Long time lurker....................first time poster..............
I am an OCD Dad of 2 kids, daughter now 11 and son now 13.
Last trip to WD was Nov 2014 - I did all the planning so have experience with FPs, ADRs etc. Did a previous trip when the kids where even smaller in April.
Have always stayed offsite and never done Hopper tickets as kids where young.
First time planning with "set" days for tickets, and the shorter expiry windows. Have also never used Park Hopper tickets.
Looking at one more trip early January 2020 and also want to do Universal.
10 days (may add one to make it 11) with Hopper tickets, may add water park option (only Blizzard beach open) if I extend to 11 days, but not sure on the weather that time of year.
SGE will obviously be all new to us, as is Pandora. Kids are big Star Wars fans so will certainly want to spend lots of time there.
We are a rope drop family and schedule is designed to avoid EMH as we stay off site.
Here is the skeleton of the plan and appreciate feedback:
Arrive Jan 4th - land 9:30 am.
Stay at Universal Royal Pacific 2 nights Jan 4 and 5th - gets us Unlimted Express passes for the 4th, 5th and 6th. Likely buy 4 day park to park ticket
Campsite reservation Jan 6th at Fort Wilderness - gets us Magic Band and 60 day rolling FP access. (I know it is frowned upon but technically "legal")
Jan 7th - AK
Jan 8th - HS
Jan 9th - MK/EP - monorail
Jan 10th - Use last day at Universal before tickets expire
Jan 11th - HS/AK at night
Jan 12th - EP /MK - monorail
Jan 13th - HS + kid's choice
Jan 14th - early flight
In the past I needed difficult to get "character" ADRs. Have previously done CRT - dinner, Akershus - lunch etc.
Given the kids' ages now, I don't see this as a huge priority - unless I am missing something??? (already inside 180 day window).
ADRs that I do have "just in case":
BOG lunches on our MK days.
Yak and Yeti Lunch
Yak and Yeti Dinner (one will be cancelled)
SciFi Lunch
ADRs seem pretty easy to get at this point - unless there ones I am not aware of and may regret not having?
Appreciate any feedback.
Cheers.
Welcome, keep posting!
I agree with no need for crt or akershus.
I would also think only one bog lunch, not two.
I’d keep it on the day you start at Mk. This would feel less rushed trying to get there from EP.
Definitely keep SciFi. Your kids will love it. I loved it, too. Don’t expect to have much conversation during this meal, which I loved, as it allowed for a quieter, darker, relaxing break from the outside.
I can’t speak to Yak and Yeti, as I’ve only done the outside CS.
I think Sleepy Hollow CS in MK is lovely for a snack, if the Line isn’t too long- the Nutella fruit waffle is something my kids and I look forward to each visit.
Definitely heed Hiro’s comment re: no more rolling 60 days, that will factor into your fastpass selections.
You will love Universal!
With EP, still try to get to Kong early-ish, the lines get long later in the day, even EP. But I love the ride, and it has, in my opinion, great re-ride value.
I’d suggest skipping the fast and furious ride, unless you are a huge fan. The ride is a complete let down. The queue is probably fun for a fan, but it was very long, even with EP.
If you or your kids ride the rafting and/or log ride, my strong suggestion is to wear flip flops on that ride, not sneakers. If you don’t want to walk around wet, also a poncho perhaps. Put Everything in ziplocks in the middle on the raft ride, too. 80% chance of complete soaking on the raft ride, maybe less on the log ride. Raft ride is super fun though, so pack the flip flops and stuff everything (including your wallet!) in a ziplock in the middle. Now, the Jurassic ride, that’s really hit or miss on wet. I’d still suggest flip flops, but I went on with sneakers, took them off and put them under my shirt.
This may sound overkill, re: the rafting ride, but we learned our lesson the first time after having soaked sneakers.
Both my kids love both coasters. As an adult, I found Hulk amazing, and smooth. Rip ride rocket immediately gave me a headache, it’s super jostle-y, and I could only focus on how to try to hold myself still for the hurting to stop.
We really enjoyed sitting outside at Margaritaville at citywalk, very close to the walkway to RPR, it was nice to have a lemonade and appetizer after a busy morning, people watching and resting our feet.
We also split a frozen butter beer in one of the lands. Don’t miss Knockturn alley in Diagon!