Really disappointed...

[callahanjulie10]

We had decided that this fall, we would take a family trip to US/IOA. There would have been 3 families joining us. Our plan was to stay onsite, hoping to get a FL resident discount but if not, just enjoying ourselves since we would get such a great ticket price! We usually do WDW 3-4 times a year and have only been to US/IOA 2 times both times staying at PBH. My DH has never been with us though. He really loves WDW (as do I) but just for a change and because the onsite hotels are so AMAZING and FOTL!
I called to book our PBH rooms last night and they informed me that both parks close early through our entire stay due to Halloween Horror Nights. We had not planned on doing this because I am a HUGE baby and the other families have children who stand by me on this! We have done WDW MNSSHP twice and just assumed that like WDW, US/IOA would only close 1 park and we could go to the other park while this was going on. We will not be going now because of this. I am so disappointed because I was really looking forward to this trip- I just can't believe that all 4 nights we are there, both parks close at 5 & 6 pm. I guess we will end up at WDW again during October this year!

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I think with FOTL and low crowd volume during the day that you may find that you do not "need" to have the parks open later than that to do all that you want to do. You would then have the evenings to enjoy your resort, or City Walk or take a trip over to MNSSHP. Hope you change your mind.

 

[JessicaR]

I think with FOTL and low crowd volume during the day that you may find that you do not "need" to have the parks open later than that to do all that you want to do. You would then have the evenings to enjoy your resort, or City Walk or take a trip over to MNSSHP. Hope you change your mind.

This is so true! I love the idea of enjoying the resort or heading over to MNSSHP one night.

Take a look at the hours surrounding that time and you will find the hours similar even w/o HHN. Its a slow time to go and with FOTL you will have plenty of time to see it all.

 

[phamton]

Look at the calendar here: http://themeparks.universalstudios....emplate=uo_park_hours.html&month=10&year=2005

By closing early they mean it is closed only only one hour early. On the nights that are *not* Halloween Horror nights IOA is only open until 6:00 PM and Universal is only open until 7:00 PM. I wouldn't think one hour would make that much difference as the weather is still great at that time and the crowds are low. With FOTL, you will be walking on all the rides in October.

 

[patster734]

DW and I stayed at RPR for a few days last October for our 5 year Anniversary, but avoided HHN as she doesn't like being scared. We still had a blast! One night, we sat outside Magaritaville and sipped margaritas while watching the crowds leaving HHN. As for the parks during the day, the FOTL perk for onsite guests allowed us to see/ride everything at a leisure pace.

 

[trevorsem]

It's a trade off. Get there early and you'll find that for the majority of the day you can walk on most rides with no waiting in lines.

Compare this to mid-Summer where the park is open until 11 with long lines in the hot Florida sun ....




T

 

[robvia]

Crowds are very light in October, even on the days when HHN happens. The locals show up at night when HHN starts.

You can easily see everything during the day, then leave late in the afternoon, and go out to eat somewhere else.

 

[thedisneymom]

Hello Julie my love!!!!
Sorry to hear about your vacation plans. Samama is going to Disney just before us, and you in Octoberso disappointing. We hope to see our fellow Dis'ers from the cruise one day again. Send me a PM and let me know how everyone is.

 

[callahanjulie10]

I didn't realize that this is only 1 hour early- I am used to WDW being open until 9. We do go into the parks early and I LOVE the FOTL but I am just not sure about our evenings. We have a pool and by October, my DD is tired of swimming. I am sure that would get us through 1 night but there is no way she would go for all 4! As for CityWalk, there just isn't much there except for food. I enjoy it but my DD and DH would not be that impressed. As for the take a trip over to WDW for MNSSHP, there is no way. I am such a huge WDW fan, I think that it would be depressing to me not to be able to do the other parks so it is best I stay away!!
Thedisneymom- guess what.. we are thinking about maybe taking a cruise over Thanksgiving instead so there is something that makes up for the IOA/US disappointment. I will PM you....
Thanks for all the encouragement ya'll

 

[phamton]

I am used to WDW being open until 9.

Well, Epcot and Magic Kingdom are traditionally opened until 9:00 PM in October. But of course only the World Showcase is open that late as the rest of Epcot closes around 6:00 or 7:00 PM. Then on nights that Magic Kingdom has MNSSHP it closes around 6:00 PM also. MGM usually closes at 7:00 PM in October and AK at 5:00 PM. So the hours aren't that bad.

I am sure you will have a great time. Catch a movie or eat offsite for a late dinner. Or just spend the evenings unwinding from the day so you can be there early each morning.

 

[robvia]

You could visit Sea World of Florida and do their Halloween Spooktacular for one evening.

http://www.ioacentral.com/news/columns/barrys_backwater_bar_stool/horror_vacation_part_four.htm

Another night time idea is the Dixie Stampede Dinner show. Girls like this, because it involves horses, and all kinds of animals. You can pet the horses before/after the show, and the food is great.

That's two evenings. On the others, the kids would be happy staying in the room watching cartoons or a movie.

 

[thedisneymom]

Now that sounds more like you Julie- cruising!!!

 

[callahanjulie10]

It does, doesn't it!! I just love a cruise. It seems that I have done all the cruises from Port Canaveral and I am ready to do somewhere like Alaska or Hawaii so I guess my cruising days will have to be put on hold until next summer! I am not sure though- we might just go ahead and do WDW. Since we have annual passes already...why not. I will just have to save US/IOA for another time.