Anyone NOT like TourGuide Mike?

[BlakeNJ]

We are going over Thanksgiving. Do I have time to navigate his site? I hear it is quite extensive and I may not have time???!!!

 

[Kenswing]

We are going over Thanksgiving. Do I have time to navigate his site? I hear it is quite extensive and I may not have time???!!!

Since I see that you signed up....I guess that you answered your own question. But yes, you have plenty of time.

Ken

 

[mom23boys]

I loved TGM. I used them for our August 19-26th trip. His advice was right on. We never waited for a ride. We even walked onto rides twice.

It was a slower time of the Summer, but using his best days and advice was well worth it.

 

[mommyoeo]

I started a thread a while back that I was not excited about what I found on TGM. HOWEVER, I have been meaning to write and REPENT (!) every day for a few weeks. My initial disappoinment was that there was info, info and more info but not a real plan for me-- I thought I could type in my preferences and dates and have one spit out for me. Of course, I did not read the description before I bought it because my dear friends have been blasting me with the fact that he clearly states before you buy what you are getting. Anyhow, I admit my mistake and turn fully from my earlier opinion!

I have LOVED the site. I have not been on my trip yet so I don't know about his plans, but the site is really fun to read. Tonight, actually, I am up printing out 259 pages that I want to take with me and that is the honest number! I hope they all fit in my notebook!

You may hear that his site is difficult to navigate and I would have to agree with that. However, it is not impossible. I simply cut and pasted things as I went once I noticed I was having a hard time returning to my desired destination.

TGM is really fun. I love it! Get it and see for yourself. He has a risk free guarantee.

To answer your initial question, there are several folks out there who do not like TGM. They responded in force when I was frustrated. However, not one of the ones who wrote me had been upset enough to ask for a refund, so I guess they were not totally displeased.

Christy love: LOVES TGM)

 

[JennaTX]

You will get answers that go both ways here. People feel strongly both ways.

TGM is not a website that lets you put in information about what attractions you want to see and then gives you an itinerary based on that information. So, when you say you are considering using one of his plans, please know that his plans are sample tours just like something in the Unofficial Guide or Passporter. You can use those, create your own based on the information provided, or use the sampe tours and customize to your needs.

I think of TGM as an online guide book. Many people find a lot of value in that (I do). For others, it is not what they are looking for.

I agree with you that TGM gives sample tours like the UG (I am not familiar with the Passporter, so I cannot say). However, I used TGM this June and the site does have places for "My Magice Kingdom", "My Epcot", etc. where you can choose what you want to see, what is important to you etc. and you are given advice about how to work that into your plan using the sample tour guides, etc. No TGM does not give you a specific itinerary, but there are ways to only get the advice on what attractions you want to see.

 

[HappyMommy2]

In my opinion, even if you just pick up a couple of tips that will be helpful, TGM is worth the $20 just for the entertainment value of having so much WDW-related material to read as you anticipate your trip.

We used TGM for our trip last year and are using it again for our upcoming trip. I do believe it helped immensely on last year's trip, but the fun of perusing the website each evening as we prepared for the trip made TGM worth every penny.

 

[dcibrando]

I used it but that site is poorly constructed IMHO ... too many clicks and links scattered about to find whatever it is you're looking for

 

[edingerc]

It's not all unique! True, but for those of us who live on the DIS, very little is. But what Mike does is use a set of logic to form a cohesive plan. And it is a different plan than I've seen in any other guide. That's because his goal is to keep us away from the crowds (including those following prominent guidebooks.)

This is one that I would like to comment on. Even though much of the info you find on Mike's site can be found on other sites, some of his advice is completely unique. Most tour books and here on the Dis, people are all for the EMH. "Get there early, use the EMH," is something I often hear. From Mike you hear, "you might want to avoid the EMH parks." I can't get into specifics here without giving away his philosophy, but understanding what he's saying has completely changed how and when I tour the parks.

 

[idofabric]

I used it but that site is poorly constructed IMHO ... too many clicks and links scattered about to find whatever it is you're looking for

This is what I think also. I tried to use it to plan a 13 day trip that had a lot of different things going on. I needed to break the trip up so that some of it was SOLO for me 1-3 days, about 7 days with a round a dozen older teens/twentyish kids, and the last 4-5 days DH and all the kids.. It did not work. The best I could do was try and plan 3 seperate trips all happening at the same time. And PAY for 3 trips. I tried 4 times to email TGM and NEVER got a reply.

I DID get some good advice. However there was never an option for NOT taking a nap. And we were not staying onsite. We needed a 3 bed room unit. And had 1-3 cars at all times.

It was not worth the money for me. I have got close to the same advice on this board.

I HAVE recomended it to my SIL and several others.
I do think it will work for some/most people.
I won't be using it again, if for no other reason then I never got an answer to the emails I sent. I was not looking for a personal tour, I just wanted some tech help and clareifaction (I spelt that wrong, sorry!) on a lot of the info as it would pertain to our group and the break down of the trip. NO help at all, no answers. I did not do the survey after I came home, I figured why bother? They never answered the inquiries I sent before the trip, when it would have been helpfull.

So if you have a normal trip /group I do think it will help you. I don't think I need it and don't feel the amount of money was a total waste. I was just let down since most posts at the DIS have allways praised this service to the skies....

Best of luck!

 

[tzuhouse]

Wow! That is too bad! He has been a huge help when I have asked questions. Did you try the message boards? There is an area specifically for people having problems navigating through the site and such. They helped me several times in the beginning also. Now, I just need to find more time to go look again. I haven't really been on the site in a month, due to traveling and such.

Mary

 

[Danthesand]

I find it interesting that not a single person has said anything against TGM's advice.

I subscribed to TGM for the first time last fall, in preparation for our trip this past August. Something in the range of 99.9% of his advice hit the nail right on the head. But if you're looking for an exception, I will offer one (albeit small, but definitely still an exception).

During my planning, I knew we'd want go to Typoon Lagoon, so I carefully read his sections on the water parks. While they (like everything else on his site) were insightful and straightforward, I did see one issue with the "when to go" part, specifically what time of day to enter the park. Without breaking his site rules about sharing information, let's just say the issue I saw had to do with the impact of a particular seasonal weather trend. In essence, it hadn't been taken into account.

I therefore ignored the site recommendation and we entered the park at precisely the time TGM didn't recommend. Looking back, that was the right decision (if we'd followed the site advice, we wouldn't have even been able to get into the water).

That stated, that was the only advice I had any issue with. So overall, the comparatively small investment I made to use TGM was worth every penny, and I will be a return client for our next trip.

As for the criticisms from those who expected TGM's system to produce a customized touring itinerary: while the title of the site somewhat implies that, anyone who reads the front end carefully quickly realizes his approach is to educate users so they can "self service." If people want customized plans designed by an expert, that is what his other (and much more expensive) service below does:

http://www.michaelsvips.com/

 

[NandP]

You know... I joined TGM, and I am not happy with it..

I find the site to be very over-the-top with information that can readily be found right here on WDWInfo or ALLEARS .

I have not seen anything that is "Customised, just for me" It basically throws all the information that is a valable at you, in a big mess they call AVP's and you have to sift through it...

I was under the impression that once I enter all my info (dates, locations, attractions I like, etc) it would spit out a nice formatted itinerary for me to follow based on my selections... I have not seen that...

His advice is good, once you actually find it... But I've seen the same advice right here on the boards.... and this is free

I may try to cash in on the "money back garauntee" I am not happy with Tour Guide Mike.. but that is My Humble Opinion.

 

[GrandmaBarb]

Did you follow MiKE's plan step by step or just start jumping around.
If you follow the plan step by step you cannot possibly be disappointed. But if you jump around you will not benefit properly as you will totally confuse yourself.
His AVP is personalized for your needs and it updated constantly.
PLEASE, take it step by step and you will be amazed with the results.
And of course, ask for help on the forums. There are very knowledgeable people who will be very happy to help you in any way

 

[Danthesand]

I find the site to be very over-the-top with information that can readily be found right here on WDWInfo or ALLEARS......

Here I have to politely disagree. As example, the TGM gospel on "when and when not to go to park A vs. park B" is not only different that what I read here, it is much more detailed and updated regularly. Allears -- while a good site -- is weak on the itinerary planning side, and I laugh at posts I see on these boards (as example, about EMH) that are in the stone age compared to what I read on TGM.

have not seen anything that is "Customised, just for me" It basically throws all the information that is a valable at you, in a big mess they call AVP's and you have to sift through it...

I was under the impression that once I enter all my info (dates, locations, attractions I like, etc) it would spit out a nice formatted itinerary for me to follow based on my selections... I have not seen that....

I'm not clear on where you got that impression, given what the front end of the TGM site says (to quote):

"my step-by-step itinerary planning advice"

"Learn what 'they' will do each day and do the opposite whenever possible. Zag when they zig ..."

In other words, you're purchasing education on how to build an itinerary. And it's all in one place, as opposed to the scavenger hunt one has to engage in on DIS to find truly useful information.

 

[missypie]

I used the UG touring plans at Disneyland and TGM at WDW. Both worked great. What I loved about TGM is that after wading through the info (yes, there is a LOT of info), I understood WHY we were diong what we were doing. We we fortunate to have ten park days, so I didn't follow his plans every day religiously. But once I knew the "why" I was able to put together a plan every day that worked great.

 

[mjkaferle5]

Can your advice on TGM be customized to the type of party you have? Such as family with small children.........or just all adults, etc.?

 

[HaleyB]

Can your advice on TGM be customized to the type of party you have? Such as family with small children.........or just all adults, etc.?

Mike has advice for families with children. But to be clear, your advice is not an itinerary made for you or a made to order touring plan just for you. He has general advice for all ages and he sets up the web interface for you based on your party he will recommend rides and include links to his tips that are for families. He does have sample tour plans for families with children for all parks.

Think of TGM like a book. You read it and learn to make an itinerary and touring plans (although he does include very good sample plans you can use right 'out of the box') The "My AVP" is your table of contents. Chapters that do not apply to your party are not listed, but you can still read them if you want through links.

Lots of people think you pay $20, fill out the four page form about dates and party size/ages and TGM spits out a suggestion for an itinerary and touring plans. That is not how it works. He gives you the information and teaches you how to make your own itinerary and touring plans. There are full service companies that do everything for you- they charge $100 an hour.

So why is it My custom Automated Vacation Planner? The custom part is he gives custom advice for each month based on park hours and events and crowd levels. The Automated (which is not the same thing as automatic- your car is automated but still needs a driver) part is that there is a countdown clock set up for you, and a few other places where the site knows your dates. It is a planner, not a plan. Like a date book will not make appointments for you... it is just a tool so is the AVP. I think the original plan and name came from the fact that it was a program not a person (so automated vs personalized) but as it turns out Mike is behind the program in a very hands on way. He answers emails and posts to the message boards over there all the time.

I hate when I see people who are disappointed by what they get at first look when they buy TGM. The site is so full of great information most of the best of it is unique. I am afraid people who think it will plan for them don't ever give the site a real chance and miss out on something great.

 

[aaronlisar]

Well, I bought it for our trip and while I didn't not like it, it was just that I thought that I didn't need it given all of the info I found here. Everything I read on there was info that I found right here by reading other peoples reviews and trip reports. I think I would have liked it more if I hadn't found this site and had no information prior to purchasing it cause then all the info would've been new to me.

And yes, when we went on our trip we did everything we wanted to with plenty of time to spare. We didn't have a single problem without using a tour guide.

Just my opinion.

 

[HaleyB]

You know... I joined TGM, and I am not happy with it..

I find the site to be very over-the-top with information that can readily be found right here on WDWInfo or ALLEARS .

I have not seen anything that is "Customised, just for me" It basically throws all the information that is a valable at you, in a big mess they call AVP's and you have to sift through it...

I was under the impression that once I enter all my info (dates, locations, attractions I like, etc) it would spit out a nice formatted itinerary for me to follow based on my selections... I have not seen that...

His advice is good, once you actually find it... But I've seen the same advice right here on the boards.... and this is free

I may try to cash in on the "money back garauntee" I am not happy with Tour Guide Mike.. but that is My Humble Opinion.

I disagree. Much of the advice here contradicts other advice here. And some of wha TGM says I have found no where else. I do think though that the people who like him the least are the ones with a whole lot of visits under their belt. It could be you already figured out a lot of what he says on your own, so it seems like the advice is here or on other sites. Tons of his information is for first timers, skip all the stuff you already know and focus on specific touring advice- that is where TGM is at its best.

Compare TGM's AK plan with any other site or books plan. The thing that is unique to TGM stands out very well in this plan. Would you have thought to do it that way on your own? Maybe, but you must admit it is not what others have.

Last of all, try out his advice next time you go. Use one of the sample plans. Then decide if you like it or not. Don't throw out the whole site because you found the name misleading and it turned out not to be what you expected.

 

[edingerc]

I was under the impression that once I enter all my info (dates, locations, attractions I like, etc) it would spit out a nice formatted itinerary for me to follow based on my selections... I have not seen that...

I don't think that this is a reasonable expectation. The number of variables that would have to be weighed would be far too many to make this work. And say it did work, what would you have? :

Get up in time to get to rope drop. Go to this ride and pick up a fast pass. Immediately walk to the other side of the park and ride x, y and z.

If you saw an itinerary like that without understanding WHY he made you walk across the park twice, you'd NEVER do it. Not to mention when he tells you to go back to the resort for a nap!