Planning problems

Brummyboy92

Brummyboy92

Well-Known Member
Hi all,

Finally booked for me and my partner to visit Orlando from the 17th October through till the 2nd November, and I’m having real trouble simply planning what to do, where to go, what to see, etc...

I’m going to book the Disney/Universal combo, the aim Ismail to visit all Theme/Water Parks included (pottneitally skipping 1 water park but we’ll decide closer to the time. We are staying at the Grand Orlando Resort in Celebration, which was down to my partner, as a constant Disney overload day and night may be a bit much for them, combined with the fact that I’m not a chill in the hotel kinda guy.

Anyway, no way that you’re all aware of place and time, I’m in need of serious help. What shows are a must, what restaurants are a must, which rides would you fast pass straight away in each park, and which can wait?

Been having a good look on this forum, but I think a rough itinerary is in order as I’m beginning to stress myself out and we are a good 9 months away. For instance, do I really need to book the Be Our Guest Restaurant 6 months prior? Any help, guidance, anything would be greatly appreciated. Also, If there’s any info on universal parks as well, then feel free to fire over tips. :)

Thanks all.
 
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aliceismad

aliceismad

Well-Known Member
There are lots and lots of free blogs with good advice for itineraries if you google, and reading the trip reports, etc., here have helped me a lot in thinking about the pace of our next trip.

If I were you, I'd break it into steps. You already have Step 1: When. You already have Step 2: Hotel. So now I'd read a little about each park/attraction and get a basic schedule mapped out (e.g., Day 1: Magic Kingdom, Day 2: Seaworld, etc.). You can always change it later, but for me, having a basic framework first would help reign in my brain. After you have Step 3: Basic Schedule out of the way, then you can go in and refine. I know a lot of people decide their schedule based on their " must dos" but for someone brand new to it all and feeling overwhelmed, setting up a schedule first might help.

Remember to schedule down time or flex time, especially if you're a park commando and your partner is not.

Depending on when you're going, you may need to make some ADRs at the 180 day mark if possible, but depends on demand.
 
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Brummyboy92

Brummyboy92

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thanks for the advice so far all, guess the final question is, if I do skip one of the 3 water parks, which one should it be?

Ideally want to go Blizzard Beach as it looks really impressive. Was thinking Volcano Bay, ditching Typhoon Lagoon?
 
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aliceismad

aliceismad

Well-Known Member
Brummyboy92 said:
Thanks for the advice so far all, guess the final question is, if I do skip one of the 3 water parks, which one should it be?

Ideally want to go Blizzard Beach as it looks really impressive. Was thinking Volcano Bay, ditching Typhoon Lagoon?
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This thread might be of some use to you: https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/typhoon-lagoon-vs-volcano-bay-who-is-winning.945633/

On the financial side, are you looking at buying a ParkHopper Plus ticket? It might be more economical to do both of Disney's water parks if you are. (I'm not sure about Uni's pricing.) Also, will you be sticking to one park/water park per day or is hopping on your schedule? Some people like to hit a park, then go to a water park for the afternoon, etc.
 
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SaltyD

SaltyD

Active Member
Brummyboy92 said:
Hi all,

Finally booked for me and my partner to visit Orlando from the 17th October through till the 2nd November, and I’m having real trouble simply planning what to do, where to go, what to see, etc...

I’m going to book the Disney/Universal combo, the aim Ismail to visit all Theme/Water Parks included (pottneitally skipping 1 water park but we’ll decide closer to the time. We are staying at the Grand Orlando Resort in Celebration, which was down to my partner, as a constant Disney overload day and night may be a bit much for them, combined with the fact that I’m not a chill in the hotel kinda guy.

Anyway, no way that you’re all aware of place and time, I’m in need of serious help. What shows are a must, what restaurants are a must, which rides would you fast pass straight away in each park, and which can wait?

Been having a good look on this forum, but I think a rough itinerary is in order as I’m beginning to stress myself out and we are a good 9 months away. For instance, do I really need to book the Be Our Guest Restaurant 6 months prior? Any help, guidance, anything would be greatly appreciated. Also, If there’s any info on universal parks as well, then feel free to fire over tips. :)

Thanks all.
Click to expand...

Yes, you should book your meals 6 months in advance :) You're going during Halloween season and Food and Wine, parks will be crowded. Decide which parks you would like to visit, and then narrow down restaurant selections from there based on your parks. All the Disney parks have amazing night time fireworks shows, so if you can make it to them, plan on that. Break all of it down into "one step at a time" - make yourself a check list - you have the resort, now figure which parks you want to visit - print out a calendar and write down your days. Now take a look on this website for restaurants recommendations, and look at sample menus. You have 9 months - plenty of time to think about what you want from this trip.

And remember, there is no RIGHT way to do Disney/Universal. Do it YOUR way, and realize you won't be able to do everything. I do suggest however, that when you go to Universal, you get a Park-to-Park pass so you can ride the Hogwarts Express.

Good luck! Ask questions, read a lot, and you will be fine!
 
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Figgy1

Figgy1

Well-Known Member
Brummyboy92 said:
Really helpful all, thanks for that :)

This is the ticket offer I was looking at getting, will that include the Hogwarts Express between the parks?

https://www.attraction-tickets-dire...ticket-packages/disney-universal-combo-ticket

Happy to park hop if it's doable time wise, especially as I'd be keen on trying out the new skyliner if open.
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Yes it is and you do need to ride the train both ways at UNI because it's different both ways. Park hopping at UNI is very easy and quick even if you're walking. It's much different than Disney
 
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Brummyboy92

Brummyboy92

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
The Not so scary Halloween event, do I have to buy a ticket on top of the ticket I’ve brought which I previously mentioned above?

If so how does that work, say if I wanted to visit the Magic Kingdom on the 29th, can I just stay in the park for Halloween event that same day?
 
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aliceismad

aliceismad

Well-Known Member
Brummyboy92 said:
The Not so scary Halloween event, do I have to buy a ticket on top of the ticket I’ve brought which I previously mentioned above?

If so how does that work, say if I wanted to visit the Magic Kingdom on the 29th, can I just stay in the park for Halloween event that same day?
Click to expand...
The Halloween party is a separate hard ticket event. You have to buy it to participate. If you're already in MK, they will stop letting you go on rides, etc. I'm not sure how they kick you out. If you buy the party ticket, you get into MK at 4, I believe. Many people just buy a party ticket for that day, or they will go to another park in the morning and then go to MK for the party.
 
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bigorangeandy

bigorangeandy

Well-Known Member
Disney will shut down one of the water parks in the late fall for refurbishment (usually Blizzard Beach). This happens the last week or two in October. The shutdown started in 2017 on October 22, and in 2018 on October 28.
 
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JohnD

JohnD

Well-Known Member
Brummyboy92 said:
Hi all,

Finally booked for me and my partner to visit Orlando from the 17th October through till the 2nd November, and I’m having real trouble simply planning what to do, where to go, what to see, etc...

I’m going to book the Disney/Universal combo, the aim Ismail to visit all Theme/Water Parks included (pottneitally skipping 1 water park but we’ll decide closer to the time. We are staying at the Grand Orlando Resort in Celebration, which was down to my partner, as a constant Disney overload day and night may be a bit much for them, combined with the fact that I’m not a chill in the hotel kinda guy.

Anyway, no way that you’re all aware of place and time, I’m in need of serious help. What shows are a must, what restaurants are a must, which rides would you fast pass straight away in each park, and which can wait?

Been having a good look on this forum, but I think a rough itinerary is in order as I’m beginning to stress myself out and we are a good 9 months away. For instance, do I really need to book the Be Our Guest Restaurant 6 months prior? Any help, guidance, anything would be greatly appreciated. Also, If there’s any info on universal parks as well, then feel free to fire over tips. :)

Thanks all.
Click to expand...

The first thing I would do is have an idea of which park you want to be in on each day. Knowing that, then start booking any ADRs you want 180 days out to lock those in. If you're not sure, book restaurants in different parks on the same day. (They have to be more than an hour apart, though, if you want to hold the reservation).

As it gets closer, you'll finally be able to see the park hours for your dates. Currently, they only extend through mid-July. Knowing opening, closing, and EMH will give you a better sense of which parks you want to be in. Update your ADRs as needed, looking for what you want before canceling what you already have. Cancel those ADRs in a different park for same day once you have firmed up which park you'll be in. AK and HS you can typically do in one day. I'd give Epcot two days just because of visiting the countries. A good strategy is East side one day and West side the other. MK probably two days if you want to do everything. But maybe one if you're selective on what you want to do. (Doing MNSSHP party could count as one of those when you attend allowing you to do something else during the day.)

Round out with FPs 60 days out. At 7am, decide which is your higher priority -- SDD, FOP, or maybe even Mickey's Runaway Railway. Make that one first immediately for the day you plan to be in that park. Finally, all other high priority FPs then completing your three per park per day.

As for when you're going, think ahead if you want to go MNSSHP (see above). There is also the Food and Wine Festival in Epcot.
 
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