Category — w. Most Recent Stuff

CHRISTMAS IS COMING AND SO ARE THE DISNEY WORLD CROWDS…

The busiest days of the year at Walt Disney World begin later this week, and peak next week.

Today, a little less than half of kids are on Christmas break.

More start going on break beginning the 21st, and by the end of this week, the 23rd, about 70% of kids will be off.

By Saturday, Christmas Eve, all kids are off.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the busiest day at Orlando International this holiday season will be Friday the 23rd, followed by Thursday the 22nd.

Later next week, likely more than 70,000 people will visit the Magic Kingdom on an average day, with totals perhaps well above that, possibly leading to park closures.

The hourly ride capacity at the Magic Kingdom is on the order of 40,000 people, implying average waits of 90-120 minutes for the most popular rides.

Bathroom waits may seem as long…as may waits for food, even if you eat early or late.

COPING WITH THE CHRISTMAS SEASON WALT DISNEY WORLD CROWDS

[Read more →]

THE COMPLETE WALT DISNEY WORLD 2012

The Complete Walt Disney World 2012 published last week, and my copy showed up on Friday.

(You can find a complete review here.)

For now, I have to note that while it’s probably a typo, I am really liking page 375.

Actually, I know it’s not a typo, as Julie Neal had emailed that this was coming.

When I look at the other sites included in The Complete Walt Disney World 2012‘s Internet Directory, I’m astonished and humbled.

Thanks, Julie!

For those new to this site, here’s where to start on The Complete Walt Disney World 2012‘s specific points:

• “…instructions and advice…”
• “…unique week picker…”
• “…accommodations advice…”

OVERVIEW: DISNEY’S BOARDWALK INN

Our most recent stay confirms that Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, one of the Epcot resorts, is the eighth best deluxe resort at Walt Disney World for first time family visitors.

You can have a wonderful visit at any Walt Disney World resort hotel.

However, this site recommends that first time visitors to Walt Disney World who can afford it should stay at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, a deluxe resort, and that those who can’t should stay at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, a value resort.

(It also suggests that first time visitors should avoid the moderate resorts, while noting that these resorts are wonderful for visits after the first. See this for why.)

Compared to other Walt Disney World owned and operated resorts, the deluxe resorts are distinguished by having (on average) the most amenities, nicest views, best dining options, best transport options, largest rooms, best service, and highest prices.

Many are also paired with Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resorts.  For a review of the BoardWalk Inn’s sister DVC resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Villas, click here.

Among the deluxe resorts, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn has a lot of positives.

• It has a fun pool, though not as good as the one its Epcot neighbors the Yacht Club Club and Beach Club share
• It shares with the Yacht Club and the Beach Club Inn convenient access to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and
• It shares with these resorts a short walk to dozens of interesting table service dining options located in these resorts, at the Swan and Dolphin, on the BoardWalk, and in Epcot.

It also has a couple of negatives, also largely shared with the Yacht and Beach Clubs.

It’s thin on kid appeal compared to other options, is not as convenient for this site’s itineraries as some alternative resorts, and has limited counter service in general and especially limited breakfast options.

The breakfast issue is better than it has been in the past…see the image…but it’s still not as good as many guests would expect.

(See this for much more on resort distinctions by price class–value, moderate, deluxe, etc.) [Read more →]

WALT DISNEY WORLD DEALS AND DISCOUNTS NEED TO BE BOOKED SOON

Two current Walt Disney World deals are expiring soon.

• One offers free dining for stays many dates into March 2012, and needs to be booked by December 17.  Click here for more.
• Another offers room rate discounts from 20% to 35% for many dates in January and February 2012, and needs to be booked by December 21.  For more, click here.

Another deal has “book by” dates into 2012.  It offers room rate discounts of 15% to 30% for many dates from later February into early June 2012. For more, see this.

(This page is one of a series explicating Disney World lingo, abbreviations, and FAQ for first time family visitors to Walt Disney World.)

HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD AT EPCOT

Holidays Around the World is the overarching term that covers Epcot’s key holiday celebrations:

• The Candlelight Processional
• A holiday adaptation of Illuminations, and
• The Holiday Storytellers

In addition to these three special events, Santa Claus is available for visits in the American Adventure, and holiday decorations are everywhere.

The Epcot resorts join the festivities, with special Christmas decorations in their lobbies and grounds.

See the image for the fireplace in the lobby at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, decorated for Christmas.

Other hotel decorations include gingerbread houses and Christmas trees.

All these events and decorations add up to a wonderfully festive atmosphere, and all are worth viewing!

“THE ULTIMATE AMERICANA CHRISTMAS DISPLAY”

Hey–this show had its last run in 2015!

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is the main Christmas season special feature at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Showing at various places in the Studios backlot since the mid-90s, it is now found in Streets of America.

This part of the backlot was once used for actual filming, and was then much more generic than today, so it could stand in for many different communities.

The Osborne lights first were in the residential section of the backlot–demolished to make way for Lights, Motors, Action.

They were then moved to the current Streets of America location, and the Streets were re-staged to convey specific cities. See The Imagineering Field Guide to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for more.

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is made up of more than 5 million lights that drape the buildings in Streets of America and are synchronized to holiday music, flashing and changing colors with the beat.

It’s difficult to describe, and my photos don’t really do it justice.  You just need to see it.

REVIEW: THE OSBORNE FAMILY SPECTACLE OF DANCING LIGHTS [Read more →]