It really is! It’s the only repeat from last year for a good reason!! 
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Oh no! Carthy Circle has changed up the menu. There was a scallops dish that both DD & I were dying to try!! Does anyone have any recommendations from there? Apps and Entree reviews are appreciated!!
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I really want to see Paint the Night without it taking up too much time. Does it start near IASW? How early would I have to get there with DD, who is using a scooter, to get any “Ok” viewing spot. (Remember, I’m 5’ 2”. I don’t have to be sitting on a curb, but close to the front really helps!
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They probably have a viewing area for people in wheelchairs and ECVs and their family, like WDW does. Look at the disability map to see.
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Good news! Multiple rides that were offline will be back up as of tomorrow!
The only “significant” attractions down on my trip are PoC and Buzz. I am disappointed about PoC, but got to do it last year. DD would’ve enjoyed it, but not a “must-do” for her.
I’m typically packed by now, but haven’t even started! I need to start tonight in case I need to order things for the trip!
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I know you are stating spoiler free, but wanted to let you know that there is a Jurassic Park/World area that’s not listed as being of Fan Fest, but is. And everything I’ve seen it is amazing! Didn’t want you to miss it.
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Thanks! I’m not that militant about spoilers.
The JP area looks like what they did for BttF last year. You get to interact with characters at your own pace.
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The Ian Malcom character looks and sounds great!
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If you close your eyes and just listen to him talking you wouldn’t know it wasn’t Jeff Glodblum!
I’m looking forward to talking to Dennis Nedry!
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I’m really tracking FanFest heavily now..
Last year I paid $100 for Express Pass (UXP) and didn’t “need” it AT ALL. I know I can buy it at the event, but it looks like I probably don’t need it again this year EXCEPT for the HP / Hipporgriff experience.
(Character meeting don’t use UXP. I suggested to USH, in my survey from last year, that adding UXP to these queues would be a value. I know it would make standby even worse though!)
The Forbidden Forrest Experience has been se up in the Forbidden Journey exteneded queue and the capacity is really low.
This my “must do” attraction. The vloggers I trust say they had UXP and enjoyed the experience. However, the posted standby wait was over 100 minutes - close to 2 hours. He said it’s not worth that kind of wait.
USH has an “early entry” option that for $20 allow you to do either D&D experience, Meet Sailor Moon and Jurrasic World.
Salior Moon is one of DD “must do” attarctions. I’m willing to pay $20 to be allowed to queue at 5:30pm and meet at 6pm.
Then we can go queue at WWHOP / Hogsmeade until the attraction opens at 7:30pm.
When I was there last year, they clear the park of day guests at 6pm. (Rides close at 5:30pm)
I had to find a table to share at the Jurassic Cafe and sit for an hour during the clear-out. (It’s way better than the “holding pens” you get put into in Orlando during event nights!)
The Scooby-Doo experience is getting mixed reviews. If you want to play the “murder mystery game” - you’ll like it. If you just want to meet characters and have improvised moments it’s harder to do as they have to be “game masters” and engage with those people solving the mystery.
One Piece is another long queue that DD really wants to do. I’m thinking, I’ll go get us food and drinks while she is in the queue. (Or go ride something close by)
I’m not a One Piece fan, but the stunt show looks awesome! There are only 3 showings!! 8:30om, 10:30pm and 12 a.m!! I’m planning on the 10:30pm with Midnight being the “back-up” show. (Maybe, I’ll ask DD if there are a couple “essential” One Piece episodes I could watch that would give me an idea of what the story is about!)
I’m kinda useless at the office today as this is all I can think about! I still have to come in on Monday as well!! 
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Tomorrow is departure day! It’s so rough being in the office today. However, by leaving on Tuesday saved about $800 versus Monday!
I am all packed up and ready to go! My entire day is focused on making sure my coworkers can go through my caseload and understand my notes.
I’m still tweaking plans as rides have come back online and I’m trying to fit in time for Paint the Night.
Is Paint the Night “worth it?” I think it looks great, but this may be DD24 “once-in-a-lifetime” trip. I don’t want to use 90 - 100 minutes to just wait on a curb for a parade to start.
I’m having issues trying to plan out FanFest Nights. DD24 deperately wants to do character meets.
I’ve been staying up SUPER LATE and monitoring the USH App for the FanFest wait times the last two weekends. Those character waits are typically 1+ hour waits.
We have discussed breaking off and I’ll go do Scooby-Doo while she is waiting for characters. It’s hard to plan for this event as it’s only in it’s second year. Plus, I have to be concisous of DD using a scooter. She can’t just scramble across the park as easy I did last year.
I’ll probably check in at the airport tomorrow morning. However, I doubt this TR will be “Live” like my previous ones.
If any one has any questions or needs me to look at/for something while I’m at DLR and USH, let me know.
Itenitary plan highlights -
Tues. - DL 1pm - close and then Lego Store / Downtown Disney 10:30pm - close
Wed. - DCA all day with Carthy Circle dinner
Thurs. - DL all with trip to Don Churro (off-site)
Fri. - Drive to USH and Fanfest (leaving directly from there for LAX at 2am)
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Only you can answer that – it is a great parade as parades go, but if you’ve never been so wowed by a parade that you would use 90 minutes of precious park time for it, I wouldn’t bother.
If you decide you’d rather not make that investment, instead try to time it so you walk down Main Street around the time the parade is running – preferably the second parade – so you can catch some of the floats and characters. You can always stop and enjoy it if you find a spot with room.
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Somehow I missed this thread until now. Hope you and DD have a great time!!
Last year I was at Carthay Circle Lounge twice, once just for cocktails with @LTinNC82 and once for cocktails plus a light dinner. @mkmuzzy and her DH dropped by spontaneously for the food visit and we got these things:
I don’t remember what exactly any of these were. The dish in the foreground was mine and I was not thrilled with it, IIRC.
The cocktails were good!
I loved the lounge seating on the patio. Top-notch people-watching!
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@darkmite2 I had the salad, possibly the Spring Salad on the current menu. DH had the rolls, probably the Spicy Ahi Tuna Spring Rolls on the current menu. The food was fair, nothing notable but certainly not bad.
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Whatever I had seems to have been 86’d from the menu, which is just as well.
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We are going to the restaurant upstairs for a “fancy night.”
For the prices they charge, I hope it’s better than “fair.”
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Just peeked at the menu and holy cheese polenta that is pricey!
Seeing the $14 charge for Parker House rolls reminds me of the hilarious current Atlantic cover article on the best free bread in America. Here it is for your in-flight reading pleasure:
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Airport arrival! I have been looking forward to FanFest Nights 2026 since I left the gates of USH last year!
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Have the best time with DD!!
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Happy travels!!!
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