touring plans question

[jannylynn]

If touring plans says that the overall crowd level is 1 out of 10 for a park, why do they say to avoid the park? They rate two parks this way and one is a best park and one is a park to avoid. I love TP and I'm excited to use it but I'm pretty confused on the crowd levels.

We are going at a very slow time because overall crowd levels are very low--only one day is a 4 and the rest are 1's and 2's. Should I just throw caution to the wind and do what I want or will I regret it while we stand in 2 hour long lines?

 

[mecllap]

Don't know the actual answer to your question -- might make a difference when you're going and what parks you're looking at. Go early, get Fastpasses for rides that have them that are important to you. No ride/attraction is worth more than 20 minutes wait time.

 

[madikins]

It's my understanding that the "best park" and "park to avoid" aren't based solely on crowd level. I would check and see if the park is closing early for special event which may make it a "park to avoid".

 

[MiceFan]

I think it can be based on what is going on in the park as well as crowd levels. For example, if it's a party night at MK, TP would tell you to avoid it because the hours are shorter for non-partiers.
I say have a plan but be willing to change it as you go and utilize FPes, you shouldn't have any 2 hour waits...well, TSM maybe, but try for rope drop and head straight there if that one is important to you.
HTH!

 

[jnsolomon]

As others have said, there are more factors than just crowd level, although that is the biggest factor for me.

 

[dqpowell]

They addressed this kind of question on their website. Specifically:

http://blog.touringplans.com/2010/07/23/individual-park-crowd-levels-now-available/

and related:

http://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/park-recommendations

HTH,
David

 

[havoc315]

I'd suggest in using the TP crowd calendar, in conjunction with the free website -- easywdw.com. It gives explanations of its own park recommendations (which are usually in line with the TP recommendations, but you get the benefit of the explanation).

As others have said, the TP recommendation is based on more than just the crowd index. If it is listed as a park to avoid, it just means that it is less than ideal touring conditions. For example, if its an EMH morning, then a non-EMH visitor wouldn't be able to enter an empty park at regular rope drop. Or if there is an evening party, it would shorten the available touring hours for a non-partier. But these things might not matter to you. With a 1-crowd level, the crowd will be low overall, even if it is listed as a park to avoid.

 

[missmun52]

Use the crowd calender. If the crowd level is low you can go to any park you wish (as per the site). There will always be a "best park" and a "park to avoid" based on which park is better for reasons such as EMH (that most always will be the park to avoid) or special events ect. But remember with a level of 1 you cant go wrong IMO

 

[jannylynn]

Thank you, everyone! As always, you have been very helpful!