Stop Throwing Tissues on Me! – September 2023 Food and Wine Fest Trip Report! (Updated 2/12!)

[2xcited2sleep]

Totally with you on Skipper Canteen being the best restaurant in MK. Glad you both enjoyed!

 

[VAtink]

Four lamb chops is a lot of meat. At least she got her money's worth.

It was a lot of food, we were really surprised when it was brought out how much was on the plate! Good thing my mom loves lamb, so she was happy!

 

[VAtink]

Totally with you on Skipper Canteen being the best restaurant in MK. Glad you both enjoyed!

Yeah, I do wish that MK had some other great restaurants, but I'm glad they at least have Skipper Canteen! I do remember a loooong time ago, like in the 90s, the restaurant in the castle was really really good, but the last time we ate there we weren't impressed.

 

[VAtink]

RL update time! Our trip is in a week!!! I'm so excited, yet also a bit in a panic since I'm so far behind on everything that needs to get done before we leave. Also a bit concerned that right now it looks like an ice storm is hitting my parents area the night before/day they fly down, so that's not great. Plus my area is supposed to get rain the morning I fly down, and even though it's just rain, with my flight delay history I'm a tad concerned! We may end up heading down a day early if the weather doesn't improve, which on one hand YAY, but on the other that's one less day to get everything done! EEK!

Speaking of the weather, I saw this today and had to laugh, apparently the weather is aware of our plans...


So these are the days we're staying in the two bedroom suite at AKL, so we have planned our days to spend either the morning or evening at the hotel to sit out watching the animals and enjoying the suite, and the other half of the day will be at the parks. Well, of course the days with the PM showers are the days we're in the parks in the PM, and the AM shower day is the day we're in the park for the morning. Good thing we're still a ways out so this will probably (hopefully) change!

I am sooooo excited for this trip, I haven't been down there in December since I believe 2004, so it's been almost 20 years! I can't wait to see all the decorations, check out Festival of the Holidays, go to the Christmas party, and I guess Jollywood (sounds like it's gotten better?).

This will also be our first time staying club level. We were supposed to stay club level back in 2020, but that obviously didn't happen. So we're going all out this trip and checking out three club levels! We'll be at the Boardwalk, AKL, and Beach Club! I assume it'll be a bit chaotic with all the room changing, but we're planning a ton of down time this trip since my dad will be with us.

Ok, enough updates for now, I need to finish decorating and start packing!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

RL update time! Our trip is in a week!!! I'm so excited, yet also a bit in a panic since I'm so far behind on everything that needs to get done before we leave. Also a bit concerned that right now it looks like an ice storm is hitting my parents area the night before/day they fly down, so that's not great. Plus my area is supposed to get rain the morning I fly down, and even though it's just rain, with my flight delay history I'm a tad concerned! We may end up heading down a day early if the weather doesn't improve, which on one hand YAY, but on the other that's one less day to get everything done! EEK!

Speaking of the weather, I saw this today and had to laugh, apparently the weather is aware of our plans...
View attachment 813534

So these are the days we're staying in the two bedroom suite at AKL, so we have planned our days to spend either the morning or evening at the hotel to sit out watching the animals and enjoying the suite, and the other half of the day will be at the parks. Well, of course the days with the PM showers are the days we're in the parks in the PM, and the AM shower day is the day we're in the park for the morning. Good thing we're still a ways out so this will probably (hopefully) change!

I am sooooo excited for this trip, I haven't been down there in December since I believe 2004, so it's been almost 20 years! I can't wait to see all the decorations, check out Festival of the Holidays, go to the Christmas party, and I guess Jollywood (sounds like it's gotten better?).

This will also be our first time staying club level. We were supposed to stay club level back in 2020, but that obviously didn't happen. So we're going all out this trip and checking out three club levels! We'll be at the Boardwalk, AKL, and Beach Club! I assume it'll be a bit chaotic with all the room changing, but we're planning a ton of down time this trip since my dad will be with us.

Ok, enough updates for now, I need to finish decorating and start packing!

Ugh on weather. But you're right that it will probably change and also a rainy day at Disney beats any day at work! And, hey, if you're "stuck" indoors on club level at AKL ... that is not a bad thing!!! I would say do not worry about Jollywood. I went the second night and was very pleasantly surprised. I'd recommend going in with a game plan in terms of your priorities (shows, the 'clubs', food, characters/photo opps, rides) as you can't do it all, but we had a fun time and think they've worked out the kinks. Hope you have a great trip!!!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Our trip is in a week!!! I'm so excited, yet also a bit in a panic since I'm so far behind on everything that needs to get done before we leave. Also a bit concerned that right now it looks like an ice storm is hitting my parents area the night before/day they fly down, so that's not great.

I think your arrival day is our departure day. We're staying at BC Nov 28th - Dec 2nd.

It is really too early for accurate weather forecasts. That being said, I hope they don't experience freezing rain. That is the worst! I hope we don't experience bad weather, either. One time our flight home was cancelled due to a winter storm that never happened. We got two extra WDW days, which was fun.

So these are the days we're staying in the two bedroom suite at AKL, so we have planned our days to spend either the morning or evening at the hotel to sit out watching the animals and enjoying the suite, and the other half of the day will be at the parks.

I love two-bedroom villas. They are so very roomy and convenient.

I am sooooo excited for this trip, I haven't been down there in December since I believe 2004, so it's been almost 20 years! I can't wait to see all the decorations, check out Festival of the Holidays, go to the Christmas party, and I guess Jollywood (sounds like it's gotten better?).

This will be the first time in WDW for Christmas for my sister. She is very excited to see everything, and we are excited about showing them to her. And with my sister along, I might finally be able to see the Storytellers that my husband doesn't have any interest in seeing.

but we're planning a ton of down time this trip since my dad will be with us.

My husband needs a lot of down time, too. He is happiest when he gets his rest. And sometimes I have to force him to take those naps. Otherwise, he is a grump.

 

[VAtink]

Ugh on weather. But you're right that it will probably change and also a rainy day at Disney beats any day at work! And, hey, if you're "stuck" indoors on club level at AKL ... that is not a bad thing!!! I would say do not worry about Jollywood. I went the second night and was very pleasantly surprised. I'd recommend going in with a game plan in terms of your priorities (shows, the 'clubs', food, characters/photo opps, rides) as you can't do it all, but we had a fun time and think they've worked out the kinks. Hope you have a great trip!!!!

Yeah, I check the weather every day, and every day it changes, so just keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't impact our travel days, and it's mostly dry for our trip! At least with the rain the parks should be less crowded, and it looks like a warm rain, which after a few days in the 40s here I'd take warm rain over these temps!

Good to know about Jollywood, we've already discussed our must dos for the night, so hopefully we can get at least that stuff done!

And thank you!

 

[VAtink]

I think your arrival day is our departure day. We're staying at BC Nov 28th - Dec 2nd.

Yup, we arrive on the 2nd.

It is really too early for accurate weather forecasts. That being said, I hope they don't experience freezing rain. That is the worst! I hope we don't experience bad weather, either. One time our flight home was cancelled due to a winter storm that never happened. We got two extra WDW days, which was fun.

Yeah, it changes every time I look. I'm most concerned about the weather on our travel day, I just want to get down there! Having two extra days in Disney would be a nice surprise!

I love two-bedroom villas. They are so very roomy and convenient.

I'm exciting, we're actually staying in the suite on the hotel side, it'll be wild having so much room. We're planning on spending a lot of time in the room/out on the balcony to watch the animals.

This will be the first time in WDW for Christmas for my sister. She is very excited to see everything, and we are excited about showing them to her. And with my sister along, I might finally be able to see the Storytellers that my husband doesn't have any interest in seeing.

That's awesome! I really want to see the Storytellers as well, I don't think we'll have time to see them all, but we want to see at least of few of them.

My husband needs a lot of down time, too. He is happiest when he gets his rest. And sometimes I have to force him to take those naps. Otherwise, he is a grump.

Haha, that sounds just like my dad!

 

[VAtink]

Oh goodness, just when I thought the weather was the only thing to worry about, I woke up this morning with a little tickle in my throat, which has progressed throughout the day into a full on head cold. I did take a covid test which was negative, so at least that's good news. So now I'm drinking a ridiculous amount of tea and water, taking some zinc, have some saline nasal spray, some decongestant, and am just going to do my best to get healthy! Good thing I have about a week!

I have to admit, I'm super mad about this, we all decided to not visit anyone for Thanksgiving to avoid getting sick. But of course last week a client insisted we have an in person meeting, even though that's against our policy, but my boss agreed, and sure enough there was a guy in the meeting who kept talking about how sick he was. So I'm 99% sure I picked this up from that meeting since it's the only exposure I've had to people in the last 12 days!

So fingers crossed this runs its course really fast and I'm better by the end of the week! Hopefully my next update is a more positive one! ​

 

[monkeydawn]

Oh goodness, just when I thought the weather was the only thing to worry about, I woke up this morning with a little tickle in my throat, which has progressed throughout the day into a full on head cold. I did take a covid test which was negative, so at least that's good news. So now I'm drinking a ridiculous amount of tea and water, taking some zinc, have some saline nasal spray, some decongestant, and am just going to do my best to get healthy! Good thing I have about a week!

I have to admit, I'm super mad about this, we all decided to not visit anyone for Thanksgiving to avoid getting sick. But of course last week a client insisted we have an in person meeting, even though that's against our policy, but my boss agreed, and sure enough there was a guy in the meeting who kept talking about how sick he was. So I'm 99% sure I picked this up from that meeting since it's the only exposure I've had to people in the last 12 days!

So fingers crossed this runs its course really fast and I'm better by the end of the week! Hopefully my next update is a more positive one! ​

Ugh! In this day how can someone think it is OK to show up knowingly sick anywhere? I'm on high dose chemo for Crohns and even a small cold that most would kick in a day or two will have me sick for a month plus I will probably be using an inhaler for six months after that.

I'm so sorry and I hope your trip isnt impacted.

 

[VAtink]

Ugh! In this day how can someone think it is OK to show up knowingly sick anywhere? I'm on high dose chemo for Crohns and even a small cold that most would kick in a day or two will have me sick for a month plus I will probably be using an inhaler for six months after that.

I'm so sorry and I hope your trip isnt impacted.

Right? I'm still fuming about this, it's ridiculous that people don't see any issue showing up while sick!

Fingers crossed I get better quickly, I am going to the doctor this morning just to make sure this isn't anything I need medicine to get rid of. The good news is, if this is just a head cold, usually those are really bad for me for the first 2-3 days, but then fade quickly after that, so I hope I stick with my usual schedule and can fly out on Saturday!

 

[Paulaparm]

Pixie dust for the weather and your sickness!
May I suggest Vicks Vapo Rub? Hubby and I are fighting colds and I swear by it! Even helps with a head cold.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Oh my gosh. FEEL BETTER!!! I second the Vicks but I really like the patches that you put on the front of your nightshirt. Really helps me feel well enough to sleep. And this is going to sound weird - but putting the Vapo Rub on the bottom of your feet and putting socks on will also help you feel better quickly. Trust the person with chronic bronchitus.

 

[VAtink]

Pixie dust for the weather and your sickness!
May I suggest Vicks Vapo Rub? Hubby and I are fighting colds and I swear by it! Even helps with a head cold.

Thank you! Yeah, I went a bit crazy on the online ordering yesterday and bought pretty much every cold remedy out there, including vicks vapo rub! So hopefully all this stuff helps get me cleared up quickly.

 

[VAtink]

Oh my gosh. FEEL BETTER!!! I second the Vicks but I really like the patches that you put on the front of your nightshirt. Really helps me feel well enough to sleep. And this is going to sound weird - but putting the Vapo Rub on the bottom of your feet and putting socks on will also help you feel better quickly. Trust the person with chronic bronchitus.

Thank you!!! Good to know about the Vicks, I did buy some yesterday so will be trying that out tonight. I did feel slightly better this morning when I got up, so hopefully that trend continues and I'll feel better every day from now on!

 

[VAtink]

Ok, quick update! I just heard back from the doctor about the three tests they took yesterday (covid, flu, and strep) and all three came back negative! Not gonna lie, I was terrified this would come back as covid, so I'm so happy it's not! I was kinda hoping for strep since then I could get on antibiotics to kick it, but at least now I know that's it's just a head cold and just have to deal with it making it's way out of my system.

I do feel a tad bit better than yesterday, this is probably tmi, but my runny nose has gone from basically a very leaky faucet, to just being congested but no longer constantly dripping. So no more sitting around with tissues stuffed up my nose! I also managed to sleep a ridiculous amount last night, went to bed at 6:30 and didn't wake up until 7! If this follows my usual head cold schedule, by tomorrow I should start feeling a lot better, although I haven't had a head cold since before covid (I think the last one was like January 2019!), so who knows if I still have the same cold schedule. Hopefully I do though, so far it's pretty much doing what it normally does, so fingers crossed tomorrow I feel much better.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Oh no on being sick! And also who on earth “brags” about being sick in the office these days. That guy should be banished!!! I always do a unique concoction of various OTC meds too. Hope it works speedily and you’re feeling better very soon! Might be a silver lining to have built up your immunity system just prior to the trip!

 

[VAtink]

Oh no on being sick! And also who on earth “brags” about being sick in the office these days. That guy should be banished!!! I always do a unique concoction of various OTC meds too. Hope it works speedily and you’re feeling better very soon! Might be a silver lining to have built up your immunity system just prior to the trip!

Right? I cannot believe that guy! That's a good thought on building up my immunity before the trip! I'm just happy I didn't come down with this the day before the trip, at least I have time to get healthy, and fortunately my boss is being cool and letting me work part time this week so I can rest more (probably because he also got sick!).

 

[monkeydawn]

Ok, quick update! I just heard back from the doctor about the three tests they took yesterday (covid, flu, and strep) and all three came back negative! Not gonna lie, I was terrified this would come back as covid, so I'm so happy it's not! I was kinda hoping for strep since then I could get on antibiotics to kick it, but at least now I know that's it's just a head cold and just have to deal with it making it's way out of my system.

I do feel a tad bit better than yesterday, this is probably tmi, but my runny nose has gone from basically a very leaky faucet, to just being congested but no longer constantly dripping. So no more sitting around with tissues stuffed up my nose! I also managed to sleep a ridiculous amount last night, went to bed at 6:30 and didn't wake up until 7! If this follows my usual head cold schedule, by tomorrow I should start feeling a lot better, although I haven't had a head cold since before covid (I think the last one was like January 2019!), so who knows if I still have the same cold schedule. Hopefully I do though, so far it's pretty much doing what it normally does, so fingers crossed tomorrow I feel much better.

Glad you are negative all around! For me, I tend to do Mucinex when I am congested, and I know I am sick (not just allergies). My thought process is that its better to keep stuff moving out when I can so that it doesnt create a nice environment for a secondary infection to take hold. Sometimes it isnt practical to be a faucet so I wont say I do it continuously, but I try to get at least a round in each day for a few days.

 

[VAtink]

Glad you are negative all around! For me, I tend to do Mucinex when I am congested, and I know I am sick (not just allergies). My thought process is that its better to keep stuff moving out when I can so that it doesnt create a nice environment for a secondary infection to take hold. Sometimes it isnt practical to be a faucet so I wont say I do it continuously, but I try to get at least a round in each day for a few days.

Thanks! That's a good thought on the Mucinex! Speaking of Mucinex, have you ever tried their nasal spray? I got some the other day and this stuff is phenomenal! It makes such a big difference!