I'm really gonna do it this time! A solo October 2017 (?) PTR **Real World Update 9/27**

[Jennafoo]

Welcome to my very first pre-trip report for my very first WDW trip! I’ll be solo, but that doesn’t mean you can’t tag along, too.

The Details:

Who: Just me: Jenna!

What: My very first WDW visit, focused around Epcot Food & Wine

When: October 22-29, 2016

Where: Disney's Beach Club Resort

Why: Because it’s my birthday! I’ll be celebrating turning <insert number here> on Monday the 24th!

The Cast:

ME: Jenna


I live outside of San Francisco, and work in the high-powered banking world, right in downtown San Francisco’s Financial District.

I am also a complete and total nerd, and don’t really care who knows it. I love video games, comic books, fantasy fiction, Star Wars, etc., etc. I am also, a bit incongruously, a HUGE world football (soccer, to you Yanks) fan. So much so that I converted my backyard shed into a pub for watching games. Fortunately all my friends are guys who love both football and nerdy stuff, and even don’t pick on me too much when I refer to Luke Skywalker as “my boo.”

Not too much.

Unfortunately, none of them are as into Disney as I am, and I have been unsuccessful at convincing them to go with me. So, my one trip to Disneyland for my birthday two years ago was solo, and my WDW trip will be, too.

Fortunately I get along really well with myself, so it’s all good…

Favorite Character: Luke Skywalker, Mad Madam Mim

Favorite Movie: Star Wars, The Sword and the Stone

Favorite Princess: Aurora

Favorite Song: A Star is Born (Hercules)

 

[Jennafoo]

PROGRESS METER!!

Trip Dates: October 22-29, 2016

Resort: Disney's Beach Club Resort, 7 nights, Garden View

Park Tickets: My package includes 6 nights of park hoppers

Disney Dining Plan: Still undecided!

Memory Maker: Undecided, but leaning no.

Booked Package? Booked!

Package Payment Progress: Down payment. Waiting on that annual bonus!

Additional Savings Progress: 10% (Come on, annual bonus!)

Flights Booked: Not yet.

Epcot Food and Wine Events: Not available to purchase yet.

Itinerary: Still thinking about it. Will depend on Food and Wine.

ADRs: On 04/25/16

FastPasses: On 08/23/16

Packing: Not yet, but already thinking about DisneyBound outfits!!

 

[Jennafoo]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• I finally gave in!
• The Dining Plan Dilemma
• Epcot Food & Wine Event Wish List, Part One: Must Dos
• Epcot Food & Wine Event Wish List, Part Two: Maybes
• Real world update

 

[Jennafoo]

So, I’m finally doing it. After years of dreaming and planning and scheming to get to Disney World, I’m just going to bite the bullet. I’ll be solo but that honestly doesn’t bother me; I’m something of a hermit anyway and usually prefer to travel by myself. However, I’ve successfully managed to talk my way out of a solo WDW trip…

UNTIL NOW!

Two days ago I put a deposit on seven nights in a Garden View room here:



The Beach Club!

I knew that I wanted to be close to Epcot, since this trip is going to revolve around the Food and Wine Festival. But I also have to say that I totally dig the décor here. The dark woods, pale blues and white linens are right in line with my style. My own house is painted a lot like the Beach Club (and I live a block and a half from the beach!).

I considered a club level room, but an extra 2K seemed a bit steep, especially for a first visit. I still may change my mind later.

I’ll be arriving late on Saturday, October 22nd, and leaving the following Saturday, which means I’ll get to celebrate my birthday that week in Disney!

I do have six days of tickets, but even thought it’s my first visit, I don’t plan to do a lot of park hopping, strangely enough. I’m a gamer, so I’m a “completionist” – I know I’m going to want to thoroughly explore one park or two parks, rather than seeing a little of all of them.

And quite frankly, I’m a laid back kind of vacationer. One thing that always turned me off of Disney trips in the past was the stress of trying to figure out which parks to visit when, booking ADRs, rope drop, blah, blah, blah. Especially since I want to do a lot of Wine and Food stuff, I just know myself well enough to know that I’ll be happier if I focus on Epcot.

We’ll see if that sticks!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I converted my backyard shed into a pub for watching games.

That is awesome!

I love video games, comic books, fantasy fiction, Star Wars,

You sound like me! I love all those things.


You will love Beach Club. I almost stayed there on my last trip but ended up switching to AKL. Next trip will be Beach Club.

A first trip to WDW is always exciting. Looking forward to reading about your plans.

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

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[Elevationist]

I'm here, I'm here!

The Cast:

ME: Jenna

Hi, Jenna!

I live outside of San Francisco, and work in the high-powered banking world, right in downtown San Francisco’s Financial District.

JEALOUS! I love love love SF! I was lucky to spend a month in the Bay Area back in Spring of 2010, and I fell in love with the city!

I am also a complete and total nerd, and don’t really care who knows it. I love video games, comic books, fantasy fiction, Star Wars, etc., etc.

Yay, my people!

don’t pick on me too much when I refer to Luke Skywalker as “my boo.”

Hahaha, I use this same phrasing! Most recently applied to Poe Dameron.

Unfortunately, none of them are as into Disney as I am, and I have been unsuccessful at convincing them to go with me. So, my one trip to Disneyland for my birthday two years ago was solo, and my WDW trip will be, too.

Their loss! Besides, I used to think I wanted people to travel to Disney with. Then I had some who went with me, and wished I was solo the whole time! SOLO DISNEY IS THE BEST DISNEY!

Memory Maker: Undecided, but leaning no.

Point for Memory Maker: I debated getting it on my first solo trip, and finally gave in and decided I didn't want my whole vacation photo collection to be selfies. I was VERY happy I did, because on that week-long trip, I managed to get almost 100 photos on my Memory Maker account!!! Okay, well, once I deleted all the ones I looked ugly in though, it was more like 60. But still! That's a LOT of cool photos! I felt it was WELL worth the money, especially as a solo! (Plus I love love love ride photos, and they're so expensive to buy individually!)

Packing: Not yet, but already thinking about DisneyBound outfits!!

I loving seeing people DisneyBounding! I'm far too lazy for it, but seeing other people's ideas tickles me to death!

http://www.disboards.com/attachments/bed-side-disneys-beach-club-resort-from-**************-net_1-jpg.145141/

The Beach Club!

Girl! This is a pre-renovation room! here's what they look like now...

I knew that I wanted to be close to Epcot, since this trip is going to revolve around the Food and Wine Festival.

Yes, that was a big reason why I chose the Beach Club also!

I considered a club level room, but an extra 2K seemed a bit steep, especially for a first visit. I still may change my mind later.

See, I was considering a Water View room so I could sit on my balcony and see the lake and at night the Boardwalk all lit up across the way. But it really is a steep price jump, plus it doesn't guarantee you a view of the lake. "Water View" also means you might just have a view of one of the quiet pools. Yeah, no thank you!

One thing that always turned me off of Disney trips in the past was the stress of trying to figure out which parks to visit when, booking ADRs, rope drop, blah, blah, blah.

This is where we differ. I totally LIVE for that stress!!!

 

[Jennafoo]

You sound like me! I love all those things.


You will love Beach Club. I almost stayed there on my last trip but ended up switching to AKL. Next trip will be Beach Club.

Sweet! Nerdy girls unite!

I'm definitely looking forward to Beach Club, but it just barely beat out AKL. I really, really want to stay there, but for this first F&W trip I decided it would be better to be closer. Guess I'll just have to plan another trip.

Sounds great! I loved my solo trip, and my next trip will be half solo (after I make DH go home and go back to work). I'm not generally a park hopper type of gal either - really, I find enough to do generally in one park for an entire day, and depending on my shoes, extra walking back to catch a bus to do extra walking doesn't appeal to me by the end of a long day!

A first trip to WDW is always exciting. Looking forward to reading about your plans.

Yay! Glad you're reading along! I can park hop at DLR, but with F&W I know I'll want to take it slow.

I'm here, I'm here!

Hi, Jenna!

JEALOUS! I love love love SF! I was lucky to spend a month in the Bay Area back in Spring of 2010, and I fell in love with the city!

Yay, my people!

Hahaha, I use this same phrasing! Most recently applied to Poe Dameron.

Their loss! Besides, I used to think I wanted people to travel to Disney with. Then I had some who went with me, and wished I was solo the whole time! SOLO DISNEY IS THE BEST DISNEY!

Point for Memory Maker: I debated getting it on my first solo trip, and finally gave in and decided I didn't want my whole vacation photo collection to be selfies. I was VERY happy I did, because on that week-long trip, I managed to get almost 100 photos on my Memory Maker account!!! Okay, well, once I deleted all the ones I looked ugly in though, it was more like 60. But still! That's a LOT of cool photos! I felt it was WELL worth the money, especially as a solo! (Plus I love love love ride photos, and they're so expensive to buy individually!)

I loving seeing people DisneyBounding! I'm far too lazy for it, but seeing other people's ideas tickles me to death!

Girl! This is a pre-renovation room! here's what they look like now...

Yes, that was a big reason why I chose the Beach Club also!

See, I was considering a Water View room so I could sit on my balcony and see the lake and at night the Boardwalk all lit up across the way. But it really is a steep price jump, plus it doesn't guarantee you a view of the lake. "Water View" also means you might just have a view of one of the quiet pools. Yeah, no thank you!

This is where we differ. I totally LIVE for that stress!!!

Oooh...the renovated rooms are even nicer! Good to know!

I do loving working in downtown SF; so vibrant. BUT, I also like that I can go home to my little coastal town at the end of the day, and leave behind the crazy hobos...er...Colorful Street People (tm).

I'll think about MemoryMaker. I am not much of a picture taker, but not having to rely on selfies might be nice.

And I have to agree with you on Poe. Such a hottie. I mean, he's no LUKE, but...

 

[Jennafoo]

The biggest decision on my plate before I pay off my package in February is whether or not to buy a dining plan.

I like the concept of the dining plan, and always figured I would get one. For me, it’s mostly psychological: If I’ve paid for my meals up front, it will be harder to talk myself out of the trip when it gets closer.

Or something like that.

In this case, though, I plan to really take advantage of Food and Wine and have a whole wish list of special events I want to attend. (Wish List post coming up soon!)

I started out with the assumption that I would get the Deluxe Plan, since I prefer table service and do appetizers usually. Plus, one breakfast/early lunch and a signature dinner a night fits the way I eat. However, when I started sketching out plans, I lost my appetite for the DxDDP, so to speak.

When I added in my hoped-for F&W events, I found myself squeezing TS restaurants in around them just to use credits. With the events themselves being so expensive, this seemed to move the DxDDP out of the realm of reasonable when it comes to budget.

Besides, there is no way I can spend three hours eating a meal with full wine pairings, and be ready for Le Cellier a few hours later! Just no way.

The regular DDP seems a little more reasonable, but QS restaurants and no apps doesn’t really fit my eating style. Plus, less snack credits for the festival booths.

Le sigh.

At this point, I’m still torn between the DDP and going completely OOP. Need to make a decision before I get my bonus! Any advice out there?

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

Joining in! I'll be there solo at the same time so cant wait to join in the planning!

 

[Jennafoo]

Joining in! I'll be there solo at the same time so cant wait to join in the planning!

Wow...so cool that you'll be there at the same time. Do our dates overlap?

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

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[SnowWhiteOz]

Wow...so cool that you'll be there at the same time. Do our dates overlap?

They will for two days (but not at Beach Club unfortunately!). I'll be at WDW from the 28th but staying at VWL. I'll be at Beach Club at the end of my trip from 11/7-11/11.

 

[Jennafoo]

I'm sure you will get lots of opinions about DDP. I am a bit of a cheapskate, and have used the lowest dining plan on each of my previous trips. I paid for it the first trip, when it was 2 QS meals and 2 snacks each day, and had free dining twice, when it was 2 QS meals and 1 snack each day. This trip, since DH and I are not staying for the same number of days, we aren't eligible for the plan, so it will be OOP for the next trip. For myself, the dining plan is too much food, considering that my appetite seems to decrease in the Florida heat. However, it is going to be painful for me to pay for each meal and snack. I think I'm going to have to practice NOT looking at the prices. I mean, either way you are paying for the food, right? On earlier trips, I also didn't want to "waste" time on a TS meal, but now I can see how that can really be an energy refresher, and part of the enjoyment. I wish you luck in your choice. Have you tried the Dining Plan calculator at distripplanner dot com?

I don't mind spending the money, but I also know that I will not be happy leaving money on the table, so to speak. If I'm doing a lot of F&W events, I may want more flexibility to not have to eat...or feel guilty about not eating.

They will for two days (but not at Beach Club unfortunately!). I'll be at WDW from the 28th but staying at VWL. I'll be at Beach Club at the end of my trip from 11/7-11/11.

Ohh, I feel some solo girl DisMeets coming on!

 

[Jennafoo]

This trip is really planned around Epcot's Food & Wine, so events are a big part of my plans. I know I have a few months yet until the event lists come out, but I already have quite the Wish List based on past years!

With the uncertainties in mind, here are my "must do" events (with Googled pics!):

Premium Package (Monday through Thursday)

This is a must do (assuming its offered)! For starters, you get a credential that allows you into special areas where they bring your choices to you. The credential is valid Monday through Thursday of one week, which fits my plans perfectly. You also get some “free” marketplace items, booze included! The special perks have changed both years they’ve done it, but last year it also gave you access to the Illuminations dessert party. I have my fingers crossed they keep it, since that would be great for celebrating my birthday .

French Lunch (Sunday or Friday)

Last year it was “French Family Meal Traditions”; in previous years it was the French Regional Lunch. Whatever they call it, French Food + French Wine = Jenna is there! A must do.

Illuminations Sparkling Dessert Party (Most Days, Preferably Monday)


Definitely interested in this, particularly on my birthday! However, I will probably only do it if it’s a part of my Premium package. So, right now, it’s a definite maybe.

Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic (Friday)

This will happen the last Friday I’m there, and is a must do for me! Everything I’ve seen the last few years has looked delicious and it seems like a more laid back event than some of the F&W parties. (Party for the Senses always looked so overwhelming with the running and fighting for tables, and the food seemed a bit too frou frou for my taste.) I’ll go on Friday, my last full day at Disney.

 

[Jennafoo]

Food & Wine Event Wish List, continued...

There are some events I'm very much interested in, but am not 100% sure on. A lot will depend on timing; I don't want to load myself down with events (or anything, really). That said, here are my second tier choices:

Tasting Sampler (Any day)


This is more likely if I don’t do a dining plan (so have no snack credits). You get eight “tickets” for food and beverage items – including the pricier cocktails. You also get priority seating for an Eat to the Beat concert, so that schedule will feed into whether or not I do this, too. You buy it for the specific day of the concert, but you can use the tickets whenever.

Italian Lunch Pairings (Daily)

There are Italian lunch pairings – with beer or wine – almost every day of the festival. I’ll have to see closer, but I’m definitely leaning toward doing at least one of these. If I have to choose between lunches though (a definite possibility with all I want to do), I will choose France. Every time. Sorry, Italy.

Moroccan or Mediterranean Food and Wine Pairings (Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday)
\
These are less expensive pairings held at Restaurant Marrakesh and Spice Road Table (respectively). I am mildly interested in this, so might choose one to fill in some time (but not both).

Parisian Breakfast (Saturday)

Here’s an interesting "maybe." The Parisian Breakfast is held on Saturdays between 9am-10:30am. The current flight I’m looking at leaves after 5pm, which means the Magical Express would pick me up at around two. That would leave plenty of time for breakfast, some shopping and a ride or two... I’ll have to look at the schedule in the end, but I’m loving the idea right now.

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

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[DonnaBeeGood]

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[SnowWhiteOz]

Those are some great F&W plans. I'm definitely planning on doing the booths but not sure if the paid events are worth it (but I could be convinced by your pics!).

 

[cinderkelly]

HI Jenna
I skipped on over here after seeing you post on @Elevationist PTR. I'm so jealous of all you gals and your solo trips! I may have to plan a solo trip someday
Looks like you've got some great plans for F&W! And the BC! What a great resort choice for your first DW trip! I'll be following along

Kelly