Anyone follow the "Unofficial Guide?"

[schmoopypoo]

I was just wondering if anyone has followed the UG and stuck to its suggested touring plans and its "crowd level calendar", which says which parks are best to go to for any given day and which parks to avoid on those days?

I bought the book and have found it extremely helpful for some things. But I just wanted to specifically know about those two above mentioned details because it has been a while since we have been to Disney. I'm sure once we get there we will end up going "commando" but you never know (maybe we'll actually stick to a plan ) And I thought it was interesting that I found on the UG's website that it tells you which parks are best to go to for certain days.

So if anyone has followed it and took that advice, I would love to hear the outcome so I know whether or not how well I should follow it.

Thanks guys

 

[dvcmbr94]

I have read and used the Unofficial Guide's concepts for years but never actually followed one of their touring plans to the letter.

Our last trip in May consisted of me, DH and DS16, all veterns. DH brother's family was joining us for 4 days and none of them had ever been to WDW. Their family consisted of DH's brother and wife and two DD 11 and 9. I wanted them to experience all 4 major parks and the night time shows without exhausting them. DBIL had major surgery last year and still requires an afternoon nap so we had to fit that in each day. I used Tour Guide Mike to determine which parks we were doing each day and the order of the attractions. It worked wonderfully and I highly recommend it. Even after 20 trips, I was amazed at how much we accomplished in such a short time without running everyone ragged. Definitely worth the money.

Ann

 

[JRawkSteady]

The UG is a GREAT book, especially if you want more information on resorts, attractions, and dining. In terms of touring plans, I tend not to use theirs for the simple fact that I know what attractions to go to early and what to wait until later in the day. I would definitely recommend the book for the information because it's LOADED with it (I think there's too much on the other Orlando parks however, but I'll keep that to myself for now, hehe)

 

[Kimberly815]

I have read the Unofficial Guide and though it has a ton of great information.

The only actual touring plan I have followed is the One Day Adult Touring of the Magic Kingdom. It worked like a charm for us! We didn't wait longer than 10 minutes for anything all day. We did have to deviate every now an then, but mostly due to the fact that it was raining that day!

 

[skippyman111]

I read the crowd calendar for every visit. You have to keep in mind that this crowd level is for the 3 "biggie" rides - Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain (for MK).

However, even for those, the crowd level that he states is usually a bit high. For example, the week after labor day last year, he states it was a 5 - which is 30-45 minute waits (i think). We walked on to every ride with no more than a 5 minute wait.

As far as the touring plans go, I have not followed any of them.

Good Luck !

 

[Vannah]

My mom recently purchased that book when I pointed it out to her while in a book store at the mall, I read through it and found it had tons of great info in it.

 

[Devil_Dog99]

DW and I followed the pans last year for the first time the week before Christmas and they were wonderful! We were able to do so much more. Not that we were Disney idiots, we were always 'well, we've been there before so we know what we like' and we end up missing stuff because that line is too long, that show is not timed right, etc. For something different, we decided to 'surrender' to the plans and they worked like a charm. We were done with the first day of the MK by 2:00 pm - and we got to the park 30 minutes after open.

They work.

 

[sticker231]

The book has alot of great info, but the touring plan is not for us. I have three little kids (5/4/3) and our plans are totally dictated by their moods. DW and I do get on a ride or two ourselves, but we have to remember it is a family vacation!

 

[Yellow_Stitch]

We've used the touring plans and they were awesome-especially the Dumbo or die in a day. Of course if it's a slow day in January you don't need a plan, but for a hot crowded day in August...use a plan!

 

[schmoopypoo]

wow, thanks to everyone who has posted. It looks like we might follow the touring plans after all, but you never know until you get down there. I read that whole book in like a week and this was last month. and our trip isn't until november so it looks like i'll have to reread LOL

anyways, thanks again

 

[Tam1067]

We just used them in July, and the MK, Epcot, and MGM ones worked great. Unfortunately, AK was so enormously crowded (even on one of UG's recommended days) that we could hardly navigate the narrow pathways and ended up missing several attractions on the plan. But for the other 3 parks, I highly recommend UG.

 

[yanners]

YES! YES! YES! And I didn't wait for more than 5 minutes anywhere! They work like a charm.

My only problem was that there were some rides we went too but didn't really like. Next time we will leave them out of the plan but that isn't the books fault. It gave us everything and next time we will amend it to meet our likes!

 

[jobie61]

Love the book, but have never used the touring plans.

I also found the crowd levels not to be acurate. According to the book, the crowd level for the last week of august is a 6 or 7, but i found the parks quite empty when we went last year.

 

[Yellow_Stitch]

Go to www.touringplans.com for more accurate up to date crowd predictions. It's the UG's website.