Anyone used tourinplans.com before?

[kimberlyp02]

I am debating using Touringplans.com. I love having our whole trip planned before we go. It's only $6.95, so no biggie, just wondering it if was worth it or not. Their sample plans were pretty neat and I liked that I would be able to print one out and work around it. Thanks!

 

[Disneyaunt4]

We used touringplans when we went in March,worked great for us. Will be using it again when we go in October. I printed the plans out put them in clear plastic folders and used velcro to attach them to the stroller. Worked like a charm.

 

[missmun52]

Would like to know also

 

[StephSalyer]

I am debating using Touringplans.com. I love having our whole trip planned before we go. It's only $6.95, so no biggie, just wondering it if was worth it or not. Their sample plans were pretty neat and I liked that I would be able to print one out and work around it. Thanks!

I have used it twice during peak times (once at Christmas '05 and again in March of this year). It worked great!! In March we were there on a level 8 day and we rode everything and had a couple of hours to spare. As a matter of fact, we are going for our family reunion this upcoming week-end and I just printed 2 plans for our family. One is for the group with small children and the other is for the group with teen-agers. We have had great success so far. It was the best $6.95 I have spent.

If you join, be sure to check out the grid that shows you what time of day to avoid what attractions. This proved to be very helpful.

Have a great trip!!

 

[kimberlyp02]

Great!! Going to subscribe now!!

 

[StephSalyer]

As a matter of fact, we are going for our family reunion this upcoming week-end and I just printed 2 plans for our family. One is for the group with small children and the other is for the group with teen-agers. We have had great success so far. It was the best $6.95 I have spent.

Just used this for a group of 15 on Monday (6/26/06). Worked like a charm!!!! We saw everything, met the characters, and never waited more than 20 minutes for anything. The plan was right on!!! The plan we used kept us ahead of the crowds all day.

 

[Glendamax]

I also have question for those who have used the touring plans.

Last year I used the chart for which parks to avoid, and I went to the most popular attractions first to avoid long lines. The problem with doing the later however, was that it involved TONS of walking and zig-zagging. For instance, at EPCOT I went to (in order) Soarin, Mission Space, Test Track, Soarin FP, then lunch at The Land. With how they are spaced apart, we were worn out by the time we ate lunch, even though we had met our goal.

So please let me know if the plan ran you ragged even though you were able to do anything. Thanx!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

we also use this its a great value and works

 

[StephSalyer]

I also have question for those who have used the touring plans.

Last year I used the chart for which parks to avoid, and I went to the most popular attractions first to avoid long lines. The problem with doing the later however, was that it involved TONS of walking and zig-zagging. For instance, at EPCOT I went to (in order) Soarin, Mission Space, Test Track, Soarin FP, then lunch at The Land. With how they are spaced apart, we were worn out by the time we ate lunch, even though we had met our goal.

So please let me know if the plan ran you ragged even though you were able to do anything. Thanx!

The plan I used on Monday was for MK and yes, it did run you back and forth. However, MK is a very small park and the plan had us use the train to get back and forth to different sections. The way I look at it is you are on your feet whether you are walking or standing in line. So, I would rather see more than less with the same amount of time on my feet. Now let me tell you that if you are looking for a relaxed, shoping the shops, eat at table service restaurants kind of day then the plan I used would be a disaster for you. I was with my family of 16 and our goal was to do as much as we could.

By 11:15 am we had seen the park opening show (9am) and rode the following; Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, Stitch, Winnie the Pooh, Snow White, Peter Pan, its a small world, and Haunted Mansion. We had 8 adults, 2 17 year olds, a 14 year old, an 11 year old, a 7 year old, 2 5 year olds, and a 2 year old.

Hope that helps.

 

[Williamsfamily7]

Is it still worth it (yes, I know it's only $6.95) even if you don't plan on being at the parks at opening? I think the members of my family (2 teenagers included) really don't want to get up at the crack of dawn each day. Do you think it's possible to successfully use the plans if you're going to the park later in the day? Anyone done this? We're going the 3rd week of August - Free dining, but hopefully lots of kids are already back in school.

 

[punkin]

Is it still worth it (yes, I know it's only $6.95) even if you don't plan on being at the parks at opening? I think the members of my family (2 teenagers included) really don't want to get up at the crack of dawn each day. Do you think it's possible to successfully use the plans if you're going to the park later in the day? Anyone done this? We're going the 3rd week of August - Free dining, but hopefully lots of kids are already back in school.

There are actually plans that allow you to get to the parks at 11 and some plans that are for afternoons. I think it is a great value for $6.95.

 

[Glendamax]

STEPHSALYER Thanks for your response! Good to know that I did do my touring plan correctly. I thought since I was running around alot that I was doing something wrong. I guess I better suck it up, and stick with the plan!

 

[StephSalyer]

STEPHSALYER Thanks for your response! Good to know that I did do my touring plan correctly. I thought since I was running around alot that I was doing something wrong. I guess I better suck it up, and stick with the plan!

You are welcome!! Glad I could help. Just remember this, its YOUR vacation. So do what your family will enjoy. If your family likes to take thier time and have a relaxing day then this is what you should do. We get to go several times a year (one of the great perks of living in FL ) and sometimes we run like mad to see everything and sometimes we may only see a coople of attractions and just soak up the atmosphere. That's my favorite thing abaout WDW, its a great day either way.

Have a great trip!!

 

[disneyde]

just signed up last night looks really cool I like the maps and corresponding number to attraction in order you should go and the where statistically everyone will be in the park.

 

[pperfectmom]

Is it worth paying for the plans if you are going at a slower time and will have several days in the MK? I already have the "Unofficial Guide..." and will follow some of their advice on avoiding long lines. Thanks.

 

[Tam1067]

I love the touring plans website and the UG. I used the plans on our last trip (in July) and we were amazed at how quickly and easily we got through the bottlenecks in MK. We're doing it again for our July trip. I bought the UG 2006 but also subscribed to the website because it's got so much updated information, and I prefer to print out the touring plans on paper instead of carrying around the actual book itself. I can't stress enough how helpful and right on they are.

 

[mousermerf]

The website is essentially an add-on to the book.

The book can be used effectively, and tends to have more "pulp" in reviews and other information and tidbits.

The website moreso has a focus on the touring plans themselves and keeping everything up to date. It has revised Best Days calendars as information comes out, alterations to park plans because of changes in attraction popularity and new additions, and so on.

A book benefits from being comprehensive but can become outdated, while a website is more streamlined and is up-to-the-minute.

And lots of people do ask "If I have the book, why should I pay for the website?" and so it's in our FAQ:

I Bought the Book - Why Do I Have to Pay to Subscribe? Didn't I already give these guys money once? We had the same question for iTunes after realizing we'd bought every Van Halen album on vinyl, cassette, CD. For our site, it boils down to this: Money to run this website comes from the book's author(s) and staff, not the publisher. And the cost of running this website is far more than most of us make from the book. Without subscriptions, there would be no website.

 

[sameyeyam]

I purchased it for our trip last April. Was really excited, made copies for everyone, used them first day in Epcot. I love walking, but that was getting ridiculous!

Also, it kept splitting up our party. Told us to go to Soarin, while 1 person went & got fast passes for Test Track. Well what's that 1 person supposed to do, miss going on Soarin or get dirty looks when they come back to get in line with us and cut ahead of everyone else??

We used it a little bit at MK the next day and then that night we ceremoniously dumped them into the waste basket (per my children's request)! As DD(14) put it - "Mom we're on vacation, I don't want a schedule". DS(7) - "I'm tired of all this walking back & forth, can't we just have fun?".

Now I do think their crowd level calendar is good, but you don't have to pay to get that.

Next time I will save the $6.95 and buy myself a Dole Whip instead!

Our new strategy worked better - get to parks before they open, ride tons of popular rides when they aren't very busy. Eat lunch & go back to hotel for swim/rest in afternoon when it starts getting hot & crowded. Come back to parks in evening and have late dinner (9pm), walk around and look for lines on rides that are 10 minutes or less! End result, we spend very little time in lines, have a relaxing refreshing afternoon, and then a cooler relaxing evening at the parks.

 

[tricia]

Is Touringplans.com better or not as good as, or about the same as Tour Guide Mike?

Any opinions welcome.

 

[mousermerf]

I purchased it for our trip last April. Was really excited, made copies for everyone, used them first day in Epcot. I love walking, but that was getting ridiculous!

Also, it kept splitting up our party. Told us to go to Soarin, while 1 person went & got fast passes for Test Track. Well what's that 1 person supposed to do, miss going on Soarin or get dirty looks when they come back to get in line with us and cut ahead of everyone else??

We used it a little bit at MK the next day and then that night we ceremoniously dumped them into the waste basket (per my children's request)! As DD(14) put it - "Mom we're on vacation, I don't want a schedule". DS(7) - "I'm tired of all this walking back & forth, can't we just have fun?".

It looks like you used the basic plan for Adults at Epcot. Fo your party, I would of recommended the Tween plan which doesn't seperate the group. Adult plans assume, well, adults. The idea is to send a person to go get a FP and then to regroup, rather than everyone having to make the trek. The family plans avoid seperating the group.