Last Trip? It was until we met Food & Wine -- Recap 2/12

[KatMark]

So for the first time ever, we were going to be doing Food & Wine. We had always just missed it or skipped it (during Flower & Garden) because I'm so fussy. What was I thinking? And, as the title of this TR indicates, we will be going back. In fact, we will be going with the pros of Food & Wine...Todd and Nicki...October 2015.

So what is our first sampling of food? We were now at the Scotland booth and this is what we came away with:



Scallop and potato pancake. This was one of my top three selections during our entire Food & Wine experience...and we would be back.

Up next, we hit this booth:



We went with the Beef Empanada



We weren't a fan. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't for us.

We passed



And then



And



We didn't stop at any of these (I don't eat Mexican anyway), because we had a FP that was going to expire soon here



It's not the best attraction, but being that it was closing for the new Frozen ride, we wanted to get on it one more time. Thankfully we had the FP and did not have to wait in the 45 minute standby line was ALL of that 45 minutes if not more from the looks of it













We left Norway and saw the bakery but did not stop



China was next





Then....



A lot of these we studied the menus because we were coming back the next day. But we did stop in Africa and we got the



Beef Tenderloin Tips. These were good; not outstanding, but good.

I'm sure by this picture you can guess which booth we next hit:





This was the Schofferhofer Grapefruit Beer and my husband fell in love for the second time in his life (me being the first love of his life). We finally found this at home and have bought several six packs.

Then we tried the Schinkennudein (pasta gratin with ham and cheese)



Oh my...so good!

We started strolling and I took a picture across the lagoon:



Continued in next post

 

[KatMark]

We then reached





Kielbasa and potato pierogi w/ caramelized onion and sour cream. Oh yes...this is definitely a keeper.

In Italy, we had the Cannoli al cioccolato: Chocolate-covered cannoli filled with sweet ricotta, chocolate and candied fruit



Mark liked this...me not so much.

We continued our stroll and saw the band playing in America (can't remember who was performing this night).



Up next was Belgium and we got the Belgium Waffle with warm chocolate ganache and whipped cream (minus the whipped cream for us)



Loved this! And we would be back.

Strolling again:





Illuminations was starting and I took pictures as we walked (so probably not the best quality). Why didn't we stop? Because it really is not our favorite night time show at Disney; we much prefer Wishes and Fantasmic.













It was getting late and we were beat. We had started out early this morning for our tour. But there was one more stop we had to make. I had been wanting to try this deliciousness and always forgot to stop. What could it be? The Cronut:



Oh my, my mouth is drooling just thinking about it. We would definitely be back again.

I am sorry some of the pictures are sideways (only a couple). Photobucket has been a pain the last two days.


****Oops...I forgot to include the PP pictures from our evening at Epcot

(my poor hair this trip)





Up next, A.M. extra magic hours at the Magic Kingdom

 

[LisaKeys]

Well, I am all caught up. I missed somehow the fact that you had quit smoking, or my brain just failed to log it in. Congratulations. It's one of the best things I ever did. At this point, you are no longer needing the nicotine, it's just your body missing routine times of smoking. You've got this licked!

I have never done the F&W, so I was very interested in your posts and photo's. Oh, I sure wanted to reach in and grab a few such as the Polish. It looked wonderful!

Now I just have to wait a year to see everything you try in 2015 with Todd and Nikki.

As always, looking forward to reading you soon!

 

[Steppesister]

So many nomalicious choices! You got a lot of great looking delectables and now I'm even MORE excited for my Oct., 2016 trip to F&W! Wowza!

The cronut? I'm sorry, but I'd love to rattle on, but I MUST go look this up. Stat!

 

[momabbate]

Looks like the night was a success. You did good picking. That German dish looked the best to me. Glad Mark was able to find the beer at home. It is nice to have a little something on bad days to remind you of a Disney day.

 

[KatMark]

Well, I am all caught up. I missed somehow the fact that you had quit smoking, or my brain just failed to log it in. Congratulations. It's one of the best things I ever did. At this point, you are no longer needing the nicotine, it's just your body missing routine times of smoking. You've got this licked!

Thanks; yes, it is missing my routine times...morning coffee, after a meal, etc. But I'm hanging in there.

I have never done the F&W, so I was very interested in your posts and photo's. Oh, I sure wanted to reach in and grab a few such as the Polish. It looked wonderful!

I never thought we would, but am so glad we did. So very, very good.

Now I just have to wait a year to see everything you try in 2015 with Todd and Nikki.

As always, looking forward to reading you soon!

That will be one fun trip with Todd...the food magnet.

So many nomalicious choices! You got a lot of great looking delectables and now I'm even MORE excited for my Oct., 2016 trip to F&W! Wowza!

Oh so many delicious offerings, Liesa.

The cronut? I'm sorry, but I'd love to rattle on, but I MUST go look this up. Stat!

Dunkin Donuts has them now, but I doubt they are ANYWHERE near as good.

Looks like the night was a success. You did good picking. That German dish looked the best to me. Glad Mark was able to find the beer at home. It is nice to have a little something on bad days to remind you of a Disney day.

It was a great success and we had lots of good stuff (I can still taste those scallops). Mark has one of those beers every night after work...he loves them.

 

[MEK]

What a fun night at fun and wine! So glad you taste tested a bunch on offerings and really enjoyed them. I have to agree that the beef empanada was just eh. I didn't really love it either. But all your other choices look so yummy!

Love your PP pictures. That is such a cute shirt. Love it!

And I am a huge fan of the grapefruit beer. So delicious!

 

[KatMark]

We were up and on the road by 7:30 to head to EMH's at the MK. We got a close parking spot yet again and took the ferry boat over to the MK.



More work on the Poly villas



Beautiful castle through the foggy morning



Contemporary (first resort we ever stayed at on property)



Space Mountain (which I would NOT be riding again)



And then we were here:









First stop? Coffee and breakfast as we hadn't eaten before we left the room



Pictures as we walked drinking our coffee







A photopass shot:







Where Merida hangs out



Then another photo-op



This was the line for the Mine Ride as we waited to get on our first attraction of the day



And hat is that first attraction?

Continued in next post

 

[KatMark]

We were headed to one of my favorites:



Yes, we were going to ride in the honey pots









While we were waiting in line, someone said hello to me. I did not know who it was. It turns out her name is Laura (disneyshakeygirl here on the DIS) and she had read my reports in the past and wanted to say hello. We didn't get to chat long as the line was moving. But Laura, it was very nice meeting you and I thank you for stopping us.

We continued on in the line



and we were soon boarding our honey pots









Hi Tigger









We exited into the dump shop



We headed here









Up next, more attractions and more food and wine

 

[KatMark]

What a fun night at fun and wine! So glad you taste tested a bunch on offerings and really enjoyed them. I have to agree that the beef empanada was just eh. I didn't really love it either. But all your other choices look so yummy!

I was afraid to say anything on the beef empanada because it is something I would never order on a normal day. Everything else was really good (with more goodies to come the next day).

Love your PP pictures. That is such a cute shirt. Love it!

Thanks, MEK. Danielle has introduced me to that shop and I now go every tie we are at the mall.

And I am a huge fan of the grapefruit beer. So delicious!

I'm not a beer drinker so I couldn't tell you if it was good or not. But Mark loves it for sure.

 

[RGirl]

Hi Kathy! Trying to catch up as usual….

You managed to get some really pretty AK pictures despite all the construction there. Loved seeing them!

Whoa! I am in love with the PP magic shots with the butterflies! SO COOL! And oh my gosh! More! Pascal and JC too! I have never seen any of these before. I love them!

Love the new Dinoland dance party - it looks so fun!

You got some great Nemo pics! We have never managed to see that one.

Mmmm - the F&W food looks so good. I'm so jealous - our first two trips were at that time of year, and it was so nice.

Funny to see a 45-minute wait for Maelstrom and then to think what those wait times will be like when it goes Frozen.

Dang the Poly villas are going to be incredible!

Really cute MK PP pics!

Good for you on quitting smoking, Kathy! That is one of the hardest things anyone can do, but you are such a strong woman - I know you can do it! And you will feel so much better for it.

 

[Steppesister]

Awwww, the honey pots! I adore that attraction- all the dark rides are just so fun. Even for coaster lovers who really love Disney at it's heart.

How was your cup of coffee this time around? I hear the coffee situation is improving little by little.

Great morning so far! EMH is sooooo worth it!

 

[goofy4prez]

Kathy, When it comes to having fun at WDW, you and Mark sure know how to live it up. I hope when I turn 39 (like you are now) I can have half your energy... Oh wait, 39 is over a decade past for me... Oh well!!

I love your 1st time pictures and descriptions of the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot. I have never done it but it is on my bucket list. Once Alyssa graduates from high school in 2016 I will be on a plane down there. I also can't wait to hear about your next trip to the F &W festival next fall. What better way to spend it than with Todd & Nicki; they sure do know the in's and out's when it comes to dining at WDW.

As for the food booths; Scotland looks so yummy. Like you, not so sure about New Zealand & Australia... I'm sure they have some great food though. But Mexico and not going??? I couldn't think of life without some good Mexican cuisine (that and sushi).

I"m glad you were able to ride Maelstrom for one last time. Like you it was hardly one of my favorite attractions and I don't mind them changing it, but I'm not so sure how I feel about it being turned into a "Frozen" attraction.

Love Mark in the Chinese hat...

Germany: The Schinkennudeln looks like it was to die for. I love good German food almost as much as I love Mexican food... Oh who am I kidding. My problem is I love food.

Poland... Guess what? I love Kielbasa & pirogi's as well. About an hour north of me in Cleveland, there are some incredible Polish and Ukraine neighborhoods and restaurants... It's one of the few things I do miss about having lived in the Cleveland area until 5 years ago.

Italy... I have to admit, the chocolate cannoli from the picture looks... umm... not all that appetizing. But like Mark I'm sure I would love it. If it is sweet, rich, loaded with calories and loaded with chocolate, count me in.

Kathy, I am envious of your energy. A late night at Epcot and just falling short of being in a food coma and then first thing in the morning you manage to do rope drop at the MK and with EMH to boot. I'm guessing that is how you never age past 39 and holding...

Once you were in the MK, how did I know you would have made your way promptly to Starbucks for your morning danish and your fresh java. I'm convinced you and my wife Carolyn single handedly keep Starbucks in business.

I love the picture of you and Mark having a smooch-a-roonie in front of the castle for your anniversary. You two look so happy together. Like Forrest Gump once said, we goes together like peas and carrots.

I'm glad to see there is someone else who enjoys the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh... In fact like you I love Winnie the Pooh and his friends. My personal favorite is Tigger. Carolyn and I love Pooh so much that even without kids we make sure we hit this attraction and have breakfast at Crystal Palace. Next June is no exception.

And last but not least, I knew it... I knew you would finish your update today with you and Mark riding the Mad Tea Party ride. Can you believe I have never yet gone on that thing. I can handle Expedition Everest, Tower of Terror, RnRc and Space Mountain; however when it comes to the spinning rides I don't do so well. I guess one of these days I will have to take a Dramamine hop on that thing and take one for the team. After all, who goes to Disney and doesn't ride the tea cups?

 

[SarahDisney]

Food looks great!

Yay for getting one last ride on Maelstrom. I did not like it at all (I wouldn't have bothered with a last ride), but I know that a lot of people wanted to get a last ride in but couldn't, so I'm glad you were able to.

I'm so glad you found the beer at home for Mark!

That Belgian waffle looks great ... and the cronut ... so yummy-looking! I'm glad you enjoyed!

 

[momabbate]

It does look like Disney brings out the kids in both of you. I am so jealous reading all the fun you had. I think this morning is my favorite. First a tea party, then playing in the woods, what more can you ask for. Your fog pictures look great. I'm weird and like foggy morning until I can see across the street.

 

[natebenma]

What a great night at EP for F&W!!!

The potato pancake and scallop from Scotland look divine.

Nice pix of the Maelstrom murals. So, did you keep with tradition and skip the movie, for old times sake?



I so want to try Grapefruit beer! I don't drink much, but when I am out for dinner or drinks, and I remember, I ask if they have it, but so far the answer has been no.

The kielbasa pierogi looks good, but I would be skipping dessert there
1) Karamel Kuche is nearby
2) So is Belgium

Really pretty pictures from your stroll and photopass.

Cronut looks awesome. I have only tried the one from Dunkin Donuts and it was meh.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Haha, that pull of Starbucks first thing sure is strong. Got me every time.

Even when Mark isn't trying on hats, he's still wearing a great hat.

AWWW YOU GUYS!!!!! Kissing Castle shot. That is just so darn sweet.

My goodness the Mine Train line. I'm so glad I had a FP for it. There is just no way I would wait in that. Well... maybe once because I needed to ride it... but I wouldn't be happy about it.

Winnie the Pooh... Great choice. I think I might enjoy the interactive queue more than the kids. Clearly Mark does as well. And it's made even better by an impromptu DISmeet!!! How awesome!!!

 

[sunnysideup3]

Those food pictures---yum! I'm tying to swing a quick 4 day WDW trip just the hubby and I for our anniversary in October and I know he'd love Food and Wine.
Everything looks delicious!

 

[SarahDisney]

I cant believe I missed the second set of updates! That's what I get for reading TRs while doing 6 other things...

Starbucks ... one of my favorite breakfasts, too!

Yay for Winnie the Pooh! It's one of my favorites, too (I get the feeling it's one of the few we agree on ...)

Looks like a great start to the morning. I'm looking forward to reading more!

 

[stacy~**]

Kathy, I first want to say I am terribly sorry for all you are having to deal with this holiday season. I'm sure it has been a very difficult time but my thoughts are with you. I am impressed by your strength.

As far as you TR I have gotten behind but was able to catch up last night!

Great PP magic shots at AK. I especially love the butterflies and Pascal!

Love the hat fashion show from Mark....although that Donald one with the "body" behind it tends to weird me out!

It looks like you had great seats for Nemo! It's an every few years kind of attraction for us too but when we go its always enjoyable (and a nice a/c break).

I enjoyed seeing your F&W selections.

Your Dumbo shirt is sooo cute! I love it.

Nice choice with Winnie the Pooh. I grew up a Winnie the Pooh girl and I love the ride but the line can be LONG so jumping in during EMH sounds like a smart move.