The Disney Exchange Podcast : Episode 80 - Quick Service Break

By Nick 

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The Disney Exchange is Lisa, Dave and me.

I apologize in advance for my dial up internet service.

We start off discussing changes coming to the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan. They are adding a second snack per day, yet taking away desserts.

Listener pole: How do you feel about these changes?

Our main topic explores the option to leave a park and visit a resort for a quick service meal.

For example, leave the Magic Kingdom during the heat of the day and head over to the Polynesian to visit Captain Cooks.

We had intended on making this week's show much more professionally executed and researched. Apology #2.

If you have any idea as to what you can get to go at Beaches and Cream at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club, please let us know.

Wheel of Distiny topic: Favorite place to people watch at the parks.

This photo of my favorite spot at Disney’s Hollywood Studios was provided by friend Stephanie Demmler. Thank you for the photographic proof that this fountain exists Stephanie!

You can submit a Wheel suggestion or show topic idea to:
TheDisneyExchange.com
twitter.com/disneyexchange
https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange
email: info@thedisneyexchange  

We are also asking for your etiquette questions, as we are in negotiations to bring social graces expert Miss Pixie back on to the show, so, please, if you have anything, please let us know on any of our social media pages!

Thank you for listening to The Disney Exchange Podcast!
 

Episode 72 of The Disney Exchange Podcast : Quick Service at the Parks on the Disney Dining Plan

By Nick 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download  

The Disney Exchange is Lisa Green, David Hodges, and me, Nick Maglio

Another well produced and smooth intro. Who talks over other people?!

We start of talking about the new runDisney Virtual Running Shorts Series as well as the 50% discount offer made to Passholders for Disney After Hours, and we speculate if this is because the event isn't doing as well as anticipated.

Our main topic this week brings us to all for of Walt Disney World's parks and the quick service eateries at each, where we share our thoughts on value versus cost for the Disney Dining Plan.

There are disagreements and arguments but none of that matters because I am always correct in my choices.

At one point we all agree on something and I get concerned that it could possibly be a sign of the Apocalypse.

This week's Wheel of Distiny topic is courtesy of listener Kendall W.
If you could be a cast member at any attraction in Walt Disney World, which one would it be, and why? 

If you have show topics or Wheel of Distiny ideas you'd like us to discuss please drop us a line:
Our Facebook Page: 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.

new runDisney Virtual Running Shorts Series

new runDisney Virtual Running Shorts Series

new runDisney Virtual Running Shorts Series

new runDisney Virtual Running Shorts Series

Epcot's Tangierine Cafe

By Nick

Like Flame Tree Barbecue at Disney's Animal Kingdom, The Tangierine Cafe, located in Epcot's Morocco Pavilion, is a quick service eatery that we don't visit on every trip to Walt Disney World, despite it being one of our favorites.

We've visited on several visits to WDW, usually to meet with friends at their request. 

The menu is on display outside to help you make a decision before entering.

Orders are made and picked up at the counter.

Seating is somewhat limited inside and out. The larger dining section is to be found in front of the counter.

There is also a smaller, more intimate seating area past the coffee/dessert counter.

October 2013 we ate with our friends Pam and Tom, and this is the section we dined in.

On that trip I had the Mediterranean Lamb Wrap, served with Tangierine couscous salad and lentin salad. Barbie had the Vegetarian Platter which is Tangierine couscous salad, hummus and tabouleh.

Both excellent.

In January 2014 we went with friends Claire, Laurie, and Angelo.

Angelo, Laurie, Claire, Barbie and me.

I look forward to stopping by this wonderful eatery on my next trip in January 2016!

The Disney Exchange Podcast, Episode 40 ; Counter Service for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Epcot

By Nick

Podcast: Play in new window | Download
  
The Disney Exchange Podcast, Episode 40 ; Counter Service for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Epcot.  

The Disney Exchange is David Hodges, Lisa Green, and me, Nicholas Maglio.

If you would like to watch Lisa, Dave and me doing the show, please check us out on Blab!

We start off short one co-host, and Dave and I go on to discuss a rumor that I am NOT at all a fan off, which is the ending of Star Wars Weekends, which anyone who listens to the show will know is my favorite time of the year!

I heavily promote Dogfish Head beer. Please note Dogfish Head, we are looking for a sponsor.

We discuss Star Wars Launch Bay and Dave vamps.

A confirmed closure is also talked about, The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights will be closing after this year and I talk up dessert parties, or at least the opportunity for alcoholic beverage consumption.

I have to let my dog out and Lisa finally joins us. This is a professional podcast!

We finally get into the actual topic of the show:  Counter Service for Breakfast, Lunch, a snack, and Dinner at Epcot, where we each choice the quick service establishment where we would have...well, you get the picture!

We apologize to all of of our French listeners. And our Italian listeners. And the entire United Kingdom.

The Wheel of Distiny: If you only had one attraction to choose to ride at Epcot, what would it be?

Thank you for listening to and maybe even watching The Disney Exchange Podcast.

Please check us out on social media for updates on when we will be recording the show on Blab:

Our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange

Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyexchange

Or email us at: info@thedisneyexchange 

Lunchtime at ABC Commissary in Disney's Hollywood Studios

by Gaylin 

In previous vacations, when I have been at Hollywood Studios, I have had a difficult time finding an allergy safe quick service meal to have for lunch. The choices there were always sandwich or burger type meals, nothing I could eat. I was happy this time to give ABC Commissary another try.

I was please to see the New York Strip Steak meal on the menu. While this was not the best steak I have ever had, it was a safe meal and wow, real vegetables!

The wild raspberry lemonade was a refreshing drink, a bit sweet but good flavour. The chocolate mousse was pretty much the same mousse you find at a lot of quick service restaurants all over property but at least it didn't have a 1/4 inch of overly sweet chocolate syrup on top.

There is also a salmon meal on the menu, just ask for no cous-cous to make it gluten free. I will try it next trip.

Attention All Earthlings, This is Sonny Eclipse

By Nick

On almost every trip to Walt Disney World we have at least one meal at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom.

To be honest, there are several quick service eateries in the Magic Kingdom with better food, in our opinion.

So what brings us back time and again?
The "live" entertainment in the form of Sonny Eclipse.

Sonny, "The Biggest Little Star in the Galaxy" can be found daily in the Starlight Lounge at Cosmic Ray's.

He can be found there nightly too! In fact, it seems like the guy never leaves!

That is probably because Sonny is an audio-animatronic alien who has come all the way from his hometown of Yew Nork City on the planet Zork to entertain us on his Astro Organ, which sometimes plays all on it's own. He is accompanied by a group of invisible background singers, The Space Angels.

Sonny tells jokes in between his eclectic mix of song selections, which include such intergalactic classics as "Planetary Boogie" and "Gravity", which are entertaining and educational. The entire show is on a loop which lasts about 25 minutes.

Below is just a little introduction to Sonny.

If you are in Tomorrowland, stop in to Cosmic Ray's and check out Sonny's show. You may just wind up singing "Yew Nork, Yew Nork" the rest of the day instead of "Small World."

Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney's Grand Floridian

By: Nick

In January, while staying at the Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, Barbie and I ate several meals at the resorts quick service restaurant, the Gasparilla Island Grill.

Gasparillas is a convenient and quiet spot to start the day, and we had breakfast here before heading to the parks on a few occasions. Breakfast is served until 11am.

It does get crowded, but we never had a problem finding an open table. Actually, we had a regular booth that we sat at during every visit.

Interestingly, this wasn't always a quiet spot. While looking online at Disney's Official Site, the photo that is featured shows several arcade games along the wall, so I was not expecting it to be as nice as it turned out to be. The games have been moved to their own separate arcade space located adjacent to the Grill during a refurbishment that took place starting back in 2012. I bring this up in case you do research and find that photo. Odd that Disney hasn't updated their site.

The food offerings are standard Disney fare. There is an assortment of bagels and pastries to choose from.

The menu board will help you make other choices, such as the Bounty Platter, Croissant Sandwich, or...

... Mickey-shaped Waffles!

There are healthy choices as well, which can be found in the refrigerated section, such as fresh fruit, vegetables, and yogurt. My wife Barbie inexplicably chose some of these one morning. (Who eats healthy on vacation, really?!)

On another morning I had the pancakes, and they were very good.

We also had dinner here one evening.

The offerings include made to order sandwiches, such as the Grand Turkey, Ham and Swiss, and Roast Beef, burgers, pizzas, soups, and the aforementioned grab 'n' go items.
You can also create your own salads by choosing from Romaine Lettuce or Baby Greens and a variety of your favorite ingredients, adding Flank Steak or grilled chicken

I had a Angus bacon cheeseburger that was very tasty, one of the better quick service burgers in my opinion. And the homemade potato chips are terrific. You can get cucumber salad instead of chips.

Barbie had the Margherita Flatbread, which is made with Mozzarella, Tomato, and Basil, which she really enjoyed.

For dessert they offer cookies, brownies, cake, soft serve ice cream, and a selection of frozen treats like the beloved Mickey Premium Ice Bar.

There is also seating outdoors, and if you time it right, you can catch Wishes from the Magic Kingdom!

Gasparilla's is open 24/7, if you are hankering for a snack after a long day at the park.

Breakfast: Landscape of Flavors at Disney's Art of Animation

By: Nick

Barbie and I usually don't eat a full breakfast at our resorts, that is until recently.
We used to just grab a snack, and try to make every park's rope drop. But now, with Magic Bands and FastPass+, we don't feel the need to rush!

On our trip in October of last year, we ate breakfast several mornings at Landscape of Flavors at Disney's Art of Animation Resort.

Landscape is a really wonderful food court with several food stations.

As you enter, you can get an overview of some of what they have to offer.

 
There are plenty of choices for breakfast, including smoothies, create your own fruit bowls, and one of my favorites, create your own yogurt parfait.

Choose from a selection of  fresh fruit, berries, dried fruits, grains, nuts and seeds.

There are several cereals.

Plenty of pastry items to tempt you.

One morning, Barbie had an egg white omelet from the Create Your Own Omelet station, which features a choice of ham, sausage, tomato, mushroom, onions, green bell peppers, cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese and turkey bacon served with biscuit, for $7.99.

We also had several other entrees, including the Bounty Platter: scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon, sausage, biscuit and pancakes for $8.29.
The bacon is typical Disney bacon, a bit thin and not very flavorful. I suggest the breakfast sausage if given a choice.

Chocolate Chip Pancakes with fresh fruit topping and choice of bacon or sausage, $7.99.
The Portuguese sausage is very tasty, but a bit overpowering for breakfast.

Last, but not least are these really tasty Waffles with Fresh Fruit Topping and Bacon, $7.39.

Landscape also serves lunch and dinner.

The seating sections represent the movies that are featured throughout the resort, Cars, Finding Nemo, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King.

Landscape of Flavors is a great spot for either a quick snack or a sit down meal, but be warned, it can get very crowded, so try to arrive before too late in the morning, or eat at "off" times.