October, 2015, PTR/TR: East versus West Coast Halloween Throwdown!

[keishashadow]

It's been years, but decided to delve back into the trip report pond for our upcoming Halloween vacation since it is different from any I've planned in the past. Struggled to decide exactly where to plop this down. Decided upon my 'home' Universal board since we will be spending the majority of trip at USO. I will post links on the various boards wherein the trip location is relevant.


As an introduction we are Janet & Dave, not-quite-dead-yet partners in crime and travel buffs. Our kids are 'grown' and this will be another adults-only vacation this year, our third to WDW & Universal. Thank you to my DH for working like a dog over the years to support my nasty travel habit.


Old habits die hard from the days when we tent-camped and were thrilled at just getting away. I like beer but have champagne taste when it comes to travel. Have learned how to jump through the hoops to stretch my yearly travel budget to the max. Admittedly, this trip was a challenge due to so many temptations.

I have found that staying loyal to travel brands is appreciated via upgrades, discounted rates and various perks & credits. SWA's big annual sale finally produced great rates for us this year.


We have visited WDW and USO for many years over Columbus Day weekend in October, enjoying the best that both parks have to offer. Halloween junkies, we set up a large outdoor display and enjoy getting ideas from touring different haunted houses. We are truly at home when at HHN, especially when joining a friends' private tour. It's great to be able to meet old like-minded friends every year, who hail from all parts of the country but have the same love of the haunts.


So what makes this years' trip oh-so special you ask? Well, it has morphed into a 2 week trip, vs the 7 nights we typically are away from home and this one that will take us from the East Coast to the West & back again for yet more fun, fun, fun in the hot, hot sun. As long as the rain stays away I'll be thrilled.


I plan on setting up the trip report via a post a day & will go back and upload pics after our return and respond to any comments or questions.

 

[keishashadow]

Wednesday, September 1st


Staying at the Choice Suites at PIT. Can't say we often stay at Choice properties but this one is very nice, shuttle is prompt, first one departs at 4 am and they permit parking for 14 nights. Effectively, will cost us less $ that our usual drop would be at Charlie Brown's


Thursday, October 1st - Vegas Baby!


A crack of dawn flight on SWA to Las Vegas. Always feels odd to land there at 9 am when most are still sleeping. Yes, the city does sleep and has a nice calm, crisp air about it with good photo ops before the hordes appear.


We are fans of MGM & myvegas online games you play (for free) to earn points for comps. Have gotten some nice awards over the years. They've tightened up the program, but still worthwhile and even able to practice video blackjack while accruing the points.

We are below minnows when it comes to actual gaming at the hotels but have been surprised as to decent hotel offers that MGM has tossed our way. Since we will only be staying one night in Vegas, used the points to book the Mandalay Bay hotel, Cirque show Zarkana, Bellagio for dinner buffet and have BOGO for breakfast buffet the day we arrive & depart. Will enjoy the wave pool & lazy river before a quick nap before doing the town.

 

[keishashadow]

Friday, October 2nd Universal Studios Hollywood, Halloween Horror Nights

We'll hop on an hour-long SWA flight at noon into BUR. Booked Super Shuttle to our hotel, Hilton at Universal City. Hope to be able to get into room early, then walk over to their version of City Walk and grab a bite to eat (& drink since there is no liquor available in the park for HHN).

Found only two Citi Walk venues that were taking reservations. Not sure how crowded the venues get in Hollywood but it's been difficult to snag a Finnegan's reservation inside USO. This year many reports of people receiving cancellation emails as to existing reservations. I've yet to receive a cancellation for upcoming dates, fingers' crossed.

Decided upon the Hard Rock Café. My kids have clamored for them, can't say I've ever enjoyed the food. Surprised to see this site gets decent reviews on trip advisor.

We've enjoyed the park before, skipping day visit and will enter via the express line for VIP.

Unfortunately, this year USH both eliminated the ticket option that included a buffet/drinks and priced the VIP in the same ballpark. A hefty increase in all tickets doesn't seem to be appreciated from those who visit every year. Will be interesting to see if the high level of crowds continue this year as a result.

The line up:

Mazes - Halloween, Crimson Peak (looking forward to it, new movie tie in with Tom Hiddleston-Loki of Thor franchise ), TWD, AVP, Insidious & This is the End (could be a hit or miss imo

Terror Tram is The Purge (not the biggest fan, looking forward to seeing how the whole tram horror thing works).

Show Jabbawoceez, live from Las Vegas

Scare Zones - Exterminatorz, Dark Christmas, Corpz, the Purge-Urban Nightmare

Several rides open, unfortunately Fast & Furious not operating due to tram.

 

[keishashadow]

Saturday, October 3rd Knotts Scary Farm

Figuring this would be our one & done Halloween visit to the West Coast, I decided to add on Knotts Scary Farm to the itinerary, sacrificing a day at Disneyland, which we have & will visit again.

Seriously, how could I pass up seeing Elvira? Lol

Transportation from USH to Knotts was becoming problematic. Had booked a point to point private van from Super Shuttle. When I was organizing travel folder, looked at the confirmation and was shocked to see it wasn't a flat rate! the trip is estimated at approx. 40 minutes (without traffic). Any overage is automatic 50% increase per hour. Um, no thank you. Kept the other shuttle res from BUR & to SNA.

Then the fun began, pricing towncars. Found several attractive rates, but then noticed they clock started to tick from the time the car left their respective LA garages. grrr

Started searches out of BUR in lieu of LA and Limos.com finally produced a flat rate towncar. Only overage would be if we were late to be picked up (fat chance of that lol). Tip included and it turned out to be less than the original shuttle booking - yea!

Booked the Greusome Getaway, which includes:

*Room

*Knott's Halloween Haunt admission

*Breakfast buffet

*Pre-Scare dinner buffet. I hear the fried chicken is 'killer'

*30 minute early entry into park

*2 souvenir t-shirts

*Haunt room key

*VIP privleges

*parking

There is so much to see there, I felt we really needed FOTL in order to get 'er all done. The line up:

Mazes:

Black Magic, Dead of Winter, Forevermore, My Bloody Clementine, Pinocchio Unstrung, Paranormal Inc., The Gunslinger's Grave-A Bad Moon Rises, Tooth Fairy, Trick or Treat, Voo-doo Order of the Serpent & Special Ops Infected Patient Zero.

Special Ops is a redo of a new type of house they had in place last year, interactive shooter type

https://www.knotts.com/scaryfarm/ride/SPECIAL-OPS-INFECTED/cat/Mazes

Some of the park rides as well as several scare zones & shows are available, including the aforementioned Elvira to round out the night

 

[keishashadow]

Sunday, October 4th Disneyland


After a quick visit to the breakfast buffet, we will summon uber to transfer us to the Disneyland Hotel for three nights. Booked a run of the house rate, curious to see what type and tower we are placed. We haven't stayed at this resort since the pool was refurbed. Looking forward to it and spending time at 'the real' Trader Sams.


Downgraded our tickets to 2 day park hoppers. Will do a quick breeze thru California Adventure & try to work in Alladin show and perhaps a few other rides. Not holding out much hope for Cars, will catch that first thing our last day at parks.


Cannot wait to see the Haunted Mansion Nightmare Before Christmas overlay & the Space Mountain ghost treatment sounds very promising.


I don't visit Disneyland often enough to figure out the in's & out's as I have at WDW. Always feel a bit lost in general and was feeling totally overwhelmed until I found a thread for the party here. A special thanks to Sherry for the information and patience she extends!

http://disboards.com/threads/hallow...-4-7-mhp-nights-now-sold-out.3270919/page-252

Appears as there have been several fan favorites eliminated at DL's version of MHP without much in way explanation, assume combo of construction for upcoming attractions and general cut backs. It's all new to me, will enjoy it all, but know I'd feel the same way if my home park. I am very happy that we'll be able to see Alladin show again before it closes.

I admit to not being a fan of how DL runs Fantasmic, being spoiled by seats @ WDW. I discovered that Blue Bayou (the one thing my DH requests on any DL trip) has a package that is priced comparable to their regular menu. There is a special section (somewhere, don't ask me lol, I hope some kind soul points me in right direction) complete with a padded seat cushion upon which to plop on the pavement. Trust me, it'll be most welcome. After the last trip & standing for 2 hours, had crossed both Fantasmic & the GC show off the list. There are other, less pricey dining packages available holders as well as what I assume is a limited number of Fps.

 

[keishashadow]

Monday, October5th Mickey's Halloween Party & (OMG I hope it's worth it...Mystical Spirits of the Blue Bayou)


We will flop at the pool and enter DL at 3 pm along with what I assume will be a large gaggle of party-goers.


As for dressing up, on the fence. We have several costumes including full pirate gear, but likely will just take along our Jason Friday the 13th hockey jerseys, which were comfy & kept us from overheating at WDW last year.


My better half is also a h-u-g-e pirates fan (being from Pittsburgh, it makes perfect sense arrrgh, let's go Bucs!), and if it's P-O-C, all the better! When the super thread here referenced a new dining event, it seemed to be something he would really enjoy. He was disappointed to hear that WDW discontinued the special Villians offering we attended last year. A splurge but such a wonderful way to not have to fight the crowd.


Description of the dining event:


This year, a new premium Halloween dining experience hosted by Dr. Facilier is coming to Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland park: Mystical Spirits of the Blue Bayou. The evening begins at 7 pm with an intimate, spooky dining experience with a themed three-course menu.


During dinner, Dr. Facilier will be conjuring his friends from the other side, bringing them to life in Blue Bayou Restaurant for a wickedly good time. After dinner, guests will receive a limited-edition custom lithograph featuring art from Disney animator Eric Goldberg before the Shadow Man bids his guests adieu and they are escorted from the restaurant to a special viewing area for “Halloween Screams” fireworks.


Um, ok, vague at best. I'm waiting for the early reviews to trickle out, since this pre-paid reservation is cancel-able. Hoping they do it big via entertainment in the restaurant as the food choices aren't really our thing. A huge tipping point was the fireworks viewing area. There are thoughts that seats might be involved. For anybody who has been to a WDW MNSSHP and thought people lined up early for viewing spots, it is my experience that DL guests line up far earlier for the normal FW.

 

[keishashadow]

Tuesday, October 6th GC & DL


Commando we will to beat the crowd to Cars & will pick up the other high points, segueing over to DL...without an afternoon break if I can slide that past DH.


Will be difficult to pick out a CS, so many grrrrreat ones @ DL!

 

[keishashadow]

Wednesday, October 7th Connecting Flights to MCO


oh yea! Another greet the dawn flight out of SNA. Seriously SWA, where's the LUV? Why no NS flight?!?

Haven't figured out transport to airport. Usually just take the DL express bus but not sure if it'll run that early, booked Shuttle for a 4:30 pickup.


Plane lands at MCO around 6:30 pm. We'll grab our rental car and head to the Royal Pacific at Universal. After quick stop to grab water/soda/snacks will dump our bags in the room & likely head to Jake's for dinner using our youfirst credit. Thank you Loews hotels! Helps to take the sting out of blackout dates for the suite upgrade lol.


Plan is to then grab boat launch over to pick up our HHN tix at will call. Will then hook up with my friend for a quick overview of the park and head back to collapse. At least we'll still be running on West Coast time, should be able to stay awake and hang with the big dogs this year!

Line up:

 

[keishashadow]

Thursday, October 8th, HHN


We have Universal PAPs, have learned to pace ourselves and will do our pool flop and then head over to parks to grab a few rides late afternoon. I made our usual reservations at Finnegans to avoid standing in 'the pen'. Never received a cancellation email or call. Will be interesting to see how it and our dining plans there the next day play out.


I don't purchase the Express Pass, those of my friends that do, feel free to call me cheap lololol. Will tour with them until the lines get too long, then wander aimlessly, enjoying the sights and sounds. Truly one of my happy places.

 

[keishashadow]

Friday, October 9th, RIP!!!

same old, same old during the day for us. hope to see more of our group poolside.


I am so thankful to be able to experience being part of a private RIP for HHN. It truly it an over-the-top experience. Our group leader is an extraordinary planner and chooses very wisely as how we roll. A private RIP is difficult to fully describe, but it's always a high point for us. Bonus points for being able to share the moments with good friends. The night ends far too soon.

 

[keishashadow]

Saturday, October 10th, Hmmm no work for the Mr,..Why Not Extend the Trip?


I typically hate this day. Have to drag our carcasses out of bed, just a few hours after crawling in from HHN & we have to go home.


This year my DH 'should' be off work this upcoming week. Gears started to churn, let's book a cancel-able extension to the vacation. Made perfect sense at the time. That's my story and i'm sticking to it.


Via credit card usage have lots of SWA points, double booked flight for today & next Wednesday. Will cancel one of them, along with the hotel booking:


All-Star Sports booked through Orbitz, whom I utilize often when DVC is unavailable and WDW is sold out of rooms. Was able to find a very good rate and it will suit our purposes for the next four nights. Will be our first trip at ASSp. I enjoy the pool at Music, plan on walking over. I will keep checking hotwire up until cancellable date jik I the Bonnett Creek Wyndham appears reasonably priced.


FP booked for MGM, might head over to Epcot for F&W (yes, I am crazy & full aware how crowded Epcot gets on Saturdays). Then again, we may go back to hotel & regroup.

 

[keishashadow]

Sunday, October 11 , to HHN or not to HHN


Haven't broached the subject (yet) with better half as to driving back up to Universal for HHN. Would like to get back to meet with group of DISers who are planning a meet.


Otherwise, have FP booked for Epcot starting around noon.

 

[keishashadow]

Monday, October 12, MNSSHP


Even though we have WDW AP s will pace ourselves and not enter park until 3 pm or so. Won't be purchasing our party tix until the week prior jik we have to cancel. Fingers crossed no sell out.

 

[keishashadow]

Tuesday, October 13


MK day! Maybe MNSSHP if the 12th sells out before I purchase them


Wednesday, October 14


Wonder if my kids changed the locks on us?

 

[schumigirl]

Yay Janet.......you did it...........

I am looking forward to reading all about this one when I get back..........it sounds amazing!!! And brilliant you were able to extend the trip......always good to add days!!

 

[disappearingme]

Wow - I'm jealous! Sounds amazing.

 

[keishashadow]

Yay Janet.......you did it...........

I am looking forward to reading all about this one when I get back..........it sounds amazing!!! And brilliant you were able to extend the trip......always good to add days!!

I'm not one to start, let alone finish a TR but wanted to keep a journal of this one.

it does sounds wrong to hope DH will still be off work, but once the company starts back up it will be nothing but long hours for him to make up the lull.

Wow - I'm jealous! Sounds amazing.

I hope so, thanks.

 

[Lynne G]

Wahoo! Always up for a report from Keisha. Busy busy! So jealous too. We were thinking of the 12th for dinner, since not a HHN night. If you would like to say hi to me, I will be in on the late afternoon of the 11th, at RPH.

 

[keishashadow]

hey lynne. ok i thought the 11th was HHN meet, mini golf, something or other. If we are able to come up that night likely wouldn't be at U much before 4 pm. Do you have plans to go into the parks at all that afternoon?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Wow Janet.....what an epic trip!!

"Not-quite-dead" my patootie. You have an itinerary that speaks volumes to just how young-at-heart you two must be (if not young in years).

I can't imagine how much planning has gone into such a fantastic adventure!! And I can't wait to read all about it as it unfolds (and afterward). You'll have to do some "live reporting" when you get a free moment.....lol, if you get any free moments!!

Would be awesome to meet up with you at our Margaritaville Dismeet on the 12th! Go for MNSSHP on the 13th instead, so you can join us for a cocktail on the Monday night.