Getting Ready for a Wild Time at Food & Wine- An October 2015 PTR - Updated 7/27

[Tracy161]

Good luck with your exams, I hope they go well!

Great ADR wish list! I'll keep my fingers crossed you can get them all, and in your desired timeframes!

 

[bunnyboo]

Yay for switching to AKV!! Isn't renting DVC points great? AKV was my dream resort too, but definitely not within budget until I found someone to rent points from.
Hope you accumulate enough points so you can fly instead of drive!
Your ADRs look great, good luck getting all the times you want!

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Yay for switching to AKV!! Isn't renting DVC points great? AKV was my dream resort too, but definitely not within budget until I found someone to rent points from.
Hope you accumulate enough points so you can fly instead of drive!
Your ADRs look great, good luck getting all the times you want!

Welcome! And yes I'm very excited to have found points to rent making it affordable!

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Woohoo! I to am going In October...Sept28th-oct 8th to be exact. I was I went to one of the very first Food and Wines when I was a teen and thought it was fun. This time Im doing an all girls trip and I cant wait!

How exciting for you to get to go back! Too bad our trips won't overlap! But welcome! (Btw my college roommate married a Scotsman so I love your username)

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Update 10: ADR Day
​

Why can Disney not get a functioning ADR system online?!?! It took about 5 attempts to get the website to work for each ADR. I managed to get everything but BoG. I also didn't try to make ADRs until 9 am EST, because after 3 exams and 1 to go I was not ready to get up early to try.

I should note I'm vegetarian (and try to stick as close to vegan as possible, but because I do occasionally do dairy and eggs choose not to use that label) while my dad is a typical meat-and-potatoes type.

So we have:
10/29 Dinner at Chefs de France (since we couldn't get BoG I decided to do France in EPCOT)
10/30 Dinner at Jiko (I can barely contain my excitement for this)
10/31 Breakfast at Boma

Now that we will get there a little earlier I'm considering adding Dinner at Sanaa on our arrival night.

My trip to the "Dark Side" is in 5 days and we're sneaking over to Sanaa for dinner one night while we're down there. So no update until I'm back from that.

The Countdown:
121 days to FP+
180 days to Disney!!!!

 

[Elevationist]

How exciting!!! And keep trying back for BoG... You never know! People on here always report randomly finding reservations at the last minute!

 

[Tracy161]

Very exciting, indeed!!!

 

[bunnyboo]

The website wouldn't work for me either. Surprisingly I had more success using the app on my ipad. Good luck getting BOG!! I'm sure you'll see one pop up sooner or later.

Hope you're having fun at Universal!

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Update 11: Return from the Dark Side
​

Well I'm back from my trip to Universal. I may or may not do a full trip report but here's a quick run down.

Pro: Cabana Bay is amazing and if your a fan of Pop or Art of Animation or Retro things in general you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't go check it out.
Con: I think our room may have been located in Ocala. It was a hike to everything and even when we stayed at values at Disney it never felt far.

Pro: You really can see everything in 3 days if it's not too busy and still have time to enjoy the resort and take a mid-day break.
Con: At times the team members seemed really overwhelmed and unsure how to deal with any slight crowding.

Pro: The photo connect card is much cheaper than PhotoPass+ and includes 2 free prints and then discounted after that.
Con: A lot fewer photographers.

Pro: The transportation is amazing. We literally never waited for a bus or a boat.
Con: DO NOT GET ME STARTED ON THE FOOD!!!! I'm a vegetarian and avoid dairy for the most part (for both medical and philosophical reasons). We spent over an hour in between the two parks trying to find somewhere that had something I could eat. No one seemed to know where there were vegetarian options or what said options were. I've never had this issue with Disney.

We did sneak over to AKL for dinner at Sanaa one night (the parks closed early for Gradventure) and so I'll have a mini dining review and share my little sneak preview from that later this week.

Also in watching everybody register for Marathon Weekend and my mom mentioning she wouldn't mind doing a Disney race. I'm an avid runner and doing two fulls in the 2015-2016 race cycle (neither at Disney) to try to qualify for the Boston Marathon in 2017 in addition to my typical 5ks, 10ks, and Half-Marathons. But... I'm now also looking to do a Disney half again (most likely either Wine & Dine or Marathon Weekend) in my 2016-2017 race cycle. So is it too early to start planning that trip too? (I'm hoping to rent DVC points in the EPCOT or Magic Kingdom area which really means I can start planning that one almost as soon as I get back from this trip.)

The Countdown:
111 days to FP+
170 days to Disney!!!!

 

[KathyM2]

Joining in here!! So excited for you...AKL...how awesome!! I love your ADR's...BOG is super hard to get - I too am trying to get on for October and so far have had no luck. Although - if you're interested, I did sign up with DisneyDiningBuddy...for a BOG lunch...I just signed up yesterday and so far it told me it got me a 11:20...which I declined...so now I have it looking for 12pm...crossing my fingers that it comes through for us. You are so lucky to be staying at AKL...and can easily go get Zebra domes for a snack!! Your whole trip sounds like a lot of fun though. My hubby is a real runner...and I dabble in 5K's...but we'd both love to do some Disney runs...they always seem to be at times we can't get there though...sigh..one day...anyway...I look forward to hearing more about your plans! It will be so much fun to have your dad along too!

 

[SarahDisney]

I can't believe I didn't know you had a PTR!

Your plans look really great! It looks like you're going to get a lot done in just a few days! ADRs look great ... sorry to hear you couldn't get BOG, but keep checking because one might open up!

Congrats on getting to stay at AKV! I've heard really great things ... everyone who stays there seems to love it, and I hope you do too!

The pros and cons from your Universal trip are really interesting! I'm hoping to get back there eventually ... I haven't been in a few years ... so it's good to hear the pros/cons from a Disney vet!

And no, it is not to early to start planning a runDisney trip ... it's never too early! I have my runDisney "wishlist" already planned out through 2018!

Finally, to answer your reader question:

What Disney souvenir do you actually use in the "real world"?

My Pandora bracelet - I wear it all the time. I love it!

 

[Marnm02]

Joining in! Your ADRs sound really yummy! Chefs is awesome, and has the best Creme Brulee!

AKL!! I'm so very jealous!!

Sounds like Universal was a great time! I haven't been there since 2006, and would really like to venture over there sometime soon. Maybe next year.

 

[Tracy161]

It's been SO long since I was last at Universal (like, 1997 long!). Glad you had a good time, though how disappointing to hear about the lack of food choices for you.

 

[Elevationist]

Welcome back, Wellesley!!!! I missed you!!!!

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Joining in here!! So excited for you...AKL...how awesome!! I love your ADR's...BOG is super hard to get - I too am trying to get on for October and so far have had no luck. Although - if you're interested, I did sign up with DisneyDiningBuddy...for a BOG lunch...I just signed up yesterday and so far it told me it got me a 11:20...which I declined...so now I have it looking for 12pm...crossing my fingers that it comes through for us. You are so lucky to be staying at AKL...and can easily go get Zebra domes for a snack!! Your whole trip sounds like a lot of fun though. My hubby is a real runner...and I dabble in 5K's...but we'd both love to do some Disney runs...they always seem to be at times we can't get there though...sigh..one day...anyway...I look forward to hearing more about your plans! It will be so much fun to have your dad along too!

I thought about doing Disneydiningbuddy, but both of us are more interested because it was new rather than actually being interested in the food! Personally I'm just as happy with the Lighthouse Sandwich at Columbia Harbor House (and my dad loves Pecos Bills)

I can't believe I didn't know you had a PTR!

Your plans look really great! It looks like you're going to get a lot done in just a few days! ADRs look great ... sorry to hear you couldn't get BOG, but keep checking because one might open up!

Congrats on getting to stay at AKV! I've heard really great things ... everyone who stays there seems to love it, and I hope you do too!

The pros and cons from your Universal trip are really interesting! I'm hoping to get back there eventually ... I haven't been in a few years ... so it's good to hear the pros/cons from a Disney vet!

And no, it is not to early to start planning a runDisney trip ... it's never too early! I have my runDisney "wishlist" already planned out through 2018!

Finally, to answer your reader question:

My Pandora bracelet - I wear it all the time. I love it!

Yay you're here! I think those of us with dietary restrictions get spoiled at Disney while Universal is more like the "real world" when it comes to food. I will say the hotel and table service would good with it. It was just an issue with the counter service in the park. (I can't imagine how they'd handle a request for Kosher when they struggle with vegetarian)

Joining in! Your ADRs sound really yummy! Chefs is awesome, and has the best Creme Brulee!

AKL!! I'm so very jealous!!

Sounds like Universal was a great time! I haven't been there since 2006, and would really like to venture over there sometime soon. Maybe next year.

Thanks, Disney food is one of my favorite parts of our trips and I am so excited for AKL (especially after doing dinner at Sannaa).

It's been SO long since I was last at Universal (like, 1997 long!). Glad you had a good time, though how disappointing to hear about the lack of food choices for you.

Yeah it was disappointing, but the rest of the trip was awesome and next time I'll be better prepared for it. We're also talking about possibly doing it again in the next year or two. King Kong looks awesome and we loved Cabana Bay.

Welcome back, Wellesley!!!! I missed you!!!!

I missed you too! Now we have to catch up

 

[Glittercat]

So take three of my favorite things Disney, Food, & Wine and role them into one and you get the Food & Wine Festival. If they added a Shakespeare performance that I got to watch with the 10th Doctor, you'd basically have my idea of heaven.

totally understand this!

Well that's basically what this pre-Trip is about, right? I'm already surprised by how much things have changed since I skipped a year (FP+ was still in Beta last time I went) and I haven't done the dining plan since 2010 (so needless to say it's changed)

We've not been since 2011 and things have indeed changed!

Alice in Wonderland (both the original and Tim Burton versions)

I love both versions as well.

I have my fingers crossed that I'll get to try Be Our Guest this time.

*fingers crossed for you*

I'm an avid runner (5ks to Full Marathons) and so will probably at least mention it in passing.

Very cool!

I'm still glad they came out because I was pleasantly surprised to see that there is not a party on my tentative Magic Kingdom day.

Terrific!

What Disney souvenir do you actually use in the "real world"?

Necklaces are my addiction of choice, not just for Disney, but they are the souvenir I scout for!

I'd love any feedback and especially any advice on the place where I'm trying to decide between restaurants. I should also note that I'm vegetarian and on the Dining Plan.

I was going to suggest Sanaa as I had the most delightful vegetarian meal there, and we're going back! I think Tokyo Dining had veggie sushi if I remember correctly.

Update 4: I'm Gonna Need A New Title​

I just emailed my travel agent to let her know I need to cancel my reservation.

I know, I know, you're all wondering what's going on.

This actually is good news and I'm going to need a new title, because now I'm going to be staying at

​

I got a good deal on renting points and will be staying in a studio for only $50 more per night than I was paying at Pop! It's been my dream resort for a while. So now I'm going to do some new planning and I need a new title!

then... thrilled for you!

It takes about 9 hours or so, so this means I should be there in time for dinner and to explore the hotel the first night. I'm still planning to drive right now but am getting dangerously close to enough points for a free flight. If that happens, then I may just decided to go ahead and fly.

How cool to live within short driving distance!

10/29 Dinner at Chefs de France (since we couldn't get BoG I decided to do France in EPCOT)
10/30 Dinner at Jiko (I can barely contain my excitement for this)
10/31 Breakfast at Boma
sounds quite tasty!
Now that we will get there a little earlier I'm considering adding Dinner at Sanaa on our arrival night.

We LOVE Sanaa, it was one of the few "required" restaurants for my family for our upcoming trip!

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Update 12: Sanaa Mini Review
​

As I mentioned in my last post, we went to Downtown Disney and AKL one night because the Universal Parks closed early. It was a good little touch of Disney on our Universal trip. Downtown Disney is a bit of a mess with the construction, but the cast members are very helpful and there are plenty of signs.

I picked up a cute kitchen timer that says Stand-By Wait Time on it at World of Disney and grabbed a vegan cupcake and donut at Erin McKenna's Bakery (formerly known as BabyCakes). We headed over to AKL-Kidani for our 7:15 Sanaa reservation.

Sanaa Review

(Vegetarian)

We arrived about 7 pm for our 7:15 pm. I told the hostess on check in that I was vegetarian and she noted it in the computer. We then grabbed a seat and our pager went off at 7:14 so not a bad wait.

We were seated a two top with a window view but not right next to the window. Initially we were both given the special vegetarian menu (yes they have an entirely separate vegetarian menu and an entirely separate vegan menu). Our waitress quickly brought my mom the regular menu and explained there had been some recent changes that may not be reflected on the vegetarian menu, so she'd double check with the chef if I have any questions.

African wines are my favorite so I was thrilled with the wine list. I ordered Brampton Unoaked Chardonnay (which was fantastic) and my mom got the Game Reserve Chenin Blanc.

We started with the African Bread Service with all the accompaniments. It is only about $2-$3 more to get all the accompaniments rather than picking three so of course we had to go for it. Also I forgot to take a picture until we had already taken a good chunk out of it.

To be hones this was spectacular and I would have been happy to have that as a meal in itself with maybe some samosas or the salad sampler to go with it.

My mom got the butter chicken which was done differently then I've typically seen (and I forgot to take a picture of). It was a quarter chicken that had been spiced and cooked in the tandoori oven with the sauce underneath the rice.

I got the vegetarian sampler. I choose paneer tikka masala and the channa masala.



These are my go to favorites at Indian restaurants and Disney did not let me down. The only change I would make is it would have been nice to have a separate plate to put the dish on top of the rice.

Overall this is my new favorite restaurant on property and I've changed our Jiko reservation to Sanaa so that I can go back in October.

Grade: A+

After dinner, we walked over to Jambo House and got Zebra Domes at the Mara for desert.

Other recent changes: Shortly before this trip, I was advised to reduce dairy as much as possible, so by October I'll be dairy free as well as vegetarian. (Yes, I know the paneer has dairy in it)Since my dad is going with me, I've switched Chefs to Le Cellier (as a retirement/Father's Day present to him). Fingers crossed they'll be able to handle my dairy-free vegetarian needs. If anyone's been there as a vegan (I'm not vegan since I do eat eggs and honey) or vegetarian or dairy-free, I'd love your feedback on what you got and how they handled it. I'm not concerned as the last time I went there they did a good job and Disney seems to do pretty well in general, but I'd love any tips or what to expect.

The Countdown:
106 days to FP+
165 days to Disney!!!!

 

[Glittercat]

Sanaa Review

(Vegetarian)

We arrived about 7 pm for our 7:15 pm. I told the hostess on check in that I was vegetarian and she noted it in the computer. We then grabbed a seat and our pager went off at 7:14 so not a bad wait.

We were seated a two top with a window view but not right next to the window. Initially we were both given the special vegetarian menu (yes they have an entirely separate vegetarian menu and an entirely separate vegan menu).

Yay! Even 5 years ago they had made great strides with vegetarian dining, so it is exciting to hear that they have entire menus now!

African wines are my favorite so I was thrilled with the wine list. I ordered Brampton Unoaked Chardonnay (which was fantastic) and my mom got the Game Reserve Chenin Blanc.

I've never tried an African wine, but will be sure to now.

We started with the African Bread Service with all the accompaniments. It is only about $2-$3 more to get all the accompaniments rather than picking three so of course we had to go for it. Also I forgot to take a picture until we had already taken a good chunk out of it.

To be hones this was spectacular and I would have been happy to have that as a meal in itself with maybe some samosas or the salad sampler to go with it.

This looks scrumptious, especially the nan.

I got the vegetarian sampler. I choose paneer tikka masala and the channa masala.

What a tasty trio!

After dinner, we walked over to Jambo House and got Zebra Domes at the Mara for desert.

I've heard great things about these little treats!

Since my dad is going with me, I've switched Chefs to Le Cellier (as a retirement/Father's Day present to him). Fingers crossed they'll be able to handle my dairy-free vegetarian needs.

What a lovely gift you're giving him! There is a recent menu here, but I'm afraid few of the options are vegetarian. I'll bet they have terrific experience with vegetarian dishes though and I hope you'll have a fantastic meal!

 

[KathyM2]

Great review!! I wish they had Zebra domes elsewhere...I may have to trek over there just to have them...The naan does look really good...as does everything...but I think I will have to wait until my DD is older to eat there...

 

[Elevationist]

I picked up a cute kitchen timer that says Stand-By Wait Time on it

This sounds adorable! Can you post a photo? I actually need new kitchen timer!

We started with the African Bread Service with all the accompaniments. It is only about $2-$3 more to get all the accompaniments rather than picking three so of course we had to go for it. Also I forgot to take a picture until we had already taken a good chunk out of it.

Just a few bucks more and you get ALL of the accompaniments? That's a GREAT deal!

My mom got the butter chicken which was done differently then I've typically seen (and I forgot to take a picture of). It was a quarter chicken that had been spiced and cooked in the tandoori oven with the sauce underneath the rice.

What did you mom think of it, did she like it? I'm not a big fan of Indian cuisine, but butter chicken is one that I'm okay with.

After dinner, we walked over to Jambo House and got Zebra Domes at the Mara for desert.

Yeah you did, girl! Zebra Domes are so om-nom-nommy!

Fingers crossed they'll be able to handle my dairy-free vegetarian needs.

I think you'll be fine! Disney is tops at handling this kind of stuff.

If anyone's been there as a vegan (I'm not vegan since I do eat eggs and honey) or vegetarian or dairy-free, I'd love your feedback on what you got and how they handled it.

The Restaurants forum here is a good place to ask this question, or believe it or not, the DISabilities forum. Lots of discussion there about food allergies and gluten/dairy, etc. I bet some folks there could share their experience at Le Cellier with you!