Upcoming WDW Trip Plans - The Disney Exchange Podcast Episode 92

The Disney Exchange is Lisa (the brains), Dave (the tech guy) , and me, Nick (the talent). 

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This week we talk about our upcoming trips to Walt Disney World where the 3 of us will be converging for a meet-up at Epcot's Germany Pavilion Friday October 7th at 3PM! If you are in the parks that day please stop by and say hello!

We all discuss our plans and things that we are looking forward to most! So many new things since we visited last. Well, Dave is fairly local, but Lisa and I are super excited to see the new attractions and experiences!

The Wheel of Distiny: Do you order a new Magic Band for every trip or do you reuse your old ones?

If you have a show suggestion or Wheel of Distiny topic, please let us know 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!

Are You a Disney Geek?

By Lisa Green  

We go by many names – Disney Geek, Disney Nerd, Disney Maniac even – but we all have one thing in common:  Disney is more to us than a man, a theme park, or a movie-making company.  Disney is a way of life.  We are the Disney-addicted and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Are you a Disney Geek?  Take this quiz to find out.  Give yourself one point for every true statement.

1. You have a Disney vacation planned.
2. You’re using a countdown calendar or app to keep track of the number of days until that vacation.
3. You have a Disney collection of some sort (pins, vinylmation, figurines, etc.). 
4.  Your car shows off your DisneySide with an antenna-topper, magnet, or window cling.
5. You are wearing a something Disney-related right now.
6. You have at least one framed Disney picture hanging in your home.
7. You listen to a Disney playlist while working out or cleaning house.
8. You have ever cooked a Disney restaurant recipe at home.
9. Your pet has a Disney name.
10. You know the meaning of all of the following:  FP+, MDE, ME, MM+, TOT, BTMRR, EE, TSMWM, ADR, and SSE.
11. You can say “Por favor manténganse alejado de las puertas.” perfectly and you know what it means.
12. You regularly check the Orlando weather and you don’t live in Florida.
13. Your morning coffee or tea is consumed from a Disney mug.
14. You’ve been emotional (and unashamed) on Main Street U.S.A.
15. You have cravings for Dole Whips, Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars, or Churros.
16. You have at least one Magic Band and will keep it forever.
17. You purchase at least one new Disney guide book every year.
18. You have a treasured photo of yourself (as an adult) with your favorite Disney character.
19. You read Disney blogs or listen to Disney podcasts.
20. You write for a Disney blog or host a Disney podcast.

Scoring.
5-10:  You like Disney vacations and some Disney merchandise, but you’re not obsessive.
11-15: You’re a real Disney fan and it shows!
16 or more:  You are a certified Disney addict.
Leave a comment!  What kind of Disney fan are you?

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!

Throwback Thursday : Our First Trip to Walt Disney World, Part 1

By Nick 

10 years ago today, my wife and I took our first trip to Walt Disney World together.

Barbie was not keen to go to WDW, and she will admit it.
I finally convinced her by telling her of the free dining, as well as assuring her that Stitch would be found all over the parks. And I promised I would not take her to Country Bears, as she had a traumatic experience as a child.

As it's been 10 years, details are fuzzy in some respects, which is why I do trip reports now.
They are more for me and a way to remember than anything else.

One thing I do recall, it was HOT. And HUMID. And Lovebugs were everywhere! Okay, more than one thing.

Friday 9/15/2006

We checked into Coronado Springs Resort sometime around mid afternoon, and took the loooong walk to our room. CS is a large, spread out resort, but the grounds are absolutely beautiful, with hammocks spread out along the lake.

 
After dropping off our bags we had dinner at the Pepper Market. It was (is?) a different type of  quick service whereas you visit different food stations and check off what you want on a order sheet, hand it to the chef at that station, and your meal is prepared. A Cast Member brings drinks and clears plates. We had a CM named May who was so wonderful that it got our trip off to a magical start. And the food was great too!

We then went to the Magic Kingdom for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. We didn't dress up that year, but every time we've gone since we have.

Despite the occasional light drizzle, it was an great evening. The crowds were almost non-existent after the fireworks, Hallowishes, and we enjoyed both Boo to You Parades from different spots.

Saturday 9/16/2006 

We were up early and hopped a bus for Disney-MGM Studios, now Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Several of the attractions were either new or changed since my last visit, which was 1996, and it was all new to Barbie.

We had lunch at Mama Melrose's, which was our go to restaurant from that day on for many trips thereafter.

Later that day we hopped a boat to Epcot.

Dinner that evening was at Chefs de France. It was, sadly, a disappointment, despite having a fun couple next to us, and we haven't been back since.

 
I have no photos of Illuminations, and don't recall if we watched them that night, but these photos clearly show we left after dark.

Please stop back next Thursday for Part 2.

Mickey's Not So Scary 2016 - The Disney Exchange Episode 91

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

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Barbie and Nick

It's hard to write in these rattlesnake trousers. Just sayin.'

We recorded this show very early. And you can tell.

If you have not been over to our Facebook page, you should check it out! Dave has really started to contribute. Maybe he lost a bet?

Anyway, there are a lot of great photos over there, so please join our community.

Believe it or not, this is NOT another transportation episode.

Beauty and the Beast was released 25 years ago this year! November 22nd to be exact.

Speaking of community, do you have a listener number yet? We will be doing a giveaway on Episode 100, and literally the ONLY thing you need to do to be entered is to have a listener number.
Just request one one Facebook or Twitter!

This week we discuss Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, sharing 2016 pricing, planning and touring strategies, and our own experiences.

 Lisa and her husband Raymond

Me, Barbie, and our friends Tom and Pam

There are costume rules and they can be found here : https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/magic-kingdom/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party/#/drawer=drawerDressedOccasion

 Hallowishes

Boo to You Parade

We also discuss party exclusive merchandise and a special Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card.

Photos: Dave

The Wheel of Distiny : Do you purchase travel insurance? This was suggested by listener David T.

If you have a show suggestion or Wheel of Distiny topic, please let us know 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!

Walt Disney World's Great Waits

By Lisa Green 

A while back I touted the joys of some of Disney World’s standby lines in this post.  Today I’m going to continue that discussion.  If you don’t have a FastPass, there are plenty of rides and attractions worth waiting for – simply because the wait itself is part of the fun!  If I have to spend time in a standby line, I want that wait to be an entertaining one!

Once again, I’m using the same criteria for today’s queue selections:

• Existing ride successfully refurbished to provide a vastly better standby experience
• Brand new ride with a wildly entertaining standby line
• Not-so-new ride with an original, well-themed queue

 

 

Dumbo – Just because I couldn’t make it through the new, interactive standby line (I almost rode Dumbo once, story here) doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate how brilliant the new queue area is for families with small (or small-ish) children.  The technology is cool, the colors are bright, and there’s a variety of activities available for time-killing. I might not have cared for the experience, but for kids?  Genius!

 

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – The ride appeals to multiple senses – full of colors, it’s visually stunning, the sway of the mine train cars and the smooth ride are physically enjoyable, the sounds – both in and outside the mine – are a wonderful part of the overall experience.  The queue sets just the right mood for what’s to come.  Sort gems, spin barrels for some cool projection effects – there’s a lot to enjoy in the mine long before the train takes you off on a new adventure.

MuppetVision 3D – The queue for this area is one of my most favorite places – not just in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but in all of Walt Disney World!  I love the net full of Jello (a funny tribute to Annette Funicello) and dozens of other clever sight gags.  The pre-show “show” is full of classic Muppet jokes and bits.  If you grew up with the Muppets like I did, the queue for MuppetVision 3D takes you back to the good old days of Muppet glory!

 Which queues are your favorite?  Which would you recommend for a future standby line post?

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!

Mostly Wordless Wednesday: Port Orleans French Quarter

By Nick  

 

Check out Episode 90 of The Disney Exchange Podcast, which I co-host with Lisa Green and David Hodges, for info on Moderate Resorts, including Port Orleans French Quarter.