The World in the Eyes of Paul

Disney just recently released an official wait time application called Mobile Magic. It however is limited to the Verizon network, select models of phones on that network and comes with an access fee. Disney did release a non-platform based option that is free at http://m.disneyworld.com/ however the posted wait times (as well as fastpass return) are not listed with times but just descriptions such as "Moderate" wait making it difficult to decide if the wait times is worth it or not.

iPhone users are familiar with a plethora of wait time applications that range from free to a few dollars to purchase. The apps feature current wait times of attractions with some adding additional features such as GPS location, park maps, etc. These apps work by having users submit the wait times while in the parks. Some apps even go as far as storing previous data so when user submitted data is unavailable en estimated time can be shown.

As stated before all the iPhone apps currently rely on users submitting the wait time which of course can be problematic. What if no one is submitting times? What if someone is submitting incorrect times? Now there is an even better solution for wait times on the go. Enter Touring Plans' (ding!) "Lines". It is a web based application that you load in Safari on your iPhone (and now also supports Android or Palm Pre/Pixi) and away you go.

I did an initial browse of Touring Plans Lines and I am highly impressed. The interface is very easy to use, it recommends which parks to visit and which to avoid. It also has which parks have Extra Magic Hours that day as well as the normal operating hours of the parks. Looking to see what the crowds will be like in the parks that day? Well the webapp will tell you that as well using Touring Plans' infamous crowd calendar.

So what makes Lines such a great app over the number of its "clones" in the Apple App store? Touring Plans Research Staff have decades worth of data which is inputted into this web app. That is right, hard numbers and statistics that can be used to estimate actual (not posted) wait times. There is a feature for users to submit the posted wait time, however Lines does not rely on user submissions to post the wait times. (Please still submit wait times while in the parks, the staff would be very appreciative and it will further help their statistics. Even if the wait time is spot on submit the time so they know they are correct in their calculations.) In addition to the current wait times Lines will even take it a step further and let you view the estimated times for later in that day. What other wait time app can predict the future?

So how accurate is Touring Plans' Lines? Well I have not had the pleasure of personally testing the web app yet (research trip anyone?) however those who have, give it high reviews. I personally would be very confident with using the web app as a major tool in my touring the parks as the Touring Plans Research Team have worked a number of countless hours over many years to compile statistical data in order to provide high quality touring plans for families.

Touring Plans' Lines is currently free for registered users (basic membership is free and requires registration) for a limited time. I highly suggest you check out the web app even if you are not in the parks. Even after the service is paid based it will be well worth the $8.95/year (discounts available to those who own certain books, check out the site for more information on registration) to access this web app as well as a number of other features from Touring Plans. Visit http://m.touringplans.com on your phone to sign in and test the web app. Don't forget to add a bookmark to your home screen for quick and easy access with a cool icon.