Walt Disney World, January 2017, Part 1

By Nick

Saturday 1/21/17 

We flew out of Philadelphia on the earliest flight we've ever taken, 5:55am! We arrived in Orlando, boarded the Magical Express bus, and arrived at Disney's Boardwalk Villas at 9:30am.

Our room wasn't ready, so we walked over to Epcot and had a bit to eat at France's Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie.

It was a gorgeous day, and as we had no FastPasses, we just wandered around taking advantage of several of the photo opportunities unique to the inaugural year of Epcot's International Festival of the Arts.

We made our way to the Festival Center located at the Odyssey, where in addition to art galleries featuring Herb Ryman and Mary Blair, art worskshops are held, you can find The Painter's Palate.

Barbie and I split the Trio of Savory Croissant Donuts which were fantastic. 

This really got my hopes up for more food offerings, and the next stop didn't disappoint.

At E=AT/\2 we had the BLT and Pop Artsicle, both great!

We made our way over to the Germany Pavilion to say hello to friends Heather and Richard.

The four of us chatted for awhile before going our separate ways. I'd received a text that our room was ready. When I looked at the text which had our room number I was somewhat disappointed to see it was on a low floor, as I'd requested a high floor with no bulkhead. Oh well, maybe it will be a fantastic view, I thought. 

We headed over to the Boardwalk, and...

What is a bulkhead? Well, it's a wall instead of an open balcony, so when you sit outside, you see...

As my co-host on the Disney Exchange Podcast, Dave, said, if this was a cruise ship it would be considered an obstructed view and be several hundred dollars cheaper. So, I decided to ask if we could change rooms. I went to the front desk and was told there was no available room for that evening, but we'd be moved the next day.

We showered and went to Disney's Hollywood Studios to meet long time blog friend Gaylin, who we had never met, despite knowing each other at least 8 years! 

We used our FastPasses for Toy Story Midway Mania before an early dinner at The Brown Derby. 

After a ride on the Great Movie Ride and a visit to Star Wars Launch Bay we picked out what I thought would be a good spot for the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular, on Hollywood Boulevard.

Wrong! I was unaware that, unlike the previous fireworks show, Star Wars: Symphony in the Stars that the pyrotechnics are not directly over the theater, but are now off to the right if you are facing it, and our view of the fireworks was obstructed by a tree. It was at least a good view of the projections.

We had been invited to join Heather and Rich at the newly opened AbracadaBar at the Boardwalk, but, as we had been up since about 2am, we called it a night!

Refurbishing Walt Disney World - Episode 113 of The Disney Exchange Podcast

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

After discussing the announced opening date for Pandora at Disney's Animal Kingdom and the projected opening year of the Star Wars sections of Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World and in Disneyland, Lisa shares a recent rumor that the Grand Floridian Resort may be coming under a full refurbishment, which leads to a discussion on what we imagine would be an appropriate remodel, based on the Villas at the Grand Floridian.

We then go on to discuss other resorts and attractions in each of the 4 theme parks that we think could do with a refurb.

The Wheel of Distiny topic: Which past attraction do you miss most from Walt Disney World.

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 (remember those?) 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 or iTunes, we'd really appreciate it. Thank you!

Thank you for listening to The Disney Exchange!

Disney Sweet Things – Animal Kingdom

by Gaylin

It is safe to say that I love chocolate, not just any chocolate, mind you – I love good, high quality chocolate. You can call me a chocolate snob, I won't mind.

I missed the opening of the Harambe Market area when I was at Walt Disney World in 2015 but I had heard of Zuri's Sweets and wasn't going to miss it this time. Especially since they had a chocolate that was calling out to me.

My first theme park visit, during this trip was to the Animal Kingdom. I admit, I zeroed in on Zuri's Sweets and had a great chat with the cast member. It was a hot day, I didn't want to carry chocolate in my backpack all day, she promised there would be lots available later in the day. (yes I know this is a bad photo of the shop but the only one I have)

What am I talking about? Dark chocolate chilli flavoured Mickey Mouse head!!! I bought 2 at the end of the day but didn't try them yet.

When I met up with Nick and Barbie later that week, I gifted a chocolate to Barbie. When we met at the Animal Kingdom the next day, it was reported to me that the chocolate was a big hit. Enough of a hit that Barbie bought another one for us to share. And she was right!

This is a good dark chocolate, nice snap when you bite it and the chilli isn't evident at first melt. Once the chocolate has really hit your palate, the heat shows up and stays. A very good treat, one I will definitely had again. In fact, I brought 3 of them home with me. Along with one of the milk chocolate Mickey heads for comparison. It has banana crisps in it.

The milk chocolate one is nothing special, no banana taste in evidence but if you like milk chocolate, go for it!

Both treats are worth one snack credit each. I do recommend the dark chocolate more than the milk but if you are not a spiced chocolate fan, the milk will do just fine! At 3 inches across, these are a good size of a treat for the price.

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.

Meeting Characters at Walt Disney World - Episode 112 of The Disney Exchange

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download 

I start the show being very expertly interviewed by Lisa Green about my recent trip to Walt Disney World and I share highlights, such as...

...our new room view and watching Wishes from bed...

...Epcot's International Festival of the Arts...

...this mug...

...spending time with our Godson, Flynn...

 
...meeting listeners...

...running into friends...

...great meals...

...the Keys to the Kingdom Tour...

...Rockin' the Dots...

... and cast members making our trip extra magical!

For the first day of my trip, please give last week's show a listen!

The main topic this week is meeting characters at Walt Disney World for different age groups, youngins (that's a word, right?), tweens and adults.

The Wheel of Distiny topic: Favorite scene/shooting gallery on Disney's Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

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 (remember those?) 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 or iTunes, we'd really appreciate it. Thank you!

Thank you for listening to The Disney Exchange!