Figment's Brush with the Masters

by Gaylin

On my recent trip to Walt Disney World (January 18-31, 2017), I discovered that I love the scavenger hunt games at the parks. Whether it was Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom or Wilderness Explorer's, I loved them all.

A game they have at Epcot, only during the hastily announced Epcot International Festival of the Arts, is called Disney Figment's Brush with the Masters.

You play this game by going to the Disney Traders store and purchasing a map and sticker set for $6.99 (usually these scavenger hunts are free but you will understand the cost at the end of this article). As you can see, at the World Showcase there is a spot at each country where you can put a corresponding sticker!

I started my Figment painting hunt at Canada, where else would I start - I am Canadian! You need to look in the shops, Kidcot areas etc, until you find the painting that is on the sticker. Wait! There is a catch, the sticker is the original painting, the painting you are looking for will have Figment in it.

At Canada, I found the painting, (nope, not telling you where) and put the right sticker on my map. Look closely, can you find Figment?

United Kingdom, no need to look closely for this Figment!

France, Figment on a bridge . . .

Morocco, this painting was different. As the original painting is a design of colours, Figment does not actually appear in the painting, just the colours that represent him.

I loved the original painting (on the small sticker) and it was a fairly easy find at Japan as well!

The American pavilion, Figment takes his place in history. 

Italy . . . is this Mona Figment or Figment Lisa? You decide. 

Germany, unlike the other pavilions, I don't recognize the original painting at all. I do like it better with Figment in it! 

China, this one was a hard find as the store is quite big and colourful, it was also very busy there the day I was searching.

Norway was another difficult one, especially since I didn't know they had added a building to the pavilion! I did love the painting of screaming Figment, how fun is this. I admit, I needed cast member help in finding this one.

And finally Mexico, this was the most difficult for me to find. It was the last one I needed and I was tired and, ahem, getting a bit cranky. I asked for help from a cast member again, and when she noticed me wandering around, totally unable to find it . . . she walked me right to it. Thank you, anonymous cast member, couldn't have done it without you. The Figment in this painting isn't that noticeable at first glance, I think that I walked by it twice without seeing it.

When you complete the map, it looks like this. 

Then you return to where you bought the map, Disney Traders store and they stamp the with an old stamp from 2013, that says 'Holidays from Around the World 2013 - Complete'. And you get your prize!!! This is why there is an initial cost for the map, your prize is a choice of 4 magnets. Each of the magnets is a copy of one of the Figment paintings. I chose Mona Figment!

One of the things I really enjoy about doing these games at the parks, is that it makes me look at things differently. Looking at the walls, paying attention to the decorations and theming. A great way to learn and have fun.

095 The Disney Exchange - Drinking Around World Showcase

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

A note about this week's show, which was recorded well before Hurricane Matthew was forming. We had planned a meet up with the 3 of us at Epcot for Friday October 7th, and we make reference to it in the show. We had to cancel due to the fact that Walt Disney World closed the parks for only the 4th time since it opened 45 years ago. Lisa and I did meet up on the 6th.

I also had the opportunity to meet Listener #12, Jennifer on the 6th!

We will be talking about the entire experience on a future show.
Now, on to our regularly scheduled program: 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

We have a few shout outs, notably to areas of the World who are really finding and apparently enjoying our show. Welcome and thank you!

Thank you Liv L., listener #63 for suggesting this week's show topic, drinking around World Showcase at Epcot.

What, you may ask, does this whole "listener #63" thing mean? Well, way back when we first started, we would make jokes about having almost a dozen listeners. Fans of the show started asking to have listener numbers assigned, or would just claim a spot! This quickly outgrew the initial dozen, and, well, became a bit of an administrative mess, if I'm being honest. So we put up an official list pinned to the top of our Facebook page.

There is an extra special benefit to getting a Listener Number. You'll be entered in our 100th Episode Giveaway! Seriously, all you need do is hit us up on Facebook or Twitter, ask for a Listener Number, and you are entered!

Oh, yea, the show!
We wanted to do something different to distinguish ourselves from other shows, so we approached drinking around Epcot's World Showcase in the spirit of friendship and sharing. We alternated pavilions, starting with Epcot, and chose which drinks and snacks we would buy each other as well as ourselves. For America we all chose our own items. Canada we left up to friends and listeners, sharing feedback from Twitter and Facebook.

The Wheel of Distiny topic: Favorite Scene from The Haunted Mansion

Want to be part of the show? Have your name heard round the world in, like, 3-4 different countries and every state except Alaska apparently? Submit your show suggestions or Wheel of Distiny topics to us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange, Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyexchange  or email us at: info@thedisneyexchange  
Thanks for listening to The Disney Exchange Podcast!

My Favorite Epcot World Showcase Pavilions

By Nick


I love Epcot. It is one of my favorite parks at Walt Disney World. Right up there with Magic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom.
In other words, I love them all.

This week on the Disney Exchange Podcast we picked our top 3 World Showcase pavilions at Epcot. I love them all for different reasons, but unlike the parks, I CAN pick 3 favorites.

Per the brains of the operation, Lisa Green, the choices were made based on three factors: overall appearance, entertainment, and food choices. She also gave us a direction, we can pick a runner up.

The Runner Up:  

France 

Just look at it! It's beautiful. The film Impressions de France is beautiful. The snacks to be had at Le Halles Boulangerie Patisserie and L'artisan des Glaces are some of the best in the world. And they serve one of my favorite beers here, Kronenbourg Blanc.
3rd Place:

Germany

The atmosphere is the lovely. The train is always a treat. The shops are among our favorites to walk through on each and every trip. The Biergarten is one of my favorite restaurants in WDW.

2nd Place:

Mexico

This was my favorite until my experience at La Hacienda de san Angel. It's the best pavilion, in my opinion, to get out of the heat. One of my favorite things to do is visit La Cava del Tequila, have a Tequila flight, and then ride Grand Fiesta Tour. And the food was still very good at La Hacienda de san Angel.

Number 1:

The United Kingdom 

I love the gardens, especially roaming around them with cold beverage from The Rose and Crown Pub or the beer cart. The band The British Revolution is excellent. The shops are always enjoyable. Pooh and Tigger are there! The views of World Showcase are some of the best from this pavilion. And, finally, Yorkshire County Fish Shop.

What are your favorite Pavilions?

Episode 78 of The Disney Exchange Podcast: Favorite Epcot World Showcase Pavilions

By Nick 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download 

The Disney Exchange is Lisa, Dave, and me!

We welcome Official Listener #50 this week! Hi Karen!

Lisa has technical issues and drops off, but rejoins us via smartphone. The edit of her returning to the show is smoooooth.

Listener question: is it okay to use someone else's Magic Band / FastPass?

This week we share our favorite Epcot pavilions. Lisa, the brains of the operation, lay down the law ground rules as such:
"We'll discuss our top 3 World Showcase pavilions based on three factors: overall appearance, entertainment, and food choices. Before we go around to reveal our final 3, we'll each name an honorable mention pavilion and say what cost it a top 3 spot."

During the show she springs on us something about not letting emotions dictate our choices, but as an artist (pronounced arteest, please and thank you) I have a hard time doing so! Dave and even Lisa also have a hard time with the rules. Such is the nature of our show. It wouldn't be us if we stayed on topic and obeyed the rules!

Canadian Listeners: How do you feel about the film in the Canada Pavilion?

The new museum exhibit in Japan: https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/10/new-bijutsu-kan-gallery-celebrates-cute-culture-at-japan-pavilion-in-epcot/

This weeks Wheel of Distiny topic was submitted by listener Shendl: Best restrooms. Excellent topic. It could probably make a whole show, and maybe we will revisit it.

Thanks for the suggestion Shendl! You can submit your Wheel or show ideas to : info@thedisneyexchange and you can find us on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange  and Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyexchange 

Thank you for listening!

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 48 ; Progressive Dining Around Epcot's World Showcase.

By Nick

Progressive Dining Around Epcot's World Showcase. 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

We start by talking about the announcement by Disney that they will no longer be holding Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios. That is the glass half empty take on it.
The glass half full people will point out that many new Star Wars themed experiences will be debuting in the next few months.
We share our feelings on this subject and the new attractions that will be coming.

Dave briefly discusses his weekend at Walt Disney World and we launch into our main topic.
Progressive Dining around World Showcase.

A progressive dinner is a group meal where each course is served at a different venue, and we did our first show on this topic back on episode 23, so please check that out as well.

We each pick a different restaurant for a before dinner cocktail/ snack, an appetizer, a soup/ salad course, an entree and a desert.

We apologize to our French speaking listeners. Again.

This was supposed to be strictly limited to Table Service, but a co-host that shall go unnamed, decided she would go off script, and another co-host has a portion of his meal in Future World.

Because the unnamed co-host went off script and had several portions of her meal at kiosks, her meal was the cheapest!

The Wheel of Distiny topic: Where and when is a room view worth paying extra for.

Thank you for listening to The Disney Exchange Podcast, the flexible podcast.


You can find us on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyexchange
Or email us at: info@thedisneyexchange  

Throwback Thursday: Walt Disney World-May 2009 - Part 4

By Nick 

Part Three of this Walt Disney World trip report from May of 2009 that I wrote for the DVC News Forums can be found here.  Any commentary I make will be in italics.

Who: My wife, Barbie, my friends Todd and Meghan, and their baby, our Godson, Flynn who was 16 months old, and me.

Thursday, May 21st, 2009

The day started off overcast, but no rain! Humid in the morning, then breezy and comfortable! For awhile.

Went to the Magic Kingdom for Extra Magic Hours. Got there a little late, about 815AM, and by then Dumbo was a 30 minute wait.



Todd, Meghan and Flynn waited to ride, while we went and got FastPasses for Peter Pan's Flight.



After they rode Dumbo, Barbie and Meghan rode the carousel, and then we all rode Snow White, then Pooh.

We then played with Flynn in the Pooh play area.

The reason we decided to come to Florida this time of year is because Meghan had a program she was doing for work. Meghan left for her first class at around 10AM, while we went and got burgers at Pecos Bill's.

After that we used our FPs for PPF, then went for the ever favorite Dole Whip, before hitting The Carousel of Progress.





By now it was about 1230, so we headed back to the room to swim and rest.

We went to the baby pool with Flynn, the main pool was even colder than the previous day.

After Todd and Flynn went back for naps, Barbie and I went to the hot tub. After showers, we walked around the resort until it started to sprinkle a bit.



We returned to our room for rest, and a little later, after it had cleared, and Meghan had returned,
Todd, Barbie and I took a walk to PORS (Port Orleans Riverside).

We then had a cocktail at the POFQ (Port Orleans French Quarter) pool bar, then returned to the room to join Meghan and Flynn.

We had 7PM ressies at Marrakesh, so we headed out for Epcot.

Now, I think that the PO properties are beautiful, and I liked the room, the pool, etc., but I didn't like the bus service.

During, what I am assuming are non peak hours, POFQ has combined services with PORS, and there are 4 stops there, compared to POFQ's 1.

It seemed like forever going to their stops. We got to Epcot and had to head right back to the restaurant for dinner. By the time we hit World Showcase, it had started to sprinkle. Dinner was very good, I had the Chicken Bastilla amd Shish Kebab, Barbie had the Moroccan Salad for 2.





After dinner, it was raining a bit heavier. Meghan and I split a chocolate croissant from the Patisserie in France.

We headed to our favorite Illuminations spot, which I can't reveal, as I've been sworn to secrecy by our friends Kathy and Ron.

By then it was raining steadily, but by the finale, it had pretty much stopped. We did a little shopping at Mousegears on the way out.



Back to the room by 1030PM. 

Please stop back for part 5 next week!

Throwback Thursday: Walt Disney World-September/October 2008 - Part 4

By Nick

Day 4, Tuesday September 30th 2008

Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 

Made the 8AM rope drop at Epcot, and went right to Soarin', which was walk on. Got a FP on the way out, and headed over to Spaceship Earth.

Rode it twice, once in English, and the second time in Portuguese. Why Portuguese? I have no idea! I pressed English. Weird.

Over to the Seas and rode Nemo then watched a Turtle Talk.



Went back to The Land and used our Soarin' FPs.

By now it was almost 11, so we made our way up to World Showcase to hit some (okay, a lot) of the Food & Wine kiosks.



Had some great and some not so great food, but all the wine was good. Even Barbie had some ice wine, and Barbie doesn't drink. She is such a non drinker, that by 12:30, she said that she was going back to the room for a nap, as I believed the ice wine/heat/sun had knocked her out.
Brave adventurer that I am, I continued on.
I did the free (yes, it was free at one time!) beer seminar at the American Adventure Pavilion, and enjoyed some samples of Samuel Adams.



After that I continued to eat and drink till I was full and feeling good, and decided to ride Test Track.
I went over to the F & W Welcome Center to check out the merchandise, and discovered I was only 10 minutes away from a free WIne Seminar, so I attended that.



Shirah Vs. Shiraz. Delicious.

So, now that I'd had even more wine, and was feeling even better, it was time to use my FP for Test Track. Got to TT, and the ride was down. Probably for the best.
I headed back to the Boardwalk for a swim.

After our swim, we went down to Spoodles (Which was were Trattoria al Forno is now.) to see if they had a table available, and they did. I cancelled our ADRs there for the next night, and we sat down to a really good dinner. I had the grilled beef kabobs, Barbie the rigatoni.

After dinner, we hopped a bus to Downtown Disney. It was a mad house. I realized too late, that Magic Kingdom had closed at 7, for the MNSSHP, and that most of the people
were apparently now at DD. So, after picking up just one T-shirt, we got out of there. At least Barbie made some good pin trades.

We got off the boat at the Swan and or Dolphin, and made our way to the bridge connecting Boardwalk to Yacht & Beach, and watched Illuminations.



Then we watched some Boardwalk entertainment, as Hallowishes went off in the distance.

 Please come back next Thursday for Part 5.