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

[dolphingirl47]

I love all the Figment merchandise. I would have been in my element there. I think it is a really great idea to add photos of the food to the signs. He pork slider at the Hawaii kiosk was one of my favourites last year, too. I loved the chocolate displays. The Ratatouille one is my favourite.

Corinna

 

[franandaj]

You got in some of the really good kiosks right off the bat! Did you try the molten chocolate in the exhibit?

I forgot to go look at the chocolate figures.

We watch The Chew and it's interesting to note that they had to do three shows in one day. I bet they all got out of there in time for the hurricaine!

 

[mcjaco]

Man was it hot on that Wednesday too. We were sweltering at DHS, and then came over to Epcot.

It also poured a good portion of the afternoon, where we spent a good hour and a half right here:

Good thing was, that it was spent talking with my old friend, and Imagineer Jason Grandt, catching up on 20 years of lost time!

Can't wait to see how the rest of your trip went!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I love all the Figment merchandise. I would have been in my element there. I think it is a really great idea to add photos of the food to the signs. He pork slider at the Hawaii kiosk was one of my favourites last year, too. I loved the chocolate displays. The Ratatouille one is my favourite.

Corinna

There was a lot of Figment merchandise. The pork slide at the Hawaii kiosk was one of my favorites in which I had to get again just like the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup.

You got in some of the really good kiosks right off the bat! Did you try the molten chocolate in the exhibit?

I forgot to go look at the chocolate figures.

We watch The Chew and it's interesting to note that they had to do three shows in one day. I bet they all got out of there in time for the hurricaine!

I was able to try a lot of different kiosk that day and more later on during the trip in which it was crazy. I didn't get the molten chocolate since I don't eat chocolate. I remember you telling me about that I should get it. If I was a chocolate eater, I would definitely get that. Maybe when I go back with someone else and they want to get it, I will try it.

I did talked to the CM's about "The Chew" show that day and they did say that they did 3 shows and the set was gone the next day when I went back to Epcot which was the day that Hurricane Matthew arrived to Florida.

Man was it hot on that Wednesday too. We were sweltering at DHS, and then came over to Epcot.

It also poured a good portion of the afternoon, where we spent a good hour and a half right here:

Good thing was, that it was spent talking with my old friend, and Imagineer Jason Grandt, catching up on 20 years of lost time!

Can't wait to see how the rest of your trip went!

Florida weather can be crazy which I don't go during the summertime since it would be humid and raining. I have experienced it before and it isn't one of my best times to go to WDW. That Wednesday was warm and it did poured later on the day.

That is nice that you were able to see an old friend and talk to him.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – October 5, 2016 – Part 3

Ready to Eat at World Showcase Part 2​

I just kept walking around World Showcase to see all the different kiosks. I planned on what kiosks that I wanted to try during the trip in which I was trying to get all the ones done. There were some that I was thinking about but didn’t get to try during the trip since I was full from the other dishes and just ran out of time during the trip.

After finishing my dishes from the Canada kiosk, I kept taking more pictures of the kiosks while I was walking.


Menu




The Fresh Potato Pancake was one of “The Chew” favorites


The next one was the Ireland kiosk


Ireland Menu. From the previous years, The Ireland menu for the F&W Festival seems like the same menu from the previous two times I have been during the event.




United Kingdom still looks the same like every other time I come by this country pavilion.


I was now in France and was considering getting some dishes from this kiosk but I decided not to yet since I was a little stuff from the Canada kiosk.


France menu




The next one was the Brazil kiosk which I was considering the Pao de Queijo - Brazillian Cheese Bread which was something that I was considering during the trip in which it was not part of my original list.


Brazil menu




While passing by the Brazil kiosk, the next kiosk was the one that I wanted to try again since I went to the Belgium kiosk last year and planned on going to it again.


Last year, there were two dishes from the Belgium kiosk that I enjoyed which was the Belgian waffle and the Potato and Leek Waffle with Beer-braised Beef and Smoked Gouda Cream. I was a little disappointed that they didn’t have the Potato and Leek Waffle with the Beer-braised Beef but they still had that without the waffle.




I got the Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream. Thank you once again Alison and PiO for mentioning this waffle from 2015.


After having the waffle, I still kept walking around to the other kiosks. Morocco kiosk.


Menu




Japan kiosk


Menu

Continue to the Next Post​

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – October 5, 2016 – Part 4

Ready to Eat at World Showcase Part 3​

It is nice to walk around World Showcase and see all the different kiosks to see what is good to eat or just see what they look like is good as well. But I was having a nice time walking around taking pictures and seeing all the different buildings, carts and things which I have seen before in the past.

Hops and Barley kiosk at the American pavilion. This is another kiosk that I was thinking of trying but I was full so I skipped it for another day or time.


Menu




The American Adventure building looks good like every other time I pass by it.


The good thing about being at Epcot on that Wednesday that it was not that crowded like the weekend where it can get really busy. The day was nice where it was a little cloudy but it didn’t rain any time.


Italy kiosk was another one that I went to during the trip in which you will find out later on what I got.


Menu


Passing by Poland which is another one that I tried during the trip but I wasn’t able to get a picture during my walk but I was able to see what they have.






Germany


Germany kiosk was another one that I went during the trip.


Menu


Africa Kiosk


Menu


While I was walking more around World Showcase, more and more people started to show up around the China pavilion.

South Korea kiosk






China kiosk which was quiet that afternoon.


Menu




The next pavilion was Norway and the first thing I did was head on over to see what the wait time for the new Frozen Ever After ride wait time and it was at 90 minutes which is not that long like Radiator Springs Racers which goes around 90 minutes. But it didn’t feel like it would be worth 90 minutes but I was able to get a FP+ for Frozen later on during the trip in which I thought would be my last day of the trip but I will get to that later on.

I walked by the new addition to the Norway pavilion for the Anna & Elsa Meet & Greet area. I would say that it is a nice place to have a M&G for Anna and Elsa for Frozen fans.

Continue to the Next Post​

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – October 5, 2016 – Part 5

Ready to Eat at World Showcase Part 4​

I was continue walking and made a roundtrip around World Showcase to see all the different kiosk which I was getting pictures of the kiosks and menus. Plus I did stop at some of the kiosks during the roundtrip in which I was glad to stop at some and more later on during the trip.

Mexico kiosk




Australia kiosk


Chew really liked the Lamington dessert


New Zealand kiosk






Farm Fresh kiosk was another kiosk that I had during the trip.


Farm Fresh menu




Islands of the Caribbean is a new kiosk this year.




Islands of the Caribbean menu
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The next one was the Wine & Dine and Chocolate Studio which I don’t care that much for.




I remember during that time when I went by the kiosk that there was something going on of some kind of filming but I didn’t get much since I was walking on over to my next kiosk.


The last two kiosks that I had to stop and check out was the Greenhouse Guru which is new this year.


Greenhouse Guru menu




Last was the Chew Collective which was new as well which the Chew cast came up with for the F&W Festival. It was dead at that kiosk at that time.


The Chew Collective menu




I was a little full that afternoon so I decided not to get any more food that day since I was ready to go back to the hotel and rest up for the nighttime. I had some things planned that day by going on some rides that night at the Magic Kingdom which I was looking forward to.

The park didn’t seem that busy in the afternoon which it usually does. Since it was during the weekday, the locals didn’t come since they are working so it was nice to go to Epcot that day for the first full day of the trip.


I took the bus back to the All Star Sports Resort which takes time for waiting for the bus and driving back to the resort. It almost seems very slow to take the bus back to the resort than driving a car from the parking lot to the hotel which I am so used to when I come to Florida. But this was a nice experience to try something new instead of relying on a car. But I did at times wanted to drive a car instead of taking the bus since it is limited in going only to certain places at WDW.

That will be it for this update at Epcot and stay tune for what will be going on at night.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Goodness, the park did look empty. I don't think I have ever seen it that empty during the Food and Wine Festival and I always stick to day time and avoid the weekends. It was nice to see all the menus.

Corinna

 

[franandaj]

The park was certainly empty when you were going around the kiosks! You were definitely able to capture all the menus of the places. I hope you got to eat at more than just the Canada one and Belgium. I can see where it would be hard to try a lot of things on your own. I had that problem on the second day.

 

[MissPrice]

HI there Just came across your trip report tonight. I love all of your photos, especially of Food and Wine. I have only been once but I am going back this year. I can't wait. It's interesting to see how the offerings have changed. I see they got rid of the Haggis at the Scotland booth. lol I would love to take a solo trip one day. I actually had one night solo at Disneyland. It was awesome! So much time to explore and not worry about anybody else. Looking forward to next update. -Amanda

 

[mvf-m11c]

Goodness, the park did look empty. I don't think I have ever seen it that empty during the Food and Wine Festival and I always stick to day time and avoid the weekends. It was nice to see all the menus.

Corinna

It was nice that Epcot was not that busy that day. This was the first time seeing the park not that full out of all the times I have been their during the F&W Festival. Weekends are the worst which seem at times like waiting to go on a ride. I remember that I almost waited at least 20-25 minutes in the Canada kiosk just to get food which is crazy.

The park was certainly empty when you were going around the kiosks! You were definitely able to capture all the menus of the places. I hope you got to eat at more than just the Canada one and Belgium. I can see where it would be hard to try a lot of things on your own. I had that problem on the second day.

It was nice that it wasn't that busy at Epcot that day. Maybe it has to due with the locals getting ready for Hurricane Matthew and not too many guests came during my visit. WDW did offer guests a refund on the trip during Hurricane Matthew days. I could have called off part of my trip but I stayed with it which was crazy. I had to go at least once around World Showcase to see the menu and what is different from past years which I have visit. I was able to get some more later on during the trip in which I at least visited Epcot once a day. It is so difficult to try all the different kiosks and I didn't do a seminar which I want to try one day at Epcot.

HI there Just came across your trip report tonight. I love all of your photos, especially of Food and Wine. I have only been once but I am going back this year. I can't wait. It's interesting to see how the offerings have changed. I see they got rid of the Haggis at the Scotland booth. lol I would love to take a solo trip one day. I actually had one night solo at Disneyland. It was awesome! So much time to explore and not worry about anybody else. Looking forward to next update. -Amanda

Thank you for checking out my trip report Amanda. Are you going during the Food & Wine Festival in Fall? If so, you will like it a lot with all the different kiosks and the seminars (if you decide on trying one). Every year the F&W Festival at Epcot changes with something different. Solo trips are nice to do in which you can do whatever you want to do and don't have to worry your party members. But there is also disadvantages as which it would be nice to enjoy the trip with someone as well. Every time I go to Disneyland solo, it is so enjoyable to do all different sort of things like going on solo rides, eating different places, taking pictures, etc. without having someone with me. But when I am at WDW, it does feel a little different. Maybe it has to due that I am so used to being DL solo and not too often solo at WDW. I have been to WDW parks solo in the past but not by myself on a vacation where I have my family or friends with me.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – October 5, 2016 – Part 6​

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Rain

After I got plenty of rest back at the All Star Sports Resort after being in Epcot for most of the morning to the afternoon, it was now time for my second part of the day and this time it was going to the Magic Kingdom. I was excited to go to the MK that night since I have FP+ for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan and Pirates of the Caribbean. I didn’t have any FP+ to use at Epcot that day since I saved it for the MK that day. This was all planned before I knew about Hurricane Matthew which made me changed a lot of my plans during the trip in which I will get to later on.

My FP+ for the 7DMT was at 5:55pm which was good timing since I had time to rest and enjoy the nighttime experience at the MK. I was also planning on taking long exposure pictures of the fireworks that night along with seeing the Main Street Electrical Parade that night which was in its last month until it goes back to the Disneyland Resort. I am excited that the MSEP will be coming back to DL this month and looking forward to seeing it again.

I had to leave early since the buses take quite some time to get from the resort to the MK. The good thing that there are more buses for the MK then the other places which I have experienced.

I left the All Star Sports Resort around 5pm and got to the MK around 5:30pm which was good timing so I can use my FP+ for the 7DMT. It was actually raining at the MK when I got to the park which was a concern at first since the 7DMT might not run when it is raining.

When I walking on over to the 7DMT, it was sprinkling a little bit which earlier was coming down a little.


When I approached the entrance to the 7DMT, the wait time was 80 minutes in the stand-by entrance. There was an announcement that the 7DMT might not run due to the weather. I was concern at first but I went in since it was my time to use the FP+


I was able to get on the ride and I was lucky to get the whole front to myself. This was only my second time riding the 7DMT since I was able to ride it last year with my dad. It was sprinkling during the ride experience and I was able to take pictures with my camera since I had my rain cover to protect the camera.
















It was so fun to be able to ride the 7DMT in the front and experience it with a little rain which I did get a little wet. But I was prepared in bringing my rain jacket with me along with my rain cover for my camera. It was difficult to ride the 7DMT with my backpack and with a tripod for the nighttime shows. So it would have been easier if I had someone watched my stuff when I was riding it. At least it doesn’t feel uncomfortable than the Matterhorn Bobsled cars which you barely have any leg room.

After the ride, I had some time until my next FP+ for Peter Pan. So I took my time until it was time and it was sprinkling that day at the MK where it wasn’t that bad when it was raining.




After walking around Fantasyland, I head on over to Peter Pan’s Flight to use my FP+. It only took a few minutes to get on PPF that night which I like to compare this version to the DLR version where it is almost the same.


I used the 35mm f/1.8 lens on the ride and there were some pictures that weren’t good which were blurry.








It was so fun riding PPF that night and so after that I just walked around the MK that night. I thought about getting a spot for the Main Street Electrical Parade that night but I decided not to do that since I wanted to go around and take some long exposure shots that night. Unfortunately, I didn’t get as many as I would have which was disappointing.

I did walk in front of Cinderella Castle to get some shots with the tripod but it was so busy due to the guests waiting for the parade that night so I just took some regular shots of the castle that night.




I walked at the back of Fantasyland and got my tripod out to take some long exposure shots.




After getting some shots that night, it was almost time for Wishes fireworks that night so I head on over to my destination that night to get pictures of the fireworks.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – October 5, 2016 – Part 7​

Wishes Fireworks

After going on a few rides that day at the MK where it was sprinkling when I got there that night and was nice later that night, it was now time for the 10pm Wishes fireworks that night.

Before the trip, I was thinking of what places to get the pictures of the fireworks inside the Magic Kingdom. The first one was on Main Street which I have done before in the past but there is always a downside as well which you have to fight the crowds and have someone in the shot which is not pleasant. I was considering by Frontierland looking at the Rivers of America and seeing the castle. Another one was by Be Our Guest restaurant which is another good spot to get pictures that night. In the end, I knew which spot to get pictures that night which was at the backside of Cinderella Castle at Fantasyland. @PrincessInOz tried this spot a few years ago and I wanted to try this spot to get pictures of the fireworks of the Castle. This was also a disadvantage as well which you won’t get the fireworks in the Backstage area but it would be nice to try something different.

I got to Fantasyland about 40 minutes before Wishes started at 10pm and to test out more of my long exposure shots until it was time for Wishes.


One of the nighttime shows in front of Cinderella Castle was going on before the fireworks.


Everything was ready for the fireworks that night.


I enjoy watching Wishes at the Magic Kingdom every time I have seen it.












Watching Wishes from the backside of the castle was nice but I would prefer watching the show in front of the castle.

After that, I walked around the Magic Kingdom until I got on one of my favorite rides at the MK.


I was in Tomorrowland after being in Fantasyland for most of the night.


I had to ride the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover.


The Peoplemover is one of my favorite rides at the Disney parks. Every time I ride the Peoplemover at the MK, it reminds me of the old days at Disneyland which had the Peoplemover until the mid 90s. It would be nice if DL decides to do something with that track at DL but it is old and rusty and not ADA approved which would be difficult to restore. But I am always hopeful that Disney would bring it back.



The model of EPCOT is always nice to see every time I ride the Peoplemover.


After riding the Peoplemover, it was now time to head back to the hotel and call it for the night since the next day is going to be bigger with Hurricane Matthew getting closer to mid Florida. I don’t know how long the parks would be opened the next day so I needed to get some rest so I can start up early Thursday morning.


While walking out, the second Main Street Electrical Parade was running that night. I thought about staying and watching it but it was busy and I had no time. I knew that it was coming back to the DLR during the winter season so I had a reason not to see it during the trip in which I would see it at DL.




After leaving the MK, I head on over to the All Star Sports Resort line to get back to my resort. It was not that bad to get on the bus that night in which it was still busy but it was better over the other night.

I got back to the resort around 11pm that night and called it for the night.

I was able to do a lot of things that I wanted to do during that day which I got to go to Epcot and enjoy the F&W Festival as well as go to the MK to ride the 7DMT. Now the next day was going to be big with Hurricane Matthew getting closer to Florida and see how the parks will react.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I have no idea why this thread dropped off my reading list!!

Ok.
Love the fireworks shots from the TTC. That's an awesome location to shoot from.
And the menu's at the WDW F&W are also equally as compelling. I wish I had another trip planned; but it's going to be a few years before I head that way again.

Looks like you got some great shots from Peter Pan; and also of Hallowishes from the back side of the castle.

Here's hoping that I get notifications about this thread again.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I was excited to go to the MK that night since I have FP+ for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan and Pirates of the Caribbean.

That is quite a nice line up.

I was able to get on the ride and I was lucky to get the whole front to myself.

That was very lucky indeed. I have always been teamed up with another single rider.

I really loved the fireworks shots.

Corinna

 

[Steppesister]

Lots of great fireworks photos! Very nicely done!!

I've watched from back there too and it is a perfect place.

Yes, the People Mover is a GREAT ride, LOVE it at night!!!!