Not too long ago we posted a guide on how to navigate Walt Disney World by foot. One of our awesome readers pointed out that Disney’s Coronado Springs is walkable to Winter Summerland mini-golf and Disney’s Blizzard Beach, as well as the McDonald’s near Osceola Parkway. Ivonne on our team kindly obliged to embark on said walk. With photos and tips, here’s how to walk from Disney’s Coronado Springs to Blizzard Beach, Winter Summerland, and McDonald’s.

First, let’s start off with the big challenge this walk presents. There is no sidewalk leading out of Disney’s Coronado Springs. When you walk towards the front entrance of the resort there is no sidewalk, so you’ll need to be very careful and aware as you walk on the road leading in and out of the resort. Please pay attention, and look and listen for traffic (insert stern mother voice here).

There is, thankfully, a pedestrian crosswalk from the entrance to the resort to cross Buena Vista Drive, which you will need to do in order to reach the sidewalk. Once you have crossed Buena Vista Drive, turn right to walk on the sidewalk along Buena Vista Drive and head towards Blizzard Beach and Winter Summerland. It generally takes 15 minutes to walk from Disney’s Coronado Springs to Winter Summerland.

If you wish to continue on to McDonald’s continue to follow the sidewalk. You will come to an intersection with an overpass for Osceola Parkway. Continue along the crosswalk to go under the overpass and you’ll see the McDonald’s just a few more steps away. It generally takes about 10 more minutes from Winter Summerland to the McDonald’s.

It is important to note that the McDonald’s does not have any seating available right now. That’s right, this brand new, state-of-the-art McDonald’s has closed all of its seating for the time being. Only its drive-thru is open.

Going beyond the McDonald’s, the sidewalk continues over to the currently closed All-Star Resorts.

Have you stayed at Coronado Springs Resort? Would you walk to Blizzard Beach, Winter Summerland, or McDonald’s?

 

The post How to Walk from Disney’s Coronado Springs to Blizzard Beach, Winter Summerland, and McDonald’s appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

Just because the year is almost over doesn’t mean WDWNT’s giveaways are! You can win rare and limited edition merchandise by just following a few simple steps. Each of our many social media accounts will be giving away a different item. Here’s each prize and how to win it: To win a Rivers of Light prize pack, including a totem pole wand, a mini fan and a lanyard: Head to @wdwnt on Instagram, like their giveaway post, leave a comment, and […]

The post GIVEAWAY: Enter Today’s WDWNT Holiday Giveaway For a Chance to Win a Rivers of Light Prize Pack, an Avengers Hatch or Ferrytale Wishes Pin, or a Soarin’ Pen appeared first on WDW News Today.

Hello from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge!

Although we love just hanging out here and oohing and aahing at the animals on the savannas, we also spent some time checking out what’s new at the resort. So here are the latest updates!

Animal Kingdom Lodge Food Updates

The Mara

The Mara has officially reopened, but as we previously reported, this is only temporary through the holidays. It’s also only open for grab and go breakfast from 7:30AM to 11:30AM.

Guests can pick up breakfast at The Mara from December 23rd through January 2nd. Items available include cinnamon rolls, muffins, cereal, fruit cups, and other standard quick breakfast foods.

The usual hot options, such as the Bounty Platter, Croissant Breakfast Sandwich, Fried Egg, and more are not currently available.

Learn more about The Mara’s reopening

Uzima Springs Pool Bar

The snack options at the Uzima Springs Pool Bar haven’t changed. Guests can still get a Chili Cheese Hot Dog and assorted ice cream snacks here.

The specialty drinks menu includes an African Sunset, which is a frozen drink with mango rum, African Starr Rum, and mango and strawberry puree for $15. The Flamingo Mule contains Snow Leopard Vodka, Van Der Hum Liquor, ginger beer, mango and guava nectar, and lime juice and cranberry juice for $15.

The Safari Mudslide is Amarula Liquor, Kahlua, and Snow Leopard Vodka for $14. These drinks are only available at the Uzima Springs Pool Bar. And although the menu says “new,” they’ve been around for a while.

Read our review of the Safari Mudslide

Animal Kingdom Lodge Merchandise Updates

Johari Treasures

We found some new to us Mickey and Minnie keychains! The Mickey Mouse Keychain has Mickey’s smiling face, as well as a red strap with Mickey’s signature on it.

The Minnie Mouse Keychain has Minnie’s beautiful face, complete with bow, with a pink strap with Minnie’s signature. Both keychains are $12.99.

We also spotted a white Animal Kingdom Lodge Sweatshirt that we saw earlier this year at the  Zawadi Marketplace at Jambo House (which is now closed). The sweatshirt is $39.99.

Select holiday merchandise is on sale for 70% off! That means it’s time to stock up on holiday Minnie Ears for next year!

This also means that holiday stuff will likely be gone soon — so grab it now while you can!

Here’s the latest on Disney World’s latest holiday sale

We enjoyed our time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and we’ll be back soon with even more updates!

PHOTOS! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is Gorgeously Decorated for the Holidays!

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Have you ever stayed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge? Let us know in the comments!

 

The post What’s New at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: The Mara Reopens and a Holiday Sale! first appeared on the disney food blog.

Welcome back, DFB friends! We’re here for another What’s New at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

And, we’ve got plenty of food, merchandise, entertainment, and crowd updates to share with you! So, what are you waiting for? Let’s jump right on in!

Animal Kingdom Food Update

We can’t pass up a new treat when we see one in the parks. And, the New Year’s Eve Cupcake has officially arrived at Flame Tree Barbecue, Restaurantosaurus, and Creature Comforts for $5.99.

The outside of the cupcake is combines a golden color to celebrate the New Year and themed Animal Kingdom features with the animal print Mickey head, crispy pearls, and “2021” on top.

But, the treat itself is made with chocolate cake, amaretto frosting, and a cherry filling for an extra sweet holiday snack that will make you feel even more excited about the New Year!

But, the holiday treats don’t stop there, folks!

Read our full review of the New Year Cupcake here!

Disney is wrapping up its Christmas festivities with leftover merchandise still sitting pretty at the popcorn carts around the park. If you didn’t get your chance to snag the White Christmas Tree Popcorn Bucket and Jingle Bell Sipper this year, you’re going to want to hurry before they’ve disappeared in Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

Animal Kingdom Merchandise Update

There’s no better way to celebrate the holidays than with a pretty AMAZING deal on merchandise in the parks. And, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is ending 2020 with a bang by giving guests 70% off select holiday items!

Along with face masks, Minnie Ears, and apparel, you can stock up on all sorts of holiday items.

Who else is ready to go on a New Year’s shopping spree now??

Find out all the details of the holiday sale here!

Along with the start of 2021 during New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, we also can’t wait to celebrate Lunar New Year in Disney World this upcoming February! And, we spotted the brand new Lunar New Year Ears for $29.99…

…and Lunar New Year Spirit Jersey for $74.99 over in the Bazaar in Asia! And, yes, we totally think you’d rock the red and gold ensemble during your next Disney trip!

As you’re walking around the park, sometimes you need something extra to cool off. And, you can chill out in STYLE with the character fans available at Chester and Hester’s! You can pick up the Mickey Mouse Fan…

…Cinderella Castle Fan…

…Mad Tea Party Fan…

…Haunted Mansion Fan…

…and Orange Bird Fan for $9.99 each!

Which one is your favorite??

Take a look at all the new colorful Disney fans here!

Animal Kingdom Entertainment Update

As the parks get ready to shake things up in 2021 with new attractions, restaurants, and entertainment, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is hopping on the bandwagon with an updated park map too! The front features a father and son duo looking thrilled to be in the park (same)…

…and the inside of the map is missing quite a few things. Along with the now permanently closed Primeval Whirl and Rivers of Light, Finding Nemo the Musical and Festival of the Lion King are also all missing from the map currently.

As the parks continue to make modifications to live entertainment and attractions through the New Year, we’ll keep you updated on the other changes coming soon too.

Here’s a look at all the details in the new park map!

We recently saw Santa Goofy living his best life over in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and now he has also made his way all the way over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom too!

Christmas might be over, but we’re totally okay with some extended holiday celebrations if it means that Santa Goofy is the one delivering a few last-minute gifts to us!

Plus, he’s really rocking that beard and red suit, if you ask us!

Have a peek at Santa Goofy looking as adorable as ever in Disney’s Animal Kingdom here!

Since Disney World has reopened, we’ve seen the attractions go through MANY stages of health and safety regulations. However, when we were in Animal Kingdom this week, we noticed that Flight of Passage was no longer seating guests with one or two bikes in between them.

Instead, the attraction is seating guests on EVERY bike with no plexiglass barriers in sight, similar to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster’s current operations. However, it is important to note that Flight of Passage is still using plexiglass barriers and distancing measures in its ride queue to separate parties.

Although we aren’t sure if this is a temporary change to accommodate the influx of crowds for the holidays, we’ll have to continue checking back!

Take a look at the details of the new ride procedures at Avatar Flight of Passage here!

Animal Kingdom Crowd Update

The holidays are one of the absolute busiest in Disney World. And, this week the crowds feel high (even with capacity limits).

The Flight of Passage had a 90-minute wait with a line stretching all the way back to the Harambe Theatre in Africa…

…and we also saw very busy queues at DINOSAUR, where Cast Members were having to direct traffic crosswalk-style for guests in the 80 minute line.

The line for Dinosaur is 80 minutes long and they’re having to stop traffic to let it cross and they’re using the Cretaceous trail! pic.twitter.com/UVb7z8HtjA

— AJ Wolfe (@DisneyFoodBlog) December 29, 2020

Expedition Everest also had trouble separating crowds from the line with a 70 minute wait.

Expedition Everest is currently a 70 minute wait, here’s the line crossing! pic.twitter.com/QPQUMXpkOC

— AJ Wolfe (@DisneyFoodBlog) December 29, 2020

Of course, we’ll be sure to give you a look at what the crowds are like during New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day as the holidays wrap up in Disney World!

Take a look at all the CRAZY long lines around Disney World that we saw!

Well, that’s all for this What’s New at Animal Kingdom! We’ll catch you next time for more food, merchandise, crowd, and entertainment updates. And, if you have any questions about your upcoming Disney World vacation, let us know so we can help you find the answers!

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What are you looking forward to seeing the most in Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments below!

The post What’s New at Animal Kingdom: Flight of Passage Loading EVERY Bike and Large Crowds first appeared on the disney food blog.