Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1269
December 13, 2013
Limited Time Magic Events For December 16 – 22
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For a Spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. The medicine go do–own. The medicine go down. Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. In a most delightful way.
Are you ready to sing that this week? With both Mary Poppins 50th Anniversary Edition being released for the first time on Blu-ray and Saving Mr. Banks entering theaters, this week’s Limited Time Magic event will honor both films. From December 16 – 22, in both Walt Disney World and at Disneyland Resort, guests will be able to celebrate with the beloved Mary (Poppins…never ever just Mary), as well as Bert in the parks.
At Walt Disney World, guests may find Mary Poppins and Bert in Epcot at the United Kingdom Pavilion in World Showcase. At Disneyland Resort, the duo can be found at Disney California Adventure near Disney Animation in Hollywood Land. Make sure to check the Times Guide for exact details.
In addition, while supplies last, guests will also have the opportunity to pick up a special poster celebrating both films.
So, grab your parrot umbrella and get over to the parks for this supercalifragilisticexpialidocious good time.
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Do I Need to Rent a Car at Disney World?
By Erin Foster
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There are few things that make Walt Disney World visitors as passionate as the question of whether or not to rent a car during their vacation. Some folks claim that you absolutely MUST rent a car. Others are horrified by the thought of spending money on a rental when there is perfectly good FREE transportation at Walt Disney World. The reality is that, as with most Disney questions, the answer to “Do I Need to Rent a Car?” is a resounding “It depends.”
If you’re staying on Disney property, you qualify for free transportation from the airport to your hotel.
I was 100% in the no-rental camp for many years. During my first 20 or so family WDW vacations, we only rented a car twice, and those rentals were just because my husband was attending conferences on site and his company paid for it. I secretly laughed at folks who said that a car was necessary at Disney World. And then I stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for the first time, where I learned that having a car would have saved me hours of frustration and waiting.
Staying at a different resort, one a bit further afield, made me realize that the car rental question really has many answers depending on a number of factors. Here are some things to think about to help you decide whether renting a car at Disney World makes sense for your family’s vacation.
What is my budget?
If you’re staying on Walt Disney World property, free transportation via Magical Express is included with your stay. This will get you back and forth from the airport to Disney World. Once you’re on property, there is free transportation to the theme parks, resorts, Downtown Disney, and the water parks via an extensive system of monorails, boats, and buses.
This means that if you’re on a super strict budget and don’t want to allot any money toward in-vacation transportation, then you can certainly get around Walt Disney World without renting a car. No additional expense is required.
What are the rental car rates?
Depending on the timing of your visit, you may find rental car rates to be extremely high or extremely low. Using Priceline or Expedia, I’ve sometimes been able to find small car rental rates at Orlando International for less than $10 per day. Even adding tolls and gas this would put a weekly rental in the $100 range, a mere blip in the cost of many Disney vacations. A reasonable price may be enough to tip the scales in favor of renting.
If you’re comparison shopping, remember to consider any membership programs that may give you a discount (AAA, Costco) or credit points (some airlines, rental agency loyalty plans).
How many people are in my party?
If you’re traveling with a family of more than four or five people, then you would likely be forced to rent a larger, and thus more expensive, vehicle. For a large party, skipping the rental and using Disney transportation is even more likely to make financial sense.
Some Disney hotels are only served by bus transportation to the parks. Others have boats or monorails. This may impact your car rental decision.
Where am I staying?
The cold hard truth is that some resorts have a better transportation situation than others. If you’re staying at the Grand Floridian, Polynesian or Contemporary, then you have easy monorail access (with no stroller folding) to two of the four theme parks (Magic Kingdom and Epcot). Similarly, guests of the BoardWalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Swan, and Dolphin resorts have easy access to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If you’re staying at one of these resorts, it will be easier and faster to use Disney’s free transportation than a car to get to many locations. (But remember, Swan and Dolphin guests do not qualify for Magical Express, so that’s another factor to consider.)
On the other hand, if you’re staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village or the Saratoga Springs Treehouses, you’re far removed from even the main part of your own hotel. Having now stayed at both those locations myself, I know that I will never stay there again without access to my own automobile. Guests staying at the outer buildings of the large moderate resorts will also want to think carefully about whether having a car makes sense for them.
If you’re staying at a hotel off Disney property and are thinking of using their shuttle service to get to the parks, be sure to ask many pointed questions about the frequency of service. The hotel’s answers may sway you that a car rental is the way to go.
Do any of the guests in my party have special needs?
Depending on their itinerary, guests with special needs may find that either a rental or using Disney transportation is more appealing based on their personal circumstances. Remember to consider this as you look at your options. You’ll also want to take into consideration any non-obvious medical or psychological needs in your party. For example, I have one acquaintance with a moderate germ phobia. She finds that using a rental car gives her more peace of mind rather than using the “public” transportation at Disney World.
Your resort location may play a factor in whether you decide to rent a car.
Do I like to drive?
I very much dislike driving. This certainly played a large role in my family’s early rejection of renting cars during our Disney vacations. For me, giving up the chore of driving for a week made vacation time infinitely better. If you don’t mind, or even enjoy driving, then your situation will be different.
Will I be visiting other Orlando area attractions?
If you’re planning to visit other Orlando or Florida area attractions such as Universal Studios, SeaWorld, LegoLand, the Kennedy Space Center, shopping outlets, or the beach, then you’ll be much more efficient with your time if you have access to a vehicle. If you will only be going “off-campus” for one or two days of a lengthy Disney vacation, then you may want to investigate a partial stay rental from the Alamo or National desks at the Dolphin hotel or the Disney Car Care Center.
Will I be arriving in the area via Orlando International Airport?
Disney’s free Magical Express service is only available at Orlando International. If you’re arriving in the region via Sanford or Tampa airport or by rail, then a rental may be the most time and money efficient way for you to travel.
Will we be using a stroller during our vacation?
Some guests have issues with carrying strollers onto a Disney bus. If you find this to be a challenge, then you may want to consider a rental car. On the other hand, you’ll still need to fold the stroller to get it into the car. Guests staying on the monorail line will likely not have to fold a stroller to get to a monorail-accessible theme park.
Where will I be eating most of my meals?
When using Disney’s free transportation system, getting from a resort to a theme park is fairly straightforward. For the most part, you take a boat, bus, or monorail directly from the resort to the park. But getting from one resort to another is often more complicated, involving one or more mid-trip transfers. For example, if you’re staying at the Pop Century resort and want to get to a dinner reservation at 1900 Park Fare in the Grand Floridian using Disney transportation, you’ll have take a bus from the Pop to the Magic Kingdom, and then transfer to the monorail to the Grand Floridian. Whenever there are transfers, the possibility of waiting and delays is increased, making resort to resort transportation generally inefficient with the Disney system.
If you will be dining primarily at your own hotel (or an easily accessible sister resort) or at the theme parks, then using Disney’s system is generally fine. However, if you’ll be doing much of your dining at distant resorts, then renting a car may be something to strongly consider.
The possibility of renting a sweet ride might influence your decision.
How long is your trip?
Some guests feel that if they’re only at Walt Disney World for a short time, then they want to be as time efficient as possible, making a rental more attractive. Other guests feel that a long stay means a greater need for a car due to the increased likelihood of off-property visits and dining. These are stylistic and personal priority issues you may want to consider.
Do I have car seat issues?
The free Disney boats, buses and monorails are not configured to anchor car seats. If you feel like your young child must be restrained at all times, then you may want to consider renting a vehicle. On the other hand, if you’re coming from far away and don’t want to deal with the hassle of a car seat, or the expense of renting one, then using Disney’s transportation may make more sense for you.
Are you coming from a home outside the US?
If you’re an international guest, there may be license issues that impact your ability to rent a vehicle. Additionally, if you come from a country where driving takes place on the opposite side of the road from the US, then you may feel more comfortable foregoing a rental and using Disney transport.
How old are you?
Many car rental agencies will not rent to guests under age 25. If you’re a younger traveler, Disney transportation may be your only option.
Am I impatient?
Or maybe I should say, “Do I need to be in control?”
Using Disney transportation is often quick and efficient, sometimes slow and plodding, but it is always out of your control. When you drive, you’re in charge of your action; with the Disney system, someone else is running the vehicles. If you can’t handle waiting or uncertainty, then a rental car may be a better option for you.
If you do decide to drive, be sure to note where you park. The lots can be confusing.
Do I have issues with heat?
If you’re traveling during the hot season in Florida (basically April through September), any car left in a parking lot will be HOT when you get into it. Not like a little warm hot, but third circle of hell I think I might die right here on the pavement hot. Seriously, I almost passed out getting into a rental in the Epcot parking lot in September just from the waves of heat radiating off the car.
If you take Disney buses and monorails, you’ll find that the vehicle is air-conditioned and cool from the moment you step inside.
Am I willing to take occasional taxis?
Taking an occasional taxi (to a meal at another resort, for example) can make not renting a car much more palatable. However, some people, particularly some single women, are uncomfortable in a taxi alone. You may want to factor your feelings about this into your rental decision.
Wrapping it up …
As you can see the decision process may be quite different, depending on a wide variety of factors. If you’re in a large party with several toddlers staying at the Grand Floridian, then Disney transportation may be the way to go. If you’re a single woman staying at Caribbean Beach resort, then a rental car may make more sense. But even with these fairly easy cases, there may be personal factors that influence the decision in the other direction.
Fellow travelers, are there any other things that factor into your choice about whether to rent a car during your family’s Disney World vacation? Are you pro or con rental? Have you changed your mind over the years? Let us know in the comments below.
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December 12, 2013
Universal Orlando Holidays: Your Complete Guide to Grinchmas and the Macy’s Holiday Parade
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While Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights, and other seasonal entertainment at Walt Disney World seem to get the lion’s share of publicity this time of year, visitors to Orlando shouldn’t overlook Universal Orlando‘s holiday offerings. Universal Orlando holidays might not have quite the nostalgic lure of Mickey’s merrymaking, but Universal’s options are every bit as expertly produced, and have the benefit of all being included with regular park admission (unlike the extra-cost “hard ticket” nighttime parties at the Magic Kingdom).
Universal Orlando’s holiday lineup, which kicks off the first weekend each December (unlike Disney, which starts Christmas almost before Halloween is over) and continues through the Saturday after New Year’s Eve, consists of two main components, described in detail below.
Grinchmas
You’ll find Christmas decor throughout Islands of Adventure‘s Port of Entry, and more modest ornamentation elsewhere in the park (the decor in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is disappointingly restrained), but the epicenter of the holiday at IoA is obviously Seuss Landing. The star, naturally, is the Grinch, the iconic icky green grump who famously stole Christmas from the Whos, only to return it when his undersized heart finally grew.
The Grinch is normally represented in the park by a walk-around representation of the cartoon character, but during Grinchmas a speaking actor wearing professional prosthetics impersonates Jim Carrey’s live-action film incarnation. The Grinch meets & greets guests during the days inside the All The Books You Can Read store; he takes time to interact before each photograph, usually to hilarious effect, which results in a very slow-moving line. If meeting the Grinch is a priority, make this your first stop in the morning.
In addition to greeting guests, the Grinch stars in his own Grinchmas Who-Liday Spectacular, a half-hour musical performed 6 to 8 times each day inside a soundstage located behind the Circus McGurkus Cafe. The show, which blends the original book and cartoon with elements from the Carrey flick and musical accompaniment arranged by Chip Davis of Mannheim Steamroller, is a must-see for Grinch fans. It features a first-rate cast (some of whom have appeared on Broadway), expansive set, and even an appearance by a live canine as the Grinch’s faithful pet Max.
Here is a complete video of the show from 2013:
Showtimes are listed in the park map, and typically begin between 10:45 a.m. and noon, and continue until around 6 p.m. Line up near the One Fish Two Fish ride a minimum of 20 minutes before showtime, as performances will sell out early on busy days. You will be directed to a seat once inside, but the venue is shallow enough that even the back row has an acceptable view.
Macy’s Holiday Parade
Universal Studios Florida has been bringing Macy’s Holiday Parade down to Orlando for a post-Thanksgiving encore every December for over a decade. While the largest balloons you’ve seen sailing through Manhattan on television can’t make it down the narrower streets of Universal Studios, several of the smaller ones are paraded through both productions, and more of the classic king-sized inflatables (like Garfield and Grover) can be seen on stationary display around the park.
The newest star of the Macy’s Holiday Parade for 2013 is the Happy Purple Hippo (complete with pink toenails), a throwback to the 1940s that was recreated by Macy’s Parade Design team at the express request of Universal show director Lora Wallace. The hippo is the centerpiece of a pre-show dance routine that can be seen outside the Esoteric Gate (near the Horror Makeup Show) approximately 45 minutes before each parade.
The Macy’s Holiday Parade proper steps off each evening at 5 p.m. (subject to change, check the show schedule in your park map) near the Horror Makeup Show; continues down Hollywood Boulevard towards the park entrance; travels past Despicable Me and Shrek towards New York; and then turns near the Revenge of the Mummy and again past Transformers, exiting through the gate it originally entered.
Here is a complete video of the 2013 parade, shot from in front of the Macy’s facade in the New York area:
You can get a good view of the parade from anywhere along the route. Ideal viewing spots are near Mel’s Drive-In at the beginning of the route, and near the large tree in New York toward the end.
If you really way to get in on the act, you can volunteer to participate in the parade as a float rider for free. Sign up is held daily in front of the inflatable teddy bear outside the E.T. Adventure. Up to 88 spots are available for guests each day, and you’ll have to sign a waiver to participate.
Mannheim Steamroller
In addition to the parade, Universal Studios Florida’s Music Plaza Stage hosts live concerts by Mannheim Steamroller on select nights. Their final performance of 2013 is at 6 p.m. on Dec. 14. These shows can be popular, so arrive early if you want a close-up view. Otherwise, swing by to hear the award-winning Vox Audio (performing as The MistleTones) sing swinging a cappella versions of classic carols.
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December 11, 2013
Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special Returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
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©Disney
The Holidays are an extremely busy time of year at Walt Disney World, so Disney offers special entertainment for guests to enjoy.
For 2013 Disney’s Hollywood Studios is bringing back the popular Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special. This fantastic show takes place at Premiere Theater, which is located on the Streets of America near meet and greet locations for Cars characters and Phineas and Ferb..
The show will feature hilarious hijinks in the form of improvisational comedy (for those who may remember the Comedy Warehouse at Pleasure Island or have seen Whose Line Is It Anyway? on TV, it’s the same premise). It is completely interactive, and sometimes guests will be asked to participate in the fun.
During the show, comedic actors will field suggestions from the crowd, needing help in composing funny Christmas songs, putting their own spin on classic stories, and creating hilarious scenarios. The entire act will be festive and family-friendly. I particularly love that due to the improvisational nature, the show is also different each time. (And as someone who’s tried her hand at improv, it is not an easy art-form. These performers are extremely talented, witty, and quick on their feet.)
The show is scheduled to last from December 21, 2013, to January 5, 2014. Show times are scheduled at 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. daily, with the exception of New Year’s Eve, when show times are scheduled for 3:00 p.m, 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m, 8:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m. Showtimes are, of course, subject to change.
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PotterWatch 2.0: Diagon Alley Construction Update and Rumors (12/8/13)
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Dark of night can’t dissuade us from bringing you the latest Diagon Alley construction updates (photos by Seth Kubersky)
Construction on Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida‘s new Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion never sleeps, and so neither does PotterWatch, our ongoing series of updates on the Boy Who Lived’s anticipated arrival in Universal Orlando’s original park.
There’s been no noticeable progress on the Hogwarts Express since it completed its first test run, as reported in our last installment. Instead, let’s take a nighttime look at the London Waterfront, the facade that conceals Diagon Alley.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley Construction Photos
The Hogwarts Express track is illuminated with work lights.
Kings Cross detailing is progressing.
Color has been applied to the bricks of Grimmauld Place.
Still waiting for this backstage area to be shielded from guests outside Diagon Alley…
We’ll know more about what’s going on behind those walls on December 12, when Universal will hold a press conference announcing new enhancements to CityWalk, along with further details on the Cabana Bay Hotel and Wizarding World expansion; TouringPlans’ Morgan Crutchfield will be there to cover the event.
Rumors
Finally, we’ll wrap up with a quick round-up of some of the latest Wizarding World rumors circulating around the Internet:
Robert Niles at Theme Park Insider posted what appears to be the first photo from inside Diagon Alley, depicting a series of grungy tilted storefronts.
Orlando Informer reported, and Orlando United‘s HateToFly confirmed, that the Gringotts ride vehicle will spin, in addition to having roller coaster and simulator movements.
Also according to HateToFly, Gringotts’ queue line will utilize a live actor and have a merchandise opportunity that is redeemed in the Wizeacres exit gift shop (perhaps like Spider-Man’s in-queue photo-op?), as well as an opportunity to “invest” in Wizarding currency. In addition, every shop will be designed with both outdoor and air-conditioned indoor queue lines.
Numerous outlets are suggesting that the new Ollivanders wand show (which will have three times the wizards of Islands of Adventure’s outlet to increase throughput) will sell RFID-enabled interactive wands, which could activate animated displays in both Wizarding World areas. The wands may also play into a rumored Borgin & Burkes interactive walk-through experience in Knockturn Alley, though they are unlikely (for obvious safety reasons) to be used on the ride, which will require use of a locker.
Subscribe to our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar to get the best Universal Orlando wait-time data and touring plans, and check back soon for the next Wizarding World of Harry Potter construction update!
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December 10, 2013
Beaches and Cream Now Accepting Advance Dining Reservations
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I almost don’t want to report this since it is regarding a restaurant that I frequent on almost every trip. Plus, I’ve always loved the fact that I could only dine there via walk up. But as of December 18, 2013, Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club Resort will accept Advanced Dining Reservations.
Guests who visit the Walt Disney World Dining website will see that they can now check availability:
When checking, I did notice that it seems you will only be able to make reservations for parties of four or smaller. This quirk is likely due to the teeny size of the restaurant and its tables. (The restaurant boasts about 10 tables total and limited counter seating.)
Guests wishing to make Advanced Dining Reservations can do so both online and by calling (407) WDW-DINE. For those looking for just ice cream, you can still order some items at the Beaches & Cream To Go counter.
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Ask Jim Hill Ep 18 – Disney Theme Park Memorabilia Part 2
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Part 2 of a 3-part special edition of Ask Jim Hill! Join Len Testa and Jim Hill as they discuss various pieces of Disney theme park memorabilia. In this episode, Len Testa and Jim Hill take a look at memorabilia and share stories about from Main Street Electrical Parade and Who Wants to be a Millionaire: Play It!
New episodes are posted every Tuesday, so be sure to subscribe on YouTube!
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10 Tips on Tipping on the Disney Cruise Line
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Tips on tipping! See what I did there? First time cruisers always have questions about tips. In a somewhat all inclusive environment, it’s easy to forget about gratuities! Tips are expected on any cruise line and they can be a significant expense you need to be prepared for. Notice I said tips are “expected” not “mandatory”. Tips are always optional. But, just like you wouldn’t walk into a nice restaurant and consider not tipping (and if you would, that’s a whole different conversation), you really shouldn’t consider taking a cruise and not tipping. If you are someone who wants to tip appropriately, but are worried you don’t know the standard cruise tipping principles, this blog post is for you. And, Disney has made a lot of this easy for you (well, if you are planning to give the recommended amounts). See below for more!
1. There are Four Main Tipped Positions – There are four positions where tips are expected. These tips are so expected they will actually be charged to your onboard account automatically (see #2 below for what that really means). Those four are your three dining room servers (Head Server, Server, and Assistant Server), as well as your Stateroom Host or Hostess. Now if you’ve never cruised before, the Head Server is kind of like the maitre d’, the Server is in charge of your personal table service team, and the Assistant Server is just that, the assistant to your lead Server. The Stateroom Host/Hostess is the person who keeps your cabin clean, makes your bed, turns your bed down at night, makes those awesome towel animals, leaves you chocolate (!), and generally ensures you have everything you need in your room. The total amount you will tip is determined by the number of nights of your cruise. The recommended amounts per night are $4 for Server, $3 for Assistant Server, $1 for Head Server and $4 for Stateroom Host/Hostess per person in your sailing party. You’ll notice that adds up to $12 per night. Take that $12 and multiply it by the number of nights and the number of guests in your stateroom. That will be your suggested tip amount. For my family of four on a 12-night cruise this summer that was $576. That’s a lot of money, but the people who received the tips did a ton of work for us during those 12 nights (all with a smile on their faces)!
2. You Can Change Tip Amounts – As mentioned above, Disney now automatically charges the standard tip amounts to your onboard account. Those amounts are auto-charged, but not set in stone. If you want to give more, or in the rare circumstance where you may want to give less, you can go to Guest Services before the cruise ends and have them changed. If you just want to add a little, you could also add some cash to the tipping envelopes you will find in your room on the last day of the cruise.
3. You Can Prepay Tips – If you want to keep down that onboard bill and pay for everything ahead of time, just call Disney or your travel agent and you can prepay your tips up to 3 days before you sail.
4. Bring Small Bills to Tip Porters and Bus Drivers – If you use Disney transportation (or some equivalent) during your trip, you will probably notice a not so subtle sign posted near the driver saying something along the lines of “Tips are Appreciated for Good Service.” Consider giving them a few dollars after you arrive. The old adage that everyone who touches your bag should be tipped also applies here at Disney. There are several possible times someone may assist you with your bags. When you arrive at the port, tipping the driver will cover that since he/she will help get your bags on and off the bus. If you’re in your own car or a private transfer, when you arrive at the port the porters will offer to take your bags from you to deliver to your stateroom. It’s customary to tip them $1 to $2 a bag.
5. Some Drinks have a Gratuity Automatically Added – Any drinks, non-alcoholic or alcoholic, you order from a bartender will automatically have a 15% gratuity added. Any soft drinks, bottled water, or alcohol you order from room service will have an automatic gratuity. In addition, if you order a smoothie, bottled water, or alcohol from your dining Server, they will add a gratuity. You do not need to add more unless you are so inclined.
6. Spa Tips Are Automatically Added – An 18% tip for services at the spas onboard will automatically be added to your bill. Again, you do not need to add more unless you are so inclined.
7. Room Service Tips – With the exception of a few packaged items and the drinks listed above, room service is complimentary. It is, however, customary for many to tip the person that brings it. They will bring a “bill” for you to sign when they bring the food, even though the bill total can be zero. Sometimes they don’t offer the bill to you, but they always have it if you ask. You can sign it and add a tip onto your onboard account. If you’d rather tip in cash, have a few small bills on hand. $1 – $2 per person is a good tip. When my kids were younger, they always enjoyed handing out the tips when the room service arrived.
8. Bring Cash to Tip Excursion Operators – Tipping your driver and tour guide on excursions is customary. So, bring some cash with you for your excursion operators and drivers! We’ve found US dollars are accepted just fine in many foreign ports (particularly in the Caribbean), but you can obtain foreign currency to use for tips at Guest Services onboard when needed. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve forgotten to take cash off the ship when going on an excursion. Seriously. It’s embarrassing. Don’t be like my family. And on an unrelated note, apologies to all affected tour operators or friends and family traveling with us whom we’ve had to borrow money from.
9. There May be People You Want to Tip but Shouldn’t – That sounds a little crazy doesn’t it? It’s true, though. Not cash anyway. There are some positions that are non-tipping positions and they cannot accept cash. Kid’s club counselors come to mind. Any cash tips they receive are supposed to be turned into the supervisor and pooled for a group party or something similar. If that’s what you had in mind, then go ahead! If you’d rather reward a specific counselor, come up with something other than cash that they can keep.
10. Palo and Remy Tips are Included in the Price. Kind of – Brunch and dinner at Palo cost $25 per person. Brunch at Remy is $50 and Dinner is $75. Disney is clear as mud on whether that includes a tip for your server. Apparently there is a small portion of that cost that goes to your server. And when I say small, I mean about $5 split between several people at Palo. If you’ve ever experienced the level of service you get at either restaurant, you’ll know that they easily “deserve” more than that. Personally, I’d recommend tipping based on the value of the meal you received. You’ll find at Palo especially, that meal would have cost much more on land and you can tip accordingly. If you purchased any alcohol not included with the meal, there will be an automatic tip added for that. So get off your wallet! The chocolate soufflé alone at Palo is worth the tip!!
So do you have any tips on tipping for us? Any questions about tipping?
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December 9, 2013
Walt Disney World Crowd Report – December 1 to 7, 2013
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Post Thanksgiving week crowds at Walt Disney World are usually a lot like pre-Thanksgiving crowds, lighter than average but not as low as early fall. This year, crowds during the first week of December were at or below average but higher than we predicted. In some cases, much higher. We under-predicted every day by one or two index points. The first week of December is one of our favorite times of year to visit Walt Disney World. The crowds are usually below average, the parks and resorts are decorated for Christmas, but the fall heat has faded to a moderate temperature, perfect for touring. Given the levels hit this past week, it may be a sign that the first week of December is losing favor as a great time to visit, perhaps due to special events. The Christmas Day Parade taping at the Magic Kingdom brings hordes of visitors to Main Street, U.S.A., in early December, and the Pop Warner Football Championship brings thousands of ‘tweens and their families to the value resorts. If you can avoid the impact of these events, then the festive atmosphere and cool temperatures may make the first week of December a favorite for your family.
The Crowd Report
The Walt Disney World Crowd Report
December 1 to 7, 2013
On Sunday all parks were below average except for the Magic Kingdom which reached a level ’5′ on our scale. This was two levels higher than the ’3′ we predicted thanks to higher than expected wait times at Jungle Cruise (34 minutes) and Peter Pan’s Flight (49 minutes). Surprisingly, several headliner attractions had lower than expected average waits. Namely Big Thunder at 38 minutes (predicted 54) and Space Mountain at 33 minutes (predicted 41). The Studios came in two levels lower than predicted thanks to low waits at Tower of Terror and Star Tours.
On Monday, the Magic Kingdom surprised us again reaching a level ’7′ on our scale, strange for a Monday although we often see larger crowds when Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes a day off. Average wait times were 10 to 15 minutes higher than expected at the headliners. This is a day where the Optimize option on our mobile app Lines is a great help so you can re-organize your touring plan live in the park. Lines tracks wait times every day as they happen and sometimes it determines that you can gain an advantage by readjusting your plan for the day. All the other three parks had crowd levels lower than the Magic Kingdom, as predicted.
If there were surprises on Tuesday they happened at Epcot and Animal Kingdom although neither park hit above crowd level ’5′, we predicted ’3′. The headliners at Epcot had low waits (63 average for Soarin’, 71 average for Test Track), it was the lesser attractions that pushed the park level up to a ’5′. Living with the Land at 11 minutes and Spaceship Earth 14 minutes. At the Animal Kingdom it was Dinosaur (30 minutes, predicted 11) and Kilimanjaro Safaris (45 minutes, predicted 19) that pushed the park level higher than expected. Still, both parks had manageable crowds with the majority of attractions having below average wait times.
The lack of a Christmas Party brought higher than expected wait times to the Magic Kingdom again on Wednesday. This time it was Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin (32 minutes), Pirates of the Caribbean (20 minutes), Splash Mountain (34 minutes) and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (42 minutes) that had higher than expected waits. It is interesting that we accurately predicted waits for the headliners like Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Peter Pan’s Flight but underpredicted the others. Any other park was a good choice with none reaching a park level above ’3′, although even with the higher waits, the Magic Kingdom remained a reasonable choice at a level ’5′.
Wait Times at the Animal Kingdom were much higher than expected at each of the main attractions. Dinosaur hit a 34 minute average wait time, Expedition Everest 27, Kilimanjaro Safaris 34 and Primeval Whirl 14. These were about double what we predicted, our worst performance since the launch of Crowd Calendar 4. We predicted a level ’1′ but these wait times translated to a level ’5′. It is unclear why wait times reached this much higher than expected, our models would suggest that this underprediction would happen only about 2% of the time. It may be part of this random 2% or it may be due to some some reason(s) that we don’t yet know about. Other parks were higher than expected although within normal prediction errors, at a level ’4′ or below.
Resort wide crowds reached a level ’5′ again on Friday. Only Epcot exceeded that when it hit a level ’6′ on our scale. We had the Studios as the lowest crowd level which ended up correct so we hope you picked that park as your park to visit on Friday. Our under-predictions continued Friday which each park coming in two points higher than our predictions. Touring plans performed well on Friday however since the under-predictions were generally across the board, with no particular park or attraction standing out.
Our models returned to proper error limits on Saturday where we were within 1 index point for our resort wide level and at every park except Epcot. Epcot crowd levels reached a ’6′ on our scale, three higher than the ’3′ we predicted thanks to average wait times that reached 10 to 15 minutes higher than we expected. Once again, it was the less popular attractions like Spaceship Earth and Living with the Land that drive the park levels higher, not the headliners so those of you following touring plans at Epcot likely managed fine. The Studios had the lowest park level as we predicted so those of you that took advantage of the Extra Magic Hour morning experienced the lowest waits of the week.
The Walt Disney Crowd Report – What to Expect This Week
December 8 to 14, 2013
Crowds are projected to be below average again this week with the exception of Saturday, December 14. Watch out for bottlenecks on Main Street, U.S.A during the taping of the Christmas Parade and beware of the busy value resorts during the final days of Pop Warner Football Championships.
Successful touring this week will depend on manoeuvring around the Very Merry Christmas Parties to plan the right day to visit the Magic Kingdom. Use your Lines app while in the parks to adjust your touring if the crowds are larger than expected. Enjoy the holiday atmosphere and make sure to see the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at the Studios, a perennial favorite.
To see Walt Disney World Crowd predictions for the days of your vacation, check the Crowd Calendar.
The separately ticketed Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party continues on many nights at Magic Kingdom, which means savvy planners who don’t mind the shortened park hours can experience low wait times during the day.
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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Celebrate New Year’s Eve At Walt Disney World
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New Year’s Eve is just three short weeks away and for those lucky enough to be down there during this time, they are in for some amazing treats! Here is an idea of some of the fun you can expect to see take place this year at Walt Disney World for New Year’s Eve.
Magic Kingdom
Celebrate 2014 with a bang…literally…as the Magic Kingdom will show not one, but two fireworks spectaculars on two separate nights. On December 30 and 31, guests will be able to take in Holiday Wishes: Celebrate The Season at 9 p.m. and then Fantasy in the Sky which is scheduled for 11:50 p.m.
Epcot
This year, World Showcase will feature a variety of DJs found situated throughout the different pavilions. Guests can dance in the New Year at the Future World Fountain Stage, near the Italy Stage, at the America Gardens Theatre, and by the United Kingdom Stage, amongst others. As we mentioned a few weeks back, many World Showcase restaurants are also holding special dining opportunities.
Two showings of Illuminations will light up the sky on New Year’s with the version ending in the Holiday Tag showing at 6:30 p.m. and the New Year’s Eve Countdown spectacular starting at 11:40 p.m.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
This park always has a special fireworks display to ring in the New Year and this year is no exception. Start the evening right by taking in a rockin’ performance during the Mulch, Sweat and Shears New Years’ Eve Spectacular. The fun starts at 6:00 p.m. and goes all the way to midnight ending with the Lights! Camera! Happy New Year! Fireworks showcase.
Downtown Disney
At Downtown Disney, special New Year’s Eve celebrations are taking place at House of Blues, Raglan Road, Bongos Cuban Cafe, and Paradiso 37. Also, DisneyQuest will hold a ticketed New Year’s Eve event with food, games, music, dancing, meet and greeting Disney characters, and a New Year’s Eve countdown.
A fantastic party looks to be brewing at Walt Disney World for this year’s New Year’s festivities. The question is, which one to choose?
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