Does anybody really pay attention to..

[averill94]

those guidebooks for days to visit certain parks?
Weve been to WDW and I am pretty sure I followed what the books (and this forum!) but the books seem to contradict each other.

Going Sep 30 - Oct 8 arriving on a Saturday and I thought Sunday would be to crazy for MK thought we should go there Mon or Tues -any advice for me?

Thank you very much

 

[wdwguide]

It really depends on how dedicated the authors are. When I maintained mine, I visited each park at least twice a month, all through the year, tracking wait times of the major attractions each hour and basing my recommendations on that. Others do more (like having local volunteers or even staff who track crowds for them), many less (doing major updates only once every few years). That's where the contradictions come from.

That said, I stopped going to WDW between summer 2004 and last week because I was unhappy with the way the company was being managed under Michael Eisner, so my own data are no longer accurate. The basic rules should still apply, but I am sure there are others who can give you better information.

 

[IndyDisneyFan]

Here is what we do: If we are staying on property, we take advantage of the early park and late park days. If we are not, we avoid the early/late parks and visit another park when it opens. We have found that those parks on those days are the busiest, as most people use the non-park hopping tickets which dictates where they visit. If you visit early, you can ride quite a bit before the parks pack out, which is usually by late morining during the busy season. You should have a bit of an advantage, as you are not going during a peak time. The parks will be less crowded than when the kids are out of school. I do read all of the books, and they do have a lot of good hints. But they are meant as a guide and traffic flow does change. If you use our hint you will be able to do a lot more. We visit several times a year, and it has worked great for us. Have a great time!

 

[arkansas mom]

Well, your dates are great crowd-wise.

I've found that Tour Guide Mike is right on the mark. He visits and updates frequently. I guess that's the advantage of having a website instead of printed material.

 

[sajetto]

We've used the Unofficial guide and from what we've seen its always been right on the mark.

 

[mjh8955]

We've used the unofficial guide as well, and like one of the previous posters, when we are onsite we take advantage of the early morning entries, etc. and when we are offsite we avoid going anywhere near a park that has extra magic hours that day. Last two trips that strategy worked like a charm.

 

[Pollito916]

Last year we went at the same time you are planning, and followed a combo of Tour Guide Mike and Birnbaum. Most of the trip, we never waited more than 10 minutes and had no crowds. Until F&W started. EPCOT was so packed on that first Saturday night, you could barely get around, and the waits at MGM the next day were pretty high too. We left the next day, but I would definitely go back at the same time of year. Now to talk DH into it!

 

[maddhatir]

I subscribed to TGM and built my whole vacation around his "low park crowd" days- this will be the first time i have ever used this kind of advice-- weve been there 10 times prior- thought- what the heck might as well give it a try!

hopefully he is right on the mark- by the sounds of other peoples statements- it seems he is!

 

[Snow Shoe]

When we first started going to WDW years ago, I did my research, online and touring/guide books, and came up with our own plans using everybodies else's information as to vistit what, when. Basicly customizing for our family what we wanted to experence, how and when as we gained experience visiting the world. As our children grew, our plans changed to the point now, the two adult children and their families go one direction, sometimes together or seperatly, our DD and her friend go another, and my wife and I go a totally differ direction. At night we all meet togethher for dinner somewhere in the world. We've learned over the years that all of the touring/guide books, and online groups are so-so to good, but taking what worked for us from each one was so much better. The one thing I learned is that no one plan is "ideal".

 

[byoung]

We find going to MK on sunday morning at opening to be great for the first 2 hours.

 

[dismom9761]

those guidebooks for days to visit certain parks?
Weve been to WDW and I am pretty sure I followed what the books (and this forum!) but the books seem to contradict each other.

Going Sep 30 - Oct 8 arriving on a Saturday and I thought Sunday would be to crazy for MK thought we should go there Mon or Tues -any advice for me?

Thank you very much

We are going Sep.30-Oct.8 also. I am going to follow TGM's suggestions and see what happens.That Sunday we will be going to MNSSHP.

 

[jann1033]

I don't cause lots of things vary through the yr. we always go to what ever park has am emh which is usually heresy in guidebooks cause it's off season when we go

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I use the Unofficial Guide and am very happy with it!

 

[XantheFan]

I am another Unofficial Guide user, and it was pretty accurate our last trip on the parks to visit. I went to their website and found a plan for Younger kids at each park. We customized it to what we wanted to do, and it was great. Our first 5 rides we either had no wait or waited less than 5 minutes.

 

[bazzanoid]

We're going sunday 1st - Sunday 15th October as well - we'll probably pass each others and not even know

last time we went we had no plan other than avoid the theme parks at the weekend, and we'll apply that this year too - since our dates straddle two weekends, i've only got to plan for two saturdays, one full sunday, and one half sunday - one of the weekend days we're doing Discovery Cove, one for shopping on I-Drive and the outlets, and the half-sunday for a last morning visit to one of the parks

And we'll definitely be avoiding the EMH parks....

 

[hollyb]

Are the value hotels included in being able to go an hour early and stay late?

 

[SammieG]

we used our own version prior to discovering Tour Guide Mike about 2 years ago.

Now we wont even set outside the door without consulting TGM.. he has revolutionised our park touring!

 

[Hopefully]

hollyb, Yes all Disney hotels are included in the Extra Magic Hours benefit, regardless of category. For morning EMH's each member of your party will be asked to show their resort ID to be admitted early. For EMH, sometime after 4 PM you obtain a wristband in the EMH park for that evening. Again you will be asked to show your resort ID to receive the wristband.

 

[hollyb]

Hopefully thank you!!! Just one more reason to stay onsite. I hope the kids won't be disapointed in not stay at Nick hotel. I think we will have enough to do with all the parks.

 

[traciedee]

WDWGUIDE-what are your best park touring tips based on your years of experience?