Does Touring Plans really help???

[WDWCPAlumni]

We do not plan ride to ride.
We go at off times.

Are the best/worst days really a big deal? on touringplans???

I know many of the tips
Sometimes I do take advantage of EMH am
Sometimes I go to where had EMH pm the night prior

Do the best days make a BIG difference??????

 

[Planogirl]

They can help a lot when it's crowded or when you're not experienced with the parks. We used the Unofficial Guide's touring plans when we first started going and we got a lot done. Now we just look for advice here and elsewhere when it comes to new things and don't bother with touring plans.

 

[mousemom11]

You don't have to be a member of touring plans to access the Crowd Calendar. It's free to see the next 30 days.

 

[jamstew]

I agree that it's extremely helpful if it's crowded and if you're unfamiliar with the parks. The order that they tell you to see the rides has always worked for us. I think I've only gone to a park that the guide says to avoid once or twice, and that was for early EMH. I love early EMH when it's hot, but you need to be able to hop out of it when it gets crowded.

 

[Nancyg56]

I like to have a general touring plan and I never travel during busy times. I do not plan ride to ride but I do like to know where I am starting and where I am heading throughout the day.

 

[Bete]

keeps you on track. It allows you to do your favorites. If you get everyone involved with the process ahead of time there's less time debating over it while you are there, etc. Also, it helps you not to backtrack as much which is a huge waste of time.

I have done it many ways through the years (over 30 years, now) and a plan is better.

 

[nhl66pens]

I definitely think it was useful. First, just because you make a plan doesn't mean you have to follow it like a bible. It just is good to have an idea of what you want to see at a park. Then, you can play it by ear as your day evolves. At the very least, it helps avoid traversing back and forth across the park making for less walking and more amusement time.

 

[quiltymom]

YES! We used them with some slight modifications for our trip two years ago, and we were absolutely amazed at just how much we were able to pack into one day, more than we did the previous trip when we thought we had planned enough. It is definitely worth every cent.

 

[KellyNY]

I do not use it. I use general rules, EMH, FP and so on, but I do not plan according to crowd levels. I go during late August or May, so crowds usually managable and we mostly go in afternoon to eat, catch some rides and watch shows. However I strongly suggest touring plans to anyone new to parks, it is so easy to get lost without a plan.

 

[dkbnyc]

do you just pick one of their 'stock' plans and go from there? for example, MK in 2 days, or MK commando style, MK with small kids, etc.
this is my first time at WDW, our trip is short, our kids are small. i want it to be fun and not a hassle.
thanks

 

[Rainkiss]

We went the first week of February, the crowds were very light, we had very little trouble doing everything without a touring plan. (We missed Toy Story, but that was about all.) It does help, however, to have a basic plan, even during slow times. Less time huddled around a map asking, "What do YOU want to do next," and more time riding.

 

[SuperTink]

We don't need ride-to-ride but we always use "Best Days."

 

[carolmp]

You don't have to be a member of touring plans to access the Crowd Calendar. It's free to see the next 30 days.

Where do I find the Crowd Calendar?

 

[WeLoveAriel0505]

I love touring plans..............here's the link to the crowd calendar

http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=14

 

[quiltymom]

do you just pick one of their 'stock' plans and go from there? for example, MK in 2 days, or MK commando style, MK with small kids, etc.
this is my first time at WDW, our trip is short, our kids are small. i want it to be fun and not a hassle.
thanks

Yes - to start. The beauty of the plans is that you can choose a stock plan, then customize it to your liking. If you don't like a particular ride, then you don't have to do it - you just go onto the next thing in the itinerary. Or if you see something not on the plan that you want to do - like a street performance or whatever - do it, then continue on with the next thing in the plan. Or you can choose one part of plan A and a part of plan B and put them together. You just have to remember: they're guidelines!

Seriously, though. Since this is your first time to WDW, something like the touring plans are perfect. WDW is a huge place, and it's easy to get overwhelmed. The plans give you literal direction and guide you along the way (this comes from a person with no sense of direction!). My family found them indespensable - they took the worry out of figuring out what to do.

And once you subscribe, you can always send them an email with any questions - they always respond to your inquiries.

Does this help at all?