Wine and Dine...to the Finish Line! Fall 2017 TR NEW 1/25 The Last Day - THE END!

[Monykalyn]

So buttery and loved the crunchy topping, however it was very rich and not enough baguette to soak up all the melty dip.

I remember this dish! Mostly because it was yummy, but I too rich for me to finish-luckily I was with my 6'2" 140# bottomless pit (especially when it comes to mom paying for food) daughter who polished off everything I couldn't finish.
Sad I'm gonna miss F&W this year, but all the more reason to try for F&G in May right?

LOVE the ears! and Reversible?

DD stood in line last year at TS (on her off day) to get me the Hitch hiker ghosts tiki mug! then she went to MK and rode People mover-taught the girl well!

 

[paradesintherain]

I got the gluten-free version of the Open-Faced Bacon and Egg Sandwich: Poached Eggs, Applewood Bacon, Brie Cheese, and Arugula on a Croissant Gluten-free bread served with Fresh Fruit and a selection of pastries.

Mmmm that sounds and looks so good!

This is so cute!

Instead we were attending the last party of the year the next day on November 1st (which also happens to be our anniversary!).

You were at the Nov 1, 2017 MNSSHP??? I was too

That skirt is too cute! You always have the best outfits!

 

[tiggerpals]

I love all of your shirts! That day looked great though - love all the different wine tastings that they do there. We'll miss F&W this time around, but next time we're there for the festival I'm excited to try more of the various offerings and special events that they have!

 

[chunkymonkey]

I really like BOG breakfast, and it seems to have worked really well for you on that day! You got to do a lot of stuff that morning!

We think it is always worth it especially since you can ride so many things on standby, you just have to be quick in jumping on one ride after another. Good thing we had breakfast to fuel up!

I love that skirt! It is sooo cute! Where do you get all your cute skirts?

Thank you! Almost all my skirts are "skorts" from Sparkleskirts.com - they are meant for running but I find they are the perfect park skirt. They never ride up and have a bunch of pockets. They are expensive though so I wait for sales, or Black Friday and stock up. I also bought some from the Run Disney expo. I used to buy cheaper skorts from other sports stores but there was always something wrong with them, usually the shorts ride up, or they don't have any pockets. Athleta makes some decent ones too but I find Sparkleskirts are the best.

Love the F & W pictures as always. The shrimp dish looked soooo good with the crispy topping.

It was really good! I hope they have it again this year! (Update: since they just released menus, I see that they do indeed have it again!)

The chocolate displays are amazing; I'll have to look for a display at F&W this year.

They are pretty cool. Always fun to visit ghiradelli and get the free chocolate. I wonder how they will do it this year considering they are moving the festival center to that other location closer to world showcase.

Um... they did back in 2016 when we did TS at DLR. That's the only TS I've been to. But at the time, they had the cute clear version of the one you got down in WDW, and I believe this one in DLR:

Ah cool. I liked the clear mug too! Hope they bring that one back!

Glad you enjoyed your breakfast and made it on to Mine Train! You got on a lot of rides that morning!

We did, it was a fun morning!

PeopleMover selfies are the best

They most certainly are!

I love the Halloween theme you had going on and that candy skirt is too cute!

Sounds like a nice time sampling more F&W dishes and doing the wine tasting!

Thank you!
Always a fun time during F&W! I can't wait to go back!

I'm glad I read that, because it reminded me today I could start making ADRs for my February trip! Still need to absolutely finalize places, and I don't think any will be really hard to get (well I guess California Grill evening), but anyways, now I remembered!

I have been soooo lazy recently making ADRs for my January trip...I didn't even log in at 7am. I waited until about 10am after I settled in at work. But I honestly wasn't sure what I wanted to do so I just made some "staple" meals for us like Ohana and PPO BoG breakfast and Cali Grill brunch, that's all. I figure I'll just wing the other things because I didn't want to overplan that trip. Our Sept trip is way over-scheduled as it is and then I added the Toy Story preview and the VIPassholder nights so now it's even more packed! #cantstopwontstop

 

[chunkymonkey]

I had to think for quite a while to figure out what "PPO" stood for!

Chop chop, you need to get back in the DISboard mindset and stop being on vacation mode!

"Were seated"
So for breakfast you don't seat yourselves? Or was that just a figure of speech?

Nope even though it is counter service they escort you into a section and put you at a table. We also pre-ordered so all we have to do is pay so we don't have to go through the food ordering line.
I think it would be a free for all madness if it wasn't at least a bit orderly like this. Everyone would want to eat in the West Wing, LOL. We were in the Ballroom, but i like the Library/Rose room the best.

Dang that sounds good!

It was!

One of your eggs is trying to escape!

Naughty egg!

Or rather, rich-man's version, since you have to pay for it.

How about an upper-middle class version? We paid less than half of what EMM usually costs, but we don't get the luxuries of being exclusive guests...

Love your expression!

I can't ride anything without my mouth wide open. I hope I haven't swallowed any bugs.

Must be done.

Must.

Yes you do! Love all those shots.

Thanks!!

I've thought of that. I figured it would be pretty crowded... and I want to be home doling out the treats for the kids on that night.

Yup!

"World's most dull parade"

There's a parade going on?

Or maybe you don't remember taking notes.

Must be. I was wondering what the pencil was for.

Or, after all the wine, a little toasted.

I'm glad to see you're branching out and not being so exclusive.

When it comes to food, I love it all.

I'll be like Steve and fast that day.

Excellent! You've learned something from my TRs!

Nice to meet you!

Hi!! Nice to meet you too!

Trader Sam's is such a fun place. I've only been there once and got the same drink as you and the souvenir glass. I really enjoyed that drink and would definitely order it again. Do you know if you can get a different souvenir glass than the drink you're ordering? I would like to collect the different glasses from there.

I'm not sure but I'd like to collect them all too!

Ohana is the best! My absolute favorite buffet type meal on property. This past week, I just booked a trip for the week before Christmas with one of my daughters and her two kids. None of us have been to Disney at Christmastime, so we are excited to see the decorations. It's also a surprise for the kids, as they won't find out until the day we leave! Sadly, we cannot get an adr for Ohana. I haven't given up yet, though!

Oh how fun! I'd love a surprise! I would keep checking. Have you tried the touring plans reservation finder? I found Ohana ADRs two weeks before our Dec trip last year.

Gosh, I just love that penguin fountain! Your room is beautiful, too!

It's such a beautiful resort!

Smart idea ordering the gluten free bread with your breakfast sandwich.

It was sturdier bread and it was pretty tasty, although I'm definitely a gimme gluten any day kinda girl.

I love your outfit and those purple ears are super cute!

Thank you!

That baked shrimp scampi dip looked amazing. The two little baguettes reminds me of the samples at Costco when you get a big scoop of spinach artichoke dip and one little tortilla strip to eat it!

Haha yes! although I'm not complaining that I have more dip to eat on it's own.

Do you feel that wine tasting was worth it? I've always wanted to try something like that.

I do, considering it's the cheapest food and wine event you can book. It makes me feel like I've done something educational. Buahaha

Really cute pics with Minnie and Pluto!

Thank you!

Mmmm that sounds and looks so good!

It was! My favorite thing to order there!

This is so cute!

Thanks!

You were at the Nov 1, 2017 MNSSHP??? I was too

Yes!! Maybe we saw each other in passing? LOL

That skirt is too cute! You always have the best outfits!

Thank you

I love all of your shirts! That day looked great though - love all the different wine tastings that they do there. We'll miss F&W this time around, but next time we're there for the festival I'm excited to try more of the various offerings and special events that they have!

Thank you! It was a great day so far! We had fun doing the wine tasting. It's not a must do, but I think it's a nice adult event that's not too expensive compared to the other events.
They just released menus finally for Food and Wine and looks like they are bringing back all my favorites from last year!

 

[bcwife76]

That is such a good idea, ordering the gluten-free breakfast! See, once you've been to WDW about 11 billion times, you come up with really, really, deep insider tips like this Perfect day weather-wise to spend Halloween at WDW!

 

[soniam]

Finally catching up on important things after our Disneyland/Aulani vacation and the chaos that always ensues at home and work after vacation. Ah, memories and getting closer to the amazing stuff

 

[hjeick]

I am really enjoying your trip reports!

 

[MeghanEmily]

The reason I got the gluten free version is because not because I am gluten-free I didn't want to get the soggy croissant again which is the case with the last two times I got this dish. I like all the other elements to the dish, arugula, bacon, poached eggs, and brie are just yum, but by the time the meal gets to you the bottom of the croissant has just disintegrated and no one wants that. So I thought I'd try out the gluten-free bread version as I heard it was toasted nicely and held up to the toppings well. And you know what? It did!! I was very happy with the bread and I did think it had a good texture. In addition, the gluten-free meal also comes with it's own set of breakfast carbs, which in this case was gluten-free breads. I think they were banana bread and some other flavors which I did not note. They were pretty good but I could not finish them since Steve had his own set of carbs!

Ooh, this is good to know! I've never tried this because I assumed it would be better on the croissant and the GF version wouldn't be as good. Come to find out it might actually be better due to lack of sog-factor! The little GF quick breads are quite good, too, I agree! I believe they're made specially for the restaurant by Erin McKenna's, but where I read that may have just made it up. I know they're not just the typically quick breads Erin McKenna's sells at the bakery though, or at least they're cut differently, because those ones are MASSIVE slices. I usually get the chocolate one and eat it for breakfast and I'm stuffed by the time I finish it, IF I can even finish it. Nom! I think the ones at BOG are usually banana chocolate chip, chocolate raspberry, and lemon. And the chocolate raspberry is my favourite. It's a nice perk of the GF option that you get extra GF pastries to sample.

I love this photo of you two! You look like you're having fun!

YES PEOPLEMOVER! Also, cute park-touring shoes.

I agree about your PM selfie comment! And you do look happy! I like this one in particular.

I'm sure I did take notes but I don't think I kept them. I think I probably liked all of them because I drank them all, LOL.

 

[wdwnut61]

Love PPO breakfast at BOG hoping since we’re going earlier in March and far away from Easter they won’t extend MK hours to 8:00am and we can take advantage
Love your Halloween ears and they match you’re shirt so cute
Wine tasting sounds amazing
We really enjoyed Minnie Christmas dinner @ H&V and all the characters in their Christmas best
Looking forward to seeing your pictures from the Halloween dinner

 

[MiracleCream]

I was way too behind to quote all I want but just wanted to say a quick hi and how grateful I am for your absoulutely beautifully descriptive TRs. Makes me feel like I’m there.

 

[chunkymonkey]

That is such a good idea, ordering the gluten-free breakfast! See, once you've been to WDW about 11 billion times, you come up with really, really, deep insider tips like this Perfect day weather-wise to spend Halloween at WDW!

Haha thanks, it took me a while to discover this! I wasn't too happy when they switched from the baguette to the croissant so this made up for it! It ended up being so much food considering we had 2 sets of pastries.

Finally catching up on important things after our Disneyland/Aulani vacation and the chaos that always ensues at home and work after vacation. Ah, memories and getting closer to the amazing stuff

Welcome back! How was your trip?!? I want to hear all about it!

I am really enjoying your trip reports!

Thank you so much for reading!!

Ooh, this is good to know! I've never tried this because I assumed it would be better on the croissant and the GF version wouldn't be as good. Come to find out it might actually be better due to lack of sog-factor! The little GF quick breads are quite good, too, I agree! I believe they're made specially for the restaurant by Erin McKenna's, but where I read that may have just made it up. I know they're not just the typically quick breads Erin McKenna's sells at the bakery though, or at least they're cut differently, because those ones are MASSIVE slices. I usually get the chocolate one and eat it for breakfast and I'm stuffed by the time I finish it, IF I can even finish it. Nom! I think the ones at BOG are usually banana chocolate chip, chocolate raspberry, and lemon. And the chocolate raspberry is my favourite. It's a nice perk of the GF option that you get extra GF pastries to sample.

Yup the GF version is actually tastier! I was never a huge fan of the pastry plate they bring out anyways. I did like the quick breads, they were pretty good. Had to get used to the texture a bit but overall I say they were good. I think I got the flavors that you mentioned. I can't remember which one was my favorite but chocolate always sounds good to me

I love this photo of you two! You look like you're having fun!

Thanks! It is actually a ride picture I really like.

YES PEOPLEMOVER! Also, cute park-touring shoes.

Thank you! I almost always wear adidas sneakers and they are very comfy!

I agree about your PM selfie comment! And you do look happy! I like this one in particular.

It's just a given that riding the PM will put a smile on your face no matter what!

Love PPO breakfast at BOG hoping since we’re going earlier in March and far away from Easter they won’t extend MK hours to 8:00am and we can take advantage

Yes! Hope you get to do it!

Love your Halloween ears and they match you’re shirt so cute

Thank you! Haha, I did have a theme.

We really enjoyed Minnie Christmas dinner @ H&V and all the characters in their Christmas best
Looking forward to seeing your pictures from the Halloween dinner

It was so cute, we were really surprised.

 

[chunkymonkey]

I was way too behind to quote all I want but just wanted to say a quick hi and how grateful I am for your absoulutely beautifully descriptive TRs. Makes me feel like I’m there.

Aw thanks for reading! Really appreciate the comments too!

 

[chunkymonkey]

October 31st Part 2: Halloween @ Hollywood and Vine

When I first knew we were going to be in WDW on Halloween I figured a character meal would be fun, and I thought this Minnie Seasonal Dine would be the perfect option since the characters would be dressed "in costume". Later on I came to find out that there were character meets at all the resorts so you can resort hop and get some really cool pictures with rare characters or regular characters in rare outfits. This only happens on Halloween I heard. I found out too late and I decided to just keep our original plan of eating dinner at Hollywood and Vine but maybe another year when we are at WDW during Halloween we will do the resort hopping. Just some info you guys may find useful!

We still had some time before dinner so we took a walk through World Showcase again. I manged to make another FP+ for Toy Story before dinner so that was good. While walking through WS I only got the mussels from New Zealand since I didn't want to spoil my appetite. I really wanted to try these.

Steamed Green Lip Mussels with Garlic Butter and Toasted Breadcrumbs

They were decent but not memorable. They were huge though, but didn't have that nice soft mussel tenderness and were rather chewy.

We exited through the Int'l Gateway and caught a boat over to DHS, when we arrived they were doing the March of the First Order. We caught the ending as they were walking back from the Chinese Theater.

We headed to our Toy Story FP+. I'm pretty sure Steve won because I don't have a picture of our score, hahaha. (But as of Dec 2017 I hold the high score between the both of us!)

We went to check out some of the stuff in One Man's Dream including models of the new Toy Story Land. So excited to visit for the first time! Just over three weeks now until we're back to WDW for Food and Wine again, and Toy Story Land! (I even managed to get 2 spots for the Passholder Playtime on Sept 5th).

The line for Starlord and Groot was too long and we had to head to our ADR so we walked out and caught a big of the Galactic Saga show before making our way to Hollywood and Vine.

We crossed to the other side of Hollywood Blvd and checked in at H&V. It was pretty crowded that day so we had to wait about 15 minutes. You can see how they had drained Echo Lake - think they were doing the Christmas decoration and they had to drain the lake to put up the tree.

I went to take a walk and stumbled upon a PP photographer over by Indiana Jones. I never saw one here before!

Dinner tonight at Hollywood and Vine:

When we were called to our table, they seated us right away and instead of taking a picture in the front with Halloween Minnie, we got a ticket to come back at any time during out meal as there was a bit of a line right now.

Our server came and got our drink orders and now all we could do was...EAT!

They had changed the name of some of their dishes to more spooky-sounding labels.

The Kraken Pasta - the black squid ink pasta, was delicious! It was garlicky and buttery, and the pasta was perfectly al dente which is rare in buffets.
The lobster mac and cheese was also very good and the "Monstrous Meatballs" were very tasty.
This is one of the plates I got:

We got some visitors! Goofy was first. He had a Halloween Cowboy look. His belt buckle is a spider!

Space Donald was next. He was disappointed Steve had a Mickey shirt on. I wish they made more Donald attire, especially Halloween Donald attire!

Think Donald was trying to give me a little peck on the cheek...

It looked like there was no line for Minnie so we went up to get our picture. Her outfit is so cute!

The desserts were also quite spooktacular:

Finally we met the last two characters: It looks like Bat-girl Daisy and Vampire Mickey!

Haha Vampire Mickey, it looks like you're looking at a Mirror!

We have eaten at Hollywood and Vine before, a few years ago during Star Wars weekends. We thought the food was better than expected and we were pleasantly surprised enough to return. And we thought it was great tonight! There's nothing terribly exciting about the food, but what they have is fresh and solid, so I would not hesitate to book this again especially if we want to do a character meal. I like that the characters dress up in their seasonal attire. In fact, at my sister's request we ARE doing this Halloween seasonal dine during our September trip coming up next month. I would however, like to book it for another season so we could get pictures of the characters in their other outfits.

After dinner, we were stuffed, but we went to watch the Hollywood Movie Magic projection show and then stayed for the SW fireworks.

It was a great Halloween!
No trick or treating for us, but that will all change tomorrow when we attend our first MNSSHP!!
Plus it was also our 9-year Anniversary and we had a special friend I wanted to say hi to.

Stay tuned!​

 

[annie170]

The characters look adorable in their costumes! Your pictures came out really nice, especially with Minnie.

We enjoyed Hollywood & Vine when we were there for lunch last year. Not understanding all the negativity it gets, but maybe it has improved.

 

[SaraSpringsIsHome]

So excited to visit for the first time! Just over three weeks now until we're back to WDW for Food and Wine again, and Toy Story Land! (I even managed to get 2 spots for the Passholder Playtime on Sept 5th).

Can't wait to read all about it! What fun!!!

There's nothing terribly exciting about the food, but what they have is fresh and solid, so I would not hesitate to book this again especially if we want to do a character meal. I like that the characters dress up in their seasonal attire.

Y'all looked like you had a blast! What a fun Halloween and the characters are SOOOO cute.

No trick or treating for us, but that will all change tomorrow when we attend our first MNSSHP!!

Love MNSSHP! I really just love MK in the Fall... I think it might even be prettier in the Fall than at Christmas.

 

[disneyAndi14]

We did the Halloween dine in 2016 and really enjoyed the food and the characters are so cute dressed for Halloween!

Looks like you had a very fun Halloween.

 

[Lesley Wake]

In fact, at my sister's request we ARE doing this Halloween seasonal dine during our September trip coming up next month. I would however, like to book it for another season so we could get pictures of the characters in their other outfits.

Of course she would ask for that! I think the Christmas outfits are so cute!

 

[missangelalexis]

The first time I went to Hollywood & Vine (for the Christmas dine), I was pleasantly surprised at how good the food was! I liked it enough to go back at Halloween I love that they have different outfits for each season! Your pics with the characters all came out so cute

 

[franandaj]

For now I have to give up on multi quoting, just don't have the time!

Your breakfast looked good and I totally get why you would do the gluten free option. I would have done the Gaston breakfast given the choice of the two, but I haven't looked at the menu so I don't know what else is on offer.

I love Pacific Rim Winery! They have a Riesling where the bottle shows a gal dreaming about sushi in the background, it's really cool and the wine is good too!