It' MNSSHP day! Will update this quick trip report when I get home, but let's just say that this is an awesome time of year to be here! Great weather, low crowds, ahhhhh.
Well, except for the madness of Sat night at Food and Wine. 
Later - time to go exploring. Hope to meet Pirategirl tonight!
P.S. I took some pics, but they pale in comparison to you pros.
Have a Winderful time. Can't wait to read all about it. We have an ADR on a sat night in world showcase. Should we be worried?
No, you will be fine with an ADR. It is just really crowded around the booths and the American Garden Theater to see the concert. Have fun!
Have fun!
It is MNSSHP Day!!! Have a great time!!!
Have fun Doc! Thinking about you.
Have a great time at the party.
Yay! MNSSHP! Can't wait to hear about it.
Enjoy and can't wait to hear all about it once you return!
Looking forward to seeing those pics. 
Can't wait for the trip report DisneyDoc!
January 2020 Trip Report - Riviera Resort
June 2019 Trip Report - Caribbean Beach & Saratoga Springs
October 2018 Trip Report - Contemporary Resort
July 2018 - All Star Movies
April 2018 Trip Report - Art of Animation
Jan 2018 Trip Report - Port Orleans Riverside and Animal Kingdom Lodge
Nov 2017 Trip Report - Boardwalk Villas
Feb 2017 Trip Report - Port Orleans French Quarter
Apr 2016 Trip Report - Pop Century
Dec 2015 Trip Report - All Star Sports & Saratoga Springs
Sept 2014 Trip Report - Coronado Springs
Oct 2012 Trip Report - Caribbean Beach Resort
It was soooooooooooo much fun at the party! Work to catch up on...TR coming soon...... 
Looking forward to reading about your trip. Did you and Barb (Pirategirl) meet up?
Looking forward to reading about your trip. Did you and Barb (Pirategirl) meet up?
We did, for literally two minutes. Their BOG pager went off quicker than expected! It was great to see her...hope to meet again. 
Well, folks, it was an awesome whirlwind trip, and worth every single minute. I can see this becoming an annual thing for me " I will not be missing the MNSSHP again!
The trip began early Sat AM as I headed south down I-75. With only two quick stops, I rolled into the Fairfield Inn off of S. Apopka around 2 PM, unloaded, changed clothes, and drove right into the Disney bubble. What I like about this Fairfield is how close it is to Disney property " just one block past the turn toward the Downtown Disney resorts.
The crowds and weather were both just delightful compared to the summer months. I drove to the TTC, a place I usually want to avoid, and parked really close to the entrance.
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I walked up to the monorail with NO line, and by 3:20 I was sitting on the monorail headed for Epcot Center. I thought I would check out the Food & Wine Festival booths and set up.
It was really nice in Epcot, but as the dinner hour approached, so did the crowds. It got crazy crowded, and I abandoned the idea of getting anything to eat there " the lines were sooo long. I also sadly abandoned the idea of hearing Starship, as the line had formed a full two hours ahead of the first show. So instead I enjoyed a leisurely walk about the lagoon, and then checked out the Festival Center, where I ate a nice salad and some yogurt.
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| The information "hub" for F&W | 218.63 KB | |
| Entering the World Showcase - let the games begin! | 259.55 KB |
Yay! TR...love the pics
I just had to head over to the MK that first evening to pick up my party ticket before the big day Sunday, and see those decorations, and ride stuff " who cares that I just drove 7 hours! I rode People Mover, Haunted Mansion, Dumbo, Pirates, and more. The lines were walk on. Wow!
I overcame a fear and rode Splash Mountain for the first time in over 15 years. YEEEHAAAWWW. You guys would have loved the ride pic of my hands both up over my head and my mouth wide open - but I was too cheap to fork over the $ for it. 
Also took a pic of the Liberty Bell - the awesome CM that was distributing the wrist bands for MNSSHP told us lots of trivia while we were in line. One of the tidbits was that this is an exact replica of the real bell - made from a cast of the original. I had a delicious sweet potato from the Liberty Square market (love that place) and a nice salad later from Cosmic Rays (my first visit there - very cool, Jeff).
I stayed for Wishes " love, love " and closed the park down that evening. Cannot beat MK at night. I just kept wondering around, amazed at how relaxing it can be with no crowds.
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| Love the Liberty Square market! | 271.2 KB |
I love your pics! Looks like you had so much fun...I get so jealous of your alone trips.
Sunday - MNSSHP DAY!
Staying offsite might save a few $$ on hotel expenses, but it sure does encourage me to stop at DTD every time I pass it.
I thus began my Sunday with a nice quiet stroll around DTD, with the intention of doing a bit of retail damage in WoD. Sorry about the finger on the pic - new Iphone. Getting used to holding it!
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Sounds like an awesome trip so far!
You were all worried about your pics not being up to par. I think they are great!
Well not really...I am considering an abort of the TR after seeing Jeff and Joe's!
But thank you for the kind words. When you travel alone, you are also not in the pics!
Doc yours are great! Keep going!
Ok, MNSSHP day, cont....
After some shopping at DTD, I decided to park at TTC and start the park day at Epcot with some F&W action. I successfully visited three food booths, then checked out the Chase Lounge upstairs at the America pavilion.
Singapore - mahi mahi, jasmine rice, "singa" sauce - a major hit, loved it
Japan - tofu & veggies (a bit tough)
Barley & Hops - lobster tail - very tasty, but tiny and expensive! $7.50 for 3 bites! yikes!
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| Japan booth | 238.63 KB | |
| Japan menu | 203.64 KB | |
| Tofu & veggies from Japan | 241.96 KB | |
| Singapore Mahi Mahi - a shady pic, but a great dish! | 187.81 KB | |
| Barley & Hops menu | 192.99 KB | |
| tiny but tasty lobster tail | 196.47 KB | |
| Chase Lounge - windows overlook the American Gardens Pavillion | 169.06 KB | |
| Chase Lounge - smaller room with the drinks | 164.71 KB |
Great trip report so far! Glad you got to at least a bit of F&WF and can't wait to hear about your MNSSHP experience!
January 2020 Trip Report - Riviera Resort
June 2019 Trip Report - Caribbean Beach & Saratoga Springs
October 2018 Trip Report - Contemporary Resort
July 2018 - All Star Movies
April 2018 Trip Report - Art of Animation
Jan 2018 Trip Report - Port Orleans Riverside and Animal Kingdom Lodge
Nov 2017 Trip Report - Boardwalk Villas
Feb 2017 Trip Report - Port Orleans French Quarter
Apr 2016 Trip Report - Pop Century
Dec 2015 Trip Report - All Star Sports & Saratoga Springs
Sept 2014 Trip Report - Coronado Springs
Oct 2012 Trip Report - Caribbean Beach Resort
Oh my gosh - the food pics are making me so hungry. I wish I was doing F&W this year.
Then again maybe I just need some breakfast LOL...
