Hey! You had your trip, this time I'm in charge! Nicki & Todd LIVE!! Completed :(

[librarygeek]

Yay, I love F&W pics! I haven't been during F&W yet so I'm hoping someday I will get the chance. From your photos there are a few things I would love to try - the Hawaiian pork slider, egg roll, sausage on pretzel roll (that thing looks huge!), and the chicken on a stick. Oh, and of course the Mai Tai

 

[MickeyNicki]

We left Epcot a bit early since the park was getting very crowded and since the weather was just gorgeous we went back to the resort to get some ice tea and jump in our bathing suits. I love the quiet pool and spa at the BWI, this was also a nice time to do a bit of laundry

After a while DH wanted a nap so we came upstairs and crashed for a while and then it was time to get back to Epcot. Howard Jones was playing his last concert tonight and I wanted to check it out before dinner at Via Napoli

Upon entering Epcot we noticed the crowds were larger

Todd - I think we need drinks to cope with the crowds...whats closest?

Me - SLUSHIES!!

To France we went and each had a Grey Goose Slushie...I took a pic of mine while DH was waiting for his

We made our way over to the concert and sat and chilled, slurping our drinks and wishing we had another round! The concert was awesome, I am a lover of the 80's, grew up in the 80's and can sing these songs till the cows come home..it was a great time!

Since I wanted to watch the entire concert we were a few minutes late for dinner at Via Napoli but that was ok, they were empty. Both of us had an ice tea, its very good and tropical flavored. The bread was so hard so we didnt eat it

I knew I was going to have a hard time ordering here but this was even worse because I wasnt hungry...just a nibble of something and I would be fine. Todd suprised me with getting a pizza (insert sarcasm here) and I really wanted calamari but he didnt, he wanted the fried veggies so we decided to get the sampler platter...costly yes but it made us both happy...until we saw the size of it!

It was HUGE! Feed 2 people my Aunt Fanny...this could feed 4-6 people! The calamari was amazing, very tender...love the marinara sauce. Came with 2 fried mozzarella balls that Todd ate and 2 arancini balls that he took a bite of and proclaimed "Dont like these" (NO DUH!) and lots of fried veggies that were outstanding, nothing was greasy! There is something about the marinara sauce here, tastes like you are eating the freshest tomatoes on the planet!

The pizza, well the pizza was a problem for me...that is a lot of cheese! I ate one slice with the cheese removed, Todd had no problem eating it thought!

Food was great, service was great...and get this...we were in and out of there in under 30 minutes...the fastest TS place in all of WDW!

Skipped dessert because there were other great treats in Epcot to enjoy..we didnt have to go far, just to Germany!

I love these little treats but I cannot eat them anymore but "Someone" else can so we bought them

And of course we had to get a milk chocolate sea salt caramel square...I had just one little nibble and it was so creamy, so salty and sweet and chocolate-y....just perfection in a square!

Now I was thirsty and needed something so we made our way to the Caribbean both for a frozen Coconut Mojito....this was the best thing I have had all day..it was liked a revved up Grey Goose Slushie with a hint of coconut..to die for! And at $8 a pop for a dinky glass I can see us going broke tomorrow!

Also took a pick of the shredded beef and rice and the chicken drumstick with mango salsa...will try these another day

What a great day and night, we loved it so much we are going to repeat it tomorrow, breakfast at the BWI bakery and more F&W for lunch!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Yay, I love F&W pics! I haven't been during F&W yet so I'm hoping someday I will get the chance. From your photos there are a few things I would love to try - the Hawaiian pork slider, egg roll, sausage on pretzel roll (that thing looks huge!), and the chicken on a stick. Oh, and of course the Mai Tai

You have to go to F&W one day, its so much fun! Cannot wait to do it all again tomorrow!

 

[librarygeek]

Also good to see your review of Via Napoli - I'm thinking I want to try one of the Italian restaurants next time, so deciding between that one or Tutto. The calamari sounds really good!

And I never did get a grey goose slushie last time... I think the cost turned me off a bit but it's something I definitely have to try considering how much everyone raves about them!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

We had that sampler platter at VN and the 3 of us couldn't finish it and one of us is a 15 year old growing boy! But it was delish!

Really love all the F&W pics! DH were talking today that in 2013 I may be ready to leave DS for an adults only trip during the school year. I have somewhat resigned myself that next year will the the last "3 of us familiy trip". Hey, I had thought it would be this year's so I am happy to have one more to look forward to!

I read DH your report today giving him an idea of what a couples trip could be like! Something to look forward to even if it is 2 years away!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

So great to hear your F&W reviews!!! Everything looks amazing! The drinks look scrumptious, the pork slider amazing, and I never saw those hazlenut candies in Germany...making note!!! It stinks that Epcot was crowded. I have read that F&W weekends are CRAZY!! Unfortunately, my dad will be with us only the first 5 days of our trip and we are doing Epcot for F&W on a Saturday since it will be his only opportunity to get there. Ugh! May regret it, but hoping it works out ok! Prepared for the crowds, so we won't be shocked!

 

[CrystalCastle]

Thank you so much for letting me know about BWI's laundry room. Too funny that you were there today! One last question, are the washers normal (old) style or HE washers? Just curious.

Love that you went to Via Napoli. I had planned to eat there and was wondering what it was like. I'm enjoying your F&W experience and seeing all the things I wish I had tried while I was there! I'm so sorry I didn't try that Pumpkin Mousse! Looks and sounds amazing! Being an October baby I get that whole "must try anything pumpkin" feeling!

 

[jabead]

Thank you so much for posting pics of the current menu at Citrico's. I recently decided to replace Citrico's with dinner at Shula's for my upcoming trip. But after seeing your review and pics, it reminded me of how much I liked the short rib I had there. Now of course I'm second guessing myself. So I'm really looking forward to your Shula's and Flying Fish reviews. Maybe then I'll finally be able to make up my mind.

The cupcakes at the BW Bakery look delicious. When I was there in May I had their Peanut Butter Chocolate cupcake. It was fantastic! Do you know if they still have it? If not, I just might have to try that Smores one. YUM!

I'm glad you are enjoying your stay at the BWI. I've stayed there on my last three trips and will be there again on Nov. 9th. It's such a great location...just steps away from my favorite park!

 

[basketlacey]

Love love love your review so far! I can't wait to hit up some of the booths at food and wine! We are only going to have one day there so that is going to be tough but I plan to skip breakfast that day! We do have an ADR at Via for late afternoon. I won't give that up but I could move it to our second Epcot day if necessary.

 

[Tinkerbellah]

Omgosh! Is Swan a Sheraton property? Every Sheraton I have ever been in smells like "sunflowers" the purfume from the 90s!!! I smelled it in Canada [for years @ the same place & it always reeks] & in Maryland [much lighter, but still the same sent]. . If it's the same I know how nasty it is & it makes me RUN through the lobby!

HOB looks like a nice choice I never thought to go.
& Wow! Citrico's looks sooo good!!Gotta try that sometime!!
Can't wait for F&W looks fun!!! But now I wanna try VN app platter. Yum & Geez!!!
So much good stuff so little time! It a good thing everything gets walked off @ WDW! LOL!!!

 

[KatMark]

Love the F&W updates. You could just leave me at the Hawaiian booth all day and fetch me a Grand Mariner Slush every once in awhile and I'd be a happy girl.

What happened to eating the fruit for breakfast?

Glad Via Napoli was a hit once again. The calamari and the sauce sound great...except I can't eat the sauce.

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

I am drooling! Everything looks soooooo good!

And I don't even like coconut but that frozen coconut mojito looked great. Was the coconut overpowering? I think I'd be willing to overlook my aversion to coconut for that drink

 

[jedijill]

You MUST have the Dragon Berry Colada at the Caribbean booth! It is delicious...I ended up with 4 by the time I was done with F&W!


Jill in CO

 

[NOLA_Tink]

Yum! Lovin' the F&W reviews! We'll be there in a few days & your reviews are getting me sooooo excited!!! Are y'all doing any seminars this week? On Friday, we're doing the culinary demonstration w/ Chef TJ & the Cointreau mixology demonstration. I hope your birthday trip continues to be wonderful!!!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I love that bread pudding at Sunshine Seasons too. But if it hadn't been for you I probabaly wouldn't have tried it. Or I wouldn't of seen it on my own at least. It actually reminds me of that stuff at Crystal Palace if you've ever been there for breakfast, but I've really started avoiding character meals these past couple trips, so it's nice to be able to get something similar elsewhere.

The food looks so good this year for F&W. I wish I wasn't missing it! I hope they have that pumpkin stuff again next year. And those coconut mojitos. I've really started liking mojitos recently.

And Via Napoli looks great as always. I may go there just for that sampler next year, or maybe go twice so I can get pizza once too. No way would I be able to eat both by myself. And I don't have someone like Todd with me who never seems to get full!

 

[ems_mom]

We love your dining reviews, especially this years. Always thoughtful and honest. We are starting our vacation on 11/12, the last Saturday of F&W, so your reviews are a great guide. Totally jealous you live so close!

 

[cbg1027]

Man you are getting me sooo revved up Nicki! Wednesday cannot get here fast enough!!!!

Is it just me or has the portion size of the Greek salad considerably shrunk?

Mmmm Slushies....don't drink too many, you have to save room to have some on Thursday at our Slushie meet!

Mmmm I don't have an ADR for VN, but I think me and Gram are probably going to end up eating there at some point during our trip. I wish we had Todd's stomach while we travel so we could try more food. I'm so afraid we won't be able to sample everything we want!

 

[Linda67]

Morning Nicki

Wonderful F&W reviews, you are bringing back very happy memories

If you get chance try the Cosmo Slushie at the France booth

 

[AshClan]

I agree with Linda....I like that Cosmo slushie even better than the Grey Goose! Hope you manage to get yourselves back to the Caribbean booth. I loved the drumstick and have heard great things about the shredded beef.

Glad you've had nice weather. Have a great day today!

 

[swankybeth]

Great Food & Wine reviews, I'm really looking forward to trying everything. I'm definitely more into the various slushy alcohol drinks over the wines so I'm loving the reviews of those!