It's ALL about the FOOD! An October 2012 PTR! - Trip Report Started.

[Joyciemc]

The call yesterday I did talk to a supervisor and was given basically the same information. She said there are lots of options for me in the Orlando area that are very nice and she would be happy to book me into one of those but then as I said before I have the transportation issue. My husband and I like to drink and while he handles his alcohol well I would really prefer not to have to put us in that situation.

WE DO have a room booked at Coronado Springs Resort using a 30% off PIN code so that is my fall-back. I was just hoping to save the money by going the DVC route!

If we end up going the Coronado Springs route than I will have to make the vacation shorter in length I think to save some money. Not sure which Dinner locations I would give up if we do that as there are even more I wanted that are not fitting in the schedule!

Everything will work out some way or another! I'm thinking positively! And who knows the DVC may come through as a last minute. Would most likely be SSR or OKW but I would make it work! Because my CSR is booked as a room only I can cancel that pretty last minute if it does happen!

The new app is an official Disney Parks App! Can't wait to play around with it more!

I don't understand regular time shares AT ALL! I like the way DVC membership works, booking rooms is not all that different and you always know exactly what you can get with the point you have- and getting one time use points is easy too (though a bit pricier)

I really, really hope your trip works out exactly as you are planning!

Swan & Dolphin Food Classic looks really cool!

 

[smile4stamps]

I just don't understand the timeshare stuff......if it's not easy to use, I'm not sure it would be something I'd be interested in. We'd have to buy a pretty good share for our family size....even just basing it on Mike & I and the 4 youngest......that's still a 1 bdrm+ villa.......and then you have a yearly fee too. They say it pays for itself in the first 5 yrs.....but I'm not so sure of that. Those villas are far fancier than we'd ever stay at,.......we tend to be budget motel people....lol

UGH on the taxes........

Tell your mom to stay positive. My stepmom went thru that (3 rounds of it)...... her keeping an upbeat attitude even on her worse days is what got her through it. Drinking & eating was an issue for her as well.......she almost had to force herself....even knowing it could make her sick. My stepmom was a tough lady.....she battled her cancer demons for 30 yrs....not too many people can say that!! I'll continue to pray for your mom as she goes thru this.

My timeshare itself is usually easy enough to use. It's the exchange part that is confusing! Thank you for the prayers for my mom. She will get through this!

I don't understand regular time shares AT ALL! I like the way DVC membership works, booking rooms is not all that different and you always know exactly what you can get with the point you have- and getting one time use points is easy too (though a bit pricier)

I really, really hope your trip works out exactly as you are planning!

Swan & Dolphin Food Classic looks really cool!

My Wyndham timeshare is pretty easy to use. Its because we got bonus points when we became owners and we couldn't use them all so I deposited them into RCI. Its the whole RCI exchange thing that is driving me nuts!!

The trip will still happen (I pray) but it will probably just be a few days shorter if we are unable to do the RCI exchange.

Are you going to be there in time for the F&W Classic? It sounds AMAZING!!

 

[smile4stamps]

Day #2 Saturday October 13th

This day is supposed to be a pretty busy day! Rather than stress out about the crowds we will take it as a non-park day. (Unless I can convince my hubby to get an AP!)

Wake up whenever (well in time for lunch!)
early Lunch at Raglan Road
Food & Wine Classic again at the Swan & Dolphin

I am waiting till they release the menu for the event to make definite plans as last year the food items were pretty much the same both days with one or two differences. If they are the same than we will just do one night.

What to do if we don't do the Food & Wine Classic?

I know it sounds strange to be in WDW for a day and a half already and not go to a park but I really don't want to experience "9" crowds. Also unless as I mentioned above I can convince hubby to carry an AP we will only have 10 park days max so need to schedule some non-park days somehow! I figured we will have the ones at the beginning, one in the middle, and then one at the end... May need to figure in another one somehow!

Has anyone heard anything more about a possible Hoop de Doo Refurb? Its possible I might try to schedule that for Saturday night if its not closed and decide against the F&W Classic repeat.

 

[Nermel9]

I'm here! I have to get caught up, but I just wanted to finally make sure to sub so I won't keep forgetting!

 

[Joyciemc]

We'll be there in time for the second day of the Classic... I was planning on an early dinner at Sanaa, but I'll have to see what everyone else wants to do... it sounds like a lot of fun!

 

[smile4stamps]

I'm here! I have to get caught up, but I just wanted to finally make sure to sub so I won't keep forgetting!

Thanks for joining!! It's kinda madness over here... I keep trying to get organized but the bumps in the road are making it difficult!

We'll be there in time for the second day of the Classic... I was planning on an early dinner at Sanaa, but I'll have to see what everyone else wants to do... it sounds like a lot of fun!

It sounds fun and a lot cheaper than the Party for the Senses! Although I plan to do that too!!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

It sounds like you guys would definitely be doing a lot that day, more than enough to compensate for not going to a park! I like making a point to visit DTD at least once during a trip, if only to visit the fun shops (but Raglan Road is a wonderful excuse too! )

 

[smile4stamps]

It sounds like you guys would definitely be doing a lot that day, more than enough to compensate for not going to a park! I like making a point to visit DTD at least once during a trip, if only to visit the fun shops (but Raglan Road is a wonderful excuse too! )

I'm planning Raglan Road two maybe even tree times for lunch! We went twice last time and LOVED our meals!! Hoping to also make it over at night once to catch the entertainment!

 

[smile4stamps]

Day 3 Plans - Will we FINALLY make it to a park?!?!

Well I sure hope so!

Today will be our dedicated Magic Kingdom Day!

It's actually going to be a repeat of our Magic Kingdom day from 2009!

I'm hoping for a before Park Opening ADR at Crystal Palace
We will then tour the park
Lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern.
Some more park time
Dinner at Hoop De Doo Review (hoping its not under REFURB!!)


Now... I have an Alternate plan for this day just in case there is a Pastry Chef my husband is dying to see at Epcot for the Sweet Sundays....

If its a Sweet Sunday we can get into we will be going to Epcot instead.

Sweet Sundays are 10-noon.
Depending on how busy Epcot is after the event we will hang out there.
If it is super busy we will head to Magic Kingdom for the afternoon.
Dinner would still be at HDDR!!

 

[DisneyStitch626]

I take it Liberty Tree Tavern is a good place to eat if you are returning? We have a lunch booked there for our first day.

That would be cool to get in to see another Pastry Chef!

 

[smile4stamps]

I take it Liberty Tree Tavern is a good place to eat if you are returning? We have a lunch booked there for our first day.

That would be cool to get in to see another Pastry Chef!

Yes.. Liberty Tree Tavern was yummy!!

Ooey Gooey Toffee Dessert! Mmmmm!!! (I think I posted pics somewhere in the PTR!)

I'm not sure we would actually get to meet the Pastry Chef in person. The Sweet Sundays are a brunch while a Pastry Chef does a demonstration. You then get to taste what they demonstrated. We will have to wait till July to see who will be there and then decide which day to do since we are there for 2 Sundays.

 

[DisneyStitch626]

Still sounds like fun. And very yummy!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Your day 3 plans sound great! That would lots of fun if you were able to meet one of the pastry chefs!

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that HDDR won't be closed!

 

[smile4stamps]

Your day 3 plans sound great! That would lots of fun if you were able to meet one of the pastry chefs!

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that HDDR won't be closed!

The problem with the F&W special events is they only allow a certain amount of people and the popular chefs sell out really fast!! Last year Buddy Valestro sold out almost right away I think. Hubby would like to see him if he comes back or Gale Gand. I guess we just wait and see who might be there on our weekends!

 

[smile4stamps]

Day 4 Plans - - Epcot day!

Day 4, October 15th
We will begin the day at Kona for breakfast. Take a walk to the TTC and hop the monorail to Epcot. Hopefully all in time for park opening!
I will probably walk quickly to the land to get Soarin FP while my hubby heads to Test Track. From then on the morning will be spent in Future World till we get hungry.
Lunch will be whenever we get hungry and we will have the F&W booth offerings for our meal!
Depending on how much we have accomplished we will either stay in the World Showcase or return to Future World. If we are tired we will return to the resort for a quick nap or swim.
Dinner will be at Bistro de Paris hopefully with a view of illuminations!

 

[sophie832]

Following along towards our own Oct. trip

We are thinking about Bistro de Paris for one of our ADRs...didn't even think about a view of Illuminations from there. We've seen Illuminations before, of course, but we're always happy to see it again. Is the view only if you get a table in a certain area?

 

[smile4stamps]

Following along towards our own Oct. trip

We are thinking about Bistro de Paris for one of our ADRs...didn't even think about a view of Illuminations from there. We've seen Illuminations before, of course, but we're always happy to see it again. Is the view only if you get a table in a certain area?

Thanks for following!

I believe the view is only a partial view if you are near a window. I've not been in the restaurant before so I'm not positive! We will be catching Illuminations another night so if we don't see any of it its okay!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Love Kona for breakfast!!

Yes, the view for Illuminations from Bistro is EXTREMELY limited, and really only partial views. There are also only a few window tables, most of which have not-great fireworks views. I would definitely not count on being able to see Illuminations from this meal, the odds of getting a table with a good view seem VERY slim!

When we went, we were lucky enough to get a window table on the side of the building (however, it was also WAY too early for the fireworks) - here was our view.

Mine:



DBF's:

 

[smile4stamps]

Love Kona for breakfast!!

Yes, the view for Illuminations from Bistro is EXTREMELY limited, and really only partial views. There are also only a few window tables, most of which have not-great fireworks views. I would definitely not count on being able to see Illuminations from this meal, the odds of getting a table with a good view seem VERY slim!

When we went, we were lucky enough to get a window table on the side of the building (however, it was also WAY too early for the fireworks) - here was our view.

Mine:



DBF's:

Thanks for the view pictures! Yeah, I wasn't really counting on a good view. Just thought if we could see a little for ambiance. We will be seeing illuminations another night so it's okay if we don't see anything/much.

I had breakfast ADR plans on our 2009 trip but we ended up sleeping in and going there for lunch instead. Really looking forward to it!

 

[jenny105]

I love F&WF time. Snacking around the world for lunch is the best!