How long did you have to wait for MCM?
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Im still waiting for the fireworks. There are gonna be fireworks right? They were practicing them before it opened but since they started doing previews I’ve seen/heard nothing.
Wait for MCM was about 60 min. It’s just a boring line and the ride itself felt very short to us. For the fountain show, you can just grab a seat about 10-15 minutes before the start. I’d suggest sitting on the side opposite of Helos because the hotel lights are synched with the show.
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Great tip!
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And now it’s $141 (plus tax). The first rate I booked was $232 (at SN).
I think this is my last chance to rebook. You have to give five days notice.
The savings from all this checking and rebooking has now paid for my XP.
This is actually the lowest rate on property. SN is $209. It’s even cheaper than Endless Summer.
The Disney All-Star resorts are $204.
I’m thrilled with the TL rate. In round figures accommodation and park entry are costing me $300 a day. (Plus another $300 for one day of XP.) (And $1,000 a day on food and merch, obviously.)
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I went down a rabbit hole on a site where they record measurements of forces on rollercoasters. What I found was: green has 3 more seconds of airtime (about 10% more) and a smidge higher g-forces. That’s in the back row which is most intense. So they are pretty close, but not quite. But your experience will vary depending on what row you are on, with the back row experiencing much higher g-forces.
Stardust gets a lot of the higher experienced g-forces by going from negative g’s (air time) to positive g’s, your body registers the difference.
IIRC (and I lost my bookmark to the site) it definitely gives Velocicoaster a run for its money, with Stardust having more airtime and Velcicoaster having a longer period where you experience g-forces.
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Watched the Bride of Frankenstein yesterday. Again, I found it unintentionally funny because of its stereotyping of women and British people, and the incredibly camp performances. I did enjoy the elegant language, though. And the production values had improved enormously even in the four years since Frankenstein.
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Given the unreliability of the attractions and unpredictability of bad weather (and limited options in Epic when there is bad weather) I don’t think it makes sense to have a touring plan for Epic.
I do think it makes sense to have a strategy and that should be based on priorities. It’s easier to start with low priorities.
Darkmoor
While the two rides are both priorities, the restaurants are not. Darkmoor is Paul’s priority in December, so I will have plenty of time to explore it then. This is helpful because there are lots of places to eat, but only limited time for me to eat at them. Something has to get cut.
Berk
While the Toothless M&G looks adorable the lines are long and miserable and you don’t know which face character you’re going to get. For me, anyone other than Hiccup would be a huge disappointment. And, at the end of the day, Toothless is not actually real. If I want to get gooey feelings with Toothless I can buy a plushie. And watch other people’s interactions.
I would like to try DRR, but the line is miserable, waits can be long, and it is only a flat ride. I’ll be satisfied just to admire how pretty it is, unless I catch a lucky break and the line is 15 minutes somehow.
While I did enjoy Bilge-Rat Barges at IOA, it required special planning as you get absolutely drenched. I don’t know that I can be bothered with Fyre Drill. And the line can be long and miserable.
By implication everything else at Epic is a priority. But some are greater than others.
Celestial Park
Obviously SDR is a must-ride. And probably multiple times. I have an XP on Day 1 (and have given myself permission to buy another one for Day 2 if the value is obvious during Day 1). SDR is open during the bonus 9-10pm hour, and riding at night seems like a must-do: lines haven’t been crazy at this time.
The Carrousel is cute and recommended at night. I obviously want to take a look at it, and it seems to be fun to ride, but I may need to skip it. Though I have my XP. I want to see the fountain show at 9pm. Then maybe XP the Carrousel and hopefully have enough time to get in line for SDR before 10pm?
I’d like to visit both Pizza Moon and Oak and Star.
I have an ADR for Atlantic on Day 2. I chose 8.30pm because it looks better at night, but this locks me out of other nighttime activities, leaving only Day 1 for these. In a world with a three-park hopper, multiple nighttime visits to Epic would be my strategy because the park is at its best in the dark. As it is, I have to make choices. I could skip Atlantic on the day and rebook for lunch on my last day. Edit: As I wrote this I booked a second ADR for departure day lunch. Either to replace a cancelled dinner the night before, or as a second visit: the reviews are really great and it will be a nice place to escape the heat.
Potter
Almost everything here is a must-do. My plan for BATM is to get in line if I see rain in the near forecast or during the hottest part of the day. I’ve read reports that the wait is often not as long as the published time and, even if it is, the line is worth waiting in. Well, at least the first time. I actually wouldn’t want to get through it quickly. I want to take it in.
Café Sirène is essential dining. My plan is to avoid peak hours. I’m not interested in Le Gobelet Noir or Bar Moonshine.
Buying a wand at Cosme Acajor (specifically, and not any general merchandise location) and playing with it are essential. As is the Cirque.
SNW
My XP will deal with Yoshi and Bowser: I believe you don’t miss too much of the insanely long line for the latter. MCM feels like a must-do, but I don’t know how I will do it. I am not going to rope-drop it. Well, not on Day 1. Maybe Day 2. I think it’s a matter of keeping an eye on the wait time. The Bubbly Barrell is essential. Playing with a Power-Up band is a priority, one level below essential.
Berk
Hiccup is essential. Multiple times. The waits are often not crazy. And I will have an XP. The PB&J cone is essential. I want to visit Mead Hall, possibly as just a refuge from the sun or the rain.
Darkmoor
As I’ve said, I’m going to be all about the two rides. Monsters should be an easy re-ride, especially with SR. Werewolf is unreliable and can have long lines. I’ll have my XP for at least one ride. I would quite like to do the Bride M&G, as well as the Invisible Man and Ygor. If they’re there, I’ll do them. If not, then never mind. There’s always December.
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More importantly, you can adopt your very own dragon - and have an adoption ceremony…and carry it around your neck in its egg.
It gets dark much earlier in December…which will allow for more nighttime adventures, especially as Darkmoor at night will be an important visit with Paul.
We missed the instructions, somehow, by bypassing the actual line. They filled us in when we looked terribly confused getting in our ride vehicle. Still had to climb a trillion stairs. This walkthrough vid is a good one, that shows you what you will miss: https://youtu.be/ks9DCQiOCz0
Single rider here is helpful after you use your XP! (I don’t think it is worth multiple rides, but that’s my opinion)
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At the third attempt (the first two were some time ago) I made it through the first Fantastic Beasts movie. Which leaves me Grindlewald for the flight. I’m also taking Order of the Phoenix for some MOM refreshing. And HTTYD 2. I’m going to be fully prepared! (I also bought — they came as a set with the other Universal horror movies — The Mummy, Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Wolf Man and Phantom of the Opera, but these seem less essential.)
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If it’s at all helpful to know, I considered donkey Kong to be similar to a wild mouse roller coaster. I thought it was just ok but we did rope drop it and it was delayed. Definitely not worth the 2 hrs (waiting for early entry then the delay at early entry) but it was cute. I wonder if that one would look better at night, too?
Thinking of you today. 
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There were tears last night but feeling better today. Have just taken Calvin for a long walk with some sausage and bacon treats. Vet arrives in two and a half hours.
Have checked-in online for tomorrow’s flight.
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Feel as sad as you need to, but also celebrate years of companionship and love. 
You and Calvin were lucky to find each other.
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I think that this sounds like an amazing final meal, person or pet. 
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So, I have news. It’s important to remember that we support each other on this site.
Lines at Epic have been long. And I so I bought an XP for one of my days. Even then, MCM and BATM don’t have XP lines. I would love to have gone on a VIP tour but they are sold out for all of June and July.
But for funsies I’ve been checking for cancellations from time to time. Always to no avail.
(You know where this is going right?)
Until today. They had availability. For Friday.
So I booked it. It felt like a sign. Maybe a gift from the heavens (anyone buying this?) or Calvin’s last “thank you” to me.
I gotta admit. I’m really excited about it. It’s a four hour tour that pretty much guarantees MCM and BATM. And front of line to other primo attractions. And it converts to an XP after the tour.
My XP is for Friday. I assume UOR guest services will either refund it or move it to Saturday. If I’m a good boy I will get it refunded. (The word “if” is doing a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence.)
Also: yay.
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It looks like all signs were saying it was meant to be.
Thinking of you and your pup right now.
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The vet’s on his way. Calvin and I are snuggling on the sofa. I am trying to keep my shit together.
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It’s okay if you don’t keep it together too. We won’t tell anyone.
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Sending hugs your way. I’m actually crying for/with you right now as I’m sitting at the car dealership having the oil changed in my car. 
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