Must Do, Will Do, Never Do at Walt Disney World - Episode 98 of The Disney Exchange

The Disney Exchange is Dave, Lisa and me, Nick

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Dave starts us off with a discussion about the surge in crowds during what has historically been a slower time of year at Walt Disney World, with, conversely, lower attendance at the parks in the Summer, likely due to the new Annual Pass tiers.

After some shout outs we launch into our main topic, sharing must do attractions, those attractions that we do occasionally, and the ones we avoid all together, or perhaps have never done at all, in each of Walt Disney World's parks.

2 Listener Polls:

We've asked lots of times, and it's back: Nemo the Musical or Festival of the Lion King?

And

Candy Corn. Yes or No?

The Wheel of Distiny topic this week has been submitted by Listener 58, Adam.
He asked for suggestions on dining for a large group, ages ranging from 5 to 69.

We cover planning for large groups more in depth on Episode 60.

As I promised, a link to this: Mickey's Backyard BBQ

Adam also suggested we talk about street performances. We covered lived shows on Episode 69, but will likely revisit this topic again in the future.

You can get your Listener Number, which enters you in our Episode 100 giveaway, and suggest show or Wheel of Distiny topics 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!

Thank you for listening to The Disney Exchange!

The Accidental Breakfast With Donald Duck and Friends

By Nick

Sometimes, mistakes are made.

On my last trip to Walt Disney World I woke up early one morning under the impression that it was an Extra Magic Hour morning at Disney's Animal Kingdom. I don't know why. Maybe I dreamed it. Maybe because it was the last day of my trip, and I was in a "returning to reality" funk?

Regardless, I got on a bus at 720am from The Animal Kingdom Lodge, Kidani Village, and arrived at about 735am. I guess I should have guessed something was amiss when I was the only person on the bus, but I didn't, until I got to the front entrance and noticed there were only a few Cast Members and guests milling about!

I realized my mistake, and was contemplating just going back to the Lodge when I noticed people checking in at the entrance to go into the park early for breakfast at Tusker House.

"Hmmm," I thought, "I'm hungry." So I approached the CM holding an electronic tablet and asked if there was any possibility of a free table for a solo diner. She very politely explained I could check availability via the My Disney Experience app. I immediately searched and discovered there was indeed an opening. At 10:30am.

I told the CM this and she said to go ahead and book it, and she'd let me go ahead early, and that I would just need to tell the folks over at the Tusker House that she said it was ok!

When I arrived at Tusker, they had just opened, I explained the situation and within just a few minutes, I was being seated.

*Please note, I don't know that this would work for a larger party, or even a single, as the Cast Member who assisted me may have just taken pity on me (I did give her my "boo boo face"), and would hate to be responsible for you not having similar results!

 I love the look and feel of Tusker!

Let's take a look at the food!

I went up and got my first plate and was just finishing when Donald stopped by. His Cast Member buddy was happy to take my photo with him, and all his friends as they came by.

I finished at about 5 minutes to 9am and took a stroll to Kilimanjaro Safaris, which was just opening!

If you love breakfast buffets like me, want to get photos with the characters in a different environment and dressed in unique attire, and want to get a jump on park opening, I highly recommend getting an early ADR at Tusker House!

Do You Remember: When Tusker House Was a Counter Service Restaurant?

By Nick

Tusker House at Disney's Animal Kingdom is an awesome buffet, but do you remember when it was an equally awesome counter service restaurant?

In fact, this was where Barbie could find her favorite lunch item, the vegetable pita sandwich. They also had a delicious half chicken meal.

If you've eaten at both, which do you prefer?

Disney Trip Planning For a Party of Ten

By: Jacqueline aka Jersey Diva

Disney World did not know what hit them the first week of December 2012.  Jersey parents (2), Jersey sister and her family (4) and Jersey Diva and my family (4) arrived in Disney on December 1. I was the primary trip planner. Trying to take everyone's interests and ages into consideration was a bit tough, but I think it all worked out well.

Day #1
We arrived at our hotel, Pop Century, got our rooms and had some lunch.  After lunch, we hopped a bus to Animal Kingdom.  None of us had ever been there and we knew it was a park we didn't really want to spend a whole day in, so it made for a perfect "day we arrive" park.  Unfortunately, Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris were both closed that day so we weren't really left with much to do.  We did have a reservation for the Tusker House, which we were all less than thrilled with, so after dinner we decided to head back to the hotel...it had been a very long day and we knew the rest of the week would be just as long.  

Day #2
Matching shirts day!!  I made all of our matching shirts because I wanted us to be "that family."  :)  We got many compliments on them, although I think most of the compliments were on my shirt because I had the Mickey head with the question mark on my belly. We left our hotel on a bus headed from Magic Kingdom.  We then walked over to the Contemporary Resort to have breakfast at Chef Mickey's and we were not disappointed one bit.  It was one of the best meals we had all week.

Can we just talk about the Breakfast Pizza real quick?  Oh my goodness!?!?!  How good is that stuff?  It's the only thing I ate the entire breakfast and I had to stop myself from eating more.  De-li-cious!

After a fun-filled breakfast with Goofy, Pluto (my favorite!), Mickey, Minnie and Donald, we headed to the Monorail for a little ride.  After a few monorail stops we were back at the Magic Kingdom.  We stayed and played at the Magic Kingdom for a few hours before heading back to the hotel for a nap for the little ones (and pregnant one) and swim for the older ones after a quick bite to eat.

After naps we headed to Epcot because we wanted to check out Illuminations.  What a show!?!?!  It's one of Jersey husband's favorites so it was a must on our list of things to do.  Unfortunately, the only child who saw it was youngest Jersey daughter(2).  The other three (6,4,1) were all sound asleep in their strollers.  Nonetheless, it was a great show and the adults enjoyed it.  Back to the hotel for sleepytime for all!

Seriously, how cute are these 4 in their matching shirts?

Day #3
We boarded a bus headed back to Epcot after breakfast at the hotel.  We weren't in any sort of rush because we didn't have dining reservations till 3 at Akershus in Norway.  We headed straight to Soarin' which only had a 30 min wait.  Myself, Jersey sister and the two younger ones sat this one out.  We did, however, do a Rider Swap so we could ride when the rest of the group came off. After Soarin' we headed over to ride Nemo.  That was all the kids were asking for that day, so how could we say no.  After Nemo, we thought it would be the perfect time to walk through the countries and get the kids to nap in their strollers.  Jersey husband, sister and brother-in-law decided to "drink around the world."  Since I couldn't partake, I thought I would "eat around the world." :)  Falafal anyone?  Not the best thing I have ever eaten, but I tried it and that's a lot for me. 

We finally arrived in Norway for our dining reservation at Akershus. The Jersey daughters were so excited to meet the princesses. 

The meal was really nothing to write home about, don't get me wrong, it was edible, just wasn't the best of the week.  It was all worth it just to see youngest daughter's face when she got to meet Cinderella...

Priceless!

Jersey nephew was not at all thrilled by this meal but I had something special planned for him for the next day.  Gotta make sure everyone was happy.  After lunch/dinner we walked back through the countries again and then headed back to the hotel.  It was another long day for Jersey family and tomorrow was going to be a late one.

Day #4

After breakfast at the hotel, we headed out to Downtown Disney to do a little shopping and just have a relaxing morning.  At night, we were headed to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party so we didn't want to over do it.  

Oldest Jersey daughter recieved some Disney gift cards for her birthday so she was excited to spend it and that's just what she did.  She bought these cool sunglasses.

We also got to take out picture with Santa, after barely any wait.  Youngest Jersey daughter was not so thrilled...she insisted on keeping her sunglasses on.

She also insisted on having mommy and daddy in the picture.  Small price to pay to get a picture with Santa. Afterwards, we all headed to T-Rex to have lunch.  Jersey nephew LOVED this place.
 

This made up for the whole Princess lunch/dinner the day before. :)  Let me say, this was a fantastic meal!  You got so much food and it was all so yummy.  Definitely worth a visit!  After lunch we headed back to the hotel for some naps and swimming.  

Next, we took the bus to Magic Kingdom for (Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party) aka MVVCP.  What a wonderful experience.  The adults didn't get to see too much of the parade but the kids did (from atop our shoulders) and that's all that matters.  It wasn't even planned...we just happened upon it.  My favorite part of the whole party was Holiday Wishes!  What a fantastic, out of this world, wonderful, extraordinary (you get the idea) show.  We ended up setting up shop just off of Main Street and it was perfect!  We were in direct viewing of the castle and the "movies" they play on it.  Oldest Jersey daughter still talks about the "movies on the castle."  It was breathtaking!  We also had a 360 degree view of the fireworks.  Best show all week, hands down.

We left right after the show, since 2 of the 4 kids were already asleep.

Day #5

Time to visit Hollywood Studios.  Another of oldest Jersey daughter's favorites from the trip...Tower of Terror.  She would have gone on again and again had we had the time.  We spent the whole day in Hollywood Studios and did everything.  From the American Idol Experience to Disney Junior Live on Stage and everything in between.  Youngest daughter and I even took in Beauty and the Beast Live on stage.  She loved it!  After half a day of going strong we stopped for our dining reservation at Hollywood and Vine.  Another fantastic meal...seriously, we considered going back for dinner, it was THAT good.  The kids loved meeting Oso, Jake, Anne and Handy Manny.  Oldest daughter was dressed as Izzy and she was very happy when Jake pointed to her when someone asked where Izzy was....she still talks about it.

One requirement Jersey mother had for our trip was seeing the Osborne Family Lights.  That's it, that's all she wanted.  Well, she got her wish!  Another great show.  We have never seen SO many lights.  Another plus, all 4 of the kids were awake for it!  :)  We got there just in time for them to flip the switch and it was an experience I will never forget.  Jersey daughters' (and Jersey mother's) eyes lit up with the lights. Pictures cannot express just how beautiful of a site it truly was.

We stared at the lights for a bit and then headed back to the hotel for dinner and a movie for the older kids and bed for the younger kids (and the pregnant chick).  Another fun day for the books!

Day #6 - Last day :(

Sadly, it was our last day.  We decided the only place we would want to spend our last day is Magic Kingdom.  We had another wonderful day playing around in the Magic Kingdom and we stopped for lunch at Tony's Town Square Restaurant...another good choice!  Youngest Jersey daughter started to get crazy at the end of lunch (WAY past nap time so I took her outside for some air and to walk around a little bit.  I saw people starting to get in spot for the parade so I joined them and scored us the best "seats" on Main Street.  What a wonderful way to end our wonderful trip!

We got to say "Goodbye" to Mickey, face to face!  Can't beat that!  We hung around Magic Kingdom till around dinner time and then headed back to the hotel for dinner and bed...we had an early wake-up to head home.  

All in all, I think it's safe to say, I did well. :)  At least, my family thinks so.  Planning a trip for 10 people with 10 different ages, interests, etc. can seem like an impossible task.  It's not!! At least not at Disney World, the happiest place on earth!  We all had a wonderful time and wish we could do it again sooner rather than later.  Maybe once Jersey baby is old enough to appreciate it, we will do it all again...11 of us!

This article was originally posted on the Tips From the Disney Divas and Devos Blog, where Jersey Diva is a contributing writer.

Disney Memory Maker (previously known as Photopass Plus) Tips

By: Shendl

When I traveled to WDW with my husband in September 2013, I debated the idea of adding what was then known as Photopass Plus. I was concerned that I would not get my money’s worth of photographs to warrant the pre- purchase price of $149. Normal price was $199.

Boy was I wrong!! It is a fantastic program and if you do the pre-purchase you can get a whopping $50 discount of the normal price of $199 which brings it to $149!

This program allows you to add all your ride photos, your character meal photos and any Official Photographer Photos that you have taken in the parks.

You can find Photopass Photographers at many places throughout the parks and all the main icons and character spots. A few Character meal restaurants also have photographers.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/photo-pass-service/

There is a map with a list of places where you can have your photos taken on the above official site.

1900 Park Fare – you have your picture taken in front of the Cinderella Castle Mural.

At 1900 Park Fare, we didn’t get the printed out pictures as it seemed it was an extra purchase at this restaurant.

Tusker House – you get your picture taken with Donald Duck.

At Tusker House we got the printed out pictures at no extra charge as well as the pictures loaded onto our account.

My Tips for making the most of Memory Maker Program!

If you have the time
    •    Stop at every Photographer you have time for

    •    Ask if they can do Magic Shots ie: Tink on your hand, Holding baby Simba

    •    Make sure to load all your ride photo’s onto your Card or Magic Band depending on what they ask you for
    •    If you are having a character meal and there is a photographer before you enter the restaurant, you can have these pictures added as well.
    •    The photographers will also take a picture with your camera if you request it
    •    Have fun with the pics

When you get home, you have 45 days to edit your pictures and then you can order your CD or download them. The CD is included in the price.
My Opinion is that it is definitely worth the money for trips longer than 3 days and you get your whole group in the picture!