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

[PrincessInOz]

Good news to share, DAF told me that she will attend Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party with me during the trip.

YAY! That's great news.

$153 for a one day park to park ticket.

That makes my eyes water! Ouch!

 

[dhorner233]

I've been reading a little more. I'm so glad you are going to the MNSSHP! I loved the one in DW so much I went twice in one trip one time! And speaking of going solo, I went to the Halloween party in DL solo once when a hurricane held up my cousin. I was dressed as Dopey! Are you dressing up?

I don't mind going solo to DL, it's so cozy and comfortable for me but have not been solo to DW......yet.

And congrats on getting the BOG reservations. They are hard to get but, I think you will be okay with the 7 Dwarfs. It seems to be easier to get as time goes on.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Great news on the MNSSHP. That's really expensive for tickets to US/IOA. We are planning to go next year and that's really steep, but we want to do both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.

Thank you Alison. At first, DAF didn't want to attend MNSSHP since it is like MHP at DL. But the two parties are completely different and the one that sold her was the nighttime shows (Mickey's "Boo-To-You" Halloween Party and the Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular which is a new stage show for MNSSHP). I have been reading on Tom Bricker site about the strategy for MNSSHP and I decided on what to do during the party night. UO/IoA tickets are quite expensive. I remember back in 2012 where it was about $88 per person and that was only one park and now today it is $102. Tickets are just getting more and more and a DL one day ticket is less than a one day ticket at UO. Just like the two of you, the two of us are only going so we can experience Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. I want to ride the hHogwarts Express the most along with getting pictures of Diagon Alley.

Good news about MNSSHP. I have ended up booking a second one and can't wait.

Those prices for Universal are bringing tears to my eyes. Here in the UK when we can buy a two park bonus ticket for Universal that is valid for 14 days for not much more than that.

Corinna

Thank you Corinna. That is great that you are going to MNSSHP twice. If I had the option, I would go twice but one time will be enough since I have done it in the past.

The ticket prices for UO is just crazy. But I understand why Universal is doing that with the popular WWoHP at Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley and it was genius of putting the Hogwarts Express to both parks so guests could buy park to park tickets instead of just a one day park ticket.

YAY! That's great news.

That makes my eyes water! Ouch!

Thank you PiO. It is good news that we will be attending MNSSHP. But after reading Tom Bricker site these last few days, now I am excited for MNSSHP especially with the HalloWishes, Mickey's Boo-To-You Halloween parade but also the new Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular show. I am not a big Halloween fan like I do during the Holiday season at the DLR and WDW but this will be a fun time at WDW next month.

The prices for UO are just crazy that matches WDW and DLR. Hopefully we will be able to get our money's worth for UO/IoA but I don't think we will unless we spend a lot of time that day.

I've been reading a little more. I'm so glad you are going to the MNSSHP! I loved the one in DW so much I went twice in one trip one time! And speaking of going solo, I went to the Halloween party in DL solo once when a hurricane held up my cousin. I was dressed as Dopey! Are you dressing up?

I don't mind going solo to DL, it's so cozy and comfortable for me but have not been solo to DW......yet.

And congrats on getting the BOG reservations. They are hard to get but, I think you will be okay with the 7 Dwarfs. It seems to be easier to get as time goes on.

Thank you Denise. I can tell why people like MNSSHP over DL MHP which offers better nighttime shows like Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular and Mickey's Boo-To-You Halloween Parade which MHP doesn't have but DL Halloween Screams fireworks beats out HalloWishes in my opinion where you don't see Zero flying and the giant sphere on the left hand side of SB Castle. I didn't get to experience the full of MNSSHP back in 2012 where it was all about the shows but this time, I am planning on spending much more time at MNSSHP on Thursday night. I thought about going solo but I also got to think about the others that are with me during the trip in which it is not all about me. So there will be some things that I will have to go with my party members. I see. It must have been tough without your cousin during MHP when you went solo but I would guess that you had a great time. As of now, I am not planning on dressing up for MNSSHP. I will wear Halloween Parks stuff during the party. I have been thinking about it but I am trying to bring less to Orlando since I will bring some souvenirs back home with me so space is important along with carrying my camera equipment.

Going to DL is the best where it feels more like a local place for the locals to go instead of a vacation like WDW. I have felt it a number of times when I go to WDW solo where it is more of a vacation place over DL. You will enjoy going to WDW solo where it does feel different from the DLR but I haven't been to WDW with the FP+ and MB so right now I don't know what it will be like with those until I go next month. I might not even go solo during the trip since we plan on doing things with groups of people but the days at the Disney Parks will be just DAF and I except for Monday at Epcot which everyone will be going that day. My neighbors are planning on doing the IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party package where they get to eat all different kind of desserts and a prime spot for Illuminations.

When I tried to get a ressie at the half a year mark, they were completely gone and I had to go online everyday to see if any ressie open for BOG. I have done lunch in the past and was considering breakfast but I wanted to get the dinner the most and got lucky on one day. The only bad part is that it was during MNSSHP. If we didn't have ressie at BOG that night, we would have gone on Tuesday instead of Thursday during MNSSHP. I am wondering what the wait time will be like for 7DMT during MNSSHP. We might try to go on it during MNSSHP but that might be during the nighttime which the regular hours will be in the hour range. But I don't want to go on it during the nighttime shows so it might be after the shows which will be around 11pm. But we will see. I'm still trying to figure out when to go on 7DMT during the rope drop or just wait until MNSSHP. I also read that I got to go to the HM area during the party where Madame Carlotta and Madame Rinata will be in that area.

So much planning on doing and I get to make my ressie for my first night during the trip in which we are planning on going to the MK on Saturday night October 17th for the Main Street Electrical Parade, Wishes fireworks and Celebrate the Magic. Maybe the 7DMT FP+ will be available tonight where I was able to see an opening for 7DMT FP+ for Friday the 16th. Unfortunately that is the day that we are getting to Florida at 11pm EST. Talk about getting in Florida that late but what can you do when you get good deals on Southwest Airlines. Saturday will the day where we will be getting supplies for our place we are staying at the Sheraton Vistana Resort.

I'll post more when the days go by about what FP+ we will do during the trip.

 

[mvf-m11c]

These last few days, i have been making my FP+ for all the days that I will be going to the parks with DAF and looking on the WDW site to see if any openings are open for specific FP+ for the rides/shows. I was able to get some changes these last few days in which i was happy. Right now, here is my FP+ and what we are planning on doing during the trip.

I was able to get a FP+ for 7DMT but the problem is that it is during the morning time in which we will get to Florida on Friday night at 11pm and we won't be at the Sheraton Vistana Resort after midnight. So this is on the fence but it is an option for Saturday morning. I was lucky to get a FP+ for the second MSEP that night which we are planning on going to see the nighttime shows.

Sunday we will be going to Universal Orlando to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure to see the new Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express which we have to get a park to park ticket which was not cheap.

For Monday, we are all planning on going to Epcot that Monday and I wasn't able to get a FP+ for IllumiNations but I wanted to ride Test Track which was a good substitution. And don't forget about the Food & Wine Festival which I am looking forward too.

Tuesday we will go to DHS for a few rides and later during the afternoon we will go on over to the MK to see Festival of Fantasy parade along with our ressie for BOG restaurant that night during MNSSHP which we won't attend. Hopefully there will be an opening for FoF parade for the FP+ but if not, we will do the old fashion stakeout.

Wednesday, we plan on going back to Epcot to the F&W Festival and I was able to get FP+ for IllumiNations in the viewing area and I was excited to get it tonight.

Thursday will be Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party night which it will be nice to attend that night as our last full night in Florida until we head on back to NorCal on Friday the 23rd.

There will be more changes to the FP+ in these next few weeks and maybe I will get the FP+ for certain times during my trip but I am satisfy with what I got where I am not staying on-site at WDW.

 

[PrincessInOz]

YAY for the FP+ bookings.

Looks like great plans.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I am glad that you got at least some of the Fastpasses you wanted.

Corinna

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Bret,
I really like the 7DMR when we went in June. It was very fun. I'm glad you got FP for it. Ours were at strange times as well. I'm also glad to see your DA will be going to the MNSSHP with you. The parade is one of my favorites at any Disney Park. I'll look forward to reading about your adventures. We got APs in June and will be going again in February and April and again for a family trip in June before the APs expire. The following year we plan to get DL APs. Off to read about your D23 trip.

TK

 

[franandaj]

I'm glad you were able to get some of the FP+ that you wanted!

 

[dhorner233]

Looks like a great schedule! Isn't going to DW a lot of work!? I rode Radiator Springs 3 times while I was at DL. The last time I just literally walked on as a single rider.

I'm glad you are getting organized for DW! Especially when traveling with how many? 6 people? You would never get a good spot for the fireworks or the parades. Or be able to eat at Be Our Guest. Are you going to any other full service restaurants?

 

[mvf-m11c]

YAY for the FP+ bookings.

Looks like great plans.

Thank you PiO. I was lucky with the FP+ for 7DMT and 2nd showing of MSEP on the same day. But I don't know if we will use the FP+ for 7DMT on Saturday which will be our first full day in Florida and we might do some errands. But maybe we can get a quick ride and then leave after riding the 7DMT and come back later for the nighttime events.

The plans are okay for now but they will change when we get closer to the dates.

I am glad that you got at least some of the Fastpasses you wanted.

Corinna

I was glad to get some of the FP+ that I wanted from the 7DMT, MSEP & Illuminations even though we didn't get the one for Monday the 19th but we can always go and find a good spot anywhere around World Showcase Lagoon.

Hi Bret,
I really like the 7DMR when we went in June. It was very fun. I'm glad you got FP for it. Ours were at strange times as well. I'm also glad to see your DA will be going to the MNSSHP with you. The parade is one of my favorites at any Disney Park. I'll look forward to reading about your adventures. We got APs in June and will be going again in February and April and again for a family trip in June before the APs expire. The following year we plan to get DL APs. Off to read about your D23 trip.

TK

Hi TK,

I haven't seen any video of the 7DMT since I wanted to be excited to ride it but I will plan on what to shoot during the ride experience. But after hearing that it wasn't worth waiting over an hour, we will try to ride it when the wait time is low somewhere in that 30 minute range. I was lucky to get a FP+ for it but we don't know if we will use it. I was surprised that DAF was willing to go to MNSSHP with me on the 22nd and glad that she is coming since we can see the nighttime events. I enjoyed that spot when I watch the parade during the 2012 MNSSHP which was a great spot by Liberty Square. This time it will be on Main Street. That is nice to read that you got AP's during your trip and you will be able to go on multiple trips. That is good news that you plan on getting AP's at DL the following year and maybe this will be the time where I will get to meet you in person if our trips cross paths.

I'm glad you were able to get some of the FP+ that you wanted!

Thanks Alison. I was lucky to get some of them. Even though the times are not the ones that I wanted for the 7DMT and MSEP, I am glad that I was able to get some along with a ressie for BOG. This is where staying on-site makes a big difference but I was glad that I got some of the FP+ that I wanted.

Looks like a great schedule! Isn't going to DW a lot of work!? I rode Radiator Springs 3 times while I was at DL. The last time I just literally walked on as a single rider.

I'm glad you are getting organized for DW! Especially when traveling with how many? 6 people? You would never get a good spot for the fireworks or the parades. Or be able to eat at Be Our Guest. Are you going to any other full service restaurants?

Thanks Denise. The schedule is a work in progress and will change more and more when the dates get closer. Glad to read that you were able to ride RSR three times during your trip.

We will be traveling with 6 people from our three neighbors, my dad and DAF. Most of the days, it will be me and DAF at the parks. All 6 of us will be at Epcot on the 19th which my dad is only interested in going and my neighbors plan on going to Epcot for the Food & Wine Festival. I am really looking forward to going back to Epcot and trying all the different food at the F&W Festival. As of now, the only full service restaurant that I have on-site is BOG for the 19th which I was lucky to get.


I have been looking on the menu of what kiosks to go to during the F&W Festival and I have decided on a few of them that I know for sure that I will get something. The ones are Sustainable Chew, Chew Lab (which are new), Canada, Australia, Argentina, Germany & Mexico. I have enjoyed the food from Canada, Argentina, Germany & Mexico back in 2012 and I will decide on the other kiosks while we are walking around World Showcase.

Any other kiosks would you recommend during the F&W Festival since I want to try some other food from other countries? But the ones that I listed are for sure the ones that I want to get.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I have been looking on the menu of what kiosks to go to during the F&W Festival ..... Australia.

Unless the shrimp is fresh, I would stick with the lamb.
At all costs....avoid the not-lamington. That's absolutely nothing like what we have over here!


I liked the waffles at Belgium; and the black pepper shrimp noodles at China; and the mussels from NZ.

And I think there are a number of us that might recommend the Chocolate pudding at Ireland.

 

[franandaj]

Another vote here for the waffles in Belgium, all of them, the savory one was really good even though it might sound strange. I can't wait to go back for F&W next year!

 

[dhorner233]

Are you going to be on the food plan? I went to the Food and Wine Fest on the food plan and researched all the most expensive items I could get as a snack. I had lobster, steak, lamb, shrimp and a couple more I can't remember. I used all of my snack credits for the F&W Fest.

 

[mvf-m11c]

It has been a tough day today after hearing from DAF that she won't be going to WDW with me, my dad and our neighbors. But we will still have an enjoyable trip. Now I got to make changes to my plans including the FP+.

Unless the shrimp is fresh, I would stick with the lamb.
At all costs....avoid the not-lamington. That's absolutely nothing like what we have over here!


I liked the waffles at Belgium; and the black pepper shrimp noodles at China; and the mussels from NZ.

And I think there are a number of us that might recommend the Chocolate pudding at Ireland.

Thank you for the advice PiO about the shrimp. I don't eat shrimp anyway.

I will definitely try the waffles at Belgium since I have talked about it with Alison.

I don't eat chocolate which is kind of surprising to a lot of you.

Another vote here for the waffles in Belgium, all of them, the savory one was really good even though it might sound strange. I can't wait to go back for F&W next year!

Thank you for the advice Alison. The savory one might be an interesting one to try. It won't be to long until your DCL trip.

Are you going to be on the food plan? I went to the Food and Wine Fest on the food plan and researched all the most expensive items I could get as a snack. I had lobster, steak, lamb, shrimp and a couple more I can't remember. I used all of my snack credits for the F&W Fest.

There are a few kiosks that I will definitely go to like the Canada one which is the definitely and trying out some ones that I have done in the past. I will definitely have to bring a lot of Disney gift cards for the trip.

 

[PrincessInOz]

It has been a tough day today after hearing from DAF that she won't be going to WDW with me, my dad and our neighbors

Oh no! That's real tough. Hope everything goes well and please give my best wishes to DAF.

 

[franandaj]

I hope you are able to replan your trip and the excursions you had planned with DAF.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Oh no! That's real tough. Hope everything goes well and please give my best wishes to DAF.

It was tough for her not to go. I will find out later when I get back from Florida to find out what the situation is like.

I hope you are able to replan your trip and the excursions you had planned with DAF.

I had to do a overhaul of the plan but most of the it are still the same with the exception of a few FP+ rides. I still have the BOG ressie on Tuesday which my dad will join me. I was not willing to cancel that ressie since I wanted to eat there during dinner time.

Just one more day to go which is exciting and not exciting as well.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Safe travels!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Safe travels!

Thanks PiO.

I got to Florida safely yesterday but I wasn't able to go to the parks that night since there were some problems when we got here. But I was able to go to UO and see HalloWishes fireworks tonight from the T&TC. Thank you @mom2rtk for the tips from the ferry dock for HalloWishes tonight.

Tomorrow is the F&W Festival which I am really looking forward too.

 

[tksbaskets]

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