Would you use a touring plan in October?

[3littlecuties]

We went in October of 2008 and did not use a touring plan and did just fine because crowds were light and our kids were too young to ride most of the popular rides. We are going back this October and I am debating using a touring plan. I am a planner by nature, but I also don't want to cause stress if we can get by without it. Our kids are still young (6, 4, and 2) so we won't ride many of the popular rides but my oldest may want to try a few of them now (Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, etc.). We will be a slow moving group with two in a stroller (my 4 yo has Down syndrome and will likely ride in the stroller as much as my 2 year old). I just don't want to stress everyone out with a plan to follow and try to rush from here to there in the parks.

 

[LilyWDW]

We went in October of 2008 and did not use a touring plan and did just fine because crowds were light and our kids were too young to ride most of the popular rides. We are going back this October and I am debating using a touring plan. I am a planner by nature, but I also don't want to cause stress if we can get by without it. Our kids are still young (6, 4, and 2) so we won't ride many of the popular rides but my oldest may want to try a few of them now (Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, etc.). We will be a slow moving group with two in a stroller (my 4 yo has Down syndrome and will likely ride in the stroller as much as my 2 year old). I just don't want to stress everyone out with a plan to follow and try to rush from here to there in the parks.

I would have a plan, but not a strict one. Know what parks you want to go to and your "must do" attractions. Know what should be Fastpassed and what should be done as early as possible. Have your ADR's.

It doesn't have to be a touring plan where you have every minute mapped out. But October isn't dead so you should have a basic idea of what to do when.

 

[3littlecuties]

I would have a plan, but not a strict one. Know what parks you want to go to and your "must do" attractions. Know what should be Fastpassed and what should be done as early as possible. Have your ADR's.

It doesn't have to be a touring plan where you have every minute mapped out. But October isn't dead so you should have a basic idea of what to do when.

That makes sense. I do have it already planned out as far as which days we are going to which parks and which day we are doing MNSSHP. I also have ADRs for Chef Mickey's and Cape May's (the only two TS we plan on doing).

 

[earthfaries]

I say a touring plan will only help. There is so much to see and do, and a little bit of planning and organizing can make your trip so much more rewarding and enjoyable.

It's definitely gotten busier in October since 2008 also.

If you don't make a touring plan, at least look at a crowd calendar and try and plan your days around the information. Visit the best parks of the day, crowd wise.

Have fun!

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[Missyrose]

October has gotten exponentially more crowded each year. It's no longer considered slow season, mainly because of the Halloween parties and the Food and Wine Festival.

Have a basic game plan in mind, be sure to take advantage of rope drop and you shouldn't have a problem!

 

[heatherbynum]

I used touring plans as a basis last October for the most popular rides

 

[LilyWDW]

That makes sense. I do have it already planned out as far as which days we are going to which parks and which day we are doing MNSSHP. I also have ADRs for Chef Mickey's and Cape May's (the only two TS we plan on doing).

We went last October (and are going next October) so let me tell you what I did.

Obviously we picked what park to do what day, if it was going to be rope drop or a later start (we try not to do open to close, but we go for longer trips which helps), and then our ADR's and times can be placed. I try to be sure I don't have a late night back up to an early morning and that our nicer reservations give us plenty of time to head back to the resort, get ready, and grab a taxi.

As for in the parks, I make notecards. These notecards include:

- Resort information including the confirmation numbers, Food Court and Store hours, and a map.

- A list of all of our dining reservations, the time, and the confirmation numbers.

- One to two for each park that includes the schedule for the parades and fireworks, what attractions offer fastpass, what attractions make for good fillers, a mini touring plan for those first couple of hours (aka what to fastpass and what you should ride early), and any tips on parade and fireworks viewing.

I print these cards off, laminate them, put them on a round clip, and throw them in my park bag. They are small so they don't take up a lot of room. When we get to the parks, I get a map and entertainment guide and remind mom about the plan of attack. By lunch we usually have all of our "must do" attractions done and can fill in until it is time to leave.

 

[softballmom3]

October also has a week for Fall Break for many families around the nation. Every second week in October we have it in our school system. Many of my friends go then, myself included .

 

[minnie mum]

Even though we tend to go during the quieter months (Jan/Feb, Sep/Oct) we always use a touring plan. In years long past we used the ones from the Unofficial Guide. Recently we've been using touringplans in conjunction with crowd calendars and park recommendations from easywdw. Even during periods of low crowds they help us avoid long lines and bottlenecks.

Just because you have a touring plan doesn't mean you have to be glued to it. It's written on paper, not carved in stone. We've always used it as a guide rather than a bible. Feel like skipping a ride? Fine. Want to stop for a snack or to watch a street performer? Great!. Be a little flexible. But even in low crowd situations there will always be certain rides that have longish waits. A touring plan (a good one, anyway) just helps minimize the chance that you'll be stuck in them. Even if you only use them in the mornings, I think they can help make your park day easier.

 

[modmama]

I'd figure it out, just in case you get there and get slammed. It also depends on when in Oct you are going - someone on the Oct Disers on Facebook was talking about how her state has the middle 2 weeks of Oct off, and I know that many, many families I know are going mid Oct too because our state has a couple of days off...and we live all the way in MN!