[garada3]

I would like to do as much as possible during our visit and would willingly follow a go here-fastpass there type of touring plan. But I have a feeling my family would revolt and take away my guidebook!

The 3 ds will have trouble walking by attractions, keeping up with the pace and backtracking of some of the plans. DH will be happiest if we have minimal whining from the kids and accomplish things in a somewhat logical way, as in one trip through tomorrowland, one trip through adventure land etc.

Do you all follow suggested touring plans? I know that I should pick a few specific things to do in each park, but some of them appear to be far apart on the maps.

Thanks!

[MickeyMac]

I tried to follow touring plans, but we'd get to an attraction and find the wait too exhorbitant, or someone would need a pit-stop, or someone would decide at the last minute they didn't want to go on something and we'd miss it all together. For *my* family, they weren't practical.

However, touring withOUT a plan has proved to be unsuccessful, too (DH complained he didn't 'see' anything this past trip)

This time around, I made up a list of attractions we hadn't seen yet, and will tick them off in addition to going to our favorites (yes, have never ridden Peter Pan, nor seen Fantasmic) and see how that goes. My list is itemized according to land and how we tend to tour the park.

BTW, we use Fastpass pretty well - I LOVE it!

[mickaholic4077]

I think that touring plans only work well for a family that has older children who would really understand the concept of the plan and will understand that they will see more with a plan.

[qltingrl]

I don't know the age of your children or if you've been there before but one thing that worked for us was to get the guide book and have a family meeting where each ride in each land was discussed and voted on. Then I made a plan where we could ride what we wanted and skip what we didn't want to do. For some rides we split up for others we did majority rules (if no big person wanted to go with the little persons). I kept a list and we followed it with space for pit stops and snacks or water in between. It has always been very successful for us in off seasons and even at more crowded times but it is with the understanding that we will not be doing everything in every park. Oh, I also made them tell me if they had any reservations about any of the rides for which they voted yes just in case there was a mind change when we got to the ride entrance. If they decided no, we moved on, no questions asked.

[LRTJS]

This definitely calls for a family meeting. I have bought the Unofficial Guide for years. If this is your first visit following the plan can very helpful. If not you will know what you might want to change. I followed it pretty much as it said for many years and still use their suggestions to plan our trip. Get your families input as to what they want out of the trip. Familiarize them with what it says about the rides, etc. But, you don't want to make your plans rigid, you never know what is going to pop up when you get inside the "magic":)

[tinkerbell]

this made me think about our plans .. they go like this
every evening DH asks me "which park are we going to tomorrow"
every morning DH ask me "which park are we going to today"
since booking the trip for august he has asked me at least 80 times which park we are going to on the first day. So my plan is usaully just get to the park!!

[markypooh]

My Goodness Mickey Mac! GO SEE FANTASMIC!!!

[mickeysaver]

Being that we don't have kids, it makes it a bit easier for us to tour the parks. We don't do the commando thing. We were there last September and the heat, rain, and humidity all were factors that made us keep a slower pace than we had planned. We did our last trip with only one dinner PS and a reservation for a carriage ride at FW. I love Value Season.

This year, while we are going in Value Season, we are also going in December with all the holiday stuff to do. I have lots more to plan for and a bit more organization will be required. Luckily, we also will be there a couple of days longer than last time. I have a PS for LTT the night of MVMCP (12/14) and I booked Mickey's Backyard BBQ (12/16)! I have at least one big meal a day to book. I have our itinerary all planned out already as far as what parks to do on which days. We are putting more time into AK than we did last year. I can't wait to get back there. I love that park! MGM will be shorted a bit this time because there won't be that much there that is new to us. MK will get plenty of time this trip with us even doing the rides in Fantasyland. Epcot will get more time for WS this time too.

I have never seen a touring plan that lets us shop and play where we wouldn't feel like we were being rushed. Mickey

[markypooh]

We have always followed a touring plan. I think its a definite must for first and second time visitors. Ive used the UNOFFICIAL Guide as well as info off the web with great success. This year Im using tour Guide Mike as well