First time Uni/IOA planning?

[dlavender]

This is our first family trip to the "dark" side. We are a family of 5. Myself, DW, DD9, DS5, and DD3.

We are going Dec 8-10. Dec 8 we might just get a few hours at night, depending on arrival.

We are staying at the Royal Pacific (only $200/night with FL resident rate!), so we will have express pass.

I'm a seasoned WDW vet, and normally rely on my spreadsheets to optimize our time.

I'm assuming, given the rate, that it wont be terribly busy when we are there.

I'm already liking that it seems as though I wont have to plan every minute of the trip, but it's also making me a little anxious, as I want to make sure we get in as much as we can, and still enjoy ourselves.

If you had 3 hours on a Friday night, an entire Saturday, and a half day Sunday, how would you prioritize which park/day? Or with Express does it really matter?

Thanks for your help!

 

[schumigirl]

Congratulations!

Hope it’s a fabulous trip.......

Familiarise yourself with the park layout and decide what’s important for your family.......rides and such......with EP you really don’t need to plan much. If you plan to see the parade or light show check the times of these while you are there.......apart from that........have a blast! Both parks are amazing.........

 

[dlavender]

Congratulations!

Hope it’s a fabulous trip.......

Familiarise yourself with the park layout and decide what’s important for your family.......rides and such......with EP you really don’t need to plan much. If you plan to see the parade or light show check the times of these while you are there.......apart from that........have a blast! Both parks are amazing.........

I actually worked on Kongfrontation when I was 16. Those were the days!

Haven't been back to the parks, aside from HHN 10 years ago. I'm really looking forward to it. I've been counting down the days until at least one of my children were old enough to really enjoy it

I'll do some research on the park layouts, as a lot has changed since I was last there.

Im not sure how much DD3 will realistically be able to do, but I like what I've read about UNI's rider switch vs WDW's.

 

[wookiebeck]

The only thing I worry about (even with the EP) is Minions. Rope drop that one. For the rest of the touring, just walk around the 'circle' of the layout of each park. You will come to love the EP's and lack of needing an optimized plan. You will be able to fit everything in.

Maybe for your first night, start with Seussland so that the kids get the idea that this place is fun. Then continue the walk to Hogsmeade. That is so pretty at night and there is a castle projection show. And this plans fits as IOA is so close to RPR.