Merry, Magical, and Bright: Late Fall Adventures of Cam & Luke Updated 3/12 - Page 51 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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NEXT: We’re late! We’re late for a very important date!
At 1:39, I looked opened an e-mail from Disney and realized that we were missing our 1:30 beverage seminar. Immediately we began walking to the Festival Center, arriving about 20 – 25 minutes late. In spite of our tardiness, we were seated at a table in the very back. I’m not sure why we forgot, but thank goodness, I noticed the e-mail reminder. This seminar was done by Paul Hobbs Wines. They work to create harmonious and balanced wines in an integrated fashion. Our first beverage was a 2016 Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast region. This wine had been aged in stainless steel with some oak. The second glass was 2014 Pinot Noir also from the Sonoma Coast region. I’m not sure I always understand everything that I am being told at these seminars, but our presenter (whose name I never got) stated that this particular wine was 100% Pinot Noir. It turned out to be my favorite wine of the three we sampled. The final beverage was a 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valle region. Now I have a random note on this one that the DNA signature means where the wines are found. This one was 100% varietal. Overall, this seminar (at least what we saw of it) was very well done with a interesting presenter and the wines were very good, but it could not replace the Iron Horse seminar as our favorite.
By the time the seminar was over, Luke and I had recouped from our power walk, so Luke asked if he could ride Mission: Space Orange one more time. I let him know that I was going to the restrooms and that when I found a resting spot, I would send him text so he would know where to find me. When I returned to Mission: Space, I found an empty bench that was even shaded. I looked over Facebook, my e-mail, and jotted down notes. Then I had to use the restrooms again. I found my bench still available and took a seat. Shortly after my return, I was surprised by Lisa (lfredsbo) who joined me on my bench. Yeah! Scott was also riding Mission: Space. Luke finally was off first, telling us that he saw the pre-show twice and then they moved everyone to another area where they saw the pre-show for a third time. He felt the HD Mission to Mars was more intense. He loved it! When Scott got off, the four of us talked for quite a while before we had to go our separate ways. I’ve known Lisa for years here on the boards, and now it is wonderful to have met her in person.
After yet another restroom break, we opted for a Friendship Boat back to the World Showcase. We arrived in Morocco ready to sample a few more food booths and countries. The first country was Japan where we meandered through the shops. Then we made our way to Belgium for a little treat. I got a Belgian Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Cream while Luke went for a drink, Stella Artois Hard Cider. Both were delicious! Oddly, our longest queue for any food booth was here.
My need for sweet had not yet been sated, so we headed to Ireland. One item I have gotten every year at the Food & Wine Festival is the Warm Chocolate Pudding served here.
From Ireland we continued to Imagination where it was a bit weird that we had to wait. It was only about 10 minutes, but we usually just walk right on this one. When we finished checking out Figment and the labs, we were disappointed that the DVC lounge would be closing in one minute. Oh well, we simply moved on and enjoyed Nemo and Living with the Seas.
Glad to have you back here and just take it slow as you have a lot to deal with!
Good time in Epcot with Mission Space for Luke and you getting to meet up with Lisa and Scott. I know they are from my home state in CT. Some good eats and bevs in Epcot for the festival and I too love that chocolate pudding in Ireland and had it in 2016 for my first festival.
__________________
October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
The beverage seminar sounds so fun!! Better late than never!! Another delicious sounding day at Epcot as well!! We also found lines for the strangest booths!! Glad you got to meet up with Lisa again!!
I'm so glad that you checked your emails and made it to the beverage seminar, even if it was late! I had wanted to try that warm chocolate pudding in Ireland but every time we passed it, I was full from trying something else and said I'd get back to it (which I never did). It will be a must try next October if it's still there for sure!
I loved that warm chocolate pudding in Ireland our first time at F&WF. I just didn’t have room for it in November.
Glad you made it to the beverage seminar!
Glad you email reminder was there to get you to the seminar just a little late. It looked enjoyable.
So happy you got to meet Lisa and Scott. I love Lisa and hope to meet her in person some day soon!
The belgian waffle sounded really tasty.
Oh, my! I'm glad you didn't totally miss the seminar, and that you enjoyed what you got to see and hear. It sounds like you had a nice and delicious time in Epcot.
Thank goodness you made it to the beverage seminar ok - phew, close call! I can't believe you and Lisa had never met in person until this trip. Wow!
Thankfully, we made it in the nick of time for the seminar. Lisa and I have talked so much here on the boards and Facebook that it seems like we should have met in person before now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tara O'Hara
The beverage seminar sounds so fun!! Better late than never!! Another delicious sounding day at Epcot as well!! We also found lines for the strangest booths!! Glad you got to meet up with Lisa again!!
We did enjoy our food booth choices and the deliciousness will extend to dinner, too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave
Glad to have you back here and just take it slow as you have a lot to deal with!
Good time in Epcot with Mission Space for Luke and you getting to meet up with Lisa and Scott. I know they are from my home state in CT. Some good eats and bevs in Epcot for the festival and I too love that chocolate pudding in Ireland and had it in 2016 for my first festival.
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.
I'm so glad that you checked your emails and made it to the beverage seminar, even if it was late! I had wanted to try that warm chocolate pudding in Ireland but every time we passed it, I was full from trying something else and said I'd get back to it (which I never did). It will be a must try next October if it's still there for sure!
I'm so glad that that particular e-mail popped up or we'd have missed so tasty wines. I know I've gotten myself hungry for warm chocolate pudding.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Glad you made it to the beverage seminar! Great pictures from Epcot!
We were so happy they let us in after we were so late.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
I loved that warm chocolate pudding in Ireland our first time at F&WF. I just didn’t have room for it in November.
Glad you made it to the beverage seminar!
I was very glad that this day when we got to Ireland I was still able to eat the pudding.
Glad you email reminder was there to get you to the seminar just a little late. It looked enjoyable.
So happy you got to meet Lisa and Scott. I love Lisa and hope to meet her in person some day soon!
The belgian waffle sounded really tasty.
Thank goodness for little reminders! I've had the Belgian waffle almost every time we've visited the F&WF.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alaskan Mom
Good thing you checked your emails and could still attend the seminar. The chocolate on the waffle and in pudding sounds delish!
For me, chocolate makes everything better.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pris
Oh, my! I'm glad you didn't totally miss the seminar, and that you enjoyed what you got to see and hear. It sounds like you had a nice and delicious time in Epcot.
Me, too. I don't think we missed too much of his actual presentation, but I did enjoy what I heard and tasted.
Once we departed from Living with the Seas, it was time for us to check in at the Coral Reef for dinner. As we were walking I noticed how beautiful Spaceship Earth looked lit up in the dark.
Thankfully, Coral Reef was just a short walk away. We checked in and almost immediately were taking to our table one level up from the aquarium, but still with a good view of the tank.
Jose was our server, and as he introduced himself, he informed us that he had worked at Disney World for 35 years with 34 of those being at Coral Reef. I had been a wee bit apprehensive about eating here because I had not enjoyed my meal here over a decade ago. But after talking with Linda (lindawdw) and her DH Pete on our May trip, I had decided to give Coral Reef another try. I am so glad that we did because this turned out to be one of our best meals of this trip.
Because we had sampled a few more food booths before dinner, we were not at all hungry for appetizers. This meal would just be entrees. Luke saw shrimp and grits on the menu and immediately knew that was what he wanted. The Shrimp and Grits is sautéed shrimp with cheddar cheese grits along with local corn succotash and andouille sausage in a creole spice emulsion. He loved it! Finally, some food photos for this trip.
I love pork chop so I opted for the Grilled Pork Chop - Bone-In, Roasted Marble Potatoes, creamy Pimento Cheese, Braised Greens, Honey- Barbecue Vinaigrette. I’ve noticed on the Disney World website that this is not currently on the menu, so it might be seasonal. The pork chop was so tender and delicious with the light barbecue sauce. This meal got two thumbs up from both us, and we’ll definitely be return much more frequently.
Before leaving the restaurant, we used the restroom facilities and then strolled through this side of Future World as we had time before our final FastPass window. I failed to put it in my notes, so I haven’t mentioned it before in the updates, but after Frozen Ever After, we booked a FP for Illuminations. Eventually, we found ourselves outside Mouse Gear, and since it had become a windy and chilly night, Luke decided he was finally ready to purchase the 2018 hoodie he had been eyeing. I also picked up the Minnie Mouse Christmas Ears that I wanted to wear tomorrow night for the Christmas party. Luke asked the CM who was checking us out if she could cut the tags off as he wanted to put the hoodie on before heading back outside. Once she had the tag off his hoodie, she asked if I’d like to wear my ears, too, and when I said yes, she cut that tag off, too. She was a sweetheart. Wearing our new apparel, we exited at the door right next to the check out counter. We took about four steps and both stopped, looking around and then at each other. We were totally confused with no idea where in the park we were. It was so dark in that area that we had to allow our eyes to adjust before we could make out any landmarks. We don’t think we had ever come out that particular door, and that led to our disorientation.
Before heading to the World Showcase Plaza viewing area, we stopped off at the restrooms at the Light Lab. Then we made our way to the special viewing area where we sat for about 15 minutes. My poor bum went numb on the concrete. At the five minute mark before the fireworks began, we stood back up and I took a couple of bad photos to note our location by the lagoon. Then I was totally absorbed in my favorite nighttime show. We both enjoyed the FastPass viewing area for Illuminations, and we’re even hoping to get another one on our May trip.
Okay that is probably a bit more than a few photos. But I didn't keep the camera up constantly because I truly did want to absorb this show.
Once Illuminations had concluded, we trekked back to the bus stop, which was oh so far away. Overall, this park day was great even with a few glitches and especially after the feeling at bag check that we were in for a big crowd. I guess once we all got in the park and went off in a variety of directions the space gave us all room.
We arrived back at the room a wee bit after 10:00. Luke turned on Monday Night Football, and I got ready for bed. Lights were out around 10:30.
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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I’m not sure why we forgot, but thank goodness, I noticed the e-mail reminder. This seminar was done by Paul Hobbs Wines. They work to create harmonious and balanced wines in an integrated fashion. Our first beverage was a 2016 Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast region. This wine had been aged in stainless steel with some oak. The second glass was 2014 Pinot Noir also from the Sonoma Coast region. I’m not sure I always understand everything that I am being told at these seminars, but our presenter (whose name I never got) stated that this particular wine was 100% Pinot Noir. It turned out to be my favorite wine of the three we sampled. 
The final beverage was a 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valle region. Now I have a random note on this one that the DNA signature means where the wines are found. This one was 100% varietal. Overall, this seminar (at least what we saw of it) was very well done with a interesting presenter and the wines were very good, but it could not replace the Iron Horse seminar as our favorite. 
Oddly, our longest queue for any food booth was here.
Oh well, we simply moved on and enjoyed Nemo and Living with the Seas. 
I know they are from my home state in CT. Some good eats and bevs in Epcot for the festival and I too love that chocolate pudding in Ireland and had it in 2016 for my first festival.
PassPorter Guide Author
I can't believe you and Lisa had never met in person until this trip. Wow! 
Another delicious sounding day at Epcot as well!! We also found lines for the strangest booths!! 
Glad you got to meet up with Lisa again!!
Liz 
Alaskan Mom aka Bonnie
Lisa and I have talked so much here on the boards and Facebook that it seems like we should have met in person before now. 
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