First-timer questions!

[susannahclair]

Hi all,

We (family of four with two kids, ages 11 and 9) are headed down to UO Sept. 26-Oct. 1 and are planning to spend 4 days between the three parks, staying at CBBR in a family suite. When we did Disney a few years back, we used a touring plan, got there at rope drop every day, and it was GREAT with very minimal waits. I'm hearing touring plans are less important at UO. Do we just wing it?? Or do we use a basic touring plan from Orlando Insider or Touring Plans? Do we really need to be there by 7am (or earlier!) for the early entry? Any other tips?? We are big Harry Potter fans and our kids are dying to go -- but we haven't told them about the trip yet.

Thanks all!

 

[bchbetha]

I'd hit the park in the morning but so long as you're there by 9:30-10, you'll still enjoy lower crowds. Getting there bright and early will give you ample time to enjoy the HP areas though so if you can swing real early, go for it.
Do you have Park to park tickets?

 

[susannahclair]

Thank you! And yes, we'll get Park-to-park tickets. We don't want to miss Hogwarts Express.

 

[bchbetha]

Great!
We liked the loose itinerary on Orlando Informer for the HP stuff.
It's nice to book end your day with HP. Hogsmeade especially gets very full mid-day. The play area in Jurassic Park is great when you get tired of lines (and it's just super cool anyway!).

 

[Disney Ron]

Taking everything in stride is the clear advantage that UO has over WDW where you have to schedule bathroom breaks 6 months in advance.

 

[gotomu212]

If you aren't early birds (which I am not), it's usually just as nice to wait and go to the HP areas later in the day. We've found that 2 hours before close those areas significantly calm down. It's really nice to stroll around and enjoy all the little details when you aren't shoulder to shoulder with people.