sql server replication scripting

Hey everyone,

I have a nasty replication scenario in my test and QA environment that I am trying to deal with.

I have a database replication scenario that goes like this. production_db get replicated (transactional) through a dedicated distributor to a reporting_db. I have to cleanly push a backup of the production database to the QA environment for app validation and still keep the replication scenario intact.

I am looking for the cleanest way to ensure this works. Here are my ideas.

IDEA 1
script the pubs and subs ( create and del )
drop pubs and subs on both servers from scripts
restore production db on both servers
recreate pubs and subs from scripts
restart replication

IDEA 2
script pubs on publisher
restore production database on publisher
snapshot changes to subscriber
restart transactional replication

Any input would be helpful,

THX