Unofficial Guide vs. Tour Guide Mike's Touring Plan?

[magicmirror]

Has anyone tried both UG and Tour Guide Mike's touring plans? Which worked best? Is it best to try to follow one as closely as possible, or is it better to use it more as a guide than an actual plan? Or once we get there should we expect to get completely lost in the magic and just rough it? Nov. (Thanksgiving week) will be our first trip, and I haven't found a plan that seems to fit our family, (DD 15, DS12, DD4) The 11 year age difference btw. oldest and youngest has me wondering whether I should try to follow a plan more suited to teens and older children; or one for preschoolers? Also, do any of you let your teenage children go off and explore, ride the rides, ect.... by themselves, is it safe? Being that this is our first visit, I want to experience it all together, I want to be with the big ones when they scream on TOT and with the little one as she is amazed by cinderellas carousel. Of course its probably not fair to make the older ones wait around if they are not interested in the rides or attractions that the little one becomes mesmerized by, and vice versa. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Could be that I am over thinking this and everything will work itself out. (this post got a lot longer than I intended it to, sorry!)

 

[Amyrlin]

I havew both they are both different. UG is a good reseource, you have it hand and it can give advace re room locations etc. TGM is far more up to date and gives more personalised advice and is more focused in the parks and how to make the most of your time.

If I had to choose only 1 I would choose TGM as it is the most useful.

 

[clonetothebone]

I would let the teens do some things on their own while you are hanging out with the young one. They might enjoy the space and then the youngster can do some of the tamer rides and eveyone is happy. If there is something you want to do with the older kids try the child swap.

 

[Synonymous]

I think TGM and UG have different purposes. TGM is meant to help you have the best time possible in the parks; UG is meant to get you on as many rides as possible as quickly as possible. I guess you decide which best matches your goals and pick.

Given the cost of each though, you might as well get 'em both and decide after you look through them.

BTW- TGM gives advice on how to meet the varying needs of different aged guests.

 

[mill4023]

Since you said it is your first visit, I highly recommend TGM. I learned so much from his site. His touring plans are "sample" plans that are intended to be modified to fit your own preferences. But he gives so much explanation behind the logic of everything in the plan that it makes it easy to create your own plan based on his samples.

I also enjoy the UG and it has a ton of information, but there isn't as much explanation behind the touring plans.

Personally, we tried to stick together as much as possible. Yes, our 11 yr old had to sit through the Barney show at Universal and Playhouse Disney at MGM, but our younger kids also had to wait while we did child swaps on rides like Rock n Roller. It wasn't a problem for us at all. Actually, having some time to sit and wait was a good rest. Going all day at a theme park is very tiring and our kids were fine with spending some time just sitting and waiting.

 

[mill4023]

The other advice I'd give you about planning is that it's important to be flexible. I highly recommend having a plan because it can really help minimize the time you spend waiting in lines and it elminates a lot of the time spent debating what everyone wants to do next. But it's also important to relax, be flexible, and not worry about it if everything doesn't go according to plan.

 

[drogerstn]

... Also, do any of you let your teenage children go off and explore, ride the rides, ect.... by themselves, is it safe? .... Of course its probably not fair to make the older ones wait around if they are not interested in the rides or attractions that the little one becomes mesmerized by, and vice versa. Any suggestions?

I'd let the 15 and 12 year olds go off occasionally on their own. There is a good chance that they will enjoy some of the kiddie stuff and may even want to go to them with you... Its not always easy picking to meet back up at a precise time but you can get close; pick a meeting spot where whoever gets there 1st can wait comfortably.