Best way to do IOA & US in January without Express Pass / Early Entry

[vacation_junkie]

So now after all of my hours planning and analyzing DH has decided that he wants to buy a property in Orlando. We travel once or twice a year to orlando so if we had our own place he'd be happier then staying in a hotel.
If we do this there goes my Hard Rock stay & the perks that went along with it.
We are planning to visit the last week in January. 25th- Feb 2nd

We'd avoid The parks on the weekend of the Harry Potter event and do Seaworld then instead.
How sorry will I be giving up the Early entry and express pass?
Is HP doable without early entry? Or will there be a long wait if we get there when the park opens.
We are Disney Pro's and have the parks down to a Science...the dark side. It's all new to us.

Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[aussiefp]

I'm interested in this too

 

[lpearl]

With the Fla mailing address, you might be eligible for the AP discount which gives Expresspass after 4pm. Not a perfect solution.

 

[RMulieri]

It is doable.There will be waits for Harry Potter, but if it is too long, hit it late in the day and it should be more manageable.Keep in mind that Jan at Universal is also PRIME time for very large tour groups,just go in the opposite direction from them.