Anybody ever use tour guide mike or touringplans.com

[dsnygirl2006]

Hi Everyone
I was just looking around on these websites and I was wondering if anyone has ever used either of these and found them useful..... I am needing some planning help and I was just wondering what you guys thought???
Thanks

 

[snickerboo]

I know a lot of people use them but I have not yet.

I have a ? about TGM since people will be disussing it on this thread: does it just customize your itinerary or does it give you crowd level estimates? Do you really need park hopper for TGM to be effective?

 

[sueh]

I am using tourguide mikes information for my upcoming trip.
It's very informative.

It does give you information regarding crowd level estimates.

I am hoping that it will be money well spent.

We will see when I am there in July using the information from his website.

 

[squirrlygirl]

We've used the touring plans, and let me tell you we got more done in a few hours at the magic kingdom than we have in full days there! Well worth the few bucks!

 

[srwarden1928]

After our trip in March, I wouldnt think of doing Disney without the touring plans. They work so well. All you do is get to the park at rope drop and follow the plan. You always know what youre doing next without discussion. We saw everything.

 

[JennCa]

I've had both and they are different both worthwhile in their own way. TGM has more info on why crowds are there and rationale on which days are best to go and why. Touring plans is more a cliff notes of what to ride, how long it lasts and then waht to hit next. I found it easier to follow the toruing plans, but when I deviated from the plan or wanted a sense of humor with hints I liked Tour Guide Mike. I liked the forums there, not as active as these obviously, but they were very on topic so easy to find info you needed.

Try one this trip and try the other next trip and see what you think.

Jenn

 

[jennifermae]

I have subscribed to both and used TGM for my trip last July.

touringplans does not cost too much, so I subscribed just to see how much of a difference there was between the two. The suggested parks per day were about the same.

I would suggest either one, but be aware that it takes time to sort thru all of the information on the TGM site.

 

[swillis]

I wouldn't do a Disney trip that is longer than a day or two without TGM. His advice is right on, it's the best money that I have ever spent.

 

[jkjjhuddle]

I am using TGM for the first time.

My initial thought was that there was so much information!

But we have several months to plan and I love reading everything I can get my hands on about Dinsney! So it is all good.

I love his tips on which park and what day and he does offer touring plans to help you know what to go to when. It does not say... go to this ride at 10:00AM...

It does leave room for customization according to your families likes and dislikes.

I love it so far and My trip is in October so we will see how well it works for us then!

 

[tttessa]

Hiya -

used TGM last month and had a fantastic time - the busy day guides were SPOT ON!!!! We don't do the full on rope drop thing, so were worried we'd get less value from it, but still found it a great planning tool. Take the fast pass advice, the busy day advice, the forums for the help from the experts etc - also, some hidden bits about the parks and how to do what you want there - it is well worth the money - cheaper than a guidebook and much more valuable up to date info.. We would not have done the P&PP without the advice on the board - and it was our favourite day in the end!!!!

Excellent value for money.

Tessa

 

[quiltymom]

Let's just put it this way - I'll never take another Disney vacation without using the touring plans & the UG.

 

[Kimberly Hill]

LOVED TGM!! We followed his busy day recommendations and basic touring plans for my DD (age 5) and as promised, we were done in Fantasyland before noon and that was NOT commando at all. That alone sold me, LOL!

 

[kcanning]

I just flew home this morning after spending 8 nights in Orlando. I have been to Disney a few different times over the years. This was my first time using TGM and was skeptical also. I will tell you this: I would never go to Disney again without using TGM. The information you get, IMHO, is priceless.

 

[KigerKat]

It seems like both TGM and UG are very good sources of information! I borrowed my friend's UG, and ran out and bought my own when I had to return her copy. I've never been to WDW, so I'm hoping the touring plans will be as helpful as everyone says they are!

 

[poohfriend]

it's a little hard to navigate...but the info there is so helpful.

nothing customized...but gives you enough info with his standard touring plan.

I never go without it!

 

[rstanley]

Does TGM and UG give you basically the same information as far as touring plans, crowd levels, best days to do the parks?

Do they ever contradict one another? If they do which one is more accurate?

This will be our first trip and I've read UG and subscribed to the website but now I just heard about TGM...should I subscribe to that also? Or will it just be repetitive???

I'm an obsessive planner

Please Help!

 

[tracygo]

Thanks for the post as I've been wondering as well which one is better.

 

[rstanley]

Does TGM and UG give you basically the same information as far as touring plans, crowd levels, best days to do the parks?

Do they ever contradict one another? If they do which one is more accurate?

This will be our first trip and I've read UG and subscribed to the website but now I just heard about TGM...should I subscribe to that also? Or will it just be repetitive???

I'm an obsessive planner

Please Help!

Anyone???

There has to be someone out there who's tried both TGM and UG...please explain the difference...

 

[ashbradnmom]

I have also been considering TGM great to read all of the feedback.

 

[SnoopyDancer]

I bought the UG book and subscribed to Tour Guide Mike. My husband surprised me with an anniversary trip to WDW. I had never been before and only had one month to plan.

While the UG book was nice, I relied more on Tour Guide Mike for planning. I liked how he rated the rides at each park. It made it easy for me to decide which ride I wanted to ride. His advice was reliable. He also had fun trivia bits like the wedding ring from Haunted Mansion. While his web site had a lot of information, his color coded method for touring (red, yellow, and green) made it easy for me plan without spending a lot of time.

Whatever you choose, I hope you have fun!