Unofficial Guide tour plans

[trappednabox]

Has anyone ever used one of the tour plans in the unofficial guide, I want to use them, but I feel like it might be too much for the kids.... it's driving me crazy!!!

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Years ago when DH and I went to WDW (BC - before children), we decided to use the touring guides from the UG. I found that it involved too much criss crossing across the parks.

This year we went the week leading up to and including Christmas. Since I knew it would be packed, we wanted a little help. I subscribed to TourGuideMiKE.com. We used his touring guides and found them to be very family friendly. With a 10 YO and a 5 YO, we appreciated going to one area of the park at a time.

 

[Conkozan]

I haven't, but "dumbo do or die" cracks me up!

 

[Mainebound]

We have used them in 2003 and 2004 with our preschoolers and had great success, even during the busy Spring Break period. We just love the Unofficial Guide. You can PM me for more details if you like!

 

[Selket]

Try http://www.tourguidemike.com for the best touring plans IMHO.

I like the UG for the hotel and restaurant info and other stuff in there but I could never ever deal with the touring plans. I like tour guide mike because he explains in depth (if you want to read it) why to do certain rides at certain times. With this understanding it is much easier to be flexible about your schedule and not just running from one ride to another (although Mike can send you doing that too if you want - just print out his list and go). With little kids I need flexibility. And I see tips on Mike's site that are priceless.

The touringplans.com website has a great trip planner though - pages you can print out which are very cool.

 

[kidangel]

For our first trip in 1996, DH used the touring plans in the UG to come up with a version for our family. It was pretty close to the actual plan in the book. Since it was Dec 27-Jan 2 - the BUSIEST time of the year, and we were travelling with a 7 week old, a 4 y.o. and a 7 y.o., it was perfect! We saw EVERYTHING and didn't spend more than 15 minutes in line for the whole trip. (stayed off site, too)

Since then, we've gone at quieter times. Usually, DH will create a plan for us that's pretty close to the UG plan, but we'll modify as we go along, especially if the crowds, etc are light. I always advise anyone I know to use the plans if they go, or at least use them as a base for their own plan. The "arrive early" mantra is something that people really need to get their heads around, and in my mind that's the most important part of the plans. The next important part would be understanding the rides and attractions and how they operate, load/unload, etc.

But, inevitably, people I know don't use the plans, ignore most of what the book suggests, and come home saying, "Ok, it wasn't bad, but I wouldn't go again in a hurry. Too much money for too much standing in line." I think one of the reasons we go back again and again is that we get SO much from the trip, without breaking the bank, and using the plans is what's made that possible for us.

 

[deltachi8]

Used the (UOG) last year and never waited more than 10 minutes for anything. My 8 year old understood the crissrossing and such when i explained to him that we wouldnt be waiting in long lines this way - he was on board then!

 

[turnerx5]

We too had a great experience with Unofficial Guide plans in November this year, the week before Thanksgiving. Also, the ride charts give you a good idea of what times to visit certain rides. That way if you have a partial day in the park and arrive after opening, you can see what rides usually have little or no wait, grab a fast pass for a ride with a wait, ride the walk on then come back to the "busy" ride.

My only complaint is that with younger children, you should not expect to complete many of the touring plans - at least if you are in the off season and park hours are shorter.

That said, the Unofficial Guide is a great resource, and we found their plans to be quite helpful. We also really enjoyed the humorous quotes from other WDW visitors. The intro piece on touring with children called "Whose Dream Is It Anyway" is worth the cost of the book alone!

Hope this helps, Tx5

.

 

[missypie]

Never used them at WDW, but loved them at DL. The first time we were thinking of going to DL, I bought the UG and it gave me a headache. We didn't go. A couple of years later we went and I followed the touring plans and everyone loved it. What was very important was that I talked to the family about it 1st...for example, if you're on a two day plan, TELL THEM in advance that Space Mountain is on Day 2, for example, so they won't bug you about it the first day...same thing for characters. Prepare the kids to pass the characters by when it's early in the morning. Tell them when you'll do what you're passing by and them stick to your word.

 

[lentesta]

Hey folks,

Thanks for reading the Guide! Incidentally, if you have any requests or suggestions for touring plans for the next edition of the book, feel free to drop me a line at the email address below. I can't guarantee we'll print 'em, but we'll certainly consider each request carefully.

trappednabox, I'll be happy to answer any questions you have about the Guide's touring plans. We'll have many more alternate plans for small children posted to the web shortly, for all four parks. If your trip's not for a few more weeks, that would also be another options.

Sincerely,

Len Testa
len@touringplans.com

 

[Mainebound]

To the OP -- do not listen to the critics who claim that UG has you "running from ride to ride". A touring plan -- ANY -- touring plan, is an itinerary. Whether you run or not is your business. With our 3 and 5 years olds, we certainly do NOT RUN from ride to ride. We have a wonderful relaxing trip following the UG plans.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

We used the UOG plans on our last trip with a 4 and 2 year old. I highly recommend them!!! We followed the "dumbo or die" plan to the letter----except for the Chuck Bubba Relay which I would not feel comfortable doing. The kids had a wonderful time, as did DH and I. We never waited more than 10 minutes for anything.

We're going back in 2 months and can't wait!!!

Len,
I think you guys do a great job. I do wish there were a few more "changes" with each addition---such as including a few new letters from readers. Our family recommends the UOG to everyone taking a WDW trip that we come across!!

 

[trappednabox]

thanks for all the help! I think I will wait till the new plans are posted to make up my mind, and I really loved the ug, especially all the funny little tounge and cheek remarks......it's the best!

 

[DownNeckBoy]

The UG touring plans are absolutely the simplest way to see as many attractions as possible with as little time spent waiting as possible. This past summer my son and I used a touring plan to see EVERY attraction in MK. It was the highlight of my son's trip!

I will say this, however, no matter which plan you use the Indy cars brings your day to a dead-stop. This is easily the WORST attraction in Disney for moving people along.

Good luck with your planning!

 

[sarahsmom3]

Did I hear right that there is a NEW UG coming out the end of this month??? Also do they have a website???

 

[trappednabox]

I'm almost positive it's touringplans.com

 

[Mainebound]

Did I hear right that there is a NEW UG coming out the end of this month??? Also do they have a website???

Yes, it is coming out soon, I am not sure whether it is end of Jan or in Feb.

See touringplans.com for their website with online updates to the current version of the 2005 Guide as well as trip planning sheets and info about purchasing custom touring plans.