Follow plans in Unofficial Guide?

[Bbbethei]

Has anybody followed the plans in the Unofficial Guide to Disney? I'd like to know if those are effective or not. TIA!

 

[Bbbethei]

One more thing...how accurate is the crowd forecast? I thought I read somewhere else that Mondays were a bad day for MK but according to the book, Monday April 4th is a prime day for MK. Any thoughts?

 

[Micca]

I think you'll do great the the UG tour plans. They are very well researched.
The crowd level can vary from any forecast due to so many variables, but I would think the UG is as reliable as any.

 

[normmo]

We love the UG touring plans! Follow them and I promise that you will get to do and see everything that you want. We were always three jumps ahead of crowds and got to ride our favorite rides more than once. Besides - what do you have to lose except waiting in long lines?
Mo

The Unofficial Guide rocks!!

 

[Bbbethei]

Thanks for putting my mind at ease!

Any thoughts on doing MK on a Monday?

 

[JDarling]

I don't derive my plan from any 1 source. I read the Offical guide cover to cover, the Unofficial guide (skipping the Universal and non-disney sections) and usually one lesser known book by the Intrepid Traveler which I find VERY helpful (probably the most helpful).
I plan based on all that info. It seems more well rounded to me than relying on any one source.

 

[dizagain]

Hi! Definitely use the plans for the first half of you day for sure! By getting there early and using the plans you will really get more accomplished. We went to the MK on a Monday in early May in '03 and it was our least crowded time at MK and we popped in two more times...as the week progressed it appeared to be busier. I would follow the UG's advice.

Have a great trip!

 

[Catrin]

Oh wow.. what memories....

Back in April of 1990.. yes 15 yrs ago!.... my boyfriend (now DH) and I did those crazy tour plans from the unofficial guide (which back then was a THIN paperback!).
What a crazy week - but we loved it. We never waited in line at all! It required tons of walking and early mornings and late nights, but we had a blast.

I may do the MK one again this yr with our 10 yr old.
Catrin

 

[lentesta]

Hi folks,

Bbbethei, thanks for starting the thread.

Catrin, I think the latest batch of touring plans for parents are more relaxed than the early editions of the book. I've used my DD6 as a test subject for many of them, which has certainly helped.

Len

 

[ryley26]

len love the book we use the books plan as a guide and modify. We've never had much of a wait or problems when using the guide. We have every issue since 2001 in storage with note in it.

 

[conmama]

Boy, do I love reading this thread. I have my UG touring plans cut out and laminated to take with me. I hope it works really well, because I'm sick of people sayings, "oohhh, I can't believe you're going on springbreak. I have a friend that says you wait 2-3 hours for rides and you're lucky to get in 3 rides ina day" Ugh! I hate those comments.

 

[monica31671]

Who is the author of the UG? I have 3 books and none are the UG. If it's that great, I feel like I need it.

 

[ryley26]

Bob Sehlinger is the author but this is a group effort. The gentleman about four post up Len Testa is a major contributor. We used these plans on two spring break trips and have had little problems.

 

[Bbbethei]

Thanks to everybody for the input. It sounds like it would definitely be beneficial to follow that touring plans. We're bringing two boys, ages 9 and 10, and I'm pretty sure they'll be able to keep up with the fast pace. At least they'll sleep well at night!

 

[daannzzz]

On my first couple of trips to WDW I used a variation on the UG touring plans that I tailored specifically for us. Of course we were there in the beginning of May and the plans really weren't needed but we followed them fairly closely and it was nice to have a plan and not have some of those "indesicison problems" that can arise. But we also deviated from them when we felt like it. I had made lots of PS, at that time they were reservations and we ended up caneling a couple because we couldn't eat as much as I had planed! We also found that most of the places we had reservations we didn't really need them as they didn't appear very busy.

 

[Gale Thompson]

The UG states that the best days are for those parks without EMH. We are staying onsite and have the hopper option. Is it still best to avoid EMH days entirely or try to hop around in order to use the EMH option?

 

[conmama]

My understanding that it is okay to go to a park on EMH day ONLY if you get there and use the EMH. Then leave before noon and park hop somewhere else the remainder of the day.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

We've only been using the Unofficial Guide since 2003, but we love it! Planning our 5th and 6th trips with it now and we really have seen more WITH the book than during the previous who-knows-how-many trips WITHOUT it. I can remember in 1996 specifically walking around with my brother (then 9) and wondering, "What the heck should we go on next??" The UG plans eliminate that sort of confusion, which only serves to waste time. What I do is take the touring plan that most fits the activities we enjoy at each park, then tweak it a little bit. The touring plans aren't even my favorite part, either. It gives you enough information that you could really make your OWN touring plan, since you understand what each ride is (if you haven't visited before), operating hours, restrictions, restaurant menus/reviews, etc. I just got my new 2005 edition this morning from Amazon.com...woohoo! It's something like 30% off with free shipping if your order totals more than $25. Buy a Passporter as well and your life will be complete!

 

[debkorb1]

They work! I was in Disney from 27th June-11th July and I can say I didn't queue more than 15 minutes for anything. Usually less than ten.