Hey Len

[ValerieK]

When you go on your research trip could you get inforamtion about making prints or CD's from memory sticks to put in the new edition of the Unofficial Guide . I finally tracked down the info, but it took forever and I am still not sure how reliable it is. I know you guys have a photo section in there, it would be nice to include that information.

Love the book, don't do the touring plans, my husband isn't that type, but the book gave me lots of good info.

Have a great trip!

 

[lentesta]

Hey Valerie,

Sure, we'll check it out. Thanks for reading the Guide!

By "memory sticks" do you mean the electronic memory that goes into some digital cameras? And you want to know how to get photos and CDs from those?

Personally, I've always used the Photo Center at walmart.com. It's inexpensive and easy to navigate. My sis swears by snapfish.com. Either way, we upload the prints every night from WDW, and they're ready the day we get back. Very cool. Around $0.26 per print.

Let me know if this is the direction you're looking for.

Sincerely,

Len Testa

 

[forgetyourtroubles!]

Hi, Len,
At least once a week, it seems that someone posts "To do Extra Magic Hour or Not" and some always reply YES and some always reply with "go to the park that had EMH the day before." I was wondering if the Unofficial Guide troupe had actually tested the touring plans WITH EMG and also tested them on the park that had EMH the previous day. Any thoughts on how EMH effects touring plans?

 

[lentesta]

Hey forgetyourtroubles,

I think the plans generally assume you'll NOT be using EMH, as we usually don't recommend visiting the park that has EMH.

For some parks, the plans probably do work for both EMH and regular days with only very minor modification. I'm thinking specifically of Epcot and the Studios. I'd have to check the MK and AK plans to be sure.

In the MK, we've tested the touring plans (with minor variations) during EMH, and found that you'll save an extra hour in line using EMH. I think I've alluded to this a bunch of times on this board in various discussions on the benefits of EMH at each park.

That being said, we're in the process of developing some EMH-proof, holiday-proof, all-purpose, all-weather touring plans for the parks in the 2005 edition. Let me know if there's something specific you're looking for and I'll see what we can recommend.

Sincerely,

Len Testa

 

[HaleyB]

So are you saying EMH is a good idea for MK? It is way past my bedtime...

I would love to see EMH touring plans, and park hopping plans (or late start plans).

I would also love to see a plans that are more length of stay, instead of each park in issolation.
One based on a five day vacation and maybe one on seven park days over eight or more days.

I would also love to see data on wait times for food! This always seems so random to me, well, busy at meal times obviously, but sometimes one place will be horrible and 15 minutes later around the corner and it is fine...

 

[lentesta]

Hey HaleyB,

We're going to have a new section on park-hopping advice in the '05 edition. And we have all of you, in part, to thank for it. I'd mentioned to Bob last week that there seem to be four or five rules that govern when park hopping is worthwhile, and he really liked the idea. So that will form the basis for a new section in the '05 edition. We'll also have at least one two-parks-in-one-day plan in the '05 edition. Some DISers have already helped test it.

Unfortunately, we're limited to 800 pages (!) by the Guide's publishers, so there are lots of variations on the plans that we'd like to publish but can't. Free advice can always be found here, and customized plans are available for the truly tricky situations.

I think EMH in the Magic Kingdom is your best use of EMH if both of the following are true:

1) You arrive at the entrance to the MK prior to EMH starting.

2) You have a touring plan.

We have wait time measurements for food, but I'm not sure there's enough demand for it to warrant publishing. If lots of others feel differently, we may reconsider it.

Thanks!

Len

 

[Steffy]

Hi Len,

Will the 2005 edition with holiday touring plans be available for Christmas 2004???

 

[lentesta]

Hey Steffy,

Yes. The 2005 edition will probably go on sale in late September / early October.

Len

 

[Disney Debbie]

I think that's a great idea to have plans for a 5 day or multi day stay that includes park hopping. We almost always park hop!

We also have our own version of "Dumbo or Die in a Day" except for adults! We (DD, mom and I) did all the major rides at all 4 parks plus some shows and time to eat at Prime Time and France in 2 days over spring break a couple of years ago!

I know there's so many options - and so little room to fit it in!

 

[forgetyourtroubles!]

Yea! Thanks, Len! A park hopping plan is GREAT! We like to use the plans but it always seems that when the park seems crowded and it is stressful to follow the plan, we park hop and then we pick up another plan halfway thru at the other park. EVERY time we've hopped, we've found the place we hopped TO less crowded than the place we hopped FROM. We always go in medium or low crowds, so there's always someplace that is not crowded. Hopefully the new guide will be ready for our Oct. trip!

 

[HaleyB]

Thanks Len!

 

[dizagain]

O.K. - just a big "Thank You" for all your wonderful advice! Can't wait to get the '05 book so our second trip will seem "REAL". Thanks!

 

[KIS]

forgetyourtroubles,

Why do you think it works that way? (I've yet to go and have been arranging plans)

KIS

 

[Steffy]

Thanks Len,

I'm going to WDW this Christmas, and I've been stressing the crowds. We are staying Poly CL just so I can make sure we'll have a dinner ps for Christmas day!!!

There will be 7 in my party of 10 that have never been to WDW and I've convinced them we will have a great time. With 2 toddlers....

I must be nuts....

But as soon as the ink is dry, I will have the UG for 2005 in my hot little hand!!!