Main Street Minutes

Volume 8

March Madness! True to the name, there has been a whirlwind of Disney news all this month. It actually started at the end of February with the super early release of 2025 Walt Disney World packages and continues with the release of Summer 2025 itineraries on Disney Cruise Line, plus a plethora of other news and exciting updates! Read on for more information and if you want to Celebrate Summer at Walt Disney World, visit MainStMagicTravel.com for your free quote!

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Main Street Magic Episodes

• Disney Prep: Picking a Disney Resort
• Event Review: EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
• Trip Review: Old Key West Resort, Summer House and House of Mouse Expo
• Journey Into Imagination with Justin Monorail
• Trip Review: Harambe Market, Flower and Garden Updates, and Springhill Suites at SeaWorld
• March Madness Bracket Challenge: Disney Deluxe Resorts
• Ranking Restaurants: Atmosphere
• Bracket Challenge: Live Action Disney Remakes (March 26th)
• Funniest Disney World and Universal Orlando Attractions (March 29th)

Trivia

1. Who has voiced a character in every Pixar film with the exception of Soul (2020) and Luca (2021)
2. Who were the Nine Old Men and from where did Disney borrow the name?
3. How tall is Cinderella’s Castle?
4. At over $1.6 billion, what is the highest grossing Disney Film?
5. Walt Disney holds the record for the most Academy Awards won by a single individual. How many Oscars did he win?

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This Month in Disney History

• March 1, 2012 — The Disney Fantasy takes her maiden voyage
• March 1975 — Lake Buena Vista Village opens, eventually becoming Disney Springs
• March 18, 1967 — Pirates of the Caribbean opens in Disneyland
• March 9, 2013 — Tangled restroom area opens in Magic Kingdom
• March 16, 2002 — Walt Disney Studios Paris opens

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Upcoming Events

• Flower and Garden Festival continues through May 27th. Find out more HERE. And be sure to check out podcast episodes 647 and 650 featuring our visits to the festival.
• Main St 16 Challenge Weekend benefitting Give Kids the World Village. Click HERE for more information including a Deluxe Villa Resort Raffle, Trivia Night, the 16 Ride Challenge and so much more.
• Celebrate Summer! Opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, New Drone Show at Disney Springs, and the Opening of Communicore Hall at Epcot with a new Encanto Sing Along show!

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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 (exludes Magic Kingdom)

Stay Longer / Save More! Save up to 30% on stays of 5 nights or longer most stays through July 7, 2024

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Which Disney Resort Should You Choose?

With over thirty resorts and resort villas to choose from, deciding where to stay at Walt Disney Resort can be a bit overwhelming. There are options at various price points, styles, theme, location and more; and there really isn’t a bad room in the place. And while there are also a plethora of nearby Good Neighbor and off property options, we are going to focus on the actual Disney owned properties. Here’s a step-by-step guide to choosing the perfect Disney Resort for you:

1. Define Your Budget: Determine how much you’re willing to spend on accommodations. Disney World offers a range of resort options from value to deluxe and deluxe villas, each with varying prices. Also, the prices will fluctuate based on the time of year with holiday and summer pricing being higher than off peak times and weeknights will be cheaper than weekends.
2. Choose Your Location: The Walt Disney World Resorts are grouped according to which park is nearest: Magic Kingdom area, Epcot area, Disney’s Animal Kingdom area, and Disney Springs area. You will also hear terms like “monorail resorts” which the monorail provides transportation to Magic Kingdom, “skyliner resorts” which have skyliner service to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Consider which park or parks you plan to visit the most and choose a resort nearby for convenience.
3. Consider Resort Type: Disney World resorts are categorized into value, moderate, deluxe, and deluxe villa resorts. Value resorts (All Star Music, Movies, or Sports, Art of Animation, and Pop Century) are more budget-friendly and offer basic amenities, while deluxe and deluxe villa resorts provide more luxurious accommodations and services. Moderate resorts (Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, and Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter) land squarely in the middle with upgraded pools and food options from a value but not quite as upscale as a deluxe.
4. Amenities and Theme: Each resort has its own theme and amenities. Consider whether you prefer a resort with a particular theme or specific amenities such as pools, restaurants, spas, or recreational activities. The recent trend has been to add touches of IP to the rooms such as adding Moana to the Polynesian or the Incredibles to the Contemporary. In the value resorts, the recent refurbs have standardized to a basic white motel vibe with a bit of Disney magic.
5. Room Size and Configuration: Depending on the size of your party and your preferences, you may want to consider the size and configuration of the rooms available at each resort. Some resorts offer standard hotel rooms, while others provide suites or villas with multiple bedrooms and additional living space. Of course, the bigger the room, the bigger the price. The Deluxe Villa resorts are the most expensive rooms on property with studios, or 1, 2, and 3 bedroom grand villas. Each of these units boast a full kitchen and in room laundry.
6. Transportation Options: Check the transportation options available at each resort. Disney World offers complimentary transportation to and from the parks and resorts via buses, boats, monorails, and the Disney Skyliner. Choose a resort with transportation options that suit your needs and preferences. Also, a few resorts are walkable to certain parks such as the Contemporary to Magic Kingdom or Beach & Yacht Club and Boardwalk To Hollywood Studios and Epcot. And of course, the closer to a park, the pricer the room.
7. Dining Options: Consider the dining options available at each resort. Some resorts have multiple restaurants and dining experiences, while others offer limited dining choices. Your value resorts will have a food court, moderates have a food court and usually a single table service, while deluxe resorts will have a quick service (not food court) and multiple table service options as well as various lounge options. If dining is important to you, choose a resort with a variety of culinary options.
8. Special Offers and Packages: Keep an eye out for special offers, discounts, and packages that may be available for the dates of your visit. Disney often offers promotions that include discounted room rates, dining plans, or ticket packages. And to be sure you are getting the best possible deal, check out Main St Magic Travel for a free, no obligation quote!
9. Read Reviews and Recommendations: Before making your final decision, read reviews and recommendations from other guests who have stayed at the resorts you’re considering, listen to the various Main St Magic podcast episodes for resort reviews and check out our website for resort spotlights and more. This can provide valuable insights into the overall guest experience and help you make an informed choice.

By considering these factors and doing some research, you can select a Walt Disney World Resort that meets your needs and enhances your overall Disney vacation experience. Also, we at Main St Magic and Main St Magic Travel have stayed at almost every resort on property and can give you advice, reviews, and answer any questions you may have. All in all, there is not a bad choice when staying on Walt Disney World property. There truly is something for everyone!