1923 Main Street: Snow Skate Surf and Travel Style

EPCOT Turns 40 on October 1, 2022

EPCOT wasn't always a park that was slated for success. A quick look back at the creation of Disney's first park not modelled after a Magic Kingdom.

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EPCOT 40th Anniversary Merchandise Revealed

The new EPCOT 40th Anniversary Collection is available for purchase as of October 1, 2022, with additional items arriving throughout the month. The collection features retro and nostalgic designs that offer a wide variety of merchandise for the entire family. 

Initial reactions among fans have been mixed. This commemorative merchandise will be available at Creations Shop in EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Select items will also be available on shopDisney.com.

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Foodie Guide to EPCOT 40th Anniversary Celebrations

From the very beginning, EPCOT has always had a food component through World Showcase.

So it's only fitting that there's a foodie guide to accompany EPCOT 40th Anniversary Celebrations (including our top picks).

Connections Café (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3) 

• EPCOT 40th Liege Waffle: Brioche dough with pearl sugar  > Amelia's Pick

Chozo de Margarita (Available beginning Sept. 30 while supplies last) 

• 40th Fiesta: Frozen margarita in a “MEXICO 40” souvenir cup

Funnel Cake (Available Oct. 1 and 2) 

• Celebration Funnel Cake with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, sprinkles, and 40th candies > Amelia's Pick

Garden House (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3) 

• Sake Cocktail Flight featuring Samurai, Mt. Fuji, Tokyo Sunset, and Violet Sake  > Mike's Pick

La Hacienda de San Angel and San Angel Inn (Available beginning Sept. 30 while supplies last)

• Flan: Vanilla custard topped with blueberries, whipped cream, and a “MEXICO 40” white chocolate garnish
• Clarified Margarita: Tequila, orange liqueur, lemon, simple syrup,“MEXICO 40” cup & glow cube

Nine Dragons Restaurant (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3) 

• Dan Dan Noodles: Spicy pork, Sichuan sauce, peanut butter, sesame, cucumber, and green onion 

Space 220 Restaurant (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3) 

• Crema Catalana: Vanilla cream custard, lemon snow, citrus segments, and spicy ginger crumble  > Mike's Pick

Sunshine Seasons (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3; Mobile order available)

• Figment Sponge Cake with honey-lime mousse

Teppan Edo (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3) 

• EPCOT 40th Saketini: The saketini was on the menu when the Japan Pavilion first opened. This version combines sake and butterfly pea flower to recreate the night sky of EPCOT

Tokyo Dining (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3) 

• EPCOT 40th Kaisen Chirashi Don: Celebration sushi bowl
• EPCOT 40th Saketini: The saketini was on the menu when the Japan Pavilion first opened. This combines sake and butterfly pea flower to create a color reminiscent of the EPCOT night sky

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MagicBand+ Coming to Disneyland Resort this Fall

While MagicBand+ offers very little in terms of innovative new experiences, Disney fans have still been snapping them up to try them out at Walt Disney World.

With MagicBand+ launching soon at Disneyland, will there be anything different or better in terms of features and experiences? The answer is, unfortunately, no. Here's what you can expect once MagicBand+ launches at Disneyland.

At launch, you'll be able to connect your MagicBand+ to theme park tickets or a Magic Key pass in the Disneyland and use it for Lightning Lane entrances. Disney PhotoPass photographers will also accept a tap of your band to link photos to your Disney account. All pretty basic and standard MagicBand functionality.

MagicBand+ will also offer its glow-with-the-show capability at Disneyland. Again, nothing special.

The Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters interactive quest has vibrations and lights from MagicBand+. This feature has, in our opinion, ruined the landscape of Galaxy's Edge by inserting very non-immersive screens throughout the land. Plus, users have encountered problems with this activity, particularly in terms of rapidly draining the MagicBand+ battery (rendering it useless as far as completing the mission).

Should you buy a MagicBand+ at Disneyland? The basic functionality of a MagicBand is good, but the enhancements are nothing special at all and not worth it in our opinion.

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Thank You for Listening to the Disney Travel Podcast

Thank you very much for listening to this episode, Amelia and I hope that you enjoyed it. If you did, we would be very grateful if you could rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes (or on whichever app you choose to listen). A brief review about what you liked most about an episode truly helps to keep the show going by exposing it to new listeners. We look forward to continue producing new episodes each week.

Sharing the podcast with your friends and on social media is also extremely helpful and very much appreciated.

Shop 1923 Main Street

Feel free to visit our 1923 Main Street® Disney merchandise shop where we have hundreds of unique and original Disney-inspired t-shirts, leggings, clothing, mugs, phone cases and much more. You'll find everything from 1923 Main Street logo merchandise to custom created authentic Disney-inspired originals, including lots of great patterns for leggings and other items.

Contact 1923 Main Street

Thank you for listening to the Disney Travel News Podcast at 1923MainStreet.com. As always, we love to get feedback and questions from our listeners and to hear your suggestions and ideas for future episodes.

Please be sure to follow along on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

Thank you for listening and have a magical day!

Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic

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Media provided by Jamendo

Christmas or Halloween? Which is a Better Time to Visit Walt Disney World

In Episode 143 of the Disney Travel News Podcast at 1923 Main Street we discuss which of these two popular holiday periods is the best time to plan a vacation to Walt Disney World Resort.

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Foodie Guide to Halloween Bites From the Resorts of Walt Disney World

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, and Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

World Premiere Food Court, Intermission Food Court, and End Zone Food Court (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available) 

• My (Plant-Based) Boo: Chocolate cupcake topped with a ghostly swirl of vanilla buttercream and sprinkles (New) (Plant-based) (Gluten/Wheat-Friendly)
• Mickey Pumpkin Cheesecake: Pumpkin cheesecake and spiced chocolate cake with buttercream and chocolate décor (New)

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Landscape of Flavors (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available)

• Spellbound Chicken Adobo Nachos: Blue corn tortilla chips with chicken adobo, toasted pumpkin seeds, roasted corn, black beans, and a zesty pumpkin cheese sauce finished with lime crema and a ghostly pepper salsa (New) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
• My (Plant-Based) Boo: Chocolate cupcake topped with a ghostly swirl of vanilla buttercream and sprinkles (New) (Plant-based) (Gluten/Wheat-Friendly)
• The Whoopie Monster: Spiced apple whoopie pie with marshmallow buttercream and caramel (New)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge 

The Mara (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available)

• Pumpkin Mickey Tart: Pumpkin cheesecake mousse, chocolate ganache and chocolate décor (New) 

Boma – Flavors of Africa, Victoria Falls Lounge, and Sanaa (Available October 1 through 31)  

• Doom-ela South African Margarita: Our Margarita featuring Patron Silver Tequila with a South African Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon floater (New)

Disney’s Beach Club Resort 

Beach Club Marketplace (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available) 

• Mummy Cookies ‘n Scream Trifle: Layers of chocolate cookies n’ cream mousse, chocolate cake, and whipped cream (New)
• Poison Apple Trifle: Layers of caramel crunch, apple mousse, caramel mousse, and vanilla cake with buttercream and fondant décor (New) 
• Mickey Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookie: Pumpkin spice sugar cookie with royal icing décor (New) 

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop (Available October 1 through 31) 

• Butter Pecan Pumpkin Shake: Butter pecan ice cream with pumpkin flavoring, caramel, chocolate sauces and a vanilla cupcake with a Mickey pumpkin and sprinkle décor (New) (non-alcoholic)

Disney’s BoardWalk 

BoardWalk Deli (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available)

• Boo Brownie: Mickey-shaped brownie topped with ganache and whipped cream ghosts (New) 
• Creepy Cupcake: Vanilla cupcake with blood orange curd filling, vanilla mascarpone cream, chocolate cookies crumbs, and sugar pumpkins (New) 

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort 

Centertown Market and Spyglass Grill (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available)

• My (Plant-Based) Boo: Chocolate cupcake topped with a ghostly swirl of vanilla buttercream and sprinkles (New) (Plant-based) (Gluten/Wheat-Friendly)
• Topsy Turvy Chocolate & Cherries: Chocolate cake, salted caramel mousse and a tart cherry filling (New)

Disney’s Contemporary Resort 

Contempo Café (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available)  

• Madame Leota Dark Chocolate Cake: Devil’s Food mini cake filled with dark chocolate ganache topped with chocolate glaze and marshmallow webs (New) 

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort 

Barcelona Lounge (Available through November 30)  

• Caramel Pumpkin Pie Cold Brew: Joffrey's Cold Brew Coffee with caramel and pumpkin pie flavors topped with cinnamon whipped cream (New) (non-alcoholic) 

Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Villa del Lago (Available October 1 through 31)  

• Pumpkin Mickey Tart: Pumpkin cheesecake mousse, chocolate ganache, chocolate décor (New)

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa  

Gasparilla Island Grill (Available through October 31; Mobile order available) 

• Jack O ’Lantern Mickey Cake Pop: Jumbo pumpkin-spiced yellow cake pop enrobed in orange-colored white chocolate (New) 
• Black Flame Candle: Candy corn-colored vanilla sponge cake candle with caramel buttercream and white chocolate ganache (New)
• Bewitching Minnie Mousse Cupcake: Cookies ‘n cream-filled chocolate cupcake and ganache
• Hocus Pocus 'Amuck' Cakes: Chocolate Devils Food cupcakes filled with peanut “boo”tter mousse

Disney’s Old Key West Resort 

Good’s Food to Go (Available October 1 through 31)

• Mummy Mickey Blondie: Caramel blondie with caramel buttercream

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort 

Capt. Cook’s and Kona Island (Available October 1 - 31; Mobile order available at Capt. Cook’s only)

• Tamatoa: Chocolate chiffon cake with Hawaiian Chantilly filling and shiny sprinkles (New)

Pineapple Lanai (Available October 1 through 31) 

• Not-So-Scary Pumpkin Soft-serve: Pumpkin spice flavored soft-serve and coconut haupia with caramel drizzle, graham cracker crumbs, and a white chocolate Mickey-shaped pumpkin (New)

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Everything POP Shopping and Dining  (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available)

• My (Plant-Based) Boo: Chocolate cupcake topped with a ghostly swirl of vanilla buttercream and sprinkles (New) (Plant-based) (Gluten/Wheat-Friendly)
• The Whoopie Monster: Spiced apple whoopie pie, marshmallow buttercream and caramel (New)

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Riverside  

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory and Riverside Mill Food Court (Available October 1 through 31; Mobile order available)

• My (Plant-Based) Boo: Chocolate cupcake topped with a ghostly swirl of vanilla butt...

Everything New for Disney Parks and Resorts from D23 Expo 2022

So What's Next for Disney Parks?

You won't believe what's coming behind Big Thunder Mountain at Walt Disney World

This is Disney's Blue Sky sneak peak of what's coming down the road for Disney Parks. This portion of the D23 Expo had the biggest cheer of anything announced in 2022.

First though, Josh D'Amaro announced what's happening with Dinoland at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park. It has been languishing and looks forgotten so the announcement of a big transformation coming was welcome. Zootopia and Moana will share the space currently occupied by Dinoland. 

But the biggest news of all...

 
Disney Villains are Finally Getting a Place to Call their Own

Magic Kingdom will feature new frontiers and it's all hiding on the other side of BTM. The little town of Santa Cecilia will come to life as Coco gets a Magic Kingdom presence. And if you do want to talk about Bruno, you're in luck because you may be able to walk right into the Madrigal's casita. But all is not fun and flowers in this new land...as what if the Disney villains took up residence there as well...beyond Big Thunder Mountain.

This was presented as conceptual and would likely be 10 years down the road, but Disney would not share it in this way if it weren't going to happen. Big news for Walt Disney World and Magic Kingdom.

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There's More Coming to Walt Disney World

A new nighttime show for EPCOT will debut in late 2023 to kick-off the 100th Anniversary of the Walt Disney Company.

Moana's Journey of Water and the rest of the World Celebration area at EPCOT will open in late 2023. So we'll have to bear with those construction walls for another year it seems.

Figment is returning in a brand new form for a meet and greet at EPCOT. That will be in place by the end of 2023.

In Magic Kingdom, the perennial favorite Hatbox Ghost will materialize once again in the Haunted Mansion.

And we now know that Tron Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom will debut in Spring 2023. We were hoping it would be sooner, but apparently they are working on finishing touches right now. No specific date, just "spring." 

Finally, in 2023, a new version of  Happily Ever After will return as part of a new Magic Kingdom nighttime show. This received a good amount of applause.

 
What's New and Coming to Disneyland Resort

The DVC Villas at Disneyland Hotel will be called the Villas at Disneyland Hotel. How creative.

On October 16, 2023 Disney 100 kicks-off and it promises to be the biggest celebration ever for Disney.

Under the theme of a Boundless Future the following announcements were made:

The Mandalorian and Grogu (aka Baby Yoda) will be onsite starting in Mid November 2022 at Disneyland Galaxy's Edge

Over at the Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Park, Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios, noted "we're just getting started." A new giant Hulk will be at Avengers Campus in California "next week." 

Plus, they're bringing the Multiverse to Avengers Campus. Disney is expanding the campus to include a new attraction. In the new attraction you will battle alongside all the Avengers against all the foes from anywhere. You will fight King Thanos. This is a new Thanos -- a Thanos who won. And the Avengers are not too happy about that and you have to help them. More news to come.

Also new to Disney California Adventure, they are reimagining Pacific Wharf into San Fransokyo from Big Hero Six. You'll be able to meet Baymax there. 

Finally, they are reimagining Paradise Pier Hotel, as it will become Pixar Place Hotel. It will feature a Finding Nemo splash pad and more characters. All in all, Disney promises that the hotel will feel completely new.

Over at Downtown Disney more than a dozen new or reimagined locations are in the works. More announcements coming over the next year. But the big news locally is a that SoCal favorite bakery Porto's is coming to Downtown Disney. 

RunDisney at Disneyland is coming back in 2024. More details coming soon. It's been awhile for Run Disney as the last one took place in 2017.

Mickey's ToonTown Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway are coming along. It was good to hear that it will be a slightly different version of Runaway Railway than the WDW edition, to fit into the Disneyland ToonTown story. It's all opening in 2023.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure will open in late 2024 in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The story for the ride is that it picks up where the film (Princess and the Frog) left off. In the new story, Princess Tiana is an entrepreneur and community leader in the year 1927. She is hosting a party for the community and we need to help Tiana to find a special ingredient that she's missing. 

Disney promises that the latest tech is being implemented to really enhance the outside of the whole area at night. Mist will be used like a painter's canvas. "True bayou magic." The attraction is to be a love letter to New Orleans. Guests should feel the story is authentic to the city. Another great piece of news is that the original cast will be lending their voices to the new attraction. 

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What's new at Disney Cruise Line

The sixth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet is all about adventure...celebrating Walt's love for exploration. The new Disney Cruise ship is called Disney Treasure.

The Disney Wonder is heading to Australia and New Zealand late 2023.

The island of Eleuthera and Lighthouse Point will be the new Bahamas port for Disney Cruise. 90% of the power will come from solar.

What's Coming to Disney Parks Around the Globe

Zootopia is opening at Shanghai Disneyland. 

World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland will open in the second half of 2023, featuring a Wandering Oaken sleigh coaster.

Disneyland Paris' Frozen Arendelle land is coming along and Disneyland Hotel is being fully reimagined -- opening in 2024

At Tokyo Disneyland, Disney Fantasy Spring will feature Peter Pan, Tangled and Frozen. Plus a totally reimagined Space Mountain will open by 2027 at Tokyo Disney.

Pixar We Belong Together will be debuting at Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris next year. The DLP 30th Anniversary celebrations will be continuing until September 2023.

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Thank You for Listening to the Disney Travel Podcast

Thank you very much for listening to this episode, Amelia and I hope that you enjoyed it. If you did, we would be very grateful if you could rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes (or on whichever app you choose to listen). A brief review about what you liked most about an episode truly helps to keep the show going by exposing it to new listeners. We look forward to co...

There's a New DVC Lounge Coming to Disneyland

Disney Vacation Club announced the first Member Lounge coming to Disneyland Resort in California and it is expected to open in the first half of 2023. The lounge will be located in Tomorrowland and be called “Disney Vacation Club Star View Station.” 

Located on the second floor of the Star Wars: Launch Bay building, the space-themed lounge will be home to a dedicated Disney Vacation Club Member Services team, plus lots of casual seating, complimentary Wi-Fi, device-charging stations and more.

Similar to the DVC lounge at EPCOT, the Disneyland lounge will be available to eligible Disney Vacation Club Members with valid park tickets and reservations to Disneyland Park, space permitting. 

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Is Disney Really Launching a Membership Program Like Amazon Prime

Disney is reportedly planning to launch a new membership program loosely modeled after Amazon Prime that would offer discounts and perks for combining streaming services, theme park visits, resort hotel stays, merchandise purchases and more.

The Wall Street Journal reported on this, so there is some sense of reality behind it. The idea is that Disney would use the membership program to make it more attractive for guests and customers to increase spending on all its products and services. For Disney, it would give more consumer data as to your spending habits and more.

So would this mean the retirement of programs like D23? How would DVC and Annual Pass perks stack up against this?

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Foodie Guide to Halloween Sweets and Treats at Disneyland Resort

Halloween season is on now at Disneyland Resort! This year, there are a ton of great new treats and bites to tempt your taste buds and your wallets. Here is the complete list of every Disney Halloween treat at every location, plus our top picks for the must-try items.

Disneyland Park 

 Alien Pizza Planet (Available September 2 through November 10; Mobile order available)

• Supernova Pizza Special: Spicy blush sauce, Italian sausage, classic and crispy cupped pepperoni, mozzarella, pepper jack, red pepper flakes, and Fresno chiles
• Vampire Alien Macaron filled with blackberry buttercream and lemon curd 

Carnation Café (Available August 31 through November 10) 

• Spicy Chicken Sandwich: Hand-breaded fried chicken breast tossed in spicy chili sauce with pepper jack and mustard slaw on a brioche bun > Amelia Pick

French Market Restaurant (Available September 2 through November 10; Mobile order available)

• Halloween Cake: Purple-colored vanilla sponge, raspberry mousse, fresh raspberries, and candied cocoa nibs (New)  > Mike Pick

Galactic Grill (Available September 2 through November 10; Mobile order available)

• Octoberfest-inspired Burger: Angus beef patty, bratwurst, grilled peppers and onions, sauerkraut, and house-made mustard cheese on a pretzel bun (New) 
• Darth by Chocolate: Layers of chocolate pudding, red velvet sponge, chocolate mousse, and crushed chocolate creme-filled cookies
• Blood Orange Slush with a swirl of raspberry sauce (Non-alcoholic) > Amelia Pick

Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor (Available September 2 through November 10; Mobile order available) 

• Rocky Road Halloween Sundae: Rocky road waffle bowl, rocky road ice cream, marshmallow cream, hot fudge, and whipped cream topped with sprinkles (New) > Amelia Pick

Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe (Available September 2 through November 10; Mobile order available)

• Pumpkin Cheesecake: Classic pumpkin cheesecake decorated with a chocolate spider web and spiced Chantilly (New)  > Mike Pick
• Mickey Bat Cookie: Citrus shortbread bat cookie dipped in dark chocolate with a vampire Mickey face 

Market House (Available September 2 through November 10)

• Mickey Bat Cookie: Citrus shortbread bat cookie dipped in dark chocolate with a vampire Mickey face

Mint Julep Bar (Available September 2 through November 10; Mobile order available.

• Pumpkin-spiced Mickey-shaped Beignets rolled in pumpkin-spiced sugar

Plaza Inn 

• Monster Halloween Cake: Devil's Food cake, colorful white chocolate mousse and buttercream (Available September 2 through November 10) 
• Classic Pumpkin Pie: Classic pumpkin pie with spiced Chantilly (Available September 2 through November 30)

Red Rose Taverne (Mobile order available)

• Grave Stuff: Traditional grey stuff topped with chocolate tombstone and Halloween sprinkles (New) (Available September 2 through October 31) 
• Mickey Bat Cookie: Citrus shortbread bat cookie dipped in dark chocolate with a vampire Mickey face (Available September 2 through November 10)
• Pumpkin Cold Brew: Cold brew flavored with pumpkin, vanilla, and spices topped with whipped cream (Non-alcoholic) (New) (Available September 2 through November 10)

Refreshment Corner (Available September 2 through November 10; Mobile order available)

• Spicy Firefly Chips: Spicy corn chips topped with chili, cheese, and jalapeños (New)  > Mike Pick

Stage Door Café (Available September 2 through November 10) 

• Pumpkin Spice Funnel Cake: Pumpkin spice-dusted funnel cake with spiced caramel drizzle, toffee bits, whipped cream, and chocolate curls 

Fantasyland Churro Cart (Available September 2 through November 10) 

• Pumpkin Pie Dip (New)

Frontierland Churro Cart (Available September 2 through November 10)

• Spicy Chocolate Churro: Cinnamon-dusted chocolate churro with a spicy cocoa dipping sauce

New Orleans Square Churro Cart (Available September 2 through November 10)

• Pistachio-Cherry Churro: Cinnamon churro rolled in pistachio and sour cherry sugars and served with a side of ghost pepper grape sauce (New) 

Tomorrowland Churro Cart (Available September 2 through November 10)

• Pumpkin Spice Churro rolled in pumpkin spice flavored sugar (New) 

Tomorrowland Pretzel Cart (Available September 2 through November 10)

• Toffee Pretzel: Cream cheese-filled pretzel sprinkled with toffee sugar

Town Square and Sleeping Beauty Castle Churro Carts (Available September 2 through November 10) 

• Chocolate Cookie Crumble Churro with creamy peanut butter-vanilla dipping sauce (New)

Available at Various Locations Throughout Disneyland Park (COMING SOON)

Walt Disney World Park Pass Reservation System gets an Improvement

One of the biggest pains of the Disney World Park Pass system -- other than the fact that it still exists at all -- has been fixed. You can now modify a park reservation, including date, park and party members (subject to availability), rather than having to cancel and re-book.

You can also book theme park reservations with different admission types – so whether you’re an Annual Passholder, date-based ticket holder or visiting with a Cast Member, you can all make your reservations at one time.  

The question still remains though: for nearly 50 years we got along just fine without Park Pass. It came into effect during the Walt Disney World reopening stages of covid to limit and monitor crowd sizes. But that need has now passed. So why is Park Pass still here? It's an annoyance and yet another thing requiring advance booking for no good reason at all.

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New Details about Moana's attraction at EPCOT: Journey of Water

If you're wondering what's behind those unsightly construction walls at EPCOT, here's the scoop.

Journey of Water is an upcoming Moana attraction that will allow you to explore and engage with water as it travels from sky to ocean and back again: the natural cycle of water.  

Fans Disney's Moana will see familiar shapes and characters carved into the rocks and waterways throughout Journey of Water. A great example of this is Moana herself, who will be positioned proudly – celebrating water’s arrival at the ocean.

So while we would still prefer the often rumored fourth mountain Moana attraction in Disney's Magic Kingdom Park, Journey of Water at least gives Moana a small nod at EPCOT.

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Traditional Character Greetings Return Onboard at Disney Cruise Line

Traditional character greetings, up-close character greetings, including autographs, are now resuming across the entire Disney Cruise Line fleet.

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New Dates for Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser Sailings

New on sale dates have been released for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. See below for the booking cadence for voyages through September 2023:

• August 25: Club 33 and Golden Oak
• August 26: Invited Star Wars affinity groups
• August 30: Disney Vacation Club Members
• August 31: Annual Passholders
• September 1: Open to the general public

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Thank You for Listening to the Disney Travel Podcast

Thank you very much for listening to this episode, Amelia and I hope that you enjoyed it. If you did, we would be very grateful if you could rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes (or on whichever app you choose to listen). A brief review about what you liked most about an episode truly helps to keep the show going by exposing it to new listeners. We look forward to continue producing new episodes each week.

Sharing the podcast with your friends and on social media is also extremely helpful and very much appreciated.

Shop 1923 Main Street

Feel free to visit our 1923 Main Street® Disney merchandise shop where we have hundreds of unique and original Disney-inspired t-shirts, leggings, clothing, mugs, phone cases and much more. You'll find everything from 1923 Main Street logo merchandise to custom created authentic Disney-inspired originals, including lots of great patterns for leggings and other items.

Contact 1923 Main Street

Thank you for listening to the Disney Travel News Podcast at 1923MainStreet.com. As always, we love to get feedback and questions from our listeners and to hear your suggestions and ideas for future episodes.

Please be sure to follow along on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

Thank you for listening and have a magical day!

Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic

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Media provided by Jamendo

Trip Report Disney's Vero Beach and Walt Disney World - August 2022

Disney's Vero Beach Resort

Still one of the best hidden gems among Disney resort properties in Florida. The property and Cast Members here are warm and welcoming.

Beach changes, campfire, local dining and activities (Ay Jalisco, Squid Lips, Round Island, Sebastian Inlet), room review

Walt Disney World Resort

BLT issues, Halloween Party rough start but good finish, EPCOT construction, moderate crowds, Whispering Canyon drops, GF Cafe okay but slight drop perhaps, Wicked Wind Down Top of the World Villains Lair, Genie+ and Lightning Lane, MagicBand+

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Disney Skyliner will be closed for routine maintenance Jan. 22-29, 2023.

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Three Popular Tours are Returning to EPCOT in October 2022

EPCOT celebrates its 40th anniversary on October 1, 2022 and these tours will be back as of October 2, 2022

Behind the Seeds is a one-hour walking tour that gives you an up-close and personal view of plants, insects and fish throughout EPCOT's four state-of-the-art greenhouses.

With EPCOT Seas Adventures – DiveQuest, you'll once again be able to dive into the 5.7-million-gallon saltwater tank and immerse yourself into the sea life surrounding the coral reef. This experience offers SCUBA-certified guests guaranteed calm seas, unlimited visibility, no rip currents and great marine life.

With the return of EPCOT Seas Adventures – Dolphins in Depth, you can meet bottlenose dolphins at The Seas and learn about their undersea behavior from the experts who work with them every day.

All three tours return on October 2 and are on sale now at DisneyWorld.com or the My Disney Experience app. Advance bookings are highly recommended. Please note the Behind the Seeds experience requires a valid theme park admission and reservation.

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Disney Aulani Pool Refurbishment

The Wailana Pool at Disney Aulani will be unavailable from September 26 – 30, 2022.

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Thank You for Listening to the Disney Travel Podcast

Thank you very much for listening to this episode, Amelia and I hope that you enjoyed it. If you did, we would be very grateful if you could rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes (or on whichever app you choose to listen). A brief review about what you liked most about an episode truly helps to keep the show going by exposing it to new listeners. We look forward to continue producing new episodes each week.

Sharing the podcast with your friends and on social media is also extremely helpful and very much appreciated.

Shop 1923 Main Street

Feel free to visit our 1923 Main Street® Disney merchandise shop where we have hundreds of unique and original Disney-inspired t-shirts, leggings, clothing, mugs, phone cases and much more. You'll find everything from 1923 Main Street logo merchandise to custom created authentic Disney-inspired originals, including lots of great patterns for leggings and other items.

Contact 1923 Main Street

Thank you for listening to the Disney Travel News Podcast at 1923MainStreet.com. As always, we love to get feedback and questions from our listeners and to hear your suggestions and ideas for future episodes.

Please be sure to follow along on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

Thank you for listening and have a magical day!

Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic

--
Media provided by Jamendo

Should Walt Disney World Have a Scary Halloween Party?

100 episodes ago -- all the way back in episode 38 -- we talked about what we would do if we were in charge of Walt Disney World. One of the things we'd both love to see is a fifth park that has a villains theme. Disney Villains need a place to call their own.

A villains park -- including our Maleficent-themed coaster called Villified -- would be the ideal location for a truly scary Disney-inspired Halloween party. So what would that be like and would you like to see Disney get a bit edgier with Halloween?

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Early Entry and Package Delivery are Now Available at Disneyland

Everyone staying at a Disneyland Resort Hotel can now take advantage of both Early Entry to the parks and Package Delivery to your room. Overnight Guests at The Happiest Place on Earth can experience these perks and more, including:

• Proximity and direct Theme Park access
• Hotel activities like learning to draw Disney characters
• Direct-to-Room Service
• Dining Delivery to a Disneyland Resort Hotel lobby from select restaurants in the Downtown Disney District
• And coming soon, Preferred Dine Access to a limited number of reservations at select hotel table service restaurants during the dates of their hotel stay

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Disney World Hotel Pool Closure Update

Pool upgrades are ongoing at Walt Disney World and the latest one began on Sunday, August 14. The Ranchos leisure pool at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort is now closed for routine refurbishment. The pool is expected to reopen in late September, so bear that in mind if you plan to stay there anytime soon.

During the refurbishment, the Dig Site Feature Pool and the Casitas and Cabanas leisure pools will remain open and available to guests.

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Thank You for Listening to the Disney Travel Podcast

Thank you very much for listening to this episode, Amelia and I hope that you enjoyed it. If you did, we would be very grateful if you could rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes (or on whichever app you choose to listen). A brief review about what you liked most about an episode truly helps to keep the show going by exposing it to new listeners. We look forward to continue producing new episodes each week.

Sharing the podcast with your friends and on social media is also extremely helpful and very much appreciated.

Shop 1923 Main Street

Feel free to visit our 1923 Main Street® Disney merchandise shop where we have hundreds of unique and original Disney-inspired t-shirts, leggings, clothing, mugs, phone cases and much more. You'll find everything from 1923 Main Street logo merchandise to custom created authentic Disney-inspired originals, including lots of great patterns for leggings and other items.

Contact 1923 Main Street

Thank you for listening to the Disney Travel News Podcast at 1923MainStreet.com. As always, we love to get feedback and questions from our listeners and to hear your suggestions and ideas for future episodes.

Please be sure to follow along on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

Thank you for listening and have a magical day!

Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic

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Media provided by Jamendo

Foodie Guide: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and More

This year Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park is filled with plenty of eats and treats to get you in the Halloween spirit. The Disney culinary teams have conjured up some frightfully fun delights and these are our top picks for the 2022 edition of MNSSHP. So if filling your Halloween bag with candy in Magic Kingdom Park isn't enough for you, here's what you can look forward to. Plus some of these are available outside of the Halloween Party. 

Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies 

• Not-So-Poison Apple Pie Milk Shake: Apple pie milk shake with green apple whipped cream, sour apple marshmallow straw, cinnamon donuts, and a poison apple straw (New) (Available during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party only)
• Sweet Candy Corn Soft-serve Swirl Cone: Sweet corn and vanilla soft-serve swirl topped with candy corn chocolate bow (New) (Available during regular park hours and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party)

Casey’s Corner  

• Pain and Panic Hot Dog: All-beef hot dog, sweet and spicy onion relish, and sriracha mustard topped with spicy cheese-flavored snacks (New) (Available during regular park hours and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party) 
• Winifred’s Elixir of Youth: Black tea slushy with kiwi foam and Winifred chocolate piece (New) (Available during regular park hours and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party)

Cheshire Café 

• Binx Pastry Tail: Cat tail drizzled with dark chocolate and topped with Binx chocolate piece (New) (Available during regular park hours and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party) 
• Cold Witches Brew Coffee: French vanilla cold brew with pumpkin spiced foam topped with Halloween sprinkles (New) (Available during regular park hours and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party)

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café  

• Bayou Burger: All-beef patty, jalapeño pimento cheese, crispy andouille sausage, and garlic pickles (New) (Available during regular park hours and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party) 

The Friar’s Nook 

• Hades Hot Dog: Spicy beef and pork hot dog, Hades’ relish, and pickles served with house-made violet mustard (New) (Available during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party only) 
• Un Poco Loco Tots: Chorizo sausage, green onion, and Hades’ cheese sauce (New) (Available during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party only)

Golden Oak Outpost 

• Spellbinding Fried Pie: Buffalo chicken, mozzarella, and blue cheese wrapped in flaky dough topped with a candy eye and jalapeño ranch aïoli (New) (Available during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party only)

Ice Cream Cart near Haunted Mansion 

• Chilling Chamber Pop: Chocolate crumbs, cherry buttercream, and dark chocolate pearls topped with Tightrope Walker chocolate piece (Available during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party only)

Plaza Ice Cream Parlor 

• Monster Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich: Monster cookies filled with vanilla ice cream (New) (Available during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party only)

Liberty Square Market

• Monster Cookie: Sugar cookie with candy eyes and Halloween-themed sprinkles (New) (Available during regular park hours only) 

Main Street Bakery 

• Oh, My Gourd Cupcake: Pumpkin spice cupcake with cinnamon cream cheese icing finished with dark chocolate ears (New) (Available during regular park hours and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party)

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café 

• Sweet Almond Corn Cake: Almond vanilla cake dipped in white, orange, and yellow chocolate topped with candy corn (New) (Available during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party only)

Popcorn Cart near Cinderella Castle 

• Mexican Spiced Hot “COCO” Brownie: Spice chocolate brownie with dark chocolate ganache topped with Miguel chocolate piece (New) (Available during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party only)

Sleepy Hollow Refreshments 

• Grave Digger Milk Shake: Coconut and matcha blended soft-serve topped with whipped cream, Grave Digger shovel, and chocolate gravestone (New) (Available during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party only)
• Worms and Dirt Funnel Cake: Funnel cake topped with chocolate ice cream, chocolate cookie crumbs, gummy worms, and Billy chocolate piece (New) (Available during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party only)
• Chilling Chamber Pop: Chocolate crumbs, cherry buttercream, and dark chocolate pearls topped with Tightrope Walker chocolate piece (Available during regular park hours and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party)

Snack Cart near Cinderella Castle 

• M&M’s Peanut Butter Churro: Churro rolled in peanut dust with peanut sauce, chocolate sauce, and M&M’s Peanut Butter (New) (Available during regular park hours and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party) 

Sunshine Tree Terrace 

• Jack-O-Lantern Float: Citrus swirl with Fanta Orange, brown sugar whipped cream, and graham cracker crumbs (New) (Available during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party only)

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Some Good News for Genie+ Users

Earlier this year, Disney moved five attractions from individual Lightning Lane purchase to the Disney Genie+ service up until August 7. Luckily, Disney is continuing to offer these attractions through Genie+ (not ILL) until they say otherwise. The attractions are:

• Magic Kingdom Park: Space Mountain
• EPCOT: Frozen Ever After; Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

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Christmas Details for Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Resort has announced that its Christmas and festival holiday season this year will run from November 11, 2022 to January 8, 2023.

Disneyland Park will feature its 60-foot Christmas tree and Sleeping Beauty Castle adorned for the holidays. There will also be a parade called A Christmas Fantasy and a nighttime fireworks show called Believe...In Holiday Magic (and that's when snow will fall on Main Street U.S.A.). Watch for attractions with holiday makeovers and more seasonal fun with characters.

At Disney California Adventure Park there will be a 50-foot Christmas Tree on Buena Vista Street plus the always awe...

A Sneak Peek at the New Menu at Disney's BoardWalk Deli (Opening Soon!)

Opening later this summer (it's already August, so we're not sure when it will be), the BoardWalk Deli is the reimagined version of the former BoardWalk Bakery. Here's a sneak peek of some of the new deli offerings coming to the BoardWalk Deli with inspiration coming from New York and the Jersey Shore. Everything will be baked in house.

For breakfast there's everything from a bagel with eggs, sausage and cheddar to a plant-based ciabatta breakfast sandwich. 

For lunch and dinner there are hot and cold deli sandwiches, a classic pastrami reuben and a signature Italian sub. Or go for a roast chicken sandwich or grilled cheese with tomato soup. For dessert, there are cannolis, scones, crumbcake and much more.

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New Offerings at Victoria and Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort

As always, there is an impressive array of multiple courses, now including dishes like Glacier 51 Toothfish with charred mushroom and sambal, Heirloom Tomatoes with gazpacho and 100 Year Balsamico, and Carrot Tikka Masala with cilantro and puri bread. For a sweet, the Spectrum of Chocolate is back and now features four specialty sourced chocolates and a tableside presentation of sabayon with notes of Madagascar vanilla bean, Champagne, and Grand Marnier.

Finally, a new zero-proof cocktail pairing will be available as a regular offering for anyone wanting to experience unique non-alcoholic beverages crafted to complement each course. One new offering is the Guajillo Spice, which is smoked tableside to highlight the rich flavors of roasted guajillo chilis, charred jalapeños, and black peppercorn, as well as a touch of caramelized sweetness from turbinado sugar and fresh lime.

The newly renovated interior has crystal chandeliers, custom murals and new wall coverings that modernize what has always been a lavish location. There are still three dining options, including the main Dining Room serves a tasting menu that highlights seasonal flavors. 

The Queen Victoria Room offers a menu created by the chef de cuisine just for you in a setting "fit for royalty," and includes tableside presentations. 

The Chef’s Table is the premium one-of-a-kind experience where the culinary team creates a custom tasting menu. If you want to interact with the chefs, this is the one for you.

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Ama Ama Reopening at Disney Aulani, Hawaii

Over at Disney Aulani, Ama Ama will be reopening this fall with a new dinner-only dining experience.

The restaurant has been reimagined and we will share more details about the menu when it's released.

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Upcoming Walt Disney World Pool Closures

From approximately January through April 2024 routine maintenance will be happening at the following Walt Disney World Resort hotel pools (meaning these pools will be closed, so plan accordingly):

• Fantasia Pool at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
• Fuentes del Morro Pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Doubloon Lagoon at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

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Thank You for Listening to the Disney Travel Podcast

Thank you very much for listening to this episode, Amelia and I hope that you enjoyed it. If you did, we would be very grateful if you could rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes (or on whichever app you choose to listen). A brief review about what you liked most about an episode truly helps to keep the show going by exposing it to new listeners. We look forward to continue producing new episodes each week.

Sharing the podcast with your friends and on social media is also extremely helpful and very much appreciated.

Shop 1923 Main Street

Feel free to visit our 1923 Main Street® Disney merchandise shop where we have hundreds of unique and original Disney-inspired t-shirts, leggings, clothing, mugs, phone cases and much more. You'll find everything from 1923 Main Street logo merchandise to custom created authentic Disney-inspired originals, including lots of great patterns for leggings and other items.

Contact 1923 Main Street

Thank you for listening to the Disney Travel News Podcast at 1923MainStreet.com. As always, we love to get feedback and questions from our listeners and to hear your suggestions and ideas for future episodes.

Please be sure to follow along on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

Thank you for listening and have a magical day!

Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic

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Media provided by Jamendo

MagicBand+ is Here
Is it worth the hype and money?

You can now get a brand new Disney MagicBand+ for your Walt Disney World vacation. 

Is it worth getting? Do you plan to get one? Is it worth the upgrade from MagicBand 2? 

Maybe, but we think Disney really dropped the ball here. MagicBand+ has questionable value. What Disney really should have done was release a Disney smart watch. We predict that a Disney MagicBand Watch will be the next (and a better) version of this tech -- especially if it works along with Hey Disney.

In the meantime, here are the minor benefits of a Disney MagicBand+

MagicBand+ does everything your old MagicBand does:

• Unlock the door of your Walt Disney World Resort hotel room
• Enter any of the Disney World theme parks and water parks
• Redeem Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane reservations
• Charge items, including food/beverages and merchandise, to your resort room (only if staying onsite)
• Redeem Disney Dining Plan credits
• Link PhotoPass images to your account

How is MagicBand+ different than a regular MagicBand?

• MagicBand+ costs more than a MagicBand
• MagicBand+ has some limited park interactions
• MagicBand+ has to be charged frequently 

How to set-up a new MagicBand+ and link it to your Disney account 

1. Press the button on the back MagicBand+ to turn it on and tap the band to your phone.
2. Open (or set-up) the My Disney Experience app.
3. Follow the app instructions to link the MagicBand+ to your Disney account, assign it to a guest and pair it to your mobile device. App will show the band charge level and software status.
4. Link your park tickets, reservations and more as required.

How to manage multiple MagicBands from one Disney account

1. In the MDE app go to MagicBands and More.
2. View your managed guests.
3. Adjust everyone's MagicBand+ settings and options.

How to Customize your MagicBand+

1. Find "MagicBands and More" and select “Customize Your MagicBand+”.
2. Check that your MagicBand+ is fully charged and the software is up to date.
3. Pick a custom light up theme.
4. Change the vibration and motion recognition settings to what you want.

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The Red Trolley Car is Back on the Rails at Disney California Adventure Park

It's the small things and the tiny details that hold some of the best Disney magic for those who care about Walt Disney and park history.

This summer, you can ride the trolley and enjoy views of Buena Vista Street, Carthay Circle Restaurant, Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard while learning about Walt Disney's journey as he arrived in Hollywood. If you like Walt stories and fun facts, you will love this one. 

Here's a fun fact, number 623 on the trolley stands for June 1923 when Walt first came to California. Number 717 stands for July 17, which was the opening day of Disneyland.

Thank You for Listening to the Disney Travel Podcast

Thank you very much for listening to this episode, Amelia and I hope that you enjoyed it. If you did, we would be very grateful if you could rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes (or on whichever app you choose to listen). A brief review about what you liked most about an episode truly helps to keep the show going by exposing it to new listeners. We look forward to continue producing new episodes each week.

Sharing the podcast with your friends and on social media is also extremely helpful and very much appreciated.

Shop 1923 Main Street

Feel free to visit our 1923 Main Street® Disney merchandise shop where we have hundreds of unique and original Disney-inspired t-shirts, leggings, clothing, mugs, phone cases and much more. You'll find everything from 1923 Main Street logo merchandise to custom created authentic Disney-inspired originals, including lots of great patterns for leggings and other items.

Contact 1923 Main Street

Thank you for listening to the Disney Travel News Podcast at 1923MainStreet.com. As always, we love to get feedback and questions from our listeners and to hear your suggestions and ideas for future episodes.

Please be sure to follow along on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

Thank you for listening and have a magical day!

Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic

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Media provided by Jamendo