March 2012: Spring Break, Here we come! Threadjackers take over the world!

[Lidian]

Take this with a grain of salt...I have never used Touring plans. (not entirely true, I did sort of use it for our first trip but that was 10 years ago.)

I use the dreaded TGM or Easy WDW. Both of them say March 4 is an ok day for Magic Kingdom. The morning is a preferred day while the evening is only a non preferred because of the EMH that evening. It is not a highly visited week, so even if the crowds are a bit heavier at that park, over all it shouldn't be too bad...

Of course, what do I know!? Our very first trip was during Spring Break and we attempted to go to Magic Kingdom without any planning....and didn't arrive until 11am! We quickly turned around and went to Animal Kingdom!

So, as you see, I am absolutely zero help! But at least I tried....I do get some points for that right...

Nini

Nini,
I did check the other websites and it does look much better on them ... but I've always had accurate data for TP. I actually broke down and emailed the TP people and asked for them to clarify why MK is rated so high for the date. I'm hoping that maybe it is a typo in their system.

I'll give them some time to reply back before I make any decisions ... but I may change around CP and 1900PF ADRs just in case.

(I've not heard anything good about TGM in a very long time. The time I was about to give them my money, I double-checked to see if I was making a good choice and found nothing but horrid,horrid reviews. So my money went to TP and I was VERY happy with my choice.)

I can give you some points ... just one or two.

 

[NiniMorris]

The best thing I learned from TGM is his methodology behind his choices. That alone was worth the cost of admission. UNFORTUNATELY, he has not updated his touring plans in a long, long, long time. Four years ago, the info I got when I first used him...is the same info he has now. His 'least crowded parks' has been spot on for four years...unfortunately, they came out a week too late this year to be of any use. I used his info from the past three years and made my own...which, for the most part were pretty accurate.

This year, with the upstart, Easy WDW, I found his a bit more confusing than TGM, but with the same ideology as a whole as to why one park is chosen over another. (and he is free)

For the next trip, I used some historical info from TGM, some basic info from Easy WDW and my own best guesstimate. I figure that is what I did this year and never had any crowds, so I should be ok this year.


I figure TGM has gotten my last bit of money. If I can guesstimate and get it right why should I pay someone else to do the same thing for me. After this many trips, I really don't need any hand holding!


(not trying to convert, just explain!)


The one thing I notice with Touring Plans is they constantly update their estimates...and in the end all three places generally agree. That would drive me crazy....I want GUARANTEES and don't want them to change! Every single trip for the past 5 years we have had to change our ADRs around at the last minute...because of additional people coming on the trip...or not coming on the trip. I prefer a nice stress-free trip!


Good luck and I hope they tell you it is a typo! Since early March is not usually a busy time (unless Easter comes early) the only thing I can think of that would make MK rate so high while the other parks rate so low on the same day...would be the expected opening of ...maybe a restaurant at Magic Kingdom...? or more of the expansion of Fantasy land being open...



Nini

 

[DMGeurts]

The more I look at this, the more I doubt my decision to visit MK on "arrival" day.

In the past, we always went to DTD on arrival day, except last year. I wanted to see MK on arrival day.

Now I'm doubting a visit to MK ... if it's a 9.3 ... I'm not going to be happy trying to walk down Main Street.

Now I'm thinking about hitting another park ... but really ... MK is the one I want more than one full day for. I just don't know. Maybe we should go to Epcot for the evening?

Any suggestions? I'm just worried that it will stress us all out being nearly wall-to-wall peoples. Not a great start for a vacation ....

Then again, if I don't do MK, then I have to rework some ADRs.... because March 4th is Crystal Palace. Advice please!

I enjoy MK on the first day, as well - there's just nothing like the view of the castle to start the magic.

However, for this trip, we won't even see MK until our 5th day at WDW - which I am really uncertain about, as well.

In 2008, again, we didn't plan to be in MK until our 4th day... but on arrival day, we went to MK specifically to see Spectromagic... Honest - we didn't go in any further than the flag pole. The game plan was to go in, sit on the curb - no further than the flag pole - because this was a non-recommended park from TGM (so we knew it was going to be busy) - as soon as the parade ended, we beelined out of the park ahead of the crowds and hopped on the monorail. This worked out really well for us... We got to go into MK to start off our magic, we got to see Spectromagic, we beat the crowds, and it was a relaxing way for us to spend our first night at WDW. We got back to the Poly beach in time to watch the fireworks - which wasn't our plan - it just happened to work out. What I am getting at, is maybe something like this will work for you? If we happen to add an extra 2 days on to our trip, I think we will plan to do this on our arrival night - it was very magical... Maybe not sticking as close to the flag pole - more like stay on M.S. - but same basic concept.

D~

 

[Lidian]

The best thing I learned from TGM is his methodology behind his choices. That alone was worth the cost of admission. UNFORTUNATELY, he has not updated his touring plans in a long, long, long time. Four years ago, the info I got when I first used him...is the same info he has now. His 'least crowded parks' has been spot on for four years...unfortunately, they came out a week too late this year to be of any use. I used his info from the past three years and made my own...which, for the most part were pretty accurate.

That was something else I heard negatively about ... TGM wasn't releasing information before people needed to make their ADRs ... he was anywhere from a couple of weeks late, to over a month (at the time). I even heard his customer support was AWFUL.

However, if you buy the UG book, it expands on the TP website. I've only purchased it once, and that was for my 2009 trip.

This year, with the upstart, Easy WDW, I found his a bit more confusing than TGM, but with the same ideology as a whole as to why one park is chosen over another. (and he is free)

I've looked at various other sources for comparison, but rely on TP's. I like to see what other places recommend. So I use easywdw and Under Cover Tourists. I get a baseline reading from Dad's Guide to WDW. It helps me map things out, and sometimes I can see where TP just hasn't updated their info yet and will make their best/worst park changes. There are just some things I do because I want to do them. One year, we hit all the EMHs, another, we toured parks in the order I wanted to do them. So I don't always go buy best/worst park recommendations ... I usually look more at the numbers attached.

Am I making any sense?

For the next trip, I used some historical info from TGM, some basic info from Easy WDW and my own best guesstimate. I figure that is what I did this year and never had any crowds, so I should be ok this year.

My concern is how can TGM even be accurate if they aren't updating their site in such an evolving world. Trends come and go ... and picking a week to go is pretty easy -- even Birnbaum (the Official Guide) tells you the best weeks historically. Did they ever add info about TSM? Last I heard, they didn't even recognize TSM as an attraction (because they literally weren't updating their site), so their touring plans were worthless if you were doing the TSM dash.

I figure TGM has gotten my last bit of money. If I can guesstimate and get it right why should I pay someone else to do the same thing for me. After this many trips, I really don't need any hand holding!


(not trying to convert, just explain!)

I hear ya! I like the UG, and wouldn't mind purchasing it again ... but without the books having Fantasyland info, I'm not feeling it. It's the uncharted territory that I want some assistance with.

The one thing I notice with Touring Plans is they constantly update their estimates...and in the end all three places generally agree. That would drive me crazy....I want GUARANTEES and don't want them to change! Every single trip for the past 5 years we have had to change our ADRs around at the last minute...because of additional people coming on the trip...or not coming on the trip. I prefer a nice stress-free trip!

I follow them on FB, too. They're constantly updating information to make it as accurate as possible. I don't mind, because I know the numbers are guesstimates, and they're usually higher than other sites.

For instance ... Last year, TP rated most places 5-7s for our May trip. easywdw rated them 4-6. On the Lines app, it asks "how does the park feel"... and most days, I rated it as 8s or 9s ... because I felt shoulder-to-shoulder and was miserable most of the time. Wait times were mostly manageable, bearing you grabbed FPs (we missed TSM because we did not make the TSM dash, we never have) and they were gone well before lunch.

So the site accompanied with the book, I think sounds much better than TGM. And reading the info on easywdw for their "why" is very useful.

I've also heard RideMax is good ... but I couldn't bear to shell out money for it. I'm cheap.

But yes, if you're like me and can figure most things out on your own, then don't shell out the cash. Save it for future WDW trips. I do, however, LOVE the Lines app, so I'll continue to pay for it.

Good luck and I hope they tell you it is a typo! Since early March is not usually a busy time (unless Easter comes early) the only thing I can think of that would make MK rate so high while the other parks rate so low on the same day...would be the expected opening of ...maybe a restaurant at Magic Kingdom...? or more of the expansion of Fantasy land being open...

Nini

I don't think the restaurant opens until late this year, or early next year. It isn't popping up to book for me right now.

And if it was a Fantasyland reason ... wouldn't the park stay high all week? I think it's less than a 2 on the day we go for our full day. They aren't even showing MSEP on March 4th.

I know they have caught typos before, and it could be possible. Or they could have knowledge that isn't appearing on their website (ABC will be filming some show that day or something). Who knows.

I enjoy MK on the first day, as well - there's just nothing like the view of the castle to start the magic.

However, for this trip, we won't even see MK until our 5th day at WDW - which I am really uncertain about, as well.

In 2008, again, we didn't plan to be in MK until our 4th day... but on arrival day, we went to MK specifically to see Spectromagic... Honest - we didn't go in any further than the flag pole. The game plan was to go in, sit on the curb - no further than the flag pole - because this was a non-recommended park from TGM (so we knew it was going to be busy) - as soon as the parade ended, we beelined out of the park ahead of the crowds and hopped on the monorail. This worked out really well for us... We got to go into MK to start off our magic, we got to see Spectromagic, we beat the crowds, and it was a relaxing way for us to spend our first night at WDW. We got back to the Poly beach in time to watch the fireworks - which wasn't our plan - it just happened to work out. What I am getting at, is maybe something like this will work for you? If we happen to add an extra 2 days on to our trip, I think we will plan to do this on our arrival night - it was very magical... Maybe not sticking as close to the flag pole - more like stay on M.S. - but same basic concept.

D~

Last year, I wanted to see MK on arrival day ... I wanted to see MSEP and Wishes. It was all I hoped to accomplish that day ... but in the end, we knocked out a lot of things. I was hoping to get 1-1.5 lands covered ... but if it's 9+ ... I just don't see it happening. And I worry that having to swim through people to get anywhere would make for a horrible start to our vacation. If they come back with valid reasons why it will be 9+, then I may go to Epcot that evening instead. I hate missing out on extra MK time, but not being stressed will be worth it.

They aren't even showing MSEP on the 4th ... not to mention, that I will give up MSEP and Wishes this year for more time on the attractions. (So it's not like I can be riding stuff while everyone else watches MSEP.)

Maybe DH will let me break down and get hoppers. Then we can go, get our castle view, eat dinner, go to Epcot, then DD and I can return for those EMHs. Who knows. DH is voting NO, NO, NO to hoppers this year, but I want them. If I can come up with the money, then I'm totally getting hoppers ... but that will be hard considering I'm a FT mom and college student.

 

[sjs314]

It's actually changed again ...

Anyway ... if we see each other, I'm sure it would definitely literally be bumping.

I don't expect to get much done ... but at least it will be something, right?

Thanks for the compliments!



Well ... I wasn't ... but I am now.

I didn't think to ask ... and I wasn't even 100% certain you were on there. But I'm totally buying that duck-butt bag for $1.

I'm totally kidding. I fully read the message that it wasn't for sale for $1.



Think it will work?

I must have missed an email alert from Touring Plans of the newest crowd changes

I know easywdw said it is a good day to go early or late(EMH) neither of which is what we will be doing since we will not arrive until maybe 11:30am but my original plan was to head over to Epcot then I got to thinking for us since we are staying at CR it just makes sense to go to MK for lunch and spend some time there, as I do not expect our room to be ready but when it is we will be just a short walk away.

I am not sure if I would brave the 9.3 crowd level if I were not staying at CR so close to MK.

I do think the levels are predicted to be so high for a number of reasons

it is a weekend (Sunday)
Sunday is a big arrival day at WDW and MK tends to be a "first park"
it is EMH

 

[Corrine 1973]

You're going again????
I am so jealous. Want to swing over to Northern Illinois and pick me up? Just found your PTR so I have to catch up, but wanted to stop by and say hello.

 

[Lidian]

I must have missed an email alert from Touring Plans of the newest crowd changes

I know easywdw said it is a good day to go early or late(EMH) neither of which is what we will be doing since we will not arrive until maybe 11:30am but my original plan was to head over to Epcot then I got to thinking for us since we are staying at CR it just makes sense to go to MK for lunch and spend some time there, as I do not expect our room to be ready but when it is we will be just a short walk away.

I am not sure if I would brave the 9.3 crowd level if I were not staying at CR so close to MK.

I do think the levels are predicted to be so high for a number of reasons

it is a weekend (Sunday)
Sunday is a big arrival day at WDW and MK tends to be a "first park"
it is EMH

Yes ... but crowds are predicted to be lower that week. I just don't understand. I mean, I get that locals will go to MK on the weekend ... but I just dunno.

I'm hoping to hear back from TP ... and then I'll make a decision. Otherwise, I'll make a decision on my own.

You're going again????
I am so jealous. Want to swing over to Northern Illinois and pick me up? Just found your PTR so I have to catch up, but wanted to stop by and say hello.

We've missed you!

And if you think you can fit in a suitcase, then by all means, let's do this! Once TK gets here, we can get the band back together.

 

[kittylady1972]

Yikes I just read about those new crowd updates for MK during that week. Wow. I had planned on both Sunday and Monday spending some time at MK. We will most likely arrive Sunday morning, but possibly Saturday night. Have not booked the flights yet.

I'm just not sure I could stay completely away from MK for two full days. I have yet to see their Magic, Memories and You on the Castle and I'd like to see the MSEP again, though DH does NOT like parades!

If we end up staying at BLT (which is my current thinking...but I won't know until I check into booking it in about two weeks!) I think it would be easy enough for us to walk over from our hotel, and if the park is really crazy, we could come back.

Have you heard a response as to why it's crowd level is so high? I can see that Monday it may be ranked so high because it's the only day that week that MSEM is running...which is why I will probably try to go. EasyWDW also mentions that Sunday is fine for early morning or late evening...so perhaps I can do late evening Sunday.

I really love the EasyWDW website and am using it as a new baseline for my touring plans. Being free it's really nice. I'll see if he updates it in the coming months to reflect what some of the other websites seem to indicate.

 

[solana131]

I just checked out TP too. My highest crowd level is 4.3 on AK day. The only scheduled AVOID park is Epcot on Day 3. It is only a 3.8 and they say avoid? I guess I can handle a 3.8

Lidian, how about train trip around for the first day? Can you just ride a quick trip around and then get a snack or something? You could just plan to do something small like that, then if the crowd isn't so bad its a bonus and you can get some stuff checked off that to-do list. Just a suggestion...maybe the train is totally off the mark, its been a while since my last trip (like 20 years)

 

[Lidian]

We last left off with our evening at MK and sleep.

We will be waking early for our first full day in the parks! Alarm will be set for probably 6:30ish. Today, we will adventure into AK!

AK is open from 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM, with AM EMHs from 8:00 - 9:00 AM. We will be arriving as close to RD as we can (I'll be happy to be in the park within the first 15 minutes of park opening). TP rates the day as a 7.5 - which is about normal, no matter what year we go. TP rates this as a neutral park.

This was not our original schedule ... as it was originally an Epcot day. But I switched them so I could see the Flower & Garden Festival.

First stop, grabbing a FP for the Safari, and hopefully taking it for a ride! If the line is a bit scary, we'll probably walk the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. Once our FP time frame is open, we'll be grabbing FPs for EE (we'll use all four tickets, so DD and I can ride twice).

We have an 11:15 lunch ADR at Tusker House to meet Donald Duck (for those who don't know, Donald will be available for lunch starting in December).

We have goals of things we want to do, but we're realistic and know we may not see everything. I don't really have a set "plan" for the day ... and we may give up seeing some of the shows if we run out of time. I'd much rather spend more time on the trails this year than see our beloved shows (yes, I absolutely adore FN:tM and FotLK).

I do not have any snack suggestions for this day ... what's good to use a credit on at AK?

Once we have finished our tour, we'll head back to the resort for rest or swimming (weather permitting). We'll probably grab dinner at Old Port Royale around 6ish. Last year, we practically closed down AK, but this year, I'd prefer to leave a bit earlier (probably no later than 5ish).

If it's too cool for swimming, we don't feel up for exploring the resort, and we're too hyper to rest, we may visit DTD (and if that's the case, we'll eat dinner at WGP Xpress or EoS). It will really depend on the mood, weather, and if I have blisters. lol

I only anticipate grabbing FPs for the Safari and EE. DD and I will ride twice (back to back), but if we get multiple Safaris in, that would be awesome!

MUST DOs:
Kilimanjaro Safari x 2 (yes, twice!)
Maharajah Jungle Trek (never seen it before)
Expedition Everest x 2 (just DD and myself)

Things we will definitely skip:
It's Tough to be a Bug
Dinosaur (DH and DD may ride, but not DS and I)
Flights of Wonder (I don't handle being around birds very well)
Kali River Rapids (I'm much like a cat and I hate being wet -- plus it's not any better than the "river rampage" we have at home)

Things we hope to accomplish:
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail (we enjoyed this last year)
Festival of the Lion King
Finding Nemo
playing at The Boneyard (haven't been in it yet)
Greeting Trails

Undecided on:
Rafiki's Planet Watch

Some pictures of previous AK visits!

In 2009 (our first trip), DS was terrified of Pooh on our first day (at Epcot), so it was great to see DS loving Pooh at AK (our last day). Please forgive me, as I had sun poisoning and had been VERY sick, and borrowed one of DH's t-shirts because it was bigger, and didn't rub my burns: June 10, 2009

We went with a group in 2009, DD was actually with mom and the others and met Goofy and Pluto! June 10, 2009

In 2010, we finally saw Rafiki's Planet Watch for the first time: April 25, 2010

In 2011, we saw a monkey getting a check-up: May 27, 2011

Our FPs lied to us: May 27, 2011

And we got our first family Tree of Life photo! May 27, 2011

 

[Lidian]

Yikes I just read about those new crowd updates for MK during that week. Wow. I had planned on both Sunday and Monday spending some time at MK. We will most likely arrive Sunday morning, but possibly Saturday night. Have not booked the flights yet.

I'm just not sure I could stay completely away from MK for two full days. I have yet to see their Magic, Memories and You on the Castle and I'd like to see the MSEP again, though DH does NOT like parades!

I've not seen the "castle show" either. I want to say last year, we left as soon as MSEP was over with ... but it was the main reason I was there anyway. I'd love to see MSEP again ... but I can do without if it makes it better for the family. My DH does not like parades ... or anything. He despises WDW, he only goes because the kids and I love it so much (and he loves the food). There are a few things he enjoys ... but it's definitely not parades or fireworks.

If we end up staying at BLT (which is my current thinking...but I won't know until I check into booking it in about two weeks!) I think it would be easy enough for us to walk over from our hotel, and if the park is really crazy, we could come back.

You know, I had a dream last night that I was staying at CR and the monorail went through MK and I rode it just to take a peek at the crowds to decide what to do. Yes, I dream in Disney.

But that totally sounds like a good plan to me!

Have you heard a response as to why it's crowd level is so high? I can see that Monday it may be ranked so high because it's the only day that week that MSEM is running...which is why I will probably try to go. EasyWDW also mentions that Sunday is fine for early morning or late evening...so perhaps I can do late evening Sunday.

I have not heard back from TP yet. It's possible they get too many questions and I may not hear back from them. I won't hold my breath, but I am hopeful they will find time to double-check and respond.

We'd be arriving late afternoon, but staying through until we were ready for bed. I'm just not certain yet. I've always had good experience with TP's numbers ... but we'll see.

I really love the EasyWDW website and am using it as a new baseline for my touring plans. Being free it's really nice. I'll see if he updates it in the coming months to reflect what some of the other websites seem to indicate.

Free is awesome! And I always check multiple sites just to see if one has information another one does not.

We should have a better guesstimate when it gets closer to March. Fingers crossed anyway!

I just checked out TP too. My highest crowd level is 4.3 on AK day. The only scheduled AVOID park is Epcot on Day 3. It is only a 3.8 and they say avoid? I guess I can handle a 3.8

Lidian, how about train trip around for the first day? Can you just ride a quick trip around and then get a snack or something? You could just plan to do something small like that, then if the crowd isn't so bad its a bonus and you can get some stuff checked off that to-do list. Just a suggestion...maybe the train is totally off the mark, its been a while since my last trip (like 20 years)

Outside of MK's 9.3 and AK's 7.5 (that I just posted about), the rest are 2.5 or under. I have noticed all the numbers have changed since I last copied the information down ... so now I need to update my spreadsheet. Most went up or down by 0.1 to 0.2 points, so no big deal ... but the 9.3 does worry me. I don't focus so much on the AK numbers, because it is more show heavy than ride heavy, so the waits tend to be bigger ... plus, it is a big park with small walkways, so it always feels horrible. An avoid park with a 3.8 sounds very doable to me!

I've seen some where it was a 1 or lower and then marked avoid. I'd love to be in a less than 1 crowded park.

Thanks for the suggestion! I hadn't considered a train trip ... but that will be dependent on DS. For some reason, he has become absolutely terrified of trains (I know it has a bit to do with BTMRR -- which he loved in 2010) ... but both times we tried to get him on a train last year, he screamed and cried. He was okay once he was on the train and it was moving (and he could see that it wasn't BTMRR) ... but I don't want to stress him if he's still worried.

Related: DS, recently (within the past year or so), has become my phobic child. He's terrified of everything. They have to make special plans for him in the event of an emergency and drills. We are not sure why he has become such a terrified child, but we do what we reasonably can to accommodate him at home and school.

We did not force him on BTMRR in 2010. We stood there and watched what we could, we watched videos on youtube before we even left (of all "thrill rides"). DS wanted to ride it - he was excited. He even said later that day he wanted to ride again. But something must have triggered later, because he's terrified of not only trains, but everything. We don't know. If it gets to be a massive issue, then we'll have him examined further, but right now, we're just hoping it's a phase.

So if he'll be okay with the RR, I'm game for riding it (I at least want to ride with DD so I can sneak peeks at the new Fantasyland stuff).

Back on track, it's possible that even if it's a 9+ for the day, we may still brave it. I've just not decided. I'd like to have more Epcot time this year ... especially since ... well ... I have reasons, and if I state them now, I won't have as much to write about on my Epcot day.

But yes, that is totally an option, and a valid one! (Thank you!) I have to talk to DS more and see how he feels before I could confirm being able to do as such. And there are some shows and such we can see that won't have massive waits ... and we can still take advantage of FPs (I hope).

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Lidian, how about train trip around for the first day? Can you just ride a quick trip around and then get a snack or something? You could just plan to do something small like that, then if the crowd isn't so bad its a bonus and you can get some stuff checked off that to-do list. Just a suggestion...maybe the train is totally off the mark, its been a while since my last trip (like 20 years)

Oh, great idea Solana!!! We might try to do the little train trip on arrival day too , just to get a little MK in on the first day. We are not scheduled for MK until our 4th day...Thanks for the wonderful idea!!!

OOPS, was that just ME hijacking your PTR this time??? sorry....

 

[KatMark]

Love the AK plans, with the exception of EE (I'll take Dinosaur and It's Tough to Be a Bug!).

 

[Lidian]

Oh, great idea Solana!!! We might try to do the little train trip on arrival day too , just to get a little MK in on the first day. We are not scheduled for MK until our 4th day...Thanks for the wonderful idea!!!

OOPS, was that just ME hijacking your PTR this time??? sorry....

That's all the threadjacking? C'mon, you can do better than that.

Love the AK plans, with the exception of EE (I'll take Dinosaur and It's Tough to Be a Bug!).

How about you take DD for Dinosaur and ITTBAB then. (And I'll ride an extra turn on EE to make up for it.)

 

[sjs314]

I've not seen the "castle show" either. I want to say last year, we left as soon as MSEP was over with ... but it was the main reason I was there anyway. I'd love to see MSEP again ... but I can do without if it makes it better for the family. My DH does not like parades ... or anything. He despises WDW, he only goes because the kids and I love it so much (and he loves the food). There are a few things he enjoys ... but it's definitely not parades or fireworks.



You know, I had a dream last night that I was staying at CR and the monorail went through MK and I rode it just to take a peek at the crowds to decide what to do. Yes, I dream in Disney.

But that totally sounds like a good plan to me!




I have not heard back from TP yet. It's possible they get too many questions and I may not hear back from them. I won't hold my breath, but I am hopeful they will find time to double-check and respond.

We'd be arriving late afternoon, but staying through until we were ready for bed. I'm just not certain yet. I've always had good experience with TP's numbers ... but we'll see.



Free is awesome! And I always check multiple sites just to see if one has information another one does not.

We should have a better guesstimate when it gets closer to March. Fingers crossed anyway!



Outside of MK's 9.3 and AK's 7.5 (that I just posted about), the rest are 2.5 or under. I have noticed all the numbers have changed since I last copied the information down ... so now I need to update my spreadsheet. Most went up or down by 0.1 to 0.2 points, so no big deal ... but the 9.3 does worry me. I don't focus so much on the AK numbers, because it is more show heavy than ride heavy, so the waits tend to be bigger ... plus, it is a big park with small walkways, so it always feels horrible. An avoid park with a 3.8 sounds very doable to me!

I've seen some where it was a 1 or lower and then marked avoid. I'd love to be in a less than 1 crowded park.

Thanks for the suggestion! I hadn't considered a train trip ... but that will be dependent on DS. For some reason, he has become absolutely terrified of trains (I know it has a bit to do with BTMRR -- which he loved in 2010) ... but both times we tried to get him on a train last year, he screamed and cried. He was okay once he was on the train and it was moving (and he could see that it wasn't BTMRR) ... but I don't want to stress him if he's still worried.

Related: DS, recently (within the past year or so), has become my phobic child. He's terrified of everything. They have to make special plans for him in the event of an emergency and drills. We are not sure why he has become such a terrified child, but we do what we reasonably can to accommodate him at home and school.

We did not force him on BTMRR in 2010. We stood there and watched what we could, we watched videos on youtube before we even left (of all "thrill rides"). DS wanted to ride it - he was excited. He even said later that day he wanted to ride again. But something must have triggered later, because he's terrified of not only trains, but everything. We don't know. If it gets to be a massive issue, then we'll have him examined further, but right now, we're just hoping it's a phase.

So if he'll be okay with the RR, I'm game for riding it (I at least want to ride with DD so I can sneak peeks at the new Fantasyland stuff).

Back on track, it's possible that even if it's a 9+ for the day, we may still brave it. I've just not decided. I'd like to have more Epcot time this year ... especially since ... well ... I have reasons, and if I state them now, I won't have as much to write about on my Epcot day.

But yes, that is totally an option, and a valid one! (Thank you!) I have to talk to DS more and see how he feels before I could confirm being able to do as such. And there are some shows and such we can see that won't have massive waits ... and we can still take advantage of FPs (I hope).

I did go over to TP and update my crowd levels earlier. My other MK day 3/7 is now a 5.6 that happens to be second lowest for the week. The lowest MK day 3/6 is at 1.5 but that is our Breakfast at Akershus then DHS for the rest of the day. It was orginally our AK day but we decided to skip AK this trip.
I am just hopeing I do not regret going in March or last trip was wonderful but just too crowded, funny I use to enjoy the hustle and bustle of all the crowds but no more now that I am older.

It looks like you have a good Master plan for your AK day, we just never spent more than a few hours there anytime we went, we always tire of it quickly as it always seems to be hotter and more crowded there. I love AK for the photo ops. We do have 2 open Mornings so anything can happen. I still have to sit down and make out a To Do List for each park.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

That's all the threadjacking? C'mon, you can do better than that.

Hey I am still just a "mouseketeer" give me some time and practice, I will get really good, promise! Hey, I know... I should definitely get D~ to train me, she is just the BEST at threadjacking!!!

 

[Lidian]

I did go over to TP and update my crowd levels earlier. My other MK day 3/7 is now a 5.6 that happens to be second lowest for the week. The lowest MK day 3/6 is at 1.5 but that is our Breakfast at Akershus then DHS for the rest of the day. It was orginally our AK day but we decided to skip AK this trip.
I am just hopeing I do not regret going in March or last trip was wonderful but just too crowded, funny I use to enjoy the hustle and bustle of all the crowds but no more now that I am older.

It looks like you have a good Master plan for your AK day, we just never spent more than a few hours there anytime we went, we always tire of it quickly as it always seems to be hotter and more crowded there. I love AK for the photo ops. We do have 2 open Mornings so anything can happen. I still have to sit down and make out a To Do List for each park.

You're skipping AK? I love AK too much to even consider skipping. Honestly, I almost didn't go in 2009 ... but wanted to go "once" so I could say I have been to every park. I fell in love. We enjoy the Safari ... because every driver is different (not to mention that you may see different animals each adventure) ... and we typically have really funny drivers. The last driver we had in May (it was near park closing), he was absolutely hilarious! He sang to us and cracked a ton of jokes. He was very into his job, and it made it feel more like an actual safari than just a driver reading from a script.

I can only imagine alloting most of a day for AK, but never a full day, and never more than one. I'd love to get 2 days at EP and MK each trip ... but it just never happens.

It seems that we shouldn't be too bothered by crowds for our trip ... but you never know what will happen. With the FD offer ... the parks could be packed.

Hey I am still just a "mouseketeer" give me some time and practice, I will get really good, promise! Hey, I know... I should definitely get D~ to train me, she is just the BEST at threadjacking!!!

Are you done practicing yet?

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Are you done practicing yet?

IDK...we did do an awfully good job of screwing up the FB group yesterday...

 

[sjs314]

You're skipping AK? I love AK too much to even consider skipping. Honestly, I almost didn't go in 2009 ... but wanted to go "once" so I could say I have been to every park. I fell in love. We enjoy the Safari ... because every driver is different (not to mention that you may see different animals each adventure) ... and we typically have really funny drivers. The last driver we had in May (it was near park closing), he was absolutely hilarious! He sang to us and cracked a ton of jokes. He was very into his job, and it made it feel more like an actual safari than just a driver reading from a script.

I can only imagine alloting most of a day for AK, but never a full day, and never more than one. I'd love to get 2 days at EP and MK each trip ... but it just never happens.

It seems that we shouldn't be too bothered by crowds for our trip ... but you never know what will happen. With the FD offer ... the parks could be packed.



Are you done practicing yet?

Going at the height of Spring Break in 2009 was really one big mistake, I think it was busier than all the times we went Easter week. DHS was a total nightmare, in fact my Ddil had a panic attack the one day we were there and we had to leave, er or escape as it was on the boat over to the BW for lunch and then onto Epcot which was not much better we did not have any TS ADR so ended up eating CS, oops not a table to be found so we sat on a wall and attacked by gulls.
AK we lucked out in finding a table to eat at but I love the safari ride too and after waiting in the longest line ever our driver took a wrong turn? it was the shortest trip we ever had, my thought is they were maybe cutting the ride short to help cut back on the wait time in line
I never did get to MK that trip, and DTD was another nightmare as far as wait times to eat, so we ended up eating at Mc Donalds something I had said I would never do while at Disney

 

[Lidian]

IDK...we did do an awfully good job of screwing up the FB group yesterday...

Oh yes, we totally facebookjacked the March group.

Going at the height of Spring Break in 2009 was really one big mistake, I think it was busier than all the times we went Easter week. DHS was a total nightmare, in fact my Ddil had a panic attack the one day we were there and we had to leave, er or escape as it was on the boat over to the BW for lunch and then onto Epcot which was not much better we did not have any TS ADR so ended up eating CS, oops not a table to be found so we sat on a wall and attacked by gulls.
AK we lucked out in finding a table to eat at but I love the safari ride too and after waiting in the longest line ever our driver took a wrong turn? it was the shortest trip we ever had, my thought is they were maybe cutting the ride short to help cut back on the wait time in line
I never did get to MK that trip, and DTD was another nightmare as far as wait times to eat, so we ended up eating at Mc Donalds something I had said I would never do while at Disney

I can't imagine going during one of the worst weeks of the year! I'd probably have a panic attack, too!

That sucks not having a place to sit when eating. Those birds are vicious!

How can a Safari driver take a wrong turn?

I have totally done the McD's while on a WDW trip ... because of the rain at DTD and everywhere being packed.