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NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

Welcome to A Walk in the Park Newsletter!

This month’s topic is my most recent trip to Disney!
My name is Colleen and I love Disney!! I have experienced over 20 trips to Disney since I went the first time at age 19.
I have been helping people plan and enjoy pixie dust trips for over ten years, and I love hearing about the memorable times they have had.
My motto is “no one should have a bad time at Disney”
     All dining reservations had been set up 180 days in advance. We knew which days we were going to be in which parks; being in the right park on the right day is VERY important! We had set up our Fastpass (FP) reservations, but were unable to get the Frozen Ever After ride at Epcot, or the Seven Dwarf’s Mine Ride at Magic Kingdom, so we planned for this. We had checked all updates on maps online to confirm which ways to travel while in each of the parks.  It is VERY important to know the lay of the land PRIOR to entering the park!
Day 1- We arrived at Hollywood Studios around 2:00PM for our 3:00PM dining reservation at 50’s Prime Time.  We then used our FP for Muppets, Toy Story Mania and Voyage of the Little Mermaid.   We stopped into the Launch Bay to use some time prior to the Star Wars Spectacular but then it started to pour so we decided to go home early.
Day 2- We arrived at Magic Kingdom around 11:00 AM and played the Sorcerer’s of the Kingdom game waiting for our FP windows to open and got a quick bite at Friar Nook. We then rode Pirates of the Caribbean, Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid and Haunted Mansion (we also rode Jungle Cruise and Peter Pan).  We had dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern (3:50PM) then picked up trick or treat bags and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party bands at Mickey’s Philharmagic. We saw Boo to You Parade, Hocus Pocus Show, Celebrate the Magic Show and Hallowishes and trick or treated.
Day 3-Arrived at Epcot around noon for Soarin (FP) then to Teppan Edo for 1:40PM.  After lunch we rode The Seas with Nemo & Friends and Living with the Land.  I then got a 4th FP for Imagination, then on to Pixar Shorts.  Then to get our Chase Photo and back to World Showcase for the foods!  We watched Illuminations.
Day 4-Disney Springs for Morimoto, shopping, and dessert at Ghiradelli’s.
Day 5- Animal Kingdom for 8:05AM Tusker House and onto the Kilimanjaro Safari.  Then saw Festival of the Lion King Show and Finding Nemo Show (FP).  Next, Tiffin’s for lunch (1:20 PM) with a Flik photo & autograph.  After lunch Kali River Rapids and Flights of Wonder.  Next was Maharajah Trek and It’s tough to be a Bug.  Next, photos & autographs with Dug & Russell. Started Gorilla Falls Trail until it stormed and were advised by cast member that with lightning the Safari would not be going out. So we left.
Day 6-Opening at Magic Kingdom for Seven Dwarfs Mine.  Next was Splash Mountain, Mickey’s Philharmagic & Hall of Presidents.  Casey’s for lunch.  After lunch Carousel of Progress, Buzz Lightyear (FP) and Laugh Floor.  Early in day we had started hearing about possible closing due to the hurricane.  Official announcement for 5 PM closing came around lunch time, so we left the park after Laugh Floor.
Day 7- Disney Parks ALL closed due to the Hurricane.  Thankfully, it did not hit the area as badly as expected.
Day 8- Got intel that Hollywood Studios was opening at 8 AM , not scheduled 9 AM so we were at park for 8 AM opening! We rode Toy Story Mania, then Great Movie Ride, Star Tours, and Muppets until our 11 AM lunch at 50’s Prime Time (try the Pumpkin Spice Milkshake!). After lunch we went to Launch Bay for Chase photo, then over to Beauty and the Beast Show, and Frozen Sing Along (with FP).  We then went to the Hollywood Brown Derby for dinner (5:10 PM). After dinner we watched the Star Wars Spectacular Fireworks partly, then raced up to Fantasmic (another long day in the park).
Day 9- We arrived at opening of park and went directly to Soarin. Then had photos and autographs with Joy and Sadness. Went back to World Showcase to enjoy more of the foods!  Came back for 1:20 PM Soarin FP, then opted not to use our other FP but just went back to World Showcase for more foods!  Left park around 7 PM.
Day 10- Departure day.  Up early, checked out, went to Epcot.  Made beeline to Frozen ever After standby line.  After that went to Soarin for 9:45 AM FP.  The rest of my group did not want to ride Soarin again, so I rode it 3 more times in a rowJ  We then rode Universe of Energy Ride then back to World Showcase for more foods!  On our way out we rode Spaceship Earth and sadly said goodbye to Disney.
I hope you see how planning ahead is so important! You do not waste time waiting in lines! You can see how full and fun each day of my trip was, because I was able to use my knowledge of Disney and the Disney tools to make the most of my time. Let me help you make the most of your trip!   When you are ready to start planning your trip please feel free to reach out to me at Colleen@awalkintheparkwithcolleen.net or 518-265-1421 and we can make your vacation in the Disney Parks enjoyable and MAGICAL!!

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