Plan My Memorial Week

[Karpkg]

Hi there!

I have 5 days to do these attractions, and wanted your opinions. Monday(Memorial day thru till Friday, checkout Sat)

2 adults, 2 kids, 6 and 8.

We'll be staying offsite, but will book 1 nite at RPR to take advantage of unlimited EP and early entry WWoHP. (I'll get 1 AP and then use that to buy the other tickets, and also take advantage of AP rate for 1 nite)

We'll also be buying 3 day tickets, so one of those days will be a no EP, no early entrance day.

One day of those 5 days will be a water park day(maybe Typhoon Lagoon, avoiding the Wednesday EMH day) or a different water park if anyone can convince me there's a better water park. I'll have an expiring AP from Disney that I could take advantage of (-$4 gate price).

One of the days will be a rest day. (Swim at offsite hotel/Citywalk(?)/Downtown Disney/whatever)

How would you plan this? I thought Memorial Day would be crazy, so just a rest day. (We're also coming from a weekend of Star Wars Disney) Then I thought park hrs-wise, I'd love to see WWoHP at night, and the latest they're open that week is that night at 9p. I think it would not be quite dark at 8P the rest of the week.

Then, which night should I use for RPR?

Argh!!

 

[Hunter182]

Hi there!

I have 5 days to do these attractions, and wanted your opinions. Monday(Memorial day thru till Friday, checkout Sat)

2 adults, 2 kids, 6 and 8.

We'll be staying offsite, but will book 1 nite at RPR to take advantage of unlimited EP and early entry WWoHP. (I'll get 1 AP and then use that to buy the other tickets, and also take advantage of AP rate for 1 nite)

We'll also be buying 3 day tickets, so one of those days will be a no EP, no early entrance day.

One day of those 5 days will be a water park day(maybe Typhoon Lagoon, avoiding the Wednesday EMH day) or a different water park if anyone can convince me there's a better water park. I'll have an expiring AP from Disney that I could take advantage of (-$4 gate price).

One of the days will be a rest day. (Swim at offsite hotel/Citywalk(?)/Downtown Disney/whatever)

How would you plan this? I thought Memorial Day would be crazy, so just a rest day. (We're also coming from a weekend of Star Wars Disney) Then I thought park hrs-wise, I'd love to see WWoHP at night, and the latest they're open that week is that night at 9p. I think it would not be quite dark at 8P the rest of the week.

Then, which night should I use for RPR?

Argh!!

I'm by no means an expert, so bear with me. Also, I will only speak of what I feel I am knowledgeable about, primarily concerning the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

WWoHP will be the busiest section of all of Universal Studios. As usual. The important thing to remember is, as soon as the park opens, if you plan on spending extended periods amount of time in the Wizarding World, get there early. As soon as the gate opens, cut through the entrance, Seuss Land and then on through Lost Continent 'till you arrive at Hogsmeade. I can pull this all of in about ten minutes, but of course I'm an 18 year old guy with no kids, so I'm quick, haha. Anyways, head there as soon as you can. Enjoy the ambiance of just being IN the WWoHP for a couple of minutes, but if you plan on doing the Forbidden Journey (Located inside Hogwarts Castle) get over pretty quickly. I've seen the line exceed 60 minutes in less then an hour.

Forbidden Journey is a FANTASTIC ride has been steadily been climbing up my list of top attractions at any theme park. The Haunted Mansion has been my long time favorite for years, but HP&tFJ is slowly climbing those ranks. (I know. Blasphemy, right? ) I'll spare specific details, but this ride can be potentially very scary. But if your children have seen at least the third movie or read the series, they should be able to deal. (Or you Adults even. ;D)

Enjoy your time in the queue. It is SPECTACULAR. Like nothing the theme-park industry has seen before. So much detail.

After you exit, you can enjoy either the Hippogriff coaster if not crowded, (Best views of Hogwarts Castle from that ride. Hands down.) or keep moving back into town.

Ollivander's. It's a fun show, but is it worth the two hour waits it has gotten? Not really. One important thing you need to remember is that you DO NOT have to go into Ollivander's to purchase a wand, if you so desire. Go into the neighboring Owl Post, or Dervish and Banges and you can purchase one. Give them your birthdate for a special wand that coincides with said date, or purchase a specific character's wand. Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Voldemort, Snape, Sirius, Ron, they're all pretty much there.

If you would like to buy a Butterbeer, do not bother waiting in such a long line at the gigantic Keg stations. Instead, go into the Hog's Head pub and purchase one there. A much shorter line inside. Plus, it's air conditioned, and you can enjoy the amount of detail. (If you tip the bartender, the Hog's Head moves.)

If at all possible DO see Hogsmeade and Hogwarts at night. It's even more beautiful, and dare I say? Magical. Absolutely gorgeous.

I have so much more to say, but my brain is kind of overwhelmed, haha. I will post more later, but hopefully you enjoyed reading this and learned a little.