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

[2xcited2sleep]

Who Me???
I'm just saying.... it's a GREAT time to go.... and if Marc doesn't want to.... hmmmm ....I'm sure we can think of SOMETHING!!!!

(that's assuming the beer doesn't work, of course )

Paula

True. I'm sure we can some up with something!!

enjoying your tr! subscribing

Thanks so much for reading. Happy to have you joining us!

when I saw hints of this on the boards this morning, I called my SIL to see if she wanted to take the kids for spring break. The deal would have been pretty good (room and tickets for 7 nights/8 days at Pop Century were coming out at $1200 for 1 adult and 2 kids) and the $200 gift card would have helped pay for a few meals.

But DH had to bring me back to reality (darn him!) We really need to pay off some financial commitments before taking another vacation. so now I am feeling very tonight.

Reality sucks. Doesn't it?? Sorry you're sad. Hopefully this is just the first of many discounts/promotions. At least that's what I'm telling myself.

You can tell him that I discovered that you can't try opening the doors when the Christmas lights are up.....they have it roped off.......wouldn't be a problem in May

Ooohh... you are good, Heidi!

He told me I could book but that was after he laid on the financial guilt. I am so torn right now it's not even funny.

Heidi! I can always count on you with the proper convincing husband ammo!

So?? Any luck with the beer? The doors?

 

[2xcited2sleep]

The day dawns on my first morning in WDW! This may be un-DIS-like but it dawned without a wake-up call.

A) I need my beauty rest and
B) there are no alarms on vacation!!​

So on the planned agenda for today is Disney Hollywood Studio, a break in the afternoon, and evening at F&W. It did not exactly turn out that way but it was still a DELIGHTFUL day.

First off the Beach Club advertises it has posturepedic mattresses… I sure slept well! I throw open the curtains to my wooded view (NOSpaceshipEarth) to see… RAIN. Grr… This is not part of the plan. But I have trained for this. And as delightful as my room, and Stacy’s top 7 is I am not hanging out here all day! So I hit the showers and motivate.

Boy am I moving slowly. I overdid it yesterday. My hips hurt! So do my legs! And my feet! They are all protesting but I tell them to shut up!

I remembered my $13 mug at this point and thought some caffeine might be soothing so I prepared to join the “mug people.” (I’m sorry – I can’t remember whose TR coined this term but I love it!) It was just before 9am and I looked for a do-not disturb sign but couldn’t find one. I figured I’d be down and back in 10 min max and would risk it. Dontcha know I came back to see the mousekeeping cart in front of my door. My mousekeeper wasn’t too happy to see me but too bad! A)it’s my vacation and B) you didn’t leave me a do not disturb card!

I forgot to mention that I had purchased a croissant at the bakery in France the night before so I had that w/ breakfast. I downloaded some pictures to the laptop and showered. I’m sure mousekeeping was annoyed I was dilly dallying and that’s part of the reason I did it. Evil, Christine!

Finally I’m ready to leave around 10am and it’s barely drizzling. I know that you can also walk to DHS from BC so I decide to try that. It’s certainly a longer walk than Epcot but not bad. Maybe 15-20 min? The rain was off and on! Enough rain for the umbrella but not enough to take out my poncho. It’s a nice relaxing walk along the canal and the back of Boardwalk resort. As I look at these photos I see how cloudy it really was!

At least the clouds made for some good Tower of Terror shots!

I made a few calls on my walk and was determined not to let a little rain get the best of me! As I approached the gates the lines didn’t look too long. I headed to the right and breezed on through.

Just after entering this fella stopped me and asked if I would say hello to Miss Chelsea and her mom Jackie

Other sights as I kinda stood there figuring out what I wanted to do next:

Now I’m not a thrill ride junkie so Rockin’ Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror weren’t really even considerations. I’d heard a lot about Toy Story Mania but for whatever reason (maybe b/c I knew I’d be back in Dec?) I decided not to kill myself to head back there.

So instead I took a left and headed around past the 50’s Primetime Café.

True confession: I’ve seen all the Star Wars movies (at least the classics from the ‘70s/’80’s), my brother had the action figures and millennium falcon and I had a HUGE crush on Han Solo. So my first ride at DHS was…

As I was heading in, young Jedi were receiving their training… too cute!!

Star Traders:

At this point we are approaching my 11:50 lunch ADR at Hollywood Brown Derby. I should pause here to profusely thank Lady Lallie and her DH who had a lovely meal at HBD and posted pictures, which inspired me to place my ADR.

On way way over to HBD

 

[ILuvCrush]

Sounds like a great (albiet wet) day at DHS so far!!! I really think we were sisters in another life... apparently with the same brother

I grew up with all the Star Wars stuff too... and even though all my cousins liked Luke... I was the smart one in with Han Solo!!!

Unlike you, I like the thrill rides.... but I won't wait for them EE 7 times in less than an hour... absolutely, but don't expect me to wait 45 min for 1 ride!!! If it wasn't for the single rider lines and fastpass, I probably wouldn't have done the ones I did. I love all the other stuff: parades, food, shows, food, characters, food. But, I love the themed rides the best of all (PotC, JC, GMR, etc.)

We'd travel well together... I could get up early and ride the thrill rides, you can sleep in and we can meet at lunch


Mug people Love that!!

I like the pics! I especially like the overview one of DHS you took from the pathway... I need to walk that direction sometime for photo ops! Too bad the path doesn't lead from WL

OK... on with DHS day... I want to hear the rest of it!
(I hope that Brown Derby is everything you had hoped for More even!!)

Paula

 

[Lady Lallie]

You can't leave me hanging with your Brown Derby lunch!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

You made Chelsea giggle with joy with your shout-out by Bo! Then, Charles asked me if on the next trip he could pose with an obscure statue so he could be famous on the DIS boards, too.

So, it was a nice relaxing walk to DHS from the Beach Club? I hope you rode the boat there at least once, too.

All of your shots from DHS are beautiful -- I always love that old Hollywood glamor!

I love Star Wars, too -- we always have to ride Star Tours!

I am so looking forward to the Brown Derby lunch!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Sounds like a great (albiet wet) day at DHS so far!!! I really think we were sisters in another life... apparently with the same brother

My "sistah from another mistah." I just heard that saying the other day and had to use it!!

We'd travel well together... I could get up early and ride the thrill rides, you can sleep in and we can meet at lunch

We may have to put that to the test!!

You can't leave me hanging with your Brown Derby lunch!!

Sorry. Didn't mean to cause anxiety. It was awesome. Details coming up.

You made Chelsea giggle with joy with your shout-out by Bo! Then, Charles asked me if on the next trip he could pose with an obscure statue so he could be famous on the DIS boards, too.

Glad Chelsea got a kick out of it. Lady Lallie started the tradition. And yes, Charles should absolutely pose w/ an obscure statue. Is he looking for suggestions?

So, it was a nice relaxing walk to DHS from the Beach Club? I hope you rode the boat there at least once, too.

Oh, Jackie, I am so excited for you to see this for yourself. Yes, it's a nice walk. You go along behind Boardwalk, get a glimpse of the pool and then it's a walk along the canal or whatever it is. I saw a bunny and squirrels. Not quite Animal Kingdom but still fun! MUCH better than waiting for a bus in my opinion!
[/QUOTE]

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I check into Hollywood Brown Derby at 11:50 a little soggy but still not raining enough for me to take out the poncho. At this point, that would be like admitting defeat. Here as well, not a blink at my being a solo party. I did notice that there were a lot of non-tourists (notable b/c wearing business attire) waiting for tables. Must be lots of Disney employees coming over from the offices to have lunch. If my office were ANYWHERE near this restaurant I would be there. Every. Day. Twice. A. Day. And the only reason not three times a day is that they don’t serve breakfast. I’m just sayin’.

I was seated quickly and this dining room is much more comfortable than Tutto. The tables aren’t on top of each other. I don’t feel as self conscious. And I’m so happy to be there!

Edwin, my waiter comes over relatively quickly and he too, asks if it will just be me. Apparently solo diners are not the norm at WDW but that’s to be expected. He was VERY nice! I knew right what I wanted and ordered it right up. A glass of wine and the infamous Cobb Salad. I ordered it with blue cheese on the side if there are any others out there who aren’t big fans of the blue cheese. Here again not a blink of the eye. Throughout the meal I got the feeling that whatever I asked for no matter how bizarre they would find a way to bring it to me quickly. I LOVE that!

Before I knew it Edwin had brought over my wine (letting me taste it AS IF I had any clue what I was doing or had ever turned away a glass of wine!) and a basket of hot crusty bread. These two in and of themselves were a great combo. I almost didn’t need the Cobb Salad.

This was one of those moments during the trip when I was just blissfully happy. I am finally here. Sitting down nice and cozy in an amazing restaurant. Good people watching . And have I mentioned the glass of wine and basket of crusty bread??? In contrast to the Tutto meal I wasn’t at all self-conscious and I didn’t have a celeb to gawk at so I just thought about how grateful I was that I was there, how much fun I’d had planning the trip, I thought about other DIS’ers HBD meals and finally about just how much I loved Disney World and how it was truly my happy place. And, if I’m really being honest, I fast forwarded a bit in my mind to a time when I’m visiting with a DH and kid(s)… I can’t wait for that – even though I have no idea how/if I’m going to get there.

Day dream over. The Cobb salad arrived quickly – exactly as ordered w/ the blue cheese on the side- and it was every single bit as delicious as advertised. And I’ll admit it… I ordered a 2nd glass of wine. It’s vacation, afterall! I kept an eye out the window and could see that it was still raining so I was in no hurry whatsoever.

Now, two days before I had left on vacation, I had discovered that a friend from work who now works in a separate part of the business such that we don’t see each other regularly was also going to be in WDW at the same time with her 4 ½ year old son. So I gave her a ring to see what she was up to. Turns out she was headed to DHS later in the day!!! What karma!
While my friend and her son were taking their time getting here I decided that I needed to try the infamous grapefruit cake. YUM-O!!!

GREAT recommendation, Lady Lallie!!! And I second the recommendation. Hollywood Brown Derby is a FANTASTIC restaurant!!

So I head back out into the park and unfortunately it is still drizzling. Grr. But again, not going to stop me. So I meander around. This is the order of the photos I took so I guess that is the way I went. Kinda like those Family Circus cartoons where the dotted lines show the kid has taken the incredibly long circuitous route to cover every single corner of the property in the most inefficient manner possible!



So… am I in a time warp or is it really only Oct 24th? I guess it make sense that something like this doesn’t go up overnight but I was still surprised to see it before Halloween!

Can’t wait to see it all lit up in December!!

I stopped over to see my Muppet friends

Not sure if you can make this out from the pre-show area but it’s the spaceship from the “Pigs in Space” segment that used to be on the Muppet Show. I loved that!

I thought this was funny on the Streets of America in the NY section (obviously!). I just noticed that the Golden Gate bridge is in the background… that’s quite a geography trick!

I made my way back to the “hat” and they were getting ready for the Block Party parade. I’m not normally a parade person but I decided to give it a try. As I was climbing up on a cement planter to see over everyone who was queued up (the planter is in the back – I wasn’t blocking anyone) apparently my credit card fell out of the pocket of my purse. A very nice woman noticed and pointed it out to me. I thanked her profusely but just in case she’s a DISer I’ll say THANK YOU again. That would have been a bummer! Overall I thought the parade was pretty cute!

Hit the Great Movie Ride. Meh. One Man’s Dream. Awesome as always. At this point I caught up with my friend, her son and her friend and friend’s daughter over at Star Tours. They wanted to see the Jedi Training Academy so we got to see one all the way through. Their kids didn’t get picked but it was still cute nonetheless.

We hung out a while longer, jus t of wandering from thing to thing that the kids wanted to do. We saw the Cars characters in their garage (sorry- don’ t know their names!). For whatever reason I kind of forgot my camera while we were visiting. It was really nice in the midst of a solo trip to have some social interaction and seeing WDW through the eyes of a child is always great.

My day and all the walking was catching up with me so I decided to head back. I walked again. It really is an enjoyable walk. Back at the resort, filled up the mug and collapsed to watch some Top 7, relax and figure out what, if anything, I would do that evening.

 

[MRYPPNS]

I check into Hollywood Brown Derby at 11:50 a little soggy but still not raining enough for me to take out the poncho. I did notice that there were a lot of non-tourists (notable b/c wearing business attire) waiting for tables. Must be lots of Disney employees coming over from the offices to have lunch. .

I noticed the same thing at the GF Cafe a few years back for lunch. I have a theory that the best food/price is where-ever the employees are eating. I know it was true of where I used to work.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Great updates from DHS! I love your pictures from the Block Party Bash. I can't wait to see it when we go. As for the Osbourne Lights, I think they were up in May!

 

[cdotla]

I agree with your comments on Brown Derby. Delish!

I ate there solo as well in June 2008 on a business trip. Was made to feel very comfortable! And right after I walked in, they seated a male solo diner right next to me! Maybe coincidence, but I'd like to think yet another way Disney works to try to keep its guests comfortable!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

This evening is a primo-example of why the Beach Club location is SO great. I got back late from DHS. Exhausted. I rested for a bit but then my tummy started talking. It was already 8pm. What to do. What to do. Well w/ World Showcase 5 min away it was really no contest. I just wanted to pop over for a bite to eat, a glass of bubbly, and maybe Illuminations. Then back to bed. Is it me or does that sound divine??

Have I mentioned how beautiful the Beach Club / Boardwalk area is???

I head into World Showcase and already the “in just __ minutes, Epcot will present Illuminations” announcements have started. Stop #1 is a glass of that champagne I seem to have developed a taste for. Or maybe it was the cute boy who was pouring.

Now that I have some bubbly, I remember I am hungry. But not all that hungry. I love Mexican but am too tired to walk that far. I have a serious weakness for french fries and had read a recent TR describing these an “authentic” and “excellent.” That was enough for me!

I was ordering as the narrator was saying “we gather around the fire.” I got my fries and high tailed it to find a place to sit and watch the show. Illuminations plus champagne plus fries = .

I took a quick shot with my point and shoot and I kinda like how it came out.

I finished my fries and was back “home” and in bed by 10pm. Beach Club = Bliss.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I noticed the same thing at the GF Cafe a few years back for lunch. I have a theory that the best food/price is where-ever the employees are eating. I know it was true of where I used to work.

I have heard great things about GFC recently. That's going on the list to check out. Definitely a sign when the locals choose it!

Great updates from DHS! I love your pictures from the Block Party Bash. I can't wait to see it when we go. As for the Osbourne Lights, I think they were up in May!

Thanks! I wonder how early they go up? There sure are a lot of lights. I'm sure it takes quite a while to get them all up. And getting them all working must be another task. I'm forever stringing my Christmas lights and then discovering there is a single bulb out that is impacting the whole string! That must be x1000 at WDW!

I agree with your comments on Brown Derby. Delish!

I ate there solo as well in June 2008 on a business trip. Was made to feel very comfortable! And right after I walked in, they seated a male solo diner right next to me! Maybe coincidence, but I'd like to think yet another way Disney works to try to keep its guests comfortable!

Brown Derby rules. Next time I'm going to order up a single male diner as well!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Glad Chelsea got a kick out of it. Lady Lallie started the tradition. And yes, Charles should absolutely pose w/ an obscure statue. Is he looking for suggestions?

I think it's sweet we have these traditions. Bo = CP & Chelsea, Light Fixtures = LL, Pirates = TK & Tink


Great update! I am so glad you enjoyed Brown Derby and now my mouth is watering for the Cobb Salad. Yumm-o!

I love that very last picture you took, it is just beautiful! I think that might have to become my wallpaper on the computer.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I think it's sweet we have these traditions. Bo = CP & Chelsea, Light Fixtures = LL, Pirates = TK & Tink


Great update! I am so glad you enjoyed Brown Derby and now my mouth is watering for the Cobb Salad. Yumm-o!

I love that very last picture you took, it is just beautiful! I think that might have to become my wallpaper on the computer.

Hang on there, Miss LL!! I spy a new ticker!!! What's up??

I love the traditions too. Part of what makes WDW so special.

Thanks for the compliment on the photo. I'd be honored if you wanted to use it. At this point most of my favorite photos are "happy accidents." I have to learn how to take them on purpose!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Hang on there, Miss LL!! I spy a new ticker!!! What's up??

I love the traditions too. Part of what makes WDW so special.

Thanks for the compliment on the photo. I'd be honored if you wanted to use it. At this point most of my favorite photos are "happy accidents." I have to learn how to take them on purpose!!

We are going in May!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

We are going in May!!

Well congratulations! For Flower and Garden?? You'll love it! Are you taking advantage of the current deal/discount? How did I miss this? I'm so excited for you!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Well congratulations! For Flower and Garden?? You'll love it! Are you taking advantage of the current deal/discount? How did I miss this? I'm so excited for you!!

I haven't officially announced it. I was trying to keep it a secret to make sure everything would work out. But I can't anymore!! We are going for Flower & Garden and if allears is correct a Pirate & Princess Party too!! I am so freaking excited you have no idea!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I haven't officially announced it. I was trying to keep it a secret to make sure everything would work out. But I can't anymore!! We are going for Flower & Garden and if allears is correct a Pirate & Princess Party too!! I am so freaking excited you have no idea!

Yippee!! This is a whole new level of planning! Have the Eat to the Beat concerts been announced yet? Even if there isn't anyone you like you'll still be astonished at the beauty. I remember you said you were meh about the Italy pavilion. PROMISE me you'll give it another chance during F&G. It is amazing.

Where are you staying? When is the PTR coming out? Your ticker references ADRs... where do you want to eat? Your 180 day window will open soon. I need DETAILS!!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Yippee!! This is a whole new level of planning! Have the Eat to the Beat concerts been announced yet? Even if there isn't anyone you like you'll still be astonished at the beauty. I remember you said you were meh about the Italy pavilion. PROMISE me you'll give it another chance during F&G. It is amazing.

Where are you staying? When is the PTR coming out? Your ticker references ADRs... where do you want to eat? Your 180 day window will open soon. I need DETAILS!!!!

I've been toying with the idea of starting the PTR tomorrow even though I haven't finished my TR yet. I am so excited that I just can't contain it all. I will tell you this though, Marc came up with my PTR title. I am very impressed and I also promised that I would give him 100% credit so there you go.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I've been toying with the idea of starting the PTR tomorrow even though I haven't finished my TR yet. I am so excited that I just can't contain it all. I will tell you this though, Marc came up with my PTR title. I am very impressed and I also promised that I would give him 100% credit so there you go.

GO MARC!!! Great job! Puhleeze start it tomorrow?! Help a sistah with her Sunday dread?