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

[2xcited2sleep]

Welcome! I like trip reports with links. Not because I don't appreciate the witty banter in between posts but sometimes you just want to get down to it. And thus, below please find a table of contents, of sorts..

Intro...below (keep scrolling)
A Trip of Firsts
Draft Itinerary
Ticket Mania
Top 10 Adult Beverages to which I'm Looking Forward
A bit of a let down
Where's the beef???
A Visit to Trips Past... Disneyland Resort 2007
Lists and can you learn too much on the DIS???
Off Topic - 500th post & my furry princess
What if it rains?
An interesting invention... wine lanyards
Wolfgang Puck vs. Earl of Sandwich and F&W kiosks
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
A Virtual Trip to My Happy Place - April 2006
My top 10 retirement jobs
December Bonus Trip
Magical Express
Disney says, "now is the time to plan your dining!"
DVC Dreaming
ADR boogie
Trip Pledge
I'm back!
Day One: arrival
Beach Club Villas and an Annual Pass!
Beaches 'n Cream and World Showcase
MK Fall Finery
MK continued
A celebrity sighting!
DHS part I
DHS part II
Epcot
Saturday afternoon - Mexico
An evening at Downtown Disney
Pool Day!
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Hallowishes & Boo to You!
Last day part I
A perfect meandering afternoon/last day part II
More meandering Part III
Last day part IV
Souvenirs
Final Thoughts



----------------------
89 days and double-digit dancing! I’ll be heading down to WDW for 5 days at the end of October and I can’t wait!! 5 days without work (I feel quite certain I was meant to be independently wealthy and something went horribly wrong)! 5 days in my favorite place on earth (& the happiest, don’t you know ). And 5 days to experience my very first Food & Wine festival. As you may be able to tell from the title I’m quite excited about the wine (and grey goose slushies, and tangerine daquiris, and margaritas…) But I promise I’m no slouch in the food department either! Still unsure on my ability to provide food porn but we’ll talk about that later.

I know this may sound crazy to you all but I couldn’t find anyone to go with me and so I decided on a solo trip rather than deprive myself. Why couldn’t I find anyone? Good question! Well, Prince Charming has eluded me thus far. I have, however, met plenty of trolls but that’s another story. My friends don’t seem to view WDW as a suitable vacation destination for a variety of reasons—I won’t bore you with all of the “excuses” but the most entertaining one was a discussion where we were talking touring plans and thrill ride “philosophy” (I’m not a big thrill ride person either) and my friend mentioned how scary she thought Pirates was with the “big drop.” Umm… what??? Not sure we have a match here. I’m also quite opinionated on what I want to do and when, so after thinking about it, a solo trip is probably the best with no one else to drag me down or worry about doing what they want to do. (Hmmm… wonder if that philosophy has anything to do with my still being single???)

So, that’s your cast of characters. Me. Myself. I. Kinda boring. What can I tell you about me? I’m thirty-something (emphasis on something) and live in CT, far too far from the mouse. I actually lived in Orlando as a little girl in the early 1970’s and got to go to WDW quite frequently as a toddler. Then when we moved to CT we continued to go as a family every year or every other year. I think that’s part of what I love so much about WDW… the sense of history and all the happy memories that come flooding back. I’m going to see if I can dig up some vintage pictures of past trips since I love seeing them on other trip reports.

So we went to WDW often as I was growing up. Last family trip was while I was in my freshman year of college. Then came a ~10 year hiatus for various reasons. Fast forward to April ’06 and we go back as a family and have a blast! Totally different Disney experience than as a kid – delicious dinners, happy hours, afternoon breaks at the pool.

I have to say, however, one thing stayed the same—I still think the Snow White ride is scary!! Famous story in my family-- that was the first ride we went on (early 70’s before “scary” was in the attraction title) and I screamed bloody murder, wanted to go home instantly and refused to ride anything else. For the most part I’ve recovered, but riding in those little mining carts I revert to the 3-year-old me.

So I’ve been dying to go back. I’ve heard a lot about F&W but never experienced it. No one else wanted to go and thus the singleton’s trip for food and wine but mostly wine was born!

I’ll confess to being a little nervous about my first PTR/TR. But I know how much I enjoy reading other peoples’ PTRs/TRs. And if I don’t find some outlet for my Disney energy, someone is going to get hurt!

So 89 days to go. Itinerary is somewhat set but I’d love some feedback. I did make some ADR’s (holy 180-day pressure, batman!) but am now second-guessing some of them. And I’m putting together my list of must-do’s. Looking forward to sharing it all with you…

 

[nts4wdw]

Am I the first? Wow!
Looking forward to hearing all your plans!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Christine, you should tell everyone that you have started a pre-trippie!!!

I can't wait to hear all your plans!!! Food and Wine is on the top of my Disney Wish List!!! One day!!! Hopefully, soon!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Am I the first? Wow!
Looking forward to hearing all your plans!!

Thanks for coming over! I'm enjoying your TR too! If I'm not mistaken you're planning a trip in Dec, right? Not sure if it's for Mousefest or "just because." The reason I ask is even in the midst of my Oct trip planning I'm thinking about a Dec trip too... I think I have a problem.

Christine, you should tell everyone that you have started a pre-trippie!!!

I can't wait to hear all your plans!!! Food and Wine is on the top of my Disney Wish List!!! One day!!! Hopefully, soon!

Thanks! I think I saw on another thread that you made a proactive ADR just in case you can make it to F&W this year... Hope it comes true!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Thanks! I think I saw on another thread that you made a proactive ADR just in case you can make it to F&W this year... Hope it comes true!

Me too! But if it doesn't I will have your TR to live vicariously through!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

So even though I am a veteran WDW visitor this is still a trip of firsts for me:

1) First time staying at a deluxe!!!

I was so very lucky and received a coveted “40% code” and have booked myself at…

Beach Club Villas. I can’t wait. Not only will I be able to embrace my inner princess with the deluxe treatment but I figure the location can’t be beat, especially at food and wine time! I’m also a big believer in the afternoon break and a sun worshipper so I am looking forward to Stormalong Bay. Also planning to squeeze a trip to Beaches ‘n Cream in there too! Although more likely I’ll be squeezing myself into a booth after all the eating and drinking I’m planning!!


2) Another first – first time at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or any hard-ticketed event, really. No- I’m not planning on dressing in costume but I am thinking about making myself an iron-on shirt with the help of the Creative DISigns thread. These are the work of rumblytumbly:

I am not at all crafty so we'll have to see how this experiment goes.

3) First trip to Food & Wine!!! I’ve tried to read every trip report out there I can find on F&W and it looks so fun! I'm not sure yet about any of the special events. I'm thinking the booths alone will be plenty to keep me busy! Anyone have any general tips for F&W?

4) First solo trip. I’m mostly just excited to be going to WDW but am a little nervous—especially with table service meals or whether I’ll just start to get lonely. Every solo trip report I’ve read they’ve loved it so I’m just going to go for it! And maybe I’ll even meet some DIS’ers while I’m there (need to go get my LGMH to identify myself!)

Next: my second guessing all of the planning!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Being the diligent DIS’er that I try to be and someone who quite possibly has undiagnosed OCD I’ve been doing a lot of planning (some may say obsessing but what do they know). I’ve got the color-coded spreadsheet to prove it.

It has been updated many, many times. I nearly had a nervous breakdown when the 180 day mark came but we’ll talk more (a lot more!) about dining later.

So now is the portion of the pre-trip process where I second guess all of the planning I’ve done. I look at the spreadsheet and it seems all wrong to me. I beat myself up for “needing” a spreadsheet. I’m going solo – shouldn’t I be able to “roll with it”??? You’d be laughing harder if you knew me better.

OK. I need a plan. But what is the right plan??? Here’s what is on the spreadsheet – subject to revision.

Thursday, October 23rd – Arrival Day!!!
Flight arrives ~10:30am
Aim to be through Magical Express and arriving at the resort by noon
Check-in – assume room won’t be ready
Lunch: either Beaches & Cream or maybe Epcot counter-service??
Park: here’s where I’m having an issue. The original plan calls for Epcot or AK based on Unofficial Guide and TGM advice but I’m starting to wonder how I can not make this my first stop??

What do you think? Is it “wrong” not to go to MK on the first day? Could you wait until day 3 which was/is my original plan??? Am I nuts to be obsessing over this?


Dinner: Tutto Italia 7:30pm


Friday, October 24th

Morning: DHS/MGM
Lunch: Tune In Lounge (no ADR)
Early afternoon: pool break (hello Stormalong Bay!)
Late afternoon/evening: EPCOT – EMH ‘til midnight
Dinner: F&W booths

Saturday, October 25th
Morning: MK
Lunch:

I know - not a lot of good reviews to be found on this restaurant. But I love Mexican and love the atmosphere even more. Throw in a couple of margaritas and an opportunity to get out of the sun for a hour or so and I'm ready!

Afternoon: pool
Evening: Downtown Disney & shopping!!
Dinner: Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Puck Express – thoughts?? I also have Raglan Road in the back of my mind as a contender.

Sunday, October 26th
Morning: AK
Lunch: Yak & Yeti
Pool break (anyone sensing a theme?)
Afternoon: MK
Evening: MNSSHP!! Dinner at counter-service? Or maybe hop over to the Poly for a Lapu-Lapu?


Monday, October 27th
EPCOT all day with a pool break (of course!)

Dinner:

Is it just me or do you hear the hallelujah chorus playing? I know-- lots of hype around this restaurant. I've only been once in '06 and loved it. I'm a meat 'n potatoes kind of gal. A cream cheese mashed potato gal to be specific. I've been alarmed at the change in menu but understand the mashed potatoes are still available via substitution. Phew!!


Tuesday, October 28th

Character Breakfast at Cape May

Fly home

So that's it. That's the plan as it stands today. 88 more days to change it around.

 

[MomofCKJ]

I'm so excited you started a PTR! Yeah!

First off, BCV, NICE! I think afternoons at Stormalong Bay sound just heavenly! And that will be SO convenient for the F&W! How fun all those tasty tidbits and beverages! Oh that sounds wonderful!

And I'll be honest, not doing MK till Day 3 seems almost, well, sacreligious (sp?) to me! LOL! I'm a TGMer too so I know the value of his recommendations but I also think being alone makes things different. I kind of feel like me being alone I could deal with a Yellow or *gulp* Red park for a little while better than if I were part of a group. KWIM? So I would say maybe if it is important to you scoot yourself over to MK, if only for a couple hours and then hit another park. I'm supposed to be doing the "first bus" that comes thing my first day but in my heart I keep thinking "must see MK first" so I just might do that. That is the beauty of the solo traveller I think, you can decide what you want and not worry about what anyone else wants!

Le Cellier, oh yum! They do have such wonderful food!

I'm excited for you! I think its going to be a great trip!

Allyson

 

[askelton]

So I’ve been dying to go back. I’ve heard a lot about F&W but never experienced it. No one else wanted to go and thus the singleton’s trip for food and wine but mostly wine was born!

You'll love F&W. And of course you can do food porn. The ones that may look at you crazily obviously aren't in the know, and why do you care what they think?, and all the DISsers will know exactly what you're doing.

The reason I ask is even in the midst of my Oct trip planning I'm thinking about a Dec trip too... I think I have a problem.

No, No you don't.

S
I’m also a big believer in the afternoon break and a sun worshipper

Me too. My sister actually tells me I tan-orexic but just because I happen to wear the same color foundation as the African American lady helping me pick it out, doesn't make it so. (I'm not really that tan!)

2) Another first – first time at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or any hard-ticketed event, really. No- I’m not planning on dressing in costume but I am thinking about making myself an iron-on shirt with the help of the Creative DISigns thread. These are the work of rumblytumbly:

We haven't done this before either and I think this year is the year.

3) First trip to Food & Wine!!! I’ve tried to read every trip report out there I can find on F&W and it looks so fun! I'm not sure yet about any of the special events. I'm thinking the booths alone will be plenty to keep me busy! Anyone have any general tips for F&W?

I read that you should try something there you probably would never have since it's a small portion and you won't feel bad if you throw it away. For me that was escargot. Well, I loved it. I'm sure it had nothing to do with all the butter and garlic. We did a wine tasting at Flying Fish that was fun and this year I think we're going to Party for the Senses. It's expensive but I've heard it's worth it.

4) First solo trip. I’m mostly just excited to be going to WDW but am a little nervous—especially with table service meals or whether I’ll just start to get lonely. Every solo trip report I’ve read they’ve loved it so I’m just going to go for it! And maybe I’ll even meet some DIS’ers while I’m there (need to go get my LGMH to identify myself!)

If you need someone to have a drink with you, just call.

Afternoon: pool
Evening: Downtown Disney & shopping!!
Dinner: Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Puck Express – thoughts?? I also have Raglan Road in the back of my mind as a contender.

Never been to EoS or WP but we did enjoy RR.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I'm so excited you started a PTR! Yeah!

First off, BCV, NICE! I think afternoons at Stormalong Bay sound just heavenly! And that will be SO convenient for the F&W! How fun all those tasty tidbits and beverages! Oh that sounds wonderful!

And I'll be honest, not doing MK till Day 3 seems almost, well, sacreligious (sp?) to me! LOL! I'm a TGMer too so I know the value of his recommendations but I also think being alone makes things different. I kind of feel like me being alone I could deal with a Yellow or *gulp* Red park for a little while better than if I were part of a group. KWIM? So I would say maybe if it is important to you scoot yourself over to MK, if only for a couple hours and then hit another park. I'm supposed to be doing the "first bus" that comes thing my first day but in my heart I keep thinking "must see MK first" so I just might do that. That is the beauty of the solo traveller I think, you can decide what you want and not worry about what anyone else wants!

Le Cellier, oh yum! They do have such wonderful food!

I'm excited for you! I think its going to be a great trip!

Allyson

Yeah!!! I'm so glad you're here! Thanks. I'm excited about BCV too. The more I think about day 1 the more I think I have to do MK first. That's really what it's all about for me-- go under the train station around the hub or whatever it's called in Main Street and that glimpse of the castle. And these

That's what says you're in WDW to me. How can I put that off?!? Thanks for validating that and confirming I'm not a nut!

You'll love F&W. And of course you can do food porn. The ones that may look at you crazily obviously aren't in the know, and why do you care what they think?, and all the DISsers will know exactly what you're doing.

Welcome!! Good point. And I know how much I enjoy seeing other peoples' pictures so the least I can do is share my own! I do find it ironic that ~2years ago when I first found the DIS I thought to myself "who are these weirdos??" And now I'm proudly a weirdo myself!

No, No you don't.

Thanks for the validation. I'm really thinking about a December trip too!

My sister actually tells me I tan-orexic but just because I happen to wear the same color foundation as the African American lady helping me pick it out, doesn't make it so. (I'm not really that tan!)

I read that you should try something there you probably would never have since it's a small portion and you won't feel bad if you throw it away. For me that was escargot. Well, I loved it. I'm sure it had nothing to do with all the butter and garlic. We did a wine tasting at Flying Fish that was fun and this year I think we're going to Party for the Senses. It's expensive but I've heard it's worth it.

Thanks!! Great tips! I hadn't thought of it that way. I do need to broaden my food horizons. And if I throw away a $4 sample I won't feel too terribly bad. Throwing away any adult beverages, however, would be a sin.

]If you need someone to have a drink with you, just call.

I'd love to!!!

 

[KatGarcia]

I'm so on board! Solo Travelers Unite! I am so excited for you, I LOVED F&W (I wish i could go back this year).

So far your plans look great! If you plan on doing a lot of eating at the food and wine booths I would say just not to worry much about lunches, you can graze around and fill up easily.

MNSSHP was awesome too (we did it when we went to F&W last year) and well worth it. Maybe you can have an early dinner at one of the monorail resorts and then head to the party?!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I'm so on board! Solo Travelers Unite! I am so excited for you, I LOVED F&W (I wish i could go back this year).

So far your plans look great! If you plan on doing a lot of eating at the food and wine booths I would say just not to worry much about lunches, you can graze around and fill up easily.

MNSSHP was awesome too (we did it when we went to F&W last year) and well worth it. Maybe you can have an early dinner at one of the monorail resorts and then head to the party?!

Welcome!! I'm so glad to have you join the fun! Yes, solo travelers unite!! I am looking forward to your report for any solo tips!

I like idea of early dinner at monorail resort before MNSSHP... I'm thinking Poly. Yes, because of the Lapu Lapu. You caught me. As the PTR title implies I have a weakness for the adult beverage. Especially those that achieve iconic status on the DIS!

 

[nts4wdw]

Your plans look awesome! The Beach Club does, too! That is one of those resorts I look at longingly everytime we see it. I'll stay there some day!

We are going in December for Mousefest. We'd love to see you if you are there! And I don't think you're crazy. But I am the one who went to WDW four times in one year.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

We are going in December for Mousefest. We'd love to see you if you are there! And I don't think you're crazy. But I am the one who went to WDW four times in one year.

You have no idea how tempted I am. Or maybe... 4x in a year, you do! I am thisclose to getting an annual pass.

If I do end up going for Mousefest I will definitely let you guys know...I'd love to meet you!

 

[Charleston Princess]

1) First time staying at a deluxe!!!

So lucky!!! Having Beach Club as your resort will be wonderful for F&W!!!

2) Another first – first time at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or any hard-ticketed event, really.

You will LOVE it! We went last year and had a blast!!!

3) First trip to Food & Wine!!! I’ve tried to read every trip report out there I can find on F&W and it looks so fun! I'm not sure yet about any of the special events. I'm thinking the booths alone will be plenty to keep me busy! Anyone have any general tips for F&W?

You know how I feel about this since F&W is my new obsession! I am eagerly reading all the tips people are giving you...just in case.

Also, I think you should throw out the recommendations and head to MK your first night -- it's just you and it's just one night -- start your trip with MK! We have not the past two June trips, and a part of me regretted it. See those balloons and that castle!

 

[retiredkid]

I'm soooo jealous. You are doing three of the things I most want to do at WDW.

solo trip
BCV
F&W

I am here for the long haul. I can't wait to read more.

 

[ILuvCrush]

I'm here! can't wait to hear more!

I'm going to miss you by a couple days
The stinky plane takes be back to PA on the 18th

I'm still REALLY tempted to to MNSSHP.. we did P&PP in Feb and it was a lot of fun....but that was with the kiddos...not sure if HP would be the same solo

But I still can't quite talk myself out of it!!

Paula

 

[2xcited2sleep]

You know how I feel about this since F&W is my new obsession! I am eagerly reading all the tips people are giving you...just in case.

It's a fun obsession to have, isn't it? But be careful, I went from "someday I'd really love to try F&W" to booking a trip for this year quite quickly and without notice. But in all the seriousness that is Disney vacation planning I do really hope that you can make an Oct trip work and all the better if we overlapped!

Also, I think you should throw out the recommendations and head to MK your first night -- it's just you and it's just one night -- start your trip with MK! We have not the past two June trips, and a part of me regretted it. See those balloons and that castle!

Ya know... I think you guys have convinced me. How can I not head right to the castle? For those keeping score, you've just witnessed change # 647 to the itinerary. Any one want to take the over/under on total # of changes? (No, Board Mods, I am not soliciting gambling )

I'm soooo jealous. You are doing three of the things I most want to do at WDW.

solo trip
BCV
F&W

I am here for the long haul. I can't wait to read more.

Welcome! I'm so glad you're here! I do feel very lucky to be doing these 3 items at all let alone in one trip! I will be sure to document thoroughly and report for as much vicarious enjoyment as possible!

I'm here! can't wait to hear more!

I'm going to miss you by a couple days
The stinky plane takes be back to PA on the 18th

I'm still REALLY tempted to to MNSSHP.. we did P&PP in Feb and it was a lot of fun....but that was with the kiddos...not sure if HP would be the same solo

But I still can't quite talk myself out of it!!

Paula

Yeah! You're here! Boo! The bad plane is taking you away too early! Will you be writing a TR by any chance? No pressure. Maybe it's just b/c solo trips are on my mind lately but there do seem to be quite a few of us "taking the plunge!"

 

[Quacktatty]

Woohoo! You started a trip report!

I totally want to do my next trip during Food and Wine. I was hoping to hit it this year, but I am missing it by less than a week!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Woohoo! You started a trip report!

I totally want to do my next trip during Food and Wine. I was hoping to hit it this year, but I am missing it by less than a week!

Hi! Thanks for coming over! Missing by less than a week... that's tough. BUT a good reason to plan the next trip...