. That translates to average posted waits like 18 minutes for Expedition Everest (predicted 23) and 16 at Kilimanjaro Safaris (predicted 17).
Epcot
3
2
Hollywood Studios
4
1
Animal Kingdom
2
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
6
8
Friday’s crowd level ‘8’ at Magic Kingdom represents one of the fastest influx of guests to a park we will likely see all year. Magic Kingdom was less than a ‘3’ all week until Friday’s ‘8’ came along. Other parks were still relatively quiet.
Epcot
6
5
Hollywood Studios
5
3
Animal Kingdom
4
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
6
7
Saturday’s crowds were much higher as well compared to the rest of the week but the crowds were spread much more evenly across the four parks. Friday and Saturday crowd numbers indicate the rush of guests taking advantage on Monday’s Holiday a few days before the holiday itself.
Epcot
6
7
Hollywood Studios
7
8
Animal Kingdom
6
7
What to Expect This Week
January 18 to 24, 2014
How Crowded is Disney World?
The influx of guests to Disney World during Martin Luther King Junior Day will fade as the week progresses towards Thursday and Friday. After that, we expect fairly quiet crowds until the second week of February.
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 – January 11 to 17, 2015 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
January 19, 2015
Walt Disney World Newsworthy Notes – 1/19/15
Happy Monday! I’m back again with a few little news notes that may be helpful for your next trip to Walt Disney World. These fun little nuggets include new fun for Peter Pan’s Flight, where you can find Flame Tree Barbecue’s treats during its refurbishment, and more! So, here we go!
For those of you who are fans of Flame Tree Barbecue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you may be worried about where you can get the delightful treats that you know and love while the restaurant is closed for a refurbishment that’s scheduled to last until sometime in April. (During the refurb work, they are working on the current seating areas.) Today, I come bearing the answers of where those yummy bites can be found. Guests looking for the half chicken, the half slab of ribs, or the combo of ribs and chicken should head to the Gardens Kiosk or the Beastly Kiosk. For those searching for the turkey leg, you’ll need to visit Trilo-bites, and for the pork sandwich, stop at a cart found in near Trilo-bites. All of these locations are near Flame Tree Barbecue.
Moving over to the Magic Kingdom, a brand new interactive queue has been introduced for Peter Pan’s Flight. The new queue takes guests into the Darling household, and new interactive elements include Tinker Bell flying around and interacting with Wendy, John, and Michael’s toys, guests’ own shadows coming alive on the wall in the children’s nursery, and a sprinkle of pixie dust before heading off into Never Land. The queue’s new effects are currently in testing and should be fully rolled out within the next week, or so.
The Harmony Barbershop’s refurbishment has been pushed back. It will now take place from February 16 through to March 30, reopening on March 31.
I mentioned previously that printed photo packages would no longer be included with character meals, with the exception of Cinderella’s Royal Table and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. Earlier this month, these two establishments also joined the list of those not printing photo packages for guests. Now these photos are associated with a guest’s MagicBand (or other RFID-enabled card). Guests wishing to view and print their photos will need to log in online to their My Disney Experience accounts.
There will be some changes to the for both the parades and fireworks FastPass+ viewing areas at the Magic Kingdom. First, currently for both the daytime and nighttime parades, the viewing location is relocated from the Central Plaza Viewing Area down to the Town Square Viewing Area, which is situated near the flagpole in the middle of Town Square. Then, beginning February 27, the FastPass+ viewing area that’s located at the Rose Garden will be moved to the Main Street Plaza Gardens, situated adjacent to Casey’s Corner and the Plaza Restaurant. (These areas are currently under construction.) These locations are available on a first come, first served basis, and guests will be able to choose from either side, based upon availability. These changes are being done to accommodate for the construction taking place around the hub.
That’s it for this edition! Thoughts?
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