Surprise Solo Weekend Adventure Time!: An April 2015 PTR - COMPLETED 4/27!

[Elevationist]

6 days until WDW!
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Hey, ya'll!

So to help me pass the time, I'm going to do an update everyday between now and when I leave. I hope ya'll aren't getting sick of me yet.

Today's update is about my #1 concern at this point... THE WEATHER. During my last trip, in September last year, the entire month was apparently some sort of record-breaking RAINapalooza for Orlando or something. It was just rain and grey gloomy skies almost every day. (Back me up here, @Chicago Mo and @STLMickeyMom.) So I'm REALLY REALLY REALLY hoping for some sunshine this time around. I don't mind a little overcast, in fact that's actually a bit better for me, as my Lupus reacts badly under intense sun and heat, but please let it be dry and pleasant. Not to mention that with only 2 days in the parks, I don't have time for dodging thunderstorms.

However...

...No. No no no NO NO NO NO NO!!! Not again!!!

Yes, I know that the weather in Florida is fickle, and that I probably shouldn't even be fussed about it. Those predictions will liked change daily over the course of the next week. And I probably wouldn't be so fixated on it if it hadn't rained my entire trip last time.

COME ON, MAN. ALL I'M ASKING FOR HERE IS TWO NICE DAYS. THAT'S IT.

I'll continue to obsessively stalk the forecast, even though I know I shouldn't. Yes, I'm packing ponchos, but they are the flimsy disposable ones that feel like you're wearing a big Walmart bag (and are about as effective), and I hate them. My other concern is the ECV, which technically I'm not supposed to be using in the rain. I risked it some in September, but it was nerve-racking.

I'm needing a WHOLE BUNCH of weather pixie dust here. Does such a thing even exist? Please please pretty please can I have some nice weather? Pleeeeease?

 

[KathyM2]

It's still to far out for them to predict with any accuracy here!! Don't fret about it yet!!! And even if it does rain it's likely to be short!! Crossing fingers for you!! But it is hard to plan that far out with Florida weather!! You will be fine no matter what!

 

[Elevationist]

It's still to far out for them to predict with any accuracy here!! Don't fret about it yet!!! And even if it does rain it's likely to be short!! Crossing fingers for you!! But it is hard to plan that far out with Florida weather!! You will be fine no matter what!

You're right, you're right! And I guess I'm also concerned because I've actually been watching the Extended forecast since the beginning of the month, and all month long it's looked EXACTLY like September's did last year... rain rain and more rain. It's like I just can't escape it! Come on, meteorological pixie dust, don't fail me now!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Weather pixie dust sent!!! I'm sure it'll be fine. You know that Florida weather.....always changing! I'd totally be watching the weather too, but my belief is, if you pack the ponchos and drag them around with you, you won't nee them. (Sending good weather vibes, just in case though! )

 

[Wood Nymph]

Billie - just walk away from that weather forecast. I was worried about it, too, but so far the storms have missed this area. We have been here since Wednesday at 11am and have only had very, very light showers Thursday night.

But I have to admit that it has been hotter and more humid then I would have liked it to be in April. It is not as humid as it was last September, though. And the evenings have been wonderful. We've been trying to avoid being out in the sun in the mid afternoon. But it isn't as bad as it was in September.

 

[Tracy161]

Billie, I'm sending lots and lots of pixie weather dust your way!!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I just wanted to add that it is a gorgeous night out there right now. The humidity isn't too bad and we haven't had a drop of rain all day. .

 

[SarahDisney]

I'm sending you lots of weather pixie dust ...
I hope the forecast is wrong!

 

[Elevationist]

Weather pixie dust sent!!!

Thank you very much!

I'm sure it'll be fine. You know that Florida weather.....always changing! I'd totally be watching the weather too, but my belief is, if you pack the ponchos and drag them around with you, you won't nee them. (Sending good weather vibes, just in case though! )

I sure hope you're right! I hauled those ponchos around in September though, and we certainly needed them!

Billie - just walk away from that weather forecast. I was worried about it, too, but so far the storms have missed this area. We have been here since Wednesday at 11am and have only had very, very light showers Thursday night.

That's reassuring, Sue! And you're right, I should walk away! It's so hard, though!

But I have to admit that it has been hotter and more humid then I would have liked it to be in April. It is not as humid as it was last September, though. And the evenings have been wonderful. We've been trying to avoid being out in the sun in the mid afternoon. But it isn't as bad as it was in September.

Well, that's something, at least! Honestly, I didn't even notice the high humidity in September, but I live in a high-humidity part of the country myself, so I'm quite accustomed to it. So if it's even better now that it was in September, I'll be peachy!

Billie, I'm sending lots and lots of pixie weather dust your way!!!

Thank you so much, Tracy! I needs it!

I just wanted to add that it is a gorgeous night out there right now. The humidity isn't too bad and we haven't had a drop of rain all day. .

That's very comforting, Sue! I hope it holds!

I'm sending you lots of weather pixie dust ...

Thank you, Sarah! Much appreciated!

I hope the forecast is wrong!

You and me both, girl!!!

 

[Elevationist]

5 days until WDW!
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Hey, ya'll!

Okay, so here is the much-discussed final cut of my F&G food booths wish list! (Assuming it's not thunderstorming, of course... ) Of course, I may get down there and change my mind on certain points, but at least I'm going in with a plan of attack!

Here we go...

MUST HAVES

PINEAPPLE PROMENADE

Pineapple Soft Serve - with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum ($8.75)

Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade ($3.00)

FLEUR DE LYS

Confit de Canard, Pommes de Terre Sarladaise – Pulled Duck Confit with Garlic and Parsley Potatoes ($5.50)

Macaron Guimauve à la Fraise - A Strawberry Marshmallow Macaron ($4.50)

TASTE OF MARRAKESH

Harissa Chicken Kebab - with Sweet Couscous Salad ($5.00)

HANAMI

Frushi – Fresh pineapple, strawberries and melon, rolled with coconut rice, topped with raspberry sauce, sprinkled with toasted coconut and served with whipped cream on the side ($4.95)

Teriyaki Curry Bun — Steamed bun filled with chicken, vegetables, curry and sweet sauce ($4.95)

THE SMOKEHOUSE

“Piggylicious” Bacon Cupcake - with Maple Frosting and Pretzel Crunch, featuring Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon ($4.00)

JARDIN DE FIESTAS

Flan de Queso con Chocolate Abuelita – Mexican Chocolate Custard with Whipped Cream and Cinnamon ($4.20)

FLORIDA FRESH

Florida Blueberry and Lemon Curd Tart ($3.75)

Watermelon Passion Fruit Slush ($3.00)

GRAND TOTAL: $51.60

I was budgeting about $60 for this experience, so that should be right on-target. And while the total above doesn't include tax, I also haven't accounted for the two snack credits I'll be using (most likely on the duck in France and the kebab in Morocco).

Additionally, I came up with a list of alternates, or "If I have enough money and stomach space left" options...



RUNNER-UPS


BOTANAS BOTANICA

Seafood Ceviche — Shrimp, Scallops, and Grouper with Mango and Avocado ($5.25)

Coconut Tres Leches ($3.75)

FLEUR DE LYS

La Vie en Rose Frozen Slush – Vodka, Grey Goose Orange, St. Germain Liquor, and White and Red Cranberry Juice ($9.95)

HANAMI

Strawberry Nigori ($6.95)

PRIMAVERA KITCHEN

Fior di Latte, Prosciutto e Pane di Casa — Pinwheel of Mozzarella, Prosciutto, Ciabatta Bread ($5.75)

Limoncello Panna Cotta — Lemon custard, limoncello liqueur, raspberries ($5.00)

JARDIN DE FIESTAS

Blueberry Pomegranate Margarita on the Rocks ($8.75)

So there we have it! My "short list" for my F&G Booths! I know I probably cut some ya'lls favorites, but I had to make some TOUGH choices! And ya'lls advice a few weeks ago was TOTALLY helpful. I love ya'll!

...And now I'm off to figure out how to print this post and take it with me for reference.

 

[squeegee]

5 days until WDW!
**************************************************

Hey, ya'll!

Okay, so here is the much-discussed final cut of my F&G food booths wish list! (Assuming it's not thunderstorming, of course... ) Of course, I may get down there and change my mind on certain points, but at least I'm going in with a plan of attack!

Here we go...

MUST HAVES

PINEAPPLE PROMENADE

Pineapple Soft Serve - with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum ($8.75)

Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade ($3.00)

FLEUR DE LYS

Confit de Canard, Pommes de Terre Sarladaise – Pulled Duck Confit with Garlic and Parsley Potatoes ($5.50)

Macaron Guimauve à la Fraise - A Strawberry Marshmallow Macaron ($4.50)

TASTE OF MARRAKESH

Harissa Chicken Kebab - with Sweet Couscous Salad ($5.00)

HANAMI

Frushi – Fresh pineapple, strawberries and melon, rolled with coconut rice, topped with raspberry sauce, sprinkled with toasted coconut and served with whipped cream on the side ($4.95)

Teriyaki Curry Bun — Steamed bun filled with chicken, vegetables, curry and sweet sauce ($4.95)

THE SMOKEHOUSE

“Piggylicious” Bacon Cupcake - with Maple Frosting and Pretzel Crunch, featuring Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon ($4.00)

JARDIN DE FIESTAS

Flan de Queso con Chocolate Abuelita – Mexican Chocolate Custard with Whipped Cream and Cinnamon ($4.20)

FLORIDA FRESH

Florida Blueberry and Lemon Curd Tart ($3.75)

Watermelon Passion Fruit Slush ($3.00)

GRAND TOTAL: $51.60

I was budgeting about $60 for this experience, so that should be right on-target. And while the total above doesn't include tax, I also haven't accounted for the two snack credits I'll be using (most likely on the duck in France and the kebab in Morocco).

Additionally, I came up with a list of alternates, or "If I have enough money and stomach space left" options...



RUNNER-UPS


BOTANAS BOTANICA

Seafood Ceviche — Shrimp, Scallops, and Grouper with Mango and Avocado ($5.25)

Coconut Tres Leches ($3.75)

FLEUR DE LYS

La Vie en Rose Frozen Slush – Vodka, Grey Goose Orange, St. Germain Liquor, and White and Red Cranberry Juice ($9.95)

HANAMI

Strawberry Nigori ($6.95)

PRIMAVERA KITCHEN

Fior di Latte, Prosciutto e Pane di Casa — Pinwheel of Mozzarella, Prosciutto, Ciabatta Bread ($5.75)

Limoncello Panna Cotta — Lemon custard, limoncello liqueur, raspberries ($5.00)

JARDIN DE FIESTAS

Blueberry Pomegranate Margarita on the Rocks ($8.75)

So there we have it! My "short list" for my F&G Booths! I know I probably cut some ya'lls favorites, but I had to make some TOUGH choices! And ya'lls advice a few weeks ago was TOTALLY helpful. I love ya'll!

...And now I'm off to figure out how to print this post and take it with me for reference.

Awesome diversity of choices, there. I like it!

And even if you can't print this out, you'll be able to pull it up on your phone while you're there, right?

 

[Elevationist]

And even if you can't print this out, you'll be able to pull it up on your phone while you're there, right?

That's the back-up plan for sure! I just learned on my last trip not to rely on WDW's sketchy wi-fi, so I always carry a print-out with me of important things.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

That pineapple/rum soft serve and violet lemonade look SO good! I think you made some great choices! We've never gone during f&g or f&w, but I think I'd have to be rolled out at the end of the day!

I rarely print things anymore--I just get on my phone and take screen shots of everything then delete the photo when I'm done. Don't know if that's helpful but I find it better then relying on wifi connections and I don't forget it (like I did last trip with my printed schedules) since I always have my phone. I don't know if that's work for you, but just an idea.

Those pictures made me hungry.....

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[KathyM2]

Yum!!! All those looks so good...also I could go for one of those slushie drinks right now....looks so refreshing!! That mexican chocolate custard thing looks so amazing and different!

 

[Elevationist]

That pineapple/rum soft serve and violet lemonade look SO good!

I agree! I'm REALLY excited about the "spirited" Dole Whip. I'm not sure what to think about the Violet Lemonade honestly, but it's cheap and it's become one of those things of DisBoards legend, so I gotta try it!

I think you made some great choices! We've never gone during f&g or f&w, but I think I'd have to be rolled out at the end of the day!

I did F&W for the first time in September, and it was AMAZING. This will be my first (and probably only) F&G, and I'm really looking forward to it!

I rarely print things anymore--I just get on my phone and take screen shots of everything then delete the photo when I'm done. Don't know if that's helpful but I find it better then relying on wifi connections and I don't forget it (like I did last trip with my printed schedules) since I always have my phone. I don't know if that's work for you, but just an idea.

This... is... BRILLIANT!!! I might have to give this a try!

Those pictures made me hungry.....

Me too, actually. As soon as finished posting, I got up to go rummage around in the kitchen.

Looking so yummy Billie - I'd be trying the blueberry pomegranate margarita, but perhaps that's something that I can experiment with at home...

I think it looks amazing, too! It only got relegated to the list of Runner-Ups because to save money, I decided to cut down to only one alcoholic "Must Have," and the Dole Whip w/ Rum totally took first priority there. Yum!

My forecast is now showing only a 40% chance of rain on the Saturday, mainly sunny with partial clouds, so I will also focus on more weather pixie dust for you!

Please please keep focusing that pixie dust, let's get that pecentage down to about 10%!

Yum!!! All those looks so good...also I could go for one of those slushie drinks right now....looks so refreshing!!

I know, I'm so looking forward to it! Assuming the rain stays away, I know it's going to be hot and humid. Those frozen drinks will certainly help!

That mexican chocolate custard thing looks so amazing and different!

I agree! I hope it's as delicious as it looks!

 

[NJlauren]

I feel like my planning for F&G kitchens is way lacking, everything you have listed here looks AMAZING! Can not wait to hear how they all taste!

Off to go check out the menus!

 

[hokieinpa]

Sending lots of dry, no rain, but not too hot and sunny vibes and pixie dust your way!!

I think you made some great F&G choices! That violet lemonade looks SO GOOD! There are just not many purple drinks out there and this must be sampled! I'm also very curious about the Piggylicious cupcake!

 

[SarahDisney]

Looks like you've got a nice variety of foods & drinks on that list ... and hopefully you'll enjoy every single one of them!

 

[ursalita]

Hi Billie!

Is it 5 days now? How exciting!!

I'm right there with you worrying about the weather forecast. I'm just hoping that we get lucky and most of the storms miss the area and the storms we do get will be short in duration. I'll just be grateful it's not snow.

Your choices for the food booths look great. I don't know how much my family will be interested in from the booths - probably not enough to make a meal as I'd originally hoped. That's ok, just means we get to try a WS QS restaurant so that's good. What's your opinion about the booths? It seemed like F&W has much better choices.