Which Automated Planning option is right for me?

[javaonline]

I've got 2 kids...one is 5 the other is 2. Planning on going to WDW 10/6-10/13. Ive got the UG...but Im not fond of any of the touring plan options for families with kids...

Touringplans.com gives me access to 48 new touring plans for $6.95

RideMax.com gives me a software program to create a plan for $18.95

TGM gives me an automated vacation planner to create a plan for $18.95 (less $3 DIScount)

Any advice on using any of the 3?

 

[cocowum]

We always use touringplans.com and I buy the UG every year. I just love it.

I purchased TGM once and really didn't like it. I requested a full refund. I did recieve my refund along with a pretty stongly worded email from Mike himself.

I have no experience with ridemax so I can't give an opinion.

Good Luck with whatever you choose. Have a great trip.

 

[laceemouse]

I just went to touringplans.com and looked at which parks to avoid on which days during our trip (free!) Then I called and got all of the ADRs we wanted. I plan which park for which day but after that I don't want to have to follow a plan to go around the park. I don't think it will be too crowded when you go anyway!

 

[dalt01]

let me start by saying we go twice each year so it will be easy for you to say, "thats easy for you to say" i think the learning on the fly is part of the fun, thats how we started. we were going to use the unofficial guide plans and realized we were going to spend all our time adhereing to the plan and no time enjoying ourselves. ever since i have called touring plans the "commando raid" approach. all you need to do is, 1. get there before opening. 2. avoid EMH nights 3. go the morning after an EMH night (that crowd is still in bed) 3. learn how to use fastpass to your advantage. 4. dont try to do everything in one day even if you have only one day, theres always next year.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I wouldn't wing it. Go with the Unofficial Guide and their website, touringplans.com

I swear by my UG.

 

[diselderm]

TGM gives very specific detailed advice which I've found very helpful. We had such good luck with his plans when we went in June w/ dd 2 that I always go back to his site every trip.

 

[tacomaranch]

I haven't used any pay sites but I did check which park had most attentance, extended hours and planned around that information. I want to be in the park when most are not, I do know what rides and parades, shows we want to see but I can figure it out for myself.

There is no way that I can leave DH with DS or the other way around with me. So running for a FP here doesn't work for us. We all stick together.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[Mickey1122]

We don't like or need any of the guides. Just wing it.

 

[vatmark]

We used TGM. By using his site you can come up with your own plan with the rides that you want. He tells you the reason behind which rides to go on first etc.

We went last Oct. (Oct. 29th-Nov. 5th). We walked on everything. We had a wonderful relaxed vacation. We are using him again for our Dec. trip.

Annie

 

[Amyrlin]

We use Tourguide Mike, and the plans are very good and accurate.

There is a lot of informaion on the site, so it takes a bit of getting used to, but os deff. worth it as the information helps you make the most of the plans.

 

[Merriwind]

Never done a true touring plan. I used to read the UG pretty thoroughly. With that reading, you're way ahead of the average newbie. If the thought of going without one makes you nervous, I would go for touringplans.com. It is the least expensive and their book is great! Enjoy!

 

[MassMom94]

On our first and most recent trip (2003) I read four Disney guidebooks and thought the UG was the best for developing a general strategy for the parks, which I think everyone needs unless they are going the last week in January when everything is a walk-on. Or so I'm told. .

I did not use any of the UG touring plans as written in the book. Anyone who has gone to any amusement park (if I may use that term here!) knows that you need to get there early and go on the low throughput rides (e.g., Dumbo, Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise in the case of MK) before the crowds descend. Fast Pass complicates that equation a bit, but not by much. Based on what I saw from my last trip, a lot of people don't have a plan AT ALL. I couldn't believe the number of people streaming into MK at 11 AM, standing around and looking lost, when we were leaving to take our lunch/pool break.

I have looked at the TGM site and it does look interesting. I can see why people buy his product. If I were going at a really crowded time, I would be tempted. But having gone at exactly this same time before (8/25 - 8/30), I was able to manage very well without buying into any of the premium sites. We never waited more than 15 minutes for any attraction.

Ridemax I'd be a little more wary of, if only because they are brand new and don't have any track record at WDW yet.

 

[eblack0409]

Half the fun is in the planning.....do it yourself!!!

 

[javaonline]

Looks like all you folks have more faith in me than ME!

My concern is out of my son's desire to ride Buzz Lightyear as soon as we enter the MK. The touring plans in the UG have Buzz dead last on the plan for small kids. I was worried that if I deviated from the plan by doing Buzz first, I might be off track all day. Plus that plan only allows you to see less than half of the attractions...(no space for POTC!!! GEEZ)

Thanks everyone for your input....

 

[mrzrich]

I don't think it will be too crowded when you go anyway!

I would disagree with this statement a little bit Your trip is 10/6-10?13?

The begining of your trip will still have free dining plan people who arrived at the end of the promotion...you also arrive Columbus Day weekend, and then the local schools have off days at the end of your trip for teacher planning days.


You can Fast pass Buzz. I don't think any of the touring plans would advise you to start there. But if your son wants to ride it first let him. If he wants to ride it 5 times let him. He won't remember what he didn't get to do. He'll only remember that you let him ride Buzz.

 

[disneyfan61]

We used TGM for April & it worked out really well. Remember-TGM does this
for a living-he knows what he's talking about. I haven't heard of too many
people who wanted a refund. He has great info if you want to avoid the crowds.

 

[barneythebassett]

I am guessing the Buzz fanatic is the 5 year old....if that is the main attraction he wants to see, I would absolutely do it first! You would likely be able to walk right on and perhaps do it twice....how many other must sees are on your list?

We rode Buzz right before closing on a rainy night and walked right through. You could make it the first and last ride of the day....wouldn't that make you a super parent!

I have read the UG and have been enough times that I am very familiar with the layout. I am not a fan of crisscrossing the park....especially with kids in tow. I think prioritizing the attractions, knowing where they are and doing what your family wants to do is most important. Some of the attractions that may be overlooked by a touring plan might end up being your favorite.

 

[HappyCamperToo]

others?

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have been there about 15 times, most of the seasons. I most often go last week in May, Memorial Day week/weekend and the time right after Thanksgiving. But have been there in Feb, June and Sept also. All my early trips, first 13 I guess, I used basically the things I learned here on the DIS (my first trip with my family went off like I had been there 10 times before with all I learned here), as well as just learning 'on the job' while there.

The past few trips I have used TGM, I like the info. I do not plan my day for the most part around his advice, really don't look at that part much. I really like the 'what park/what days/night info. It is worth it to me to spend a few bucks just for that so I don't have to figure out what park has EMH today, yesterday, tomorrow, etc, along with any special stuff at various times of the year. When I have my dates down, I just take his suggestions for what parks and book them in my PDA. My trips are virtually all solo but I meet a lot of folks from the boards there. My schedule really comes from theirs, though the past two trips I did adhere to that 'what parks/what days'. It worked wonderfully.

I have also picked up some tips from his site along the way, a few things I did not know, that makes the park touring more fun, more easy.

I do have to say though that the most I have learned over the years has come from folks like on this thread, fellow DIS'ers.

Enjoy.