Thanks! My last 2 trips I didn't have to worry about this. Last yr, it was in testing phase. Last month, too late so didn't worry about tiers. Christmas, well a whole different story. We are staying out late, 9:30pm. Lol! DD6 will be with us. So good viewing/crowd control area is a must. Last month we did FP+ for Soarin' & 40min SB line for TT. We had no problems with 4th & 5th FP+ but none were left for Soarin' & I can't remember about TT. Not sure about IllumiNations during Christmas week. Any other time I would say IllumiNations doable for 4th, 5th or 6th FP+.
Oh well, sorry for the long dialogue. I guess it's time to put on my big girl pants & make the tough decisions now. My trips go better when planned in advance, knowing certain outcomes plus knowing things change/happen on trip. I'm on to Plan B, maybe C. Since staying out later, & arriving later but earlier enough to still enter park (just in case of mandatory closing). At least Maelstrom & Character Spot no longer tier 1. Lol! We'll have to do TT & Soarin' on our other EP day, & SB for 1 or the other on Christmas Eve.