Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1239
April 10, 2014
Epcot After Hours Alcohol Tasting Events Begin April 17
Drink up! Epcot After Hours alcohol tasting events begin April 17. (photo courtesy Stacey Lantz)
Do you like Epcot? Do you like staying late at Walt Disney World theme parks? Do you like adult beverages? If, like us, your answer to all three questions is “heck yes,” then Epcot has a new treat for you. Beginning on April 17, several venues around World Showcase will begin holding Epcot After Hours Wind Down alcohol tasting events on select nights after the park officially ends operations for the day.
The after hours events will run from 9:20 p.m. (immediately after the end of IllumiNations) until 11:00 p.m., and are scheduled to run every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening. Each tasting session will cost $35 per person (plus your park admission), and includes wine or spirits samplers and small bites at one four different locations.
The venues scheduled to participate are:
La Cava del Tequilla in Mexico
Tutto Gusto in Italy
Spice Road Table in Morocco
Rose and Crown Pub in the UK
Each tasting session will last approximately 30 minutes, and you may only choose ONE restaurant per evening. A different selection of beverages and appetizers will be offered at each participating location. For example, at La Cava you’ll receive a flight of 3 tequilas (blanco, reposado, añejo) and a trio of appetizers, including ceviche and tostadas. After your session, you will be allowed to stay in World Showcase until 11:00 p.m., though it is currently unclear what access you will be allowed to the pavilions during that time.
The Epcot After Hours Wind Down alcohol tasting events are scheduled to continue on Thursdays through Sundays until September 15, 2014. You can make your reservations for the events at https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/after-hours.
(Note that we also cover this news in the following post: Epcot To Introduce After Hours Wind Down Experience.)
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Frozen Out: Searching for an Elsa doll at Disney World
Searching for an Elsa doll or toy at Disney World? Join the club! (Photos by Seth Kubersky)
My family up north doesn’t necessarily share or understand my theme park obsessions, but every so often they call upon my Orlando expertise. Recently, my young niece lost her mind over Frozen (much like half of America, it seems) and wants an Elsa doll more than life itself.
Unfortunately, it seems Barbie-sized “Sparkle Princess” figures of this frigid sister are scarcer than snowmen in summer, as toy stores throughout the New York and Philadelphia regions are chronically out of stock. So I gallantly volunteered to play the heroic uncle by finding one and bringing it to her during my upcoming visit. Surely it would be simple to find an Elsa doll inside one of Walt Disney World’s infinite gift shops…or so I foolishly thought.
I was so wrong.
In several days of hunting, I’ve been unable to find an Elsa doll for sale inside Walt Disney World, and almost all other merchandise connected to the character is out of stock throughout the resort. (If you want Anna toys, you can take your pick, as there are tons of her products on the shelves.) While I unfortunately can’t tell you where you will find an Elsa doll at Disney World, I can share the wisdom of my fruitless search, which may give you an edge in your own quest, and I wish you better luck than I’ve had so far.
From speaking with several Disney World merchandise cast members in the parks and at a Downtown Disney, I’ve compiled a list of stores most likely to have an Elsa doll in stock:
Norway Pavillion’s The Puffin’s Roost gift shop at Epcot
Mouse Gear at Epcot
World of Disney at Downtown Disney
Sunset Animation at Hollywood Studios
Creature Comforts at Animal Kingdom
Emporium at Magic Kingdom
New Elsa stock comes in almost daily, but with no set schedule or quantity. It can be delivered at any time, and is placed out for sale as soon as it arrives. And it is typically all taken within hours (or minutes) of arrival.
Compounding the challenge, Disney’s inventory computers aren’t updated dynamically during the day, making it impossible to know what is available at any given moment without a lot of legwork. For example, on a recent morning, there were 30 Elsa dolls in inventory at World of Disney, 15 at Mouse Gear, and 9 at Sunset Animation; by early afternoon, all were gone.
The gift shop that adjoins the Frozen meet and greet in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion is currently ground zero for Elsa merchandise, and I’m told it is the top priority when new product arrives. For your best chance at snagging an Elsa toy, arrive here at rope drop and make the Puffin’s Roost your first destination, returning throughout the day to check for restocking. Once their meet and greet relocates on April 20 to Magic Kingdom’s Princess Fairytale Hall, you’ll find the lion’s share of Frozen items there.
The queue to meet Anna and Elsa becomes hours long within minutes of rope drop.
Of course, if you can’t find the Elsa doll you are in search of, and don’t want to wait two or more hours to meet her, you can always console yourself with the Frozen-themed artifact exhibit in the Stave Church Gallery. There’s never a line, and it’s air-conditioned inside!
Have you tried finding an Elsa doll at Disney World? Share your results in the comments below!
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How to Pick the Best Disney Cruise Line Port Adventures
With so many options offered, many cruisers are frustrated trying to find the best Disney Cruise Line port adventures. Because no one person would ever have the time or money to try them all, we’d like to offer up some tips to help you sort through your options.
What are you actually getting for your money?
Take a hard look at the description of your excursion. It is just transportation to a destination and back? Is there a meal included? Many Caribbean beach excursions are simply putting you on a bus and driving you to the sand. You’ll return to the ship with everyone else regardless of when you’re ready to go. For parties of more than 2 people, you may be better off taking a taxi to your destination (don’t forget to budget for the round trip and gratuity). As an example, the St. Martin Beach Bash Tour consists of transportation to the beach and fruit punch, and will run a family of four nearly $150 for two hours on the beach. We suggest taking a taxi to Maho Beach to see something truly extraordinary and saving your real beach time for Castaway Cay.
Is the excursion something you can arrange on your own?
Many port adventures will take you to local tourist destinations. You may be able to book these directly and save some money.
Is there more information about the location online?
If you’re considering doing a tourist activity like visiting a local attraction, look up their web site online. You’ll usually get more information about what it really is than in a short paragraph from Disney. Moreover, you’ll probably find some good reviews online.
How much of my excursion is actually spent at the destination?
There are many port adventures where half or more of your time is spent getting to your destination and back to the ship. We think you should consider these carefully before booking them. For instance, the six hour Kohunlich ruins excursion includes a bus ride of two hours each way to arrive at the pyramid. You need to ask yourself if four hours on a bus is worth it for you. The total transportation time is included in the description of the excursion, or ask at the Port Adventures desk.
Is the excursion something I can only do in one port?
We definitely see the value in booking something like a sled dog experience in Alaska. Believe us, we’ve tried it with the poodle at home and she’s having none of it. On the other hand, dolphin encounters are both ubiquitous and expensive in the Caribbean and for our money, you’re better spending time at Discovery Cove before or after your cruise. On the other hand, while you can find sting rays in many ports too, we think the price and convenience of Castaway Ray’s Sting Ray Adventure on Castaway Cay is worth the money either alone or as part of bundle of excursions on the island.
Is there a language barrier I’d have to handle on my own?
English is the lingua franca of the Caribbean (and we hear in Alaska as well). Northern Europe is also friendly to English-speakers (though it’s always polite to ask first and learn at least hello, good bye, please, and thank you in the native tongue of any country you visit). Italy, Spain, and the rest of the Mediterranean can be another story if you’re on your own. In these cases, a port excursions with an English-speaking guide may be the most convenient way to see the sights.
Avoid city tours by bus in the Caribbean
We realize these are popular and usually not terribly expensive. They’re also not great way to visit any place. If you enjoy seeing the city as it passes you through a bus window and 5-minutes drop offs to take photos with six other tour buses, by all means book one. But don’t say we didn’t warn you.
The biggest advantage to booking through Disney
Without a doubt the best reason to book an excursion through Disney is that if it’s delayed for any reason, the boat won’t leave port without you. Believe us, we’ve heard folks being paged onboard as the ship is ready to sail away and it’s a little scary. Other conveniences are a pre-determined price and less need to carry local currency with you in port.
The advantages of booking on your own or skipping port excursions altogether
If saving money or being on your own schedule is important to you, we suggest you consider booking your excursions or even just popping off the ship for a few photos and walking around and then going back onboard. Your lunch will be free onboard, you can sleep in if you like, and there are far fewer people in the spa, pools, and in line for the AquaDuck/Dunk.
What’s important to you when choosing a port adventure? Talk about it in the comments.
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April 9, 2014
D-Tech Me Experience Returns for Star Wars Weekends
©Disney
One of the more popular activities for Star Wars Weekends is returning again this year. The D-Tech Me experience is back for this year’s event and is where guests can have their faces cast on a mold of a Star Wars figurine.
This year, there will be four exciting options to choose from. They include the previous two: the Carbon-Freeze Me mold (similar to what happens to Han Solo in Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back) and the Stormtrooper mold. New this year are molds of the Alderaan Princess and the X-Wing Pilot.
The process works as follows: Guests will take part in a 3D face scan. From, there, the scan will be sent to a 3D printer. Once created, the figurine will be mailed to guests in approximately 7-8 weeks. (International shipping may take a bit longer.)
The experience will take place in Darth’s Mall, a special merchandise location only available during Star Wars Weekends. This year Darth’s Mall will be located on Soundstage 1, between Toy Story Mania and the Studio Backlot Tour.
©Disney
Guests can purchase either a 7-inch figurine for $99.95 (plus tax and shipping) or a new 16-inch figurine for a whopping $1,499.95 (plus tax and shipping.)
The Disney Parks Blog shared that guests will also be able to take last year’s face scan and add it to a different figurine, if they so choose.
To book your experience, call (407) WDW-TECH. A credit card number will be required to hold the reservation, and cancellation fees may apply. This opportunity will only take place during Star Wars Weekends. Keep in mind that theme park admission is required to enter the park.
Star Wars Weekends are scheduled for May 16-18, May 23-25, May 30-June 1, June 6-8, and June 13-15.
For Star Wars fans, this is a can’t pass up, absolutely unique souvenir.
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Celebrate Earth Day at Walt Disney World
©Disney
Earth Day (April 22) is always special, but Walt Disney World makes it even more so, because both Epcot and Disney’s Animal Kingdom get in on the celebration.
Starting at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the park puts on an exciting party…The Party for the Planet. Here, guests can experience a myriad of activities to help them learn how to connect with nature and be more conscious of conservation efforts. This year’s event revolves around the upcoming Disneynature movie, Bears, which debuts in theaters on April 18. Some of the fun guests can participate in includes:
Pick up a Party for the Planet postcard, which will found at a display located in the front of the park.
Learn about the brown bear – a tie-in the movie, Bears.
Take part in nature activities.
Talk to Cast Members about worldwide conservation efforts.
In Rafiki’s Planet Watch, take part in a game where guests learn how your supermarket purchases can make a difference to wildlife.
Get your face painted or a caricature drawn. The emphasis will be on bear-themed designs. Both will be available for guests to experience from April 13-26.
Find out how to make your backyard wildlife friendly.
Vendors will be selling “green” products from April 21-23.
A special Duffy the Disney Bear will be for sale. He will be dressed in a safari costume and for every one of these bears sold, $1 will be donated to the National Parks Foundation, in celebration of Bears. This special Duffy will be available until April 30.
Speaking of the movie Bears, during the first week (April 18-24), for every ticket purchased, Disneynature will make a donation through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to protect wildlife. If you can’t make it to one of the theme parks, at least find a theater near you showing this film and help give back!
Finally, celebrate at Epcot by visiting The Seas with Nemo and Friends. Here guests will be able to explore the aquariums and learn how sea life, such as coral reefs, sharks, manatees, etc, are being protected. They will also get to learn how to use turtle excluder devices to protect sea turtles. At the VISION House, found in Innoventions, guests can learn about sustainable living in this “green” home. Also, guests will be able to participate in the game where you learn how grocery store purchases can help make a difference in wildlife conservation.
It’s always great when Disney’s theme parks puts an emphasis on the edu-tainment factor, and with events like this, I believe they are extremely successful in creating excitement for all. It sounds like a lot of fun will happen at Walt Disney World during Earth Day!
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Updates to Disney’s Hollywood Studios Ride Ratings
By Len Testa
A mother from Ellicott City, Maryland, sent us this question last week:
Do you provide a description of how you come up with your star ratings for rides? I’m not talking about the age-related ones, but the authors’ rating. This question came up when we were reading about Magic Carpets of Aladdin.
As it happened, last week was also when the Unofficial Guide staff got together to review the ratings for every attraction in Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
The authors’ rating is the consensus opinion of the Unofficial Guides’ authors. And while everyone’s got personal favorites and criteria, all of us agree that the basic rating system functions something like this:
***** Attractions rated five stars are iconic attractions by which all others are judged. These are generally combinations of great storytelling, attention to detail, and technical achievement, all done on a grand scale. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal is a good example, as is Splash Mountain at the Magic Kingdom.
**** Four-star attractions are generally either done on a smaller scale attraction, like Mickey’s PhilharMagic, or it’s a headliner attraction that has aged technology or content (e.g., Living with the Land).
*** Three-star attractions are usually budget-friendly rides that Disney uses to increase the capacity of a particular area. Magic Carpets of Aladdin was the example we discussed most often here.
** Two-star attractions are usually older, lightly-themed carnival rides, such as Mad Tea Party, or in the case of Stitch’s Great Escape, a rare attraction with so little merit that it can’t be recommended.
* One-star attractions are either simple diversions that Disney promotes as an attraction, like Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade, or the ride has material weaknesses in story, theme, ride experience, and maintenance, and should be avoided.
There are no zero-star attractions in Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando. Also, an attraction can earn (or lose) half a star if it’s slightly better (or worse) than similar attractions.
Here’s a list of the Disney’s Hollywood Studios attractions whose authors’ ratings have changed in the 2015 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, and a short explanation for the change:
Citizens of Hollywood *** 1/2 One of the best sets of roving street performers in any Disney park, you’ll find this comedy troupe on Hollywood and Sunset boulevards, dragging unsuspecting tourists into the antics. Previous rating: none
Fantasmic ****1/2 Not quite as good as the Disneyland version, which integrates existing park elements better. Some of us thought that for the hassle involved in getting a good seat, the script should be better. Previous rating: *****
Mulch, Sweat, and Shears ***1/2 This band of landscaping “brothers” plays loud classic rock cover songs from Journey to AC/DC, with a healthy dose of comedy and audience participation. Previous rating: none
Muppet*Vision 3-D **** We love the script and the gags, but Waldo, the “new” 3-D effect in the film, debuted in 1991, four months before Nirvana released Smells Like Teen Spirit. Technology has changed a lot since then, the film not so much. Previous rating: ****1/2
Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights ****1/2 The best holiday event in Walt Disney World, Osborne Lights has fantastic effects, a great soundtrack, and it changes every year. The debate over whether it deserved 5 stars centered around better crowd control and the lack of a story or narrative. Previous rating: none
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue ****1/2 Greatly improved by its last refurbishment, which included a different script, more classic Star Wars characters, better visual effects, and a different ride experience every time, we gave Star Tours an extra half star. Previous rating: ****
Studio Backlot Tour ***1/2 Several of us wanted to rate Backlot Tour lower than this. Residential Street is gone, as are the tours through the movie sets. Most of the movie props date back two decades. Previous rating: ****
Voyage of the Little Mermaid ***1/2 The performer who plays Ariel has to be one of the strongest singers of any in the Studios, because she’s the central singer in most of the show. But it’s a relatively small show whose effects and script haven’t been significantly updated in years. Previous rating: ****
Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream **** While most kids today probably think of Walt Disney as the man who drew Mickey Mouse, the first part of One Man’s Dream highlights the technical innovations, such as the multi-plane camera, that Walt and his staff brought to movie-making. From cartoons, to movies, to railroads, to theme parks and urban planning, the attraction shows that Walt had passion and interest far beyond what most people realize. Previous rating: ***
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April 8, 2014
Is Disney Cruise Line Fun for Adults?
The Rainforest is reserved for adult guests
One of the most frequently asked questions about DCL is “Is Disney Cruise Line Fun for Adults?” Because the Disney brand is so firmly associated with family entertainment, many people who are new to cruising, Disney Cruise Line in particular, or even to Disney parks wonder if there’s anything for them onboard the Disney ships. I see the question every day when I check out the DCL section of Cruise Critic. When I tell people that I co-wrote a book about DCL, they ask “what’s there for adults to do onboard?” Now, I know telling the people who read this blog that Disney is as much an entertainment company as a family company is preaching to the choir, but hopefully anyone else out there who Googles “will I have fun on a Disney cruise if I’m not traveling with children?” will find this article.
One of these ships might not be a “party ship”
A little history, I will take my 11th cruise (yay! Platinum Castaway Club, baby!) next month. all but one of those cruises were solo or with a friend or my partner. The other cruise was with teenagers who we couldn’t get away from Vibe, so it was nearly like not cruising with kids too. It’s safe to say adult cruising is my normal. And if I didn’t think it was fun, there probably wouldn’t have been a book written about it. Of course as a big Disney fan, I also think that Walt Disney World is a great place for folks without children. If you enjoy the whimsy and artistic touches that make Disney parks a good experience for adults, you’ll have fun on their ships.
One caveat, I’ve been in port in the Caribbean when other ships are there. How do I say this? DCL does not seem to draw the same crowd as some other lines. If you’re looking for the party ship, Disney isn’t it. On the other hand, those cruises tend to be less expensive by a long shot, so…win, win, you know?
When I first began thinking about this article, I compiled a list of adult activities onboard. I came up with the spa, the bars, tastings…pretty much all great ideas for folks who drink and don’t mind a bill at the end of the cruise. That seemed a little lame. So I kept thinking….
Here is my list of free and fun things for adults on Disney Cruise Line:
Satellite Falls on the Fantasy is an adult haven
Someone other than you cleans your room twice a day
When you travel with adults, you’ll be seated with other adults for your dining rotation. I have met and talked to some of the most pleasant and interesting people over dinner – and they are nearly always big Disney fans.
Muppets Detective Agency on the Fantasy is everything great you remember about the Muppet Show and gets you out and about on the ship.
Reading a magazine or book at Cove Cafe is great. I’ve never felt pressured to order a beverage if I just planned to hang out for awhile. On the Wonder only, the scenic Outlook Cafe is upstairs from the Cove. It’s a gem.
Many cruises of four nights or longer will have an Imagineer onboard who gives a talk. Now, you’re probably not going to get any super-secret inside secrets, especially if you already read here, but it’s nice to listen to the people who make the magic happen.
The adult beach, the amusingly named Serenity Bay, at Castaway Cay is peaceful, picturesque, and secluded.
Air Barbecue (sometimes called Serenity Bay BBQ) at the Serenity Bay beach on Castaway Cay is a great place for lunch. I swear the food tastes better there. Also, they serve some items that Cookies doesn’t (like steaks).
The after hours shows by the cruise’s featured entertainers are a kick, not terribly blue, definitely more naughty than raunchy.
Same thing for the shows hosted by the entertainment staff at night. Everyone has a good time.
Hang out in the adult pool areas. My favorite is Satellite Falls on the Fantasy. It’s beautiful, has lots of seating, and there aren’t kids coming through to the rest of the pool deck from the cabins on deck 11 forward.
Fun for all ages – even adults
And here are some ideas for adults that will cost you a little to a little more:
Palo dinner ($25 plus wine and gratuity). For me, while I like the food at Palo, its main draw is that it’s so much more quiet than the main dining rooms.
Palo brunch ($25 as well). Palo brunch is a don’t miss for me. It’s a win for adults for both the food and the setting.
Remy dinner ($75 plus wine and gratuity). I’ve eaten at Victoria and Albert’s, and this is very nearly as good, slightly less expensive (plus the cost of the cruise), and a beautiful setting.
Senses Spa ($16/day for a Rainforest pass). If I were only allowed one item on my bill at the end of the cruise other than Internet, it would be for a Rainforest pass (but only on the Dream and Fantasy, on the Magic and Wonder, that money would go to a cocktail or two.
Beverage tastings ($15 – $25 depending). If you imbibe, this is the great bargain of Disney Cruise Line. Most tastings give you at least 5 half sized drinks. They would cost probably twice as much if you ordered them in the bars.
Adults-only shore excursions (price varies). Check your Port Adventures list for excursions that are 18 and up. They are usually tours or more active adventures.
Animator’s Palate is for the whole family
Palo is 18 and up
You know, I bet I’ve just scratched the surface here. What are your favorite activities for the 18 and up crowd on Disney Cruise Line? Talk about it in the comments.
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April 7, 2014
Walt Disney World Crowd Report – March 30 to April 5, 2014
Last week we saw crowds fade to levels lower than that of the previous week. It appears that Sunday was the last day of a Spring Break peak that was followed by busy but manageable crowds. Our predictions did very well with none missing by more than two index levels all week. We also correctly predicted differences between park crowd levels on most days.
Let’s look at how the crowd levels stacked up day-to-day last week.
The Crowd Report
The Walt Disney World Crowd Report
March 30, 2014 to April 5, 2014
While predictions for Magic Kingdom (7) and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (5) proved accurate on Sunday, we underpredicted Epcot and Animal Kingdom by two levels. Soarin’ averaged 86 minutes (we predicted 65) while most other attractions were only off by a few minutes. Similarly, Animal Kingdom’s higher than expected crowd level came from mostly from one attraction, Kilimanjaro Safaris. We predicted a 26-minute average posted wait while the observed value was almost double, at 50 minutes. Resort-wide, the crowd level ’7′ ended up the highest level we would see all week.
Monday’s resort-wide crowd level was one level lower than Sunday but one level higher than the ’5′ we predicted. This was mainly due to slightly higher than expected waits at Epcot. Soarin’s wait times were a little higher again but so were the wait times at Spaceship Earth (18 minutes, predicted 9). Wait times at Test Track were higher than predicted (75 minutes) but not significantly so (we predicted 64 minutes). We correctly predicted that Magic Kingdom would have a higher crowd level than the other parks when it reached a level ’7′ on Monday, one level higher than the ’6′ we predicted.
If there were any April fools in the parks on Tuesday they chose Magic Kingdom (7) or Animal Kingdom (6) for their park to visit. Crowds at the other two parks were much lighter including a crowd level ’3′ at The Studios. Our only misses were our predictions for Epcot (predicted ’4′) and The Studios (predicted ’2′) but we only missed low by one index level in both cases, not bad.
Predictions did very well on Wednesday as well with accurate crowd levels for The Studios (4), Animal Kingdom (7) and the overall resort-wide crowd level (5). We overpredicted Magic Kingdom and underpredicted Epcot but only by one in both cases (Epcot was a ’4′, Magic Kingdom was a ’6′). Soarin’ at Epcot surprised us again with a 103-minute average posted time (we predicted 52). This is surprising given than Test Track only averaged 59 minutes and other Epcot attractions barely reached double-digits.
Extra Magic Hour morning on Thursday brought a crowd level ’7′ to Magic Kingdom as predicted. We saw average posted times of 50 minutes for Peter Pan’s Flight (predicted 52), 28 minutes for Pirates of the Caribbean (predicted 24) and 28 minutes for Haunted Mansion (predicted 25). Resort-wide the crowd level was a respectable ’5′, one higher than the ’4′ we predicted. The crowd levels by park were quite different. Animal Kingdom matched the ’7′ at Magic Kingdom (we predicted ’5′) while The Studios was only a ’2′ (we predicted ’4′). Epcot crowds remained moderate at a level ’5′, one level higher than predicted.
Crowd levels remained very low at The Studios on Friday with a second day at level ’2′. Toy Story Mania at 62 minutes was the only Studios attraction that averaged more than 50 minutes. Once again, other parks varied a lot. Magic Kingdom saw a crowd level ’6′, one level lower than predicted while Epcot and Animal Kingdom were ’4′ and ’5′ respectively. This brought the resort-wide crowd level to a ’4′, one lower than our prediction of ’5′, the lowest resort-wide crowd level of the week.
Resort-wide the crowd level jumped up two spots on Saturday to the still moderate level ’6′ (we predicted ’5′). Magic Kingdom was a ’6′ as predicted while our predictions of crowd level ’4′ at the other three parks proved accurate only at The Studios. At Epcot and Animal Kingdom we observed crowd levels of ’6′ although our predictions were not that far off for all attractions.
What to Expect This Week
April 6 to April 12, 2014
We suspect that this week will be the last week before we see increased crowd levels for Easter. Crowds should remain moderate if not low throughout the week until Sunday, April 13th when we expect Easter travellers to arrive.
To see Walt Disney World Crowd predictions for the days of your vacation, check the Crowd Calendar.
To get details about our predictions of future crowds or details about crowds in the past check out the Crowd Calendar and select “Jump to Date” on the left margin.
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New Ride Details for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Construction views back in February
When will it ever open?! I think that’s how all of us feel about this much anticipated attraction - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It is the final piece of the New Fantasyland expansion at the Magic Kingdom and we have watched, with bated breath, as it has grown up in the land.
While we still don’t know the exact opening date (though rumors have indicated May 2, keep in mind those are still rumors…nothing official has come from Disney yet), we are getting closer to the opening of the attraction, as I have come across some brand new information, detailing what you can expect with this new attraction. Let’s go on a journey, shall we?
First, we will start with the queue. As previously mentioned, this will be an interactive queue, and there will be three different interactive sections. You enter the queue and pass by a cottage as you make your way towards the mountain. You will then enter the mine of the Seven Dwarfs. Here, Doc will have a series of tasks that need to be completed, and you are invited to help!
First, guests will begin by sorting the jewels. Guests are asked to match jewels by color and shape as they flow down a wooden trough (created by touch screen video screens). After that, they will then wash the jewels by using a musical water spigot. Make sure to listen, as each spigot plays notes that together should create a familiar tune. Finally, guests enter the vault, where they see wooden barrels with stones. As the stones are turned, the ceiling above transforms.
Ok, so now we are going to get into the actual ride spoilers. If you want to be spoiled, click on to continue…
So, I see you’ve decided to join me! Let’s get to the nitty gritty and talk about the actual ride.
You will start out by boarding your mine car. From there, you will take off, winding down and around before starting to head up a very steep hill. Near the peak, you will see the broken track that lies before you, and look above as there will be two ominous vultures perched atop a crane…never a good sign. (The vultures are from the former Snow White’s Scary Adventure attraction.) But what’s this? You’ll hear a recognizable song being sung from the mountain. From there, your cart careens over the crest, where you will travel down and around the mountain, and head inside the mine shaft.
Once inside, you will happen upon all seven of the Seven Dwarfs, who are all collecting the gleaming jewels. You will make your way through the cavernous mine and ascend back outside again. Once you reach the top of the hill, be on the lookout for a gorgeous view of New Fantasyland. As you head back down the hill, guests will then pass behind a waterfall, and will also have the chance to peer into the cottage where Snow White and her friends are dancing. The mine car then returns, and did I mention that it sways as it goes along.
If the attraction is anything like the ride description from Disney, it sounds like it will be a lot of fun. I cannot wait until the ride officially opens, which hopefully will be sometime in the near future!
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April 5, 2014: Epcot Observations and Muppets Scavenger Hunt
By Daisy Lauren
Hi, everyone! Glad you’re able to stop by for a look at the beautiful, sunny weather at Epcot on April 5, 2014! I have a lot to show you, including the new Muppets Scavenger Hunt that just started today. As always, I have lots of photos and video to share. If you were hoping for a look at the Flower & Garden Festival you can look here, this week is more about random fun in the park. Of course, this time of year you almost can’t take a photo without capturing some lovely flowers. So why don’t we start there?
Pretty, aren’t they? But just so you don’t miss the full experience, I grabbed a few seconds of the tram ride in. Doesn’t it feel like you’re really there? 
We arrived just a hair after noon with a mission. I’d reserved a 12:10pm FastPass+ for Test Track, so we beat a path directly to that ride. While we were waiting I pulled up the My Disney Experience app on my phone and tried to update our choices for the rest of the day. I was able to make the changes I wanted, but while I wasn’t paying attention my hubby built us a banana yellow monster truck! (It scored a 119, in case anyone was wondering.)
This line is always a little painful. Since you have to design your car, there is no such thing as just “walking right on”. Even with FastPass+ we waited about 20 minutes before we were able to ride. At the time standby was 70 minutes, and single rider was a whopping 40 minutes, so FastPass+ was the best choice. But for you guys? No line and no waiting – just the best seat in the house for the best part of the ride!
Woo! I love Test Track! Next we wandered over to the Festival Center since we hadn’t been in yet this year. I was a big fan of the old Wonders of Life pavilion, so I’m always excited to get a glimpse inside each year.
When you step inside these flowers are just everywhere! I’m not sure about the story on these. We poked around a while and didn’t see a cast member to ask. The tickets on the bottom gave information about the flowers. It looked like something the American Hibiscus Society was putting on for today only. It’s amazing what you can find just strolling around Epcot!
The rest of the building is filled with shopping and stages for the HGTV stars present to audiences throughout the day. I wasn’t too interested in sticking around for the presentations, but, wow, were there lines! The shops were the most empty I’d seen all day, though. If you have Flower and Garden needs, head here!
Next we had just a little bit of time to kill, so we opted for a shady spot and a frosty treat. I know it’s a shame to get a standard snack when there are so many exotic choices around the World Showcase. What can I say, sometimes I crave the classics!
After a nice break, we cashed in our FastPass+ for Living with the Land. This was a great experience, we literally walked right onto the ride without any wait at all! Here’s a little snippet for you guys from one of my favorite parts.
Seriously, how pretty is it in this greenhouse? Did you know you there’s a tour you can book where you can walk through? It’s called Behind the Seeds. The tour is really fun, interesting, and affordable. Would anyone like to see a blog about it? Let me know in the comments below. It’s been a couple of years, and I wouldn’t mind going on the tour again for you guys.
Time to head back to the World Showcase! Of course, here is the obligatory shot across all the flowers with a monorail. This is the view I will miss the most once the Festival ends.
And now the whole reason I went to Epcot today: the new Muppets Scavenger Hunt! This sign up area is a little tough to find. If you’re entering the World Showcase and heading toward Mexico, it will be just before you get there on your left.
It’s very quick and easy to get started. The cast members give you a double sided booklet and explain you can either go on Team Napoleon or Team Sam Eagle. Of course, we chose Team Sam Eagle! (Doing anything else would be distinctly unpatriotic.) However, just by getting the booklet, you have the other mission on the back, so you can do both if you choose.
For Team Sam Eagle you begin your hunt in England, then move on to France, finally ending in America. For Team Napoleon you start in Germany, then move on the Italy, before again ending at the same point in America. I’d love to give a glowing review of this hunt, but we had a little trouble getting around. Plus, more than anything, we had trouble hearing everything. Here’s the first clue in England. When I picked up the phone, the band was playing outside, and I could barely hear. The cast member handed us a sticker for our book, so we shrugged and moved along.
Before leaving this area, I wanted to include a photo of the tea garden. Ashley had pointed out that I missed them in my Flower & Garden post, and she was totally right! These are way too cute not to show you guys! There are several of these sprinkled throughout the garden, and there are and presentations about tea three times a day on the weekends for no charge!
We stopped in France for our next stop on the Muppets Scavenger Hunt, but I’m not sure what happened. When we checked in at the sign, all the cast members just looked confused. Finally, one guy came up, pressed some buttons for us on a weird looking machine, and something lit up on the second floor of the perfume shop. They gave us our sticker for the booklet, and we just looked at each other confused. It seems they have some bugs to work out with this thing. Maybe it would have made sense if I could have heard the phone message in England? In better news, I did happen to catch the last few seconds of Mo’Rockin as we continued our walk around the world. (You’re welcome guys!!)
We knew we’d have to get to America to finish The Muppets Scavenger Hunt, but who can walk by Japan without stopping? We grabbed a couple bags of mystery snacks to try along the way. Japan is the best country to stop in for random goodies and sweets! If nothing else, you should stop in to just look at everything.
Munching on our treats, we wondered over to America just in time to catch Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps. We didn’t have the best view, but I thought you’d like to see video, anyway. They do such a great job!
After this we went into The American Adventure. You see, the booklet for The Muppets Scavenger hunt showed this building as the location to end our hunt. Not only was it not the right spot… I had to ask two different cast members to finally find the ending point! Below is where you find Constantine locked up thanks to your hard work. Apparently there is some audio playing, too. I thought maybe I was just getting old, but a little kid came in just after us and got down on his knees in front of the speaker and still couldn’t understand! Like I said before, I think there were just some first day issues with the hunt today. Hopefully, it gets better.
So what’s your prize for catching Constantine? A mission complete sticker, a (paper) MBI badge, and a packet of watermelon seeds. Now, I’m not saying it isn’t worth doing, but I wouldn’t go out of your way for this one. Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure is light years ahead if you have limited time. But it is nice to see Disney trying to add new and relevant experiences in the parks.
After this, we walked around a bit. I grabbed some video so you could get an idea of the crowd levels. This is just in front of Italy heading towards Germany.
To save some time, we hopped on a Friendship Boat to get back to the front of the park. This ended up not working for us, as the IllumiNations barges were brought out and blocked our path. Still, it was nice to sit down and get a ride to the front, even if we had to wait a little. It was also neat to see the barges up close.
Of course, I couldn’t leave the World Showcase without checking in on Duffy. I think they have just about every single outfit available on this wall. I want them all!
I have one last photo from today, and it’s a weird one! Check out this bird hanging out on a floating planter at Epcot. I’ve seen a few birds doing this around the lagoon this year. It’s hunting! The birds land and crouch down just waiting for a fish to swim by. Isn’t that crazy?
That’s all from Epcot today. What do you think of The Muppets Scavenger Hunt? Any requests for my next blog? What park should I visit next? Please let me know in the comments below! As always, thanks for reading.
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April 5, 2014: Epcot Observations and Muppets Scavenger Hunt is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
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