Touring Plans?

[cal2net]

Do you need or should you invest in a Touring Plan for DLR? I used TP way back when we first started visiting WDW and it was very handy. This will be our first trip to DLR and am kind of "lost". Wasn't sure if the online TP would be best or a guide book.
We are staying off-site and it's only 3 of us, no little ones, just a teenager.

 

[marciemouse]

I like the Unofficial Guide touring plans for Disneyland. Sure, sometimes we go without a plan, but especially during busier times, the touring plans come in very handy. I certainly think the book is worth the price for a Disneyland first timer!

 

[BayGirl22]

You'll find differing opinions on this. Plenty of people go without a TP at all and have a great time. There are much fewer logistical concerns to plan for at DL compared to WDW. And many people live close enough and are fortunate enough to go to DL regularly so they don't feel the need for a TP.

I do make a plan, because for me I'd prefer to identify our intended activities and fit them all in beforehand. Its fun for me to plan and we never have to stand there saying "what do we do next". I find it easier to tell my kids what we're going to do and get them excited for it than to ask their opinion and wait for them to decide - or wait in line for 2 hours because they chose Peter Pan at 3pm on a Saturday when we should have done it already first thing on Tuesday. (DH did this with them at WDW and that's exactly what they picked. Luckily it has FP there, at DL it would have been a major point of melt down).

I use Touringplans.com because I like that I can customize personal plans that include meals, breaks, and shows. A lot of people here like RideMax for optimizing wait times. Books are another option but for me I prefer to edit based on guidance I get here and personal experience, so electronic works better.

 

[trill]

Im local and use the touring plan app all the time. I dont ever make an actual plan but I like to see in general what wait times are and if a ride is closed or not (sometime unexpectedly during the day!). The dining options list and menus are good too. I plan according to the handy 10-day forecast which tells me how busy it will be, the hours, and which park has early entry. You can also get immediate advice in the chat area.

I have Mouse Wait too but don't use it. It's not as easy to read and navigate quickly. It is free though.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

I bought a TP membership and the printed book last year before two big trips to DLR. I read the book for strategy (which is mostly the same strategy for DL from the book of 10 years ago), used the website for details and reviews of rides and restaurants, and took a look at the crowd forecasts. But in the end the crowd forecasts were totally off, and the ride times from TP's app were off, too. I would just read the book for strategy and use the MouseWait app in the parks.

 

[jeast]

I've used TP app the last two times I've gone and have been unimpressed with its accuracy. I use the website and crowd calendar quite a bit, and read the book on WDW many moons ago and found it very helpful, but the app-not so much.

Wondering if anyone has used the 'walkee' disneyland app? It seems to be very popular and the interface is gorgeous but I don't hear about it here on the Dis.

How accurate is it?

 

[cal2net]

Thank you all for your input. I like the idea of using the book for strategy and I will have to try the Mouse wait app. We'll see how it goes.