First Solo Trip to WDW for Food and Wine & Hurricane Matthew - OCT 2016 Updated 12/30 Post #165-167

[dolphingirl47]

I am glad that you made it.

Corinna

 

[franandaj]

Great pictures of Hallowishes from the TTC!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Great pictures! I hope you are having a lot of fun. Thursday is your MNSSHP. I just love the Boo to You Parade. Can't wait to hear about your adventures.

TK

Thanks TK. It was fun but it wasn't the same with DAF. She did tell me to enjoy the trip without her but there were times where it would be nice if she was there. Overall it was good. I did MNSSHP on Thursday and it was fun to go by myself which I was able to do a lot of the nighttime shows and events. Mickey's Boo-to-You Parade is great like always especially with the Headless Horseman.

I am glad that you made it.

Corinna

Thank you Corinna. Got there safely which there was a turn of event during the trip which you will find out when I post my updates.

Great pictures of Hallowishes from the TTC!

Thank you Alison. Watching the fireworks from the T&TC is great and the music plays as well which makes it even better. This is another great place to watch the fireworks if don't go in the parks that night.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – October 16, 2015 – Part 1

Unexpected Turn of Events​

It is now the first day of the Florida trip in which I was looking forward to for months since I haven’t been to Florida in 3 years. So much has changed with the FP+ and MagicBands which wasn’t even at WDW back in 2012. This was going to be a fun trip at the beginning when we got closer to the dates.

But just when we were about a week away till the trip in which it was supposed to be DAF, my dad, our neighbors (Ann, Dennis and Aiko) and me. When it was about a week until our trip, DAF was not feeling well and had to cancel at the last second. It was a tough decision for her to cancel when we are about to leave in a week but we understand the situation and she didn’t want us to feel down. This whole thing changed my plans for the trip in which I had to make changes to the FP+, days at the parks and the ressies. I didn’t have to make too many changes but the FP+ was the biggest change of them all since I have to cancel her FP+ and make the FP+ with my dad the same. I was able to get the refund for the Universal Orlando and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets back where DAF was supposed to go with me which was nice. I still went to MNSSHP on the 22nd by myself which I had a great time but I will get to that on the updates.

This trip was all about DAF and Aiko which they haven’t been to Florida in quite some time which DAF was there back during the 2010 trip which was during the Holiday season. She had some bad experience during that trip in which it was the coldest times in Florida at that date in December. This time, she was looking forward to seeing what WDW would be like during the Food & Wine Festival along with the Halloween season since we go to the Disneyland during the Halloween season.

The last time I was in Florida was during the 2012 trip which was during the F&W Festival & Halloween season. I was looking forward to going back but it wasn’t the same without DAF during the trip. I once again upgraded to the Premier Annual Pass in August which I am lucky to get it at that time or I would have to pay the new price which is over $1,400 for the Premier. Talk about the AP’s going up so much and this was the second time this year that the AP’s increased in price.


It was that Friday morning which was the day that my dad and I leave to Florida. Our neighbors won’t be going until Saturday morning which we will be there one day before them. I was excited and also sad of not having DAF with us during the trip.

Our flight was not until 1:40pm PST and we won’t be getting to Orlando until 11pm EST. This was a late flight to leave from NorCal to Florida but the rate was so good which we had to pay $400 round trip on Southwest Airlines which is a great price in this day of age. I did sacrifice the time of getting to Orlando at night but not close to the next day which will take when we get to the Sheraton Vistana Resort which we will be staying during the 8 days in Florida.

My brother dropped us off at the airport around 11pm that afternoon which was plenty of time to go and check our bags and go through the security check point until we waited until we boarded our flight to Denver first and take the flight straight to Orlando.

While we were waiting, my dad had other plans instead. When he was checking the availability of the flights, he saw that the flight to Orlando was booked so he was thinking of taking a bump and getting some vouchers for SWA. I knew that he was planning on doing that and at first I was against taking a bump since I have plans the next day in Florida.

But just when they were about to board, the SWA employees called us to the stand and they needed our tickets. I was not happy at first since my dad told me it was for $300 at first which was kind of low and I was not willing to take the vouchers for $300. But the people that needed our tickets were so desperate that SWA gave us $518 per person in vouchers. I was surprised at first of how high it was and so we decided to take a bump. They gave us a flight to Orlando the next day which was surprising that it was the same flight that our neighbors were going on for Saturday.

In the end, I had mixed feelings of taking the bump from losing one full day in Orlando and getting the vouchers for SWA. Then he told me that with the vouchers, DAF and I could make a trip next year since I have the vouchers. So it turned out okay if she is willing to go next year with me. But that is all talk for now which I will get to later on.

My brother was able to pick us up from the airport around 2pm. Our bags were already on the flight headed to Orlando so we will have to pick them up when we get to Orlando the next day. The two of us continued with our normal day lives until we had to leave the next day.

Our neighbors were not surprised since they know my dad would do that and take a bump for vouchers. They would have done the same thing as well and took the bump which means losing one day at the parks.

Continue to the Next Post​

 

[mvf-m11c]

Last Installment on the Trip Report

Day 2 – October 17, 2015 – Part 1

Ready to Get to Florida​

After taking a bump on Friday afternoon which we got over $500 in vouchers to use until next year on the 16th, we were finally ready to go to Florida. Our flight to Orlando was not till 7am which we will be heading on over to San Diego first and then the 4 ½ hour flight to Orlando. I don’t like to fly over 3+ hours to Florida which I like to stop at Denver, Chicago, Dallas, etc. on the way. But we got the free flight to Orlando which was great. Our neighbors are on the same flight as us which was nice since we can talk to each other on the way.

Just when we got back to Sacramento International Airport and checked-in, my dad once again was talking to SWA to see if they needed another bump. I can’t believe he would do that again and ask for another bump. I told him that we have enough of it since we done it on Friday. He says that he wants more vouchers so he can use them for future trips in the next year which he is planning on going on other trips. I told him that I would take a bump if it was from Orlando back to Sacramento since I could spend another day in Orlando.

There was no announcement from our flight that they needed a bump since it was early Saturday morning in Sacramento and there were a lot of flights going to SD that day. So the five of us boarded the flight and we went straight on over to SD.

When we got to SD, we had to wait another hour until our flight was ready to leave around 10am. When we were at the terminal on the SWA side, it was so small that it almost felt like you couldn’t even walk in there.

My dad once again checked with SWA if there were was a bump offer but there wasn’t any since I was surprised at first since it is going straight to Orlando. I was relieved that he was not going to take a bump. Honestly, since we took the bump on Friday, one time was enough but he wanted more.

We boarded our flight to Orlando and head straight to Orlando which took 4 ½ hours to get to Orlando. We got to Orlando around 6:30pm EST which was nice to get there in that time. We got our bags at MCO which got there Friday night.

I enjoy riding the MCO Monorail to the terminal every time we get to MCO.

When my dad got his golf club bag, he noticed that one of the wheels was missing and he was not happy about it and talked to SWA Customer Service. They didn’t comp him or anything which he was not happy.

We went to get the cars which I had my own car to use since there will be times I will be doing things on my own while my dad can do things on his own as well. Our neighbors have their own car as well. The only problem is that my dad got his rental car from an off-site place which is not at the parking garage. So he told me to get my rental car and meet up with him at the Sheraton Vistana Resort.

Our neighbors and I head on over to the Sheraton Vistana Resort while my dad went to get the rental car from some off-site place. The first thing we were planning on doing was going to Walmart, etc. for the supply runs since it was not late during the day. If was on Friday on the original plan, we would have done it on Saturday. But our neighbors wanted to go to the SVR first so we head on over in that direction.

It is about a 20 minute drive with the two tolls on the way to the SVR. The SVR is right across from Highway 4 across from WDW which it is in a good location.

We checked in to our rooms and I head on over to the room where my dad and I will be staying while our neighbors have their own. I have stayed at the SVR that last five trips which it is a nice place to stay off-site when I don’t stay on-site at WDW. It is not the same experience when not staying on-site at WDW but it does make up for it with the price.

We were staying at the Cascade building #3.




When I first walked in to our villa which was the upper level on three, I didn’t see another bedroom which there was only one king bed. So I went back to the front desk and asked why I only had one bed where we were supposed to have two bedrooms. They told me that we had two places not just one since one unit has one bed while another has another single bed unit. So they updated my keys and we had joining rooms which had another small living room and kitchen. I was relieved that we got two villas instead of that one.

The main villa which had a kitchen, dining table, living room, on-suite, king bed, washer, dryer, etc. that you need in a villa. This is not like the Disney Vacation Club rooms but this was a nice room to stay when you are staying off-site.








I went on over to the other villa which was very nice for a couple which had a small kitchen, living room, table and a queen bed which was enough for a couple.






After getting settled in, I was planning on going to the MK that night since I have a FP+ for the second show of the Main Street Electrical parade that night and I wanted to watch the fireworks and get the long exposure shots as well.

But that changed when I was about to leave that night when my dad called me and he needed directions to the SVR. I asked him if he had his GPS with him (not a smartphone since he doesn’t have one) and he did but it was not working and we were talking back and forward about it. So my opportunity to see Wishes and MSEP was shot down that night thanks to my dad. It was already a bad start for the first two days of the trip from the bump and not going to the park that night.

When he got to the SVR, it was around 10pm so I just gave up and didn’t go to the MK that night. But our neighbors and we all went together that night to do some shopping at Walmart and having dinner at the Waffle House on Apopka Vineland Rd. We were planning on eating at Steak N Shake but it was so busy that we decided it wasn’t worth going that night.

We head on back to the SVR which was around midnight and we called it for the night. Even though we got the vouchers, I wasn’t able to go to the MK that day since of the bump and my dad. I have told him that he should get a smartphone so he won’t have to rely on the GPS. I would always bring directions just in case if something goes wrong but he didn’t which doesn’t help one bit.

The first day was over so quickly and now we have five full days to spend in Orlando. That is it for this update and stay tune for what is in store for the next day.

Continue to the Next Post​

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Bret,
Your trip is off to a rocky start for sure. I wouldn't have been happy about the bump too and I was glad (as you were) that you didn't take ANOTHER bump on Saturday. If your dad is anything like my mom was having him 'not happy' prevents others from being happy too. Bummer about his golf bag. You handled it well about missing your FP+ for the night. I too would have assisted my parent when I really would have liked to go to the park. I would have been very sad to be in Orlando and not being about to go to the MK. Your aunt is sorely missed this trip.

Hopefully brighter days ahead for the next 5 days. Since it's already happened I'm looking forward to finding out.

TK

 

[dhorner233]

Oh Bret! You poor thing! I would have been dying to get to the MK and had a cow over the bumps and not having his own directions. You handled it much better than I would have! I hope your DAF is okay I know you must have been sad about her not coming.

I hope your next day went better!

 

[dolphingirl47]

What a nightmare to start of the trip. I hope that you get to enjoy a bonus trip with the voucher from flying a day later. The room looks really nice. What a shame that you never made it to Magic Kingdom that first day.

Corinna

 

[franandaj]

Wow! What a rough start to your trip. Sorry you didn't make it to MK that first night for MSEP. I hope your DAF is feeling better soon

 

[mvf-m11c]

Hi Bret,
Your trip is off to a rocky start for sure. I wouldn't have been happy about the bump too and I was glad (as you were) that you didn't take ANOTHER bump on Saturday. If your dad is anything like my mom was having him 'not happy' prevents others from being happy too. Bummer about his golf bag. You handled it well about missing your FP+ for the night. I too would have assisted my parent when I really would have liked to go to the park. I would have been very sad to be in Orlando and not being about to go to the MK. Your aunt is sorely missed this trip.

Hopefully brighter days ahead for the next 5 days. Since it's already happened I'm looking forward to finding out.

TK

Hi TK,

It was off to a rocky start at the beginning with the bump. It was tough to take a bump at first. I understand why he did that and I am tired of him doing that. This is not the first time he did that with a Florida trip. I remember the 2010 trip when we went during Spring Break and took a bump from Los Angeles and i was able to go to the DLR with him that day and we left for Florida the next day. So I got a second WDW trip that year with DAF during the holiday season. So at least it turned out fine. I was not willing to take another bump the next day since he got his vouchers which were a lot. Another part of the day was taken with a GPS issue but I had other nights to watch the nighttime shows.

Oh Bret! You poor thing! I would have been dying to get to the MK and had a cow over the bumps and not having his own directions. You handled it much better than I would have! I hope your DAF is okay I know you must have been sad about her not coming.

I hope your next day went better!

I was looking forward to going to the MK first thing on Saturday with the FP+ for the 7DMT and the MSEP second show at 11pm. It was tough first two days but I couldn't be down from this. DAF is doing okay which she was sad of not going. It was difficult at first where she couldn't go but she wasn't feeling well. Hopefully I will be able to take her the next time I go back to Florida.

What a nightmare to start of the trip. I hope that you get to enjoy a bonus trip with the voucher from flying a day later. The room looks really nice. What a shame that you never made it to Magic Kingdom that first day.

Corinna

It was a tough start but the vouchers should help out in the near future which this isn't the first time. The Sheraton Vistana Resort is a nice place to stay if you are off-site. It was a shame at the beginning from the bump and not going that night.

Wow! What a rough start to your trip. Sorry you didn't make it to MK that first night for MSEP. I hope your DAF is feeling better soon

It is no problem. Even though I didn't go on that night, I was able to go plenty of times to the MK during the trip. DAF is doing okay where she is resting.


The next posts will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Last Installment on the Trip Report

Day 3 – October 18, 2015 – Part 1

Universal Orlando Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade​

Now it was the first full day of the Florida trip in which it had a big turn of events with the bump on Friday and leaving on Saturday morning and still wasn’t able to go to the Magic Kingdom that night. But I had five full days to spend in Florida which I had to change a lot of my plans. But everything went according to the new plan which was okay for the trip.

I didn’t get much sleep that Saturday night since I was planning on going to the first park that morning at 8am. Originally it was supposed to be the MK on Saturday but thanks to the bump, I still went with my original plan on going to Universal Orlando that day. I only decided to go to UO for one day since DAF and I were originally going to see the new Diagon Alley at Universal Studios park. It was not cheap just to go to the two parks that day which was $150 per person for a park to park ticket. Talk about almost as close to the Disneyland/Walt Disney World one day park to park ticket. We wanted to ride the Hogwarts Express from UO to Islands of Adventure and back to experience the train ride which was one of my bucket list things to do at UO.

I left Sheraton Vistana Resort around 7:45am that morning and drove the car to Universal Orlando. My dad went with Dennis to go golfing that day while Ann and Aiko relaxed in their room. So they were busy while I was busy with my solo stuff that day.

I got to UO around 8:10am and I head on over to Universal Studios Florida first.


It was quiet that morning but it did get busy when walking in the park.




There was a lot of walking all the way in USF from the entrance to the entrance to Diagon Alley. It was on the backside where there was a lot of walking but I had no problem with it since it was nice to walk through USF. I haven’t been in this park in over 10 years which I have went to Islands of Adventure the last four trips for Wizardy World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade.




I didn’t plan on going on any of the rides or shows at USF since I was focusing on Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.






That day was the Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights which it was already for the party night.






I finally made it on over to the Diagon Alley area and was about to walk in but I wanted to ride the Hogwarts Express first so I went on in King’s Cross station to ride the train.




The queue was quite long to walk from the entrance to the station platform.






Each cabin can fill about 8 people and the window was nice to see scenes from the movie and also the walkway windows from the cabin are interesting as well with some special effects.


We were now at the other side of UO at IoA at the Hogsmeade station. The train ride didn’t lasted that long and it didn’t felt anything special but it was fun to ride the Hogwarts Express to IoA. I would say that it would not be worth the extra $50 in my opinion from going to IoA. But I wanted to try the Hogwarts Express and glad that I went on it. I went on the Hogwarts Express twice round trip from getting the experience.




A look back at the station




Hogsmeade Station


I went back on the Hogwarts Express back to USF. The wait time to get from the Hogsmeade Station was only 5 minutes which was not that bad but it was like 10 minutes to get on the train and head on back to London Kings Cross.

When I got back to USF, I went back through the King’s Cross Station back to IoA Hogsmeade Station. The second time going through the queue was shorter and it went quickly with a 10 minute wait.

I was back at IoA and now going through Hogsmeade.

Continue to the Next Post.​

 

[mvf-m11c]

Last Installment on the Trip Report

Day 3 – October 18, 2015 – Part 2

Wizardy World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley​

After riding the Hogwarts Express back and forward from Universal Studios Florida to Islands of Adventure and back, I was now walking through Hogsmeade. Originally when I was there at the Wizardy World of Harry Potter before they name it Hogsmeade, I enjoy walking at WWoHP Hogsmeade when it was a big deal in the early days. Now all of a sudden, there are two WWoHP lands with Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. I have mixed feelings of the new addition to Universal Orlando Resort. I am not a super big Harry Potter fan (I did enjoy watching and reading the books) but it is fun to go walk around and get pictures.

Hogsmeade still looks the same from the last time I was there back in 2012 when Diagon Alley was being built at USF.


The Hogwards Express engine is still there right by the entrance even with the new addition to the Hogsmeade Station to Diagon Alley.


It was a little quiet that morning.




All the different shops at Hogsmeade




Hogwarts Castle


There were a few times, I used the telephoto lens to get the up close shots from Hogsmeade where I didn’t need it that much as I have thought.


There were times when I walked through the stores in Hogsmeade and see a lot of people that bought the wands. It was neat that the wands can interact with certain parts of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley which is neat. I didn’t buy one since I wouldn’t spent a lot of time at Universal Orlando Resort like at Walt Disney World.

After spending some time walking around Hogsmeade and taking pictures, it was time to head on back to Universal Studios Florida to see the rest of Diagon Alley so I once again took the Hogwarts Express back on over to USF.


Once again, it took only 10 minutes to get on the train which all the walking is through that long queue to the station platform.


After a short ride back to USF, I was back and ready to go in Diagon Alley.


The triple decker bus


When I walked through the back alley from the buildings, Diagon Alley was huge from all sort of different shops façade.








There was a ride at Diagon Alley called “Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts” but I wasn’t planning on going on that ride since I have to put my bag in one of those lockers and I was all by myself.






There were times where I just stayed in the area to see the dragon spit out the fire. It was bad luck in my part or something since I only got to see it spit fire two times and I didn’t get a shot of it. I asked what time the dragon spit out the fire and told me every 10 minutes but it didn’t happen or something went wrong.






There was a dark alley that went to a store and some other interaction areas with the wands.


I went around in circles in Diagon Alley to look at all the different things from the buildings, wands, statutes, signs, stores, etc. where I almost spent about 3 hours just in Diagon Alley alone. I didn’t go on any rides while I was in the park and didn’t buy anything since there wasn’t anything that I got to have.

Continue to the Next Post.​

 

[mvf-m11c]

Last Installment on the Trip Report

Day 3 – October 18, 2015 – Part 3

Universal Orlando Diagon Alley 2​

I was walking a lot in Diagon Alley that I forgot what I wanted to do from taking pictures which I have taken at least over 300 and I was thirsty and starving from the walking that I had to get the Butterbeer.

There was a new Butterbeer cup at Diagon Alley which I had to get one.


After getting a Butterbeer, I went to have lunch at Leaky Cauldron which is in Diagon Alley and it had some interesting choices to eat from Fish & Chips, Ploughman’s, Bangers & Mash, Fisherman’s Pie, etc. and of course Butterbeer.

When you entered and go through a queue to the register. You ordered the food and they give you a candle number and take you to a table and you wait until they bring the food to you.


I had the Bangers & Mash


The Bangers & Mash were good and not cheap as well which was around $11.99. After I finished, it was back going around Diagon Alley.


I took some more pics until I was about to leave UO and go back to the room since I am still adjusting the times from the west coast to the east coast.




I finally left Diagon Alley which I spent about 3 hours being in that one land alone. On the way out, I took more random pictures while at Universal Studios Florida.


https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5658/22494779416_774d825f28_b.jpg[/img]





A stage was all set up for the Halloween Horror party night which it was unused during the daytime.


The Transformers ride which has a giant Optimus Prime statue.


I head on out of Universal Studios Florida and head on back to my car to call it for the day at Universal Orlando Resort.


I didn’t spend a lot of time at UOR where I only spent about 5 hours. I could have spent more time that day at UOR but I did everything I wanted to do at the new Diagon Alley. I know that I didn’t go on any rides except for the Hogwarts Express which doesn’t count but since I had my equipment with me and I don’t trust those lockers I wasn’t willing to go on those big rides. It was a nice time to go solo at Universal where I was able to see the new Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade at IoA. But for $150 ticket just for 5 hours seems really a big price to pay but I wanted to see Diagon Alley. Now I got that out of the way, I might not do it again in the near future unless DAF goes back one day to Florida and I will go back.

I got back to my car and I started to head on back to the Sheraton Vistana Resort to rest up until I go to WDW later that day. My dad is still golfing with Dennis while Ann and Aiko are still back at the SVR resting. When I was heading on back, I had to make a quick stop so stay tune for what I have done after leaving UOR.

Continue to the Next Post​

 

[dolphingirl47]

I really enjoyed all the photos from Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. We have not been to Universal Studios since 1998 and at IoA since 1999. It was nice to see that the crowds were relatively light.

Corinna

 

[franandaj]

Diagon Alley looks really cool! I can't wait to.see it for myself!

 

[dhorner233]

Great pictures Bret!

I have never had any desire to go to Universal Studios. Never read/saw any of the Harry Potter stuff. Looks like Dickens, Oliver Twist, early 1800's London to me. I had a dream about that dragon after seeing your pictures. Not quite a nightmare but not one of my better dreams :

After seeing your pictures and hearing how you paid $150 for 5 hours, I still have no desire to go to Universal Studios. I'm glad you were able to check it off your list though. What did the butter beer taste like?

So sorry your DAF didn't get to go with you. Glad to hear she is feeling better.

On to WDW!

 

[PrincessInOz]

WOW! That was a rocky start to your trip.

I didn't know that your dad was also thinking about the second bump! I would have totally left him back home at that point.
And then to miss out on the night events at MK? You're more patient than me!!!


Hmmm. You just walked around Hogsmeade and didn't go on any rides? I can totally see why you don't think it was good value.
Those lockers do work at UO. If you do have the opportunity to go again, try them out.

Hogsmeade looks really cool. And I liked your picture of Knockturn Alley. Thanks for sharing.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I really enjoyed all the photos from Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. We have not been to Universal Studios since 1998 and at IoA since 1999. It was nice to see that the crowds were relatively light.

Corinna

Thanks Corinna. That is a long time since you have last been at Universal Orlando Resort. If you are a big Harry Potter fan, i can see someone going there multiple times over WDW. The crowds were not that bad in the morning till the afternoon around 11am which got a little busy.

Diagon Alley looks really cool! I can't wait to.see it for myself!

Diagon Alley looks very nice and just what i expected. Like Hogsmeade at IoA, DA is a big success which fills Universal Studios Florida. Are you considering seeing it next year when you go back to Florida? It won't be too long until Universal Studios Hollywood gets the Wizardy World of Harry Potter.

Great pictures Bret!

I have never had any desire to go to Universal Studios. Never read/saw any of the Harry Potter stuff. Looks like Dickens, Oliver Twist, early 1800's London to me. I had a dream about that dragon after seeing your pictures. Not quite a nightmare but not one of my better dreams :

After seeing your pictures and hearing how you paid $150 for 5 hours, I still have no desire to go to Universal Studios. I'm glad you were able to check it off your list though. What did the butter beer taste like?

So sorry your DAF didn't get to go with you. Glad to hear she is feeling better.

On to WDW!

Thank you Denise.

I know what you mean of no desire to go to Universal Studios. There are always people that don't like Disney over Universal. I do enjoy walking at Universal to see Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade but everything else after that, I was not that interested in seeing. The dragon was neat to look at and it was a shame that i only got to see the dragon spit our fire twice.

After seeing Diagon Alley, there is no reason for me to go back to Universal. But since DAF didn't go and this was one of the things she was looking forward to, I will go back just for her so she can see Diagon Alley.

It was tough for her of not going but I will try to take her next year since I have those SWA vouchers to use up.

WOW! That was a rocky start to your trip.

I didn't know that your dad was also thinking about the second bump! I would have totally left him back home at that point.
And then to miss out on the night events at MK? You're more patient than me!!!


Hmmm. You just walked around Hogsmeade and didn't go on any rides? I can totally see why you don't think it was good value.
Those lockers do work at UO. If you do have the opportunity to go again, try them out.

Hogsmeade looks really cool. And I liked your picture of Knockturn Alley. Thanks for sharing.

It was a rocky start of the trip with DAF not going.

He was looking at another bump so he can get some more vouchers to use. He does a lot of traveling and I can understand why he wants to get those vouchers and fly for free. We have a trip and he should think about other things instead of getting more free stuff since it does affect the trip. I was about to go to Florida that Friday afternoon and wait for him on Saturday night but I just went along with it and thought about DAF which we could go back next year.

I was not happy that Saturday night which i wanted to see the MSEP and Wishes at the MK but I had to help him get to the hotel safely. This is why he needs to get a smartphone.

The only thing i rode at Universal was just the Hogswarts Express. So it was all just walking around and seeing all the interesting things at USF and IoA. THe rides are not my style which can be rough and you can't even take pictures while on the rides. The only thing I can give Universal credit is that you can use selfie sticks while Disney won't allow them in. I could use the lockers, but I don't trust them. Thank you for following along PiO.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Last Installment on the Trip Report

Day 3 – October 18, 2015 – Part 4

Quickie to Epcot and HalloWishes from the Transportation & Ticket Center​

After only being at Universal Orlando Resort for about 5 hours, I was heading on back to the Sheraton Vistana Resort to rest up that afternoon so I can go on over to the Transportation & Ticket Center to watch the fireworks.

But before I head on back to the SVR, I made a small detour on over to Walt Disney World so I can see the spot where I was going to take pictures that night. I was looking and talking to different DISers online about the spot of where to see the fireworks from the T&TC. For all the years that I have been going, I have not been too interested in firework photography after I have been spending a lot of time at the Disneyland Resort where this time I wanted to try it.

I head on over to the T&TC first thing to see the spot at the Ferryboat dock.


When I looked at the area where you can watch the fireworks from, I knew now where you can see it from. You couldn’t move to that spot during the daytime or at night until it was around 30 minutes or less until the fireworks started at it’s schedule time.


After seeing from the edge of the exit, I knew that this was going to be a great spot to watch the fireworks.


I decided to go to Epcot to try out my MagicBand to make sure it was working since the MB and FastPass+ are all new to me so I went on the Epcot Monorail line to Epcot from the T&TC. I always have enjoyed riding the WDW Monorail’s when I am at the WDW. My favorite ride is the Disneyland Monorail at the DLR.

I only went to Epcot that afternoon only to test out the MB since Epcot would be busy during the Food & Wine Festival that day. I remember when I went in 2012 on a Saturday and went to all the different kiosks, the lines were quite long.




When I got off the Monorail and head on over to the entrance, I used the MB and it was quite easy where I just had to put the band right next to the scanner and had my finger and I was already in. It does take some time but it was neat to try it out the first time.

The first thing I do when I enter Epcot was to head on over to the “Leave a Legacy” tile which my brother and I did back in 2001. I always enjoy seeing the tile every time I come to Epcot which is the first thing I do.


Then I just stayed around the front entrance of Epcot to take some pictures of the F&W signs.




There were six signs of the different countries with the signature dish from the F&W Festival.














I only spent about half an hour at Epcot until I head on out of the parka and back on the Monorail to the T&TC. I was there just to make sure the MB worked and it since I have the PAP.

When I got back to the T&TC, I head on out and back to the SVR that afternoon to rest up. I decided not to go the parks that night since I was still adjusting the time from Pacific Time to the Eastern Time.

It was a good idea to rest up since I was tired from being at Universal Orlando Resort that morning to the afternoon.

Later that night, I went to dinner with my dad and our neighbors which I enjoy to be with them. My dad and Dennis went golfing that morning which they went to some golf course north of Orlando which they had a good time. I know that he will have his fun when he is here with us. Even though he did that bump on Friday.

For dinner, we went to a Black Angus Steak House on W Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway on 192 which is south of WDW. We have ate at this restaurant in the past and my neighbors love going to this restaurant. It was nice to have dinner at the Black Angus Steak House that night.

After dinner, my dad and our neighbors drove back to the SVR while I went on back to WDW that night to see the fireworks which was HalloWishes. This was my first time seeing the fireworks from the T&TC and I was so excited that I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I left the Black Angus Steak House that night. I thought someone would want to join me since it is only a short wait but they were tired and I can understand since we are planning on going to Epcot on Monday.

I got to the T&TC that night which was about an hour until HalloWishes started at 10pm. I just waited around the area until I was let in the Ferryboat dock area. I read that you got to wait at the entrance and ask a CM to let me in about 30 minutes. While I was waiting to get in the area, I saw some other photographers that have tripods which they were ready to take pictures that night. I talked to them for some time and they do this a lot since they are locals. So I was getting some good tips on the areas for the fireworks.

I used the Nikon 70-200 f/4 lens that night since it was quite a distance away from the MK which was a mile away. I had planned this from months ago of getting a telephoto lens so I can get up close shots of the fireworks from that distance.


It was 10pm and HalloWishes started and I had my remote with me already to take pictures that night. I have taken at least 20 pics that night and here are some of them.














I left that one too long.


It was nice to see HalloWishes that night and I did enjoy watching the fireworks from the T&TC that night. It would be better if I got to watch the fireworks on Saturday but i was happy that I got to see it that Sunday night.

After the HalloWishes was over, I packed all my stuff and head back to my car and back to the SVR. That was the day where I got to go to UOR for only 5 hours which didn’t seem it was worth it but I did cross it off my bucket list. Plus I was able to see HalloWishes from the T&TC which I wanted to do and now I want to do it again sometime during the trip. I didn’t know what time but I was going to do it again before I left.

That concludes the first full day of the WDW trip and the next day will be at Epcot with our neighbors which will be a fun time. We are all ready for the food and wine during the Epcot F&W Festival which is the 20th Anniversary.

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[dolphingirl47]

That is a long time since you have last been at Universal Orlando Resort.

I am not good with thrill rides and therefore there is very little for me to do at Universal.

If you are a big Harry Potter fan, i can see someone going there multiple times over WDW.

I would love to see all the Harry Potter stuff, but with the high cost of the tickets, I have never been able to justify t.

After seeing from the edge of the exit, I knew that this was going to be a great spot to watch the fireworks.

That looks like a very good spot and I really enjoyed the fireworks photos.

I decided not to go the parks that night since I was still adjusting the time from Pacific Time to the Eastern Time.

It is amazing how people are affected differently by time zone changes. When I came from Disneyland to Walt Disney World, I was suddenly able to stay until park closing which I had never managed before.

Corinna