Unofficial guide touring plans - do they work?

[debkorb1]

Just wanted to know whether the touring plans work and to hear people's experiences of using them.

 

[stacy6552]

ON our first trip, I did alot of planning from these boards. Tips like go to toon town first thing or hit Tom Sawyers island right at 10am.......I havent used a specific books touring plan, but Im sure they know what they are talking about.

Heres the best tip you will get. Use your plans as a guide, but go with the flow and abandon it in favor of happiness, relaxation, and group harmony. While we still havent seen everything in 4 trips, we feel like we have missed nothing.

 

[lentesta]

Hey Debkorb,

I think when most folks ask whether the plans "work," they're looking for answers to these two questions:

1) Do they save time?

and

2) How hard are they to follow?

I'm pretty sure D) the answer to #1 is yes. You're probably most interested in #2, especially as it relates to real families in the parks. Don't forget that tips for #2 are in the Guide itself.

Hope this helps. Let me know if there's anything we can do to help with your planning.

Sincerely,

Len

 

[elemusing]

YES YES YES!!!! They absolutely work. I wouldn't go to WDW without my touring plans in hand. We were literally amazed the first time we went and used them.

 

[EmmasGrammy]

Yes they do indeed "work". They require alot of hopping around and bypassing certain rides until a later time, so explain to your children (if you have any) ahead of time that you are folowing a plan and you won't be skipping these rides. Most small children don't get the concept of a touring plan and they want to ride what they see when they see it. It is so important to explain this ahead of time.

The plans save lots of time and endless waiting in line. Do remember they are only a guide line and not set in stone. If something magical pops up, don't forgo the magic because your schedule demands you to be somewhere else.

Also, very important, is the taking a break in the middle of the day. This is so important if you have little ones in tow!!! They (and you) will enjoy the parks so much more if they aren't exhausted.

 

[dijid]

My answer is a resounding YES they work - when you are there without kids LOL! When it was DH and I we found we were able to get through everything by following them. When we went last year with a 1yo and 3yo, we had an inkling they weren't going to work as well, but ended up throwing them out. You just can't predict in advance whether your kids will have lots of energy and want to run from ride to ride or whether you'll have a meltdown at 9am because they want to see Mickey Mouse THEN. We were all happier just kinda winging it.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

As to whether or not the touring guides are really necessary probably depends a lot on the time of year a person is going. I've only been to WDW once in the summer and that was the middle to end of August, so I don't normally go when the crowds are real large.

The first trip or two we followed the touring guides for the most part. After that, we knew the things we wanted to do, the things we wanted to skip, and the new rides that we wanted to try. The last trip (I had only my 4yo with me and we met my sister) we knew what rides to go to first to avoid long waits. We hit them first and then were very flexible. Again, this was during a slow time, the beginning of February, so we could wing it for the most part. We like to repeat our favorite rides (Tower of Terror, Test Track, Splash Mt, Big Thunder, etc) so we needed to get to some of them early and we used fastpass whenever possible.

I think for a first visit the guides are especially helpful to follow. I now use them as more of a planning resource, and they are very helpful.

T&B

 

[betterlatethannever]

Yes, it worked for us. Our first trip was in 1989 and used the unofficial guide. We had 4 and 6 YO boys at the time and, even though there was a lot of walking (skipping rides/attractions and back tracking), they managed. Actually, before our trip, we had them walking each day. Maybe a mile or more. I can't remember.

Especially at MK, the thing to keep in mind is to go to an attraction when the guide states (e.g. 9-11). If you are following the plan and are off schedule, skip to the ride that meets the suggested time in the guide. (e.g. it says to ride dumbo first thing in the morning. Well if the park opens at 9 and you get to the gates at 9:30 skip dumbo.

As you do the plan, lets say you meet Mickey and spend some time with him. The next ride on the plan is suggested to be done by noon and it is 12:30, skip the ride. You will end up wasting time if you do the rides in order of the plan irregardless of the time of day.

Ed

 

[clkelley]

Yep they work!!!! Me and a friend got 34 attractions in 10 hours at the Magic Kingdom in December!!!

Another couple with us managed 42 attractions in the same 10 hours!!!

Of course with kids, that is a lot harder, and Len told us most families even when hustling only manage 12-15 attractions per day.

I want to try it again someday, but I've got to lose a few pounds and get into a little better shape!!

Carol

 

[ead79]

Yes, they definitely work. We have been lucky enough to have encountered such light crowds on our last few trips that we didn't need to use the plans, but on past trips we have used them quite successfully. Now, if they could just make a touring plan for getting a seat at Pop Century's food court during breakfast, that would be great, LOL!

 

[lentesta]

I love you all.

Thanks very much.

Len

 

[Susiesnowflake]

They have definitely worked for us! That first visit after reading the Unofficial Guide had me in an initial panic, however. My husb was a man on a mission, and I was really worried we were going to miss so much adhering to a schedule. We may have been a bit commando the first visit to each park, but the information and touring plans in the book definitely work. Just modify and individualize to your particular interests/needs. I credit the Unofficial Guide for the wonderful times we have at WDW. We experience so much....the attractions and most importantly the magic.....because of the information shared in that book. It is a great resource for anyone considering a trip to WDW.

 

[tiberius]

They do work well. Just remember they are a guide--so feel free to deviate a bit if there is something else you really want to do at a certain time.

 

[QuickGold]

They definetly work out well. I've used them on my last few trips and they're great.

 

[heffalump9]

UOG tour plans really work, bought my first book in '96 and one for every trip since. . . well worth the money for all the time and frustration saved!!!

 

[kctinkerbell]

We were just returned home yesterday from our very first trip to the WORLD and I'm sooooooo very glad that we used to touring plans. They were so helpful!!!! When I saw people standing around looking at maps, I would just cringe thinking of all the time they were wasting. My parents and my husband thought I was nuts with all the planning, but as it turned out they were glad we had a plan and my kids got to do everything they wanted!!!

I wouldn't tour without them for a first timer!!!


kctinkerbell

 

[jaysue]

They really do work - the most efficient I have used in terms of time and aggravation saved is the MK touring plan "dumbo or die in a day". To paraphrase the book, this is for those parents who want their child to experience a perfect day at MK.

We did this one and it rocked big time

It was in mid May and crowds were moderate - the time just flew by

The more busy the parks, the more time and aggravation the plans will save in comparison to wandering around

thanks
jaysue

 

[arizonacolbys]

I've never used a "guide" to touring the parks, but do like to have an idea of where we are headed before we get to the parks. It is just me & my hubby, so we move pretty fast, but we always get everything done when we visit the parks. I think one of the biggest differences is the time of year you visit the parks. We like to go in the off season & have completed all of the MK before noon.

If using a guide just be flexible. I know a family member that wore out the little one by starting on one ride in Tomorrowland, then shot over to Adventureland, then back to Fantasyland. Sometimes, especially with little ones, it may be best to start in one land & finish everything in that area before moving along. HTH! Have Fun!

 

[DisneyVillain]

Originally posted by tiberius
Just remember they are a guide--so feel free to deviate a bit if there is something else you really want to do at a certain time.

I agree. Even to the point of dumping them entirely and spending the rest of the day at the hotel pool or a waterpark if you aren't having fun.

The times when they don't work are when people get confused, and see following the plan as the objective, instead of the plan being a tool for achieving the objective -- to have fun!

 

[HaleyB]

They are the best thing since sliced bread. We have gone with young kids and used several of the touring plans. They all worked well for us. If nothing else they keep you from being overwhelemed by your options. No standing in the middle of a walkway wondering where to go (or worse arguing over it) while blocking the path for everyone else. You will see a lot of 'deer in the headlights' looks on peoples faces, and you can be sure they are the unluckey ones who did not find out about The UGtoWDW!