Episode 53 of The Disney Exchange : Armchair Imagineering

By Nick 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download 

O53 The Disney Exchange – Armchair Imagineering. The Disney Exchange is David Hodges, Lisa Green, and me, Nicholas Maglio.

Welcome back to The Disney Exchange, now in it's second year!

We briefly talk about the Memory Maker price reduction. Yes you just read that right.

Dave tells us about his recent visit to Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It sounds awesome!

Photo: Dave

TarTar Sauce.

Photo: Dave

We look forward to seeing our listener in February!

On this weeks show, Lisa, Dave and I pick an attraction, show or experience from each park in Walt Disney World and "plus" or enhance it, for instance, Lisa would like to include a free Memory Maker download of Wishes for every person entering the Magic Kingdom so there would be no need to hold up 27" iPads and cameras, etc. so we could eliminate this;

Lisa wants to do THIS to Primeval Whirl at Disney's Animal Kimgdom:

Aquila at Tivoli Garden, Copenhagen: Courtesy of Lisa

We apologize to all people who grew up in and or have fond memories of the 1970s. I also apologize for my weak ideas. Really, Lisa's and Dave's are much better so...sorry.

Wheel of Distiny topic: Favorite Star Wars Movie.

Our friends Josh and Jill, my wife Barbie, and me 

about to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which was amazing!

Thank you again for listening to The Disney Exchange, the geographically challenged podcast.

If you have a show or a wheel of Distiny topic, please let us know on on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/disneyexchange  or email us at: info@thedisneyexchange

Do You Collect Disney Ornaments?

If you are a regular reader of this blog (thank you!) you'll no doubt know I collect Disney Ornaments. So does my wonderful Disney Exchange Podcast co-host and fellow blogger Lisa Green! -Nick


By: Lisa Green

 

If you follow Living a Disney Life on Facebook, you may have noticed I’ve been trying to post an ornament a day from our Disney-themed Christmas tree.  I’ve really been enjoying picking an ornament to feature each day and remembering where and when each ornament was purchased (or made).  There’s the ornament we bought on our 2011 Alaskan cruise on the Disney Wonder, the ones we got to remember our Disney World vacations, the new one Raymond picket out this year to commemorate our Anniversary trip, and the ornaments of some of our favorite Disney movie characters. While I can’t remember the exact year every ornament was purchased, there are a few that I know exactly when we got them and who picked them out.

Back before Joseph was born when Megan was an only child, we started a Christmas tradition that has meant a lot to me over the years.  Back in the early 1990’s our local mall had a temporary Christmas shop that would open every year in the fall and had an astounding selection of ornaments.  We would visit that shop and allow Megan to choose an ornament every year.

 

We’d write her name and the year on the back or bottom of the ornament with the plan to give her those ornaments for her own tree when she grew up.

Only now I don’t want to.  Give them away, I mean. I feel selfish, but if Megan doesn’t actually remember the plan, she won’t realize those ornaments were intended to be hers, right?  She’ll think they were labeled for nostalgic purposes and I’ll be off the hook.  Maybe, since she doesn’t have a Disney-themed tree, she’ll want those ornaments to stay at our house so when she has children of her own, they can see the ornaments she picked out as a child when they visit their grandparents’ house!  Yes, that sounds like a great plan!  You understand, don’t you?

When I see those ornaments, I can so clearly remember what my little girl was like.  Born during the Disney Renaissance, Megan had a love for characters like Ariel, Belle, Jasmine and Megara.  In fact, there was a certain Pocahontas costume that was worn nearly every day until it became too small.  She was a sweet, precious, easy-going child who has become an amazing, happy, lovely adult.  I’m attached to those ornaments and the memories they represent!

Do you collect Disney ornaments?  What would you do in my predicament?  Would you keep the ornaments or pass them on to their rightful owner?

This article was originally posted on Lisa's Living a Disney Life Blog.
She can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LivingaDisLife and on Twitter at @life_of_green

Please be sure to check out Lisa along with me and David Hodges on The Disney Exchange Podcast!   

The Disney Exchange Podcast ; Happy Anniversary to Us!

By Nick 

The Disney Exchange Podcast which I co-host with Lisa Green and David Hodges just celebrated it's first anniversary and we thank you for joining us!

You have heard us, right?

If you have not, I've compiled this handy episode guide along with links to the shows just for you!

As an added bonus I've included The Wheel of Distiny topic for each episode. What is the The Wheel of Distiny? Please give a listen and find out!

001 The Disney Exchange - Here we are!

002 The Disney Exchange - Disney Transportation

003 The Disney Exchange - DVC vs. Deluxe Resorts ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Worst counter service restaurant at Walt Disney World


004 The Disney Exchange - Disney Best and Worst of 2014 ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : What are we looking forward to in 2015?


005 The Disney Exchange - Things You Can Only Do At Disney ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : One small thing you always look for at Walt Disney World.


006 The Disney Exchange - Epcot’s World Showcase ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Places to Watch Illuminations.


007 The Disney Exchange - A Walk Through Disney’s Animal Kingdom ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : One Favorite Souvenir you always buy


008 The Disney Exchange - Animal Kingdom Lodge Table Service ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite attractions that have been around half our lives


009 The Disney Exchange - Touring Disney’s Hollywood Studios ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite ride vehicle.


010 The Disney Exchange - Quick Serve In The Parks ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Suggestions for Rainy Days.


011 The Disney Exchange - Things To Do On Property, Outside The Parks ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Our favorite movie released prior to the year of our birth. Yes, they made talkies before Lisa and I were born.


012 The Disney Exchange - Run Disney ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Movies we are most looking forward to this year.


013 The Disney Exchange - Living With Food Allergies in Walt Disney World ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Walt Disney World attraction with no height requirement


014 The Disney Exchange - A Day At The Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Adult Beverages at Walt Disney World.


015 The Disney Exchange - Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival ; The Wheel of Distiny topic: Best Disney ride for thrill seekers.

016 The Disney Exchange - Take A Ride Vehicle Home ; The Wheel of Distiny topic: A Disney movie you’d like to see remade or a sequel to.


017 The Disney Exchange - Best Table Service in the WDW Parks ;The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Way to Add a Little Disney to Your Day When Not at a Disney Park


018 The Disney Exchange - Disney Souvenirs ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Scene in Epcot’s Spaceship Earth


019 The Disney Exchange - Disney Cruise Line ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Walt Disney World 3D attractions.


020 The Disney Exchange - Resort Category Comparison ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite part of the Maharaja Jungle Trek in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.


021 The Disney Exchange - Walt Disney World Attraction Swap Outs ; Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Disney Princess


022 The Disney Exchange - Favorite Places to Take Rest at Walt Disney World ; Wheel of Distiny : Things people buy at Walt Disney World that we think are a waste of money.


023 The Disney Exchange - Progressive Dinner on the Monorail Resort Loop ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Summer sun survival tips.


024 The Disney Exchange - The First Day of Your Walt Disney World Vacation ; Wheel of Distiny topic: Favorite Disney Sidekick


025 The Disney Exchange - Meeting Disney Characters on a Disney Cruise and at Walt Disney World ; The Wheel of Distiny topic: Best Place to Get Coffee at Walt Disney World


026 The Disney Exchange - Walt Disney World Recommendations for Young Families: Part 1 ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite sweet treat at Walt Disney World.


027 The Disney Exchange - Walt Disney World Recommendations for Young Families: Part 2 ; Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Walt Disney World Guidebook(s)


028 The Disney Exchange - Walt Disney World Trip Planning ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Name an attraction you have ridden multiple times in a single day & what were the circumstances, and HOW did you get to ride it multiple times?
 

029 The Disney Exchange - Disney To Do Lists ; Wheel of Distiny topic : What Country would you like to see added to Epcot’s World Showcase?


030 The Disney Exchange - Half a Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : The oddest thing we have ever eaten at Walt Disney World.


031 The Disney Exchange - The Best in the Lands ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : The most disgusting thing we’ve eaten at Walt Disney World.


032 The Disney Exchange - Progressive Dining Around the Epcot Area Resorts ; Wheel of Distiny topic : The best queue to stand in at Walt Disney World in the heat.


033 The Disney Exchange - Photography at Walt Disney World ; Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Marvel Cinematic character.


034 The Disney Exchange - Favorite Pixar Films ; Wheel of Distiny topic : The Pixar character we most identify with.


035 The Disney Exchange - Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Statue or Stationary Figure at Walt Disney World.


036 The Disney Exchange - Big Changes Coming to the Disney Parks ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Way to Start the Day at Walt Disney World
 

037 The Disney Exchange - Adult or Kid Friendly Dining at WDW ; The Wheel of Distiny topic: Best Run Disney Training Tip


038 The Disney Exchange - Pros & Cons of the Disney Dining Plan ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : What is the latest you’ve ever stayed out at a Disney Park?

039 The Disney Exchange - Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party ; The Wheel of Distiny topic: Who is the Avenger character you’d most like to have dinner with and why?


040 The Disney Exchange - Counter Service Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner at Epcot ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : If you only had one attraction to choose to ride at Epcot, what would it be?


041 The Disney Exchange - Aulani with Special Guest Dave Tupper ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Disney attraction music.
 

042 The Disney Exchange - Attractions at Walt Disney World We Can Do Without ; The Wheel of Distiny topic: What did you think of the first episode of The Muppets which made it’s debut September 22nd?


043 The Disney Exchange - Walt Disney World With Non Disney Lovers ; Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite view at Walt Disney World.

044 The Disney Exchange - Disney Deluxe Resorts at Walt Disney World ; Wheel of Distiny topic: Favorite non fiction Disney book.

045 The Disney Exchange - The Best Things I Ever Ate at Walt Disney World ; The Wheel of Distiny topic: The Scariest Thing of Any Ride at Walt Disney World

046 The Disney Exchange - Packing For a Trip to Walt Disney World ; Wheel of Distiny topic: Favorite spot for Holiday Decorations at Walt Disney World

047 The Disney Exchange - Walt Disney World, Where Does the Money Go? ; Wheel of Distiny topic : What was the first Disney Park attraction you ever went on?

048 The Disney Exchange - Progressive Dining Around Epcot’s World Showcase ; Wheel of Distiny topic: Where and when is a room view worth paying extra for.

049 The Disney Exchange - runDisney Redux with Karen Seal ; Wheel of Distiny topic : Which Disney character would you like to have dinner with and why?


050 The Disney Exchange - Disney Will Dos ; Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite live music at Walt Disney World.


051 The Disney Exchange - Monorail Loop & Epcot Resort Area Lounge Hopping ; Wheel of Distiny topic : Turkey Leg, yes or no?


052 The Disney Exchange - A Year of Walt Disney World ; Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite live action Disney movie.


Thanks again for listening to The Disney Exchange Podcast and please stop back for more exciting episodes!

The Best Kind of Snowman

By: Gaylin

Every year I look forward to unpacking my Christmas decorations so I can enjoy the best (unmelting) snowman ever. He is about 10 inches tall and has a convenient bean bag base so he always stands up straight.

I bought this Mickey in 2009 and it makes me smile, I hope Mickey the Snowman makes you smile too!

Wordless Wednesday: The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

Photos: Barbie and Nick

 

 

Tigger Twins

By: Gaylin

In 2006 I got a great set of stuffed Tiggers for a Christmas present. They make great Christmas decorations and are so very cheerful. The one on the right has a bell in its hat, so if I happen to lift him up and shake him, he sounds all Christmasy. Very cute to see, one Tigger dressed in a Christmas sweater and the other as an elf. At about 12" tall and in a permanent seated position, they are easy to place about and enjoy some grrrrrreat holiday cheer.

Merry Christmas!
TTFN

Grumpy Before Coffee

Grumpy Monday

Truer words have never been spoken, written, or typed.
I need coffee in the morning, and am Grumpy until I get it.
And so is Grumpy.

I collect Hallmark ornaments, especially favorite Disney characters, such as Grumpy, so I'm not even sure how I missed this ornament when it was initially released in 2007.

Maybe I hadn't had my coffee yet?

I was very happy to get him off of eBay recently.

Ironically, I am a morning person, but I agree with the sentiment that someone should brew me up some coffee so it's ready upon waking.

Now, please excuse us, Grumpy and I need a cup of coffee.

The Disney Exchange Podcast, Episode 52 ; A Year of Walt Disney World

By Nick

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

According to Google, there are 52 weeks in a year, so, Happy Anniversary to us!

It has been a real pleasure for each of you 4 people that have listened to every show to have heard me speak week after week (oh, and Dave and Lisa also), and thank you to all who have downloaded even just one of my our shows.

As we are celebrating a year of shows, the brains of the operation, Lisa, came up with a terrific topic, a look at all the wonderful activities, events, and decorations that you can experience each and every month at Walt Disney World.

Dave starts us off with January, Lisa takes February, I get March, and we continue on through the year, and chime in on each others choices and share our own thoughts on each month.

Speaking of February, Lisa, Dave and I will all be together in Walt Disney World during Princess Half Marathon Weekend, the 18th-20th, and we will be setting up a get together, so please keep an eye on our various social media outlets for more information.

I needed help with June, and thank David Traczykiewicz for his suggestion to take an indoor tour to beat the heat, while Vanessa Gordon informed me of the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series. (The 2016 schedule has not been listed as of this posting.)

We lose Lisa and things get confusing, and Dave forbids me to touch anything technical.

I have not, nor will I EVER wear a Speedo.

We apologize to most of the musical acts of the 80s. And Christians.

I love both, but the Christmas decorations are the better than Halloween decorations, and since I'm writing the show notes, I'm right.

The Wheel of Distiny topic: Favorite live action Disney movie.

Thank you again for listening to The Disney Exchange, and please join us for the next!


If you have a show or a wheel of Distiny topic, please let us know on on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/disneyexchange  or email us at: info@thedisneyexchange

Do It Yourself Disney Christmas Tree Topper

By: Lisa Green

 

 

 

It’s been long time since I’ve worked on a Disney craft project.  This one was not even planned, but happened mostly by accident.  Raymond and I were out supporting our local merchants on Small Business Saturday and we happened to be in a fantastic home décor and accessory store that always has the most amazing Christmas decorations!  We were there for just a quick stop to pick up a couple of ornaments for gifts and grab some extra ribbon and deco mesh (you can never have too much deco mesh, right?).

As we were making our way to the checkout counter, I stopped dead in my tracks, having spotted something unexpected and adorable!  I spied a small black felt top hat, decorated festively for the holidays.  As usual, I immediately said what I was thinking, “Hey!  I could put ears on this!” and Raymond, in his usual way, replied, “You could.”  Enough chitchat.  New item added to the armfuls we were carrying, we made for the cash register.

By the time we got home, I had formulated a plan for that little top hat’s transformation into a Disney-themed tree topper.  All I needed was to make use of Raymond’s mad skills with power tools.  I handed him a large, sparkly, black shatter-proof ornament left over from the Halloween wreath project and told him to make me a couple of ears from it.  Because I love him, I did remember to yell, “Don’t forget protective eye wear!” as he headed outside to his shop.  I wish I could show and tell you exactly how Raymond managed to slice two perfect ears out of that one ornament, but I didn’t see what he did.  I will tell you it involved something called a die grinder, but I have no idea what that is or does.  If you decide to slice up a plastic ornament, I imagine a saw of some sort would also work.

Now, I knew that if I just glued those ears onto the hat, there would be a big gap between each ear, the hat, and the hat’s brim.  I was trying to figure out a way to fill that gap with some black sheet-foam that I had on hand, when Raymond solved the problem for me by cutting the foam into tear-drops that could be used to cover the back of each ear and fill in that gap at the same time – I do love that man!  So, I fired up my new glue gun, which gets really super hot in a hurry, and proceeded to glue the backs onto each ear, then glue the ears carefully onto the hat, making sure the corner part of the teardrop filled in the gap between ear, hat, and brim.  I only sustained one glue-burn (on my right pinky), which is actually good – the injury count where hot glue and I are concerned is normally much higher.

So, making the tree topper proved much easier than getting it in a good position at the top of the tree!  I ended up making a spiral wire around the top of the tree to perch the hat securely on, then I used my old tree topper (sprays wired together to mimic Wishes fireworks) to add some festive touches around the hat.  The moral of this story?  Don’t be afraid to try!  When inspiration strikes, go for it.  The hat was $12.99 and for the investment, Raymond’s cutting skills, and one hot glue burn, we got a pretty awesome new Disney decoration for our tree.

This article originally appeared on Lisa's Living a Disney Life Blog.

Lisa can be also be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LivingaDisLife and on Twitter at @life_of_green

And not only is Lisa one of my favorite bloggers, but she co-hosts The Disney Exchange Podcast along with me and David Hodges!

What Keeps Me Coming Back to Walt Disney World?

By: Shendl
Photos: Nick & Barbie

I was browsing through some tips on a Disney Website recently and it got me thinking about the reasons I keep coming back to WDW.

    •    Anticipation and Excitement - I love the feeling of knowing that I have a WDW Vacation planned and the joy of seeing the days get less and less on my Countdown Application. The excitement of knowing you are actually going back to the Most Magical Place on Earth is like nothing I can describe to anyone that has not visited WDW before.

    •    Relaxation – I know that this may sound strange when used in context with WDW but when I am actually there and are away from my normal routine, I find that I am much more relaxed than I am in my day to day life.

    •    Food – The Food that you get at WDW is like nothing we get in South Africa. There are so many different types of food that we like to eat when we are at WDW. My Husband’s favourites were Biscuits & Gravy  and mine were Tater Tots and Glazed Almonds!!

    •    Attractions and Rides – Where else in the World can you visit and see all the wonderful World Class shows and experience the amazing Special Effects on Rides? Definitely nowhere I have ever been besides WDW, That’s for Sure!  I find the attention to detail AMAZING!!

    •    Magic – This is the one place in the world that I have visited that you can see and Experience Magic Happening on a daily basis and sometimes you can even create your own Magic for someone and brighten up their day!

    •    The People – I love meeting the different Cast members and guests at Walt Disney World. We met some lovely people that started up a conversation with us because they heard our South African Accent. It’s fun meeting different people from around the world.

    •    The Treats – Some of the best treats I have experienced in my life have been at WDW. Mickey Premium Bars, Jelly Belly Beans, Mickey Pretzels, Caramel Corn and Funnel Cakes to name a few!!

   •    Souvenirs – I love picking up items from WDW that I can display at my home either in a display case or on the walls. I also enjoy choosing Baseball Caps, Shirts and Christmas Decorations to take home with me.  I hope to finally treat myself to a Dooney & Burke Handbag on the next vacation!!

    •    EPCOT World Showcase – I love World Showcase!! There is so much to see and do and TASTE!! I love walking through the little stores in the different countries and experiencing the different cultures of the Cast Members from those countries. The Street Shows and Character Meet and Greets that you experience are also amazing!!

    •    RESORTS – I love the different resorts that you can choose to stay in, from a Value to a Deluxe, there is a resort for everyone whatever your budget and style!

All in All, It is safe to assume that I absolutely love vacationing at WDW even though it’s extremely far to travel and airfare is a little on the pricey side! I would rather save up for 4 years to be able to afford a WDW vacation for 2 weeks than a yearly vacation to a cheaper place.
I will always keep coming back to WDW!!!

The Walt Disney Players Christmas Carol LP

By: Nick and Barbie

Who has seen the animated short film, "Mickey's Christmas Carol," based on the Charles Dickens classic, "A Christmas Carol," released in 1983? Who knows that this Disney classic is largely derived from an LP record released in 1974 by Disneyland Records?

There are several similarities in the scripts, with many of the jokes being the same. The characters are mostly the same, with a few notable exceptions.

In both versions, Scrooge is Scrooge McDuck, Cratchit is, of course, Mickey Mouse. Goofy is Jacob Marley. The ghosts, in the animated short are played by Jiminy Cricket as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Willie the Giant, from "Mickey and the Beanstalk" is Christmas Present, and Pete is Christmas Yet to Come. On the LP, the ghosts are Merlin the Magician from "The Sword in the Stone" as Christmas Past, and the Witch from Snow White as Yet to Come. It is an enjoyable listen, and fun to hear the sometimes verbatim dialogue in the animated version.

Wordless Wednesday: Disney's Grand Floridian at Christmas

Photos: Barbie and Nick

 

Ready, Set, Snow! Disney Hallmark Ornaments Set

By Nick

Yesterday I shared the first 2 ornaments released in the "Ready! Set! Snow!" ornament set, which featured Mickey Mouse and Pluto.

This Donald Duck Hallmark ornament, entitled "Cool Duck Donald", was released on September 8th, 2012.

From the box:

Cool Duck Donald

Ready! Set! Snow!

Donald thought that sledding would be sweet, and he's in luck-gliding fast across the snow, he looks like one cool duck!

This ornament can be connected to others in the "Ready! Set! Snow!" collection. Collect them all to create a delightful holiday display!

Nello Williams

Cullen Brown

Hallmark Keepsake Artist

.

This ornament has a notch to connect other ornaments in the set. 

"Snow Stylin' Goofy", was released on October 6th, 2012, is part of a set of 5 ornaments, featuring the Fab Five, titled "Ready! Set! Snow!".

Snow Stylin' Goofy

Ready! Set! Snow!

Goofy's got some crazy moves 

as he rides on the sled.

Or maybe he's just making sure

his hat stays on his head!

The Minnie Mouse Hallmark ornament, titled "Merry Mittens Minnie", was released on November 2nd, 2012, and is the final piece in the set.

From the box:

Merry Mittens Minnie

Ready! Set! Snow!

Minnie's always ready for a sled ride in the snow, she warms her hands with cozy mittens-red to match her bow!

And here is the whole set together!