Is the "Evaluate" feature on Touring Plans a waste of time?

[mbh106]

Our 60 day FP+ window opens in a couple of days for our trip. I've spent days on Touring Plans customizing our itineraries and using the "evaluate" feature to decide the best times for our FP+. However, I'm starting to worry that I'm making a big mistake relying on their calculations for wait times since it doesn't seem like the website is up to date. For example, I see at HS that Streets of America is still listed as an attraction that may be scheduled, as well as Olaf's Summer Cool Down and Frozen Royal Welcome, with show times and everything. I thought those performances were only during summer 2015. I may be wrong, but I hadn't heard those were returning. I don't mean any disrespect to Touring Plans, and I have subscribed for several of our trips in the past. I just want to make sure my custom plans are actually doable. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[jvattes]

I don't think it's useless. I do think that some of the recent developments at WDW - specifically MK (such as the early morning magic) are throwing their calculations a real curve ball. I'm more concerned about discontinued attractions still being listed. I would email Len and ask him about this.

All that being said, you should still have a reasonable idea of what your FPP should be (and Streets, Olaf, and Frozen shouldn't be any of them anyway) so I would choose based on that. As you get closer you'll want to evaluate again anyway -- as data is collected and crowd information changes the times will too, becoming more precise the closer you are.

Good luck!

 

[mbh106]

I don't think it's useless. I do think that some of the recent developments at WDW - specifically MK (such as the early morning magic) are throwing their calculations a real curve ball. I'm more concerned about discontinued attractions still being listed. I would email Len and ask him about this.

All that being said, you should still have a reasonable idea of what your FPP should be (and Streets, Olaf, and Frozen shouldn't be any of them anyway) so I would choose based on that. As you get closer you'll want to evaluate again anyway -- as data is collected and crowd information changes the times will too, becoming more precise the closer you are.

Good luck!

Yes, my concern was mostly with discontinued attractions still being listed, and if that was an indication that the entire system isn't regularly updated and therefore wasn't accurate as far as wait times and such. We do know which FPs we will be using, but I was relying on the predicted wait times for other attractions and shows to determine the best times to schedule those FPs. I'll make sure to evaluate again as we get closer, as you suggested.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

I found it to be pretty accurate for our trip, amazingly so. I do know that they update the site. The checkbox that has optimize use the fast pass times you enter is a brand new in the last few weeks after discussions here about what would make the site more user friendly. @lentesta is around the forums. I'm sure he will answer your questions.

With the new checkbox, you should also be able to use optimize later and during touring as well as evaluate.

 

[BlueFairy]

In March it was quite accurate. I used Evaluate (Never optimized) to compare with Easywdw's plans, and for the most part the predictions matched where Josh said we would end up. Once we're in the parks, the TP seems to be just a "guide" and we don't stick to it so much. But when we hadn't deviated, our TP was pretty accurate.

I think they add attractions to the database with regularity. I'm not sure removing those extinct attractions would really affect the evaluation of your TP anyway.

 

[Araminta18]

Yea, it was more accurate than I expected--our first day in the MK we did the early magic hours and every wait time was exactly what Touring Plans predicted, almost spookily so. It's a really good guide to plan your trip, even if you don't stick to it (we didn't, especially int he later part of the day, but it was super helpful for planning).

 

[Mainemama]

I have had success, as well. I usually optimize and then adjust the few attractions I prefer in a different order. Then I evaluate those. Beginning with morning times, it usually matches very closely. I pay less attention as the day wears on.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would email Len and ask him

Len is extremely responsive to questions. Shoot him an email and he will get back to you.

 

[senadler]

I have many more issues with "optimize" than evaluate. I usually put everything in, use optimize once, and then reorder how I think it makes sense. From then on I only use evaluate. In my experience it gives you a pretty good estimate of wait times and ride times for your plan.

 

[mbh106]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. As many of you suggested, I have only been using the evaluate feature since I like to order the attractions based on location. I feel much more comfortable now knowing how accurate it has been for so many of you. Since we haven't been to the parks in 4 years, there's many new things we want to experience. I have our first few days pretty packed without much free time, but I have lower priority attractions scattered throughout that I can eliminate and save for another day if we ever fall behind. Since we're visiting each park at least twice I'm hoping do as much as we can early on and have that last few days be more relaxed and spontaneous.

 

[lentesta]

Our 60 day FP+ window opens in a couple of days for our trip. I've spent days on Touring Plans customizing our itineraries and using the "evaluate" feature to decide the best times for our FP+. However, I'm starting to worry that I'm making a big mistake relying on their calculations for wait times since it doesn't seem like the website is up to date. For example, I see at HS that Streets of America is still listed as an attraction that may be scheduled, as well as Olaf's Summer Cool Down and Frozen Royal Welcome, with show times and everything. I thought those performances were only during summer 2015. I may be wrong, but I hadn't heard those were returning. I don't mean any disrespect to Touring Plans, and I have subscribed for several of our trips in the past. I just want to make sure my custom plans are actually doable. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Ah, sorry about that. I'm updating the DHS plans this week, including the standard template ones. Was supposed to do it last week, but I'm running late with a book update. Thanks for using the site!

 

[mbh106]

Ah, sorry about that. I'm updating the DHS plans this week, including the standard template ones. Was supposed to do it last week, but I'm running late with a book update. Thanks for using the site!

I understand, especially with all of the changes lately. I have always found the site and app to be extremely helpful and have already found many ADRs I wanted for this trip using the reservation finder. I just wanted to make sure the wait times were still accurate with all the changes. Sounds like they are!

 

[soniam]

Had no problems in March, even at DHS. I use optimize, and if needed rejigger and use evaluate. Most of the things you listed are not really attractions. I wouldn't be concerned about those being in there. I know that their wait times are updated frequently. I usually start my plans before 180 days. As I get closer, I reoptimize/re-evaluate. The times almost always change, especially if I have waited a month or two before I redo. I saw a significant change at MK, for instance. All of the wait times increased from when I created the plan, which is what everyone was reporting. They actually have people going to the parks and tracking wait times in addition to using the reported times from Disney. You can either just ignore what they have and do your own thing, or trust in the force and be extremely happy I have never been disappointed in my WDW plans. We have used them for 4 trips now.

 

[hiroMYhero]

The OP has received answers to her question and Len has confirmed that info on his site will be updated. Thanks to all!

 

[lentesta]

I understand, especially with all of the changes lately. I have always found the site and app to be extremely helpful and have already found many ADRs I wanted for this trip using the reservation finder. I just wanted to make sure the wait times were still accurate with all the changes. Sounds like they are!

Thanks again for this. I think I've removed the mentions of Streets, L!M!A! and the like. I'll be updating the plans this week. In the meantime, let me know if anything else looks wonky, please.