Anybody ever use tour guide mike or touringplans.com

[Elmo888]

If we are thrill seekers, will the TP subscription tell us anything new or can we just use what is in the book? I don't know if it will be worth it for us. We've been there 6 times if that helps.

I used the UG and touring plans. I thought that they were very helpful. I wouldn't go without it, esp. if we were going during a more crowded time. (I haven't tried TGM).

To answer this specific question, it depends on when you went. If you have an old book, the web site can give updated info. If you subscribe, your touring plan will include new attractions (new rides that may mess with the old touring plan, like Expedition Everest).

 

[Couturier]

Okay How do I get these?

I have been to the TGM site, but I do not know anything about UG or Touring plans, are they physical books or websites?

Oh also, the ONLY think I am really looking for is which days and times to visit which parks or lands.


Thanks! Dana

 

[Aliceacc]

Couturier, to answer your question: Touring Plans is the website associated with the Unofficial Guide to WDW. The book is about $16 (I think), access to the website is another $7 or so. The book is incredible; it offers anything and everything you'll want to know about WDW. There's a lot of info on resorts and hotels (both on and off site) including estimated travel time to each of the parks and amenities, and lots on the restaurants.

Be warned, though: the 2008 edition came out BEFORE Disney changed the dining plan and raised stroller prices, so the info on both those topics is wrong.

I have both TGM and Touring Plans.

As soon as summer school ends, I really have to get a handle on our Touring plans.

I do think that TGM is hard to navigate. There's a ton of info there, but I stll haven't figured out how to use it to our advantage. Aside from which park to visit which day, I'm not sure what else I can find there-- can anyone give me real specifics about how else to best utilize TGM???

On the other hand, I love Touring Plans. If you choose to subscribe, you can find a list pretty much tailored to your family: Families with Small kids, 2 days in the MK as opposed to Families with Teens, 1 day in Epcot... I'm not sure we'll follow to the letter, but I see no reason to spend hours on lines if someone out there has a plan which will put me on rides instead.

 

[Couturier]

Couturier, to answer your question: Touring Plans is the website associated with the Unofficial Guide to WDW. The book is about $16 (I think), access to the website is another $7 or so. The book is incredible; it offers anything and everything you'll want to know about WDW. There's a lot of info on resorts and hotels (both on and off site) including estimated travel time to each of the parks and amenities, and lots on the restaurants.

Be warned, though: the 2008 edition came out BEFORE Disney changed the dining plan and raised stroller prices, so the info on both those topics is wrong.

I have both TGM and Touring Plans.

As soon as summer school ends, I really have to get a handle on our Touring plans.

I do think that TGM is hard to navigate. There's a ton of info there, but I stll haven't figured out how to use it to our advantage. Aside from which park to visit which day, I'm not sure what else I can find there-- can anyone give me real specifics about how else to best utilize TGM???
On the other hand, I love Touring Plans. If you choose to subscribe, you can find a list pretty much tailored to your family: Families with Small kids, 2 days in the MK as opposed to Families with Teens, 1 day in Epcot... I'm not sure we'll follow to the letter, but I see no reason to spend hours on lines if someone out there has a plan which will put me on rides instead.

Thanks for the info! We have been to WDW as a family, so I know pretty much what my family enjoys, and I dont need someone to tell me which rides to go to, lol. I just need to know WHEN to go to these rides, does anyone know if either of these sites provide that? I dont want to spend my trip $$ on websites and books that I already know the info on, or can get off the DIS, lol.

Also, isnt there a kids Disney travel book? I would like to purchase it for my DD, that way she can help more with the planning.
Thanks!

 

[Aliceacc]

For the When, take a look at the Unofficial Guide. (I bet you can even find on in the library. Even if it's last year's edition, I bet things haven't changed much.) There are some sample touring plans in the back of the book, along with the list of which times are best for which rides.

I got my kids Birnbaum's Disney for Kids. It's basically a list of each ride/attraction, along with a kid's description of each. My kids are going through it, listing their preferences.

 

[Couturier]

For the When, take a look at the Unofficial Guide. (I bet you can even find on in the library. Even if it's last year's edition, I bet things haven't changed much.) There are some sample touring plans in the back of the book, along with the list of which times are best for which rides.

I got my kids Birnbaum's Disney for Kids. It's basically a list of each ride/attraction, along with a kid's description of each. My kids are going through it, listing their preferences.

I am going to get that same book for my dd, then I think I will check out the unofficial guide, I may wait for the 2009 edition, since we are not going til Feb, lol.

Thanks for your help!

Dana

 

[TerrytownGrl]

Thanks for the info! We have been to WDW as a family, so I know pretty much what my family enjoys, and I dont need someone to tell me which rides to go to, lol. I just need to know WHEN to go to these rides, does anyone know if either of these sites provide that? I dont want to spend my trip $$ on websites and books that I already know the info on, or can get off the DIS, lol.

Also, isnt there a kids Disney travel book? I would like to purchase it for my DD, that way she can help more with the planning.
Thanks!

If you want to know when to go on the rides, I know that touringplans has "cheat sheets" that tell you "visit this ride between x and y" or "not recommended to visit this attractin between c and d".

Does this help?

 

[Couturier]

If you want to know when to go on the rides, I know that touringplans has "cheat sheets" that tell you "visit this ride between x and y" or "not recommended to visit this attractin between c and d".

Does this help?

It sure does! THANKS!

Dana

 

[Chicklogic]

bump

 

[tchrrx]

I've been to WDW 3 times now, all with TGM. This last trip wasn't quite as smooth, but I think it's b/c we went a little later in summer & it was more crowded. Plus, we were trying to do too much b/c my sister was with us.

Has TGM updated his site much lately? It seems like there are so many changes going on at the parks & I'm trying to decide if I need to sign up for TGM again or if I should try something else. (Last year I made my own predictions for best days. When Mike announced his best days, I was right on the money) Any suggestions?

 

[wigdoutdismom]

We signed up for TGM last month to prepare for our Oct trip and did notice that some of his information was outdated. We were just down at Disney in June and July and thought that maybe with some help we could have a smoother trip next time. I just have to say that I would expect him to update his information.

 

[tchrrx]

We signed up for TGM last month to prepare for our Oct trip and did notice that some of his information was outdated. We were just down at Disney in June and July and thought that maybe with some help we could have a smoother trip next time. I just have to say that I would expect him to update his information.

Thanks for the info. I'm thinking that since I've used his site so many times before, than I have a pretty good handle on how to tour. If things are still really out of date, then I don't see the point in signing up again.

Plus, this next trip is with the in-laws. I think a lot of our day is going to revolve around watching different shows. I also have to realize that our group won't be moving as fast, so we may have to just plan on not riding some of the big rides as often as we normally do.