How critical to use TouringPlans with low attendance?

[neeka27]

We are going in a few weeks where the crowd calendar numbers are between 1-4. How critical is using the TouringPlans? Just for the first couple steps? Till a certain time in the day? Should you still crisscross the park to follow the plan?

Trying to still be smart with our time since we will only have 1 day in each park but don't want to be neurotic and make my family walk twice as far when it really doesn't matter that much? Thank you!

 

[dizzyinwdw]

I thought I read on the TP site that a plan was pretty much suggested for crowd levels above 4. However, I am not sure how lack of FP-/FP+ will affect touring. I would think if you got there early you would be fine with crowd levels of 1-4. Maybe make a few FP+ if you want for the afternoons or evening. Have fun!

 

[rustyanchor]

We are going in a few weeks where the crowd calendar numbers are between 1-4. How critical is using the TouringPlans? Just for the first couple steps? Till a certain time in the day? Should you still crisscross the park to follow the plan?

Trying to still be smart with our time since we will only have 1 day in each park but don't want to be neurotic and make my family walk twice as far when it really doesn't matter that much? Thank you!

We always visit during times that have these sort of crowd levels, and while touring plans are helpful, I don't think they're necessary. I look up and customize touring plans because I like the planning and because it's a good outlet for my excitement leading up to our trip, but I usually end up following them very loosely or not at all once we're actually at the parks. I do think it probably is a good idea to follow the general touring plan advice of arriving early and visiting the popular attractions first, having lunch and taking it easy during the afternoon, using FP+ for the afternoon/early evening, and then visiting faves again later at night when the crowds are dying down.

 

[mom2cgj]

We always visit during times that have these sort of crowd levels, and while touring plans are helpful, I don't think they're necessary. I look up and customize touring plans because I like the planning and because it's a good outlet for my excitement leading up to our trip, but I usually end up following them very loosely or not at all once we're actually at the parks. I do think it probably is a good idea to follow the general touring plan advice of arriving early and visiting the popular attractions first, having lunch and taking it easy during the afternoon, using FP+ for the afternoon/early evening, and then visiting faves again later at night when the crowds are dying down.

I completely agree with this! We went last year about the same time you will be there and the crowds were in the 1-3 range. I made touring plans, because it was fun and got me excited for my trip...I fully admit I may have a bit of over-planner's disease! When we got there, I had the basic plan in my head (start here, work in this direction, try to be at lunch about this time, etc). But not be here at this time, here at this time, etc. We were there before FP+, obviously, but we also only used FP- once or twice...total. Crowds were just that low! So, maybe get a general idea of your plan, but don't stress about sticking to it. Have a great trip!!

 

[rwdavis2]

We only go at low crowd times so I generally pick which park each day, do the headliners early or with FP, then do the less popular stuff. I've never done a plan where I go to specific rides in order. We've rarely wait more than 20 minutes for anything and I won't get in line over 30 and we rarely if ever miss something.

 

[JennyDrake]

We only go at low crowd times so I generally pick which park each day, do the headliners early or with FP, then do the less popular stuff. I've never done a plan where I go to specific rides in order. We've rarely wait more than 20 minutes for anything and I won't get in line over 30 and we rarely if ever miss something.

DITTO!!! Though I also go in August, which is moderate crowds, still RD, plan a park and no touring plans.

 

[Zandra]

I went about mid March last year and used the plans on 4-6 days very loosely. Even then we went off of how much we wanted to walk, if we were there and saw that the wait time was low, etc. The longest we waited was in the one hour zone for rides like TOT and RnRC

 

[MikeRx]

As others suggested, you need a plan, but not a prescribed attraction-by-attraction plan such as Touring Plans. Rope drop and headliners in the morning and afternoon FP+ is a great plan.

An additional planning tip: Don't use your FP+’s during the first two hours of opening as these are the golden hours with the lowest crowds and shortest waits.


Mike
Mike DW DS (5 ) DMIL

First visit 1976, Pre-2010 too many off sites to remember, WDW 2/2010 BC CL, Disneyland GC 12/2010, WDW 4/2012 POLY TPV, WDW 7/2012 (off site), WDW 12/12 POP, 4/2013 POLY with Disney Dream cruise, 10/2013 DLR, 12/2013 POP, 3/14 BCR

 

[Mordinar]

I will be there February 7 and don't think a day to day touring plan is needed just a general order of what parks to visit on a specific day.

 

[Silock]

They can save you some time even with low crowds. Just depends on how early you want to be done with your day.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

We are going in a few weeks where the crowd calendar numbers are between 1-4. How critical is using the TouringPlans? Just for the first couple steps? Till a certain time in the day? Should you still crisscross the park to follow the plan?

Trying to still be smart with our time since we will only have 1 day in each park but don't want to be neurotic and make my family walk twice as far when it really doesn't matter that much? Thank you!

Skip touring plans, use easywdw.com's most recommended park, arrive reasonably early in the morning (say no later than 1/2 hour after park open) and you should be fine. If you arrive at rope drop you should be able to ride all the major attractions within the first 3 hours.

 

[Krissy562]

It's always fun to have this done ahead of time, but don't necessarily share it with the rest of your group. It's simply fun to "walk on" rides as opposed to waiting for 5-10 minutes but if you don't get a kick out of that, don't bother. Keep in mind that the biggest headliners will ALWAYS have some wait - even on a 2-3 day. I don't know that I'd necessarily be crisscrossing the park for the difference between a 5 minute and a 15 minute wait tho.
In the earlier trips, DH and DD never had any idea that I had their days planned out in advance, but I always had a "suggestion" ready when they inevitably turned to me and said "where should we go next?". I absolutely HATE the map circle.

 

[rwdavis2]

It's always fun to have this done ahead of time, but don't necessarily share it with the rest of your group. It's simply fun to "walk on" rides as opposed to waiting for 5-10 minutes but if you don't get a kick out of that, don't bother. Keep in mind that the biggest headliners will ALWAYS have some wait - even on a 2-3 day. I don't know that I'd necessarily be crisscrossing the park for the difference between a 5 minute and a 15 minute wait tho.
In the earlier trips, DH and DD never had any idea that I had their days planned out in advance, but I always had a "suggestion" ready when they inevitably turned to me and said "where should we go next?". I absolutely HATE the map circle.

Great idea. Having something ready to go is something I'll use for the next time. Heck, even just being aware of where you are and what's nearby without having to study the map is a huge advantage.

 

[redhotariel]

I always try go to in with some type of plan, but most of the times I end up going astray. The best idea really is to hit your major attractions first, because as it was said before they almost always have a line regardless, then after I do those I just make the circle. In MK, I will try to stick to all the adventureland rides, then move to Liberty Square, and Frontierland and do all of those rides together. And then go back at the end of the day and re-ride the favorites!