Trip Report: Food & Wine and First Anniversary (Oct. 2011) - Page 4 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
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Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
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Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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This was a really great, really quick trip! We had a fantastic time. We did feel like we were cramming a lot into our days, but we didn’t feel overtired like we did in December. I am sad that we didn’t see Wishes at all, but this was an Epcot-based trip, and we have plenty of time to see Wishes in the future.
The Boardwalk
I really, really loved it here. The atmosphere is relaxing but bustling at the same time. Our studio villa was perfect, and it had an incredible view. We were really happy with the accommodations and the hotel itself. I didn’t like the limited the food options. The resort desperately needs an interior quick service location. The location is great. I loved having access to the International Gateway.
Epcot
I feel like Epcot needs a little love. We could see some deterioration, and it made me kind of sad. The Cast Members we encountered in Future World were, by and large, cranky and totally low energy. Even the woman selling pins was grumpy!
After building it up for over a year, the Food and Wine Festival didn’t quite live up to my personal expectations. The food wasn’t as good as I expected, and the prices were too high for the portions we were served. I also didn’t appreciate the drunks. I’m all about having fun, but some of these people were irresponsibly and disrespectfully drunk. Did not like.
My favorite was the one telling his buddy to stick his fingers down his throat so they could get back to drinking.
I do love these dudes:
We’ll do F&W again, I’m sure, but not right away. I’d like to do some of the special lunches/dinners next time too.
Magic Kingdom
This is our least favorite park, but we don’t have any complaints with our recent visit. The crowd levels were fairly low, and we experienced almost everything we wanted to during our short visit. I think we have the best experiences here when we go into it with low expectations.
I do wish there was more of this kind of thing:
Animal Kingdom
This is still my favorite park. Everywhere you turn, there’s something awesome to discover! There’s lots of merchandise everywhere, but it still feels very authentic. It doesn’t feel like they sucked all the magic out and replaced it with sales kiosks, you know what I mean?
As always, I took twice as many photos here as anywhere else. Here’s two that I didn’t use above:
Hollywood Studios
Overall, we had an excellent time here, especially during the first showing of Fantasmic! The park felt empty, and I love it that way! I was disappointed, though, that both Min and Bill’s and Catalina Eddie’s were closed due to “low park attendance.” That stinks. Especially because at least Eddie’s was open in September when I visited with Tracy and there was practically no one in the parks!
I’d love to spend some more time here with Robert, just wandering and taking it in. We really enjoyed the animation class, and we’ll surely do that again. Next time, I think we both want to spend some time with Walt in One Man’s Dream. I feel like we haven’t given that enough attention. Similarly, I’d like to experience Streets of America when it’s NOT covered in holiday lights at some point.
Transportation
No complaints about DME. The wait wasn’t terrible.
For the internal Disney buses, I wish they had less stops. I think I mentioned this before, but the Boardwalk bus stops at Swan and Dolphin, Yacht Club and Beach Club. It’s a lot of stops. Otherwise nothing to complain about.
Because we were based on Crescent Lake, we used the FriendShips quite a bit. They’re kind of slow, but it’s a nice way to get around. It sure beats walking after a long day in the parks!
I also got some beautiful shots aboard the ship:
Overall, it was a great trip, and I can’t wait for December, when we’ll get to try even more new things!! You can follow our pre-trip report as we get ready to go! I’m also planning a trip (for work) to San Francisco, and you can find that trip report on the globetrotting board!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
It was very scary!! On the one hand, it’s just a ring … on the other, eek!! I was really, really glad it turned up. I have a great system at home (I store it on a tree-shaped jewelry tree, which is right outside our bedroom door), so I just have to come up with a system for while we’re away. Maybe start packing a small jewelry box.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Frustrating experience with the airline check-in attempt - especially since it shorted you on your stay at DHS.
It was super scary! I was afraid we weren’t going to be able to get home. But, honestly, the airline check-in cast members were super kind. I don’t have a single complaint about them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by elbodans
thank you for saying that the F&WF did not live up to your expectations. you just saved me several hundred dollars!
Just because I didn’t LOVE it doesn’t mean you wouldn’t have a great time. Just sayin.
Thank goodness you found your ring in the end - I cannot begin to imagine how worried you must've been.
I will be honest here, when we were on our honeymoon, it was the Food and Wine Festival. We were newbies, didn't even know it was on, and we weren't impressed with the small portions and the big prices. However, when we next went in 2006, we loved it, as we knew exactly what to expect and had the right level of expectation.
I'm so glad you found your ring - that was no fun. And the hassle with the luggage I could do without! But everything else sounds fabulous! I'm glad the last day at HS was fun and you got home safe!
Loved reading this! So glad you found your ring! I'm glad overall it was a good trip for you - I really enjoyed your photos - you're a great photographer!
Great wrap up! Glad you had a great time! Thanks for sharing your TR!
Thank you!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Great wrap up! so much for sharing this short trip with us!
Thanks, Cam! I enjoyed writing it. : )
Quote:
Originally Posted by jennie622
Absolutely beautiful photos!!!
Thank you, Jennie!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Thank goodness you found your ring in the end - I cannot begin to imagine how worried you must've been.
It was very, very scary!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
I will be honest here, when we were on our honeymoon, it was the Food and Wine Festival. We were newbies, didn't even know it was on, and we weren't impressed with the small portions and the big prices. However, when we next went in 2006, we loved it, as we knew exactly what to expect and had the right level of expectation.
I think that’s totally fair! With our new, lower expectations, we’ll probably enjoy it more in the future!
Quote:
Originally Posted by truenancy
I'm so glad you found your ring - that was no fun. And the hassle with the luggage I could do without! But everything else sounds fabulous! I'm glad the last day at HS was fun and you got home safe!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
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Pixie Dust
so much for sharing this short trip with us! 
PassPorter Guide Author
But everything else sounds fabulous! I'm glad the last day at HS was fun and you got home safe!
Melanie
Thank goodness you found your ring! 
Thanks for taking us along for the ride! 
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