A Spookalicious October PDR! Just when you think things are set in stone...

[DancinDaisyDuck]

I'm going back to WDW and gonna eat and eat and eat and eat and eat until I die!

If you can't tell, I love WDW and I love eating, so naturally I can't WAIT to go back this October and experience the delightful food offerings from basic counter service to elegant sit-down restaurants. Here's some info about my trip!

When: October 23 to 29th 2012
Where: WDW of course, but the resort is still TBD
Who: Me, Nikki (29) and some other friends who are also Disney dining veterans
What: I've made some ADRs and all but two are new experiences for me! It's not that I don't like trying new things, but once I find something I like I tend to stick with it and stay in my comfort zone. But, this trip I'm branching out and hoping to find some new favorites!

So, here are my plans as of now. If you visit my PTR (link in my signature) you'll notice this trip has gone through so many changes since I started planning a year ago. Now that I'm much closer things are starting to take shape, but plans could still change.

Tuesday October 23: I land at MCO around 7:30 p.m. so I'll likely just grab dinner at the food court of whichever resort I'm staying at, get settled, and go to bed! Likely I'll be staying at POP, so this food court will be nothing new to me.

Wednesday October 24: I will be in the Magic Kingdom but want to try a counter service at one of the deluxe resorts - either on the monorail or Wilderness Lodge. I've done every CS in the MK and want to take a short break without straying too far from the park.
Dinner will be at Columbia Harbor House. I haven't been here since before they added new options to the menu and I'd like to try the salmon dish.
One new place for me this day, just don't know which one yet.

Thursday October 25: Now the fun REALLY begins! I am going to two NEW restaurants for me. This day I'll be in EPCOT and I have a lunch ADR for Via Napoli. I love wood oven pizza and am really encouraged by the positive reviews of this place since it opened. It didn't even exist the last time I was there.
Dinner is at...... 'Ohana!!!!!! I know this restaurant is very polarizing and gets mixed reviews, and some may say it's overrated. But, I've been really anxious to eat here for a while and am really excited to try it. I'm trying not to get my expectations up too high but am looking forward to an enjoyable meal with my friends and that banana bread pudding!

Friday October 26: Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and I would eat eggs, pancakes, oatmeal, waffles, grits, biscuits, sausages and bacon for breakfast, lunch AND dinner if given the opportunity. For some reason when I am at Disney, I tend to skip breakfast and hit the parks early. But since this is a trip of new experiences I am taking it slow this particular morning and having breakfast at Boma. I like African flavors and have not read one negative or even so-so review of breakfast here (I'm sure those reviews and opinions exist though, right?). I am looking forward to the goat cheese scrambled eggs too!
Dinner will be at Liberty Tree Tavern before the Not So Scary Halloween Party. I have been here before in 2007 when there were characters and while it wasn't my first choice, my friends wanted to eat here. I'm ok with it, but groan each time I think of paying $40 after tax and tip for Stouffer's food. At least the servers still dress in Haunted Mansion costumes on Party nights, right? Right????

Saturday October 27: Lunch at another brand new place for me, Chefs de France. I like French food for the most part (at least I like the French style food Ina Garten makes on Barefoot Contessa) and while ADRs at more popular places in World Showcase were available I decided to get out of my comfort zone and go for something new! I'll probably go with the fixed price menu since it's reasonably priced and you get to choose from standard French dishes (I'll likely go with French Onion Soup, Quiche, and Profiteroles!) and a really nice selection of wines!
Dinner will be at my favorite counter service of all time, Tangerine Cafe!

Sunday October 28: Lunch this day will be a sandwich and amazing cupcake from Starring Rolls! YUMMY!
Dinner is another new one! I wanted something quiet, elegant, yet an affordable dinner for my last night in WDW. So I booked at Grand Floridian Cafe. When I think of elegance I think of the Grand Floridian, and while Narcoosee's and Citricos would be lovely, the prices are not-so-lovely on my budget. After looking at the menu and reading nice reviews, Grand Floridian Cafe seemed like a nice middle ground.

Monday October 29: Departure Day My flight leaves at 2:55 in the afternoon and I expect Magical Express will come for me around noon or 12:30. Not enough time for a park, but just enough time for breakfast at Kona Cafe! This is my favorite breakfast spot in all of Disney World and I wasn't able to come here on my last trip. So to celebrate the end to a wonderful trip, I will enjoy a Kona press pot all.by.my.self. can you say caffeinated??

October, please come soon! In the words of Rex, Why Can't Time Go Faster!!!!

[wilma-bride]

Your plans sound great. Hope you have some wonderful dining experiences. enjoy 'Ohana - I do think the trick is not to go on with expectations set too high. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it at all when we went and it turned out to be one of the best meals of our trip. Myself and DS wanted to go back this trip but DH, who I thought would have loved it, is not keen.

Looking froward to reading your reviews.

[DancinDaisyDuck]

Originally Posted by wilma-bride

Your plans sound great. Hope you have some wonderful dining experiences. enjoy 'Ohana - I do think the trick is not to go on with expectations set too high. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it at all when we went and it turned out to be one of the best meals of our trip. Myself and DS wanted to go back this trip but DH, who I thought would have loved it, is not keen.

Looking froward to reading your reviews.

Thanks! I've been trying to avoid 'Ohana reviews (both good and bad) so that I can go in with as open a mind as possible. Although after having a Lapu Lapu or Backscratcher in the bar before dinner, I may not care what the food is like, hahaha!

[MickeyNicki]

Might bump into you there...we are going Oct 18-28!

[DancinDaisyDuck]

Hi all! Just a quick update- I've booked! Yeah Buddy! I took advantage of the Free Dining offer that fell during my travel dates and will be on the Basic Dining Plan for six nights at Pop. I am relieved to have it all done and I don't have to cancel any of my ADRs (I had thought about eliminating a couple if there was no Free Dining).

I've been thinking about snacks, especially now that I have 6 snack credits to use and I'll be there during Food & Wine Fest. I do have an ADR booked for my EPCOT days but I like to snack my way around World Showcase anyway! Here's my list of must-do snacks, and of course will update when the menus for F&W fest booths are announced. Something tells me I'm going to blow through those 6 credits!

School Bread! The only time I eat shredded coconut.
Cupcakes! The cupcake craze hadn't hit yet on my last trip and I'm looking forward to some of the special varieties in addition to the amazing ones at Starring Rolls.
Dole Whip! I can get the pineapple and orange flavored ones at my local ice cream joint, but there's something about having one on a hot day in Adventureland that makes them taste better.
Frozen Coke! I know I shouldn't waste a snack credit on this, but dang they are good!
Mickey Ice Cream Bar! Because, isn't it a rule or something?
Cake Pops! These were not available in 2010 and they are getting good reviews, plus they're so cute!
Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel! Y-U-M. This, plus everything else in Karamel Kuche

[deenbrad]

Count me in!

[stitchaholic]

hey , I am doing that double digit dance with you , we will be there on Oct 11th

I am in complete agreement with the frozen cokes , discovered those last trip and just loved them , especially with a noce salty pretzel

[emmysmommy]

Yay for FD and travel plans being in place! Sounds like you have some wonderful ADRs - many that are my favorites. I'm trying 'Ohana dinner for the first time next month so I'll see if it lives up to all the hype. GFC for dinner also sounds like a great alternative to some of the pricier options at the GF.

My favorite breakfast in WDW is Kona Cafe so I think your last meal there should be ahh-mazing!

[happy2012]

Looks like a great line up!!!! I so wanna try Chefs!!!!

[DancinDaisyDuck]

Originally Posted by MickeyNicki

Might bump into you there...we are going Oct 18-28!

I hope so!

Originally Posted by deenbrad

Count me in!

Thanks for reading!

Originally Posted by stitchaholic

hey , I am doing that double digit dance with you , we will be there on Oct 11th

I am in complete agreement with the frozen cokes , discovered those last trip and just loved them , especially with a noce salty pretzel

Awesome! I miss having the frozen Coke machines in the food court at Pop. It was great to fill up my mug with some after a park day and relaxing by the pool or in the air conditioning!

Originally Posted by emmysmommy

Yay for FD and travel plans being in place! Sounds like you have some wonderful ADRs - many that are my favorites. I'm trying 'Ohana dinner for the first time next month so I'll see if it lives up to all the hype. GFC for dinner also sounds like a great alternative to some of the pricier options at the GF.

My favorite breakfast in WDW is Kona Cafe so I think your last meal there should be ahh-mazing!

I think Wilma Bride has the right idea of going into 'Ohana with an open mind if you've never been before. Kona is my favorite for breakfast too, a great way to end a trip.

Originally Posted by happy2012

Looks like a great line up!!!! I so wanna try Chefs!!!!

Thanks! I am excited for Chefs!

[DancinDaisyDuck]

Over the years, not only have I accumulated a list of favorite foods and snacks around WDW parks, I've also had the pleasure of imbibing in some pretty tasty beverages. Here's my list of favorite drinks and some new ones I need to try this trip!

Strongbow- a tasty and refreshing cider from the Rose and Crown Pub. First had this while in London years ago and fell in love. Hard to find in the US although it's showing up in bottles in grocery stores here in the Northeast. I feel it tastes better out of the tap!

Frozen Coke- As mentioned in the snacks entry, I love this frozen treat!

Margaritas- In college I developed a love-hate relationship with tequila, but I love a good 'Rita. Not sure what I will get at La Cava del Tequila, as it didn't exist my last trip. Read good reviews of the Avocado and Blood Orange ones. Any suggestions?

Pomegranate Lemonade- Reading some recent dining reports I've seen this mentioned a few times. It sounds good, does anyone know if it is still around?

Yak Attack- I won't be going to Animal Kingdom this trip, but I really liked this frozen drink at Yak and Yeti.

Diet Coke and unsweetened Iced Tea- Two staples!

Press pot of Kona Coffee- My preciousssssssss

Grey Goose Slush- If you're noticing a pattern of frozen and slushy drinks, you'd be correct! I like to enjoy one of these during IllumiNations.

Spaten- If I am in a beer mood, I like to swing by Germany for one of these. If it's another park, I'll go with any other amber that's not too bitter.

Backscratcher- Most people would go with a Lapu Lapu (it comes in a pineapple!) but there's a different Polynesian inspired beverage that I like better. And, you can actually keep a functional piece of equipment after you're done!

What else do I need to try??? I definitely plan on a nice glass of wine at Le Chefs de France, something from the new Wine Nook (a.k.a. Tutto Gusto), and visit the Tune-In Lounge for the first time.

Please let me know what to add to my list!

[DancinDaisyDuck]

Well, I am now 79 days away from my trip, and have reached the point where I've started to reconsider EVERYTHING I've planned so far. This especially includes dining. My anchor ADRs are pretty much the same, but I've shuffled a few things around and am reverting back to some old favorites. I am STILL unsure about one of them. HELP!

Tuesday October 23: No change in ADRs since I didn't have any for arrival night. Just getting some counter service at Everything POP.

Wednesday October 24: No ADRs this day either. I had wanted to take the monorail over to Gasparilla at the Grand Floridian for lunch but due to the renovations it will be closed. Looking at menus online, I think I will go with Contempo Cafe instead.

Thursday October 25: Definitely NOT changing anything this day! These are the two ADRs I have been most looking forward to.

Friday October 26: Here's where I am starting to crack. I had initially booked breakfast at Boma. I have never been there before and still want to eat there but I have a Magic Kingdom day scheduled for this day and it just doesn't make sense to trek all the way over to AKL, eat, then go all the way up to the MK. I wouldn't get to that park until almost 11! So, I booked breakfast at Kona instead. I'd still have to leave POP at the same time as if I was going to AKL and once I'm done eating the initial swell of people would be in the park just after opening so I can cruise right through the gates and get to work!

Dinner I think I will keep at Liberty Tree Tavern since a large number of my friends are going and I want to be there with them!

Saturday October 27: No changes this day. I'd like to still get dinner at Tangerine Cafe, but all the F&WF menus have been released so I don't know what to do!

Sunday October 28: No plans on changing anything for today.

Monday October 29: Ok. I have a second ADR for Kona this morning but I cancelled Boma. So, I may reschedule breakfast at Boma for this morning since my flight leaves in the afternoon and I'm not going to a park. But, I love Kona breakfast so much that I want to keep the ADR I have for it now and enjoy it twice. I'M SO TORN!

The other problem: I have one too many table meals for my allotment in the dining plan. So I either need to cancel one, or pay out of pocket for one. I don't mind paying OOP for breakfast at Kona since that's relatively cheap. But, it also makes sense to pay OOP for all you can eat since it's a fixed price and save the TS credit for an a la carte menu like Grand Floridian Cafe where I could end up ordering something that could cost more than the price of LTT would be OOP, for instance. Does that make sense? Or just cancel one ADR all together (likely Monday's breakfast) and not worry about it. GAH!

[MickeyNicki]

I think you should do Kona and Boma...Boma is a fantastic breakfast buffet and def worth visiting....but then again I have 2 Kona breakfasts booked and just one Boma for our trip

Boma is great for a day when you are going to AK or not doing a park at all. If you really want to get to MK early then you have to do Kona

[DancinDaisyDuck]

Originally Posted by MickeyNicki

I think you should do Kona and Boma...Boma is a fantastic breakfast buffet and def worth visiting....but then again I have 2 Kona breakfasts booked and just one Boma for our trip

Boma is great for a day when you are going to AK or not doing a park at all. If you really want to get to MK early then you have to do Kona

Thanks Nicki, I agree now that I've thought more about it. It makes so much more sense to do Kona on a MK day. I did end up switching to Boma for my departure day and I feel good about it!

[emmysmommy]

Originally Posted by DancinDaisyDuck

Thanks Nicki, I agree now that I've thought more about it. It makes so much more sense to do Kona on a MK day. I did end up switching to Boma for my departure day and I feel good about it!

Totally agree with Nicki! Good choice! Just for logistics I think it makes sense too.