Which crowd predictor?

[Trip planner]

I noticed that a few of the crowd predictors have said completely opposite things for my dec 2014 trip. I have never had that happen before. Who do I go with?

 

[maryj11]

Easywdw is the closest that I have seen on being accurate.

 

[letsgoreds]

easywdw, hands down.

I'm curious, what dates and what discrepancies are you noting? Sometimes Touring Plans will update later, or completely miss the boat if it is a one time occurance, unique situation. Read the individual day rationale on easywdw, and perhaps the reason for the discrepancy will become clear.

 

[maciec]

for the first time in years I have decided to go with easywdw. For our last trip I used both and they were pretty close. Close enough that I am going to go with the free site versus paying. I will admit though that I will probably break down and subscribe to touringplans again.

 

[summerlady]

Here's another for easywdw. The only time the crowds were underestimated (in my experience) was last Mardi Gras at the MK.

 

[sethschroeder]

for the first time in years I have decided to go with easywdw. For our last trip I used both and they were pretty close. Close enough that I am going to go with the free site versus paying. I will admit though that I will probably break down and subscribe to touringplans again.

I say this each time it comes up. If all you want is a general number of a crowd go to EasyWDW without question. If you want the additional benefits like the inpark app and ride by ride projections you go to touringplans all day long and its not really that expensive to add.

 

[Kristie911]

So I'm looking at the EasyWDW site now and seeing that the day I planned MK is actually not recommended that day. I already had an ADR planned for Crystal Palace but I might be able to switch it to another day.

I guess I'm wondering if it's really worth switching your entire plan because it's not a recommended day? FWIW, we're going in late September so it's not a really high crowd level to start with.

 

[maryj11]

We went this past week and easywdw was pretty much right on with it's predictions but I thought two days were a little off . When we went to MK but it was opening day for the Mine Train. It said it was 7 on the calendar but I would put it at an 8 and Epcot was not recommended on Memorial day but it was actually really nice crowdwise. Easywdw is still the most accurate and if it is off it is only by just a little. It is usually the best one and way better than Touring Plans in my opinion. It is the one I always go by.

 

[michsig]

EasyWDW has never failed me!

 

[TNDisneyNut]

Ill be on the odd one out and say I love touring plans. They post how accurate their predictions have been after the fact so you can see if they were spot on or off. However, I usually go when crowds are not as big a factor, so it may cloud my decision against other people. I almost always go in September and crowds are low. I just love all the bells and whistles that go with touring plans, and I find it easier to follow. I love the app and the room selector. Well worth the price IMO.

 

[Mikie]

So I'm looking at the EasyWDW site now and seeing that the day I planned MK is actually not recommended that day. I already had an ADR planned for Crystal Palace but I might be able to switch it to another day.

I guess I'm wondering if it's really worth switching your entire plan because it's not a recommended day? FWIW, we're going in late September so it's not a really high crowd level to start with.

I don't remember if easyWDW has an in-depth explanation, but I know Touring Plans specifically addresses that question in their FAQ section or in "how to use touring plans" maybe.

Basically, they say that choosing the specific park day is beneficial, but not nearly as much as time of year (you're already doing good there) and choosing to arrive early and use a touring plan of some sort to organize your day. Those will have a bigger effect on how much you wait in lines.

I use crowd calendars to help select certain days, but if I score a desirable ADR and it doesn't land me in a "red/avoid" park, I stick with my ADR.

 

[Trip planner]

easywdw, hands down.

I'm curious, what dates and what discrepancies are you noting? Sometimes Touring Plans will update later, or completely miss the boat if it is a one time occurance, unique situation. Read the individual day rationale on easywdw, and perhaps the reason for the discrepancy will become clear.

The discrepancies were for Epcot around dec 12-16. I saw both green and red for the same day. It was on easy WDW and undercover tourist (I think). I have never paid for touring plans (yet anyway).