Anyone else find Tour Guide Mike's website confusing?

[LeesyUD]

I just signed up at www.tourguidemike.com to use the vacation planning tools and overload even more on Disney info. There is a ton of info on the website and am enjoying reading it all. But does anyone else that has used the site find it confusing? I use the web all the time and never have any problems navigating websites but it just seems it is not organized very well. Every page seems to have too many links, some that don't seem to really fit into that section's topic. I'll find something I want to read but then when I want to go back to read it I can't find it anywhere and I don't want to add every page to "my articles". I love reading Disney sites like "All Ears Net". I never have any problems using her site because everything is set up so well. Just wondering if anyone that has used his service feels the same? or am I the only one?

 

[Byrd]

I used Tour Guide Mike 2 years ago and found it difficult to use. I thought it must have been me.
I hope that you find the information that you need.
The DISboards have wonderful information and I will stick to them in the future for what I want to find,

 

[Letsbgoofy]

Very confusing. His tips were good, but nothing I didn't already know. Great for a first trip.

 

[TZMOM]

Yep - I do, too. Somehow, I thought I was going to get some sort of touring plan made up for me after putting in my "stuff." Needless to say - my eyes are about to bug out of my head after reading all those articles & web pages, etc.. It's written in a "cutsie" manner which is fine, but after being on the DIS for the past several years, there's not too much that I didn't know already. It is definately GREAT for people who haven't gone too much or haven't gone for quite a while as so much has changed.

We'll all have a good time at WDW regardless!!!

 

[Carol1973]

I thought it was confusing the first day I signed up. But if you keep with it you will learn to navigate. I now really like the site and would probably sign up for another trip. I picked up lots of hints that I will organize to take with me.

 

[duck_adoo]

Yes, IMO it is very confusing. And to be honest, with 3 little kids and working full time, I don't have time to sit down and try to figure it out. I know there are many people who have used TGM with great success, but I do find it very confusing. I didn't think I would have a customized tour plan just for us, but it's just confusing trying to get where I need to be. Is it worth the $, probably, would I do it again..probably not.

 

[Cinderella822]

I'm glad its not just me! I got it last weekend as a last effort in attempting to try to get the most out of my trip this week. I thought you'd enter what things you wanted to do and get an intinerary of how you should plan your day. I do find the site very hard to navigate and I spend more time trying to do that than actually planning. There is a lot of info, and I have to say, I have gotten a few good tips, but I don't have a lot of time to read through the whole thing. It was worth a try and maybe I got enough from it to help somewhat on these crowded July days!

 

[NCombs]

I don't have any trouble with it but I know others have. Maybe I'm just a big geek because I can sit and read that kind of stuff for a long time. It's my hobby really. Good luck with it.

 

[MinnieMom]

I just subscribed last night and spent several hours just trying to figure out how things were organized . . . finally came to the conclusion that they really aren't!

With two kids and a full-time job, I agree with the previous poster that it is going to be very difficult to get through all the info. I'm just glad that I subscribed now and have 221 days (according to TGM) to prepare for our trip!

I also found that after being at the world many, many times already that the information I read so far on the website is stuff I already knew. I'm really hoping I get my $$ out of it.

 

[Tomandtammy]

Well I wishyou all luck! I have had TGM for about 6 months, you have to do alot of reading on the site, but it has helped us put together our touring plans, and food plans, and resting plans! If you keep at it, it all makes sense!

 

[eclectics]

I agree that TGM is a bit overwhelming. What I finally did was to find the articles and pages I thought would be beneficial references and printed them all up. Now I have a TGM folder that reads like a book and I can look stuff up more easily. I can slip it in my suitcase and go over it each evening at the resort.

 

[StitchDad]

I joined TGM a couple weeks ago. I must admit that I do find it hard to follow at times. Sometimes the problem is of the sort of "I thought I saw a page on that subject but how do I find it again?" Also, while I knew that there would be sample tours, I thought that there might be more of them.
That is on the negative side. On the positive side, it does have a lot of information that I am finding very useful, this being my first visit there in 12 years and, as my trip is not until next month, I do have the time to explore the site.
Hence, at this point, I am very happy I joined. Of course, the proof will be in the pudding, and I will reserve final judgement after I finished my trip next month.
Bill

 

[jarw00]

I found the site confusing also. I agree with a previous poster that once I found a tidbit I couldn't find it again. After cruising for a couple hours I emailed that I wanted a refund. He emailed me back and had no problem crediting my CC. We use the Unofficial Guide to research and take with us.

 

[kizmac]

I don't have any trouble with it but I know others have. Maybe I'm just a big geek because I can sit and read that kind of stuff for a long time. It's my hobby really. Good luck with it.

Me too NCombs! My DH thinks I am totally lame-o because of how much time I sit and read and research for our Disney trip. We've been there quite a bit too. I love it though. I see what you guys are saying about TGM's website. There are alot of links. Just decide what you really NEED to read and when you come across something valuable for your trip, copy it into Word and save it. This is how I'm doing it. Then I'll just print out and take with me. I have my MK day 1 tour and MK day 2 tour done...I just have to work on my others.
I agree that he could maybe use a more organized format, but I haven't had a problem with it really.

 

[LeesyUD]

I don't have any trouble with it but I know others have. Maybe I'm just a big geek because I can sit and read that kind of stuff for a long time. It's my hobby really. Good luck with it.

Oh believe me, I can spend hours upon hours reading about Disney!!! I've enjoyed all the info/articles I've read so far. I just don't like the fact that it's difficult to navigate and I spend most of the time backtracking through the site to find what I want. I was also thinking of just printing out the articles I want and making a booklet/folder like another poster had mentioned. I was just suprised at the lack of organization on something I am being charged to use.

 

[CuteKatCar]

I was confused at first, but now I'm used to it. Even after a few trips to WDW, I have found myself reading his advice and saying "why didn't I think of that". And just when you think you know everything there is to know, in comes the change from Disney (like EMH). So, he has helped me tremendously!!

I'm worried about our first day. We arrive at MGM, but not til around noon. So, when I'm on TGM, I don't know how to get around MGM that day. Hopefully, there will still be FP's for RnRC. And we go with the flow (or the crowds ).

Anna

 

[nbandfour]

I completely agree with OP. I think the set up is truly horrible and I imagine it could actually win awards for user unfriendliness. I also thought I would get a personalized plan ,though I am pleased with the reasoning of the plans provided and they do seem to have less backtracking than UG tours. I too thought there would be more choices of plans. Also, I can't seem to find any dining reviews, just descriptions that read as if written by Disney themselves. And, just to vent a little more, some of the touring plans haven't been updated for 2005! Give me a break!

Would I subscribe again? Maybe, but I'll definitely check out some of the other options first.

 

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

I used TGM for our first trip to WDW this past June and I too thought I would put in what we wanted or where we were going and would get an itinerary..not so. Also, with this being our first trip there are just things you want to enjoy ("the magic") and I felt TGM was all about -getting it done- to get back to rest in the afternoon. There is a TON of info on his site but I too had trouble navagating it all. I did only have TGM for about 6 weeks before we went so maybe a longer time would have been better. I did use his plan as much as I could - but with heat/crowds/general life with a 2 & 4yr old the only day I felt it really worked for us was our 1st morning @ MK. We followed it to a "t" so I did appreciate his info that morning the best.

Good Luck to you and I'd say just get all the info you can and tailor it to "Your" kind of Disney magic!!!

Dawn

 

[barbarabini]

Ialso subscribed this week.I leave thursfor disney, There is no way in hell with toddlers I am ever going to get through this site.Very user unfriendly.
I thought i would have an easy to follow itinerary but i dont.

I am going to email him and maybe their is an easier way to get around the site especially if you are leaving for disney very soon

 

[raider93]

I emailed him and told him I thought his site was like drinking from a fire hose. He replied, "Just because there is a lot there does not mean you have to look at all of it." Well that does not help very much. I thought I was getting a personalized planner and what I got was very gerneral. Oh well, I guess I will try and use it anyway to see what happens.