Sep 26-Oct 3: MNSSHP + Food & Wine + More: The PTR - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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We are getting ready for another WDW trip, so it's time to put the plans on paper.
The Cast:
Me, Sharon - 61, retired, enjoys all things Disney
DH, Lou - 69, also retired, says he likes Disney, but I suspect he is humoring me
We are DVC members. We live in Florida during the winter and Maine during the summer. We like dining at WDW, and Epcot is our favorite resort since it offers so many options for our favorite activity - eating. I enjoy photography, especially Disney photography. It's something I became interested in a few years ago, and is one of the reasons I keep booking Disney trips! Lou is happy to spend time lounging in the room, and I will often wander off on my own with the camera. Our trips are not as action-packed as most, but we always seem to enjoy ourselves.
We have never been to The Food & Wine Festival, so this was the year. Even though we have DVC points at WLV, I wanted to make sure we could stay at an Epcot resort, so I rented points for a 1 Bedroom Villa at the Boardwalk from a nice guy I found on the internet who could book at 11 months out.
I booked 5 whole nights because I was jealous of everyone's week long (or more) adventures, and wanted more than our usual 2 or 3 night stays.
We also had a trip planned for the Flower & Garden Festival in May. As some of you know, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February, 2014. Oops - this might put a wrinkle in our Disney plans. I cancelled the May trip, but was determined the September trip would still happen. All went well with my treatments, and the future looks bright. Our summer arrival in Maine was delayed until July, so I agreed we could stay in Maine through Christmas (one of us is partial to Maine, the other to Florida; hint - I'm not crazy about cold weather).
Whoops - I guess this means our annual December stay at the Wilderness Lodge is off, so I cancelled that DVC res.
Christmas at the Wilderness Lodge is the best ...
And, now we would have to fly back to Florida for the September trip. Is this confusing anyone yet? I offered to go solo, but Lou said he wanted to go as well. Since we were flying. I decided to add a couple more days and make it a Real WDW Fly-In vacation!!! Maybe we could even use DME???
That's how we ended up with a couple days at BLT. I had intended a solo trip to Orlando to attend MNSSHP, but now that needed to be tied into the BIG trip. Lou foiled my plans somewhat, since he decided it made more sense to fly a week early and check on our house in Florida. This means we'll still be doing the 2.5 hour drive to Orlando. Oh well, not a problem.
Is there a drive more boring than the Florida Turnpike?
That's the story about how we ended up with a week in the World, and why we are flying. Even though we live in Florida. Life doesn't always work out the way you think it will ... But I'm thankful to be planning trips to Disney, and a few hiccups along the way just make it more interesting.
Yay! It was such a shock and disappointment to have to cancel the spring trip, but this new and expanded October trip will make up for it and then some. Perfect to have a couple of days first at BLT to photograph MK, and then transfer to BWV for munching at the festival and photos of Epcot. Are you doing any of the special talks, demonstrations or meals for the festival?
I am so excited that you are starting this PTR and there will be a future TR because I so love looking at your photos. Your shots always make me smile. I am surprised that you two have never made the F&WF, now one of mine and Luke's favorite events. You've got a great location, too. We couldn't get anything near Epcot for our October trip, but one of these years we might have to do as you did.
Hooray! I'm so happy you've got this great trip planned and that you're doing well! Looking forward to your beautiful pics, of course, and hearing about the festival! I would love to visit someday!
__________________
Huge Disney Fan...Always Have Been...Always Will Be!
Disneyland 60th Anniversary Celebration TR here!
2013 WDW trip here!
2011 trip to Hawaii here!
I think a week long trip definitely makes up for the cancelled trip in May. So glad to hear you are doing well and I think this is a well deserved trip (especially since you have to stay in Maine in the cold weather until December )
Yay! It was such a shock and disappointment to have to cancel the spring trip, but this new and expanded October trip will make up for it and then some. Perfect to have a couple of days first at BLT to photograph MK, and then transfer to BWV for munching at the festival and photos of Epcot. Are you doing any of the special talks, demonstrations or meals for the festival?
Thank, Laurie. So far, I haven't found any of the culinary or beverage seminars to interest us on our dates. But just visiting the food booths will be an adventure. I will keep looking as other events open up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JKnott17
A few hiccups along the way, but I'm glad that your September trip is still going to work out. I think you are going to love the F&WF!
I imagine we will enjoy the F&WF - hard not like the idea of more food and wine.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Great start and I'm so glad you were able to keep the Food and Wine trip.
We might have been tempted to cancel, but having rented points took away some flexibility, which was good in this case.
Great start, and so glad that you're able to make this trip!
Thanks! I am always grateful that we can travel when we want. I'm feeling even more fortunate that we are able to do this trip.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
I am so excited that you are starting this PTR and there will be a future TR because I so love looking at your photos. Your shots always make me smile. I am surprised that you two have never made the F&WF, now one of mine and Luke's favorite events. You've got a great location, too. We couldn't get anything near Epcot for our October trip, but one of these years we might have to do as you did.
It is surprising we've not been before, but WDW trips have so often been tied to the kids' vacations. We actually bought BWI points for future years
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dlandmom2
Hooray! I'm so happy you've got this great trip planned and that you're doing well! Looking forward to your beautiful pics, of course, and hearing about the festival! I would love to visit someday!
Thanks! I hope you get a chance to visit F&WF some time. I imagine I will take a few photos.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcc0313
I think a week long trip definitely makes up for the cancelled trip in May. So glad to hear you are doing well and I think this is a well deserved trip (especially since you have to stay in Maine in the cold weather until December )
Looking forward to hearing your plans.
Thanks. Yes, staying in the Frozen Northeast will be a sacrifice, but I don't mind too much A week long trip to WDW is a first for us!
Pretty much - I will describe My FP+ Experience in an update later today, since it is fresh on my mind.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMadonna3
OMG!! Is this a REAL photo?? It looks like a drawing. How did you do it?! Can I use this for personal use?
This is just a shot of Wishes (or maybe the fireworks at MVMCP) from a few years ago. It's about a 10 second exposure, pretty much as is out of the camera. I use a tripod for fireworks, since I am not steady enough to hold by hand. Feel free to use it.
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A week long trip to WDW is a first for us!
Is this a REAL photo?? It looks like a drawing. How did you do it?! Can I use this for personal use?
Liz 
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