I don't need EP on a 5 night trip right?!

[bloominadversity]

We'll be at UO for the second part of our Orlando trip, check in Monday 5th March 2018 after Disney in the afternoon and leave on Saturday 10th around 3pm. I'm looking at booking Sapphire Falls as it seems like a lovely hotel and looks cost effective but am aware it doesn't have the EP benefits. Given we will be there for 4 full days plus 2 half days and that we should just miss the Spring Break crowds, am I right to assume EP won't be necessary?

We'd like to make use of our pool if the weather is nice, and also make it to either the mall or outlets in the evenings and if possible catch an Orlando Magic game.

 

[lifepaused]

I would not think so. I am doing 6 days at Cabana Bay in September. I would use the app to see the wait times and do the rides with smaller wait times and if it stays busy then try another day. There would not be a huge rush with 4 full days and especially if you are going to the parks during the work week.

 

[bumbershoot]

We all have different thoughts on this.

My family taken as a whole finds EP to be necessary all the time.

I could probably handle no EP if alone. Especially on a 5 night trip. But now you're talking about lots of swimming and about outlets and a game. So now you're taking yourself out of the parks.

So for me I would then be back to needing EP with reduced hours to be spent in the parks.

Others will have different thoughts. Sift through it all and see what feels right for you.

Also note that pool hopping is totally allowed at universal.

 

[bloominadversity]

I would not think so. I am doing 6 days at Cabana Bay in September. I would use the app to see the wait times and do the rides with smaller wait times and if it stays busy then try another day. There would not be a huge rush with 4 full days and especially if you are going to the parks during the work week.

We all have different thoughts on this.

My family taken as a whole finds EP to be necessary all the time.

Thanks both for your advice!
It's our honeymoon so just the two of us in our twenties and ready to run around, and I've noticed the shops are open quite late. What's the availability of EPs like at short notice? Say we get to day 2 and we realise we need them for a day or two of our remaining time, whats the chances of getting them? I can see the next available EPs are for Monday currently.

We do have 10 nights at Disney before hand so the game/some shopping could take place then if it means I would save ~£500 on upgrading the hotel/on EPs!

 

[macraven]

You will be facing the Mardi Gras crowds and some spring break families for your dates

One of my sons spring break periods in college want the first week of march

 

[cdnusagurl]

I'd just upgrade. I did the math for my husband and I to go for 4 nights and the difference between Royal Pacific and Cabana Bay for 4 nights was around $800 CAD or 100 to cover an express pass for each of us. If you get the annual pass holder discount (which honestly isn't much more than a 4 day pass) the difference could be even less. You have to ask yourself, how much is my time and sanity worth? If you're like my husband who likes to go on vacation without a plan, then it is worth the difference. Even the penny pincher in me saw its worth when I realized it might mean the difference between one day at Volcano Bay, (the only real reason I want to go to Universal) and two days there with no stress about if I have enough time to ride what I want to ride.