Columbus Day Weekend Food Blitz! My first PTR! Updated 10/1!

[Li Li]

We AGONIZED over where to stay! As I said, we have been spoiled by staying offsite at my in-laws rental house, and they would kindly drop us off at Disney property. So despite going to Disney a lot, we really don't have much experience with booking Disney trips. Even last year, we went through Costco to stay at the Dolphin. After having such a great trip in Sept. 2012, I was going through withdrawal and that's when I found and joined the boards. And now I am hooked. And I feel stupid for not finding the boards sooner, but we muddled through and had the boards for the January 2013 trip.

After January 2013, again suffering withdrawal, Nigel says he heard booking another trip was the best way to cure such withdrawal. Somehow, this translated to us talking ourselves into buying 5 day non-expiring park hoppers. Our logic was that we were down to 1 day remaining on those old 10-day passes Nigel's parents had got us (remember those...purchased in 2008!). We had used up nine days already in past trips and had separate 4-day tickets for that Sept. 2012 trip. So, in a panic, we decide we should get some more tickets as there were rumors that the non-expire option would go away (unfounded), we were sure to go again at some point (obviously) and we'd be ahead of any price jump that was sure to come. So there you have it, we bought some days just to have on hand.

So, the agony. Since we have only stayed at Kidani (DVC points through a friend) and Dolphin, our options were endless...should we splurge for the Deluxe, go back to Dolphin, check out a value and work our way up from there or rent DVC? Well, I just didn't want to lock ourselves into DVC rental on this trip, just in case we would have to cancel. And since this was a short trip with likely more time at the resort, proximity wasn't as important, thus we crossed Dolphin off the list. So, we were down to a moderate or value. We were really between the POP, AoA and Port Orleans or possibly Coronado. We have visited all these resorts on past trips so we had a rough idea of what they were like. We started reading up, and we really came down to AoA or Port Orleans (either FQ or Riverside). What really pushed it over the edge to POR for me was the fact that there was nighttime entertainment and fairly easy/quick access to DTD at POR. I liked the idea of checking out Yeehaw Bob and grabbing a drink at night, which you can't really do at a value since there are no bars. Do we sound like alcoholics yet? No, we're on vacation!

Since Riverside had the lounge, Boatwrights and a nicely-reviewed food court, I made an executive decision to stay there, and we booked it! (I'm sure Nigel will chime in if he remembers any of this differently!) The more I read, the more I am excited to stay there. The resort itself sounds beautiful and there is a main pool and a quiet pool! Confession time: I love water slides at pools! Have any other adults gone on the water slides at Disney pools? I just can't resist them, but I always feel like an idiot! Oh well.

We booked room-only since we had already gotten those tickets in February. I called to see if there were any AAA discounts for the room since we are members, but they said I already had the AAA rate. Hmm, okay. Since we are booked over the holiday and a convention has been mentioned for that weekend, I don't think we'll get any discounts, but you never know.

So, Nigel and I over Columbus Day weekend, hitting up our very first Halloween party and F&W, and our first stay at POR.

Next up...any dining plans?

 

[Disneylover99]

I think you made a great resort choice!

We love both POFQ and POR resorts. My husband is mad because I didn't book either of those places for our October trip, but I'm being cheap and snagged a Little Mermaid room at AofA. Plus we are heading to Pop in August and the Dolphin in December....three trips in four months, so I really have to rein in the spending!

The boat to DTD is the best!!!! If your flight leaves later in the afternoon on Monday, you can leave your carry on bags at the luggage area at the front of your resort and head to DTD by boat for some lunch or last minute shopping.
The counter service at Riverside is awesome too....lots of choices and the make your own pasta is delicious! And don't worry, there will be lots of adults on the pool slide, so don't feel silly. I went down that slide plenty of times!

 

[NigelSTW]

I recall being stuck in the end between POR and CSR, and picking POR since it had the boat to DD as well as bus transportation. (As a side note I made a mental note I recall discovering that if we like POR and sister resorts it is near the kennel is we take our dog with us in the future. Need to be near the dog if we can't be with him.) We considered staying at the Dolphin/Swan again too., but decided it would be nice to get the full mousekeeping experience.

Now that we are doing the MNSSHP the first night, we have to figure out what to do about dinner. With our flight arrival time our ETA to POR is around 3 to 4pm. Our orignal thought had been to hand out at DD or try dinner at CS or POR. Since we are now going to the MK we are now thinking dinner at one of the monorail resorts is probably a smarter choice. We could try Ohana. Although the review on unplugged has me wondering if that is wise. (I do love meat.) We have been to Narcossee's, Citricos, the Cafe', and the Wave. We are interested in trying something new. Li Li would kill to eat at BOG, but so is 1/2 the population of Disdom so that is not going to happen. We looking to spend a moderate amount of money, and not QS. We pretty much eat anything. Really, this trip is about the food and making ourselves proper gluttons as much as anything else.

 

[Disneylover99]

Now that we are doing the MNSSHP the first night, we have to figure out what to do about dinner. With our flight arrival time our ETA to POR is around 3 to 4pm. Our orignal thought had been to hand out at DD or try dinner at CS or POR. Since we are now going to the MK we are now thinking dinner at one of the monorail resorts is probably a smarter choice. We could try Ohana. Although the review on unplugged has me wondering if that is wise. (I do love meat.) We have been to Narcossee's, Citricos, the Cafe', and the Wave. We are interested in trying something new. Li Li would kill to eat at BOG, but so is 1/2 the population of Disdom so that is not going to happen. We looking to spend a moderate amount of money, and not QS. We pretty much eat anything. Really, this trip is about the food and making ourselves proper gluttons as much as anything else.

If you really want to eat at a monorail resort before MNSSHP, I would definitely try to book Ohana. I've also heard good things about The Kona Cafe at the Poly.

However, with your MNSSHP ticket, you can enter the MK as early as 4 pm. By the time you check into your resort, and get to your reservation, probably around 6ish? You may not even get to the MK until 8 or so. Half your party time is over!

I'm thinking it might be an idea to bite the bullet and do counter service that night. Walk around, eat, and soak up the atmosphere. Maybe grab a waffle sandwich from SleepyHollow Refreshments or grab a Dolewhip. we will probably eat at Columbia Harbour House that night. It's usually not as crowded as other cs areas (especially upstairs) and the food is pretty good.

I would definitely keep trying for a BOG reservation though. You never know when a cancellation might come up! You might find one a few days before your trip when people cancel to avoid cancellation fees.

 

[glaserjm]

We AGONIZED over where to stay! As I said, we have been spoiled by staying offsite at my in-laws rental house, and they would kindly drop us off at Disney property. So despite going to Disney a lot, we really don't have much experience with booking Disney trips. Even last year, we went through Costco to stay at the Dolphin. After having such a great trip in Sept. 2012, I was going through withdrawal and that's when I found and joined the boards. And now I am hooked. And I feel stupid for not finding the boards sooner, but we muddled through and had the boards for the January 2013 trip.

After January 2013, again suffering withdrawal, Nigel says he heard booking another trip was the best way to cure such withdrawal. Somehow, this translated to us talking ourselves into buying 5 day non-expiring park hoppers. Our logic was that we were down to 1 day remaining on those old 10-day passes Nigel's parents had got us (remember those...purchased in 2008!). We had used up nine days already in past trips and had separate 4-day tickets for that Sept. 2012 trip. So, in a panic, we decide we should get some more tickets as there were rumors that the non-expire option would go away (unfounded), we were sure to go again at some point (obviously) and we'd be ahead of any price jump that was sure to come. So there you have it, we bought some days just to have on hand.

So, the agony. Since we have only stayed at Kidani (DVC points through a friend) and Dolphin, our options were endless...should we splurge for the Deluxe, go back to Dolphin, check out a value and work our way up from there or rent DVC? Well, I just didn't want to lock ourselves into DVC rental on this trip, just in case we would have to cancel. And since this was a short trip with likely more time at the resort, proximity wasn't as important, thus we crossed Dolphin off the list. So, we were down to a moderate or value. We were really between the POP, AoA and Port Orleans or possibly Coronado. We have visited all these resorts on past trips so we had a rough idea of what they were like. We started reading up, and we really came down to AoA or Port Orleans (either FQ or Riverside). What really pushed it over the edge to POR for me was the fact that there was nighttime entertainment and fairly easy/quick access to DTD at POR. I liked the idea of checking out Yeehaw Bob and grabbing a drink at night, which you can't really do at a value since there are no bars. Do we sound like alcoholics yet? No, we're on vacation!

Since Riverside had the lounge, Boatwrights and a nicely-reviewed food court, I made an executive decision to stay there, and we booked it! (I'm sure Nigel will chime in if he remembers any of this differently!) The more I read, the more I am excited to stay there. The resort itself sounds beautiful and there is a main pool and a quiet pool! Confession time: I love water slides at pools! Have any other adults gone on the water slides at Disney pools? I just can't resist them, but I always feel like an idiot! Oh well.

We booked room-only since we had already gotten those tickets in February. I called to see if there were any AAA discounts for the room since we are members, but they said I already had the AAA rate. Hmm, okay. Since we are booked over the holiday and a convention has been mentioned for that weekend, I don't think we'll get any discounts, but you never know.

So, Nigel and I over Columbus Day weekend, hitting up our very first Halloween party and F&W, and our first stay at POR.

Next up...any dining plans?

I think POR is a great choice..that was in the running for this trip as we thought we should branch out and we both really loved the grounds of POR...it felt pretty luxurious. I read a lot of people saying that the moderates are like staying at a Holiday Inn or something but I totally disagree. The theming, the food courts, the table service restaurants, the grounds, the pools...all of those things are way beyond what you'd get at most mid-level chain hotels. I think moderates are a great value!

I recall being stuck in the end between POR and CSR, and picking POR since it had the boat to DD as well as bus transportation. (As a side note I made a mental note I recall discovering that if we like POR and sister resorts it is near the kennel is we take our dog with us in the future. Need to be near the dog if we can't be with him.) We considered staying at the Dolphin/Swan again too., but decided it would be nice to get the full mousekeeping experience.

Now that we are doing the MNSSHP the first night, we have to figure out what to do about dinner. With our flight arrival time our ETA to POR is around 3 to 4pm. Our orignal thought had been to hand out at DD or try dinner at CS or POR. Since we are now going to the MK we are now thinking dinner at one of the monorail resorts is probably a smarter choice. We could try Ohana. Although the review on unplugged has me wondering if that is wise. (I do love meat.) We have been to Narcossee's, Citricos, the Cafe', and the Wave. We are interested in trying something new. Li Li would kill to eat at BOG, but so is 1/2 the population of Disdom so that is not going to happen. We looking to spend a moderate amount of money, and not QS. We pretty much eat anything. Really, this trip is about the food and making ourselves proper gluttons as much as anything else.

I too would keep checking back for a BOG reservation, but if not have you considered any of the other TS places in the MK like Liberty Tree Tavern, the Plaza or Crystal Palace. I've only eaten at Crystal Palace and it was decent, but not my favorite dinner, although I think that probably changes from night to night. I hear good things about LTT and hope to eat there some time in the future.

As far as the monorail resorts go, O'hana can be a long and drawn out affair, which I think would probably be best for a night when you weren't trying to make it to the party. I would suggest trying Kona Cafe or GF Cafe, which are both nice but are going to be easier to get in and out of to make it to the MK in decent time.

 

[Joben]

I recall being stuck in the end between POR and CSR, and picking POR since it had the boat to DD as well as bus transportation. (As a side note I made a mental note I recall discovering that if we like POR and sister resorts it is near the kennel is we take our dog with us in the future. Need to be near the dog if we can't be with him.) We considered staying at the Dolphin/Swan again too., but decided it would be nice to get the full mousekeeping experience.

Now that we are doing the MNSSHP the first night, we have to figure out what to do about dinner. With our flight arrival time our ETA to POR is around 3 to 4pm. Our orignal thought had been to hand out at DD or try dinner at CS or POR. Since we are now going to the MK we are now thinking dinner at one of the monorail resorts is probably a smarter choice. We could try Ohana. Although the review on unplugged has me wondering if that is wise. (I do love meat.) We have been to Narcossee's, Citricos, the Cafe', and the Wave. We are interested in trying something new. Li Li would kill to eat at BOG, but so is 1/2 the population of Disdom so that is not going to happen. We looking to spend a moderate amount of money, and not QS. We pretty much eat anything. Really, this trip is about the food and making ourselves proper gluttons as much as anything else.

I will be glad to hear how you guys like POR

I am wondering about your "mousekeeping experience" I think you mentioned that you guys were renting DVC points. correct me if I'm wrong Jayners, but I do believe with rented points mousekeeping will only come once during your visit, so it shouldn't be that big of a thing.

FOOD: This is a serious topic of discussion. So I have to agree that since you are going for the party you might not want to get involved with the time it takes to do dinner even at one of the monorail resorts. Alot of the fun for me for the party was the people watching, since so many are dressed up in costumes. It is a night that is not like many other nights in WDW because the people watching is never like that at any other time. I would recommend spending as much time in the park and make food a secondary objective to MNSSHP. That is such a weird thing for me to say it was kind of hard

If it were me, and this is what we do on our first night since it is really only a half day after checking into the resort and not going to MK until 4-5pm I would go with the Turkey leg and Dole whip option. Not sure if you had them but if meat is up you alley this bad boy will fill you up. I understand the whole wanting to make the trip about food but I think your first night might be the exception, just get something quick and easy

 

[glaserjm]

I will be glad to hear how you guys like POR

I am wondering about your "mousekeeping experience" I think you mentioned that you guys were renting DVC points. correct me if I'm wrong Jayners, but I do believe with rented points mousekeeping will only come once during your visit, so it shouldn't be that big of a thing.

FOOD: This is a serious topic of discussion. So I have to agree that since you are going for the party you might not want to get involved with the time it takes to do dinner even at one of the monorail resorts. Alot of the fun for me for the party was the people watching, since so many are dressed up in costumes. It is a night that is not like many other nights in WDW because the people watching is never like that at any other time. I would recommend spending as much time in the park and make food a secondary objective to MNSSHP. That is such a weird thing for me to say it was kind of hard

If it were me, and this is what we do on our first night since it is really only a half day after checking into the resort and not going to MK until 4-5pm I would go with the Turkey leg and Dole whip option. Not sure if you had them but if meat is up you alley this bad boy will fill you up. I understand the whole wanting to make the trip about food but I think your first night might be the exception, just get something quick and easy

*they were thinking about doing DVC but booked at POR instead, which isn't a DVC resort so they will have daily mousekeeping!

 

[Li Li]

If you really want to eat at a monorail resort before MNSSHP, I would definitely try to book Ohana. I've also heard good things about The Kona Cafe at the Poly.

However, with your MNSSHP ticket, you can enter the MK as early as 4 pm. By the time you check into your resort, and get to your reservation, probably around 6ish? You may not even get to the MK until 8 or so. Half your party time is over!

I'm thinking it might be an idea to bite the bullet and do counter service that night. Walk around, eat, and soak up the atmosphere. Maybe grab a waffle sandwich from SleepyHollow Refreshments or grab a Dolewhip. we will probably eat at Columbia Harbour House that night. It's usually not as crowded as other cs areas (especially upstairs) and the food is pretty good.

I would definitely keep trying for a BOG reservation though. You never know when a cancellation might come up! You might find one a few days before your trip when people cancel to avoid cancellation fees.

I think you are right. We should just get over to MK as soon as possible! If I could get Nigel to do fruit, we would do the Nutella waffle! Hmmm, would they sell the Nutella waffle with just nutella and nothing else? Or, should we really pay that price for just nutella?!

I think POR is a great choice..that was in the running for this trip as we thought we should branch out and we both really loved the grounds of POR...it felt pretty luxurious. I read a lot of people saying that the moderates are like staying at a Holiday Inn or something but I totally disagree. The theming, the food courts, the table service restaurants, the grounds, the pools...all of those things are way beyond what you'd get at most mid-level chain hotels. I think moderates are a great value!

I too would keep checking back for a BOG reservation, but if not have you considered any of the other TS places in the MK like Liberty Tree Tavern, the Plaza or Crystal Palace. I've only eaten at Crystal Palace and it was decent, but not my favorite dinner, although I think that probably changes from night to night. I hear good things about LTT and hope to eat there some time in the future.

As far as the monorail resorts go, O'hana can be a long and drawn out affair, which I think would probably be best for a night when you weren't trying to make it to the party. I would suggest trying Kona Cafe or GF Cafe, which are both nice but are going to be easier to get in and out of to make it to the MK in decent time.

I think we might try to hit a bar and get some quick appetizers and drinks and then head right into MK. I agree that O'hana would be too drawn out, and probably has no openings as of now anyway!

I will be glad to hear how you guys like POR

I am wondering about your "mousekeeping experience" I think you mentioned that you guys were renting DVC points. correct me if I'm wrong Jayners, but I do believe with rented points mousekeeping will only come once during your visit, so it shouldn't be that big of a thing.

FOOD: This is a serious topic of discussion. So I have to agree that since you are going for the party you might not want to get involved with the time it takes to do dinner even at one of the monorail resorts. Alot of the fun for me for the party was the people watching, since so many are dressed up in costumes. It is a night that is not like many other nights in WDW because the people watching is never like that at any other time. I would recommend spending as much time in the park and make food a secondary objective to MNSSHP. That is such a weird thing for me to say it was kind of hard

If it were me, and this is what we do on our first night since it is really only a half day after checking into the resort and not going to MK until 4-5pm I would go with the Turkey leg and Dole whip option. Not sure if you had them but if meat is up you alley this bad boy will fill you up. I understand the whole wanting to make the trip about food but I think your first night might be the exception, just get something quick and easy

In regard to the mousekeeping issue, this will really be our first trip with Mousekeeping. You just have Housekeeping with the Dolphin (which was fine, just no towel animals). And, when we stayed on borrowed DVC points, we were only there for 3 nights, and Mousekeeping only comes after day 4 (or night?), so we had a welcoming mickey head with towels on the first day but that was it. I'm fine with three nights and no housekeeping, but Nigel likes it when someone makes the bed and since that obviously won't be me, he is looking forward to it.

Also, another confession...we are not huge Dole Whip fans. I know! Sacrilege! Neither of us are that big into pineapple. We tried our first Dole Whip (combo vanilla and pineapple) last September just to see what the hype was about. It was fine, but we weren't blown away. Of course, if there's no chocolate involved, count Nigel out!

But as I said above, I agree we should get to MK as early as possible.

 

[Li Li]

So, dining. As we mentioned, we have been fortunate to visit WDW during typically low periods (January/Sept.). So, this will be our first visit during a busy holiday. I am still pretty optimistic about about our ability to walk in and grab bar seats at most restaurants, but I may try some ADRs. Last January, we made ADRs for the first time because we were there during the last days before California Grill closed, and I wanted to make sure we got in. It was fantastic. I was actually thinking if it would be open for when we are there, that we would go check out the changes. But the more I think about it, I think it can wait until another visit.

So, some priorities...I definitely want to check out the River Roost Lounge and Yeehaw Bob! It seems like a great show. Nigel wants to check out the food court at AoA since we have heard good things and may possibly stay there on a future trip. He is intrigued by the Surf and Surf sandwich. I also want to hit the Wave for breakfast. So here are some tentative plans, subject to change because well, we are just not big food planners.

Friday - Depending on timing, stop at a Monorail resort bar for quick appetizers and drinks and head into MNSSHP. Grab a snack at Lunching Pad maybe because Nigel loves saying Lunching Pad. Also, check out the new Starbucks/Main Street Bakery.

Saturday - Maybe breakfast at the resort. Some pool time. Lunch at resort or DTD, or maybe a nearby resort like SSR, CSR or OKW. Dinner possibly over at AoA. Hopefully catch Yeehaw Bob this night.

Sunday - Rope drop at Epcot. At which point, I will try to convince Nigel to head over to France's new bakery for breakfast. I heard they actually open for breakfast hours to buy sandwiches even though World Showcase isn't technically open. Oh, we also need to try Beverly. Have you heard about this? They have these weird soda types to try at Club Cool in Future World, and apparently Beverly is horrible, so of course, we want to experience it. Also, I want to hit Mousegears to shop. If Nigel is reading, I meant ride Test Track or Mission Space
Then, hit every F&W booth we can from the minute they open at 11 am
We haven't made any dinner plans. We will see how full we are from F&W. Nigel also thinks he will want to hightail it out of Epcot because of the crowds, but maybe we could hit an Epcot restaurant if we are still actually hungry. Who knows.

Monday - I think we should head over to The Wave for their breakfast buffet. We have done Boma a lot, so we want to try something different. I have heard good things about their buffet. In a phrase...sweet potato pancakes with pecan butter! Alternately, a trip to Kona for the Samoan with eggs benedict is also a possibility.

Head back to resort for pool or maybe DTD, hang out and then fly home.

Wow, between reader feedback and writing this PTR, this may be our most planned trip ever!

 

[NigelSTW]

I am not sure what days I wish to eat what, but I do want to eat at AoA, the Wave for brunch, the Riverside Mill at POR just because we'll b there, and just about as much as I can pack in at F&W.

A trip to WDW just does not seem complete without a quick visit to the Outer Rim. There are tons of bars and watering holes sprinkled throughout the WDW, but OR is my favorite. I have no good reason. Just like I love Picabu at the Dolphin. Li Li thinks I am nuts. It is just another quick service. I agree, but like that favorite shirt you can't get ride of Picabu draws me.

I have not been to WDW at a busy (or at least busier) season since I visited Epcot with my Uncle over spring break in '97, and I was at MK in '92 over spring break. I am hoping get to places where a ADR will not be necessary. All I recall is waiting in line forever to ride 20,000 Leagues in '92. Epcot in '97b was busy, but the wait on the lines did not seem to be as long. I suppose I just have to get into the groove of waiting. (We went to Hershey Park yesterday, and it was good practice for waiting on line. I am sure Li Li might report on that at some point in the future.)

 

[NigelSTW]

The least busy I every saw WDW was shortly after 9/11. My family toured AK near the start of October, and it was almost creepy how few people were around. It was not completely dead, but close to it.

Also, the flight from Philly to Orlando had me white knuckling it all the way down.

 

[Disneylover99]

I am not sure what days I wish to eat what, but I do want to eat at AoA, the Wave for brunch, the Riverside Mill at POR just because we'll b there, and just about as much as I can pack in at F&W.

A trip to WDW just does not seem complete without a quick visit to the Outer Rim. There are tons of bars and watering holes sprinkled throughout the WDW, but OR is my favorite. I have no good reason. Just like I love Picabu at the Dolphin. Li Li thinks I am nuts. It is just another quick service. I agree, but like that favorite shirt you can't get ride of Picabu draws me.

I've never hear of the Outer Rim. Are you renting a car?

 

[NigelSTW]

I've never hear of the Outer Rim. Are you renting a car?

The OR is just a simple Hotel Lounge/Bar on the second or third floor of the CR. I just like the feel of the place.

We are taking ME into WDW, so no rental.

 

[Li Li]

I've never hear of the Outer Rim. Are you renting a car?

It's next to Chef Mickey's I believe.

Our first time using Magical Express!

 

[Disneylover99]

Our first time using Magical Express!

ME is amazing. We've always flown down and never rented a car.

 

[NigelSTW]

Li Li and I spoke with someone this evening who drives down from the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area to WDW every year without an overnight break. I think it is kinda crazy to do it that way, but that's just me. Having a car would be nice to either zip over to SW or KSC on a longer stay in WDW. We could also bring our beloved dog. Although we'd have to stay at I think its POFQ to be near him at the kennel.

We thought about flying from Harrisburg directly to Sanford and renting a car to WDW, but that seemed to be too much of a hassel for not enough gain.

 

[Disneylover99]

We thought about flying from Harrisburg directly to Sanford and renting a car to WDW, but that seemed to be too much of a hassel for not enough gain.

I agree. We looked into flying out of Niagara Falls to Sandford to save a few bucks last year. But in the end, once we factored in our rental car, it wasn't worth it for us either.

 

[Disneylover99]

Check out the disneyfoodblog for new updates for the F&W Festival!

 

[glaserjm]

So, dining. As we mentioned, we have been fortunate to visit WDW during typically low periods (January/Sept.). So, this will be our first visit during a busy holiday. I am still pretty optimistic about about our ability to walk in and grab bar seats at most restaurants, but I may try some ADRs. Last January, we made ADRs for the first time because we were there during the last days before California Grill closed, and I wanted to make sure we got in. It was fantastic. I was actually thinking if it would be open for when we are there, that we would go check out the changes. But the more I think about it, I think it can wait until another visit.

So, some priorities...I definitely want to check out the River Roost Lounge and Yeehaw Bob! It seems like a great show. Nigel wants to check out the food court at AoA since we have heard good things and may possibly stay there on a future trip. He is intrigued by the Surf and Surf sandwich. I also want to hit the Wave for breakfast. So here are some tentative plans, subject to change because well, we are just not big food planners. We haven't seen Yeehaw Bob yet, but I've always read good things so I think that will be a future stop for us. The food court at AoA is great! There are tons of non-typical quick service choices and it has something that suits just about anyone. We've done a lunch stop there our last two trips and plan on doing another one this time

Friday - Depending on timing, stop at a Monorail resort bar for quick appetizers and drinks and head into MNSSHP. Grab a snack at Lunching Pad maybe because Nigel loves saying Lunching Pad. Also, check out the new Starbucks/Main Street Bakery. Cream Cheese Pretzels at the Lunching Pad are fantastic! I highly recommend them. Haven't been to the new Starbucks at the Main St. Bakery yet, but I'm not a coffee drinker and Joe dislikes Starbucks, so we won't have much to offer on that...still love the bakery though, especially the cinammon rolls!

Saturday - Maybe breakfast at the resort. Some pool time. Lunch at resort or DTD, or maybe a nearby resort like SSR, CSR or OKW. Dinner possibly over at AoA. Hopefully catch Yeehaw Bob this night. You know what we'll say about that...Olivia's all the way!

Sunday - Rope drop at Epcot. At which point, I will try to convince Nigel to head over to France's new bakery for breakfast. I heard they actually open for breakfast hours to buy sandwiches even though World Showcase isn't technically open. Oh, we also need to try Beverly. Have you heard about this? They have these weird soda types to try at Club Cool in Future World, and apparently Beverly is horrible, so of course, we want to experience it. Also, I want to hit Mousegears to shop. If Nigel is reading, I meant ride Test Track or Mission Space The bakery in France also has ham and other sandwiches in addition to just pastries so maybe something like that will appeal to Nigel. A stop at Club Cool is a must! I don't know why I continue to try Beverly every time, but I do. My favorite is Mezzo Mix!
Then, hit every F&W booth we can from the minute they open at 11 am
We haven't made any dinner plans. We will see how full we are from F&W. Nigel also thinks he will want to hightail it out of Epcot because of the crowds, but maybe we could hit an Epcot restaurant if we are still actually hungry. Who knows. I think this is a good strategy and I think you'll find that you can get plenty full at F&W, but if you don't, you can always try a walk-up at one of the world showcase restaurants or head over to the Boardwalk and hit up one of the restaurants or counter service places there. Then you can just hop on a boat over to DHS and pick up a bus there (closer than having to walk back through Epcot to the front)

Monday - I think we should head over to The Wave for their breakfast buffet. We have done Boma a lot, so we want to try something different. I have heard good things about their buffet. In a phrase...sweet potato pancakes with pecan butter! Alternately, a trip to Kona for the Samoan with eggs benedict is also a possibility. We will have our first trip to Kona in November and I'm really looking forward to it, it always seems to get great reviews! Haven't been to the Wave but hear great things about that breakfast as well

Head back to resort for pool or maybe DTD, hang out and then fly home. Saddest part of the trip!

Wow, between reader feedback and writing this PTR, this may be our most planned trip ever!

d

 

[Li Li]

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Cool, thanks! The more I think about it, I think for this first F&W experience, we might just do booths without special events, especially since we are adding in the Halloween party. Although, if anything could tempt us, it would be the Tequila lunch in Mexico!! Are you thinking of doing any events?