Disney's new MagicBand+ is now available for use at Walt Disney World. What does it do? How do you set it up? Did it miss the mark? Is it worth buying MagicBand+? We take a first look at Disney's newest guest technology with our early thoughts on whether it's a hit or miss.

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MagicBand+ Should Have Been a Disney Smart Watch

MagicBand+ is Here Is it worth the money?
 
You can now get a brand new Disney MagicBand+ for your Walt Disney World vacation. While MagicBand+ is an incremental upgrade over the MagicBand, it doesn't really do much. We believe Disney really missed the mark here in not creating a true Disney smart watch. This would give the time and more enhanced and valuable features including integration with Hey Disney and more. Could you imagine walking the parks and asking your MagicBand Watch "Hey Disney, how long is the wait for Space Mountain right now?" Now that would be something worth paying for.
 
Is the MagicBand+ worth getting? Is it worth the upgrade from MagicBand 2? Decide for yourself.
 
MagicBand+ does the same things as Disney's MagicBand:

• 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 selections
• 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
  
  

The main differences right now between MagicBand+ and a regular MagicBand include:

• 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 MagicBand+ units 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.

 
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.

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

Dole Whip is a classic Disney vacation treat and now its getting its own annual Disney celebration. Learn more about the new Dole Whip concoctions, plus fun facts about Dole Whip you might not know. This and more Disney travel news.

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Dole Whip is a soft-serve dairy free and gluten free frozen dessert created by the Dole Food Company in 1984

Since 2013 it has been fully vegan. It first appeared as an attraction in the Disneyland Enchanted Tiki Room. According to the official Dole website, a 2/3 cup serving of Dole Whip contains 110 calories and 25-27 carbs (depending on the flavor).
 
Remember, the make-at-home Dole Whip recipe that Disney published in 2020 during lockdown is not the real Dole Whip recipe. The real one is made with powder from Dole, plus water and the machine that combines the two into frozen goodness.
 
Dole Whip used to be somewhat exclusive and very much a Disney thing to many people, but that's now changed and you can get official Dole Whip in more and more places outside of Disney Parks -- including our local movie theatre in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

Dole Whip Day is officially July 21, but the Dole Whip flavor extravaganza will continue through July 24. Going forward Disney plans to hold Dole Whip Day on the third Thursday in July – so if you want to plan your WDW vacation around Dole Whip, you now know which dates to book.

Walt Disney World Resort

Magic Kingdom Park 

Aloha Isle (Located in Adventureland)

• Pineapple Float: DOLE pineapple juice served with a choice of DOLE Whip, vanilla soft-serve, or swirl (available with Tiki Sipper for additional cost) 
• Raspberry Swirl Float: DOLE Whip and raspberry swirl served with DOLE pineapple juice
• Pineapple Upside-Down Cake served with choice of DOLE Whip, vanilla soft-serve, or swirl
• DOLE Whip Cup: Choice of DOLE Whip, vanilla soft-serve, or swirl
• Coconut Cup: Choice of coconut or coconut and DOLE Whip swirl
• Raspberry Swirl Cup: DOLE Whip and raspberry swirl

Storybook Treats (Located in Fantasyland) 

• Soft-serve Cup: DOLE Whip lime, chocolate, or vanilla soft-serve, or swirl in a cup
• Snow White Cone: DOLE Whip lemon in a blue cone garnished with a chocolate bird and sugar bow

Sunshine Tree Terrace (Located in Adventureland; Mobile Order available)

• DOLE Whip Orange Cup
• Orange Cream Soft-serve Cup: DOLE Whip orange and vanilla soft-serve swirl
• DOLE Whip Strawberry Cup
• DOLE Whip Float: DOLE Whip or vanilla soft-serve with your choice of Coca-Cola, Barq’s Root Beer, Diet Coke, Fanta Orange, Fanta Strawberry, POWERADE Mountain Berry Blast, or Sprite
• I Lava You Float: Fanta Strawberry Soda and passion fruit flavor served with DOLE Whip orange and topped with popping candy

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Tamu Tamu 

• Scar’s Lair: DOLE Whip and sour apple
• Lion’s Lair: DOLE Whip topped with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum and sour apple
• Simba Sunset: DOLE Whip with strawberry
• King’s Cooler: DOLE Whip with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum and strawberry
• DOLE Whip Float: DOLE Whip with DOLE pineapple juice (available with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum) 
• DOLE Whip Cup (available with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum)

Trilo-Bites 

• Trilo-Bites Twist: DOLE Whip orange with vanilla soft-serve

EPCOT 

Refreshment Outpost (Available through November 19)  

• DOLE Whip: Watermelon, pineapple, or swirl (New)

Disney Springs 

Swirls on the Water 

• Peach Bellini Float: Peach Bellini topped with DOLE Whip orange (New) 
• Orange Bird Cone: DOLE Whip orange atop an orange cone with sprinkles
• DOLE Whip Flight: DOLE Whip orange swirled with DOLE Whip watermelon, DOLE Whip lemon swirled with blue butter cookie soft-serve, and DOLE Whip and Vanilla soft-serve swirl

Disney Resort Hotels  

Disney’s Contemporary Resort  
Contempo Café (Available July 21 through August 20; Mobile Order available) 

• DOLE Whip Cupcake: Yellow cupcake filled with DOLE Whip mousse and garnished with a cherry (New)

Disney’s Old Key West Resort 
Good’s Foods to Go (Mobile Order available)

• Key Lime Swirl: DOLE Whip lime and vanilla soft-serve swirl topped with graham cracker crumbs
• DOLE Whip Key Lime Martini: DOLE Whip lime served with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum and garnished with a lime (New) (available July 21 through 24)

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort 
Pineapple Lanai

• “Tamatoa-inspired” Dipped Cone: DOLE Whip raspberry swirled with DOLE Whip orange in a white chocolate-dipped waffle cone and coated with “shiny” gold sugar (available July 21 through 24) 
• 50th Celebration DOLE Whip: Your choice of DOLE Whip with a 50th white chocolate medallion, umbrella, and EARidescent glitter
• Pineapple Float: DOLE pineapple juice served with a choice of DOLE Whip, vanilla soft-serve, or swirl
• DOLE Whip with Rum Floater: DOLE Whip with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum

Barefoot Pool Bar and Oasis Pool Bar 

• Frozen Margarita with DOLE Whip Lime: Corazón Blanco Tequila blended with DOLE Whip lime and chili-lime seasoning
• Frosty Pineapple: DOLE Whip with Captain Morgan Private Stock Rum

Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace

• Spikey Pineapple: Barbancourt Pango Rhum blended with DOLE Whip

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Park
The Tropical Hideaway (Located in Adventureland; Mobile Order available)

• DOLE Whip
• DOLE Whip Float: DOLE pineapple juice topped with DOLE Whip
• DOLE Whip Swirl Float: DOLE pineapple juice topped with choice of two different DOLE Whip flavors: mango, watermelon, or pineapple
• DOLE Whip Swirl: Swirl any flavors: mango, watermelon, or pineapple

Disneyland Hotel  
Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill (Mobile order available)  

• DOLE Whip
• DOLE Whip Float: DOLE pineapple juice topped with DOLE Whip (available with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum)

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

• DOLE Whip Cup: Choice of DOLE Whip, vanilla soft-serve, or swirl (available with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum)
• DOLE Whip Lime topped with Graham Cracker Crumbs (available with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum)

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
Little ‘Opihi’s

• DOLE Whip pineapple, mango, watermelon, and vanilla soft-serve
• DOLE Whip Fresh Fruit Sundae with sprinkles in a waffle bowl topped with fresh pineapple (Moana-themed) or watermelon fruit (Stitch-themed)
• Mickey and Minnie Waffle Bowl featuring DOLE Whip with sprinkles

Ulu Cafe 

• Churro Pineapple DOLE Whip with Li hing fresh pineapple (New) (available July 19 through 21) 
• DOLE Whip (available with vanilla soft-serve swirl)

Disney Cruise Line
Indulge in DOLE Whip at the following locations across the Disney Cruise Line fleet:

• Frozone on the Disney Magic, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy
• Sulleys Sips on the Disney Wonder
• Wheezies Freezies on the Disney Wish

In other Disney travel news this week...

• The BoardWalk Bakery is being transformed into the BoardWalk Deli, which will add more food offerings, including deli sandwiches and fresh baked bread to the bakery items they already serve. The bakery will be closing later this month for an undetermined amount of time to make the change.
• Over at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort they are refurbishing third-floor balconies in the main building and this is expected to be done by mid-August. 
• And in case you missed it, the Main Street Electrical Parade and Disneyland Forever fireworks will be ending their limited-time runs on September 1. “World of Color” and “Fantasmic!” will continue with their regular schedules

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

Three very popular Walt Disney World character dining meals are coming back and hugs are included. Find out when they'll be back in this week's episode of the Disney Travel News Podcast, your 15 minutes of Disney magic.

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You've Been Asking for it and Now More Character Dining is Returning to Walt Disney World

If you want a character hug with your Disney meal, you're in luck as several Walt Disney World character-dining experiences are getting ready to bring the characters back. Here's what we know about which restaurants are bringing back characters and when they're reopening.

Crystal Palace, Magic Kingdom Park
 
On September 20, 2022, your favorite characters from the Hundred Acre Wood will be back at The Crystal Palace: A Buffet with Characters featuring Winnie the Pooh and Friends. This greenhouse-inspired restaurant is located just off of Main Street U.S.A. near the hub and features dishes like Carved Prime Rib, Seasonal Ravioli, and Peel & Eat Shrimp.

'Ohana Character Breakfast, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

The ‘Ohana Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo and Stitch is a worthwhile breakfast experience and it's scheduled to return on September 27, 2022. According to Disney, you'll be able to once again get some hugs while you feast on dishes like the Pineapple Coconut Breakfast Bread and Mickey Waffles and sip on the iconic Lilikoi Juice and Moana Smoothie.

Cape May Café, Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Cape May Café, a New-England inspired dining room, is an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet and it will be back with characters on October 4, 2022 for the Cape May Café Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast. In the past, this one has featured Minnie, Goofy and more friends and is a fun way to start the day. There's lot of great food from which to choose, including Salted Caramel Beach Buns and of course Mickey and Minnie Waffles.
 
Zombies 3 is coming soon and Disney is celebrating with a Zom Beatz Bash at Downtown Disney and Disney Springs

Disney loves a good party and this summer's theme is the ZOM-BEATZ BASH. This a dance filled event will feature music from the Disney Channel movies ZOMBIES, ZOMBIES 2 and ZOMBIES 3, with a premiere date of July 15 on Disney+ and August 12 on Disney Channel.

ZOM-BEATZ BASH is a 20-minute DJ-hosted stage show event for guests of all ages to try out some zombie dance moves, sing-along to favorite songs or snap a pic at the ZOMBIES 3 photo wall. 
Parties will take place at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World. 

• Disneyland: the Downtown Disney LIVE! stage at 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. from July 29 – 31 
• Walt Disney World: evenings at the Disney Springs Marketplace Stage from August 5 – 14 with performances running from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  

Thor Love and Thunder at Disneyland and Walt Disney World

Jane Foster at Avengers Campus
For a limited time, Jane Foster will roam the grounds of Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure park, encountering recruits and occasionally challenging others to test their worthiness with the mythical hammer, Mjolnir.

Thor-inspired Treats
The Ganachery at Disney Springs, Walt Disney World is where you can try Mighty Thor’s Hammer (a Chocolate Mjolnir). This special dessert is available July 1-31 while supplies last (limit two per person).
If you are looking for a worthy beverage holder, look no further than Mighty Thor’s Hammer Novelty, available starting July 8 in Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure Park. The hammer opens on top to hold a contour bottle or cup and includes choice of bottled beverage at time of purchase. This offer is while supplies last and there is a limit of two (2) per person, per transaction. No Discounts Apply. This novelty will be sold at Shawarma Palace, Shawarma Palace Too (novelty available via mobile order as well) and at the outdoor vending cart at the entrance to Avengers Campus near Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Unboxing the latest Thor merchandise with the stars of ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’

Even Spider-Bots can join in the celebration  with a new Thor Tactical Upgrade, available at WEB Suppliers in Disney California Adventure park. The Spider-Bot armor plating upgrade equips your Spider-Bot with its very own uru-powered Mjolnir and intensifies its high-velocity attacks by summoning the power of thunder.

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