Food, Frights, & The Fortieth: A Trip Report of Epic Proportions. *11/28*

[BerrysGirl]

Hello All!

It seems like my trip was ages ago but in fact I only returned yesterday... guess I'm an over-achiever because I'm starting my TR NOW! If you're just joining, WELCOME! If you followed me over from my PTR WELCOME BACK! I had an amazing trip filled with lots of highs and only a few lows... the largest of course was leaving my wonderful DBF at MCO last night Ugh, I miss him already. So now it's time to relive the happy moments!

For all the newcomers I encourage you to check out my PTR: Have AnnualPass, Will Travel. But for a quick recap for everyone, here's the basic synopsis:

Who?

Me! Megan, Disney obsessor and coordinator of this trip.
Here are the favorites:
Park: Magic Kingdom
Ride: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Resort: Contemporary
Character: A tie between Jack Skellington, Jasmine, Piglet, and Figment

DBF. Matt is my loving and wonderful boyfriend who is always up for anything I have planned. We definitely have different park touring techniques (he's more relaxed and I'm more... energetic? intense?) but I feel like I'm starting to come around to his way of thinking. All the Disney trips in my future are helping that cause.
Matt's favorites:
Park: Hollywood Studios
Ride: Star Tours (new or old... he'll take them both).
Resort: I'm fairly certain he's tied between the Polynesian and the Boardwalk.
Character: Donald Duck... though I believe Goofy gave ol' DD a run for his money this trip!

Oz! Haha, just kidding. Our cat, Oz was probably the least excited that I was going to Disney. Disney vacations means long days home alone with only brief visits from a friend. I do think he's forgiven me though... although it took a lot of catnip.

What? Uh Disney??? This trip was filled with lots of excitement. It was our first experience with the Food and Wine Festival, we had tickets for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, AND we would be at Magic Kingdom for Rope Drop on Walt Disney World's Fortieth Anniversary... or that was the plan (would it happen?!?).

Where? The Caribbean Beach Resort!

There were many reasons for our resort choice. And overall I was pleasantly surprised considering some of the reviews of the resort. I'll include an overall experience and would I stay there again post later on but for now just know we stayed, we were comfortable, and the resort grounds are gorgeous.

When September 29 - October 3, 2011. Not nearly enough time but it fit all the key events.
Food and Wine began on the 30th, with a soft opening the 29th.
Our MNSSHP was on the 30th.
And the 40th Anniversary was, duh, October 1!

Why? I know a lot of people respond to this question with Why Not?!? . And of course, that is a very respectable response. But I have another answer to the Why!
My DBF started the CP in August. He was assigned to Old Port Royale Quick Service Food and Dinning at the Caribbean Beach Resort (our choice of lodging is really starting to make sense, isn't it? ). I, living in Ohio, am quite far away from him and miss him terribly. So using some leftover money from last year's tax return, I booked a flight to visit him. Not only do I get to visit the love of my life but I also got to visit my favorite place!

So those are the details... now on to the trip!
Thanks for reading

 

[BerrysGirl]

Food, Frights, and the Fortieth.

Introductions

Chapter One
Part One. Part Two. Part Three.
Part Four. Part Five. Part Six.
Part Seven

Chapter Two
Part One. Part Two. Part Three.
Part Four. Part Five. Part Six.
Part Seven. Part Eight.

Chapter Three
Part One. Part Two. Part Three.

Chapter Four
Part One. Part Two. Part Three.
Part Four.

 

[LAH LAH]

I love OZ! We had to leave our Talulah kitty and she was only visited briefly daily as well.

Can't wait to hear about your trip!

 

[kokotg]

Yay! I'm here!

 

[BerrysGirl]

I love OZ! We had to leave our Talulah kitty and she was only visited briefly daily as well.

Can't wait to hear about your trip!

Thanks and Isn't leaving your pets one of the only downsides to going to Disney? I swear, it's so hard on my Mom that last trip they looked at the new pet motel by Port Orleans so they can take the family dog (let's just say, I'm an only child and I was replaced by the dog when I moved out ). I do think it's kinder to leave cats at home and just have them checked on than take them to a boarding center. Cats just don't seem to like change as much, ya know?

Yay! I'm here!

I'm so glad you found me : Thanks for stopping by!

 

[BerrysGirl]

Chapter One, Part One.

"Disney World! Disney World! Ah Ah Disney World!"

My TR actually starts two days before I left for Disney World. Tuesday I knew was the last night I really had to pack and organize before I left so I gathered everything together, double checked my list, and pained my nails. Orange for Halloween with a special touch:

I was quite pleased with how they turned out. I was even complimented for them on the train in Magic Kingdom.

Wednesday rolled around and I had to go to school like normal always hard to do when Disney is just around the corner. But I made it through and left at 4:00 pm. Right on time! I came back, made sure all my bags were organized and ready for my flight. I was not checking a bag, just bringing two carry-ons so I wanted to make sure I had all my items packed correctly.

The last thing I had to do was attend to the Kitty.

Someone doesn't like being left alone.

After making sure everything was ready for our friend who was checking in on Oz, I was ready to hit the road!

First I had to drop of my house key at our friend's house. I got a little lost on the way over but finally figured it out. Afterward, I hit the highway for Matt's Parent's house. I live over an hour away from the airport I was flying out of, and even though there was an airport much closer to me, I prefer flying out of this other airport because it's so much cheaper. Matt's Parents, on the other hand, live maybe ten minutes away from the airport so I headed to their house for the night. I made good time and was there with plenty of time to get settled, chat with Matt's Dad about our trip in December, and get to bed around 9:30. I watched Ratatouille while I fell asleep (I find ever since Matt left I can't sleep anymore without the television on) and after overcoming my excitement, was asleep probably around 10:30!

 

[BerrysGirl]

Chapter 1, Part 2.

3:25 am rolled around and I cracked open an eye...

Did I think it was too early? Did I groan that my alarm was going off in just 5 minutes?

Heck no! I'm going to Disney World! I jumped out of bed with 4 minutes to spare and started to get ready. At 5 am I was ready to rock and roll and Matt's Dad begrudgingly rolled out of bed too to drive me to the airport (Just kidding, he's actually a morning person and was already up and ready to go). After a very short drive in zero traffic, Matt's Dad was dropping me off at the airport.

Yayayayayayay!

There was a bit of a line for security, especially for 5 am but I only waited about 10 minutes before I kicked off my shoes, sent all my stuff through the x-ray machine and hopped into the body scanner...

I've flown in December and March, both times body scanners were present in the airport and both times I did not have to get scanned. Guess my good luck streak is over, body scanning seems to be the norm now. No biggie though, and seeing my scanned image was actually pretty neat!

After making it through security incident-free, I was in some serious need of caffeine! Hi, my name is Megan and I am a coffee-addict. I stopped at a bagel shop in the airport for my breakfast and the first meal of vacation!

The coffee was good, but the everything bagel was super salty. I ate as much as I could but ended up throwing some of it away. I relaxed at the gate for a while until TSA agents started walking around randomly asking to check bags. I didn't really think much of this, and was actually thankful they were doing this now instead of when we boarded the plane. They asked to look at my bags, so I handed them my purse and started to get my other carry-on bag ready for inspection. The TSA agent barely even glanced inside my purse before he handed it back to me, thanked me, and continued on... without even looking at my other bag Ok, what's the point of that?

I still had some time to kill before the flight started boarding and I was feeling restless so I wandered for a bit. I passed the little magazine shop they have at every airport and saw this display:

Thanks airport, way to perpetuate stereotypes... I'm sure selling a shirt that says "Cow Tipper in Traning (Ohio)" really makes people want to visit our state Sigh...

Around this time Matt called sounding extremely sleepy and grumpy (and dopey and bashful and sneezy... actually he was just sounding 2 of the 7 dwarfs!) But he assured he was up, and would be at the airport for my 9 am landing.

Around this time, my flight started boarding, and soon we were taxing away from the airport, and hitting the skies. Other than sitting behind a screaming baby, the flight was very uneventful, and we touched down a few minutes early.

Soon I was seeing this beautiful sight:

Coming Up: Will there be a special someone waiting at the airport for me?

 

[melmar136]

Yay! So glad you started your TR already! Can't wait to hear all about the F&W, MNSSHP, and the 40th! You're so lucky that you were there for all three!

 

[ifightfortheusers]

I wasn't that grumpy when I called early Thursday Morning. I was only a tad sleepy. I was very excited that my amazing DGF would be there in only a few hours.

 

[kokotg]

Here I was, thinking that bagel looked really good and getting wistful about how much I miss bagels...and then I read the comment about it being too salty! I guess it's a sign that bagels and I aren't meant to be together

Excited to read about your big WDW arrival!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Cow tipping in Ohio? I always thought that cow tipping was something they did in Wisconsin! We have those shirts at the Milwaukee Airport.

Can't wait to hear more.

 

[mimiloveswdw]

Here! I'll be back with a more detailed comment later

 

[keholman15]

Good taste

 

[bkandreu]

I love your trip report so far I'm definitely in, and I'm going to go back and read your PTR to catch up on things!

 

[BerrysGirl]

Yay! So glad you started your TR already! Can't wait to hear all about the F&W, MNSSHP, and the 40th! You're so lucky that you were there for all three!

I really was It was crazy but totally worth it!

I wasn't that grumpy when I called early Thursday Morning. I was only a tad sleepy. I was very excited that my amazing DGF would be there in only a few hours.

Oh I do believe you were a little more than "a tad sleepy." You could have given the dwarf himself a run for his money!

Here I was, thinking that bagel looked really good and getting wistful about how much I miss bagels...and then I read the comment about it being too salty! I guess it's a sign that bagels and I aren't meant to be together

Excited to read about your big WDW arrival!

No, sadly this bagel was no match made in heaven. I normally adore Everything Bagels too. It was quite disappointing and something I will remember when I fly out of that airport again in December. There was a Starbucks too!

Cow tipping in Ohio? I always thought that cow tipping was something they did in Wisconsin! We have those shirts at the Milwaukee Airport.

Can't wait to hear more.

Thanks and ! I still don't understand why any airport would proudly espouse to cow tipping but Wisconsin definitely makes more sense. I mean you guys have delicious cheese! What do we have? Buckeyes?

Here! I'll be back with a more detailed comment later

Yay you found me I was hoping to see you soon

Good taste

Why thank you and

I love your trip report so far I'm definitely in, and I'm going to go back and read your PTR to catch up on things!

Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy

 

[BerrysGirl]

When we left off I had just touched down in paradise aka Florida

I headed promptly to the first ride of my vacation: the "monorail"! I guess I'm not use to coming out of this terminal at MCO because I saw a Chili's restaurant. Who knew they had a Chili's?

Soon I was waiting here:

And there were ropes barricading the entrance with an attendant. So weird... the MCO "monorail" use to be self-servicing kind of ride

I called Matt from the "monorail" and he was waiting at security for me! In just a few short minutes we were reunited

We headed out of MCO and soon were on the road to the Caribbean. We took a quick detour to Publix to pick up some coffee creamer, granola, and yogurt for breakfast, a case of water, and some misc items to complete our Halloween costumes. Matt drove me around his apartment complex and I got to see where all the CP students live. They have really nice apartments! They reminded me of Brooklyn Brownstones if they were picked up and dropped in Orlando... does that make any sense?

It was so weird driving past the bus stop where the CP kids were waiting to go to work. A Tower of Terror CM was sitting by a Tomorrow Land CM while a World Showcase CM chatted with a Safari CM. Just another day to work for them but still a very strange sight to see.

After our mini tour we passed under a gorgeous sight:

But wait! It gets better:

Oh I am proud of this one

And soon were stopping at:

It's the Caribbean... I tried to get a picture of the sign but it came out horribly then I forgot. My bad!

We got to the Customs House and had only a brief wait before we were getting checked-in. Matt needed to complete the check-in process since we were staying with his CM discount so I stepped away to use the restroom. As I was leaving I heard the CM asking Matt for his cell phone number and I thought "darn, our room isn't ready and they'll text us later." When I came back though, Matt handed me my KTTW and said "we're in Aruba 5448, it's ready."

Yeeees!!!

We hoped back in the car and Matt directed us to our home for the next 5 days. I am very thankful Matt worked at CBR because it was quite confusing for the first day.

Thanks to Matt we were soon here with no problem

Coming Up? The Room!

 

[mimiloveswdw]

The CP apartments look nice! I looked them up haha. That's awesome that your room was ready! Really excited to see it! Looking forward to more!

 

[BerrysGirl]

The CP apartments look nice! I looked them up haha. That's awesome that your room was ready! Really excited to see it! Looking forward to more!

Haha I'm glad you could find a picture of them! I felt a little self conscious taking pictures back there with all the kids in costume just walking around... almost like I was behind the scenes or something!

Matt's apartment was also very nice (I also did not take pictures of that because his roommate was home at the time and I thought it'd be weird). Disney does seem to take care of its CMs!

 

[BerrysGirl]

When we left off we were about to view our home for the next five days. I don't know why but when Matt put the key in the door, I almost expected it not to work. It was 9 am after all and I just thought there was no way our room could be ready so early! But the little light flashed green, and we were in!

I quickly screamed out not to make a mess yet, I needed photographic evidence!

We got our king bed!

I loved this picture. Makes me want to take a cruise.

If you ever need to know, the safe is to the right behind the curtain. It was a safe with a key, not a digital lock, which is a bit of a bummer but it a was a nice size to hold all the essentials.

There was a beautiful mural carved onto the shower wall. It must have been a beast to clean though!

After ooooing and ahhhhing over our accommodations, we started to unpack. There were quite a few "logistics" for us to get out of the way before we could enjoy ourselves and we took the time to do that know. For two people who essentially share their lives with one another, living nearly 1,000 miles away can get complicated and I'd acquired quite a few important documents in the mail I needed to pass on to Matt and he also had some banking issues he needed me to take care of since there aren't very many of our banks nearby him. But not all of our logistics were tedious. Matt did share a purchase he had made for me a while ago:

The Jack Sparrow Lego keychain! I love these keychains, I have the little green alien from Toy Story and an Ewok from Star Wars and when Lego came out with their Pirates sets I knew I had to have the Jack Sparrow keychain too!

Well, Matt was off one day and just happened to wander into the Lego Store and THERE HE WAS! He quickly snatched one up and the cashier told him he was really lucky, the Jack Sparrows had just come in that day and it looked like they were about to sell out! Matt has been back to the Lego Store a few times and has never seen the keychain again. And now I'm the proud owner of a seemingly rare keychain!

While we were unpacking I also decorated our windows for Halloween. Yes, that's right I said windows! We managed to score a corner room that overlooked the lake and quiet pool so now I had TWO windows to decorate! We really were in an ideal location. The second floor meant it was quiet, the views were spectacular, and we were in easy walking distance to several bus stops and Old Port Royale, where Matt works.

We never really did plug in these lights. They were on for the picture, bt for the most part we didn't want to leave them on while we weren't there and they were LED which means they were too bright to have on while we were trying to sleep: aka pretty much the only time we were in the room.

This is what we saw when we looked out of our room!

Our room is on the second floor, far left corner. If you look very closely you can see our decorations!

We were feeling restless, so Matt walked me around the resort, showing me the closest route to Old Port Royale, where we browsed the gift shop and got a coffee for me (caffffffeine!!!) I also had the opportunity to meet some of Matt's coworkers and his managers. I have a feeling I'm talked about a lot because every time I was introduced I heard "so THIS is the girlfriend." After walking through OPR we walked over to main bus stop because Matt had a feeling it was one of the last stops around the resort for our park destination of choice...

 

[BerrysGirl]

... Epcot!

Initially I took a picture of the big F&W display in front of Spaceship Earth but there were a TON of people around. So I deleted it and got a better picture later on.

By this time it was around 11:30 and I was started to get very hungry. Thankfully Matt was too so we decided to head over to the Land: a) to see if there were any Soarin' fastpasses and b) to get lunch at Sunshine Seasons!

There were Soarin' fastpasses available for 2:25 - 3:25. Our afternoon tea was at 3:30 and Matt suggested we leave the park around 2:30 to make sure we got there on time. We decided to chance it and went ahead and got the fastpasses. If the line was crazy we could always come back and use them after our tea.

Since tea was just a few hours away and I didn't want to be overly full, Matt and I decided to share the veggie sushi to hold us over.

It was very good. I liked that there was pickled ginger actually in the sushi. You don't get that very much and I thought it was a nice touch.

After our very quick lunch I suggested we head across the park to see what the line for Test Track looked like.

On the way, I wanted to stop in Mouse Gears for two reasons: to trade my first vinylmations and to hunt out a certain prop I hear rumor made its home there.

I wanted to surprise Matt, so I didn't tell him what I was looking for. He thought I was a crazy person, wandering around looking up with seemingly no interest in all the awesome Disney merchandise... especially because Mouse Gears has a sizable display of Disney Dooney's! But after a few minutes I finally found my goal:

It's the original machine the Dream Finder rode in the old Figment ride! You know, the first scene when he makes Figment. I looove Figment (I'm actually drinking coffee out of my Figment mug as I type this) so I loved seeing this old prop. We passed an older CM in the middle of my excitement, and she either appreciated my nostalgic side, or thought I was a crazy person. I still can't decide.

But since we were there, we had one more mission. Our first vinylmation trade!

Bye Guys!

Hi new ones! The one on the right is mine and the one on the left is what Matt traded for. I have to say, this might be one of my favorite trades this trip (and we traded A LOT) just because I actually thought the troll was cute in an ugly way and I had really wanted to ride Maelstrom this trip... no idea why but it was just something I really wanted to do!

We tucked our vinylmations safely away and journeyed on to....

Test Track!
(notice the man watching us behind Matt? I can't tell if that's Santa or an older version of ZZ Top )

We rode in the Single Rider line and walked right on.

After the ride I hoped in a Chevy Volt in the show room and was quite surprised how comfortable and easy to see out of it was... perhaps an electric car is in my future!

After Test Track we wanted to see what Food & Wine looked like over in World Showcase, so we headed that way and I got my wish:

We rode Maelstrom! It was another walk-on and it filled my Troll-quota for the trip.

We continued on through World Showcase looking at the F&W booths. Most were open but we didn't want to eat anything with Tea so close. We did however read all the menus and comment on which ones we were most looking forward to trying.

At the International Gateway we saw another display:

A chef had just passed out of the frame and he had jokingly stopped while I was taking the picture to pose. I kinda wish he had stayed for the actual picture because it would have been hilarious and very appropriate. It is called FOOD & Wine after all. He's the star of the show!

In England I caught this pretty shot:

Who knew the Characters in Flight Balloon flew so high? I'd never seen it from Epoct before. Neat!

After completing the loop, we went through the main walkway back to Future World and saw a manmade cranberry bog:

There was a farmer in the bog answering questions. It looked interesting, but we were on a mission! But that mission did include a quick stop at Club Cool. I got Matt to try Beverley. He didn't remember trying it before:

I think he'll remember it now! We tried just a few more but they had run out of the Chinese watermelon soda, which is my favorite.

Also, our fastpasses were ready for:

We got stuck a few times in line and we were really pushing our leaving time for afternoon tea. 2:45 rolled around and we hadn't even heard the spiel from Joe Swanson (I have no idea what his real name is... all I know is that he's the voice of Joe Swanson on Family Guy)!

We decided to stick it out since we were so close, and were assigned the gate B, front row! Score! Our ride was as awesome as always, but once we landed it was almost 3:00, so we booked it out of Soarin' and towards the main entrance. We had a monorail to catch and date with Tea to make!

Did we make it on time???