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.

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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

Disney has announced a new free entertainment option outside the parks at Walt Disney World. This story, plus what you need to know before riding Tron and a sneak peek at the Roundup Rodeo BBQ coming to Hollywood Studios.

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Looking for Free Things to Do at Walt Disney World?

There's a new free entertainment option at Walt Disney World taking place Saturday mornings at Disney Springs. The Disney Springs Kids Club is a brand-new entertainment offering designed for the whole family to enjoy together. It takes place at Waterview Park at 10:30 a.m. every Saturday morning.

Unique, family-friendly acts and entertainment will be on-hand to entertain. Wassalou, the Afropop band from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, kicked things off at Disney Springs Kids Club. You can play bongos and maracas or just dance along in the drum circle. Not your style? How about Flight Crew Jump Rope a high-energy dance party featuring fast-paced jump-rope routines acrobatics. And yes, you can join in the fun with this one as well. Finally, DJ KD Queen will take to the stage, hosting games, singalongs and more.

Disney Builds Anticipation with Four Key Things to Know Ahead of Tron Opening Day

Riding Tron Lightcycle Run isn't going to be just a matter of lining up and getting on the ride. Before you board when the ride opens on April 4 there are four things you need to know:

1. A Virtual Queue for Team Blue at Tron
TRON will use a virtual queue when it opens and a standby queue will not be available.

2. Riding Tron through Individual Lightning Lane
Looking for an option to pay to play? Tron will offer a paid ILL option, so get ready to reserve your time first thing in the morning.

3. New Locker System
Tron will offer digitized lockers to store bags and loose items while you ride. The lockers are free and located within the line. Your locker will pair directly with your MagicBand, MagicBand+ or park ticket so you can easily lock and reopen your locker with a tap. If you don't have any of those, Cast Members will give you a card for your locker. There will also be small pouches in the ride cars, but it sounds like Disney isn't messing around with guests who have extra baggage.

4. Disney PhotoPass Tron Ride Photo and Video 
Not surprisingly there will be an onboard photo and video automatically linked to your My Disney Experience account. It's important to note the following if you want your photo and video:

• Enable Bluetooth for the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device before riding. Make sure you're logged into the My Disney Experience app and keep the device out of low power mode. Your device will need to ride with you, so keep it secure. 
• The easier option is to wear a MagicBand or MagicBand+ that’s linked to a My Disney Experience account.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios opens March 23, 2023

We heard about Roundup Rodeo ages ago and now the time for BBQ is almost here. Here's a quick look at the BBQ menu coming your way.

You'll start with the Prospector’s Homemade Cheddar Biscuits served with sweet pepper jelly. 

Salads:

• Tomato Salad: Tomatoes, cucumbers, and pickled red onions tossed in a white balsamic vinaigrette and garnished with fresh dill (plant-based)
• Rex’s Romaine and Kale Salad: Romaine and kale mixed with green apples, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries tossed with green goddess dressing
• Watermelon Salad: Cubed watermelon garnished with freshly torn mint leaves (plant-based)

House-smoked meats:

• Evil Dr. Smoked Ribs: Fall-off-the-bone pork ribs, slow-cooked for hours in our onsite smokehouse 
• Buttercup’s Beef Brisket: Hand-sliced beef brisket, smoked then slow-cooked to juicy perfection
• There’s a Sausage in My Boot: Spiced pork sausage fire-grilled over live oak
• BBQ Chicken – with Style! Chicken brined for 48 hours, rubbed with our secret backyard BBQ spice and smoked to tender juiciness

Plant-based offerings are available upon request:

• Slow-smoked Cauliflower topped with sweet harissa drizzle and crunchy walnut gremolata 
• Oven-roasted “Bratwurst” that is tender and juicy, sliced to perfection
• Impossible “Rib Chop” seasoned with spices, then roasted and glazed with sweet BBQ sauce and skewered on a sugar cane “bone”

You can choose four of the following side dishes for your table:

• The Married Spuds: Loaded potato barrels drizzled with green goddess dressing, cheese sauce, and seasoned BBQ spices
• Force Field Fried Pickles: Jumbo fried pickle spears coated with a dill-flavored breading
• Slinky Doooooooooog Mac & Cheese: Spiral pasta in a creamy house-made cheese sauce topped with crumbled cheddar crackers 
• Buckin’ Baked Beans: A traditional BBQ picnic favorite (plant-based)
• Cowpoke Corn on the Cob: Grilled and seasoned with a chili-lime spice blend, cilantro, cotija cheese, and lime juice
• Mean Old Potato Salad: Homestyle with red-skinned potatoes
• Veggie Slaw: Crunchy shredded veggie slaw that is a summertime favorite! (plant-based)
• Campfire-roasted Vegetables: A variety of roasted seasonal vegetables (plant-based)

For dessert, choose "perfectly portioned" chuckwagon desserts:

• Cupcake à la Forky: A classic chocolate cake with a gooey chocolate ganache center topped with velvety graham cracker buttercream and a sugar cookie
• Lemon and Blueberry Cheesecake: An iconic creamy dessert that balances the tanginess of the cheesecake with the natural sweetness of blueberries and lemon
• Billy’s Chocolate Silk Pie: Graham cracker crust and chocolate mousse with chantilly cream
• Goat’s Apple Pie: Tart apples and warm pie spices balance perfectly with the creamy sweet filling under a crumble crust
• Gruff’s Peach-Strawberry Pie: Silky sweet peaches and tart strawberries together (plant-based)

An assortment of craft cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages.

Adult Craft Cocktails:

• Snake Eye Margarita: A summertime BBQ classic with watermelon, smoke, and a bit of spice! 
• Rum Punch: Rum punch with passion fruit and pineapple finished with a smoky spiced garnish
• Chocolate with a Grown-up Twist: A blend of chocolate rum, horchata liqueur, cocoa, and flavors of toasted marshmallow
• Frozen Peanut Butter & Jelly: A fun frozen twist on the classic peanut butter & jelly featuring peanut butter whiskey 
• Whiskey Lemonade: Strawberry lemonade with Tennessee whiskey and Italian bitter aperitif
• The Rodeo Mule: A classic “patio sipper,” this mule mixes vodka with fresh juices and ginger beer

A selection of beer, hard cider, and wines by the glass are available.

Nonalcoholic offerings:

• Molly’s Frozen Iced Tea: A frosty concoction with iced tea and citrus flavors
• Frozen Cocoa: A frozen blend of cocoa and vanilla topped with miniature marshmallows
• Partysaurus Tex: Strawberry lemonade is even more fun when you garnish it with gummy worms

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

Disney Princesses Ariel and Belle are finally back to their rightful spots in the Magic Kingdom. These are two of the most unique character settings in all of Walt Disney World. This story plus a first look at the 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival that kicks off on March 1.

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Disney Princess Ariel and Princess Belle Have the Most Unique Character Settings

Finally, Disney Princesses Belle and Ariel will return to their rightful spots in Fantasyland at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

These popular Disney character experiences are back as of the following dates:

• Ariel is back at Her Grotto as of January 22 and
• Belle is back in Maurice's Cottage sharing Enchanted Tales starting February 19

Both of these Disney Princess experiences will be part of Disney Genie+ service and that means that you will get your attraction PhotoPass photos for free if you visit them on a day that you signed up for Genie+. 

What's Up at EPCOT's Next Festival?

It will soon be time once again for  EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival

The 2023 edition of  EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival runs March 1 through July 5, 2023 and this year there are new Disney character topiaries and more. New topiaries include Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela and Luisa from Disney Encanto (strangely, no mention of Bruno). You will find these near the front entrance of the park. Plus, a new Princess Tiana topiary will be at The American Adventure. 

The Garden Rocks Concert Series is back at the America Gardens Theatre and we will share details about who's playing and when, as soon as it's released.

In addition to horticulture and music, there will be more than 15 Outdoor Kitchens in 2023 including a new spot for The Citrus Blossom, which will move to Odyssey.

When it comes to Food and Wine Festival merchandise, watch for the official 1970’s inspired Orange Bird merchandise, including great apparel, headwear, drinkware and more.

Spike's Pollen-Nation Exploration is back. This springtime scavenger hunt lets you follow Spike the Bee on his pollination trail, where he's busy collecting nectar and pollinating gardens at EPCOT. When you find him in each garden on your map, you'll add the corresponding sticker of the plant he's visiting.

On the bridge to World Showcase, you can enjoy the sights and scents of spring with Blossoms of Fragrance. Here you'll be surrounded by butterfly topiaries and be invited to follow your nose to six scent stations for a few unforgettable aromas.

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