TouringPlans Help

[dcg0317]

I'm pretty new to this board and have gotten alot of info so far, all you people are just great and have lots of tips. Thank you.
I just found out about TouringPlans.com website and was wondering if it was worth the money and has anybody ever used them. It will be my DS 10 first trip down and we will be there for 6 full days and want it to be the best for him but I also don't want to run his little feet off either. thanks for any info you can give.
BTW anyone else going down the week of 09/27 - 10/04/03
Thanks Don

 

[donna in Oz]

Welcome to the DIS, dcg0317 !!

I can't say that I've ever used touringplans.com, but it's fun to plan your own trip and save the cost. All of us really enjoy helping others with their plans and would be delighted, I'm sure, to help you!! You don't say if this is your first trip, but if it is:

The first thing to sketch out is where you plan to be on each of the days of your trip. Since you'll be staying on-site, you'll most likely want to take advantage of Extra Magic Hour for each of the parks. Here's a link for which park, which day:

http://wdwig.com/emhour.htm

From there, it's then easier to make other decisions, such as whether you want to make any Priority Seating reservations for sit-down meals, etc. Also, check the parade schedule as your trip time gets closer to be sure you're in the MK when Spectromagic is scheduled.

A good guidebook is essential (I like Birnbaum's or the Unofficial Guide). It will help you pick out which attractions will be the most fun/interesting for your DS. Keep in mind that it will be virtually impossible to see/do everything, so it helps to have your priorities set out before you leave.

Most important?? Keep comin' back to these boards as new questions pop up . . . nothing like first-hand experience to help you plan the best-ever trip. Perhaps the two of you can plan together?? The anticipation can be as much fun as the trip!

 

[dcg0317]

Thanks Donna of Oz
This will be my second time to WDW, the first time was well over 10 years ago and I know there is a lot more to see and do, only stayed for 3 days then but still have such good memories, matter of fact I still can't get it's a small world song out of my head! ( think I'll pass on that ride) I also have both books you mention and to tell you the truth I filnd them helpful but also so mind boggleing. I'm also trying to get my DS involed, right now he's trying to decide on what character show he would like to go to. I also let him pick where to stay. I just didn't like how the unoffical guide touring plans where, they seem like a forced marches I had when I was in the Marines. I'm also not sure if we will need one if we are going at the end of Sept. when the crowds are low and don't have to plan every little detail, because if I know my son he's going to want to go swimming. Thanks for the info and for the link on early entry days.

 

[lentesta]

Hi folks,

I think this is the first thread on Disboards every started about TouringPlans.com. I'm grateful for the opportunity to explain what we do.

TouringPlans.com is one of the research groups of the Unoffical Guide to Walt Disney World. We provide the touring plans used in the Unofficial Guide, along with the computer software used to create those plans.

As we mention in the Unofficial Guide and on the website, if you're willing to get up early and want to see the most popular attractions in each park, the touring plans in the Unofficial Guide are the best available anywhere. They can save from two to five hours of standing in line on busy days. If you're one of these people, you don't need a customized touring plan.

Some people, understandably, either don't want to wake up early on their vacation, or want to see a substantially different set of attractions than those found in the Unofficial Guide's plans. It is for these people that a customized touring plan may make sense. Want to sleep until noon, then head to the Magic Kingdom? Feel like taking a nap and a dip in the pool halfway through your day in the Studios? Three priority seating meals in Epcot? We can create touring plans that accomodate all of these needs while minimizing the amount of time you spend waiting in lines.

In many ways, DCG0317, it's the exact opposite of a Bataan-like march. Tell us what you'd like to do, and we'll suggest how to do it with as little standing in line and extra walking as possible.

Hope this helps. I'd be happy to answer any questions about the website. Thanks again for asking.

Sincerely,

Len Testa

 

[jaysue]

I did some of the touring plans - if we were tired or wanted a break or did not like something we just skipped the part of the plan or deferred into until later in the day.

DW was amazed at how we managed to avoid lines and seemed to get through the attractions at a good pace

I did not feel like it was a forced march because I did not slave to the plan

Having said all that I love the Unofficial Guide which I would recommend buying first and then if $$ allowed Passporter 2nd to keep things organised

For those in the know, I did the "Dumbo or die in a day" MK blitz on an EE day with DS on our last day at WDW - it was a 11.5 hour day in the park and it was a lot of fun. Also, as a side benefit DS was asleep in the car before we got to the Turnpike heading back to Ft Lauderdale and he slept all the way!

Thanks
Jason

 

[Fantasia Sam]

I'm also an Unofficial Guide lover and I have followed the touring plans but as I have always been to WDW out of season I've never felt that I was on a group march or anything.

The one rule I always used to stick to is if you pass a ride that's on your list and it hasn't got a line - ride it then, don't pass it.

I would certainly give touringplans a go at some point - they sound neat

 

[cruisnfamily]

How about tourguidemike? I've read about it but haven't used the service....has anybody used it?

Also, DU will provide you with some kind of itinerary as well if you use them. Any feedback on this?

 

[dcg0317]

Thanks to everyone with all the feed back. I do own the unofficial guide and do like it, I was just trying to see if anyone has used the service I mentioned. From what I can tell from reading many helpful tips is that the week my DS and I are going should not be very crowed and was it worth the extra expence on a custom tour guild, either I way go I will have some sort of plan and envole my son as much as possible, I know he wants to go to the Hoop Dee Doo Revue, still have about 6 months of planning and if I do decide to use there service I will let everyone how it was.
Thanks again, you people are great
Don

 

[donna in Oz]

hi Don . . .

If you are planning to attend the Hoop-Dee-Doo Review, I'd suggest you call now for reservations. Since WDW accepts reservations for this two years' ahead, that gives you an idea of how popular it is. If you can get a reservation, you may be limited to which night you'll be able to get. If so, then you can plan around it.


You're right . . . you're going at a great time. October & May are my fave times to go. As a matter of fact, we'll be arriving just after you leave!!!

 

[firecracker]

I'm a complete cheapskate, but decided to try Tour Guide Mike. I LOVE it!

I've been to the World many times and this board is an awesome help, but TGM actually tells me what order to do the rides in to get the most out of my day.

He's also great about sharing little-known facts and tidbits from his days as a VIP guide.

For you skeptics---NO, I'm not Tour Guide Mike and I'm not getting paid for this post!

 

[dcg0317]

Thanks donna for the info, I didn't know it was that popular, I'm looking into it right away, hopefully it won't be booked. have 6 nights to chose from. Thanks again.
Don

 

[halfway there]

You're right about that time period being the least crowded one to go. So you may just want to prioritize what is the most interesting to your son (and you).
Another book to consider in this regard (I know, enough reading already!) is WDW with Kids by Kim Wright Wiley. This was invaluable to me when my kids were younger even tho' I had already been to WDW many, many times. It explains the attractions, gives height requirements and tells which restaurants have kid friendly food among other things.

 

[magicmaker]

I was looking at the website for TouringPlans.com and it looks like the touring plans would be helpful for less experienced visitors. It would probably help those people who spend a lot of time saying, "What are going to do next..."

Do you think WDW should provide this service for guests? Would you get one if you could get it right at the theme parks?

Just Curious