Yay! Someone who can count! 
I agree that VC isnāt really a super necessary early entry ride. I actually think itās much, much better in the dark.
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But then what is EE good for?
Hagrids (though this is also arguably better in the darkā¦ itās got longer lines at night than VC so youāll wait for it then, unless you want to get in line after the castle show and just do it last). Also just generally being in Hogsmeade with smaller crowds, because 99% of the people there during EE are there for Hagrids so the streets tend to be less congested and you can take pictures and stuff.
I guess the same could be said for other picture-worthy areas as well.
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Attracting most people to Hagridās. You zig when they zag.
I would consider rope dropping USF from the main entrance and being one of the first into an empty Diagon Alley. You can also count on Gringottās running and being a walk-on at park opening.
On the other hand, when RDāing IOA, you canāt count on Hagridās running immediately at EPA time. About a 1 in 3 chance it will have a delay. Plus even most off-siters will be drawn to Hagridās first, which will leave attractions like The Mummy with low morning waits.
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So not using EE at all?
Yes for one of your days, I would strongly consider.
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Hereās my thinking about Day 1.
EPA (Iāll get the acronym right this time) to IOA and head straight to VC. The reason? Itās the very first ride of our trip. Itāll blow them away. The line wonāt be long. And the theming is great. Then maybe a sneaky look at the Castle, before breakfast at HRC followed by regular entry to USO and off to Diagon Alley. (Possibly via F&F, which Anthony had specifically requested.)
Thatās a lot of walking.
Alternative plan. EPA ā IOA ā VC as before. Abandon my logical sequence obsession. Head to Castle for FJ then breakfast at 3B. Then get in line for Hagrid. Long line gives stomachs time to settle. And thereās stuff to look at. Then Hogsmeade exploring. Then HE to Diagon Alley.
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I personally like your alternate plan. It really shows off Universal/HP and is much more efficient!
Iāve been to a couple of HRCs over the years and the āmythology ā is always better than the food or service. We werenāt even tempted by the Orlando one. Of course, I say that and we have been to some (London 2x, Chicago and CityWalk LA). If this is the only time you are ever going to have a chance to go to one 
Then maybe it would fit where a time suck isnāt as wasteful to your day?
It maybe to goofy for your party but we love the grinchmas breakfast at IOA-
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Yeah, my original plan was nuts. I got a bit overexcited. New plan works much better, I think.
The others have never been to one and they are cool inside. Iām trying to make it work for breakfast as there arenāt many good options. Weāll have one breakfast at Three Broomsticks and one at the hotel on the day we check out.
Would totally have been up for that but it was booked up. We are doing the holiday tour instead, which includes some Grinch action.
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Is that what you guys are going to call it?
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Well Paul does have quite a widely encompassing sexuality.
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Love Grinchmas-
Thought Iād share this here. Jon really covers everything. Definitely consider the risk/reward with heading to Hagridās first.
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Thatās good data.
My current plan is to aim for VC, then FJ, then breakfast at 3B, then Hagrid, then HE to DA.
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Risk \ reward indeed. Roped dropped IOA last week to near perfection and went straight to Hagridās, but unfortunately it had a delay. It did not start running until about 9:35 AM (let in the gate at 7:50ish). Sounds like this is somewhat common, so beware.
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Matt, is this current plan Day 2?
That first set of plans is way out of date. It was dumb and has been abandoned.
The new plan is Day 1, which is a heavily WWOHP-focussed day.
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Universal app says Hagrids only opens at 12:00?? Is that so??