What Would You Do?

My DH and I have a upcoming October trip. It will be our first trip to Disney World.

We are in the planning process and have found several things we are interested in doing during our evenings (we will be spending our days either in the parks or at our resort.)

We have 8 days/7 nights so I know we can't see everything. Can you guys give me some advice on what we should see/do and what we should skip?

Fantasmic
Victoria & Albert's Chef Table
La Nouba
Flying Fish Chef's Tasting & Jellyrolls
Wishes Cruise
Illuminations
MNSSHP (1 or 2 times)
Universal Halloween Horror Night

We are also interested in Rivers of Light but the fact that it is not opening until after our 180 mark makes things a little difficult.

We have money set aside in our budget so cost isn't an issue.

So, what would you do?

Notes: sorry for any spelling mistakes

Swilcox said:

We are also interested in Rivers of Light but the fact that it is not opening until after our 180 mark makes things a little difficult.

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You will be able to change most dining reservations (the only things that can be booked at 180 days) well before your trip as the RoL info becomes available.

I definitely recommend Halloween Horror Nights. It's a yearly tradition for us and it's awesome.

That's the problem (and the fun!) of WDW trip planning. Our May trip plans keep evolving and we have already made successful ADR changes after our 180 days.

I was interested in doing a fireworks cruise myself, but from watching YouTube videos of both Wishes and Illuminations, I would pick IllumiNations over Wishes for a cruise. Celebrate the Magic is my favorite nighttime spectacular, so I would rather be in the park and up close for that. IllumiNations seemed to be a much closer view than Wishes. As with everything at Disney, we all will have different opinions/preferences.

Definitely La Nouba if money isn't an issue, it is a great show. We did the earlier show (6ish I think) then had dinner after in what was Downtown Disney... now Disney Springs.

We have also dined (twice) at Cali Grill and watched Wishes from the observation deck, nice experience.

Had a very adult (meaning quiet) dinner at Jiko one trip which we enjoyed a lot then hopped into Studios for the late showing of F! (Fantasmic) We got there just before sunset and toured the AKL and animal areas before dinner.

If going to Universal, getting a park hopper ticket and taking the train from one Harry Potter world to the other is really cool. You can see a lot of Universal (both parks) in one day (easier with express passes).

Flying Fish will be closed for refurb, so that's out. We did MNSSHP last year and I loved it, but I don't think you need to do it twice.

We did HHN at Uni that same trip and it was OK - not really my cup of tea. It's quite intense and scary, but I'm sure you know that already. The houses are well done. If you go, I strongly suggest you get the express pass for HHN so you can accomplish more. We did nearly every single house in one night. It was a lot of waiting in line, even with express. I love WDW so much that I probably wouldn't leave property to do it. I was pining for WDW the entire time we were at Uni last year, but that's a different story, and many people enjoy it just at much as WDW. I'm just not one of those people.

For me, things like V&A and a Wishes cruise - while fabulous - aren't necessary on your first trip. If I were to do those it would be to enhance a later trip where I was looking for new experiences at WDW. That is completely my opinion and personal preference, though, so YMMV. There's just so much to experience in the parks that I don't know if it's necessary to add too many extras.

It sounds lame but even as an adult couple I loved our character breakfast at Crystal Palace. It's so fun to meet the Pooh characters and you can get some great photos.

Don't miss the Festival of Fantasy parade. I love Main St. Electrical parade too.

With 7-8 days at WDW and just the two of you you can accomplish a LOT. Something we enjoy is hopping to various resorts to have dinner. Exploring the resorts is one of my favorite WDW activities. I would stay on property the whole time and explore everything Disney has to offer. You don't mention if you've book accommodations yet, but I also highly recommend an on-property resort.

Good luck - the Disboards is a spectacular place to learn and get help planning, I know your trip will be great.

Here's my ranking:

1) MNSSHP (once is enough unless you really want to do every single character M&G)
2) Wishes Cruise
3) Illuminations
4) Flying Fish
5) Victoria & Albert's
6) HHN
7) La Nouba

The problem with advising you is a lot of it is personal preference. I haven't seen La Nouba in person but I did see it on TV and I have seen a Cirque du Soleil in person in Vegas and was not impressed. Others LOVE it. So it's really hard to say for someone else. My rankings are based on personal preference, fun for the cost (value), and things that are uniquely Disney that you can't really do somewhere else.

Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review.
Dinner show at Ft. Wilderness Campgrounds.

Personally I would make dining the lowest priority.

Universal Halloween Horror Nights can be crazy busy. I would skip unless it is in your budget to pay for an express pass, or unless your goal is to just walk around and get drunk.... but the express pass would be cheaper than getting drunk. Some people do both! Looks like you can afford it if you want to do both, lol.

If it is a busy night, some people only get through 2-3 houses and pretty much just stand in line all night. I think the express pass is great, but just about doubles your admission price. And like Disney and everything else, it just keeps getting busier and busier for HHN.

The Wishes Cruise is great, but if you have never seen Wishes, get a FP or at least stake out a place up front for your first viewing.