Buy Custom Touring Plans?

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I am toying with the idea of buying custom touring plans. Has anyone else done this? Was it worth the money? Has anyone had custom plans for one trip and not another? Did you notice a difference? Are touring plans a better deal during peak times? We are going Jan. 12-15, and the crowd levels range from 3-5 on the updated Unofficial Guide site. Does it make sense to just follow the generic plans in the guide books and spend our money on something in the parks? Your thoughts, please!

 

[Mainebound]

This is not the info you were looking for, but at least I can help keep your post on top of the forum...

I do know that if you plan to arrive at the park at park opening, you can use the touring plans in the Unofficial Guide. If there are attractions you want to skip, you can just move to the next item in the plan. This has worked exceptionally well for us during our spring break (March) trips.

 

[jimmiej]

We are going Jan. 12-15, and the crowd levels range from 3-5 on the updated Unofficial Guide site. Does it make sense to just follow the generic plans in the guide books and spend our money on something in the parks? Your thoughts, please!

I would say save your money. If you show up early, you should be fine.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Thanks! Less expensive to buy the book than to order the custom plans, but I am still debating. I bought Birnbaum's before I found DIS and saw that most DISers prefer the UG. Decisions, decisions...

 

[mel64]

I would save my money on the custom touring plan. The crowds are going to be small in Jan. and the new EMHs are going to throw all of the numbers off. BTW I for one liked Birbaum's book. Have a great trip, I'm right behind you.

 

[Mainebound]

Thanks! Less expensive to buy the book than to order the custom plans, but I am still debating. I bought Birnbaum's before I found DIS and saw that most DISers prefer the UG. Decisions, decisions...

Obviously you are not yet fully Disney-fied (i.e. certifiably obsessed), because if you were, you would own several guidebooks, LOL!

I actually think the Unofficial Guide recommends (either in the text or on the touringplans.com website, with which it is connected, of course) AGAINST buying the plans unless you plan to tour in a way that radically deviates from the book suggestions (i.e. get there are park opening).

And I totally agree with mel64 that in January you should be fine no matter what you do. I have only been once in January and the parks were empty. Many DISers visit WDW in January for just that reason!

 

[lentesta]

Hi jackskellingtonsgirl,

Thanks for reading the Guide! If you plan to show up at park opening, you'll be fine using the plans in the book. If you're not arriving at the park for opening, drop me a line before purchasing custom plans, and I'll see what we can do.

Happy Holidays!

Len

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Thanks for your input!

The only day we won't be arriving at park opening is Wednesday. We have decided to do MK with EMH simply because we think it will be the lesser of the evils. Our plane doesn't get in until 10 AM, so by the time we get settled MK will be the only park open late enough to get a full day in. I think MK will just get worse as the weekend progresses since it is MLK weekend.

Len -
I will definitely let you know if I decide to go the custom route.

Happy holidays!