FOTL privilege worth it in early DEC?

[SJ1252]

I'm brand new to this board - LOVE IT! - and was hoping some of you experts could give me your opinion.

We are planning a trip to Disney and we want to do two days at Universal. After finding out about this Express benefit to on-site guests I'm considering staying at RPH for the first 2 nights then going over to our Disney hotel for the other 6 days.

My question is - Is it worth it to stay for the FOTL benefit in December? Or are the crowds small enough make lines short anyway? The dates are Dec 6, 7 and 8th (A Saturday afternoon, all day Sunday and all day Monday).

Money vs. saved time is the factor here. It would cost us @ $300 more to stay on-site at Universal. On the other hand we have a 1, 7, & 16 year old with 3 adults, and would be doing alot of switching off - so short waits is an extra plus.

HELP! Any opinions would be appreciated!

 

[rangebob]

the Express Pass is worth it any time of the year. The beginning of Dec is going to be a little less crowded.

 

[Cindy B]

Well I can tell yo I have never gone onsite and never had a problem with crowds. I have gone for the past two years the last two weeks of August. We get there early, as the park opens, and do a lot before the crowd.
And when the crowd came, it wasn't bad at all.

I would see where FOTL would come in handy during spring break, christmas break, etc..

 

[Tigger&Belle]

With a 1yo it might be worth it so one of you could easily take the baby back to the hotel for a nap while the others either stayed in the parks or, if it was warm enough, hung out by the pool. Hard Rock Hotel is only a 5-10 minute walk from the parks.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I don't think you will need it in early December but staying at an on-site hotel is well worth it anyway. On the days you want to travel back to US from WDW, you will be fine if you get there early like Cindy B suggests.

HBC

 

[Muushka]

We usually go in the first 2 weeks of December. Historically, it is a slow time of year and there were several times that we did not bother to use the FOTL. That Saturday might be a little busier.

However, that being said, we always stay on site because the hotels are awesome and oh-so-convienent. Staying on-site is part of the whole experience for us .

There should be some hotel discounts for that time of year, have you checked them out?

I hope you enjoy your time there!

 

[SJ1252]

Everyone confirmed what I already thought myself. I think we are going to stay on-site no matter what.

But let me ask you all this - does changing to the weekend before- Sat 11/29, Sun 11/30 (Thanksgiving weekend) and Dec 1 -
make a huge difference in the crowds? And would the FOTL be a really good idea for that time?

By the way I got a really good rate at RPH - $143 (with an extra adult) using the fan club discount. I haven't called for rates for the change in plans yet. I hope the are the same!!!

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

But let me ask you all this - does changing to the weekend before- Sat 11/29, Sun 11/30 (Thanksgiving weekend) and Dec 1 -

make a huge difference in the crowds? And would the FOTL be a really good idea for that time?

It will make a difference and you will be very glad to have FOTL!

HBC