Unofficial Guide or TGM?

[2Tiggies]

I have used the books before and was undecided whether to go with TGM or UG this trip. I know UG and have found it very trusty -despite travelling at heavily crowded times. TGM does not look like something for me and I could see myself getting frustrated. I think I get more on these boards anyway! However I did take out a UG subscription since I have the 2010 book and it only cost me aboutr $5 with the discount.

It is never guaranteed but they are IMO close enough. Besides, second week in December is not going to be anything like Easter week or Xmas/New Year so I don't think it will make or break your trip if it was slightly out.

 

[dixonsontour]

Is UG the touringplans.com one? I've subscribed the last couple of years to that.

It worked well for our Dec 09 trip so i've stuck to the same plan this time -i.e doing the park they suggest as the 'best' each day.

I did look at their detailed plans eg one day touring plan for AK but didn't follow them. I think those are more aimed at the US market who are trying to do it all in 4 or 5 days. We had at least 2 days in each park and it was a quiet time of year.

 

[Cyrano]

Is UG the touringplans.com one? I've subscribed the last couple of years to that.

It worked well for our Dec 09 trip so i've stuck to the same plan this time -i.e doing the park they suggest as the 'best' each day.

I did look at their detailed plans eg one day touring plan for AK but didn't follow them. I think those are more aimed at the US market who are trying to do it all in 4 or 5 days. We had at least 2 days in each park and it was a quiet time of year.

Yes Unofficial Guide author Len Testa is the very same of touringplans.com fame

 

[2Tiggies]

I did look at their detailed plans eg one day touring plan for AK but didn't follow them. I think those are more aimed at the US market who are trying to do it all in 4 or 5 days. We had at least 2 days in each park and it was a quiet time of year.

I know what you mean about the extra time we spend there, but I still find the plans great. Especially useful in Easter week What works for us is to use them up to the point when we want to wing it. It certainly helps to get more done when you know exactly where you are going and in what order. Sometimes you can get through the half day ones pretty easily and then do as you please for the rest of the day - or have a late start after a lazy morning (great for following a late night before). I am a big fan of Touring Plans. Love the podcast too

 

[wils]

Didn't love TGM. Didn't feel I learnt that much and the touring plans didn't suit our family (is there more to MK than BLSRS!)

When the window for ADRS changed the system didn't cope and as my 'days to book' were then in the past I didn't get my alerts.

I did like the info on activities and the kidss have been in clubs and on a piraate ccruisse this trip.

Get to the parks for opening and have a good few hours before lunch has always stood us in good stead, just avoid Thursday's (that was a joke by the way).

Pretty much our motto which is 'Get there for opening (or ideally just before) and stay as long as you can bear!' - we have done Easter and Christmas trips recently!

Boxing Day and Easter Monday were pretty quiet early on - we were on site for Christmas and in the park at 7.00 as it was EMH. We had Fantasyland more or less to ourselves

 

[2Tiggies]

Didn't love TGM. Didn't feel I learnt that much and the touring plans didn't suit our family (is there more to MK than BLSRS!)

When the window for ADRS changed the system didn't cope and as my 'days to book' were then in the past I didn't get my alerts.

I had a strong feeling that it wasn't going to suit me either. I looked at the website and didn't really feel happy that I had no idea what I was buying - really. At least with UG (okay, I know it from the books) they give you sample info available to anyone on the website so you can get an idea of whether it will work for you or not. That and the fact that TGM was 4 times the price (taking into account my discount for owning the current book) and I felt that with TGM I would still have to do all the work. Maybe if I stuck rigidly to a military style plan it could work, but I want a framework so I don't have to plan every detail of my day and I can build my own flexibility into that - or abandon it completely if I so desire.

Pretty much our motto which is 'Get there for opening (or ideally just before) and stay as long as you can bear!' - we have done Easter and Christmas trips recently!

See, most of us know what to do already. I do love the section in small kids fright potential in the UG and all the details. It is a great reference book, even if you don't use the plans. It was good to be able to look when making my ADRs, for example if I wanted a last lunch seating, and see what time was still counted as lunch.

 

[wils]

I do love the section in small kids fright potential in the UG and all the details. It is a great reference book, even if you don't use the plans. It was good to be able to look when making my ADRs, for example if I wanted a last lunch seating, and see what time was still counted as lunch.

That sounds useful. I might consider that if we even get home again to plan another trip LOL!