Disey Dream Girls 178 - EPCOT and Magic Kingdom

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls podcast for show number 178 for Sunday 24th September 2017. If you wish to listen to the podcast, whilst reading this blog, all you have to do is click on the audio player below. Alternatively, our podcast can be found in most places that host podcasts such as iTunes (click here to subscribe) and Stitcher Radio.

 
Coming up on this weeks show, Michelle talks through the days she spent at EPCOT and then the Magic Kingdom.

EPCOT holds a special place in my heart as I love the iconic structure of Space Ship Earth and also the nighttime spectacular of Illuminations. Food and Wine began at the end of August and I will be talking about that in a further show.

 Biggest surprise at EPCOT was the riddiculous waits at Journey in to Imagination - 45 minutes!

During the trip, the first week had glorious weather, however week two was definately wetter! As you can see from the Magic Kingdom picture below. The t-shirt was a purchase from Uniqlo... I bought three in total whilst shopping at Disney Springs. The quality is very good and I liked the quirky designs. 

The park begun its Halloween makeover whilst I was there and I just adore the pumpkins. My top tip is visit later in the day to get a great Mickey floral picture! Also on this trip, I discovered a pathway round the back of Big Thunder and was able to get some great pictures. Just goes to show you can always find something new! 

Whilst this was a busy trip, I made sure I found sometime to relax and enjoy the pool at the Wilderness Lodge.

So I think we will wrap this show up until next time, it is goodbye from us but don't forget to keep up to date with us by ensuring you follow along on all of our social media sites:

Twitter @DisDreamGirls and @JaynePhipps
Facebook - search for Disney Dream Girls
Email - info@disneydreamgirls.com
Instagram Disney_Dream_Girls
If you choose to support us financially (via Patreon) we offer a range of incentives and our eternal thanks for your support. 
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/DisneyDreamGirls 

Disney Dream Girls 177 - Hurray for Hollywood!

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls podcast for show number 177 for Sunday 17th September 2017. If you wish to listen to the podcast, whilst reading this blog, all you have to do is click on the audio player below. Alternatively, our podcast can be found in most places that host podcasts such as iTunes (click here to subscribe) and Stitcher Radio.
 
Coming up on this weeks show, Michelle continues her trip report by hopping over the Disney Hollywood Studios. You will recall Michelle was very sceptical about being able to spend a whole day in this park. However, nothing was further from the truth and in fact she spent a further morning there too! During the day she discovered lots of little gems to spend her time enjoying. So lets join her at the beginning of her day...

I am not very good at this attraction!

Like many visitors to DHS, my day began in the queue for Toy Story Midway Mania. Whilst my skills on this attraction are seriously lacking (yes I know there are websites with hints on them), I always enjoy visiting and enjoying this attraction at least 3 or 4 times a trip. Funnily on this trip, during my first game I got the identical score to Tom!

Hollywood Tower of Terror

Spooky interior

Throughout the morning we rode our favourite attractions, Tower of Terror and Star Tours multiple times and I managed a snack stop. Alas on my first trip to the park there were not any carrot cake cookies! This meant I had to make a subsequent trip later in the holiday to find one. We watched the march of the first order - very impressive and it was easy to get a good viewing spot for with just a few moments to spare. 

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cookie

Snowman Cuddles

Lunch was at Sci Fi Diner - a favourite eatery of ours. Tom had the BBQ burger and it was delicious as ever. Top tip, if you do not like your burger under cooked (i.e. pink in the middle) ensure you tell your car hop! I had the Mickey Check Meal of salmon and I asked for mash instead of rice. It was delicious and quite a big serving too (I'd estimate around 3-4oz for the fish). 

Sci Fi Diner Interior

Star Lord and Groot Meet

After lunch we shopped, went to the Muppets attraction and managed to see the Music of Pixar Live. This was a limited run production in the theatre where Beauty and the Beast is shown earlier in the day. On the podcast, I share the audio from the UP segment - it brought tears to my eyes. 

The Music of Pixar Live

ABC Commissionary Chicken and Ribs Combo

We kept ourselves busy with some character meets - the Star Lord interaction was particularly good and I can highly recommend. We spent a lot of time in One Man's Dream as we knew it was about to be changed into Walt Disney Presents. 

The amazing Butterfinger Cupcake

One Man's Dream

The evening came around very quickily and we were able to get a front row standing spot for Disney Movie Magic. This was shown at 8.40pm and was a ten minute journey through the live action movies in Disney's back catalogue. Then at 9pm the Galactic Spectacular began. It was fantastic. Screen projections, lasers, fire and fireworks. A great show to wrap up our DHS day!

Star Wars Galactic Spectacular

So I think we will wrap this show up until next time, it is goodbye from us but don't forget to keep up to date with us by ensuring you follow along on all of our social media sites:

Twitter @DisDreamGirls and @JaynePhipps
Facebook - search for Disney Dream Girls
Email - info@disneydreamgirls.com
Instagram Disney_Dream_Girls
If you choose to support us financially (via Patreon) we offer a range of incentives and our eternal thanks for your support. 
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/DisneyDreamGirls 

Disney Dream Girls 176 - A Fabulous Start To A WDW Trip

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls podcast for show number 176 for Sunday 10th September 2017. If you wish to listen to the podcast, whilst reading this blog, all you have to do is click on the audio player below. Alternatively, our podcast can be found in most places that host podcasts such as iTunes (click here to subscribe) and Stitcher Radio.
 
Coming up on this weeks show, Michelle and Jayne start to review Michelle's sixteen day trip to Walt Disney World. 

Upon arrival at MCO, Michelle collected her car hire and drove over to Walmart for provisions before heading onwards to her new home for her holidays - Wilderness Lodge. For those of you that have not stayed in the DVC part of this resort, the rooms are very conveniently located and spacious.  There is a bath with shower and a toilet, a single basin and wardrobe area, a kitchen area, table with two chairs, two seater sofa and coffee table plus the bed. We had a small balcony with two chairs and a small table with great views.

The view from room 2505

Spacious Room

As it was still only late afternoon, we decided to use the handy boat transportation over to the Contemporary and then the monorail to the Polynesian. We ate at Captain Cooks and had a Magic Band issue where it would not let me pay for my dinner! Disney kindly took care of it for me and I must admist, my meal of chicken skewer with pineapple (ordered from the kids menu) was delicious and filling.  After that we retired for the evening.

Kids Meal of Chicken and Pineapple Skewer

Pulled Pork with Chips

In the morning we were up early and using extra magic hours to get into Animal Kingdom early. In hindsight we should have probably rope dropped Flight of Passage rather than heading for the safari. However, we enjoyed our journey and had some great animal sightings. 

We rode Everest and then ventured to Pandora. The scenery is breathtaking! We rode the Navi River Ride. However, I was a little underwhelmed by it. After enjoying a few favourites and meeting up with the lovely Deborah Wolfe. Our lunch was at the Satuli Canteen and the freshness and quality of the food was fantastic. We then left the park to get ready for our California Grill dinner reservation.

Top is the beef bowl with potato hash and bottom is kids chicken with kale

We arrived at the California Grill a little early and excited about eating a delicious meal but also it being somewhat of a romantic start to our holiday. Alas, as I describe on the podcast this was not the case. Whilst the food was delicious, the atmosphere was more reminiscent of a food court rather than a signature dining establishment. 

Kids Menu Grilled Beef

Adults Menu Steak

So I think we will wrap this show up until next time, it is goodbye from us but don't forget to keep up to date with us by ensuring you follow along on all of our social media sites:

Twitter @DisDreamGirls and @JaynePhipps
Facebook - search for Disney Dream Girls
Email - info@disneydreamgirls.com
Instagram Disney_Dream_Girls
If you choose to support us financially (via Patreon) we offer a range of incentives and our eternal thanks for your support. 
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/DisneyDreamGirls

Disney Dream Girls 175 - Touring DHS in Star Wars Style

Welcome to the show notes for the Disney Dream Girls podcast for show number 175 for Sunday 3rd September 2017. If you wish to listen to the podcast, whilst reading this blog, all you have to do is click on the audio player below. Alternatively, our podcast can be found in most places that host podcasts such as iTunes (click here to subscribe) and Stitcher Radio.
Coming up on this weeks show, Michelle is joined by Scott and Tracey, from the Disney Indiana Podcast and they share details about the Star Wars Guided Tour they took in May 2017.

Disney Indiana

This is a bi-weekly podcast, where your hosts Tracey and Scott take you to Disney, Indiana and discuss books, movies, music, theme parks, video games and lots more in the Disneyverse that catches their eye. They’ll share audio clips, interviews and other surprise along the way. If you enjoy all aspects of the Mouse, go hang out in Disney, Indiana.

Having met Scott and Tracey I can quite honestly say they are the most adorable, lovely couple. So go and give their podcast a listen!  To find Disney Indiana podcast, visit their website http://disneyindiana.com/

Star Wars Tour
The cost of the tour is currently $121.12 for children and adults and this does not include tax. Children under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by an adult. Separate theme park ticket is also required. It is an outdoor walking tour hence dress appropropriately. 

This tour offers VIP access to a lot of the Star Wars themed elements available in the studios. Scott and Tracey will walk you through on the podcast the tour and what they did, however this is an overview (correct as of the date Tracey and Scott did the tour):

• Watch a screening of the movie, Star Wars: Path of the Jedi 
• Discover about the last flight to Endor
• Follow behind the March of the First order and then, from a reserved viewing area, watch the  live stage show—Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away.
• If you have children (aged 4-12 only), the ability to enrol them in Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple
• Ride into hyperspace aboard a Starspeeder 1000 on Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
• Have a Star Wars-inspired meal at Backlot Express
• Meet Chewbacca and Kylo Ren Character Greeting and possibly even BB8
• Look around saga-centric exhibits featuring replica props, models, concept art and artifacts at Star Wars Launch Bay
• Up to September 30, 2017 join other guests at the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party
• Enjoy a reserved viewing of Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular nighttime fireworks event
• Take home gifts include a Chewbacca stein and keep sake themed name badge. 
  

That is a very extensive list! The tour lasts seven hours and whilst lunch did seem a little too long, Scott and Tracey were impressed by the content that was in the tour and felt the value for money was definately there, especially as the dessert party had a free bar and alone is over $60! Have you done this tour? What were your thoughts? If not, perhaps we have persuaded we to give it a try!

So I think we will wrap this show up until next time, it is goodbye from us but don't forget to keep up to date with us by ensuring you follow along on all of our social media sites:

Twitter @DisDreamGirls and @JaynePhipps
Facebook - search for Disney Dream Girls
Email - info@disneydreamgirls.com
Instagram Disney_Dream_Girls
If you choose to support us financially (via Patreon) we offer a range of incentives and our eternal thanks for your support. 
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/DisneyDreamGirls