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Secrets of Disney Springs at Walt Disney World · Ear Scouts Podcast

• Rob: In this episode of the Ear Scouts podcast, we're sharing our favorite secrets about the one part of Disney World that we hardly ever talk about. We're talking about Disney Springs. And let me tell you, there are so many things that you can see and do and eat at Disney Springs. This is going to be a jam-packed episode, and we're so excited to share these secrets with you. We got a lot to cover, so let's get to it. Hi ho everybody, this is Rob with Ear Scouts coming to you from our makeshift studio here in Celebration, Florida. I'm joined as always by the other half of Ear Scouts. Eric. Hi ho, Eric. Erick: Hiho everyone! Rob: Eric is going to be keeping up with the live chat over on Patreon. If you'd like to join us live as we record each of these episodes and take part in the Patreon exclusive after party, head on over to patreon.com forward slash Ear Scouts. Also joining us from the great state of Connecticut, where she is the host of Jessica Scraps on YouTube. It's our good friend Jessica. Hi ho, Jessica. Jessica: Hi ho everyone. Rob: I you've got the a beautiful Ear Scouts t shirt. For those who are not watching on on YouTube, I think that's like the largest Ear Scouts logo we could have managed to fit onto a T shirt. And it it looks lovely. Thanks for Jessica: It works. I've gotten lots of comments today. It's good for advertising. Rob: Well, thanks for advertising the channel. And if you haven't seen us over on YouTube, we're not just where you listen to your podcast, we also have our own dedicated YouTube channel. And you can find it easily at earscouts.com forward slash podcast. Also joining us from the great state of Indiana is our resident Disney trivia guru, Quizmaster Craig. Hi ho, Craig. Craig: Iho everybody. Rob: I heard it was really stormy up there earlier. Has the storm passed? Things calmed down? Craig: I think we're in a lull right now. Hopefully it'll last for the next hour or two while we're recording, but I think there's another wave coming. keeping the fingers crossed. Rob: So you're in the eye of the storm. Well, hopefully we will be able to keep Craig for the entire episode. but Craig: haha Rob: if he vanishes, then you know it's it's because there's some stormy weather in Indiana. well, let's jump right into our main topic today because we made a list, we we all kind of brainstormed and thought about our favorite things that people might not know. Are happening or available at Disney Springs. And these lists got really long, really fast. There is so much stuff to cover at Disney Springs. And so I want to jump right into the very first one on my list. and that is that there's a lot of customized things that you can get when you go to Disney Springs. For example, if you were to go to the Coca-Cola store. you would find a section of the Coca-Cola store where they do these customized cans. you can use kind of a touch screen and you can put your name on a can or you can put a message to someone on a can. There's like little clip art things you can put on the can. but this is just kind of one of many things you can customize at Disney Springs. If you were to go to the Lego store, you can get a custom minifig. Of yourself or someone that you know and love. You could also go to the MM store and get custom MMs. You can put little messages on the MMs. and my favorite thing, and this one is is kind of inside baseball, but if you go to the Arebus Brothers store, so they have lots of things there that are meant to be customized, and you can buy them and you know they'll customize them for you right there. But What a lot of people don't know is that they oftentimes will have a master engraver. His name is Axel. And if Axel is there, he can often customize things that they don't sell at Arebus Brothers. So let's say you got a pocket watch, you know, at the jewelry store there in Disney Springs, or you got something else that you really wanted engraved. he can't always do it, but he'll take a look at whatever it is that you have. And if he's not there, they're gonna say, well, maybe come back when Axel is here. And Axel Jessica: Mm. Rob: will let you know if we can do that Craig: You Rob: for you. but ask for Axel. He's he's the the the star engraver there. And I've gotten some cool engraved gifts done there that I didn't purchase at Arebus Brothers. So lots of customized stuff. And if that's what you're looking for, as a souvenir or a gift, Disney Springs is a great place to find it. Jessica, why don't you share the first item on your list of secret things at Disney Springs that folks might not know about? Jessica: Mm-hmm, just kind of piggyback on yours at the Coca-Cola store and say that about once a month, it used to be much more often, and now you kind of have to call, but there is a meet and greet at the Coca-Cola store with the Coca-Cola Bear. so if you get lucky, he is available there. there's a special room that you can go into and actually meet him. Unfortunately, it seems like they've kind of decreased the time that he's there, but call ahead. they give you a phone number on the website that you can call. And you may get to do a special meet and greet there at the Coca-Cola store. Rob: I I have to say I've tried calling that number multiple times and I've never had any luck getting no one anyone to answer it. But Craig: Hahaha Jessica: Well Rob: they do they do publish the number for you to call. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Jessica: They publish the number. It might just be random. And so if you're you're really lucky, you might get a picture with the Coca-Cola bear. I will see the way to guarantee a picture with the Coca-Cola bear is the Coca-Cola Museum in Atlanta, Georgia. So just Erick: Mm-hmm. Jessica: a shout out to Atlanta. If you're in Atlanta, go there. But sometimes he travels down south and you can get a picture with him. Rob: Absolutely. I love the world of Coca-Cola in Atlanta. It's really cool. Definitely worth a side trip if you're driving down to Orlando from up north. Craig, what is the first item on your list of Disney Springs secrets? Craig: Okay, so as the historian of the group, which I guess is a nice way of saying the old guy, I just want to talk about some of the history of Disney Springs. And it first opened in 1975 as a Lake Buena Vista shopping village. And there's still some of the original buildings that were built in 1975 that still exist and there's still how some of them like pin traders that octagon building in the marketplace side, the Disney co-op. Days of Christmas, the art Disney, all those buildings were like original and they're still using them. A lot of people think World of Disney was original. It's not actually. They actually built that building to match the other architecture when they added World of Disney, when they built up, when it changed to downtown Disney. But yeah, I just think it's so cool to like look at old pictures and see the buildings there and then like see they're still there and they haven't changed much. Except for the, Rob: Yeah. Craig: you know, people who run it. Rob: I've seen I've seen YouTube videos. In fact, I do recommend to you a friend of ours with all years. his name is Breed Love. He did a history of Disney Springs video that's great. So if you're interested in learning more about the history, I definitely recommend checking that out on YouTube. and Eric, you actually had a really fun secret to share about the pin store. That's there. What is what is the secret that you have to share with everyone? Erick: what I wanted to share with all of you is that you can become the honorary Pintrader of the day. They're at the Pintrader store. As you may know, like it's going to happen randomly. There are like ways for you to increase your chances to get picked. I mean, you must be wearing something related to you can be wearing your lane yard or you can just... your luck can increase if you're a little one being very excited about pins and a cast member will choose you, they will ask you to choose from their selection of pins that they have in the store and they will display it right there by the register so yeah, it's a cool little thing that you can... If you're lucky enough, you will get chosen for it. Rob: But you really have to be there early, right? I mean, you kind of have Erick: yes. Rob: to be one of the first people in. So if you wanna be the person who's doing the pin of the day, you kind of need to show up shortly around time they open. Erick: Pretty early in the day, yes. Rob: Yeah. Well, that's a cool little fun thing that especially I think if you have a little one who loves pins, that would be a really cool thing for them to get to experience. I do want to ask our friends on Patreon if you have some lesser-known things about Disney Springs or some of your favorite things to do there. Let us know in the chat. And Eric will be adding those secrets into the conversation. my next Disney Springs secret is probably the one that I get most excited about when I partake in, and that is hot cookie hour at Gideon's. I don't do it very often because it's a definitely an indulgence, but Gideon's is the legendary cookie store that's there at Disney Springs. it's got beautiful interior design there. It feels like you're in it's a very heavily themed and it's kind of themed in kind of a gothic I would say it's like gothic meets childlike kind of i if imagine if there was like a seven-year-old boy who was really into goth stuff and had an unlimited budget to design his bedroom. That's kind of what you're walking into. it's a very cool space. but for one two hours a day. So it's it happens first, the first time it happens is from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. And then it happens again from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. if you are in the store at those times, you can get a hot cookie. Fresh from the oven. It's only gonna be the chocolate chip. They don't do the other varieties this way. but it's their classic chocolate chip with sea salt. It is delicious and it is even better when it's hot, and they serve it with a big scoop of locally made ice cream on top. here's the thing though: Gideon's has always a crazy long line, unless you just happen to be there right when they open. The line is is crazy. So what you need to do. You need to go and talk to one of the cast members who's working there at Gideon's and ask them when is the right time for me to get in line today if I want to do hot cookie hour? Because it's not going to be right at the time for hot cookie hour. You need to kind of be there a little bit in advance. And they're going to have an idea based on how busy it is that day, how far in advance. You need to be there to give you a sense of how busy it gets. In most cases, you can't even just get in the line. In most cases, you have to get added to a list and then they text you when you're allowed to get into the line. So it's definitely challenging to to line things up with hot cookie hour, but it can be done and it's worth the effort. Jessica, what is your next secret of Disney Springs? Jessica: So I'm gonna take us over to the boathouse and I'm gonna talk about they have a lovely drink that comes with a rubber duck in it. And for a long time, I thought this was the only way I could get a plastic animal at Disney Springs. But it ends Craig: You Jessica: up that many, many, many of the restaurants, the boathouse is one of them. They have a lovely kind of duck drink, but many of the restaurants like eat. And like T-Rex and Rainforest Cafe and Wolfgang Puck all have ON Polite Pig all have little plastic animals that come in alcoholic drinks. And there is a crawl of going to get all the little plastic animals if you would like them. And it's a lot of fun. It adds a little something to your different Disney trips if you go. And t this trip you want to try to get the pig. And this trip you want to try to get the alligator. and there's a shark at T Rex. So there's a donkey at Frontera Casina. So there's a lot of different things you can get. And I just think that's a fun little hidden gem that started with a duck. It all started with a duck. So Rob: Mm-hmm. Craig: Hahaha Rob: Craig, what is your next secret of Disney Springs? Craig: OK, so I'm going to talk about a restaurant. I a lot of people sleep on and that is Enzo's Hideaway. Now there's two restaurants with Enzo's name on Maria and Enzo's and then Enzo's Hideaway. Enzo's Hideaway is kind of surprisingly. It's very much a speakeasy vibe. It's like you're going down into a basement. No windows. It's just a really cool atmosphere. It's a great place to. get appetizers also. mean, if you're a tapas lover, even though it's not a tapas restaurant, they have a lot of small plates and that's pretty much all I've ever done when I've eaten. I don't know if you've had a full entree there, but yeah, if you're up for like drinks and apps, that is literally one of my favorite places. It's nice and cool. It's usually pretty quiet too. So it's, you, if you're looking for a little escape from the craziness that can be Walt Disney World, I'd highly recommend. And so it's hideaway for that as well. Rob: It's really interesting too, because we've eaten at Marie and Enzo's and it was fine. It wasn't really anything to write home about. And then we went to eat at Enzo's Hideaway and it was significantly better. Like it was one of my favorite Italian meals at Disney. Same kitchen. Same, it's the same, same owners. They their foods come out of the same kitchen. But I I agree. Enzo's is the is the secret if you want a really good Italian. Craig: I've never done Maria and Enzo's either, I've honestly I've never heard anything great about it. I've heard good, but never like, must do's. Rob: Yep. Eric, do we have any secrets or or suggestions from our friends on Patreon? Erick: We have a suggestion from Paula, this is related to Gideons She says that they need a hot now neon sign like Krispy Kreme Rob: I agree. although I think that would cause the already crazy line to get even crazier. so but if things ever slow down at Gideon's, I think that they should definitely employ the hot now sign. Jessica: Ha ha ha. Rob: So my next secret is also at the boat house, which Jessica was talking about earlier. so at the boathouse. They have this thing called the Amphicar. and it's it's like you probably see it if you've been at Disney Springs and you've seen what looks like classic automobiles driving around the the the lake there. that is the Amphicar. And when you purchase tickets to ride in the AmphaCar, that is they're they're a little on the expensive side, but if you dine at the boathouse first, you're going to get a coupon. on your receipt, on your bill. And it's going to save you some money on the Ampicar. So if you're planning to do the Amphicar, plan to eat at the boathouse first and save a little dough. The other thing that I would like to share about the boat house, this is something that a lot of people think they don't do anymore. I talked to a lot of folks who's like, I don't even think they do that anymore. In fact, the host at the host stand was like, yeah, I think we stopped that. And someone else was like, no, we still do it. Craig: You Rob: If you wear a captain's hat to brunch, only works at brunch, but like a boat's cap a boat captain's hat, they will give you a complimentary mimosa for wearing a boat captain's hat to brunch. Jessica: Well, I needed to know this. Rob: yeah. So go for brunch, wear your captain's hat, get your complimentary mimosa, and then head right outside and use your coupon to save some money on the amphicar. Craig: Now, do they just do brunch on Sundays? Do you know? Okay. Rob: It's Saturday and Sunday, I believe. It's not all week. So it's only Saturday and Sunday. and it's only during the brunch hours. so if you check their website, it'll tell you what the hours of brunch are on those days. Jessica, what's your next secret? Jessica: I'm gonna go right next door from the boathouse and go talk about Jock Lindsay's hangar bar. So Jock Lindsay's hangar bar is it looks kind of like, and we're seeing it here, a dive bar, but it is a extremely well-themed to Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Jock Lindsay was the pilot, if you remember, that he ran out to. and it actually has in there real. I'm gonna say artifacts, that's not the right word. Memorabilia is the bet right word from the movies. you can find things in that actually appeared in Raiders of the Lost Ark. and they have wonderfully themed drinks, they have a lot of fun there. And the big thing is typically for Halloween and Christmas, they do Rob: Mm-hmm. Jessica: over-the-top themed presentations and food. They've had the last couple of years a hot chocolate flight. That is a boozy hot chocolate flight that has been to die for. It's amazing. so it's just a lot of fun to go to. And I think people see it and get a little, they think, it's just a little small place, but it's a lot of fun and it's very well themed inside. Also, there's a lot of seating outside, so it's bigger than it looks when you just look at it. Rob: Yeah. If you go when it's cool outside, it's very easy to get a good table because lots of people want to sit outside and you know, there's the kind of quadruples the seating that's there. If you go when it's crazy hot, it is very hard to get one of those inside tables, which is what everyone wants. So I would recommend do like Jessica said, go during the holidays or go Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: during Halloween season when it's cooler and it's super cool to walk through. Craig, what is your next secret at Disney Springs? Craig: OK, well I'm going to talk a little bit about Rainforest Cafe. Now there are two Rainforest Cafes at Disney World. One is at Animal Kingdom Park and then the other one is at Disney Springs, but the one at Disney Springs has a volcano that erupts. And Rob: Ha ha ha. Craig: it's so awesome. It's yeah, if you're watching on YouTube, you can see it right now. yeah, so starting at dusk every half hour on the hour and a half hour, these huge flames just burst out of this out of the. volcano that's sitting on top of the restaurant. I tell you once I was having dinner at paddlefish, is it's it's an old riverboat that they converted into a restaurant sits on the water. We were up the top deck on the outside watching. It's kind of across from Rainforest Cafe, we could feel the heat from the restaurant. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Craig: And it was it was pretty cool. So that that that's that's a top thing. If you're if you're around there, you got to see the volcano. Rob: Yeah. So supposedly it's every 30 minutes on the hour and the half hour. I gotta say though, sometimes I think their schedule's a little bit off, but that's when it's supposed to happen. but yeah, you'll see a big crowd of people there though, with their cameras out, like waiting for the moment it's gonna erupt. It's kind of a big deal. Eric, what are we hearing on Patreon? Any suggestions, tips, secrets for Disney Springs? Erick: We got a suggestion from Alicia. She said that we recently made an appointment at Little World's project and made custom friendship bracelets. Rob: Yeah, that place is really cute. So you you kind of now I'm curious when has anyone here done the little words pr I've never done it, but Do you know if you can you just sort of create your own or is it usually you're creating something on the theme? Jessica: it's just friendship bracelets with little words and dangles and stuff on it, which is really it's it's really fun and it's good for a lot of lot of people and you make your own jewelry, basically. but Alicia's saying you can come up with your own words and designs. it's it's super cute. They also have pre done ones for Disney, I know. yeah. Rob: Mm-hmm. Yeah, that's what I've seen is they they usually advertise like different, you know, like it'll be themed to like if when the Moana live action just came Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: out, like you would see things that were kind of tied to that and that sort of thing. so my next secret is another custom thing that you can get at Disney Springs. And I haven't done this yet, but I really want to because I'm always entranced watching this happen. if you go to the art of Disney, which is Kind of back near the boat dock and where you would exit to go to Saratoga Springs. It's really the back corner of Disney Springs. they have during most of the daytime hours, you won't see this at night, they'll have a Disney artist there who creates custom Disney artwork. So you can pick which characters you want to have in the artwork, and you pay based on whether or not you want it to be black and white or you want it to be in color. how many characters you want, how detailed you want it. but they basically create exactly what you want in your artwork. And if you like, you can watch them make it, which is just super cool. and I think this is one of those that if you have someone who just really loves a specific movie or a specific character, what a special gift to bring them back from Disney World. something that was that was handmade. for them. So I think that's a that's one of my favorite custom things. Jessica, what's your next secret from Disney Springs? Jessica: So this is something I've talked about before, and it's just really quickly, but I just want to make sure everybody remembers that Splitzville has sushi and it's good sushi. Craig: Mm-hmm. Rob: Ha ha ha. Jessica: And I just because I feel like people walk by Splitsville and think if I don't want to bowl, there's no reason to go there. Splitsville's a really good place to go and eat, go to the bar, go get a food, but particularly they have a very diverse sushi menu. And I know people think I'm not gonna get sushi at a bowling alley. You're gonna get some good sushi at a reasonable price at a bowling alley. So I just wanna put that out there. I think people forget about Splitzville for food. And it's actually couple last couple of times we've been to Disney Springs, that's where we've ended up eating. So Rob: I've actually I've never had the sushi there, not a big sushi person, but Craig: Mm-hmm. Rob: all the food I have gotten there, I've always been pleasantly surprised. Like Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: it's definitely the best bowling alley food you're gonna find probably anywhere. Craig: I think I even like the pizza there. Rob: yeah, yeah, that was the thing I had last time I was there. It was very good. Craig, what is your next Disney Springs secret? Craig: Well, talking about dining and I think something a lot of people don't know is that a lot of the restaurants, especially Disney Springs, are available on open table for reservations and they're available before the 60 day mark. So if there's a restaurant you really want to go to, check open table, make sure it's on there. I was going to list them, but it's a huge list. It really is. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Craig: It's almost easier to do the ones that aren't. And one of those is a very popular artsmiths homecoming. However, getting there as a walk up is not as difficult as you might think. Especially you've got the shine bar in the back. If there's open stools there, you're more than welcome to sit there, order off the menu, have a drink or any kind of beverage you like. But yeah, it's it's not as difficult as one might think. Rob: Well, people think it's difficult because whenever you look in the My Disney Experience app, it's all our Artsmith's homecoming, especially for brunch, is always in the no longer available list. Always. Craig: Mm-hmm. Rob: And you hit the nail on the head. It's because some of those reservations are available on open table. So not all of the reservations that are available show up in the Disney app. But like you said, I've never gone to the host stand and asked if there was any availability walk up and and been told no. Sometimes I have to wait a little bit, but I've always been able to eat at Artsmith's. So definitely worth checking out. And it's a great place. It's really good food. Jessica: Mm-hmm. It's very good. And moonshine flight. Rob: Mm-hmm. Yep. Less of a secret, I think. I think a lot of people know about the moonshine flight, but definitely worth checking out. it Jessica: Mm-hmm. That's right. Rob: is it is famous for a reason. Eric, we hearing anything else on Patreon before we move on to our next round of tips? Erick: I have avoided Disney Springs because I think I would just spend too much money on things I don't need. Am I riding off on unique Disney experience? Rob: Well, I'll be honest, I don't usually do a whole lot of shopping at Disney Springs other than the I usually end up getting Disney things that I would have gotten at the parks as well. So I I don't know. I mean, I guess it depends on, you know what you were most excited to shop for because there's definitely some very expensive high end shopping there if that's what you're we're aiming for. So there's like a coach store there, There's there's some Jessica: Think Rob: yeah. Jessica: I think the diff there's a there's a couple of sides to this story, and that is if you Rob: Yeah. Jessica: come from a place that does not have those kinds, if you can if you don't have a Vera Bradley, if you don't have a Unique Lo, if you don't have a a was it Lululaman, Lululemon, whatever it is, Lululemon. Craig: Lululemon. Rob: Lul Lululemon, yeah. Erick: L-Lip, huh. Jessica: Thank you. I'm not I'm not obviously not me. I don't do that, but if you don't have those stores. This is your one opportunity to go. I I have been with people who came with me to Disney and their whole goal was to shop at the different stores at Disney Springs because they do have it's a for people like me where the malls are all gone. There are no malls anymore. This is the one of the last standing malls that has good stores. Rob: Mm-hmm. Jessica: So if you think you're prone to going in those kinds of stores, you will spend money and it's It's not bad. It's just you're getting things you can't get somewhere else. but as far as most of the Disney merch that's there, you can find at the parks, most most of those kinds of things. But the others, the restaurants are the real draw for me, I Rob: Yeah. Jessica: think. The restaurants and then the entertainment, the entertainment options, the bars having music, the nighttime entertainment, the stage entertainment. those kinds of things. But I do agree, if you're one of those people who used to have malls and now you don't have them, it might be a little overwhelming because you're gonna find stores. The first couple of times I went to Disney Springs, I bought a lot of stuff. Because it's just stores I didn't have anymore. Right? Rob: Yeah. Jessica: You just don't have them. And that's it is I love I love Kate Spade and Vera Bradley. Craig: Mm-hmm. Jessica: I love a Kate Spade bag. And I bought like five. It was ridiculous. So Rob: The other thing that you will find that's dangerous, and this is where I have spent money, there's certain stores will have unique Disney themed items Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: that can only be bought at Springs and or can only be bought at very limited numbers of their stores, including Springs. And like coach often has right now there's Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: a there's a wallet, there's a coach wallet, There's actually a whole line of them. They did the different Fab Five characters as wallets and they're Jessica: Well Rob: really, really cute. very pricey, very cute. But Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: Vera Bradley, I feel like, always has a Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: Disney collection. Tommy Bahama is another one that will always have Jessica: yeah. Rob: right at the front of the store a special Disney collection. Even Columbia sports like the the outdoor company, Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: they did a line of raincoats. That were unique Disney raincoats and they had ears built into the hoods. Jessica: Mm. Rob: They were so cute. So yeah, I mean, the more I think about it, yes, Erick: yeah, forget about that. Rob: it is dangerous. There's there's definitely premium merchandise Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: that you might you might think you can't live without. So, but I you gotta check it out at least once. I mean, it's it's a it's a cool destination, you know. I I sp I probably spend more time at Disney Springs than I do at the parks as a local, just because there's so many things to do there and things that you want to go and do again and again. so speaking of there being so many things to do there, my next secret is that you can actually take a cake decorating class at Disney Springs. If you've ever been to Amaretts Petisserie. This is the Disney Run Bake Shop where they do really kind of high-end cakes and pastries and little, they're very artistic. they'll be usually themed to different Disney characters, but sometimes they're just a beautiful little piece of pastry art. they often do also seasonal things. If there's a holiday coming up, they'll usually do something for holidays. But if you go there, you have to have a reservation for this. You can't just walk up and do it. but if you make a reservation, it's gonna be early in the morning before it opens. They do cake decorating classes. It's $199, but that's gonna include your cake that you're gonna get to take with you. you can bring a friend if you want. so up to two people can be included for $199, but you're only gonna have one cake. If you want to do your own separate cakes, it's an extra $50. but I have not yet done this, but it is something that I would like to do at some point because I just think it'd be really cool to learn how to how to make some of the beautiful things that they make there at Amaretz. all right, Jessica, what is your next Disney Spring secret? Jessica: Well, since we're making things, I'm gonna tell you that although there is not a Build-A-Bear, they don't have a Build-A-Bear, they have a very, very unique experience at T-Rex, which is the Build-a-Dino. it's actually the same company as Build-A-Bear. It's the same, owned by the same company, and it's a Build-a-Dino. So if you like the Build-A-Bear concept and you're interested, you can go to T-Rex and build a dinosaur. I know that's a big hit with a lot of kids and it's a lot of fun. So think about that if you've got a kid with you and you know, you used to go I know we used to take the kids to Build a Bears all the time, but build a dyno in T Rex. A lot of fun. Craig: I had never heard that until now. That's very cool. Rob: I didn't either. Jessica: Yeah. Rob: I didn't I didn't know that one either. That's really fun. Jessica: Yeah. I well, you know what? And I my kids are too old now to do that. And also I'm not a big dinosaur fan, but it is so people that I know that have kids, that's a big draw. The build build a bear and build a dino. Erick: They also sell Rob: And I've got a Erick: like a nugget, a dino nugget shirt that I really wanted. And you can only find it at the... Yes, Rob: Ha ha ha. Erick: like it looks cool. I swear it looks cool. Just like that, yes. The dino nugget, yes. Rob: So it's like is it like chicken nuggets that are shaped like dinosaurs? Yeah, yeah. Craig: You Dino-shaped chicken nuggets, that's funny. Jessica: Dinah. Erick: And it looks amazing. Rob: I've heard from multiple people who have picky eaters in their crew that T Rex is always on their must go list 'cause it's Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: I mean, it it if you've got kids who they just want chicken fingers and you know, like it's apparently one of the best spots to get that kind of kid kid approved Jessica: Mm-hmm. One of my friends, Rob: food. Jessica: one of my friends who was not taking a kid. They were just taking adults who are don't necessarily have the most adventurous palates. Best meal they said they had was a T-Rex. And Rob: There you go. Jessica: they picked it on purpose because they knew it had food they liked. And I've only heard good things about it. I will probably never eat there, but I've only heard good things about it. Rob: I'm I'm gonna go. I've gotta check it out 'cause I I'm like you. I hear it it definitely Jessica: Yeah. Rob: it definitely gets better reviews than I would have expected a T Rex themed restaurant to get. Jessica: Mm-hmm. It gets better reviews than Rainforest Cafe for sure for the food. I mean, which I find fascinating. Craig: You Rob: Craig, what is your next secret of Disney Springs? Craig: Okay, my next secret is some secret discounts. So obviously there's a lot of non-Disney merchants at Disney Springs and a lot of them do offer discounts to annual pass holders and DVC members. I'm not going to go in. It's another list that is way too long to go Rob: Yeah. Craig: through. But just go to the website, go to the My Disney Experience app. You can look up what discounts are available for annual pass holders and DVC members. Another thing a lot of people don't know is if you are a DVC or D23 gold member, They actually have 23 % off at Corksickles, Sugarboo, and then Drawn to Life, which is the Cirque du Soleil show. So 23%, I mean, the other discounts, it's between 10 and 20, basically, for dining and merchandise. But 23%, that's a pretty deep discount for Disney. So take advantage of that if you are a gold member. Rob: And and I'll also piggyback onto that. Never pay full price for the Cirque du Soleil tickets. If you just just Google search it before you go, you will be surprised how many there often are different promotional things going on or are ways that you can get a discount on those tickets. So that's that's a there's a lot of stuff at Disney Springs where you don't need to pay pull pick the bill. You don't need to pay full price, especially if you're D V C or annual pass holder or D twenty three. Eric, what do we hear? What are we hearing on Patreon? Do we have some more questions or or secrets to share? Erick: So, well, from Dennis, he wrote, I always feel a bit overwhelmed by Disney Springs. I'm always lost. Don't know what to do. End up just living feeling like I didn't do anything. Any thoughts or suggestions on navigating Disney Springs? Should I have a specific dining reservation and maybe a couple of stores to hit? Windows shopping, a specific experience Rob: Yeah, I think that's a great I mean, I I almost always go to Disney Springs with a mission. I'm almost always going 'cause I know I want to Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: do certain things. And then I encounter other things along the way that I decide I want to do as well. But it is a confusing layout. and there's like always three different ways to get to the same place. And there's lots of things that kind of loop back on themselves and it it is. It's it's it's not a straightforward layout and and it's easy to get lost. I would say though, this is my my suggestion, I'm curious to hear what everyone else thinks, pick at least a dining place that you want to do before you go. and just take a look at the Disney Springs website at all the different stores that are there and maybe choose a couple that are interesting to you that you want to check out. And I think just by knowing that those are your destinations and you go directly to those things, you're gonna pass other things and see other things that interest you. what what does everyone else think? Jessica: The only other thing that I will say is on the My Disney Experience app, if you look at entertainment, the stages are listed under entertainment and you can see what times they'll have music or bands. So I would look if you're interested in entertainment as well as the stores and the restaurants, pre-look at what is on the My Disney Experience app and what time. they have multiple stage shows. There's one in front of the movie theater, there's one in front of World of Disney, and there's one next to the boathouse that's currently under refurbishment, but they've moved that performer in front of the Italian restaurant there. so there is three different places that can have music at least. And I just find that if you'll go and just get a dessert and watch the music, it's just wonderful. Rob: And there's also House of Blues. There's usually there's there's Jessica: I forget about yeah. Craig: Mm-hmm. Rob: usually concerts going on there if you check their schedule in advance. And just in terms of like entertainment stuff, I mean there's the AMC movie theater, we talked about bowling at Splitzville. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: There's the new level 99, which is I I feel like it's it's not escape rooms is not the right I it's not exactly escape room kind of things, but it's more like I don't know, what what would you what do you call that, Jessica? The the Kind of Jessica: It's it's interactive it's interactive puzzles is kind of what Rob: Yeah. Jessica: it is. It's interactive puzzles or games. Rob: That are that are life size. I mean, yeah. Jessica: Yeah, life size, yeah. Rob: And and some of them are brain puzzles where you're kind of trying to figure out, you know, what the pattern is somewhere. Or one of them is actually like these giant foam axes that swing back and forth and you've got to kind of dodge the axes. I mean, there's all kinds of stuff to do in there. so yeah, lots of stuff to do. Mm-hmm. Erick: Also, most of the time you have to dodge the doors that will exit you just because they can smack Rob: Ha ha ha. Erick: you in the face. I'm so careful with that. Rob: Yeah, it I definitely recommend doing level ninety nine early in the day when it's not as crowded. Cause when you if you go there at night when it's crazy crowded, yeah, Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: it's it's it's a madhouse in there. my next secret is that you can get some really cool photo ops for different Disney releases that are coming, or if you want to get a sneak preview, sometimes a Disney movie that's coming out that isn't even out yet, they will have special sneak previews at the AMC theater. On premiere nights when the a big Disney movie is premiering, they will usually have like a red carpet setup where you kind of go down. It's it turns any Disney slash Pixar slash now Star Wars, Marvel, anything that's in the Disney universe is gonna have usually a big pump and circumstance thing happening around it at AMC. So A lot of folks maybe think, well, I'm at Disney World. I don't want to just go see a movie. But I do think if your kids are really excited about a particular Disney movie that's going to come out, it is the coolest way to see a brand new Disney movie, especially if you're there on opening night or there for a sneak preview. A lot of times they'll give away things like pins or extra goodies. So while everyone probably has a movie theater where they are. the fact that it's at Disney and there's all this special stuff that happens around Disney releases there makes it extra special. And so I would say consider that as something you might want to add to your Disney trip. Craig: And I just want to reiterate, I think, you already mentioned about the photo ops. Now, if you can't Rob: Mm-hmm. Craig: make it to the actual premiere, yeah, if you have plans, don't stress it. But if it's a movie you're really interested in, make it to the spring sometime around that time, and they'll have like really cool photo ops with backgrounds and stuff that promote the movie. So if you can't make the whole thing, still try to check it out if it's a movie you're interested in. Rob: Yep. Jessica, what is your next Disney Springs secret? Jessica: I'll just keep talking about photos and just remind everyone that there is a Photo Pass studio. And if you have Memory Maker, the photos you get there are included. the other thing they have at that PhotoPass Studios is actual copies of some of the things that you might want to purchase, ornaments, pin boards, the things that you can get your your photo put on. You can actually see them in real life there, a whole lot of them. So if you were debating if you wanted to get the calendar or if you wanted to get the glass board. You can see a copy of them there at the photo studio. But the photos you take at that photo studio, if you have memory maker, are included and will be downloaded to your to your My Disney Experience app. and they have a green screen. It's a lot of fun. So Rob: They'll they'll always have a green screen, but they'll also have a full set that they've Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: done that will be usually themed to whatever season it is. So they'll they usually go all out for Christmas. They'll have a really cool Christmas themed set that you can get photos in. I think it's one of the best kept secrets of Photo Pass in general, though, that that photo studio is there. because you get really cool shots and the the whole session, I feel like it usually takes like five or six minutes at least. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: they do lots of poses and it it's a really great thing that's included with Photo Pass. Craig, what is your next Disney Springs secret? Craig: Okay, so my next secret is not so much a secret to be honest, but and it's the holidays now we have the Christmas holidays, you know the end of December all that they do a lot. There's a Christmas tree walk that you if you're there for the holidays, that's a must do and lots of stuff for those but I'm saying don't sleep on this minor holidays. Easter they always seem to have something like the stores like MRS especially will have holiday themed treats. even things like Mother's Day, like they're only gonna have something really cool on that day, I think. You could probably talk more about this than I can, Rob. I've only experienced a few, but. Rob: Mm-hmm. Yeah. They I mean, it whether it's a holiday or even just a season, you know, like I know that they'll do in the in the spring around flower and garden time, they'll have like a a citrus kind of like it's almost like a little mini Disney Spring citrus festival, and all the different restaurants will have a special menu item that's celebrating like the citrus harvest in Florida. but yeah, like there's always photo ops for Mother's Day. there's always, you know, pretty much any Hallmark holiday, you can guarantee there's gonna be something happening there at Disney Springs for it. But Christmas is the big one. And one thing a lot of people don't know, if you're here and you're not gonna be able to make it into the parks for whatever reason, Disney Springs is the only place where you can go and see the magical Disney snope fall from the sky. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: at no charge because it's just it it happens there at Disney Springs. And Jessica: I didn't know that. Rob: yeah, yeah. It it's it it's in the main where their biggest Christmas tree is, kind of in the center. it's it's closest to I'm trying to think of what's right there. Well, it's basically the bus station. It's right in front of where all the buses Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: are. and it they'll there'll be music that plays and the snow falls from the sky, and it's really beautiful. But they'll also have roving entertainment, they'll have stilt Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: walkers, they'll have usually they'll have like the the the is it like the piano player, the mobile piano player where it's like yeah. I mean it Jessica: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Craig: yeah, they're there all the time, but yeah, that's definitely one of the coolest things about Disney Springs too. Rob: Yeah, so definitely go there for any holiday and there's gonna be cool stuff to see and do. Eric, anything else from Patreon that we want to share? Erick: from Sherry, she's asking if you could create your perfect business to Disney Springs and money is not object, what would you do? Also Rob: Ha ha ha. Erick: if you are on a budget, what are your recommendations? Craig: Gosh. Wow. Rob: Wow. Well, if money was no object, I would probably go on a high-end shopping spree. That would probably be my my my Disney Springs day for money's no object. and but I'm probably better to talk about doing it on a budget because that's how I normally do Disney Springs. Craig: Mm-hmm, right. Erick: Hahaha Rob: And you've probably heard me say this before. I talk about this place a lot. I think the best value. at Disney is the Polite Pig, the barbecue restaurant that's there at Disney Springs. It is a Michelin recognized restaurant. It doesn't have a star, but it's a quick service spot, so you're not going to get a Michelin star, but they're in the guide as a recommended restaurant. And they are a quick service dining credit on the dining plan. You can go there if you're not using the dining plan. You can go there and get a meal for like usually 25 bucks or less. and it's really good food. even if you are not a big fan of barbecue, their sides are excellent. They have some of the best sides. so I think that's kind of a good, like, hidden gem. A lot of the restaurants, there's a lot of great dining at Disney Springs. I mean, tons of places, but a lot of them are on the pricey side. And so that's why I think. Blight Pig is a great budget spot. The other thing that you could do if you're going to Disney Springs on a budget is just kind of walk around and and plan to sort of enjoy the vibes of Disney Springs. Cause like we've been saying, there's so many things to experience, especially if you're there during a holiday season, that cost nothing. You know, but you can just enjoy the the magic of Disney without. Spending money to enjoy the magic of Disney. What do you think, Jessica, Craig: Mm-hmm. Rob: Craig, you have any suggestions? Jessica: I think for you know, for the high end person, I really there's a couple of really solid high end restaurants. And if money was no option, I probably well, I'm trying to think. Like I would and Boathouse to me is kind of pricey. it can be pricey. Paddlefish is a can be pricey, but and I'm blanking on the name of the the Brazilian. restaurant. yeah, haleo no Rob: Hale you no, Haleo is Haleo's not Brazilian, but it's Craig: Paradiso? Right on, Jaleo? No. Rob: Haleo is I think it's it's Craig: Spanish. Rob: it's yeah, mm-hmm. Yeah, it's tapas. Mm-hmm. Jessica: Spanish, the Tapas restaurant. Yeah, Erick: Thanks for the spam. Jessica: that's the one that I'm thinking of then. The the Haleo. We ate there and it's it was it was high end, but it was worth it. And I think that and they have some amazing wine there. but for budget, I'm just gonna throw out a a City Works recommendation here. City Works, which is on the very other side from most of the stuff we've been talking about, it's down by House of Blues. Their app menu is really solid and they have Rob: Mm-hmm. Jessica: They have very reasonably priced local beer. We usually just get apps and beer there. And it's it's a solid, easy, low cost meal. City Works, just another kind of there's a lot of also small chains. There's Deluxe Burger, there's Blaze Pizza, there's Urla Rob: Mm-hmm. Jessica: Sandwich, there's Eat. Eat is another good one that's low cost. There's a lot of smaller restaurants, but if you want to sit chicken guy, yeah. Rob: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Chicken guy. If you're if you're a fan of Guy Ritchie from Guy Ritchie. Guy Ritchie. That's a different that's different guy. Yeah, Craig: Not Guy Ritchie. Madonna's ex-husband? Jessica: Guy Ritchie? If you're a fan of Guy Richie's Rob: no. If you're if you Jessica: Yeah. Rob: if you're a fan of Guy Fieti, the other famous guy, yeah. he's got a a chicken place. Jessica: Guy Fieti, yeah. Yeah, so there's a lot of there's a lot of different restaurants there, but on a budget is it's I think it's easy to do a budget. You just have to not you have to look for the options. But I think Polite Pig, City Works are some good budget options that are still kind of more unique to Disney Springs. Rob: And I'll second City Works. That's one, it's kind of like got a sports bar vibe. I mean it's it it basically is a giant sports bar. Jessica: Mm. It's a giant sports bar, lots of TVs. Rob: Yeah. And I that's not really my scene. So I had kind of I Eric and I went there kind of for work, essentially, to just say, well, you know, we should try everything at Disney Springs so we can talk about it. So we'll go there and check it out. And we were shocked at how good it was. I mean, the food is really good. and I was I was very surprised. I wasn't expecting it to be such Jessica: Mm-hmm. They have a good brunch too. They have really good brunch, just FYI. Rob: so my next secret of Disney Springs, and this is a good budget option. If you want to do something really unique and really cool that you can only do at Disney, go to Joffrey's. Joffrey's is my one. I probably go to Joffreys every single time I go to Disney Springs. That is a must-do for me. But you can get a Disney character. on your latte at Joffrey's. And they'll have a a whole book usually of different Disney characters you can choose from. And they create latte art on your latte. And I mean we're talking this is a this is a six dollar custom thing that you can do but it'll make a really cool photo for your Instagram or just for your your memory of your trip to Disney World. So get a custom latte at Joffrey's. Jessica, what's your next secret? Jessica: Well, actually humorously, Rachel just asked this question, so I'm gonna answer it. And that is, yes, there are special flavors of Dole Whip. Swirls on the water, they're at Disney Springs, rotates monthly. So every month, Swirls on the Water will have a new flavor of Dole Whip. And it is on my bucket list to catch them all, like the Pokemon, and to actually see all the different, Swirls options. I I haven't been able to. But they have a unique flavor every month and it's only a month. So if there's a flavor you really love and it's June 30th and you go on July 1st, it's gone. I have found Rob: Mm-hmm. Jessica: this out the hard way. So it is one month at a time and they rotate it and lots of fun, interesting flavors, interesting cone combinations and interesting swirls on the water. Rob: Hmm. And if ice cream's your thing, also check out Salt and Straw, which is my favorite ice cream spot at Springs, and they also do every month is a new menu. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: so Craig, what is your next Disney Springs secret? Craig: So my next one is another history lesson. So this is about Morimoto Asia, which is another excellent restaurant. In fact, if money was no object, that's where I'm going. But it used to be a dance club with a rotating dance floor when it was Pleasure Island. And it was called Mannequins. And the night to go was Thursday. because that's when all the Disney cast members got paid and they got in for Rob: Ha ha ha. Craig: free on that night. So it was always packed. was always so much fun. And I got lost on that rotating dance floor more than once. But yeah, it's so much fun going to Morimoto agent. still kind of see, cause it's like three floors. You actually Rob: Mm-hmm. Craig: had to take an elevator to get up to the dance floor in mannequin. but yeah, every time I walk by there, I'm just like, Wow, so many memories from that place. Rob: I to me it's just cra I I I never got to experience Pleasure Island. but it's wild to me that that was that was part of Disney World and that it is it it is where Disney Springs is now. And like you said, so many of the buildings are exactly the same as they were Craig: yeah, it was a lot of fun. I could do a whole episode on that for sure. Rob: Very cool. my next secret of Disney Springs is something that you'll only get to experience if you're there during the winter months. usually this is gonna be early winter, is where you're gonna find this first thing. It's at Savannah B Company. This isn't exclusive Disney Springs. If you f have a Savannah B Company that's near where you live, you can get it there too. but they have this special honey that comes out called winter white honey. And it's only available for like blink and you'll miss it. It's usually at the beginning of winter, is when it'll start to appear. And it is the most magical honey you will ever taste. It's it's it's like a solid, it's almost like a spreadable honey, and it is white, and it just has a flavor that's almost like caramel. It's so rich and delicious. And they will let you sample it there usually when they have it in season, so you can try it before you buy it. The other thing that you should do, though, is go right next door to the ganachery. This is going to be available as soon as it gets cold, and it'll really last until it warms up. And that is the hot ganache. If you've ever seen the movie Chocolat and you see them drinking the fancy drinking chocolate where it's just so thick and rich and it it looks like someone just melted a high end chocolate bar and drank it. That's what this is. I mean it is, it is do not get the large size. They have a small and the large. Trust me, as someone who, yeah, I'll get an extra scoop of ice cream. yeah, I'll get the large, you can't finish it. It's that rich. So just get the small, but hot ganache is a must try if you've never had it. Have you guys had the hot ganache before? Jessica: I think you took us you took me to t get it last time. But we got it Rob: okay. Yeah. Craig: No I have not. Jessica: spiked. Rob: yeah, you can also get it spiked. You can get I think they have Bailey's and they Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: have different options. Kalua, I think, is an option. yeah. But I just have it straight and it's heavenly. Jessica, what is your next Disney Springs secret? Jessica: So I do want to bring up a location that I don't know that a lot of people realize, and that is Wine Bar George. So Wine Bar George is actually the only Master Sommer-led wine bar in Florida. it's won multiple awards. They have some of the best wine selection in all of Florida, and in fact, in all of the South, as far as that goes. And it is, it's an amazing experience. They've added things this year, like you can take a class with George, who's from Wine Bar George, and actually learn, you know, about selecting wine and what makes wine, you know, good wine in different different regions. he was also, I didn't realize, part of the opening team for the California Grill. So he's got a long history with Disney and that wine bar is for an elevated experience is is amazing. the kids tend to like it when we take because they have flaming cheese. You can also got get cheese on fire, which is, you know, an excitement. But they have reasonable priced wine flights as well. So you don't have to spend an exorbitant amount of money to get really good wine. So wine bar George for the win. Craig: Yeah, and here's my tip for wine lovers is they actually offer wine Erick: you Craig: by the ounce. So if Jessica: Mm-hmm. Craig: you want to try things, if you want, if there's a wine you want to try and just want to taste it. You can do that. Just pay for a couple of months. Yep. Rob: And there's actually some news recently. I was just checking this because I remembered seeing it. this was just like ten days ago as we're filming this. Wine Bar George was honored with an award by the World of Fine Wine for having the best short wine list in North America. So that's that's a pretty big, yeah, pretty, pretty Jessica: There you go. It's huge. Yeah. Craig: That's huge. Rob: lofty distinction there. Jessica: If you are a wine person or you just want a place to relax, we tend to go there quite a bit into the night. And there's music typically right on that stage right outside of Wine Bar George. So it's Rob: Yeah. Jessica: really great. Rob: Craig, what's your next tip or secret from Disney Springs? Craig: Okay, so this is one of my favorite dishes at Disney Springs that you can get. Now, personally, one of my favorite foods ever is something spread on top of something else. So I'm going to talk about the bread service at Eat, which is the Indian Rob: Mm-hmm. Craig: restaurant there. It's only a few years old. Now, if you've listened to our podcast here, let's talk about Sana'a a lot and their bread service, which is next level. If you're going to Sana'a and it's at Kadani Village at Animal Kingdom Lodge. highly recommend it. You can watch the animals, the bread service, get it. But if you're on a budget and you're at Disney Springs, the bread service at Eat, in fact the whole menu at Eat, I adore personally because I love Indian food. but yeah, that's a tip. Try the bread service at Eat. You will not be disappointed if you're a bread service kind of person and you like Indian food. Rob: All right. Eric, do we have any other questions or tips from Patreon? Erick: So we were talking about like how they can decorate your coffee in Joffre's Rob: Mm-hmm. Erick: Michael was asking It's a six dollar upcharge for the art or the latte art is free with the latte Rob: No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. I just meant like it costs like six dollars to get a coffee. and I don't I think they might have a very minimal charge to add the latte art, but it's it's not much. It's like 50 cents or it's less than a dollar to add the art. so yeah, what I meant by six dollars was just like the the beverage would be six dollars. Jessica: That's a great clarification. Rob: Yes. Good to good to make sure people know that that you're not paying six bucks just for the art. That's also something if you ever do a Disney cruise, all the the cruise ships, they have different coffee shops on the cruise ships and they can do the same thing. I think they use the same technology to put latte art on your on your lattes at on the cruises as well. So my next secret is something that you may have known existed at Walt Disney World, but you may not have known it existed at Disney Springs because it's a relatively new addition. If you are a big fan of the popcorn that you can get, sort of make your own candied popcorn at Magic Kingdom. It's in the confectioner on Main Street USA. This thing gets a massively long line. It is super popular. They'll have different varieties of popcorn that you can use as your base, and then you can add in different candy toppings like MMs. They'll have savory things like pretzels and different white chocolate and dark chocolate that you can drizzle on top. It's a really delicious treat. But now you can get it at Goofy's Candy Company at Disney Springs. So you do not need a Magic Kingdom ticket. to get your to get your custom popcorn fill. You can do it right there at Disney Springs. No extra charge, other than of course the popcorn mix itself. Jessica, what is your next secret? Jessica: Well, this is maybe not so much a secret, but just a reminder that they do have a guest services and welcome center at Disney Springs. So if you're having issues with your tickets, if you're having issues with your magic bands, if you're having issues with your charges, if you're having issues with reservations, if you're having issues that you might normally go to a blue umbrella for, you can go to the guest services. The other things, there are certain tickets that you have to activate. Before you go to the park. So you may want to, and in fact, I know when I brought my parents for one of their times, we went to Disney Springs first and we got our tickets activated and got their cards and got everything taken care of. So we're not in the line when you're trying to check into the park, getting delayed in that kind of stressful situation. Cause I know when you go first time to, you know, charge in with your magic band or your phone. it it's very it's kind of it's stressful if it doesn't work. So getting that all taken care of at Disney Springs. so just reminder to go there. And I've had issues, I've had all kinds of things that they've just fixed for me. whether it's a question or a reservation. my friend brought her son's magic band instead of her magic band accidentally. And she couldn't figure out why it wasn't working and they were able to finally figure out she had the wrong magic band. So it all kinds of stuff they'll be able to do for you. Rob: Yeah, one thing that's helpful too, if you if you're a new annual pass holder, if you're getting an annual pass for the first time, a lot of times people will want to take advantage of those annual pass discounts, especially on their hotel. Here's the thing, until you've activated that annual pass, you can't use your annual pass for those discounts. So that's one thing that they can do for you there at that Disney Springs location. so if you're Using the annual pass discount for your hotel, stop by Springs first. So you can activate your annual pass and make sure it's gonna work. all right. Craig, what is your next secret? Craig: Okay, so this is kind of a good news, bad news kind of secret. And that's about mobile ordering on the My Disney Experience app. They do offer mobile ordering. Unfortunately, it's only for a few places. And those places are Amaretts Patisserie, BB Wolf's Sausage Company, Goofy's Candy Company, and Deluxe Burger. And only two of those are actually what I would call substantial food, which is the BB Wolf's and Deluxe Burger, the other two are more about sweets. Rob: Mm-hmm. Craig: But I will say I've been there when it's been extremely busy. We were tired. We were hungry. We were cranky. I was in pain because I was in a boot because I messed up my Achilles on one trip and we were saved because we could mobile order at BB Wolf's really quick. Otherwise, you know, it would have been like at least an hour, I would feel, to get into Plight Pig or any of those other places or wait in line at Deluxe Burger because there was no mobile ordering for that by that time, because was, all those were gone. So, yeah, do not forget, never sleep on mobile ordering. Never sleep on that one, no matter where you are, but they do have it at Disney Springs too. Rob: I'm a recent convert of deluxe burger. They have they Craig: yeah. Rob: have really good burgers there. And sometimes like you it's a madhouse there, but mobile order will save will save you so much time if you use that as opposed to trying to wait in the long line to to order there at the restaurant. all right. Well, let's check in with Patreon one final time before we before we wrap up. Do we have any other secrets or questions from our friends on Patreon, Eric? Erick: have a few more questions. So this is from Kate. I love all the different resorts the specific lobby smells and have a big idea that you mentioned somewhere at Disney Springs that sells a sense that evoked the resorts. However, my memory lets me down on where exactly this was, but if it's still there, hell please. Rob: So yes, it is still there. In fact, So that is the place that you're thinking of is called Bose, and they do candles and essential oils that are evocative of the different not just resorts, but also rides. I mean, they have one that's like the smell that you get when you ride Soren. Some of like the grass smell from Soren is there. the the smell from Flight of Passage, which is a really popular one, is there. but they also have the different resorts. I love bows. And if you have one of those sort of essential oil diffusers at home, it's a great place to stock up on your favorite Disney smells. It's right there next to Salt and Straw in the AMC theater area when you're at Springs. well, I have one final secret that was shared by one of our Patreon family members, Laura. And this is a really cool one. When different student groups come to perform at Disney, a lot of times their performance will be at one of the big stages at Disney Springs. And she definitely recommends when you're there at Disney Springs, check the entertainment listings on the different stages. And if you see that some of those youth performers are there or different student groups, take some time out of your day to see the shows that they put on because these kids have oftentimes like won an award and that's how they're able to be there. Sometimes it's it's you know, college and and older student groups who do really spectacular shows. but most importantly, she just likes supporting the these groups that are they're having this moment at Disney Springs. I mean, this is a really huge deal for these kids and these students. And she just loves being a part of the crowd when they perform. So that's something you should consider doing. But even if there aren't student groups performing, there's going to be great stuff happening on those stages. So do check out the entertainment listings when you're there. we do have, I think, a question of the week That is related to Disney Springs. Jessica, what is our question this week? Jessica: So our question comes from Christina, and she read, I just read this week that there are places you can have things shipped at Disney Springs. Can you tell us a little bit about that? So I just want to kind of go over there's a guest shipping station. it is located in the back of the marketplace co-op, and you can ship. It is open Sunday through Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. And Friday and Saturday, noon to 11:30. And they ship most things. But here's what they don't ship: personal items, items purchased from a location that are not owned and operated by Disney. So this is a way to ship home your Disney supplies. food or beverage, food or beverage containers, including souvenir or novelty popcorn. So you cannot ship you cannot ship home your foodstuffs. live plants. Rob: And you can't you can't ship home your popcorn bucket. Even if it doesn't have Jessica: And your yes it's Rob: even if it doesn't have popcorn in Craig: Crazy. Rob: it, you cannot ship a popcorn bucket. I I know Jessica: Yes. Rob: I saw someone who was very distraught because they thought they could do that and they couldn't. But yes, continue. Jessica: Yeah. So no popcorn buckets, no novelty popcorn, none none of that. No live plants, no lithium batteries. That should be a no-brainer. no perfume or cologne, and no flammable liquids or solids, and no pressurized containers. So some of the things you get at Disney you actually can't ship, but because of these restrictions. So just look at that list. But that is where you do it. You go and ship at the Marketplace Co op and If you've bought a bunch of T shirts, sweatshirts, random stuffies, you know, this would be a good way to get those home. Art is another one. Rob: Well, we always like to end each episode with a segment we call happy thoughts. And we usually like to each take turns sharing something happy that happened to us in the past week, usually related to Disney World or the work we're doing here at Ear Scouts. But this week, we actually all have the same happy thought because something really exciting happened on our YouTube channel. if you listen to the podcast elsewhere, you can actually watch us on YouTube. You can see the video of the show. it's easily found at earscouts.com forward slash podcast. But that channel just hit a thousand subscribers, which for a YouTube channel, that's a really big deal. That's a really big milestone. So I just want to say Thank you so much to everybody who subscribed to our podcast on YouTube and helped us to reach that milestone. Jessica, are you excited about a thousand subscribers on YouTube? Jessica: I am, and I wanna give a little shout out to the My Little Scrapbook Store team because we were about ten away. And I posted on my My Little Scrapbook store and those scrapbook ladies, I think within 30 minutes we crossed the threshold. I said, ladies, I need you. Come on. And I I messaged the boys and I said, You can always count on scrapbookers. So big shout out if you're from My Little Scrapbook Store and you're just listening to this for the first time because of my shout out. Really appreciate it. You guys pushed us over. So Thanks for them and thanks for for being here. It's been super exciting to see us get to this far. And in less than a year. Rob: Hmm. Craig. Craig: Yeah, I just have to say thank you to all of our listeners, all of our subscribers, especially to our Patreon members who are literally the fifth member of this podcast. I also want to share it with a shout out to my friends who are subscribing and listen to the podcast who have no interest in Disney whatsoever. Thank Jessica: Mm. Craig: you. I appreciate you guys for doing that. And I love you. Rob: Eric. Erick: always I'm very happy of the community that have joined the EarsCuts family I feel blessed and I feel thankful to be able to share this with you all so thank you thank you so much for you guys being here it's cheesy and I repeat this all the time but We literally could not be doing this without all of you. So thank you for being here. Rob: Yeah, absolutely. Thank you all so much. Thanks for joining us. if you'd like to join us live and be here for the Patreon exclusive after party, which is about to happen join us at patreon.com forward slash earscouts. Thank you all so much. We'll see you again next week. Until then, think lots of happy thoughts, everybody.