New harry potter strategy

[MIALIAS]

My daughter is only interested in hp. I'm planning a feb '15 trip. Am I better off staying on site and getting fast pass. Or saving the money...staying off site and paying for the VIP experience?

What do you think?

 

[RMulieri]

You will need to calculate out the cost/benefit. The VIP experience is prciey and it is likely you may do better staying onsite.The express pass option that is purchased goes up in price depending on the projected crowd levels.So what looks like the price now can absolutely change.It is also DATE specific and PARK specific and completely nonrefundable, which is why most of us here recommend not purchasing till you are at the parks and see if it is needed...Most of us will tell you to stay onsite at one of the 3 deluxe resorts to get the early entry and the express pass.A few things to note: With the opening of the HP expansion at the studios this summer, crowd patterns will definitely change at both parks.No one knows just how much yet .Express pass is not currently accepted at 2 of the 4 of the current HP attractions ( both forbidden journey and Ollivanders) but is accepted at Flight of the hippogrif and Dragon Challenge. It is also likely that the express pass won't be accepted for the Hogwarts express or gringotts bank vault ride .So if you are only doing Harry Potter, Express pass likely won't help you all that much.Early entry, however , will be the best bet .Early entry is currently only at IOA, but will also likely be at the studios when the expansion opens.only certain PACKAGES booked at offsite hotels currently include early entry, but once the value/moderate resort Cabana Bay opens this summer, that will likely stop.So the only way to get early entry will likely be by staying onsite.because it is labeled a value/moderate onsite resort, Cabana bay will have early entry for its guests, but NO express pass.Something to keep in mind

 

[damo]

I always recommend staying onsite for the best experience. It is always nicer to be able to walk from your hotel. Being totally immersed is better, IMHO.