Anyone have TourGuideMike and

[Lulu's Mom]

Tour Guide Mike is one of those that has been hired by VIPs to take their families around the parks, avoiding lines and crowds. If it's good for Kelly Ripa, it's good enough for me. LOL

I can tell you that, when I first joined Mike, I'd been on this site for about 5 months. I had ideas of things I'd like to do, such as Family Magic Tour, Wishes Cruise, etc. but had no idea how to go about the parks, themselves. That's where Mike was invaluable to me. And his hints on getting those ADRs everyone and their brother wants. I got everything. Wishes Cruise, early breakfast at the Castle, etc. all because of Mike.

What I thought Mike was was something where I put in my trip info and he provides a detailed plan for me. What it is is my information brings up tons of articles he has written. Not only does he explain what he wants you to do, he tells you why. So, I can go into a park and know what Mike's answer to a question would be, because I know how he thinks. I wrote my own touring plans, using Mike's recommendations and what I felt my family could handle. I have printed index cards, color coded for each park, and laminated. If there was something telling me to go a certain place and I was afraid I'd wonder if I'd messed up (maybe not logical to me), while at the park, I also put Mike's reason so I'd remember to follow Mike and have a stressfree vacation with my family.

I think I paid about $21.00 or something. Yes, there is a coupon somewhere that saves a couple of bucks, but it's obvious that Mike has put in a ton of work so I didn't wait to find the coupon. I tipped him a couple extra $$. LOL

The greatest thing is that he is constantly working for his subscribers. He goes to the parties and updates his site with any changes and recommendations he has, that are different from last year, etc. A guidebook doesn't change it's information.

Hope that helps. I've got touring plans for each park, plus MVMCP, thanks to Mike. We won't be commando in our approach and we will do everything that is important to us, probably several times.

Mary

This sounds really neat and I want to sign up, I just have a little question that I hope can be answered. You stated that articles come up when you put in information, so it is like reading a book? I assume that scenarios are given and it is detailed to when you travel.. ie: trip planned for DEC 2006, then articles would come up for touring plans for DEC/Holiday time? Is this a right assumption, if you can tell me.

Thanks so much

 

[Bonnie40]

Well, I'm going to go against almost all the posts and state that I did sign up for TGM for our trip last March (we've been a number of times before) and found the site to be a slick, cookie-cutter marketing website which isn't my style. (donning the flame retardant suit now)

People who join need to understand (which I didn't) that it's not 'personalized' per say, and that you have to do ALOT of reading with links upon links upon links to find the kernals of wisdom not already known to most seasoned Disney travellers.

I'm not saying that it's not useful for ALOT of people (he's doing very well!) but I guess I needed far more time and I didn't have the inclination to sit there and plow through countless articles that seemed to say the same things over and over.

Done now. Don't hate me for stating my opinion...(ducking for cover!)

 

[tzuhouse]

This sounds really neat and I want to sign up, I just have a little question that I hope can be answered. You stated that articles come up when you put in information, so it is like reading a book? I assume that scenarios are given and it is detailed to when you travel.. ie: trip planned for DEC 2006, then articles would come up for touring plans for DEC/Holiday time? Is this a right assumption, if you can tell me.

Thanks so much

Well, it's kind of like a book. An article may have several links in it. You read the article and then, click on whichever links you need for further information. The difference is that, his information changes as it needs to. It's not stagnant, like a book. I bought 2005 books for our trip and all the ticket information was about the old tickets. Nothing about Magic Your Way. I realize that books have to be published long before the time they are being sold for, but spending that much on books was frustrating when I found Mike later, giving me so much more information, and up to date, for much less than I paid for the books. He has steps to planning the trip and information and ideas for each step along the way. It took me a few days of going through to really understand, but I feel so much more prepared for this trip than if he had just said, go here, then there, then over there. You design your own trip, once you understand what he is telling you. Hope that helps.

Mary

 

[luuuceee]

Lulu's Mom: your assumption is kinda correct. You put in a plethora of information - when you're going, how many are in your party, ages, etc., and then you answer questions like would you like hotel info? Transportation info? Park info for young children? Older children? Adults and teens? Non riders? A lot of stuff like that.

When you get into your AVP, there is a My Vacation Articles page that has articles related to the things you said you wanted info on. It's easy to delete articles that don't apply and to add new ones as you come across them from using links in the articles. That's about as "personalized" as it gets, but it does give you info on topics that you care about.

Another nifty little tool is the Calendar Clipboard. There's a link for each month. You go to your month and you'll get all kinds of info - special touring tips based on crowd patterns that month, info or links to info about special events during that month, park hours, which park is the best to go to each day (and BTW, Mike is currently working to update this part so that it's not just "best days/parks on Monday" but "best parks on Monday, December 9th". I can't wait till that's all done!), yadda, yadda. It's a ton of useful info. If your park hours aren't posted yet, he has last year's park hours and info, so that you can at least get an idea of what you're looking at during your trip.

Does that answer your question?

 

[kutchyone]

You are correct. Best days, best parks for each day of your trip. Sample touring plans. Articles specific for the period of time that you will be there. Viewing locations. He offers a money back guarantee so why not go for it.

 

[kutchyone]

Well, I'm going to go against almost all the posts and state that I did sign up for TGM for our trip last March (we've been a number of times before) and found the site to be a slick, cookie-cutter marketing website which isn't my style. (donning the flame retardant suit now)

People who join need to understand (which I didn't) that it's not 'personalized' per say, and that you have to do ALOT of reading with links upon links upon links to find the kernals of wisdom not already known to most seasoned Disney travellers.

I'm not saying that it's not useful for ALOT of people (he's doing very well!) but I guess I needed far more time and I didn't have the inclination to sit there and plow through countless articles that seemed to say the same things over and over.

Done now. Don't hate me for stating my opinion...(ducking for cover!)

No need to duck for cover and throw away the flame retardant suit we still love you. I also thought I would be receiving a personalized touring plan and was confused when I didn't. I stuck with it and with the help from others and Mike we never stood longer then 10/15 minutes in any line, boy am I glad I did stick with it. June was the busiest time that we evere toured DW but we waited less time for the attractions in June then we did for our September, October, early November trips and the parks were really dead then in comparison.

 

[Nancyg56]

I am probably in the minority, but TGM gave me a headache. I found that navigating the site was cumbersome, I am not a computer wiz, and really didn't have the patience to learn. Having said that, I did use some of his tips, but I liked the UG and the Passporter better. I think that if I was going during a busier time, and really wanted to go on most of the attractions, I would have invested the time to learn how to use his site, as some of my friends have really avoided the lines that others have experienced. This is our first real trip in years, and we are bringing our 4 year old DGD with us. This time we are going to focus on the attractions that she can enjoy, and have a week to do it, so I am fine with the other tools that I purchased. When she is older.....that's another story.

 

[zachnlucy]

Another TGM lover here. After spending several hours on his site, I finally figured it out and it has been invaluable.

 

[brerrabbit]

I used TGM for our Thanksgiving trip and I got some useful tips from the site. That being said almost all of the tips I got were things that as a regular visitor to WDW I already knew I just never thought of in the way he did. I found that my approach prior to reading TGM on getting on as many rides as possible in as short a time as possible was very similar to his. In otherwords, I knew most everything he was telling me, he just organized the information better than I ever had. I think the major difference between any of the published materials and the TGM site is that he is in the parks every day and his information changes more frequently. He keeps you very up to date on trends and crowds and current strategies. You do make a deal to not share the information and I understand why. If one person bought it and shared it with everyone else he would make no money from the site. I will say this though, If your were willing to work at it and search these boards and ask the right questions you can get every bit of information of value on his site for free right here. If you have been to WDW numerous times and spend enough time reading and posting here you will have pretty much the same information.

 

[Lulu's Mom]

Thank you guys so much for the information, it defianlty answered my question. If I may ask one more though, and if it cannot be answered then I completley understand. Does he give tips on doing things besides the parks? I believe someone posted that he asks if you want info about the resorts, so will he talk about events going on at the resorts, like the Campfire?

We go to Disney to have fun and relax, we are not a gotta ride every ride kind of family and we spend at most 6-8 hours a day at the parks. We do enjoy doing other things like DTD, Boardwalk, the resorts, so I guess I am curious as to if he talks about any tips for going to these places.

Thanks if you guys are able to answer this question. You all have been so wonderful so far.

Vannessa

 

[brerrabbit]

He covers all the things that are possible to do at WDW, including the resorts, shopping, golf, water parks etc.

 

[luuuceee]

He covers all the things that are possible to do at WDW, including the resorts, shopping, golf, water parks etc.

And mini golf and Cirque and the Richard Petty Driving Experience and all the fun kids' activities...

Basically, any type of activity that's in WDW, he's got info for.

The only thing he doesn't have is a clone that gives such fantastic DL advice... (though with Ridemax, the UG and a couple of TGMers who live in CA and are DL "experts," I think I'll survive... )

 

[Lulu's Mom]

Thanks again guys... planning on signing up either today or tommorrow. I am worried that once I sign up, I will not be able to leave the computer for hours upon hours, as if the DIS wasn't enough

Thanks once more

 

[88Keys]

He also has info about the grassy knoll (shhhhhhhhhhh)

 

[Mymatisse]

Tour Guide Mike in my opinion is a total rip off and NOT worth your money.

 

[Brian Noble]

Hopefully you asked for (and received) your refund.

 

[mrsminniemouse]

I subscribed to TGM before our last trip. I agree that it was fantastic.

However, there was sooooooooo much info I just did not have time to plough through it all. I did pick up some good tips but never really had the time to familiarise myself with the site. I am a real planner and would haved LOVED to have devoted many hours to reading and planning but it just did not fit my lifestyle. It takes a while to navigate the site comfortably. I guess I too was expecting something more staightforward like an itinerary. Not TGM's fault- mine for being ill prepared. It is a great resource.

I would buy it again if I knew I had plenty of time to get the best from it.

Mandy

 

[luuuceee]

He also has info about the grassy knoll (shhhhhhhhhhh)

We were just trying to be helpfus give an idea of exactly what kind of info was on the site. No need to get sarcastic.

Besides, TGM info is all things WDW and the grassy knoll is a few states away from WDW...

 

[88Keys]

No, I meant the grassy knoll at Epcot - you know, Figment's Grassy Knoll Adventures. The ride goes back and to the left, back and to the left......

 

[HANDYMOM]

I agree that TGM has sooooooo much information that it can really intimidate you at first. In hindsight I think this is one of the things about TGM that is the most helpful. Mike has researched and documented strategies for park touring and miscellaneous entertainment that appeals to EVERYONE at some point in their "Disney" lives. As a mom of small ones (2 and 4 at the time of our last visit) I really just looked for info on plans helpful with little guys. Now as I'm planning our return with the boys now 4 and 6, I can again join TGM and go looking for exactly what I need.

It's a great resource for anyone planning a trip; families, singles, friends etc. There's info for exactly who you are, when you are going and best of all it's regularly updated.

The OP and his/her main defender could have avoided responses they would consider "harsh, preachy or secretive" if they had been more specific with their question. If you ask me, which I know you didn't...., the op and defender were vague to test the waters and see if they could get a rise out of someone.

Hurray for all the responders who believe in doing things the right way and keeping Mike's info proprietary.