Just back from Food and Wine!!

[mikaj3645]

We just got back from a four night stay at VWL and OKW for Food and Wine. We own at HHI, and couldn't string four nights together in the seven month booking window for opening weekend, so we ended up at two resorts. We had always stayed at BWV or BCV, so this was a new experience.

Let me just say that we LOVED VWL, and OKW, not so much(too big, inconvenient to get araound, etc.). The Food and Wine offerings were really good -- highlights were the Poema Cava Brut in Barcelona, the gumbo and etoufee in Louisiana, and the brown bread and cheese plate in Cork. We also did the Australian Walkabout tasting, which was terrific!

A real highlight, for sushi lovers, was the saki, sushi and sashimi pairing. The new Tokyo Dining restaurant made an elegant setting, and everything was beautifully presented and delicious. Everything was top notch!! (Although they had aterrible time with the sound system, which was frustrating for the speakers. Other than that, the whole thing was exceptional. I would recommend it highly -- worth every penny.

While at Wilderness Lodge, we took the off-road Segway tour. This was just wonderful. Guides Ron and Frank were helpful, professional and a lot of fun -- with some corny Disney jokes thrown in. The trails were beautiful, and we saw four deer!

All in all -- this was a great trip. Sigh. Back to reality!!

 

[DVC Mike]

Glad to hear you loved VWL. It's one of my favorites too.

 

[donmil723]

We leave tomorrow for F&W and one thing I want to do is the Australian Walkabout.

Just out of curiosity, on your off-road Segway Tour, did Ron and Frank mention during the safety lesson that they have only seen one person get thrown off a Segway? The reason I ask is that when we took the tour last May, they told us that they have never seen anyone fall off or get thrown off a Segway. After our tour, however, they couldn't say that, because my DH got his Segway stuck in the sand and he went head over the handlebars. The only thing hurt was his pride. We still laugh about it today!!!!! Anyone, just wondering, if Ron and Frank had to change their spiel...

Glad you had a good time!

Donna

 

[mikaj3645]

Actually, they didn't say that -- they warned us about getting thrown off! And one of the men on the tour got his wheels stuck to his friend's segway, and the friend was thrown off -- scary, but no one was hurt!

 

[WolfpackFan]

This Segway tour sounds really neat. We've done the one at Epcot and loved it. I may see about us doing it this December.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

Did you use Disney transportation to get to the F&W from VWL? Next year, I won't have any BCV points and we'll probably have to stay at VWL for F&W. Just wondering.

 

[50 years Too!]

I'm curious about transportation, too as we are also staying at VWL this year.
We'll have a car and will drive to most events, but Party for the Senses will not be one of them. I've thought about just taxiing to and from Beach Club.

Deb

 

[Laneychris]

Thanks for the post!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Glad you had such a great time! I did the FW Segway tour in June and I agree the guys are great and it's a wonderful tour.

Bobbi

PS. I fell off the Segway during the practice session. For a very brief moment, I thought the way to stop was to pull back, as if on a horse?!! Well, it threw me. I was so afraid that they wouldn't let me back on, but no, they did, and I did fine, whew!

 

[mikaj3645]

Did you use Disney transportation to get to the F&W from VWL? Next year, I won't have any BCV points and we'll probably have to stay at VWL for F&W. Just wondering.

We just took the boat to the Contemporary and then took the monorail. It was pretty quick, and a good ride! It was no problem at all.

When you go to F&W -- go to Barcelona for the Poema Cava Brut!! At $3.25 -- a real steal, and delicious!!

Have f un!

 

[lulubelle]

We did the Segway tour in Epcot. A bee was flying around my face and I was freaking out and screaming trying to swat it away and I spun around and barrelled into a curb. I jumped off, was completely fine (but embarrassed). The guides were inspecting the Segway for damage and I was afraid I was going to have to payout some $$, but thankfully everything was ok. According to my family, it was pretty comical to see my stunt, they love re-telling the story!

OP - glad you had such a great trip.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

Oh, I like that idea of the boat to the Contemp and the monorail!!! Now I won't have to stress about switching to the BCV at the 7 month window.

 

[tecodis]

PS. I fell off the Segway during the practice session. For a very brief moment, I thought the way to stop was to pull back, as if on a horse?!! Well, it threw me. I was so afraid that they wouldn't let me back on, but no, they did, and I did fine, whew!

While on our Epcot tour, my mom had the Segway run over her foot because she got off it by ever slightly leaning back wards to step off. Oops!! Not too much pain but she has no interest in getting on one anymore.

Those things are very sensitive to movement so you definitely have to be careful.

 

[SunnieRN]

It sounds like you had a fantastic time! That's awesome!

 

[moredisneyplease]

thanks for sharing! I plan on doing F&W some day!

 

[donmil723]

I'll be sure to share these Segway stories with DH. I'm sure he'll be glad to know he has lots of good company!!!

Donna

 

[newholidayx2]

when i did the epcot segway i kept going around in circles till i got the hang of it - lots of fun

Attended F&W last year - returning this year in 18 days! will be there for 12!

 

[itsreally4mommy]

What do they do during the F&W festival?