Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1164
November 25, 2014
Disneyland Resort Crowd Report – November 16 to 22, 2014
Disneyland crowd levels were up last week but not significantly so, except for Saturday. We tended to miss low with our predictions all week but we still managed to get within one index level of what we observed most days.
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
5
6
Sunday concluded the Avengers Half Marathon Weekend but unlike the day before, wait times at the parks were in line with what we predicted. We saw waits like 30 at its a small world and 26 at Soarin’ Over California.
Disney California Adventure
5
5
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
3
4
Monday’s crowds were similarly moderate, if not low, as we predicted. No attraction at Disneyland park reached an average posted time above 32 minutes (Star Tours).
Disney California Adventure
3
3
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
3
5
Crowd levels at the two parks went opposite directions on Tuesday. Disneyland park went a couple points higher than expected while Disney California adventure went one level lower.
Disney California Adventure
3
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
2
3
Wednesday’s level ’3′ at Disneyland Park was the lowest crowd of the week at that park. Pirates of the Caribbean stayed at an average of 8 minutes while the Matterhorn Bobsleds averaged 12 (predicted 19).
Disney California Adventure
2
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
2
5
Thursday brought the first surprise of the week with a level ’5′ at Disneyland Park although wait times were not drastic by any means. We saw averages like 13 minutes at Autopia and 16 at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Disney California Adventure
2
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
4
5
Another ’5′ at Disneyland and another day with a below-average crowd level at Disney California Adventure, despite hosting early entry. California Screamin’ managed a 20 minute average as did Soarin’ Over California but otherwise waits were single digits.
Disney California Adventure
3
3
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
5
9
Big surprise on Saturday with a crowd level ’9′ at Disneyland Park. Many attractions reached a level ’10′ on our scale (Alice in Wonderland, Astro Orbitor, Big Thunder Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, Peter Pan’s Flight and three others).
Disney California Adventure
3
6
What to Expect This Week
November 23 to 29, 2014
How Crowded is Disneyland Resort?
Thanksgiving week crowds are extreme at Disneyland Park. Many celebrate the week at the resort, clog up the hotels and fill both parks each day. Arrive early, use a touring plan, re-optimize while in the parks and prepare to call an ‘audible’.
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 Report – November 16 to 22, 2014 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Disney World Crowd Report – November 16 to 22, 2014
After a surprise crowd level at Magic Kingdom on Saturday, November 15, we were very curious to see how crowds would pan out last week. Our predictions did well all week until, for the second week in a row, a surprisingly large crowd level ’7′ at Magic Kingdom on Saturday. Disney Hollywood Studios showed some higher than normal crowd levels as well but in general, the crowd levels have been within normal limits of what we’ve seen in past years, with the exception of Saturdays at Magic Kingdom. In fact, Epcot’s crowd levels have been near replicas of previous years as the success of last week’s predictions show. This indicates we are seeing a change in crowd pattern rather than a change in overall crowd level (although there is some evidence that crowd levels are up as well). Regardless, in the coming days you may see some crowd levels change in December, especially on Saturdays at Magic Kingdom.
Let’s look at how the crowd levels stacked up each day last week on the Disney World Crowd 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
3
2
After large Magic Kingdom crowds the day before, Sunday’s crowds returned to expected levels on Sunday. The Studios has seen some higher wait times at certain times all fall and that continued last week, starting with Sunday’s level ’6′.
Epcot
2
3
Hollywood Studios
3
6
Animal Kingdom
5
3
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
3
1
Another ’6′ at The Studios on Monday including average wait times like 40 minutes at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (predicted 27) and 88 at Toy Story Midway Mania (predicted 60). Meanwhile, shortened park hours (due to a private event) at Magic Kingdom kept crowds very low during the day.
Epcot
3
3
Hollywood Studios
3
6
Animal Kingdom
3
3
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
5
4
Tuesday’s crowd at Disney Hollywood Studios remained at a level ’6′ for the third day last week. We have seen some increased wait times at Great Movie Ride this fall and that continued Tuesday with an average posted time of 22 minutes, normal for November is 16.
Epcot
3
3
Hollywood Studios
4
6
Animal Kingdom
3
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
4
5
Our Epcot predictions performed very well all week, without a miss of more than one index level. Animal Kingdom was a great choice for low crowds all week with Wednesday’s highest wait time average at 20 minutes for Expedition Everest (predicted 22).
Epcot
4
4
Hollywood Studios
4
3
Animal Kingdom
4
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
2
4
Thursday brought another Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to Magic Kingdom with the corresponding low mid-day crowd to go with it, although wait times skewed a little higher than normal.
Epcot
3
2
Hollywood Studios
4
1
Animal Kingdom
3
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
2
4
Another Friday, another Very Merry Christmas Party and another crowd level ’4′ at Magic Kingdom, only The Studios could top that. We hit the mark at Magic Kingdom with wait time predictions of 34 for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and 25 for Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin while Winnie the Pooh averaged 30 minutes (predicted 30). Peter Pan’s Flight saw some high wait times driven by curious guests checking out new features in the queue.
Epcot
3
3
Hollywood Studios
4
5
Animal Kingdom
2
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
2
7
Saturday’s crowd at Magic Kingdom was enough to push the resort wide crowd level (6) up three points from what we predicted. The Studios also saw some significant waits like 76 minutes at Toy Story Midway Mania and 48 at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
Epcot
4
4
Hollywood Studios
4
7
Animal Kingdom
3
4
What to Expect This Week
November 23 to 29, 2014
How Crowded is Walt Disney World?
Thanksgiving week at Disney World means very busy parks all week. Arrive early, use a touring plan, re-optimize your plan while in the park and be prepared to ‘call audibles’.
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 Report – November 16 to 22, 2014 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 Report – November 16 to 22, 2014
To say last week was a slow one at Universal Orlando Resort is an understatement. Wait times at both parks stayed in the lowest levels of the year all week, exactly as we predicted. Even the weekend crowds could not muster a crowd level above ’2′ on our scale.
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
2
Guests of Universal Orlando experienced low wait times all week. On Sunday we saw averages like 9 minutes at Revenge of the Mummy and 10 at The Simpson’s Ride.
Islands of Adventure
2
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
2
2
Monday’s waits were no higher. 8 minutes at Spider-Man and 12 at Flight of the Hippogriff while Universal Studios saw averages like 10 minutes at Men in Black and 18 at Transformers: The Ride-3D.
Islands of Adventure
2
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
2
2
No change on Tuesday, low crowds across both parks.
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 Wednesday, either park was a great choice for low crowds.
Islands of Adventure
2
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
2
2
Thursday’s crowd was low again at both parks. We saw only a 17-minute average wait at Forbidden Journey.
Islands of Adventure
1
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
2
2
Wait times creeped up one level at Islands of Adventure on Friday. Forbidden Journey was much busier at 28 minutes (predicted 15).
Islands of Adventure
2
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
3
2
Back down to a level ’1′ for Islands of Adventure on Saturday while The Studios completed the week-long sweep of crowd level ’2′s on our scale.
Islands of Adventure
2
1
What to Expect This Week
November 23 to 29, 2014
How Crowded is Universal Orlando Resort?
Despite the slow week last week we expect that Thanksgiving Week will be a different story. The parks will see heavy crowds but not at Christmas-like levels.
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 Report – November 16 to 22, 2014 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Embracing the Crowds as a Solo Traveler
By Claire Nat
A pretty normal crowd to open the Magic Kingdom
Many times the purpose of a solo trip is to “get away” from things. Get away from work. Get away from family or friends. Get away from crowds. Get away from stress. Get away from reality.
Walt Disney World provides a great release for solo travelers, which can qualify for all of those “get away” moments…except the crowds. It has come to my realization that there are fewer and fewer “low crowd” times at Walt Disney World these days. I was there on a solo trip in mid-October, and it still felt like there were tons of people in the park. Even if attractions promoted 20 minute wait times, there were still people in the attraction, and I still had to wait in a crowd.
So how do solo travelers enjoy the crowds, no matter what the time of year? Well, maybe not enjoy, but tolerate or embrace the crowds? Here are some tips.
It’s rare to get a bus all to yourself, so get ready to be friendly!
Get to know your neighbors.
When you are in line for Toy Story Midway Mania for 60 minutes, that is 60 minutes of time that you will have the same people in front of you, and the same people behind you. They will be doing a variety of things: looking at smartphones, playing line games like “I Spy” or “The Alphabet Game,” sitting or swinging on the queue railing (kids, probably), or talking to each other.
Why not get in on the conversation? It can be as easy as “Man, Florida sure is hot!” or “I’m from Colorado, and I’m not used to this humidity!” Whenever I get into a conversation with someone new, my go-to is the weather. Usually that can progress into other topics.
Another option is to listen to their conversation and jump in. This may be viewed as awkward to some people, so use only when you’re sure it will not seem weird. I was in line for Enchanted Tales with Belle, and the group behind me was discussing when the park closed for non-Halloween Party guests. I knew the answer, so I turned around and provided them with it. It didn’t turn into anything, but I was being helpful and it gave me a chance to talk to people.
Keep a cheerful attitude.
If crowds are not your thing, you might be miserable at Walt Disney World. I knew early on in my vacation experiences that “grumps” can ruin a vacation, even if you only encounter one in passing.
The key to a solo success story? Keep the cheerful attitude. Yes, a child may run into you once…twice…eight times in a day, and your foot might get run over by a stroller, and the screaming child shows no signs of stopping next to you on the monorail, but it doesn’t mean the day is ruined. Smile at the child and say “That’s okay!” Grimace in pain but accept the apology of the stressed-out Dad. Just a smile of acknowledgement from a stranger instead of a glare can be huge for a vacationing family.
Check out all these wonderful details!
Look over the crowds at the park itself.
Yes, there will be people all over the place. But the easiest way to embrace the crowds is to ignore them. Grab that Premium Mickey Bar and stroll down Main Street U.S.A. Yes there is shouting next to you, but look at the details on the trunk of the Tree of Life! You thought you had the perfect spot for the fireworks, but then people came, but that’s okay! Just shift over a little bit and you have a new perfect spot!
I have been on the verge of being upset or annoyed by something, but by just adjusting my view or ignoring the situation as best as I can really helps. I had a family behind me at Fantasmic! that talked through much of the performance. Instead of getting bothered, I listened for the exciting times and listened for how they would respond. It enhanced my experience instead of ruining it.
Create some magic.
Ever bought food at the Parks and given it away? Have you started singing a Disney song and listened as people around started singing with you? Did you start doing something goofy with Goofy and made the cast members and people in the queue laugh? Magical moments are limited to cast members. As a solo traveler, you have more time to plot and plan a magical moment and execute it to perfection. I have bought a Mickey balloon and given it away to a family. I have seen ice cream bought to soothe another person’s child (with the mother’s permission).
It doesn’t even have to be big or require money. Just offering an elderly man or woman your seat on the bus or monorail can be magic. This magic doesn’t just put a smile on their face, but yours, too!
Do you have any ways that you’ve traveled solo and enjoyed the crowds? Have you ever taken a negative situation and made it positive? Did you ever create some magic in the parks? Comment below!
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Embracing the Crowds as a Solo Traveler is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
November 24, 2014
Grand Floridian Gingerbread House Officially Open
This past weekend I was in Walt Disney World, and I just happened to be there on the day that the Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort‘s Gingerbread House officially debuted for this season! The house is huge and so gorgeous, and the best part is that you won’t be able to miss the delightful smell of gingerbread that permeates the lobby. Overall, it screams holiday cheer and is legitimately incredible to see in person.
It is so hard to believe that the entire thing is edible; all the way down to the smallest of details. Speaking of the small details, make sure you get a close look at the house, because there may be a few surprises, like Hidden Mickeys!
In addition, there are some great fun facts sprinkled all around the area, so make sure you stop and read all about the in-depth details of the making of the house.
According to Disney, this year’s gingerbread house is made up of 1,050 pounds of honey, 140 pints of egg whites, 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 700 pounds of chocolate, 800 pounds of flour, 35 pounds of spices, and tons of creativity paired with Disney magic and pixie dust.
Now for me, the best part of the Grand Floridian Gingerbread House is that on the backside of the structure, you’ll find a small window where guests can choose to purchase many different kinds of confectioneries. These include chocolates, gingerbread men, gingerbread houses, and, yes, gingerbread shingles! For the most part, if it can be made with gingerbread, it is likely sold here.
I had to indulge myself with a shingle, which is quite tasty. The cookie is very soft, despite the fact that it looks like it would be hard, with a great, almost subtle gingerbread taste. The best part is that the back is covered in chocolate, which pairs nicely with the gingerbread flavor!
This is the 16th anniversary of the gingerbread house, and it is located in the middle of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort’s lobby; you cannot miss it. In addition, for guests who would like to purchase a sweet treat, they may do so from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
If you’ll be in Walt Disney World for the holiday season this year, do not miss out on a stop at Disney’s Grand Floridian to catch a glimpse of this beautiful, festive house.
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Grand Floridian Gingerbread House Officially Open is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Menu Monday: How to Order the Chocolate Glass Slipper Dessert
Looking for a way to make a special meal at a Disney World restaurant even more magical? How about something to commemorate a birthday, anniversary, proposal, or milestone? If so, this Chocolate Glass Slipper Dessert may be just what you’re looking for! What is it? It’s a perfectly royal way to satisfy your sweet tooth and to celebrate a special occasion at Disney World. It consists of a chocolate shell shaped as Cinderella’s famous glass footwear, along with a few other sweet compliments and a personalized message tailored to your celebration. Find out how to order the Chocolate Glass Slipper Dessert for your next special event at Disney World.
Chocolate Glass Slipper Dessert
Location
This sweet, fairy tale treat is only available at a few locations at Disney World, such as Cinderella’s Royal Table at the Magic Kingdom and restaurants at both the Contemporary Resort and the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.
When I ordered my chocolate slipper, I was told that Grand Floridian restaurants offer a white chocolate slipper filled with whipped cream, a small chocolate mousse, and raspberry coulis. Cinderella’s Royal Table, however, offers both chocolate and white chocolate slippers to choose from filled with chocolate mousse and with a serving of fresh fruit.
Keep in mind that these details can change at any time, or could’ve changed already, so be sure to ask your Cast Member for what is being offered when you call. Also, if you are not given a preference of whether you would like a chocolate or white chocolate slipper, specify when you order, especially if you are planning this dessert for a reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table.
Review
Now when I first heard about this dessert, I knew I had to try it for myself! My family and I were going to be at Disney World for my parents’ anniversary and so I planned to order this sweet treat as a grand finale to our special family dinner at the Grand Floridian Cafe. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of information out there about how to order the chocolate slipper, or even how much it would cost. Needless to say, I was kind of in the dark; but in the end, I spoke with a Cast Member at the Disney Cake Hotline who explained what locations offered the dessert, how it differed depending on the location, and how much it would cost. After explaining what message I would like written on the plate and dealing with payment, I was told that my chocolate slipper would be at the Grand Floridian Cafe in time for our special meal.
Towards the end of our dinner on the night of my parents’ anniversary, I privately reminded our waitress at the Grand Floridian Cafe that I had ordered a chocolate slipper. I was glad I did because she didn’t seem to be aware. This was probably because the chocolate slipper dessert is ordered and paid for apart from the Grand Floridian Café. Fortunately, it wasn’t much of an issue. She checked and found that it had arrived and was ready in the kitchen to be brought to the table when we were ready.
During your visit, I would suggest mentioning your chocolate slipper order when you arrive for your dining reservation, just to make sure that your waiter/waitress knows and so that they can bring out this special dessert at the right moment!
While my parents enjoyed the dessert, there was enough for me to have a little sampling of each treat presented on the plate too; and needless to say, I was not disappointed! The white chocolate slipper wasn’t hollow, like I expected it to be, but solid, delicious chocolate. Also, the chocolate mousse was light and creamy and not too rich. The raspberry coulis turned out to be the perfect compliment to both flavors of chocolate; and while we hated to ruin the intricate, chocolate stamp of the castle, we just had to taste that too!
We liked the fact that there was the dessert wasn’t all solid chocolate, but rather offered a variety of flavors and textures. If everything on the plate had been solid chocolate, that would’ve been too much. The presentation was impressive as well. This wasn’t a pre-fabricated dessert that Disney just threw on a plate. For example, the writing on the plate was carefully written and the little hearts in the shaped raspberry coulis was perfectly done!
Overall, the Chocolate Glass Slipper Dessert was the perfect ending to my parents’ anniversary dinner and I would definitely order it again. In fact, I’m almost tempted to order it during my next visit to Disney World for no reason at all!
Ordering
Before you call, I would strongly suggest booking a dining reservation at the restaurant of your choice before you order the chocolate slipper. A reservation number may be required upon ordering and you need to make sure that a table at your restaurant is guaranteed for the time you ordered the dessert.
Also, keep in mind that the Chocolate Glass Slipper Dessert is not included on regular restaurant menus, so don’t expect to see it under the listed desserts or being able to order it at the end of your meal. Instead, you must order through the resort restaurant of your choice beforehand at least 48 hours in advance. To order the chocolate slipper for your dining reservation at the Contemporary, you can call 407-824-2955. However, if an elegant meal at the Grand Floridian is on your agenda, call 407-824-1951 for this Cinderella-inspired dessert. You can also order through the Disney Cake Hotline at 407-827-2253 anytime from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM all week long.
When placing your order, remember that you can include a personalized, edible message written on the edge of your plate!
Note: The chocolate slipper is also used in the Glass Slipper Proposal Package at Cinderella’s Royal Table. If a storybook proposal is what you have in mind, call the special events team for more info about creating this fairy tale moment at 407-824-4477.
Price
The Chocolate Glass Slipper Dessert currently costs $15, which I think is a reasonable price for a special, personalized dessert at Disney World. It is not included with the Disney Dining Plan and must be paid for ahead of time when you place your order.
Would you order the Chocolate Glass Slipper Dessert? If you’ve had it before, what did you think of it?
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Menu Monday: How to Order the Chocolate Glass Slipper Dessert is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Menu Monday: Birthday Fun at Teppan Edo with Review
For those of you who don’t know, Teppan Edo is a delightful restaurant found in the Japan Pavilion located in the World Showcase at Epcot. That was a mouth full, wasn’t it? Here you can enjoy teppan-yaki-style cooking prepared right at your table by a talented Japanese chef. It’s not just a meal, but a fun and unique experience. Trust me, it’s something to put on your culinary bucket list!
Teppan Edo is my favorite place to eat in the World Showcase for two reasons: the memories and the overall experience. The first time my husband and I went to Disney World together, it was our favorite dining experience of the trip. We were with my parents and Michael’s aunt and uncle. Michael had raved about this place as he had been there once before. With such positive reviews coming from a Disney Curmudgeon, I knew this was definitely a place I had to try.
Following our arrival, we waited in the “lobby” for a short time before being seated. As we walked down a long hall way, I could peak into each room to see wait staff and chefs tending to their guests. I couldn’t wait to get started!
Now, the grill is centered around family-style seating so if you’re an introvert, you may have to keep an open mind. My parents could talk to a wall, so they plopped right down next to a middle-aged couple from New York. Yes, they had a New York accent. Yes, I couldn’t get enough of it. We soon learned that they were teachers like my mom, so they all had plenty to gab about.
The chatter didn’t last long as our waitress promptly arrived to take drink and food orders. Although there are appetizers to choose from (click here for the menu), but we went straight for the entrees. I decided to spoil myself, so I ordered the filet mignon (although I’ve also had the Nihonbashi, or chicken and steak, which is also very good!) Although the prices are on the higher side, this is definitely a meal to splurge on. Entrees start at just under $18.00 while the kid options begin at $13.00. If your child isn’t a big eater, consider sharing with him or her. It will be just a little friendlier on the wallet.
Housekeeping detail #1: Menu prices stay the same for both lunch and dinner, so it doesn’t matter what time of day you go.
Housekeeping detail #2: The Disney dining plan is accepted here. Tables in Wonderland cannot be used.
Soon after our orders were taken, the chef arrived with his supplies. He introduced himself and asked if there were any food allergies within the group. My mom is allergic to shellfish and nuts, so we were sure to mention that when we had made the reservation. The chef was very attentive to her needs and was sure to verify her dietary restrictions before starting the meal. Every restaurant I have been to at Disney World has done this. The chef will come out and converse with whomever has the food allergies. Rest assured; you’re in great hands!
The chef, whose name I can’t remember as it was three years ago, set to work on the vegetables: zucchinis and onions. Next, he added the Udon noodles and meat. For my mom’s portion (the one with the allergies), he put her meat off to the side away from the others so as not to cross contaminate. Both his culinary skills and his presentation were magnificent! While cooking over a very hot stovetop, he performed tricks and flips with his pepper shakers and cooking utensils. I will say that at a typical restaurant, there is that period of dull down time where you wait for your meal to arrive. Not here. We were kept engaged and entertained the entire time. We saw it all, from the chef flipping his shakers behind his back to the popular onion volcano. He shared funny jokes and pointed out a (not so) hidden Mickey he created with the onions. It felt like a dinner show and really, it was!
We received our veggies, noodles (and rice) and then our meat. We were given a selection of dipping sauces to try with the food as well. If there was any downside to the experience, it was that we did not receive all of our food at the same time. This is simply because some food items take longer to cook. This in no way took away from the experience and shouldn’t deter you from trying it for yourself. The food was deeeeeeelicious. There’s something very satisfying about eating food you witnessed being prepared from start to finish. There was more than enough to appease the appetite and I even had leftovers at the end of the meal. A+ in my book!
Okay, back to that couple from New York. As we all were finishing our meal, the man mentioned casually (in his cool accent) that it was his birthday. Now, I come from a Polish family. When we celebrate birthdays, we sing, “Sto lat.” This is a Polish song, sung at occasions such as birthdays, used to express well wishes and a long life to the special individual. It basically translates to, “May you live a hundred years.” Michael looked at my mom and, as a joke, started quietly singing the song.
Mr. New Yorker’s eyes lit up and he exclaimed, “Hey! I know that song! I’m Polish too!” Well at that point, the entire group broke out into “Sto lat,” as guests from other tables stared in our direction. Half way through the song, we heard a noise come from the hallway. A different man had sprinted down the hall way when he heard us singing and darted around the corner to join in as well. It was such a random and cool experience. We all felt united and bonded as we celebrated this New Yorker, a stranger mere hours ago, on his special day. Following the song, we clapped and broke out into laughter.
These are the kind of memories that make me love Disney World. It’s not just about the characters, attractions and food. It’s also about the people you meet and the organic experiences you create. I walked out of the restaurant thinking to myself, “When would this kind of thing ever happen?”
Only at Disney, folks.
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Menu Monday: Birthday Fun at Teppan Edo with Review is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
November 23, 2014
Sensible Budgeting for Souvenirs
By Kevin Bastos
My wife walked into our study – so-called the Yankees room – adorned with retired jerseys, souvenirs from baseball games, and posed figures clutching bats and blocking home plate. As she does before mentioning something that she likes, she led with a phrase meant as more than subtext, “I know I shouldn’t be mentioning this…” and she referred me to the Disney online store where new souvenirs from the Haunted Mansion collection had just been launched. I have a terrible habit of keeping a record of everything my wife mentions that she even has a slight interest in, and putting it in the cart. By ‘putting it in the cart,’ I mean ordering it as soon as she leaves the room – to be delivered for our next Disney trip. In contrast, this time she was adamant that I absolutely not order the really great new shirts emulating the cast members. One was a maid, and the other was the ghost host. So this time, I needed to wait until the next morning to look it up. By then, the shirt had sold out, and my continued checking found it unavailable. Frankly, this was an item that even I really wanted, and although the ghost host shirt remained, it was available only in a men’s small that certainly wouldn’t fit my frame.
Immediately, I was dismayed. Not at the loss of the item – but knowing that if I really wanted to find it, I would probably have to wait months to find it in the new Memento Mori shop. As a reforming hoarder (code: still really terrible hoarder), I constantly need to remind myself to slow down and relax. Even if I couldn’t immediately find an item, more than likely something pretty great would come down the line.
Comic Collector’s hoard
I come from a nasty collector’s history. I started collecting comic books in middle school, and really read like crazy during the era when comic book values had been skyrocketing over demand. Nearly any book with a hot character could be relatively assured to increase in price if just held for a few years, and my spare nickels all went into a fund for comics, and my collection took over my spare space. I listed, and later categorized with values. Like nearly everyone else, I went to college, and my spare nickels disappeared – and my comic habit eventually stopped. The collecting industry as a whole dried up, and values plummeted. Nearly every hoarder dumped entire collections onto the public, and outside of a few key issues, values dropped. When I returned to check years later, it turned out that only a few books retained any value, and the industry had changed drastically. Comics, like many other industries, were now producing books for the collectors. Limited editions, variants, hidden gems. The old practice of holding onto a book for a few years and it increased in value had nearly disappeared – outside of a few key elements. I started collecting again, and my mentality of ‘owning it all’ came back again.
When I first travelled to Disney World, my searching for the souvenirs mentality came back – and I decided to focus on only a few items – like the Star Wars themed Mr. Potato Head toys. Seeing it as limited set of five toys, I thought I could buy them, and then ‘be done.’ Of course, the line returned to an old collector/hoarder worst enemy. Retirement.
With any high-demand item, a producer often eliminates an item or two – changes a feature – or replaces with a new feature. The older one stops production, and supply of an old item ends. As a result, newer collectors seeking to ‘complete their collection,’ start to hit eBay to pay crazed amount of funds for items that can complete a collection. My advice? STOP RIGHT THERE! You are going down the rabbit hole. I’ve been there. Don’t follow. If you decide to go down the route of a Disney collection, be aware of a few things before you decide to buy.
Pay only what you would pay to own that item. I’ve been burned on this one too many times. Don’t look at the current value of an item – that will fluctuate. Just because an item sold for a certain number of dollars, doesn’t mean that item is worth that much money. Any number of things could drive the value of an item up or down. If it seems too expensive, pass.
Our Ears Hoard – from Every Trip
Focus your collection down to a few limited interest items. Hundreds and hundreds of souvenirs are sold every day at Disney World. It’s relatively easy to fall down a path of collection – thinking that only a few more items will complete any collection. If demand exists for an item, Disney will always make more. That means that your complete Mr. Potato Head Star Wars collection will have a few more variants next year – and re-introductions with slight alterations, too. New clothes, new accessories, a slightly different expression all get a re-release. No matter how many times a film drops into a Disney vault, it will more than likely get a re-release at some time down the road (Song of the South exempted, of course). If you try to own all the versions of every release, ever – you will only get disappointed.
Limited edition usually isn’t that limited. Collectible doesn’t mean re-sell-able. Any item ever sold anywhere can be labeled as limited. It only means that sometime it will stop. It doesn’t guarantee that it can be re-sold by anyone. In my experience, I usually equate ‘limited’ and ‘collectible’ as synonyms for ‘valueless.’ We really have no ability to know the true number of any item sold, and even less ability to really speculate on possible future demand.
Condition can determine collectible nature. Over the past year, a copy of Action Comics #1 sold for 3.2 million dollars. Another copy sold for $250,000. Still a big chunk of change – but nearly every time something is done to a collectible, it drops its value. Remove from the package? Take off its tags? Wear it? Live in a home with a smoker? All of these things can lower the value of an investment. Certainly you should never purchase any item just for the possible increase in value in the future – but any changes to that item may lower its value as a collectible.
Past experience will not guarantee future investment value. I love the Disney World monorail set. When Disney discontinued a few sets, their value increase exponentially. eBay sets of the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and even the sign set shot up in value. As a result, sales of the Space Mountain set, Epcot, and others went up. Now, they’ve retired, but sales of them on eBay have been relatively stagnant – with only a few in perfect condition able to be sold for their previous purchase price. Too many people saw the potential for investment, jumped on the wagon, and and tried to cash in.
Have a tradition, and maintain it. When I was a child, I still remember going to Jeff Cottrill’s house up the road. On top of a cabinet, the family set of personalized Mickey ears sat. When we finally made it to Disney World, I wanted a set of classic Mickey ears for myself. My parents thought it a foolish expenditure, and instead bought me a shirt. I liked it, but years later, we got a family set – each person selecting a hat. Now, on every visit, we get ears for each person. I have been known to purchase multiple ears for each person, too. For our next visit, each person already has two different NEW sets. We haven’t even left yet. Yes, I have a problem. But with my focus on two collectibles, I can budget for the souvenirs, too. Now, all of our ears sit on display, as memories of each visit.
Christmas Ornaments. Don’t tell! They’re presents!
Don’t be afraid to break stride, and buy one or two things outside of your plans. You never can tell what you might run across, and even the tightest of purse strings may open just a bit for an unusual collector. Nearly anywhere a strange item may raise its head. We ran across a Disney outlet in Detroit that had a great assortment of Halloween costumes, Disney pullovers, and items for our upcoming trip. We weren’t planning on anything, but ran across a treasure trove of great stuff.
If you miss the boat, more than likely demand will return it again. This is one that I nearly always have trouble following. I built a monorail train to run around our tree this year. The entire monorail playsets have been sold over the years. Trains, Epcot, Dumbo rides, Haunted Mansion, the Tree of Life, and many, many more far beyond the running of the rails. And although I knew that I JUST wanted the train to run around the tree – nearly always available, but some color changes. When I built that, I longed for the Contemporary Hotel – also available. The Polynesian and Grand Floridian, however… Unavailable. So I hit up eBay. Violating my own rules. I probably spent more on the hotels than I should have, but now my monorail feels complete. Ish. See, the signs outside and the representation of the Ticket and Transportation Center? Still not available. And although I have jumped too far to find those hotels, I now wait patiently for the others to return.
Above all, love what you are doing. I have been a slave to my own collections. Frequently, I have purchased numerous items just to keep up with my collection. My own comic book collection, vacillating between reading for enjoyment, and hoarding to keep up with my paces has often gotten out of my control. Make certain to enjoy what you are buying – and getting only what you – or your family – truly plan on using. Love that Goofy hat? Great. Take a picture – and then put it back on the shelf. Stay ahead of your collecting. And enjoy what you do.
Every time I head to Disney World – we do so with one small suitcase filled with snacks, breakfast foods, and a bottle of shelf-friendly almond mild to put into our coffee. We know that we will fill it with souvenirs and t-shirts. Just remember that when you are opening your wallet – that you are buying mementos that you really want to remember your trip with. But truly, if anyone has a good lead on the monorail ticket and transportation center – or even better, the Lincoln Logs Wilderness Lodge, let me know. I got a spot worked out under our tree this year. Thanks in advance!
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November 22, 2014
SATURDAY SIX: Six “Easter Eggs” at the Universal Orlando Resort
By Derek Burgan
This week’s SATURDAY SIX takes a look at Six “Easter Eggs” at the Universal Orlando Resort. The Universal theme parks are filled with extraordinary features, from the incredible dragon atop Gringotts bank in Diagon Alley, to the hilarious games of chance in front of The Simpsons Ride, but my favorite ones are the subtle – almost hidden -details that most guests don’t even notice while touring the park. I like to think of these details as Easter eggs, similar to the ones most of us are familiar with in movies (and, in Hollywood, no one is better than Disney Pixar.) Now, some of these details are almost impossible to find unless you know where to look for them, while others are hidden in plain sight, but all of them, whether consciously or subconsciously, add to the overall immersion at Universal. Today we are going to look at six of these Easter eggs, several of which even longtime Universal fans may have not noticed before. Remember that clicking on any picture will bring it up in full size, keep your head on a swivel, and let’s start counting down…
# 6 – Mickey Ears in Twister… Ride It Out
Our first stop is at an attraction that may not be around for much longer, Twister… Ride It Out. Based around the movie Twister from 1996 (and one of your humble authors favorite guilty pleasures,) the attraction’s pre-show has guests walking through a house that has been ravaged by a tornado. One of the pieces of debris inside the house is a car coming through the roof. If you look closely at the passenger side front tire of the vehicle, you will see a pair of the iconic Mickey Ears.
Twister… Ride It Out at Universal Studios Florida. (photo by Brandon Glover)
Sometimes the tire is actually moving, while other times that effect has been turned off and the wheel sits still. Be sure to look for this “hidden Mickey” the next time you are at Twister…Ride It Out (although you’ve been warned, I’d make that trip sooner rather than later.)
# 5 – Nickelodeon Slime in Blue Man Group
The former Nickelodeon Studios became home to the Blue Man Group in 2007, but if you go to the restrooms at the front of the Sharp Aquos Theater, you will see a nod to the building’s former tenants. One of the signature pieces of almost anything Nickelodeon related is “green slime.” In fact, one of the selling points of the Nickelodeon Hotel in Orlando is the opportunity for guests to be slimed. While you won’t be slimed at the Blue Man Group restrooms, you will see the green slime pattern on the floor, just as it was when the building housed Nickelodeon.
Blue Man Group in Universal’s CityWalk
Bathrooms at Blue Man Group.
Bathrooms at Blue Man Group.
# 4 – Jaws in Diagon Alley
One of Universal Studios Florida’s most famous rides was Jaws, to the point where I believe more people identified Universal with that ride than any similar attraction for a Disney park. So when Universal announced in December of 2011 that this opening day attraction would be closing in early January of 2012, one might assume a mass outbreak of Universal fans handcuffing themselves to the ride. However, that didn’t happen. While many still miss Jaws, most of us knew it was going away so that an expansion to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter could take its place. With the opening of Hogsmeade Village in 2010, Universal earned the trust of theme park fans that it could deliver the gold standard in immersive theming, and it over delivered earlier this year with Diagon Alley. In a welcomed surprise, while Hogsmeade Village has no references (that we know of) to the Lost Continent area that it replaced, Diagon Alley has several references to make Jaws fans happy.
One of the Jaws references is found on an album cover located in the window of a record store facade on the London Waterfront that “hides” Diagon Alley. The album is titled Here’s to swimming with bow legged women by The Quint Trio. This is in reference to a line said in the movie Jaws, by the character Quint in a toast with Chief Brody.
Record store in the London Waterfront area of Diagon Alley. (photo by Brandon Glover)
Other references can be less recognizable, such as this telescope in Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment that includes parts from the Jaws queue.
Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment in Diagon Alley.
Next to Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour is a window display for Mr. Mulpepper’s Apothecary. Here you will see a large jawbone from a shark in the back of the display. In Knockturn Alley, there are shrunken heads that you may hear sing “Show me the way to go home,” a song used in the film. Bravo to Universal for going above and beyond in paying respects the one of the park’s most beloved icons.
# 3 – Dennis Nedry’s Barbasol Can in Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park in Islands of Adventure has the incredible Jurassic Park River Adventure ride and Camp Jurassic, in my book the most underrated attraction in Orland0, but one attraction many guests overlook is the Jurassic Park Discovery Center. Located on the ground floor of the building which houses The Burger Digs, the Discovery Center has several interactive features that are family friendly. Here is also where you’ll see an interesting can of shaving cream that should have special significance to anyone who has seen the movie Jurassic Park.
Jurassic Park Discovery Center. (photo by Brandon Glover)
Jurassic Park Discovery Center. (photo by Brandon Glover)
$750,000 and $50,000 for each viable embryo Dennis Nedry can get off the island.
# 2 – King Kong in Revenge of the Mummy
Like Jaws, Kongfrontation was another opening day attraction for Universal Studios Florida back in 1990 featuring ol’ banana breath himself, King Kong. The attraction closed in late 2002 to make room for Revenge of the Mummy, a dark ride/roller coaster hybrid that opened in 2004 based of The Mummy film. Like the shark in Jaws, King Kong is a beloved character to many Universal fans and it would take one heck of a ride to allow them to forgive the park for taking away Kongfrontation. To everyone’s surprise, a coaster based on a Brendan Fraser film instantly became one of the most thrilling rides in Orlando.
While there are several Kong related Easter eggs to look for, the best one to spot is during the dark ride portion of the attraction. While your ride vehicle is going through the throne room filled with treasure, look towards the front of the room on the left and you will see a small statue of King Kong.
Revenge of the Mummy throne room.
# 1 – Dr. Seuss in Seuss Landing
I love Seuss Landing. Love it. I think the Caro-Seuss-el is hands down the best carousel attraction I’ve ever been on. The details on Sneetch Beach are wonderful, and Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous is a counter service restaurant that is much better than it needs to be (in fact it is approximately 1,000 times a better experience than a similar restaurant, Cafe 4, in Marvel Superhero Island.) During the Grinchmas season the area gets even better, but today we’re going to take a look at an Easter egg in this land that is “hidden” for everyone to see. In a photo-op area on Mulberry Street, there sits a police motorcycle, and above that are three dignitaries, two of which are holding flags. The character on the far left is based on Dr. Seuss himself.
Seuss Landing photo op.
Dr. Seuss.
Dr. Seuss postage stamp from the USPS.
Now, Dr. Seuss isn’t the only creator represented inside the theme parks as Stan Lee can be see in The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man attraction, and Matt Groening in The Simpsons Ride pre-show, but we’ll get to them in another article.
HONORABLE MENTION: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Mr. Toad in Diagon Alley.
Earlier we mentioned the tribute to Jaws in the London Waterfront, but another window in this area also has a wonderful Easter egg, this time for Walt Disney World fans. In the bookstore facade window, if you look behind a poster in the window you will see several books, but specifically 20,0000 Leagues Under the Sea and The Wind in the Willows. These two books are the basis for a couple Magic Kingdom attractions that are now gone. The obvious one, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, has been replaced by Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid. The other, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, was removed to make way for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was based on Disney’s movie adaption of The Wind in the Willows.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and The Wind and the Willows in Diagon Alley. (photo by Brandon Glover)
So there you have it: Six “Easter Eggs” at the Universal Orlando Resort. As you can see, there are a lot of great details throughout Universal. See you next weekend THURSDAY for the latest edition of the SATURDAY SIX, where we are going to have a very special Thanksgiving edition, where we are going to give our “theme park thanks.”. If you had fun, be sure to check out The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! articles, or, for your listening pleasure, check out the Pardon the Pixie Dust podcast.
If you enjoyed Six “Easter Eggs” at the Universal Orlando Resort, you may also enjoy:
Six “Secrets” of the Universal Orlando Resort
Six “Secrets” of Marvel Superhero Island
Six “Secrets” of Islands of Adventure’s Port of Entry
Six “Secrets” of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade
Special thanks to crack staff photographer Brandon Glover for his invaluable assistance with this article. Be sure to also check out Brandon on The Park Blogger podcast with co-hosts Aengus Mackenzie and Brian Carey.
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SATURDAY SIX: Six “Easter Eggs” at the Universal Orlando Resort is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
November 21, 2014
In Case You Missed It: Disney News and Rumors – Week of November 21, 2014
In Case You Missed It!
Wow! What a fun (and cold) week! I’ve been here at Walt Disney World all week and let me just tell you, thank gosh for hand warmers! (Seriously, the best purchase you can make.)
So, this week, I found some fun things, like facts to honor Mickey, who celebrated his birthday this week, Easter Eggs from Big Hero 6, and more!
In Case You Missed It – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors
If you will not be at Destination D this weekend, I bring good news! You can catch a live stream of the Carousel of Progress presentation! I’ll be watching for sure.
Want to know the only resort in Orlando to receive AAA’s Five Diamond rating? Hint, it’s on Disney property. Take a look to see the answer.
Happy Birthday to You! This week, Mickey Mouse celebrated his 86th birthday! Find out some fun facts about this famous mouse. (I made sure to wish him a Happy Birthday in person, by the way.)
This mom found a unique way to help her child overcome shyness! She dressed her daughter as Disney characters! (And oh my gosh, she’s so cute!)
Disney Interactive had some big announcements, including a redesign of ESPN.com, Disney Movies Everywhere being available from Walmart’s Vudu, and more! Which sounds the most intriguing to you?
Did you catch all the Easter Eggs from Big Hero 6? There were some fantastic ones in there for sure! Find out what they were and tell me your favorite!
So, there’s a new animated LucasFilm coming out in early 2015 (January 23, to be exact) called Strange Magic. It will be a musical fairy tale that features Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming, and Alfred Molina. This one came out of the blue!
This looks fantastic! The trailer was released for Cinderella, which is coming out in March! Who else cannot wait?
Are you a fan of “Every Witch Way” on Nickelodeon? Well, if you or a member of your family is, and you’ll be able to get down to Universal Orlando, December 12 and 13, you’ll be able to take part in a special “Every Witch Way” Weekend with viewing parties, Q&As, and more! (Oh my god…I’m so old…I didn’t even know this existed…)
Did you miss the pandemonium of One Direction performing on the Today show this Monday? See them perform “Story of My Life” now. (Ok…seriously…is this make Rikki feel really old day today?)
In Case We Missed It
What did we miss? Attach your ideas to this Cookie Cutter Set and Plate (which is perfect for making cookies for Santa!) and send them to blog@touringplans.com with the words “In Case You Missed It” in the subject line.
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In Case You Missed It: Disney News and Rumors – Week of November 21, 2014 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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