Amorette's at Disney Springs

by Gaylin

When I am in between Disney vacations, I keep up online with new restaurants, rides, stores, etc. that open when I am not there.

When this cake shop opened at Disney Springs, I didn't pay a lot of attention to it. Except to gaze at the amazingly beautiful cakes.

I thought there was no way a bakery like this would have anything gluten free. Turns out I was wrong. When Nick, Barbie and I were at Disney Springs together, we stopped at the bakery and looked at all the pretties in the cases. I asked about gluten free and voila, they have one small cake that is safe for me to eat.

Of course, I had to buy one, this little beauty. As soon as we had a chance to sit down, forks were handed out and the 3 of us gobbled this down. Yep, totally gobbled. Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, rich, not over sweet, smooth creamy. Sigh, do you think they deliver to Canada?

Treats from The Ganachery

by Gaylin

One of the shops I was most looking forward to going to at Disney Springs was The Ganachery. I love well made chocolates and this shop has quickly gotten a reputation for having very good chocolate!

My first visit, I bought a small box of 6 chocolates. It was first thing in the morning and it also was a hot day. You can leave your chocolates in the shop, they put a tag with your name on the bag and you can pick it up on your way to the bus stop!

I chose 6 dark chocolates, since dark is my favourite! I saved them, waited until I really wanted a treat and had 2 chocolates, 3 days in a row. Isn't the packaging lovely! And that wee box, has a magnet in the flap so the box stays shut.

First up is the mint chocolate, this turned out to be my favourite. Good mint flavour with a touch of spearmint! Wonderful.

Second up was the Egyptian Sea Salt. This was good but it would turn out to be my third favourite.

Next . . . dark chocolate ganache. This was my second favourite, smooth, silky a lovely piece of chocolate.

I was a tiny bit disappointed in the Chipotle Pepper, it tasted good but had very little heat. If I buy a spiced chocolate, I do expect a bit of a kick.

I was sure this raspberry chocolate would have a real burst of berry flavour, with the freeze dried raspberry on top. Again, the flavour was quite mild. Good but mild.

Finally, the Orange. I enjoyed this but yet again, wanted a bigger burst of orange flavour. I would buy any of these again. Don't get me wrong, none of these is getting a bad review, just need a bit more flavour.

I was back at Disney Springs on my last morning at Walt Disney World. Of course, I went to The Ganachery. I picked up this little beauty to bring home. It is a dark chocolate salted caramel pop. I can't recommend this enough!!! Soft, smooth caramel with just a hint of salt, wrapped in good dark chocolate. I managed to get this home intact, not even a crack in the chocolate. I was going to make myself eat it 1/3 at a time (over 3 days). After I got that first taste, it was all gone that first day. I would definitely recommend this as a treat. Seriously. Good.

More Views of Disney Springs

by Gaylin

More wandering around at Disney Springs . . . more photos!

I love this balloon, why have I never gone up in it?

The view of Saratoga Springs from Disney Springs, Welcome Home.

If you were ever confused of where you were, all these pink Minnies would clear up that confusion.

The Lego Store, I be someone, somewhere, knows how many Lego bricks are in this sculpture.

I may not care for candy apples but I do love how they decorate them.

Wait, where is that car going?

In the water, of course.

Lego Hulk wants you to keep shopping!

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Epcot - Episode 119 of The Disney Exchange

Podcast: Play in new window | Download 

The Disney Exchange is Lisa, Dave, and me, Nick

Is the recently announced live action production of Mulan going to be song free? Discuss.

There is apparently a live action Jungle Book 2 in the works. Is it possible Disney will overdo it like they did with straight to video animated sequels in the 90s.

We've been doing the show together so long, Lisa is finishing my sandwiches.

Back on Episode 109 of this very podcast we did Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Disney's Animal Kingdom, and this week we cover Epcot.

Me and my Princess with the A Team

Some people's appetites are larger than others. Just saying.

Ikea is coming to Jacksonville, Florida. The princesses will not be there, however. Good to know.

We discuss acceptable attire for Monsieur Paul in Epcot's France Pavilion. This is NOT appropriate, Dave!

Photo courtesy of Dave. He won't tell us if this is in fact a photo of him.

The Wheel of Distiny topic this week: Have you seen the new live action blockbuster, Beauty and the Beast, and what did you think?
We discuss our thoughts, and it is mostly spoiler free.

You can send us an email at info@thedisneyexchange and reach out with show suggestions, submit Wheel of Distiny topics, or request a listener number on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange, Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyexchange

If you would be so kind as to leave us a 5 star review on any of the social media sites, such as Facebook or iTunes, we'd really appreciate it. Thank you!

Thank you for listening to The Disney Exchange!

Surprise! It's Mary Poppins

by Gaylin

I was wandering about in the Magic Kingdom one afternoon, I was walking down the path behind the Christmas Store in Liberty Square and who did I see? Miss Mary Poppins. She had one cast member with her and no Photopass photographer and best of all NO line-up. Well, one family in front of me but really, that is no line-up.

Because of the lack of line-up, I had a chance to talk with Miss Poppins, we talked about New Year's Resolutions and the fact that I own 8 umbrellas and none of them are as lovely as hers. It was a great meet and greet and a wonderful surprise!

Our visit was practically perfect in every way.

Walt Disney World, January 2017, Part 6

By Nick

Thursday January 26th 

On our last full day we were up early and meeting the Walsh family at Disney's Animal Kingdom for rope drop.

As we were watching birds being fed on Discovery Island, who should walk up next to us but Gaylin!

≠

Barbie, Meghan, Todd, Flynn, Gaylin and me

She had taken a DVC tour the day before, so had 3 FastPasses to use, and accompanied us on the Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Afterwards, we took a walk through the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. Or is it now Gorilla Falls?!

Following this adventure, we stopped at Zuri's Sweets for a snack before making our way over to the Maharaja Jungle Trek.

The Walsh's, Barbie and I had lunch at Yak and Yeti Local Foods. There was nothing on the menu for Gaylin, who is gluten intolerant, beyond a dessert offering, so she headed off to Flame Tree Barbecue.

As we were leaving, I noticed a bird eyeing up a woman's french fries. I mentioned this to the girl, and as she looked up I was amazed to see this was my friend Nina! Her husband Brandon walked over a few minutes later. We'd met Nina and Brandon a few years earlier at La Cava Del Tequila at Epcot's Mexico pavilion. In fact, Nina can be seen sipping a cocktail in this post: http://disneymusings.blogspot.com/2014/05/epcots-la-cava-del-tequila.html

Barbie and Todd decided to hit the single rider line of Expedition Everest while Meghan, Flynn and I enjoyed the waterfront seating area for the (as of then) unopened Rivers of Light show.

We walked over to DinoLand where Barbie and Meghan took a ride on Primeval Whirl while the men took a break on a bench.

The Walsh's decided to head back to their resort, the Animal Kingdom Lodge for a rest and/or a swim, and we were going to go back to the Boardwalk, but as we exited, decided that if we laid down we possibly wouldn't get up and over to Disney's Hollywood Studios for our early dinner ADR at 50's Prime Time. So Barbie and I hopped a bus over to DHS.

We visited something we'd noticed earlier in the week, Red Carpet Dreams, where we queued up to meet Mickey and Minnie.

After our visit we went over to the Tune-In Lounge for a Coke and an adult beverage (guess who had which) while we waited for the rest of our party and ADR time.
Friends Kandi, John, their kids Grayson and Sawyer arrived about the same time as the Walsh's and we were all seated shortly thereafter.

Another great meal, we had a really entertaining server and fun neighbors!

After dinner we went to Star Wars Launch Bay.

We found a good spot for the Walsh family to enjoy the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular, and Barbie and I said goodnight, as we were pooped, and still needed to pack for departure the next day.

Friday, January 27th

We dropped our carry on luggage at bell services and went over to DHS to take one last spin on Toy Story Midway Mania, selfies with Buzz and Woody, and a drop on Tower of Terror.

We grabbed breakfast at Starring Rolls, splitting a ham sandwich and red velvet cupcake. We had no idea this would be the last time we'd ever get to eat there, one of our standard stops since we started to come to Walt Disney World together in 2006. It closed just a few days later!

After eating we slowly walked back to the Boardwalk to await Tragical Magical Express to the airport.

Thanks for following along, and please enjoy Parts 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - and 5.

Favorite Nighttime Attractions at Walt Disney World - Episode 119 of The Disney Exchange

The Disney Exchange is Lisa, Dave and me, the charming tap dancing fool, Nick.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The show starts with a brilliant edit job by Dave, and listeners are treated to the sound of MY voice to start off the festivities.

Miss Adventure Falls has opened at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and we talk weather.

Pandora -The World of Avatar looks so great it makes me break out into dance.

Lisa has Achilles Tendonitis. Any suggestions to help her deal with this and prep for the Dark Side Half Marathon?

The 3 of us will all be at WDW that weekend, April 22nd and 23rd! We will post where we are so if anyone reading this now wants to say hello... anyone? Hello?

Lisa shares information about The Tiki Trot Race Series.
This past December the Disney Podcast community suffered the loss of one of it's own when Alan Mize of the Enchanted Tiki Talk Podcast passed away, and the race series was established to share the joy of running and friendship in the memory of Alan. 

Dave reads a letter from listener #13, Andy asks how we all met, and we tell that truly epic and fascinating tale.

Speaking of epic and fascinating, this episodes main topic is a humdinger.
What is your favorite attraction after dark at each of Walt Disney World's parks. 

 Seven Dwarfs Mine Train 

This leads to Lisa and Dave implying I'm weird.Which is true. But I believe dark rides are better at night. You can see better, because your eyes have adjusted to darkness.
Anyone else agree? Hello? 

Space Mountain

The Wheel of Distiny topic:  Is seeing a movie in 3D worth the extra expense? 

You can send us an email at info@thedisneyexchange and reach out with show suggestions, submit Wheel of Distiny topics, or request a listener number on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange, Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyexchange

If you would be so kind as to leave us a 5 star review on any of the social media sites, such as Facebook or iTunes, we'd really appreciate it. Thank you!

Thank you for listening to The Disney Exchange! 

Where in the World?

by Gaylin

This photo is a difficult one to figure out. One clue - it is not at the Animal Kingdom. The answer os below the photo.

uoᴉʇɐʇS ʞɐoS ,N, ɥsɐldS ˙ɹſ ʎǝsɐƆ ǝɥʇ ʇɐ sᴉ ʇI

Walt Disney World, January 2017, Part 5

By Nick

Wednesday January 25th


Up early and over to Disney's Hollywood Studios to meet our friends Meghan, Todd and their son Flynn, our Godchild.

We met at the entrance and followed a majority of the crowd to Toy Story Midway Mania at opening.

We headed to Tower of Terror next.

Flynn was somewhat reluctant to ride.

He did indeed ride however, and , well...

Flynn recovered quickly, and we managed to catch the First Order March, before heading to Star Tours, where everyone except me took a trip to a galaxy far, far away. Darn motion sickness!

We went to Muppet Vision 3D next, and made sure to get our last photo of the Kermit balloon, which was recently removed, as it would be visible from the upcoming Star Wars themed area.

We had lunch at Backlot Express before watching Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular.

After the show we hopped a bus to the Magic Kingdom, where we went right to Tomorrowland and rode the People Mover before using our FastPasses for Buzz.

Making our way around the park we hit Fantasyland next, where those who can stomach spinning rides rode the Mad Tea Party followed by a trip Under the Sea.

We made one last stop to Haunted Mansion before hopping a boat over to the Wilderness Lodge.

Since we were a little early for dinner at Whispering Canyon, we took a nice rest in the lobby.

We met up with Kandi, John and their kids Sawyer and Grayson for what turned out to be my favorite meal of the trip. The adults all shared the house specialty the All You Care to Enjoy Skillet, which includes family-style Mixed Greens tossed in an Apple Vinaigrette Dressing and Fresh-baked Cornbread. Featuring Slow-smoked Pork Ribs, Barbecued Pulled Pork, Roasted Chicken, Oak-roasted Beef Strip Loin, and Western-style Sausage served with Seasonal Farm Fresh Vegetables, Mashed Yukon Potatoes, Corn on the Cobb, and Cowboy-style Baked Beans and it was excellent, especially the strip loin, which I'd say is on par with any steak I've ever eaten at WDW!

We'd eaten dinner there with Kandi and John several years ago, but were not impressed with the service, and we didn't even enjoy the food that much.

This time, our server was hilarious and entertaining, and, in fact, every server seemed to be on point. If you are not familiar, the Cast Members here are what some might call "surly" and loud, which is part of the theme. Get it, Whispering Canyon. 

After dinner we headed to the dock where we were about 30 seconds late for the boat back to the Magic Kingdom, but a boat for the Contemporary was just boarding, so we decided to take a ride there and walk to the park to try and work off a bit of the bloat.

We used our last FastPass of the evening on Pirates, before taking a walk through the Castle and out for the evening.

Please check out:
Part 1 
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4