Are touring plans really needed?

[twokids0204]

Ok, so this is going to be our first trip to Disneyland. We are flying to LAX on March 27 and will be in Anaheim until April 3. We have 4 day park hopper passes and are staying at a hotel about a mile from the park gates. We do not intend to rent a car, so we are limited to public transportation for anything that is not within walking distance.
That is the extent of my plan! After reading the responses on here, I am feeling very unprepared. What am I missing?
It will be me, my wife and a 9 year old daughter and a 4 year old son. I am open to suggestions, but would like to keep the trip as economical as possible (read cheap).

This forum here is WDW (Florida)....

Your question is best asked at the Disneyland Forum...

Click here, and post a question.

Oh, and to the DISboards.

 

[figmentgirl]

In days rated a 6 or higher, YES they are necessary. I am not a Type A personality and do not feel the touring plans rush my family or ruin any aspect of my trip. They help my family, and me to have a more leisurly vacation with low wait times.

 

[seadd67]

Where do you find show times?? It never even crossed my mind that I had to coordinate show times!! I have so much to learn!!

My self when we get to POP they have park schedules(in genreal)there at the front desk then I adjust It to thew shows that we want to see. Good luck have fun

 

[g-dad66]

We always know what attraction we're going to first, and then what attraction we're going to second, and then what attraction will probably be third, and then maybe a couple of possibilities for fourth.... And we know what Fast Passes we'll be getting first, and what ones second, and possibly what ones third, and who knows after that....

As the day progresses, things get looser and looser, because the uncontrollable factors (rain, rides that are temporarily down, sudden craving for a mango slushie, etc.) will snowball more and more.

One big advantage of having a plan for Rope Drop and the first 2 or 3 hours thereafter is minimizing arguments over what to do next and those exasperating, "Well, I don't know, what do you want to do next?" moments.

Also, you want to hit the big attractions early (or get Fast Passes for them), because the lines will be bad later in the day.

 

[ktlm]

We went that same week last year with our 3 year old. We were also there in December 2008 (not the 1st week) and May 2009. We plan the ADRs and the parks for the day, but that's it. We survive and we don't usually wait in long lines. We've been to WDW pre DD, so I knew most of what was there and where things were. The key is to get as much information on these boards as you can. Get to the park as close to rope drop as possible. Know what rides are the most popular and what to fast pass the minute you get in the park, such as TSM, Soarin, etc. Get a guide or go on WDW's website to know what attractions are there and have a loose idea of what you want to do. Getting park maps beforehand is also helpful so you know where things are. Just have an idea of what you want to do. We know on MK day, we will start off in Fantasyland- fast pass Peter Pan (DD's favorite) or if the line isn't too long there yet, fast pass Pooh. We know if we want to see the fairies or Ariel that day to try to get there before their lines open. It is a good idea to know showtimes, parade times, etc. before you go. Aside from timing some stuff to miss huge lines, get to ADRs or shows, or based on fast passes, we try to do all the attractions in an area before moving onto the next area to avoid wasting time running back and forth across the park. With little ones, you never know what they are going to like, or are going to want to do multiple times. I think you need some flexibility to let them enjoy themselves.

 

[Hookani]

So out of the three touring plans I heard of, which do you like the best.

Tour Guide Mike
Ridemax
Touringplans.com

Thanks,
Ho'okani