Went solo in December, now going back in October...

[tabbytrekker]

Hello all!

I'm pretty new to the boards… I signed up last year to get some insight on a solo trip to Disney World in December but never posted or anything. However I find myself needing more advice for another upcoming trip to Disney World so I'm back. Plus I have a goal to make at least one new friend this year, so I might as well try here since likely we'd have at least one common denominator!

Not so long ago I made the statement there is no way I'd ever go to Disney World every year. Don't get me wrong, I love Disney World. I even use Disney World as a guide when planning other trips - if it costs more than a trip to Disney World I likely wouldn't go. However I use to go to Cedar Point at least once every year since I was one or two up until I was about 24. It lost its appeal to me; that I worked there a summer once didn't help either. So I never want Disney World to lose its magic for me. Does that make sense?

I went to Disney World in December for a week - solo - after I received a pin back in February. I had a year to plan, because I am one of those planner types. I had a blast. I thought I had my Disney fix to hold me over for awhile. I decided to focus on school and maybe a trip to Williamsburg in November (not for Busch Gardens… the history part).

Then I saw that Hanson will be at Epcot in October… I can't imagine any trip better than Hanson and Epcot together. (I haven't been to one of their concerts since I was 13)

So Friday I officially booked my next trip to Disney World for October - through AAA this time since I didn't have a pin or any other discount.

The one snag…

I convinced my mom to come with me.

HELP!!!

A couple of details:

- This is a shorter trip than I'm use to… fly in late on a Saturday and fly back early on Wednesday. That is only three days at the parks.

- We have created the compromise that she is paying for food and transportation, and I'm paying for lodging and misc. (I came up with that idea because if it was up to her we'd be staying at a Double Tree)

- We are staying at the cabins at Fort Wilderness - already have a golf cart reserved as well. (I just can't imagine going to Disney World and not staying at Fort Wilderness)

Other than that, she doesn't want to make any plans. She doesn't even want to look at my guidebooks. And I quote, "Are you going to be like this for the next four months?" (I'm excited! And she is already getting annoyed with me)

Yes I'm now an adult and we can always do separate things - but I want to have fun with my mom too. I want her to have a good time.

I guess any help or tips or whatever would be appreciated. Mostly I have these two questions:

1.) Neither my mom nor I have been to the Food and Wine Festival (pretty much the only reason she wants to go), and there isn't many details out quite yet. Anything I should be aware of? Or any tips?

2.) What would you suggest focusing on or doing if you only had three days in the park?

Sorry that this is so long. Just any advice would be again greatly appreciated! Anyone have experience with being an adult and traveling with their parents?

 

[DisneyDee27]

The Food & Wine is awesome! If you're doing a dining plan save your snack credits for food at the F & W use them for the more expensive items and pay OOP for the rest.

 

[DCTooTall]

Another HUGE tip..... Wait to hit the Food and Wine until Monday if at all possible. The World Showcase will get PACKED on the weekends when the locals are able to decend upon the park. You and your mom will likely have a much more enjoyable time exploring the different options without the sea of people that can happen on the weekend.

 

[NJDiva]

Also, if you have the time try to sit in on one of the demonstrations that they have in the pavillion. you get to see them prepare a dish and then have it served to you. it's about the same size as the portions you get at the world showcase, maybe a little bigger but they show you how to make it and give you the instructions on how to prepare it. they also have mixology demos as well (don't know how your mom is about mixed drinks) but the demos are normally done by one of the mixologists/bartenders from the resorts and again, you get the instructions on how to make them.
the other cool thing about F&W is that if you find a wine or spirit that you really like, they sell it in the pavillion...it's really a fun time and this will be the first time I will miss it in 4 yrs.
make sure you get a passport and mark off all the places in the world showcase you visited and get it stamped

 

[scubahood]

I'm fairly new to the boards myself i'm doing my first solo trip in October as well. How did you find it in regards to meeting new people at the parks?

 

[iluveeyore]

Hubby and I stumbled onto the Hanson concert last year and got to sit and enjoy it - they were really good, and since it was Halloween week, they came out in Stormtrooper costumes! We were at the earlier show at dusk, so there was lots of seating available. I'm pretty sure they had a later show as well, but the earlier one was better because more people were having dinner instead of trying to find spots for Illuminations.
The Food and Wine Festival is very enjoyable - we love trying the little bits of samplings you get from each country (that cost $$ of course), and the small drinks you can buy as well. It's neat that new countries are added, so there's a lot to choose from.
Enjoy the trip with your Mom - I lost mine many years ago when I was only 27, and I would have loved to do a Mom/daughter trip with her - that's why I enjoy time with my daughter now, so I'm sure your Mom will have a wonderful time!

 

[tabbytrekker]

Hi!

Thank you all for your words of wisdom.

Mom certainly is looking forward to the wine part of the festivities - I however am the one that is likely going to stay clear... one glass of wine, even with lunch, and I'm gone. )

I'm getting pretty excited! It should be lots and lots of fun! It is also good to know that hopefully I will not have to stand in line for two hours to get a seat for Hanson. I like them and all - but I'm not the crazy 13 anymore, so I don't really need a front row seat or anything. I just want to be able to say I saw them... at Disney World!

Thank you again for all your input. Anything else or any more tips and I'd greatly appreciate it too!