Which Crowd Calendar is the best?

[MPE]

Hi everyone, I am getting conflicting reports on different crowd calendars. I don't remember which one we used for our last Disney trip. Any advice on which one would be the most accurate for May 2016? Thank you!

 

[Alesia]

easywdw.com

 

[rpb718]

May 2016 - that's a tough one and may be too early to pin down at this moment because there are so many different factors coming into play in Spring 2016.

It depends on when the "official" dates for when (1) Soarin' is back with a new film, (2) the new Frozen ride is up and running and (3) the A&E M&G is all set to go at Epcot. Even rumors of "soft openings" could affect the crowds.

Also, it depends on when (1) the "Rivers of Light" evening spectacle and (2) evening safari starts at AK that will go along with a later closing time for AK. Same spiel about "soft openings" here - especially for RoL.

Over at HS, it depends on when work begins for the new Toy Story and Star Wars lands and the unknown parts of HS that may be off limits during the construction.

There may be other things going on as well, such as new places opening up at DSp which could have a slight impact. I'm not sure if the rehab/closure schedules are finalized this far in advance for May 2016.

The short version is, no one truly knows at this time how the above will affect the crowd calendars. Some of the above may come into play and the "recommended parks" displayed for crowd calendars as shown now may change.

 

[minnie mum]

I prefer easywdw.com over touringplans.com. I've found them mostly accurate (no calendar will ever be 100%). I want the information and recommendations Josh provides in his day by day explanations.

As for upcoming changes in the parks this year, all of the calendars do updates to each month, as necessary, as soon as they are officially announced. Given Disney's habit of frequently changing park hours, etc, it is common sense to make tentative plans early on, with the understanding that you need to recheck the calendars occasionally to see what, if any, changes may have occurred that may alter park recommendations.

 

[mcraige]

Here's another vote for Josh and http://www.easywdw.com/easy/. It's hard to argue with someone who spends so much time in the parks.

 

[akaDaddy]

Have been at WDW since December 19th and have to say I LOVE TOURING PLANS!!!! Best 10 bucks I spent for anything Disney related.

I like the way you can make an individual plan and then change or update it at anytime. This option came in handy a couple of times when Big Thunder Mt and Haunted Mansion needs shut down.

Recommendations were spot on!

Yesterday was Christmas Day and we arrived at rope drop. With only using a 7DMT fast-pass, our family rode Space Mt twice, Big Thunder Mt twice, Splash Mt and 7DMT, grabbed a Nutella Waffle, cancelled two MK fast pass and was on our way to Animal Kingdom by 9:50. The site said AK was slow in the am and boy was it right. Walked on Everest three times, Rapids twice, Dino and the Safari. Never waited more than five minutes and plenty of fast passes (which touring plans has site for on their app which helps with trying to schedule multiple times close together).

I like Josh's site and have used it in the past but this year easywdw wouldn't even support the weeks I was at the park. For me that settles the debate.

 

[JaimeK]

Have been at WDW since December 19th and have to say I LOVE TOURING PLANS!!!! Best 10 bucks I spent for anything Disney related.

I agree the touring plans $ is well spent. I like making plans just to see what is possible I.e. Can we do x,y,z and then see the show at this time? And the wait times app looks fantastic.

 

[DisneyPanthersFan]

We haven't used Easy WDW so I can't comment on that, but Touring Plans is well worth the money. We also love how you can easily update your individual plan during the day via the app.

 

[preemiemama]

Another vote for Josh and Easy WDW. We have used his plans for the past several trips. He gives good advice and gives you reasons for his recommendations. He will also demonstrate how the plans work on his site in real time in the parks- and at different times with different crowd levels.

 

[maryj11]

I like touring plans and easywdw. I have used both for a few years. I had always said easywdw was best until our last trip in August this year. Easywdw had the middle of the week as recommended days for MK and touring plans had lower crowds on the weekend. We went on Saturday and Tuesday. The Saturday crowds were lower and Tuesday ended up being more crowded with touring plans changing the crowd level to a 10. So that trip touring plans was more accurate. But in the past easywdw has been more accurate. So it is a toss up.
This trip I'm going more by touring plans but I'am also comparing it to easywdw recommendations.