How much do you trust TP's optimized plans?

[bwbuddy5]

I think it works great, but you have to follow the steps it recommends: choose your desired attractions, choose your meal time and location, choose your rest time and duration. Have it generate the plan, but the next step is to click Evaluate. After that, it gives you a list of FastPass recommendations in the order it thinks you should seek them. Once you've done that and slotted your FastPasses appropriately, then click Optimize. You can still drag the attractions up or down to see how the wait times change. I know people don't like to criss cross the park, but if your goal is to squeeze in as many attractions as possible, you almost have to. And, always remember that sometimes pooh just happens, if a line ends up too long, skip it, move it down your plan, and carry on. Even the canned plans recommend that.

 

[soniam]

Absolutely. However, I am not an automaton, so if things aren't working, I make a decision to change the plan. Mostly, things work out, but rides can break down, there's weather, etc. I have just used it for too many trips to not be convert. We use it at Universal and Disneyland too.

 

[ArielSRL]

I love TP for various reasons (making the plans helps pass me time, helps me with scheduling times for FP, gives me a good idea of what I can accomplish) but I prefer evaluate not optimize, as others have suggested. I also use it as more a guideline than a set in stone schedule.

I love that @lentesta is very responsive to inquiries, and is available to give tips here on the Dis, like he did in this post.

 

[AZMermaid]

Ariel- I think you actually cracked the code! You put the Welcome show into your plan which started your rides earlier. I did the same and now it has me at Pan at 9:05 instead of 9:15- still with a 25 min wait which I hope to be in front of.... but that is an improvement. I am going to add the welcome show to my other days- even if we don't watch, the times should start earlier.

 

[ArielSRL]

Ariel- I think you actually cracked the code! You put the Welcome show into your plan which started your rides earlier. I did the same and now it has me at Pan at 9:05 instead of 9:15- still with a 25 min wait which I hope to be in front of.... but that is an improvement. I am going to add the welcome show to my other days- even if we don't watch, the times should start earlier.

And FYI you can put the Main Street QS on your plan also...for as early as 8am. I'm not sure if that will help with your situation but it might.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just wanted to jump in here, Len, and thank you and your team at your shop for all the very valuable assists you give to everyone. Lots of it free, and so much more for a really nominal fee, so worthwhile all of it. .

 

[cigar95]

Ariel- I think you actually cracked the code! You put the Welcome show into your plan which started your rides earlier. I did the same and now it has me at Pan at 9:05 instead of 9:15- still with a 25 min wait which I hope to be in front of.... but that is an improvement. I am going to add the welcome show to my other days- even if we don't watch, the times should start earlier.

There's a way around having that 25 minute wait skew your plan, since going immediately at rope drop can usually give a much shorter wait - I often create fictitious fast passes in my plans for my first attraction of the day. That may end up being too optimistic, so I may have to offset it a little by starting my plan a few minutes after official opening.
Experiment with the toy, friends - it's free, and it won't judge you!