Help With Plans Please! | OCT 2017

[Isabellulla]

Hello!

This is my first post, so hopefully I am in the right board! My Husband and I are going to Disney World the first week in October of this year. We have park hopper passes and will be staying at the Swan and Dolphin. We'll be at Disney Sprints for 1/2 day when we arrive, 4 days at Disney, and then 3 days at Universal.

This is my Husband's first trip ever, and my first in more than a decade and I am so excited. A lot has changed since the last time I was there (most notably, I am no longer 11), so I want to make the most of this, and to make extra sure I am prepared! We can make our ADRs in 5 days, so before then I want to make sure what I am planning will work and that I'm not over reaching.

Additionally, I have Celiac's, so I have been working hard to make sure we can get in at places which have goof GF food.

A big problem I am running into is that the Halloween Parties for both Universal and Disney have yet to be announced, so one of my days in the parks will likely be split half and half (I think for sure the day we're in Hollywood studios, we will be spending the 2nd half of the day at MK or Epcot).

Is there a good way to combat this problem? My biggest worry is that the Halloween Party falls on Monday and wrecks my BOG plans. I want to go to the party, but I want to take that time to see the parade and shows and do rides, not pay a bunch of money so I can stay in the park and do BOG.

This is my plan so far:

9.30 - Disney Springs

• Dinner at Morimoto Asia

10.1 - Magic Kingdom
Meals:

• Breakfast on own
• Lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table
• Dinner at Be Our Guest

FP:

• Thunder Mountain
• Space Mountain
• Haunted Mansion

10.2 - Animal Kingdom
Meals:

• Breakfast on own
• Lunch at Harambe's Market
• Dinner at Tiffin's

FP:

• Pandora Ride 1 (Whose name I cannot remember)
• Pandora Ride 2 (ditto the name thing, sorry!)
• Rivers of Light

10.3 - Hollywood Studios / MK or Epcot
Meals:

• Breakfast on own
• Lunch at TBD
• Dinner at TBD

FP:

• Rocking Roller Coaster
• Star Tours
• Tower of Terror

10.4 - Epcot
Meals:

• Breakfast on own
• Lunch at Food and Wine Festival Pavilion
• Dinner at Biergarden

FP:

• Race Track
• Soarin'
• TBD

Thank you all so so much! Just reading through these boards have been so helpful for me, and I look forward to any help you can give me!

 

[BrianL]

Well, your FP selections aren't going to be possible due to tiering in Epcot, HS, and AK. This means that you cannot make one of your 3 advance FP+ selections for both Test Track and Soarin' for example. You can only select one. The same will certainly be true for the Pandora Rides (Flight of Passage and Na'vi River Journey FYI). Your best bet is to go immediately after Rope Drop for one and then use and FP for the other. Rope Drop is your friend!

To start learning everything there is to know about Fast Passes, check this thread courtesy of Mesaboy:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/fastpass-frequently-asked-questions.3491680/

I think you'll have to make some adjustments after reading that.

You have selected some good meals. Doing both Cinderella's Royal Table and Be Our Guest in one day could be a lot to handle, but I mean, they're both pretty great (I've only eaten at BOG, but CRT has a good reputation). Just realize that they are relatively long affairs.

Good luck to you and welcome to the Dis!

 

[Mimifree]

While the dates for MNSSHP have not been announced, I've used the October calendar to make my best guesses on what nights the party will be. Look for when MK closes at 7:00. That is most likely going to be a party night.

 

[Hopefully]

@BrianL has given you great feedback. You can not do what you plan. Plus I would definitely plan 5 days at Disney and 2 at Universal.
Good luck

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Based on the current park schedule, yes, you can expect the Halloween party to be held on 10/1 and 10/3. We actually went to BOG on a party night, but had dinner around 5 pm so we were out in time for the party (and avoid the crowds that build between 4 pm and 7 pm when day guests and party guests are there at the same time). If you really want to do CRT and BOG on the same day AND you are attending the party, I would consider breakfast at one and a late lunch/early dinner at the other. That way, you get to go to both restaurants and not interfere with the party. You seem to indicate you are planning on buying tickets for the party on 10/1, but you are potentially hopping to MK on the afternoon on 10/3. Unless you plan on buying tickets for the MK Halloween party on 10/3, too, I wouldn't hop to MK on an afternoon of a scheduled party.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I also wanted to add, since you are planning dinner at Tiffin's, I would consider doing their Rivers of Light dining package so you have seating at the show. This will open up a FP+ for you on your AK day which you could use for the Safari, perhaps. As others have said, due to tiering at the parks, you will probably have to rope drop one of the Pandora rides to reduce wait time as you can't FP+ both. Same for Soarin' and Test Track. Rope drop one and FP+ the other. You are fine with your FP+ picks at MK and DHS.

 

[drinkme]

In October you should be able to do all of universal in 2 days. Although we had an AP at universal & spent many days there!! If you are a big Harry Potter fan you may want to do the 3 days after all.

I can see why you want to do Cinderellas RT & BOG because they are both great places. But that's sooo much food!! And a long time in restaurants.

 

[MikeRx]

Welcome to the DISboards as a poster!
Disney (both DLR and WDW) is our GF happy place. Every place you eat from table service to counter service will gladly accommodate you. If you want the high profile reservations be sure to be on-line at 7am EDT 180 days before your trip to assure you can secure them. The truly hard to get are BOG and CRT. We've also had great meals outside the parks at the resorts ,our favorites are: CA Grill, Flying Fish, O'hana, Citricos.
Mike