headed down in 2 weeks, crowd calendar ? and FP ?

[mjc2003]

We are headed to BCV in 2 weeks, arriving 3/25 and staying until 4/2.

I subscribe to Touring Plans and they have crowds with a lot of 5's and 6's, a few 7's. However, some of the other sites have that period as solid 8-9's. I can reconcile a 1 point variance, but when one calls it a 5 and one a 9, how does that happen? Not that it ultimately matters b/c we are going anyway, but I am trying to plan FP's for certain days. We want to do parks mostly in the morning, and then some F&G grazing in the afternoons after some pool time (weather permitting).
So any historical precedent for which crowd calendar is most accurate? Either way, it's amazing the amount of work that goes into them.

Last time we went they were experimenting with the new FP/MB system. Now that it's live, are there still FP's available in the parks? My kids love Soarin and Test Track, but I can't schedule for both the same day? Is there a way to get additional FP's in the parks or is it just 3 per day and that's it?

 

[Msmithmd]

I find easywdw to be far and away the most accurate crowd level and preferred park predictor. The fact that it's free doesn't hurt either. This in my opinion is a situation where paying for something (touring plans) gets you an inferior product to the free one.

Fast pass as you knew it is gone. Fast pass plus is all that remains. It would be to your advantage to schedule before you travel, if only to avoid waiting in lines at the in-park kiosks to schedule the same day.

Same day scheduling can be done, however for peak demand rides like TSMM, time slots may fill very early.

If you park hop, I'd strongly recommend you schedule FP+ in the afternoon or evening at your second park, and arrive rope drop for your first park to do standby.

Have a great trip!

 

[Mousewerks]

I think knowing what the "Crowd Calendar" at each purveyor is measuring is very important to this discussion.

For instance at easywdw, the crowd level measures: "In other words, the overall crowd level estimation will give you an idea of how many people are in the entire Disney World complex, including the four major theme parks, water parks, Downtown Disney, golf courses, resorts, etc."

Over at touringplans, their crowd level refers to how long you'll have to wait in line. In other words, comparing the two is apples vs oranges.