UG Touring Plans: do they work?

[cdrn1]

Has anyone followed the UG plans? If so, how closely did you adhere and how well did it work? I have always been a skeptic as it seemed that a lot of back-tracking was involved. However, it occurred to me the last time I went that I spent lots of time back-tracking anyway! So I subscribed to the website and printed out a couple plans for my next trip, and they look like they make sense.
Any thoughts?

 

[ryley26]

We use the basic outline of the plan and modify taking out rides. We never wait long works well for us.

 

[Novinha]

We used the one day touring plan for Magic Kingdom on January 3, 2006 when I thought the park was very crowded. We did EXACTLY as the book said to do. Our longest line was 14 minutes, most were nearly walk-ons though. And I didn't really feel like there was too much criss-crossing. I walk A LOT though, so maybe I just didn't notice.

 

[SeattleMark]

We prefer TourGuideMike to UG simply because Mike explains the WHY of each step, versus just a list to follow. That way when, it seems invariably, you need to deviate from the plan, you know the impact and how to recover.

I know many people prefer UG, but TGM worked the best for us. We found UG a little too "Commando" for us.

http://www.tourguidemike.com

 

[RoyalCanadian]

That way when, it seems invariably, you need to deviate from the plan, you know the impact and how to recover.

The UG also gives a very clear and concise explanation of what to do when a deviation from the plan is required and how to recover from that deviation.

I have used the UG Touring Plans on two successive WDW vacations. The touring plans are easy to understand and after using them for a number of days I was able to cobble together our own touring plan for a day in the MK when we returned to see a few attractions that had been "down" during our previous two days. It worked like a charm and it was all due to an in-depth reading of both the UG and the UG website.

The UG won't steer you wrong.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Also used the UG, during the most crowded week of the year, and it worked a charm! My family is completely anti-commando, so it was hard to follow the very first step (be there 1/2 hour before opening!), but even arriving a little late, were able to follow much of the plan and get all the important rides in before the crowds made it impossible to walk around the park. There's also cheatsheets on the website, telling you what times of day to attempt certain attractions, what times to avoid them, and what times to FP only. Also, check out the best days to visit...they say it's not nearly as important as a good touring plan, but I found it gave me just the edge I needed since I couldn't follow the plans exactly.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

tourguide Mike's worked best for us

 

[minster22]

This first time I used the UG tours was in the mid-90's(??) during an Easter week trip. The parks were insanely crowded. I have been a major fan of this guidebook ever since. We really got to do so much with very little or no waiting. My DS was young then and of course wanted to do everything and folllowing the tour plans and of course the arrive early recommendation was invaluable. Now we have been many times and are DVC members so we pick and choose what we are doing but I have a trip planned in March with a friend who has never been so I will pull out those tours and follow them.

 

[lovethattink]

I live in Central Florida. I have an annual pass and visit WDW all the time. Don't know why for sure, but I bought some tour guide books. I found UG to be very accurate. The only place where I disagreed with UG was dining. Personally I don't think you can go wrong with UG.