[kphil89]

Anyone every use these? I am reading the 2003 edition and was wondering if at that time the plans were pretty accurate and if they change the touring plans with each edition.

[jk8]

I had the 2004 book but did not use the plans. I gleaned major ideas from them. We went to Buzz Lightyear and rode it several times upon park entry and then over to fantasy land to ride things several times each. We used Fast Pass for the other major rides on the other side of the park.

I would guess the plans are still good. There is more information on fast pass in the updated guides. Try going to the website for any updates.

[hiner]

I've read their books and plans, but didn't do the plans. It sounds just so regimented and timed. We like to see everything at our own pace.

[Dana]

The plans are chaged with each new attraction, so the 2003 one will be differnt than the current one. I haven't ever used them....little to comando for me and I dont go at peak times so they aren't necessary. If you are going at a peak time, they would come in handy to beat the lines.

[llama]

I've read them - but they just seem so overwhelming! I get that feeling I use to get at exams. Review them, they've got some good tips, but unless you're the ultra-commando type, I would just use them as a guide - not the gospel.

[lawwin]

We don't go at peak times and we don't really go commando. Not our style. We use the passporter, and tend to go at a more leisurely pace than that guide suggested. I read their plans and they were a little too regimented for me. I am not that scheduled. I only go as scheduled as what park are we going to today and where our PS is and what time is it at. Everything else is flexible. If we miss some rides then we miss them, that's o.k. there's always next time.

[MickeyMac]

If you go to TouringPlans.com (created by the authors of the Unofficial Guide) they ahve a *tremendously* wonderful itinerary planning tool you can use, totally free. I'm just beginning to delve into it, but have several clients who use it and love it.

One thing that's nice about the touring guides in the back of the book is that you can just cut out the page (or make a copy) and follow it and you'll get through a ton of stuff. When you start delving into the 'whys' and 'hows' of the layout, then it starts to get overwhelming. I usually recommend them to folks who've not been, and don't want to spend their time staring at a park map saying "so, what do YOU want to do?"

[SeattleRedBear]

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[LRTJS]

I have been buying the Unofficial Guide since 1985. I love reading it every year. It has gone from about an inch thick to looking like a dictionary! The first few years I used the plans, not word for word, but it did help. Since I teach we usually went in peak attendance times so I we were able to make a lot of progress using the plan. I find the book funny, knowledgable and intertaining.

[Turnwrench]

If you visit the parks during peak seasons, the touring plans are a life-saver! We were there a couple of years ago during the Thanksgiving holiday, used the touring plans, and never waited longer than 20 minutes for any attraction. We've also used the plans during spring break and have found them to be just as useful.

If you go during the slow times when the lines are short, however, the touring plans involve a lot of walking and criss-crossing of the parks and it's not worth it.

[kphil89]

Originally Posted by Turnwrench

If you visit the parks during peak seasons, the touring plans are a life-saver! We were there a couple of years ago during the Thanksgiving holiday, used the touring plans, and never waited longer than 20 minutes for any attraction. We've also used the plans during spring break and have found them to be just as useful.

If you go during the slow times when the lines are short, however, the touring plans involve a lot of walking and criss-crossing of the parks and it's not worth it.

Thanks for everyone's repsonse...we will be going the week of Thanksgiving and I am traveling with my neices (ages 14 & 19) who have never been. They have picked out the rides they want to do and I was hoping the tour plan would help us do and see just about everything they want to do with minimal wait times. I will research further and let you know how it all turns out in my trip report. Thanks again!

[Cavey]

USE THE PLANS!!!!!

I always go during the slow season with the plans in hand (This year they will be laminated in my back pocket!). I begin using them immediately, and stick with them until I get through the "major" attractions. By mid-morning, you can tell if the park is slow enough to go the rest of the day without the plan.

In January 2001 (my first trip as an adult), we went to EPCOT on Monday morning, following the plan, we arrived 30 minutes early (We were the first of 8 couples in the park that day.), waited for the rope drop, and went straight to Test Track, as the plan called for. We rode it without any line, and when we got back the CM asked us if we wanted to go a second time without getting off.

A few hours later, we had seen most of Future World and decided to go back to Test Track. The posted wait time was 2 hours (This was during off season!)! Needless to say, following the plan first thing in the morning saved us a minimum of 2 hours.

Anyway, that experience was repeated at every park during the week. We never spent more than 5 minutes waiting for any ride the entire week, with two exceptions (one was caused by a mechanical delay).

The book swears it will save you several hours of standing in line during the busy season. I believe it. If you're going during Thanksgiving week, use the plan, and remember it's a "Guide" not a regiment.

[disneyguy]

Unless you are going during a very busy time, if not then don't worry about a touring plan. The best thing to remember is to do the major attractions as early as possible, or during a parade if it is more a kiddy ride.