Counter Service in Disney Springs - Episode 169 of The Disney Exchange Podcast

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

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We are talking about our experiences, our thoughts, if we have visited or have no interest in visiting counter service restaurants and kiosks in Disney Springs. 

Thank you Tom Bricker for the show topic idea: http://www.disneytouristblog.com/disney-springs-counter-service-restaurant-rankings/?utm_content=bufferd9796&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

The Wheel of Distiny topic this week: The live action version of Mulan has been pushed back. Thoughts? 

As this week's episode proves, we love Wheel of Distiny topics from our listeners, and would most certainly appreciate Show Suggestions so please check us out and make requests on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange  or 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!

Looking Forward to Food at WDW - Epsisode 165 of the Disney Exchange Podcast

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

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Another whiz-bang episode recorded early because of my schedule.

Disney's Hollywood Studios is staying the same for the forseeable future. Yay!

Dave quotes a tabloid. Fake news.

Thank you listener Allison for this week's show topic: Most anticipated new restaurant or food at Walt Disney World.

Not surprisingly a lot of our choices were located in Disney Springs. Speaking of Disney Springs...

Photo: Lisa

...The Wheel of Distiny topic this week was from listener Andrew: What would you do with 5 hours at Disney Springs?

As this week's episode proves, we love show suggestions and Wheel of Distiny topics from our listeners, so please check us out and make requests on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange  or 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!

Nick's December WDW Trip Recap - Episode 158 of The Disney Exchange Podcast

The Disney Exchange is Lisa, Dave, and me, Nick, the star of this week's show. Oh, who am I kidding? The star of EVERY show.

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This week's show is about, well, I think the title above tells it all. My wife, Barbie and I spent 12/15-12/20 at Walt Disney World, and I give a trip report, er, recap, of this too short, or too long (depending on how you feel about crowds at the parks) vacation!

Lisa eats too many cookies. Waaay too many cookies.

The Wheel of Distiny topic this week : Did you see Star Wars : The Last Jedi, and what did you think of it if you did? This is completely spoiler free, but we will be coming out with a bonus episode that will discuss the entire movie, so please look for that to come out soon! 

You can reach out with show suggestions and Wheel of Distiny topics, or just comment on the show, tell me how great I am, or request a listener number on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange  or 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!

Wastes of Money at Walt Disney World? - Ep. 156 of The Disney Exchange

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

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Let's just get this out of the way. Dave really kicked things up a notch for our 3rd Anniversary episode.

We start off talking about plans for the Guardians of the Galaxy attraction coming to Epcot:
 http://wdwnt.com/blog/2017/12/breaking-new-details-revealed-guardians-galaxy-ride-epcot-coaster-will-not-feature-inversions/

This week we are discussing this article, which says some of our favorite things at Walt Disney World are a waste of money. Needless to say we disagree with several of them.

The Wheel of Distiny Topic this week is from listener Beth: Have you experienced the Holiday Christmas Tree Trail at Disney Springs? 
 

You can reach out with show suggestions and Wheel of Distiny topics, or just comment on the show, tell me how great I am, or request a listener number on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange  or 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!

Progressive Dining at Walt Disney World - Episode 134 of The Disney Exchange Podcast

The Disney Exchange is Lisa, Dave, and me, Nick
 
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Please excuse the technical difficulties.

Thank you Georgia for being the state with the most downloads last episode.

Back on Episode 55 of the podcast we did progressive dining around Disney Springs. So much has been added since that time we decided to re-visit this location.

 What, you may ask is progressive dining? We visit a different dining location for several courses, including an appetizer, soup and salad course, entree, dessert, and a beverage.

The Wheel of Distiny topic this week was submitted by listener #13, Andy: If you could take one ride, area of the park, or food from Disneyland and bring it to Walt Disney World, what would it be?

What is a Listener #? Back in the early shows we would joke about our low listener numbers, saying we had 12 whole listeners, and that included us and my wife! People started giving themselves numbers and it became a badge of honor for some!

You can request your Listener Number on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange, Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyexchange  or email us at: info@thedisneyexchange 

And if you are so inclined, a 5 start review on iTunes would go a long way towards getting our show out to the masses!

We are giving away 3 Disney Exchange Podcast tee shirts! Please choose a size Large, Extra Large, or Double Extra Large.

To win simply answer the following question:

When Lisa was at Walt Disney World recently, she rode her first spinner ride ever. What was it?

Please submit your answers via email : info@thedisneyexchange.com

Thank you for listening to The Disney Exchange!

Not-So-Hidden Mickey

by Gaylin

I love looking for Hidden Mickeys. I admit, I also love when they are not-so-hidden, like this one at Disney Springs.

In the Marketplace, near the Leftys kiosk, you can find this one!

The Springs at Disney Springs!

by Gaylin

My last visit to Walt Disney World was in 2015. When I was there, Disney Springs was still Downtown Disney and most of it was behind construction walls. My first day of vacation, I went to Disney Springs in the morning and was pleasantly surprised at how lovely the 'springs' were and very lost when it came to finding my way around. The amount of new stores, 'streets' and restaurants, very overwhelming. I was happy I got to the Springs before anything was open, almost no one else was there and it was quiet and briefly, people free!

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.

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!

Rockin' The Dots!

by Gaylin

Shortly before I left for vacation, Nick messaged me that it was National Polka Dot day on January 22 and would I like to meet him and Barbie at Disney Springs to Rock the Polka Dots with Minnie. 

I went right out the same day to shop for something polka dotted. How sad that my wardrobe was polka dot free. I found a sweater and was all set.

We met first thing in the morning, Barbie and I wearing our dots and went shopping. As soon as the stores started to open, a cast member came out of a shop and handed Barbie and me Rock the Dots buttons. Yay, I love buttons! 

I think it is pretty easy to tell that we are having fun.

Just by chance we were in the right place at the right time to come across the Rock the Dots dance party, with none other than Minnie herself!

Minnie even has her own DJ. He had everyone grooving to the music, especially the little kids. I am so glad we got here for this event.

Another surprise was that some of the stores were offering a discount for people wearing polka dots and the Rock the Dots pin. Cool!

If I am ever back in Disney Springs for National Polka Dot day, you can be guaranteed that I will be proudly rocking my dots.