You Scream, I Scream, We all Scream for... Fall? September 2024 Pre-Trip Report UPDATED 7/18

[Peyton McLean]

EDIT: Added some photos

Hello! This is my first ever pre-trip report (or trip report in general). I have been an avid boards lurker for over 6 years. After my first trip to Walt Disney World in February 2018, I found this community and it has brought me my daily Disney fix until my next trip. I love to plan Disney World trips and always have a countdown to either a planned trip or a “maybe” trip.



Let me start off with an introduction of myself!


WHO?

Me: My name is Peyton (she/her) – I am 28 years old.

Favorite rides: Big Thunder Mountain, Carousel of Progress, Peoplemover, Haunted Mansion, Soarin.

Favorite movies: Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella (purely nostalgia), Encanto, Moana, Inside Out - *Disney Channel raised me (1998-2010)*

My DH will be joining me on this trip – we are the same age. We have a 2.5 year old + a 5 month old, but they will be with the grandparents.





Before we talk about this trip, let me give you a run-down on our previous Disney world trips.

My first ever trip to Disney World was February 2018 for our honeymoon! DH went to Disney World numerous times in his childhood. We had the full WDW experience by staying on property at Port Orleans: Riverside in the Royal Princess Room with the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan. We had an amazing trip which ignited my Disney parks passion.



My second trip to Disney World was January 2021 for our *post-Covid* trip. We had been itching to go back and we had an early 2020 trip scheduled, but as you can imagine, we pushed it back one year. We stayed at the Caribbean Beach resort to experience the new (to us) Disney Skyliner. We fell in love with the Caribbean Beach resort plus we had a room right beside the Disney Skyliner so it was very convenient. (love we have Disney World pics during the mask era).


Our third/recent trip was November 2023 and it was our 2 year old DS first ever trip. We stayed off property at a family member’s house, but we missed the Disney bubble SO much. I do not think we will ever do this again especially with a toddler/small children. We were able to experience the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party for the very first time + the Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival. Also, I was very, very pregnant.






Now, lets talk about our upcoming September 2024 Disney World trip!

WHEN?

Sunday, September 22, 2024 – Sunday, September 29th, 2024


This trip will be unique to us. Basically, last October, we came to Orlando to experience Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights for the very first time. We knew after that trip – this event will be a yearly must-do for us. So, we will stay at a Disney property the first half of the week, and we will be moving to Universal property the second half of the week.

Let me know if I should start a separate pre-trip report on the Universal board for the second half of the week. I figured I would put all pre-trip planning on here – then, I will create two separate trip reports afterwards.


WHERE?

My only two Disney World hotel experiences have been at moderate resorts: Port Orleans: Riverside and the Caribbean Beach Resort.

Disney World - This trip we are staying at the All-Stars Movies resort in the standard room (hoping they give us a Mighty Ducks area room – closer to bus stop at AS Music). I am kind of excited to stay at a value resort to see the biggest differences for the cost. We picked the ASM because we are basically adding Disney World to our Universal trip to get the most out of the cost of this trip to Orlando. We also added a two-day park ticket (no park hopper this time).

Universal Studios – We are – for the first time – staying on Universal Studios property at the Cabana Bay resort. For HHN, we purchased a Stay and Scream package. This package included: Volcano Bay view room, Park-to-Park for 3 days (2 days added for free, so 5 days total), and HHN event ticket for 2 people.

The price for the Universal stay and scream package was only $400 more than the room package with 2 park days at Disney World.


I believe that is all the basics of our upcoming September trip. There will be a lot of firsts for myself because I was pregnant for basically all of 2023. For Disney World, I hope to experience Tron, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind. Also, for Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure, I want to experience basically everything. *Note for pregnant people, you cannot ride literally anything there*.

Check back for our actual plans + many, many questions!

P.S - I have no clue how to add pictures to this post - my mind has gone blank!

 

[Karalee402]

So excited to follow along! We're going at the end of September, so I'm looking forward to reading as you plan and get ready! For us, the planning is part of the fun!

 

[Peyton McLean]

So excited to follow along! We're going at the end of September, so I'm looking forward to reading as you plan and get ready! For us, the planning is part of the fun!

I love the planning part! I hate to admit the amount of "maybe" trips I have planned

 

[Karalee402]

I love the planning part! I hate to admit the amount of "maybe" trips I have planned

Same!! I think I almost always have a vacation in my "cart" on the Disney website

 

[DLo]

Following along . Looking forward to reading more.

 

[Peyton McLean]

Lets talk about our plans!!

Day 1: Travel Day/Check-in Day – Saturday, September 21st OR Sunday, September 22nd


DH and I will be flying a direct flight from Mobile, AL to Orlando, FL. This airline is a new one for us – Breeze Airways. I assume it is another budget airlines – like Spirit Airlines where you pay for every aspect separately (flight, seat, bags, etc.).

Last October 2023, we flew with another one of these “pop-up” (I like to call it) to Orlando directly and it was so effortless.

My question for everyone is – would you fly cheaper but arrive later in the day/night OR spend extra and have extra time?

Here are your options (time change from central to eastern):

Flight Option 1: Breeze Airways

Total cost - $420 (includes carry-on + checked bag for each person)

Depart from MOB: Sunday September 22nd – 8:17 pm to 10:57 pm

Depart from MCO: Sunday September 29th – 7:02 pm to 7:37 pm


Flight Option 2: American Airlines

Total cost - $654 (includes carry-on for each person)

Depart from MOB: Saturday September 21st – 12:51 pm to 6:54 pm (Layover in Charlotte)

Depart from MCO: Saturday September 28th – 8:27 am to 12:26 pm (Layover in Charlotte)



The biggest difference in these two flights is the cost + arriving a day earlier and leaving a day earlier. However, we are checking in to ASM on Sunday, Sept 22nd and I hate that we would check in after midnight (after getting our bags and leaving the airport) + we would have a park day on Monday.

The price difference would be about $275 total (after purchasing one checked bag for flight option 2).

If we go with Flight Option 2 – we would stay with family Saturday night and spend some time at Disney Springs on Sunday before checking into ASM.



Up next: Day 2 – plans for our first park day! Which park should we go to? How will be plan around Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (since we aren’t going)?

 

[Karalee402]

Lets talk about our plans!!

Day 1: Travel Day/Check-in Day – Saturday, September 21st OR Sunday, September 22nd


DH and I will be flying a direct flight from Mobile, AL to Orlando, FL. This airline is a new one for us – Breeze Airways. I assume it is another budget airlines – like Spirit Airlines where you pay for every aspect separately (flight, seat, bags, etc.).

Last October 2023, we flew with another one of these “pop-up” (I like to call it) to Orlando directly and it was so effortless.

My question for everyone is – would you fly cheaper but arrive later in the day/night OR spend extra and have extra time?

Here are your options (time change from central to eastern):

Flight Option 1: Breeze Airways

Total cost - $420 (includes carry-on + checked bag for each person)

Depart from MOB: Sunday September 22nd – 8:17 pm to 10:57 pm

Depart from MCO: Sunday September 29th – 7:02 pm to 7:37 pm


Flight Option 2: American Airlines

Total cost - $654 (includes carry-on for each person)

Depart from MOB: Saturday September 21st – 12:51 pm to 6:54 pm (Layover in Charlotte)

Depart from MCO: Saturday September 28th – 8:27 am to 12:26 pm (Layover in Charlotte)



The biggest difference in these two flights is the cost + arriving a day earlier and leaving a day earlier. However, we are checking in to ASM on Sunday, Sept 22nd and I hate that we would check in after midnight (after getting our bags and leaving the airport) + we would have a park day on Monday.

The price difference would be about $275 total (after purchasing one checked bag for flight option 2).

If we go with Flight Option 2 – we would stay with family Saturday night and spend some time at Disney Springs on Sunday before checking into ASM.



Up next: Day 2 – plans for our first park day! Which park should we go to? How will be plan around Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (since we aren’t going)?

That's so tough! I think I'd go with option one. Saving money is always great, but I also love the later flight home on the 29th. We love doing late flights on our last day. We do a late brunch at a resort and spend some time just enjoying the area without going into a park. I also love that those flights are direct.
We'll be just passing you in transit - we arrive on Sept. 28!

 

[Peyton McLean]

That's so tough! I think I'd go with option one. Saving money is always great, but I also love the later flight home on the 29th. We love doing late flights on our last day. We do a late brunch at a resort and spend some time just enjoying the area without going into a park. I also love that those flights are direct.
We'll be just passing you in transit - we arrive on Sept. 28!

We love the direct flight option - it eases my "losing a bag" anxiety. Also I love later flights so we can get to MCO and just walk around. We usually end up buying some souvenirs there as well.

This is our first September Disney trip and we are so worried about the heat! Have you been in September before? Our first fall Disney trip!

 

[Karalee402]

I've been in September twice before, and it's definitely warm! But, honestly, we had really pleasant evenings last time. It's hurricane season, so there can definitely be tricky weather, but even with storms rolling through, the weather that generally rolls in after the storms is really nice and pleasant temp-wise. The fall decorations are beautiful; it's easily one of our favorite times to go!

 

[Peyton McLean]

I've been in September twice before, and it's definitely warm! But, honestly, we had really pleasant evenings last time. It's hurricane season, so there can definitely be tricky weather, but even with storms rolling through, the weather that generally rolls in after the storms is really nice and pleasant temp-wise. The fall decorations are beautiful; it's easily one of our favorite times to go!

I cannot wait for the fall decor!!

 

[Peyton McLean]

Day 2: Magic Kingdom

I am going to have our day fully planned out with very... very low expectations with willingness to change at any given moment the day of.

Let me know what you think of my schedule below + I will update as a book dining + LL (two/one week before)!

*Assuming park hours will be 8:30 am – 9:00 am (Early entry)/ 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
*Assuming we can get a LL for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (assuming we get a evening time) + VQ for Tron (assuming we get a morning VQ)
LL Options: Tiana’s Bayou (Must-do), Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Must-do), Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan’s Flight, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain

7:00 am – Wake-up/Get ready for the day
7:45 am – Head to the buses
8:15 am – Arrive to Magic Kingdom (Giving some buffer since the buses at All Stars are unpredictable
8:20 am – Walk down Main Street USA + Take pictures in front of the castle/in front of fall décor
8:30 am – Head over to Tomorrowland for our VQ for Tron
8:35 am – Ride Tron (last time we were at MK in November 2023 – our group was the first to be called and had to run to the ride first thing)
9:20 am –Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger’s Spin
10:00 am – Space Mountain (LL hopefully)
10:45 am – Head over to Haunted Mansion + maybe grab a snack at Gaston’s Tavern + ride HM
11:30 am – Lunch @ Columbia Harbor House (our absolute favorite)
12:15 pm – Head to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (LL hopefully) + ride
1:00 pm – Country Bear Jamboree (another favorite)
1:30 pm - Pirates of the Caribbean
2:05 pm – Dole Whip break
2:30 pm – Head over to Hall of Presidents
3:10 pm - Peter Pan’s Flight (LL hopefully)
4:00 pm - Head over to Tomorrowland + take pictures + ride People mover
4:35 pm – Carousel of Progress
5:10 pm – Head to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (LL+), take pictures + ride (giving extra time to look at giftshop, etc.)
6:15 pm – At this point, we will see if we can get any other LL or hop on low wait rides (Pirates + HM are repeats for us)
7:40 pm – Dinner @ The Plaza Restaurant (going to try and get the very last reservation + sit outside
9:00 pm – Happily Ever After fireworks
9:25 pm - See if we can get any other LL or hop on low wait rides
10:00 pm – SLOWLY walk out of the park + take night pictures

Up Next: Park Day #2 (my #1 park!)

 

[Peyton McLean]

Day 3: Epcot

.

Let me know what you think of my schedule below + I will update as a book dining + LL (two/one week before)!

*Assuming park hours will be 8:30 am – 9:00 am (Early entry)/ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
*Assuming we can get a LL + VQ for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Question: can we get a LL + a VQ in the same day?​

LL Options: Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Soarin’, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

7:00 am – Wake-up/Get ready for the day
8:00 am – Head to the buses
8:20 am – Arrive to Epcot
8:25 am – Head over to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind for VQ (last November, we were the first group to be called)
9:00 am – Walk over to the Land Pavillion
9:20 am – Ride Living with the Land (to wait for our Soarin' LL)
9:45 am – Ride Soarin' (LL)
10:30 am – Walk over to Spaceship Earth + ride
11:00 am – Lunch @ Space 220 (new to us, only must-do dining this trip)
12:30 pm – Ride Mission: Space (not a must-do, just if its under 15 min wait time)
1:00 pm – Start walking over to Mexico Pavilion
1:15 pm - Browse Mexico pavilion + Norway Pavilion
*my goal is to get one snack/candy from each pavilion + try after our trip*
2:05 pm – Frozen Ever After (LL)
2:45 pm – Browse China, Germany, Italy, & Japan Pavilion
4:00 pm - Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (LL)
4:40 pm – Browse Morocco, France, UK, & Canada Pavilion
5:10 pm – Head to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (LL+)
6:15 pm – At this point, we will just go through World Showcase for Food & Wine Festival to eat

Question: what are your must-do booths?
Once the official booths are released of this year, I will put my top picks here​

9:00 pm – Luminous The Symphony of Us (this is kinda just watch as we go, not that important)
9:25 pm - SLOWLY walk out of the park + take night pictures

Up Next: Disney Springs + Transferring to Cabana Bay Resort

 

[Peyton McLean]

Lets talk about our plans!!

Day 1: Travel Day/Check-in Day – Saturday, September 21st OR Sunday, September 22nd


DH and I will be flying a direct flight from Mobile, AL to Orlando, FL. This airline is a new one for us – Breeze Airways. I assume it is another budget airlines – like Spirit Airlines where you pay for every aspect separately (flight, seat, bags, etc.).

Last October 2023, we flew with another one of these “pop-up” (I like to call it) to Orlando directly and it was so effortless.

My question for everyone is – would you fly cheaper but arrive later in the day/night OR spend extra and have extra time?

Here are your options (time change from central to eastern):

Flight Option 1: Breeze Airways

Total cost - $420 (includes carry-on + checked bag for each person)

Depart from MOB: Sunday September 22nd – 8:17 pm to 10:57 pm

Depart from MCO: Sunday September 29th – 7:02 pm to 7:37 pm


Flight Option 2: American Airlines

Total cost - $654 (includes carry-on for each person)

Depart from MOB: Saturday September 21st – 12:51 pm to 6:54 pm (Layover in Charlotte)

Depart from MCO: Saturday September 28th – 8:27 am to 12:26 pm (Layover in Charlotte)



The biggest difference in these two flights is the cost + arriving a day earlier and leaving a day earlier. However, we are checking in to ASM on Sunday, Sept 22nd and I hate that we would check in after midnight (after getting our bags and leaving the airport) + we would have a park day on Monday.

The price difference would be about $275 total (after purchasing one checked bag for flight option 2).

If we go with Flight Option 2 – we would stay with family Saturday night and spend some time at Disney Springs on Sunday before checking into ASM.



Up next: Day 2 – plans for our first park day! Which park should we go to? How will be plan around Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (since we aren’t going)?

UPDATE 7/15/24
We booked our flights & we picked option.....

None of the above! LOL

I started researching all of my options because I was determined to get there early Sunday (Sept 22) or on Saturday (Sept 21st). I started looking at all the airports near us.. Mobile AL (two airports-mentioned above), New Orleans, LA, & Pensacola, FL.

NOLA had a lot of Spirit flights direct to Orlando for very cheap ($75 per person) BUT I am so scared to fly with Spirit because of their notorious delays and cancellations. Pensacola actually flies direct to Orlando with United/Silver Airways. We live about 50 minutes from the Pensacola airport so we find this airport a great option.

We booked a flights with the below details for a total of $257.88. (We are going to purchase a checked bag at the airport the day of.)
Saturday, September 21st, 2024
PNS to MCO 12:45 PM - 3:35 PM (central to eastern TZ)

Sunday, September 29th, 2024
MCO to PNS 11:10 AM - 12:00 PM (eastern to central TZ)

The only downside about this flight was we were not able to choose our seats (I assume it is first come, first serve as you check-in). However, it is just my partner and myself so we are not to worried about sitting next to each other for an 1.5 hour flight.

EDIT: I called Silver Airways and chose our seats Row 5, seat A & C on both flights

Now, we will have a full day before check-in on Sunday, Sept 22nd to explore Disney Springs. What should we do (thats not common) or where should we eat? I have always wanted to go to Jaleo's.

 

[Karalee402]

SO many good options for dining at Springs. Jaleo is on my bucket list; we've never eaten there, but I've only heard great things. We loved Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar and Wine Bar George last time we were in Springs. I really wish they'd extend the summer drone show through the fall; it looks amazing, and I wish we could see it!

 

[Peyton McLean]

SO many good options for dining at Springs. Jaleo is on my bucket list; we've never eaten there, but I've only heard great things. We loved Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar and Wine Bar George last time we were in Springs. I really wish they'd extend the summer drone show through the fall; it looks amazing, and I wish we could see it!

Wine bar george is on our bucket list!!!

 

[Peyton McLean]

Now we have our flights booked! *One day in advance*

We have a full day on Sunday, Sept 22 before we check in @ 3pm.

Obviously this will be our Disney Springs day. I am still trying to decide on lunch reservations. Because..

I want to reserve a super nice dinner for Sunday night to start off our Disney/Universal vacation week. Maybe 'Ohana (we did this on our honeymoon in 2018), or California Grill (however it will be a party night in MK), or Steakhouse 71?

Is there any other restaurants that are a must-do for a really nice dinner for two?

 

[Peyton McLean]

Lets talk about our plans!!

Day 1: Travel Day/Check-in Day – Saturday, September 21st OR Sunday, September 22nd


DH and I will be flying a direct flight from Mobile, AL to Orlando, FL. This airline is a new one for us – Breeze Airways. I assume it is another budget airlines – like Spirit Airlines where you pay for every aspect separately (flight, seat, bags, etc.).

Last October 2023, we flew with another one of these “pop-up” (I like to call it) to Orlando directly and it was so effortless.

My question for everyone is – would you fly cheaper but arrive later in the day/night OR spend extra and have extra time?

Here are your options (time change from central to eastern):

Flight Option 1: Breeze Airways

Total cost - $420 (includes carry-on + checked bag for each person)

Depart from MOB: Sunday September 22nd – 8:17 pm to 10:57 pm

Depart from MCO: Sunday September 29th – 7:02 pm to 7:37 pm


Flight Option 2: American Airlines

Total cost - $654 (includes carry-on for each person)

Depart from MOB: Saturday September 21st – 12:51 pm to 6:54 pm (Layover in Charlotte)

Depart from MCO: Saturday September 28th – 8:27 am to 12:26 pm (Layover in Charlotte)



The biggest difference in these two flights is the cost + arriving a day earlier and leaving a day earlier. However, we are checking in to ASM on Sunday, Sept 22nd and I hate that we would check in after midnight (after getting our bags and leaving the airport) + we would have a park day on Monday.

The price difference would be about $275 total (after purchasing one checked bag for flight option 2).

If we go with Flight Option 2 – we would stay with family Saturday night and spend some time at Disney Springs on Sunday before checking into ASM.



Up next: Day 2 – plans for our first park day! Which park should we go to? How will be plan around Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (since we aren’t going)?

HUGE UPDATE!

Plot twist: we ARE going to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party!!!!! It will be our first time (we have been to the christmas party) and I cannot contain my excitement.

Our original plan was to check in on Sunday September 22nd + have a super nice dinner that night - possible California Grill.

However, we thought about it and decided to use the money we would of spent on dinner to buy party tickets! We used our Disney rewards from our Disney credit card so basically free, right????

In conclusion, we will be going to MNSSHP + HHN in the same week! I cannot wait to compare the two parties based on cost + what you get out of it as two late-20s adults.

MNSSHP cost: $317.38
HHN cost: $176.78

So, I need all the tips + tricks for MNSSHP! We are priortizing the parade, fireworks, Tron + Tiana's mostly.

11 days to go!