Zigzagging with touring plans--too much walking for kids?

[anneofgreengables]

We want to follow Unofficial Guide touring plans for each park, but we don't know if the zigzagging from one end of the park to another will be too much for little kids (7 and 9). Would appreciate feedback from those who have tried them.

 

[qtwns]

While zig-zagging in MK be sure to take the train whenever possible. It is such a nice ride and really saves the feet. I believe there is only a 7 minute wait between trains, so there is always one just around the bend. And if you sit in the back closest to the conductor and strike up a conversation, your kids just might get to be guest conductors like mine did! Lots of fun. Can't help you with the other parks, except to say have someone willing to be the "FastPass Getter" for you. That was our fancy name for the person...ususally me...who would fetch the PastPasses while the rest of the group got to well..rest.

 

[Karnak]

This backtracking required for all of the park touring plans is the reason I've never attempted to follow any of those so called "plans." I enjoy reading the UNOFFICIAL GUIDE, and make use of many of the tips therein; but there's no way I'd run back and forth between attractions as is often suggested in the guide books.

As a solo traveler, I make a list of the attractions I'd like to experience at a park, look at the park map, plan a route taking into account show times, make meal reservations as needed to mesh with my personal plan, and I'm ready to go.

The trick to making such a plan work is to allow plenty of extra time between attractions and meals. You can always find something to take up extra time; but it's almost impossible to catch up if you get behind, without skipping something you really wanted to do.

Enjoy.

 

[HodagCatLady]

Check out Tour Guide Mike for plans with way less zig-zagging! I like his strategies better than the Unofficial Guide's!

 

[sbpuckett]

Although I haven't made it yet (first trip in Oct) I wasn't thrilled about the running involved in the plans either. I just have a feeling we would miss so much. also, some of the plans had rides we weren't interested in (for various reasons) and left out rides we really wanted to do. So... esp with MK, we are going to that park for 2 days and possibly back for MNSSHP. I split the park in half (half for each day) and used the info from touringguides.com and the UG to make up our agenda for each day. I know that if I try to make my DH and 2 DS's run all over like that they will kill me before the end of day one! We have a lot of theme park experience with Busch Gardens, Universal, and others (although i know there are lots and lots of differences between those and WDW so please don't flame me) and I'm thinking this will not be our only trip and we could be there for 2 weeks and still not see and do it all.... so.... we're not zigzagging and killing ourselves!

 

[seashoreCM]

if the zigzagging from one end of the park to another will be too much for little kids (7 and 9). .

No problem so long as you don't make them run and don't nudge them and don't scold them if they don't move as fast as you would like.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[wendypooh]

I agree with the zig zag problem of the touring plans, which is why we don't use them either. I will probably get some flames for this, but, why not just get a stroller if they get too tired. We always get a stroller for DS, granted he's only 6, but his poor little feet are worn out by the days end. It is a LOT of walking for kids ~~ I say give them a break whenever possible!!

 

[3boyzmom]

Yes! I think it is too much to have the kids zig-zagging following the touring plan. Our kids get tired of walking whenwe take it easy! I agree with checking out TGM. I was able to use his general strategies to make our days easier and allow us to see the attractions that are most important to the family, JMO.

 

[disney09]

I downloaded some plans from www.touringplans.com (I think they're from the Unofficial? but not sure). I haven't tried them but I like them because there are no zizgags, i.e. in MK you start counterclockwise with Splash Mountain and you end in Tomorrowland. There is a brief map with numbers for attractions and you can see if you zigzag or not.
The only issue is for Fast Pass, you need to have someone in your party to get them, but then you can take turns. I used the Touring with small children tour.
Hope this helps..

 

[chamonix]

I suggest a combination of everyone upthread's advice. Every suggestion has merit--send someone to get the fastpasses, don't make the kids go every time, adjust the touring plan to your tastes and timeframe, etc.

I would just add that it also may depend on how active/fit your kids are whether or not it's too much for them. Do they run around a lot at home, ride bikes, like to take walks, hikes, etc. or are they more couch potato types? I know some folks try to get in shape for WDW before they go, so if you have time, maybe you could start a little walking training before you go--lol, just walking after dinner every day or something will help...oh, and also, the heat may be a factor in how tired they get. Make sure they drink a lot if it's hot.

Also, involve them in the plan--invest them in it--so they know there's a method to the madness, not just you randomly saying, no we can't go on that ride there, we have to run across the park for no apparent reason...lol.

 

[disney09]

ups.. my mistake.. how can I delete this post? I replied it twice but don't know how to delete it!

 

[Sonno]

Errr... while I like the touring plan books and all... no zig-zagging for me. I tend to adopt the theme of an area for a while and stay there. Then move on to the next. Just me.

 

[mousermerf]

Touringplans.com is part of the Unofficial Guide.

The plans there include ones for families that have as little zig-zagging as possible.

 

[GrandmaBarb]

Check out TourGuideMiKE and you will see how to tour the parks without zigzagging around and across and without standing in long lines. It works.