Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1165
November 21, 2014
Will Last Saturday’s Surprise Crowd Repeat Tomorrow at Magic Kingdom?
We don’t think so, but be prepared with a back-up plan just in case.
Our prediction for the crowd level last Saturday, November 15, was among the 1% of all our predictions that missed by more three index levels on our Crowd Calendar. There are a number of possible explanations, so it is difficult to pinpoint the correct one.
We have no days on record other than last Saturday where Magic Kingdom had a three day stretch that went like this:
Thursday with a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Friday with a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Saturday with evening Extra Magic Hours
So, it may be that this specific combination of park hours and schedules drives up attendance on the Saturday. If so, we may see similarly large crowds tomorrow. That contradicts what we normally see on a Saturday in mid-November, which is why our crowd calendar estimate remains at a level ’2′ for Magic Kingdom tomorrow.
We are cautiously sticking to our prediction for tomorrow until we have sufficient data that suggests a new trend has arrived but we encourage Liners and TouringPlan-ers to have a back up plan just in case. You can make sure to arrive early, be prepared to park-hop, have lunch at a monorail resort, plan a longer mid-day break and use your Lines App to re-optimize your touring plan while in the park.
Remember, a touring plan is the single best way to beat the lines, no matter how crowded it is, and they especially offer great insurance against surprise crowds.
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Downtown Disney Parking Garage Opens at Walt Disney World
That sound you hear is the cheering of thousands of guests (ok, maybe I’m the only one and I’m cheering really loudly) – part of the first Downtown Disney parking garage is open! This means that for the busy holiday season, Downtown Disney parking hopefully won’t be the catastrophic nightmare it has been.
The new garage is located on the West Side portion of Downtown Disney. Currently there is a pathway that you can take to and from the garage to the shopping district located near the Downtown Disney AMC.
Overall, the garage is quite nice; it is very large and spacious. In addition, each row is clearly labeled so that you know where you parked. Also, as a nice perk that will help to ease navigation, when the garage is officially finished the will be a system that indicates if spots are available in each row – a green light indicates that the spot is available, and a red light means there is a car parked in the spot. This will be extremely handy; no more wasting time going up and down aisles that don’t have spots available!
The garage is still very much in construction mode. When I made the stop, only part of the garage was in operation, and construction workers are still working diligently to get the garage officially all open by December.
Guests can gain entry to the garage through Entry 3 and there are large construction signs currently indicating where to turn to get to the garage parking.
In more good news, it appears that both garages, along with the existing parking lots, will remain complimentary for guests to utilize.
So now let the shopping commence once again, because if you would like to visit Downtown Disney soon, hopefully parking won’t be the disaster it once was!
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Things to Do at Disney World outside the Parks
It can be easy sometimes to forget just how much there is to do outside of Disney World’s four theme parks and two water parks. With so much contained within the parks, it might not even cross some guests’ minds that you could actually spend a whole Disney World vacation without ever going to the parks. Although I personally wouldn’t suggest skipping the parks entirely, you could do it and still have a great vacation. Maybe it’s the last day of your vacation or maybe you just want to explore the property a little to see what else Disney has to offer. With that in mind, here are just a few of the many things to see and do without ever having to pay for a park admission ticket.
Golf
Disney World wouldn’t be much of a resort destination without golf. With three courses (four if you include the onsite Four Seasons course) and one nine-hole walking course, there’s a wide variety of play options for fans of the sport. Even if you think you’re terrible at golf or you’ve never tried before, this is a good place to start. Resort courses are notoriously less punishing than most courses (people don’t need a stroke on vacation) and even if you do play horribly, at least you’re still in Disney so you can’t be that upset. If the full-fledged sport still seems like too much of an undertaking, Disney also offers two thematically different mini golf courses. Fantasia Gardens (located near the Boardwalk) is themed after its namesake film and even features a more traditional putting green course for those who want to just work on their short game. Winter Summerland Miniature Golf is located at Blizzard Beach and has two courses themed after winter and summer. For those concerned about having to purchase a water park ticket to play here, no need to worry. The mini golf course may be located at Blizzard Beach but it’s actually outside of the Blizzard Beach entrance.
Enjoy all the options the Sammy Duvall Watersports Centre has to offer!
Photo courtesy of Disney (c)
Watersports
You can rent boats at multiple on property resorts but if you want all that Disney has to offer as far as watersports go, check out Sammy Duvall’s Watersports Centre at Contemporary Resort. There’s a wide variety of activities available for rental depending on how adventurous you’re feeling that day. You can rent a two-person boat and make your way around Seven Seas Lagoon and Lake Buena Vista or you can even go wakeboarding. Or if you’re really evil, tell your friend you’re going to go tubing and then at the last second change the reservation to parasailing. I’m sure they won’t mind.
Resort Hopping
This one’s pretty simple. Always wondered what the lobby of the Wilderness Lodge is really like but don’t want to pay deluxe resort prices to stay there? Just go visit. While there aren’t resort to resort busses at Disney World, just take the bus to the park that’s closest to the resort you want to visit then hop on their bus at the park. You can do this for pool hopping too but over the years they’ve gotten pretty strict about only allowing guests of that particular resort to swim in the more popular pools like Stormalong Bay at Beach Club. I would definitely recommend resort hopping even more if you’re visiting during the holidays to see the decorations.
Downtown Disney
I think a lot of people skip Downtown because they assume it’s just a place to shop but that’s just one aspect of it. (Ed. – I’ve seem the crowds at Downtown Disney – I don’t think ANYONE is skipping it.) If you love going to the movies, the AMC theater at Downtown Disney is really nice. The seats are comfortable and if you want more than just popcorn or candy, they offer dine in theaters where you can have servers take your drink or food orders at any point during the movie. If bowling is your thing, Splitsville is fairly new and is definitely not your stereotypical bowling alley. If you like video games – both new and classic, hit up Disney Quest. You can go see La Nouba at Cirque du Soleil if you’re into that kind of thing, and if parasailing didn’t scare you off heights already, you can even go up in a hot air balloon. This is all before the planned revitalization/rebranding into Disney Springs that is currently underway so expect even more reasons to go here in the near future. TouringPlans recommends taking Disney transportation to Downtown Disney as parking and traffic during the construction can be daunting.
Food/Drink
For many guests visiting the restaurants are as big a part of the fun as experiencing the attractions, and Disney has plenty of options at a range of price points (Ed. – yes, from somewhat expensive to really expensive) . Whether it’s at the Boardwalk, Downtown Disney or any number of Disney resorts, the best restaurants at Walt Disney World are nearly always found outside the parks. While I could write a whole article on the best places to eat and drink, you’ll definitely be able to find most any kind of food that you might be craving. Personally, I’d do dinner at California Grill during the Magic Kingdom fireworks then hop over to Downtown Disney to drink the rest of the night at Raglan Road, which is by far the best bar on Disney World property.
I know I didn’t come close to naming all there is to see and do at Disney World outside of the parks but these are just some of my personal favorites. I’d love to hear some of your favorites though. Leave a comment and thanks for reading.
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November 20, 2014
Daisy Lauren’s Best Week Ever: November 20, 2014
By Daisy Lauren
Hi, Everyone! Welcome to the Best Week Ever here at Walt Disney World! This week we’re taking a look at resort decorations at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, then heading to the Magic Kingdom to check out the Jingle Cruise, and wrapping up with meeting Baymax at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We might even sneak in a little mini golf! 
So let’s get started! Anyone that’s read before knows that I normally try to start with a smaller photo, but this one was too good to shrink. This is the new Frozen gingerbread display for this year at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. It replaces a gingerbread tree with a more colorful Small World theme from years past. Want to hear more about it? Click “read more” just below the photo. 
I know that everyone isn’t a fan of Frozen “taking over”, but I’m happy to see a something new! Lots of fun facts about this sweet display can be found in the photo (below left). Below right, you’ll see a long line of Frozen goodies for sale. It’s mostly snacks, but you’ll also find pins and plush available for purchase. The gift shop nearby has also been taken over with tons of Frozen merchandise.
Speaking of the gift shop next door, check out the new Christmas goodies I found. The red night shirt on the left is cute on the front but cuter on the back (below right)! It seems like they should display it backwards to show Pluto off! This retails for $34.95 and don’t forget that you can click on any photo to see more details.
Also for Christmas is a Haunted Mansion Holiday shirt on the below left. At $24.95 the price didn’t seem so bad, and I’m always excited to see more Nightmare Before Christmas in the parks. On the right is a Tinker Bell frame that I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. I know it doesn’t fit the Christmas theme, but I thought it was worth showing off at $34.95.
Heading over to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, you’ll notice that the Christmas tree isn’t up in the lobby just yet. Very soon that grand piano will be missing and an enormous Christmas tree will be in that spot. Keep an eye out in the following weeks for another photo showing the entire lobby all decorated for the holidays!
One classic decoration is already up in the lobby, the gingerbread house! If you’ve never seen it before this amazing display will actually open for business in a few more days. From inside the house they sell gingerbread cookies, gingerbread houses, and other specialty chocolates. I love watching people walk up in awe of this massive gingerbread house and then be amazed that there’s a business bustling inside! I’m counting down the days until my first gingerbread cookie of the year.
We visited Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort but didn’t find any Christmas decorations to report. We’ll check back, but we’ve noticed that they haven’t offered anything in awhile. With the construction I can’t imagine that they’ll decorate too much for 2014. Do you have any other resorts you’d like us to visit for Christmas this year? Let me know in the comments below! Next we’re stopping by the Magic Kingdom, look at those flowers out front. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
As we were walking along a construction wall near The Crystal Palace I popped my camera over the top for a quick shot. It seems like the walls have been up so long, I was just sure that they had to be close to done back there. Well, as you can see below, it’s just a mess. It doesn’t look like they’re anywhere near done. It’s taking a long time, but it’s going to be incredible when this is finally complete. Can you imagine that view without the walls? I can’t wait!
We had a FastPass+ reservation for Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid. I’ve been trying to stop by more often since it will be closing in February for a refurbishment and will likely emerge a very different ride. It seems like it might need work, though. As we were waiting the ride stopped twice, making our wait time nearly 15 minutes despite FastPass+. While we were riding it also stopped another three times! They were having trouble, but I still love this ride. Bonus: I’ve been trying for the photo on the left for months! Score!!
We also had a FastPass+ for the Jingle Cruise, and I’m happy to report that it’s much better this year. There seemed to be more decorations and the jokes made more sense. I have a couple photos below for you but I didn’t want to post too much since the very awesome Seth Kubersky shared a full blog on the topic recently. You can find it here if you’re interested in seeing more.
Okay, just one more. How funny is this board full of new year’s resolutions? Last year I did the Jingle Cruise once and was pretty much done with it, but this year I’m excited to try it again.
Also spotted at the Magic Kingdom this week were holiday cups. Okay, so maybe it isn’t the sexiest update. But news is news, right? 
Why were we sitting at Tomorrowland Terrace you ask? Well, all the seats from Casey’s Corner to there were taken! It was extremely crowded at the Magic Kingdom on Saturday. It was the busiest we’ve seen this day since 2006! Be prepared for the crowds as it seems they’re coming back in full force.
Since it was so packed we decided to sneak over to the Winter Summerland miniature golf course. The weather was great, and it was a treat to avoid the crowds. We were able to play with no wait. If you haven’t visited here then I highly recommend it! I don’t even like miniature golf, but Disney makes it fun. You can find more information on miniature golf at Disney World in this article I wrote last year.
Here’s a sneak peek at the 18th hole on the Summer course. Everyone gets a hole in one and the video is different, so this won’t necessarily be a spoiler. The 18th hole of the Winter course is the same video setup. http://youtu.be/ns4qrbfmdcY Bright and early the next morning we were heading into Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They already have their tree up out front, and it looks lovely as always! Though I didn’t include it here, there are also lots of garland and decorations along the main streets inside the park.
So why was I at the Studios? To meet Baymax, of course! I thought I was there in time for his first set, but they had already cut the line. The characters went offstage with 15 minutes still left on the published schedule. I’m not sure if they were having trouble with the Baymax costume or if they just overestimated how long it would take guests to meet him. In any case I was left with time to kill. The queue is really nice for the Big Hero 6 meet and greet (below right). Of course, you can also find Magicbands with the new character. At $24.95 I can’t imagine I’ll ever buy one of these. What do you think? Who is buying these pricey accessories? (Says the girls with a Disney Dooney fetish)
If you’d like to meet Baymax I suggest that you get there at least 15 minutes before he’s scheduled to arrive. Once he’s on stage the line just explodes! I waited a total of 45 minutes from the time we arrived. That isn’t something I would have ever done before blogging, but I’m so thankful for you guys! It was so fun to meet Baymax! After taking a few photos I asked to touch Baymax because I wanted to see what he felt like. With that, Hiro insisted I had to hug him, and I did! He feels like a big, squishy inner tube and you can hear the fan running inside the costume to keep him fluffy. The only miss is that he can’t fist bump like in the movie.
One last note on the Baymax character, take a look at him walking. I have no idea what body type fits inside that costume but this might the the cutest walk I’ve ever seen. http://youtu.be/dfkf7btlbKM Located just beside the meet and greet are new Big Hero 6 pressed pennies. On the below right you’ll see sippy cups that are being sold all over the park. They’re $9.99 when filled with your favorite soda. I’ve also heard talk of Baymax balloons being sold in the parks soon so I’ll keep an eye out for those!
While rumors are swirling about the hat coming down, unfortunately the stage went back up. I’m not sure what events are coming up that would require this space. Maybe it’s a hint that fireworks are coming back for the busy holiday months?
And let’s end where we always seem to… with some shopping! I think I’ve found the ugliest holiday shirts at Disney! What do you think? Would you wear these to that office Xmas party?
That’s everything for this week. Now let’s see what you can expect if you’re visiting next week.
Crowd Calendar: Hunker down, my friends. We’re about to head into the Thanksgiving holiday and one of the busiest weeks of the year. Be sure you have those Touring Plans optimized and that you’re rope drop ready!
Weather: Not much has changed in the forecast since last week. It looks mostly nice this week with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s, but there are some possible storms that might take lows down to the 30s. Be sure to check the latest weather if you’ll be visiting.
Remember: The Haunted Mansion will be down for refurbishment December 1 – 19. You can find a full list of upcoming renovations here.
Here’s my top tip for this week: Tired of the crazy crowded parks? Take some time to tour resorts or visit other Disney entertainment options. We had a ball checking out decorations at the hotels and it will only get better once the decorations are finished. Miniature golf saved an otherwise ruined, busy day. Think outside the parks when you need a break.
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: November 20, 2014 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
You Could Be a Part of the “Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration”
The holidays are such a magical time of the year, with loved ones getting together to celebrate. However, for some, unforeseen circumstances keep families and friends away from each other.
This year, during the annual Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade (which will be called “Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration”), distance and circumstances won’t matter! You see, a few deserving families who want the opportunity to reunite with their loved ones will have their wishes granted!
A nationwide casting call is searching to bring families and friends together for this year’s parade special, who, for whatever reason, are separated from the important people in their lives. It could be because finances have made travel difficult; or a spouse is in the Military and they are stationed far away; or some of your family or friends may not live in the same part of the country as you. It doesn’t matter what the circumstance is, all kinds of stories are welcome!
Participants who are selected to take part in this special surprise will be reunited at either one of the theme parks or even potentially on a Disney Cruise, all expenses paid, and they will be filmed enjoying their time together. The entire story will end up on the “Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration” which is set to air on Christmas Day, December 25.
So if you’ll be separated for someone you love this Holiday Season, submit your family for a chance to be reunited. Or, if you know of a family who would be deserving of this special opportunity, make sure to nominate them!
But wait…how do I submit an entry? All you’ll need to do is send an email to frozen@gmvsound.com with who you would like to be reunited with, a contact number, a photo, and the ages and locations of the participants.
Keep in mind that time is of the essence! If you would like the chance to possibly participate, you must get your entries in before Thanksgiving!
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You Could Be a Part of the “Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration” is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Details at the Four Seasons Orlando
When I first visited the Four Seasons Orlando back in August, the first thing I noticed was how grand it was to drive back into the property (past the mansions under construction for Golden Oak). But when I walked into the lobby, the hotel struck me with an interesting blend of grandiose and intimate at the same time.
Unlike, say, a Disney Value Resort that will practically smack you upside the head with theming, there wasn’t a lot at the resort that screamed “Look at me!!” But after wandering around the beautifully tiled floors on the way to breakfast, I knew I wanted to spend some more time just looking around. When I slowed down to really take a good look, all sorts of details appeared. Here’s a few of my favorites.
Chandelier
The simply stunning fireworks chandelier is the first thing you will see as you enter the Four Seasons Orlando. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
The very first thing that caught my eye the minute that I walked in to the lobby was the amazing chandelier. This beautiful work of art was designed in the Czech Republic by Jozef Baca and Veronika Kopecna and can best be described as a chandelier that captures the magnificence of a fireworks grand finale exploding in the night sky. It is made of more than 30,000 crystal pieces illuminated by 250 sleeves of LED lights. It really puts the grand in grand entry.
Golden Oak Model
If you have a few million dollars to spare…. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
Many a lottery player in the Disney community has said that part of their dream winnings would go to buy a house in Golden Oak. While the community is still under development, it is nice to see the model just off the lobby and get an idea of how the “other people” live.
Models of Crowns
Crowns, fit for royalty. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
As this hotel is certainly a crown jewel on property, it makes sense that there would be crowns on display. Along the main hallway near Ravello, you can find these models of different designs of crowns, fit for royalty.
Gelato
The variety of gelato flavors offers something for everyone. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
Over at Lickety-Split, a small coffee shop/gelato shop located near the main lobby, they have an impressive display of house-made gelato. With more than a dozen flavors available, it would be difficult for anyone to just walk away.
Iced Drip Coffee
The ice drip coffee maker not only provides a unique focal piece, but also brews an amazing cup of coffee. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
Full disclosure – I am not a coffee drinker, but I am a self-described geek. So when I saw this iced coffee drip gadget, also found in Lickety-Split, I was almost tempted to get a cup. My husband, who does drink coffee, tried it, and said it was probably the smoothest, most un-bitter coffee he had ever tasted. The principle is simple – ice water is placed in the top, and gravity causes it to filter down through the coffee beans and into the collecting reservoir below. Think of it as the microbrew of coffee. It takes eight hours to brew a full batch, but if you are a coffee connoisseur, this is one that you’ll want to try.
Touch Screen Map
The touchscreen map at the Four Seasons. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
As I mentioned above, self-described geek. So when I saw the video display in the lobby, and was told “go ahead and touch it”, you better believe I decided to play with it. Using the touch screen map may not be the most efficient way to figure out where you want to go when there are people all over the lobby ready to help you at a moment’s notice, but it certainly is fun to explore this handy bit of technology!
Hidden Mickeys
Mickeys — hidden and obvious. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
Let’s face it – it would be disappointing if there weren’t hidden Mickeys at a hotel on property. The Four Seasons certainly has them, but they are done in incredibly classy ways in the ironwork, chairs, and more. While the one on the desk here is anything but hidden, take a look inside the Mickey. See a couple more hidden in there?
Seating Areas
Comfortable indoor seating areas include couches to relax on and even individual swing chairs, as seen in the background. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
No matter how wonderful a hotel room is, I’m one of those people who often likes to leave the room and just find a cozy place somewhere in the hotel to sit down and relax. Throughout the main level, there were comfortable seating areas, both inside and out. A personal favorite was the individual swinging chairs, but I also loved the outdoor seating space with amazing views.
The outdoor seating areas are both comfortable and provide amazing views. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
Sunscreen and Lotion
Sunscreen and aloe gel are available at the valet stand. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
While this may not have the “wow” factor of some of the other items, this is just one of those nice touches that shows how the Four Seasons goes one step further. Out at the valet stand, there are complementary pumps for sunscreen (SPF 15 and 30) and aloe sun gel. So while you are waiting for the valet to bring your car, make sure that you take good care of your skin.
As the Four Seasons celebrates its opening of its restaurants like Capa and Plancha, as well as its AAA five-diamond hotel rating (the only hotel in Orlando to receive this honor), there are plenty of reasons to visit this amazing resort. But when you stop by, whether for a meal or a stay, make sure to take time to look for all the little extras hidden in this resort. (And even on the way in and out – if you keep your eyes open, you might be able to spot a Little Mermaid statue along the road.)
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New Color Companion to Walt Disney World Available!
By Len Testa
Our new edition of The Unofficial Guide Color Companion to Walt Disney World is out. This guidebook has more than 500 full-color photos of Disney’s rides, restaurants, and resorts. This edition’s updates feature all of the new Fantasyland attractions, such as the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Enchanted Tales with Belle, and new restaurants like Be Our Guest.
Some of my favorite new parts of the Color Companion are the theme park infographics. These two-page color spreads are like cheat sheets for visiting the parks. Tip #1 includes the park’s typical Extra Magic Hours schedule, plus the pros and cons of Morning and Evening Extra Magic Hours. Tip #2 shows which attractions benefit most from Fastpass+ in each park. Tip #3 explains why it’s important to arrive early.
Tip #4 shows which attractions get crowded fastest, and which attractions to visit during the busy, middle part of the day. And Tip #5 shows you which attractions are likely to still have Fastpass+ reservations on the day you’re visiting the park. This is the first time we’ve presented this information in print, and it’s super useful when trying to figure out where to use your 3 advance Fastpass+ reservations. Big thanks to graphic artist Cassandra Poertner for coming up with these (that’s Cassandra and her daughter in the flying boat).
Besides these, the Color Companion features the usual Unofficial Guide advice on which attractions are worth your time, and which restaurants are worth your money. Updates include everything from the closures of Maelstrom and the Studios Backlot Tour, to the removal of the Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, to the new Festival of Fantasy parade at the Magic Kingdom.
This edition has practical recommendations on what it’s like to visit a destination as large as Walt Disney World. A great new photo is this guy deciding he’s had enough at Epcot:
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November 19, 2014
Disneyland Resort Crowd Report – November 9 to 15, 2014
Days around Veterans Day historically see no significant bump in attendance at Disneyland Resort. This year seems to be a significant exception. Sunday through Tuesday saw crowd levels that bordered on extreme despite our historical information which would suggest crowds much lower in mid-November. As much as crowds peaked on Tuesday they returned immediately back to levels we would expect by Wednesday.
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
8
7
We properly predicted high crowds on Sunday although average wait times at both parks came in slightly less than we expected. Waits like 15 minutes at Astro Orbitor (predicted 18) and 24 at Dumbo (predicted 22) were typical for the day.
Disney California Adventure
8
6
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
5
9
Monday represents the largest crowd we’ve seen at Disneyland Resort since July 4th. Both parks hit average wait times near the highest points on our scale.
Disney California Adventure
5
8
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
3
8
Tuesday’s crowds were nearly as large as Monday’s an equally as surprising. Wait time averages were 20 to 25 minutes higher than we predicted.
Disney California Adventure
4
7
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
2
2
It is difficult to find a stretch of two days, without a major weather event, that has more contrast than last Tuesday and Wednesday. For example, the average posted wait for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was 41 minutes on Tuesday, only 14 on Wednesday.
Disney California Adventure
2
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
3
5
Wednesday’s crowd levels, although higher than Wednesday, were still moderate. Toy Story Midway Mania averaged 34 minutes (predicted 29).
Disney California Adventure
2
3
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
4
5
Friday brought, for the first time during the week, similar crowds on back to back days. Avengers Half Marathon weekend kicked off which means big crowds at the hotels and walkways around the resort but waits were moderate at both parks.
Disney California Adventure
3
4
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
5
7
We saw a slight bump in crowds on Saturday as expected, led by average waits like 34 minutes at Jungle Cruise (predicted 28) and 96 minutes at Radiator Springs Racers (predicted 73).
Disney California Adventure
3
6
What to Expect This Week
November 16 to 22, 2014
How Crowded is Disneyland Resort?
We saw some surprises last week at Disneyland but we expect crowds next week to be more in line with historical trends. Next week represents the last week before the Thanksgiving rush so guests should get in their Disneyland fix before then.
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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Universal Orlando Resort Crowd Report – November 9 to 15, 2014
Our predictions last week told us that Universal crowds would be about average the first half of the week then very low for the second half. We were half right. Crowds were low all week. In fact, last week constitutes some of the lowest crowds we’ve seen over a seven day period at Universal Orlando Resort.
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
6
3
Very low crowds at both parks with wait times much lower than expected. We saw average waits like 13 minutes at Disaster! and 25 at Forbidden Journey.
Islands of Adventure
6
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
5
3
Another slow day across the resort. Men in Black hit an average of 10 minutes while flight of the Hippogriff only managed one minute higher.
Islands of Adventure
5
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
4
2
Our predictions better approximated the low crowds on Tuesday, only missing by two at Universal Studios. Despicable Me still had long waits (36 minutes, predicted 26).
Islands of Adventure
2
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
2
2
Veterans Day on Wednesday was the least crowded day of the week. That means no park reached an average wait above 30 minutes and most stayed well below 20.
Islands of Adventure
2
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
2
2
Another slow day on Thursday with only one attraction reaching a wait above 20 minutes. That was Despicable Me at 29 minutes (as predicted).
Islands of Adventure
1
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
2
2
Friday saw the third day in a row of Universal Studios at a level ’2′ and Islands of Adventure at a level ’1′. Guests at Islands of adventure enjoyed average waits like 8 minutes at Spider-Man (predicted 12) and 6 at Hulk (as predicted).
Islands of Adventure
2
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
3
3
Saturday was the first day since Monday that either park hit a level above ’2′ on our scale. Revenge of the Mummy averaged 22 minutes while Transformers: The Ride-3D averaged 32.
Islands of Adventure
2
2
What to Expect This Week
November 16 to 22, 2014
How Crowded is Universal Orlando Resort?
While guests at Walt Disney World pushed crowd levels as high as ’8′ last week, Universal Orlando Resort experienced some of the lowest crowds of the year. We expect similar doldrums for one more week until Thanksgiving arrives when the parks will become very busy.
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 9 to 15, 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 9 to 15, 2014
Our resort level predictions for the days around Veterans Day hit the mark but last week was marred by the largest surprise crowd at Magic Kingdom that we have ever seen. About 4% of the time we expect our crowd calendar park level predictions to miss by more than two index levels, about 1% miss by three or more. Never has our Magic Kingdom prediction missed by five levels as it did on Saturday. Last year’s crowd on the same day was a level ’3′ at the Magic Kingdom. We are still not entirely sure what caused the influx of guests to Magic Kingdom on Saturday but judging by the crowd levels since then, it appears to be an isolated occurrence.
Let’s look at how the crowd levels stacked up each day last week on the Touringplans 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
7
6
Sunday brought level ’6′s to three parks and one level lower to Animal Kingdom. Estimates performed well across all parks including our prediction of 34 minutes for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (observed 31), 13 at Living with the Land, 18 at Great Movie Ride (observed 16) and 41 at Expedition Everest (observed 34).
Epcot
5
6
Hollywood Studios
7
6
Animal Kingdom
7
5
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
5
6
Monday’s predictions were too low at the Studios thanks to a 56-minute average wait at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (predicted 29) and too high at Animal Kingdom thanks to a 19-minute average wait at Primeval Whirl (predicted 27). Predictions at the other two parks did well, only missing by one.
Epcot
6
7
Hollywood Studios
5
8
Animal Kingdom
6
4
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
5
8
Veterans Day usually brings no discernible bump in crowds at Walt Disney World but this year seems to be an exception, especially at Magic Kingdom. A crowd level ’8′ at Magic Kingdom is rare on a Tuesday in November unless it is adjacent to Thanksgiving. Wait times were 5 to 8 minutes higher than expected, on average.
Epcot
6
5
Hollywood Studios
6
7
Animal Kingdom
5
4
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
5
6
Crowds settled down nicely on Wednesday with no park reaching a level above ’6′ on our scale. By comparison with Tuesday’s ’8′, we saw average wait times like 29 minutes at Haunted Mansion instead of 41 minutes.
Epcot
3
4
Hollywood Studios
4
5
Animal Kingdom
3
5
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
3
3
Thursday’s crowd levels dipped lower than the earlier part of the week, as predicted. Only Animal Kingdom managed a crowd level above ’3′ on our scale. Epcot’s wait times were 5 to 10 minutes lower than predicted. Magic Kingdom’s low crowd was aided by Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party which drew guests to the park in late afternoon.
Epcot
5
3
Hollywood Studios
4
3
Animal Kingdom
4
5
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
3
5
Hosting another Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on Friday, Magic Kingdom saw a crowd level two points higher than the day before but still only at a level ’5′. Elsewhere, crowds held steady.
Epcot
4
5
Hollywood Studios
4
4
Animal Kingdom
3
3
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
2
7
Strangely, the large crowd on Saturday appears to be isolated at Magic Kingdom. All other parks came in as expected. We have no Saturdays on record that include an Extra Magic Hour evening at Magic Kingdom after two consecutive nights of Christmas Parties. That may offer some explanation of the crowd.
Epcot
4
4
Hollywood Studios
5
5
Animal Kingdom
3
4
What to Expect This Week
November 16 to 22, 2014
How Crowded is Walt Disney World
Although we saw some unpredictable crowd levels last week, mid-November remains a great time to visit the parks. Guests experience moderate crowds, cooler weather and festive additions to the resort. Last week also reminds us that a proper touring plan is your single best asset against any crowd. Use them and the size of the crowd won’t matter.
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 9 to 15, 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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