Finding the right touring plan

[Aliceacc]

I'm have subscriptions to both TGM and touringplans.com I've planned this trip obsessively, but I'm still hazy on exactly what to see when we get to each park.

Here's my problem: my family doesn't seem to fit any of the tidy little titles on the touring plan.

Let's take the Magic Kingdom as an example.

My 10 year old son can't wait for the big rides. If he were my only child, the first thing we would do would be hit Space Mountain, then hit the other big thrill rides.

My 8 year old probably needs to build up her courage before attempting something like Space Mountain though; I'm not sure she won't chicken out.

And of course my 5 year old is too short to even consider it.

I know we can split up, but I would like to spend SOME time touring together on this big family vacation.

Anyone with a similar family dynamic want to share what has worked for them in any or all of the parks???

 

[mom2ike]

Trying to decide the same thing here, and its just ds, dh and myself. Hoping for some tips.

Mainly I wanted to say have a magical, pixie dust filled trip! We will be leaving right on your heels for our first trip. I'm so excited I can hardly breath.

 

[Aliceacc]

Depending on the age of your son, take a look here: http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=16

Try each of the park links, then look at the free touring plans provided. Edit as necessary.

Thanks so much for the good wishes!

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

DH and I enjoy planning ahead---but actual moment to moment planning at each park we avoid.

We generally talk about what we "must do" on the way to the park and keep the list minimal.

Every time we walk into a park we find magical moments I would hate to miss....because we had to stick to the ..... plan. For example, I enjoy watching children with the characters. We already know the parade times and checkout if anything special is listed for that day at the park....but otherwise we just try to absorb the Magic.

Perhaps because we are lucky enough to go often....if we miss a ride this time....it will be there next time. Also, we are both in our 50's and our "commando" days are gone.


MVMCP is a PERFECT example. I LOVE the parade and fireworks. We schedule dinner and fill in everything else as we are inspired.

We limit ADR's to one a day...and not every day of our 10-day trip.


I remember the first time I took my DH (as my DBF) to the Wildie. We had planned to have lunch at "why do they call it WHISPERING Canyon" and had planned to take the launch to the MK for the afternoon/evening. He had never seen the Wildie before so we spent hours wandering around...checking out all the lovely corners of the main building and the DVC section. We had a drink at the pool bar.....and made it to the MK for the fireworks at 6 pm.

My suggestion is to not overdue the plannig - especially with children. Let them enjoy the ducks walking around outside Casey's while you have corn-dog nuggets.....enjoy THEIR magic too!

 

[Aliceacc]

I can see what you're saying, but I'm looking for some sort of a middle ground.

As of right now, I'm entering the Magic Kingdom saying.... "OK, what now??"

It's been 18 years since I was there, and that was long before kids entered the picture. This is my kids' first trip, and the only one on the horizon for quite some time. We're both teachers and this trip is quite a splurge.

So I guess I'm looking for some other family's touring plan that I can adapt, ahead of time &/or on the spur of the moment. I'm looking for that happy medium between "it's 10:38, time for Small World" and "all we did all day was stand in line."

Any suggestions??

 

[rainwatter]

I say choose the middle ground. I would start at Epcot, where there are some thrill rides but no giant coasters, to let the 8 year old build up to something bigger. Also, do some things at home to help get her ready in advance (or to find out in advance that she has NO interest in riding). Read ride descriptions in UG, watch Utube videos, read her posts from the DIS.

When you go to the park in the morning grab Fastpasses first thing for the big scarry coasters, and then ride something else. If you get fp's early, your return time should come up pretty quickly.

For the little one, my DD was 5 on our trip this summer, and she was able to do most of the rides, including splash mountain, BTMR, ToT, Dinosaur. The onlyl ones she was to short for were: Everest, RRC, and Space Mountain.... if your 5yo is up for it, you will be able to do some really intense rides as a great big family.

 

[rainwatter]

Also, it would take more effort (but can be alot of fun) if you make your own plan. Take all the different ones that could fit, and find the common denominatores. The UG also lists a "best time" for each ride just before the touring plans. Ask each of your kids (and yourself) which two rides that absolutely want to do without a doubt at each park, and make sure you include them.

 

[choirfarm]

I have a 13yo, 11yo and 6yo, so I know what you are saying. Here is my plan for MK. Now my boys (older ones) wouldn't mind some of the kiddie rides and my youngest is the most adventurous one ... It is an evening EMH day and the numbers are from the map my sil gave me (she just returned)

Rope Drop
Dumbo (26) Dh will head straight for Space Mountain to get our fast passes as he could care less about Dumbo and meet us back when we get off of Dumbo.Winnie the Pooh (29)
Peter Pan (20)
Snow White (24)
Mad Tea (30) I cannot ride this, so I am going to run and get fast passes for everyone at Splash Mountain while they ride this and meet them at Big Thunder.
Big Thunder (12)
Pirates (9) (There is a Pirate Show at 11:20)
Jungle Cruise(8) ???
Splash with Fast Pass (11)
Get FP for Buzz
Use FP to ride Space Mountain (if time, if not save it for return after lunch)
1pm Crystal Palace
Rest


Back between 5 and 6
Use fp to ride Buzz and/or Spce
Tomorrowland Transit
If time: Astro orbitor (if no line) and Goofy’s Barnstormer
6:55 Be at Hall of Presidents for 7pm show
When show finishes: Depending on how hungry eat at Sleepy Hollow (funnel cakes) or Columbia House (dinner)
Enjoy food as we walk/wait in Fantasyland between Dumbo and Winnie to watch Wishes
Wishes 8pm

EMH plan
Head straight to Philharmagic?? Or enjoy Dumbo and other attractions first then head to Philharmagic?
Haunted Mansion (17)
Magic Carpet (6)
Pirates again??(9)
Big Thunder (12)
Splash (11)
Take railroad to Toontown
Buzz as many times as possible
Space


I hope this helps.

Christine

 

[choirfarm]

I think the key will be to utilize the fast passes for thrill rides and then save them for later in the day..that way your middle one can work up the courage and your oldest still gets to ride the thrill rides. Now you may need to split up a little with the 5yo... do something while older ones ride (are there 2 adults?) Does this help... My older boys don't mind doing the Fantasyland rides.

Christine

 

[Aliceacc]

Thank you SO much Christine.. that's exactly what I'm looking for.

 

[rie'smom]

Alice, have you looked into RideMax?
It lets you put in 2 breaks-you can decide if it's lunch or an afternoon break or both. You just put the times of your break(s)in the plan options.
It also allows you to choose the rides and attractions that interest your family. It has everything listed. It does state times,like 10:39 you get FPs or something like that but we just follow the plan in order not by time.
The plan is based on the FP machines and how they operate.
Since I found Ride Max 2 years ago, I use it every trip. Under Tips and hints, he has a best day for each park,a second best, and park to avoid,etc.

 

[bless7ings]

Its nice to read your post. I have looked at all the samples and felt the same way and your confirming I would be just as confused and not much help. I get ideas, but the most info I get is from reading and asking questions on these boards!

I am in trying to do the planning for our trip on the 22nd of August. And I am trying to plan for 7 kids. Look at the ages in my signature. I agree with you I like to stay mainly together. It is supossed to be a "family" trip!

I don't think I could possible type all that I have learned and researched. Lets see if I can share some things and you can always ask more questions.

First I make a sheet with dates, morn, mid, night etc. Just go to www.mousemom.com (select "planning" then select "4 day itinerary") it works good for a worksheet. (I have a customized one I made, but this is quick)

Filling out the itinarary:

1. put in your dates
2. fill in your reservations for meals(cs come later unless you know already)
3. I fill in which park has the emh's for am and pm
Note: My personal exp. is go to early emh's they are worth it!!!!!! Then hop out after an early lunch(11-11:30) I usually do research about what is the best park for the day, but I think I am going to try the touring plans best and worst days for the remainder of the day.(well not always that easy, theres always other factors to consider(ie. birthdays, meal reservations, tours)
4. fill in best park and avoid park under notes
5. look at Disney calendar for special event schedule(ie. parades) fill this in. For example when we are going we can only choose between 2 Spectra Magic shows!
6. Then I start filling in the morning plan. I always go to early emh's so that dictates the morning park. I go to some of the late emh's so that may dictate the park for the evening.

Obviously step 6 is the hardest, but at least you now have a frame work and some factors that help decide!

Some other notes:

Before I can fill out that form I go to http://pscalculator.net/psreport and fill out my info to print out an Advanced Reservations Planning Report sheet. This is a report of all my meal reservations. It also prints out the Disney tele phone #'s.

We are a grand gathering, so I don't know if all cs reps have this info, but I have been able to ask when the show times are in DHS for my stay so I can plan my day for that park. Because we have younger kids and from tips on the board about avoiding the hottest part of the day and enjoying your resort and avoiding burnout and exhaustion we go back to our resort right after lunch and go back out after naps and the hottest part of the day! Everyone is refreshed and we hit a meal and then more parks! So with that schedule last time we saw the least of DHS because of show times. So this time I happened to mention this and my planner mentioned the times of Lights Motor Action (which is a must for my husband) and I realized there were only 3 times and they were in the part of the day we would be heading back to the resort. So I asked if she had the rest of the show times and I have planned an all dayer at DHS with no nap, so I had to be careful to plan that around late nights etc. Let me tell you all the little details I can plan now save time and energy and make our trip that much better.

Well I have to take a breather.(there was only 4 posts when I started this!!) Any questions?

 

[rt2dz]

I haven't read all the replies, but have you thought about using the UG/Touring Plans best times guide to fit in your must rides?

 

[lookslikefun]

I haven't read all the replies, but have you thought about using the UG/Touring Plans best times guide to fit in your must rides?

This is what I was thinking, and I know it was mentioned above. I have a ds(6) who is up for anything and everything ride wise. Then we have my dd(3.5) who isn't. I know my dh and I don't want to miss any rides, either.
So what I'm starting to do is use the notes from TGM on what times of day are good for which rides. I also printed out the TP touring plans and the touring plans that apply on TGM. I'll just pull from them to make my own (loose) touring plan. It's sort of how I did my Master's thesis.

 

[Aliceacc]

Well I have to take a breather.(there was only 4 posts when I started this!!) Any questions?

Wow... thanks to you and to all who have posted so far!

Probably the best piece of advice I've read in the last year came from TourGuideMike. He said, in essence, that it's simply not possible to do it all and see it all and still stay sane. So no one ride or attraction or show or meal should have the power to make or break your trip. If you have to miss a show at the studios because the kids need a nap, look at the big picture and see which will make for a happier family. If I miss Space Mountain because Kira is too small, well that's extra mommy-Kira time while the others are on Space Mountain. It makes incredible sense and has become my mantra.

So, yes, we're going back to the Poly EVERY day for a nap/swim. (KNowing my 3 water rats, it will be a swim.) On our HS day we're sleeping in and then going, since we're staying for Fantasmic that night.

So I have our park days planned, with dinner ADRs each night. It's just a matter of how to approach each park that I'm attempting to sort through today. (The math teacher in me loves order!)

 

[bless7ings]

So I have our park days planned, with dinner ADRs each night. It's just a matter of how to approach each park that I'm attempting to sort through today. (The math teacher in me loves order!)[/QUOTE]

I still have most of that to do! If you get it figured out, I would love your schedule to see if I can get any ideas!

btw We spend enough on the resorts, why not enjoy them! We are staying at the Beach Club.

 

[rt2dz]

If I miss Space Mountain because Kira is too small, well that's extra mommy-Kira time while the others are on Space Mountain.

Just a reminder, you don't need to miss Space Mountain, if you want to go on it. You just take advantage of Child Swap and your older child gets to ride twice in row! What a deal for the thrill seeking child.

 

[checkwriter]

Even though your 10-year-old thinks he only wants the big rides, once he gets to the MK he's likely to find that he likes a lot of the other attractions as well. And when he sees grown-ups as well as little kids queueing up for Peter Pan and Snow White, he's likely to change his tune. So I think that leaves you with taking care of the younger ones while he's off daredeviling, and I've seen some posts with some good ideas along those lines. Have fun!

 

[vicki_c]

As a TGM subscriber and a touringplans user, I think for what you are describing, the TGM site is actually a pretty good fit. TGM's tours work very well as posted, but in my opinion, the best thing about his site information is his approach of trying to teach you how to plan your own tour based on his experience in the parks.

Lots of TGMers use the "canned" tours, but probably just as many tweak them to better fit their family, their interests, etc. If you haven't already investigated the forums on that site, you might want to try that -- post a sample plan and explain what you think won't work for you -- or post a draft plan of your own and get some feedback.

There's definitely not just 1 tour that works for everyone -- that's why touringplans has a zillion variations.

 

[Tomh]

I'm going with a group of seven, including my DS4, DD13, and DD19. I know exactly the position you are in. The two youngest kids, as well as my cousin (also going with us, she's 50) have never been to Disney before. DD19 has seen and done just about everything there is at Disney. The wife and I were there 20 years ago (separately). What we decided to do was to stick to the rides and attractions that everyone can agree on. I know there are things that DD19 is going to miss which she would like to do. If we wind up with extra time, we'll try to get in some of those, but there is just so much to see and do that I figure we can fill our seven days with just the stuff we can all do together.

As for my plan, I bought the UOG, and started with their plan, then removed anything that we weren't going to do, and added things that we really wanted which weren't in the plan to begin with. I made most of my additions to the end of the plan, so that they wouldn't foul up the timing of the original plan.