Main Street Minutes
Volume 10
I cannot believe we are already at the end of May! Almost half the year has already passed and it feels like we were just celebrating the New Year. We’ve been super busy over here on Main Street cooking up a lot of fun and exciting things for you guys, as well as making some behind the scenes changes we aren’t quite ready to share yet. Hopefully you all heard the announcement ending our Patreon group, Wonderland Crew, making all of that content public coming to the Main Street Magic Community in June!
Main Street Magic Episodes
- 664: Trip Review: Jaleo, Saratoga Springs Treehouse Villa, Main Street 16 Challenge, and More!
- BONUS: Main Street 16 Livestream Featuring Greg Gately (The FUNatics)
- 665: Trip Review: Polynesian DVC Studio, Narcoossee’s, and California Grill
- 666: Trip Review: The Perfect Poly Day, 1900 Park Fare Breakfast, and Fantasia Gardens
- BONUS: Main Street 16 Livestream Featuring Jon Self (MainStreetFoodie.com)
- 667: Planning, Preparing, and Packing for a Disney Cruise
- 668: Trip Review: The Disney Magic (Food, Beverage, and Tasting Seminars)
- 669: Trip Review: The Disney Magic (Castaway Cay, Entertainment, and Staterooms)
- 670: A Main Street Magic Community Q & A Part 21
- 671: A Main Street Magic Community Q & A Part 22
- 672: Trip Review: Typhoon Lagoon, Coronado Springs, Winter Summerland, and Skyline Chili (Releasing May 31st)
Trivia
- What was the first Disney theme park to open outside of the United States?
- Who are the Three Caballeros? (first names only ok)
- What type of crystal powers a light saber?
- Captain America’s shield and the Winter Soldier’s (Bucky Barnes) arm is made of what rare material?
- Who helped Walt develop Mickey Mouse on the train ride to Hollywood?
Answers to April Trivia
- Chicago, IL
- Treasure Island (1950)
- Ezra, Phineas, and Gus
- Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista
- Edward Norton
May in Disney History
- May 1, 1989 — Hollywood Studios opened at Walt Disney World
- May 13, 1992 — Fantasmic! debuted in Disneyland
- May 28, 1966 — It’s a Small World opened in Disneyland
- May 31, 2008 — Toy Story Midway Mania opened in Hollywood Studios
Upcoming Events
- Disney Dreams That Soar at Disney Springs – May 24 – September 2
- The last Walls of Epcot will come down June 10 revealing the new Communicore Hall featuring a new show celebrating Encanto
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates the 30th Anniversary of The Lion King
- Celebrate Summer with the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure June 28th
Deals, Discounts, & Promos
Disney+ Subscribers can receive FREE DINING for select arrivals between July 1 – September 30, 2024
Receive free on board credit when booking your next Disney Cruise Line adventure with Main St Magic Travel
4-Day, 4 Park Magic Ticket starting at $99 per day OR 3-day, 3 Park Ticket starting at $89 per day (3 park ticket excludes Magic Kingdom)
Stay Longer / Save More! Save up to 30% on stays of 5 nights or longer most stays through July 7, 2024
Is a Disney Cruise Worth the Premium Price?
Y’all, in case we’ve never met, I love all things Disney. Some people may even say I’m a little obsessed. I also love to cruise. However, I openly admit that I struggled paying the premium price that comes with Disney Cruise Line. My first experience with DCL was in 2009 when my daughter was 7 years old. Having just taken her to Disney World for the first time in 2008, DCL seemed like the perfect follow up. Since that time, our family has taken several cruises on other lines but I could not bring myself to pay the price for a DCL cruise again… until now. This recent cruise (which you can hear alllll about on Episodes 667, 668, and 669 on Main St Magic Podcast) has convinced me anew that DCL is in fact worth the premium.
Prior to this cruise, our most recent cruise experience was an Eastern Caribbean on a mid-level cruise line that was nice BUT it was very “vanilla”. The decor was tasteful but bland. The entertainment was just ok and the other offerings were a way to pass the time. I will say that the food on this particular cruise was much better than that on the Disney Magic, but more on that later.
There is just something about the complete Magic that is Disney. You can’t help but be happy while onboard. There were tasteful, subtle Disney touches everywhere – from the railings to the rugs, to the light fixtures to the wall decor — just compete immersion in Disney. And then you have those quintessential Disney Cast Members. Our service team at dinner could not have been better and our stateroom host went above and beyond every day.
One of the things I really appreciate about DCL is that when most other cruise lines are going to an “anytime” approach to dining, Disney Cruise Line is sticking with their assigned rotational dining approach. For those unfamiliar, rotational dining takes you through each of the main dining rooms in a pre-assigned order. Your service team rotates with you so you have the same servers each night. I appreciate getting to know our service team and the attention that you are able to receive when you have the same team with you each night. It also makes things a bit easier to navigate having a food sensitivity.
I also fell in love with the smaller, classic ship. The Disney Magic is the original DCL ship and somewhat smaller than the newer ships. She has aged very well and was not showing the signs of wear and tear that I’ve noticed on other cruise lines. It never felt crowded on board except a couple times trying to snag an elevator immediately after one of the shows.
And the SHOWS! Unparalleled! I am utterly amazed that they are able to pull off productions of this caliber on a cruise ship; not to mention the set pieces and costumes that it takes. I cannot say enough about how wonderful these performers were. All of the entertainment staff really. But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised — it is Disney after all.
So… If you are on the fence about taking a Disney Cruise —- DO IT! You will not regret one single penny of that premium price.
