Show Notes Episode 44

Hello and welcome to the show notes for episode 44 of The Minnie Minxes Disney Podcast. You will find the show on iTunes under touringplans.com Podcast Network. Alternatively there is a direct player available on their website http://podcast.touringplans.com

In this episode we take a close look at safety and we discuss some recent happenings in the happiest place on earth where guests have been hurt.

We have also been fortunate enough to get some author signed editions of the newly published WDW with kids 2014. If you wish to win one of these books; follow us on twitter and follow @lilianeopsomer as we both will be tweeting a competition question. When you have both answers send a direct tweet to us Minxes and you never know the book could be on its way to you!

Next episode, will be out 14th October 2013 and is entitled Adventures by Disney Girls... intrigued? Well it is an amazing trip report about an Adventures by Disney trip.

Minnie Kisses

Kimmie and Michelle xx

Back from the magic

The jet lag has sunk in along with the post Disney blues. Yes folks I am back from my travels to Walt Disney World and what a fun packed trip it was. From meeting friends of new, and old, to new experiences to re-visiting old favourites; the holiday had it all.

Whilst I am not going to share everything with you right now, I hope this will give you a taster of some of the things that are ahead on the next episode of the podcast, episode 43 due out on 16^th September 2013.

Originally I had planned out this holiday to be part parks and part Disney cruise, in fact I had shared some cruise planning with you all when we had the lovely Passporter Moms on the podcast. However due to personal reasons, I decided to cancel the cruise. In its place I added seven nights to the existing post cruise one night at the Art of Animation Resort.

So the plan was set for a pure fourteen days of Disney park hopping. No plans to visit Nasa, Universal or in fact no plans to step off Disney property. So one would think… hmm bet you managed to do every single park ride and attraction – wrong! I still didn’t manage that! Main reason being, well both weeks were incredibly hot and humid and I had some distractions from park time.

The first was meeting and spending the afternoon with Disney former “friend of” Merlin, author, park historian – Jim Korkis. This had to be the highlight of my holiday. We recorded two podcasts, which I can’t wait to share with you.

Another distraction led to my escape off property to Theme Park Connections in Winter Gardens. Now I know many of you know about this amazing treasure trove of Disney goodies but if you don’t – prepare to! I managed to purchase a Hollywood Tower hotel bell hop/cast member costume for more information visit Theme Park Connections

When I did get to the parks I made sure I used my time effectively. I had researched using the crowd calendars on touringplans.com Now I know we are part of their podcast network and you my question my impartiality on promoting them however well before we were network members I have enthused about their amazing data rich site. For a mere $11.95 you can get access to which park will be the best to visit and also estimated and live submitted attraction wait times. Add $3.95 to cover Universal Orlando and for the trilogy add on Disneyland, California for $4.95 but it gets better. We can give you the discount code “Minxes” to get you 20% off! Visit Touring Plans

So guys… prepare yourself for a wealth of Disney reviews, in park stories and top tips!

Day Five

Day five is another park hopping day with the opportunity of extra magic hours at the Magic Kingdom I can’t resist a trip to hopefully get some shots on Main Street without the crowds.

As New Fantasyland has been toured in depth, this morning will start with Haunted Mansion and then Pirates. Unfortunately the Jungle Cruise is closed, insert massive unhappy face right here right now!

Lunch is going to be over at EPCOT and I am trying out Teppan Edo. I have heard really good things about this place and the menu reads really well. Plus it makes really good value on the dining plan as you all know I like to get the highest cost meals to really make the dining plan work! No doubt I will hit some character meet and greets and try to catch some good interactions before walking back to the monorail.

One thing this trip I am also trying to do is eat more at the resorts, especially counter service so today I will be trying out Gasparilla Grill over at the Grand Floridian. I love just sitting in this resort and relaxing and have already eaten in two of their eateries but this will be a new addition. Tonight also sees the first time I will be able to properly see wishes from my favourite personal spot on Main Street.

Bye bye day five!

Day Three

So I am currently in WDW and no doubt happily having a dole whip float as I type! However it set me thinking, what preparations do people make prior to their trips? I know I do quite a bit so I thought, over the next few days, I would share and if I have missed anything, please please please tweet or email me to help fill in the blanks!

An early start as I head over to the Magic Kingdom for a day starting with New Fantasyland. I can't wait to see the changes from twelve months ago. I have tried to avoid all others talk of the refurb and changes to make it feel fresh and new when I visit. As I saw it last time the twin Dumbo spinner had opened, Casey Jr, The Barnstormer and the train station all had opened so there is quite a lot to see. I'm a little unsure of how to attack the attractions. I have optimised a touring plans tour and have their data led attraction schedule so I will see how I fare with that. 

The thing I am looking forward to on day three is the evening meal at Be Our Guest Restaurant. I'm so excited. Will I get the grey stuff or won't I? Will I get to meet the beast, a character I haven't yet met? I cant wait. Whichever wing I end up in I don't mind as later in the holiday I intend to go back and each at the counter service so I can always eat in the other. 

To end day three I have reserved viewing for Wishes. Not sure about whether this will offer a good view or not, but it was part of the deal I got with Disney when I made my reservation so I will see!

Day Two

So I am currently in WDW and no doubt happily having a dole whip float as I type! However it set me thinking, what preparations do people make prior to their trips? I know I do quite a bit so I thought, over the next few days, I would share and if I have missed anything, please please please tweet or email me to help fill in the blanks! Where do you go to on your first day? It has been a tradition to always go to Animal Kingdom so that will be my first stop. 

 

So after several rides on Everest, a safari and a rapid ride it will be off to flame tree BBQ for the most delicious meal of St Louis style ribs mmm. No doubt some pottering around, shopping and admiring the surroundings the call of the bargains will have kicked in so it will be off to the outlets! I hate these shops with a passion but the savings are great though I don't want to spend a long there. It's kinda like a military operation... 

Then I have to visit the Magic Kingdom, caught a boat to the Wilderness Lodge and eat dinner at the Whispering Canyon before heading back to the Kingdom just to soak up the atmosphere. There you have it... day one!

Show Notes Episode 40

Hello and welcome to the show notes for episode 40 of The Minnie Minxes Disney Podcast for August 5th 2013, entitled Girls, Monsters and U! You will find the show on iTunes under touringplans.com Podcast Network and it is available from 5th August 2013 from around 8.30am EST.

The big Pixar offering of the year, which unless you been hiding under your duvet and missed all the PR, is Monsters U. So we thought we would talk a little about the film, how it fits with Monsters Inc, it's in park presence and also of course our views on it. So for a start, why not visit the campus over at http://monstersuniversity.com/edu/ Here you will be able to make your own id card! With use of the official trailers, facts from the fabulous Ciarán and opinion from us, this episodes gives you everything you need to know - but it does have a couple of spoilers, so watch out!

Then on the show, we talk about some of the Monsterous Summer tie-ins in the park where us theme park fans can re-live the film. However, key word - summer. How on earth do people cope in the hot hot hot humid heat of Orlando during July and August?Well fear not these Minxes, along with top tips from our listeners, offer some ideas to keep cool and away from the sick bay. If you want to share any we missed, please tweet us @theminnieminxes for a shout out on a future show too!

Anyway, hope you enjoy the show. Remember one half of our duo is over in WDW 18th August to 1st September and if you are around drop her a tweet and arrange a meet up... sssh don't tell everyone but there are some minxie goodies going too!

Before we sign off, a quick mention... if you want to buy anything from Amazon.com please use the link on this page, even if you don't want to buy any of the books we recommend. It doesn't cost you any extra but what it does, is that Amazon gives us a % in a commission (and we all like to take the £ or $ from these big companies). This helps us with running costs of the show, we would really appreciate it.

Minnie Kisses

Kim and Michelle x x

Show 35 Notes and Giveaway

This podcast episode saw us joined by guests Jeff Dixon and Jayne Phipps and we reminisced about an attraction from the past, The Skyway. Then Kim and I thought we would have a calorie free tasting of all our favourite foods to eat at WDW. We have linked a competition to this so read to the end of this blog to find out more!

Skyway Feature 

This fabulous gondola lift attraction delivered and delighted guests as they were transported from Fantasyland to Tomorrowland. Since it's closure in 1999 there has been many a debate over why it closed; join the girls, with budding Disney historian and author, Jeff Dixon, and self confessed Disney holiday-holic Jayne Phipps as they chat through what it was, the benefits and some secrets of the 'buckets in the sky'.

Toon Town - Gone But Not Forgotten!

Top Six Foods in Walt Disney World 

This was supposed to be the quintessential list of twelve delectable delicacies neither of the Minxes could manage without tasting during their Disney holidays. However in true Minx fashion they added in a lot lot more than six each! The list is below for you to revisit and please email them yours!

Kims' List

Turkey Leg, Kims' preferred location - Turkey Leg Cart, Frontierland $10.25

Chocolate Milkshake, from places such as Sci Fi Diner $4.69

Sparkling volcano cake, Rainforest Cafe, Animal Kingdom $13.99

"The Famous" Kitchen Sink, Beaches and Cream $26.99

Cobb Salad, The Hollywood Brown Derby, Disney's Hollywood Studios $15.00

Anything Mickey Mouse head shaped! Available mostly anywhere!

Ciarán with a turkey leg and Briony with a pretzel

Michelles' List 

Melty cheese and mushrooms from the fixings bar at Pecos Bills free when purchasing a meal

Kona Kone from the Kona Cafe at the Polynesian $6.49

Chocolate peanut butter cupcake from Starring Rolls, Disney's Hollywood Studios $3.99

Fresh fruit and nutella waffle sandwich, Sleepy Hollow $6.39 (served 11am-5pm only)

Dole Whip Pineapple Float, Aloha Isle, Adventureland, Magic Kingdom $4.99

Raisin oatmeal cookie ice cream sandwich, Discovery Island Ice Cream, Animal Kingdom $4.49

Giveaway 

If you wish to buy any of Jeff Dixon's amazing books, which are part fact part Disney fiction, use our affiliate links to the side of this post however we have a signed copy to give away too... send us, via email, your top six foods you like to eat in WDW and why. We will choose the best list and send a copy of Jeff's Book Key To The Kingdom to you!

See you for podcast 36 out on 10th June 2013

Minnie Kisses

Kim and Michelle xx

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