Oct 2014 - HHN & Diagon Alley

[Molyneuxd]

Just this morning booked my next trip to Florida.

This will be my 12th visit and my OH 4th visit. Returning specifically for HHN24 and Diagon Alley, haven't been to HHN since 2005 my OH hasn't been in Oct before so will be first experience of horror nights.



Now can start planning what to do and seek out some bargains hopefully...

Car hire and park tickets next on my list.

 

[Pegasus928]

HHN are, without doubt, the single most enjoyable thing I think I have ever done in all of our trips to Florida. Each year it gets bigger and better and I can't wait until we can go to one again.
It's also the best use of the fast pass system and I don't think I would ever consider going without buying an express pass for the night.

 

[Molyneuxd]

Now its booked I can't stop looking / thinking of things I want to do...

Universal Studios
Islands of Adventure
HHN24
Epcot (Food & Wine festival is on)
Old Town for the car cruise, its tradition to have a look every time.
Bubba Gump's in City Walk and TGi on I-Drive were both brilliant last time.
Hot Dog Hall of Fame will hopefully be open at City Walk by Oct.
Goofys Candy Co at DTD is also a must.
Lots of shopping.

Other than that we are both pretty easy going, sure we will think of more things to do and places to eat before October.

What's best / cheapest way to get a one day Disney ticket, on the day? As I can't see option online to buy single day tickets.

Browsing car hire at the moment, can't decide what to hire this time, previously had Dodge Charger, Mustang thinking I don't need anything fancy but it would be nice.

HHN are, without doubt, the single most enjoyable thing I think I have ever done in all of our trips to Florida. Each year it gets bigger and better and I can't wait until we can go to one again.
It's also the best use of the fast pass system and I don't think I would ever consider going without buying an express pass for the night.

Yeah, my sister got married at Disney in Oct 2005 so we all went to HHN15 and its the thing I recall / enjoyed the most (hopefully my sister never sees this) Been wanting to go back in Oct for the last 9 years.

Just reading through your 2009 trip report now making me hungry with all the food photos.

 

[buttercup1982]

I know I'm going to sound silly but what is HHN?

 

[pickers1982]

I know I'm going to sound silly but what is HHN?

halloween horror nights.

 

[Molyneuxd]

I know I'm going to sound silly but what is HHN?

Sorry. As stated above it is Universal Halloween offering known as... Halloween Horror Nights

 

[winniepie81]

Exciting. We ll be there in oct too. Hoping to do HHN, never done it before so kinda scared and excited!
We are only doing 2 disney days MK and epcot for food and wine. We re just going to buy tickets on the gate, I know it seems pricey but sadly would nt get the use out of a 7 day ticket this trip.

 

[Pegasus928]

Now its booked I can't stop looking / thinking of things I want to do... Universal Studios Islands of Adventure HHN24 Epcot (Food & Wine festival is on) Old Town for the car cruise, its tradition to have a look every time. Bubba Gump's in City Walk and TGi on I-Drive were both brilliant last time. Hot Dog Hall of Fame will hopefully be open at City Walk by Oct. Goofys Candy Co at DTD is also a must. Lots of shopping. Other than that we are both pretty easy going, sure we will think of more things to do and places to eat before October. What's best / cheapest way to get a one day Disney ticket, on the day? As I can't see option online to buy single day tickets. Browsing car hire at the moment, can't decide what to hire this time, previously had Dodge Charger, Mustang thinking I don't need anything fancy but it would be nice. Yeah, my sister got married at Disney in Oct 2005 so we all went to HHN15 and its the thing I recall / enjoyed the most (hopefully my sister never sees this) Been wanting to go back in Oct for the last 9 years. Just reading through your 2009 trip report now making me hungry with all the food photos.

It sound like you do similar things to us. We used to do car and bike nights at Old a Town - but I'm not sure which ones they do now. We also enjoyed breakfast at Celebration on a Sunday morning as it was the farmers market.
I loved doing that trip report as it was a live one - and I often read back through it as a reminder of the fun we had.

 

[Molyneuxd]

Just checked, Saturday 4th Oct 9th annual Vette Fest at Old Town

Not sure my other half will be as excited as me.

 

[Molyneuxd]

Just booked 14 day Universal / IOA park-to-park tickets while Quidco had the 12% offer on Expedia activities, all being well that should be about £99 per ticket.

Now tempted by the Sea World / Aquatica / Busch Gardens 3 park ticket for £89. Wasn't planning to do any of those but since our last visit, Sea World now has Antarctica, Aquatica will have the new ihu's breakaway falls and of course Falcon's Fury at Busch.

 

[Pegasus928]

Sounds like you're getting it all sorted out
Do you know if the Universal tickets have to be used by a certain date?

 

[Molyneuxd]

Sounds like you're getting it all sorted out
Do you know if the Universal tickets have to be used by a certain date?

Expedia you enter the date range and get a voucher, so I guess once paid Universal will have to honour that. Done it before any price rises take effect.

 

[Lorrained]

Hiya,
We went to HHN October 2012 and my daughter loved it. It just randomly occurred that her school closed for 2 weeks at October which was lucky because we usually go at Easter and maybe miss 1 or 2 days of school but my son was in his final year and they categorically stated he couldn't even have an hour (image the uproar when the school actually added an extra week at October though!!!)

It was the first time they did The walking Dead and she is a massive fan so for her it was probably the best trip ever,me inky downside is we have never been able to go at October since, I work in schools and my daughter is in her final year then planning to go to college so we still have to go in school holidays.

She is now looking forward to the new Harry Potter attractions as she is a huge Potter fan too, so that's top of her list this year.

Also you mention the Epcot food and wine festival..... we went to that......it was fab!!! (Expect to gain a few pounds!!!) every time we went to Epcot I had to have a taco from the Mexico stand it was delicious.

Gutted we will miss that too!!! I think there has been something like that at Easter when we have gone, and also that at October, so I'm hoping this year there might be some kind of foody thing in August

 

[Molyneuxd]

Ha I plan to gain a few pounds on this holiday... Dennys peanut butter chocolate milkshake is about a daily calorie intake alone but my god its good.

I've given in and booked a car tonight, making most of 10% quidco deal with Hertz and a USA offer. Will have to stop myself checking prices for a while.

Paying for it now stops me spending it on rubbish and more time to save for $$$$'s

Earl of Sandwich club joined, we both happen to have "birthdays" when we are visiting Orlando. Make most of the free birthday sandwich at DTD.

 

[dacatlady]

Don't know if u have kids going with u. We don't and We have been going in sept and oct for the last 4 years so have been to hhn and howl of scream at busch gardens. They are the reason we go at that time of year as after the first one we was hooked and they are both worth going to. Howl and scream can be a long day but if you go to howl of scream it's worth doing the buffet as you get to see a show than you get an hour early Access to the house and than front of line till 8 o'clock this just gives you enough time to do all the house before the big queues arrive. Also I would recommend to get the multiple nights for hhn as it's very hard to do all the things in one night unless u get the express passes and those are outrageously priced offers appear on the main site when it comes up about July time. I recommend you join groupon Orlando for offers. We did ballooning dinner shows and zip lining all at half price or so. Disney day pass is about 60 per day so may be worth seeing about multi day, we use attractiontickets direct for our passes. If u want to do something really special and u like a drink get tickets to 3d desert party. U have to book 6 months in advance and call the us directly it's about 60 per person but u get all the deserts and booze you could ever want . Hopefully this. Year it will be book able online. Then there's the magic kingdom desert party, no booze but plenty deserts and good seating for the fireworks. We recommend first watch restaurant near sea world (free pie on Wednesday) they have a club too for offers. Sweet tomatoes is good for healthier eating, offer free birthday meal. Millers is good for evening drinks. Food truck Tuesday in milk district of downtown Orlando is crazy good. Information overload over

 

[Molyneuxd]

Thank you for that info, be sure to look some of those up.

Been member of Orlando groupon since last trip, used for half price CSI exhibit, some good offers at moment but expire before we travel.

No children just the two of us, 28 and my GF will be 27 when we go.

Think only Disney park will be Epcot just for a day at food and wine as with the car neither really drink in Florida so grab a taxi and get merry.

Last HHN for me was 2005 so 9 years ago, we got round everything in one night but each year it seems to get bigger and busier so will do a few nights spend all day at park eat in City Walk then HHN.

Hadn't considered Busch Halloween offering, have to look into that.

Thanks again for advice.

 

[chmurf]

What's best / cheapest way to get a one day Disney ticket, on the day? As I can't see option online to buy single day tickets.

for one day tickets, just get them at the gate or online

the option still exists, but they have changed it a bit.
Now there are 2 different 1 day tickets
- The 1 day MK ticket, which is more expensive ($99+tax), and gives you access to MK
- The 1 day "other park" ticket, which is less expensive ($94+tax) and gives you access to one of the 3 other parks but not MK.

you can add hopper, but only a MK ticket will grant access to MK. With the hopper on the "other parks" will allow hopping between the 3 other parks, not MK.

Important Single-Day Ticket Details

1-Day Ticket: EPCOT, or Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, or Disney's Hollywood Studios
This ticket provides admission to one of the following: EPCOT or Disney's Animal Kingdom park or Disney's Hollywood Studios. This ticket is not valid at Magic Kingdom park.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tickets/

 

[Molyneuxd]

for one day tickets, just get them at the gate or online

the option still exists, but they have changed it a bit.
Now there are 2 different 1 day tickets
- The 1 day MK ticket, which is more expensive ($99+tax), and gives you access to MK
- The 1 day "other park" ticket, which is less expensive ($94+tax) and gives you access to one of the 3 other parks but not MK.

you can add hopper, but only a MK ticket will grant access to MK. With the hopper on the "other parks" will allow hopping between the 3 other parks, not MK.



https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tickets/

Excellent, no real advantage booking in advance then other than save time at the gate? Was no queue last time we went to DHS without a ticket, probably just do the same if no one day deals.

Thanks for the info, I couldn't find single day tickets when I had a look suppose they push the 7-14-21 day options rather than singles.

 

[Molyneuxd]

Few more good deals cropped up,

Holiday Extras with Quidco and a Travel Agent discount (my sister) we have booked car parking and airport lounge at Manchester.

Used lounges at MAN past few years now and if get it for £10-£15pp its easy to get moneys worth of food and drink at airport prices and sit somewhere nice and quiet until flight departs.

To do list is getting smaller, want to do while there list is getting bigger.

HHN24 dates announced, looks like we will be there for several nights so make most of those. Can't wait for more info on the houses, so can get watching the films before we go.

 

[wilma-bride]

Just to clarify on the single-day Disney ticket question. There are no discounts on single day admission to WDW parks so you may as well just buy on the gate. You could buy from an agent such as Undercover Tourist, if you wanted to actually have the tickets in advance, but you won't save any money by buying ahead of time. Probably the reason you couldn't find the one-day ticket online when you looked is that most UK agents don't sell MYW tickets, only the UK-exclusive multiday tickets.

I know you said you only want to visit Epcot but, for clarification, chmurf is correct. You can add 'hopper' privileges to a single day ticket, however it is pretty pricy. $35 plus tax on a MK ticket and $40 plus tax on the Epcot/DHS/AK option.