I think we're set but still have some Q's

[Amyshubby]

About a month out from our Orlando vacation.

Based on suggestions from this board we have almost everything planned but do still have some questions.

Car is rented (doing Universal for three days, then Disney)

Hotels are booked.

We are staying at RPR Sunday-Tuesday. Didn't know which room area to request so we just asked to be away from the construction. Hopefully, that works.

I already purchased the three day tickets for the rest of the family through UT and will be buying an annual pass for myself before we go (so we can get the APH discount). Made financial sense. Since I'll be picking it up at the hotel, I'm hoping they let me use the APH discount even though it wont technically be activated until we get to the park.

The plan is to go out the first night and get a cheap cooler for milk and some breakfast items, and an inexpensive inflatable mattress (we have two muscular boys age 11 and 14 and it's always easier to have them sleep in separate beds). That way we should eat breakfast and be ready to go nice and early each day.

First day we are going to eat at Three Broomsticks for lunch then planned on Margaritaville for dinner.

I've read that we don't need reservations for dinner, especially with the express pass perk but I'm concerned about crowds spilling out after the Mardi Gras concert. Also, does anyone know approximately when the concerts start? We would like to go to Margaritaville after it ends, but if it starts at 8 and goes until 10, that would be too late.

On Monday we have BMG ticket so a big sit down dinner is probably not going to happen. Our plan was a snack in the morning, and maybe a late lunch at Mythos. Again, is the express pass really that helpful when trying to get a table?

The obvious thought is to just make reservations, but we are going to go through the park as late as possible until we are ready to eat.

Our hope is we see most everything Sun and Mon and just use Tues to fill in and redo our favorites but we might be spending a lot of time at HP (last time we went was a week before Hogsmead opened- we could see it through the gates but couldn't get in!) Not sure were we are eating Tuesday during the day but probably something on the fly (or gluten free because one member of the family has a gluten sensitivity).

Thanks for any suggestions or advice. The input from this board is always appreciated!

 

[Lynne G]

First, I've never been asked to see my AP when I check into the hotel, but I had my online bought AP print out to show if they asked. I activated it the night before we wanted an early entry. No issue. Easy from the kiosk. Make sure you have the AP number and the credit card you used if using the kiosk to get your AP.

After you check in, take the express pass pictures, machines are in the lobby. Easiest time to do that. Good until midnight the day you check out.

If you are worried about dinner ressies, use opentable.com. Doesn't cost anything. Not all the restaurants will give you faster seating with your AP. If it's not too busy, you can make the ressie the same day. I never had to make ressies for my late August trip until day of, but I sure made my Margaritaville ressie about a month ahead during Christmas. I was very glad to have that ressie, when there was so many people waiting.

Have a great time!

 

[georgina]

When we were there last week, it was a slow time but there were no Margaritaville reservations for dinner at 8:30 available at Opentable for the same day. I called and got a priority seating instead, which gave us the next available table. We waited maybe 10 minutes. They just asked for my first name and number of people in our party. I have no clue about Mardi gras concerts so can't help there. If you can figure out what time it may be best to make a reservation.

 

[subtchr]

Have fun!

The one place I would make a reservation would be Mythos. Even at slow times, the popularity of this restaurant can make it tough to get in.

We were there at a slow time in December, and had 11:30 reservations. Although we probably did not need them eating that early, by the time we left they were telling people the wait was 45 minutes.

We made our reservation through my Open Table app about 3 weeks in advance.

 

[Amyshubby]

Thanks for the responses.

Based on what I'm hearing I think we are not going to make the reservations at Margaritaville. The concert starts when the park closes, so we will see how it is going (and how hungry the kids are) then call ahead with priority seating. It seems the restaurants take reservations first, then express pass priority seating, then walk ups.

For Monday we will probably make reservations for Mythos just so we know we have them

 

[RMulieri]

Thanks for the responses.

Based on what I'm hearing I think we are not going to make the reservations at Margaritaville. The concert starts when the park closes, so we will see how it is going (and how hungry the kids are) then call ahead with priority seating. It seems the restaurants take reservations first, then express pass priority seating, then walk ups.

For Monday we will probably make reservations for Mythos just so we know we have them

They don't always honor the priority seating though..Especially with weekends and special events.We ran into this a few times.No reservations and they weren't taking priority seatings either.Apparently it is up to the discretion of the mgr on, how busy it is etc.

 

[damo]

At Margarittaville you can sit out on the porch or inside. They are two different seating areas with different waiting areas. If you can't get in one right away, try the other.