personalised itinerary planner

[kcodd]

Hi,

I'm interested in getting a personalised itinerary planner and would like to hear comments from others who have used one. I'm not bothered about the cost but I am bothered about the holiday!

This will be our first (only?) trip to Orlando so I haven't really got a clue! I've bought the Brit's guide but this planner does seem like a good idea. (I'm a busy woman and although I love planning a bit of help never hurts!)

The only thing that does concern me is that it only arrives a week before we leave and I do normally like to know what I'm going to be doing as soon as possible.

We'll be there in October/November so I do have time on my side.

Thanks
Kathleen

 

[paulh]

we just use a pad and pen to plan
Paulh

 

[Frances999]

I can't comment on The Brits' guide version, but www.tourguidemike.com is an excellent resource and well worth the fee. I highly recommend it, even for the "more-seasoned" Orlando visitors.

 

[Miffy2003]

For me I love planning and would not pay for a personalised planner. Not because I don't think they are good value for money, but because I enjoy the planning bit too!

If you won't have lots of time to dedicate to pouring over books and the internet, ascertaining when are the quiet times for particular parks, then why not? I've never used one myself though so can't personally recommend - sorry.

October / November are a great time to go I gather with lots of extras on like Mickey's not so Scary Halloween Party & the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot.

You will pick up a lot from these boards but not everyone has the time or inclination to spend ages doing that!

I once said my trip would be my only one - but I soon learnt I could not stay away!

Where are you staying and who are you going with?

Oh and welcome to the Dis!

Cheers

Karen

 

[calyuk]

We are leaving on the 26th March. It is our first Disney trip and I didnt know where to start with the planning. I organised an itinerary planner from "the brits guide" and we received it exactly one week before our departure date. It is easy to follow and gives up to date info, even down to the weather forecast for your stay. I also used tourguide mike which is packed full of useful info. I have used info from both planners and now just hope it goes smoothly

 

[kcodd]

Where are you staying and who are you going with?

We're staying the first week at Marriott's Cypress Harbour and the second at Sunterra's Cypress Pointe. 'We' is me, my husband and our two boys aged 9 and 10.

I loike the sound of a Halloween Party but is Mickey's 'not so scary' one more for younger children?

Personally I also like the sound of the Food and Wine at Epcot!

Kathleen

 

[UKDEB]

Kathleen, I assume you are referring to Simon Veness's PIP. I haven't used it, but I am convinced that Simon's perspective on Orlando is second to none from a Brit's perspective and, if I was a rookie like you, I would not hesitate to avail myself of it. I genuinely do not believe you could place yourself in safer hands. For heaven's sake, I've been to Orlando 12 times and I think I'm an expert, but this guy has been there way in excess of 50 times and he writes about the place professionally!

Like you, a week before my trip is a little too close for comfort (control freak alert ), so you might also want to take a look at www.tourguidemike.com. Mike is an ex-Disney CM with years of service as a VIP Guide who now runs a personal escort service and also provides a web-based Automated Vacation Planner. The cost is $21.95 (although if you're interested, I think you can gain a small discount if I introduce you). It's well worth it in my opinion - Mike is in the parks on a daily basis with his guests and still has many insider contacts, so his advice is always spot on and up to the minute.

 

[kcodd]

(although if you're interested, I think you can gain a small discount if I introduce you).

Yes I would be interested thanks. How do I go about it?

Kathleen

 

[UKDEB]

Go to:

http://tourguidemike.com/tour/index.asp

and type HE7KD-8GA in the Promotional Code section of the purchase page and you'll get a discount of $3.

 

[kcodd]

Thanks Deb, and thanks for the abbreviations as well.

 

[SimonV]

Hi folks. Just to elaborate a little on the way we do things, we like to leave it until 7 days out so we can get an up-dated weather forecast that is likely to have some relevance to that itinerary but, if people would like their Planner sent earlier, there is the option to request it soonen, too. It can't usually be done more than two months out as the park hours are only posted 2-3 months in advance, and those are obviously crucial to the way the Planner works, but we are certainly happy to provide it more than a week in advance, provided people are happy not to get the weather bit!

We are also still fine tuning things as we go, but we seem to have found a good overall formula that is being well received by those who have ordered and used it. To be honest, it is great fun to be sitting and planning the best way to tackle the various holiday requirements we are being asked for, and we have already come across a host of variations we never initially thought of, so our database of possible combinations now numbers several hundred. But the bottom line is we are very happy to tailor-make each itinerary to each person's requirements, as long as they give us all their info in advance (unlike the few people so far who have indicated they wanted to do 'all the parks' or who have the 14-day Ultimate ticket, a 5-Park FlexTicket, plus Discovery Cove and week's free SeaWorld; oh, and they want to do Kennedy Space Center, three days' shopping and have a few rest days - all in a fortnight's holiday ). It's all good fun!

 

[bozzly]

I just take it as it comes !! Once out in Orlando we plan what to do on a day to day basis. Ususaly sit and have a beer and decide where to go for the next day.

 

[paulh]

if you think your kids yoo old for MNSSHP would recomend doing the universal fright nights we stumbled on it by chance a few years ago was as they say orusome dude
Paulh

 

[1sttimer]

Hi,

I ordered my planner tonight as we are in the same position, booked our first and maybe only trip to Orlando, going in only 16 sleeps now!! I have got 4 books in total and using Simon's book, the Dis and other sites I have planned our 14 day trip. But hey its only £10 and they might include something I hadn't considered or heaven forbid (being a women) I got something wrong! I have saved for 15 years for this trip and £10 is not a lot to make sure I get it right.
I know we not going to see and do everything but would like to get the most from the holiday without having to have 2 weeks off work with exhaustion when I get back.
I say give it a go for £10 you can't go wrong and if you don't follow the plan would be nice to have an idea of the weather when you go.
I'm sooooooooo exicted, more so I think than my 6yr old.
Have a great holiday whatever you decided to do.

Miccy