Semi-Live F&W solo trip

[loves to dive]

I'm not huge on taking pictures and even though I have an AP which comes with memory maker, I rarely use it so this won't be big on pictures but it will be semi-live.

My trip is from Sunday, the 17th through Saturday the 23rd (I think that's the date) and it is a split stay with night one at Pop Century and the rest at The Dolphin. My main reason for the trip, other than the fact that it's a trip to Disney, is to try to get something from every booth at F&W. I don't count the permanent structures that are in the passport but here goes, I'm game.

I got up bright and early on Sunday morning and was on the road driving down from Athens, Georgia by 6 am. The traffic wasn't bad and I had no problems finding gas. About the time I got on the turnpike I got a text that my room at Pop was ready. Room 8106 in the 80s building. Cool, I had requested the 80s or 90s since I knew those buildings had been renovated and there would be a coffee pot in the room. A girl has to have her priorities. I got there around 1:45. I liked the room and the location was just a quick walk through the parking lot to the bus.

I put all my stuff in my room, which wasn't much since I was just there for one night and headed off to the bus stop. I hadn't had anything to eat since stopping at McDonald's at about 7 so I got on a bus to Epcot for my first F&W day. I headed to the Festival Center when I got there to see if I wanted to book any seminars for the afternoon.

Lo and behold there was a Vodka seminar at 5 and while I'm not a huge vodka straight drinker I decided let's expand my horizons so I booked that then headed out to the Festival. I sampled a few booths, the reviews are over on the restaurants board under the F&W sticky but here are the pictures.

After getting my fill of food I wandered over toward FW and decided since there was time before my seminar I'd hop on a ride. So, my first ride of the trip turned out to be SSE, which was a walk on. Then on to my vodka seminar.

 

[loves to dive]

I got to the Festival Center about 1/2 hour before my seminar so I looked at the AP holders options and went and got my AP gift for this year, which was a button. Even wandering around I was still pretty close up in line so I was at the front table. There were three pours of vodka waiting for us and a little bag of crackers.

The seminar was conducted by a rep. of the vodka company - Russian Standard. I had never heard of them but since I'm not a huge vodka drinker when I do I tend to drink Grey Goose so I wasn't surprised. She started with the history of Russian vodka and a cute video by the guy who hosts Brain Games and a tour of the factory. Then it was vodka tasting time.

We started with the standard, which is their sort of lower end offering, kind of for mixed drinks. We were told to do it sort of like wine tasting to first smell it to get the nose then take a sip and breath through out noses then get the mouth feel and the taste. Smelled like rubbing alcohol to me and tasted about like that too. O.k. try eating a cracker then tasting it again. Again went through the ritual and still smelled and tasted like rubbing alcohol. Oh no, I have a feeling I don't have a very sophisticated vodka pallet because I wasn't getting any of the taste notes or mouth feel I was supposed to. O.k. let's move on to #2, which is their platinum. Do the ritual again, this time it should be smoother. Ummmmm, nope I'm still getting hints of rubbing alcohol but not as much as before. So now, let's be brave and do like the Russians do and take the rest in the glass as a shot. I had only taken a small sip so I knew I wasn't throwing that whole thing back but I did my best and threw back about 3/4 of it, and came up coughing and burning. Yep, I fear this southern girl just isn't good with the whole vodka thing. Let's move on to the third one, the high end one, the one that should be drank just plain or on ice if you want. I do the ritual again, well hallelujah, it's not rubbing alcohol. I did manage to drink the whole glass of this one, slowly in little sips but I did it. Of course, I didn't get any of the notes or mouth feel I was supposed to but it didn't kill me so I'm counting it as a win. We finished with a question and answer period and were sent off to enjoy the rest of our evening.

I was pretty tired but knew I needed some food in my stomach so I wandered over to the booths and got some more food

And then sat and watched a few songs from Sister Hazel. I'm not a fan but I was hot and tired and needed to just sit. Then I started my way back toward the front so I could go back to Pop Century and collapse, I mean rest. On the way I stopped for one more booth

I noticed that for my first day at F&W I had plenty of food but no wine. Hmmmm, that's odd but it is what it is and I plan on correcting this during the rest of the trip. I made my way out of the park just as it was getting dusk

and back to my room for a soak in a hot bath and to bed early.

 

[loves to dive]

Day 2 - Monday. I had an ADR for 4:50 for tea at the GF and had made a few FPs for Magic Kingdom that night but otherwise, I really had no plans. I got up bright and early and took a walk over to AoA to get some exercise in, yea really like I was going to need more walking but hey, I did it anyway. It's a cute little resort and not a bad walk from Pop. After my walk I had some coffee and scones, got packed and moved over to The Dolphin, which was about a 5 min drive. I had done on - line check in the night before and told them I wanted early check in and would really like a room with a balcony (which is an upgrade but a girl can try). I got to the resort around 8:30 and lo and behold my room was ready. I stay in Sheraton's a lot and this was the first time my room was ready before 4, this is looking good. My room is on the opposite side of the resort, just about as far away from the lobby as you can get on the first floor, no balcony but a cute little patio. My only complaint is that I don't have a tub, just a shower and I do like a long soak at night but I guess the hot tub at the pool will have to do. My view

As I was taking this picture these guys decided a tour of the room might be order

I did not oblige.

So after I got all unpacked and settled I had to decide what to do so I walked over to HS. I checked the lines app. and TSMM only had a 20 minute wait so I figured what the heck and off I went to shoot me some balloons and toss some rings. I'm really not very good at this game but I had fun. Then since I was in the area I decided to stop into One Man's Dream, I walked around looking at all the exhibits and then went and watched the movie, which I've seen a number of times but you can't ever see it too many times. When I got out of that it was time for the March of the bad star wars guys (I really don't know what they are called) and I was right up front. Oh no, I hate being up front but I had a really good time watching the little boy next to me trying to get one of the guys to react. I wandered through some shops after that and made my way out of the park. A boat was just docking so I hopped on it back to the Dolphin and back to my room to refresh, grab a bottle of water and grab a more sturdy rain poncho cause it looked like a hard rain was coming and I just had a throw away with me. After my room visit I walked over to Epcot to grab something to eat. But first I stopped and watched these guys in France

I love to watch the performers in Epcot and boy was it hot so I felt sorry for them in their chef's coats. I wandered around and ate this

and stopped and watched this guy in Italy

and ate

then made my way to the front of the park.

I still had plenty of time before my tea ADR so I went to Listen to the Land (I don't live with it, I'm old school) which was about a 10 min. wait. After I got off I walked by Soarin on the way to the bathroom and noticed the wait time was 25 min. what the heck, I'll ride Soarin. The wait was actually about 15 min and I got in the middle section, which meant that the Eiffel Tower was only slightly slanted. At this point I'd like to just mention that deodorant is your friend in Sept. in Orlando, just saying people. Since I was in the area I went and looked at me some sea creatures. I'm a diver and love the living seas, I don't ride the ride because I'm on strike since they changed it to Nemo but I love to wander around the exhibits and say hey to my fish buddies. We have been diving in the Living Seas twice and I love it. I didn't stay too long because there were divers in the water feeding the fish so it was pretty crowded and it just made me sad since I haven't been bubble blowing in about two years.

After my ventures under the sea I hopped on the monorail to MK. Yep, third park and it wasn't even 4 yet. Getting off the monorail there was a child that decided she wanted to open her umbrella she got at Japan and Mama didn't feel it should be opened. While wrestling it out of the child's hands the child ended up on the ground because any good kid knows how to go limp at the drop of a hat. She then proceeded to throw the best temper tantrum I have ever seen in all my 60 years. You could still hear this child screaming from inside the monorail on the other side. I'm talking a serious temper tantrum here. Had it been my child, we would have made a trip to the restrooms where we would have had a come to Jesus talk which would have involved the mommy arm hold and a bottom. Just saying. The sour taste of the tantrum was dulled by the cutest baby on the monorail, who just like Corey, was just happy to be there. Mama was wearing the baby and it was just jumping and grinning and blowing raspberries and just being happy. After getting to MK I wandered through a few shops then made my way to the boat to GF for my tea. I was pretty hungry and as Mama would say, my eyes were bigger than my stomach so I ordered the Derbyshire tea with a glass of champagne. It came with a fruit and cheese plate

Sandwiches, scone and pastries.

I gave it everything I had but I didn't finish everything of any of the courses.

 

[loves to dive]

After making a complete pig of myself, I waddled to the monorail and back to MK.

I had a couple of FPs to use and time on my hands. First I rode the train all the way around because one must. I had time before my first FP so I decided to visit a few pirates. The wait was about 1/2 hour but since I din't have anything else to do I decided why not. I love this ride and always get wet, no matter where I sit. I wasn't happy when they added Jack Sparrow since the movie was based on the ride not the ride based on the movie but oh well, it's still a great ride. It was time for my first FP so I made my way over to the Haunted Mansion and joined a few ghosts. There was a photo pass person by the carriage when I went in so I thought I'd get a picture when I came out even though I'm not a fan of having my picture taken. It was getting dark and I thought it would be a cool picture. Wouldn't you know when I got off, she wasn't there any more. My next FP was in about 20 min. on SDMT so I walked through some shops and made my way over there only to find out the ride was down. Well crap, I had walked by the Liberty Bell after I got out of Haunted Mansion and noticed the last ride on it was 8 so I hoofed it back over there, I mean I fast walked like nobodys business since it was about 10 to 8 at this point. I made it on time and had a blast. I've ridden this a few times in the day but at night all lite up, it's beautiful and Disney doesn't disappoint with the details as you are riding. I decided after I got off to check and see if SDMT was back up since I had about 10 min. until my FP expired so I hoofed it back over there where yes indeed it was back up. I love this ride and don't get to ride it very often since my son can't do very many roller coasters with his bad back. I had intended to be in the front of the castle in plenty of time to get a decent spot for the new FWs but best laid plans and all, with all my running around and missed rides, it was now about 15 min. before the show. I got a spot sort of to the side, which was a decent enough spot until the day in front of me decided his kid needed to be on his shoulders and then during the show he need to shift from side to side and raise the kid's arms up and down. I didn't enjoy this as much as the old show. It seemed to me the FWs were just an after thought to the projection show and I had a hard time deciding which to watch since the angle I was ate did not allow you see the FWs behind the castle. I guess it you were right up front and center that wouldn't be a problem but us height challenged people have problems with projection shows.

After the FWs I had just enough time to get to my last FP, RMT. Try swimming up stream after a FWs show, I'm usually pretty good at scooting around people, the advantage of being small but there was a serious traffic jam. I finally made it through and to my FP. After that I was tired, I don't normally do park open to park close and I had done 3 parks from open to close. I made my way through the park, stopping to watch the little castle show that is after the FWs until the Frozen part because I'm not a fan and then made my way back to the buses and back to my resort, where I fell in bed.

 

[loves to dive]

Day 3 - Tuesday. This was Animal Kingdom day, I actually booked a couple of fast passes, one for 9-10 on Navi River so I was up and at the bus stop around 8:30 where all of us going to AK waited and waited and waited. After about 1/2 hour a nice lady went up to the front and asked about the bus and they said it was at the Swan on the way but they called dispatch and told them to send a floater as well because too many people were waiting. I will say this was the only long wait so far so no complaints. I got to AK and through the gates around 9:30 and headed to Pandora to use my FP. I love Navi River, I know everyone is all about FOP but frankly it doesn't float my boat but I enjoy the peacefulness of Navi. Call me a rebel. I walked around Pandora a little after I got off the ride and stopped for a while and watched the drummers

then headed to Africa. I had a FP for Safari at 10 something but I hadn't had anything to eat so the little snack counter in Africa was calling my name. I got me a pastry

and sat in the shade and watched the African drummers sing and dance. There were a couple of women in the crowd who joined in and really had a good time. I wandered over to Safari but it was a little early for my FP, the standby line was only 20 min. which was just about how long I would have had to wait for my FP so I jumped in line and changed my FP to EE. It was a great safari, I was a little worried because I don't normally go that late but the animals were all out and getting pretty close to the truck. Even the lions had decided to come down off the high rock and do what lions do (lay around and sleep) on the lower rocks. After I got back from the African outback I decided to go visit the gorillas before riding EE. I had about 1/2 hour before my FP was due to expire and I didn't want to back track. I really wasn't interested in anything else on the trail except the gorillas, although normally it takes me a good 45 min. to go through it so I skipped all the other exhibits until I got to them. They were doing what gorillas do, sitting with their backs to everyone eating or in one case, laying on their back with all four limbs up in the air sleeping but I enjoyed seeing them. I then hoofed it over to EE. The single rider line was a 5 min. wait and it looked like the FP line was longer so I hoped in the single rider line and changed my FP to Dinosaur, a ride I hadn't ridden in years. I conquered Everest and then after a pit stop (because I'm old) I went in search of some tigers. I have a love/hate relationship with this trail. I'm a little afraid of birds, don't judge try growing up with 5 older brothers who like to chase the little sister and put things in her hair, and had a horrible incident in the bird exhibit in Dec. My son and I were walking through, ohhingg and awing over the birds when one decided my white shirt and white hat looked like a mighty fine place to make a deposit. Evidently said bird had been eating purple berries because when it was done I looked like something out of a horror film. It was my favorite hat too. So now, I hurry through the bird enclosures, no stopping for me, get out of my way people. I did stop and enjoy the other animals and had a few really good conversations with a few of the CMs along the way. Mr. Tiger was asleep way up against the wall and if you leaned just the right way in the red building you could see him but I still enjoyed the trail. It's one of my favorite places at AK because of all the details on the buildings. After that I decided to head over to my Dionosaur FP which was about 45 min. away but I figured I'd just take my time. As I walked by the Nemo theater it was just getting ready to start and they had plenty of spaced so I stopped and watched the show. I love that show and I'll admit, I might shed a tear or two. After I got out it was time for my FP so I went to see me some dinosaurs. I haven't ridden this ride in about 4 years because it hurts my son's back but what the heck I was solo and even though it does hurt my neck I went for it. The ride wa down when I got there but it came back up in about 4 min. so no big deal. It was around 2 by now and I had only had my little danish to eat so I was hungry. I left the park and it was off to Epcot to get me some F&W.

 

[loves to dive]

By the time I got to Epcot I was starving, I'm talking I'm going to hit someone hungry so I went to the first couple of booths I came upon in FW

About half way through the second dish it started sprinkling pretty good, but I didn't care, don't come between me and my food. After I finished that it was still spitting rain a little so I decided to go visit Figment. Cause let's face it, even the new version is Figment and he can make anyone feel good. By the time I finished letting my imagination run wild and browsed the shop a little, it had stopped raining so I continued my food journey.

By this time I was hot and tired and so walked back to the Dolphin intending to take a swim but best laid plans and all, I got to my room and it was cloudy and I was hot so I just rested for a few hours.

 

[loves to dive]

After my rest I was going to go back to Epcot to try a few more dishes but my heart just wasn't in it and I wanted me a refreshing adult beverage so on the bus to AK I got. I took myself to Nomad Lounge, which might be my favorite bar on property, and sat outside enjoying the night. I got a drink and some sliders and just relaxed.

After I finished my meal I had to decide what to do. Hmmmm, I got on MDE and got a FP for ROL and just sort of strolled over there, stopping and looking at things and just enjoying AK on the way. I got there just a few minutes before it started and got a pretty good seat on an aisle, which is good for a height challenged person. These guys came out into the crowd

which was pretty fun but the poor little boy in front of me wasn't amused. He cried and cried, the guy kept trying to make him smile but the little tyke was having none of it, bless his heart, Daddy had to eventually take him out. I'm one of the few people who actually like ROL, I'm a sucker for pretty lights and even though people complain there is no story I enjoy it. After I watched the show it was about 8:30 and the park closed at 9 so I headed back to Pandora just to see the pretty lights, see I'm a sucker for pretty lights. I noticed Navi only had a 20 min. wait so I figured what the heck. It really was a walk on, 5 min at best. Like I said I really enjoy this ride, this was my third time riding it, twice that day and each time I ride it I find more details to enjoy. After my river journey, I walked around a little more and enjoyed the lights and head to watch the Tree of Lights awakenings. I love the little one where the lion just kind of wakes up and stretches and goes back to sleep. I stood there a good 15 min. and watched, by now it was around 9:30, the park closed at 9 so I figured I better head back to my room and get some rest.

 

[loves to dive]

Day 4 - Wednesday. I really didn't have any idea what I was going to do today. I had a reservation for a Med. F&W pairing lunch at Spice Road but otherwise, I had no plans. I woke up pretty early and sat outside and watched the resort wake up and drank my coffee. I decided to head over to MK since I hadn't seen COP or done the Peoplemover when I was there earlier in the week and one must. I got there around 9:15 and just sort of leisurely made my way to tomorrowland, stopping every once in awhile and looking up at the windows and halloween decorations. When I got there I noticed there was only a 20 min. wait for Space Mountain, which is another ride I haven't done in years because again it hurts my son and really hurts me pretty bad too but this was a what the heck trip. The wait was really only about 15 min. and it was not as painful as it could have been but I don't need to ride it again for another couple of years. I head over to COP after that watched all the amazing innovations in electricity over the century. I really hope they never close this ride, I love it. Then I hopped on peoplemover and made my way around Tomorrowland, another ride I love. After that I sort of just walked around and ended up at the muppets great moments in history. I stood and watched the show, which I enjoyed. I've walked by that show so many times and not stopped so it was fun to see it. I was kind of peckish since I hadn't had breakfast so I got me some fruit and just said and ate it and enjoyed the morning. I headed out after that, stopping in shops along Main Street and browsing. I'm a sucker for Dooney and Bourke and don't even know how many I own but I'm getting ready to retire so really don't need any more purses so made myself not buy one. My lunch was at 1 and it was around 11:45 by now so I hopped on the monorail and made my way to Epcot. I had about a hour to waste so I took the long way around WS, just enjoying the day and sort of stopping and watching people every once in awhile along the way. I just so happened to sit beside Tink1957 and her son at the lunch. I think she took pictures and it was so nice to meet her and spend a few hour eating and drinking with her. I did take a few pictures of the food but not all the courses

By this time I was full and more than a little tipsy so I waddled back to the Dolphin and sat in my room chatting with my honey and drinking a cup of coffee. I was a little sore from all the walking so off to the pool I went, where I soaked in the hot tub for a few hours.

After I got back to my room and took a shower I just hit a wall, I had intended to go back to Epcot and sample a few more booths but the thought of that walk in the heat just didn't thrill me, so instead I've settled in for the night. I'll order room service later if I get hungry but a nice restful evening sounds good. Who knows what I'll do tomorrow, I certainly don't.