Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1219
June 18, 2014
Universal’s Diagon Alley Opening Announced – July 8
Are you ready for your ride on the Knight Bus? Photo: HateToFly
Universal Orlando Resort announced today that the long-awaited opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley is scheduled for July 8, 2014.
The opening includes the Hogwarts Express, a first-ever attraction/transport that moves guests between two theme parks (Hogsmeade Village at Islands of Adventure and Kings Cross Station at the Universal Studios Florida park), and Gringott’s Coaster, as well as new dining and retail.
The opening of Hogsmeade Village at Islands of Adventure saw record breaking lines just to enter the park (more than 8 hours). We expect the situation at Diagon Alley to be similar.
Stay tuned for more information as we get it, follow us on Twitter at @TouringPlans, and in the meantime enjoy the promotional video Universal released today:
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
Universal’s Diagon Alley Opening Announced – July 8 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Best Disney World Hotel for a Bar Tour
View from the Polynesian’s Barefoot Bar (when it’s not under construction)
I know most folks traveling to Walt Disney World are not thinking primarily about going on a bar crawl. I also know that many legal adults could use a drink when they get back from a day at the theme parks. So here’s the scenario: You are done touring the parks for the day and are looking for a place for a nightcap or two. Maybe the kids are with relatives, maybe there are no kids on this trip…either way, you only have a few hours because you don’t want to be out too late. After all, you know making park opening, or rope drop, is super-important when touring the parks.
In these few precious hours of adult time, how can you go about maximizing the time and quality of the bars you visit? Well, that’s what we’re here to decide. For the purposes of this article money is not a concern (that’d be nice, right?) meaning that you can stay at any Walt Disney World hotel. I am also assuming that you are visiting multiple drinking establishments, either on multiple nights or on an increasingly popular Disney World hotel bar tour.
So what are the criteria? Since I’m looking for multiple options, I will only consider an area that has at least 3 bars within a reasonable traveling distance, either by walking or another quick method, such as the monorail. No buses (just because they can take too long) and absolutely no driving! Any walk must also be safe, so no crossing Buena Vista Drive or anything crazy like that. Here are the resorts that are immediately disqualified:
Pop Century / Art of Animation – They each only have one pool bar, which doesn’t add up to 3.
Caribbean Beach – really only has its pool bar, which is a darn shame.
Saratoga Springs – It does technically have 3 bars, one at the Turf Club restaurant and two pool bars, but it is a long walk to the furthest pool bar and not worth it.
Old Key West – Only one full bar, Gurgling Suitcase, and one pool bar.
Okay, with those few out of the way that leaves us with 7 areas, which I’m going to go through in reverse order. Please remember that these ratings are based solely on the amount and quality of the bars in the general area and have nothing to do with the quality of the resort. They are also based largely on my personal opinion and it is entirely possible that I am a dimwit.
Laguna Bar at Coronado Springs. Not the best bar, but an awesome setting.
#7: All Star Resorts (Sports, Music, and Movies)
I’m going to guess that the placement of this grouping is no surprise. Each of the three All Star Resorts has one pool bar and each of those pool bars is identical in all but the groan-worthy name: Team Spirits, Singing Spirits, and Silver Screen Spirits respectively. Hopping between these 3 is not a bar tour, it’s a walk of shame.
#6 Coronado Springs Resort
Coronado gets its own grouping since it has 3 bars within its boundry: Siestas (the pool bar), Laguna Bar, and Rix Lounge. Siestas is a good quality pool bar, but it is still just a pool bar. Rix Lounge is a strange, club-like establishment that has an upscale feel and often has DJ-fueled music in the evenings. If you like clubbing or getting generally jiggy with things you may enjoy Rix. I find that it is often either filled with conventioneers holding up the walls or not filled at all.
My favorite bar at Coronado Springs is far and away the waterside Laguna Bar. Sitting alongside the scenic Lago Dorado (Dorado Lake for the non-cultured), Laguna Bar is a very simple bar serving about the same stuff as the pool bar. What makes it so much better than a pool bar is that it has a fantastic view of the lagoon without having the multitudes of children in bathing suits running by. If you are staying at Coronado Springs, I would recommend a quick drink at Rix Lounge just to check it out followed by lots of time staring out over the water at Laguna Bar.
The porch at Crockett’s Tavern at Fort Wilderness.
#5 Wilderness Lodge / Fort Wilderness Campground
This grouping is quite a stretch because it is a substantial walk between the two resorts, somewhere around 1 mile. That’s not too far compared to the amount one walks in the theme parks, but if you’re looking for a quick bar stop a 2 mile round trip is not very efficient. What keeps this grouping in here is the quality of the bars involved.
Fort Wilderness only has one bar, but the quaint, homey Crockett’s Tavern is a nice place for a drink and one of the few places on Disney World property that you can have a beer and stare at a huge stuffed bear (which is…nice?). The best part of Crockett’s is outside on the porch, where you can pull up a rocking chair and look over the lake, the boat dock, and the area that feels stuck in time.
Wilderness Lodge has the typical Deluxe Resort setup of one full service bar and one pool bar. Trout Pass is the standard pool bar, although it has the distinct advantage of having some very nice scenery around it. Taking your drink over near the geysers or down to the beach on Bay Lake elevates the experience significantly. The full bar, Territory Lounge, is a favorite of mine for its upscale log cabin feel (yeah, it’s a thing I just made up) and Lewis and Clark era explorer theme. Territory Lounge has a solid drink menu and some killer snacks…seriously, downing a dose of the deliciously delectable Drunken Donuts might kill you.
#4: Port Orleans Resorts (Riverside and French Quarter)
The incomparable Ye Haa Bob at Port Orleans – Riverside
It might surprise some, but these two sister resorts do meet the qualification. Each of these resorts has one full bar and one pool bar and there is a nice path that connects the two areas. The French Quarter pool bar, Mardi Grogs, is fairly standard, but the full bar has some quality entertainment. Scat Cat’s Club is an average setting, but the pianist Tom Casey is very talented and fun.
Speaking of talented, fun pianists, Ye Haa Bob Jackson has been playing at the River Roost over at Riverside for a very long time. His show is eternally goofy and sounds ridiculous, but is infectiously enjoyable. Additionally, Muddy Rivers, the pool bar, is very nice with a large, mostly covered deck overlooking the pool and the surrounding woods. There are better options (3 to be exact), but this is not a bad choice by any means.
#3 Animal Kingdom Lodge: Jambo House and Kidani Village
Like the Port Orleans grouping above, these separate resorts are linked by a path that is around a half-mile or so. Unlike the Port Orleans path however, this one is not along a river, nor is it pretty: much of it is alongside the entry road. Luckily, that doesn’t take away from the amazing quality of the bars at both of these hotels.
Let’s start with Jambo House, which is the one most people think of, and refer to, simply as Animal Kingdom Lodge. The main bar in Jambo House is Victoria Falls, which is a lovely, modern looking, abstractly themed lounge that is both elegant and comfortable. The only slight downside is the noise due to its location, on a level found in between the main floor lobby and the lower floor restaurants. While the location makes it loud, it also gives it life and brings a vibrant energy that floats up from Boma, the buffet restaurant below. (Ed. – my beef with Victoria Falls is the number of families who bring their children into it, either to wait for their Boma reservation or just to hang out. Don’t bring kids to a bar. Disagree? Email laurel@touringplans.com.)
Victoria Falls at Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House
The other restaurant below Victoria Falls is Jiko: The Cooking Place, which is one of Disney’s “Signature” restaurants (signature = more expensive). The restaurant also has a small bar area that is mostly used by those waiting for a table, but you can easily slip in there for a drink or to order off of the fabulous bar menu. The third bar at Jambo House is Uzima Springs, the pool bar. While it is not particularly special, it is a nice setting and very close to one of the animal overlooks that is even nicer.
Over at Kidani Village there is no standalone lounge, but there is an excellent bar in the equally excellent restaurant Sanaa. Like Jiko over at Jambo House, you can order several Sanaa menu items as well as a good selection of drinks. The pool bar situation at Kidani Village is also similar to Jambo House in that the best area near the Maji pool bar is the nearby savanna overlook tucked behind the building.
#2 Seven Seas Lagoon Resorts (Bay Lake Tower, Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian)
The wonderful view from Bay Lake Tower’s Top of the World.
Okay, this ended up being way harder than I thought it would be. Under many circumstances this group of Seven Seas (or Monorail) resorts would be tops. Hopefully you’ll understand why it couldn’t be today, even though it’s excellent.
Let’s start at the top…Top of the World that is. The Top of the World lounge on the top floor of Bay Lake Tower is one of the top bars in Walt Disney World (get it…it’s the tops!). Of course, it’s only for resort guests or DVC owners, but if you’re staying there that’s not a problem. It is a beautiful, modern bar with a view of the lagoon and the Magic Kingdom that is indescribable (luckily I have photos!).
At the Contemporary Resort next door (and connected by walkway) you’ll find The Wave…of American Flavors (the real name, not just my love of the ellipsis) which is also a modern bar with a futuristic underwater thing going on. The Wave has some local organic beers on tap and some pretty good food. Also in the Contemporary is California Grill, which also has a great view, but the bar area is small and if it’s busy you may not be allowed in.
Tambu Lounge at the Polynesian.
Jumping on the monorail takes you over to the gorgeous Polynesian Resort. The full bar here is the Tambu Lounge, which is beautifully decked out in Tikis and ancient Polynesian art. The only downside is that it’s basically the waiting area for the popular restaurant ‘Ohana, meaning it gets crowded.
Coming in a year or so to the Polynesian is Trader Sam’s, which will also be tiki themed, but we’ve got a while for that yet. What does currently exist is the Barefoot Bar, the pool bar at the Poly, which deserves a special mention since its location beach-side gives it one of the best views of any bar, let alone a pool bar. Unfortunately, the same construction that is bringing Trader Sam’s is also impacting the entire resort, including the pool area.
Continuing around the monorail loop we come to the Grand Floridian, which you can walk to from the Poly if you want to. The main lounge at the Grand Floridian is Mizner’s, which is tucked up on the second floor of the lobby behind the orchestra. The lovely band music is the only real plus for Mizner’s, which I find boring and stuffy otherwise. The two pool bars at the Grand Floridian are actually more impressive, one large and classy at the Courtyard Pool and the other with a great lagoon view at the Beach Pool. One spot where the Grand Floridian has an advantage is if you get hungry, because you can nosh at the bars found in the wonderful restaurants Citricos and Narcoossee’s.
As I said, I’m putting this second even though this list of bars and lounges is very impressive (and I didn’t even mention the Contemporary’s Outer Rim or its or Bay Lake Tower’s pool bars). However, there is still one group that’s better.
The calming Bellevue Lounge at the Boardwalk Inn.
#1 Crescent Lake Resorts (Boardwalk, Swan, Dolphin, Yacht Club, and Beach Club)
There are so many bars in this resort group that I’m going to have go through them fairly quickly. Let’s start with the Bellevue Lounge at the Boardwalk, which is a great, low-key lounge with lots of early 20th century touches and an outdoor lounge. It is one of my favorite bars in Disney World.
Moving clockwise around the lake you come to the Swan and Dolphin, which have a few places worth stopping. Kimonos at the Swan has karaoke and sushi, Todd English’s Bluezoo at the Dolphin is cool and modern with an outstanding, freshly made cocktail list, and the poolside Cabana Bar, also at the Dolphin, has some good food and a South Beach feel to it.
Continuing around the Crescent Lake loop you’ll find another wood-paneled favorite: Crew’s Cup Lounge at the Yacht Club. It’s rowing theme and craftsman style make it very comfortable. The Yacht Club also has the small Ale & Compass off of the lobby which is surprisingly nice. Heading to the Beach Club brings you to Martha’s Vineyard, which I find boring, but is still technically a bar. A much better spot nearby is the pool bar at Stormalong Bay, Hurricane Hanna’s, which has some good, quick food and a lovely setting near both the pool and the beach.
The surprisingly excellent Cabana Bar near the pool of the Dolphin.
The rest that I somehow didn’t mention above includes the pool bars at Boardwalk and the Swan, the oddly placed, yet accurately named Lobby Lounge at the Dolphin, or any of the Boardwalk spots like ESPN Club, Big River Grille and Brew Works, Jellyrolls, or Atlantic Dance Hall (which are all decent stops). Frankly, there are just too many places: even I don’t have an unlimited amount of words here.
Another plus for the Crescent Lake resorts is that both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are within walking distance, opening up any of the bars in either of those parks as well. If you are looking for bar and lounge options, staying at one of the Crescent Lake resorts is the way to go. You could visit three bars a night for a week and barely hit any twice, which sounds like a heck of a week to me.
As always, I appreciate any feedback in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
This was meant as a quick overview of some of the bars and lounges. If you are interested in much more detail and hundreds of stunning photos you should check out my Walt Disney World Bars and Lounges eGuide.
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
Best Disney World Hotel for a Bar Tour is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Beating the Post Disney Blues
By Daisy Lauren
Normally here on Touring Plans we focus on helping you plan your next big vacation, but today I want to take a moment to talk about what happens once we get home. That’s right, I’m talking about Post Disney Blues (PDS). Most people think that because I live in Central Florida that I’m immune to PDS. However, the more you visit, the more you miss it! So today I’m reviewing my top 10 tips to beat the Disney Blues.
1) Stow Some Tasty Treats: Many of the snacks sold in the parks are pre-packaged and will keep for a while. Nothing perks up a sad day like some Sour Mickey Gummies or a bag of Chip & Dale Pretzels. Did you know that pre-packaged food items can even be ordered from Disney Merchandising? Just call 877-560-6477 if you need your fix before your next trip!
2) Visit Virtually: YouTube is an amazing thing! Before I ever visited Disneyland or Disneyland Paris I’d toured both parks through videos shared by others. Of course, you can always count on the TouringPlans YouTube channel for all the latest. I can also take requests! Let me know if there is anything you’d like to see in the comments below.
3) Curl up with a classic: Disney films are how many of us fell in love with the parks in the first place. When I’m really missing Disneyland, dusting off a classic Disney film always hits the spot!
4) Lend a Helping Hand: The only thing better than planning your own Disney vacation is helping someone else. If you have a friend or co-worker heading to the magic, volunteer to give that person pointers. One of my favorite things in the world is volunteering to go to the park with first timers! I dare you to find anything more fun!
5) Scrapbooking: This can be virtual or good old fashioned paper, but in either case you get to relive your experience and create something beautiful. In my case, I prefer to create photo books with online sites like Shutterfly. Pulling out my old photo books are like a little mini vacation!
6) Let’s Get Cookin’: (Bonus points for catching my old school Disney reference there) Recently I’ve gotten brave enough to try out Disney recipes I’ve found online and I’m surprised how much they taste like “home”. If you’re missing your favorite dining spot take a look online, you might be able to recreate it at home.
7) Listen In: There are an amazing number of Disney podcasts and radio stations out there. If you take time to sample a few you’re sure to find one you love. This can be a great way to keep Disney with you while working out or at your desk.
8) Steal the Soap: Yes, I really mean steal the soap from your room. It wasn’t until 8 months after our last trip to the Disneyland Hotel that I cracked open my last tiny bottle of shampoo. (I may or may not still be hiding a bottle of lotion from my hubby.) Of course, if you really go into withdrawal you can order it too. But there is something delicious about those tiny bottles that really came from Disney!
9) Hidden Treasure: Years ago I started this tradition by accident. When visiting a restaurant while celebrating I swept the confetti on the table into my purse. When I got home I didn’t have the heart to dump it out of my bag so I just left it there. Months later I opened the purse and found a little Disney magic I’d forgotten. Now I purposely hide little things when I get home just for the joy of finding them again!
10) Let’s Do It Again: Of course, #10 has to be planning your next Disney vacation! Even if it doesn’t pan out, it’s still fun to always be on the hunt. And you never know what you might find!
How do you keep the Disney Magic alive at home? Do you have any hot tips for beating the Disney blues? Please let us know in the comments below. As always thanks for reading and commenting!
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
Beating the Post Disney Blues is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
June 17, 2014
The American Idol Experience Will Close at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Copyright Disney
We talked earlier about how it was a rumor, but it now is official: The American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will close in January 2015.
The attraction, which is based on the experience that performers have in real life on the hit Fox television show, has guests performing in front of a live audience. The audience then, much like on the television show, votes on which performer was the best. The winner of the day receives a Golden Ticket, allowing special front-of-the-line access at any American Idol audition (if their age fell within the television show’s age restriction.)
In a joint statement, Disney and FreemantleMedia said, “After more than five successful years, ‘The American Idol Experience’ will be coming to a close at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park in January 2015. Our partnership with FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment has been a great addition to the park, and we are very appreciative of the amazing cast and guests who have devoted their time and talent to make this experience special and memorable.”
Since the attraction’s debut in 2009, many of the performers on the American Idol TV show auditioned and performed first on The American Idol Experience stage. Last year alone, three of the top 13 contestants were discovered originally in the park.
The attraction isn’t done providing the show with talent, as many who won this past year will use their Golden Tickets to audition for the upcoming season of American Idol.
This closure will leave quite a large space of land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios empty. The American Idol Experience shares a building with the ABC Sound Studios (the former location of Sounds Dangerous). It will be interesting to see what will happen with this large plot of land.
The rumored last day of operation is January 4, 2015.
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
The American Idol Experience Will Close at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Disney World Crowd Report – June 8 to 14, 2014
.ccblog_chart {width: 390px; height: 200px; float:right; padding:5px 5px 0 5px; margin:0 0 15px 20px; border:1px solid #999999;}
.ccblog_image {width: 390px; float:right; padding:5px 5px 0 5px; margin:0 0 15px 20px; text-align:center;}
.ccblog_whattoexpect {width: 330px; float:right; padding:5px 5px 0 5px; margin:0 0 15px 20px; text-align:center;}
.ccblog_dayhdr {padding:4px 10px; text-align:left; background:#0066CC; color:#ffffff; font-weight:bold; font-size:13px;}
.ccblog_nobottom {margin-bottom:0; padding-bottom:0;}
.ccblog_gotodaymsg {float:right; width:250px; text-align:right;}
a.ccblog_gotodaymsglnk {font-size:11px; font-weight:normal; text-transform:capitalize; color:#ffffff;}
a.ccblog_gotodaymsgdate {font-size:11px; font-weight:bold; color:#ffffff;}
.ccblog_pad5_10 {ccblog_pad5_10}
.ccblog_pad5_3 {ccblog_pad5_3}
.ccblog_pad3_10 {ccblog_pad3_10}
.ccblog_txtleft {text-align:left;}
.ccblog_txtcenter {text-align:center;}
.ccblog_txtright {text-align:right;}
.ccblog_parkname {padding-top:6px; font-weight:normal; font-size:13px;}
.ccblog_lastrow {border-bottom:0; padding-bottom:15px;}
.ccblog_prediction {width:30px; margin:0 auto; padding:1px 0; border-radius:3px; background:#dddddd; color:#999999; font-size:15px; font-weight:bold;}
.ccblog_dailytxt {line-height:1.3em; padding-bottom:0;}
.ccblog_actual {width:50px; margin:0 auto; padding:1px 0; border-radius:3px; font-size:15px; font-weight:bold;}
.ccblog_actual_green {background:#7BB179; color:#ffffff;}
.ccblog_actual_gray {background:#dddddd; color:#555555;}
It appears that the extension of the school year for those districts that lost days due to winter weather is still affecting crowds at Walt Disney World. We are seeing crowd levels one to two levels lower than history would suggest. We suspect this may be the last week for this phenomenon however as most districts complete their school schedule this week. Star Wars Weekends continues to be popular although wait times at the attractions are near all-time lows. If you are a casual Star Wars fan and want to see what it is all about, you can do so and tour the rest of the park quite efficiently.
Let’s look at how the crowd levels stacked up each day last week:
Walt Disney World Resort Crowd Levels – Daily Breakdown
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
6
6
Lower than expected wait times during Disney Hollywood Studios’ Star Wars Weekends lowered the resort wide crowds to a level ‘4’ on our scale. Despite the popularity of the special Star Wars Events, guests touring the park continue to be spoiled with low waits, even at Star Tours where waits tend to be long during the festivities. All attractions at the Studios were significantly less crowded than usual, including a 28-minute average at Tower of Terror (predicted 48) and 73 minutes at Toy Story Mania (predicted 100).
Epcot
4
3
Hollywood Studios
7
3
Animal Kingdom
8
5
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
7
7
Monday’s predictions at Magic Kingdom hit the mark but elsewhere we saw crowds lower than expected again. Even Extra Magic Hour evening at Epcot was not enough to push the wait times above average, with Test Track averaging a 63-minute posted wait (predicted 82) and Soarin’ averaging 74 minutes (predicted 90). Animal Kingdom was the busiest park as predicted with Kali River Rapids averaging a posted wait of 56-minutes (predicted 50) and Kilimanjaro Safaris averaging 32 minutes (predicted 41).
Epcot
7
5
Hollywood Studios
7
5
Animal Kingdom
9
7
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
8
7
Animal Kingdom had the highest crowd level on Tuesday as well, tied with Magic Kingdom while predictions at all four parks fell back into normal ranges. Once again, crowds continue to be skewed lower than history would suggest, due to the extension of the school year for some school districts. Peter Pan’s Flight averaged 58 minutes on Tuesday (predicted 71) and Kilimanjaro Safaris 39 (predicted 53), otherwise attractions were within predicted levels. The only exception was Tower of Terror which averaged 110 minutes (predicted 59), likely an indicator that one of the elevator shafts was out of commission for part of the day.
Epcot
8
6
Hollywood Studios
7
6
Animal Kingdom
9
7
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
8
7
On Wednesday, Epcot became the first park of the week to have a higher crowd level than expected. Mission: Space (Green) averaged 47 minutes and Spaceship Earth averaged 32, both ’10’s on our scale. Other parks saw crowds levels within one of our predictions, including a level ‘8’ at Animal Kingdom, the highest level of the day as predicted.
Epcot
5
8
Hollywood Studios
7
6
Animal Kingdom
9
8
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
8
8
Thursday’s Extra Magic Hour morning at Magic Kingdom brought in substantial crowds as predicted. Pirates of the Caribbean averaged 37 minutes and Jungle Cruise 58, a sure sign that the park was crowded enough to deserve its level ‘8’. The Studios was your best choice on Thursday with Tower of Terror returning to its typical average of 37 minutes and Toy Story Mania averaging 80.
Epcot
6
7
Hollywood Studios
7
5
Animal Kingdom
9
7
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
8
7
Animal Kingdom’s level ‘5’ brought down the resort-wide figure enough to miss by two points on Friday, although elsewhere at the other three parks all of our estimates were close. Magic Kingdom was slightly less crowded than expected with all attractions except for Haunted Mansion and Winnie the Pooh averaging posted times below expectations.
Epcot
6
6
Hollywood Studios
6
5
Animal Kingdom
8
5
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
7
5
Surprisingly, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom were good choices for touring on Saturday with neither park reaching above average levels, a rarity in June. In fact, no park saw wait times above a level ‘5’ on our scale, partly due to weather.
Epcot
5
5
Hollywood Studios
6
5
Animal Kingdom
7
4
What to Expect This Week
June 15 to 21, 2014
Our school schedule database tells us that most school districts will complete the school year this week, including those that extended the end of school the year due to weather. That means that wait times will be above average most days between now and the end of August. This time of year also brings longer operating hours at the parks so there can be more flexibility for those who plan their touring plans well.
To see Walt Disney World Crowd predictions for the days of your vacation, check the Crowd Calendar.
To get details about our predictions of future crowds or details about crowds in the past check out the Crowd Calendar and select “Jump to Date” on the left margin.
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
Disney World Crowd Report – June 8 to 14, 2014 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Everything You Need to Know about DCL Express Walk-Off
Express Walk-Off is a program Disney Cruise Line uses on debarkation day to help people with early flights or anyone who doesn’t want to wait around to leave the ship when it’s cleared by customs. As a frequent cruiser, I prefer to take advantage of Express Walk-Off whenever I can.
To understand DCL Express Walk-Off, it helps to remember how the normal debarkation works. On the final night of the cruise, guests who aren’t using Express Walk-Off leave their packed luggage in the hall by 10PM for the stateroom attendants to put in the luggage hold for transport off the ship in the morning. Guests keep with them a carry-on for any valuables, something to sleep in, and a change of clothes for the next morning. The usual caveats apply when packing the bag you’ll leave out. Don’t put anything in there you wouldn’t put in a bag you’re checking on the airlines – no medicine, no travel documents, no valuables like laptops, cameras, or jewelry.
Saying goodbye to Mickey is never fun.
The next morning, those guests bring the carry-ons down and eat breakfast in the same restaurants they were assigned dinner in the previous night. After breakfast, they wait for their luggage group to be called and exit the ship. The breakfast times are at 7 or 7:15 AM for those who had early dinner seating and 8:15 or 8:30 AM for those who had late seating.
Now that the refresher is out of the way, let’s look at Express Walk-Off.
Guests using Express Walk-Off keep all their bags in their cabin the on the final night. (It’s a nice gesture to let your stateroom attendant know you’re dong this so he or she isn’t waiting around for a bag that’s not going to show up.) In the morning, they dress, finish any last minute packing, and bring all their bags to the deck where they will be debarking (3 or 4 depending on the port/ship). Disney asks that guests using this service by ready to exit the ship by 7 AM. When the ship has cleared customs, an announcement is made, and guests grab their bags and leave the ship.
Here are some questions you may have about Express Walk-Off
Q. Will I be able to eat breakfast or grab coffee in the morning if I don’t eat in my assigned restaurant with the guests using the regular procedure?
A. Yes! Cabanas and the Cove Cafe will be open before 7AM for you. This isn’t listed on the Personal Navigators.
Q. Will I be able to make any last-minute purchases in the morning?
A. Only at Shutters for photo packages.
Q. Can I get help with my bags?
A. No, you must be able to carry all your bags by yourself in one trip. For this reason, families with small children may not be able to do Express Walk-Off.
Q. Will we leave at exactly 7AM?
A. It’s up to US Customs to clear the ship, not Disney. On my last cruise it was more like 7:15 when the announcement was made.
Q. Should I get to the debarkation deck early?
A. People do start queuing up and the elevators do start to fill. Earlier is better.
Q. Can I use Express Walk-Off if I’m taking Disney transportation to a Disney resort or to Orlando International Airport?
A. You’ll be waiting for the other guests from the first breakfast before any of the buses leave. You will be able to put your luggage in the storage compartment of the bus like everyone else. If you chose onboard airline check-in, you’ll receive an information packet the last night of the cruise.
Q. Do I have to leave right when the ship is cleared?
A. No, Express Walk-Off guests can leave the ship any time. All guests must be out of their cabins by 8 AM and off the ship by 9:15 AM.
Why I Prefer Express Walk-Off
I find the scheduled breakfasts very hectic on the last morning of the cruise.
As someone who usually drives to the port, I enjoy being in my car and on my way home (or to Walt Disney World) before the later seating has even started breakfast.
I love that last quiet coffee at the Cove.
Express Walk-Off validates my decision to pack as lightly as possible for my trip.
I often eat at Palo or Remy on my last night and that makes it really difficult to get my bag out in the hall by 10 PM. I’m usually still at dinner then.
So there you go, all about Express Walk-Off. I’m sure I forgot to mention all kinds of details. so please ask questions in the comments. Are you a fan of Express Walk-Off or do you prefer to stay onboard until the very last minute you can? Talk about it in the comments.
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
Everything You Need to Know about DCL Express Walk-Off is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
June 16, 2014
PotterWatch: Diagon Alley Media Event Preparations and Hogsmeade Interactive Windows
The media is about to descend upon The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando (photos by Seth Kubersky)
The past week has been a wild emotional roller coaster for Wizarding World of Harry Potter fans on PotterWatch, with last Monday’s euphoric unveiling of Universal Studios Florida‘s London waterfront giving way to days of rain-drenched waiting for non-existent Diagon Alley technical rehearsals. Though it now seems certain we won’t see the inside of Diagon Alley until this week’s media preview, we did get look at preparations for the upcoming VIP event. And over at Islands of Adventure, we have exciting photos of all the new interactive windows recently installed throughout Hogsmeade.
Diagon Alley Media Event Preparations
Team member training, executive inspections, and promotional filming precluded any possible soft openings at Diagon Alley this week, but you can see the staging equipment being prepared for the media preview that begins this Tuesday.
The last construction walls have been removed, fully revealing the forested berm that block the view of Gringotts.
Stages and lighting equipment have been set up for the media event.
These scrims set up in strategic spots outside the facade are actually super-thin LED video screens, presumably for use during the press premiere.
Strollers and seats were set up inside King’s Cross station, and a large group including children was seen entering the station.
Hogsmeade Interactive Windows
For months we’ve been discussing rumors of the still-unannounced interactive wands that may prove the “sleeper hit” of the Wizarding World expansion. Now we have photographic proof that this new experience is on its way, as medallions marking interactive effects have been installed outside shop windows throughout Hogsmeade.
The medallions indicate where a wand-wielder should stand, which direction to look for the effect, and what motion they must make to activate it. Vocalizing the magic word appears to be optional, in order to account for language barriers.
Do you want to move a snowman?
Here is a short video demonstrating two of the interactive effects, which are currently running on a timed loop.
Some of the interactive wands were spotted in the wild during television production shoot in Hogsmeade on Saturday. You can identify them by their translucent tips.
According to a tweet by Derek Burgan, the wands will be priced under $50, making us wonder how Universal will manage demand for such a low-capacity attraction.
Opening Date Madness
You may have heard last week about an opening date of June 30, which was briefly posted in an animated ad on Universal’s website. The image was swiftly removed and publicly disavowed as “incorrect information” by Universal’s PR, raising speculation that it was simply a placeholder graphic that was inadvertently uploaded.
At this time, there is still no officially announced public opening date for Diagon Alley, though purchasers of certain vacation packages are guaranteed access to the area as soon as June 26. Hopefully we’ll have that magic date before this week’s media circus ends. As always, you can keep up with the latest #PotterWatch developments by following @touringplans on Twitter.
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
PotterWatch: Diagon Alley Media Event Preparations and Hogsmeade Interactive Windows is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
June 15, 2014
How to Pick the Right Disney World Character Meal
Meeting Aurora at Cinderella’s Royal Table
There are 11 places at Walt Disney World that host ever-popular character dining. While the total value of eating with characters can be debated, the thrill of shoveling sausages into your gullet while Mickey Mouse hovers over you can only be experienced by experiencing a Disney World Character Meal.
I am, of course, being flippant, as I am a huge fan of character dining. Along with my family I have eaten at least once at each of the character dining spots (reviews are linked at the bottom). Okay, truthfully I have never eaten at the Garden Grove character meal at The Swan Resort, but it’s never particularly appealed to us. Someday I will eat there just to be a completist, but for now it will not be further discussed.
So, anyway, I’m here to help you pick the perfect character meal (or meals) to visit while you’re on vacation. Let’s start with a few caveats, the most important one of which is that characters rule. What I mean by that is this: if there is a particular character that you or your child wants to visit more than anything, go to that meal. Even if the food is terrible and the atmosphere is worse than a dentist’s office, pick the one with the characters you want to see. Trust me when I say that a small portion of your meal price is going to food and atmosphere. You are paying for characters, so look there first.
My second caveat (and last…for now) is that these are based mostly on the opinions of my family. Yes, I am almost always right, but on the 0.001% chance that I’m not, just chalk it up to our differing tastes. So on to what you’re paying me the big bucks for (ed – we pay him in chocolate coins): how to pick the right Disney World character meal for you.
If you are looking for:
Chef Mickey himself
The Big 5 Characters
Chef Mickey’s – This very popular meal is held in Disney’s Contemporary Resort and is available for breakfast and dinner. Chef Mickey’s features Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto, lovingly referred to as “the big 5″ for obvious reasons. When you think Disney, you think of this quintet, which is why this is a hot ticket. The same characters are at breakfast or dinner, but I would recommend breakfast if you can fit it in your schedule. The buffet-style food isn’t great at either, but it’s harder to mess up breakfast, and it’s cheaper.
Princesses
Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall – If the first character you think of isn’t Mickey Mouse then it’s likely a princess. There are two options at Disney World: Cinderella’s Royal Table (keep reading) and Akershus in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion. I opted for Akershus because of several reasons, the first of which is that it is cheaper, especially if you are on the Disney Dining Plan. Akershus only requires one dining credit where as Cinderella’s Royal Table requires two, yet it is definitely not twice as good.
I personally also enjoy the food more at the Epcot princess meal, although the sort-of-traditional Scandinavian food may be too unique for some people. The rest is a push, or close enough to it. The atmosphere is not quite as good at Akershus, but it is still quite nice and royal feeling. The lineup of princesses is almost identical, with the only major change that Belle is the meet and greet princess out front here versus Cinderella at her Royal Table.
Akershus
Rare Characters
Three way tie (yeah, cheating) between Play ‘n Dine at Hollywood & Vine, ‘Ohana, and 1900 Park Fare (dinner). The reason I cheated and named three here is because all three include characters that are either not found elsewhere or are hard to find.
Hollywood & Vine, found within Disney’s Hollywood Studios, is one of my least favorite venues as it is only barely themed as what appears to be a diner found in a lesser theme park. The food is also not great, which again leads me to recommend breakfast for its lesser mess-up-ability. What Hollywood & Vine does have is characters that, if you have a young one that watches a lot of Disney Junior, you are very familiar with. As of this writing Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins, Handy Manny, and Jake (from Jake and the Neverland Pirates) meet guests daily, and this is the only place that you can currently meet Doc McStuffins.
‘Ohana is the Polynesian Resort’s main restaurant and is very popular. For breakfast, guests interact with Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Lilo, and Stitch, which may not sound very rare, but this is the only place I know of that Lilo appears regularly. In addition, the family-style food served at ‘Ohana’s breakfast is better than what is served at many other character meal breakfasts. It is much the same food, but it tastes more freshly prepared.
Meeting Lilo at ‘Ohana
1900 Park Fare is within the Grand Floridian Resort. Unlike most Disney World character meals, 1900 Park changes characters based on the meal. The meal I am recommending here is dinner, which is attended by Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine (stepmother), Anastasia, and Drizella (stepsisters). Prince Charming is the most rare of the characters here, although Cinderella is the biggest draw, and the stepsisters are the most amusing (they really are quite funny).
Atmosphere
Cinderella’s Royal Table – Several character meals are held in impressive locales, but none are as awe-inspiring as Cinderella Castle. Just eating inside the symbol of Walt Disney World is something to treasure, but the interior of the restaurant makes it even better. The entire space is a wonderful mix of authentic-looking medieval touches and the whimsy of a little girls dreams. The exposed wood, suits of armor, small dining space, and gorgeous stained glass make this one an easy call for best atmosphere.
Breakfast
Crystal Palace – Okay, I actually like the food at ‘Ohana a little bit better, but there is another reason Crystal Palace deserves this spot. The fact that it is inside the Magic Kingdom means that an early enough breakfast reservation (ideally 8 am when the park opens at 9) means that you can get through the gates a full hour early. Sure, the food is pretty good, but the opportunity to walk a dead empty Main Street, U.S.A., and still be done with breakfast in time to be the first one on the attraction of your choice is the real reason for breakfast at Crystal Palace.
Just as an aside, Crystal Palace could have easily been a fourth entry on the rare characters list as well. Sure, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger meet elsewhere, but go ahead and try to find Eeyore or Piglet anywhere.
Lunch
Donald’s Safari Dining at Tusker House – This character meal inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom was a close runner-up to a few different categories. The African market-esque atmosphere is wonderful and the breakfast food is quite good, but where it sets itself apart is its lunch. With somewhat unusual, yet flavorful, items such as spiced tandoori tofu, rotisserie pork loin, and Cape Malay curried chicken, the food is unique and delicious, something that cannot be said of most character meals. The addition of Donald Duck (outside taking pictures), Daisy Duck, Mickey Mouse, and Goofy are just the proverbial icing on the tandoori tofu.
Garden Grill
Dinner
Chip ‘n Dale’s Harvest Feast at The Garden Grill - This might be my most controversial selection as I seem to rate the food at The Garden Grill more highly than some, but I stand by it. I have eaten here on three separate occasions over the past 4 years and have had wonderful food each time. The selections are few: beef, turkey, and fish. But the family-style meals are fresh, well prepared, and delicious. Of course, being a character meal means that Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Chip, and Dale are also roaming the [sometimes] rotating restaurant.
So those are my recommendations. If you’re counting I seem to have missed one…well, yes, I couldn’t find anything nice to say about the character breakfast at Cape May Cafe in the Beach Club Resort. I really just don’t like that one. I find the atmosphere Denny’s-quality, the food average, and the outfits the characters wear shockingly bad. Besides, you can meet Goofy, Minnie, and Donald elsewhere fairly easily.
Hopefully this list will help you or at least give you someone to blame when things go wrong. As always, I appreciate any comments or feedback below. Thanks for reading!
My previous Character Meal reviews:
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Chef Mickey’s
Garden Grill
Akershus
Cape May
Crystal Palace
Tusker House
Hollywood & Vine (characters were different at the time)
‘Ohana
1900 Park Fare
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
How to Pick the Right Disney World Character Meal is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
June 14, 2014
Walt Disney World Monorails to See New Summer Operating Schedule
The Walt Disney World monorail system is currently in the process of being updated with an automated operating system. To accommodate for this work, monorail service will need to be adjusted for the time being. Both the Magic Kingdom loops, as well as the Epcot loop will see service impacted.
Work will begin on June 22 and the monorail line will see a fixed schedule all summer long. Here is a look at the temporary monorail schedule and when you’ll be able to catch a ride on the monorail.
Magic Kingdom Resort Beam: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Magic Kingdom Express Beam: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Epcot Beam: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
During this time, additional watercraft and buses will be available to transport guests.
When completed, the new automated system will allow for faster switching trains on and off the beams, a more frequent dispatch of trains, a more consistent running monorail, and monorail arrival information.
There is currently no time table for when the monorails will return to their normal operation.
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
Walt Disney World Monorails to See New Summer Operating Schedule is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Aurora and Snow White Moving to Town Square at the Magic Kingdom
Princesses meet at Walt Disney World Photo-Disney
Beginning this Sunday, June 15, two princesses will be moving locations at the Magic Kingdom.
First, we’ll see Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) moving out of Princess Fairytale Hall over to the Town Square Courtyard on Main Street U.S.A. Aurora will be meeting guests each afternoon, into the early evening. Also, Snow White will be moving and will meeting guests daily at Center Street on Main Street U.S.A.
Anna and Elsa will continue to meet guests at Princess Fairytale Hall in Fantasyland. Their schedule recently changed; they are now available from park open until about a half hour before park closing. With this change, there will be no visiting princess who will be greeting opposite the sisters.
On the other side of Princess Fairytale Hall, Cinderella and Rapunzel will continue to meet guests as per usual.
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
Aurora and Snow White Moving to Town Square at the Magic Kingdom is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Bob Sehlinger's Blog
- Bob Sehlinger's profile
- 30 followers
