Written By: Corinne Leon

With the exception of one December trip, my family has always visited Walt Disney World either during the super crowded Spring Break season or the super steamy Summer Break season. This year we were not able to go in the summer so we decided to try an early fall trip. I could not have been more excited! It would be a whole new “world” for us! Smaller crowds….Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party….Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival….. Eat to the Beat Concert Series…. There is nothing we love more than experiencing new things on a Disney trip!

Where To Stay

With less than 2 months to plan, I was in a bit of a panic! Normally, I like to plan our trips as far out as possible. Case and point, our two 2015 Disney trips are already in the works! How could I plan an awesome trip with such short notice??

Being DVC members, we have approximately enough points to stay for 2 weeks at Walt Disney World. We like to do “split stays”, meaning we usually stay at more than 1 or 2 different resorts, depending on the length of our trip. Since this trip would be just over a week long, we decided to spend the first few nights at a moderate resort and end our trip at a DVC resort.

I was able to find a good deal at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside with the Fall Room Discount, (although they told me on the phone that they were giving me the “Canadian resident” discount). I requested a room in the Alligator Bayou section of Riverside since we had never stayed there before. With all the parking issues I’d been hearing about Downtown Disney lately, I was especially pleased that we would have the option of taking either a bus or a boat there.

Following the same strategy, we booked a room at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa (our home resort) for the end of our stay, to again avoid the parking at Downtown Disney. With the new walkway, we’re excited to be able to easily walk back and forth. Also, we have the bus and boat options here as well.

What To Do

A couple of really popular events that take place every fall are Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival. I have wanted to attend both for many years but just never had the opportunity. Until now! And I was extra pleased to learn that both were starting earlier this year.

I went ahead and purchased tickets for the Halloween party with our DVC discount. Woo hoo! September tickets are cheaper than October ones! As much as I know I’m going to love trick or treating around the Magic Kingdom, I think I’m looking forward to the Food & Wine Festival even more!

Just reading through some of the items being offered this year is making me super hungry! There’s a seared scallop dish being served in Scotland and, although I tried Ireland’s Lobster and Seafood Fisherman’s Pie from a food truck in Downtown Disney last March, I may just have to have that again! And I can’t very well ignore my homeland – some Cheddar Cheese Soup and Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon from Canada look too yummy to pass up. I’m pretty sure there’s a nice Prosecco or White Zinfandel with my name on it, too. My husband is most looking forward to trying some interesting beer flights.

Advice, Recommendations, Tips, Please!

I would love to hear about any of your Food & Wine Festival recommendations, or any tips about how to navigate the Halloween Party. What are some of your favorite fall activities to do at Walt Disney World?

All in all, I know this trip is just going to fly by and we will once again start another countdown as soon as we get home. Just another day in the life of a Disney-loving family!