My other spirit animal.
GenoDid you know you can now get to Disney World from the airport for $2? Disney vacations can be pretty draining financially. There's the flight from Boston. The park tickets. The hotel. But there's a new cheap way to get to Disney World from the Orlando airport. Really cheap... $2. Not a bad way to start your trip.
When it comes to doing Disney on the cheap, you've got to do a little research. The overspending can start the minute you land at Orlando International Airport. Here's the new cheap way to get to Disney World from the Orlando airport.
Geno / WROR<em>While it would be fun to ride the Tron cycles to the Disney parks, this new $2 option is less exciting, but a big money saver. </em>
Sure there are plenty of shuttles that'll get you over to Mickey Mouse's house. But the shuttles often have to make a dozen stops along the way at various hotels to drop off other riders. Then there are the ride share services like Uber and Lyft, but that can get pricy... usually $30-$40.
Many don't know there's a new super cheap way just added this year to get to Disney from the Orlando Airport. Just take the darn bus!
It's a new bus route, according to WESH. LYNX, which is Orlando's public bus system, launched the new Link 311 route in April. It runs daily from 5AM to 11PM so that should cover most travelers departure and arrival times.
How to get To Disney World from Orlando International Airport
Find the LYNX bus departures at Terminal A. The buses leave in spots 38, 39, 40 and 41. The one way fare is just $2 per person. It'll drop you off at Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney). From there, you'll find free Disney transportation to just about any Disney World resort or park.
OK it's cheap, but how long does it take?
The reporter who did the story for WESH said the ride on LYNX from the airport to Disney Springs took about one hour. That's a shorter ride time than the shuttles my friends took who visited last month. They paid about $20 and the ride from Orlando International Airport to the Animal Kingdom lodge we were staying at took them about 90 minutes. There are seven stops along the way, including the Florida Mall and the convention center on International Drive.
A the Walt Disney World "This Is Magic" media preview, I got to take the new Tiana's Bayou Adventure for a test drive, found my new favorite breakfast spot at Disney, and found a way to bring my favorite ride at Animal Kingdom home to Tampa.
Thanks to Walt Disney World for inviting us to the media preview. Full disclosure - Disney World is a WROR advertiser and they hosted our staff for a few days to check out what's new at the House of the Mouse.
Disney World's Next Ride To Open
The headlining act of the Walt Disney World "This Is Magic" media preview was definitely the redo of the ride formerly known as Splash Mountain. Something happened on Tiana's Bayou Adventure that I'll never forget. It was one of those cool life moments you can't believe you got to experience. If you're one of my friends on Instagram, you already know. The video has almost a half million views already. We'll get to that in a minute.
Even though Tiana was the star of the show for most in the media, the thing that stood out for me the most on this Disney trip was the food. Shocker right? Geno is going to talk about food.
The Food Factor
Seriously though I really was blown away by the improvement in the quality of the cafeteria-style food options in the big dining areas. My expectations when it comes to theme park food are realistic. They have to make it fast and serve thousands of tourists per hour. That usually means the food can be forgettable. But I had some of the best pizza I've had in a while, an insanely good burger and a couple desserts that were top notch.
As for the rides, although Tiana's Bayou Adventure was the focal point of the visit, there were two rides I still hadn't been on. Tron and Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway had opened since my last Disney World visit.
Up first... Animal Kingdom
Geno / Q105First stop... Animal Kingdom to ride my absolute favorite ride. It used to be Aerosmith's Rockin' Rollercoaster, but one ride at AK eclipsed it. BTW, Rockin' Rollercoaster is still closed for renovations but will reopen soon.
My spirit animal
Geno / Q105This guy (or gal, I didn't wanna invade privacy to check) just sat there for a good 5 minutes, barely moving... just eating and relaxing near the waterfall.
Taking my favorite ride home
Geno / Q105Got to bring a little bit of my favorite ride at Disney home. The Avatar Flight of Passage ride is just incredible. Love how they incorporate all of your senses in the experience... even smell. That scent they spray at the end is so soothing. I never knew they had a candle in the gift shop as you exit. Smart move Disney! It's not a perfect match, but close enough.
Disney Detail
Geno / Q105The Mickey towel on the bed... love it.
My new favorite breakfast spot at Disney World
GenoIf you're visiting Disney, you've gotta have Mickey Waffles. It's the law. I have a new favorite breakfast spot at Disney World. We were lucky to be staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and "Boma: The Flavors of Africa" was downstairs. It's a buffet. The blueberry pancakes were excellent, but ya gotta get the Mickey Waffle too.
Breaking the buffet rule
GenoMost buffets are more about quantity of over quality of food. Not Boma. EVERYTHING and I mean everything was good. Even simple things like these grilled tomatoes were just awesome. Be sure to get some of the ham with the "Boma Mustard" too... it's chipotle and teriyaki mustard sauce. So good.
Uh oh
GenoAll you can eat perfectly-prepared, salty, juicy delicious bacon? This could be dangerous.
Time to Tron
GenoFinally! It was time to ride Tron. It opened a couple years ago but it'd been a while since my last Disney visit. My first ride was in the daylight... I grabbed a front row seat. Essential!
Tron at Night
GenoAs fun as Tron was the first time, at night it was way cooler! I loved the change in temperature too as you went inside and outside. But the lightning at night really elevates the experience.
Mick Jagger: Performance Photos from Six Decades on Stage
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 15: Musician John Mayer (L) performs with musician Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones onstage during the Rolling Stones '50 & Counting' tour at Honda Center on May 15, 2013 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
A "Wow" Pizza moment
GenoI've often said it. It doesn't make people happy when I say it but it's true. Florida doesn't have a lot of great pizza. We have a lot of good pizza. But great pizza is hard to find. I was blown away by the flavor of the basic pepperoni pizza at Connections Cafe on this visit. When you consider how many people they have to serve and how fast they have to prepare it, I was not expecting an "oh wow" first bite. But that definitely happened.
Time to meet Tiana
GenoI have to admit. I've never seen The Princess and The Frog. But this new ride is highly anticipated and is open now to pass holders. It'll be available to the public soon. We got to hear from the creators of the ride and there were some surprises to come.
Tiana!
GenoAfter learning a new Tiana series is coming to Disney Plus, we got to hear Anika Noni Rose (the voice of Tiana) perform. Incredible moment. But that wouldn't be the only surprise.
The Bears are back!
GenoWe also learned that the revamped version of Country Bear Musical Jamboree will open July 17, 2024.
Time to ride!
GenoThe media in attendance got to take the new ride for a test drive. There were two lines. One was super long for those who wanted a video of the ride experience. I opted for the short line without video. It would lead to a truly "Disney magic" moment. This is what you see as you enter.
No way!
GenoBecause of the cameras being adjusted, there were often stops in the ride. During one of them someone noticed sitting two boats ahead of us was Jenifer Lewis... who sings "Dig a Little Deeper." Someone asked her if we could all sing it... and she happily obliged. It was such a cool moment. The photo here is one thing... you have to watch the video. It's on my Facebook and Instagram (@genoradio) in the reels.
Beignets baby!
GenoThe other great thing about this media preview being focused so much on the Tiana ride... the movie is set in New Orleans so there were lots of beignets!
Another favorite
GenoNext it was off to Epcot to ride one of my other favorites, Soarin'. I have to admit I'm more partial to the California version instead of the trip around the world they do now. I lived in Cali for about 7 years and it felt like I was going back for a visit. But it's still a fun ride.
My other favorite thing to do at Epcot
GenoTry soda from around the world. I'm going to do a full review of each of the Coca Cola beverages from these countries in a separate post. Watch for it on my page.
Sorry not sorry
GenoAnd yes, sorry but not sorry. If you're going with me to Disney World, you're going to have to go on Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom. I love nostalgia and technology. But I also love short lines and air conditioning.
Time to zap some monsters
GenoIn full serious butt kickin' mode.
More wows
Another great fast food meal that took me by surprise was the Smoked BBQ Pulled Pork Burger at Backlot Express at Hollywood Studios. Be sure to get some cheese sauce to dip your fries in.
Disney Rule #1
GenoWhether it's ice cream, pancakes or pretzels, if it's Mickey Mouse shaped, you get it.
Summer foods
GenoAt the Disney "This is Magic" media preview, we also got to sample some of the foods they're serving up at the H2O glow after hours parties. If you like cooler nighttime weather and shorter lines, these are a blast. And the food options are fun too. I was stoked to see they brought back the Chicago Hot Dog for another summer.
Winner winner chicken dinner
GenoBut the big thing I couldn't get enough of was Disney's taken on a Southern comfort food staple: chicken and waffles. The dressing was sooo good. Had a kick to it.
Healthy... at Disney?
GenoIf you're one of those weird people who likes to take good care of yourself, we can't be friends. But you do have great options at Disney.
Always save room for dessert
GenoThe Disney desserts were decidedly dangerously decadent. Devoured this lemon/chocolate creation in nanoseconds.
Instagrammable Food
GenoDisney has this knack for making the most Instagram-ready foods.
Just being Goofy
GenoMy other spirit animal.
Time to say goodbye
GenoNow it's time to say goodbye to all our family. M-I-C-K-E-Y, See ya real soon.
But before we go...
GenoFireworks over Cinderella's Castle at Magic Kingdom is a must. She's my second favorite Cinderella, close behind the 80s hairband.
Oh! One honorable mention.
GenoThis wasn't on Disney property but on the way home I tried a new pizza spot in Orlando. V Pizza & Tap Room - Lake Buena Vista in the Vista Centre Shoppes at 8586 Palm Parkway was phenomenal!
