A Salute to Food & Wine but Mostly Wine..12/21 FINAL THOUGHTS...a Solo Trip Adventure

[julezdisney]

I agree w/everyone else that MNSSHP is awesome. Next time we go during that time of year we agreed we'll go twice. Once to indulge in no-lines, and once to indulge in all the party has to offer in shows, parties, candy, photo-ops, etc. Totally fun- and if you get in right at 4, completely worth the cash.

Great updates! I'd been MIA because I'm lazy and hadn't checked for updates since your TR title and links hadn't been updated.... ahem- ahem....

 

[2xcited2sleep]

If you liked MNSSHP, I think you will like MVMCP too. Though the Halloween one is still my favorite. I see you'll be back at the world soon-we will be there a week later. Doing MVMCP on the last night-insanity, but we had no other choice! Your pictures came out beautiful and I can't wait to see and hear more.

I still haven't decided about MVMCP for the upcoming trip. I think I *have* to try it but not sure what night. But certainly based on my Halloween experience I'm open to trying any special party. They did such a great job!

Another great update!

Isn't it amazing the difference in MK for a special event? I did MNSSHP back in '06 and I was just amazed as I walked in along main st.

It was awesome! It really felt like a different place. I couldn't capture it on camera but I also loved how they had the "ghosts" in lights that showed up on all the Main Street buildings.

Well I am glad that you did have the villains float. Sony Cyber-shot, eh? Very good. I will have to look into it. I have only had kodak point and shoot ones.

You should check it out. I think you both have a knack for photography. Have you thought any more about taking a course?

The castle photos are beautiful. I'm glad you had such a great time at MNSSHP. It's one of my favorite things at Disney.

Thanks. It really was great. I look forward to going back!

It has been great to catch up and go from DTD to a sunny relaxing day at your beautiful resort to all the spooky goodness of the Halloween Party!
It is sometimes so hard to put a plan aside and decide to substitute one experience for another, but good for you for going with your bliss, both with your beach day and canceling your Kona Cafe reservation. In my trip report I'm coming up on when I canceled my Le Cellier reservation (gasp!) because there were other things I wanted to do more in that moment.
I like how you described the way the MK is transformed for the party.
Soon we'll be seeing Christmas!!!!!

I know... can't wait to see what Christmas is like! Although I'm experiencing the uncomfortable explanation to all the people in my real life who keep saying "weren't you just there?" "Disney World? You don't have kids." ARGH. Thank goodness for all of you who understand.

Your pictures of MNSSHP give me the chills. It just brings me right back.

And thank you for not letting Captain Jack languish in photobucket. That's just wrong.

I definitely thought of you when I saw Captain Jack! But he and I didn't have a "moment" like he and your DH did!

Your sunset photos are gorgeous! Sunset and twilight are my favorite times of the day -- even more so when they are experienced at WDW!

MNSSHP is my favorite ticket event at MK -- so glad that you had such a great time! The fireworks and parade are truly amazing -- not to mention the Headless Horseman! I have to agree that the HM portion of the parade is my favorite -- I just love the gravediggers with their shovels. That is too funny about the dog with the biscuits -- I never knew that.

Twilight is a great time at WDW. The heat of the day has passed, the lights are just coming on, you're looking forward to a great dinner, fireworks are coming. Ahh... heaven. I didn't notice the dog biscuits either -- someone else pointed them out but once I looked closely they were unmistakeably there... every 2 feet or so. Lucky dog!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I agree w/everyone else that MNSSHP is awesome. Next time we go during that time of year we agreed we'll go twice. Once to indulge in no-lines, and once to indulge in all the party has to offer in shows, parties, candy, photo-ops, etc. Totally fun- and if you get in right at 4, completely worth the cash.

Great updates! I'd been MIA because I'm lazy and hadn't checked for updates since your TR title and links hadn't been updated.... ahem- ahem....

Hanging head in shame. I will update my links and title promptly. And I even have a new installment as a peace offering. MNSSHP x 2 sounds GREAT. I agree... the party was definitely worth the $. I was amazed at the lack of lines on the rides, easy time finding a spot for the parade (at least for the 2nd one). Definitely a must-do!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Well it’s unavoidable. We’ve reached the last day. And on this last day the only “for sure” plan I have is an ADR for dinner at Le Cellier. That was my one “must do” dining experience and when I called for my ADR’s dutifully 180 days in advance, my last night was the only night with an opening. It’s amazing how popular it is. Although I will say that there were empty tables while I was dining. But it’s not time to describe dinner yet…

So as had become my custom (isn’t it funny how quickly we fall into vacation routines? Wish I could fall into an exercise regime that quickly! ), I slept in then turned on Stacey, threw on my sweats, threw the hair in a ponytail and did the mug march to the marketplace. I didn’t eat there during my stay but they seemed to do quite a business and what I saw looked pretty yummy.

So what to do today, what to do. I still wasn’t feeling Animal Kingdom and had done everything I wanted to do at Hollywood Studios. Originally I thought I’d split the day between MK and Epcot but I really felt like I’d said my goodbye to the Kingdom during MNSSHP so I decided I would devote my day to Epcot. I think that this is my favorite park. MK will always be a sentimental favorite but it just seems like Epcot has it all. I especially love World Showcase. The food, the wine, the shops, the various live performances, Illuminations. I even like the movies. I cannot , however, say I love the rides. What is with the Norway ride? It was worse than I’d remembered.

I am waxing poetic about World Showcase but I just love how you can completely immerse yourself feeling like you’re really in that country and then you turn the corner and find some great surprise – a beautiful item in a shop, Snow White in Germany, Aladdin in Morocco, Off Kilter (that's for you, Lynn)… And I’ll just say again how perfectly the Beach Club complements a love of Epcot and specifically World Showcase. Perfection! I truly cannot wait to stay there again. I’m just hoping another great deal will come out for next fall for a Food & Wine repeat.

I headed into World Showcase through “my” private entrance for the last time. I swear I took the same pictures every time I went through but I couldn’t help it. I was just so darn excited to go from my room to World Showcase in ~5 min!!

World Showcase wasn’t open yet (I wish they’d open it before 11am! I remember “back in the day” heading into France for a nice latte and a croissant, sitting at one of the little outside tables. What a great way to start the morning!) so I headed into Future World for one last ride on some of my favorites.

Bring back Dream Finder!!

I realized that for all of my food and wining I hadn’t yet visited the festival welcome center, which was in the old Wonders of Life pavilion, so I decided I needed to rectify that!

It was pretty neat in there. You could buy any of the wines that you had tasted. Then there was an area where they were doing demos. The one they were doing as I arrived was full – people line up quite a bit in advance. Then they had displays of various home goods – some dishes I thought were gorgeous but couldn’t talk myself into getting, cute little signs for your kitchen like “I cook with wine. And sometimes I even put it in the food” I looked at the festival cookbook this year but although I am definitely a cookbook lover (see later souvenir post) I decided that the recipes were a bit too complex for me to try to recreate at home.

Any Brothers & Sisters lovers out there? I suppose in an ABC cross-over promotion effort there was an area devoted to Walker Landing. There was seating right in front of it but no show times or anything were listed so I’m not sure it was used for anything but display. I LOVE that show… and just read quite a spoiler from Michael Ausiello on Entertainment Weekly that I’m dying to discuss so if you’re a fan, let me know! Anyway, I thought it was cute that they had wine barrels labeled Walker Landing and crates labeled Ojai Food and the walls were full of “family pictures.”

At this point in my trip I had used up all of the “free money” on my Disney Visa rewards card and I knew that I intended to spend the bulk of the day eating and drinking around World Showcase. So I decided to buy one of the handy dandy wristlet gift cards. They don’t expire so I’ll be taking it back with me in December and perhaps on every trip I take in the future. SO CONVENIENT! And great not to have to open your bag, dig out your wallet, find the cash or sign the credit card receipt. As I went through the day many of the cashiers at the F&W booths told me they wished using these cards was mandatory as it made the line flow so much easier.

While I was there I also ordered a glass of prosecco (sparkling wine) that was very reasonably priced. I think it might have been ~$4 (compared to the $9 glass of champagne this was a bargain!). And I’ll confess… I thought the guy pouring for me was quite cute. I think he was from Italy. I tried my best flirting (sorta) and then…. He called me ma’am! UGH.

So I took my prosecco and headed toward World Showcase for more food and wine indulgence. Maybe the French are better flirts.

To be continued...

 

[nts4wdw]

Off Kilter (that's for you, Lynn)…

Great update! Epcot is our family favorite, too. It seems like wherever we start out, we end up there!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Aww, I'm sad you're on the last day. As for taking the same pictures every time you went through World Showcase, I swear I take the same pictures every trip. I'm getting better though! LOL.

 

[julezdisney]

I tried my best flirting (sorta) and then…. He called me ma’am! UGH.

 

[Donald is #1]

So sad, your last day! Isn't amazing how your last day can be both fun and a little depressing at the same time?

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Great update! Epcot is our family favorite, too. It seems like wherever we start out, we end up there!

Epcot really has something for everyone! I seriously think I should start earning commission on Beach Club stays b/c I cannot stop recommending it but when it is 5 min outside your door it is all the more attractive... if you can even imagine that!

Aww, I'm sad you're on the last day. As for taking the same pictures every time you went through World Showcase, I swear I take the same pictures every trip. I'm getting better though! LOL.

Glad I'm not the only one! I definitely noted some similarities between my '06 photos and this trip. And have you checked out the thread on the photography board that is devoted to proving there is no such thing as an original photo in WDW? It's pretty cool. Turns out we all take the same photos!

Glad to amuse you Julez. It was funny. A bit ego bruising but funny. I could be his mother, afterall.

So sad, your last day! Isn't amazing how your last day can be both fun and a little depressing at the same time?

You're telling me! The last day is a whirlwind of emotion!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Lovely beginnings to your last day!

Don't you hate it when they call you ma'am?

 

[MRYPPNS]

Don't you hate it when they call you ma'am?

Look on the bright side, better then being called sir!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Lovely beginnings to your last day!

Don't you hate it when they call you ma'am?

Definitely a blow to the ego!

Look on the bright side, better then being called sir!

Well, now I hadn't thought about it from that perspective! Now I'm counting my blessings!

 

[ILuvCrush]

And I’ll confess… I thought the guy pouring for me was quite cute. I think he was from Italy. I tried my best flirting (sorta) and then…. He called me ma’am! UGH.

So I took my prosecco and headed toward World Showcase for more food and wine indulgence. Maybe the French are better flirts.

To be continued...

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Do I amuse you?

It was pretty funny.

 

[kschafer]

(isn’t it funny how quickly we fall into vacation routines? Wish I could fall into an exercise regime that quickly! ),

Tell me it's not almost over
I so wish I could take a trip during F&W, yum yum!!
I guess you are going to have to go back so we can hear more all about your travels!

BTW, are we ever going to get to see your face?

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Tell me it's not almost over
I so wish I could take a trip during F&W, yum yum!!
I guess you are going to have to go back so we can hear more all about your travels!

BTW, are we ever going to get to see your face?

Perhaps I should keep the mystery alive? No? As soon as I get my photopass CD (I did a share) I will share my mug. Please don't get your hopes up. There's probably more than one reason he called me ma'am!

And on a F&W note, I highly recommend you try to time a trip for this event. So worth it. But stay away on the weekends when it is just insanity.

 

[TarzansKat]

You are making me so excited for Epcot! I mean, I love it, but just hearing your description of your "private" entrance. Isn't it wonderful???

And your glass of prosecco sounds divine.

 

[julezdisney]

Look on the bright side, better then being called sir!

Now that is a good point!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm so sad that it is your last day. I really think they should have those gift cards on wrist bands for everything. Just like the photopasses on the wrist bands, I don't know how many times I had to dig out the photopass during our trip. It gets old.

I just started watching Brothers & Sisters this year. I like it so far but I am still trying to catch up on all the storylines. I think I have a decent grasp though.

EDIT: On a side note I love Michael Ausiello. When he was on tvguide.com I was featured in ask column one week! I felt like a celebrity. I am simple, I know. LOL.

 

[Circusgirl]

I'm especially enjoying your time at Epcot because I ended up not spending very much time there myself on my September trip. You should get some credit at the Beach Club - you've moved it up to the top of my list as next new resort to try.