Intro:
Who wants to wait in lines? Not me. If you do your research, you won’t wait in lines no more. Put on your commando gear cousins cause we’re going Geekin’ On Walt Disney World.
In episode 48, we chat with Bob Sehlinger who’s the founder of the Unofficial Guides and we go deep into the science that goes into the touring plans that highlight the books and website.
Listen to the end because we have a giveaway.
Lindsay. We’re really going to get Geeky tonight. After all, we are the Geekin’ On Walt Disney World podcast. We’ve always been commando when it comes to touring the Disney Parks.
Tonight, we have THE expert on the subject of the best ways to tour the parks to get the most out of your visit and cut down wait times.
The founder of the Unofficial Guides, Bob Sehlinger.
We are big fans of the book and we used the book for our research of our first trip. We buy the book every year. We signed up for the website touringplans.com with the book purchase discount. The book is the bible of Disney World and it could take a whole year to read cover to cover.
Questions:
Lindsay: What’s your history with Disney World?
Curtis: Do you still vacation at Disney World? How often do you go?
Lindsay: When was the first Unofficial Guide published? How has it evolved and changed over the years?
Curtis: If you’ve never been to Disney World before, I believe most people want to see as much as they possibly can.
They may be disappointed in their experience if the spend too much time waiting in lines.
Where would you rank this issue as a factor for guests enjoying their trip?
Lindsay: What are some of the major factors that contribute to wait times in the parks?
Lindsay: Cover of book claims you can learn how to cut waits in line by 4 hours per day. Can you share with us some strategies and how did you come up with the 4 hour number?
Curtis: How have you improved your model over the years?
Lindsay: A touring plan is a complex issue. For example, for just 3 attractions, there are 6 combinations.
If you add all attractions at Magic Kingdom,
How many possible touring plans are there for Magic Kingdom?
Curtis: Can you explain what the traveling-salesman problem?
Lindsay: What’s an algorithm?
Lindsay: What’s the research and what types of data go into the touring plan calculations? Who does the research?
Curtis: How good are the new touring plans in the Unofficial Guide?
Lindsay: How has the fast pass plus system impacted the touring plans?
Curtis: I’ve commented that the new Fantasyland addition to Magic Kingdom has greatly extended the time you need to spend in the park. I think it adds a half day or four hours.
How has the edition of New Fantasyland impacted the Magic Kingdom touring plan?
Lindsay: Can you really see it all in a one week vacation?
Curtis: Is there a time when the parks are not crowded any more?
Lisa Green: How difficult is it to provide tips for all ages & life stages? That’s one of the things I appreciate most about the books (I have several editions).
Tony McDaniel: What is your opinion of the future of Animal Kingdom in regards to the plans to keep the park open later with the Rivers of Light show, “Avatar Land”, etc.? Will it be a well received or panned by fans and critics?
Review Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower comments from book page 153.
Conclude
You too can be a guest on our show. Do you have a trip report or a great idea for a top 5 topic to chat with us about? Contact us via Twitter @GeekinOnWDW or email us at curt.stone@GeekinOnWDW.com
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Here’s your chance to win a copy of the 2015 Unofficial Guide To Walt Disney World. In the comments of this post, tell us why you should have your very own copy of the book. Lindsay and I will choose a winner from our favorite response. Good luck!
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8 comments On Geekin’ On WDW 048: How Cutting-Edge Science Minimizes Waits In Line at WDW With Unofficial Guides Founder Bob Sehlinger
Why should I win a copy of the Unofficial Guide? Well, because I’ve been going to Disney World since the ’70s and I’ve yet to purchase a copy of this renowned book. I betcha if I read it once, I’d be hooked and would have to buy all future editions 🙂
PS: Wonderful episode! I listened to it while working on the Fish Extender gifts for our upcoming Disney Cruise!
@Heather
Kudos for being the first responder. It means you listened all the way to the end of the show. Even as a veteran, I know you’d enjoy this book. You have a leg up in being the first to comment. Now, what’s a Fish Extender?
It’s a DCL thing: http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-cruise-line/meets.htm
Hi Curt and Lindsay. Its Keith @disneythanksgiv. As you know I have been going to wdw every thanksgiving for the last 18 yrs except this past year. Having a child now is a whole new approach to touring the parks. I used to be a marathon tourer of the parks. Now with my son, I need to know how to tour the parks with a toddler. This is why I am entering this contest. I have all this knowledge of how to beat the crowds but I am scared that when I go back with my son, all my knowledge will be gone. Not only will I have to deal with crowds, but also do touring with a toddler who has never been to the magic kingdom before. I don’t want to disappoint him by having to wait it in long lines. On top of this I have never been to the parks with fast pass plus. So combine this with a stroller, diaper changes and a toddler who will stop to pick up a piece of litter on the ground, and I need well all the help I can get. The unofficial guide book would be a great opportunity for me to relearn how to tour the parks. This would help how an old veteran becomes a newbie again in touring the parks.
As much as I’d like the book, I totally think Keith needs it! 🙂
You’re too nice! 🙂
Hey Keith,
Good to hear from you! You make a compelling argument. It’s going to be tough to choose a winner.
I’ve decided to send both Keith and Heather a copy of the Unofficial Guide. I’ll send you guys an email to get your mailing address. Thanks for being great listeners and playing along. I hope you enjoy the book!
Comments are closed.