Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1186

Does Diagon Alley Feel Like Home?

By Alex Duncan

The actual Diagon Alley Set from the Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Ed. – We’re happy to bring back our International Youth Correspondant 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 Orlando 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 were going to duplicate the original Diagon Alley set, replicate my home of London in general and not forgetting build the Knight bus, Platform 9 ¾ 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 would 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 or if there would be any free newspapers available at the train station (which, unfortunately there wasn’t), but also I was not sure about the little things like whether they were going to call the toilets “Restrooms” or “Public Conveniences”.  But, I was very pleasantly surprised to find that they were called by their English name.

We arrived at Universal Studios Orlando for early morning opening 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 and this was just to enter the themepark. We had arrived for 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 (line) 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 heart 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 was not sure whether it sold picture postcards. If it did, then that would have been 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 were 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 because 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 then 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 so I liked this part. Even though at home we would not have a purple Knight bus just casually parked by any fountain. I have seen the original which 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” http://blog.touringplans.com/2014/06/14/ss_usf_london_waterfront/#more-64219

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 Adventures which is noticeably smaller in area.

The road/street/path was wider as well which made it feel a lot less cramped, but I don’t know if this is just me 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 have chosen 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 were 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 fascia’s 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 and I would 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, 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 now trendy restaurants and wine bars that of course have never been in but 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 really. 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! https://www.google.com/search?q=london+bank&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Gwv_U_y0BMThaPm1gdAB&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1366&bih=643#imgdii=_

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 your security photo 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 featuring 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 would 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, these screens were 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 theme 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 JK 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 build a thrill rollercoaster or a theme to screen, whereas, in my view, Disney has more variety and creativity.

This attraction’s theme 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, but if not then don’t worry because you would benefit for from having something visual to compare 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 Olivander’s 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 was enough to tell you something was going on. It was very clever. The marking and the map both 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, where you moved your wand in the shape of the number four 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 your 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 your official Harry Potter merchandise (although Cabana Bay Beach Resort did have some wands for sale in the Gift Shop), including proper wands, I have owned a fake wand of Hermione Granger’s and I can tell you they are 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 with 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 these 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 were “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. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA9lHAtUnUM 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 were shadows cast upon your compartment door. The train compartments sat eight and looked nothing remotely like a normal English train I get 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 its level as Universal probably don’t 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 screens that 4K brought, they felt less like a screen and more like a scene. Also, we only waited 16 ½ 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 rollercoaster was good all the same.

Kieran and me 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 could have spent 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

• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

Does Diagon Alley Feel Like Home? is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Day-Of FastPass+ Availability at Walt Disney World

By Steve Bloom

Getting a “Fourth” FastPass+ (and Beyond)

One of the first changes to the FastPass+ program was the ability to make more  FastPass+ selections after using your first set of advance reservations. Besides being able to get more FastPasses, this lets you get FastPass+ options that may not have been available to you previously. (For example, the advance FastPass “tiering” rules at Epcot and the Studios aren’t in effect for your 4th FastPass+ selection and beyond, nor is the once-per-attraction restriction.)

This means you have to choose a strategy. The two most common options are:

Book your advance FastPass+ reservations early in the day and have more time for “extra” FastPass+ selections,
Schedule your advance FastPass+ reservations during the busiest time of the day and use the standby lines early in the day, when the wait times are lower

To make this choice, it helps to know each attraction’s day-of FastPass+ availability.

The table below shows attractions that have availability throughout the day.

Magic Kingdom
Epcot
Hollywood Studios
Animal Kingdom


Mad Tea Party

Barnstormer

Winnie the Pooh

it’s a small world

Magic Carpets

Under the Sea

Town Square Tinker Bell

Haunted Mansion

Buzz Lightyear

Dumbo

PhilharMagic

Jungle Cruise

Tomorrowland Speedway

Laugh Floor
Turtle Talk

Seas with Nemo

Spaceship Earth

Captain EO
Muppet*Vision 3D

Beauty & Beast

Great Movie Ride
It’s Tough to Be a Bug

Primeval Whirl

 

The chart below shows the attractions where FastPass+ selections run out the quickest. The chart shows the probability of FastPass+ reservations still being available at a specific time of day. These probabilities are for groups of 1 and will be lower as the group size increases.

The analysis is based on 1.2 million day-of FastPass+ reservations available since June 2014. Attractions not in the above table or chart fall somewhere in between the two: their FastPass+ selections will run out, but not as quickly as the attractions in the chart. An upcoming version of our Personalized Touring Plan software will incorporate this FastPass+ availability analysis. In addition to recommending which three FastPass+ selections to make in advance, the software will determine if additional FastPass+ reservations will be available and whether they should be used in your touring plan.

FastPass+ Availability Factors

Many people assume that at midnight, 60 days out, all FastPass+ selections are available. The problem is that on the 60-day mark you can make FastPass+ reservations for your entire trip. This means that other guests arriving before you have already had the opportunity to make FastPass+ reservations on your vacation dates. As a result, the hard-to-get FastPass+ reservations may not be available, esepecially early in your trip.

Another factor that plays into getting FastPass+ reservations is your party size: it is harder to find a reservation for a large group than for a single guest. One strategy is to make your initial FastPass+ selections for a subset of your party and then copy the FastPass+ selections to the other members. In my case, I was not able to select Seven Dwarfs Mine Train for 4 people. But when I lowered my party size to 3, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was available. When I copied the FastPass+ selection to the fourth person, My Disney Experience found an overlapping FastPass+ reservation. This strategy does not always work: the Disney software will randomly insert a different attraction if it cannot fulfill the copy request.

With these overlapping selections, all 4 members of my party can ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train between 3:25 PM and 4:15 PM

One of the major complaints about FastPass+ is that guests “have to” make their FastPass+ reservations 30 days (or 60 days, for those staying in Disney hotels) prior to their vacations. For most attractions, there is still good availability a few days prior to your visit. This does not apply on a very busy day, or for the Frozen meet and greet at Princess Fairytale Hall and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train attractions (both at Magic Kingdom).

How has been your experience making FastPass+ reservations? Have you had any luck getting useful “extra” FastPass+ selections (beyond the first three) in the park?

• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

Day-Of FastPass+ Availability at Walt Disney World is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Menu Monday: When to Expand the Palate and When to Stick with Tradition

By Claire Nat

From Casey’s Corner

We all have foods that take us to our happy place.

Better yet, we all have foods in our happy place that remind us we are there.

Best of all, we all have Disney dining favorites in the Happiest Place on Earth that we love to eat – over and over and over again.

For me, it is the Barbecue Slaw Dog at Casey’s Corner in Magic Kingdom park. Ever since I heard about the hot dog thanks to the Disney Food Blog, I have been getting it on every trip – four vacations and counting!

But when is it time to let that delicious habit pass, and replace it with something else that’s delicious? Is it ever okay? It depends on the situation. Let’s think this over together.

When to Expand the Palate

A Reminder of Home

Has your mother ever announced her dinner preparations to you, and you almost did a somersault because you were so excited to eat? That happens to me whenever my mother announces “chicken and dumplings!”

If I ever went into a Disney restaurant and found “chicken and dumplings” on the menu, I would likely try it out. Disney has the best chance of using their (most of the time) culinary expertise to re-create my favorite home-cooked dish of all time into something I would really enjoy. I would at least give it a shot.

A Strong Sense of Smell

It is easy to pass by a food cart if there is no smell wafting from it. But Disney tries hard to make sure that every table-service restaurant, counter-service location, and food cart stand has a variety of smells attacking our sense at all times. And sometimes those smells are too irresistible to pass up.

Have you ever bought a bucket of popcorn when you weren’t hungry, simply because you smelled it? I did that when I ate a turkey leg for the first time. I wasn’t planning on getting a turkey leg, but when I passed the Fife and Drum Tavern in Epcot, I couldn’t resist. It was worth the try, but I doubt I’ll ever get one again just for myself. (Those things need to be shared!)

A Picture on a Blog

I don’t even need to be in Walt Disney World to start making my list of new foods to try on my next trip! All I do is view the Disney blogs, read the reviews, salivate at the pictures, and write the food down on my large “Things To Eat” list.

An experimental treat I tried was the make-your-own-snack at Goofy’s Candy Company in Downtown Disney. If I hadn’t read the amazing review and seen the pictures, I would never have thought to make my amazing treat. I’m so glad that I did!

The Chicken-and-Waffle Sandwich at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments was another Internet food review that I tried and loved. I loved it so much, I recommended it to a friend of mine a few months ago, and she really liked it too!

I know that sometimes the trend of taking a photo of your food is overdone, but I feel that is never the case at Walt Disney World. There are too many amazing snacks and foods to eat that people might not notice until they see it online!

In my upcoming trip, I’m excited to try the new Waffle Fries at the Golden Oak Outpost thanks to this article.

When to Stick with Tradition

A Family Member or Friend Tries Instead

Is there something on the menu catching your eye, but you can’t possibly betray your mainstay dish? Hopefully you brought a friend or family member along that you can needle into getting it themselves!

I love eating the Mickey Premium Bar on every trip (ear first!). My friend on the trip chose the Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich. I know it’s not a fancy new treat at Walt Disney World, but I’d never eaten it before…since I was always eating the Mickey Premium Bar! She let me try some of hers out of the goodness of her heart, and I still got to have my usual frozen treat!

A Favorite Food…OF ALL TIME

Is the Barbecue Slaw Dog one of my favorite foods of all time? It’s pretty up there. Some people might be annoyed by the large bun, but I find that bun a great way to hold up the massive pile of pork and sauce on the top! If I see a hot dog advertised anywhere else in the world with barbecued pork and coleslaw on the top, I will buy it. It is a favorite splurge of mine, especially at Magic Kingdom park!

Eventually we upgraded to the Dole Whip Float – equally amazing!

Some people feel that way about sushi, and they find delicious options all over the place in the resort. Will they find their favorite sushi of all time? Maybe. If they do, I would guess they would get sushi every single trip!

A Strong Memory

Many of us went to the Disney Parks as a child, and we had foods at that time which we loved. I personally don’t have any strong memories of childhood foods at Walt Disney World, but when I made my triumphant return to the resort after a long hiatus, I tried a Dole Whip. How amazing is that snack?!

Dole Whip reminds me of two things: the WDW Today podcast and one of my best friends, who also listens to that podcast. She and I hatched the idea of getting to Walt Disney World in 2010 after listening to a bunch of WDW Today podcasts, and we knew that we would have to try one of Mike Scopa’s favorite foods: the Dole Whip. It was definitely an amazing find, and I make sure to get to Aloha Isle every trip, just to remind myself of that first amazing vacation that started with a friend and a podcast!

 

Do you have a memory connected to a favorite Disney treat? What new foods have you tried at the Disney Parks and loved? When have you tried something new and immediately wished you’d stuck with your normal choice? Do you have any other reasons to stick with tradition or expand the palate? Comment below!

• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

Menu Monday: When to Expand the Palate and When to Stick with Tradition is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Menu Monday: A Review of the Four Seasons Ravello Character Breakfast

By Julia Mascardo

Where we live in Central Florida, we are able to drive by a view of the Four Seasons several times a week. When we heard that they offer a character breakfast, it seemed like a great way to take a look at the resort and enjoy a meal without feeling like people going to the resort to snoop around and gawk.

The Four Seasons offers Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy and His Pals at Ravello. Before I go any further, I want to point out that I have a four-year-old who is a big fan of characters and an even bigger fan of breakfast. Thus, unless Ravello completely missed the mark, this would be an easy sell. I, on the other hand, am not a big breakfast eater and get a little shy around characters, so I’d be harder to impress. My husband is middle-of-the-road in terms of love of breakfast and characters, but as long as the coffee is good, he will be content. Long story short, all three of us left thinking this was the best character meal we have ever had and possibly the best breakfast as well. We made reservations through OpenTable from the Four Seasons web site and had plenty of availability even at the last minute, even though this is probably the smallest character buffet on property.

Although we can see the Four Seasons building not too far from our house, figuring out how to get there was not so obvious. The entrance is the same entrance for the Golden Oak development, and the signs for Golden Oak are much more prominent. When you get to the guardhouse, the attendant will be able to tell you how to get to the Four Seasons. It isn’t difficult, but driving past all of those beautiful mansions, we certainly felt like we should have brought a nicer car than our Cube to drive through that kind of neighborhood!

Once you pass by the myriad houses for Golden Oak, it isn’t difficult at all to find the Four Seasons. Because we are somewhat familiar with the reputation of the Four Seasons, we weren’t surprised at all to learn that there is only valet parking—no self parking exists. Valet parking is a mere $5, and is validated at the restaurant. Still, it is appropriate to bring cash to tip the valet when you get your vehicle back, so plan ahead.

Walking in the Four Seasons lobby is a jaw-dropping experience. We took it all in as we walked down to Ravello. When you approach, you pass by the Ravello Bar. As I didn’t see any other signs for the Four Seasons Ravello restaurant, we walked in and followed the sounds and smells of breakfast foods down some stairs to the check-in desk. The other option is to go past the bar and take the elevator down to the first floor. I actually preferred taking the stairs because you got to see a great overview of the buffet as you walk in.

Ravello offers pastries for every taste — sugar-free options are available upon request. (Photo by Julia Mascardo.)

We checked in and were given an option for seating inside or outside. Even though it is still summer, we opted to sit outside because it was so early (8:15 AM reservation), and that was an amazing choice. For the first half of our meal, we were the only people on the patio, which overlooks a lake and some beautiful fountains. That meant it was quiet, tranquil, and the epitome of luxury. Have no fear, the characters will still come out to see you!

The view from Ravello’s patio area is stunning. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)

Richard, our server, took our drink order and offered us freshly squeezed orange juice. My husband got his coffee, I got a press pot of English breakfast tea (both included in the price), our daughter got her milk and a glass of water instead of juice, and we just sat for a moment to take it all in. We then headed inside for our first of several trips to the buffet.

 

Ah, the buffet…where do I begin? If it is served for breakfast, you will find it on this buffet. Because the restaurant is small, food is frequently refreshed, so nothing felt stale. (According to the web site, Ravello seats 118 inside the restaurant and 114 outside, and the restaurant was only half full inside and practically empty outside.)

At the hostess stand, you can order specialty juices from the juice bar including Green (spinach, green apple, Meyer lemon), Vitamin C (carrot, beet, ginger, orange), Power Juice (blueberry, red cabbage, cucumber, apple), Workout Juice (beets, orange, carrot, ginger), or Antioxidant (blackberry, carrot, broccoli, apple, tomato). Truthfully, you have a choice of apple juice, orange juice, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, milk, coffee, tea, soda, and house-made non-alcoholic limoncello, so I don’t think adding a juice bar drink would be worth it unless there’s a blend there that you can’t live without. If you wanted a breakfast cocktail (Mimosa, Bloody Mary, and so on), you could likely have ordered those as well, although we were more than satisfied with the selection of non-alcoholic beverages.

The next station is pastries. The selection includes mini doughnuts, fruit and rasin twists, mini muffins, plain and chocolate croissants, fruit pastries, and my new favorite pastry indulgence, nutella-filled bomboloni.

Next you have an assortment of fresh fruit (including an amazing bananas in coconut cream dish), house-made muesli (served with Florida tupelo honey), yogurt parfaits with house-made granola, Greek yogurt with toppings, local cheeses (set up as small cheese plates with fruits and nuts), Ravello-cured meats (salami, prosciutto, and mortadella), lox and bagels with all the fixings, and steel-cut oatmeal with toppings.

 

The selection of meat and cheeses goes beyond typical buffet fare. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)

 

Moving farther around, there is an omelet station that has almost anything you can put with eggs and serves eggs any way you can think to make them. The omelet station is also where you can get freshly made waffles. The day we went, they also had a house specialty of s’mores pancakes (pancakes topped with chocolate and marshmallows, lightly toasted in the pizza oven).

 

Ravello offers an exceptionally diverse omelet station. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)

That brought us over to the hot offerings – chicken sausage, pork sausage, applewood-smoked bacon, English beans with chicken and pork sausage, scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, and pancakes were all available. Beyond that was the bread station, with a half dozen different types of bread and an assortment of toppings including jams and jellies.

Even the bread selection at Ravello has its own artistry. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)

Finishing out the restaurant was a kid’s buffet with scrambled eggs with cheese, breakfast potatoes (without the peppers and onions found in the adult version), peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (kept separate from the other offerings for those with nut allergies), and cereals (including Cheerios, which is a huge plus for any parents of small kids). And finally, there is the selection of self-serve juices (including that amazingly sweet house-made limoncello).

I’ll spare you a bite-by-bite description of the amazing decadence and just say that the food was incredible. If I had to find something to complain about, it was that everything was so good, I would have needed a week there to really get my fill of everything.

Food needs satisfied, we now had plenty of time to enjoy the characters. Goofy, Mickey, and Minnie are in attendance, all dressed up in spiffy resort wear appropriate for the Four Seasons. (Make sure to check out the Pluto logo on Mickey’s sweater vest!) With the restaurant being so small, the characters made it around several times. We got to see everyone four times, thrilling my daughter to no end, and they took quite a bit of time with her for some personal interaction.

Character interaction at Ravello’s breakfast is as high-quality as the food. (Photo by Julia Mascardo.)

Another nice touch is that they have photographers on hand to take PhotoPass shots of the interaction with the characters. You are given a special PhotoPass card at the first character meeting, and that is left on the table for the meal to add photos. These photos are provided as free downloads. They photographers only come around for the first time you see each character, but if desired, you could request the photographer to come back another time. We also received an autograph card, as we did not bring our own autograph book.

Like other character restaurants, they have the brief interludes of napkin swinging and hand clapping fun approximately every half hour. Although these were a lot of fun, they were also very brief, so if you’re looking to enjoy a meal without the feel of a kid’s party, they weren’t very distracting.

I can’t write a review of this restaurant without mentioning the staff. Our server, Richard, was exceptional, providing the right balance of enjoyable conversation and attention to detail without being too overbearing or always present. The staff to guest ratio was exceptionally high, meaning that someone was always around to hold open doors, ask if there was anything else we needed, assist in carrying plates of food, and so on. There is a reason why the Four Seasons brand has such a quality reputation, and the service has spoiled me for dining or staying anywhere else ever again.

Unlike some other meals we’ve been to lately, we never felt rushed with this meal, and I don’t think it is just because the restaurant was lightly populated. The dress code on the web site for Ravello is listed as “smart casual”, so we dressed up a bit more than we typically would for a Disney meal, but we saw people wearing just about everything, from a woman in a swimsuit with a stylish cover-up to jeans and t-shirts to khakis and polo shirts. Even though we felt a bit intimidated driving in, we never felt out of place or awkward during our visit. And by far the nicest surprise was the price. Before tip, the price for two adults and one child (age 4) came to $100. To put it in perspective, the same meal at Chef Mickey’s would have been only about $10 less in all for less selection of food, lower quality of food, less character interaction, and a less “wow factor” of the meal experience.

This may currently be Disney’s best-kept secret, but I think once word gets out, this is going to be one of the more difficult meals to get on property. I don’t use the word “exceptional” to describe meals often, especially character buffets, but with every facet of the dining experience, Ravello fully fits my criteria for an exceptional meal.

Little touches like a wide selection of spreads for bread add a little something special to an impressive meal. (Photo by Julia Mascardo.)

• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

Menu Monday: A Review of the Four Seasons Ravello Character Breakfast is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

New Lines App Features

By Brad Huber

You may have noticed in the last day or so that the Lines App has a new look. We’ve added some new features to it that hopefully make it faster and easier for you to get to the information you need when you’re in the parks.

Ride/Wait Suggestions

We’ve also added ride/wait suggestions to the biggest attractions, which will let you know at a quick glance whether you should ride an attraction now, or wait for shorter lines (though if you’re using an optimized touring plan, keep following those steps instead). If you go to a Park page, the attraction list will show green “Ride now” or yellow “Wait” suggestions for most rides. These are based on our predictions for future wait times for each ride. If you go to an attraction’s page, you can also view a graph of our predicted wait time forecasts for the day, which can also help you visualize the best/worst times to ride something. Also, it may be good to view this chart and make your own ride/wait decisions, since our suggestions are calculated on the fly, and thus prone to error sometimes (but not often!).

Trip Dashboard

The Trip Dashboard from the TouringPlans.com desktop website is now on Lines as well. You can view and edit your existing Trips, as well as create new ones. Existing Touring Plans will show up on the main page, as well as on their associated Trip’s page. From the Trip page, you can create or view Touring Plans, select Park Days, add/edit Trip Notes, and view park information like crowd levels, operating hours, and Extra Magic Hours.

 

• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

New Lines App Features is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Magic Kingdom AtMousePhere: The Music of Frontierland

By Claire Nat

Copyright – Disney

Howdy!

If you’ve been to a Wild West town before – whether it was an old authentic ghost town or right out of a theme park (like, say, Walt Disney World?) – you probably know the keys to a good western locale. First, there should be lots of wooden buildings. Second, there should be a saloon, or two, or four. Third, there should be some rollickin’ good music to put you in a square-dancin’ mood.

The Frontierland area of Magic Kindgom park has all three of these keys. The music in the area really transports you back in time to the good ol’ days and gets everyone excited to be in that area of the park. Whether you are eating at the Pecos Bill Cafe or heading to the queue for Big Thunder Mountain, you are successfully inundated through the atmosphere and AtMousePhere.

Let’s take a closer look!

Listen to some Frontierland music! (courtesy of Disney Dreaming on YouTube)

Familiar Favorites

There are some songs that have not only withstood the test of time around campfires under the stars, but also live on in our music books as being classic American folk songs. A couple of those can be heard in Frontierland, like “On Top of Old Smokey,” “Home on the Range,” “The Yellow Rose of Texas,” and more.

As much as we like to assume that “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” has been around since the 1800s, it was only composed in 1954 for the Disney miniseries Davy Crockett. However, with the gigantic following that the song (and the coonskin cap), it would be silly not to include it in the Frontierland loop. After all, the Frontierland we know and love probably wouldn’t exist had the Davy Crockett craze not taken place!

Another song in the loop that wasn’t popularized until the 20th century is “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” originally composed by Stan Jones but popularized by Johnny Cash and others. I find this to be a neat addition to the loop, because while many of the other songs have a very upbeat, nostalgic vibe, “Ghost Riders in the Sky” is a tale of warning and woe, and that minor key can still be felt in the loop, despite the peppy arrangement.

Well-Known Tunes

As I researched, I noticed that I recognized many of the songs without even realizing it. I’ve heard the tunes in the background of movies or television shows without knowing the title or words. I didn’t want to call this group “unfamiliar” because many people might be just like me: they’ve heard it before but never knew what it was called. But there still might be others who know these songs very well!

A few well-known tunes include “Git Along, Little Dogies,” “Back in the Saddle Again,” “I’ve Got Spurs that Jingle Jangle Jingle,” and “The Old Chisholm Trail.”

A relatively complete list of Frontierland songs can be found here. Unfortunately, most of the songs aren’t available to purchase, which probably means they were arranged and recorded specifically for Disney.

Instrumentation

One of the most important parts of Frontierland music is the instruments that go with the songs. If you were to hear “A Lonely Cowboy” with a full orchestra, you might get a little confused. However, play the song using instruments common to people in the western frontier 150 years ago, and the songs begin to feel more comfortable and familiar.

Common instruments included banjo, guitar, mouth organ (harmonica), and fiddle (violin). Note the absence of percussion – something we heard quite a bit in Liberty Square and Adventureland.

 

If ever there was an area’s music that could successfully transport you out of this time and into the past, Frontierland would be it. Not only do the songs fit the theme, but the instruments lend a hand to give you that “down-home” feeling.

As Roy Rogers and Dale Evans liked to sing, “Happy trails to you, until we meet again!”

Did I miss your favorite Frontierland tune? Have you ever recognized “Ghost Riders in the Sky” while walking in the park? I’m almost done with the Magic Kingdom – which park should I cover next? Please comment below!

 

• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

Magic Kingdom AtMousePhere: The Music of Frontierland is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

SATURDAY SIX: Six Reasons Breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table is Worth Your Time and Effort

By Derek Burgan

This week’s SATURDAY SIX takes a look at Six Reasons Breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table is Worth Your Time and Effort. One of the most coveted dining experiences at Walt Disney World is Cinderella’s Royal Table (CRT). Even with its high price tag ($58.15 for adults, $35.86 for kids, or two table service credits on the Disney Dining Plan) this restaurant can be a challenge to get into, especially for breakfast. Is CRT worth the hype? I believe it is, but to get the best possible experience it is going to take more than just money. It is going to take a decent amount of planning, a little bit of patience, and maybe just a pinch of luck to get the opportunity, but you and your family are worth the effort, right?  Remember that clicking on any picture will bring up the full size version and let’s get to counting down what makes separates Cinderella’s Royal Table from everyone else, starting with….

# 6 – An empty Main Street, U.S.A.

How much is this view worth to you?

 

This won’t come easy, but it is a wonderful reward to some hard work. To be able to get an early morning walk down Main Street, U.S.A. you’re going to have to get up even earlier 180 days ahead of time to book your CRT reservation. With Disney on-site guests getting “180 days + 10″ for advance dining reservations, it certainly wouldn’t hurt your chances to be staying a night or more on Disney property. I recommend using this Priority Seating Calculator (not affiliated with TouringPlans) to figure out when you’ll be 180 days out from the date you’d like. On the day you are eligible to book your advanced dining reservation, you need to be prepared to go online or call (407) WDW-DINE at 6A.M. I would recommend the phone call and make sure you are ready by 5:45A.M. The earliest seatings at CRT are one of the hardest reservations in the Disney system, but luck favors the prepared and your chances of scoring an elusive 8:05A.M. reservation will increase tenfold if you go into this with a plan.

# 5 – A photo in front of Cinderella Castle without anyone else in your shot

Prince Charming and Cinderella photobombed by the Castle itself.

 

Getting pictures in front of Cinderella Castle is good, but getting those photos without anyone else in them is about as good as it gets. The early bird gets the worm, and the early reservation gets the photo.

 

# 4 – The atmosphere of being inside Cinderella Castle (and all the little details)

Recognize those two little guys in the top left?

It’s Jaq and Gus!

Red carpeted stairs and a “stained glass” portrait of Cinderella.

“I wish Akershus was more like this…”

 

Unlike other character dining experiences on property, Cinderella’s Royal Table is more than just meeting the characters, it’s an experience. The level of theming throughout the entire breakfast is top notch with more than a few surprises along the way. The downstairs area, where you meet Cinderella and take in the elaborate setting (including suits of armor, chandeliers, and hanging coats of arms) guide you to a walk up red carpeted stairs that feels special in a way that no other stairs in Orlando do. While Disney may overuse the term “story” when talking about  everything from an attraction to Disney Springs, Cinderella’s Royal Table is where they nail “story” on every possible level of immersion.

Once seated, the story continues as princes and princesses are not only given a wishing star, but also a wand or sword, all of which tie into the Disney’s Cinderella movie. Later these are used in a “wishing ceremony,” a true piece of Disney Magic that would be nice to see used in other character venues.

# 3 – A billion dollar view

When you wish upon a star….

 

In real estate there are three important factors: location, location, location.The same applies to seating at Cinderella’s Royal Table as they have a good amount of seats with a window view of Fantasyland down below.  Request one of these and hopefully you and your family will experience the same wonder Remy had when he looked up and saw the view in Linguine’s apartment in Ratatouille.

 

# 2 – A jump start on Fantasyland…

With so few people on this ride you’d think the photo was taken at SeaWorld.

 

Having an early reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table also means you are already at the Castle when the Magic Kingdom officially opens for the day. So while all the other guests are making their way up Main Street, you have the ability to pop right out ahead of them and enjoy pretty much any Fantasyland attraction you want to yourself.

 

# 1 – Princess wise, more bang for your buck

Jasmine at Cinderella’s Royal Table.

Aurora at Cinderella’s Royal Table.

 

Character meet n’ greets are obviously a huge part of the Disney theme park experience in 2014 and it only looks to be getting bigger in the future.  If you and your family plan to meet the Disney Princesses, Cinderella’s Royal Table is a good way to check several off your list at once and without having to wait in any long lines to meet them as they come to you. CRT has its namesake Cinderella along with Ariel, Jasmine, Snow White, and Aurora. You can also meet several princesses at Epcot’s Akershus (and for less money,) but here’s two reasons I’m going to recommend CRT over that.

1. While CRT’s food is not going to win any Michelin stars, many people (especially kids) are going to enjoy it much more than the Norwegian based offerings at Akershus. CRT has french toast. Akershus has peppered mackerel. CRT has cinnamon buns. Akershus has Glassmeister herring. To be fair Akershus does have some American-style selections on its breakfast menu, but I’ll take CRT any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

2. CRT is in the Magic Kingdom while Akershus is in Epcot. Not only does Epcot hasvefewer things for kids to do in general, it has even less in World Showcase, where Akershus is located. Meeting the princesses in both of these breakfasts is fun, and the entire family will be leaving on a euphoric high. One has you exiting into Fantasyland and everything that entails, the other leads you out to Nine Dragons. As for price, we’re not talking the difference in price between a room at the Contemporary and a room at Pop Century, we’re talking at most $20 per person. The choice is clear.

Remember that Cinderella’s Royal Table will be going through a refurbishment and will be unavailable from January 15th through March 6th, 2015. It will reopen for dining experiences on March 7th. Check out TouringPlans’ Disney World Refurbishment Schedule page to see the dates for all WDW dining venues and attractions scheduled for refurbishment.

 

So there you have it: Six Reasons Breakfast at Cinderella’s Table is Worth Your Time and Effort. See you next weekend for the latest edition of the SATURDAY SIX, where we are going to take a peek at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and check out all of our favorite parts of what your humble author considers Disney’s best hard ticket party. Candy, Boo To You, Candy, HalloWishes, Candy, the Headless Horsemen, and more Candy. If you had fun, be sure to check out The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! articles, or, for your listening pleasure, check out Pardon the Pixie Dust podcast.

Special thanks to crack staff photographer Brandon Glover, the “Band Leader” herself Morgan Crutchfield, and grammar cop MegS for their invaluable assistance in this article. And a special shout out to two of the most adorable children in the world, Annabelle and Cohen.

• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

SATURDAY SIX: Six Reasons Breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table is Worth Your Time and Effort is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Video: Haunted Mansion Holiday 2014 Opens at Disneyland

By Guy Selga Jr.

Haunted Mansion‘s annual transformation in to Haunted Mansion Holiday has taken place at Disneyland. The attraction looks unchanged from last year, but that won’t stop fans from flocking to it this season. Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and Big Thunder Ranch Halloween Carnival also started their seasonal runs today, so there is plenty to do at Disneyland if you’re looking to get into the Halloween spirit a little early. Haunted Mansion Holiday runs through January 6, 2015.

Here is a full video ride through of Haunted Mansion Holiday 2014:

• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

Video: Haunted Mansion Holiday 2014 Opens at Disneyland is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

In Case You Missed It: Disney News and Rumors – Week of September 12, 2014

By Rikki Niblett

I’m back again with lots of great happenings! Did you miss any of them? Let’s find out!

This week’s “In Case You Missed It” features articles a video of the DuckTales theme song with duck, a great article about Walt Disney’s grandchildren, and more! Let me know your thoughts!

 

In Case You Missed It – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors

 

Both Disney and Universal won a few accolades in the 2014 Golden Ticket Awards. Find out what honors each park took!

The Epcot Food & Wine Festival begins in one week! Yay! WESH shared interviews with both Epcot Executive Chef Jens Dahlmann and Chef de Cuisine Michael Deardorff about some of their favorite items.

One of the things I’m always curious about is Walt Disney’s grandchildren. You don’t hear a lot about them. Well, I came across an article this week that gave me a little insight.

If you own Disney stock, you should be extremely happy! Reports indicate that it is reaching some of the highest levels since the company went public.

Oh my gosh, they didn’t! Oh My Disney re-created the DuckTales theme song…with ducks! Kind of awesome. Also…Disney…if you’re reading this, I don’t think any of us who grew up in the late 80s/early 90s would be opposed to a re-boot of both DuckTales and Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, or really any of those classic Disney Afternoon cartoons…just saying.

Packing. It’s always stressful. Did I remember my toothbrush? Should I pack an extra bathing suit? Where’s my iPad charger? Airfarewatchdog.com shares the “10 Things You Should Pack (But Probably Won’t).” I am so guilty of forgetting a couple of these items usually. (And I especially love the water bottle tip!)

Have you heard about the indie film, Walt Before Mickey? Here’s the trailer. It seems like an intriguing movie with a decent cast. (Though it is weird to see Napoleon Dynamite as Roy…just sayin’.)

One “ICYMI” reader sent me a link to this article about how “Hollywood Studios [is] a Likely Choice For Star Wars Franchise.”  What do you think? And what would you like to see announced as part of the Star Wars experience?

In Case We Missed It

What did we miss? Attach your ideas to this cool Haunted Mansion Maleficent Poster and send them to blog@touringplans.com with the words “In Case You Missed It” in the subject line.

• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

In Case You Missed It: Disney News and Rumors – Week of September 12, 2014 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Frozen Attraction Announced For Epcot and More Frozen Fun!

By Rikki Niblett

©Disney

Well, we all knew it was just a matter of time before it would be officially announced, and today on the Disney Parks Blog Tom Staggs confirmed the rumor we’d been hearing for almost a year: Frozen is taking over Maelstrom in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot. A brand new Frozen-themed attraction will take guests to Arendelle, where they will be included in their favorite scenes from the movie. Of course, the music from the film will also play a large role in the attraction. Maelstrom’s last day of operation should be Sunday, October 5, 2014, and the new attraction is expected to be complete by early 2016.

In addition, a meet and greet opportunity will be added back to the Norway Pavilion, so – unless things change at Princess Fairytale Hall at Magic Kingdom – guests will have an additional location to meet both Anna and Elsa.

Over at the Magic Kingdom, during the Holiday Season Elsa will take over the Cinderella Castle Holiday Lighting Show (which previously had The Fairy Godmother as the host of the show, called Cinderella’s Holiday Wish). Elsa will use her wonderful powers to transform the castle into an icy wonderland during the nightly show, which will begin on November 5. For those looking for more Frozen excitement, during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party guests will be able to catch Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and – yes – even Olaf, who will all appear in “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.”

©Disney

Finally, a few Frozen Summer Fun Events will continue past September 28 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. For The First Time in Forever – A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration will continue, and guests will still be able to stop by Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post, which will be moved to a new location closer to the sing-along and will feature a larger play area featuring real snow.

Whew! That’s a lot of news right there! What are your thoughts on these developments? Are you excited or sad to see Maelstrom go? I will of course make sure to keep you posted as more information gets released.

• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

Frozen Attraction Announced For Epcot and More Frozen Fun! is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.