Rivers of Light - Episode 124 of The Disney Exchange Podcast

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

You'll notice this week's show notes are a bit short. That's because I'm currently vacationing with family at the Florida shore. You'll also notice I'm only on the episode briefly for the same reason. You should however continue listening after I leave. I know. I know. Just not the same, but I assure you, Lisa and Dave are completely capable of continuing on without me. Mostly.

We start off by talking about our meet-up in the France Pavilion in Epcot. Thank you very much for stopping by Linda, Phillip, Dave J and family, Aunt Sandy, Uncle Roger, Jill and Zach!

Dave and Dave

 Lisa, Phillip, and Linda

  Dave, Lisa, me and my assistant Stefanie

 Us with my wife Barbie, who looks a lot like my assistant

 Dave and Aunt Sany

Our main topic this week is our impressions of Rivers of Light, the new-ish show at Disney's Animal Kingdom that debuted much later than was initially projected to. The 3 of us all experienced it together last weekend as this podcast is released.

Lisa and Dave go on to talk about their Dark Side Half Marathon experience.

The Wheel of Distiny topic is, I'm sure fantastic. If they did it.

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 You Should Dine at Disney - Episode 123 of The Disney Exchange Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Disney Exchange is Lisa, Dave and me, The Music Man himself, Nick

Lisa gives a shout out to Indiana. And I sing. This song. You're Welcome.

Dave talks news, and we talk about mobile ordering coming to several Walt Disney World dining establishments. We speculate as to how it will operate. Well, Dave and I do. Lisa is too busy packing to listen to the show.

Which brings up a good point. At this moment the 3 of us are in Walt Disney World!

How do you feel about Club 33 coming to each of the Walt Disney World parks? Are YOU joining? If so, please consider dining with a "famous person"! Me!

Disney Uber. Interested?

Is friend of the show, Dave Tupper, a Muppet?

The main topic this week is 3 table service dining locations we each recommend at Walt Disney World.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani and Jambo are both represented. We just so happened to have covered table service dining at AKL way back on Episode 8.

 The bread service at Sanaa 

The Wheel of Distiny topic this week:  Listener Paul asks what our ideal length of stay for a Disney vacation is.

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!

A Quick Ride

by Gaylin

There are lots of rides to go on at the Magic Kingdom, one of my favourites is often looked at as a 'kids ride'. I am not a kid but I go on this ride every time I go to the Magic Kingdom. It is none other than The Barnstormer! You can fastpass this and if you look at the line-up on the left side of the entrance, you can see that at certain times of the day, a fastpass will mean no waiting!

I love sitting in the front seat and have no qualms about requesting it!

Love these ride cars!

This is a very short ride, really short, like 45 seconds, but so fun. It is also a great 'starter' roller coaster to see if your kids like a fast ride or not.

A Flamboyance of Flamingos

by Gaylin

A lot of animals get noticed at the Animal Kingdom. The gorillas. The bats. The rhinos and so on.

Me, I love the flamboyance of flamingos right at the base of the Tree of Life. What is not to love, pink birds!

Have you ever stopped to check them out? If you haven't and you are over at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, look for them there as well, they have their own flamboyance.

Have a Disney Day - Episode 122 of The Disney Exchange

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download 

Our main topic this week is what we usually do at Walt Disney World by time of day (6-10am, 10am-2pm, 2-5pm, 5-8pm, 8pm-12am). 

The Wheel of Distiny topic is from listener Paul: Have you ever gone miniature golfing at Walt Disney World? 

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!

Signs of Disney Springs

by Gaylin

The new logo for Disney Springs is quite nice, whether it is embossed on a wall.

Or as a metal plaque on one of the bridge supports.

If you have ever wondered is there is a Code of Conduct for shopping, yes, there is!

In the Marketplace, there is now a separate store for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

Looking for a way to get to the hotels along Hotel Plaza Boulevard, no more confusing crosswalks. There is a pedestrian overpass now, right beside the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

This entrance to the World of Disney, used to be along the side of the building, it is still in the same place, now there is a lovely plaza and more stores on that side of the World of Disney.

Need to find your way around? Look for the sign posts!

Did you park your car in the Lime Garage? Here is the walkway to the garage, with a lovely fountain in front of it.

Disney Resorts, Price vs, Value - Episode 121 of The Disney Exchange Podcast

The Disney Exchange is Lisa, Dave, and me #30daysofnick

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

We start off talking about a very important subject, Lisa's wonderful idea to feature a photo a day of me on our Facebook page (link below) and share it it across social media. #30daysofnick

Dave shares information about the new security checkpoints for the Magic Kingdom and talks about the new My Disney Experience app update.

Lisa and Dave talk runDisney and the Dark Side Challenge coming up in just a couple of weeks.
The 3 of us will, ok, hope, to be at Epcot together on April 22nd, between 2-3. Maybe even 3:20, if Lisa can squeeze us in to her tight schedule. We will have more info as the date approaches.

Our main topic has us comparing resort levels and the value you get for the price.
This leads us to compare apples to apples. For example, is it worth paying much more to stay at Art of Animation as opposed to an All Star Resort. 

We also discuss whether we feel it's worth moving up to a moderate depending on the number of people, and location.

We also look at various deluxe Resorts, discussing their merits. 

The Wheel of Distiny topic was submitted by listener Paul. Do you prefer one long Walt Disney World Vacation per year, or several shorter ones spread throughout?

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!

Cinderella's Castle

by Gaylin

Every trip I take photos of Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom. Some photos are better than others, this trip I took one that surprised me. I was in Fantasyland one evening and turned to look at the back of the castle and this is the photo that I took!

Rock Inn at Disney's All Star Music Resort

by Gaylin

On previous trips to Walt Disney World I have stayed at the Pop Century. This trip, I wanted to get the Play, Stay and Dine Discount. In order to get the discount, I had to stay at the All Star Music Resort. I knew the room would be the same size and have the same amenities, small fridge, hair blow dryer, safe, ironing board & iron, so I booked this resort instead of Pop.

When I got there, about 6 in the evening, I found out my room was in the Rock Inn section. One thing I noticed right away when I left the lobby building - the lighting around this resort is not as bright as at Pop. It was a bit more difficult to figure out where the building was but have no fear, I did find my room.

I always take a photo of my room number, in case I lose my camera, hopefully someone will scroll the first few photos and see this!

In the daytime, you can spot this small circle sign - this lets you know which building you are in. Not easy to see!

This is the front of the Rock Inn buildings, a faux jukebox at the centre, behind which is the stairs and elevators.

At the base of the jukebox is this 'album'. If you look close you can see the grooves in the concrete - just like a record album!

The rooms are 260 square feet and have 2 full beds. The rooms used to have queen sized beds but with renovations, slowly but surely, those were all replaced with full sized (double) beds.

You have this cute shelf and hook on the wall in the room, a good place for jackets or a great spot to dry a plastic rain poncho!

The bathrooms are all separated, the sink & mirror outside of the small room with the toilet and shower. Right beside it is the area for hanging clothes or putting bags up top. As you can see there is an iron, ironing board and also in this area is the safe (you can see it in the mirror).

I didn't get a photo of the tub/toilet but I did take one of the groovy shower curtain! 

All the rooms have one window, these do not open. (Unless you are in a suite, then the window in the living room area of the suite will open.)

 This was my view. The parking lot for All Star Sports - next door. You might think I would complain about this but nope, I loved this. My room was quiet all the time. If you face a pool or the courtyard of the buildings, you will get much more noise happening. Yes, I did have a bit of a trek to the lobby and buses but I was good with that as well, it was great to be in a quiet corner for my 2 week stay.

What Walt Disney World Needs - Episode 120 of The Disney Exchange

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download  

After news, rumors and shout outs we get to our main topic.

It's armchair Imagineering.
For Instance, the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom have spinner type rides, like Dumbo and TriceraTop Spin. What type of spinner ride would you design for Epcot or Disney's Hollywood Studios?

Another example, roller coasters. What type of coaster would you design for DHS and Epcot.

This leads to a discussion of how the new Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios will introduce these attractions to that park.
Toy Story Land / Star Wars Land 

The Wheel of Distiny topic is multi layered this week, submitted by listener Adam.
Adam asks if we recommend mixing up dinner reservations at parks and resorts and if he decides to dine at resorts should they book by the park they will be at that day, as well as other dining plan questions.

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!