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Disney World Trip Planning Q&A · Ear Scouts Podcast

• Rob: In this week's episode of the Ear Scouts Podcast, we're answering your questions about planning your next trip to Walt Disney World. We got a lot of questions to get answered, so let's get to it. Hi ho everybody, this is Rob with Ear Scouts coming to you from our makeshift studio here in Celebration, Florida. Also with me is the other half of Ear Scouts, Eric. Hi ho, Eric. Erick: Hi ho everyone. Rob: Eric, as always, is going to be keeping up with the live chat over on Patreon. If you'd like to join us live as we record each and every episode and take part in the Patreon exclusive after party, just head on over to patreon.com forward slash Earscouts. Also joining us from the great state of Indiana, where he's wearing a very Indiana shirt. For those of you who are listening, he's got the Buffalo plaid. QMCraig: Yes. Rob: He's looking like an Indiana outdoorsman. It's Quizmaster Craig. Hi ho, Craig. QMCraig: Hi, ho everybody. Yes, the chill is starting to set in here in northern Indiana and I'm I'm here for it. Rob: I'm jealous. I could use a chill down. it's it's cooling off a little bit though. I'm I'm gonna be thankful for what we got. but good to see you, Craig. Thanks for being with us. Also joining us from the great state of Connecticut, where she's wearing some very cozy looking ewok ears. For those of you who are not able to see, it is our good friend and the host of Jessica Scraps on YouTube. Jessica, hi ho, Jessica. Jessica: Hi, how everyone. It has been freezing the last two mornings here in Connecticut too. So we're getting some chill in the air. We finally had to turn the heat on. It's crazy. Rob: Ooh, I love that day. Here in Orlando, that's like a that's a minor holiday, the day that you get to turn on the heat. Yeah. Jessica: Yeah, I bet it is. I bet it is. QMCraig: Ha ha Rob: All right. Well, this week we are answering a whole bunch of questions specifically related to planning a trip to Walt Disney World because well, we we've been away for a little bit and we weren't able to take questions in some recent episodes. So they've been really piling up. But what I love about these episodes. These are real-world questions that people have that very likely you may have as you're planning your trip, or it might be a question that you hadn't even thought to ask yet. So I feel like these episodes can be a wealth of information as you plan your next trip to Walt Disney World. And with that said, let's hop right into it. Jessica, what is the first question that we have from YouTube? Jessica: So we have two Halloween party questions, one serious and one a little bit funny. So we're gonna do both of them. the first serious one is we did Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party last night and it felt really, really crowded. We did it a few years ago and I don't remember it feeling so jammed. We were considering doing the Christmas party, but should we expect similar crowds? With two littles under five, what are the key differences in this party other than theming? Any thoughts and suggestions appreciated? And this is from Christy Gee. Rob: Awesome. Well, I'm just gonna say off the top that we don't know anything about where the caps are for different party nights. Disney doesn't really reveal that information, but we do know because people report back to us on Patreon. We have almost every party that happens. I feel like it, you know, someone from our Patreon family is going. And the word we've gotten back this year is it's been a lot more crowded than normal. And my theory on that, I mean, again, we don't know. We have to theorize. My theory is that because it's been such a horribly rainy year here in Orlando, I mean, almost every single party has it had really bad rain for at least part of it. And I think what's happened is when people are really unhappy that they didn't get to do X, Y, or Z because it was rained out. I think in some cases, maybe Disney is offering those folks an opportunity to come to another party. But these parties have been sold out. So it's I don't know that this is happening, but my theory is that maybe they're upping the capacity so that people can come back and have a second chance at experiencing, you know, what they normally would experience. But that's just my guess. but I want to throw it open to everyone. What what are your thoughts about about the question specifically very merry Christmas party versus not QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: so scary? QMCraig: Mm-hmm. And that was the first thing I thought of was the weather. I mean, at least during Jessica: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: the holidays, you can count on more temperate weather, be a little cooler. It's not gonna be as rainy. I I know when we were there, was it just last week? at the Halloween party. No, it didn't rain the whole Jessica: Here you QMCraig: time, but there was enough rain that it put it damper in the middle of the day in the night. So but again, yeah, not that big of a problem at Christmas time. But I haven't been to a Christmas party in a long time, so That's my only real thing to add. Jessica: Yeah. I I think the other thing that happened at the Halloween party specifically is there was so much stuff outside. The dance parties were outside, the parade, the show, the all of that, that when it rained, all those people had to go to the indoor places. So even if it wasn't if it wasn't more crowded, it felt more crowded. Every trick-or-treat line Rob: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Jessica: felt more crowded. Every other place felt more crowded because of the rain. I think you just don't, I think what Craig said is 100% correct. You just don't have that during the Christmas party. I also think the Christmas party is just it's a it's a very different vibe than the Halloween party. There are a lot, a lot of people in pajamas. There's a lot of people in Rob: Ha ha ha. Jessica: their in their Christmas pajamas. there's a lot of people with kids just kind of Getting their hot chocolate and hanging out and watching the dance parties that are more Christmas themed. it feels less hectic than the Halloween party, even though it has basically the same number of activities. The Halloween party felt like we didn't have enough time to do everything. And the Christmas party just felt more relaxed. Now, I don't know if that's because we didn't feel like we needed to get all the cookies, whereas we did go to trick-or-treat trails. Or if it was really was just, there's something about a whole heck of people sitting in their pajamas watching fireworks on the hubgrass Rob: Ha ha ha. Jessica: that just kind of makes it feel more like a sleepover than it does a a party. if particularly for a two littles under five, to me, the Christmas party is even better than the Halloween party. I just think that it is that the I think that you'll be able to do things that won't feel as crowded, particularly go back. To this the storybook circus. They had they had a whole circus performers there last year on stilts and and things for the littles. it really is, I would highly recommend it. And I do think that you will see a difference in the crowd level because of the weather. I think what Craig and Rob said is 100% crazy. Rob: And I think there's something to be said for just that event is all about holiday cheer and and things are much more bright and cheerful. And I think that just puts you in a different mood. Not saying that not so scary isn't super fun and and a great time, but it's a different vibe. I think that's Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: w what I I would completely agree with, Jessica. It's just a different feel. And maybe you don't mind as much, you know. the the the crowds when everything's holly jolly and merry and all that good stuff. So I go ahead. QMCraig: And basically the treats are different as well. Instead Jessica: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: of, trick-or-treat and getting candy, they have cookies, hot chocolate. I'm not sure what all they have now, but unfortunate Jessica: Apple cider. Rob: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: everything's very sugary still, but Rob: Yes. Yeah, it it it is it is not if you're if you're not a fan of sweet things, really the holidays in general in Disney World are are difficult because QMCraig: Right. Jessica: Mm. Rob: you know, Epcot Festival of the Holidays, it's all sugar, very merry, it's all sugar. but yeah, I I I would also agree with Jessica because of that, not everybody feels the need. Cause like with the with the Halloween candy, you can take it home with you. You're gonna drink that hot cocoa and eggnog and probably eat that cookie right then. And you kinda get, sugared out pretty quickly. So I think that does contribute as well, Jessica. That's a good point. All right. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: We have a second question, but Jessica: We do. Rob: about Halloween specifically. Jessica: Mm-hmm. And it is more of a funny question. I just thought we should answer it. It's our last Halloween party question of the year, and that is from Johnny Five. Firstly, given the temperatures, how does the chocolate not melt? Secondly, Rob: Yeah. Jessica: if you're carrying around the bag of candy, can you realistically do the rides without it going everywhere? And I'll answer the first question. We've did two parties this year, both of which had 100 degree temperatures outside. Did the candy get a little, you know, mushy? Yes. By the time I got it home and put it in the candy dish, did the kids care? Not at all. Not one bit. Those Snickers bars, those MMs, they ate them just as if they came straight from the store. So it does get a little smushy, but it's not the end of the world. They go right back QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Jessica: in the refrigerator and it's fine. QMCraig: Yeah, I will add mine didn't melt until it was in the suitcase flying home. That's that's when that's when they melted Jessica: that's probably t Rob: Ha ha ha. QMCraig: badly. Yeah. Like Jessica said, they did get a little melt, but that's it's fine, totally Jessica: Yeah. QMCraig: fine. But yeah, it was the it was sitting in my suitcase in a plane ride home. So maybe pack it with your carry on. Jessica: Yeah, John made us to carry it on. We had an extra carry-on for candy, which was funny. but for the second question, I'll let you guys answer. I didn't do I didn't do a lot of rides. I focused on photos, both of my parties, and got every character photo from both parties. But how how do you guys handle the rides with the candy? Rob: Well, we actually did a video this year that we did nothing but rides, rides, rides. And we put their our candy bag inside of a backpack. And I think that also helped to prevent the candy from getting quite so melted because it had a layer of insulation from the the heat. but the the honestly the the candy that got the most melted. When you first walk in, they're gonna give you a bag that has a candy bar in it already. And because that one is it's still sunny out, the the sun, that one's just toast. That just just plan on that being chocolate fondue. When you go to eat it, that's unless you eat it right away. but the rest of the candy, because it's evening at that point, once I put it inside my bag, it didn't melt too badly and rides because it was inside my bag. It didn't go if it did go everywhere, it just went everywhere inside my bag. And not all QMCraig: Yeah. Rob: over, yeah. QMCraig: Yeah. Just bring Erick: Well QMCraig: a bigger bag or a ziploc, a gallon ziploc that you can just throw the candy in and keep your little treat bag empty and off to the side. Erick: Yeah, this thing is that you're you never know. you might be very lucky and at the end they might fill you your bag. like that that happened to Rob. So QMCraig: Ha ha ha. Erick: I have seen it happening Jessica: Mm-hmm. Erick: also like multiple times in Facebook groups, like people have talked about like how at the very end of the night, like some in some locations, not all of them, you might be able like like cast members, you just will fill up your bag. With candy, so Rob: Yeah, that's one of those things. It's like a magic moment. You can't can't ask for it. You can't count on it. But at the end of the night, if you're trick or treating right as the party is ending, they sometimes have to clear out all the candy that's in their in their buckets. And you might get a whole load of candy that's not melted because you got it at the end of the night. Well, before we move on to our next batch of questions, Jessica has has kindly laid them out in topics. So that was parties. We're moving on to lightning lanes. But before we do that, Eric, do we have any questions from Patreon that are specifically about parties or after hours events or anything like that? Erick: We do. so Steven was asking about like what's the difference then with Jollywood nights? the vibe and the crowds. Rob: I know Jessica wants to talk about that. QMCraig: Hmm Erick: Ha ha ha. QMCraig: Okay, for the next for the next half hour Jessica: The next half hour. Rob: Ha ha ha. Jessica: Jollywood Nights is a much is a much different party than either of the other two parties. It is a first of all, it's it's a more dressy party. You'll see people in full dresses and suits and people rarely dress up. It's a lot of bands, live music and dancing and lounges. the entertainment is skewed adult. there are a few things for kids. I would say this is more of an adult event. even though kids can definitely have fun at it. but they have a couple of places that are bars specifically for music and entertainment. But I do just want to mention once again that I've mentioned multiple times there is ice skating. Ice skating and it's super cool. but that's the biggest difference. I enjoy an activity where you can I mean Dapper Days appeals to me, but I'm not going to wear Dapper Days outfits in the middle of the heat of an Orlando. This is like a nighttime dapper day event with holiday decorations and a lot of old fashions. So it's it's like the best of both worlds. I don't know. What what do you guys think? Rob: Well, I I would agree there's something to do for everyone. I don't wanna give the idea that it's not an event that you've got, the dance party with the characters from Pixar. That's definitely a a very kid friendly activity. There's stuff there for everyone, but I would agree with you, Jessica. There's a lot more for older kids and adults than you find typically at the other parties. The other thing and I this may change as it becomes more popular. I have never found Jollywood to feel super overcrowded the way that I sometimes feel at the other parties. Would you agree with that? Jessica: Yeah, it's it didn't feel as crowd. The only time I felt crowded was last year they brought Chewie in his life day robes. And Rob: Yeah. Jessica: I I did that at the beginning of the party. And that section of Galaxy's Edge underneath the Millennium Falcon got pretty hectic there right before the party. That's the only time I've ever felt crowded at a Jollywoods party. and from what I've heard, the line for him got to be normal. Towards the end of the party. So hindsight's twenty Rob: Yeah. Jessica: twenty probably didn't need to rope drop that. and I don't know if they're bringing him back this year. They haven't announced, but it's a much less crowded or hectic party. But I agree, there are tons of stuff for kids to do. Rob: Absolutely. so let's move on to some questions about Lightning Lane. Jessica, why don't you kick it off? What's your first question? Jessica: Got the first question from Yasmin, and she's heard the advice that you should, if you're going to Animal Kingdom, you should buy your lightning lanes at Animal Kingdom because it saves you money. And then once you tap into Animal Kingdom, you should, you know, get the next park you're going to. But to her, she says, if I'm spending money on the lightning lanes, I want to buy it for the park that I'm going to first and then enjoy that park. and she doesn't necessarily know if if that advice makes sense. So it's about that theory that once you do you buy Animal Kingdom Lightning lanes to save money and then transition them into, let's say Hollywood Studios, or do you just buy Hollywood Studios Lightning Lanes and because you're going to go there in the afternoon to make sure you get the rides you want. And it's kind of that you know, Six of one half a dozen of the other. At Rob: And and to clarify for folks who are not familiar with how Lightning Lane works, you can purchase Lightning Lane multipass for any of the parks and use it if you have a ho a ticket that lets you park hop. You can use it in all the parks that same day. Animal Kingdom tends to be significantly cheaper than Studios and and Magic Kingdom. so that's where the origin of this question is, and I'll pass it back to Jessica. Jessica: Right. I and to me, I think it is six of one half a dozen of the other. I think if Slinky Dog and Rise of the Resistance are the most important things to you, I guess rise of resistance is a single pass, but if Slinky Dog and Toy Story Mania are the most important rise to you and you know you're going there in the afternoon and you don't want to miss them, by all means, buy Hollywood Studios. You can wait in the lines. I would buy a flight of passage, and then everything else at Animal Kingdom, I think you can handle in the morning. Rob: Well, she she was saying that if she's starting her day at studios, not so she's not planning to start her day at Animal Kingdom, she was just gonna do it to get a cheaper price for Lightning Lane and then go to studios. And I feel like Jessica: Well I guess. Rob: that's a de that's a different question that that I don't know that that's really worth it. Yeah. Jessica: No, yeah, I wouldn't do that. Yeah, QMCraig: Yeah. Jessica: I definitely wouldn't do that. No. QMCraig: Yeah, for one, you're you're wasting a lot of time in just traveling. Jessica: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: So plus if you're using internal Disney buses, you can't leave Animal Kingdom to go somewhere else until after ten. So take that into Rob: Mm-hmm. Yep. QMCraig: consideration as well. But yeah, I I Just go buy it for the first park you want to go to. Get the rides that you want to go to and then take it from there. Rob: I will play devil's advocate for a moment. And that is if you're planning to do a bunch of parks in one day, right? If it's not, if it's not all about if your day is QMCraig: Mm. Rob: about studios, buy it for studios. Same thing for any of the parks. But if you're planning to do a whole bunch of park hopping, I do think Animal Kingdom is a great park to start in. Number one, it opens before the other parks. Number two, as soon as you tap into any lightning lane, that frees you up to book. multiple tier one attractions in multiple parks. So you can basically be freed up to have multiple tier ones before people in other parks have even gotten into the park, right? Because you're there so much earlier. So there are benefits, but the benefits do not outweigh if it's not your plan to go to Animal Kingdom, that's kind of crazy. I think that's, you QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: know, as as Craig said, you're wasting a lot of time. I mean, I love Animal Kingdom. But if you're doing Animal Kingdom another day, don't spend that much time, you know, just to save yourself a few bucks and QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: get a jump on your second pick, because that's what you're getting. Second pick, not your first pick. our next question is from Amy. She says, How do we use your Lightning Lane Guide to prioritize multipass and single pass lightning lanes and premier pass purchases at different parks on different days if we're staying for a long stay? and then she kind of gives in some examples of the things she might want to do during the course of a day, like maybe she might really want to make sure she gets Slinky Dog on a particular day. She wants to make sure she has access to Premier Pass on certain days. And that's all going to depend, of course, on what your specific plan is, what those priorities are. But there is a really easy rule of thumb. And that is if you know what is going to be the most challenging thing for you to get, and you don't care so much what day you do it on, you wanna push those to the end of your stay. Because each day you push out. Fewer and fewer people have access to book, to do anything. So you're gonna have the pick of the litter. If if your goal is to ride slinky, for example, and you're here for two weeks, you're gonna get slinky. If you do it for that last day, you're gonna get slinky first thing in the morning. On your premiere pass days, you can just walk over and do slinky whenever you want, right? So it doesn't matter as much. Now, there is this situation where we have been seeing Premier Pass sell out, especially during holiday periods, holiday weekends. So I would say if you're coming during a period that has a holiday weekend in it, you probably do want to grab that Premiere Pass first and just make sure that you for that holiday weekend, just if that's when you're planning to use Premier Pass, just to secure it. if you're not familiar, Premier Pass is the newest version of Lightning Lane. You don't have to book anything. You can don't have to worry about time schedules. You just go into the lightning lane that you want to go into whenever you want. The catches, you can only do it once per attraction, and it's limited to one park only. whereas multipass, Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: you can use it in all four parks, as we mentioned. But really, just take a look at at what your plans are and you know, look at the the videos that we've shared where we talk about what. are the most challenging things, Slinky Dog being the most challenging. and just plan to do those things later in your trip if that works out with your with your schedule. all right. Craig, what is your next question that you have related to Lightning Lane? QMCraig: I have one from Five Tool Talk, and they say we have a party of five coming to Disney World over Martin Luther King weekend. And since it will be very busy, we are planning to get park hoppers and lightning lanes for all the days of our trip and stay in Disney hotels to book Lightning lanes early. Well done. So the problem is that two people from our party of five check in a day later than the rest of us. Can we still book for everyone on the day I become eligible to book if they are connected to me in the app? They also want to wish Jessica and my Eric a happy belated birthday. So thank you very much. Jessica: Thank you. Rob: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: so if as far as booking if you're a hotel guest, you can book seven days from your date of arrival. so that's that's the furthest out you can do that. You have to stay in a Disney resort to get that benefit. unfortunately for to answer your question, your answer is no. Disney is pretty strict on that one. if you look at their accounts, it will tell you what day they are available they will be able to book Lightning lanes. and it's not going to match up with yours. now the thing is, I don't know what I would do. Would you suggest maybe waiting until like the next day when they all can get them together? So they're basically all booking at the six day mark from the first people. Rob: I would go ahead and and book as soon as I was able and then try to get them because cause here's the thing to keep in mind with Lightning Lane, you've got a grace period. that as of right now, this could change at any moment, but as of right now, as long as you're tapping in at a multipass attraction an hour and fifty-nine minutes after it has expired, the tap style still glows green, which means you're Free to enter. Could change at any minute, but as for now, you've got a lot of wiggle room there, right? So if you can just get them close to you, you can have everyone on the same plan. But if that seems complicated to you, if you're stressed out at the idea of trying to line everybody up, then don't worry about it. Just book when everybody can book. but if you're comfortable with Lightning Lane, if you're confident using the system, I'd say go ahead and book. And then also talk to your friends. You might be surprised. They might be like, you know what? I don't really want to get up crazy early and go do Slinky Dog Dash first thing. I'm fine booking Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: that later in the day, and then you have it for your group and you can go and and do that. Any anyone else have any other thoughts? Jessica: I'm annual pass holder and I brought my family and they were on a date-based ticket. And so just if you're not staying at Disney hotels and you're in this situation where they're on a date-based ticket and you're an annual pass holder, I could only book three days ahead of each day and they could book for all of their days. I did exactly what Rob said. I booked them for everything. And then I just tried to match them. I Rob: Mm-hmm. Jessica: just tried to match them. So that might be something else that you find happens to you if you're trying to save somebody and you're staying off property. And it all and it all worked out. I mean, here's that with that grace period and if you're listening to Rob, it will all work out. And I know it's not as stressful. You've got enough time that you can make it work. Rob: And yeah, and if if that does seem stressful to you, then don't stress it. Just do it all at once together and you'll be able to get what you can get. But yeah, I I agree with Jessica there. before we go to our next lightning lane question, Eric, do we have any lightning lane related questions from Patreon? Erick: We do. This is from Jen. Animal pass part reservation question. If I want to start an animal kingdom with an early flight of passage, lining lane single pass, and then hop to Epcot to use Lightning Lane multipass, can I make my part reservation for Epcot Jessica: Mm-hmm. Erick: to get Lightning Lanes in advance to get some of them scheduled for earlier than 2 p.m.? And then switch my park reservation to Animal Kingdom to be able to get the C the A DM single pass and start there. Rob: Well, I I don't think you need to do that because i Jessica: Mm mm. Rob: as long as you have a park pass somewhere, I think it's gonna let you book a single pass QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: anywhere. Now, I don't Jessica: Multipas. Rob: and with multipass, you can yeah, you can book you can always get multipass in any park. It doesn't matter what your reservation is. Now, in terms of is the system smart enough to know that Animal Kingdom opens at eight and Your your park pass is it a park that opens at nine, so it's gonna block you from I don't think it does. I could be wrong on that. Let me know. I've never tried. let me know if anyone has has experienced that differently, but Jessica: Well she wants to start QMCraig: Mm. Jessica: at Animal Kingdom and get multipass for Epcot. I think she's fine. Yeah, so I think she's f she's perfectly Rob: Well an animal kingdom opens the earliest. Yeah, so you're good. QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Erick: They should be good. Jessica: fine. I don't think Rob: Yeah, yeah. Jessica: there's any problem with that. QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: But even if you were in a different scenario, right, where you wanted to get flight of passage, let's say at Animal Kingdom and you're starting at Epcot that opened later, I think as long as you have a park pass, it just opens it, is my understanding. QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: So I don't think you need to worry too much. Erick: I'm just checking the chat. Jen wrote, but I couldn't enter that to use the single pass if my park reservation is a dead code, right? Rob: Right. So you you have to make your park pass for the park you want to start in, but you're going to be able to book multipass QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: for a different park if you choose. You don't have to book multipass in the park you start in. It's that's just where you're gonna have your first lightning lanes booked. so QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: you also don't have to be in any particular park to book single pass for any other park. As long as you have the ability to park hop, of course. That's an important, but we're assuming that's the case. All right. well thank you for that question because I I've that was one I haven't gotten before and I bet other people have that same question. Jessica, what is our next question from Patreon or YouTube? Jessica: so Christina, and this is why I'm wearing my ewoks and my shirt, asked about Rob: Yeah. Jessica: questions specifically about Rise of the Resistance and Smuggler's Run. I know you mentioned that the cue for one or maybe both of these rides is important to not skip the first time around. Could you remind me of which one? Also, if we are not going to do a lightning lane for one or both of these rides, what is the best time of the day to do them? So, first of all, I will say What we've typically been talking about is not lightning lanes, but is single rider line. Do not do the single rider line on Rise of the Resistance the first time. If you are interested in the single rider line after you've ridden it a couple of times, maybe, but it skips a large portion of the most exciting parts of of the ride. So I would say do not do that. That's what we typically talk about it. But you get those portions of the ride when you do lightning lane. So for Rise of the Resistance, Lightning QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Jessica: Lane is always okay. Single pass is not. Millennium Falcon, single rider, multipass. Or regular queue has the room where they have the chessboard. That's the that's the iconic place where people want to take their photo. That's the only part of that queue that you want to see, and you see it no matter what. So there's not a problem with skipping I don't think the queue there there's some kind of cool things you walk by in the Millennium Falcon, but in general, even as a Star Wars fan, I don't think Lightning Lane, you're not missing any a whole whole lot. And then for me, the second part of her question was when would you ride them? Rise of resistance, it can be tough. I try to do that as early in the day as possible. And then anytime I see it less than 45 minutes, 45 minutes or lower is a good time to get in that line. most of the time 45 minutes or lower means 30 minutes. That's a good wait for that ride. But the earlier you can do rise of the resistance, because it it she's temperamental. Rise of resistance. QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: Mm. Jessica: Millennium Falcon. I would say anytime's a good time to do Millennium Falcon. Anytime's a good time. And John and I discovered on this last trip that they've now added a double rider line. So if you just have two people in your party, you can either do a single rider rider line with one person or with two people, and they'll put you together in the ride as a duo. it's a great. I mean, it we basically it was a just a straight walk on in and we bypassed like a thirty-five minute line with two people. So now Millennium Falcon, if you have one or two people, do that. But Millennium Falcon, it's pretty consistently a lower weight most if it's not like a crazy day. most of the time. So I would just look for a a line time if you're not able to do the single rider or double rider line. I would say thirty minutes, you'll be able to find that multiple times during the day. Rob: I will just say this. The very first time I rode Millennium Falcon, I can remember it was my first time being in Galaxy's Edge. And I was just I just thought it was amazing. It was the most immersive, incredible thing I'd ever experienced at that point in time. And the cue did blow me away. I was very impressed with the queue. so and the beauty of this attraction right now, I don't understand why, but it's not that busy. I mean, you can Jessica: Yeah. Rob: often find that queue at fifteen, twenty minutes, even on relatively busy days. and I would say if you catch it fifteen minutes, enjoy the queue. Just yeah, don't QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: You go Jessica: Yeah. Rob: go through and and experience it. But the other thing that's beautiful about Millennium Falcon now, there's multiple missions. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: So it's got huge rewritability. So I would say go through the queue and get a lightning lane. Ride it a few times to experience the different missions. I'm a fan. I'm a big fan of Millennium Falcon Smuggler's Run. And I really it baffles me that it has as short a wait as it does, especially now that they've redone it. But QMCraig: Yeah. I would say between the two cues, Millennium Falcon is definitely more interesting and Rise really isn't much until you get right up to the first pre show, so Rob: Yeah. Rise, the the majority of the queue, it's meant to feel like realistic, what would an actual cobble together Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: rebel base look and and unfortunately smell like. It's got a gym sock smell sometimes that I don't think is intentional, but that's the smell that's there. I don't love, I don't love the cue for for Rise the Resistance, but I do for Millennium Falcon. And actually this is the perfect segue to our next question, which is from Metallic Noel 4514 asks, I think at Hollywood Studios, Toy Story Mania should be a tier one instead of Smuggler's Run. Toy Story Mania actually runs out fast. though I have a question, Rob, have you ever had days where the slots were not in your favor and you weren't able to get the rides and times that you wanted, or are you always successful? Well, I don't think anyone is always successful. but thankfully I I usually have Eric helping out as well. And between the two of us, it's a pretty high percentage of success. but it it's not easy. It's a lot of effort. But going back to your first part of your question, because I think that's a fascinating question, I think the reason that Toy Story Mania is so difficult to book is because it is a tier two attraction. So the tier system does something interesting. It essentially penalizes attractions that aren't quite as popular as the most popular tier ones because everybody's trying to get slinky and everybody's trying to get the most popular tier ones. So attractions like Millennium Falcon, which is a tier one and is not as popular, it's just crazy easy to grab it because nobody's aiming for it. Conversely, with tier two attractions, you're allowed to have two tier twos when you start your day and only one tier one. Everybody is going to grab the most popular tier twos, which in studios are Toy Story Mania and Tower of Terror. And what they're going to do, not only are they going to grab it, they're going to grab it for whenever they have it during their day, and it's just going to sit in their hand until they go and ride it. And so By virtue of the fact that it is a popular tier two, they get snagged up at twice the rate as the tier ones do. And that's that's what you're seeing. So if you move Toy Story Mania into a tier one slot, yes, it would become a lot easier to book, but probably if you move Millennium Falcon in its place, then Millennium Falcon would likely have the same problem that Toy Story Mania does QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: now. which I would argue that they should leave Toy Story Mania and add Millennium Falcon to Tier Two, because that takes some of the stress off of Tower and Toy Story Mania. If there's a third attraction that's really popular in tier two, that would really free things up a little bit more. And I think that would be my recommendation to Disney. and the last thing I will say is if you really want something with Lightning Lane And you don't mind spending an inordinately long amount of time staring at your phone, refreshing, tapping in, tapping out, doing all the things we show in the video. I've almost never have I have we ever not been able to get something, Eric? Like with with enough effort? I feel like we always do, right? Yeah. Erick: I think yeah. we put a lot of effort sometimes, but yeah. QMCraig: Yeah. Jessica: Mm. Rob: But it's crazy. That's the thing. Is it worth it? Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: Probably not. Probably you should just go do the standby queue if you're spending that QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Yes. Erick: Ha ha. Rob: much time. Yeah. but yes. Jessica: I know, I always think if you spent twenty minutes playing on your phone to get the the line that was only twenty minutes, is it really worth the t you know, and I think that's the you know, that's the twenty minute lines aren't gonna kill anybody. Just walk through. Rob: No. And and and here's the thing, here's the magic of a twenty minute line. You can spend that time while you're in that twenty minute line playing the slots for a different attraction. And you're not burning up any of your park day. You're doing it while you're already in line, and then you're gonna have something to ride, hopefully, as soon as you get off. So lines can be a good time to do other things too. All right. Well, we're we've got some questions about dining. we got a we've got a few. let's jump into that and then if we have any other lightning lane questions, Eric, we'll take those in the after party. But let's move on to dining. Jessica, why don't you start us off? Jessica: So we have a question from Katie Tidwell 9628. we hope you're doing well and love the podcast. Thank you very much. We have a Tritorial Al Forno reservation in November for 8 40 a.m. on our Epcot day. We previously had parked at the boardwalk, then reparked at Epcot. However, I'm wondering if we should park at Epcot, then take the boardwalk bus to make it to our reservation so we could go in the International Gateway entrance. The issue is that we are aren't staying on property and I'm having trouble finding the bus schedule. Would this be a good option, or are we better off parking at the boardwalk like in the past? Thank you for your consideration. Here's the thing: there is no boardwalk bus from Epcot that early in the morning. So you cannot do this at all. Yeah, sorry. Well, but even if you were going to a different park, Rob: at all. There's never a boardwalk bus 'cause it's it's it's accessible from the back of the park. Yeah. Yeah. QMCraig: Mm. You can always walk. Erick: Mm-hmm. Guess not. Jessica: it it it's just gonna be hard. I would not do that. I would not do that. You need to just park at the boardwalk. The other option You could just Uber to the boardwalk because you have that reservation. If you don't want to worry about reparking your car, you'd have to pay for an Uber both ways. But if you're staying off property, that might the cost of the parking might weigh out with the cost of those two Ubers, depending on how far away you're staying. So just look at that. But you will have to, because they really are checking times on parking Rob: Mm-hmm. Jessica: now, you will have to repark your car. So park. Go to breakfast and then drive back to Epcot, unfortunately. unless you're just gonna do a half day at Epcot and then you can come back to your car and move it. But they're putting a, I believe it's a three hour limit on three Rob: Three hours, yeah. Jessica: hour limit on the car. So you cannot, you cannot park at Epcot and take a bus. That bus does not exist because they have the back entrance. Rob: I would say maybe split the difference, park at boardwalk, enjoy your breakfast, and then just pop in to do Remy or, like a ride that's back there, right? That's that's something you want to do. And then stroll back out, go back to your car and and move up to the front. If if Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: there's something that's really enticing to you about that international gateway, go and do that one thing and then move your car. of course that is a lot of steps going in and then back Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: out, but I love I love strolling around the boardwalk area. I think it's a a beautiful break in your park day as well. So yeah. QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Yeah, go back get a corndog for lunch. Rob: Mm-hmm. Jessica: Ooh, or a mozzarella stick that's this long. QMCraig: Yeah. Jessica: Foot long mozzarella stick. Rob: Craig, what is our next question related to dining? QMCraig: Yes, this is from Matthew Jones. And he says, I'm assuming the answer is no, but can you book the Phantasmic dining package and see Phantasmic on a different date after you dine? My kids won't make it till 9 30. Well, you are correct. The answer is no. Unfortunately, you can't use your voucher for a different day. So, as far as the Phantasmic Dining Package, there are four restaurants at Hollywood Studios. You can book them in advance with there's Hollywood Brown Derby. 50s Primetime, Hollywood and Vine, and the Sci-Fi Dine In. but yeah, if you book the package, it's just gonna give you a voucher and it's gonna have that date stamped on it and the time of the show you're gonna go to. Now, if you're there on a and I'm not sure when they're going. So hopefully there will be a two show day. And the first show is normally at eight o'clock. So hopefully that's gonna be the case for you. otherwise, I'm I'm a Rade that's it's just not going to work out with switching it to a different day. I've never experienced that or or heard of anyone being able to do that, but is anyone? Rob: No, I I don't think it's not it's not an official option. you never know. Every QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: now and then someone might have some magic made, but you can't ask for it, you can't count on it, it just happens sometimes at Disney. But no, that's not an expectation that you'd be able to do that. I will say this though. If you're going to the later show of Phantasmic and there's a two show day. there are never dining packages for the later show. They're only for the earlier show because you don't need them for the later show. You can get those same wonderful seats we just did it this past QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: weekend at the Jamboree. We had amazing seats. We showed up shortly before the show was gonna begin. And so if you want to do it on a different day at that later time, if you're gonna make that work for your family. You don't need the dining package probably for that other day. if you go to the later show. QMCraig: And I do want to add, if you are on the Disney dining plan, which is where you prepay for your Rob: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: music and get certain credits, it's two credits at Brown Derby. But the other three restaurants, fifties prime time, Hollywood and Vine, and sci fi dine in, it only takes one credit. Which so yeah. Yeah. So you're basically getting yeah, you're basically Jessica: Really? Amazing. That's a great deal. Rob: Yep. Yep. Yep. QMCraig: getting the Fantasmic package for free. Because it is an ad Jessica: do that QMCraig: I I forgot how much it is. I should look that up. But yeah, it is a Jessica: Do that. QMCraig: little extra. Well, if you're Rob: Yeah. QMCraig: on the dining plan. Jessica: Yeah, if you're on the dining QMCraig: For sure. Jessica: plan, that's great. Ten out of ten. Rob: Yep. We we always do one of the dining packages when we do a dining plan video because I think it's one of the best secrets of the dining plan is that you can kind of it's essentially like getting a lightning lane for a show for free as QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: part of your dining plan. so well not Jessica: Mm-hmm. It's great. Rob: free. It's not free. You've paid a lot for the dining plan, but it's no extra charge. Jessica: Well, that's true. QMCraig: No extra charge. Rob: Eric, do we have any questions related to dining? Erick: We do. this was from Stacy. I am normally at Walt Disney World solo traveler trying to convert my husband, so I have invited him for my next trip. Romantic dinner at Topolinos to watch fireworks or Geo eighty two? And do I have to buy the fireworks experience Jessica: Yeah. Erick: to do that? Thanks. Rob: I Jessica: It depends on if you want a meal or you want Erick: Mm-hmm. Jessica: snacks and Rob: a lot of Jessica: drinks. Rob: high end cocktails. 'Cause that yeah. Jessica: It's totally what your vibe is. Rob: Topolinos is gonna specialize in the food. They're gonna have really great dining options. And they I'm not gonna say they don't have good drinks there too. They do. But the magic of Geo eighty two are those especially bourbon and whiskey based cocktails. They do exceptionally, Jessica: In gen, yeah. Rob: yeah. They do exceptionally well with kind of craft cocktails. So I think that just depends on which kind of night you wanna have. But I know that these are two of your favorites. Jessica: And GO82. G02 is is adult only. And Rob: Yes. Jessica: depending on the kind of night you want to have, it is a slightly more romantic adult loc Topolinos can't have an entire table of a 10 year old birthday party. And you can't you can't stop it, right? And it doesn't make it bad. It is definitely Rob: Right. Jessica: better food at Topolino's. And watching the fireworks from that balcony outside is a great experience. It's just a difference. It's just a difference in what you want. It's it's a dinner versus a bar QMCraig: Yeah. And if you want to dress up, Topolinos. everyone at Geo eighty two is going to be in park Jessica: Mm. QMCraig: clothes and there will be people at Topolinos as well in park clothes. Jessica: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: But at least they have more of a standard a higher Jessica: good point. QMCraig: standard of dressing or dress code. So I just yeah, it's just a much nicer, fancier way, but Geo eighty two is more if you want to hang in a park, if that's your vibe. Rob: I will say this. I think, and I'm I may be overruled by my friends here who are very big Geo82 fans. I think the view of the fireworks from Geo82 is highly overrated. And I think the view of the fireworks from Topolino's is highly underrated. I think that show in particular looks spectacular from above. You really see details that that are harder to see at ground level. And it's even harder to see those details when you're completely on the other side of the park at ground level. I I don't love the view at at Geo eighty two for fireworks, but that's just me. I know you guys I think do like the view, right? QMCraig: I have not experienced the fireworks from Geo yet. So I can't speak to that. No, you have. Rob: Mm-hmm. Jessica: I've done it, I almost do it every trip. it's one of my must do's. But I like to eat an Epcot because I like the snackiness and I like the, you know, kind of snacking around the world vibe and then ending with drinks and GO82. That's our kind of date night. That's how we do it. We're not big sit down for formal dinner date night people as much. So I think that kind of goes back to the original. Do I actually like the fireworks better from Topolino's? Yeah. The answer to that is yes. Rob's a hundred percent correct. But I do I like the experience of sitting, relaxing, listening to the music, having a bourbon, you know, there while the music's playing. And then the key to me, and I know you've said the opposite of this, when you have that the in song from Luminous plays, and everyone walks out of the park. under spaceship earth with the lights and you're you're you're playing the you know the the symphony of us and it to me it is a party. It is kind of a joyful experience. I love exiting Epcot during the fireworks. I just do. So you don't get that Rob: Mm-hmm. Jessica: at Topolinos. Rob: True. I should also warn you: if you eat at Topolino's, you may become addicted to the amazing olive oil that they serve you to dip your bread in. And it may cost you a small fortune QMCraig: Ha ha ha Erick: Yeah. Rob: to buy that olive oil after you leave. QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: I've had that problem, just saying. All right. Jessica: Ha ha ha Rob: So my next question that I have here from Christina. I believe that's on that's on Patreon. we are wanting to book the following restaurants, but are having trouble deciding how slash when to book for our next trip. Across and Hollywood and Vine. so they do have two park hopper days. and they have a dining plan. And their concern is that. The dining plan requires two credits for Across. So if you were, if I'm reading this correctly, it sounds like you're having a two, you're gonna have two dining credits table service to begin with, and you would use both of them at Acershus. whereas if you were to use the dining credit at Hollywood and Vine, you would have another. Table service meal that you could enjoy. And as we mentioned earlier, you could even add in the Phantasmic dining package at no additional charge. So you're going to get two things for one credit as opposed to one thing for two credits. I mean, that would be my recommendation: would be that you'd use your dining plan credit on Hollywood and Vine. Having said that, here's the other problem that you sometimes run into with the dining plan. It can become a lot of food, especially if you're going to pay for a big meal out of pocket. So you do need to think about where are you going to use that other table service credit? And if you can find a good place to use it, I might throw out there one of my favorite things to do if you like character dining, Animal Kingdom breakfast at Tusker House, one of the best breakfasts on property. and you get another character experience out of that. So that could be a good use. It's not the biggest bang for your buck in terms of a table service credit, but it's a good experience and you'd be wasting that credit anyway if you did Accreshes because you'd lose both. But just some Jessica: Is Acroshush breakfast too, or is it just din lunch and dinner? Rob: It it across us does have a breakfast, but I think it's QMCraig: Uh-huh. Rob: two credits no matter when you go. I think. Erick: Believe so. QMCraig: Yeah, but it's cheaper if you are paying out of pocket. So that's something you can consider. Rob: and yes, correct. Yes. the last thing I will say, I love Across. I think it is worth doing. I really enjoy the food there. it's it's Norwegian-inspired fare. but If your real goal is to get a princess experience, if that's really what Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: you're after, there is there is no substitute for Cinderella's royal table, in my opinion. Having done it now, having done both, the food is better at Acrocius. But if all what you really want is the princess experience, man, Cinderella's Royal Table is there's a reason it's really hard to book. It's pretty unparalleled. But it sounds like you've decided on Acrocius. So I I would say if that is your goal, I don't know. That would be my suggestion. Use your dining credit at Hollywood and Vine and and also do the phantasmic. Did you guys see anything else there in that in that question that that you wanted to to speak to? Yeah. Jessica: I think Eric has something. Erick: Just I just wanted to add, I see it from Matthew and Daniela. they are mentioning that Across is only one table service credit for breakfast. And I just Rob: Ooh. QMCraig: It is. Erick: and I just Jessica: So Erick: check Plant Disney and yep, they are they are correct. QMCraig: Well there you go. Rob: I've heard great I haven't done breakfast there, but I've heard great things about the breakfast. Apparently their Norwegian waffles are supposed to be very good. so that could be an option too. Then you could do both. Jessica: Yeah. And my here's my only feedback is if you have an Anna and Elsa kid, this is a much better use of your time than the line to meet Anna and Elsa, which sometimes they're not there. Rob: Anna and Elsa aren't there. They aren't there. No. Erick: They they are not there. QMCraig: No, Erick: No, they are next doors. Rob: No. QMCraig: no. Yeah. No, they Jessica: Well then never QMCraig: have their own line. Yeah. Jessica: mind. Never mind. You can't even Rob: Yeah. Yeah. Erick: Ha Jessica: meet Anna and Elsa at the Akashish breakfast? Rob: Nope. Nope. Erick: Nope. Mm-mm. QMCraig: No Jessica: Well that sucks. I was hoping there was a way to avoid that line, but I guess I'm wrong. Sorry. Rob: Mm. Yeah, I was shocked because I I didn't know. And when we went when we went to Acrossus, I was like, well, we're gonna see Anna and Elsa. And Jessica: That's what I would have assumed. Rob: right? And no, those are the two princesses you will definitely not see. You might see some other, it changes up the the others you see, but you won't see them. Yep. Jessica: Wow. Well, I'm glad we talked about that because I know people have Rob: Yeah. Jessica: said have and I'm like, yeah, it makes sense. That's where they would be. Rob: All right. Well, Jessica, there is another final dining question that we need to answer. What is it? Jessica: Yep. And this is going to be a round table for all of us. And it's from Jess and Bill Becker. This came from Patreon. I just saw this is breaking news. Nomad Lounge will now be taking dining reservations. It starts in November. I want to know the reactions from the team. Personally, I love the walk-up wait list, and I'm a little worried it's another reservation we have to plan for. I also am hesitant about it. I love the walk-up wait list. However, the walk up wait list has been pretty open lately. We haven't had much trouble. That's probably why they're going to reservations to make it fill up. So I'm hoping that bar seating's still available and there's still but I'm I'm I'm hesitant. That's what I'll say. I don't know, Craig. QMCraig: Yeah, I'm I'm just not sure it's gonna change the popularity overall. I'm guessing it'll be the same amount of people wanting to go and spend time. So and I don't know, are they gonna be reserving the inside tables? Is it just the outside tables that everyone wants? So just kind of a wait and see. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: If I had to guess, I will say they're probably gonna do it like they do at sci fi. If you wanna be in the cars, you gotta have a reservation, right? If you're not don't have reservation, if you're walk up, you get sat kind of in the back in those regular tables typically. My guess is similar thing is gonna happen at Nomad. If you wanna be on the porch, those tables are probably gonna be reserved with the reservation system. And you might get, I mean, I could be wrong. N this but this is my theory, Jessica: Mm. Rob: if you do a walk up wait list you're probably gonna get inside seating, which is what they wanna fill Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: up, right? 'Cause they have a h I think they have an easy time filling the deck. It's the inside that they have a harder time filling. So I think QMCraig: Yeah. Jessica: Yeah. QMCraig: I was there last week it was there was hardly anybody inside, so Jessica: Yeah. QMCraig: I don't know. I I I don't mind planning to go there in the middle of my day, you know, ahead of time, Jessica: No. QMCraig: but Rob: Mm-hmm. Jessica: Yeah, no. And I think they're also doing the annual pass holder special right now. starting, I guess, next week, they're gonna have an annual pass holder special, which is for $49, you get two small plates and two drinks as annual pass holder. I know it's amazing. I'm very excited. QMCraig: So Jessica: It'll be there when I'm there. to all of this points to me like they're trying to refill Nomad and bring bring more people into it, which is shocking to me because it's one of the best. places on property, so it's good. Yeah. QMCraig: I don't think people know about it unless they unless they listen to us 'cause we talk about it all the time. But yeah, it it's Jessica: Yeah. We talk about all the time. So QMCraig: it's tucked away. Jessica: yeah, but I I think overall we're all we'll see what happens. I did not get reservations for it. We're going in November. We're gonna wing it and hope to get in. So Rob: Well, there is one piece of that announcement that I was really excited about, and that is that you can now mobile order the churros to QMCraig: Yeah. Rob: go from Nomad Lounge. That's I don't know when that starts. it might start the same time as the reservations. But if you've never had the Nomad Lounge churros, for all those people who say that Disneyland has the best churros, I've got news that yeah. Your churros in the parks are much better than our churros in the parks, but Nomad Lounge Churros are the best churros in any park anywhere. and that's that's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it. So if you can't get in, can't get a reservation, and you can't get on the walk up wait list, mobile order some churros, and that'll that'll sweeten up your day right there. well we have a whole bunch of kind of more random questions here, and I guess we'll we'll go through as many of these as we have time for. and Jessica, why don't you start us off with this question from Lassie Scout? Jessica: so Lassie Count Scout 422 says we are renting a van for an offsite stay in October. Note, not my choice. LOL. is premium parking worth it for Magic Kingdom? I thought you had said a few episodes ago that you thought it was. And here's the thing: the reason I took this one is I think I am the driver, I'm the person that rents a car and drives. The last two trips, we have specifically gotten premium parking at Magic Kingdom every time. if you have an annual pass, it's only between $10 and $20 extra a day to add that to to pay for that. And it puts you right at where you walk under to go to the, you don't have to worry about the tram. It's not a lot of walking. At the end of the night, you don't have to fight for the tram. When you get off, you just go straight to your car. To me, it made a huge difference. You also get to kind of choose where you're gonna park, and so you can get out easier. There was a lot of benefit to the premium parking when we did it. it's bougie and it's maybe a little extra. Rob: Ha ha ha. Erick: Yeah. Jessica: I get it. But for us, I even converted John, who's not the one to spend money on something like that. He was like, we're doing premium parking now. It just made that it's not in the morning. At night when you're leaving the park, it just made that difference. And I will say we did it at Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and the TTC and all three of those places I would do it again in a heartbeat. just to avoid the end of the day trying to find your car. Rob: So I I've I've I don't think I've ever paid for I've I've I've had it pixie dusted before. Sometimes Erick: Yes. Rob: you get pixie dusted premi premium parking. so I've gotten to experience it that way. I would say the time that I could definitely recommend it would be if you're planning to park hop to multiple parks and you're planning to drive to those parks. Because when you pay for premium parking in one park, you get it. in all of the parks, correct, Jessica? It it works in all. Jessica: Mm-hmm. Yeah, you get it for every part. Yep. QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: And so that because you're going to be going back out to your car, you're going to be driving to another park, you'll be walking into that park, coming back to your car, potentially doing all that again. In that case, man, that's probably 10 bucks Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: really well spent. but for me, I don't know. I I I You're right. Magic Kingdom is a slog. But even if you get parked up there at the front, you still gotta deal with the monorail and the it's still a slog. It's just you don't have as many steps in your slog. but yeah. I I can see that point though. I didn't really think about the fact that it's better in the evening. It's better Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: leaving and necessarily more more so than than coming. but yeah. Well, thank you for that insight. Cr Craig, you never have a car, Craig, right, when you're at the parks, so QMCraig: Well, I d I did this last time and I considered it, like we got to Hollywood Studios early enough that we were not that far from the premium parking. But that's kind of the point I wanted to make is you might get to the first park and it's like, why did I pay all this money? But if you are parkopping, you get to that second park or even that third park, yeah, you're Rob: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: gonna really appreciate it. But yeah, like when we got Rob: Yeah. QMCraig: to the studios, I was like, well, I'm glad we didn't spring for that because didn't need it. We actually walked to the right to the entrance from where we were, but Rob: one thing, this is a Disney podcast. We don't really talk much about other parks, but I will say on the parking front, Universal, their prime parking, not worth the upgrade. I mean, everyone who's an annual pass holder basically gets it for free, but their valet parking at Universal, if you're adding Universal to your trip, that is definitely worth it because it puts you basically, you get your own security line. It's very nice. So a plug for that. I do actually use the valet parking at Universal semi frequently because it does make a big difference in your day there. Well, our next question here is from Liz. Craig, what what is Liz's question? QMCraig: Yeah, she says, if I go to the Magic Kingdom on a Christmas party day, but not staying for the actual party, can we still see the fireworks or Starlight show? Well, unfortunately, they don't run Disney Starlight Parade on party days, nor do they run Happily Ever After. the Christmas party entertainment starts everything doesn't start till after six when the day guests are already asked to leave the park. I did look like at least last year the frozen holiday surprise was at six fifteen. you might be able to hang out but get in see that, Rob: Mm. You you will, yeah. Jessica: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: but yeah. But other than that, you're not gonna see those shows regardless. take the monorail over to the Polynesian, watch it from the shores there if you like, so Rob: It it is a bummer that the but the but the good news is you're gonna have a l really short waits early in that day because a lot of people avoid Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: the park for QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Rob: that very reason. but it is a bummer. all right, Eric, do we have any random questions from our friends over on Patreon? Erick: This is from the Colangelo Henkel family. I have always been overwhelmed by the amount of enchanting extras. What are your thoughts on the relative value of various enchanting extras, pre or post fireworks dessert parties, the up close animal encounters at Animal Kingdom or Sabor the Savannah? cabanas at resort pools slash water parks. Obviously it depends on what your group or family values and budget. But do you hear some of these are better than the others? Rob: I'm gonna toss that to to you guys 'cause I I know Jessica, you both done some of the enchanting extras, right? Jessica: Yeah, so I will say Saver the Savannah, just I'm gonna just throw that one out there. we're gonna do it for the fifth time this next trip with my parents. and it's gonna be my mom's third time and my dad's second time because they loved it so much that they wanted to do it. It was the one thing we all said, you know what we want to pay for, and it's a lot of money, and we would pay for it again and again. Save of the Savannah is an interesting one. it's a very unique kind of extra. On the flip side. I've done the dessert parties. I don't need to pay for the dessert party again. It wasn't worth it, in my opinion. I think what that says is you need to look at them and find the ones that appeal to you. they have so many enchanting extras at Disney. There's something for everybody. Keys to the Kingdom tour, Glimmering greenhouses that I couldn't get because it's sold out while we're gonna be there. So I'm kind of bummed about that. But though there's a lot of just a lot of things that you could do. Rob: Well, I will say this. Enchanting extras is in many cases, they're the things at Disney World that we have not done as a channel because in many most cases you go backstage, you're not able to film the the thing. So if we can't, you know, make make something for all of you to see with us, then we don't usually do it. But this year I think we are gonna try to do more of the enchanting extras. We won't be able to show them all to you, but we can certainly tell you about them here on the podcast. And hey, who knows? Maybe maybe Craig and Jessica, when you guys are here, we'll have to all go do some enchanting extras together and and Erick: Yeah. Rob: share our thoughts on the podcast. Erick: So some of my friends who have done the up close with rhinos and caring for giants, all of them have told me that it is amazing. Like just the whole experience. you also get like photos for free, like well it's included in in in the package. And just the experience itself is is fantastic. Like you learn about the an and about the animals and also you you get to have like a a small meal. again, they say that it's it's great. So hopefully we're going to do it. Rob: I can tell you, I've only ever heard mixed things about one enchanting extra, and that is the fireworks packages. Some people love them, some people do Erick: Yeah. Rob: them every time. I'm not saying that they're not a good option, but that's the only one that I sometimes hear like people like Jessica Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: will say, it wasn't really for me. I it doesn't seem appealing to me either, which is why I haven't done it yet. But I will say every single other enchanting extra that I've ever talked to people about, and and I I take that back. We have done some of the carriage ride at at Fort Wilderness is an enchanting extra. We've done that. Highly recommend it. the the hay ride as well out there is really cool. I think that if it's appealing to you, in general, there people tend to love them. So I mean, I think it's it's worth Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: considering if if as Jessica said, it's something that sounds good to you. All right. Yes. Mm-hmm. Erick: And also just last thing that I'm adding, for Jessica P she said enchanting extras book starting at midnight, not six AM, like dining. Rob: Hm, yes. QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Good point. Rob: Disney, just just gonna throw Jessica: Ha ha ha. Rob: this out there. It might be nice Jessica: Mm. Rob: if we didn't have to to stay up until midnight and and then also get up before 6 a.m. to just book a vacation. I'm just just gonna throw that out there as something we might want to think about as we evolve our services. Our next question is from Gabby Girl. and she began her question with question alert. And that's something you should do if you would like to have your question answered in a future podcast episode. Put question for podcast or question in all caps at the beginning because it helps us to catch it and make sure we include it. And you can leave that comment either on one of our video podcast on YouTube or in our Patreon community. and Gabby Girl asks, with Animal Kingdom's new early entry where everyone can go anywhere but Pandora, what are your thoughts on the safari? I would normally go ride Navi and then go wait for the safari. Will the new way put me way back in the line as I'm assuming lots of people allowed in at early entry time will line up there. I I I actually have not yet done early entry at Animal Kingdom since the process changed. We're actually going to be doing it on Halloween weekend and we're hopefully gonna be making a video about it. But I did some research on this very question for you and and I found some interesting information. You are correct that Folks who do not have early entry can line up for they can actually line up for any attraction that's not in Pandora. they just can't enter the queue until the park officially opens. Here's the problem with safaris. Safaris typically does not open during early entry. So if it was open during early entry, it wouldn't matter that there were people lined up. As long as you got there before park opened, you would be allowed into the queue. And they would not be allowed into the queue. But with with safaris, because it opens at park open, that's not in play. I am curious to find out from some cast members there. they allowing people with early entry to bypass that line if they get there before the park opens? I kind of doubt it, but that's something we'll be checking into when we go For the early entry video on Halloween weekend. I also did some research on the wait times, the average wait time since this change has happened. And it's pretty staggering. I mean, within minutes of Kilimanjaro Safari's opening, it has a an average posted wait of 95 minutes. that happens very quickly. Now it does. dec decline pretty precipitously from there. It's gonna go down. But early morning is just the most popular time to do safaris. And these people who make YouTube videos, they all tell you to go do it first thing because that's when the animals are the most active. I may have said that in every video I've ever made about Animal Kingdom. But I'm gonna share with you something that we don't talk about. And that is the second best time to do Kilimajar safaris is actually at the end of the day. maybe an hour before park close or hour before the safari is going to close for the day, that line is empty. And it is cool usually at that point. And the Jessica: Mm. Rob: animals are once again very active and they're a lot of times getting fed. So you can see them, coming close to the vehicles because they're going to get food. I would say if safaris is important to you, you're not using Lightning Lane and you're planning to do a full Animal Kingdom day. Use your early entry on everything else. Don't try to deal with the mess at safaris and just plan to do that at at the end of your animal kingdom day would be my advice. But we'll have more details when we do the Animal Kingdom early entry video very soon. well, Jessica, what is our next question? Jessica: We have a question from Amy. After listening to your podcast about hotels, I'm intrigued about using a Disney vacation planner for my next visit. I realize you don't have an affiliation with one, but do you have a recommendation on how to find a good one? There are so many. So here's the thing. And I think one of the things that Rob just kind of made a joke about is one of the reasons you should maybe consider a Disney vacation planner is that they'll be the ones to get up and stay up till midnight and get up in the morning. And they'll help you make sure that you have your right plan and they'll help you get those the dining reservations that you want and your extras and and put the room requests in and do all of those things. Now If you're listening to this podcast, you probably like doing some of those things, but it's different to do it for two people than it is to do it for six people, seven people, eight people. So sometimes it would be a good idea to use a vacation planner. Disney has something called being earmarked. Being earmarked means that you have had a certain amount of volume of Disney sales and that you have taken some training on Disney travel. It does not necessarily mean that you have been certified by Disney. Being earmarked doesn't mean that you're you're special with Disney. they'll tell Disney will tell you that. It doesn't mean they're recommending them. They're just saying they've done a certain number of volume and the people have taken training. The number one way to find the best travel agent is to find somebody that's used that travel agent. Making sure they're receptive, making sure they're responsive, talking to somebody, asking them a few questions, getting a feel for how often they've gone to Disney, those kinds of things before you just sign up. Disney travel is not like planning a cruise to Jamaica. It is a very specific set of travel. You want to make sure that you're getting a travel agent that has been to Disney and specifically Disney World. Don't get a Disneylander. A Disney World person that knows what you're trying to you're dealing with and knows 60 days and knows midnight, knows 7 a.m. I will just put a plug in and we can maybe cut this, but I will just put a plug in that says we do have a few people in our Patreon group. Laura particularly was was a rope drop rebel, so I'll just say I know she's one, but she works with other people that were that are in the Patreon group community. If you're really looking for a travel agent, you know. Reach out to people you trust and I hopefully you trust the Patreon community here at Ear Scouts. we've got a few that that we would definitely say that they're they're good people and they know a lot 'cause they're listening to us. But I would talk to the person first before I just gave them any money. Rob: So we, we have been very studious from the very beginning. From we we don't, you know, try to support one agency over another agency. And, you know, we there Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: there are so many really amazing travel planners out there with working with all different kinds of companies. And you know, we we hope to be a resource for all of them to share with their clients and and you know, help their clients decide what they want to book. Having said that, you know, there are there are definitely communities online. Ear Scouts is one. our Patreon community is a good place, as Jessica mentioned, to basically you you can ask the community, who have you used, you know, who have you had good experience with? And that's that's your best bet is to just, you know, Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: find out from those who've who've worked with folks who they enjoyed working with. we have time for one final question. we saw a string of them that we'll be covering in future episodes. So if your question was not answered, stay tuned. We are going to include it as soon as we can. but Craig, what is our final question of the day? QMCraig: Mm-hmm. I love this one. So this is from Laura May, and she says, We are making a trip in November for my aunt, who in years past treated her whole family, her sisters, their kids, and grandchildren to a Disney World vacation. She hasn't been in years, and now it's time to treat her. Time has passed, of course. This means we have one person in a scooter, one in a wheelchair, and one who simply won't be able to sustain a lot. I'm preparing myself that this won't be a fast-paced trip. But I'm still convinced all the magic and her nostalgia will come rushing back and it will be amazing. Any tips or advice? There will be ten of us. We plan to do lightning lanes. I'm also considering the dessert thing for fireworks at Magic Kingdom for some decent spots and not having to have to stand. I just want this to be a very magical trip for her because she did so much for us in the past. It's truly because of her that I have this nostalgia and affinity for Disney. I love that. So my first thought was fireworks dessert parties. That's gonna be a great way to appreciate the fireworks and be able to sit and be comfortable. character meals, a great way to meet characters from the comfort of your own chair. now, as far as rides, I like things like small world, pirates, something has like a big vehicle, boat, whatever it is. Those are great rides for groups as well. can get some really fun pictures, etc. and also if you do decide to do lightning lanes, I maybe you can show the folks who won't be participating Erick: Okay. QMCraig: in the big rides how to play the lightning lanes slots. And so hopefully making you Rob: Ha ha ha. QMCraig: can all Jessica: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: get better time. So give give them a little activity to do as while they're sitting on the sidelines. But I I I envy this trip because I I already know that. nostalgia is gonna be d you don't even have to for you don't even have to try. It's just gonna come. And just you know, li again, like I give this advice to everybody. Just listen to your group, especially when we have a big one. Make sure you're ta catering to everyone's needs and enjoy and take the time. And you said if it's not gonna be a fast paced, that's the last thing I would recommend. Don't do a fast paced vacation for this one. Just enjoy each other. Rob: One thing I will add, if you have certainly if you have multiple members in your group that have scooters or ECVs or wheelchairs, the parks all that have nighttime spectaculars will offer a seating area at no Jessica: That's a good point. Rob: extra charge for for groups. Now there's a limit to how many people can accompany the person in the scooter or ECV. Eric, do you happen to know the the the numbers on that? Erick: it's been changing. l last time it went from five to four. but like you definitely will have to to double check with the cast member. Rob: And they need to get there a little early for those, correct? Wha how early do you recommend getting there? Erick: Yes. once so it depends honestly, like I have seen people also camping to those spaces a like two hours before the fireworks just because like the Rob: Wow. Erick: yes, just because like the the guests on the E C B or in the wheelchair, they are on an E C V They are on the wheelchair itself, so they don't feel like in the need of like continue a in in going to the attractions or things like that, so they don't mind in my experience, based on what the guests have have said, it's just like they don't mind just waiting over there, but like I would say that at least even in in a busy day, at least like thirty, forty minutes before the before the show starts. Rob: Yeah, I would say I would say at least 40 on a busy day would be my the other thing is people may choose to camp out longer because they want to be on the front line of people in Erick: yeah. Rob: that area. Because again, if you're sitting in an ECV, you know, if you're not in that very front row, you won't have as great a view. So I think this is just an option for you. But as you can probably tell from the things we've said, If you want the best experience, not having to camp and just being able Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: to go and watch, then the the the dessert party is certainly a great option as well. Jessica, do you have any any tips or suggestions for for this group? Jessica: The only thing that I would say is particularly with so many wheelchairs and ECVs, buses sometimes have a limit that they can take the number of wheelchairs and ECVs on any individual one bus. If you're trying to move from your hotel to the park, just know you may have maybe separated into multiple buses depending on the number of wheelchairs and ECVs. We've had parties that that was a little bit of a shocker to them. But the buses sometimes some of the buses can only take one or two, I think two ECVs at a time. So if you have two ECVs and a wheelchair, all three of you may not be able on the same bus. So just just be aware of that. also just plan on I think the skyliner is easy because you can catch the next Skyliner and those kinds of things. Ferry is easy, the monorail is typically easy. but the buses are when you have trouble with your your travel. I just Wanted to throw that out there. But other than that, I think what Craig said is a hundred percent correct. I would this should be the relaxing, go with the flow, you know, take in the sights, spend some quality time in the tiki room kind of trip. Rob: Yeah. And and I I would also say that you know, the nostalgia is mostly gonna be, of course, in Magic Kingdom and probably Epcot to some extent. But don't sleep on Animal Kingdom because I do think when when we've gone to the parks with, you know, a a a broad group of folks from different ages, Animal Kingdom is oftentimes the sleeper hit of the trip. So not as much nostalgia there, but it's just a wonderfully relaxing place to be on your Disney trip. And and I think that that make sure you plan some time for that park as well. Well, that is all the time we have for questions. but we do have our final segment that we like to call Happy Thoughts, where we end each episode with something positive to share. And this is a special. version of Happy Thoughts because we just finished our Ear Scouts Walt Disney World Jamboree. if you're not familiar with the Jamboree, this is something that we started last year. This was our second year, and it has grown pretty dramatically from one year to the next. but we just had such an amazing time. People came from you know all over, as far away as from the West Coast, from the UK. We had folks coming in to come together and it was just a magical weekend. I'm also very excited to announce that we have set the dates for next year's Jamboree. and if you'd like to know more about it, just make sure you visit us on Patreon, patreon.com forward slash Earscouts. but we can give the dates right now. It is going to be the weekend before. Memorial Day weekend. So the the dates will be May 21st through the 23rd. That's a Friday through a Sunday. And we will have some bonus activities for those who want to stick around for Monday the 24th. But those are not, they're not official Jamboree days. but if you're one of those people who wants to do everything, you might want to get a hotel night from Monday too. but May 21 through 23 are the official days of the Jamboree. And at this Sunday's Mad Tea Party, over on Patreon, we will be revealing some more fun details about the Jamboree. But what I want to hear from you guys, for your happy thought, what is your favorite memory from this year's Jamboree? What was the thing that you enjoyed the most? Quizmaster Craig, why don't you start us off? QMCraig: Okay, this it's tough because I don't think I've ever had a week's vacation at Disney World where I had so many core memories happen. Like it just seemed everywhere I turned something wonderful was happening. But the thing I chose is all the new friendships I've made and all the new friendships I got to see happen and form right in front of my eyes. And just this wonderful group of people we kind of know each other through texting or through the Zoom meetings that we have, we have our monthly jamborees. But to actually be in the same space with these people it just took it to another level and it is a a core group of friends that I know I'm gonna have forever. So that's my happy thought. One of many. Rob: It i it it that that blew me away too, just to see how it it it was I mean, think the closest way to describe it, it's almost it was almost like summer camp where you're a kid, where you all come together and by the end of summer camp, like you have all these like lifelong friendships that you formed, you know, over that short period of time. And it was it was amazing. I completely agree. Jessica, what was your favorite memory from the Jamboree? Jessica: When I found out the laundry detergent was hypoallergenic. No. Rob: Ha ha ha. Jessica: That was I y'all missed a Kier Mormon. I was very excited Rob: Jessica was very excited, very excited. Jessica: that I got to do laundry. I love laundry. But no, seriously. Okay, there you go. It's good. QMCraig: I ha I had it covered if it wasn't, so just so you know. Jessica: for me, it was our Epcot day when I got to experience showing people s one how we do Epcot, which is we went to the back of Rose and Crown, which we discovered if you're texting. And to talk to text, it comes out as Roseanne Crown, which is now what I'm gonna be calling Rose and Crown from from now on. but I got to take. Rob: Mm-hmm. Yeah. The name Roseanne, it capitalized in everything. It was Roseanne Crown with a capital C. Yes. Yeah. QMCraig: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Jessica: Roseanne Crown. That's right. But having a group of people there to listen to Kelly play music, to get to experience the piano man, that is to me, to me, is what Epcot's all about. We do it every time to have people there and then to end my Epcot day, kind of taking Eric to Figment and taking a picture with Figment on my favorite ride. And Erick: Yeah. Jessica: and literally I think I talked to him nonstop about why he really should like Figment, because it was so important and the importance of imagination. Rob: Ha ha ha. Erick: Yeah. Jessica: And how it's really explaining imagination through art and science and and film and it's music. And it's just this great thing. And I know the ride's not wonderful, but it's a good concept. And and anyway, I loved that moment of just spending time in the front seat of Figment with Eric. And we had jewels behind us. And the picture of of us with jewels and and Figment was it was a lot of fun. And that That day particularly, I think, was my favorite kind of memory. It was also, Erick: Mm-hmm. Jessica: it was also just it was fun to see everybody there make friends and do different things. And the people that wanted to ride the rides rode the rides. And the people that wanted to go to the lounges went to the lounges. And you know, it was really nice to see people do different things throughout the whole trip. So, but that I think was my kind of core memory. Rob: Awesome. Eric, what was your favorite memory from the Jamboree? Erick: as Craig and Jessica already said it's very difficult to choose one. I would say though that for me it was seeing what of a beautiful community has been built through ear scouts, And I think we call it a patron family for a reason. And just because like I felt like everyone was sharing joy and we were sharing like a like that a unity. and I mean I I specif I I mainly saw it when we were like playing Kahoot or when when we were doing the what is this called Rob? Like the the disc the thing. okay yes the little thing sorry. QMCraig: the Plinko. Rob: We're p Plinko, we're playing Plinko for prizes. Yes, yes. Jessica: No, I'm thinking. QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Erick: Plinko with P right or Blinko. Okay. Plinko okay so Rob: Yeah. Yeah. Plinko. Yeah, with a P, yeah. Jessica: Plinko with a P. Erick: okay when we were playing the the Kahoot games Plinko I saw lots of ear scouters like they want things for other for the for the for Jessica: Mm-hmm. Erick: other people in the room, And for me just seeing that, like seeing like again, we're sharing with with everyone, it it it it made me feel good, you know, like to belong to belong to this, to be to be part of this. And like also I just want to share probably like Chubi's core memory. thank you guys for winning that alligator. We well w Rob: Mm-hmm. Erick: for for winning the Schnappy, Chubi loves to fight with it. So so thank Jessica: Hehehehehe. Erick: you. Rob: We were at the boardwalk and there's the boardwalk game where you try to knock a a lobster into a pot. and everybody came together to help us win a giant alligator plush that is now Chevies. But Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: so I had a core memory, a a a favorite memory that I was gonna share, but I thought surely someone else was gonna mention the incredible scavenger hunt, which is why I didn't I didn't plan it out, but I just gonna throw out there I'm gonna I'm gonna do a double. So we had probably the most epic day of the the the Jamboree was a scavenger hunt that was created by our friends Scott and Jennifer from Lost in a Wonderland. If you've watched our videos where we race through the four parks, Scott and Jennifer are the folks that we do that with. And I just I wanna give a huge hats off to Scott and Jennifer. They created The most amazing scavenger hunt. I it was like the kinds of scavenger hunts you see in the movies that you think that's not a real thing that's ever, it was it was so detailed. we're talking over a hundred pieces of handcrafted, elements that that led us through the four parks. It was incredible. And I can't wait for that to happen again, hopefully next year. I don't know. We'll find out on Sunday. And but my my memory that I was gonna talk about was the final moment of this year's jamboree. We did extended evening hours at Epcot. And if you watch a lot of Ear Scouts videos, a lot of times, especially things like extended evening hours, where we're trying to do a bunch of things, we're trying to ride all the rides or something like that, they'll end with kind of an epic finish where we're gonna kind of race to try to get that last ride in. And this was an Ear Scouts video brought to life. We did Frozen and we had, I think, what was it, Craig? Five and a half minutes, six five six minutes. QMCraig: yeah. At least four or five minutes Erick: Yeah. QMCraig: less than we needed. Rob: Yeah, we had I think it was five and a half minutes to get from Norway to France because everybody wanted to finish with Remy. And we don't run at Disney. We walk with purpose. That's what we do. And we were walking with so much purpose that my watch asked me if I wanted to record an outdoor run. was not running QMCraig: huh. Rob: though. We were walking very fast. And it was kind of amazing. It was the closest I've ever been in my life to a Run Disney race. And we just barely made it. The first of our group made it just as the the the traction was going to close. And the cast members at Remy were so kind to allow those of us who weren't quite as quick as as the first members of our group to all ride. QMCraig: Mm-hmm. Th those of us senior Jessica: Mm-hmm. QMCraig: citizens who just couldn't keep up, but we did get to ride it. So that was really nice. Jessica: Some of us senior citizens were at the bar, at the contemporary, Rob: It was Jessica: drinking, watching the chat, going, those people are crazy. So, but I appreciate you. There you go. See, Eric. QMCraig: Yeah. Rob: Ha ha ha ha. Erick: Some of some of the senior citizens were in bed already. So yeah. QMCraig: Well, you were working. Erick: Yeah. Rob: Yeah. So it was it was if you've ever if you ever wanted to to live an Ear Scouts video that had one of those photo finishes, we lived it. And we I'm so glad we I'm so glad we succeeded because that would have been a really depressing end to the Jamboree if we if we raced across the park in five and a half minutes and they were just like good night womp Erick: Ha ha ha. QMCraig: Wow. Rob: womp womp. But it Jessica: Mm-hmm. Rob: was a victory and it was it was a Phenomenal ending to a phenomenal weekend. QMCraig: And I it was your first that was your first video. Remy, wasn't it? Rob: Yeah. Yeah. And that was someone I didn't even think about that. Someone brought it up in the group when we were exited Remy that that's where Ear Scouts began. Our very first video, a little over five years ago, was because Remy had just opened that day. It was a its official opening day and we did a a QMCraig: Mm-hmm. That's right. Rob: video on Remy. And so yeah, it was a full a a full circle moment. But we do hope to see you again next week for another podcast episode and hopefully we'll see some of you next year at our next Ear Scouts Jamboree at Walt Disney World. Until then, don't forget to think happy thoughts, everybody. We'll see you again real soon.