Recently I've been re-thinking our DLR strategy.
The original plan was to just go in time for the run and related events (expo), use that and DTD as our entertainment, and leave the parks for our week later on.
However, DH has stuffed up that plan by leaving early
He is heading home on the Sunday BEFORE we get back to DLR, so would miss out on the parks entirely. Add the fact that I have already bought his 10 day hopper, and it makes sense for him to go to the parks while we're there for the run. Obviously he will want some company.
Even though we won't be using each day of our 10 day hoppers on our return week to DLR, each day has to be used within 14 days of the first use. So if we used them to enter the parks on the Saturday only of the run weekend, they would expire the day before my birthday
So I started looking at APs. The return week to DLR is not a problem - no block out dates there. However, both the Saturday and Sunday of the run weekend are blocked (I assume because it's a long weekend for Labor Day).
My dilemma is this. I've pretty much decided that it will make sense for me to upgrade to an AP, which I will have to do in person now that I have the 10 day pass. If I upgrade on the Tuesday I arrive, I will get to use the discounts for nearly a week before we leave on the Sunday. However, I will not be able to enter the parks with DH on the Saturday. This is a pretty big deal as he won't be arriving until the Thursday afternoon, so will only have that afternoon plus Friday and Saturday for park time. And that will be eaten into with running related activities and resting.
After much searching on the DLR boards, I've discovered that there is a perk which allows access to the parks on the day of the upgrade. So that means if I wait until the Saturday to upgrade my pass I can get in with DH. However, I miss out on nearly a week's worth of discounts, making the AP less value.
The merchandise discounts aren't a big deal as I assume they won't apply to the RunDisney merchandise, and I can wait to buy anything until we get back. The dining discounts would definitely be handy. However, I will be on my own Tuesday night so won't really be 'dining'. We also won't be doing any big meals until after the running is finished either. I've already missed out on the AP benefits (early and discounted registration) for the run, and won't be able to use the accommodation discounts.
Working on Plan B (ie me upgrading my pass on the Saturday so I can get in with DH), we're working on a tentative park strategy. On Friday morning we have the 5k run, which starts at 5:30am. We will be in the last corral, so may not start until nearly an hour later than that. We will definitely be done by 7:30am. We plan to return to the hotel to have showers and change, then have a leisurely breakfast at DTD while waiting for DCA to open. When DCA opens, run in and get fastpasses for RSR. Then we can go back to the hotel for a nap or more down time if we need it, and come back later for a few hours at DCA including RSR and all the other stuff we missed on our last trip.
Saturday will be the 10k, which will also start at 5:30am. That will take a bit longer to be finished with. DH had a pretty good suggestion to make a reservation at Blue Bayou for an early lunch (it's the only dining he really wants to do), and use that as a post-run brunch. That will give us time to go back to the hotel to shower and change after the run, and leisurely make our way back across. We can enter DL a bit early, upgrade my pass, and pick up fastpasses for Indy on the way. The other great thing about that plan is that with an 11:30am reservation, we should be able to get a waterfront table. Then we can spend the afternoon (which I know will be crazy busy) doing fastpass or rides with shorter lines.
I have no idea what my parents will do yet. If they're only concerned about going into DL on Saturday, it will be better value for them to just get a 1 day 1 park pass for that day (especially since only one of us needs to have the pass to get the discounts). If they do decide to upgrade, they will have to wait until the Saturday too.
Thoughts?
And sorry this has turned out to be such a long post!
Even if it does mean missing out on Arizona 
we have already decided on Alice inspired running gear. Dad wanted me to add a reference to 'down under', so here's what I've come up with.
for no pain. Looks like you're well on track for the event.
Especially now we've used up all our FF points 
