Can We Ride the Boat 1st? A first timer's Jan 2015 PTR - link to TR

[ach222]

Wednesday is our Hollywood Studios day.

This will be another breakfast in the room day. I don't have any desire to push us to make rope drop either. We will head over, I'm guessing 8:30 or 9. I'm hoping my FP selections will be (hopefully I now am correct with my choices regarding the tiers)

TSMM as our big one
Lights Motor Action
and then either Indiana Jones or Voyage of the Little Mermaid - I tend to lean towards VOTLM

Would also like to do The Great Movie Ride and Beauty and the Beast

We will want to do the Lightning and Mater meet and greet and any other characters of interest while we are there too.

We have a noon ADR at 50's PT - lots of you have encouraged me to keep this one, so that's the plan!

In my mind, we can be done with most everything we'd like by mid-late afternoon. We have a 7pm dinner ADR at Via Napoli so in the between time, I thought about doing a monorail resort tour, or going back to the hotel to rest if needed.

After dinner, I'm hoping to catch Illuminations before heading to bed.

 

[ach222]

So, I have a confession...you won't like it. I LOVE Harry Potter. As in, it's my very favorite thing in the whole wide world. I re-read the series once a year, I am trying to read the first one to G right now, he has very little interest (too young). I can fall down a rabbit hole of Harry Potter Pinterest boards like whoa! It's a problem.

If WWoHP were located at Disney - all would be right with the world, but alas ... to the dark side we go!

It literally PAINS me to think how much this one day is going to cost us. But I am dying to see WWoHP. I've offered to give it up but DH says we should do it so I'm not sad.

So after purchasing the insanely priced one day, 2 park, tickets we will be on our way. I think we will start in the original part of WWoHP as it seems people are flocking to Diagon Alley in the mornings since it's new.

I read that a good idea might be to go straight to Olivander's to see the little wand choosing thing they do without much of a crowd (while everyone else heads to Hogwarts to line up for FJ). We may do that, we may just wander - honestly I don't want to have too much of a plan for this day other than see all the things!

We will eventually head up to the castle and wind through the FJ line - we'll do rider swap for this one. If G has conquered the kid roller coasters at WDW we'll do FotH too.

I plan on us eating lunch at the Three Broomsticks and grabbing some butter beer before boarding the Hogwarts Express (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and heading to Diagon Alley.

We will rider swap on Gringotts as well and then shop and, I'm sure, buy way too much.

After my HP loving self is torn away from Universal, we have a 6:15 ADR at Raglan Road (bread pudding!!!!). We can either then crash early or wander around DTD.

 

[Denovagirl]

Mmmmm....50s PT.... I am soooo looking forward to this meal again! The fried chicken and pot roast is so good! I'm pretty sure you'll love this meal and totally not regret keeping it!

If your not doing ToT, Star Tours or RnRc you shouldn't have a problem getting in and out of HS at a decent time.

And no need feel ashamed! I too loooooove me some HP!! Books, movies, games, everything! We also did 1 insanely expensive day at WWoHP last trip and I have no regrets! Loved it, my hubs and I were fortunate enough to have grandparents with us to keep the kids for the day so we got to set a fast pace, but still. The rides there are amazing and the HP ride in particular is the best I've ever ridden! Ever!

Sadly Diagon Alley wasn't open then and I am trying really hard not to dwell on the fact that I'm missing both that and Halloween Horror Nights this trip, but we plan to do a couple days there next time.

I totally support your desire, no NEED, to go to the dark side for some HP love! That area is great and totally worth it! If you love rides of also recommend Spider Man, Hulk, and the Mummy. We loved those!

 

[SarahDisney]

Hollywood Studios day looks good. TSMM is a great use of the FP+ - there may still be a bit of a line even with the FP+, but it's much shorter than the standby line. With the rides & shows you want to do, you will definitely be done by mid-late afternoon.

I totally understand loving HP ... I have all 7 books, plus the school books, plus the tales of beedle the bard, plus all 8 movies on DVD. So I totally get why you're going over to the "dark side."
Prices for WWoHP are insane ... but I'll probably be doing it too within the next few years.
Make sure to have a camera with you and pay attention when you're on line for FJ (as of when I was there, they make you put your bag in a locker, but take a camera in a pocket - we didn't and I regretted it). The details inside the castle are so incredible ... it's really like you're immersed in the movie and really in Hogwarts. I didn't do any of the shops or restaurants when I was there (it was insanely busy when I went a few years ago and I would have had to wait on line for an hour to get into the shops).
You'll love Hogsmeade. I haven't seen Diagon Alley yet, but I'm sure you'll love that part too.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

For the most part your DHS day looks good - honestly, you probably won't need the FP+ for Lights, Motor, Action or VotLM but if you aren't interested in ToT or ST or RNRC (which is also a Tier 1) then there isn't too much you would need FP+ for ... maybe even, depending on crowd levels, Great Movie Ride would be a better use.

We like the Beauty and the Beast show so if you are interested I would try to make it. I am also a huge fan of Fantasmic! So I would try to go back in the evening for that - but I know not everyone is huge on it


And you really don't need to apologize for liking Harry Potter - I enjoy it as well and a lot of people on here love it and I think almost all of us respect Universal for the detail they are putting into that area (and hoping that motivated Disney to step up their game ... are at least speed it up).

Raglan Road is one of our favorites! We love a lot of the appetizers there and the bread pudding is soooooo good. They have a nice beer list (particularly the bottles) if that is your thing at all

 

[STLMickeyMom]

oh, I can't wait until we can spend a day in all the WWoHP wonderfulness! don't worry, we won't shun you!

 

[ashw100]

Hi! Following along. I love your plans so far. We went first week of Feb last year (trip report in signature if you want to read). I loved it. Great weather and crowds. I love that your going to WWoHP, we were going to go but decided against it. I am not going in Oct and can't wait. Have fun, can't wait for more updates

 

[DisMom1981]

I would much rather see WWOHP than "Avatar" land or "Star Wars" land. Some day when the kids are older.

A word of caution- not sure what other Disers think- but my son was TERRIFIED of GMR at DHS. I felt badly- I forgot how scary it would be for some kids- shootout, taking the tram hostage, the scene from alien......it was one scary scene after another and DS just kept going "is it over yet" and hiding.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[annegirl]

I LOOOOVE Harry Potter too. It's one of my favorite things!
We went to IOA last trip and I loved it. The Forbidden Journey is actually my favorite ride I have ever been on- anywhere.
This time I would love to go again but it's not going to happen on this trip. But no need to apologize! It is a great place.
I agree with you! If Disney World had it there it would be so perfect. I wish!

 

[eskimopie]

Love your pre-trip report! I feel the same way about Harry Potter. We are doing one night at the resort to try to get up and get in early to see it all. I feel your pain - that one night and the tickets are so much, but I can't wait!

We LOVE Disney with all our might, but needed to see HP!

 

[ValarDisneyus]

Ohhh, I love Harry Potter, too! We've never been to the Wizarding World either, but we figure Squeaks is a bit young to get much out of it just yet. We'll save it for when she's a bit older and then we'll do a big fat Orlando vacation split between WDW and USO.

....ha, as a Navy vet, USO here does not mean what it is to me. Heh. Okay, nevermind the aside.

 

[ach222]

I totally support your desire, no NEED, to go to the dark side for some HP love! That area is great and totally worth it! If you love rides of also recommend Spider Man, Hulk, and the Mummy. We loved those!

We may try to do the minion ride depending on crowds while there - DH may hit up some of the others too, thanks!

Prices for WWoHP are insane ... but I'll probably be doing it too within the next few years.
Make sure to have a camera with you and pay attention when you're on line for FJ (as of when I was there, they make you put your bag in a locker, but take a camera in a pocket - we didn't and I regretted it). The details inside the castle are so incredible ... it's really like you're immersed in the movie and really in Hogwarts. I didn't do any of the shops or restaurants when I was there (it was insanely busy when I went a few years ago and I would have had to wait on line for an hour to get into the shops).
You'll love Hogsmeade. I haven't seen Diagon Alley yet, but I'm sure you'll love that part too.

Right? It's crazy how hard they make it for you to go just one day.

I am totally pumped for the line!

For the most part your DHS day looks good - honestly, you probably won't need the FP+ for Lights, Motor, Action or VotLM but if you aren't interested in ToT or ST or RNRC (which is also a Tier 1) then there isn't too much you would need FP+ for ... maybe even, depending on crowd levels, Great Movie Ride would be a better use.

We like the Beauty and the Beast show so if you are interested I would try to make it. I am also a huge fan of Fantasmic! So I would try to go back in the evening for that - but I know not everyone is huge on it

Yeah I really don't know what else to use a FP on since we won't do TOT or RNRC - I might ask DH if he wants Fps for those while we go to the LM or something.

oh, I can't wait until we can spend a day in all the WWoHP wonderfulness! don't worry, we won't shun you!

So excited!!!

Hi! Following along. I love your plans so far. We went first week of Feb last year (trip report in signature if you want to read). I loved it. Great weather and crowds. I love that your going to WWoHP, we were going to go but decided against it. I am not going in Oct and can't wait. Have fun, can't wait for more updates

I found your report! And welcome, glad you are here!

I would much rather see WWOHP than "Avatar" land or "Star Wars" land. Some day when the kids are older.

A word of caution- not sure what other Disers think- but my son was TERRIFIED of GMR at DHS. I felt badly- I forgot how scary it would be for some kids- shootout, taking the tram hostage, the scene from alien......it was one scary scene after another and DS just kept going "is it over yet" and hiding.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

I have a concern about DS at GMR - I'm not sure about it - when we get closer, I thought we'd show him a youtube vid - thanks

I LOOOOVE Harry Potter too. It's one of my favorite things!
We went to IOA last trip and I loved it. The Forbidden Journey is actually my favorite ride I have ever been on- anywhere.
This time I would love to go again but it's not going to happen on this trip. But no need to apologize! It is a great place.
I agree with you! If Disney World had it there it would be so perfect. I wish!

I am so excited for FJ and I am not a ride person, but there's no way I'm missing it!

Love your pre-trip report! I feel the same way about Harry Potter. We are doing one night at the resort to try to get up and get in early to see it all. I feel your pain - that one night and the tickets are so much, but I can't wait!

We LOVE Disney with all our might, but needed to see HP!

Hi!! The express pass from staying on site would be great - I'm jealous. I'm just counting on low crowds b/c of the time of year

Ohhh, I love Harry Potter, too! We've never been to the Wizarding World either, but we figure Squeaks is a bit young to get much out of it just yet. We'll save it for when she's a bit older and then we'll do a big fat Orlando vacation split between WDW and USO.

....ha, as a Navy vet, USO here does not mean what it is to me. Heh. Okay, nevermind the aside.

Yeah, I think DS will love the train ride (he has an electric Hogwarts Express so he definitely knows what that is) - and just being in a theme park in general, but he for sure won't 'get it' this time - oh well!

 

[ach222]

Our last day in the parks - we actually added this day on once we dropped from WL to POFQ.

We have an ADR at Kona at 8:15 which I may be dropping depending on how tired we are by day 2/3.

I am going to assume that DS will want to go back to MK over the other 2 parks. With this plan, I'm going to probably do FP s for (hopefully) A&E - if he's over them by then, we'll skip but at the moment he says he wants to meet them.

I'll grab that and probably 7DMT and Philarmagic

I may change these around once we are on site but I know if I want the A&E and 7DMT I need to get them asap!

We have a 6pm ADR at Chefs de France so we may go spend the afternoon in Epcot if we see all DS wants to in MK (this is supposed to be a low crowd day everywhere).

This is my most go with the flow day as I really just want to try and do anything DS loved for a second time or make time to do things we missed.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I think "go with the flow" days are great for "extra" days and will just let you hit what you want and spend a little more time just absorbing the details, etc.

If you want A&E and/or Mine Train (especially if at a specific time) planning for later in your trip definitely helps. Also, for A&E it is really hard to get FP+ for more than 2 people so try to schedule that first thing when you window opens for just one person and then try to copy that person's schedule to the others. And if you can't get the same times for A&E for everyone - take what you can get and keep checking back to try to change times so that they overlap (sounds like a pain but usually works out in the end)

 

[ach222]

I think "go with the flow" days are great for "extra" days and will just let you hit what you want and spend a little more time just absorbing the details, etc.

If you want A&E and/or Mine Train (especially if at a specific time) planning for later in your trip definitely helps. Also, for A&E it is really hard to get FP+ for more than 2 people so try to schedule that first thing when you window opens for just one person and then try to copy that person's schedule to the others. And if you can't get the same times for A&E for everyone - take what you can get and keep checking back to try to change times so that they overlap (sounds like a pain but usually works out in the end)

Thanks, this is really helpful - it shouldn't be this hard! haha

 

[SarahDisney]

I think that for a first trip it's a good idea to have the last day be a "go with the flow" kind of day - you never know until you get there which park will be your favorite. You may decide that there's more that you want to do in Epcot and spend most of the day there. It makes sense to get the A&E and 7DMT for this day - they're the hardest to get, so your best chance at getting them is going for your last day first and seeing if they're available. There are a lot of "strategies" to get the A&E FP - but hopefully by starting with the last day you can get one right away (since it's a lower crowd time, you may be able to get it without any problems)

 

[ach222]

I decided to switch our plans on Tuesday and Wed.

Tuesday is now EMH for Epcot, and I would rather avoid that. I was able to change all of our ADRs without trouble so now we will do :

Tuesday - Hollywood Studios (50's PT for Lunch) until late afternoon
Via Napoli for dinner

Wed - Epcot with ADRs at Coral Reef and Biergarten - hopefully watch Illuminations.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

glad you got everything switched around with no problems! your plans for the go with the flow days sounds great to me! we never take long enough trips for days like that, but I wish we did.

i'm going to keep my fingers crossed that getting fastpasses or waiting to see A&E is easier by the time your trip comes around. it seems to be getting a little better, at least for now.

 

[ach222]

glad you got everything switched around with no problems! your plans for the go with the flow days sounds great to me! we never take long enough trips for days like that, but I wish we did.

i'm going to keep my fingers crossed that getting fastpasses or waiting to see A&E is easier by the time your trip comes around. it seems to be getting a little better, at least for now.

Definitely one of the perks of going in Jan, I can switch around most of my ADRs no problem!

I am hoping to grab the A&E fp! I know if I don't I'll hear "I want to meet A&E!" but if I do get them he probably won't care at all! ahhh kids!

 

[librarygeek]

Your Wednesday plan sounds good! I think it's a good day to not rush to rope drop as long as you have a TSMM FP. With so much being shows and whatnot it's usually not a problem to do it easily.

I am a huge HP fan too! And honestly if you are a fan you absolutely have to see the stuff at Universal, so I think it's definitely worth it. I haven't seen Diagon Alley yet but we're planning to do the park hopping in February, so I'm very excited!

I like the sound of a go with the flow day. If it seems like there's something DS really likes during the trip, you can always try to switch your FP's around then. Philharmagic is a huge theater so it's usually super easy to get in without a wait for a FP, so if there's anything he seems to love I would try to change that one