Disney Myths - Episode 163 of The Disney Exchange Podcast

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

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This week, Lisa shares plans for her trip to Walt Disney World before we jump into our main topic, discussing, dispelling, disputing, and disagreeing on Myths about Disney.

For example : Cinderella Castle at WDW can be dismantled in case of a Hurricane.

The Wheel of Distiny topic this week: What is your favorite Walt Disney World Weenie?

Lisa's son Joseph, her Husband Raymond, Lisa, Dave, my wife Barbie, and me!

You can reach out with show suggestions and Wheel of Distiny topics, or just comment on the show, tell me how great I am, or request a listener number on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange  or 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!

Please stop back next week for Lisa's trip recap!

Cinderella's Castle

by Gaylin

Every trip I take photos of Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom. Some photos are better than others, this trip I took one that surprised me. I was in Fantasyland one evening and turned to look at the back of the castle and this is the photo that I took!

Wordless Wednesday: Walt Disney World's Cinderella Castle at Christmas

Photos: Barbie

Wordless Wednesday: Cinderella Castle at Night

Photo: Barbie 

Wordless Wednesday : Autumn on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom

Photos: Barbie and Nick

 

Favorites at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

By Nick

Episode 31 of The Disney Exchange Podcast which I co-host with Lisa Green and David Hodges was about our favorite favorite thing to do, favorite thing to eat, favorite shop, favorite Disney detail in each of the lands of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and I thought I would share them with you here, in case you haven't already listened to the show. 

We'll start on Main Street USA and go around clockwise. It's hard to just pick one thing that I love about Main Street, but I would have to say meeting Mickey Mouse at The Town Square Theater.

And I still love the moment I round the corner to see Cinderella Castle.

And a trip through the Emporium, even if I'm not buying anything, is a must every trip. As for food, I went with a frosty snack, (ok, it's more than a snack, it's a meal) at The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor.

And since I'm at this end of the hub, I'll take a walk over to see Mickey and Walt represented in the Partners Statue.

Heading to the left to Adventureland, my favorite ride is Pirates of the Caribbean.

But before riding, I'll be stopping for a Dole Whip which has found a new home at Aloha Isle.

The best detail is The Jungle Cruise. The entire ride. I love the themeing, though I confess I don't do it every trip!

In Frontierland, my favorite ride is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad which is an absolute blast in the dark! My favorite detail is rock work on BTMR based on buttes in Monument Valley.

As for food, I enjoy a burger at the Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. I really enjoy checking out the pins and Vinylmation in the Frontier Trading Post.

Haunted Mansion is my favorite ride in Liberty Square, in fact, it's my favorite attraction in Magic Kingdom, my favorite detail being the glowing eyes in the wallpaper, with the breathing door that comes up shortly after that a close second.

I don't often eat in L.S.,  but I have enjoyed a Nutella and berry waffle at Sleepy Hollow. As for shop, hands down, maybe my favorite shop in the park is Momento Mori.

And then there is Fantasyland. So many wonderful details. To sort of narrow it down without actually narrowing it down, I'll pick Be Our Guest. The whole thing!

As for favorite ride, Seven Dwarf's Mine Train is a blast, again, like Big Thunder, at night. As for food, let's head back to Be Our Guest, where I will have the Braised Pork, though the steak is also pretty darn good. As for shops, be sure to stop into Big Top Souvenirs.

In Tomorrowland, I'm going old school, and picking Carousel of Progress.

My favorite detail is the model of the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow which can be seen while riding the Tomorrowland  Transit Authority Peoplemover. As for food, I enjoy having a meal of any type, though it's generally a burger at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe, mostly so I can enjoy the musical stylings of Sonny Eclipse.

So there you go, my favorites. What are some of yours?

This article was originally posted on The Disney Exchange.

Walt Disney World Pop Up Book from Hallmark

A Fun Filled Visit to Walt Disney World with Mickey Mouse: A Hallmark Pop-Up Book.

..

By Nick

Like much of my collection, I cannot recall when and where I got this book. It’s copyright is 1972.

It isn’t in the best condition, with stains and tape marks, but the pop-ups all work pretty well.



Our first pop-up is the Ferry Boat to the Magic Kingdom. But that isn’t how we are getting to the park.



We’re taking the Monorail with Mickey. Lift the door tab, and Mickey gets on board.

Interestingly, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea has been reduced to just “Submarine Voyage” here. There is a rotating wheel that rotates and shows wreckage, treasure and sea life.





Next, the Country Bear Jamboree pop-up.



It’s a Small World. Pull the tab on the right, and the drummer drums while the camel nods in unison.

The Mad Tea Party. pull the tab to see Mickey “Spin”. On one side he’s smiling, on the other, he looks as if he may be ill, which is the same reaction I have as this ride goes on.



A Jungle Cruise pop-up.



The Mickey Mouse Revue, which was housed in the space that is now home to Mickey’s PhilharMagic. Pull the tabs and the whole gang rocks out while Mickey orchestrates.



The Swiss Family Tree House. Lift the flap and see the Jungle Cruise Ruins in the distance.
Not very exciting.

Maybe the creator of this book was lulling you into a false sense of security, and then, wham!
Pull the tab on the Haunted Mansion page, and a ghost pops up! Thrilling.



And to cap off a fun filled day at the park with Mickey, fireworks over Cinderella’s Castle.




I hope you enjoyed your time with Mickey Mouse.

The Disney Exchange- Episode 12 Show Notes: runDisney

By Nick 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download  

-Main Topic- Run Disney  

 Photo: Dave Hodges

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

I'll apologize in advance (seems I do a lot of apologizing for the show in these notes every week, and probably for good reason), but this show is about runDisney, and fitness, and health, and I am barely in it. So, for my 2 fans out there, I'm sorry. It's still a wonderful, and, though I hate to admit it, funny show.

-Dave and Lisa discuss their experiences with Disney Marathons, starting with Lisa telling of her completing her first runDisney events, The Glass Slipper Challenge, which consists of Enchanted 10K and The Princess Half Marathon, as well as the 5K (Impressive right?! I'm out of breath just typing it!) in February. Go Lisa!

 
 photos: Lisa Green

- Lisa thought the experience was wonderful.
Not surprisingly, Dave doesn't exactly agree, and they discuss logistics, such as how early one needs to be up to participate in these events, corrals, and the fireworks.

-Dave talks about the Tower of Terror 10 miler which is night event, and the impact that different timed races have on plans.

 
Photos: Dave

-Sweep times, medal types and how heavy they are, medal and clothing etiquette are discussed.

-I tell of my jealousy and desire to participate in at least a 5K or 10K and we talk about running and walking the marathons.

-I ask about costs and what is included in the price. It isn't cheap. Merchandise, the expo, the post run food boxes and the after parties are talked about.

   
Photos: Dave

-The logistics of putting on the races, aid stations, medical, water, the Cast Members, appropriate clothing and the fact Disney donates discarded clothing to charity are discussed.


 Photo: Dave

-Dave and Lisa telling of the euphoria of running up Main Street towards Cinderella Castle as well as crossing the finish line make me commit to doing a 10k with them next February! It will be a Disney Exchange Event!
Registration is in July, so look for updates on our Facebook and Twitter accounts (links below).


 Photo: Dave

Wheel of Distiny : Movies we are most looking forward to this year.

Lisa- Inside Out coming out June 19th
Nick- Avengers: Age of Ultron, May 1st
Dave- Tomorrowland, May 22nd

Thank you for listening, and we look forward to talking to you again soon!

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Disney Vacations, What Happens When the Kids Grow Up?

By Lisa Green

If you’re like me, you dreamed for a long time of the day when you would finally take your children to Walt Disney World for the first time.  You planned and prepped (and saved!) and looked forward to the trip with great anticipation.  When that magical day arrived, do you remember the look on their faces as they discovered all the fantastic reasons you were so excited to take them there?  They see Mickey Mouse in person!  They watch Tinker Bell fly!  They’re mesmerized by the Magic Kingdom’s afternoon parade.  That look of wonder is something that stays with you long after your vacation is over.  It’s a big part of what keeps calling you back and you think – it just can’t get any better than this!

Flash forward a few years.  Now you are a family of seasoned Disney World vacationers.  You get a big kick out of how well your little Disney experts navigate around the parks and how opinionated they are about their favorite rides, attractions, and restaurants.  They even help you plan where to stay and what to eat.  Hopefully, at this point, they’ve each grown to become every bit as big a Disney fan as you are.  You watch them race towards Splash Mountain after rope drop, speak perfect Spanish along with the Monorail announcer, and pose for pictures – maybe even joke around with their favorite characters and you think – it just can’t get any better than this!

A few more years pass in the blink of an eye and suddenly, your sweet little Disney travel buddies are all grown up.  Oh, sure, you still see them as your “children” but they have lives away from home that involve jobs and college classes that put big demands on their schedule.  Finding time for a Disney vacation was once so easy!  Now the logistics are challenging and, lets face it – how could vacationing at Disney World possibly be as much fun now that your children have grown?

Listen to me carefully – this is important.  You may need a little extra planning and creativity to make travel times and transportation work for everyone.  You will worry that it won’t be the same – things that seemed fun to an 10-year-old maybe won’t be as much fun now.  Push those worries aside.  All you’ll have to do is look at their faces – walking on Main Street USA toward Cinderella Castle, waiting – next in line to board Rock’n’ Roller Coaster, jumping into a Doom Buggy or trying not to laugh during the Jungle Cruise, finding out that they are the Rebel Spy or taking that first bite of a Mickey-shaped ice cream bar.  I promise…You will think to yourself – It just can’t get any better than this!

This article was originally posted on the Living a Disney Life Blog.