Pre-Trip Report: WDW & DCL (Fantasy) WITHOUT the kids! October 16-29, 2012

[TXTaylors5]

So glad to see that Disney has released more information on the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. This is mecca for a foodie like me. I can't wait! As mentioned, the booth menus has been announced. In case y'all are interested, here are the food kiosks in World Showcase for the 2012 Epcot Food & Wine Festival . . .


ARGENTINA


Culinary Offerings:

• Beef Empanada*
• Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Purée

Beverage Selections:

• Terrazas Reserva Chardonnay
• Terrazas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
• Terrazas Reserva Torrontes
• Terrazas Reserva Malbec

AUSTRALIA


Culinary Offerings:

• Shrimp on the Barbie with Pepper Berry Citrus Glaze
• Grilled Lamb Chop with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies
• Lamington

Beverage Selections:

• Rosemount Estate Traminer Riesling
• Rosemount Estate Chardonnay Semillon
• Rosemount Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Shiraz
• Rosemount Estate Shiraz Cabernet

BELGIUM


Culinary Offerings:

• Steamed Mussels in Hoegaarden Beer Broth and Baguette
• Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream
• Guylian Belgian Chocolate Seashell Truffles

Beverage Selections:

• Hoegaarden
• Stella Artois*
• Leffe Blonde
• Leffe Brune
• Godiva Chocolate Liqueur Iced Coffee

BREWER'S COLLECTION


Beverage Selections:

• Radeberger Pilsner
• Altenmünster Oktoberfest
• Altenmünster Dunkel
• Hövels
• Schöfferhofer Weizen
• Schöfferhofer Grapefruit
• Berliner Kindl Dark
• Sion Kölsch

CANADA


Culinary Offerings:

• Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup*
• Chicken Chipotle Sausage with Sweet Corn Polenta and "Minus 8" Onion Jam
• "Le Cellier" Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce

Beverage Selections:

• Neige Première Apple Ice Wine
• Neige Bubble
• Mission Hill Family Estate Syrah
• Moosehead Beer

CARIBBEAN


Culinary Offerings:

• Ropa Vieja with Cilantro Rice
• Jerk Spiced Chicken Drumstick with Mango Chutney

Beverage Selections:

• Bacardi® Frozen Dragon Berry Colada
• Bacardi® Torched Cherry Frozen Cherry Limeade*

CHEESE


Culinary Offerings:

• Cheese Fondue with Sourdough Bread
• Trio of Artisan Cheeses: Beecher's Flagship Reserve Cheddar, La Bonne Vie Goat Brie and Rogue River Creamery Echo Mountain Blue Cheese*

Beverage Selections:

• Sterling Vintner's Collection Sauvignon Blanc
• Sterling Vintner's Collection Riesling*
• Sterling Vintner's Collection Pinot Noir
• Sterling Vintner's Collection Meritage

CHINA


Culinary Offerings:

• Mongolian Beef with Chinese Steamed Bun*
• Pork Pot Stickers*
• Chicken Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce and Pickled Vegetables
• Mango Tapioca Pudding

Beverage Selections:

• Tsing Tao Beer*
• Francis Ford Coppola Su Yuen Riesling
• Francis Ford Coppola Su Yuen Syrah
• Happy Lychee with Vodka
• Sunny Guava with Coconut Rum*

CRAFT BEER


Beverage Selections:

• Widmer Rotator IPA: Spiced IPA, Portland, OR
• Red Hook Pilsner, Portsmouth, NH
• Blue Moon Seasonal, Golden, CO
• Leinenkugel Berry Weiss, Chippewa Falls, WI
• Florida Beer Company's Devil's Triangle, Florida
• Abita Purple Haze, Lousianna
• Full Sail IPA, Oregon
• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Nevada

DESSERTS & CHAMPAGNE


Culinary Offerings:

• Yogurt Panna Cotta with Orange Cake, Raspberries and Pomegranate
• Lemon Custard Verrine with Blueberry Compote
• Dark Chocolate Mousse with Chili and Salted Caramel*

Beverage Selections:

• Nesquick Frozen Chocolate Foam*
• Nesquick Frozen Strawberry Foam
• Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial
• Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial
• Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial
• Moët & Chandon Impérial

FIFE & DRUM


Beverage Selections:

• Red Stag Lemonade by Jim Beam®
• Red Stag Honey Tea Lemonade by Jim Beam®

FLORIDA LOCAL – NEW!


Culinary Offerings:

• White Corn Arepa with Mangalitsa Pork Rilette and Zellwood Sweet Corn Salad
• Florida Shrimp Ceviche with Fire Roasted Vegetables, Fried Plantains and Cilantro

Beverage Selections:

• Florida Beer Company Florida Lager
• Florida Beer Company Key West Southernmost Wheat
• Florida Orange Grove Key Limen
• Florida Orange Grove Hurricane Class 5, Florida White Sangria

FRANCE


Culinary Offerings:

• Escargots Persillade en Brioche
• Coq au Vin sur Gratin de Macaroni
• Créme Brûlée au Chocolat au Lait

Beverage Selections:

• Chardonnay, Bouchard Aîné & Fils
• Merlot, Château de Mercade Bordeaux
• Sparkling Pomegranate Kir
• Eiffel Sour Cosmo Slush

GERMANY


Culinary Offerings:

• Schinken Nudel (Pasta Gratin with Ham and Cheese)
• Roast Bratwurst in a Pretzel Roll*
• Apple Strudel with Karamel-Vanilla Sauce*

Beverage Selections:

• Selbach-Oster Estate Spätlese
• JH Selbach Riesling Classic*
• JH Selbach Riesling QbA Red Label*
• Niersteiner Spiegelberg Dornfelder
• Radeberger Pilsner
• Altenmünster Dunke

GREECE


Culinary Offerings:

• Greek Salad with Pita Bread*
• Griddled Greek Cheese with Pistachios and Honey*
• Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki
• Spanakopita
• Dannon® Oikos® Greek Yogurt Cups

Beverage Selections:

• Domaine Skouras Moscofilero
• Domaine Skouras St. George
• Sigalas Assytiko
• Alpha Axia Syrah

HAWAI'I


Culinary Offerings:

• Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise*
• Tuna Poke with Seaweed Salad and Lotus Root Chips

Beverage Selections:

• Seven Tiki® Mai Tai*
• Heitz Cellar Chardonnay
• Kona Brewing Company Big Wave Golden Ale
• Kona Brewing Company Pipeline Porter

HOPS & BARLEY


Culinary Offerings:

• Linda Bean's® Lobster Claw Cuddler® Chilled with Herb Mayonnaise
• Linda Bean's® Perfect Maine Lobster Roll®*
• Linda Bean's® Maine Home Style Clam Chowder*
• Pumpkin Mousse with Craisins and Orange Sauce*

Beverage Selections:

• Samuel Adams Boston Lager®
• Samuel Adams® Seasonal*
• Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat®
• 17th Anniversary Festival Beer– Samuel Adams® Chocolate Bock
• Samuel Adams Light®
• Samuel Adams® Cream Stout
• Samuel Adams® Latitude 48 IPA
• Angry Orchard Cider

IRELAND


Culinary Offerings:

• Lobster and Seafood Fisherman's Pie
• Kerrygold® Cheese Selection: Aged-Irish Cheddar, Dubliner and Cashel Blue with Apple Chutney and Brown Bread
• Warm Chocolate Lava Cake with Bailey's Ganache*

Beverage Selections:

• Guinness*
• Bunratty Mead Honey Wine
• Bunratty Potcheene Chilled Irish Coffee

ITALY


Culinary Offerings:

• Ravioli di Formaggio All'emiliana (Baked Cheese Ravioli, Creamy Beef Bolognese, Parmesan, Mozzarella)*
• Salsiccia e "Papacelli" Napoletani (Sweet Sausage, Red Pepper, Ciaibatta Bread)*
• Cannoli al Cioccolato (Chocolate-Covered Cannoli filled with Ricotta, Chocolate, Candied Fruit)*

Beverage Selections:

• Moretti Beer
• Prosecco Zardetto*
• Pinot Grigio Mezzacorona*
• Chianti Castello di Quercetto
• Italian Margherita*

JAPAN


Culinary Offerings:

• Spicy Hand Roll (Tuna & Salmon with Chili Pepper, Soy Sauce & Sesame Oil Topped with Kazan Volcano Sauce)
• Karaage Hand Roll (Crispy Chicken Breast with Sushi Rice and Spicy Mayonnaise)*
• California Roll (Avocado, Cucumber, Crab, Mayonnaise, Smelt Roe Rolled in Sushi Rice and Seaweed)
• Sukiyaki Beef Pan (Marinated Thinly Sliced Rib Eye with Sauteed Onions and Teriyaki Sauce Served in a Bun)

Beverage Selections:

• Kirin Ichiban Draft Beer*
• Sake-Kikusui Super Dry, Junmai
• Sake-Bishounen Junmai Ginjo
• Sake Strawberry Mist

MEXICO


Culinary Offerings:

• Crispy Shrimp Taco with Chipotle Lime Mayo and Cabbage Served on a Flour Tortilla*
• Taco de Filete with Cascabel Pepper Sauce and Scallions Served on a Flour Tortilla*
• Natilla de Cajeta (Caramel Custard Served with Sauce)

Beverage Selections:

• Dos Equis Beer
• L.A. Cetto Chardonnay
• L.A. Cetto Petite Sirah
• Lime Strawberry Margarita On the Rocks*
• Tequila Flight: Tequila Blanco, Reposado and Anejo

MOROCCO


Culinary Offerings:

• Kefta Pocket (Ground Seasoned Beef in a Pita Pocket)*
• Merguez Sausage (Beef and Lamb Sausage with Grilled Peppers and Onions)
• Baklava

Beverage Selections:

• Casa Beer
• Amazigh Red
• Sangria
• Mimosa Royale*

NEW ZEALAND


Culinary Offerings:

• Seared Sea Scallop with Kumara Red Curry Puree and Apple Radish Salad*
• Lamb Meatball with Spicy Tomato Chutney

Beverage Selections:

• Kim Crawford Pinot Grigio*
• Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc
• Kim Crawford Un-Oaked Chardonnay
• Kim Crawford Pinot Noir

POLAND


Culinary Offerings:

• Kielbasa & Potato Pierogie with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream*
• Zapiekanki-Toasted Mushroom, Caramelized Onion and Cheese Bread with House Made Ketchup*

Beverage Selections:

• Chandon Carneros Chardonnay
• Tyskie
• Belvedere® Frozen Lemon Apple "Tea"*

SCANDINAVIA


Culinary Offerings:

• Taste of Scandinavia: Cured Salmon, Herring and Shrimp Salad
• Swedish Meatballs with Lingonberries*
• Rice Pudding with Driscoll's® Only The Finest Berries™*

Beverage Selections:

• Iron Horse Fairytale Cuvee
• Xanté
• Xanté Sunshine*

SINGAPORE


Culinary Offerings:

• Beef Rendang with Jasmine Rice*
• Seared Mahi Mahi with Jasmine Rice and "Singa" Sauce

Beverage Selections:

• Tiger Beer
• Marqués de Cáceres Satinela
• Singapore Sling

SOUTH AFRICA


Culinary Offerings:

• Seared Filet of Beef with Smashed Sweet Potatoes and Braai Sauce*
• Spinach and Paneer Cheese Pocket*

Beverage Selections:

• Fairview Sauvignon Blanc
• Fairview Pinotage*

SOUTH KOREA


Culinary Offerings:

• Lettuce Wrap with Roast Pork and Kimchi Slaw*
• Mung Bean Pancake with Shrimp and Kimchi Sauce

Beverage Selections:

• Bohae Black Raspberry Wine-Bokbunjajoo*
• Chung Ha Soju Fruit Slushy
• Chung Ha Soju

TERRA – NEW!


Culinary Offerings:

• Trick'n Chick'n Curry with Basmati Rice featuring Gardein Chick'n Breast
• Chili Colorado with House Made Chips & Cashew Cheese, featuring Gardein Beefless Tips*
• Chocolate Cake with Passion Fruit Sorbet and Coconut Foam*

Beverage Selections:

• Paul Dolan Sauvignon Blanc*
• Paul Dolan Pinot Nior
• Silk® Berry Smoothie

* On our "To Eat/Drink" list.
(The above is from the Disney Parks site. Link HERE.)

[TXTaylors5]

After drooling over the F&W menu, I may need to rethink our Epcot ADRs . . .

[TXTaylors5]

We plan to attend a Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party while at WDW in October.
But, I'm on the fence on which date to attend.
(This is why my WDW itinerary isn't posted/finalized.)

Here are our choices:
October 16, 2012 (Tuesday)
October 18, 2012 (Thursday)
October 28, 2012 (Sunday)

They're ALL the same price. So, price isn't a factor.

Any suggestions?!?!

I am not one to wing it and buy the tickets while at WDW. We have so much I want to see and do while there without the kids. I don't want to chance a party being sold out and not being able to attend. So, I plan to pre-purchase the tickets.

[TXTaylors5]

I don't think I mentioned, this was supposed to be my 40th birthday trip. It is a few months late. (my birthday was in July) So, we could cruise with some friends. BUT . . . my husband surprised me and took me to Vegas for my actual birthday. So, now this is just a "vacation".

Don't get me wrong, I had a blast in Vegas!!!

[TXTaylors5]

I was browsing through some pictures from our DCL (Magic) Eastern itinerary from a few years ago . . .

I can't wait to get back here . . .

and here . . .

and here . . .

and do some boating and shopping here . . .

and see this beautiful view . . .

ST THOMAS

And I can't wait to eat this . . .

and this . . .


And end a fun-filled day at sea with a view like this . . .

[disneyrunrchick]

I would maybe look at your ADRs when deciding which party to do. Is there an early dinner around MK? Maybe Chef Mickey's or Ohanas? We had like a 6:00 at Park Fare before heading to MNSSHP last year and it worked out perfect.

[TXTaylors5]

Walt Disney World Itinerary
(tentative)

Tuesday - October 16, 2012
Depart: Dallas (Love Field)
Arrive: Orlando (MCO - Walt Disney World)
Lodging: Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village

Park: Epcot
Event: Food & Wine (L)
ADR: Via Napoli (D)

Wednesday- October 17, 2012
(AM)
Park: Magic Kingdom
ADR: Plaza Restaurant (L)

(PM)
Park: Epcot
ADR: Nine Dragons (D)

Thursday - October 18, 2012
(AM)
Park: Disney's Hollywood Studios
ADR: Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater (L)
ADR: Hollywood Brown Derby (D) (tentative)
or
(PM)
Park: Magic Kingdom
Event: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (tentative)

Friday - October 19, 2012
(AM)
Park: Disney's Animal Kingdom

(PM)
Dinner with my Dad. (He has a winter home in FL.)

Saturday - October 20, 2012
Depart: WDW
Arrive: Port Canaveral - Embark Disney Fantasy

Seven days of "fun in the sun" in the Caribbean.

Saturday - October 27, 2012
Depart: Port Canaveral
Arrive: WDW
Lodging: Boardwalk Villas

Park: Epcot
ADR: Les Chefs de France (L)
Event: Food & Wine (D)
(Eat/Drink Around the World with friends!!!)

Sunday - October 28, 2012
(AM)
Downtown Disney
Counterservice: Earl of Sandwich (L)

(PM)
Park: Disney's Hollywood Studios (tentative)
or
Park: Magic Kingdom
Event: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (tentative)

Monday - October 29, 2012
Park: Epcot
Event: Food & Wine (L)

Depart: Orlando (MCO)
Arrive: Dallas (Love Field)

(L) = Lunch
(D) = Dinner

[TXTaylors5]

I got all excited for a moment when I saw on another board that Disney had opened up dining reservations for the new Be Our Guest Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom. No such luck! Still not taking reservations. Probably, late August has been the word "on the street". Then again, it probably won't be open during our trip anyways. Everything I have read says they want to be open for the "holidays" (probably Thanksgiving).

We pushed our annual WDW Thanksgiving trip to May 2013 for Flower & Garden and the first weekend of Star Wars Weekends. I have Be Our Guest Restaurant (dinner) tentatively on that itinerary.

[TXTaylors5]

Also, while we are at WDW, Test Track will still be down. A little bummed about that. It is a good thing we are NOT taking the kids on this trip. Test Track is our daughters FAVORITE ride at WDW. I can imagine that Soarin' is going to be crazier than normal. While at Epcot, we have to ride Soarin' though. I love that attraction!!! I guess I need to find out what else will be closed while at WDW . . .

Walt Disney World Operational Update (October 2012):

Magic Kingdom
Country Bear Jamboree
Closed For Refurbishment (Wednesday, August 22 - Tuesday, October 16)

Pirates of the Caribbean
Closed For Refurbishment (Tuesday, October 09 - Tuesday, October 09)

Epcot
Test Track
Closed For Refurbishment (Monday, April 16 - Friday, November 30)

[trickster]

It all looks good and I am very jealous as I have to wait until next year to get back!

Seems you have everything well planned - which all looks great too!

[Sare]

I heard a rumour that test track may be open by end October!

[TXTaylors5]

It all looks good and I am very jealous as I have to wait until next year to get back!

Seems you have everything well planned - which all looks great too!

I don't want to wish time away. But, the "brat" in me can't wait for this trip!!!

Still some tentative plans. The biggest is which (if any) Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party to attend???

We've gone to the party twice with the kids and once without the kids. Had a blast!!! After I see the headless horseman, I am actually fine with riding the attractions with short lines than sitting through the parade for a 4th time. Even though we'll be gone for two weeks (one week total @WDW), I only have one morning and one evening (MNSSHP) planned for the Magic Kingdom. On paper, it doesn't sound like very much. But, the Fantasyland expansion won't be open when we go. Maybe, for two adults, that will be enough. What do y'all think???

[Sare]

I will be at WDW for a week in October and I have a full day and a half planned for MK plus a MNSSH evening. We are two adults travelling as well so I had the same thought as you re: the fantasy land expansion. I do have a day and a half in my itinerary that is going to remain unplanned aside from the ADR's so we can go back and do whatever park we want or DTD/resorts on a whim.

[TXTaylors5]

I would maybe look at your ADRs when deciding which party to do. Is there an early dinner around MK? Maybe Chef Mickey's or Ohanas? We had like a 6:00 at Park Fare before heading to MNSSHP last year and it worked out perfect.

I'll be 100% honest, I am not a buffet person. It is wasted on me because I usually only make one trip. But, I do make an exception for the breakfast buffets at Chef Mickey's and Tusker House for the kids. Since this is a kids-free trip, we aren't doing any character meals.

I know eating a good meal before attending a party at the Magic Kingdom is always recommended due to the lack of choices. I like to eat before we attend a party too. But for me, it's so I'm not wasting precious party time in a counterservice line. Those lines can get longgggggg!!!

I found the below information on dining options while at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party . . .

Counter Service Dining Locations Open During Party:

• Casey's Corner
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe (open until 11:00 pm)
• Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe

Snacks will also be available at Main Street Sweets, Aloha Isle, Golden Oak Outpost, Westward Ho, Frontierland Turkey Leg, Sleepy Hollow, Pizza Cart, Storybook Treats, The Lunching Pad.

(Above information from wdwinfo.com)

With all this information, I'm still up-in-the air on what we're doing. LOL!!!

[Sare]

DBF and I are having an early ADR at Liberty Tree Tav at 4:30 on the day we are going to the MNSSH. Our thinking was that we will have a nice sit down early, so we have time to go back to the hotel, freshen up, costume change and back to the park for 6:45. While at the party we figured we would snack on trick or treat candy or grab something fun on mainstreat like a halloween cupcake.