Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1218
June 22, 2014
Theme Park Ticketless Options: The Animal Kingdom Lodge Savannah
By John Kivus
One of my favorite parts of any Walt Disney World trip is riding Simba-1 to view the animals on the savannah at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park. Unfortunately, with the combination of its reputation as a “half-day park,” and the limited park-hopping abilities of FastPass+, some travellers may avoid it. Thankfully, Disney has provided an alternative location to get a good look at some of the animals: the savannah at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Giraffe strolling at the Animal Kingdom Lodge Savannah – © John Kivus
Animal Kingdom Lodge is composed of two separate buildings: Jambo House and Kidani Village. In the space between these buildings, there is a substantial savannah (which is technically broken up into three distinct areas—the Arusha, Uzima, and Sunset Savannahs) that is home to a variety of animals, including giraffes, zebras, and Thomson’s gazelles. Though this savannah is not connected to the one at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, it has more than enough residents to make a visit worthwhile.
Ed. – We’re happy to welcome John Kivus to the TouringPlans blogging team. John lives down the road from TouringPlans World Headquarters in Durham, NC, and is an attorney by day.
The primary public viewing deck can be accessed through the rear of the lobby at Jambo House. This viewing deck is elevated (to about giraffe shoulder height) and stretches out into the Arusha Savannah. Motivated by the strategic placing of feeding locations close to the deck, animals almost always wander close enough for visitors to get a good view (and snap some excellent photographs). In fact, the giraffes frequently seem close enough to lean over the fence and tap you on the head. Along with the wildlife, the viewing deck has resident human experts to help answer any questions you may have about the animals. These cast-members are often international, and many hail from the animals’ native countries.
In addition to the primary viewing deck, Jambo House also has two viewing overlooks past its pool area that provide excellent views of the Uzima Savannah. One of these overlooks, located close to the rear left of the pool and alongside the edge of Jambo House, is where the previously mentioned experts set up special night viewing of the animals. This experience, with the aid of night-vision goggles, provides a unique way to watch the animals.
Meal Time – © John Kivus
Not to be outdone by Jambo House, Kidani Village has an amazing view of the Sunset Savannah. As with the overlooks at Jambo House, the viewing areas at Kidani Village are staffed by experts that are more than happy to chat with you about the animals. Additionally, Sanaa, the restaurant in Kidani, has large windows that look out over the savannah. A late lunch or early dinner is the perfect time to take advantage of what Sanaa has to offer.
One important logistical note: getting between Jambo House and Kidani Village without the aid of a car can be a bit of a pain. You can either make the approximately 10 minute walk between the buildings, or you can use the shuttle between the resorts. Unfortunately, there is no path through the savannah.
Based on personal experience, the best time to visit the Animal Kingdom Lodge savannah is late afternoon or early evening, especially around 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. The animals typically get their evening meals around that time, and, as a result, are usually quite close to the viewing areas. Also, depending on the time of year, the light at feeding time can be particularly good for pictures.
After that explanation, it should come as no surprise that a trip to the Animal Kingdom Lodge to view the animals on the savannah, followed by a Mt. Kilimarita from Victoria Falls Lounge and a few Zebra Domes from Mara, has become a tradition when my wife and I visit Walt Disney World.
Have you ever visited the Animal Kingdom Lodge to view the animals on the savannah? What about a late lunch at Sanaa to watch the animals while you eat? Please share your experiences in the comments.
Savannah at the Animal Kingdom Lodge – © John Kivus
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Performing on Disney’s Hollywood Studios American Idol Experience
The American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has made headlines in the Disney universe with the announcement of its “final curtain call” in 2015. In honor of this news, I thought I would write about my own bid for the golden pass to Hollywood.
The butterflies were having a party in my stomach
In April of 2009, I was on vacation in Walt Disney World with my parents and one of my brothers. I had been an American Idol devotee since the legendary Kelly Clarkson blew America away in 2002 with her amazing voice (sorry, Justin Guarini, you did your best). Ever since the American Idol Experience opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it was my dream to audition. With a little nudge from my family, I decided this was finally my moment to reach for stardom.
Ed. – Please welcome one of our new bloggers, Angela Dahlgren, to the TouringPlans writing team. Angela is currently planning her next trip to WDW with her husband and six-month-old – to which we say, “Godspeed, Angela.”
I had read that the key to getting an audition is to arrive early. My mom and I arrived about 9am, and, with no line, I auditioned shortly thereafter. I performed two songs of my choice in front of the producer: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “At Last.” The producer told me if I toned down my inner Disney Princess (I was using a few too many Princess Aurora hand gestures and batting the big brown eyes a little too much), I would be all set to audition in front of the second producer. Noted – less Cinderella, more Cyndi Lauper.
I was sent to the “Coca-Cola” room, where I selected two songs from a list. I was given an iPod with lyrics to practice both tunes before performing them in front of the second producer. I selected “Breakaway” by Kelly Clarkson and “Ever After” by Carrie Underwood. As you can see from the photo, I was quite nervous! After singing both, the producer told me I would be moving on and performing “Breakaway” at the 3pm show. Spoiler: They filmed this second audition, which was used later on in the show!
I gotta tell ya, Disney sure knows how to make a girl feel special. I had an absolute blast! Following my second audition, I was immediately brought outside to do some camera work. (Listen to me, I sound like an old pro!). I got to use my theater background by re-enacting running out with my golden ticket into the arms of my excited mom. They filmed me walking down Commissary Lane and did a quick Q&A where they asked me about my favorite American Idol (Kelly Clarkson, duh) and the motto I lived my life by (Give it to God).
Sorry for the fuzzy pictures. This was 2009!
I had a short break to eat lunch with my family (and get a quick pep talk) before returning to work with the vocal coach and going into hair and make up. The vocal coach ran through the song with me, giving me both vocal and choreographic advice. The make up artist added a bit of color to my face and adjusted my hair and outfit so the microphone battery pack didn’t stick out too much.
I had time to rehearse on stage before the 3pm show. While rehearsing, they worked with me on how to work the stage and which cameras to look at. I really felt like I got the VIP star treatment and felt so incredibly special!
Being on stage was quite the adrenaline rush. With a high level of excitement from the audience and the host, I was already daydreaming of gold and platinum albums in my future. There were three contestants to introduce. The host gave a brief background on each of us, and this is when my camera footage was shown. Two of us then went backstage while the first contestant performed. Following her song, it was my turn.
Walking on that stage was truly the best and most exciting feeling in the world. Seeing life-sized images of myself on the stadium screens and the energy of the audience really made me feel like I was in Hollywood. In case we experienced stage fright, there was a huge screen with the song lyrics in the back of the auditorium. It was my time to shine. I walked out to the middle of the stage and gave it all I had!
Look Ma! I’m on TV!
Judgement Day
Following the performance, I waited for the judges’ feedback. They told me I did a great job but my voice was a tad quiet. I didn’t get too beat up about it.
Note to self: Next time you’re on tv, sit up straight!
After the final performance, all three contestants were called back onstage. Each performance was reviewed, and the host recapped the judges’ opinions. We waited anxiously while the audience members put in their votes [cue Jeopardy music]. With my three family members there, I knew I for sure had at least three people voting for me!
Disclaimer: I may have bribed my brother with funnel cake, but it still counts, right? At the time, I wish I had more family in the audience to vote, but looking back, I might not have had enough money for all those funnel cakes. I was a poor college student, after all! Okay, back to your regularly scheduled blog post.
In the end, number three won. She was on a school music trip, and her classmates in the audience could not have been more proud of her. I was happy for her and didn’t mind, as the experience being on the show was more than I could have ever hoped for. Disney did a wonderful job making the experience genuine and memorable. I was given the all-star treatment and had the opportunity to perform and entertain others. I loved my fifteen minutes of fame and hope that many of you get the chance to check it out before the American Idol Experience draws its curtains for the last time.
Have you also participated in the American Idol Experience at Hollywood Studios? Do you plan to before January? Talk about it in the comments. You won’t even need to go through my agent first!
Post-AI Experience. Dreaming of my next shot at stardom…
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Performing on Disney’s Hollywood Studios American Idol Experience is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Performing on Disney Hollywood Studios American Idol Experience
Disney Hollywood Studios American Idol Experience has made headlines in the Disney universe with the announcement of its “final curtain call” in 2015. In honor of this news, I thought I would write about my own bid for the golden pass to Hollywood.
The butterflies were having a party in my stomach
In April of 2009, I was on vacation in Disney World with my parents and one of my brothers. I had been an American Idol devotee since the legendary Kelly Clarkson blew America away in 2002 with her amazing voice (sorry, Justin Guarini, you did your best). Ever since the American Idol Experience opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it was my dream to audition. With a little nudge from my family, I decided this was finally my moment to reach for stardom.
Ed. – Please welcome one of our new bloggers, Angela Dahlgren, to the TouringPlans writing team. Angela is currently planning her next trip to WDW with her husband and six-month-old – to which we say, “Godspeed, Angela.”
I had read that the key to getting an audition is to arrive early. My mom and I arrived about 9am and with no line, I auditioned shortly thereafter. I performed two songs of my choice in front of the producer: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and “At Last.” The producer told me if I toned down my inner Disney Princess (I was using a few too many Princess Aurora hand gestures and batting the big brown eyes a little too much), I would be all set to audition in front of the second producer. Noted – less Cinderella, more Cyndi Lauper.
I was sent to the “Coca Cola” room where I selected two songs from a list. I was given an iPod with lyrics to practice both tunes before performing them in front of the second producer. I selected “Breakaway,” by Kelly Clarkson, and “Ever After,” by Carrie Underwood. As you can see from the photo, I was quite nervous! After singing both, the producer told me I would be moving on and performing “Breakaway” at the 3pm show. Spoiler: They filmed this second audition, which was used later on in the show!
I gotta tell ya, Disney sure knows how to make a girl feel special. I had an absolute blast! Following my second audition, I was immediately brought outside to do some camera work (listen to me, I sound like an old pro!). I got to use my theatre background by re-enacting running out with my golden ticket into the arms of my excited mom. They filmed me walking down Commissary Lane and did a quick Q & A where they asked me questions such as my favorite American Idol (Kelly Clarkson, duh) and the motto I lived my life by (Give it to God).
Sorry for the fuzzy pictures. This was 2009!
I had a short break to eat lunch with my family (and get a quick pep talk) before returning to work with the vocal coach and go into hair and make up. The vocal coach ran through the song with me, giving me both vocal and choreographic advice. The make up artist added a bit of color to my face and adjusted my hair and outfit so the microphone battery pack didn’t stick out too much.
I had time to rehearse on stage before the 3pm show. While rehearsing, they worked with me on how to work the stage and which cameras to look at. I really felt like I got the VIP star treatment and felt so incredibly special!
Being on stage was quite the adrenaline rush. With a high level of excitement from the audience and the host, I was already daydreaming of gold and platinum albums in my future. There were three contestants to introduce. The host gave a brief background on each of us, and this is when my camera footage was shown. Two of us then went backstage while the first contestant performed. Following her song, it was my turn.
Walking on that stage was truly the best and most exciting feeling in the world. Seeing life-sized images of myself on the stadium screens and the energy of the audience really made me feel like I was in Hollywood. In case we experienced stage fright, there was a huge screen with the song lyrics in the back of the auditorium. It was my time to shine. I walked out to the middle of the stage and gave it all I had!
Look Ma! I’m on TV!
Judgement Day
Following the performance, I waited for the judges’ feedback. They told me I did a great job but my voice was a tad quiet. I didn’t get too beat up about it.
Note to self: Next time you’re on tv, sit up straight!
After the final performance, all three contestants were called back onstage. Each performance was reviewed, and the host recapped the judges’ opinions. We waited anxiously while the audience put in their votes. [cue Jeopardy music] With my three family members there, I knew I for sure had at least three people voting for me!
Disclaimer: I may have bribed my brother with funnel cake, but it still counts, right? At the time, I wish I had more family in the audience to vote but looking back, I might not have had enough money for all those funnel cakes. I was a poor college student after all! Okay, back to your regularly scheduled blog post.
In the end, number three won. She was on a school music trip and her classmates in the audience could not have been more proud of her. I was happy for her and didn’t mind as the experience being on the show was more than I could have ever hoped for. Disney did a wonderful job making the experience genuine and memorable. I was given the all-star treatment and had the opportunity to perform and entertain others. I loved my fifteen minutes of fame and hope that many of you get the chance to check it out before the American Idol Experience draws its curtains for the last time.
Have you also participated in the American Idol Experience at Hollywood Studios? Do you plan to before January? Talk about it in the comments. You won’t even need to go through my agent first!
Post-AI Experience. Dreaming of my next shot at stardom…
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Performing on Disney Hollywood Studios American Idol Experience is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
June 21, 2014
SATURDAY SIX: Six Surprises of Universal’s Diagon Alley
By Derek Burgan
This week’s SATURDAY SIX covers Six Surprises of Universal’s Diagon Alley. The Universal Orlando Resort held its big Diagon Alley media event this week, and TouringPlans’ own Seth Kubersky was on hand each night of the the three day event. For this red carpet event, Universal flew in some major players from the Potter movie universe, including the usual crew of Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) and the Phelps twins (Fred and George Weasley), but also used the Floo Network and brought in Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), Domhnall Gleason (Bill Weasley), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Matt Lewis (Neville Longbottom), Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick), Robbie Coltrain (Hagrid), and Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange). For the first time ever, media and VIPs were able to ride on the Hogwarts Express and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, along with experiencing everything in Diagon Alley itself. The Leaky Cauldron. Carkitt Market. Knockturn Alley. All of it.
We’ll cover all the big stuff in due time (especially with the newly announced July 8 Grand Opening date for all guests), but today we’re going to look at six surprises within Diagon Alley that had us grinning wider than Ron Weasley after seeing a Veela.
# 6 – Gringotts Bank Notes
Gringotts bank note (photo by Seth Kubersky)
After many years Universal finally has its version of Disney Dollars in the form of Gringotts Bank Notes. Located in Carkitt Market, the Gringotts Money Exchange will allow guests to exchange their Muggle money for Gringotts Bank Notes (in $10 or $20 denominations), which can then be used as souvenirs or as currency to purchase anything in the Wizarding World or on Universal property. Even more impressive is the goblin animatronic that interacts with the guests, including looking directly at the person talking to it. Both creepy and fun.
Some of our young readers may not remember when Disney Dollars were cool, so for them we are recommending to think of Gringotts Bank Notes as “The Dogecoins of the Wizarding World.” (photo by Seth Kubersky)
# 5 – Animatronic Kneazle in Magical Menagerie
How many magical creatures can you spot in this picture? (photo by Seth Kubersky)
Every store in Diagon Alley has its own unique charm, but the one we really enjoyed was Magical Menagerie. Here guests can get toy pixies along with plush versions of all their favorite animals from the Potter universe, including Crookshanks, Buckbeak, Fang, Fluffy, Scabbers along with various cats, ravens, owls, toads, rats and more. But it’s the decor that stands out, including an impressive animatronic Kneazel. In the movies, Hermoine’s pet Crookshanks seemed more like an ordinary house cat, but in the book version Crookshanks is a half-Kneazel, which are cat-like in appearance except more exotic and with a lion-like tail. Kneazels are highly intelligent, unusually aggressive, and are very adept at spotting untrustworthy people, so be sure to keep them far away from us theme park bloggers!
# 4 – The Singing Sorceress Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees
Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees in Carkitt Market (photo by Seth Kubersky)
In a previous edition of the SATURDAY SIX, we discussed how much we were looking forward to some of the live performances that will take place within Diagon Alley (much like the Frog Choir and Triwizard Spirit Rally in Hogsmeade), but one that we didn’t know was coming was Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees. An example of just how deep the Wizarding World goes into Potter lore, Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees is a musical act only mentioned very briefly in the books, but it is brought to life in Carkitt Market. The group rousingly performs three songs, whose titles were created by JK Rowling herself: “You Stole My Cauldron but You Can’t Have My Heart,” “A Cauldron Full of Hot Strong Love,” and “You Charmed the Heart Right Out of Me.”
# 3 – Gillywater
Take a bottle of Gillywater…
Plain Gillywater (photo by Seth Kubersky)
And at Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment. you can purchase one of four elixirs to mix in…
Fire Protection Potion, Babbling Beverage, Draught of Peace, and Elixir to Induce Euphoria. (photo by Seth Kubersky)
Equaling a brand new drink!
Gillywater mixed with an Euphoria elixir, making a new pineapple & mint drink. The Wizarding World’s version of getting crunk. (photo by Seth Kubersky)
A simple concept that we all see (and use) in our everyday lives, but Universal found a way to make it fit perfectly within the Wizarding World.
# 2 – Interactive Wands and The One Map To Rule Them All
Last week at Hogsmeade Village we saw medallions pop up seemingly in the middle of the night for guests to be able to interact with various elements in the storefronts. Shortly after, the official Universal blog confirmed that interactive wands were coming to the Wizarding World. Now that Diagon Alley is open, the interactive wands are available to purchase ($44.95) and come with an incredible map, which shows many of the spots where eager witches and wizards can cast spells in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. We have been sent owls, who tell us that there are still more areas to interact with that aren’t on the map that guests will be able to discover on their own.
The Diagon Alley side of the map (photo by Seth Kubersky)
Hogsmeade side of the map (photo by Seth Kubersky)
A selection of the interactive wands (photo by Seth Kubersky)
# 1 – Tributes to JAWS
Theme park fans love rides, but what the hardcore fans seem to love even more is references to their favorite rides and attractions that no longer exist. In the Magic Kingdom there is a reference to the Nautilus from 20,0000 Leagues Under the Sea in the amazing rock work for the queue of Under the Sea ~ Voyage of the Little Mermaid and a Mr. Toad appearance in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, while over at Universal Studios Florida Doc Brown from Back to the Future: The Ride makes an appearance in the queue video of The Simpsons Ride and a small statue of King Kong sits in the throne room of Revenge of the Mummy. Even the new Starbucks in Epcot has a hidden Communicore logo to appease fans.
The Universal parks will almost always be tied to the iconic character of JAWS, and the removal of the JAWS attraction in 2012 may have caused a riot if people didn’t know the Wizarding World was coming to replace it. A beloved ride that has had problems from literally day one, JAWS holds a special place in the hearts of many Universal fans. Now, when Hogsmeade Village opened in 2010, it contained exactly zero references to any of the elements of Lost Continent that it replaced, such as the Enchanted Oak Restaurant, so not everyone was convinced that there would be any JAWS references in Diagon Alley.
You can now rest easy, as there are multiple references to JAWS in Diagon Alley, including this one at the record store in the London Waterfront facade.
“Here’s to swimming with bow legged women” was a line said by the character Quint in the movie Jaws. The Quint Trio more than likely is a reference to Quint, Chief Brody and Hooper, the three characters who set off in The Orca to catch a great white shark in Jaws. (photo by Seth Kubersky)
HONORABLE MENTION: The Extended Queue to Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts
We knew the queue area for Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts would be big, but we had no idea it would be THIS BIG. Keep in mind that the extended queue will only be used on the busiest of days and many guests will never see it, but the entire queue can stretch up to 2.5 miles in length. The good news? All reports say the indoor portion of the queue and the ride itself are going to be worth the wait. So grab your Kindle, load up a whole bunch of SATURDAY SIX and The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! articles and you will be ready to go!
Gringotts extended queue (photo by Seth Kubersky)
Gringotts extended queue (photo by Seth Kubersky)
At the end of this extended queue you are actually just steps away from Wet ‘n Wild on International Drive, so while Hogwarts Express is the first attraction to ever go from one park to another, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts counts as the second… (photo by Seth Kubersky)
So there you have it: Six Surprises of Universal’s Diagon Alley. See you next weekend for the latest edition of the Saturday Six, where we are going to look at The Top Six Shows at Walt Disney World . 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 PotterWatch’s own Seth Kubersky for his invaluable assistance with this article, and Mike Sperduto, for being brilliant.
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June 20, 2014
In Case You Missed It: Disney News and Rumors – Week of June 20, 2014
Have you been following along with all the excitement? Diagon Alley opens officially on July 8! Who else is excited to grab a gillywater and a butterbeer ice cream as you wander the streets of the infamous land of Potter?
In Case You Missed It – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors
If you are wondering what may be going on with a Frozen attraction, The Orlando Sentinel has an update on what could potentially be happening.
Ever wonder how many lightsabers Disney sells? Time has the answer. Which color lightsaber would you pick?
Who doesn’t love to enter Disney contests to try to win trips to Walt Disney World? Here’s the newest one, courtesy of Joffrey’s Coffee.
Speaking of Joffrey’s, it is now the official coffee provider for Disney Cruise Line? Do you hear that choir singing? It’s everyone rejoicing that Nescafe is gone!
I came across an in-depth article all about World of Motion and Test Track. These articles are so fun to read, and I always learn something interesting!
Speaking of history, The Disney Parks Blog posted this fascinating article all about the grand opening of the Disneyland Monorail, Matterhorn, and the Submarine Voyage, featuring Vice President Nixon. This was a great article, and I would like to see the Disney Parks Blog do more history articles like this.
Is Bob Iger getting close to making a decision on who his successor will be? One source thinks so. I’m curious to see who will get the chosen slot.
It’s the great debate…when you rent a car, should you choose the option to refill the gas yourself, or have it refilled by the car rental company? See the pros and cons. Which do you do when you rent a car?
If you are curious about Pixar’s upcoming flick for next year, Inside Out, Variety sheds some light on the movie. The more I hear about this story, the more interesting it sounds.
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon has been in Orlando all week at Universal, and Jimmy has been having fun. Earlier this week, he rode Rip Ride Rockit with Kevin Hart, and let’s just say, it left a lasting impression. (Jimmy may have also gotten some extra protein.) If you’ve missed any of Jimmy live from Universal Orlando, here’s where you can see the episodes.
In addition, Natalie Morales from The Today Show explored Universal Orlando and shared tips for navigating the experience. (Also, there’s some great footage of Diagon Alley included in the video.)
In Case We Missed It
What did we miss? Send your idea attached to a boxed set of Harry Potter books (you’re gonna want to read up before you hit up Diagon Alley) and send both to blog@touringplans.com with the words “In Case You Missed It” in the subject line.
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In Case You Missed It: Disney News and Rumors – Week of June 20, 2014 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Quick Tips – Resort to Resort Transportation at Disney World
This is not a good way to get from resort to resort.
Hello, readers! I hope you’re enjoying the new voices on the blog this week. In addition to hiring new bloggers, I’ve been going over the galleys for the next printing of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. One the sections I recently reviewed was Part Eight – Getting Around. This is where we give information about arriving at Walt Disney World and how to use the transportation system.
Believe it or not, despite a page length of nearly than 900 pages, the book could give a little more information on the nuts and bolts of resort to resort transportation at Disney World.
The most tricky part of using the Disney transportation system is traveling between resorts. In the Guide, we leave it at “don’t use Downtown Disney as your hub if you can avoid it.” I think we can do a little better than that.
The good thing is that in my experience, your point of origin rarely matters (and I’ll call attention to the rare cases where I think it does).
Unofficial Quick Tips for Resort to Resort Transportation
Note: Resort bus transportation from theme parks ends around one hour after the park closes. If you have a late dinner reservation, you’ll be in a cab or taking a bus to Downtown Disney.
If your destination is a Magic Kingdom resort (Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, or Fort Wilderness) board a bus to Magic Kingdom. Then walk (Contemporary), take the monorail (Polynesian or Grand Floridian), or board a watercraft (Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness) to your destination.
If your destination is an Epcot resort (Swan and Dolphin, Yacht Club, Beach Club, or BoardWalk) take a bus to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and either walk or take a Friendship boat to your destination.
If your destination is Animal Kingdom Lodge, Coronado Springs, or any of the All-Star resorts, take a bus to Animal Kingdom park and board a bus to your destination (only while Animal Kingdom is open – remember it often has shorter hours than the other parks). For nighttime trips, use Hollywood Studios as your hub for bus service.
If your destination is Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century, or Art of Animation, take a bus to Hollywood Studios and transfer to another bus to your destination.
If your destination is Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter, Saratoga Springs, or Old Key West, take a bus to Downtown Disney and transfer to either a bus or boat to your destination. Port Orleans is uniquely centrally located among the resorts – Magic Kingdom and Epcot are also good transfers.
Here are the special cases where your point of origin changes my recommendation:
It is possible to walk between Saratoga Springs and Old Key West via the golf course path. There was at one time a single boat route serving both resorts and Downtown Disney, but I haven’t seen that service in several years. And of course, guests can walk between the two Port Orleans resorts and between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness (the latter path can be treacherous at night though – after dark we recommend the bus that runs between the Settlement at Fort Wilderness and the resort bus stop at the Lodge).
If your starting point is any Magic Kingdom resort and your destination is any non-Magic Kingdom resort, take a bus from Magic Kingdom.
Added from comments: There is a walking path between Saratoga Springs and Downtown Disney - two actually, one along Hotel Plaza Blvd. (catch the path at Congress Park) to the Marketplace and one through the golf course that takes you to the West Side. Buses provide return transportation to resorts after Hoop Dee Doo at Fort Wilderness but may not be your best bet (see the comments). There is a boat route that connects the Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness – a good option for those Artist Point, Hoop Dee Doo, and Chef Mickey’s reservations.
We always recommend allowing at least an hour to move between resorts using transit, and recommend taking a cab if time is of the essence.
So what are your trips for getting around? Commandeer a SeaRacer and sail up? Stick up a horse drawn carriage? Think I got it wrong on any of the my recommendations? Talk about it in the comments.
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June 19, 2014
Two New Animal Encounters Introduced at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
©Disney
Lately it seems like Disney has been introducing quite a few new offerings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The park has seen some new food options (like pineapple soft serve), new animals (like the Grevy’s Zebra and Sumatran Tigers), and new experiences. Today, I’m here to tell you about two new, relatively minor experiences that you should certainly check out on your next visit, especially if you are an animal lover.
The first is one that had been announced about a month ago, “Winged Encounters – The Kingdom Takes Flight,” which is now being performed daily at 9:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. While there are set showtimes, the show is still technically in testing mode, so times are subject to change.
The show is an animal experience featuring macaws that fly over the park, back and forth between a perch found on Discovery Island and a perch found near the Dinoland U.S.A. bridge. The main component of this new show features an up-close encounter where avian experts share conservation stories and insightful information about the birds. The experience features six different types of macaws – hyacinth, green-winged, blue and gold, scarlet, blue-throated, and military.
In addition, there is a second small show that has been added to Disney’s Animal Kingdom called “It All Started With a Mouse.” Guests who wish to see this animal encounter can head to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, where they will learn all about Walt Disney’s love of animals. Guests will be able to see and learn about sheep, porcupines, parrots, birds of prey, and Kunekune pigs. After the show, guests will have the opportunity to meet and take photos with some of the animals featured. This show currently only takes place at 11:30 a.m. and lasts about 20 minutes.
It’s exciting to see Disney’s Animal Kingdom showcasing animals in fun ways and these two new experiences certainly seem to accomplish that. I can’t wait to catch both on my next visit to the World.
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The Best Margarita at Disney World – A Quest
By Lisa Gilmore
During your Walt Disney World vacation, you may get a hankering for a tasty adult beverage. And Disney has infinite options to satisfy this craving. Thinking of a getting a good beer? Your first thought may be to pop over to Rose and Crown Pub in Epcot’s England Pavilion or perhaps Germany. Maybe a nice glass of wine? France and Italy in Epcot come to mind. And common sense says that the Mexico Pavilion should have the best margarita on property, right? Well, that’s the challenge this article will explore! A quest to find the best margarita at Disney World….
Ed.- Afternoons seem to be our slot for alcohol related articles, as we just ran Brian McNichols excellent post on bar-hopping yesterday. I’m sure this is related to the summer heat and possibly to the fact that our kids are out of school now. We’d like to welcome Lisa Gilmore to our blogging team this week.
Living in the cultured state of New Mexico, I have developed a refined palate when it comes to margaritas. Where ever you find this popular beverage, it’s usually delicious, so it becomes tricky to find that special drink with a certain je ne sais quoi to lift it above the beverage hoi polloi. As with any “best” or “favorite” topic, this subject tends to be very subjective. It becomes even more complicated when you factor in all of the different flavors and varieties of margaritas offered. Fruity or spicy? Frozen or on-the-rocks? Even though they all branch from the same beverage family tree, the variety can be like comparing apples to oranges.
With the exception of the Magic Kingdom, you can find margaritas virtually anywhere on property.
Where to find margaritas at Walt Disney World?
Resorts
All Star Sports: Team Spirits
Entrance to La Cava del Tequila in the Mexico Pavilion
All Star Music: Singing Spirits
All Star Movies: Silver Screen Spirits
Animal Kingdom Lodge (Jambo House): Uzima Springs Watering Hole
Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village): Maji Pool Bar
Animal Kingdome Lodge: Victoria Falls Lounge
Art of Animation: Drop Off Bar
Beach Club: Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill
Beach Club: Martha’s Vineyard Lounge
Boardwalk: Boardwalk Joe’s
Boardwalk: Leaping Horse Libations
Boardwalk: ESPN Club
Caribbean Beach: Banana Cabana
Contemporary/Bay Lake: Sand Bar
Contemporary/Bay Lake: Cove Pool Bar
Contemporary/Bay Lake: Outer Rim Lounge
Contemporary/Bay Lake: Top of the World Lounge
Coronado Springs: Siesta’s Cantina
Coronado Springs: Laguna Pool Bar
Fort Wilderness: Crockett’s Tavern
Grand Floridian: Mizner’s Lounge
Grand Floridian: Beaches Pool Bar & Grill
Grand Floridian: Courtyard Pool Bar
Polynesian Village: Barefoot Pool Bar
Polynesian Village: Luau Cove
Pop Century: Petal’s Poor Bar
Port Orleans Riverside: River Roost Lounge
Port Orleans French Quarter: Mardi Grogs
Saratoga Springs: Paddock Grill
Saratoga Springs: Backstretch Pool Bar
Saratoga Springs: On the Rocks
Shades of Green: Evergreens
Swan: Splash Terrace
Wilderness Lodge: Territory Lounge
Wilderness Lodge: Trout Pass Pool Bar
Yacht Club: Crew’s Cup Lounge
Yacht Club: Ale and Compass Lounge
Downtown Disney
Bongos Cuban Café
House of Blues
Paradiso 37
Planet Hollywood
Rainforest Cafe
Splitsville Luxury Lanes
T-Rex
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
High Octane Refreshments
Hollywood Brown Derby
50’s Prime Time Café/Tune In Lounge
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
Epcot
La Cantina de San Angel
La Cava del Tequila
Margarita Stand
Tutto Italia Ristorante (for an “Italian Margarita”)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Dawa Bar
Rainforest Café
Upcountry Beverages
Yak & Yeti Quality Beverages
Yak & Yeti Restaurant
Typhoon Lagoon
Let’s Go Slurpin’
Snack Shack
Typhoon Tilly’s
Blizzard Beach
Frostbite Freddy’s
Polar Pub
As you can see, the quest for the best margarita at Walt Disney World is no easy task! Literally hundreds of drink options at dozens of different locations could make this a bucket list endeavor.
Throughout the resorts, you’ll find repeating options like the Agave Nectar Margarita, Superfruit Margarita, Habañero-Lime Margarita, and Mango Margarita. These are the same concoction at each location with the same price. They use the same tequila, measurements and ingredients to provide consistency, so this means no matter whether you order your Mango Margarita at Team Spirits at All Star Sports or Uzima at Animal Kingdom Lodge, you’ll experience the same flavors and same dent in your wallet.
It’s also worth noting that just because a margarita isn’t listed as a menu option, that doesn’t mean the bartender can’t make one for you. But for the purposes of this quest, I stuck to just considering the restaurants, bars, and lounges that do offer a margarita on their menu.
Deciding where to begin this mission and which places to sample, took quite a bit of consideration. As much as I enjoy margaritas, there are some fundamental facts that could not be avoided:
Budget: I did not have an unlimited budget. With prices ranging from $8.25-$14.50 per drink (plus tax and tip), I would have to spend my funds wisely and only sample the notable of the selection.
Alcohol tolerance: Though I do have an advantage coming to Orlando from a high altitude, I am not Wonder Woman, by any means. So, to avoid making a drunken spectacle of myself, I had to limit my consumption to what I could reasonable handle and still maintain judgment of the subject at hand. After all, what’s the point in finding the best margarita if I can’t remember where I found it or what it tasted like?
Hydration: This consideration could be lumped into the previous point, but I think it bares separation. Being in Orlando in June with the summer heat means quick dehydration. Add alcohol into the equation and it could easily be a recipe for a heat stroke disaster. Since I would have to balance my margarita consumption with proper amounts of water to cleanse the palate as well as maintain a healthy hydration level, this further limited the amount of this saccharine beverage I could sample.
With these limitations in mind, I did a bit of research to see what social media asserted to be the best. Over and over again, I found resounding praise for La Cava del Tequila in the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot. So, I knew I had to make this a stop on my voyage. Once I arrived on property, I also surveyed cast members. After all, who knows better where to find the best margarita than the people who live there? Practically unanimously, the cast members tossed their vote toward the Margarita Stand in the Mexico Pavilion. One thing was certain; I’d have to spend some time in Mexico.
My first stop was in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at The Hollywood Brown Derby. Though mostly noted for its Cobb Salad and Grapefruit cake, they’ve also recently opened the Brown Derby Lounge highlighting some of their unique beverage options. One feature that makes me an instant fan is the collection of “flight” options. Why limit yourself to one, when you can have a variety of drinks! The Brown Derby offers a martini flight, a champagne flight, a white wine flight, a red wine flight, and yes, a margarita flight!
Citizens Take Flight is a tasting of three flavored margaritas. Bucky Greenhorn – Derby Margarita; Melvin Macheezmo – Mango Margarita; Ready Freddy Fiddlesticks – Pomegranate Margarita. This sampler of half-sized margaritas (served on the rocks, not frozen) all for only $11.25.
Hollywood Brown Derby Margarita Flight
The Derby margarita is the only one served with a premium tequila, Suaza. It has the classic lime flavor with just the right amount of tartness. The Suaza tequila gives it a smooth, relaxing heat. When you think of a classic margarita, this flavor combination is what comes to mind.
The Pomegranate margarita is sweet and fruity. Though it also had a salted rim, it didn’t seem to balance out the sweetness of the drink. I normally consider pomegranate to be tart, but this was drink was really quite sweet. Perhaps it could’ve used more tequila to mellow out the sugary flavor. Although, it was still really good, it was my least favorite of the three.
The Mango margarita is light and tangy. The salted rim balanced out the sweetness of the mango perfectly, and though you could taste the heat of the tequila, it wasn’t too intense or over-powering. This would be the ideal drink to sip on the beach or patio with friends.
All in all, three margarita flavors for the price of one makes this selection a winner in my book. But is it the best on property? I’d have to keep drinking to see if I could find its match!
My next stop was the Margarita Stand in the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot. I honestly didn’t have high expectations for this option. It wasn’t even on my radar for “best margarita” until so many cast members recommended it. The flavors offered at this stand change pretty regularly, so it’s worth stopping by during your trip to see if any flavors strike your fancy. The flavor that kept getting all the cast member kudos was the Fiesta Frozen margarita. This was a layered combination of lime, strawberry, and mango all stacked on each other in one large cup for $9.50.
Fiesta Frozen Margarita at the Margarita Stand in Mexico Pavilion. Best brain freeze you’ll experience!
The frozen margaritas served here are mixed in the giant rotating icy machines like you’d find at your local convenience store mixing slushies or slurpees. And that’s essentially what these margaritas are, alcoholic slushies. The Fiesta flavor combination was tasty and refreshing, but certainly not gourmet. This margarita was far from overwhelming, but I could see what some cast members might like about it, it did have three redeeming qualities:
Because of its slushy texture, it was very refreshing! The flavors complimented each other well. And on a hot day, walking through Epcot, it was definitely a cooling pick-me-up.
The portion size was very generous! The “bartender” not only filled the cup, but piled it up well over the brim. It was so full I had to start gulping immediately to keep from becoming a sticky mess. Best brain freeze I’ve ever had.
Those puppies are potent! By the time I wandered into China, I had to be on the lookout for a snack to help fill my tummy and balance out all of the tequila.
So, although the frozen margarita from the Margarita Stand is by no means a gourmet margarita, and probably won’t win any unique flavor contests, it’s still worth trying. The price is pretty reasonable for the amount of margarita (and tequila!) you get and it’s definitely a nice treat to enjoy while exploring Epcot on a hot day. Is it the best margarita on property? Probably not, but I still have one more venue to explore!
Last stop of this venture is La Cava del Tequila. This little lounge is nestled inside the Mexico Pavilion and offers an intimate setting with low lighting and premium drinks. Averaging around $14 a drink, all of their margaritas use first-rate tequila. After a full day of walking around Epcot and sampling lots of treats from around the world, I knew I only had room for one drink, and the one that kept getting all the hype was the Avocado margarita.
Avocado Margarita from La Cava del Tequila.
I would never really consider avocados with my margaritas, unless it was in the form of guacamole, but as Joey Tribbiani would say, “avocados – good, margaritas – good,” so what’s not to love? The Avocado Margarita is made of El Mayor premium silver Tequila, melon liqueur, fresh avocado, agave nectar and fresh lime juice served frozen with a hibiscus Himalayan salt rim. This margarita is delicious, but the star of the drink was not the avocado, it was the melon liqueur. The Himalayan salt added the much needed texture and tanginess to the sweet beverage. The avocado gave the margarita a creamy, rich texture. But the overpowering flavor was definitely melon. This drink was very filling. It was practically a smoothie, which is great as far as texture and flavor, but if you plan to eat a meal either with this drink or immediately afterwards, you should plan to eat light.
Since the dominating flavor of this margarita was neither the avocado, nor the tequila, but the melon liqueur, I’d have to say that it is a very delightful drink, but doesn’t rank as the best margarita.
So, after tasting all of these delicious beverages, which one reigns supreme? Each one has its own unique flavor combinations and valuable attributes. All are worth trying and enjoying, but for this round, the winner has to be the Melvin Macheezmo – Mango Margarita at Hollywood Brown Derby. This margarita was the perfect blend of sweetness and tanginess, smooth tequila flavor and refreshing flavors.
There are so many other margaritas to be tasted! Which ones have you had? Which are your favorites? Do you dare take the challenge to try them all?!
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Daisy Lauren’s Best Week Ever: June 19, 2014
By Daisy Lauren
Hi, everyone! Welcome to the best week ever! This week we’re starting with the 4th annual Car Masters Weekend at Downtown Disney. If you can believe it, I’d never attended this event before last year. Even then, we only caught it by accident during the last few hours. Since then, my hubby hasn’t stopped talking about it. This year we were there bright and early, an hour before the event officially opened. Doing so allowed me to get some photos without tons of people in the frame, but don’t be fooled, it was pretty busy even this early!
The event featured over 100 cars. My favorite were the classic vehicles, but there were lots of modern muscles cars featured, too. Many had signs declaring they weren’t street legal! That’s a little too fast for me, but it was fun to look. And looking was pretty much all you could do, as many cars had big signs demanding that you not touch the cars. I can understand why, but there were many disappointed kids who wanted to sit in the cars desperately! Just be aware if you’re taking your little one that very few cars are kid friendly. There were a few cars with signs declaring they were kid-friendly, and I think Disney should put them in a section together to make it easier for parents.
Of course, I went hunting the Disney themed cars. This Herbie the Love Bug even had a recording of his characteristic horn blowing. I didn’t see an owner anywhere in sight, which makes me wonder if this one belonged to Disney. (Most owners were standing immediately beside their cars. Some were lovely, but some were downright grumpy. It seems like they’d understand a car show at Disney would mean tons of kids wanting to touch their car.)
Here are a few cars with the lovely back drop of Disney Springs construction. All the way over the the right is one of many Mustangs that were on display. Maybe it’s just because my hubby likes them that I noticed, but it seemed like there were more Mustangs than anything else.
Of course, this was clearly the best Mustang! On the back window was a Monsters University full window vinyl sticker. Now they just need someone to make a Sulley one!
Almost as cool was getting to see this guy. I’ve never had the chance to meet Finn McMissile in the parks! Of course, Lightning McQueen and Mater were also on had to greet guests.
While I was excited to meet Finn McMissile, most of the crowd was there to see Chip Foose. Since I was there so early, I staked out a spot so I could get you excellent video of his first interview of the day. If you aren’t familiar with Chip, he’s a car designer and known for his TV show, Overhaulin’.
After the interview Chip was doing a three hour autograph session over at D Street. The line was very long, so we decided to skip it and check out the new soccer shop next door that one of our readers had asked about. (Thanks, Ludvig!)
Stepping inside, the shop is really small but packed to the gills with tons of jerseys. There were also a few TVs showing the World Cup. It seems like an odd addition to Downtown Disney. Why would people wait until they’re on vacation to buy this stuff? In any case, the shop is only temporary during the World Cup.
Leaving Downtown Disney I had to grab a shot of all the cranes for you guys. Can you believe it? Every time I’m there it seems like there’s even more construction equipment. I hope it’s helping them work faster because parking is a disaster! Unless we can get there first thing in the morning, I’ve pretty much given up on Downtown Disney until this parking structure opens.
Keeping with the soccer theme, I wanted to share the World Cup location that has been opened inside the old Odyssey Restaurant at Epcot. Unfortunately, we’ve been experiencing apocalyptic rain all week long. Despite making a couple of attempts, I couldn’t get there when it wasn’t pouring. So, here is GoPro footage of walking up to the restaurant in the rain! 
Once inside, the building hasn’t changed from what you remember. They’ve moved conference tables in and about twenty recliners across the front of the restaurant. The place was packed, and everyone was really into the game!
Inside they also had some snacks for sale and various merchandise. The most expensive shirt I found on that wall was $140! I wonder if they’ve actually have sold any of these?
Walking back towards the front of the park, there’s a lot of construction going on along the rose garden and the former site of Tinkerbell’s Butterfly Garden. I haven’t heard any news about what might be changing in this area, but I’ll keep you guys updated as we hear.
Next, I hopped over to the Polynesian Resort to take a look at their construction progress. I hadn’t visited until now in hopes that the entire resort wouldn’t be behind construction walls. Unfortunately, I didn’t wait long enough, as the walls start before you can even get into the front door!
The former site of the Wyland Gallery isn’t even behind a wall, but rather canvas screening. It looks pretty awful. Check out how crumpled it is along the bottom.
Where the fountain used to be located, nicer looking walls have been added. It’s still tough to navigate around everything since the entire main building is plagued with construction.
Looking outside, windows are being installed on the new DVC structures over the water. They are going to absolutely kill the view of the fireworks from the beach. As much as I hate them for that, I still want to stay in one when they open!
Here’s the view from a boat looking back at the Polynesian Resort and all these DVC structures. I counted roughly fifteen of them lining the entire waterfront of the resort. Add in the crane, and the resort is looking pretty rough, but I bet it will be amazing when it opens! (Trader Sam’s, anyone?)
My last updates for this week come from Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where the first limited edition MagicBands were released. It seems like these must have been delayed, as I can’t imagine Disney purposely waiting to sell them until the last Star Wars Weekend. The bands were limited to 2,500 of each style and retailed for a whopping $30! The only added benefit beyond design is a custom greeting from the character when you use the band at the front gate. But I’ve heard it only works at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and not the other three parks.
Lastly, I finally made time to see Obi-Wan and Beyond, a show that is offered annually during Star Wars Weekends. This epic event features voice actor James Arnold Taylor and all the amazing voices in his head. Honestly, the show is worth the price of admission, and I highly recommend it if you ever find yourself at Star Wars Weekends. Here is just a little bit:
Can you believe he’s doing that all live? He’s amazing! That wraps up our news from last week. If you’re heading to Disney World next week, here’s a look at what you can expect:
My Car Thermometer – Taken June 15!
Crowd Calendar: Summer crowds continue this week but we’re projecting it won’t be quite as bad as last week. However, there isn’t a day with crowds below 6. Keep those Touring Plans handy!
Weather: If this week is any indication, then be prepared for rain like it’s the end of the world! Normally rain in Central Florida means avoiding an afternoon shower, but it’s been very different lately. Rain has rolled in and stayed most of the day. Be prepared for very high temperatures and possible constant rain.
The Sounds Like Summer Concert Series continues at Epcot next week with nightly concerts at 5:30pm, 6:45pm and 8:00pm. I hoped to get video this week, but the rain cancelled every concert I tried to attend. If the weather cooperates you can expect to see coverage on this next week.
Trucks on the Town at Downtown Disney West Side will take place June 21 from 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. This event features local gourmet food trucks beyond the normal Disney bunch. I’m excited to see an event that appeals to locals! I hope it’s telling of things to come, and you know you you can count on me to tell you all about it!
Lastly, we’re hearing very dependable rumors that The American Idol Experience will be closing in early January 2015. If this is one of your favorites be sure to catch it before it’s gone forever!
Here’s my top tip for this week: Did you know that you can visit the Polynesian Resort, The Wilderness Lodge and Campground, and the Grand Floridian all by boat from the Magic Kingdom? If you even need a break in the middle of the day, these are great spots to relax but still take in more Disney magic. Plus you can’t beat a good sunset on the water!
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: June 19, 2014 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
June 18, 2014
Walt Disney World Resorts Testing New Check-In Process
Copyright Disney
Select Walt Disney World Resort hotels are currently testing a brand new check-in process where guests are able to bypass the check-in desk and head immediately to their hotel room. Hotels participating in this test include Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside, Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas.
Guests who are eligible to take part in this test must have already created their My Disney Experience account, making sure their profiles are complete. They also must make sure they have completed the online check-in process, and their balances must be paid in full.
When completing online check-in, guests will need to include an estimated resort arrival and departure time, a mobile phone number or email address, and the credit card information for the card that is to be used for incidental purchases. In addition, guests will need to make sure to create a four digit PIN number (which is used when making purchases).
Guests must also have ordered and received their MagicBands in order to participate. Once the online check-in process has been completed, the guest’s MagicBands are immediately active and can be used in the parks as well as around the different Disney resorts.
On the day of the guest’s arrival, they will receive a text message or email letting them know their room assignment. The guest can then use his MagicBand to unlock the room door. Anyone who does not wish to take advantage of this new test doesn’t need to. Those opting out can proceed to the front desk, as per usual.
Guests will be chosen randomly to participate in this test, which is slated to last until June 28. While this particular test does have an end date, if it goes well, I fully expect to see Disney roll this process out to the other resorts.
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