Trip Report Spoiler Alert. No Pandora, but Flowers and Gardens and Waves Galore.

Time for my first trip report!!! Exciting! First off going to tag some people in no particular order. @21stamps , @figmentfan423 , @Gabe1 , @betty rose , @littleroo, @Tony the Tigger , @donaldtoo, @Mr Ferret 88 , @Tuvalu , @TheMouseFan , @blgauger , @bee , @Cesar R M , @Songbird76 , @StarWarsGirl , @MinnieM123 , @MOXOMUMD , @ajrwdwgirl , @93boomer , @Courtney6682 , @amjt660 , @Doc Disney , @Goofyernmost @everybody

If you haven't read the ptr here is a link to it.
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/our-hopefully-pandora-thrown-in-f-g-trip-2017.925406/

The planning for this trip May 19-27 started in November last year after I received a precious pin code in my email. I couldn't say no to that.

Eventually I ended up getting a better rate when the AP discounts came out(dh had an AP at the time), so I rebooked for the same resort, The Cabins at Fort Wilderness.

Who was going: me, dh, and the 4 kiddos(dd15, ds13, dd9, dd6). Who we were leaving at home(3 dogs, 3 cats, 1 cockatiel, and a dear SIL who was housesitting for a price. )

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

I had no idea Art Smith was in Disney's college program and did not know it had been around for so long.

This is the bar area and our table was just diagonal to it.

My meal. I chose 3 sides which consisted of cole slaw, cucumber salad, and mac and cheese. It was all so yum!

Dd6 had the kids mac and cheese. It had no yummy melted cheese topping which was a good thing for my 6 year old. I don't get it. She loves cheese, loves mac and cheese but don't dare bake it or she won't touch it.

Dd15 and ds shared what I think was braised beef. It is not on the current menu.

Dd9 had the kids chicken fingers.

Dh had the fried chicken sandwich.

We did order a side of biscuits and they were incredible. All the food was fantastic! Definitely a place to go back too. The service was great as well!

 

[amjt660]

If it had anything else on the shirt to go with the state I probably would've thought it was a nice souvenir T-Shirt. My mind isn't usually bad. I swear.

I thought it was a before picture for one of "those ads" you see on TV

Max

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

You kill me Max!!! Too funny. My goodness, where are your minds at!

 

[93boomer]

After a pleasant cruise through the coolest green houses ever, it was time to try some of the food offerings of the festival. First we passed some beautiful topiaries.
View attachment 210088 View attachment 210089
I had been curious about the vegan crabcake, so that was where we were headed. I had previously tried to make a vegetarian version of a crabcake and let's just say that it did not turn out well. This on the other hand was amazing!!! Dh and dd15 tried it as well and they gave it 2 thumbs up. I wish I could get that recipe. So if anyone knows it, please share.
View attachment 210090
After eating the not crabcake, I got the violet lemonade. Sooooo gooood. And sooooo refreshing.
View attachment 210091

Wasn't it awesome??!! I want that recipe too!

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

Wasn't it awesome??!! I want that recipe too!

It totally was! I don't know if anyone has it. I tried to get a recipe last year and filled out a form but never received it.

 

[LisaBelle]

I just found your TR. I am really enjoying seeing Fort Wilderness as I have never been there. Chef Art Smith's looks amazing. It is on the top of my list of new restaurants to try the next time I get to WDW. Following!

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

I just found your TR. I am really enjoying seeing Fort Wilderness as I have never been there. Chef Art Smith's looks amazing. It is on the top of my list of new restaurants to try the next time I get to WDW. Following!

Glad you like it! Trying my best to keep up with it. Seems like I am busier with stuff now that school is out.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Hmmm, Homecomin'. I get to eat there in 5 days!

 

[amjt660]

You kill me Max!!! Too funny. My goodness, where are your minds at!

Just for the record I did not start this.... I just finished it!!

Max

 

[gdisneyfans]

I had no idea Art Smith was in Disney's college program and did not know it had been around for so long.View attachment 210250
This is the bar area and our table was just diagonal to it.View attachment 210251
My meal. I chose 3 sides which consisted of cole slaw, cucumber salad, and mac and cheese. It was all so yum! View attachment 210252
Dd6 had the kids mac and cheese. It had no yummy melted cheese topping which was a good thing for my 6 year old. I don't get it. She loves cheese, loves mac and cheese but don't dare bake it or she won't touch it.View attachment 210254
Dd15 and ds shared what I think was braised beef. It is not on the current menu.View attachment 210255
Dd9 had the kids chicken fingers.View attachment 210256
Dh had the fried chicken sandwich.View attachment 210257
We did order a side of biscuits and they were incredible. All the food was fantastic! Definitely a place to go back too. The service was great as well!

Oh my goodness that food looks amazing! I have to try the place out

*Note to self - should probably not be looking at trip reports with food pictures right before lunch

 

[bee]

Re: the Florida shirt.

I was born in Texas and my family moved to Florida when I was seven. When we first moved I thought the Florida outlines on highway signs, like this:

were guns and if a driver didn't follow traffic laws they would be shot!

 

[mlegerto]

Dd6 had the kids mac and cheese. It had no yummy melted cheese topping which was a good thing for my 6 year old. I don't get it. She loves cheese, loves mac and cheese but don't dare bake it or she won't touch it.

DD6 and I would get along quite well when it comes to mac n cheese. I love cheese, I love mac and cheese, but I HATE baked mac n cheese LOL! It's the small things in life okay!

The food at Homecomin' looks amazing! I have it on my list for our December visit!

 

[amjt660]

Re: the Florida shirt.

I was born in Texas and my family moved to Florida when I was seven. When we first moved I thought the Florida outlines on highway signs, like this:

were guns and if a driver didn't follow traffic laws they would be shot!

I can definitely see the gun in that road sign

Max

 

[wwmmd]

Who wouldn't pay an upcharge to just wade in this water for 20 minutes.

Is there an upcharge suggestion box somewhere?

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

Here is a picture I took right after we left the restaurant.

We did take a coaster home.

After we left we went back to FW. Passed by some turkey friends.

We hung out in the cabin enjoying the quiet and then took a ride around the resort in the golf cart. We did decorate our golf cart with battery powered lights.

We drove around the loops looking for some Mickey decor. It is pretty minimal this time of year. Would live to go during Halloween or Christmas. I heard people ho all out.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

The Mickey lamp posts are very popular.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

Day 3 May 21
Today started with breakfast in the cabin. We had bagels, pop tarts, and donuts.

Then we took the golf cart to the marina snd before we knew it a boat came to ferry us to the Contemporary. It was early so the big boat that directly goes to MK was not running yet.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

The scrims were up on The Emporium still.

I thought that with them opening MS USA without the train station show that the crowds would not be as bad. That was not the case sadly.

Our plan was to head to Frontierland first and go on BTMRR before it got crowded

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

We had no wait and rode it two times in a row.

We always request the back

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

After BTMRR it was still rather empty on that side so dd15 asked if we could go on Splash Mtn. It would just be her and I. I think we only waited about 5 minutes.

We didn't get too wet until the ride was almost over waiting to unload. Got caught waiting by the water fall near the end. Luckily it was hot so we didn't care