First Solo Trip in October

[richmo]

Do you usually get a park hopper when you go solo? I’ve never gotten a park hopper, because one park is usually 10-12 hr day.

That's a preference thing. I always get a hopper (or an AP). I like to do several hours in one park, then either take a break or move to another, then maybe another for a night time show.

 

[Disneylover1970]

That's a preference thing. I always get a hopper (or an AP). I like to do several hours in one park, then either take a break or move to another, then maybe another for a night time show.

Thank you. That’s what I was thinking too. Just doing one park, it’s a rush to get everything done in one day. I just bought an AP.

 

[Skippyboo]

With an AP, that would have the park hopper included plus the memory maker. So if you want character shots or posing in front of iconic buildings, you are covered.

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

I do a lot of Food & Wine festival when I go in October, so I don't usually bother with sit down dining ADRs. Once the special events come out for Food & Wine I'd look into booking a couple of those! They're really fun.

 

[Disneylover1970]

I do a lot of Food & Wine festival when I go in October, so I don't usually bother with sit down dining ADRs. Once the special events come out for Food & Wine I'd look into booking a couple of those! They're really fun.

Thank you. I’ll have to look what the Food & Wine Festival is all about.

 

[wisteria1019]

Thank you. I’ll have to look what the Food & Wine Festival is all about.

The Festival is a huge draw during the autumn months - what a bonus you will receive, planning your vacation at a time when you can attend. Enjoy!

 

[Disneylover1970]

The Festival is a huge draw during the autumn months - what a bonus you will receive, planning your vacation at a time when you can attend. Enjoy!

Thank you. Plus I’m also attending MNSSHP for the first time

 

[StageTek]

Do you usually get a park hopper when you go solo? I’ve never gotten a park hopper, because one park is usually 10-12 hr day.

I always get a park hopper when I go solo. I love spending a few hours in one park, heading back to the resort for a rest then spending a few hours at a different park. On my last day I try to ride at least one ride in each park - it's fun!

When I'm solo I don't feel the need to do everything. I take my time, wait for the perfect picture, relax with an ice cream or a drink. Take more pictures. And park hopping is a big part of that for me.

 

[Disneylover1970]

I always get a park hopper when I go solo. I love spending a few hours in one park, heading back to the resort for a rest then spending a few hours at a different park. On my last day I try to ride at least one ride in each park - it's fun!

When I'm solo I don't feel the need to do everything. I take my time, wait for the perfect picture, relax with an ice cream or a drink. Take more pictures. And park hopping is a big part of that for me.

This sounds exactly what I’m planning on doing. With doing just one park a day, always seems like a rush to get through everything. I’d also like to visit a few resorts for photos(a break from the parks).

 

[wisteria1019]

Thank you. Plus I’m also attending MNSSHP for the first time

You're in for a treat! I attended the MNSSHP once with my daughter, I am trying it solo for the first time in October, as well.

 

[Disneylover1970]

I would like to do ADR, for breakfast and lunh(or dinner). I’m thinking Kona Cafe, Grand Floridian Cafe,Prime Time, Whispering Canyon, Yak & Yeti? Any other recommendations? I’ve been to Crystal Palace, Sci Fi and Tusker House(which I didn’t care for). Thank you

 

[mustinjourney]

You're right.

I'm just doing the math to see if Tables in Wonderland saves. Trying to figure out how many meals I would have to buy before I start seeing a saving. I did it before buying an AP and found I would see a savings after my 10th visit.

So using $45 as a general number per meal ($53 with tip) I will save $0.90 per meal - so say one dollar. At $150 per year that's 150 meals before I start saving.

Even if I double the savings to $2 per meal that means I have to eat 75 meals at around $45 each ($3,375) before I start to save money.

Please understand I am not dismissing the suggestion or not appreciating that it was mentioned by Brad. I am glad you (Brad) brought it up - thank you. Just running some numbers out loud to see if perhaps I'm missing something about this offer.

Your math is way off.

If a meal is $45, your bill without any discount would be $53 with the tip.

That same meal with TiW card would be about $44 (not counting tax on either). So your savings would be about $9 per meal.

It also gives you a savings on any alcohol purchased at participating TS and lounges.

Generally speaking -- if you do not already have an AP discount, you'd need to spend about $750 to break even. If you have an AP discount, then you'll need to spend about $1500 on food to break even. This isn't an exact statement since the AP discount isn't good for alcohol and not all places accept the AP and TiW -- so it might be a little different.

 

[mustinjourney]

I think I have been misunderstanding the benefits, too, so I have taken brad813's and richmo's advice and done the math. I can't make it work for a solo traveler.

I called (waited for far too long...) and confirmed they take the 20% from the full price but not the tip - pretty standard.
A $60 meal - 20% = $48. The mandatory 18% tip is $10.80 so the total you pay for a $60 meal is $58.80. A saving of $1.20.
You pay $150 up front. $1.20 ÷ $150 is 125.
If you eat 125 meals at $60 you hit the pre-payment. So every meal after 125 you're saving about a dollar.

A $35 breakfast saves $0.70 - a $100 dinner saves $2. Can't see how one would break even on this.

Again taking Brad's advice I have decided it would not be worthwhile for me to have given my personal circumstances. I will not be eating 100 table service meals during the year. For me, I'll take the 10% AP discount on my $60 meal, add a 20% tip and pay $61.20 ($2.40 over the TIW). I'm not paying $150 for the discount AND giving a good server a good tip.

Now back to Disneylover1970's solo trip: Where are you staying?

Wouldn't you tip on that $60 meal? If so -- then the total would be closer to $72 without TiW. That's a savings of about $13.

You're comparing the final price with TiW, which includes the tip -- to a price without factoring in the tip at all. You've got to compare apples to apples.

For me, I'll take the 10% AP discount on my $60 meal, add a 20% tip and pay $61.20 ($2.40 over the TIW). I'm not paying $150 for the discount AND giving a good server a good tip.

$60 meal with AP discount would be $64.80 (not including tax). [$60*0.9*1.2=$64.8]
$60 meal with TiW would be $56.64 (not including tax) [$60*.8*1.18]

So TiW would save you about $8 per meal above the AP discount. This means you would break even on your 19th meal using TiW instead of the AP discount.

 

[srpresto]

Last year at MNSSHP they had the Skeleton dance photo - it is a long exposure unusual light photo. If they have something similar this year I highly recommend it. It was a cool pic and interesting to watch them take it. Since the photopass is included with the AP you should take advantage. Also if you can get a table the air conditioning in The Plaza at MK is amazing. And the food was pretty good. It is quickly becoming a fav of mine for a late lunch/ get out of the heat for a bit spot.

 

[Disneylover1970]

Last year at MNSSHP they had the Skeleton dance photo - it is a long exposure unusual light photo. If they have something similar this year I highly recommend it. It was a cool pic and interesting to watch them take it. Since the photopass is included with the AP you should take advantage. Also if you can get a table the air conditioning in The Plaza at MK is amazing. And the food was pretty good. It is quickly becoming a fav of mine for a late lunch/ get out of the heat for a bit spot.

Thank you. Just looked at their menu, I’m going to make ADR.

 

[Disneylover1970]

For ADR, how is the Garden Grill? It seems like this was a recommendation
Thank you

 

[Ravens girl]

Another thing to factor in with the TiW card is that if you are driving you get free valet parking at the resort you have an ADR for.