Planning Park Days

[rose21.rl0881]

I just booked a trip to WDW 1/7/18 (Sunday) through 1/11/18 (Thursday) for my group of five (3 adults, a 19 y/o and a 17 y/o). We will be staying offsite and have 4 day park hopper passes. I am thinking we will end up spending a day and a half at MK, a full day at EP and AK, and a half day at HS. I have a few questions if anyone would be able to kindly read and answer them.

I saw that the last day of the marathon weekend is that Sunday (our first day at the parks) so I was wondering if the parks would be crowded that day and possibly Monday and Tuesday as well?

Also, because we are offsite I believe we won't be able to stay at the parks for the extra hours. With this, will it be best for us to avoid the park that has the extra hours that day? Or will the extra hours have little effect on lines and crowding during regular hours?

With this info, does anyone have any recommendations on what days (Sunday-wednesday) we should plan to visit each park?

Lastly, I am aware that we can get FP's 30 days prior to the day we will be going to the park we are getting FP's for. I have yet to actually buy park tickets as I just finished booking flights and resort today, but am I assuming that when I create an account and buy those tickets, I will use that account 30 days prior to get the FP's? Or am I wrong here?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated, thank you!

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

1. Last year it was very crowded the entire week after. I would count on that being a possibility again this year.
2. EMH is only for those staying onsite. Staying offsite yes I would try to avoid EMH days but if you can't you can't.
3. Set up an MDE account, purchase your tickets, link your tickets with your account and assign the tickets and then you'll see a 30 day rolling window.