Judge my (somewhat complicated) Plan!

[kristenabelle]

Things I (probably, maybe) cannot change:
- I'll be at WDW from Saturday 10/15 - 10/22 with my friends Cheryl and Stacey. We're staying on my DVC points at Poly and moving to BWV on 10/19 (my actual b-day).
- My friend Cheryl has no interest in going to UOR, so we've chosen 10/20 (Thurs), the day she leaves Orlando, to visit both parks. It's not ideal because of HHN, but it's better than Friday, and we're leaving Saturday afternoon.
- Stacey (love her to death) is afraid of her own shadow and is not interested in HHN, so we won't be attending this year

Some notes:
- I've been to Uni (including WWOHP) before, so the only thing I haven't experienced is Kong.
- Forbidden Journey makes me nauseous and Stacey pukey, so we're avoiding that unless there's magic medicine we can ingest
- I'm headed back next year and will be booking at least 1-2 nights at Hard Rock, my first on-property stay. I'll also catch HHN that time around. That said, while I want to see the most I can, I'm not too worried about missing out on something.
- Stacey and I will have (one-time) Express Passes.

With all that, here's the initial plan we made through TP. I'm not entirely settled on taking Hogwarts Express before 9 since we're skipping FJ and have Express Pass, so feel free to convince me either way. I leave this in your expert hands!

For the approval of the midnight society:

- Leave BWV by taxi/uber at 7 AM. UOR has EE and opens generally at 8, so I'm hoping to be there by 7:30-45.
- Head straight to Gringotts at general park open. Deal with whatever the wait is. Briefly explore Diagon Alley afterwards.
- Train to IOA. Ride Dragon Challenge and shuffle over to Kong. Head back to Hogsmeade for exploration. Early-ish 11:30/45 lunch at Three Broomsticks
- Train back to USF. ET, H:RRR, DM:MM, Mummy, Make-Up Show, MIB, back to Diagon Alley for exploration/ice cream. According to TP, using Express Pass, we should be done with this around 4, in time for 5 PM park close and train back to IOA
- JP, Ripsaw Falls, Popeye's, Fearfall, Hulk, and any repeats. Park closes at 8.
- Dinner at Toothsome or Cowfish. Definitely hitting up Toothsome for dessert, but Cowfish is a place I've always wanted to go to. Thoughts here?
- Cab back to BWV. Immediately pass out.

Thoughts? TIA!

 

[snoopboop]

*My pukey friend swears by Dramamine for FJ.
*Have you already purchased the EP? If not, it may be worth seeing if a room is available for the night before at one of the deluxe onsites, as it'd get you Early Entry and the Unlimited EP. You wouldn't even have to stay at the room if you didn't want to... you can arrive that morning before EE, get checked in, get your EP, and then head to the parks for EE.
*If you ride Bilge Rat Barges, you will likely look and feel like you took a shower. Totally, completely soaked. This might be another argument for an onsite room, as you would be able to go back to the room to dry off, change clothes, etc... before heading to dinner.
*I love Cowfish. I'd vote for dinner at Cowfish and dessert at Toothsome! :-D

 

[angryduck71]

I agree with everything snoopboop said. But, Dramamine did not work for me on FJ and I wanted to puke even using it, BUT the patch you wear behind your ear (must be prescribed) worked WONDERS -- I believe it's called Scopolomine. I could ride everything then (and, believe me, I have the worst case I know and suddenly I didn't have any problems!). I was very excited that I could do FJ several times!!!!!!

 

[kristenabelle]

*My pukey friend swears by Dramamine for FJ.
*Have you already purchased the EP? If not, it may be worth seeing if a room is available for the night before at one of the deluxe onsites, as it'd get you Early Entry and the Unlimited EP. You wouldn't even have to stay at the room if you didn't want to... you can arrive that morning before EE, get checked in, get your EP, and then head to the parks for EE.
*If you ride Bilge Rat Barges, you will likely look and feel like you took a shower. Totally, completely soaked. This might be another argument for an onsite room, as you would be able to go back to the room to dry off, change clothes, etc... before heading to dinner.
*I love Cowfish. I'd vote for dinner at Cowfish and dessert at Toothsome! :-D

I agree with everything snoopboop said. But, Dramamine did not work for me on FJ and I wanted to puke even using it, BUT the patch you wear behind your ear (must be prescribed) worked WONDERS -- I believe it's called Scopolomine. I could ride everything then (and, believe me, I have the worst case I know and suddenly I didn't have any problems!). I was very excited that I could do FJ several times!!!!!!

Thanks for the advice (especially re:dramamine and patches! I'll have to check both options out and call my doc)

The current cost for a one-night stay at RPR including EE, Unlimited Express, and 2 park-to-park tickets is $644.04 (according to their site, anyway). Two park-to-park tickets and express passes is about $500. For me, it's figuring out whether or not EE/Unlimited is worth the hassle of arriving at 5:45, checking into a hotel I won't stay at, and paying ~$150 extra. I definitely see the value on its own, but I'm not sure if it'll work for us this time around. Sweet, sweet perk, though - it is mighty tempting.

And thanks about Popeye's - I remember being drenched as a kid. I'll have to factor in the weather and decide whether or not I want to go swimming in-park

 

[snoopboop]

The current cost for a one-night stay at RPR including EE, Unlimited Express, and 2 park-to-park tickets is $644.04 (according to their site, anyway). Two park-to-park tickets and express passes is about $500. For me, it's figuring out whether or not EE/Unlimited is worth the hassle of arriving at 5:45, checking into a hotel I won't stay at, and paying ~$150 extra. I definitely see the value on its own, but I'm not sure if it'll work for us this time around. Sweet, sweet perk, though - it is mighty tempting.

Hmm, I'm seeing the rate for the night of 10/19 at $279, and two park-to-park tickets at $310, making $589. I suppose maybe the $644.04 is including taxes/fees?

Either way, honestly, I'd go ahead and do the onsite room, because that hour of EE is seriously worth it. (And you could always come over the night before this way, saving you some time that morning!!)

 

[kristenabelle]

Hmm, I'm seeing the rate for the night of 10/19 at $279, and two park-to-park tickets at $310, making $589. I suppose maybe the $644.04 is including taxes/fees?

Either way, honestly, I'd go ahead and do the onsite room, because that hour of EE is seriously worth it. (And you could always come over the night before this way, saving you some time that morning!!)

Gotcha - I priced out 10/20 - 21 since we'll be there on the 20th, and the price says it includes fees. Meeting with Stace this weekend, so I'll have to present this option!

 

[damo]

One little tip is that the parks generally open 15 minutes early. Try to plan that into your arrival so you are near the front of the line getting in.