Are touring plans worth the money?

[tweetie]

This is our first time ever going to Disney and I know it is the most crowded, but I want to really have a great vaction, so I need a little advice. My husband, me and our two boys 13 and 15 are arriving on Friday, April 9 for 6 days and this is what I thought:

arrival day - should get to the hote at about 11:00 after our flight, thought we would check in, (hopefully our rm is ready) look around the hotel for awhile, order a big lunch, then off to MK (it's open til 11:00 that night.

2nd day - Epcot
3rd day - Animal Kingdom
4th day - day off, maybe a water park
5th day - MGM
6th day - Magic Kingdom

Any advice? Does this sound OK?

 

[snuggles]

Welcome to the Dis!
Your plan looks great and I think you can find all the info to make your own plans here on the Dis. Be sure you get to the parks as early as you can to get fast passes for the rides your boys (and you) will want to ride more than once. My girls always have to do Tower of Terror and RnR more than once so they grab a fast pass for later in the day too.

 

[tcfdick]

Are you doing the UPH pass that is good from the day you check in until midnight the day you check out? Do you have any PS's for restaurants? You probably won't need a whole day at AK (I have 11 yr. old DS and 18 yr. old DD that only like to hit the big rides there) and I would go to another park in the afternoon/evening on that day (maybe Epcot or MGM). Do you think your boys will like going to shows? There are two at AK that are great, The Lion King and Tarzan Rocks! There are some at MGM too, like IJSS and Voyage of the Little Mermaid, but my son does not like Beauty & the Beast that much. This park usually take us all day because we love Fantasmic. MK always takes us the longest, so leave yourself two full days here. Epcot is an entire day too. If you like fireworks, you'll want to see Illuminations that evening.
You may want to leave some leeway for rain, especially since you want to go to a water park. Both my kids love TL and BB. Maybe you could try one water park in the morning and the other in the afternoon on your day off. If you have UPH, you could go to DQ after a water park. My DS LOVES DQ and would stay there an entire day, well worth the extra $'s if you don't have it included in your tickets.
If you are staying in a WDW resort, you may want to take advantage of EE to the parks. If you aren't make sure you avoid those parks like the plague (large crowds)! A really easy way to remember the EE days is this:
MADE MAD
Sunday- Magic Kingdom (M)
Monday- Animal Kingdom (A)
Tuesday-Disney's MGM (D)
Wednesday-EPCOT (E)
Thursday-Magic Kingdom (M)
Friday-Animanl Kingdom (A)
Saturday-Disney MGM (D)

 

[JimmyMartin]

I have used them during busy times amd they work well especially the Unofficial Guidebook. But, as I always say, arrive early. Should not be a problem with the age of your kids. Take a leasure day in the middle of trip. Maybe Typhoon Lagoon or DisneyQuest. The guys will love it. go before lunch.

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

I used tourguidemikes sample guides to help me figure out my days (I found a promo code on disneydollarsless.com). I figure he knows what hes talking about since he is VIP guide.
I had it mostly figured out on my own from info on this site and other sources but I just needed that last bit of advise from a pro. I.E. Where to view parades, Which parts of the parks get busy when, Best days and evenings at which parks etc... What he says makes sense and I'll be trying it out in 11 days!!

 

[Atotty]

Tourguidemike.com is awesome. I can't say enough about his service. We used it last trip and didn't spend more than 15 mins in any line...and that was for Dumbos.

He breaks down the rides in each park into ride in the AM, ride in the afternoon, ride at PM or ride anytime. Has the days broken down into best park for AM and PM for each day...and why. Tells you where to sit for parades and when to get there. And also has sample itenaries that we followed that were great. Tells you go get FP for this and ride these things while you wait and then go back it'll be time for your FP and it worked...every time.

We went to spectro on Sat night (which he tells you not to do BTW but he tells you what to do if you decide not tot ake his advice) and people were lined up on Main Street 2 hours before. We went and rode things from the ride anytime list and then got a place where he said 30 mins before the parade...no one in front of us...no one behind us...it was great.

 

[Pixie glitter]

The touring plans printed in the back of the book, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World by Bob Sehlinger are excellent, and they're yours for the price of the book. (The book is also available at your public library). These plans will literally save you hours of waiting in line, and the book also offers great suggestions on where to view parades and Illuminations and so forth. I highly recommend you get the book!!

 

[QuickGold]

I think the custom plans are worth it for the busy times. If you're going off season or mid season, try the plans that come in the back of the Unofficial guide.

 

[tweetie]

I want to say thanks to everyone for the tips! I may try tour guide Mike.