In the midst of new birth’s at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a mating pair of Great Horned Owls have retuned to Disney’s Animal Kingdom to nest and hatch chicks.
According to WDWNT reader, Mark Johnson, the pair of Florida-Native Great Horned Owls have been visiting the Maharajah Jungle Trek each spring season over the last several years to hatch their young. This year, they made home on the third pillar of the facade as guests enter the aviary.
The owls are not owned by Disney, and as a protected species, Disney is not allowed to interact or manage the birds. Therefore, they can nest wherever they wish. One of the parent owls, likely the male owl, is shown above on a tree branch near the nest.
Here, likely the female owl is perched atop the pillar. If you look closely, there are small, white puff-balls popping up above the foliage. Those are the hatchlings. According to Audubon.com, Great Horned Owls will typically lay 2-3 eggs per season. We do not know how many hatchlings have been born at this time.
Our reader included a story in their note to us about previous-year’s hatchling. One of the young owls fell into the tiger habitat within the Maharajah Jungle Trek. The tigers apparently appeared interested in eating the young owl, but would then look up at the large parents and leave it alone. Per the story, the hatchling learned to fly within 24 hours of being in the habitat and was able to fly back up to mom and dad. Audubon also mentions that, “young may leave the nest and climb on nearby branches at 5 weeks, can fly at about 9-10 weeks; tended and fed by parents for up to several months.”
Great Horned Owls are known to be aggressive and powerful birds of prey, even sometimes referred to as “tiger owls,” making the above story even more unique.
Other recent births at Disney’s Animal Kingdom include a baby tiger, named Bakso along with a new Masai giraffe, named Tucker.
While the Great Horned Owls are not an official resident of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney collaborates with experts from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Species Survival Plan to help boost endangered and threatened species. Since its inception in 1995, the Disney Conservation Fund has directed over $132 million to community conservation programs and worked with communities to protect wildlife and promote environmental resilience.
Have you ever seen the Great Horned Owls at Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments.
Every week, we report the average Disney World wait times in every park so that you can be prepared for your next trip to Orlando!
Magic Kingdom
With Easter upon us, knowing what the weekly average wait times are for rides can make or break your upcoming trip. If you’re heading to the parks soon, we’ve got all the info you need to know! This week, wait times INCREASED at Disney World, with nearly every ride on property seeing an increase, including an 80-minute average wait for Rise of the Resistance, the resort’s busiest ride.
Don’t believe us? Take a look at this week’s average wait times for proof!
Magic Kingdom Wait Times
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
TRON Lightcycle / Run — 79 minutes
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train — 61 minutes
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — 53 minutes
Peter Pan’s Flight — 51 minutes
Space Mountain — 48 minutes
Jungle Cruise — 41 minutes
Haunted Mansion — 33 minutes
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh — 34 minutes
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin — 33 minutes
Pirates of the Caribbean — 26 minutes
Enchanted Tales with Belle — 26 minutes
Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini — 26 minutes
The Barnstormer featuring Goofy the Great Goofini!
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — 75 minutes
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure — 60 minutes
Frozen Ever After — 57 minutes
Soarin’ — 35 minutes
The Seas with Nemo and Friends — 21 minutes
EPCOT
Mission: SPACE — 17 minutes
Spaceship Earth — 17 minutes
Living with the Land — 15 minutes
Turtle Talk with Crush — 15 minutes
Journey into Imagination — 12 minutes
Gran Fiesta Tour — 11 minutes
Test Track is closed for refurbishment. Awesome Planet, American Adventure, Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival, Impressions de France, and Reflections of China had no wait times this week.
Stay tuned to DFB for more updates from Disney World!
Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
How long would you wait for your favorite ride? Let us know in the comments below!
As part of the big celebration, Amazon is participating with some exclusive merchandise of its own! If you’ve been on the hunt for some new Star Wars souvenirs, you’ve come to the right place.
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.
Score a free trial of Amazon Prime by clicking the button below!
Say WHAT? Now this is the only way we want to see our Echo Dot devices from now on. This bundle includes the Echo Dot in Charcoal AND a limited edition Star Wars TIE Fighter Stand. This is the ultimate way to transform your Echo Dot into an iconic Star Wars spacecraft.
We can never have too many water bottles and tumblers, right? This one is dual insulated to keep beverages hot or cold for HOURS. Plus, it’s BPA-free and comes with a leak-proof lid.
So, are Disney Adults really as bad as everyone says they are? Well, if you are a Disney Adult doubter or feel like you have to hide part of yourself out of fear of hate, we dare you to read this, as it may make you rethink your opinion on Disney Adults.
AJ has started a blog and YouTube channel, created endless vacation guides, and now she’s tackling something new… she’s written a book! The book is titled “Disney Adults: Exploring (And Falling In Love With) A Magical Subculture and is set to release on August 5th, 2025. Her book is currently available for pre-order right now!!
Mickey Balloons on Main Street
So why would this book change your mind about Disney Adults? According to AJ, there are some fascinating reasons why Disney Adults are the recipients of hate, and they usually have more to do with the haters than with the Disney Adults themselves. A combination of stereotypes, jealousy, fear, self-consciousness, and misunderstanding contributes to subconscious confusion about Disney adults, which manifests outwardly as anger and hate.
Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar
In the book, AJ talks to a wide range of Disney Adults to get to the bottom of this subculture. She has interviewed tattoo artists, therapists, influencers, former Imagineers, current and former Disney employees, and surveyed thousands of Disney Adults to figure out what’s really going on with the stereotypes and what the impact on them is of being maligned online. Are they really as they’re perceived?
EPCOT
Being a Disney Adult is not only about the Mickey ears, marriage proposals, and movie premieres. For most of us, there’s more.
You’ll find the poignant, the wholesome, the generous, the trashy, the entitled, and the obsessive. AJ has met ‘em all. And it’s a roller coaster. These are grown-ups who derive singular, almost obsessive, joy from all things Disney. They’re often maligned in the larger culture and put on a particularly high pedestal, which can be cringeworthy. But in truth, their obsessive fandom hints at a universal desire for pleasure and joy, for magic and escape.
Mickey!
Disney Adults are a telling microcosm of modern America, highlighting the value we place on happiness, consumerism, and escapism, as well as what we deem to be “acceptable” sources of joy. To dismiss them is to ignore something fundamental, sometimes even wholesome, about human behavior. This book dives deep into this misunderstood world, revealing the lives and experiences of this fascinating subculture to better understand its devotees’ unwavering passion for all things Disney, why it offends, and why it matters. But what is it about Disney that transcends nostalgia and captivates adults on such a profound level?
Main Street Electrical Parade at Disneyland
AJ is not afraid to admit that she is a Disney Adult, and she thinks that one thing that everyone can agree on is that Disney Adults are obsessed. But the child-like nostalgia was only half of the equation. It was just the gateway to obsession, as few other vacation destinations will so happily and effortlessly deceive you into thinking reality simply doesn’t exist. These parks are almost like a drug, and it can become very expensive, but as Disney Adults, we can’t wait to take another hit.
AJ, as a Disney Adult, wanted to go somewhere pristine that would promise, above all else, consistency and joy that required nothing whatsoever of me except a swipe of my credit card.
Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland
AJ’s main point that she tries to get across in this book is that you’re not a bad person, nor are you a permanently damaged person (that’s a big one) if you’re relying on a happy place or a hobby or nostalgia or an obsession to comfort you when you’re in a messy time in your life. You’re a normal person and You. Are. Not. The. Only. One.
Fireworks
If you want to learn more about Disney Adults and why they are the way that they are, make sure to order AJ’s pre-book, “Disney Adults: Exploring (And Falling In Love With) A Magical Subculture” today!
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Do you consider yourself a Disney Adult? Let us know in the comments!
Is anyone else in the mood for a little spring cleaning now that the weather is warming up and the trees are blooming? It’s the perfect time for a closet refresh! Speaking of refreshing your closet, if you’ve got a trip to Disney World coming up this year, this is the perfect time to shop for a new Loungefly bag for your vacation. Out with the old; in with the new, right?
Look at all those bags!
A brand-new Minnie Mouse-themed Disney Loungefly collection just dropped online — come with us to see what’s new!
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.
Score a free trial of Amazon Prime by clicking the button below!
OK, we’re starting strong with this new Minnie Mouse mini backpack. Look at the lace detail! Look at the bouquet of flowers! We LOVE the Minnie appliqué, too, where Minnie is seen all dressed up for spring. Check this one out SOON before it sells out!
Calling all fashion fans — this purse is for YOU! This can double as a park bag for a visit to the Disney parks, and it’s got some sweet details that really make it special. We love the appliqué ears, polka dot print, and lace trim.
How CUTE is this?! What’s not to love here — the bag has a simple polka dot print, a pink 3D bow, a front flap, and embroidered roses. We have a feeling this won’t stay in stock for long!
We’re always on the lookout for the coolest Disney products on Amazon, and this week we’ve come across some fun offerings, most of which are just too sweeeeeeeet.
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.
These blind-bag offerings feature 9 adorable figures inspired by Asha’s adventures in the kingdom of Rosas in the film Wish. Each toy stands approximately 1.5 inches tall and features “signature Doorables stylized detailing and sparkly glitter eyes.”
This set includes a “7-piece Disney Munchlings Mini Munch Display set with 4 scented collectible toy figures, 2 dessert accessories, and 1 of 3 displays—a refrigerator, bakery case, or bento box.”
This Frozen hairbrush features Queen Elsa’s & Anna’s portrait “topped with floating gold leaves for a magical brush; a kid-friendly handle and orange rounded bristles on a soft red cushion to make grooming fun and easy.”
A new graffiti-style mural is being added to the exterior facade of the Ice Cold Hydraulics Building at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
A large portion of the new Mural appears to be complete with Coca-Cola written in its classic red font. A woman just below is holding a bottle of Coca-Cola and has a work bubble that says “enjoy!” There are also orange and white swirls intermingled with both larger images.
From this angle, an in-progress beach scene is visible. The water is blue, there is a setting or rising sun amidst the clouds, and there are palm trees at the edge.
Just under the beach scene there are several colorful shapes that appear to be part of unfinished work. You can see the sketches taking form, outlined in white. One of the sketches looks to possibly be a surfboard, tying into the beach-theme.
Other areas of the new mural also have sketched lines for upcoming work. When asked about the project, a Cast Member told us that it began a few days ago. There is no word on when the project will be complete or what the finished product may look like.
Ice Cold Hydraulics opened in February 2024 and features Coke-infused food as well as beverages in addition to classic Disney treats like Mickey pretzels, popcorn, and cotton candy. Shortly after its opening, two new theming elements were added to the facade. Clearly, this was not the end of exterior additions.
Watch our review of the Coke-inspired treats at Ice Cold Hydraulics below, and let us know what you think about this new update.
It’s time to stop sleeping on one of the most underrated (and budget-friendly) food spots in Disney World.
River Roost
If you’ve ever wandered around Port Orleans Riverside, you may have walked right past River Roost without realizing it’s home to some seriously solid eats. This cozy lounge usually flies under the radar thanks to its chill vibe and old-school interior — but now it’s bringing some heat (literally) with a new menu addition that’s too good not to talk about.
So here’s the deal: River Roost Lounge — yes, the same place where you can catch Yeeha Bob’s piano show—just added Andouille Nachos to its menu. And for $13, you’re getting a mountain of food that’s loaded with flavor and very generous on toppings.
River Roost Appetizer Menu
These nachos come stacked with andouille and red bean chili, cheese sauce, trinity pico, and sour cream, all layered over corn tortilla chips. But that’s not even the whole story — ours also came topped with pickled jalapeños and cilantro, which weren’t mentioned on the menu but totally brought the whole thing together.
Andouille Nachos
We’re not going to sugarcoat it: these things are spicy. Like, drink-an-entire-glass-of-water-after-four-chips kind of spicy. The chili has that classic Cajun heat that builds with every bite, and it really brings the fire. If you’re sensitive to spice, you might want to tread lightly here. But if you’re a fan of bold flavor and a little burn, this might just be your new favorite Disney World snack.
They’re loaded down with toppings!
Let’s talk texture. The chips were crunchy and held up well under the weight of all the toppings — at least at first. Like with most nachos, the top layer was where the party was, while the bottom layer was a little more “chip and cheese soup.” If you’re sharing, just make sure everyone grabs a top-layer chip early on. Or, you know, don’t share. We wouldn’t blame you.
Andouille Nachos
As far as portion size goes, this is definitely enough to share between two people — or keep all to yourself and call it dinner. At $13, it’s a solid deal compared to what you’ll pay for similar snacks elsewhere on property. And considering the lounge setting, you can sit back, relax, maybe catch some live music, and enjoy a meal without the typical quick-service chaos.
River Roost
If you’re already staying at Port Orleans Riverside (or even French Quarter—it’s a short walk), you’ve got no excuse not to swing by and give these a shot. And if you’re not staying there? We don’t know that these are worth the trip but if you’re already heading over for some beignets then it is totally worth stopping by. With so many Disney dining spots getting more expensive and more competitive, it’s refreshing to find something this good that doesn’t break the bank — or require a reservation.
We’ll be on the lookout for any restaurant updates from Disney World and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more!
Disney dropped some new reveals about the second season of Andor, which will premiere on Disney+ on April 22nd. The season will have four three-episode arcs that will lead up to the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. One of the big reveals is that the second season will include a look at Chandrila, Mon Mothma’s home planet.
And for those who’ve been waiting for it: yes, Rogue One‘s K-2SO, played by Alan Tudk, will be in season 2, and we’ll see how he and Cassian meet.
Ahsoka Season 2
Speaking of season 2, Ahsoka will be returning for a second season on Disney+, and it’s finally been confirmed that Hayden Christensen will be returning to play Anakin Skywalker, according to Cinema Blend. YAY! Also, Admiral Akbar will be part of the second season.
Disney also confirmed that Rory McCann will be taking over the role of Baylan Skoll, after the character’s original actor, Ray Stevenson, passed away in 2023. Also, showrunner Dave Filoni revealed that we’ll see Loth Kittens in the new season.
Star Wars: Zero Company
Disney also dropped details about a new video game coming out, Star Wars: Zero Company, a single-player turn-based tactics game by Bit Reactor that features a new original story set during the Clone Wars. Players will take control of Hawks, a former Republic officer in charge of “an elite squad of cunning operatives.” Disney also revealed a new trailer for the game.
Lucasfilm Games’ Executive Producer Orion Kellogg said, “This isn’t just a Clone Wars game. This is a game in the Clone Wars, but from a new angle. This is really Bit Reactor’s vision. It’s their Star Wars story, and we’re here to help them tell it. So you’re also going to see influence from the political intrigue of Andor; you’re going to see the gritty battles of Rogue One. You’re going to see the wit and wisdom of A New Hope. It’s a Star Wars game through and through.” The game is coming soon to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Rebuild The Galaxy
Disney also announced LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy: Pieces of the Past, which will bring back the Rebuild the Galaxy story, which will show what’s next for Sig, Yesi, and Jedi Bob after the events of Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy. Perhaps the biggest surprise about this new animated series is confirmation that a LEGO BrickHeadz version of Ahsoka Tano will appear in it, as voiced by Ashley Eckstein.
The four-part sequel series LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy: Pieces of the Past premieres on Disney+ on September 19th, 2025.
Star Wars: Starfigher
You heard the rumors about Ryan Gosling coming to Star Wars and those rumors have officially been confirmed. Gosling will star in Star Wars: Starfighter, a new Star Wars movie directed by Shawn Levy. The new movie is set around five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Gosling will play a brand new character.
Star Wars: Starfighter will debut in theaters on Memorial Day 2027.
The Mandalorian and Grogu
The Mandalorian and Grogu star Pedro Pascal, along with Jon Favreau and Grogu, took to the Star Wars Celebration stage and announced that Sigourney Weaver would be joining the Star Wars universe in the film. Although Weaver admitted that she hadn’t seen the Disney+ The Mandalorian series when approached for the role, she became a fan quickly.
“When I watched [The Mandalorian], I fell in love with all the characters, especially this guy,” she said, gesturing to Pascal. “And of course Grogu stole my heart.” (Same, girl, same).
The Mandalorian and Grogu will premiere in theaters in 2026.
Darth Maul Animated Series
A new animated series is also coming to Disney+. Maul: Shadow Lord will see Sam Witwer, who has voiced the character in other Star Wars projects, reprise his role as Darth Maul. The new series will be set after The Clone Wars with Maul rising up to lead new underworld factions (does that mean we finally get to see the beginning of Crimson Dawn as mentioned in Solo:A Star Wars Story?).
The new series is currently in production and will premiere on Disney+ in 2026.
Other Star Wars Announcements
Of course, these are just the biggest announcements. Disney also mentioned that Light & Magic season 2 is now streaming on Disney+, and revealed new covers for upcoming Star Wars manga, novels, and art books. Some new Hasbro figures were also revealed, as well as a new story pack for the Star Wars: Outlaws video game.
Star Wars will also soon be coming to the mobile game, Monopoly Go, on May 1st. Plus, a new K-2SO LEGO set is on the way. Young Jedi Adventures will return for season 3 in the fall on Disney+, and the Star Wars: Beyond Victory – A Mixed Reality Playset is coming soon.
In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Star Wars news, so stay tuned for more.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
What are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!
From freebies to activities that seem illegal (but aren’t), we’re spilling the tea!
You Can Meet Disney Characters For FREE
Best be sitting down for this big reveal, friends — because it’s not just gonna save you money. It’s also gonna save you TIME.
Hey Mickey!
For the past few years, Disney characters have popped up at random times around the hotels — meaning you don’t even need a park ticket OR a character dining reservation in order to take a picture with a legit Disney friend. We’ll see Daisy Duck playing lawn games around the Riviera, we’ll see Goofy waving from a Wilderness Lodge balcony, we might even catch Chip and Dale causing a little chaos inside that ever-so-classy Grand Floridian lobby.
It’s Daisy!
But meeting characters outside the parks has always been more of a happy little accident rather than something you can predict…until NOW. Recently, we’ve been seeing signs starting to pop up around resorts (like over at Port Orleans French Quarter and Wilderness Lodge) that directly state when character meet and greets will be happening around the hotels.
Character Meet and Greet sign at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort
We haven’t seen these signs pop up at EVERY resort, but it looks like it’s a new trend that’s becoming more and more frequent around the Disney hotels. Keep in mind that these resort meet and greets won’t be listed on the My Disney Experience app — so you’ll need to keep your eyes open for these specific signs if you wanna know the exact times and days of the week that you’ll be able to meet some of Disney’s most popular characters.
How To Get Snack And Soda Discounts
Psst. Get this. Not everyone has to pay full price for ALL drinks and snacks on Disney property. If a place is considered a retail shop on Disney grounds, then Annual Passholders, DVC members, and Disney Visa cardholders will more than likely be able to get discounts on not just merch, but the snacks and drinks available there, too.
Self-service Beverage Station
With an annual pass, you can get extra discounts at shops like:
Most of the Disney resort gift shops (a GREAT hack for soda goblins — since we can get 20% off bottled soda using our annual pass)
And several other locations, too!
We bet you can smell this photo
Keep in mind that discounts vary depending on your membership program. To find out where your specific exclusive savings will apply, check the Disney World website for passholder discounts, check the Disney Rewards website for Disney Visa perks, and check the Disney Vacation Club website for DVC deals.
How To Get Into Space 220 Without Reservations
Space 220 (over in EPCOT’s World Discovery area) has been around now since 2021 but still continues to be one of the most popular dining reservations inside the park (as well as one of the most EXPENSIVE). However, we’ve been able to get into the restaurant with NO reservations and NO prix fixe prices.
Space 220
We went over to Space 220, just to see if there was any walk-up availability for a party of one for the Space 220 bar. And guess what? There was IMMEDIATE seating. Mind you, this was around noon, so we were fully expecting to have our name added to a walk-up waitlist. And yet the cast members got us right onto that Stellavator and up to the Centauri Space Station, STAT.
Space 220 elevator
We’re not saying that this is going to be the same situation for you — especially if you’ve got more members in your group to accommodate. But while we were sitting at the bar, we saw a family of four (two adults, two kids) happily munching away on apps and enjoying the space views behind us. Most Disney lounges do NOT allow kiddos to sit up at the bar, but Space 220 has created an exception to that rule.
The view is cool
While we were at Space 220, we ordered some shrimp wonton tacos and a glass of water, and we are happy to announce that we got to do the WHOLE Space 220 experience for under $20. (Instead of the $79 per person you’ll have to fork over if you book the main restaurant seating area during dinner time.) Sure, we had a much more limited menu to choose from — and we were seated a little further away from the main windows — but we still saw everything just fine and felt more than satisfied with the experience.
Flight Bites and Drinks from Space 220 Lounge
If you don’t have ressies for Space 220 but you still wanna experience this space-centered restaurant, try walking up to the host stand and asking about bar availability. Even if you’re put on a wait list, you’ll still be able to go back into the park and explore for a bit while waiting for a text saying it’s your turn to shoot up into space!
Don’t Trust Disney’s Opening Timelines
Disney’s got a LOT of new stuff in the works. But before you get your hopes up about seeing any of these new attractions during your next visit, we wanna remind y’all that no Disney release date is ever completely set in stone — ESPECIALLY the release dates that are really, REALLY vague.
We’ve seen Disney push back a lot of opening dates before… like how Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Hollywood Studios was originally supposed to open in 2020. And THEN it was supposed to open in 2022. But REALLY it opened in March of 2023.
Roundup Rodeo BBQ
The Cake Bake Shop at Boardwalk Inn had similar pushbacks. Originally, it was supposed to open in late 2023, but it didn’t officially open until fall 2024. And “The Little Mermaid Musical Adventure” stage show that was originally slated to open in fall 2024 has since been pushed back to summer 2025.
The Cake Bake Shop
Disney’s opening timelines change fairly frequently. And that’s not because Disney wants to get us all worked up and angry, but sometimes a pushback is necessary if there are any delays and hiccups that happen for a project, or if the project simply needs a bit more time to work out the kinks before going live for the public.
Once Disney puts out a specific opening DATe for a project, you’re gonna have a much better idea of if a project will be open by the time your vacation kicks off. But if you’re not seeing a specific opening timeline just yet for something and your trip is quickly approaching, we wouldn’t necessarily get your hopes up about seeing it go live during your visit.
Test Track construction
You can always push back your trip if you want to improve your chances of seeing a new attraction go live by the time your trip kicks off (if you’ve got the wiggle room in your schedule, that is). But otherwise, just make sure you stick with us and we’ll let you know once we find out the specifics regarding when a Disney attraction is specifically slated to open.
The Transport Troubles Over At Saratoga Springs
You know those really cool treehouse villas over at Saratoga SpringsResort? The ones where you and up to 9 guests can hang out in a space that’s eye-level with the trees? Yeah. These rooms are really cool. But they do come with their fair share of transportation problems.
Treehouse Villas
If you’re planning on booking a treehouse at Saratoga, your group is only allowed to park ONE car per treehouse. That can be a major snag if you truly are using this room to house a group of 9 guests. Fortunately, if your group is made up of more than one vehicle, Saratoga isn’t just going to turn your group away and say, “Sorry, Charlie — get rid of your extra cars and THEN we’ll talk.” You’ll just need to park any additional vehicles in the main area of the resort — outside the Carriage House (which is a good distance away from the treehouses themselves. Just something to keep in mind).
Another snafu? Saratoga Springs doesn’t let rideshares into the treehouse area. So, once again, if you’re trying to book a rideshare to get you anywhere, you’re gonna have to travel a good distance over to the Carriage House if you’re looking to hitch a ride.
Carriage House
And here’s the FINAL kicker: Saratoga’s treehouses do NOT have their own bus routes. So unless you have one car that’s parked nearby and that’s ALL you’re gonna rely on when it comes to getting you from place to place, you will need to plan on walking over to the nearest bus stop (which in this case would be the Grandstand area). Treehouses? Super cool. Transportation struggles? Eh. Not so much.
The Disney Springs Hot Air Balloon Is Not Always A Guarantee
Yes, we want the Disney Springs’ hot air balloon to let us down…But AFTER we’ve already been up in the air. And yet, sometimes it has to for our own safety.
Disney Springs
The Aerophile is the big blue tethered hot air balloon that’s become a pretty iconic part of the Disney Springs area. For $30 per adult, you can soar up high — 400 feet above the shopping district — for an 8-minute look at Disney from a bird’s eye view.
Disney Springs
Some may think the price is worth it, some may not, and some may not have a say one way or another because the Aerophile won’t be open on the day of their visit. If it’s storming OR if the wind that day exceeds 22 mph, the Aerophile will NOT take people up.
Aerophile
But the good news here is that you can check ahead of time to find out if this attraction is something that you can keep on your itinerary for the day. Just call 407-938-9433 to find out if the Aerophile is going to stay open or search for the Aerophile on your My Disney Experience app and see if the page lists that the balloon is “temporarily closed” or not.
Disney Springs
Want to learn about MORE Disney World secrets? Stay tuned right here at DFB for all the latest tips, tricks, reviews, updates, and more!
