2 of our people only had OI admission. We checked in early at IoA on Saturday then went over to US and they just got in the OI admission line. I’m sure there’s a way to get to the admission line without going through the check-in line at IoA, you’d just have to ask because that’s all blocked off on that side.
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Today, I got in line on IoA side at 2:30. They started processing maybe 15 minutes early, and I had tickets in hand and on my way by 2:52.
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Dying to hear how it went!
We had a great time! Do you want the short version or the long version? Short version is that during exclusive hours, literally everything except Hagrid’s was a walk-on, but still ran out of time to do everything in one night. Some of that was just accommodating everyone’s preferences. Rode Hagrid’s with a 30-minute wait (posted 45) at 11:00pm. (Shortest posted time I saw was 35 minutes around 10:30.) We did not pace ourselves well on snacks and food—kids were suckers for the food carts. But ate at Thunder Falls, Louie’s, and Finnegans, and snacked our hearts (or stomachs) out, including lots of Florean Fortescue’s ice cream, butterbeer, and other HP drinks. Restaurants I stepped in were set up cafeteria or buffet (Finnegan’s) style and lines were manageable for the most part—we avoided HP restaurants and I wanted to try Fire Eaters and Circus McGurkus, but the lines were too long for our plans when passed by, so didn’t get to (and didn’t get a chance to backtrack to Wimpy’s either).
Here’s the long version:
After checking in we immediately went to Cowfish and used the food cards. One thing I didn’t account for was a long line to get into the parks prior to the 5:00 entry time. I assumed we’d be using the regular gates with our ticket media, but they were holding the OI people in separate line. So when showed up around 4:50, IoA line was backed up over bridge to Margaritaville. They eventually split line to take some over to main gates instead of separate line on far left, and we made it in maybe 5:10ish.
We were staying at HRH, so had EP for the overlapping public time. Rode Hulk and Spider-Man, and then my DD8 couldn’t stand it anymore and insisted we go do VC—she was finally tall enough to ride and couldn’t wait for another couple hours. I wanted to do Grinchmas show at 600 but was overruled by the fam (no one else really wanted to see shows) so VC it was. Line was about 30 minutes long (posted 45). Big hit with DD8–she was so pleased with herself. Her three older brothers had already ridden it before. Motion-sensitive DW had done it before and I was surprised she did it again. She says it doesn’t make her feel sick, just like she’s going to die. 
Then did Forbidden Journey with EP—didn’t really need since posted time was 10 minutes and was basically walk on (DW doesn’t do that one anymore. Last time, she came off looking green) and Hippogriff.
At this point I convinced everyone to give the last Grinchmas show a shot, so hustled over for final 7:00 show. Showed up around 645, but show had already reached capacity. D’oh! Did Seussland stuff until 7:00 rolled around, and park closing to regular day folk. My boys (10 and twin 13s) were excited to do free play arcade for a little and I wanted to eat at Thunder Falls when food started so we started another lap of IoA. After arcade, saw that some nearby carts had started doing treats, so we got rolling on snacks—ice cream, churros, skull pizza, hot dogs (one of few things picky daughter will eat), etc. It was hard to convince the kids to pace themselves!
Made it to Thunder Falls and sat and ate through sampling of all options. Then VC (2x), butterbeer, HExp, Gringotts, Florean Fortescue’s (at 930, took 10 minutes), butterbeer and other drinks. Then MiB, Mummy, Louie’s, Finnegan’s, RRR (2x-no line so asked to stay on), walking path back to IoA for Hagrid’s (30 minute wait), VC, Seuss train, Doom, and arcade.
We all left happy, full, exhausted, and thinking this was a magical (if pricey) way to do the parks. and that we wish we had two nights instead of just the one!
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We’ve done 2 nights both times, mostly because we knew we didn’t want to worry about missing out. Having the second night to catch all the things that fell through the first night is very nice.
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Turns out the 95% refund is for day tickets only, not meet up tickets. They offered me credit towards a future event, so I took that. Fingers crossed I can bring my friend to the November event! Otherwise I’ll take my husband. I’ve got the alerts set up so I should be able to buy those tickets and book a room as soon as they start selling!
In any case me and my local friend are going to have a great time Saturday! I think I’ve got a pretty solid plan. We are team lighthouse which works well with my plan to queue for Hagrid at 7pm. Hoping we can do Hippogriff and Forbidden Journey after that and grab some fish n chips and hot butterbeer.
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Sounds like you had a great time! Expensive yes but compared to tickets with express pass…
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Did ANYONE get their Ptreanodon Fliers lottery announcement email today as scheduled?
I saw in another thread that it’s been closed since Sunday. Just wanted to see if I was unlucky or if none of us might not get to go on it! 
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Nothing in my inbox about pteranodon flyers
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I got the boring welcome email, so we definitely didn’t get it 
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Nope
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The headlines say “closed indefinitely” 
Hopefully just clickbait 
for you guys
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I’ve texted the customer service number and sent an email. I’ll update with any response
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Is it just a wristband or is there a ticket too? Does the wristband have a bar code that works for lockers?
Trying to figure out if lanyards are helpful, and I thought it was discussed in this thread, but I couldn’t find it.
There’s a paper ticket with barcode for park entry that can be used for lockers. Wristbands are used for proving credentials for rides and food. TMs may ask to see wristbands if they’re covered up. I ended up wearing a lanyard the whole night mainly out of force of habit, but it wasn’t particularly necessary. Only used it for a couple ride lockers. Could’ve just kept the paper ticket in my pocket.
I texted and they said tickets were distributed for Dec 10, so I didn’t get it. Bummer!
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I am definitely going to request “priority” lottery position or something for February! What a bummer! At least I know now. Thanks @bebe80
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I’ll likely arrive at Adventura about noon on Friday. Any tips/tricks for getting a room earlier than 4pm? I know I can leave my luggage with them and go to citywalk or the pool, I just like to get settled.