Looking for advice on Columbus weekend itinerary, FPs and EMHs

[Ursula_Fan]

Hi all--

We'll be back to WDW this October 9-13. Main focus is going to MNSSHP, but would also like to go to F&W at Epcot and TSL at HS. Skipping AK this trip. We are staying CL at BWI. We have a shorter trip planned because of DS1's school schedule. We have APs so we can park hop.

Tentative itinerary:
Arrive evening of Weds 10/9, land at 5 pm--get to BWI, dinner, go swimming or maybe hit a park for a few hours (?)
Thurs 10/10--go to MK around 2/3 pm for some rides, then Halloween party in evening at MK
Friday 10/11--sleep in post party, then maybe a few hours at Epcot for F&W? Or HS for TSL?
Sat 10/12--day at MK
Sun 10/13--a few hours in a park (?) post-check out then fly home in evening

Questions:
1) We are staying club level, so we can buy 3 extra FPs pp per day for 3 days. Would you try for the extended EMHs (6 am HS, 7 am MK) or buy the additional FPs? The additional FPs would let us go later, but I am starting to worry that HS will hit capacity and close before we can get in to use the FPs. Not sure how reasonable a concern that is. My kids are obsessed with SLD and haven't yet been, and want to meet Vampirina. I'm planning on skipping SWGE and after TSL/Vamp, getting the heck out of HS.

2) When would you go to Epcot? Given F&W I'm assuming we should try to go for a few hours on Thursday morning before MK or on Friday after sleeping in post Halloween party, and avoid Epcot on Sat & Sun, when I have heard it can be miserably packed during F&W.

3) When would you do HS on this itinerary? Am open to switching things around or trying to go somewhere Weds eve after we arrive. Our only thing set in stone is the Thurs Halloween party, for which we already have tickets. We could also get up earlier on Friday and then nap in the afternoon...

Thanks for any feedback and thoughts.

 

[sharonabe]

2) When would you go to Epcot? Given F&W I'm assuming we should try to go for a few hours on Thursday morning before MK or on Friday after sleeping in post Halloween party, and avoid Epcot on Sat & Sun, when I have heard it can be miserably packed during F&W.

F&W booths don't open until 11:00, but I'd head to EP before MK on party day and do a late lunch before grabbing the monorail over to MK around 3:00 or so.

Would you try for the extended EMHs (6 am HS, 7 am MK) or buy the additional FPs? The additional FPs would let us go later, but I am starting to worry that HS will hit capacity and close before we can get in to use the FPs. Not sure how reasonable a concern that is.

I'd wait and see how the early EMH goes. You have time to watch the wait times. If the whole park is open, then I would definitely plan an early morning to do the things you want to do at TSL. I'd probably do this on the 12th before MK.
I'd hold off on the CLFP for now. I doubt you'll need them for what you want to do.

 

[Ursula_Fan]

Thank you! I didn't realize the booths don't open until 11:00 so that's really helpful. I am so used to planning way ahead, but I need to accept that all bets are off with SWGE and we'll just go with the flow.