Animal Kingdom – Fun and Educational!

by Gaylin

In the movie UP, Russell is a Wilderness Explorer, intent on getting his last badge so he can become a Senior Explorer. When you visit the Animal Kingdom, pay attention to the kiosk on the bridge going to Discovery Island and you too can become a Wilderness Explorer!

Stop at the kiosk and you can get your Wilderness Explorer badge (sticker) and a booklet to find all the WE stops all over the Animal Kingdom to collect more badges!

The booklet has pages and pages of adventures to go on, things to learn and see.

Here are some sample pages, as you can see I got all 4 stickers!

At the bottom of the right hand page, when I met someone from the Asian Culture, the lovely young cast member was from Indonesia and was kind enough to write my name out in her language (Hindi).

As you can see, I proudly wore my WE badge all day.

Here is a sample of the Wilderness Explorer signposts, this is what you are looking for when you are adventuring about.

I did my best to get all 32 badges but I was 3 short. Maybe next time I can become a Senior Explorer.

Near the It's Tough to be a Bug theatre entrance, you can often find this handsome young Explorer and get your photo with him. The one, the only . . . Russell!

This is a standard photo, both of us smiling away. 

Personally, I like this one better, Russell and I having a good laugh together, being Explorers - Caw Caw!

Water at Walt Disney World - Episode 126 of The Disney Exchange Podcast

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This week we are talking about water at Walt Disney World, including attractions at the parks...

water ways that are used for transportation...

pools...

and landscape features.

The Wheel of Distiny topic: Did you see Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2, and what did you think?

You can send us an email at info@thedisneyexchange and reach out with show suggestions, submit Wheel of Distiny topics, or request a listener number on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange, Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyexchange 

If you would be so kind as to leave us a 5 star review on any of the social media sites, such as Facebook or iTunes, we'd really appreciate it. Thank you!

Thank you for listening to The Disney Exchange!

Disney Treasures By Funko

By Nick

Back in 2015, Funko teamed up with Lucasfilm to bring the world Star Wars Smuggler's Bounty, and I jumped right on that train.

A couple of months ago I started getting emails from Funko about a new collectible subscription box. This time they were teaming up with Disney!

Disney Treasures offers a unique themed box every other month filled with 100% exclusive Disney Classic & Disney Theme Park collectibles created by Funko especially for the Disney fan, with each containing goodies such as Pop! Vinyl and other figures, pins, accessories and more (hoping tee shirts, as they asked my shirt size when I signed up).

There are 3 types of plans. Traveler is pay as you go, and $30 a month. Adventurer is the 6 month plan, and the boxes are $29. I went with the Explorer, 12 month program for $28 a box. This plan offers an anniversary gift at the end of my year.

I got my first delivery a few weeks ago, just before we went on our most recent trip to Walt Disney World, and I didn't open it up until we got back. 

The box is designed like a treasure chest.

Let's see what's inside.

A Mickey Mouse Pirate Pin and a Captain Hook patch.

Smee Pop! 

Wicked Wench Captain with Pirate Ship Dorbz.

A Mystery Mini with collectible tin. 

Beautiful graphics.

What is the figure? 

Captain Jack Sparrow!

 As a pioneer member, I received an exclusive pin.

Some great information about what to expect in the coming deliveries as well and information about the collectibles in this box.

You can get in on the next box by visiting  -

https://next.funko.com/?gclid=CMvNwquJ5NMCFUeBswodUOYLhA

A Little Whiskey - Where in Walt Disney World

Photo : Zach Jennings 

This photo was contributed by my cousin Zach. When he happened to spot it, his eye was instantly drawn to the fact that it was from his home state of New Hampshire.

Where was he when he spotted it? The answer is below the pic. Warning, it is a really tough one.

ʇɹosǝɹ ʞlɐʍpɹɐoq s,ʎǝusᴉp ʇɐ ʇuɐɹnɐʇsǝɹ ouɹoℲ lɐ ɐᴉɹoʇʇɐɹ┴

Getting to the theme park

by Gaylin

Walt Disney World has a wonderful bus system. Nothing is easier than leaving your resort and getting to the theme park.

First you wait in the line for the park you want to go to, me - I am going to the Magic Kingdom! I had slept in a bit so the only other people in the line for the bus, took my photo!

 When you get off the bus, another sign to help you on the way.

And another sign . . .

This is the sign that will tell you where your resort bus is when you are leaving the park.

Entry into the park looks the same as always but you have security to go through, they were directing most people through the scanners while I was there this time. Slowed things down greatly.

The train station was being refurbished so not much of a view when you walk in.

Off to the right of the entries is locker and stroller rentals.

Welcome! Remember to pick up a park map.

The Disney Exchange's Darkside Weekend at WDW - Episode 125 of The Disney Exchange Podcast

The Disney Exchange is Lisa, Dave and me, Nick

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

First, and perhaps most importantly, if you head over to our Facebook page, you'll see that due to popular demand, we are continuing 30 days of Nick, which features a photo of me a day!
But perhaps even more importantly, each photo will also feature my lovely wife Barbie! Yep, #30daysofbarbie!

The 3 of us share the highs and lows of our recent trip to Walt Disney World over the weekend of the Dark Side Half Marathon Weekend which was April 19-22nd.

The biggest highlight being we actually got to share some quality time together at Epcot...

...and at Disney's Animal Kingdom!

For more about our experiences, please check out Episode 124, where we go more in depth about our meetup at Epcot's France Pavilion.

The Wheel of Distiny topic this week: Will you be seeing or have you seen Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 which is opening this weekend? 

You can send us an email at info@thedisneyexchange and reach out with show suggestions, submit Wheel of Distiny topics, or request a listener number on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange, Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyexchange 

If you would be so kind as to leave us a 5 star review on any of the social media sites, such as Facebook or iTunes, we'd really appreciate it. Thank you!

Thank you for listening to The Disney Exchange!

The Animal Kingdom, a pictorial

by Gaylin

I have taken many tours at Walt Disney World. One thing the guides always say is to look up and down and pay attention to all the details in the theming in the parks. On this visit to the Animal Kingdom, I did just that. And I took photos for you all!

Many people stop and take a photo of this sign on their way in, and don't pay attention to the details once they are in the park.

Like this pebble mosaic on the floor of a store.

Look up when you are in the line-up for the Lion King show.

 I sure wish there was a quiet garden!

Beautiful place to sit and people watch.

 A bird house.

Beautiful carved lamp post.

And another!

Carved sign post.

Stone frog on a walk way, I wonder how many people just walk by?

Roof line of a souvenir kiosk.

Support beam base.

And another one!

And another one, I always think this tortoises look a bit under pressure . . .

The roof line of a store, beautiful.

Finally, even the exit signs are colourful and fun.

Next trip to one of the parks, remember to stop and look at all the details the Imagineers put in place for you!