Please help me plan!

[pxefig]

I'm assuming the people in the Universal Studios forum are experts of both Disney and Universal, making this the best place to get some planning help.
On Oct. 9 my husband, brother-in-law and his wife are going on a 4 day Disney cruise. We'll get in the Thursday before the cruise and want to do Mcikey's Halloween Party, Epcot Food and Wine and Islands of Adventure (of course wanting to see Harry Potter the most, but we will want to do other things, like Jurassic Park, too). According to Touring Plans MNNSHP will be that Thursday and Friday although no official dates have been released. Unfortunately for me, that weekend is Colombus weekend, so I have to just accept that crowds are going to be a part of the trip, but I'm hoping with a little planning I can at last minimize the crowd inconvience.
So my though was to do the Halloween party Thursday, arrival day. Which leaves how to split up IOA and Epcot. Should we go to Epcot on Friday because all the locals will make it super-crazy Saturday? Or do the locals make IOA super-crazy Saturday? Or should we try to do IOA next Thursday after the ship goes into port? I'm also not above getting a room at Portofino Bay for one night to get the early entrance. Does it make that big a difference in crowd levels?
While I have been to WDW literally hundreds of times, this is the first time doing the cruise, MNNSHP or Universal. It is really fun planning a completely new Disney experience, I kind of don't like not knowing what to expect!
Of course, any input you can give is appreciated!

 

[Planogirl]

Personally, I would go to IOA first. It's hard to predict crowd levels at WWoHP while you have a pretty good idea how to handle Epcot.

Whether you stay at a Universal resort or not depends on you and your tolerance for lines. Almost everything at Universal is pretty much a walk-on if you are a resort guest with the big exception at IOA being Forbidden Journey. However you get early entry so if the big crowds show up that will help a lot.

Your trip sounds exciting! Lots of new experiences.

 

[Princess Sleepy]

I would try to do F&W at Epcot on arrival day. I heard weekends (including Fridays) are crazy due to locals. Then do MNSSHP on Friday and IOA on Saturday. If you get a room at any of the partner hotels for Universal you can still get early entrance, just not FOTL.

 

[pxefig]

Thanks for the replies! I have gotten so used to working the time of year and busy park days that I have gotten so spoiled about not really waiting in lines! I just need to relax. It will all be fun.
We are throwing around the idea of coming in Wednesday night and staying at a Universal hotel and doing IOA Thurs. and checking into Beach Club on the way to MNSSHP and spending the rest of the days at Epcot.
Where can I find more info about the partner hotels that get early access?