First Solo Trip to WDW for Food and Wine & Hurricane Matthew - OCT 2016 Updated 12/30 Post #165-167

[franandaj]

Those were amazing fireworks shots I need to get one of those ND filters so I can attempt shots like that!

 

[heaven2dc]

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I am on page 7 of your TR and wanted to compliment you on your photos! Amazing job! Really enjoying reading about your trip. I have a question....I recently visited Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles for the Ellen show taping and took a walk down to Starbucks and passed a statue that looked very familiar. Do you know the history behind the Director's Statue at Hollywood Studios? Here's a pic of the one in front of Warner Bros offices. Now back to catching up!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great pictures. Love the fireworks; and the ones of Hocus Pocus are spectacular. Glad you had a good time at the party.

 

[mvf-m11c]

It has been a while I wrote on this trip report and will have to go over them and then I will write on my upcoming trip.

Your photos are spectacular. I really enjoyed them. I have done most of the parties I have attended over the years solo and I do enjoy this, but last year I was lucky to get to share 3 out of 4 with friends. That was a lot of fun, too.

Corinna

Thank you Corinna. This was my first time going solo for a party and it was fun. I know that some people would say that you went just for the parade and fireworks and didn't do much like trick or treating, characters, etc. But I like doing those kind of things and it was a very expensive ticket even though I did had the Premier Annual Pass. That was nice that you got share it with friends last year.

I don't know what the matter is but I cannot see any of your pictures! Just blue ?'s I can see all the pictures on all the other threads

Hopefully you are able to see my pictures Denise.

Those were amazing fireworks shots I need to get one of those ND filters so I can attempt shots like that!

Thank you Alison. Hopefully you are able to get ND filters for your DSLR and it will be nice to see your pictures. Hopefully WDW will let us bring tripods in the park while the DLR has been strict about it this summertime. Hopefully they will let us bring tripods in the park during the off-season in September thru November.

I am on page 7 of your TR and wanted to compliment you on your photos! Amazing job! Really enjoying reading about your trip. I have a question....I recently visited Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles for the Ellen show taping and took a walk down to Starbucks and passed a statue that looked very familiar. Do you know the history behind the Director's Statue at Hollywood Studios? Here's a pic of the one in front of Warner Bros offices. Now back to catching up!

Thank you @heaven2dc I'm sorry, I don't know about the history behind the Director's Statue at Hollywood Land since I spend so much of my time at the Disneyland Resort.

Great pictures. Love the fireworks; and the ones of Hocus Pocus are spectacular. Glad you had a good time at the party.

Thank you PiO. It was nice to enjoy the three nighttime shows which i was able to get a lot of pictures but I rarely spend any time trick or treating, character M&G, etc. This felt like I did when we did MHP in October 2014 where we waited for the fireworks and watch the second cavalcade parade.

 

[mvf-m11c]

It has been a while since I have wrote on my WDW trip last year and still have the last day to finish. But before I finish up this report, I have some good news and bad news. These last couple of months, I was planning a trip with my brother, his girlfriend and DAF back to WDW during the Halloween/Epcot Food & Wine Festival. After DAF didn’t go last year with health reasons and I got Southwest Vouchers from last year trip after taking a bump and losing one day for the trip, it did make sense to go back to Florida and take DAF to see Florida while my brother and his GF are able to enjoy the Florida trip. Unfortunately, DAF has recovered but is still not feeling well and told me that she won’t go this year. My brother and his girlfriend can’t go as well since it conflicts with their work schedule. So I was the only one that was going.

I was thinking of not going this year since I was going by myself and was told by others that I should wait another year. But after considering it over and over which I took a bump from last year trip that the one day that we missed Riding Down to Diagon Alley with Food & Wine as Well Oct 16 – 23, 2015 would have been for nothing. I talked to other people about going solo to WDW and they told me that I should go since I usually go to Disneyland solo a lot which I have done. SO this will be a new experience for me going to Florida by myself. I have been to the parks solo but not on a trip solo and that far away. So this will be a great experience.

One of the reason for this solo trip is for me to take advantage of the SWA vouchers that I got last year from the Orlando trip last year. I was considering going to other cities before it expires in October but I was only thinking of going back to WDW. Not only going back but to go back for the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival which I have enjoyed in 2012 and 2015 trips. Plus with Disney California Adventure Food & Wine returned in April for the first time since 2010 and coming back next year, I was excited to try the food again at the Epcot International F&W Festival and enjoy the Halloween decorations at the Disney parks.

Originally, my plans on going to Florida was on October 5th to 14th which would have been the longest trip I have ever done in Florida but that changed when all of my party members couldn’t go. So I had to readjust the dates and make it shorter by almost half of what I have planned from 9 days to 5 days. I will be going on October 4th to 8th. The main reason is that I am by myself and 3 full days should be enough to enjoy the F&W Festival along with riding the new Frozen Ever After at Epcot. Plus it will also give me a change to go on the 7DMT again which I was able to ride last year. It would have been nice if AK park hours were longer till nighttime which ends at 7:30pm. But hopefully when I come back, I can see it at night including the nighttime show “Rivers of Light” (if Disney get it running).

For the trip, I will be flying on Southwest Airlines which I go the free LUV vouchers from last year trip in which my dad and I took a bump in Sacramento and got over $500 each in LUV vouchers which is kind of a lot and with that is enough for a round trip to Florida and back. I was able to get the early flight out of Sacramento to Orlando and should arrive sometime around 5:30pm and hopefully get to the resort by 8pm and to be able to go out to the parks that night. I have the late flight out of Orlando on the last day at 5:55pm which is not that late but it is enough time for me to do some things at the parks until I leave.

As for which place I am staying, I am staying at the All Star Sports Resort. This is a budget trip in which I am going solo and I don’t need a fancy place to stay since I am going to be out of the room and just using it for a place to stay. I have stayed at a lot of off-site hotels the last 15 years which this will be my first time staying on-site since 2001 when I stayed at the Contemporary. So it was exciting as well which I finally get to stay on-site instead of off-site which I can take advantage of the FP+ 60 days in advance.

I am not planning on being at the parks the whole day which I plan on taking breaks or naps in the middle the day to get rested for the nighttime events like Wishes fireworks, HalloWishes, & Illuminations. I wasn’t able to do a lot of nighttime photography back in October last year with doing all those different activities. Also hopefully WDW is still good with guests bringing in tripods to the park. DLR lately has been tight on the tripods in the park but I would guess that it is during the summertime and WDW will have no problem with it in October.

As of now, I am not doing any sit down restaurants for the trip which I plan on spending a lot of time at Epcot for the F&W Festival. There will be a day when go to Disney Springs for shopping and possibly dining somewhere. So I might need some advice on what restaurants to eat at Disney Springs. For the F&W Festival, there are already some kiosks that I will be going back for sure while there will be some others that I have missed last year where I did regret and will go for that dish.

The must do kiosks for me is
Belgium: Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream. I am disappointed that they won’t have the savory waffle like last year but the beer-braised beef served with smoked Gouda mashed potatoes will be something I might try.
Canada: Got to go to the is kiosk with the cheese soup and “le Cellier” filet mignon
France: Boeuf Bourguignon
Farm Fresh: the loaded mac n cheese
Hawaii: the Kalua Pork Slider
Hops & Barley: smoked beef brisket and pimento cheese served on griddle garlic toast
Patagonia: the Beef Empanada and the grilled beef skewer
Refreshment Port: Can never get tired of the Dole Whip Soft serve and maybe the Croissant doughnut with Cinnamon and Sugar which sounds good.

Since I might be full from all those kiosks, these are the other kiosks that I will consider trying out
Brazil: Pão de queijo: Brazilian cheese bread
China: Sichuan Spicy Chicken
Germany: Bratwurst and Apple Strudel
Italy: Pennete alla Parmigiana: Baked Ziti and Chicken Parmigiana
Mexico: Barbacoa Enchilada
Wine and Dine Studio: Pork Tenderloine with Cannellini Bean Ragout and Zinfandel Reduction

This is my list for now of what I want to try at the F&W Festival unless you think I should try something else which would be worth it. I

I made my reservations for the resort a week ago and made my FP+ this morning at 4pm PST which was crazy since this was my first time making FP+ on-site which I have never done it this early. It is still early on the plans after making the FP+ this morning but here is a list of what I will be doing during my visit.

Tuesday: Arrive in Orlando and check-in at resort. If I have time, I will go to Epcot for EMH night/HalloWishes fireworks from the Transportation & Ticket Center or crash
Wednesday: Epcot F&W and MK for 7DMT (6pm-7pm FP+) & nighttime shows (Wishes & MSEP)
Thursday: Epcot EMH for Frozen Ever After, FP+ for Test Track, Living with the Land & Spaceship Earth along with F&W Festival. Disney Springs and HalloWishes from T&TC.
Friday: Rope Drop MK (depends) Epcot F&W in the afternoon. Frozen Ever After (6:25pm- 7:25pm FP+) and Illuminations at 9pm from Japan Pavilion.
Saturday: Animal Kingdom EMH, Epcot Frozen Ever After (12:15pm-1:15pm FP+), and fly home

These plans will change when I get closer and closer but I was glad that I was able to get a FP+ for Frozen Ever After which I couldn’t get one on Wednesday and Thursday. But I was able to get a nighttime at on Friday and one more on Saturday until I leave. I will try to go on it during EMH on Thursday.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Unfortunately, DAF has recovered but is still not feeling well and told me that she won’t go this year. My brother and his girlfriend can’t go as well since it conflicts with their work schedule. So I was the only one that was going.

I am glad that she is better, but what a shame that she is not up for a trip yet.

I have been to the parks solo but not on a trip solo and that far away. So this will be a great experience.

I can beat you there. I did a solo trip to Disneyland last year coming all the way from the UK and then I also did a few days solo at Walt Disney World before my husband joined me for the last part of the trip. Like you, I was pretty used to spending times in the parks by myself, but I was still pretty nervous. I absolutely loved it.

So I had to readjust the dates and make it shorter by almost half of what I have planned from 9 days to 5 days. I will be going on October 4th to 8th.

That sounds a nice duration.

I was able to get the early flight out of Sacramento to Orlando and should arrive sometime around 5:30pm and hopefully get to the resort by 8pm and to be able to go out to the parks that night.

That sounds like a great plan. I hope that you get some park time.

As for which place I am staying, I am staying at the All Star Sports Resort.

I stayed at All Star Music Resort last year as this was a budget trip and I actually really liked it.

The must do kiosks for me is
Belgium: Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream. I am disappointed that they won’t have the savory waffle like last year but the beer-braised beef served with smoked Gouda mashed potatoes will be something I might try.
Canada: Got to go to the is kiosk with the cheese soup and “le Cellier” filet mignon
France: Boeuf Bourguignon
Farm Fresh: the loaded mac n cheese
Hawaii: the Kalua Pork Slider
Hops & Barley: smoked beef brisket and pimento cheese served on griddle garlic toast
Patagonia: the Beef Empanada and the grilled beef skewer
Refreshment Port: Can never get tired of the Dole Whip Soft serve and maybe the Croissant doughnut with Cinnamon and Sugar which sounds good.

Since I might be full from all those kiosks, these are the other kiosks that I will consider trying out
Brazil: Pão de queijo: Brazilian cheese bread
China: Sichuan Spicy Chicken
Germany: Bratwurst and Apple Strudel
Italy: Pennete alla Parmigiana: Baked Ziti and Chicken Parmigiana
Mexico: Barbacoa Enchilada
Wine and Dine Studio: Pork Tenderloine with Cannellini Bean Ragout and Zinfandel Reduction

I love your choices. A lot of them I tried last year and they were all fantastic. I would recommend to add one most try to that list, the Liquid Nitro Chocolate Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey Caramel. Last year it was a Chew Lab, but this year it has been moved to Chocolate Studio. A local friend in Orlando recommended this last year and I decided to try this. I don't really have a sweet tooth, but this was out of the world delicious. I think I had 5 or 6 of them over the course of my trip.

Tuesday: Arrive in Orlando and check-in at resort. If I have time, I will go to Epcot for EMH night/HalloWishes fireworks from the Transportation & Ticket Center or crash
Wednesday: Epcot F&W and MK for 7DMT (6pm-7pm FP+) & nighttime shows (Wishes & MSEP)
Thursday: Epcot EMH for Frozen Ever After, FP+ for Test Track, Living with the Land & Spaceship Earth along with F&W Festival. Disney Springs and HalloWishes from T&TC.
Friday: Rope Drop MK (depends) Epcot F&W in the afternoon. Frozen Ever After (6:25pm- 7:25pm FP+) and Illuminations at 9pm from Japan Pavilion.
Saturday: Animal Kingdom EMH, Epcot Frozen Ever After (12:15pm-1:15pm FP+), and fly home

That sounds like great plans.

Corinna

 

[franandaj]

Sounds like you have some good, but ambitious plans.

You have a lot of the same foods from the kiosks that I want to try. With the amount of time you'll be there at Epcot you should be able to get through your list.

As far as Disney Springs, we liked the Boathouse. It was pricey but very good. There are a lot of QS places opening up there, like the sausage company, burger bar, and a bunch of others.

It sounds like you're going to have a fun packed trip. I hope I'm able to get us FP+ for Frozen ever after.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I am glad that she is better, but what a shame that she is not up for a trip yet.

She is doing better and it is a shame that she can't make it but she will consider going back in the near future.

I can beat you there. I did a solo trip to Disneyland last year coming all the way from the UK and then I also did a few days solo at Walt Disney World before my husband joined me for the last part of the trip. Like you, I was pretty used to spending times in the parks by myself, but I was still pretty nervous. I absolutely loved it.

I remember last year when you did both DLR and WDW last year solo and it will be fun to go solo.

That sounds a nice duration.

I was torn of staying for 7 days in Florida but 5 days is enough to enjoy the F&W Festival along with doing some things.

That sounds like a great plan. I hope that you get some park time.

As @franandaj Alison said that my plans is ambitious and there will be some changes to it when I get closer. I shouldn't try to pack everything in since I will be back in the near future.

I stayed at All Star Music Resort last year as this was a budget trip and I actually really liked it.

That is good to hear. I was considering the All Star Music Resort before I chose the All Star Sports.

I love your choices. A lot of them I tried last year and they were all fantastic. I would recommend to add one most try to that list, the Liquid Nitro Chocolate Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey Caramel. Last year it was a Chew Lab, but this year it has been moved to Chocolate Studio. A local friend in Orlando recommended this last year and I decided to try this. I don't really have a sweet tooth, but this was out of the world delicious. I think I had 5 or 6 of them over the course of my trip.

There was some dishes that I missed last year and hopefully I will be able to do all the ones that I have on my list. Four days seems like enough days for the F&W Festival. I looked at the Liquid Nitro Chocolate Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey Caramel, unfortunately I don't like almond and I'm not a chocolate person. 5-6 is a lot and I'll just be glad to try all the food that I want during the trip.

That sounds like great plans.

Corinna

The plan is ambitious but I was hoping that the hours at AK would be extended to the nighttime but it won't during my visit. So I plan on spending most of my time at Epcot for the F&W Festival.

Sounds like you have some good, but ambitious plans.

You have a lot of the same foods from the kiosks that I want to try. With the amount of time you'll be there at Epcot you should be able to get through your list.

As far as Disney Springs, we liked the Boathouse. It was pricey but very good. There are a lot of QS places opening up there, like the sausage company, burger bar, and a bunch of others.

It sounds like you're going to have a fun packed trip. I hope I'm able to get us FP+ for Frozen ever after.

The plan is ambitious and trying to put a lot during the trip. But it will change and I'll try to spend some time resting in the room or at Disney Springs. It won't be long until I go back but it will be nice to put in somethings that I have never done.

I looked at your list and it is almost as close as mine except for the desserts which I barely have any. With all the days I will be there, I should be able to do all the things I want to do at Epcot.

I looked at what places to eat at Disney Springs and I will look again when I get closer to see what QS places to eat. I wanted to eat at Morimoto Asia but I will consider it when I get closer.

When I planned on August 5th, I had to make a lot of changes since I couldn't get the FP+ for certain days like Epcot on Thursday 10/6. But I was able to get FP+ for Frozen Ever After on Friday and hopefully to ride it on Saturday when I leave. Hope you are able to get all the FP+ you want for your trip.

 

[PrincessInOz]

So glad that DAF is better.

YAY for having a trip in the works!

 

[mvf-m11c]

So glad that DAF is better.

YAY for having a trip in the works!

She is doing okay.

It was a wild trip with Hurricane Matthew hitting Florida on Thursday and Friday where all the Disney parks, water parks, Disney Springs, ESPN Wide World of Sports were all closed on Friday and shortened the day by 5pm on Thursday. It was crazy on Thursday night where I was staying at the All Star Sports Resort. When I was getting dinner at the End Zone Food Court, it was crazy and long to get food which took me almost an hour. Guests were getting everything from food, drinks, etc. and guests bringing other food from other places where they had a car which I didn’t. At least it was safe at WDW on Friday. This was only the fourth time that WDW closed its park since opening in 1971. The last time was during 2004 during Hurricane Frances.

I will get started on my WDW trip report but it won’t be too long until I am back at a Disney park in a few days.

 

[franandaj]

Glad you stayed safe in all that craziness!

 

[dolphingirl47]

I am sorry that your trip did not work out as planned, but I am glad that you stayed safe.

Corinna

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Bret, I thought you might be there during the closing. Were you able to have any fun?

TK

 

[mvf-m11c]

Glad you stayed safe in all that craziness!

It was crazy. I knew about Hurricane Matthew in advance but it was not as bad as I have thought after that Thursday night where everyone was at the End Zone that night getting food since the parks, Disney Springs closed at 5pm that day.

I am sorry that your trip did not work out as planned, but I am glad that you stayed safe.

Corinna

Thanks Corrina. I thought it would be not as bad as I have thought but it did turned out well where I was able to do the things I wanted to do out there at WDW.

Hi Bret, I thought you might be there during the closing. Were you able to have any fun?

TK

Hi TK. Thank you. I was able to do the things that I wanted to do at WDW. You will find out later on from my updates.


The first installment will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – October 4, 2016 – Part 1

First Solo Trip to Florida and Staying at the All Star Sports Resort​

It is now the first day of the solo Florida trip. This was my first time going on a trip solo without anyone in my party. I have done a lot of Disneyland solo trips in which this will be exciting. This is not the longest time I have ever been by myself which I was in Las Vegas for two weeks for work. So I am used to being on my own for that long trip.

After experiencing Walt Disney World with the FastPass+ and MagicBands during the trip last year, I wanted to stay on-site during this trip in which I was able to get my MagicBand and to be able to make my FP+ in-advance 60 days before the trip. I didn’t buy the Premier Annual Passport like I have done the last three WDW trips since the budget didn’t make sense. So I bought a five day Park Hopper ticket which is the first time since 2010.

Originally, this trip was made when my dad and I took a bump from last year Florida trip in which we got plenty of Southwest Airline credit to fly to Orlando and back. Unfortunately, all of my family members or friends couldn’t go with me during the trip so they told me that I should use the vouchers up since we took a bump last year. It was exciting and scary at first when I made the flight and the hotel at the All Star Sports Resort.

This was exciting to stay on-site for the first time since 2001 when I stayed at the Contemporary hotel. Also, I will be riding on the Disney Magical Express bus to the All Star Sports Resort which really came in handy. I am so impressed with how the DME is good to used. So I didn’t have to use a car. Did I want to get a car yes but it made financial sense of not getting one and the DME is part of staying on-site which made sense and I now understand why guests would ride on the DME instead of a car.

It was that Tuesday morning which was the day that I left for Florida. I have been watching the weather lately and saw that Hurricane Matthew was approaching Florida sometime during middle of my trip. I thought about canceling it but I didn’t want to cancel the trip since I have been looking forward to it since last year. So I just played it out and see what it would be like. So I came prepared with bringing snacks, rain gear, batteries packs, etc. when I went to my trip just to be safe if something happens during my stay at the All Star-Sports.

My flight out of Sacramento was at 6:55am and I will be in Orlando at 5:30pm EST. It was nice leaving early from Sacramento and had a two hour layover at Dallas and I was in Orlando before 6pm. I remember my dad telling me if there is a bump take it even though I would lose a day. I still remember very well from last year where he said I should take a bump and get more vouchers for next year. I wasn’t planning on taking a bump this time to Orlando.

My dad took me to Sacramento International Airport (SMF) and I got there at 5:30am. I check my bags and went to my gate where I waited an hour until I was boarded on the plane headed to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DAL). It was quite a long flight to Dallas which took about 3 and a half hours.

I had a two hour layover at Dallas and I had lunch. When I was looking at the Food Court at DAL, I saw that they had Whataburger stand. Whataburger is a fast food restaurant chain based in Texas. I remember going to Whataburger with DAW when I went to San Antonio in 2014. They have good burgers for only being in Texas. That made my afternoon at DAL.

Now I took my second flight to Orlando at 2pm and it was shorter over the one from Sacramento. I thought about taking a nap when I get to Orlando International Airport (MCO) but I was too excited to go back to Florida that I couldn’t so I just stayed up until we landed.

After getting off the airplane and taking the tramway to get my check luggage. I was at the terminal A side which the DME was in the Terminal B side so I had to go from one side to the other to take the DME.

When I got to the queue area for the DME, I used my MB and went to queue 8 to the Disney All Star Resorts bus. The CM’s at the airport were so friendly and very helpful for me for using the DME It didn’t took that long for the bus to arrive and I was on my way over to the All Star Sports Resort.

The DME stopped first at the Coronado Springs and then it stopped at the All-Star Sports Resort.

I went to check-in at the hotel at Stadium Hall (lobby area) but I didn’t need to since I could use my MB to enter the room. But I had to make sure that my room was paid for since I haven’t got a notice. I was planning on paying with the Disney gift card for the room since I was able to save by buying Disney gift cards from Sam’s Club. When I got there, my credit card was charged for the room so I was able to change with using the Disney gift cards instead.

I head on over to my room which was at Building 3 at the Hoops Hotel a basketball theme area. My room was 3123 close to the backside of the All Star Sports. I told that I wanted to be close to Stadium Hall so I have a short walk but they weren’t available so I took the Hoops building. It was a perfect theme for me since I love basketball and coach it. So it was nice.

When I got in the room, it looked like a normal hotel room but had a lot of Disney basketball theme pictures.











Even the bathroom shower curtains had Disney sports theme






After settling in for a while and making my new home for the next 5 days, I started to get my camera bag all packed up to go to the parks that night. I was a little bit tired that night but I also had a 5 day PH ticket to use so I decided to go to the park that night.

I took the Walt Disney World’s extensive transportation system to my first park that night. I saw at the All Star Sports that the bus loading area is quite organized by different parks, Disney Springs, water parks and the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. So I took the Epcot bus and head on over to Epcot that night as my first park.

When I got to Epcot, I brought my tripod with me to take nighttime pictures. It was quite a while where I was able to take my tripod in a Disney park where Disneyland Resort during the summertime had a tripod issue where I wasn’t able to bring it in. At least WDW had no problem with the tripods and I was not met with resistance of bringing my tripod in Epcot that night. I had a nice chat with a Security CM about my camera and he was a photographer as well which we were talking about photography.

When I entered Epcot, the first thing I do was head on over to “Leave a Legacy” which my brother and I did back in 2001. I always enjoy seeing the tile every time I come to Epcot which is the first thing I do.


A look at Spaceship Earth

I came that night to Epcot to watch Illuminations from the Japan pavilion. Unfortunately, I arrived about 30 minutes until Illuminations started at 9pm, so I didn’t stay for Illuminations that night. But I did in fact was able to go to one kiosk that night for the Epcot International Food & Wine. I was thinking of the Canada kiosk but I would guess that it would be busy. But the Patagonia kiosk was not too far from me and this was one of the kiosks that I wanted to eat at.


I had the Beef Empanada and Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Puree.


I was starving that night since I didn’t have dinner which I ate last was at Dallas. The beef empanada is good like all the time I have it during the F&W Festival. The skewer is good as well with the boniato puree.

After finishing up, Illuminations started and I decided to head on out of the park and go to my next destination that night. I did go back to Epcot the next day but that will be told on the next update since I wanted to head on out of the park and go to my next destination.

When I exited Epcot, I was thinking of leaving and going back to the hotel but I decided to take the Monorail to the Transportation & Ticket Center in order to set up for the fireworks at the Ferryboat dock. Last year was my first time watching the fireworks from the ferry dock at the T&TC. This was a good spot to take firework shots outside of the park and I got to thank @mom2rtk (Janet) about this spot last year and this is like a new tradition for me of taking pictures from the T&TC.

I got o the T&TC that night which was about half an hour until HalloWishes started at 10pm. I just waited at the Ferryboat dock for the fireworks that night. There were other people there that night waiting for the fireworks and I didn’t see any photographers setting up that night for HalloWishes so I was the only one there that night.

I used the Nikon 70-200 f/4 lens that night.




It was 10pm and HalloWishes started and I had my remote with me already to take pictures that night.












I was satisfy with the shots that night for HalloWishes except for the last one which there was so much in the picture.

I then had to go on the monorail to the Magic Kingdom in order to get on my bus and head on back to the All Star Sports Resort since there are no buses that run from the T&TC to the hotel. It was an easy ride to the Magic Kingdom station but it was a little crowded to get to the bus loading area since there are guests leaving the Magic Kingdom from Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party that night.

When I got back to the All Star Sports, I had to get a few pictures since I didn’t get any early that day when I checked-in.


My building is on the left hand side.




I did took a few shots of the resort that night but I didn’t stay out there too long since I was tired from the flight and going to the park and watching the fireworks.


I went back to the room and called it for the night.

The first day was not that bad in which I was able to go to Epcot that night and have a few food to eat and I was able to watch HalloWishes from the T&TC. Now is the first full day of the trip and I am really looking forward to it.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I thought about canceling it but I didn’t want to cancel the trip since I have been looking forward to it since last year.

I can imagine that this was a very difficult decision to make.

So I came prepared with bringing snacks, rain gear, batteries packs, etc. when I went to my trip just to be safe if something happens during my stay at the All Star-Sports.

Good thinking.

It was nice leaving early from Sacramento and had a two hour layover at Dallas and I was in Orlando before 6pm.

I wondered why it took so long, but it makes sense with the layover.

I went to check-in at the hotel at Stadium Hall (lobby area) but I didn’t need to since I could use my MB to enter the room.

When I stayed at All Star Music last year, they never texted me my room number so I had to check in at the hotel despite having done online check in and having my Magic Band.

It was a perfect theme for me since I love basketball and coach it.

That really was a perfect fit.

When I got in the room, it looked like a normal hotel room but had a lot of Disney basketball theme pictures.

The room looks really nice.

I took the Walt Disney World’s extensive transportation system to my first park that night. I saw at the All Star Sports that the bus loading area is quite organized by different parks, Disney Springs, water parks and the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.

I really loved the set up of the bus areas at the All Star resorts.

But I did in fact was able to go to one kiosk that night for the Epcot International Food & Wine.

How nice that you got to sample some of the food the first night. The fireworks photos are stunning.

Corinna

 

[franandaj]

I admire you for being able to hit the ground running g when you get there. For me I'm lucky just to eat and make it to bed.

You got some great fireworks pictures and nice that you got to sample some of the food from the kiosks!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I can imagine that this was a very difficult decision to make.

Good thinking.

I wondered why it took so long, but it makes sense with the layover.

When I stayed at All Star Music last year, they never texted me my room number so I had to check in at the hotel despite having done online check in and having my Magic Band.

That really was a perfect fit.

The room looks really nice.

I really loved the set up of the bus areas at the All Star resorts.

How nice that you got to sample some of the food the first night. The fireworks photos are stunning.

Corinna

It was difficult at first but I was told by family and friends that I should go ahead with the trip without them. I had a fun time even though part of the trip was sitting at your resort due to Hurricane Matthew.

That was neat that I got my room number before I arrived at the resort. I should have went straight to my room but I also had to talk to the CM's about my payment since I was planning on paying the rest of it through the Disney Gift cards. Good thing I did that since the rest of the balance was charged on my card so I asked them to charge my Disney Gift card instead of my CC. Overall it was great service.

It was nice that I got a basketball theme room. I wished the building was closer to Stadium Hall but it was fine for my first time staying on this site.

I didn't had dinner that day so it was nice to have some samples at Epcot that night along with watching the fireworks from the T&TC.

I admire you for being able to hit the ground running g when you get there. For me I'm lucky just to eat and make it to bed.

You got some great fireworks pictures and nice that you got to sample some of the food from the kiosks!

Thank you Alison. I did rush it that night and should have stayed at the resort but i had a five day park hopper ticket to use so why not use it that night. It would have been nice to stay at Epcot that night during EMH but I am still glad to watch the fireworks from the T&TC.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – October 5, 2016 – Part 1​

First day at Epcot for Food & No Wine for Me​

It was the first full day of the trip. I was watching the news a lot the last week to make sure that Hurricane Matthew is still okay during these next couple of days. It was a nice day on Wednesday to go to the parks and enjoy the different foods. I don’t drink so I didn’t care too much about the alcohol. If I did, it would have been fun.

The park didn’t open until 9am but I didn’t leave the All Star Sports Resort until 8:30am that morning since I was still a little tired from the traveling and going to Epcot and watching the fireworks from the Transportation & Ticket Center.

I once again took the Disney Bus Transportation to Epcot. I had to wait a while until the bus to Epcot arrived so I waited almost about 15 minutes which there were quite a lot of people who were waiting to go to Epcot. But that wasn’t the longest, the longest one was for the Magic Kingdom which there must have been at least 50 people waiting to get on the next bus.

I arrived at Epcot around 9:10am and walked in the park. The first thing I did was head on over to my “Leave a Legacy” picture. After seeing it, I started to go on to my first activity that morning.


It was a nice day where there were some clouds and it was not that busy.


Since I didn’t have any FastPass+ rides at Epcot since I planned them for the Magic Kingdom that night, I went on over towards the Festival Center which is at the former Wonders of Life building.

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I entered the Festival Center and looked around. It is interesting to see the former Wonders of Life building not being used during operation hours except when it is used for special events and the Festival Center for the F&W Festival.

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The first thing I did was to look at the alcohol bottles. Some of you are wondering why I am looking at alcohol bottles (wine, spirit, whisky, etc) since I don’t drink. I was planning on bringing back some of the F&W Festival wine back home to give it to some of my friends and family since they like to drink. Very interesting that the official F&W Festival wine is from California and I bought it from Florida and bringing it back to California.

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I bought three bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon that day and I wasn’t able to take carry them with me around the park and get it delivered to my hotel. So I had to pick them up at the International Gateway Package Pickup area after I left the park. But I was told that I must wait at least 3 hours to pick up the wine.

A space for a seminar during the F&W Festival. I thought about trying a seminar during the F&W Festival. But I decided not to do it since I was concentrating on the kiosks.

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After buying the wine, I head on over to “The Chocolate Experience: From the bean to the Bar exhibit hosted by Ghirardelli which talks about the history of Ghirardelli.

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When I went in the exhibit, I had to check out the chocolate displays of Disney movies and ride.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

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Ratatouille

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Expedition Everest

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A Bug’s Life

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Big Hero 6

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Disney Nature’s Born in China

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It was nice seeing new chocolate works at the Ghirardelli exhibit which they are different from last years.

I then head on over towards the Festival Shop area and looked at all the different F&W Festival merchandise. I really wanted to buy the AP shirt & pin. But I wasn’t an Annual Passholder during this trip in which I was able to do last year.

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There was a lot of different merchandise to choose from. I was able to buy a few things at the store. But I did buy them in advance before I got here thanks to the Shop Parks app which I was able to buy a few things so I didn’t have to carry more back home. The things I couldn’t buy on the app is what I was about to buy during my visit.

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One of the few items that I bought from the Festival Shop was the cookbook of the different recipes from the F&W Festival.

I bought a few shirts, book, and pins at the Festival Shop and I was able to get it delivered to my hotel room so I didn’t have to carry it with me around the park or get the stuff when I left that day. It was nice to take advantage of sending the stuff back to your resort and pick it up there. It was fun staying on-site and hope to do it again in the near future.

After finishing at the Festival Center, it was already 11am that afternoon and that means the F&W Festival kiosks will be open at World Showcase.

Continue to the Next Post​

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – October 5, 2016 – Part 2

Ready to Eat at World Showcase
​

After going through the Festival Center at the former Wonders of Life pavilion, I was now heading on over to World Showcase and go to the different kiosks. I was able to go to the Patagonia kiosk the other day when I arrived in Florida. Now I am able to try the different kiosks around World Showcase.

I like to get pictures of the F&W Festival displays of each country and what the kiosk will have.






When I was walking down, there was a huge set up in the viewing area for Illuminations. The set was for “The Chew” which is an ABC television show for foodies. It was neat that they were there that week during my visit which they did shoot that day. I have heard that they must have shot 3 episodes that day due to Hurricane Matthew coming. So they did multiple times and packed it up on Thursday which the set was all gone when I went to Epcot on Thursday. But that will be another posts about it.


Now it was time to go to the kiosks and get my dishes that I wanted to get during the trip. The first one was the Hawaii kiosk which was one of the kiosks that I wanted to try.


Hawaii menu


There were signs by the kiosks showing what the dishes looked like.


And it showed “The Chew” group which were their favorite during the F&W Festival.


The first dish I got that afternoon was the Kalua Pork Slider. It was one of my favorite dishes at the F&W Festival this year. The spicy mayo which made it so good.


I passed by the Patagonia kiosk which I had the other night. But I didn’t need to go there since I got the Beef Empanada from the other night.


Patagonia menu






The Desserts & Champagne kiosk




Desserts & Champagne Menu


After walking down, I was about to go to my favorite kiosk which is the Canada kiosk. I always have to go to the Canada kiosks for the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup and “Le Cellier” Filet Mignon.


The line was short so I had to go in or it would be crowded later during the day. I have learned the hard way from previous trip during the F&W Festival which I waited later during the day, the more guests will come and queue will be longer.


Canada Menu




My soup and filet mignon that afternoon. The soup is always good and it was nice that the soup comes with a pretzel where it didn’t have it in the past. The filet mignon with the truffle sauce was good as always.


After finishing the dishes, the Greece kiosk was right across from the Canada kiosk.




Greece menu


I head on over to the next part of World Showcase and this will be continue on the next post.