Which park which day? Tourguide Mike and Unofficial Guide disagree. Help!

[JennyW]

I've got both the Unofficial Guide and Tourguide Mike (TGM). From what I can tell, Tourguide Mike has more reasons to recommend for or against certain parks on certain days, but for several of the days (we're getting an 8 day pass) the Unofficial Guide recommends against parks that TGM says to go to. Which source should I believe? Does anyone have any experience either way? We're going from August 5-19, but will visit parks on August 6-8, then again on August 14-18 (we're going for a convention).

Thanks! I want to plan this thing so we don't have to wait in too many lines, as we have two little ones (will be 5 and 2 at the time).

jenny

 

[Selket]

I've used TGM the last 3 trips and it has never steered me wrong. I also have young kids (were 20 months and 5 their 1st trip and 3 and 7 the last one I used TGM).

Perhaps try posting your questions on the TGM boards so you can get more specific help. Mike explains why he recommends certain parks on certain days and it makes sense to me and has worked for us!

 

[lostatdisney]

We just got back and followed the TGM advice while we were there. I think he has more information than a guide does, and he's aware of things like cheer competitions, etc. I would go with Mike's advice. My family made fun of me for quoting him over and over, but he really did help us avoid the lines during a busy spring break week!

 

[JennyW]

Thanks, guys! We'll go with TGM. That's what my gut told me, anyway.

jenny

 

[SeattleMark]

We've tried both and TourGuideMike worked far better for us. Since he's able to give advice right up to the week you're leaving, including the latest changes, etc, we've found his best days far more reliable. Especially since the new EMH policy this year of varying it month to month.

 

[BAST]

We are going at essentially the same time in August as you are. I would first look at the UG online (www.touringplans.com) to see what that says for best days (it may better match TGM). Unlike the UG book, these dates change on occasion to reflect changes in the EMH days at the various parks.

Last year (and again this year), I will follow the idea that I will do a park the day after an evening EMH (as long as that park does not then have a morning EMH). I will get there before the park opens and will do the major rides first. As the UG says, the best bet is to have a good daily touring plan, which is significantly more important than picking which park/ which day. If you can stay ahead of the 'herd', you will be doing fine.

Other than looking at EMH days and historical data, I do not see how anyone can KNOW which park will be busy on a given day. For all anyone knows, MK on August 12, 2006 will be very busy because 40 busloads of people from some group showed up, or SM and Splash are both broken down, or because it rained nonstop for the two previous days (and I do plan to be at MK that day - which is a Saturday - since it is between two EMH evening days at MK) . That is why I will also have park hopping admission tickets .

 

[greg126]

the Unofficial Guide recommends against parks that TGM says to go to. Which source should I believe? Does anyone have any experience either way? jenny

As I recall from researching our past Dec trip the two are answering what I think are very different questions - UG is trying to answer the question of what day is the best for what park (I want to go to MK - what is the best day of the week?) while TGM gets more at what park is best for what day (Its Tuesday, which park is the best to go to).... so it doesn't surprise me the answers are different...that being said we found TGM most useful.