Yes, you heard it here first! I’m headed to the parks this October and I could not be more excited. With two of my besties in tow, we’re going on the ultimate girls trip to Orlando – three days in Disney and three in Universal!
If you’ve tried to book a trip to Orlando this fall, you know that properties across Orlando are BOOKED. With the opening of Galaxy’s Edge, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, Halloween Horror Nights, and marathons and special events at all of the parks, it’s a happening time to be heading to Florida.
With it being so busy, my normal plan-by-the-minute park experience is taking a backseat and we’re focusing our attention on a whole new category just waiting to be explored: the food. Since I’ve been to Disney more times than I can count, the only rides I absolutely need to find my way on are Splash Mountain, the Tower of Terror, and Flight of Passage. This time, I’m excited to sample my way through the parks, visit some of the resorts, and take lots of cute photos along the way.
Get ready, I’ve been planning my outfits since March!
Where We’re Staying
Since we splurged on the dining plan in Disney, hotel priorities took a backseat and we’ll be living it up at the All Star Music. This is my second stay at this value resort and I don’t mind it one bit!
On the flipside, we’ll be living in luxury at Royal Pacific Resort in Universal to get those Express Passes. Royal Pacific is one of my all-time favorites and has a Polynesian vibe to it that I just love. Going back to this tropical oasis after a long day in the parks will be paradise!
The Disney Gameplan
Day One
We arrive mid-morning on our first day in Disney and will be jumping on that Magical Express to the resort so fast you won’t even see us at MCO. Once we drop our bags, we’ll head straight to Magic Kingdom, which will be our only day to hang out with Cinderella!
We’ll spend the day bouncing around the park, starting in Tomorrowland. I’ve mapped out our must-eats at all of the stands throughout the lands and am super excited to try so many new things that I’ve heard so much about!
What are your favorite foods in Magic Kingdom? Let me know in the comments and you might just see them pop up in my instastories during my trip!
Around park close, we’ll take the monorail over to the Polynesian for late night dinner at ‘Ohana and drinks at Trader Sam’s!
Day Two
With Extra Extra Magic Hours in the schedule, it’ll be an early wake-up call to get to Animal Kingdom for rope drop, but with Flight of Passage on the agenda, you better believe I’ll be there! After a few more rides (and dole whips, of course!), we’ll make our way to Hollywood Studios.
Our time at Hollywood Studios will be quick – hitting a few rides (hi, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster!) and then heading to Toy Story Land for lunch and to explore. This is one of my favorite places in all of the parks for photos, so those Buzz Lightyear ears I have my eye on will definitely be making an appearance.
We’ll pop out of Hollywood Studios and make our way to Epcot for our first evening of Food and Wine Festival! I’ve never been to Food & Wine, but I’m DYING to try everything! After making our way through half of World Showcase, we’ll find ourselves at Chefs de France for a late-night French meal.
Day Three
Our final day at Disney (that went fast, right?) and another early start for a little Extra Magic! This time, we’re heading to Batuu to explore. I’ve been dying for Galaxy’s Edge to open and you better believe that the Millennium Falcon and blue milk are on the docket.
After a whirlwind morning at Hollywood Studios, we’ll make our way to Epcot for the rest of the day to wander our way around the world with no real plans on the horizon other than trying lots of snacks and taking allllll the photos in front of the Epcot walls.
The Universal Gameplan
Oh, Universal. You are the best for making vacations just so easy to plan. Armed with Express Passes in hand, we’ll be ready to battle the crowds to ride the Hulk ten times in a row without stopping.
No really, that’s absolutely what’s going to happen.
With Hagrid’s Magical Creatures being the new kid on the block, we’ll get up early to rope drop at Islands of Adventure and snag a spot in line to experience what’s being called “the best ride ever.”
Otherwise, we’ll take our time exploring the parks, hopping in line for all the rides, and sampling all the fun foods between the two parks and CityWalk. We have a few nice dinners scheduled and I cannot wait for this relaxing portion of our trip at one of my favorite hotels ever.
Want more details? Stay tuned over the next month as I outline our park outfits and dining gameplan! I can’t wait to share it all with you and recap it all once we’re back!
If you have any food suggestions, please let me know in the comments! I love to hear from you and, obviously, want to try everything during this trip.
the curated adventure 