New to US/IOA ? one day ? on site?

[Chef Karen]

DD (11) and I (52) want to check out WWOHP at IOA. She is a ride weanie (lol) so I don't think we'll be doing a lot of coasters (although I LOVE 'em). We are traveling 05/19/12 -05/26 or 27 /12 and are DVC members.
At first I was considering a throw away night at one of the onsites since DD is ALL about HP, but after reading some of the posts on the forums, I'm not sure if we shouldn't just take our chances and show up early, do one day and just do IOA.
I was thinking of going on Sun 05/20/12 since the universal book I referenced suggested that Sundays were lower attendance days at IOA...

Any ideas / comments / suggestions? TIA!

 

[macraven]

sundays are great as long as it is not during a 3 day holiday weekend.
suggest you go on the first dates that you listed.

if you check the prices of the epp, it will give you an idea of what size of crowds are predicted for your dates.

the higher the epp is an indicator of predicting large crowds.

 

[Metro West]

sundays are great as long as it is not during a 3 day holiday weekend.
suggest you go on the first dates that you listed.

if you check the prices of the epp, it will give you an idea of what size of crowds are predicted for your dates.

the higher the epp is an indicator of predicting large crowds.

 

[Chef Karen]

Okay - so after doing some more research I think I may have a plan but being new to US/IOA I sure could use a resounding "great idea" or "ummm, not so much).

Arrive Sat 5/19 and I think I'm going to do a night at Dbltree (120 w tax) for us and we can just wander around and check things out (no parks that day) then do onsite RPR reservation for Sunday check in at 7a - do IOA / HP - crash RPR then do US on Monday - head over to DVC on Mon night. This way I save on points, too. I just can't get past not staying in a room I'm paying for...call me old fashioned....

When I looked at epp prices the time we are planning to tour the cost is $32.00/day - which is low relatively speaking since Easter week is $54-58/day and mid June - Aug is $65-69/d. So I think we'll be okay going on Sunday and Monday.

Soooo..... what do the experts think?

 

[macraven]

Okay - so after doing some more research I think I may have a plan but being new to US/IOA I sure could use a resounding "great idea" or "ummm, not so much).

Arrive Sat 5/19 and I think I'm going to do a night at Dbltree (120 w tax) for us and we can just wander around and check things out (no parks that day) then do onsite RPR reservation for Sunday check in at 7a - do IOA / HP - crash RPR then do US on Monday - head over to DVC on Mon night. This way I save on points, too. I just can't get past not staying in a room I'm paying for...call me old fashioned....

When I looked at epp prices the time we are planning to tour the cost is $32.00/day - which is low relatively speaking since Easter week is $54-58/day and mid June - Aug is $65-69/d. So I think we'll be okay going on Sunday and Monday.

Soooo..... what do the experts think?

i do like the new plan.
it will work.

you can check in at rph before 7, store your belongings with valet and head to the parks with your hotel keys in hand.

go to the far right side to enter ioa for early entry.
they will ask to see the hotel cards before they let you through.

$32 for the epp means the crowd, if any, will not be an issue.
by staying onsite for that one sunday night, you will be able to utilize the express lines for unlimited usage both days.
the day you check in and the day you check out.
early entry also.

that is high for double tree.
is that a standard room?

maybe others will chime in on what their rates are there.
or, it could be high due to a single night stay on a Saturday...

 

[Chef Karen]

I just rechecked and I can do a standard at 101 w tax (89.00/nt). Do all the "partner" hotels charge for parking?

 

[Ragman]

thread hijack -- where do you check the epp prices?

 

[macraven]

I just rechecked and I can do a standard at 101 w tax (89.00/nt). Do all the "partner" hotels charge for parking?

it varies by offsite hotels.
some charge for parking and some charge by hotel fees.
like the S/D does at the motherland.

 

[macraven]

thread hijack -- where do you check the epp prices?

at the UO website, go to tickets.
you will find the epp there.

 

[lucincia]

at the UO website, go to tickets.
you will find the epp there.

Total US/IOA noob here and just starting planning for September trip. What is EPP?

Thanks in advance for your help on this.

 

[Metro West]

Total US/IOA noob here and just starting planning for September trip. What is EPP?

Thanks in advance for your help on this.

Mac was referring to the Express Plus Pass.

 

[lucincia]

Mac was referring to the Express Plus Pass.

Thanks. If we stay with an onsite hotel like RPR, we don't need the EPP, correct?

 

[Metro West]

Thanks. If we stay with an onsite hotel like RPR, we don't need the EPP, correct?

You will receive unlimited Express access with your room key but you won't need to purchase it.