The ABC's of a FALL Trip with Friends, Food, Wine, and a Conference- C is for: Can We Eat Some Comfort Foods Now? (11/9)

[Steppesister]

Well, that explains so much!

That's me, accurately Trip -Reporting for... forever.

Boy, did you send me down a rabbit hole.
There are several different variations.
The one I have used/heard is "An infinite number of monkeys typing at an infinite number of typewriters (dated, but it is what it is) will eventually produce the works of Shakespeare."
I've now heard " if you let a monkey hit the keys of a typewriter at random an infinite amount of times, eventually the monkey will type out the entire works of Shakespeare."
And there are other variations. Some use "Hamlet" instead of "Shakespeare".

Ok, you had WAY too much time on your hands at some point. OY!!!

Good idea. Maybe if if I thrust the chicken at him, he'll be too busy eating that and I can get out of the water.

Hey, I'm full of good idea. Sometimes.

Now I'm curious if it's salt water? I don't see a reason why it should be, other than buoyancy.
And... another rabbit hole. Lil Joe is no longer at Epcot, but at "Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, along the Panhandle."
Not sure if you saw one or two manatees, but they introduced Cider and Mino in February, 2025.

I saw 2, but one was in this tank and one was on the other side, so not mixing at that time. I wonder who named them and why they went with those.

 

[Steppesister]

I giggled about your friend's knife story at TSA. My Dad forgets to leave his pocket knife at home literally every time he flies. He has had to throw many of them away, BUT how does one forget they're carrying an actual hunting knife!? Bummer that you had to go back and have your ticket fixed to use the pre-check line, ugh, annoying!

I really don't know how either. Doesn't everyone empty their bag completely and start "over" even if it's sort of "permanently" packed?

It was way too early in the morning for that kind of travel nonsense. LOL!!

YAY for arriving at a park within an hour of landing--that's amazing! Your Epcot morning sounds like it's off to a perfect start. I also didn't know they changed the tabletops at Sunshine Seasons, but I'm not surprised. Disney does the details best!

It started perfectly and ended perfectly too!! Lot of good eats and treats! This needs confirming!!! As I told Sue, I just know I looked around and ALL the tables had the Fall leaves on them.

At least there's that!! It would've been sooooo terrible to lose all of your files and photos!!! Now, let's hope Disney takes care of you, too.

Let's hope so!!! I called on Friday and while they have gotten all of my sent files, I was told my Case Worker was "still working on her investigation" and was out til Monday. Fingers crossed.

 

[Steppesister]

Can't wait to see the new USA version but I am looking forward to finally seeing the World version. I thought I would be able to see it when I went to Disneyland in 2022 but at the time they were having the California Food and Wine Festival that is in the spring out there so for those couple weeks they had gone back to the California one.

I am looking forward to riding Guardians but I am not 100% sure about my husband. I think he will go but not sure he will like it. How intense is it? Closer to Space Mountain/Big Thunder or more like Everest?

I so curious as to what locations they will go to. I'd imagine they'll keep Monument Valley OR replace that with the Grand Canyon. Maybe Devil's Tower? NYC? And I"m sure I'll miss the World one as it is now.

It's WAY more intense that both of those BUT it's also WAY more smooth. There is FAR more spinning sort of. It's really hard to describe but while intense, it's really fun. There aren't big drops but plenty of G's

 

[Steppesister]

Just getting all caught up after some knee surgery…
May I suggest detergent sheets as opposed to pods? They are great for traveling!
LOVE your new Loungefly!
Looking forward to reading about Food & Wine. It’s on my (Disney) Bucket list!

I think I've avoided surgery for a while, but not escaped it altogether. Stupid torn meniscus. How are you healing?

YES! You are brilliant. I'm definitely going to trade my white powder out for those! Super idea!

Thanks, it's a fun bag with nice, bright colors.

 

[Steppesister]

I bring detergent sheets. They are great for washing out swimming suits in the sink. I cut the sheets into smaller pieces for that.

Y'all are so super smart!! I'mma so gonna do that!

 

[Paulaparm]

I think I've avoided surgery for a while, but not escaped it altogether. Stupid torn meniscus. How are you healing?

I’m healing well, thank you! Follow-up appointment tomorrow morning. Mine was also torn meniscus and they removed some arthritis.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We then sat through about 50 full cycles of The Three Caballeros while the announcement now told us to sit tight, we’d be moving soon.

It would have been a lot more fun to take a secret evacuation route.

Spaceship Earth was running with a 5-minute wait for its soft opening. HUZZAH!!

We were walking out of Epcot during our trip and noticed that Spaceship Earth was open. It wasn't open earlier in the day. Anyway, I tried hard to see what might have been new. But most of it seemed the same, except cleaner.

 

[pkondz]

Lori and I had finished up in Future World (call it whatever you want, it’s gonna be Future World henceforth in these parts)

I'm okay with that.

Especially since I have no idea what it's (they're) supposed to be called.
Yes I've been told. No I don't remember.

Of the two, the ravioli was the clear winner by far.

Sounded good. I think I would've liked to have tried the chili if I'd been there. sounds interesting.

We made it to a couple booths before saying good-bye and it was so nice to get to spend a bit of time with one of my dearest DISFriends!

One of mine too.

Kari had her eye on the Pavlova with berries.

Kari is smart.

Sometimes, it’s the unplanned goodies that end up being surprising hits. This was one.

Not at all surprised. Sounded good.

Kari ended up launching a huge wad of hers off her plate and down the side of our trashcan table making it look like a Florida chicken had a "too many Casey's fries accident" there.

Oh dear.

The boats backed up. We sat. And sat, and sat, and sat. After a few minutes we got an announcement that we were likely to be evac’d very soon.

And yet... I don't think I've ever heard of anyone being evac'd from that ride... might've been an interesting experience.

We then sat through about 50 full cycles of The Three Caballeros

I was tempted, but then thought of the “Cucumber Lady” on It’s a Small Garden and a possible lifetime ban.

yeah.... don't do that.

On our way out, they told us we could visit a Guest Experience Team for some LL’s and I was hoping for a TT one that we could do on the way out, but no such luck.

Too bad. And too bad they got wasted.

The noodles were pretty high up on my list so that’s what I got. The portion was quite generous and, true to the reviews, this was really, really good!

Good to hear. I've had noodles there before and they weren't very good.

I think to myself… who took off their disgusting gym socks?!

Interesting selfie.

thanked the Phoenicians as we cruised by. I mean, I can read.

Valid point.

(Why am I #137?! )

Huh. That's actually a good question. No idea.

I was up at 5:30 AM on Friday for work, didn’t sleep that night, left at 2:30 AM Saturday morning, and wouldn’t be to bed until about 1:00AM that night.

 

[disneyAndi14]

Looks like a nice sampling of F&W, I agree on the little deliciousness of those pumpkin ravioli yum!!
I have to say this year was the first time I tried some new F&W booths and loved it!

 

[missjackiemcg]

Mmm, some tastiness for sure in this chapter!! I'm not much of a sweet tooth either, but it was nice to be able to sample some of Lori's without having to waste any money on a full portion.

Yay for making a soft opening on Spaceship Earth...even if the updates sound pretty minor.

I was sort of rooting for your evac from It's a Small Mexico because don't we all just want to experience this some time!!!?? I don't think I realized there's a Hidden Mickey in that tiling, but best believe I will be on the hunt, as well, in December!

I'm looking forward to hearing all about Howl-O-Scream! I haven't been to Sea World in 20 years on a regular day, let alone for a special event. Can't wait to find out how it all was!

 

[buzzrelly]

****The Laptop Saga continues…. I got my estimate back from the repair shop and it came in about $75 less than what the new Laptop/HARDWARE (laptop itself with NO extras like the Microsoft Suite, added protection, etc…) came in at. I’m hoping that Disney at least gives me that!!! I sent in photos of the damage, my original receipt for the old laptop, a receipt for the new one, the printed estimate, and a note saying that I sincerely hoped Disney could reimburse for the entire amount of the new laptop… We shall see… Meanwhile, apparently, the repair shop cut away the bent portion around the charging port so I can get the jack in now. That will allow me to get all of my files, photos, data… off of it for which I am VERY, VERY thankful!****

Oh my gosh, that's the least they can do. I wonder how long this will all take to get figured out.

I do love, love, love the size, shape, and configuration of these bags… They really are the perfect park bag size and fits my rolled-up rain shell, charging brick(s), all the stuff…

So funny because I love the look of the Lounge Flys but the size and shape are an absolute deal-breaker for me. They are too small and I end up shoving everything in and then having to unpack it all to get to the bottom. I've gone back to my Vera Bradley backpacks and am loving it. And BONUS...they have a side pocket for my water bottle!

I like that it’s bright and colorful and has some vintage EPCOT things as well as some of the newer elements. I especially love that it has Figment. Silly little dragon.

Very cute bag

Here is the Pumpkin-Mascarpone Ravioli with Brown Butter Vinaigrette, Pecorino Cheese, Pomegranate Seeds, and Hazelnut Praline (Emile's Fromage Montage Offering)- $5.50

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and here is the Schiacciata Sandwich: Mortadella, Prosciutto Ham, Sun-dried Peppers, Arugula, Stracciatella Cheese, Fall Squash Mostarda, and Pistachio Pesto on Warm Focaccia- $6.25
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Mike and I shared both of these in October. You're right...the ravioli were delicious. The sandwich was good too but too filling. I wasn't even going to get it but Mike wanted it so I ended up sharing with him and then after those two items I was kind of too full for anything else.

Right about the time we left there and headed towards WS to start our circuit, we caught up with Kari ( @Malia78 ). We made it to a couple booths before saying good-bye and it was so nice to get to spend a bit of time with one of my dearest DISFriends!
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Nice pic!

Mixed Berry Pavlova with Crunchy Meringue Shell, Macerated Berries, and Whipped Cream- $4.75
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I forgot I wanted to try this. I see them making Pavlova on The Greast ritish Baking Show all the time! Maybe next year!

Psych!!!

We then sat through about 50 full cycles of The Three Caballeros while the announcement now told us to sit tight, we’d be moving soon.

Oh no! Not a great ride to get stuck on!

We were running right on time, but wait! What’s this?! Spaceship Earth was running with a 5-minute wait for its soft opening. HUZZAH!!

We got on it too and I was so excited!

I was up at 5:30 AM on Friday for work, didn’t sleep that night, left at 2:30 AM Saturday morning, and wouldn’t be to bed until about 1:00AM that night. I was tired, but ready for a party nevertheless.

Crazy girl!!