Dealing With Crowds in 3D at WDW - 094 The Disney Exchange

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

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Will you be in Walt Disney World on October 7th? Would you like to meet us? Silly question, I know, of course you do! Well, we are having a meet up at Epcot's Germany Pavilion at 3PM! Please come and say hello!

The week we are talking about dealing with large crowds and 3D attractions at Walt Disney World.
 

We offer our suggestions, but most of the advise and recommendations came from listeners, Facebook followers and friends! Thank you all!

The Wheel of Distiny topic : What is your favorite TV show that went to Walt Disney World for an episode? This question was recommended by listener Andy, who is #13.

What does the #13 mean? Well, that is his Listener Number! What started off as a self deprecating joke way back in the beginning of our show about the size of our audience became a badge of honor for our fans!

We appreciate all of you who listen, but if you ask for an actual Number, there is an extra benefit! Fans with Listener Numbers will be eligible to be entered in our 100th Episode Giveaway!

Want to be part of the show?! If you have a show suggestion or Wheel of Distiny topic, or want to get a Listener Number : please let us know on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange, Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyexchange  or email us at: info@thedisneyexchange  

Thank you for listening to The Disney Exchange Podcast!

3D Experiences at Walt Disney World

By Lisa Green 

You know how a few years back 3D movies started to make a comeback in the theaters?  You can now pay extra to see many new movies in a 3D format.  BAH!  This new 3D business is nothing like the really cool original 3D movies!  Those were the BEST!  The audience would practically jump out of their seats and screams were guaranteed as the images in the movie seemed to fly right at you.  People would regularly put their hands out to try to touch the 3D objects seeming to hover right in front of their faces.  What fun!  What thrills! 

These new 3D movies are nice and all, but are not nearly as exciting as they were in the good old days.  Thank goodness for Disney World – where you can find some of the very best 3D movie experiences on Earth.  They DO still make ‘em like they used to and you can find one at each of Disney World’s four parks.  If you haven’t visited before or if (GASP!) you passed up the chance, you really need to see at least a couple of these examples of motion picture genius next time you’re at the World.  Short on time?  I’m sharing my three favorites with you and, surprise!  I’ll give you a little commentary about why I think each show is worth a visit.

1.  Mickey’s Philharmagic – Do NOT miss this one.  It is spectacular!  Don your “opera glasses” for this show that highlights our favorite Disney movie songs and packs a few extra surprises you’ve absolutely got to “see”.  I believe it’s called “smell-a-vision” – and in a really good way.  Plus Donald has a very big role (and you know how I feel about Donald)!  Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom.  This 10 minute show is appropriate for all ages – some might even want to see it again and again.  Let them, okay?

2.  Muppet*Vision 3D – This is an awesome way to take a big break from the Florida heat (or rain).  This attraction includes a 15 minute introduction before the 17 minute film – but the fun starts long before you enter the theater.  Take a few minutes to look around outside at the building before you enter the pre-show area.  Once inside, be sure to notice in all the sight gags that abound here – just what we’d expect from the Muppets!  If you notice a sign that says “the key is under the mat” – it’s perfectly fine for you to check!  I think all children from brave toddlers on up will find something to love about this attraction.

3.  It’s Tough to be a Bug – Located beneath the Tree of Life in the Animal Kingdom park – this attraction is clever and unique.  Reunite with some old friends from It’s a Bug’s Life and let them introduce you to the wonderful world of insects as you’ve never seen it before.  For this attraction, you’ll wear “bug eyes” to properly view the show.  There are some pretty significant surprises in this movie that may be too much for small children.

This article was originally posted on the Living a Disney Life Blog

December '14 Walt Disney World Trip Report: Part 6

By Nick

Thursday, December 11th

Off to Disney's Hollywood Studios for rope drop, but instead of rushing off to a ride, we went directly to Starring Rolls Cafe for breakfast, specifically, in Barbie's and my case, cupcakes.

Breakfast of champions.

Next up, a trip into The Twilight Zone, our friend Jill's first!

Front row, left, me, Barbie, Jill clutching Josh tightly with eyes shut.

Once was enough for Jill, but Barbie, Josh and I went on again, before heading to Toy Story Midway Mania followed by a visit with the Muppets.

We headed for lunch at Mama Melrose's.

Everything was very good, especially the appetizers.

We worked some of the very filling meal off by walking to the Boardwalk to see the holiday display.

We walked over to the Yacht and Beach club to check out their decorations as well.

The train display at the Yacht club:

Gingerbread carousel at The Beach Club:

We then took walk through the International Gateway to Epcot, and over to France for a snack at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie, followed by a nap in Impressions de France.

It's a lovely film, and we see it almost every trip, but I was out almost immediately after sitting down.

We took a boat back to Disney's Hollywood Studios, and took a ride on the Great Movie Ride.

I took a Yuletide Cheer break before a really good, and fun dinner at 50's Prime Time Cafe.

The Einstok Doppelbock, while not as good as their white ale, was pretty tasty.

The Christmas decorations at 50s Prime Time:

We got very lucky in getting a great server named Nick. And I LOVE their Fried Chicken.

I'll have a full review of both lunch at Mama Melrose's and dinner at 50s Prime Time Cafe in the future.

For other parts of the Trip Report : Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5

Happy 25th Anniversary Disney's Hollywood Studios!

By: Nick

Today, Disney's Hollywood Studios celebrates it's Silver Anniversary.

I love this park.

It's got my favorite ride, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

It contains my favorite restaurant, The Hollywood Brown Derby, and a close runner up, Mama Melrose's.

There is a wonderful tribute to the Man himself, in Walt Disney: One Man's Dream.

And they have the terrific and sometimes hilarious Citizens of Hollywood providing Streetmosphere.

DHS even has one of my favorite shops in WDW, The Writer's Stop!

In addition, there are many other phenomenal rides and attractions such as Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Muppet Vision 3D, Toy Story Midway Mania, The Great Movie Ride, and Star Tours.

Now, I won't say it's all sunshine and rainbows. I dearly miss several things that were around during the Disney/MGM Studios days, such as the far superior Studio Backlot Tour, and the for real working Animation Studio, where you could see actual animated motion pictures being produced. But, even without those things, I'm starting to question why this isn't my favorite park at Walt Disney World!

Please join me in wishing Happy 25th Anniversary to Disney's Hollywood Studios!

Key is Under Mat, at Disney's Hollywood Studios

By: Barbie

At the Disney's Hollywood Studios MuppetVision 3D attraction, you are greeted by this small sign:

Back in 5 minutes

key is under the mat

Did you know that the key really is under the mat? Go ahead and pick it up, check it out!

 

 Fozzie's poster claims he is wanted for "impersonating a comic!"

Muppet Stuff at the Stage 1 Company Store

The Muppet Stage 1 Company Store is located opposite the exit of Muppet Vision 3D at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

It's pretty hard to miss, and you shouldn't pass it by, as it is one of the best themed stores in all of Walt Disney World.

Muppet fans can spend plenty of time just looking at all the great props around the shop, picking out references to favorite Muppet characters.

And there is plenty of Muppet merchandise as well, of course.

Tee-shirts

The sign in the wall says "Look Here....(I didn't say Simon Says)

Hats and stuffed figures.
Look up while there, the whole store is themed as a film set.

 

The fun continues to the cash register area. Themed like a hotel desk.

"We feature... The Murphy Bed From the Makers of Murphy's Law." and "Please Steal Linen, it's cheaper than having it cleaned".

"Check out time is whenever you like. Patrons wishing to pay will find their money gladly accepted. Patrons wishing to sneak out without paying will find it easier than they think."

So next time you are in the Studios, don't forget to stop in and spend some time enjoying the gags at the Stage 1 Company Store.

This article was originally posted on the Tips From the Disney Diva Blog, where Nick is a contributing writer.