Sisters Trip August 9-18, 2024. Fluid is the Name of the Game

[mkmomto2]

Hi there! I am trying this again. I wrote a pre-trip report in 2020 and never finished it, so I'm hopeful that I will finish this one and then write a trip report after it is over, but we shall see. I have been reading these boards for a really long time (my profile says 2013, but it was even earlier than that I'm sure). I feel like it is time to give back... hopefully I will follow through this time! Let's begin!

Allow me to introduce myself: I'm Stacy. I am a special education teacher from Delaware and just started a travel business on the side. I started my business less than a year ago when I realized that I would like to retire in the near future, but still have some additional income. So, I figured, why not do something I love to do anyway? I have been planning travel for my family and friends for years, so why not get paid for it? The amount of work that I put into a trip definitely is much more than I get paid, but I love it and am building my business so it is a wash, at least in my mind haha . Enough about me, let's get onto the trip!


Here I am with my first Butterbeer

Dates: 8/9/24-8/16/24. I like going during this time because it is in between summer school, which I always work, and regular school. The crowds are usually pretty light during this time as well (actually this is a week earlier than I typically go because summer school is ending a week early). I very likely may add on days to the back end of this trip.

Resort: Pop Century (I have stayed at Pop Century many times- both before and since the skyliner was built). I have previously booked other resorts and then changed back to Pop so many times I have lost count. For a solo trip especially, Pop has plenty of room, I love having the table and the skyliner makes getting to/from Hollywood Studios and EPCOT just so easy.

Travellers: Just me right now; however, my sister and/or niece and nephew in law have indicated that they may join me. I love solo trips so much, but also love my trips with my sisters and nieces and nephews so will be happy with whatever everyone decides!


Here is a picture from Universal last month in case my sister and/or niece and nephew in law decide to join.

Highlights: I am going to prioritize these experiences: Luminous at EPCOT, the drone show at Disney Springs, Journey of Water and the Moana show at EPCOT because they are new to me.

I am an early riser, so I love to rope drop the parks! I also enjoy a mid-day break, especially in the summer when it is really hot. Nighttime at the parks is particularly pleasant in the summertime, so I try to stay up as late as possible (which isn't always easy for me lol) to enjoy time in the parks at night. I typically don't love Disney Springs, but will visit for a restaurant reservation if I'm so inclined and plan to make an ADR for somewhere that has a good view of the drone show.

I have not decided how many park days I will do and that may depend on if anyone is coming to join me. I know that if my family members join, they will most likely purchase the 4 day magic tickets that are available for the summer. I haven't quite decided if I am going to extend the trip, so most likely I will get a 6-10 day park hopper depending on what I decide and venture out for some solo days if they do join me.

I know this is all just loosely formed at this point, but I will solidify plans as we go along.

Thanks for joining me on this adventure!

 

[MrsK53113]

Joining in! I'm also from Delaware and it's so fun to find others since it's SUCH a small state! My daughter and I are also going in August, right after you're due to get back. I'm looking forward to hearing more of your plans

 

[mkmomto2]

Joining in! I'm also from Delaware and it's so fun to find others since it's SUCH a small state! My daughter and I are also going in August, right after you're due to get back. I'm looking forward to hearing more of your plans

Fun! Delaware is very small indeed haha! I usually go the same week as you, but summer school is ending a bit sooner this year, so I thought I would go earlier to have a few days before the regular school year starts. I see you have a PTR as well, so I will follow along with yours too!

 

[mkmomto2]

The key is to stay fluid!
The last time I wrote, this was a solo trip, but my sister has decided to join me, YAY!
The dates are the same; however, I am thinking about flying in on the evening of the 8th now. If we do, I am not sure where we will stay that night- I've toyed with the idea of staying off-site just to see how it is and then ubering over in the morning. Stay tuned!

Our loose plans are as follows (subject to change if we have to for ADRs):

8/8/24: Arrival Evening
8/9/24: Possible skyliner hopping with Jellyrolls?
8/10/24: Magic Kingdom- Tony's for lunch for parade viewing
8/11/24: Hollywood Studios- Brown Derby Lounge for lunch or dinner
8/12/24: Disney Springs- Paddlefish for Dinner for Drone Viewing
8/13/24: Animal Kingdom - Yak n Yeti for Dinner, Nomad for lunch
8/14/24: Epcot- Rose N Crown Fireworks Dining Package
8/15/24: Possible Monorail Hop with Poly beach fireworks?
8/16/24: Departure

Not sure how this is all going to go, but we have some things we definitely want to do and then others that we are flexible on.

 

[mkmomto2]

And fluid we will stay!

My sister's niece on her husband's side of the family has just announced a celebration of some sort. Guess when it is? Yep! Right at the beginning of our trip... so, we pivot.

I am dropping that add on first night and adding two to the end of the trip to compensate.... My sister will join me sometime on the 11th now. She will still be getting the 4 day magic tickets, but I will definitely be getting at least 7 day park hoppers. My plan is to fly solo on the 9th from BWI (but very well may switch my flight to the 8th after summer school ends). She will fly out of Newark on the 11th to join me. We will fly back to BWI together on the 18th.


8/9/24: Solo day in Epcot- maybe hopping to Hollywood Studios
8/10/24: Solo day in Magic Kingdom
8/11/24: Solo morning in Animal Kingdom until Sister arrives. Then Disney Springs- Paddlefish for dinner for Drone Show Viewing
8/12/24: Hollywood Studios- HBD lounge for lunch
8/13/24: Possible Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (lazy day prior.) Probably a late lunch at Geyser Point or Steakhouse 71 lounge before the party.
8/14/24: Animal Kingdom. Nomad Lounge for lunch, Yak n Yeti for dinner.
8/15/24: EPCOT. Rose and Crown Fireworks Dining package.
8/16/24: Rest Day. Possible monorail hop, skyliner hop. Disney Springs?
8/17/24: Magic Kingdom. Tony's for parade viewing at 11:30 a.m.
8/18/24: departure day

My niece and her husband are trying to decide if they want to join us and a friend of ours might as well. If so, everything will change again haha.

I am toying with the idea of getting Standby Skipper again. I did once before just to try it and it was helpful, but with virtual queues for both Tron and Tiana, it might be really helpful to get the regular lightning lanes with so that I can concentrate on the virtual queues and individual lightning lanes. Not sure yet what I want to do with that.

Any thoughts on any of this are very welcomed!

 

[mkmomto2]

Well, now that school is finally out, I am ready to focus a little more on this trip. I have changed a few things as per usual. I secured my flights and will be flying in on 8/9/24 and will land around 12. I am planning on the following now:


8/9/24: Land around 12, Mears shuttle to Pop Century, Skyliner to EPCOT for the evening.
-----I will probably wander around World Showcase a bit, maybe check out new Moana attraction, if the Encanto show is happening, watch that, etc. I don't think I will get Genie+ for this day. I will probably find a spot and watch Luminous on this day.

8/10/24: Solo day in Magic Kingdom and will probably hop to Hollywood Studios (sister may come in late on this night)
----I will definitely rope drop MK and ride Seven Dwarfs. I probably will get Genie+ on this day, but if I do get Standby Skipper, I can't start it until the next day (it is good for 7 days consecutively). I won't buy an individual lightning lane, but may try for the virtual queue for Tron. My first genie + will definitely be Tiana's. I will do that first as it is the one I am most interested in. Depending on how busy it is, I might start stacking lightning lanes for the afternoon/evening in Hollywood studios pretty early. Hoping to ride Slinky, Mickey and Minnie, Tower of Terror and Toy Story Mania.

8/11/24: Solo morning in Animal Kingdom (sister may come in this day as well- still up in the air. I will probably go to AK in the morning regardless) I will rope drop AK and head right to FOP. If I get Genie + this day (will probably be determined by if my sister is coming in late or early- may not need it for just AK, but if I hop, then it might be nice). I would like to see the shows and ride Dinosaur. I have never ridden Everest, but am planning to. I may save it for when my sister comes.
*** If she comes in the night before or early on this day, we will go to Disney Springs for the drone show this evening. I have a tentative reservation at Jaleo, but am planning on switching to the Summer House on the Lake once I know. If she comes in too late, this evening will be shifted to another night and I will probably spend the evening in one of the parks.

8/12/24: Hollywood Studios- HBD lounge for lunch (yummy cobb salad!) and we have a Sci Fi Fantasmic package for dinner. Genie + and maybe ILL for Rise. Will try for Slinky first. Rope dropping Tower of Terror and Rockin Roller Coaster. My sister cannot park hop, so we will go back for a rest mid-day and then return to HS in the evening.

8/13/24: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (lazy day prior.) Probably a late lunch at Geyser Point or Steakhouse 71 lounge before the party. I did grab a Kona Cafe late lunch reservation as well in case we decide to do that. Our focus is going to be on the shows, parade, fireworks and rides. We don't care too much about the character meets. Really excited for this. My sister has not gone to a party before, so can't wait!


8/14/24: Rest Day. I have a Jaleo reservation here as well, but will probably shift to Summer House if we are doing the drone show this night. I have a lunch reservation at Beaches N Cream. If we aren't going to Disney Springs for the drone show this night, we will do a skyliner bop day, rest and then a monorail bop evening most likely, planning on finishing somewhere that we can watch the MK fireworks from.

8/15/24: EPCOT. Space 220 Lounge lunch, Rose and Crown Fireworks Dining package. Will try for a virtual queue for Guardians and will probably buy an ILL as well. If we get Genie +, will probably get Remy/Frozen first. We will be Skylining in, so may be able to rope drop Remy. Will go back for a rest midday and then return for the evening.

8/16/24: Animal Kingdom. Nomad Lounge lunch, Yak n Yeti for dinner. Rope drop or purchase ILL for FOP. If we do Genie+, will probably get Navi first and then Safari. We will probably go back for a rest and then return although the hours are shorter for this park. The heat in August may dictate that we do that though.

8/17/24: Magic Kingdom. Tony's for parade viewing at 11:30 a.m. We will rope drop Seven Dwarfs, try for a Virtual Queue for Tron, Genie + first selection will be Tiana. We will take a break mid-day and then come back in the evening. I will be stacking lightning lanes for the evening. My guess is that we will not stay for fireworks this night or we will ride rides during rather than watching.

8/18/24: departure day, flight is at 8, so we will schedule a lyft or uber for around 5-5:30.

My niece and her husband are still up in the air. They may join us, so we will shift again if so. I'm sure these plans will change as we get closer lol.

 

[mkmomto2]

It's only been a few days and plans have changed again. My sister was having a hard time finding a flight that suited her plans, so she scrapped them and is coming with me on 8/9/24! She will still get the 4 day magic ticket. I will get a 4-7 day park hopper although I'm not sure how much extra I'll go into the park without her lol. My niece and her husband will most likely not be joining us. So, here goes our plans as of now lol.



8/9/24: Land around 12, Uber or Lyft to Pop Century. This evening, we have reservations on the patio of Summer House on the Lake for dinner and a view of the drone show. We may go to Disney Springs early and wander around.

8/10/24: Sangria University at Coronado Springs at 1:30. I am looking into sharing an MK fireworks cruise with a group on this evening, but if not, we will probably resort hop and end up on the beach at the Poly to watch to fireworks.

8/11/24: Hollywood Studios- HBD lounge for lunch (yummy cobb salad!) and we have a Sci Fi Fantasmic package for dinner. Genie + and maybe ILL for Rise. Will try for Slinky first. Rope dropping Tower of Terror and Rockin Roller Coaster. My sister cannot park hop, so we will go back for a rest mid-day and then return to HS in the evening.

8/12/24: Animal Kingdom. Yak n Yeti lunch, hopefully Nomad Lounge for dinner. Rope drop or purchase ILL for FOP. If we do Genie+, will probably get Navi first and then Safari. We will probably go back for a rest and then return although the hours are shorter for this park. The heat in August may dictate that we do that though.

8/13/24: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (lazy day prior.) Probably a late lunch at Geyser Point or Steakhouse 71 lounge before the party. I did grab a Grand Floridian Cafe late lunch reservation as well in case we decide to do that. Our focus is going to be on the shows, parade, fireworks and rides. We don't care too much about the character meets. Really excited for this. My sister has not gone to a party before, so can't wait!


8/14/24: Rest Day. I have a lunch reservation at Beaches N Cream, but I'm not sold on that. We will do a skyliner bop day, rest and then a monorail bop evening most likely, planning on finishing somewhere that we can watch the MK fireworks from. Or maybe Jellyrolls

8/15/24: EPCOT. Space 220 Lounge lunch, Rose and Crown Fireworks Dining package. Will try for a virtual queue for Guardians and will probably buy an ILL as well. If we get Genie +, will probably get Remy/Frozen first. We will be Skylining in, so may be able to rope drop Remy. Will go back for a rest midday and then return for the evening.

8/16/24: Resort Hop. Sanaa for lunch.

8/17/24: Magic Kingdom. Tony's for parade viewing at 11:30 a.m. We will rope drop Seven Dwarfs, try for a Virtual Queue for Tron, Genie + first selection will be Tiana. We will take a break mid-day and then come back in the evening. I will be stacking lightning lanes for the evening. My guess is that we will not stay for fireworks this night or we will ride rides during rather than watching. I did grab a Plaza dinner reservation around 7:30. Not sure if we will keep it.

8/18/24: departure day, flight is at 8, so we will schedule a lyft or uber for around 5-5:30.

 

[mkmomto2]

I just read that pre-selected Genie + is coming!!! I am so excited! The planner in me who has missed Fastpass predictability is jumping with joy right now!

Other than that, I haven't really changed much on the trip right now. I did add a Kona Cafe reservation for August 10th in case we decided to head that way to watch the fireworks on the beach. I think that is it.

Tomorrow I start summer school to pay for this trip

And... I just realized that this is the 4th trip report I have started. I haven't finished one yet. Whoops! I will try to do better this time, I promise!

 

[Lynne G]

We are close to you, as in a Philly northern suburb, and fly from PHL, and also doing 11 to 18 August. Due to a concert the night before in Hershey, we changed our early morning flight to an evening one. Ooops. Totally had forgotten booked that concert many, many months ago.

Booked this trip 45 days ago, as had flight credits from SW from my cancelled flight in March. And thought why not a late summer trip.

We used to go the last two weeks in August once my kids became school aged, until they were teens, then we traveled over Christmas holiday, many years until they graduated. Now my kids are 22 and 26. So, due to my younger kid’s work schedule, she’s joining me on this trip, as my DH and older kid don’t want to go.

FWIW, we didn’t like the menu changes at Finnegan’s, so we don’t eat there anymore. We end up at Mythos or Confisco Grille in Islands instead, if we eat in a Universal Park. Looking forward to the new parade and water show there at the end of the week, as we change over to Royal on Thursday.

Enjoy reading your report.

 

[mkmomto2]

FWIW, we didn’t like the menu changes at Finnegan’s, so we don’t eat there anymore. We end up at Mythos or Confisco Grille in Islands instead, if we eat in a Universal Park. Looking forward to the new parade and water show there at the end of the week, as we change over to Royal on Thursday.

We didn't try Finnegans. We ate at Mythos and thought it was ok, but nothing amazing. Really cool place though! I loved Cowfish in Citywalk!

 

[mkmomto2]

So, not much has changed as far as the trip goes except that I have been learning as much as i can about the new system- Lightning Lane Multi-pass and Single-pass. I will probably go into parks 2-3 mornings that we are not scheduled for parks just to take pictures and soak in the atmosphere while my sister lounges at the pool. I will not buy the multi-pass or single passes for these mornings though. I keep checking our flights and so far they are staying stable. Fingers crossed for no changes (the only change that I wouldn't mind is a couple hours later on the return flight- as long as we know about it ahead of time haha).

8/9/24: Land around 12, Uber or Lyft to Pop Century. This evening, we have reservations on the patio of Summer House on the Lake for dinner and a view of the drone show. We may go to Disney Springs early and wander around. We will be ordering groceries (creamer, bottled water, breakfast items, beer and/or wine) from Kroger, so will have to stick around awhile to receive it.

8/10/24: Sangria University at Coronado Springs at 1:30. I am looking into sharing an MK fireworks cruise with a group on this evening, but if not, we will probably resort hop and end up on the beach at the Poly to watch to fireworks. I grabbed a Kona Cafe reservation for this evening that we may or may not keep.

8/11/24: Hollywood Studios- HBD lounge for lunch (yummy cobb salad!) and we have a Sci Fi Fantasmic package for dinner. Multi-pass selections: Slinky, Tower of Terror and Toy Story Mania. Single-pass- Rise.

8/12/24: Animal Kingdom. Yak n Yeti lunch, hopefully Nomad Lounge for dinner. Multi-pass selections: Safari, Lion King Show, Everest. Single-pass- Flight of Passage.

8/13/24: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (lazy day prior.) Probably a late lunch at Geyser Point or Steakhouse 71 lounge before the party. I did grab a Grand Floridian Cafe late lunch reservation as well in case we decide to do that. Our focus is going to be on the shows, parade, fireworks and rides. We don't care too much about the character meets. Really excited for this. My sister has not gone to a party before, so can't wait!

8/14/24: Rest Day. I have a lunch reservation at Beaches N Cream, but I'm not sold on that. We will do a skyliner bop day, rest and then a monorail bop evening most likely, planning on finishing somewhere that we can watch the MK fireworks from. Or maybe Jellyrolls

8/15/24: EPCOT. Space 220 Lounge lunch, Rose and Crown Fireworks Dining package. Will try for a virtual queue for Guardians. Multi-pass selections- Remy, Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land. Single-pass- Guardians.

8/16/24: Resort Hop. Sanaa for lunch.

8/17/24: Magic Kingdom. Tony's for parade viewing at 11:30 a.m. I did grab a Plaza dinner reservation around 7:30. Not sure if we will keep it. Virtual Queues for Tron and Tiana (if still available), Multi-pass- Tiana, Haunted Mansion and Pirates. Single-pass- Tron, Seven Dwarfs.

8/18/24: departure day, flight is at 8, so we will schedule a lyft or uber for around 5-5:30.

 

[cveeders]

My mom and I will be at MNSSHP on the 13th too! Hoping the heat isn't too bad. It'll be our first time at the party and I'm excited. We're being super flexible with plans too, and it's cool to read your tentative plans! Looking forward to seeing more

 

[mkmomto2]

My mom and I will be at MNSSHP on the 13th too! Hoping the heat isn't too bad. It'll be our first time at the party and I'm excited. We're being super flexible with plans too, and it's cool to read your tentative plans! Looking forward to seeing more

My sister hasn't been to the party either, so I am excited for her to see all the things! I haven't been in several years, so I'm excited as well!

22 days to go!

 

[mkmomto2]

I was able to book my lightning lanes this morning! I was successful with everything, but some were not the times I would have liked. It was really pretty easy and I bought discounted gift cards to use, so that softened the blow a little bit. I am really good at "Disney Math" lol. So, here is what I have:

• 8/11- Hollywood Studios
  
  • Rise of the Resistance 10:05-11:05
  • Toy Story Mania 11:15-12:15
  • Slinky Dog Dash 12:55-1:55
  • Tower of Terror 6:10-7:10
• 8/12- Animal Kingdom
  
  • Safari- 8:20-9:20
  • Flight of Passage- 9:05-10:05
  • Navi River Journey- 9:15-10:15
  • Expedition Everest- 10:15-11:15
• 8/15- EPCOT
  
  • Spaceship Earth- 9:45-10:45
  • Living with the Land- 10:35-11:35
  • Guardians- 11:25-12:25
  • Remy- 6:40-7:40
• 8/17- Magic Kingdom
  
  • Tiana- 9:05-10:05
  • Pirates- 9:55-10:55
  • Haunted Mansion- 10:35-11:35
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train- 11:20-12:20
  • Tron- 9:25pm-10:25pm

Here are my thoughts about what I got:

• Hollywood Studios- I am not super happy with this one. I would have liked to get Slinky a little earlier and Toy Story earlier so that I could start churning and really get a good use out of the multi-pass. I also wouldn't hate getting out of Toy Story Land before it gets too hot! My plan is to go to Tower and RNR at opening and/or go for Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway. Once I tap into Toy Story, I will probably try to get MMRR. We have the Fantasmic Dining Package at 4:35, so we will take a break after Slinky and stack two in addition to Tower for the evening.
• Animal Kingdom- I am stoked about this one! I got everything exactly where I want it. We will probably ride Dinosaur first and then head over to the safari. I will probably grab a Kali for after our lunch at Yak n Yeti and see the shows in the afternoon. We may try to get into Nomad Lounge in the evening as well.
• EPCOT- this was another one I wasn't too thrilled with. I could not get Remy lower than like 11:30. We are coming in the International Gateway, so my plan was to do Remy, Frozen and then head to the other section. Now I've flip flopped it. I have Spaceship Earth and Living with the Land. I will try to get a Soarin for close to the Living with the Land time and then Frozen for the evening time around Remy before my Rose and Crown reservation. Not a huge deal, just made me pivot.
• Magic Kingdom- Couldn't be happier with the way this one worked out. After I tap into Tiana, I am going to try to get either a Big Thunder for right then or a Jungle Cruise for a close time as well. Tron I purposefully scheduled for later as people have said that it is a different ride at night. I will also try for a virtual queue as well.

I think the trip is pretty set. Hopefully the tropical storm will move out before we arrive!

 

[DVCjj]

Bear with me. I'm brand new to the new system after insane # of years with FP, Genie+ etc. I need to watch videos this week for a trip in September to understand everything. (I dread. I'm old).

Question: With your schedules above, did you buy both LLMP? Single LL? All 4 parks separately or together?
It would help me greatly to know as I like a lot of your choices. I realize each day can change?
THANK YOU SO MUCH.

 

[mkmomto2]

Bear with me. I'm brand new to the new system after insane # of years with FP, Genie+ etc. I need to watch videos this week for a trip in September to understand everything. (I dread. I'm old).

Question: With your schedules above, did you buy both LLMP? Single LL? All 4 parks separately or together?
It would help me greatly to know as I like a lot of your choices. I realize each day can change?
THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Hi there! I did buy all of the Single passes- Rise, Guardians, Flight of Passage, Tron and Seven Dwarfs. And bought a Multipass for each day. I booked each day separately. Booked both single and multi for HS, paid, then went to MK and did the same. Repeated with EPCOT and then AK. I couldn’t get Remy in the morning, so we did all the things in Future World in the morning and I was able to get Frozen for the evening after tapping into Spaceship Earth. It worked really well. The trip was fantastic!

 

[DVCjj]

Hi there! I did buy all of the Single passes- Rise, Guardians, Flight of Passage, Tron and Seven Dwarfs. And bought a Multipass for each day. I booked each day separately. Booked both single and multi for HS, paid, then went to MK and did the same. Repeated with EPCOT and then AK. I couldn’t get Remy in the morning, so we did all the things in Future World in the morning and I was able to get Frozen for the evening after tapping into Spaceship Earth. It worked really well. The trip was fantastic!

Thank you SO much for explaining!
My head is spinning reading what you did and were able to accomplish. I’m even printing it out.
You gave me hope and I thank you.