Help! Unofficial guide and Oct. hours

[WonderBelle]

I'm bringing a newbie and have all my plans set. But I just checked out the unofficial guide. I'm scared! I have planned to be in each park on each day they say to avoid. The one day they say to avoid EP on monday oct. 10. We have priority seating at norway for lunch that day so we have to be in EP. I had planned to go to MK on Thurs. Oct. 13. they say avoid it. I thought it was good since the night before is EMH. Is the unofficial guide really that accurate? Should I rearrange my plans? I want my DF to have the best time. I usually don't plan but because it might be her only trip I've been planning like crazy, and now this. Okay, I'm babbling. Your thoughts please.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Just subscribing b/c I am really interesting in the replies. I was/am flipping out about the info I found for my trip when I discovered the Unoffical Guides predictions.

 

[magiroux]

I do know the UOG employs many people (for little or no cost) to do research, based on many factors, when they advise which park to avoid on any given day. It changes often, based on last minute specials, and are always taking into consideration past mistakes in their estimations.

 

[mommyoeo]

You still have time to check into Tour Guide Mike. Pay $20 and see what he has to say. He changes his info as Disney makes changes. In fact, his October plan is now different than it was a month ago due to extra things being planned at certain parks which make some days that were usually good now need to be avioded. His info is interesting and I like it because it reflects what is going on now, not last year when most books were published in advance! One of the 2005 guide books still lists 3 and 4 day hoppers and doesn't even mention MYW because it was printed so far in advance. Don't mean to get on a band wagon, but it couldn't hurt to join his site-- he'll refund your $20 if you are not pleased after your trip. Christy

 

[WonderBelle]

Thanks mommyoeo, I never plan so I never thought about tourguidemike before. I do hear lots of good things about it though. I might look into it. Any other experiences would be helpful too.

 

[engle]

I have spent the last 2 weeks worrying about the same thing!! DON'T!! It will spoil your trip. At this time of year, even a BAD day for a park shouldn't be that BAD. From all I have heard, it's dead right now.

 

[vatmark]

I would be worried. The 2nd 2 weeks of Oct. are suppose to be very crowded. Why do you think Disney has changed hours on parks to stay open later and added double spectromagic parades? They are expecting big crowds. Especially at the Columbus day weekend.

I would join TourguideMike. His info. is great and you will get a lot more out of your vacation and avoid the crowds.

Annie

 

[NancyIL]

Epcot is the park that can best accommodate large crowds, and I plan to be there on Columbus Day!

 

[WonderBelle]

Well, NancyIl I see you in Epcot! We'll be at the Princess lunch at 2:00pm if you walk by say "hi"

 

[HDJA]

Hey, guys! I've been absent from the DIS boards while we've been taking other vacations. Our WDW trip has snuck up on me and now I'm trying to refresh my memory from what I've researched and learn of new developments as well! Anyway, I am a novice when it comes to planning WDW trips-this will be our second trip that I've planned. I assumed October was getting crowded when my friend tried to make ressies and most everything was booked except the deluxe resorts! Plus, added hours at the parks! Yikes! We went to WDW the first week of October in 2002 and had the parks to ourselves! This year, we'll be there Oct. 3-9. Cast: Myself, DH, DD, and DS (his first trip!). So, here's my naive question: where do I find this "unofficial" guide that predicts which day is best to visit a certain park? Your help is appreciated! Thanks!

OK, here's my edit:
After a little more research, I realize you are talking about the book, which I've seen, but do not own. I was just wondering if the "unofficial" guide you are referring to was on the internet. So, would you mind sharing the days to avoid?

 

[joanb]

http://www.touringplans.com/
Try this for good and bad days.

 

[HaleyB]

I just looked at Touringplans.com

The last update (stated on the site) was Sept 15th. That means the EMH changes that happened this week are not factored in at all. There are four EMH changes in the first part of October! Yet another reason I am glad I found out about www.tourguidemike.com

He released a detailed best parks guide for Oct 4th-10th based on the new EMH changes. Being in the right park on the right day is the most important thing you can do to reduce your time in lines.

October is going to be very busy. Read what the people who are there now are posting, it is busy. Very busy.

 

[WonderBelle]

Thanks to all. I did get tourguidemike after all. So far I like it and it's help me ease my fears. He does say that if you have to be in Epcot on Oct 10. it's not that bad because it's so big. Here's my park days let me know what you think:

Sun. Oct 9- arrive, afternoon in MK for parades,spectro, and wishes
Mon. Oct 10- emh Epcot. let's see how long we last with 2 5year olds. Maybe till 9:00pm maybe not.
Tues. Oct 11- Mk do all rides, maybe Epcot at night
Wed. Oct 12-Mgm, maybe Mk at night Emh 9pm till 12
Thurs Oct 13-Ak maybe Epcot at night
Fri Oct.14- go home

 

[lentesta]

HaleyB, I think we have all the changes factored in. Is there something specific you think we missed?

Thanks,

Len

 

[Rileygirl]

Len

There are 4 deviations for the first part of October, and touringplans has only listed one.

One of the changes is that the MK has a EMH Morning on the Saturday over the columbus weekend, which you list as a green go park - but dont mention the fact that it has an EMH morning.

These emh switches are not showing up on the Disney official website (as of yet) but the switch occurred about a week ago, when the Oct hours changed for the second time. You can confirm the EMH switches by calling the CRO.

I believe that is what Haleyb was talking about. I hope this helps!
Cheers!

 

[henrylovespooh]

I don't think there's really a bad day to go to Epcot. People with kids don't go there much so it keeps the crowds down. I would go there any day.

 

[princessjv]

Len

There are 4 deviations for the first part of October, and touringplans has only listed one.

One of the changes is that the MK has a EMH Morning on the Saturday over the columbus weekend, which you list as a green go park - but dont mention the fact that it has an EMH morning.

These emh switches are not showing up on the Disney official website (as of yet) but the switch occurred about a week ago, when the Oct hours changed for the second time. You can confirm the EMH switches by calling the CRO.

I believe that is what Haleyb was talking about. I hope this helps!
Cheers!

Who do you call to get the most updated park hours and EMH?

 

[eeyore45]

I have been on the official Disney website spending a few hours on their calendar site, and I am so a planner!! In the end, I dont think it will matter a whole lot, but it is so very confusing...

For October eveing emh - they dont list how long the emh is...!! Very rude if you ask me!!

So for the first of Oct I see the Sat Oct 8 listed Wishes at 10 and Spectro parade at 11pm!

Will the resorts have the list when we get there?!

 

[MOMOFMNM]

from what I understand they do not need to list the hours because it is a standard 1 hr extra in the morning and three hours in the evenings I think...I don't know we are not going to EMH the days we are there, or the EMH parks for that reason...which I don't understand either beucause I have it planned to miss the parks by early entry and late nights so that I am never at the park at those times but MK is bad to do on a Thur but I do not care...nowhere I'd rather be on my 1st day of WDW...I am using touring plans from Len's book. Most everyones trip reports are saying crowds are light, restaurants are very full due to dining...

thur 9-29 MK
fri 9-30 EPCOT
sat 10-01 MGM
sun 10-02 AK or MK again??

these are my touring days...and I did not go with best days calender either, just by what I wanted to do!!

 

[lentesta]

Thanks Rileygirl! The Disney TA site didn't have anything on it, either. I'll call CRO, confirm, and get an update posted today. Oh, and if anyone wants to drop me a note the next time this happens, you'll have my undying love and respect: len@touringplans.com.

I do know the UOG employs many people (for little or no cost)

Employs many people? Yes. Little or no cost? I wish! ;-) Basic research in the parks costs the Guide many tens of thousands of dollars annually.

Speaking of which, we've had folks in the MK almost daily for the last couple of weeks. Peak wait times at the MK headliner attractions are running in the 30-minute range, with a single 40-minute observation this past Saturday.

I'm waiting to see what the hotel occupancy numbers were for the same time. If they're similar to last year's, I'm going to drop the crowd level estimates by 1, since our model seems to be running a bit high right now.

Hope this helps! Thanks again, Rileygirl.

Len