When is Disney Genie+ worth it? Is Disney After Hours worth it? Is Disney Mobile Order good for guests? Are Disney ride wait times accurate?
In our latest Walt Disney World Trip Report for Spring 2023, we ran several real-life Disney travel tests and you may be surprised by what we found. We share our findings on when is Disney Genie+ worth buying and when should you NOT buy it? Is Disney After Hours worth the extra cost? How is mobile food ordering working against guests and are the posted ride wait times at Walt Disney World accurate?
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Walt Disney World Trip Report Spring 2023
This week we tested a few key things that every Disney World traveler wants to know and we are here to offer our best tips and advice for what works and what doesn't onsite at Walt Disney World. We share our first-hand experience after testing out several options head to head. When to Pay for Genie + and When NOT to Pay for Genie + Do not purchase Genie+ during busy park periods. The tried and true method that's worked for 50 years is still the best strategy today. Why Free Late Night Extra Magic Hours are Better than Paying for Disney After Hours Lower crowds, faster moving around the parks. Far better value. How Mobile Order is Ruining the Guest Experience at Walt Disney World Disney may say that mobile ordering for food is there to enhance the guest experience, the reality in the parks is the exact opposite. If you're not mobile ordering, get to the quick service counter by 11:30 a.m. How Accurate are the Posted Ride Wait Times at Walt Disney World? We tested this extensively in March 2023 and posted wait times on rides and attractions are not accuracte. In most cases, ride wait times were far less than what was posted. In fact, on some days the times were half of what was posted. Only during peak mid-day periods were the actual wait times longer than what was posted. 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. Contact us at 1923 Main Street Thank you for listening to the Disney Travel News Podcast at 1923MainStreet.com. We try to bring 15 minutes of Disney magic every week. As always, we love to get feedback and questions from our listeners and to hear your suggestions and ideas that we can include in future episodes. Please be sure to follow along on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Your Source for the Latest Disney Travel News If you would like to help support the show, please share 1923 Main Street with your friends and on social media. We very much appreciate the support! Shop Disney Be sure to visit our online shop for a wide selection of 1923 Main Street merchandise, plus original Disney-inspired t-shirts and more. Thank you for listening and have a magical day! Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic
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The Current Model is Not Sustainable for Disney, so Something Will Have to Change
It's becoming more apparent that Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser is in trouble. Voyages have been scaled back and the financial media are calling it the first Disney Star Wars blunder. We discuss ways Disney could reimagine Galactic Starcruiser and turn it potentially profitable. This story plus news about the Disneyland Hotel DVC villas.
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When Disney cut Back the Bookings for Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser, it Confirmed that this Model Can't Go On on in the Current Format
New dates for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser voyages are now on sale for dates from October through December 2023. So will anything change with how the experience is run? The modified schedule has been reduced to only two voyages per week. Holiday weeks may have three voyages. Disney noted that they have been "learning a lot during our first year of operation and have adjusted voyage dates to meet the needs of our guests." But the fact is that something is wrong with this model and it is likely not financially sustainable unless something changes. It remains to be seen what will happen with this experience in the long-term as the only certainty is that Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is not working out as Disney had planned or hoped. Should Disney reimagine this into a dinner theater with no overnight component, or convert the entire Starcruiser into a restaurant/dining experience? We discuss the options in this week's episode of the Disney Travel News Podcast at 1923 Main Street. One thing is for sure, Disney is keenly aware that they cannot sustain this experience in its current form and demand for only two sailings per week is not likely profitable, nor what Disney had in mind. The financial media have taken notice and this will not bode well for the company unless some significant changes are made. The Villas at Disneyland Hotel will open on September 28, 2023 The Villas at Disneyland Hotel will have 344 themed rooms, including duo studios, deluxe studios, one- and two-bedroom villas and grand villas. Each includes modern just-like-home amenities with Disney magic sprinkled throughout. Room themes include The Jungle Book, Sleeping Beauty, The Princess and the Frog, Fantasia and more. Booking dates to keep in mind:
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. Contact us at 1923 Main Street Thank you for listening to the Disney Travel News Podcast at 1923MainStreet.com. We try to bring 15 minutes of Disney magic every week. As always, we love to get feedback and questions from our listeners and to hear your suggestions and ideas that we can include in future episodes. Please be sure to follow along on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Your Source for the Latest Disney Travel News If you would like to help support the show, please share 1923 Main Street with your friends and on social media. We very much appreciate the support! Shop Disney Be sure to visit our online shop for a wide selection of 1923 Main Street merchandise, plus original Disney-inspired t-shirts and more. Thank you for listening and have a magical day! Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic 
Plus, the Magic of Disney Aulani and Celebrating the Oscars at Disneyland and Disney World
Do you like Disney Parks collectibles? We now know more about what's coming with the reopening of Mickey's Toontown, plus freebies at Disney Aulani Hawaii and how (and where) to celebrate the Oscars at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
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If You Collect Things Like Disney Popcorn Buckets, Mickey’s Toontown has More to Offer than You May Think
Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland opens on March 19, 2023 and a new landscape and experiences aren't all that you'll find. This week we share a first look at the huge array of tempting snacks and drinks to discover. There are two new food locations: Café Daisy and Good Boy! Grocers. Café Daisy is a brand new eatery where Daisy Duck will be showing off her expert culinary skills with the help of our talented Disney culinary teams. Daisy’s Dressed-up Dog is an all-beef foot-long hot dog, with chili-cheese sauce, mac & cheese, and Parmesan potato crispies with house-made chips. Want a simpler hot dog, The Daisy Dog is an all-beef foot-long hot dog with house-made chips and you get the option of adding chili-cheese sauce. The Cheesy Pizza Flop-Over features mozzarella and provolone with tomato sauce while the Pepperoni Pizza Flop-Over has pepperoni, mozzarella, and provolone with tomato sauce. The Spring Garden Wrap is plant-based and combines romaine and quinoa in a wrap with a creamy lemon dressing and toasted pumpkin seeds served with house-made chips. Your little ones can enjoy the Cheese Please! Pizza (cheese and tomato sauce) or the Pepperoni Please! Pizza (pepperoni, cheese, and tomato sauce). There are also bite-size Minnie’s Mini Corn Dogs and a Mini Mac and Cheesy. Toontown ‘Tater Chips are house-made chips with chili-cheese sauce to add on to any meal. For dessert, Daisy’s Goody-Goody Donuts with cinnamon sugar are an option for a sweet finish to your meal. Let's not forget the new drinks! The Picnic Time Watermelon Lemonade is a refreshing choice with Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade, watermelon premium syrup, and watermelon gummies. If you like coffee, the Specialty Cold Brrr-ew is made with Joffrey's Caramel Mudslide Cold Brew plus sea salt and whipped topping. Over at the Toontown Farmers Market there's Good Boy! Grocers. This is a roadside stand with grab-and-go drinks and treats. You'll find pickles, Mini Babybel snack cheese, Coke drinks, water bottles, Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water, gluten allergy-friendly cookies, fruit bars, and whole fruit. The star of the show here is the Perfect Picnic Basket novelty item. After you pick up your basket, you choose three snack-sized items such as Cuties Mandarin Orange, yogurt smoothie, applesauce, granola bar, gluten allergy-friendly fig bar and more. You also pick between a small DASANI water or Minute Maid Juice Box. And if you want the full experiences, get the Perfect Picnic Blanket to go with their basket. ‘Ohana Summer Fun at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii Summer holidays aren't that far away so if you are planning a Hawaiian vacation including Disney's Aulani Resort, Disney released a summer holiday resort overview. Here's a look at some of what Aulani offers so you can start planning now. A guided Māka‘ika‘i (tour or sightsee) is a great way to explore Aulani and get lots inside info on the resort. There are several different free tour options:
The Daily ‘Iwa (the name for Disney Aulani’s daily activities schedule) will show available tour times and much more. Forget Hidden Mickeys...Aulani has something much more Hawaiian The Menehune are mischievous, shy and maybe even a little magical beings of Hawai‘i. They are known for their skilled craftsmanship, evidence of which may be found by curious guests throughout Aulani. The small Hidden Menehune are uniquely Aulani. Want to explore furhter? The Menehune Adventure Trail will take you on a high-tech, interactive scavenger hunt for fun surprises. Armed with a special Aulani tablet, you will solve riddles, discover hidden wonders and learn about Hawaiian history and culture along the way. Best of all this is a free adventure and great for kids and adults alike. Learn to Play the ‘ukulele Music is a beautiful and meaningful part of Hawaiian culture. Ukulele sounds are everywhere at Aulani and you can learn to play with fun classes by Aulani cast members in the Pau Hana Room. It's a 45-minute interactive experience, you'll learn a little Hawaiian instrument history and learn to play a few chords on the ‘ukulele. By the end of the class, you'll be able to play along with some of today’s popular songs. Oscar Treats and Special Photo Opportunities at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort Watch for special treats and photo opps at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland in celebration of this year's Oscars. Disney California Adventure, Hollywood Studios, the Grand Californian and Disney Springs are just a few locations joining in the celebration. Contact us at 1923 Main Street Thank you for listening to the Disney Travel News Podcast at 1923MainStreet.com. We try to bring 15 minutes of Disney magic every week. As always, we love to get feedback and questions from our listeners and to hear your suggestions and ideas that we can include in future episodes. Please be sure to follow along on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Your Source for the Latest Disney Travel News If you would like to help support the show, please share 1923 Main Street with your friends and on social media. We very much appreciate the support! Shop Disney Be sure to visit our online shop for a wide selection of 1923 Main Street merchandise, plus original Disney-inspired t-shirts and more. Thank you for listening and have a magical day! Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic |
About the Editor
Mike Belobradic is the founder of the 1923 Main Street® Disney Travel Podcast and the Luxury Disney Travel Blog. Archives
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