Touringplans subscription.... still useful during Covid time??

[yaya74]

As titled... Anyone still find the subscription useful nowadays?
I love Touringplans when I was planning trips pre-Covid. The subscription really allowed me to maximize my day with little time wasted.
Is it still useful nowadays?
Also, I have noticed the price of the subscription went up to $17.95...I don’t recall paying that much in 2018.

 

[Micca]

I've been a subscriber for several years, not because I really needed it but I've appreciated the work of Len Testa & associates. At this point I'm considering not renewing, we have a spring trip planned and I'll decide if it's still worth it.

 

[Dug720]

I've kept mine for the forums and the room request feature. I actually don't use the plan-you-day-to-the-second tools. I tried it once and threw my paper away after a couple of hours. I like being spontaneous too much to have a "OMG MUST FOLLOW" schedule. And I still get everything I want to do done.

 

[mickeymom629]

I am a current subscriber and have a trip in April, mostly to use DVC points before they expire. We aren't planning to book any days until we get there and see what is left on our old non-expiry tickets (I won't use my newer tickets until shows, etc start back up again). I'm hoping for a couple of days in the parks (HS and MK). I will probably use it to plan my days, just for fun and see what it looks like. I always like to use Touringplans because I'm a planner, even if we don't follow to the minute.

But, the OP asked if it's still a useful tool during this time and I really can't answer that until we return. Hopefully someone who has been recently will respond.

 

[DisneyDadWV]

We've been subsribers for many years. On our last trip in October I still compiled touring plans mainly to have everything listed in one spot that we wanted to try and do. We didn't always follow the order of attractions in the plan, but we still found it helpful.

 

[DisneyJade]

I am still subscribed for the lines app, which is awesome, but unfortunately the planning tools Are currently unhelpful. They dont take into account the early park openings, so the whole schedule is “off” from the start.

 

[yorkieteacher]

I am still subscribed for the lines app, which is awesome, but unfortunately the planning tools Are currently unhelpful. They dont take into account the early park openings, so the whole schedule is “off” from the start.

Actually now they do- for up to 30 minutes- you do get a warning that the park wasn’t officially open then, but they make your plan anyway.

 

[PrincipalTinker]

Yes, you can now set your plans to start 30 minutes before park opening. Also, they now have Covid plans.

 

[Nabas]

We subscribed to Touring Plans for several years, then stopped, then started up again a few months ago, mostly out of curiosity to see what they were reporting for COVID attendance. (Touring Plans is very inexpensive.)

Frankly, I don't understand their current methodology.

For example, the week of March 14 is clearly going to be more crowded than the week of March 21. Most DHS Park Passes for all ticket types are for the week of March 14, yet they show the same crowd levels as the week of March 21.

Over the years, we've gone during both weeks and the week of March 14 always is much more crowded. I believe the week of March 14 lines up with several school vacation weeks.

 

[DisneyJade]

Actually now they do- for up to 30 minutes- you do get a warning that the park wasn’t officially open then, but they make your plan anyway.

Yes, you can now set your plans to start 30 minutes before park opening. Also, they now have Covid plans.

Oh wow, this must be pretty new! I hadn't tried to alter my start time for several weeks. I am going to be spending some time on TP this morning. Thanks!

 

[Dr. M]

Due to health issues, we can’t stick to a touring plan. We subscribed, used the hotel room request feature, which didn’t help, and that’s it. It was very useful in the past, but we no longer need it. We utilize the DAS pass, look at ride wait times on the MDE app.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I'm still and subscriber and planning to renew. Have had a subscription for years and still find it helpful.

 

[DebLovesPooh]

I also still find it helpful. I like to look at their optimize touring plans and it gives me another option.

 

[StageTek]

At a reasonable $1.50 per month I still pay for Touring Plans. There is so much there I enjoy looking at. Only once did I try out their touring plans - it was fun but useless for me. When I'm too spontaneous to follow it.

As Micca mentioned, I appreciated the work they do and am willing to part with $18 to support them.

 

[yaya74]

OP here, thank you all for sharing your thoughts with me. I will definitely buy a year to support the good work that TP has done.

 

[lorilclevelandrn]

I currently have a subscription and plan on renewing. I appreciate the hard work & dedication Len Testa and Crew put into trying to make Disney planning more enjoyable and less stressful planning process as possible.

 

[KittyKitty]

Still subbing. I like the room request feature. Have gotten a room near/or exact where I wanted all the time.
Also like getting emails when the park hours are changed, and estimated crowd levels.

 

[Sydnerella]

I do always subscribe. The most helpful feature is the Lines app. I think the touring plans are not great though, even the new Covid ones. Looking at the variety of them I would never go in the attraction order suggested, and have been to Disney and number of times including Thanksgiving week 2020. I wish easyWDW still posted separate “touring plans” as they were the better option of the two. You have to dig within the article content on that site for good touring plans now. It’s there but not easy to find.

 

[MalkaR]

I've always used touring plans, but this past summer was the first time I used it during Covid. I create a personalized plan, click 'done' after each ride and then reoptimize. It has always been amazing for us, even this past summer(when crowds were very low but some rides still had long lines). I don't think I would ever use a premade plan because we like to choose exactly what we want to ride. When using it, we walk past rides with long rides and come back when the line is short, or get on a ride with a short line and walk past shortly after when the line is long. I plan to use it again for our next trip. They redesigned the app, but it looks pretty good from what I've seen.

 

[Laura's Dad]

We have used them for a long time. It has helped us with room requests and dining reservations. This past Saturday I was able to get a text for an Oga's reservation for next week. We got a 7:15 reservation for after park close. Very worth it.