Crowd Calendar Accuracy

[waffles77]

I am trying to determine which crowd calendar to use - touringplans.com or easywdw.com. For the time frame that we are going there is a HUGE discrepancy between the two. Literally, one site says DO NOT GO HERE, and the other one says its the BEST ONE TO VISIT. I don't know how to make my plans with so many differences. (I don't even understand how they can be so opposite). I almost feel like going to the middle of the road parks because at least I have a good idea of what I'll get. I don't want to follow one calendar and find I should have followed the other.

So...in an attempt to understand which one to follow, if you are in the park today, can you please tell us how the crowds are?

I'll only provide public information - as its not fair for the touring plans subscribers, but Touring Plans for today says Epcot is the best park, and Magic Kingdom is the worst. The crowd levels overall should be a 4.

Josh says the crowd levels are about a 5 and Magic Kingdom is the best bet and Epcot should be avoided (See what I mean about them being opposite?)

Thanks!

 

[wdwfan22]

I like easywdw. Josh explains why he picks parks for certain days. If you read his blogs also, he goes to the parks on his recommended and not recommeded days and shows you the difference.

 

[jaysmom4285]

I've always used touringplans and found them quite accurate. Nothing against easywdw - lots of people like that site as well. But you have to take some time to understand Touringplans recommendations. The difference between two parks if one is a 4 and one is a 5 will be negligible to non-existent, and that's quite evident if you take the time to read through the information on their site which shows what those numbers actually mean for wait times at attractions in those parks. Touringplans emphasizes that having a good touring plan for a park is five times more important than what day you go. And their "park to avoid" is based on the park with the highest rating for that day. If every other park is a 3 and MK is a 4, they will note MK as the park to avoid. And they are the first to emphasize that, when the crowd ratings are that low, it really doesn't make any difference which park you go to. But they have to pick one. So just use a little judgement and common sense. If the other parks are all a 3 and MK is a 9, then it will probably make a significant difference if you avoid MK that day. If your plans are such that it makes sense for you to go to a park on a day that is isn't recommended, don't be afraid to go anyway. Just look at the actual rating for the day and take your cue from that. If it's a 4, don't worry about it. If it's a 9 or 10, just know that it will be pretty crowded and you'll need to have a good plan of attack.