What have we covered so far? The itinerary, flights, the park-and-fly hotel, accommodations, and car rental. That, then, should bring us to….
ATTRACTIONS
As my PTR title suggests and I touched on briefly in earlier posts, we’re doubling up a lot on this vacation: over the course of two weeks, we’re hitting up many parks twice (though in some cases, those two visits to the same place are poised to be different experiences for various reasons). Having two days at our disposal at the same park is a rather calming influence: it takes away the feeling of having to see it all and do it all in a single visit. It definitely makes our vacation feel more relaxing on the whole, even if there is something going on virtually every day.
Since we have annual passes to both SeaWorld and Aquatica, visiting those attractions twice each was a no-brainer. SeaWorld has their Halloween Spooktacular events running on select dates (
https://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando/events/seaWorlds-halloween-spooktacular/) so we have arranged the itinerary to ensure that one of our visits falls on one of the dates that the seasonal events are being offered. While we have enjoyed their Christmas Celebration in the past and even had a taste of their Summer Nights events on one trip, this will be our first time at the Halloween Spooktacular. Our second SeaWorld visit is slated for mid-week (on a non-Spooktacular day) which will hopefully be less crowded than during the special events.
For Aquatica, we have two mid-week dates selected on our second week of vacation: we figure, by then, we’ll be ready to enjoy two low-key days in the water. We have rented cabanas for both days (thanks to our AP discount, we paid just $44.10 plus tax for each rental) which will give us a large locker in the cabana, our own fridge, 12 bottles of Dasani water, rental towels, and in-park discounts in addition to the use of the cabana
.
Parking is free at both SW & AQ with our AP’s, and our annual Photokey will still be valid so we can get all of our digital pictures from both visits to each park.
Two days at Discovery Cove were also possible thanks to the deep discount offered to SeaWorld parks passmembers: our day resort admission was just $99 per person, per day.
We opted to forego the dolphin swim this time since we’ve been lucky enough to swim with the dolphins at DC three times on past visits, and to enhance the “relaxability” of those days: not having to be mindful of a dolphin swim time means we have literally no schedule from the time we arrive until the time the park closes. Beautiful. The DC price includes unlimited quantities of breakfast, lunch, all snacks, and beverages (including alcohol) in addition to the park activities, plus parking, a snorkel, a family photo, locker usage, towels, and even sunscreen are all provided complimentary. We are likely to Uber from the Vistana to DC on both dates this time so that Steve can enjoy a beverage or two (or more) without worry. We have never been to DC just as a couple and this these are easily our two most anticipated days of the trip
.
Well, okay. Maybe they are tied as our two most anticipated days. We also two Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties booked and yeah, we’re pretty pumped about those too
.
When the ticket prices were released for this year’s event, we were gutted: they were about $20 per person more than we paid in 2015 which quite honestly we found to be an excessively large increase. Much as we adored last year’s parties, the price hike coupled with the still-awful exchange rate had us agreeing to take a pass this October. It was the financially responsible thing to do.
A most amazing and special Vacation Angel, however, had other plans for us: in true Disney Magic
“Where Dreams Come True” style, we were gifted with passes to not one, but TWO parties
. Just when we didn’t think the trip could get any more epic, the bar was raised yet again and we were pixie dusted with passes to the Hallowishes Dessert Party for one of our nights
. This year we have had more love, more generosity and more kindness bestowed on us than we have in our entire lives, and we are so stinking grateful (not to mentioned indebted) to the incredible folks who have made it possible. I can only hope they know how much they have touched our hearts, and how much joy they have brought to our 2016 vacations
.
We will definitely be dressing up for both parties: pirates for one
, and (hopefully) gangsters for the other. The latter, of course, hinges on whether we can get something suitable to fit my Big Steve for that second set of costumes (which will then also be used for Capone’s Dinner Show). If the plans for gangster wear falls short, then we’ll be pirates for both events.
I must admit, while I think it’s a ridiculous cost and a crazy huge splurge, I am super excited for the Hallowishes Dessert Party. I know the reviews have been mixed at best, but I wonder if a big part of that is the fact that the experience comes with such a substantial price tag. The desserts look super cute and I love the idea of reserved spaces for the parade and fireworks viewing, so it’s an upgrade that has us both pretty jazzed up. On that visit, we’ll probably skip dinner entirely (and just grab something later in the night if we find we are peckish) so we can enjoy as much of the dessert party offerings as possible. On our second party night, we kick off the evening with a character dinner at Crystal Palace (which Steve has wanted to return to since our first visit 2009). We will make FP+ selections for the first night (when we have the Hallowishes Dessert Party) but probably not for the second, since we have the ADR to work around. I am in the midst of organizing a Memory Maker Share on another forum so that we will have all photos from both nights for a very affordable price (under $30).
Two parties last year was so much fun: there was no pressure or rush to try and cram everything in on a single night. We have intentionally scheduled in nothing else on the morning/early afternoon of our party days (affording us the chance to sleep in and/or grab a nap before heading to the MK for a 4 pm entry) nor anything for the following mornings (so we can stay until close and sleep in the next day as late as we would like). The only thing I am little bummed about is that one of our favourite rides, Big Thunder Mountain, will be down for refurb on both of our party dates
. We have vowed to ensure we hit up Seven Dwarfs Mine Train for the first time instead.....we missed that ride last year, at both parties.
Attractions to be continued……
.
87 day to go!
.
.
. The Canadian side is a must-do at some point, for sure.....Great Wolf Lodge, Fallsview Waterpark, Bird Kingdom, the Butterfly Conservatory, the Spanish Aero Car, the Oh Canada Eh! dinner show, Clifton Hill, Greg Frewin's theatre, and the jet boats could easily fill another 5 days on a future trip. Something to keep in mind for next summer 
.
.
You go, girl! 
.
). We will also save the parking.
. The Christmas events will be in full swing but you're still a couple of weeks from the really BIG crowds. I can't wait to hear if things work out for a holiday season trip for you!! I have my fingers and toes all crossed! 
.
to the thread!
.
.
