Hello, all. Returned to work after trip...yuck! Here are some notes from our short adventure:
In summary for the TLDR crowd: Short trip, no stressing about plans. Will not go again until as late as possible in the year Nov/Dec or in Jan/Feb/Mar. Ho-hum on the F&W offerings this year, although skipped many
3 Oct
- Flying in (Southwest) after full day at work, expecting to SSR 1-BR by 11pm-ish. Expecting sleep (few things stay open late at Disney Springs these days
, so will have to figure out dinner before we arrive...still pondering...maybe even before departing home.
- Uneventful flight into MCO on Southwest. Rented last-minute car rental from off-property Ace Rental Cars. Took this option as it was $22/night x 3 for round trip rental instead of the $67 (and higher) one-way rentals for a single night. Getting to the facility was a 10 min wait for the shuttle and a 5-10 minute drive to the facility. Once there it was in and out in 5 min. This was, overall, probably faster than the line at the airport for the on-property rental companies.
- Once in the car, took the regular, non-toll roads. Stopped at Taco Bell on the way, knowing we would be too late arriving at WDW to find anything open. Got the 10 pack soft tacos for about $22...lasted all trip as quick eats and late night snacks. Uneventful drive to Saratoga Springs.
- Checking in at SSR was no issue. However, parked on the wrong side of the building, lugging our stuff over to door @ 1215-ish AM. Magic band did not open the door, key card did not open the door. Lugged stuff back to the car, drove back to Check-in. Front desk checked keys and bands and said everything was in order for room 4530. Ahh, that explained it, I said...you wrote 4503 on my paperwork. Much embarrassed Cast Member provided some small gifts (a few water bottles, snacks, and luggage tags). Back to the correct room (parking on the correct side of the building this time) and into the unit by 1245. Asleep at 2 AM after drinks that we had brought with us in our luggage.
4 Oct
- Transition to Boardwalk 1-BR (waitlist matched yesterday)
- F&W Festival. We have been many times over the years and still enjoy it--harder to enjoy on weekends when it is super packed.
- Leisurely wake up on Fri AM, objective F&W before the weekend rush. Drove over to Boardwalk to check-in around 11 AM. Room not ready, so left stuff in car and walked in to EPCOT. Forgot we still had to make the @#$! reservation, so were delayed at the gate.
- After entry, went counter-clockwise into France. Passed on the kiosk. Passed on Belgium. Stopped in Morocco for "breakfast" Had the pistachio pastry (really good and filling), fig sparkling drink, and another that I can't remember. Sat in the back of the Morocco pavilion to eat and watched a squirrel climb up and down a wall-hung carpet to the linen threads strung up over the ally way. He was chomping large chunks off and running down the wall and back to wherever his nest was, then returning for more. Entertaining to watch his dedication. From there continued to Greece (pass) and Japan (pass). Stopped in Japan to view the inside of the new sushi restaurant upstairs next to the Teppanyaki. It is really cool, with great views and nice decoration...will come back there someday. Stopped in USA for the show, with an advance performance by the Freedom Singers (amazing). The show was as it always is, and brings back memories of childhood. Continued to Italy, it is now starting to get really hot. Passed on the kiosk and went into the Wine Celler and order off the menu for lunch (calamari and a focaccia bread sandwich, both good). Continued to Germany, and although I love German beer and food, we pass on all of it (long lines, just ate, and really hot). Ended up going all the way to Mexico without doing anything else and ducked into the pyramid to ride the boat to get out of the heat...now at 88 feels like 100. The longest line in the park was inside at the tequila bar. Rode the boat (I love Donald, but they really need to update that one!). From there turned right into the Magic Gears store and then around 3:30 called it quits for the day and tromped back to Boardwalk for showers and naps. Conclusion = for future F&W visits I will be waiting until mid-November, the heat is just not enjoyable and early Oct still feels like Sep, which feels like August.
5 Oct
- Continuing stay at Boardwalk (another waitlist match from last week)
- Up early, but back to bed not feeling well. Finally up and moving after noon. Bus to Animal Kingdom. Walked to Asia and decided to stop for late lunch at Yak & Yeti. Sat at the bar (no wait) and ordered the lettuce wraps (always a good choice) and a few drinks. From there into various shops for gift shopping. Back to Boardwalk around 5:30pm. After twilight decided to head to Disney Springs, arriving around 7:30. Some shops and then to Raglin Road for dinner in the hall with the band and dancers. This is always on my list when we visit. The food and cocktails were top notch and the band and dancers were above average (we've seen better and worse for these shows). The key is getting a good seat in the rotunda area and not back in the outer wings. Stayed till near closing, then over to Ghirardelli for ice cream sundae. Back to room.
6 Oct
- Depart and fly home in the afternoon
- Slept in due to raining all morning and most of the day. Check out at 1100, then to Disney Springs for shopping we didn't do the night before. Hit the art gallery and several shops, but no purchases (this time, thank goodness!).
- Arrived airport early around 2pm after returning the off property car, which was easy and quick 10 min shuttle. Got on standby for first non-stop flight home, as original flight was 8pm with a connection, not arriving home until after midnight. Bags made it on this first standby, but we didn't. Two more attempts and we (barely) made it on 7:55, but a non-stop so home by 10pm. Original booking was delayed both departing and at connection so wouldn't have made it home until 2 AM.
, so will have to figure out dinner before we arrive...still pondering...maybe even before departing home.
