October 25 - 30 Food & Wine and Birthdays!

[Gondingl]

Hey there everyone! This is my first PTR and first 'real' posting on the DISboards even though I've been lurking for months and months ready everyone else's PTRs and TRs with jealousy. I figured I should start one since there is less than a month till my trip! Yay!!!

When: October 25 - 30th, 2012

Why: Experience Food & Wine festival and celebrate some birthdays

Who: My mother, father, sister, her boyfriend, my best friend, her husband and her mother and another one of my best friends - oh and myself - how could I forget me?!

Hotel: The Walt Disney World Swan. This is my first time staying 'off' property, we have always stayed at Disney hotels. Any suggestions, tips or comments about staying here?

Up next, food plans! (Lets be honest, the best part of planning!)

[Gondingl]

Hello! Welcome to the best part, in my opinion, the dining plans! If you all have any suggestions on what to order, or should I say what not to order, please let me know! I love hearing other people’s opinions!

We always like to eat at different restaurants every time we go to Disney, and Disney has a tendency to always make this possible with new restaurants popping up every few months! However, this year we have a repeat for my sister’s birthday.

Thursday dinner: This is the night we arrive and since we are getting there late, no park tickets. SO we will walk on over to the Boardwalk for our reservations at Kouzzina and to celebrate my father's birthday which is tomorrow!

Friday breakfast: I must get my Mickey waffles. It isn't an official Disney vacation until Mickey waffles are involved, this year they will come from the Captains Grille at the Yacht Club.



Friday lunch: Food and Wine! Last year was our first year attending this event and we attempted to do it rookie style – all in one day. And I must say, we did pretty good, but things get fuzzy after Japan (we started in Canada ). So we are giving 2 and a half days to try it all. Plus then we can eat in the restaurants!

Friday dinner: Chefs de France!

Saturday breakfast: Garden Grove.

Saturday lunch: Back to Food and Wine!

Saturday dinner: Tutto Italia

Sunday breakfast: Garden Grove or Picabu, depending on how breakfast goes the prior morning.

Sunday lunch: I have high, high hopes of eating at Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station every time I go to MK. It is never open though! I’m convinced it is a just a rumor and in fact not a restaurant. However I will try again. If not open, probably Cosmic Rays or Pescos Bills for a Disney Cheeseburger!

Sunday dinner: Since MK closes early for MNSSHP, we are going to go to California Grill at the Contemporary and, hopefully, watch some Halloween themed fireworks!

Monday breakfast: Garden Grove or Picabu.

Monday lunch: I have no idea where to eat at AK, any suggestions? There is a vegetarian in our group.

Monday dinner: Sister's birthday dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table. I am, honestly, very excited for this. Even with hearing all the bad reviews. It brings out the child in me to know I get to eat in Cindy’s castle. Plus with the new menu, I have high hopes.

Tuesday: Back to Epcot for last minute Food and Wine bites!!!! Then the airport… boo.


Up next: Transportation to and from the airport. I usually always ride the ME but since the Swan isn’t a Disney hotel, I must look elsewhere. Any suggestions?

[Gondingl]

Also any thoughts of doing Tables in Wonderland? Just now finding out about this and with having an auto gratuity add since our party is 9 people it seems to be very worth it.

[Kennywife]

I'm in!!!!

They look good to me!!!

We'll (me and hubs) be there Oct 24-Nov 1 at AoA/Pop!

[Gondingl]

Originally Posted by Kennywife

I'm in!!!!

They look good to me!!!

We'll (me and hubs) be there Oct 24-Nov 1 at AoA/Pop!

Thanks! I wanted to stay at AoA! But I was overruled, still a little bitter about it lol but it will all be fine in the end.

[Gondingl]

Happy Monday! It is October and the month of our Disney trip!! Doing the Happy Dance over here!!! If you could only see, you’d probably tell me to stop! Hahaha

So I’ve booked cars to pick those of us up that need a ride to and from the airport. Half of us are driving from their respective parts of Florida.

I booked with Happy Limo. A minivan and a car. Their website was a bit difficult to use and I got frustrated at times but I got my confirmation numbers and I think we are ready to go!!

Anyone used these guys before?

Up next. To get Dad and my sister a birthday cake….

On a side note, I noticed the first signs of Fall and it is for sure coming this weekend so I snapped a picture and figured I'd share!

[Gondingl]

Well I hate to say it but with 22 days left, I’m done with my planning! Why do I hate it, because now I just have to wait for the trip to roll around!!

So in the meantime I’ll tell you more about my group (some of these people I just know basics):

Myself:
28 year old from Cincinnati, Ohio.
Favorite Park: an internal battle within myself over Magic Kingdom (it just feels like Disney there) and Epcot (the adult Disney fan has truly come to appreciate this place).
Favorite Ride: Pirates of the Caribbean. Loved it before Johnny Depp made his appearance.
Favorite Resort: Yacht Club.
Favorite Restaurant: Cinderella’s Royal Table (more so for the ambiance than the food. If I had to pick for the food well I don’t know if I could do such a thing….)
Favorite Treat: Mickey Premium Bar
Favorite Character: Belle


The Bestie and Myself

The Bestie
29 yro. Palm Beach Florida. Married to Bestie’s Hubs. Best friend for 15+ years that shares my Disney love with me.
Favorite Park: Epcot
Favorite Ride: Swiss Family Tree House (not actually a ride but do not tell her that)
Favorite Resort: Contemporary
Favorite Restaurant: California Grill
Favorite Treat: Mickey Premium Bar
Favorite Character: Cinderella

Bestie’s Hubs
28 yro. Palm Beach Florida. Married to LD, the Bestie.
Favorite Park: Epcot
Favorite Ride: Space Mountain
Favorite Resort: Contemporary
Favorite Restaurant: California Grill
Favorite Treat: Mickey Premium Bar


The Bestie and Bestie's Hubs

Sister
24 yro. Louisville, KY.
Favorite Park: Animal Kingdom
Favorite Ride: Space Mountain
Favorite Resort: Yacht Club
Favorite Restaurant: Flyin Fish
Favorite Treat: Cupcake
Favorite Character: Stitch

Sister’s Boy
24 yro. Louisville, KY.
Doesn’t have any favorites, has only been once when he was a tike but is excited!


Sister and Sister's Boy

Momma
Won’t let me say her age. Cincinnati, OH. My mother
Favorite Park: Epcot
Favorite Ride: Tower of Terror
Favorite Resort: Yacht Club
Favorite Restaurant: Momma Melrose’s
Favorite Treat: Ice Cream
Favorite Character: Snow White

Daddy-O
50ish. Cincinnati, OH. My dad
Favorite Park: Magic Kingdom
Favorite Ride: Pirates of the Caribbean
Favorite Resort: Yacht Club
Favorite Restaurant: Flyin Fish
Favorite Treat: Ice Cream
Favorite Character: Mickey


Momma and Daddy-O

Jello
28 year old. Palm City, FL. Best friends since college
Favorite Park: Magic Kingdom
Favorite Ride: Splash Mountain
Favorite Resort: Shades of Green
Favorite Character: Belle


Jello, Myself, and Bestie

Bestie’s Momma
Won’t let me say her age. Cincinnati, OH. Bestie’s mother
Favorite Park: Magic Kingdom
Favorite Resort: Contemporary
Favorite Restaurant: California Grill