A new restaurant is opening at EPCOT, plus we share the top 10 Walt Disney World table service restaurants for Summer 2023 and a look at who's playing at this year's Eat to the Beat music festival at EPCOT.

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Top 10 Restaurants at Walt Disney World for Summer 2023
 
Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya (EPCOT)
This brand-new dining experience is a must-try.
 
Takumi Tei (EPCOT)
If you want a fine dining experience, Takumi Tei is a top pick and a great AC relief sheltered from the buzz of the outside world.
 
Narcoossee's (Disney's Grand Floridian Resort)
Newly reopened, Narcoossee's aims to reclaim its former glory. You make the call.
 
The Boathouse (Disney Springs)
A staple for any Disney World vacation, The Boathouse shines during the summer months and you have your choice of indoors or outdoors.
 
Cinderella's Royal Table (Magic Kingdom)
Summertime in the Kingdom; what's not to love? If you want a character experience with great food options, this one is hard to beat.
 
Le Cellier (EPCOT)
Looking to beat the summer heat? Le Cellier is a perennial classic and a great spot to enjoy an upscale meal.
 
Topolino's Terrace (Disney's Riviera Resort)
Whether it's the character breakfast or the fine dinner experience, this is a great summer dining location.
 
California Grill (Disney's Contemporary Resort)
Not only is the food excellent here, but the view from the top of the Contemporary is an added bonus--even when a summer storm is rolling in.
 
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria (EPCOT)
For a little Italian-style pizza in a courtyard setting, Via Napoli makes a great summertime stop.

Grand Floridian Cafe (Disney's Grand Floridian Resort)
Casual table service dining in an upscale environment, with something for everyone. The perfect pick for summer casual elegance.

The EPCOT Japan Pavilion Gets a New Restaurant

Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya is a new EPCOT table-service restaurant offering a festive dining experience in a sharable Izakaya-style. It is located on the second floor of the Japan pavilion in the space previously occupied by Tokyo Dining.

The theme at Shki-Sai is Japan's seasonal festivals. Each month will bring a new celebration to your table, making for a unique experience every time. From hanging tanzaku to celebrate Tanabata in July to savoring moon-viewing dumplings in September, a cultural representative from Japan will guide guests through each unique festival experience, one bite at a time. The atmosphere also embraces the festivals of Japan, with the atmosphere featuring beautiful, hand painted artwork and lanterns highlighting some of the natural wonders that Japan offers as well. Each and every visit is designed to create unforgettable memories that capture the spirit of Japan's vibrant seasonal festivities.

In addition to a full menu of sushi and teppan items, there will be an open sushi bar and grill. Sushi lovers will see sushi being made by the chefs when sitting at the sushi bar.

The menu is designed to appeal to both sushi newbies and sushi aficionados.

Don't like sushi? Don't worry as the grill will also be serving up specialties commonly found in Japanese cuisine. Among the grilled items to enjoy, Okonomiyaki is a Japanese savory pancake is made with a batter of flour, eggs, and water, and then filled with shredded cabbage and bacon, and topped with tangy okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, aonori, bonito flakes, and pickled ginger.

Welcome to EPCOT, Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya. We hope everyone is as excited as we are for this new location to open its doors this summer!

2023 Eat to the Beat Concert Series at EPCOT

The Eat to the Beat Concert Series kicks-off on July 27. Here is a first look at the lineup coming to the America Gardens Theatre at EPCOT!

In addition to the headline acts, local bands will take the stage Tuesday through Thursday. Visit TasteEPCOT.com for more information.

July
28-29 – Orianthi (NEW)
July 30-31 - For King & Country (NEW)

August
4-5 – Southern Avenue
6-7 - Tiffany
11-12 – Ruben Studdard with Haley Reinhart
13-14 – The Bacon Brothers (NEW)
18-21 – Joey Fatone & Friends
25-26 – Ayron Jones (NEW)
27-28 – Phillip Phillips (NEW)

September
1-2 – Baha Men
3-4 – MercyMe
8-9 – Ray Parker Jr.
10-11 - Tobymac
15 – Celebrity Latin Talent
16 – Celebrity Latin Talent
17-18 – Raul Acosta and Oro Solido (NEW)
22-23 – Los Amigos Invisibles
24-25 - 98°

October
29 – October 2 – Boyz II Men
6-7 – Mark Wills
8-9 – Sugar Ray
13-14 - Hoobastank
15-16 – Air Supply
20-21 – Taylor Dayne
22-23 – Billy Ocean
27-30 - Hanson

November
3-4 – We The Kings (NEW)
5-6 – Sheila E.
10-11 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
12-13 – 38 Special

Beginning July 6, you can secure your spot for these performances with an Eat to the Beat Dining Package. Visit TasteEPCOT.com.

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!

Thank you for listening and have a magical day!

Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic

Disney just announced major changes for Park Pass and more for Walt Disney World 2024. We discuss who wins and who loses among Disney travelers to Walt Disney World (plus some good news for right now).

Listen to the Latest Disney Travel News

2024 is Going to Be a Good Year at Walt Disney World (but it will be better for some than other travelers)

You can start booking 2023 Disney World vacations on May 31, 2023 and there's a lot to look forward to next year. Here's a sneak peek at what to expect:

Park Pass is Gine (Well, sort of)
As of January 9, 2024, if you have a date-based ticket, you won't need to make theme park reservations. But if you are an Annual Passholder, you're still stuck with Park Pass -- even if you have a hotel or DVC Villas reservation. We think this is a big mistake by Disney that penalizes APs with hotel reservations.

Annual Passholders will Still Need Park Reservations...but not always.
It gets more complicated for Disney World Annual Passholders. Disney plans to offer what they're calling "good-to-go" days with means AP holders won't need park reservations for select days. This will be in addition to the recent update that offers Passholders the opportunity to visit the theme parks after 2:00 p.m. without needing a park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom Park. “Good-to-go” days may vary by park, and pass block out dates and capacity limitations continue to apply like they do today. Please stay tuned for more details on “good-to-go” days. This is a step in the right direction for local AP holders, but doesn't help you much at all if you are an out-of-state WDW AP holder who books weekly vacations multiple times a year. It looks like those of us in this boat will be stuck with Park Pass for the foreseeable future.
 
The Disney Dining Plan is Back
Disney dining plans will be coming back as an option for guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels who purchase a vacation package with Disney for stays starting January 9, 2024.

Genie+ Bookings Will Be Bookable in Advance
No details yet, but Disney has announced they're working on allowing us to make Genie+ and Lightning Lane bookings in advance of the day of. It might now be 60 days out like FastPass, but any advance booking potential is a good thing in our view.

Adventures by Disney is heading to Colombia for a little Encanto inspiration

A New Adventure to Bogota, the Coffee Region, Cocora Valley and Cartagena 

Highlights of this eight-day, seven-night itinerary in 2024 include: 

• Visiting the capital city of Bogota, with private guided tours of the Paloquemao Market and Historic City Center. 
• Enjoying Colombian coffee and visiting a coffee farm in the Coffee Region to see the process for growing and harvesting coffee beans. The nearby town of Salento is part of the inspiration for the setting of “Encanto,” and the Cocora Valley features the tall, towering wax palms and butterflies depicted in the film.  
• Experiencing a hands-on arepa-making class, a traditional Latin American dish showcased in “Encanto” by Mirabel's mother Julieta. 
• Playing the country’s national sport of tejo, as seen in the movie. 
• Exploring the city of Cartagena, which inspired the film’s colorful architecture and fabrics. Central to “Encanto” is the Afro-Caribbean influence, prominent in this city.  
• Trekking the dry forest near Proyecto Titi, an organization dedicated to the preservation of the cotton-top tamarins, a project supported by the Disney Conservation Fund. It was Colombia’s rich biodiversity that inspired the magical ability of the “Encanto” character Antonio, who has the power to communicate with animals. 
• Snorkeling among the Rosario Islands, a collection of 27 islands home to more than 1,300 species of marine animals, vibrantly colored fish and plants.  

Each travel party booked on the inaugural 2024 Adventures will receive a signed lithograph of never-before-released artwork from Walt Disney Animation Studios. 

For a complete itinerary and list of activities, visit Colombia Land Adventure.

A New Adventure to Canada’s Maritimes of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island  

Also in 2024 you can enjoy Canada’s Atlantic coast in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The eight-day, seven-night adventure includes:  

• Visiting an authentic maple syrup farm in Nova Scotia, learning about tree tapping and the process that brings syrup from tree to table, including samples of course. 
• Discovering the Wood Island Lighthouse and being at the heart of the Island’s maritime heritage. The Lighthouse has served the community for more than 150 years, and here Junior Adventurers will enjoy their own special kite-making and flying activity as the breeze comes off the sea.  
• Exploring Avonlea Village, the fictitious community central to the Anne of Green Gables stories, and enjoying tea with a descendent of author Lucy Maud Montgomery’s family. 
• Learning about the indigenous Mi’kmaq Peoples during a visit to the Millbrook Cultural Heritage Centre and gaining first-hand understanding of their Talking Stick sacred practice. 
• Enjoying outdoor activities such as walking on the low-tide ocean floor at the Bay of Fundy, an onboard fisherman’s feast, horseback riding, a starlight bonfire, biking, canoeing and kayaking.  

‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Coming to Disney Parks

With the release of GOTG Volume 3, there are a few limited-time experiences coming toa Disney parks

Disney California Adventure Park 
For a limited time, Mantis is joining Star-Lord at Avengers Campus for “Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!” The celestial siblings will get their groove on in front of Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, as they recruit those of you with the right skills to join their band of heroes.

EPCOT
Connections Café is offering Perfect Sovereign Waffle Bites topped with a red berry dipping sauce. You can also try a Guardians of the Galaxy Cookie at the Mission: SPACE Popcorn Cart, next to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

New Star Wars Photo Ops at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

New Holopuck Magic Shots
Located deep in the Outer Rim near Wild Space, the remote planet of Batuu has become a thriving destination for scoundrels and smugglers, luring bounty hunters from across the galaxy. Select Image Scanners (known on our planet as Disney PhotoPass photographers) can offer a holopuck that will reveal the details of your next target.

BB-8 Magic Shot
You may just find BB8 showing up in your PhotoPass image.

Darksaber 
Created more than a thousand years ago by Tarre Vizsla (the first Mandalorian to become a Jedi Knight), the Darksaber is an ancient weapon with a long and legendary history. It has been wielded by many beings over the years. This blade can be found across from Oga’s Cantina after dark.

BD-1 Magic Shot 
Never underestimate droids, especially those that beep in the face of danger. You can capture a scan with this droid before setting out on your next adventure.
 
Off the Hook Poolside Dining at Disney Aulani will Offer Breakfast Starting May 17

In a very welcome move for the resort, Off the Hook poolside dining at Disney Aulani will offer a casual, grab-and-go breakfast and coffee bar from 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. daily. The menu includes Mickey waffles, buttermilk pancakes, French toast, eggs and more. Note that as part of this change, Wailana Bar will no longer offer coffee as of May 17 and updated hours will be 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for normal full bar service and takeaway menu options.

Disney Cruise Line Debuts New Experiences Bringing the Imaginative Worlds of “Encanto” and “Soul” to the Disney Magic

“An Encanto Celebration” Brings the Family Madrigal to the High Seas for the First Time
“An Encanto Celebration” is a new interactive experience giving you the opportunity to meet and take photos with Mirabel and the family member we don’t talk about during their Disney Cruise Line debut. Join a sing-along of “Encanto” songs and create butterfly and flower crafts inspired by the film. During the show, you can experience a true taste of South America thanks to a selection of local Colombian beers, cocktails and sodas, along with film-inspired mocktails.

New Soul Cat Lounge Hits the Right Note for Evening Entertainment
The story of “Soul” was the inspiration for the brand-new Soul Cat Lounge designed to look like Joe Gardner’s favorite music spot in the movie: the Half Note Lounge. The space is located on deck three near Rapunzel’s Royal Table restaurant. It will transport you to a classic New York jazz club, including details like brick walls, wood accents and plenty of rich leather seating around a stage set for live music, so you can dance the evening away.

Redesigned Concierge Retreats Provide an Elevated Experience
For the ultimate comfort and service at sea, the concierge spaces aboard the Disney Magic have been elevated and enhanced. The concierge lounge was reimagined and expanded to feature a sophisticated new theme and tropical color palate inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana” and an additional outdoor covered seating area on deck 10 where guests can relax with a refreshing beverage while enjoying the ocean breeze. All concierge suites, including one- and two-bedroom accommodations and the two signature royal suites, have been completely refurbished with fresh fixtures, furniture and elegant artwork, further elevating the premium experience for concierge guests.

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!

Thank you for listening and have a magical day!

Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic

Disney100 is underway at Walt Disney World and there a ton of different ways to join in the celebrations. This story, plus Disney Cruise Line at 25 and we discuss whether Disney is overdoing it with the anniversary celebrations for just about everything.

Listen to the Latest Disney Travel News Podcast

How You Can Celebrate Disney100 at Walt Disney World Resort

But is Disney Overdoing it with Anniversary Celebrations for Everything in Sight?

As the Walt Disney Company celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2023, they've created a few ways to mark the occasion at Walt Disney World, including characters, food, photos and fun.

See Mickey and Minnie in their Platinum Best 
 
EPCOT is the center of the Disney100 celebration at Walt Disney World and things will ramp later this year during the Disney100 celebration when the park overhaul is completed. As part of this, Mickey and Minnie will be available for meet and greets in their platinum attire.

Admire Special Spaceship Earth Lighting

Spaceship Earth has some new lighting effects for Disney100.

This will include visuals from the Disney Company history, including character icons, park imagery and the Disney100 logo, all appearing in the Spaceship Earth lighting. Watch for the Wonderful World of Disney TV show opening and the Mickey-shaped balloons sold on Main Street U.S.A.

Disney100 Selfies

Disney100 selfie backdrops will be in place in all four theme parks and Disney Springs. 

Surprise Character Visits at Disney Resort Hotels

As the Disney100 celebration comes to life, watch for surprise visits from Disney characters at Walt Disney World hotels. They'll be wearing their special platinum outfits.

Celebrate With New Food and Drinks

As of May 1, Disney100 treats have starting appearing, including the Petite Cake for a limited time at Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs. This has layers of vanilla chiffon, berry mousse and berry compote, all topped with a celebratory Disney100 Medallion macaron.

“The inspiration of this cake pulls from the rich purple and platinum colors used for the Disney100 celebration,” Chef Amanda shared. “The drapery on the sides of the cake represents the traditional bunting that adorns Main Street, U.S.A. for special occasions. And of course, Mickey Mouse is proudly represented on the front of the cake because as we all know: ‘It all started with a mouse.’”

This is the first of many Disney100 food items that will appear all over Walt Disney World.

Find the Perfect Disney100 Souvenir 

Disney100 merchandise is already available at Walt Disney World and the Cinderella Premium Bucket is coming back, this time with a Disney100 makeover that will be exclusive to Magic Kingdom. Stay tuned for more on when this one will debut.

New Entertainment Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios

As of May 14, The Edna Mode Experience returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios as part of a reimagined Pixar Place. Here you’ll find Edna, Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, Frozone, and Sulley from Monsters, Inc.
 
Disney Cruise Line Creates Treats and Drinks for its 25th Anniversary Celebration

2023 is the 25th anniversary of Disney Cruise Line and to celebrate the entire fleet has special treats and drinks inspired by the Silver Anniversary at Sea. These will be available from May through September.

The 25th Disney Cruise Line Cupcake is a vanilla sponge cake topped with vanilla frosting, 25th chocolate décor and shimmering sprinkles. If you love chocolate and candy, the Mickey Chocolate Sphere features the 25th emblem and is filled with a variety of candy pieces. Crack it open and treat yourself.

At both Cabana’s and Marceline’s Market locations, two of the desserts will be getting a Silver Anniversary at Sea upgrade. The 3 Layer Carrot Cake with lemon frosting will be adding 25th chocolate décor and the Disney Cruise Line Anniversary Chocolate Marquise will feature rich chocolate truffle crème topped with the 25th chocolate décor as well.

At the concierge lounge, the Chocolate Cream Cookie has a dulce de leche filling inside a rich dark chocolate cookie and is decorated with the Silver Anniversary at Sea logo plus the signature shimmering sprinkles. Also in concierge, the Celebration Cupcake tops a red velvet sponge cake with vanilla frosting, shimmering sprinkles and 25th chocolate décor.

Captain Minnie is joining the anniversary festivities with the Vanilla Crisped Rice Treat offered at all Cove Café locations. 

Last but certainly not least, signature desserts throughout the entire fleet will be enhanced with the addition of a special 25th chocolate piece to their already picturesque presentation. At Palo, the classic Chocolate Soufflé with double chocolate sauce, vanilla crème anglaise, and vanilla bean gelato will also have a chocolate 25th anniversary piece.

Special bottles of Coca-Cola will be decked out in Disney Cruise Line Silver Anniversary at Sea décor. For the 21+ crown, the signature Jubilee by the Sea cocktail combines 818 Blanco Tequilla, Luxardo Marashino, and fresh lemon juice with a sparkly, silver dusting and a shimmering blue sugar rim. You'll also get a keepsake bookmark showing how to make this cocktail at home.

For purchase, there will be a Specialty Coffee Mug with a unique anniversary design featuring the Disney Cruise Line fleet and Mickey Mouse himself. Beer drinkers out there can bring home the 25th Anniversary Beer Mug etched with the anniversary logo.

And finally, you'll be able to purchase the Silver Anniversary at Sea Popcorn Bucket showcasing 25 years of Disney Ships.

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!

Thank you for listening and have a magical day!

Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic