Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1185
September 19, 2014
Disney Cruise Line Misty Fjords National Monument Flightseeing Excursion
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Fellow Touring Plans blogger Erin Foster and I were fortunate enough to sail aboard the Disney Wonder on an incredible cruise to Alaska this summer. In case you missed it, we recently compared our Skagway dog sledding excursions as well as our Juneau train excursions. This time I’m back with all of the details from my final excursion in Ketchikan; the Classic Misty Fjords National Monument Flightseeing Port Adventure. Here’s everything you need to know to help you decide if this outing sounds like a good fit for you.
CLASSIC MISTY FJORDS FLIGHTSEEING
Price: $269 for guests 10 years old and above, $209 for children two to nine years old and free for children one year old and younger.
Price add ons: There is a small gift shop at the airport where you can purchase souvenirs.
Time requirement: The total excursion time is about 2 to 2.5 hours.
Physical issues: This excursion is wheelchair accessible. It must be both standard size and collapsible. Guests must be able to board and disembark from the motor coach/plane on their own or be lifted by a member of their traveling party onto the motor coach/plane.
Age limits: There are no age restrictions, however it is recommended for anyone age five or older.
Other important details: This tour is at risk of being cancelled due to inclement weather. This is a very real possibility as Ketchikan receives over 15 feet of rain annually. For security reasons, only a small carryon bag is allowed on the flight. There are lockers available at the airport to store your personal items. Each plane seats only six guests so large groups may be separated. You will be required to disclose your weight. Seating in the plane is based on weight in order for balance and you will be instructed where to sit by your pilot. You may or may not be seated next to your traveling companions.
My experience with Classic Misty Fjords Flightseeing:
Once we had filled out our paperwork, including our weight information and the names of the members of our traveling party, we disembarked from the ship and climbed aboard the motor coach that was waiting for us.
After a short ten minute ride, we arrived at the airport. It was small, but very clean and comfortable. We had a few minutes to explore the facility while we waited for our safety video to begin. There was a gift shop set up with some cute souvenirs, drinks and snacks. We found restrooms as well as lockers to store personal items that were not allowed on the planes.
Minutes later, we sat down with the other members of our tour to watch the standard safety announcements. This was your typical flight information and only lasted about five minutes.
We relaxed while pilots came in to gather their passengers. Our excursion moved along very efficiently and in no time our pilot called our names. The planes hold six passengers so we had our family of four plus a father and son duo on our flight. We all followed our pilot out of the airport and along the dock to the plane.
Once we arrived at the plane, our pilot called out each of our names and told us where we would be sitting. For anyone that might be uncomfortable with the weight situation, rest assured in knowing that it was handled very discreetly and our pilot did not disclose the information to anyone in our group. All of us climbed aboard the plane and took our assigned seats. My husband and I were in a row together directly behind the pilot and our boys were seated next to each other in the row behind us. The father and son were split up with the father seated next to the pilot and his son seated alone in the last row of the plane. The planes are very small which is a little unnerving, but does afford everyone the opportunity to have a window seat.
We were each given headphones to wear and were told that we would be hearing narration as well as classical music along the way. Seconds later, we were off on our adventure! Our first view was of our ship down below.
Then over the next 40 minutes, we saw beautiful lakes, mountains and forests. Midflight we made a landing in a remote lake where we were allowed to step out of the plane onto the floats.
After a few minutes, we were back in the plane for the return flight back to the airport. Along the way, there was a lot more spectacular scenery to see. Here’s a short video clip for your viewing pleasure!
Once we arrived back at the airport, we were each given an Alaskan Bush Plane Certificate that included our name and a picture of the plane. Then we hopped back on the motor coach for the short ride back to the ship.
Every member of my family is either a nervous flyer, prone to motion sickness or both, so I was more than a little anxious about how this whole experience was going to pan out. Overall, my family and I truly enjoyed it. We were all so distracted by the gorgeous views that we completely forgot about our fears. And the flight was only a little bumpy, so motion sickness turned out not to be a problem either. This Port Adventure, like so many of the ones in Alaska, is very expensive. It was a little over $1000 for my family of four. We budgeted for it and looked at it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so for us it was definitely worth it!
Have you done a float plane excursion? Do you think it is worth the expense? Please share your thoughts!
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Disney Cruise Line Misty Fjords National Monument Flightseeing Excursion is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
September 18, 2014
Disney’s Aulani Resort: Small Tips to Make a Big Difference
Photos by Sarah Graffam
One of the benefits of being a frequent Walt Disney World visitor is starting off a vacation at the World with virtually no learning curve. Knowing ahead of time exactly what plans need to be made before visiting and being able to navigate the entire resort and every park make it easy to become immediately immersed in the magic. So, although my family felt that familiar Disney welcome when we arrived at Aulani this summer, we knew ahead of time that it would take some time to get familiar with the ins and outs of the resort.
This article shares a few of these ins and outs in the hope of helping future visitors to Aulani ease into their vacation a bit faster. Because, believe me, everyone who stays at this gorgeous resort will want to enjoy every moment and relax at every opportunity.
Shopping for groceries, sundries, and souvenirs. Before settling into their room on the first day, many Aulani guests want to pick up at least a few basic grocery and sundry items. Aulani’s Kālepa Store has lots of Aulani/Disney souvenirs as well as a limited selection of groceries. Some of the grocery prices at the Kālepa Store aren’t too bad by Hawaii standards, but if you are looking for more selection or better prices, there are a couple of off-site options. These include a shopping area in Kapolei with stores such as Target and Costco about 10 minutes from Aulani. If coming from Honolulu, take H-1 West to Exit 1, or if coming from Aulani, take HI-93 East to Exit 1A.
Another option is Island Country Markets (an ABC Store) within walking distance of the resort. This small grocery store also offers souvenirs, beach items, beer and wine, and more. The prices for some items seemed good while others seemed a bit high, but (after an initial stop at Target) we made a couple of visits here during our stay and found everything we needed. Hawaii-themed baseball caps were a bargain at only $12-15, and goggles for the pool started at $3.99. In addition, the store had good-quality waterproof smartphone pouches for around $20, which allowed us to use our phones to take many fun photos as we floated along Aulani’s lazy river or cruised down the two water slides.
Walking to Island Country Markets and Ko Olina Station. To get to Ko Olina Station, which is the shopping center where Island County Markets is located as well as several souvenir and other retail stores, restaurants, and an ice cream shop, you can walk out of the Aulani lobby and down to Olani Street. However, we found an alternate, flatter, and safer way in that it avoids the busy entrance/driveway into Aulani. To go this way, head to the parking garage and take the elevator down to level 1, exit onto Olani Street, and cross to the shopping center.
The Daily ‘Iwa. Aulani’s daily activities newsletter is called the Daily ‘Iwa. The ‘iwa is a Hawaiian seabird, also known as 
the great frigatebird. According to a Cast Member, the newsletter was given this name because it allows guests to “navigate,” like a bird. Depending on the day, the front page of the ‘Iwa highlights available tours, live music, Disney character meet and greets, and more. Inside the newsletter are details on activities such as Aulani’s outdoor movies, shopping, and beach fun. It also divides activities into those for ‘Ohana (family), Keiki (children), and ‘Opio (youth ages 13-17). The back page gives practical information such as restaurant and bar hours, pool hours, PhotoPass information, and beach rentals.
Aulani’s website has an example ‘Iwa with descriptions of activities, and your arrival packet will include a Sunday through Saturday schedule that shows some activities. However, you will not have a printed schedule of all the activities on a specific day until you can pick up a copy of the ‘Iwa for that day. The next day’s ‘Iwa is usually available in the early evening, and you often have to ask a Cast Member for one. I had luck getting it from the front desk (and no luck getting it from a Cast Member who was stashing a stack under the desk at the pool towel kiosk one late afternoon; when I asked if I could have one, she just laughed and said “You weren’t supposed to see that”). If you are interested in a particular activity during your visit, I suggest asking a Cast Member at the front desk or the Pau Hana community room if it will be offered in the next few days.
Before our trip, we were most interested in what nights we could see the Starlit Hui or the ‘Ohana Disney Movie Night. They are usually offered two to three nights a week, but the days can change depending on the season. If you like to plan ahead and know the dates of your visit, I suggest calling the resort to see if a Cast Member can tell you what days these activities will be offered.
Aulani Starlit Hui. The Starlit Hui is Aulani’s version of luau entertainment (without the food). It is performed two to three times each week at 8:00 PM, with a 7:30 PM preshow, on the resort’s expansive Hālāwai Lawn. We arrived 30 minutes early for the preshow, so around 7:00 PM, which seemed like good timing. Although there was already a line, and it seemed like we were pretty far back in it, we didn’t have to wait long before the Cast Members starting letting everyone in, and we got a great spot. Each family is issued a woven lauhala mat to sit on, which adds to the festive Hawaiian atmosphere.
‘Ohana Disney Movie Nights. Like the Starlit Hui, Aulani’s outdoor movies are shown at the Hālāwai Lawn starting at 7:30 PM. We arrived 15 minutes before the show and so were farther back than at the Starlit Hui, but being close is not as important for the movie. The screen is huge and the sound system fantastic, and there is something so magical about an outdoor movie. Bring your favorite snacks and beverages to enjoy.
Aulani’s “pool policy” in action
Pool chair policy. Many guests claim poolside lounge chairs early in the day by placing a pool towel or personal items on chairs, and it can get difficult to find chairs as the day goes on. However, Aulani does have a “chair policy” where they fold a towel on the back of saved chairs that don’t seem to be in use. If the towel is still folded that way in one hour, they say they will free up the chair and move any personal items to lost and found. How well the policy is enforced can vary, but if you are having trouble finding chairs, I suggest asking a Cast Member if there are any that can be freed up.
If you are interested in renting premium pool seating, a good resource is my recent article on Aulani cabanas, casabellas, and more.
Trendy wristbands. When picking up pool towels each day, each guest receives a wristband. It is quite fun to see what color you will get each day. On our first day at the pool, my teenage son quickly realized that many of his peers were sporting multiple wristbands. He joined the trend and had a nice collection at the end of our stay. The bands are now one of his favorite souvenirs of the trip.
Pau Hana Room. The Pau Hana Room offers a relaxing family room type atmosphere. It is a great place to get out of the sun, or relax on your first day before your room is ready. There are video games, board games, crafts, books (including some of the best books I saw during my trip about Hawaii and its culture), and DVDs to rent. My boys rented several movies to watch in our villa at night. Also, the Cast Members at the Pau Hana Room are a great resource for questions about activities and Aulani in general.
Signing up for kid/teen programs. Aunty’s Beach House is the club house for Aulani’s program for kids ages 3-12. 
It offers various activities throughout the day as well as full-day programs. Aulani also has a teen lounge and spa called Painted Sky for ages 13-17, which offers activities as well as just a place for teens to just hang. If you think your kids will want to take advantage of either of these, a parent must fill out a youth activities registration form. You can download a registration form for Aunty’s Beach House from the Aulani website before you go or just go fill it out at Aunty’s once you arrive. There is a different form for teens that I was not able to get from the website, so I simply visited Aunty’s on our first day and filled out both forms.
One of Aulani’s many hidden Menehune
Menehune adventure for kids (and interested adults). Visit the Pau Hana Room from 10 AM to 7 PM to play the interactive Menehune scavenger hunt. According to Hawaiian folklore, Menehune are small mischievous, magical people who hid in the forests and mountains to escape from Tahitian settlers; they are reputed to be master craftspeople and builders. Statues of the Menehune are hidden all over the resort, and guests can search for them on the Menehune Adventure Trail using a tablet game console. (Even if you don’t do the interactive hunt, you can challenge your family to count hidden Menehune at the resort; we especially enjoyed looking for them as we floated along the lazy river.)
Tours for adults (and interested kids). Aulani offers some great guided (and self-guided) tours focusing on topics such as the resort’s artwork, Hawaiian culture and language, as well as the wildlife and nature at Aulani. Visit the Pau Hana room from 10 AM to 7 PM to check out the self-guided tours. Guided tours (listed in the Daily ‘Iwa) meet in the lobby and last about 45 minutes; interested kids must be accompanied by a parent.
Reservations at table service restaurants. Aulani has two table service restaurants. Makahiki offers a character breakfast buffet and a dinner buffet without characters. Ama Ama is the resort’s signature oceanfront restaurant offering breakfast and dinner. I made reservations for both ahead of time on the resort’s website. During our visit, I checked the website just to see what availability was like; although it was possible to get a reservation for Makahiki up to the day of, Ama Ama had less availability (including none the day before on one occasion). If you don’t mind the possibility of being turned away, both restaurants take walk ups when they have availability.
The ‘Oleo Room. One of my husband’s and my favorite places to sneak off to when the kids were watching a DVD in the villa was the Oleo Room. This lounge is open from 5 PM to 11 PM, with a “sunset menu” from 5 PM to 7 PM offering specially price appetizers and drinks. It is decorated with wooden carvings of various objects accompanied by their Hawaiian words; the bartenders, all of whom speak Hawaiian, will help you with pronunciation. There were only a few other people here on both of the nights we went for the sunset menu. It was great fun to sit at the bar and learn some Hawaiian words.
Pizza delivery. Getting pizza delivered is so much fun on vacation. We ordered pizza on one night from Pizza Corner in Ko Olina. The delivery to the valet area outside of the lobby was very quick, and the pizza was hot and delicious.
Listen in the elevator. As you ride Aulani’s elevators, you may find yourself humming along with some familiar Disney songs. And then you realize they are all being sung in Hawaiian! Every time I got on the elevator I felt so happy because of this music. I was hoping to buy a CD of these songs in the gift shop and asked a Cast Member. She said unfortunately there is no CD, although guests ask this question all the time and some ride the elevator just to record the songs on their phones.
Room views. Aulani is laid out in a giant horseshoe, with its incredibly themed pool/water complex, Waikolohe Valley, in the middle. Your view will be based on the room category you book, including ocean, pool, island, and standard. However, because the views can vary widely from category to category, you may want add a room request to your reservation to ensure you have the best chance of easing into your vacation in a room where you are happy with the view. Such requests include a high floor, a view facing the inner part of the resort (overlooking the pool), or a view of the Hālāwai Lawn where the Starlit Hui is performed.
I added a room request when I made our reservation and then called the resort about a week before we arrived to confirm it was in the system. Although requests are in no way a guarantee, I can report that we were pleasantly surprised that our request was met.
Disney Vacation Club member mingle. If you are a Disney Vacation Club member, it’s worth checking out the Mahalo Member Mingle, which was offered on a Monday at 8 AM during our visit. Yes, 8 AM is early, but they had plenty of coffee on hand as well as breakfast items. We got to meet some fellow club members, participate in a trivia contest with prizes ranging from small trinkets to lithographs and gift certificates, play “guess what DVC resort” based on a photo slide show, and hear about excursions at Aulani. There was a short video about Disney Vacation Club resorts and cruise adventures but no sales pitch. Everyone also received a lei and Aulani/DVC baseball cap.
At the end of our Aulani vacation, aside from wishing I could turn back time to the beginning of the vacation, one of my main thoughts was, “If only we knew then what we know now.” I hope this article will help you become familiar ahead of time with some of the smaller details that can really enhance a trip. Or maybe you have already been to Aulani and can share other tips or add to mine? There is so much more to do at Aulani that I didn’t cover—arts and crafts workshops, ukulele lessons, workouts on the beach, storytelling at the Mo’Olelo Fire Pit, excursions, and more. Can you tell that I can’t wait to go back someday?
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Disney’s Aulani Resort: Small Tips to Make a Big Difference is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Daisy Lauren’s Best Week Ever: September 18, 2014
By Daisy Lauren
Hi, Everyone! Welcome to the Best Week Ever here at Walt Disney World! I have so much to share with you this week. We’re stopping by Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Downtown Disney, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios for some epic catch up after my trip to Tokyo Disney Resort. (If you missed that you can find it here). So without any further delay, let’s jump right in!
Our good friend, the crane over Cinderella’s Castle, is back to install the Castle Dream Lights. I don’t think anyone can deny how beautiful these lights are once they’re installed but the crane is such an eyesore! It seems like it’s there a third of the year anymore between installing the lights and removing them after the holidays. If they can ruin thousands of once in a lifetime photos in front of the castle I think they can close the Haunted Mansion a few weeks out of the year to install Haunted Mansion Holiday. Okay, I know I’m the only one that thinks that way and we’re never getting the overlay but you’d think they could not have the crane up for so long every year. But I’m getting ahead of myself, my day didn’t start in the Magic Kingdom. I started with one of the epic breakfasts of Disney World! But you’ll have to click below to find out more! 
One of the unfortunate side effects of international travel is jet lag. We’ve been consistently waking up at about 3am since our return to the states. Luckily, most Disney resorts have 24hr food options on property so we took advantage of a very early breakfast. Would you think less of me if I admitted that I’d never tried Tonga Toast before this weekend? (I can feel my Disney lifestyler status dwindling as you read that.) I decided to correct the err of my ways and head to Captain Cooks for an early morning meal. Here is what breakfast looked like before we dug in. The bounty platter (left) was $8.99 before tax and tonga toast with bacon (right) was $6.59.
Here’s the inside of Tonga Toast. If you haven’t tried it before, it’s basically a huge piece of french toast stuffed with bananas on the bottom. Spoiler alert: I wasn’t into this at all. It was just too sweet for me and I’m not a big fan of bananas. I think I would have liked it better if it was filled with any other fruit. Another interesting note, there was an RFID chip on the bottom of our disposable drink cup. It would only allow us four refills within two hours. Frankly, that is more than enough. If there wasn’t a screen flashing that I couldn’t have more I’d never drink that amount. However, since they kept telling me exactly how much I could have I was sure to get exactly that amount. (Even though I ended up throwing out my last drink.) We’ve decided to share drinks in the future so really Disney has lost money in the end by all their nickel and diming.
So back to the Magic Kingdom, where we arrived 40 minutes before opening due to being up so early. With very full bellies we were ready to take on the day. As we walked in the horses were just stepping out on Main Street. On a side note, I thought the horses wore bags to catch any waste while they were working but that is not the case! Walking back from Tomorrowland later in the day we caught a whiff of something terrible and found cast members cleaning up. I’m not sure why or when that change took place?
I noticed the last Halloween decorations have gone up. These statues are always last for some reason! There are four statues around the planters in the hub. The lighting wasn’t right to show all of them but let me know in the comments if you’re interested and I’ll make sure to get them in another post soon.
Of course, we went directly to Fantasyland to check wait times. Anna and Elsa were already sporting a 45 min line! The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train didn’t have a wait time posted but had a line that stretched all the way to Dumbo! As we got closer I realized that the ride hadn’t even opened for the day but still had such a long line. Everything else in Fantasyland was a walk on but a huge group of people were waiting for a ride with no idea when it would open! Below is a photo from Sir Mickey’s which has gradually become almost completely filled with Frozen merchandise.
They seem to be stocking up as things I’ve never seen in person have started appearing in this shop. Below are just a few of the Christmas ornaments I saw in the shop this weekend. The photo doesn’t do Elsa’s shoe justice, it’s beautiful and sparkly in person!
Over in Tomorrowland things are finally starting to get back to normal with the Astro Orbiter looking very close to reopening! There’s a lot more work to be done and if you look closely this is still a very obvious construction zone, but the worst is over. Oddly, the #INCREDIBLESsuperdanceparty stage was advertising Christmas shows over the weekend. I’m sure they were testing for the holidays and just forgot to switch it back but it was up there for a while. Funny that nobody seemed to notice!
As part of the walls coming down around Astro Orbiter, you can now clearly see the restaurant underneath. I really like the new, brighter paint even more after seeing this! I know it’s a big difference but Tomorrowland really needed the punch of color. For a while everything in there was grey!
In Downtown Disney we noticed more construction springing up, this time in front of the movie theater. The only place with more working going on right now is the Polynesian! We couldn’t see over the walls but it was obvious some kind of column was being built. Since this is very near the parking garage we were guessing maybe it will be signage for that?
At D Street in Downtown Disney West Side, I finally found some C-3PO Mickey ears! I’d seen these online and from Disneyland but hadn’t spotted them in our parks anywhere. Later in the week they also sprung up in Disney’s Hollywood Studios so a shipment must have come in!
At Epcot construction is moving right along on what I’ve heard was a water main break. I didn’t realize how much we used this walkway until it went behind construction walls. I’m glad to see it’s so close to opening back up. (The photo was taken from the monorail, just in case anyone was wondering)
The Odyssey also got a new coat of paint. The blue color looks great but it’s an odd contrast with the tan colors still left along the water line. Hopefully I just caught it in transition and they’ll be paining the rest.
It’s almost time for the Food & Wine Festival and I can’t wait! While I’m a little disappointed that the menus look so similar to last year, I just love this event and can’t wait to share it with you guys! Here’s a look at just a couple of the booths but there are so many popping up all around the World Showcase! Any requests for foods you’d like to see featured? Let me know in the comments!
I also stopped back by Maelstrom and word is out about it closing in a big way! There were dozens of people taking photos and video and lots of talk about the change. I’m working on putting together a video from a few different rides through the attraction so keep an eye out for that. Remember, this attraction will close forever on October 6th.
In Mouse Gear I noticed they have started selling tails for Halloween! These are pretty common at Tokyo Disney so I was surprised to see them here. Below you’ll see Sulley, Tigger, Marie the cat, and Cheshire cat. I don’t think I’ll be wearing them anytime soon, but they’re cute!
Also in Mouse Gear I spotted this odd Minnie Mouse tote bag (left). It had ears, arms, and legs sewed onto a cheap tote bag. At $35 it was strange and overpriced. I’m sure Derek will find these at the outlet soon! I also spotted what looked like new classic Epcot shirts!
On my way out I also grabbed a drink at Starbucks. This is the valencia orange refresher and it was delightfully tasty! However, at $4.79 it isn’t something I’d do often. It was worth it after hiking all over Epcot, though!
Our last stop this week is the Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I’d snagged FastPass+ for Toy Story Midway Mania a while back and decided to film it for you. With my new, smaller camera I finally had a lens that would fit behind 3D glasses! This is a tough ride to film but I hope you enjoy if you’re homesick for this ride.
The Studios continues to be gradually taken over by Frozen a little more every day. For $10 this custom engraved dog tag can be yours! I’m torn because I liked the movie and the Studios needed a new identity, I just don’t know that this is it. But you can’t deny how much the kids love it!
Speaking of the kids loving Frozen, I stopped back by the Sing-A-Long this week and took a few video clips. I was so sure they’d move this to the American Idol theater, but they haven’t. They really should because the theater is filled for every show I attend. They wouldn’t even let us pick our seats this weekend because it was so full. I tried to walk to one side of the theater and was told I had to sit where I was told. Ironic, since I was trying to stay out of the way and leave “good” seats for the kids. It was a good thing in the end because I was able to record Let it Go and In Summer for you, not to mention the finale (below). I was going to do more but as you can hear at the end of Let it Go lots of kids started crying because they wanted to sing it again! So cute!!
Did you sing along? I bet you did… 
(And did you spot the guy in the front row on the right side? I think I’m in love with him. I had to stop myself from running up to meet him. He’s so into it!!)
That’s everything for this week. Now let’s see what you can expect if you’re visiting next week.
Crowd Calendar: Low crowds continue for September. It’s almost over, enjoy it!
Weather: It can still be very warn but it isn’t as blistering hot as it has been all summer. Expect temperatures in the high 80′s to low 90′s and be ready for daily rain.
Remember: Off Kilter, Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps, Mo’Rockin’, and World Showcase Players will all be going away at the end of this month. I’ll be stopping by to see them all and sharing it here, but if you’re in the area be sure you see them one last time.
Here’s my top tip for this week: The Food and Wine Festival always opens a day before the published date with minimum crowds. If you’re in town get out there and enjoy it tonight!
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: September 18, 2014 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
September 17, 2014
Universal Orlando Crowd Report – September 7 to 13, 2014
Universal Orlando Resort saw typically low September crowds last week despite some hot weather. Neither park reached a crowd level above a level ’2′ until Friday and attraction wait times stayed well below annual averages all week.
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
Sunday’s wait times were low at both Universal parks. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit saw a 32 minute average posted time (predicted 28) while Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls was 29 minutes (predicted 37).
Islands of Adventure
3
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
2
2
MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack averaged 10 minutes (predicted 11) while Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey averaged 23 minutes as predicted on Monday.
Islands of Adventure
2
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
2
2
Islands of Adventure dipped to the lowest level on our scale on Tuesday with average posted times like 19 minutes at Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and 13 minutes at The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.
Islands of Adventure
2
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
2
2
Early park admission at Universal Studios on Wednesday was not enough to push wait times above the predicted level ’2′. Disaster! saw an average wait of 15 minutes (predicted 12) while attractions at Islands of Adventure saw averages like 17 minutes at The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man (predicted 24) and 5 minutes at Dragon Challenge (predicted 7).
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 wait times were pretty close to predictions across both parks. Only Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem at 28 minutes (predicted 42) and Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges at 5 minutes (predicted 11) were substantially different.
Islands of Adventure
2
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
3
3
Most attractions at Islands of Adventure came in with average waits lower than predicted on Friday although we did see accurate predictions at many attractions like Spider-Man (24 minutes, predicted 28) and Storm Force Acceleration (5 minutes).
Islands of Adventure
3
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
3
2
Both parks missed high by one level on our scale Saturday although most attraction level predictions were within a 5 to 10 minutes. For example, Doctor Doom’s Fearfall averaged 21 minutes (predicted 15) and The Simpson’s Ride averaged 11 minutes (predicted 15).
Islands of Adventure
3
2
What to Expect This Week
September 14 to 22, 2014
How Crowded is Universal Orlando Resort?
The extreme low crowds of early September are likely over and we move into typical Fall crowds. The good news is that typical Fall crowds are usually some of the lowest of the year. Touring Universal Orlando Resort in September although hot, is relaxed and pleasant.
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 Crowd Report – September 7 to 13, 2014 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Disneyland Resort Crowd Report – September 7 to 13, 2014
September is usually the least crowded month at Disneyland Resort. Add in the extreme California heat experienced last week and you get some super low wait times. We also saw some higher than usual waits at rides more likely to cool you off like Splash Mountain and Grizzly River Run.
Let’s look at how the crowd levels stacked up each day last week on the TouringPlans.com Disneyland Resort Crowd Report:
Disneyland Resort Crowd Levels – Daily Breakdown
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
3
3
Accurate predictions on Sunday with Disney California Adventure coming in with wait times only slightly less than expected. Tower of Terror averaged 16 minutes (predicted 23) while Toy Story Midway Mania settled at 31 minutes (predicted 32).
Disney California Adventure
3
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
1
2
Disneyland Park’s crowd level slid above a level ’1′ thanks to higher than expected wait times at Alice in Wonderland (26 minutes, predicted 19) and Peter Pan’s Flight (29 minutes, predicted 25).
Disney California Adventure
1
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
1
3
Disney California Adventure was a ’1′ for the second day in a row on Tuesday. Early Entry pushed wait times at Disneyland Park a couple points higher than we predicted, mostly due to non-headliners like Astro Orbitor (18, predicted 9) and it’s a small world (11, predicted 5).
Disney California Adventure
1
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
1
2
California Dreamin had single digit average waits most of the week including on Wednesday (8 minutes, predicted 13) despite the park reaching a level one above predicted.
Disney California Adventure
1
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
1
3
Attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean (13, predicted 5) and Mr Toad’s Wild Ride (16, predicted 10) pushed Disneyland Park’s index to a level ’3′ on Thursday. Our predictions for Disney California Adventure however all hit the mark within 3 to 5 minutes.
Disney California Adventure
2
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
2
3
Friday saw wait times similar to the rest of the week. Alice in Wonderland (23, predicted 19) and Indiana Jones Adventure (31, predicted 26) pushed the index one level higher than predicted.
Disney California Adventure
2
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
3
5
Disneyland Park had the highest waits of the week, by far, on Saturday. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (16 minutes, predicted 11) and Splash Mountain (49 minutes, predicted 37) led the way while Disney California Adventure stayed a ’2′ as expected.
Disney California Adventure
2
2
What to Expect This Week
September 14 to 22, 2014
How Crowded is Disneyland Resort?
If the extreme heat continues we expect wait times to remain low this week although forecasters expect temperatures to resume to normal levels by Friday.
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 – September 7 to 13, 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 – September 7 to 13, 2014
We saw record lows across the four parks last week with level ’1′s most days. Super headliner attractions which measure average waits in the range of 90 to 120 minutes during the rest of year saw averages of 30 minutes or less. Magic Kingdom in particular was virtually empty – or at least as empty as it ever gets.
Let’s look at how the crowd levels stacked up each day last week on the Touringplans.com 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
2
1
Epcot was our only prediction low enough to hit the mark on Sunday. Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom (22 minutes) and Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom (17 minutes) were the only two attractions not at a level ’1′ or ’2′.
Epcot
1
1
Hollywood Studios
3
1
Animal Kingdom
3
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
3
1
Low waits continued on Monday, especially at Magic Kingdom. Every attraction hit its lowest level of the year with only a few exceptions.
Epcot
1
1
Hollywood Studios
2
1
Animal Kingdom
2
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
1
1
For the first time of the week a park (Animal Kingdom) hit a park-wide level above a ’1′ on our scale. Magic Kingdom hosted a Halloween Party on Tuesday and wait times were low during the day as expected.
Epcot
2
1
Hollywood Studios
1
1
Animal Kingdom
2
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
2
1
Back to level ’1′s across the board on Wednesday. Soarin’ averaged a paltry 34 minutes and Test Track only 39. Although our predicted ’1′ at the Studios was correct we were surprised that Great Movie Ride hit an average of 15 minutes, only two minutes less than Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
Epcot
3
1
Hollywood Studios
1
1
Animal Kingdom
2
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
3
1
Extra Magic Hour morning at Magic Kingdom wasn’t enough to push wait times above a level ’1′ on our scale on Thursday. Space Mountain averaged 19 minutes while Pirates of The Caribbean averaged only one minute lower at 18 minutes.
Epcot
2
1
Hollywood Studios
1
1
Animal Kingdom
1
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
1
1
Another Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom on Friday kept waits very low during the day, a level ’1′ for every attraction! Pretty safe to say that September 12th, 2014 is the single lowest crowd Magic Kingdom will see all year.
Epcot
2
1
Hollywood Studios
2
2
Animal Kingdom
2
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
4
4
Saturday tells a different story from the rest of the week. Other than Epcot, we saw wait times jump up to normal levels for Fall. A 29 minute average for Pirates of the Caribbean, 33 minutes for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and 26 minutes for Kali River Rapids.
Epcot
3
1
Hollywood Studios
4
2
Animal Kingdom
2
2
What to Expect This Week
September 14 to 22, 2014
How Crowded is Disney World?
The ultra low wait times of early September are over now so we expect waits to slide upwards next week. Mid-September is still a fantastic time for low crowds at Walt Disney World, however.
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 – September 7 to 13, 2014 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Disney World Planning Challenges: Tough-to-Get Reservations—From FastPass+ to Dining
Photo by Katie McNair
Even with lots of research, some aspects of a Walt Disney World vacation are—let’s just say—resistant to planning. In fact, they can seem like downright mysteries to first-time vacationers and expert Disney World planners alike. A major challenge when planning a Disney World vacation is successfully reserving tough-to-get experiences that become available for booking at unpredictable times initially, book up extremely quickly, or both. Although there is no surefire way to snag these reservations, there are some ways to improve your chances.
First, though, it can be helpful for you to have a bit of background on the experiences that have given or are currently giving planners the most difficulty.
Hard-to-Get Reservations
Photo by Sarah Graffam
Currently topping the list of difficult-to-get reservations are FastPass+ reservations for Meet Anna and Elsa at Princess Fairytale Hall and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom. In addition, obtaining reservations at Magic Kingdom’s Be Our Guest Restaurant can be a real challenge.
Experiences that have proven difficult for guests to book in the past and that can still present a challenge in some cases include FastPass+ for popular rides like Epcot’s Soarin’ and Test Track as well as Toy Story Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, FastPass+ for parades and nighttime shows, FastPass+ for shows at special events such as Star Wars Weekends, reservations for the Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package, reservations at Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party, and, the original most-difficult-to-get reservation, dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table restaurant.
How Hard Is It, Really?
For some of the more popular FastPass+ attractions that have been in the parks for a while, such as Soarin’, Test Track, and Toy Story Mania, you will generally find wide availability when they become available at the 60-day and 30-day marks when FastPass+ opens for Disney resort guests and off-site guests, respectively. Availability is usually decent even much closer than those times. The biggest consideration is that if you book late in the game, there may not be a lot of choices in terms of times.
Entrance to Be Our Guest Restaurant (Photo by Seth Kubersky)
FastPass+ reservations for parades and nighttime shows tend to disappear more quickly, particularly those in Magic Kingdom, so you probably want to grab these when your FastPass+ window opens. However, the real difficulty comes with the FastPass+ reservations that can be unavailable even when you try to reserve them as soon as your FastPass+ window opens. These experiences, both of which are new to the parks since the debut of FastPass+, are Meet Anna and Elsa at Princess Fairytale Hall and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Magic Kingdom’s Meet Anna and Elsa continues to be the real juggernaut, with guests often finding no availability immediately when their FastPass+ window opens. (Hint: If you want a FastPass+ to meet Anna and Elsa, make it your first priority when you go online on the day your FastPass+ window opens, keeping in mind that you may be more likely to find availability toward the end of your trip.) For much of the time, Seven Dwarfs is available when the FastPass+ window opens, but availability can disappear fast depending on when you are visiting; also, available times for FastPass+ for this attraction can quickly become limited.
Dinner reservations for Be Our Guest Restaurant can also be gone at the 180-day mark when dining reservations are released. (Hint: Guests staying at Disney resorts can book dining reservations at 180 days prior to check-in plus have the advantage of booking dining for up to 10 days of their trip. For this reason, you may have more luck finding availability toward the end of your stay. So when you go online or call, you should make your Be Our Guest dining reservation first.) In the past, Cinderella’s Royal Table was the most coveted dining reservation in Disney World. Although Be Our Guest has reduced some of the demand at Cinderella’s Royal Table, if you have a specific date and time in mind, it’s best to make this reservation a priority.
A Wrench in the Works—Unpredictable Availability
Frozen Sing-Along (Photo by Kylene Hamulak)
A pattern for Disney World when releasing reservations for special events and new experiences is that not only do these reservations go fast, but they are generally released with unpredictable timing.
For the first few months of FastPass+, the timing of when FastPass+ became available for parades and nighttime shows was unpredictable, sometimes appearing a few weeks before and sometimes just a day or two before. The same was true for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Meet Anna and Elsa at Princess Fairytale Hall when they first became FastPass+ options. And previous to that, it was months before the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party became available for booking at the 180-day mark, with guests who had all of their other dining reservations set left to wonder when they could finalize their plans.
For more information on day-of FastPass+ availability, check out Steve Bloom’s analysis of what we’ve observed since June.
If you can’t score a dinner reservation at Be Our Guest, there is an option for FastPass+ reservations for lunch (only available to Disney resort guests); however, again, the timing of their availability has been unpredictable. Another recent example is FastPass+ for Disney Hollywood Studios’ Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, which was suddenly extended, with FastPass+ for more dates showing up on Disney’s website. Also recently announced is that a meet and greet with Anna and Elsa will be added back at the Norway pavilion; this may be another scenario when the availability of FastPass+ is initially unpredictable.
Getting A Leg Up
Given Disney’s track record, it seems inevitable that there will be new experiences requiring reservations that present the same types of challenges. When Star Wars Weekends arrives in spring again, will we be wondering when and if FastPass+ will be available for shows and if this will finally be the year when FastPass is available in advance for character meet and greets? I wonder how Disney will handle FastPass+ for attractions when Avatar Land debuts at Animal Kingdom or for the Frozen attraction recently announced for the Norway pavilion in Epcot.
So, if you aren’t able to book experiences when they first become available or you find yourself playing a guessing game about timing of availability, what can you do? Although there is no way around the fact that it can take some legwork to snag a coveted reservation, planners in the know have several options:
Check the My Disney Experience website or call Disney on a regular basis to see if bookings have opened for FastPass+ experiences or dining experiences. It is fairly easy to hop on My Disney Experience a couple of times a day (when the website is behaving). By phone, try calling at different times during the day when it is convenient for you and simply hang up if the hold time is too long. You may find hold times to be shorter either when the phone lines first open at 7:00 AM or in the late afternoon or evening, but this can vary. In any case, don’t give up! As people finalize their plans, you may find that there are cancellations in the last few weeks before your trip or even at the 24-hour mark.
Consider past patterns. Before Disney finally began releasing reservations for the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party at 180 days, they were known to be generally released at the 30 to 60 day mark. Currently, FastPass+ for the Be Our Guest lunch for Disney resort guests appears to become available at 27 days, though it’s anyone’s guess when and if that will change.
Keep up with tweets from the many Disney World news sources and enthusiasts on Twitter or follow them on Facebook. A tweet recently alerted me that park hours and entertainment schedules had been updated for November to February. This may be a clue that Disney has released more FastPass+ or dining reservations with the additional hours.
Take advantage of Disney internet forums. How do you find information about past patterns, coordinate with others
on dining cancellations, or be one of the first to know when reservations open up for specific experiences? Search the web for “Disney forums” and you will find multiple websites where experienced Disney World enthusiasts are sharing their knowledge. In fact, TouringPlans.com’s own Forum is an excellent resource.Be flexible! If you can’t get a reservation for an experience on the exact day or at the exact time you want but another time is available, it may be important enough to you to adjust your plans.
Check FastPass+ availability on Disney’s website on both your computer and on the My Disney Experience app. There have been reports that they can show different availability. When making your initial FastPass+ reservations, it is best to be on a computer.
If you reach the happy day that you will actually visit the parks but still don’t have that desired FastPass+ or dining reservation, there is still hope. Disney has been handing out paper return time tickets for Meet Anna and Elsa and Be Our Guest lunch. Also, if you visit a restaurant such as Be Our Guest at park opening, there may be some openings for dinner.
Obtaining reservations for the most popular experiences at Disney World can seem like a nearly herculean task. I hope some of the tips here make it easier for you to book your most wished for Disney World experiences. Please share your knowledge if you have other tips that could help others face the challenge of obtaining the World’s most coveted reservations.
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Disney World Planning Challenges: Tough-to-Get Reservations—From FastPass+ to Dining is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Disney Princess Dress (and other Costume) FAQ
By Erin Foster
With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to take another look at the Disney Princess Dress situation. This is an update of my 2012 article on the state of the princess dress, with new photos, pricing, resources, and details on the all important FROZEN dress situation. So put on your tiara and polish your crystal plastic shoes, ’cause here we gooooo.
Do most girls wear princess dresses at Walt Disney World?
When you’re just walking around the park, you’ll see just a small percentage of girls ages about 3 to 8 wearing princess costumes, maybe 5%. However, there are some places at the parks where the percentage of girls in princess attire will be much higher. My non-scientific, personal observation is that something along the lines of 50-60% of the preschool and elementary age girls at the princess-themed character meals will be wearing princess dresses. Note that this also means that 40-50% of the girls there will NOT be wearing gowns. Very few girls older than age 8 or 9 will be wearing princess dresses at meals, or anywhere else.
Something on the order of 80% of the girls getting makeovers at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (BBB) will be sporting some form of princess attire. Similarly, something on the order of 80-90% of the children attending Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party will be wearing costumes. These might be princess gowns, but could just as easily be something else entirely.
When my own three daughters were younger (they’re teens now), they did lots of princess dress-up at home, but never chose to wear gowns while at Walt Disney World, not even at the princess meals or the BBB. That was their choice. They never felt uncomfortable that other girls were wearing dresses at character meals while they were not. You should use your judgment about your own child’s personality about whether you think she would feel left out or sad if other girls are dressed in gowns while she is not.
Disney Parks Princess Dresses, fall 2014. Merida, Sofia the First, Rapunzel.
If my daughter wants to wear a princess dress at the parks, do I have to buy the dress at Walt Disney World?
No!
There is absolutely no requirement that princess dresses worn at Disney World must be purchased at Disney World. You can buy Disney-branded costumes at DisneyStore.com, from brick-and-mortor Disney Stores, from online costume vendors such as buycostumes.com, from general online vendors such as Amazon.com, or from big-box retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target. You can also buy or make costumes from Disney patterned fabric (try Etsy.com for some great options).
You could also buy or make a non-Disney princess costume for your daughter to wear at the parks. All of these options are equally acceptable. Really, I mean it.
Where can I buy princess dresses at Walt Disney World?
Practically everywhere. Nearly every gift shop in the parks and resorts has at least a few princess dresses on display. You’ll find the largest selection at Mouse Gear at Epcot, the World of Disney at Downtown Disney, and The Emporium and Castle Couture at the Magic Kingdom. They are also sold as part of several makeover packages at both WDW BBB locations.
Disney Parks Princess Dresses, fall 2014. Cinderella, Snow White, Jasmine.
Are the dresses the same at Walt Disney World and Disneyland?
Yes. There has been a real push toward the standardization of merchandise at the Disney theme parks. Generally, you will find the same dresses at Disney World and Disneyland.
Also, the dresses sold throughout the parks and resorts are the same ones offered through the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique locations. If your daughter is getting a BBB makeover package which includes a costume, it will be one of the styles that’s readily available.
You’ll even find the exact same dresses on the Disney Cruise Line ships.
Which princess dresses are available at the parks?
The exact mix of princess dresses changes from time to time. As of autumn 2014, the following princess costumes were available in stores throughout Walt Disney World:
Snow White
Cinderella
Belle
Rapunzel
Sleeping Beauty (Aurora)
Ariel (two different costumes available, seafoam human gown and sequined mermaid two-piece pants suit)
Tiana
Jasmine (a two-piece pants suit, not a gown)
Tinker Bell
Merida (from Brave)
Minnie Mouse (usually red, but sometimes there are pink versions, or possibly orange at Halloween)
Sofia the First
Additionally, you can sometimes (but not always) find Mulan costumes available at the China pavilion at Epcot.
Pocahantas costumes are usually available at the Animal Kingdom and at the Castle Couture shop in the Magic Kingdom. They are rarely found at Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Disney Parks Princess Dresses, fall 2014. Ariel human, Ariel mermaid, Tiana.
But what about Anna & Elsa? We MUST have Anna & Elsa costumes!!!!!!!! (plus a few dozen more exclamation points)
Take a deep breath and count to ten.
Disney has had a world of trouble keeping Frozen merchandise in the stores. Throughout 2014, there have been shortages and rationing of all types of Frozen merchandise, particularly costumes. Things are starting to loosen up, with Frozen tees and plush Olafs becoming more available, but Anna & Elsa costumes are still in limited supply at Walt Disney World. As of early September 2104, the only place at Walt Disney World to find true Anna & Elsa costumes is at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They have been sold almost exclusively at the Wandering Oaken pop-up store at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with sizing and stock varying dependent on recent shipments. Generally Anna has been easier to find than Elsa. It’s unclear whether/how this will change if the Frozen Fun festivities at DHS end as scheduled in late September. Stay tuned.
If you’re at WDW and can’t get to DHS, you can fake it with a Frozen tee and a Frozen-colored tutu which is now sold in dozens of WDW locations.
That’s not going to work for my Frozen fiend. Can I buy an Elsa dress at a Disney Store?
Not as of the first week of September 2014. A search of DisneyStore.com and a recent visit to the flagship Disney Store in Times Square, NY turned up no Anna or Elsa costumes.
Cast members at the Disney Store Times Square told me that they’re expecting a more regular supply of Anna & Elsa costumes at the end of September, but whether that actually happens is anyone’s guess. I did see a few Olaf costumes on display. During a September visit, there were four on the rack when I entered the store. When I left about 20 minutes later, they were all gone. If you see one, grab it fast.
But worry not, there are other alternatives.
Disney Parks Princess Dresses, fall 2014. Pocahantas, Belle, Tinker Bell
Alternatives? What alternatives?
My snail mail and email boxes are filling up with offers from Halloween costume vendors. Many are selling variations of Anna & Elsa gowns, even if they’re not officially calling them that. Some are flimsy “disposable” costumes, while others are well-made (and expensive) and should last for many wearings.
Check out these sites to get an idea of what’s out there. There are dozens of other online options as well.
Chasing Fireflies Anna
Chasing Fireflies Elsa
Buy Costumes Anna
Buy Costumes Elsa
Party City Anna
Party City Elsa
Additionally, you’ll want to check sites like eBay.com and Etsy.com, which currently have numerous Frozen princess costume offerings.
What costume sizes are available at the parks?
Not every store will have every costume in every size, but generally the princess costumes are available at Walt Disney World from size Youth XXS to Youth XL.
What does that mean?
Here are the sizing details:
XXS (2/3) fits H 33-39 in (84-99 cm), W 26-32 lbs (12-15 kg)
XS (4/5) fits H 39-45 in (99-114 cm), W 32-41 lbs (15-19 kg)
S (6/6X) fits H 45-47 in (114-119 cm), W 41-46 lbs (19-21 kg)
M (7/8) fits H 47-53 in (119-135 cm), W 46-68 lbs (21-31 kg)
L (10-12) fits H 53-59 in (135-150 cm), W 68-87 lbs (31-39 kg)
XL (14/16) fits H 59-64 in (150-163 cm), W 87-115 lbs (39-59 kg)
Sleeping Beauty Gowns, fall 2014. Disney Store (left), Disney Parks (right)
Are there baby costumes?
A few of the costumes, usually Minnie Mouse, come in infant sizes, but these can be challenging to find. If you want a baby princess costume, you’ll probably need to look outside the parks.
Are the costumes sold in the parks true to size?
In my personal experience, they tend to run a little small. If your child is on the rounder side, the dresses may be tight.
If we’re buying a dress in the parks, can we try the dress on before we buy it?
Some, but certainly not all, gift shops at Walt Disney World have fitting rooms. Those that do include World of Disney at Downtown Disney, Mouse Gear at Epcot, and Castle Couture at the Magic Kingdom. If the shop has a fitting room, you’re certainly welcome to try it on there before you buy. If you’re in a shop that doesn’t have a fitting room, you can slip the dress on over a light tee or tank top to get a feel for sizing.
My daughter is an unusual size. What are my options?
As noted above, there is no requirement that your princess dress must be purchased on site. If you absolutely want your daughter to wear a princess dress at WDW, but think she might be challenging to fit, I encourage you to purchase your dress in advance from another source. Go to the Disney Store at your local mall and try on dresses in many sizes. Or perhaps consider having a dress made specifically for her. If you don’t have a favorite local seamstress, Etsy.com has many vendors who can craft a custom costume. A quick search there for “custom princess dress” brings up dozens of options with prices starting at about $30.
Minnie dresses, fall 2014. Disney Parks classic (left), Disney Parks Halloween (center), Disney Store (right)
What is the fabric like on the official Disney Parks dresses?
It’s pretty nice. In my opinion the fabrics are generally quite soft and sturdy. You don’t touch them and go “Ick!” the way you might with some off-brand “plastic” Halloween costumes. While my three daughters did not wear these dresses in the parks, we did purchase several over the years. They stood up to dozens of at-home “tea parties” and dress-up play dates. I even ran them through the washing machine a number of times with no major damage (hang to dry). You should be able to get substantial dress up use out of them after your Disney vacation.
As for specifics, the fabric and trim vary by princess. The inner tag of the Sleeping Beauty dress currently sold at WDW reads: “Body 96% Polyester, 4% Spandex; Collar 89% Polyester, 11% Metallic; Sleeves 100% Polyester; Lower portion overlay outer 100% Nylon; Lower portion overlay inner 89% Polyester, 11% Metallic; Shell 100% Nylon; Interlining 100% Polyester; Lining 100% Polyester.” I really have no idea at all what any of that means, but I thought I’d share. To me, the Tiana and Merida dresses feel the nicest, but that’s just my personal preference.
Is the fabric quality different than the Disney Store costume fabric?
Yes. In my opinion, the fabrics and embellishments on the Disney parks dresses are of slightly higher quality than those on the Disney Store dresses. This may or may not make a difference to you. If you know your daughter will only be wearing the dress for one character meal, then a less expensive dress of slightly lower quality may be perfectly sufficient.
Both the Disney parks and Disney Store dresses are more substantial and better made than the dresses found at other vendors such as Target or buycostumes.com. But again, if you’re only going to use the dress once, a “throw away” dress may be just what you need.
Typical Disney Parks princess accessories
Are the dresses comfortable?
The perception of comfort really lies with the individual child. The Disney parks dresses are of high quality. The seams are generally finished, so there’s not too much extraneous wear against the skin. However, depending on the costume, there may be lace, sequins or other possibly itch-inducing embellishments next to the skin. If your child is sensitive, you’ll likely want her to wear a tank or cami underneath the gown. If the Disney Parks or Disney Store dresses are not sufficiently comfortable for your daughter, consider a custom costume or try buying from an higher end vendor like Chasing Fireflies.
Another thing to consider is that these are primarily long dresses, with many layers of fabric. Depending on when you choose to visit Walt Disney World, the temperatures can easily be well into the 90s with 100% humidity. Your daughter might think her dress is perfectly comfy if she wears it to the parks in January, while the exact same dress would be perceived as stifling in July.
Also, long skirts can make getting in and out of ride vehicles challenging for even the most coordinated child. Given this, I strongly suggest bringing a change of clothing for any child heading into the parks in costume. This may be one of the circumstances where renting a locker at the park makes sense.
And now the big question … How much do these dresses cost?
In the parks, the princess dresses are currently priced at a uniform $64.95, plus tax, each (prices are obviously subject to change, but have remained constant for several years). The price is the same regardless of size or princess. The typical exception to this is Tinker Bell. The Tink costumes are a few dollars less expensive, but if you want wings (And really, can you be Tinker Bell without wings?), then there is an additional fee to buy these separately.
Disney Store princess dresses, fall 2014. Tinker Bell, Snow White, Cinderella.
Is that the real cost total cost? Are there any other expenses I should know about?
The $65 dresses are displayed with a multitude of add-on accessories including wigs, gloves, shoes, tiaras, handbags, jewelry, wands, capes, and more. Some items are princess-specific, while others are just sort of generally sparkly. Prices for these items range from about $10-$25, depending on the item. Many of these accoutrements are displayed at a six-year-old’s eye level. Good luck with buying just a dress. If you’re trying to budget and will be buying everything in the parks during your vacation, I’d plan about $100 for each child who will be getting her princess on.
Any tips for saving money?
The princess costumes at Target, Walmart, or some online vendors are going to be cheaper than costumes sold in the parks. If you’re looking to economize, bring your own from home. The same thing is true for the princess accessories. You can find a tiara for two or three dollars at any party supply store. It might not have an illustration of the proper princess on it, but you will likely save several dollars over a tiara purchased at the Magic Kingdom.
If you’re determined to buy from Disney, the princess costumes sold at Disney Stores and DisneyStore.com tend to have a base price of about $20 less than the in-park costumes. Additionally, there are sometimes discount coupons available for DisneyStore.com. DisneyStore.com almost always has a free shipping code if you’re purchasing more than $75 of merchandise. Google “Disney Store Coupon Code” for current options.
While discount coupons are rare in the parks, be sure to ask about other discounts whenever you buy merchandise at Walt Disney World. Disney Visa card holders, WDW Annual Pass holders, Disney Vacation Club members, AAA members, and D23 members may find that they can save a few dollars. ALWAYS ask at the register.
Remember that you can get the “princess effect” without springing for a full gown. Wearing a tiara and holding a wand will give your daughter the air of royalty, without having to buy a pesky dress. If you can wait until later, try shopping at after-Halloween sales at party stores and other retailers. I’ve often seen significant markdowns.
Disney Store princess dresses, fall 2014. Jasmine, Belle, Rapunzel.
My princess is extra royal. Are there options to get her something better than what’s sold in the parks?
Only the best for you, eh? The parks costumes are of uniform quality, but Disney Store does have higher end versions of some princesses. For example, there is a Deluxe Belle costume on DisneyStore.com. Disney Store also sometimes has partnerships with respected clothing designers, usually related to a film release. During summer 2014, Disney Store partnered with Stella McCartney to produce some extraordinary Malificent-themed costumes for kids. The Aurora dress from this collection was stunning.
The Chasing Fireflies brand costumes for all the princesses (many Disney licensed) are of superior quality. And again, there are Etsy sellers who hand make truly extraordinary costumes using luxe fabrics and fittings. Just some that are lovely include: poor Briar Rose, Snow White, Tinker Bell, and Cinderella.
Be aware that you’ll likely need a fairly long lead time if you’re having a dress custom crafted.
I’d like to get my daughter a Disney parks princess dress, but I want to have it in advance of my trip. Is there any way to get these other than going to the parks?
Yes. Disney can mail parks merchandise to your home. Note that this is not the same as ordering Disney Store merchandise to be sent to your home.
Target Disney fairy dresses, fall 2014.
Are the dresses the same throughout Walt Disney World?
Generally yes.
The vast majority of dresses for each princess are identical at every shop, in all the parks, resorts, and Downtown Disney. There’s no need to run from shop to shop searching for something different.
My daughter likes to dress up, but is not into the princesses. Are there any options for her?
Nearly all the costumes for girls sold at Walt Disney World are princess gowns. As an alternative, there are a few items of pirate costuming that are available near the exit to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at the Magic Kingdom and at the Pirate’s League boutique. I’ve also seen a Doc McStuffins jacket and examination set sold at Disney Stores and sometimes in the parks. And you may see some elements of a Jesse (Toy Story’s cowgirl) costume, but you shouldn’t count on this being readily available.
You could also opt to have your daughter’s face painted like a pirate, cat, or any of several dozen other choices. Face painting stations are located in all four theme parks. Prices vary, but generally range from about $10 to $20.
Target Disney princess dresses, fall 2014. Belle, Snow White, Sofia the First.
Is there a princess dress equivalent for boys?
In the parks, the emphasis is very much on costuming for girls. There are pirate costumes at the locations I just mentioned. I have sometimes seen Peter Pan, Buzz Lightyear, and Woody costumes sold in the parks, but these may not be available at all times and can be much harder to locate. (Generally the selection in the parks picks up around Halloween.) You may also find some Star Wars costume elements at Disney’s Hollywood Studios near the Star Tours attraction.
You’ll have MUCH better luck with boy costumes at Disney Stores where you’ll see Star Wars, Marvel, Cars, Toy Story, and Peter Pan related costumes in good supply.
If your little man wants to be Prince Charming or any of this chivalrous equivalents, you’ll have to look at online costume vendors.
In general, if you have a boy and would like him to wear a costume of anything other than a pirate, then you should plan to bring that costume from home rather than expecting to purchase it at Walt Disney World.
Can adults wear princess costumes at the parks?
No, sorry. There’s no specific age cut-off, but once a child stops looking like a child and starts looking like a teen, then they may no longer wear costumes at Walt Disney World other than during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
Disney Store boy costume options, fall 2014.
Bummer! I really wanted to dress up.
Adults are welcome to wear certain elements of princess costuming, but not the full regal attire. I have several adult friends that regularly wear tiaras to the park, carry boas with them, or sport a tutu over their shorts for special occasions, but wearing a full dress as a grown-up is off limits.
Is that the official word?
Yep. The WDW website includes the following language – “Attire that is not appropriate for the theme parks (and which may result in refusal of admittance) includes but is not limited to:
Adult costumes or clothing that can be viewed as representative of an actual Disney character
Masks (unless you are dressing up for a particular event)
Clothing with objectionable material, including obscene language or graphics
Excessively torn clothing
Clothing which, by nature, exposes excessive portions of the skin that may be viewed as inappropriate for a family environment
Objectionable tattoos
A Guest is allowed into the parks if her or his hair (or make-up, if applicable) has been made to resemble a Disney Princess or character (for example, after a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique makeover) provided the Guest is not also wearing a costume or clothed to look like the character.”
Who decides if I look too much like an actual Disney character?
The final call about whether a costume is acceptable in the parks is always up to the cast members on site. Their word is law.
If you want to push the envelope, try wearing as much of the costume as you can, but altering one or two major elements. For example, this summer I was at Epcot and ran into a group of older teen girls who were all dressed in princess gowns to celebrate a birthday. While the dresses did scream “princess costume” they were knee length rather than floor length, and the girls’ hair was not princess coiffed, so they were let into the park. Your mileage may vary.
Disney Store boy costume options, fall 2014.
Can I wear a costume during my runDisney race?
Absolutely!
I’ve done half a dozen runDisney races myself and never worn a costume, but have seen MANY runners (men and women, but mostly women) decked out in themed costumes while pounding the pavement. From what I’ve seen, the most common races for costumes are the princess half marathons and the Tower of Terror 10-miler, but you’ll certainly find costumed runners at every distance at every time of the year.
The runDisney Expos prior to the races typically host vendors which sell running skirts, themed tees, themed headbands, and other running costume accoutrements. You can also shop online at sporting goods vendors or custom vendors like Etsy to execute your own take on running with character.
Some examples of popular vendors for running costume elements include Raw Threads, Sparkle Athletic, and RunningSkirts, but many folks combine elements from multiple sources to get just the right look.
I don’t want to wear a costume, but I do want to dress in the spirit of a Disney character while I’m in the parks. Can I do that?
Yep. There’s a subculture out there called “Disney Bounding.” I don’t 100% get it myself, but the general idea is that you use a Disney character for your fashion inspiration. You wear regular clothes that you’d find in a regular store, but they’re chosen with the style or color palette of a character in mind. For example, if you were Disney Bounding Cinderella, you might wear a pale blue sundress, silver kitten heels, and necklace with a pumpkin charm on it.
There a plenty of blogs on Tumblr where they’re gaga for this stuff.
I don’t want to be a dress-up costume princess. I want to be a REAL princess. Any ideas?
Um, I think Prince Harry might still be single-ish.
If that doesn’t work out, there are some for realz Disney princessy clothes out there. Check out the Disney Royal Ball Quinceanera collection which features Disney character inspired ball gowns suitable for proms, quinceaneras, and other formal occasions. There is also a collection of Disney wedding gowns. If that doesn’t make you feel like bluebirds are going to fly through your window and load your dishwasher, I don’t know what will.
So my royal subjects, is there anything else you’d like to know about the princess dress situation at Walt Disney World? Have you purchased a dress for your daughter at the parks or elsewhere? What was your experience like? Did you elect not to buy a dress for your little girl? Was this an issue or a non-event? Let us know in the comments below.
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September 16, 2014
Offsite Options: Rope Drop Rules
By John Kivus
As avid Disney fans know, the Unofficial Guide recommends arriving at the gate of Walt Disney World’s theme parks 30–40 minutes before park opening during mid-summer months, and 45–60 minutes before park opening during the holiday season. The introduction of FastPass+ into touring strategies, however, may lead some to question whether arriving this early, i.e., for rope drop, is as important as it used to be. After all, if you can make your attraction selections in advance, why go through the “hassle” of arriving at the crack of dawn?
Though I would argue getting to the parks early is important for all guests, this article will examine why it is especially important for offsite guests. I’ll identify some of the benefits to “rope-dropping” as an offsite guest, and encourage you to at least give rope drop a try during your next Walt Disney World experience.
First! – © John Kivus, 2013
Everything is Simpler
Using “everything” in an opening headline may not be the best way to start most analytical articles. In this case, however, I think it is appropriate. Everything really is simpler when you arrive for rope drop.
Benefits at Arrival
To be at the turnstiles 45 minutes before park opening, an offsite guest must leave the resort early enough to drive to the day’s desired Walt Disney World Park; park in the appropriate lot; and either walk to the turnstiles, or, in the case of the Magic Kingdom, take transportation to the gate and then walk to the turnstiles. These additional steps most likely mean budgeting an extra 30–45 minutes before the prescribed rope drop arrival time depending on just how far offsite you are staying.
Let’s break this down a little more to examine the benefits gained during the arrival part of your day:
Driving to the park: I drive Interstate 40 on my commute to work everyday. If I leave my house at 8:30, it takes me 20 minutes to get to the office. But, if I leave at 8:40, it takes me 30+ minutes. Traffic on certain, well-travelled roads is tricky like that sometimes. Take this concept of “the more you’re late, the more you’ll wait,” turn it up to 11, and you’ve got Orlando. The highways around Walt Disney World’s parks go from cruising without another vehicle in sight to standstill within half an hour. If you leave your hotel early enough to be at rope drop, you’ll face lighter traffic on the roads leading to the park. Traffic will be discussed more later.
I think I’m in the First Row – © John Kivus, 2013
Parking: Have you ever driven onto Disney property at 7:30 a.m. (i.e., an hour and a half before the parks open)? Trust me when I tell you that it’s pretty wonderful. It is calm, peaceful, and, though these benefits are not guaranteed, you will generally wind up with short to no lines at the parking toll-booths, and prime parking very close to the park entrance (or the Transportation and Ticket Center if you’re headed to Magic Kingdom). If you’re very early the attendant may not even be there yet to demand the parking fee.
Walking to the turnstiles: You’re going to walk a lot on your Walt Disney World vacation regardless of where you park, but it’s nice to save the majority of the walking for inside the park itself. The closer you park to the turnstiles, the easier that is to do.
Benefits at the Park
One of the benefits of staying on-site is the 60 day FastPass+ booking window. By comparison, offsite guests who purchase their tickets in advance only receive a 30 day booking window. When you arrive at rope drop, regardless of your on- or off-site status, you normally get an hour to an hour-and-a-half of nearly line-free touring (depending on the season of course). Everyone else is still sleeping, or stuck in traffic, or unloading the stroller from their rented Dodge Caravan. If you weren’t able to secure the exact FastPass+ reservations you wanted as a result of the shorter advance booking window for offsite guests, those early hours with low-wait touring time are extremely valuable.
Relatedly, you probably won’t need any FastPass+ reservations in the first hour to hour-and-a-half after park opening. There will be exceptions, of course – currently, the main exceptions would be Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Anna and Elsa at Princess Fairytale Hall, but most attractions will have minimal-to-no wait in the early hours. As the Unofficial Guide says, “[t]he same four rides you experience in 1 hour in early morning can take as long as 3 hours after 10:30 a.m.” Speaking from personal experience, my wife and I have ridden Toy Story Mania twice in a row through the standby line in about 20 minutes thanks to rope drop (I won both times).
In addition to the shorter waits, there is also a social aspect of rope drop (that is, if you’re not as introverted as I am). Those who make it to rope drop are die hards. They live and breathe Disney and are there to make the most of their day. You can kill time waiting at the turnstiles by chatting with other fans or learning interesting information from the cast members manning the metaphorical rope (if you didn’t already know, there isn’t actually a rope to drop anymore).
Benefits at Departure
Though my wife and I are fans of the occasional all-day, guerrilla touring experience, it is more common to find us leaving a park in the early afternoon to head back to our resort to recharge (usually by the pool). Of course, staying offsite may mean that your resort is not as closely located to the Disney parks as Walt Disney World Resorts are, and this could result in a longer trip back to your resort. Fortunately, you rope-dropped and got a great parking space. That prime parking is just as helpful when you are leaving as when you are arriving. Avoid the tram and just make the quick walk to your car. If you’re not leaving at midday for a siesta, you’ll be even more grateful for the close parking spot as you exit the park later that evening, undoubtedly exhausted.
Avoiding Traffic while Coming and Going
As I mentioned above, traffic around Walt Disney World is usually non-existent at 7:30 a.m. (of course, 6:30 a.m. for an 8:00 a.m. park opening is even better.) Even the dreaded Interstate 4 (a road so notorious for its traffic hassles that the Unofficial Guide has a section discussing “[t]he I–4 blues.”), is usually empty at that time of day.
Normal Traffic
If you enjoy taking a midday break after a few hours of touring, then arriving at rope drop also usually results in lighter traffic heading back to your resort. For example, heading back to the J.W. Marriott – one of the four-and-a-half star hotels in the Unofficial Guide’s “How Hotels Compare” rankings – around 1:30 p.m. is usually traffic-free, even via I–4. Heading back around 3:00 or 4:00 p.m., however, usually means at least “normal” traffic (see the image on the right), or, just as often, the dreaded “red line” on your mapping application (i.e., heavy traffic). Nothing takes the relaxation out of my midday break faster than sitting in bumper to bumper traffic for 20–30 minutes when the drive back to my resort should only take 10.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Though I make the above time-based traffic comparison, I always check the traffic before heading to or from my resort. Even if I leave at the most opportune time of day, I never know when there might be an accident or other event that could result in some kind of traffic issue. Google Maps’ most recent updates are helpful too – showing you shorter options while you’re already en route.
Summary
To many people, the thought of getting up at 6:00 a.m. to make rope drop goes against the entire idea of “vacation.” As we all know, however, a trip to Walt Disney World is not your average vacation. As the Unofficial Guide says, it is “the vacation that fights back.” Thankfully, by getting to the parks early, offsite guests of Walt Disney World put themselves in the best position to win that fight. Getting up early also makes it that much easier to make the dreaded transition back to your normal work schedule.
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Does Diagon Alley Feel Like Home (London)?
By Alex Duncan
The actual Diagon Alley Set from the Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Ed. – We’re happy to bring back our International Youth Correspondent for another kid’s eye article. We’re also grateful to the Duncan family for being so accommodating when we rang them up and asked to borrow their children for a day.
When I heard that Universal Studios Florida was to welcome Diagon Alley as a new land, and that it was to be connected to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter already existing as Hogsmeade in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, by the Hogwarts Express train, I was thrilled. I am a colossal Harry Potter fan and had already visited the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London, where the eight Harry Potter movies were filmed, for an audio guided tour of the sets. I couldn’t wait to see how Universal was going to duplicate the original Diagon Alley set, replicate my home of London in general, and build the Knight Bus, Platform 9¾, and, of course, Gringotts Bank.
So when we visited Orlando this summer, my brother and I decided to adopt some American parents for the day, Len Testa and Laurel Stewart – the TouringPlans legends – to take us around the new area and attractions. Len had even concocted a back story in case someone asked how my brother and I got our English accents; we were to reply: “From our nanny, Mary Poppins.” And to do so with a perfectly straight face! I would have totally failed and was so glad we didn’t have to use this in the end.
Free newspapers at the end of the day in the UK stations.
Our aim for the day was to compare Diagon Alley to the streets of London and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. I have to admit that I wasn’t holding out much hope that Universal could make it look anything like London, mainly due to the fact there was probably not going to be any YoSushi or Big Issue seller on every corner, nor would there be any free newspapers available at the train station (and unfortunately there weren’t). I also was not sure about little things like whether they were going to call the toilets “restrooms” or “public conveniencesm,” but I was very pleasantly surprised to find that they were called by their English names.
We arrived at Universal Studios Florida in time for Early Park Admission for hotel guests (we stayed at Cabana Bay Beach Resort for a few nights just for this privilege), and the queue (line if you are reading this in American) was already about 25 families long. This was just to enter the theme park! We had arrived at 7:15 AM, and then Team Members started letting in the hotel guests at about 7:35 AM, so we didn’t really have a long wait. Len was telling us about the Gringotts 5k – the mad rush for Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts in the first hour, and I was now really hyped to see how well Diagon Alley portrayed the City of London.
LEICESTER SQUARE (Pronounced ‘lester’ not ‘lie-chester!’)
We dashed to the Leicester Square Underground Station, where the entrance to Diagon Alley is located. There seemed to be a long queue to enter, but this queue was actually for the Gringotts attraction. If you did not want to ride then you deviated from the queue once you had walked through the hole in ragged brick wall (which was a great representation of the entrance from the film) so you could explore the shopping area. While we were waiting outside, I noticed how this area was themed to be like modern day London. This was pretty impressive, actually. There was a little souvenir stall with T-shirts and other merchandise bearing “I ♥ London!”
Leicester Square Tube Station with a Wizard and a busker!
The souvenir stand.
This is very much like London, as these stalls are located everywhere. I only saw this stand from a distance, so I am not sure whether it sells picture postcards. If it does, then that would be the icing on the cake for realism (although the cake would have to be a Victoria Sponge rather than a pound or cupcake).
Oddly, another thing that interested me was the styling of the bins (trash cans). They were royal blue with gold stripes for detail, and printed in gold letters was the word, “London.” Seriously? This made me laugh so much because we do not walk around London bins looking for the word ”London” on them; I think we know where we are! We actually have very few bins in London now due to terrorist attacks on the City. I am not saying that there shouldn’t be any bins there because that would mean there wouldn’t be anywhere to dispose of your empty Butterbeer cups, but maybe something a little more realistic, like a black bin with gold writing reading “Litter.” I know it is not a massive deal; nonetheless, I really believe that if Universal is going to attempt to duplicate my home, they should at least make it authentic!
Furthermore, I really liked the fountain and the statue. There are many statues and fountains in London, as you probably know. Even though at home we would not have a purple Knight Bus just casually parked by any fountain. I have seen the original that was used in the films at the Studios, and I have to say this copy is amazing. I was extending my knowledge (and just generally browsing the photos on the Universal media site) when I came across this plan of what they intended the London Embankment to look like. I don’t know if anyone else has noticed this, but I didn’t think this plan looked correct. That is because they have placed the Knight Bus on the opposite side. Look…
(c) Universal Orlando Media – the original drawing.
Casually parked Knight Bus
The original Knight Bus used in the films and located at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, London
The Knight Bus – fares please!
You might also enjoy this wonderful Saturday Six by Derek called, “Why to Love the London Waterfront.”
Advice Poster
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
My honest first impression was simply, “Wow (or awesome), this seems so real!” I actually thought I had walked into the movie set, except it was bigger, much bigger than I was expecting, considering all I had previously seen of the Wizarding World was the Hogsmeade area over in Universal’s Island of Adventure, which is noticeably smaller in area.
The road/street/path was wider, as well, which made it feel a lot less cramped. I don’t know if this is just my feeling, or if anyone else liked the fact it felt squashed over in Hogsmeade, as that is how it is described in the books and recreated in the films. This also would have made it feel more like home as walking through London you are often trod on by tourists or knocked over by hurried businessmen late for a meeting. But I can understand why Universal chose to do this. The buildings looked nothing like a typical London street (and to be fair why should it this is not an Epcot World Showcase for London), but it looked like a perfect Wizarding shopping mall. I was impressed by how many of the shops were open and not just for decoration, compared to Hogsmeade where there are many deceiving shops doors that actually had nothing inside. The Studio Tour’s Diagon Alley was stunning, but it was just a set, and like Hogsmeade none of the fascias led to real shops or stores.
Potions master at work
The queue we were in reared over to the right, past Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and towards the Eternelle’s potion stand (where I definitely recommend the blue or green drink mix). We then walked in the direction of Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. The posted wait time was 60 minutes, so we decided to ride then because it was only going to get longer. The first 30 minutes were outside, which was annoying because it was getting hotter, and I really fancied some air conditioning. There was little to see in this section of the line other than scattered advice posters and noticeboards that were quite amusing to read.
INSIDE GRINGOTTS
The $1M dollar chandelier
The Goblins hard at work
Gold filled wheelbarrow
Sadly there wasn’t a representation of Gringotts Bank on the Studio Tour, but my English real Mum (Mom) used to work in a City bank, so I have seen pictures of the grand halls and vaults. It’s a shame now that most of the London banks are trendy restaurants and wine bars that, of course, I have never been in but that both my borrowed American Mom and real Mum would love! On entering the Bank, the first few things I saw were the tall marble pillars, giant chandeliers that cost around $1,000,000 each, very realistic animatronic goblins, and these wheelie carts filled with gold blocks. Again this was, wow! Honestly, I could not have imagined it to be any more real. It was a perfect imitation of the films. The goblins looked fantastic; their movements were subtle but effective as they sorted through various papers on their desks. As I said, there was not a Gringotts Bank at the Studios, nor one in London, but there are other banks in London, and I can promise you that they are not run by goblins!
In the next area the Team Members directed us over to a photographer who took our photo using a rather bright flash. These pictures were later used as our security photos because there was no on-ride photography available.
Walking further through, past the photo cubicles, there were desks with The Daily Prophet newspaper displayed. The front pages featured a video (Yes! Not a photo if you were wondering, just remember we are supposed to be in the Wizarding World!) of the person or thing involved in the front page headline article. These were very clever and looked as authentic as the films. I am sad to say we don’t have moving newspapers at home, but they were a very cool effect, nonetheless. Next, there was a very dark pre-show featuring some of the characters. I definitely recommend watching the films before your visit if you do not know anything about Harry Potter, because I think you would be very confused otherwise. (*cough* *cough* Len Testa *cough* cough*)
The second pre-show, where you are in an creepy elevator, reminded me a bit of Disney’s Haunted Mansion when you are in the stretching room, but I don’t want to spoil it for you. After exiting here you pick up your 3D glasses and proceed to the boarding chamber. It is still very dark, so mind your step when walking up the stairs. There are two staircases spiralling parallel around the edge of the room. This created a pretty optical effect. Basically, you are then allocated your seat on the attraction train vehicle. You are not allowed to take ANYTHING on board. It has to all be in lockers. My brother had his water bottle confiscated, naughty boy.
Interactive wand by Wizard Kieran
Although the screens are very realistic (and I do I admit that I even had to take my glasses off at one point because I thought there was a real dragon coming for me), most of the rides at Universal are themed to screen rides where they take a film, book, or other form of fictional character and create an attraction where you move in a vehicle from screen to screen. I would have liked to maybe have seen a different type of attraction, especially knowing what an exciting part of the film the trip to Gringotts was. An awesome coaster with effects would have been more like the film, but that is what J.K. Rowling and Universal’s creative team came up with. It’s still a great ride but just feels a little like a repeated formula. It seems as though Universal either builds a thrill roller coaster or a themes to screen, whereas, in my view, Disney has more variety and creativity.
This attraction’s story is based on the part of the series where Harry, Ron and Hermione break into Gringotts to try and steal the horcrux from Bellatrix’s vault. If you don’t have a clue what I am talking about (*cough* *cough* Len Testa *cough* cough*), this is why you should see the films. If you have read the series, too, then great. If not, don’t worry because you still benefit from having something visual to compare to Diagon Alley, Gringotts, the Hogwarts Express, and Hogsmeade.
Kieran with his interactive wand
MERCHANDISE-WANDS
After experiencing Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, we had a quick look around the shops. While the merchandise was expensive and overpriced (on par with Disney, I suppose), it was authentic to the movies, which I guess is what you are paying for. The wands are absolutely brilliant.
We had the pleasure of trying out the interactive ones, even though there is a $10 difference in price between these costing $44.95 and the original character or birth month wands, which are $34.95 (plus tax). Ask a Team Member inside Olivanders to show you where the interactive ones are because even though they are slightly more expensive, I felt they were great fun!
Once purchased, you receive a map showing you where the interactive wand points are. We did not even really use these as the huddle of people and the marking on the floor were enough to tell us something was going on. It was very clever. The marking and the map each showed you what wand action to do, and then something happened in various shop windows. It was basically a better but not free version of Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. One of the best ones that Kieran and I did was the one in Knockturn Alley, located down a passage way opposite the public conveniences near the ice cream parlour; here, I moved my wand in the shape of the number four, and it made a miniature chimney sweep climb the chimney, referencing old England and reminding me of my nanny, Mary Poppins. The trick is to do big movements, slow and clear, while pointing the wand at the little sensor with red lights on it.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the Studio Tour in London are the only real places to get official Harry Potter merchandise (although Cabana Bay Beach Resort did have some wands for sale in its gift shop), including proper wands. I have owned a fake wand of Hermione Granger’s, and I can tell you it was no substitute.
Impressive Kings Cross Station Facade
HOGWARTS EXPRESS
We decided to exit Diagon Alley and head to King’s Cross Station. The Station’s facade was amazing! The only thing that was missing was the national rail sign that is present on all train stations. This again would have made the station feel more realistic. Anyway, we carried on and encountered the ticket machines. I was a bit disappointed that they were not remotely like the English ones.
But the Team Members wore appropriate uniforms. Although they were not spot on, you could still easily see that the inspiration had come from National Rail, the UK train operators. Continuing on, we walked past the buggy (stroller) parking lots and joked that they should have been rental “Borris bikes.” We later saw a perfume advert displayed across one wall. Kieran and I burst out laughing at this because it seems liked Universal was “taking the mick” out of us English folk.
Kieran then got a tad upset because there was a pile of Hogwarts style trunks all packed and ready, and he thought that they were trying to imitate old English suitcases and got quite offended; bless him. The signs were very authentic, too, especially the little picture diagram of the customer service attendant.
It is very hard to explain the next part, so I thought it would be more beneficial to insert a YouTube clip by ithemepark. This video will show you how easy it is to walk through the wall to reach Platform 9¾. This does work best when it’s busy, though.
The Hogwarts Express was amazing. It featured parts from the various films pieced together to form a video that is played in your window, making it seem you are looking out on the action. Make sure you look both ways in your carriage because occasionally there are shadows cast upon your compartment door. The train compartments sat eight and looked nothing remotely like the normal English train I ride to school, but I was impressed to find it was a near perfect duplicate of the Hogwarts Express from the films. However, I was very upset to find that the voices that you hear of Harry, Ron, and Hermione were not so real. Disappointingly, it was not Hermione’s voice. I don’t want to spoil the train ride for you, so I have decided not to insert a clip. Sorry! You will just have to visit for yourself.
Ticket machines in the UK at my local station
A happy train guard, certainly not like London!
The Wizarding World train sign – not a bad copy of London
UK official train sign. Universal did a good job replicating these.
Cases packed.. a little dusty, where are the carry ons?
Standard British UK Rail sign outside my home station.
HOGSMEADE
Once the Hogwarts Express came to a complete stop we stood up and began exiting the train. Again, I was a little bit disappointed to find that the train was completely level with the platform, I was expecting a little gap like back home with the accompanying announcement, “Please mind the gap.” However, I completely understand why it’s level, as Universal probably does not want to be sued if somebody trips.
We dawdled around Hogsmeade for a while. I hadn’t experienced Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey since before the slight upgrade. I definitely noticed a difference in the quality of the higher definition video screens; they felt less like a screen and more like a scene. Also, we only waited 16.5 minutes (we timed it using Lines) because most of the crowds were over in Diagon Alley, contrary of the posted wait being 45 minutes. We then decided to ride Dragon Challenge because the posted wait was only ten minutes. Ten minute wait? More like a ten minute walk to reach the boarding zone! The roller coaster was good all the same.
Kieran and I with our ice creams (thanks American Dad and Mon)
Time for some ice cream, Butterbeer flavour
I was honestly amazed at how detailed the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was. I really think you can spend a whole day in just Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. There was plenty to snack on, too, from pancakes (Breakfast Menu) or Toad in the Hole (Lunch and Dinner menu) at the Leaky Cauldron to Butterbeer soft serve ice cream or Sticky Toffee Pudding scoop at Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour – which we definitely enjoyed! Kieran I also wanted to say a huge thank you to our adopted American parents, Len and Laurel, for a brilliant day. We had one of the best trips ever, so thank you for taking us and looking after us.
Thank you for reading my second blog, and please share your thoughts in the comments!
Love always,
Alex
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