One day plan

[k_hase]

First, I know. One day is dumb, and not enough, etc etc. It's what I've got to work with. Probably poor planning on my part but here we are. This one day is on tuesday, 2/18, in the middle of a DVC trip with another family who are HUGE Harry Potter people. We've avoided US until this year, waiting for our son to be tall enough for the thrill rides.

I've got several questions, none are more important that others, just what's rattling around in my head.

Givens/absolutes--One day, 2/18, 4 adults, 1 kid, open to close.

Maybe--annual pass for my family (we've used up disney points for two years, but could maybe see our way to a longer US trip), express pass purchase for the 5 people, throw away hotel room for express pass purpose (these costs seem to be a wash)

Possible Tour Agenda:
1. arrive at US early, first stop RRR (8 year old is on fire about this, adults are meh)
2. Diagon Alley/Gringotts/Express
3. IOA--Hogsmeade visit/rides
4. Marvel rides-Doom, Spider, Hulk
Meals as they occur to our bellies

While this makes geographic sense, to me it doesn't make crowd sense or take advantage of the evening hours with Hogsmeade. ALso note, I've skipped many many rides in this; my son does not like water related rides and will be scared of Mummy, and will not ride a thing he sees as "kiddy" (with the exception of SDD, and probably FoH).

Question 1: is there a plan/order that makes more sense? Harry Potter is VERY important to our friends, pretty important to me, my kid will end up enjoying it but may not give two hoots about the details.

Question 2: express pass for 5 people is a ton of money, but will my day be terrible without it?

Question 3: I've read that closing time at Hogsmeade can be pleasant and even quiet, but President's Week is crowded, so I'm doubting that will be the case--any experience or thoughts?

Question 4: what thrill ride that is dry and not full of scary imagery am I missing for my 8 year old? (he does not like creepy things, or things that jump at you or roar at you, he just likes to go fast).

I'm open to a suggestions, as long as they are about how to make Tuesday 2/18 a good day. That day is THE day. The only day of that trip we're going.

 

[bchbetha]

Question 1: is there a plan/order that makes more sense? Harry Potter is VERY important to our friends, pretty important to me, my kid will end up enjoying it but may not give two hoots about the details.
HP fans will want to start in Universal for Diagon and Knockturn Alley, imo.
Do check the Orlando Informer site to get a list of all the cool details you might otherwise miss.
I think it's fine to take your kiddo on RRR while the others head to Diagon Alley if they don't want to ride it.

Question 2: express pass for 5 people is a ton of money, but will my day be terrible without it?
Get a throwaway room. You would also get early entry! For 5 people, I bet you'll come out ahead.

Question 3: I've read that closing time at Hogsmeade can be pleasant and even quiet, but President's Week is crowded, so I'm doubting that will be the case--any experience or thoughts?
It will still be pleasant even that week. Crowds thin starting around 4-5. It gets dark early in Feb. and people just kind of filter out. Both Hogsmeade and DA are awesome at night. I think DA is even more so with the dragon.

Question 4: what thrill ride that is dry and not full of scary imagery am I missing for my 8 year old? (he does not like creepy things, or things that jump at you or roar at you, he just likes to go fast).
Wise to eliminate Mummy (even though it is the best ride in the parks!). Hulk will be good. Gringotts and FJ are awesome (and Hagrid- though no 1st hand experience yet!). Despite what Disney people say about it being full of thrill rides, it really isn't. A fair number of simulators. MIB is a lot of fun.

Eat dinner after the parks close. They tend to close pretty early. Optimize ride times. Snack as you go though and early lunch at the Leaky Cauldron is advised.

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

Even if you only buy one AP for yourself you can save on the “throw away” room by hopefully getting an annual pass rate, I’d suggest a standard at RP, somewhere around $200 which is definitely cheaper then buying express in the park, I know you said your only going one day but you would have express passes both days, also you’d get 10-15% discount if it was a preferred or premier pass at many stores and restaurants that participate. I have gone seven times during this couple week time frame for the Daytona 500 and I’ve seen the president day weekend busy and by Tuesday the place is empty and also where the entire week is busy, I’m sorry but IMO it’s hard to trust the crowd calendars as so much is changing.

Only going one day though if you are there at opening and stay till close and eat at non busy times like a late lunch and dinner you should be able to get a lot accomplished, even without ep, I always say if you plan on going 2 times within the year that the AP can easily be worth it. You will need a park to park to enter both parks or an AP also to be able to ride Hogwarts Express.

 

[k_hase]

Thanks!! I looked up a room at RP. $529!!! Express pass for 5 is definitely cheaper!

Good to know I've got Diagon Alley--Express---Hogsmead order right. It sounds like we'd do a sort of circle of US entry, through Diagon Alley, then Hogsmeade, then onto the front of IOA, then reverse order it all.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Transformers? Not sure where that falls on the scariness scale. Simpsons if he likes the show.

And I second MiB.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Also, you can wait til near the end of your day and upgrade to APs before you leave. In case you want to see how the visit goes before making that decision.

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

Thanks!! I looked up a room at RP. $529!!! Express pass for 5 is definitely cheaper!

Good to know I've got Diagon Alley--Express---Hogsmead order right. It sounds like we'd do a sort of circle of US entry, through Diagon Alley, then Hogsmeade, then onto the front of IOA, then reverse order it all.

AP rates aren’t available for that time frame yet but this is an example of what’s available currently.

Have fun!!!

 

[bchbetha]

FYI I’m seeing $430 for 2/17 with no discounts. I’d absolutely do the night before so you can (at a minimum) hit early entry on your intended day. I’d stay there on the 17th and enjoy the hotel. Remember the Express Pass prices are the starting at prices. February 18th currently cost $120/ person and that could go up with demand for the unlimited version (the type you would receive from Royal Pacific). So, yeah, it’s cheaper to do the room. Even with your $529 it’s cheaper.

 

[sandam1]

AP rates aren’t available for that time frame yet but this is an example of what’s available currently.

I was just about to mention the same thing. There are a number of us waiting [impatiently] for the next group of APH rates to be released.

 

[k_hase]

I see! Thanks

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

If you do get the EP then you don’t have to worry much about the order of touring. It will make your afternoon more manageable and efficient. If you don’t get it, you may want to take the HE to IOA and go hit Marvel rides before coming back later for Hogsmeade if they are less important to you.

We have a couple of years of experience going to Hogsmeade and DA at close the weekend/weekdays before Thanksgiving. Crowd levels ranged from 5 to 10. Even though it was crazy busy some of those days, both areas do clear out late. I can’t really speak to the ride lines at that time because we’ve always done it for the spells and atmosphere. If someone is going to get a wand, that’s when it makes the most sense to hang around at that time. In Hogsmeade they show the last castle light show at park close (or at least they did last year). By then few people are there to watch it. They will kick you out of stores but not the area. We stayed and did spells for 20 to 30 minutes after close with a handful of other groups around. We’ve never seen security start their sweep in IOA despite being there so long after close (obviously YMMV on this but we’ve had 3 nights where we were there after close). It was fantastic to be able to do the spells without lines, window shop, and take in all the details.

DA is similar and got pretty quiet for us maybe half an hour before close. When we’ve been there we did find that we didn’t get much time after close before they started moving people out (maybe 10 mins). That’s something to consider. If you get the throw away room I would go to DA during EE for lower crowds. Do spells and check out shops because you can’t use EP during EE. Or have your friends do that while you and your son sleep in if he’s not interested.

If you want to go on Hagrid‘a that may require a different plan.

 

[k_hase]

I've looked into all of these ideas and it sounds like I should get one annual pass and book the throw away room for five (we won't sleep in it, we would all just rather get up early and head over there from Disney, check in, get EPs, than pack stuff to go there and share a crowded room for a few hours)

Do I also get an AP discount on purchasing one day-two park tickets? The benefits say multi-day, so I assume no discount.

Are there ever not AP discounts on rooms? If I book the room before the discount is released can I retroactively apply the AP discount?

I searched a ton for these answers and if feels like I google is failing me!!

 

[macraven]

Are there ever not AP discounts on rooms? If I book the room before the discount is released can I retroactively apply the AP discount?

To get the ap room rate, you would need to book the room when it is date available
A specific number of room types are available when ap rates are released

AP rates vary for when they are released
Not all dates qualify

You don’t need the actual ap to book but will be asked to verify your ap at check in time

AP discount amounts vary per date, room type, hotel

I find the stay more, save more has better discounts when my stay is 7 days or more

 

[k_hase]

So it’s possible there won’t be an AP discount for the one day I’m looking for?

in the end, the room is still the best way to get express pass for all, and the difference if there’s a discount is marginal—were well over $1000 for 5 people for one day, 2 park with express passes.
Expensive mistake on my part!

 

[sandam1]

So it’s possible there won’t be an AP discount for the one day I’m looking for?

It is possible! But don't despair quite yet - the discounts aren't out and chances are there will be something. And even if there isn't something right away, availability and prices DO shift as time goes on. Just make sure that you book a room only rate and you can change up until the week of your visit.

P.S. I know several third-party ticket vendors are having Black Friday sales. If you plan on upgrading to APs, see what deals you can get on multi-day tickets to upgrade.

 

[k_hase]

I booked a room-only for the five of us. Initially only the more expensive two bed rooms were left, but today there was a less expensive one, total of $567 with tax. With no other discount that puts us at $113 for each express pass, plus the extra hour in the morning. This is a marginal savings over buying 3 tickets with the express pass combo on them plus the express pass for two existing tickets.

$924 (three 1 day 2 park w/EP tix) + $280 (EPs for 2 existing tix)=$1204
$567 (room) + $524 (3 value tix, 1 day 2 park) = $1091

It's not much savings, $115, right around 10%, but we get an extra hour and I suppose we might go swim? Or perhaps the friends going with us will use that room for the night instead of returning to Disney with us? If the annual pass discount comes up, I'll have to do more math!

I do wish I'd had a better grasp on this when we initially planned; I would have done two days at the end of the trip instead. Live and learn.