July 2014, should I stay on site for fotl?

[Kimberle]

Planning a trip the end of next July. I'm planning on spending 3-4 nights at a US resort, and 6 nights at a WDW resort. Several years ago, we stayed at RPR and had the FOTL pass. It was long before HP.

I'm debating between the new Cabana resort and HR or RPR. Cabana doesn't offer the FOTL, but would be several hundred dollars cheaper than the other resorts. We mainly want to do HP. (We did this as a day trip in 4/2013 and didn't find any of the lines to bad.) We also don't do the big coaster and thrill rides.

How do you think the crowds will be next July? Could we manage w/out FOTL by doing HP during the 1 hour early entry, relaxing around the pool mid-day, then returning later in the afternoon?

 

[atricks]

Planning a trip the end of next July. I'm planning on spending 3-4 nights at a US resort, and 6 nights at a WDW resort. Several years ago, we stayed at RPR and had the FOTL pass. It was long before HP.

I'm debating between the new Cabana resort and HR or RPR. Cabana doesn't offer the FOTL, but would be several hundred dollars cheaper than the other resorts. We mainly want to do HP. (We did this as a day trip in 4/2013 and didn't find any of the lines to bad.) We also don't do the big coaster and thrill rides.

How do you think the crowds will be next July? Could we manage w/out FOTL by doing HP during the 1 hour early entry, relaxing around the pool mid-day, then returning later in the afternoon?

With the large Harry Potter expansion probably opening up just a few weeks before that, it'll be jammed packed most likely. I'm sure at least early entry for both areas, although unsure about express access for Gringotts.

So yeah, I'd highly suggest getting a hotel with express access.

 

[Metro West]

With the large Harry Potter expansion probably opening up just a few weeks before that, it'll be jammed packed most likely. I'm sure at least early entry for both areas, although unsure about express access for Gringotts.

So yeah, I'd highly suggest getting a hotel with express access.

 

[macraven]

How do you think the crowds will be next July? Could we manage w/out FOTL by doing HP during the 1 hour early entry, relaxing around the pool mid-day, then returning later in the afternoon?

express pass will be your friend.
better to stay onsite.

with the opening of hp2, none of us can say how the crowds will be or how it will flow in the parks.


only know July will be crowded and hot.

 

[Siriusblack]

Go with RPR for the express pass, plus it's so pretty! July will be super busy. RPP is such a quick walk from IOA.

 

[Kimberle]

Thanks, everyone! That's what I was thinking. The new HP area is an unknown for next summer. I think I will stay at HR as I've stayed at RpR. I've always wanted to stay there and it's just a couple hundred dollars more.

I can't believe how much will be different since our visit last April. New HP area, Transformers, Simpsons Area finished....

 

[glocon]

You can look at it two ways:

1) The new HP expansion will be newly open so there will be a ton of people so you will need EP to help with the crowds so stay at one of the resorts that offer EP

or

2) The new HP expansion will be newly open so there will be a ton of people so you won't need EP since everyone will be in the new area and the other rides will be nearly a walk on, so stay at Cabana and save $$$.

I know this doesn't help, but it is hard to say. Personally, we love HRH and EP, so we stay on site. I would definitely stay at RPR or PBH also. My son just prefers HRH.

 

[kohlby]

I would definitely go for RPR. It's not only near the HP expansion time, but it's summer break time.