Dangit! Thought I was done planning, and now Tour Guide Mike!

[always quiet]

We just got back last week. I have to say, I loved using TGMike's info! I had printed out his which park/which day recommendations and every evening, I would take a look and see what he suggested. I had ONE time, by accident, gone against his recommendation. DH wasn't feeling up to snuff and wanted to take a nap at the cabin in FW. It was towards evening. I figured I would take the kids and get on the boat over to MK so he'd have some peace. I didn't realize that this particular night was definitely NOT a good choice. I had never seen MK as mobed as it was that night. We were there for 3 hours and only got on 3 rides. When I got back to the cabin and pulled out his list, there is was in black and white. Should of checked before I left the cabin!!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Well, I told DH that as soon as Christmas is over, I go into full-on Disney planning mode. We're going in August, but with meal reservations 6 months in advance, that puts our 180 day Cindy ressie right around my due date. DH KNOWS that I'm not kidding when I say that I will have my feet in the stirrups and tell the doctor I'll push when I'm confirmed!

So, all of you, stop tormenting the pregnant lady and print a link, for Pete's sake! There's no such thing as too much Disney planning! I've been a number of times, with small kids, too, but this will be our first time in several years, and we'll have 4 kids including a nursing infant, so I need all the tips and strategies I can get!

 

[always quiet]

Do you mean www.tourguidemike.com ?

Also, check out www.themouseforless.com . They have a discount coupon in there as well!!

 

[JoyG]

I used TGM for our trip this August to WDW and loved it....I printed his info and took it with me to review at the hotel each night.

Here's a question for anyone who talks to Mike on his site...my subscription has expired...but I seriously want to know if he would consider making such a site devoted to Universal Studios. I did send him an email with this question, but he didn't respond.

I would love to have a Universal experience as positive as my WDW one...without paying for those express passes!!! I know it can be done...and if anyone can figure out the tricks, TGM can...

We'll be going to Universal next summer...and not doing Disney...so I'd like to see what his reccommendations would be.


Joy

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Thanks, guys! I had tried several combinations, etc., and didn't quite get the right one!

 

[Lorelai]

Lorelai: I have been going to WDW since it's opening year and believed myself to be a pro for sure, However, after reading the TGM info I found I was not as much a pro as I thought. I learned so much.
And, the website is updated constantly with new and additional info.
MiKE has been doing VIP Holiday Tours but will be back with more and more updated information for his subscribers.
How can you lose with a $20 investment and money back guarantee.
Come on over, you would be very welcome. And, be sure to join in the forum for additional personal assistance.

Thank you so much Grandma Barb! Is it a one time 20$ fee, or is it a yearly subscription? Also, where do I go to sign up - web address? Thanks - Lorelai

 

[JennaTX]

Lorelai,

It is a one time fee for $20.00 that is good until you trip, and I believe 60 or 90 days after your trip. The website address is www.tourguidemike.com. Hope this helps!

 

[Lorelai]

Thanks JennaTX -
I definitely want to do this. How far in advance can you register? Our next trip is April of 2007.....

 

[JennaTX]

Lorelai,

You can sign up now for your 2007 trip, that will give you a lot of time to plan! I always think that the planning is one of the fun parts.

 

[JennaTX]

Can any of the Moderators explain why this thread got moved from the Theme Park Touring board to the Community Board? It doesn't really seem to fit on the CB.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Wow! Great site for those "Type A" planners in the group (stares innocently at the ceiling...). I signed up yesterday. Thanks, guys!

Lorelei, they don't have too much for more than 6 months out--understandably, since the park hours and so forth can change rapidly. My trip is 8/06. What they do give you is stuff from the previous year, 8/05 in my case, to give you an idea of what you're most likely to encounter during your trip. Also, they do convenient countdown to, say, reservations at Cindy's and list other restaurants you might like that would need ressies well in advance. Since we had dates and our hotel picked out, I skipped that part, but they also can make suggestions based on your party size/age, etc.

If you think it's too early to sign up now, you may want to at least check out the free stuff and bookmark the page for future reference.

 

[always quiet]

I just re-signed up yesterday. We aren't going back til Dec. of 2007 (Gosh, that sounds so far away!!) but at the discount rate of $17.95 and seeing how we are talking 24 months away, it costs well under a dollar a month! I probably lose that much in change at the bottom of my purse! I was really happy with all his suggestions (and furious with myself on the 2 occasions I accidentially didn't follow his suggestions and found myself in HUGE lines - ex: Peter Pan had a 50 min wait time and shoulder to shoulder people )

 

[kutchyone]

Go ahead and sign up now. You will have plenty of time to start your planning and to digest everything Mike has to offer. Make sure to use all of the knowledge in the forums over on that site. If you run into any navigation problems pop into the forums, ask your question and within a very, very short time you will get the answer you need or even the link to the spot that you are seeking. I use the same “name” over there so be sure to say hi!

 

[Lorelai]

Thanks again JennaTX & BuzznBelle'sMom - I can't wait to see what this is all about.

It actually sounds like this would be invaluable to someone going during a Holiday (Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas). I wonder if the 10-15 minute wait time applies during the Hoidays also.

 

[kutchyone]

It sure does. I have used many sites to navigate DW and thought that I knew everything there was to know, boy was I wrong. We never waited more then 10 minutes in any lines and that only happened twice. We visited the "World" in June, deffinately not off season. The normal wait time in the lines was 5 minutes or less. We were back in the room almost every afternoon for a nice shower and long nap. It was the most relaxing trip to DW that we had ever experienced. Mike offers a money back guarantee.

 

[ead79]

Is TGM good for people who don’t want to be at the parks when they open? DH and I prefer to sleep in and get a slower start most mornings, so the “standard” Unofficial Guide touring plans don’t really work for us. We have previously purchased their custom plans, but that can add up quickly. Would TGM help us, or is it better for the early risers?

 

[always quiet]

We didn't really do ANY early openings..........the great thing about Mike's "Best Park/Best Day" list is that he breaks it down to best in the morning and best in the evening. Yes, you can get a lot done in that first hour, but with his plans, it's not necessary. I have to say, it felt really odd to me to be able to sleep in while in Disney...normally, I have everyone up by 6 am!

 

[kutchyone]

Elisabeth,

I tried TGM and I'm not going to tell you what I thought of it. Yes I do have an opinion about the site - a pretty strong opinion as it happens. But I'm not going to share it with you. I will give you a clue and tell you that after using it for one trip in June I did subscribe again!

You see, I happen to know that TGM readily offers full refunds. No explanation required, ask for a refund and you will receive it. The implications of this policy really should make any debate on this subject moot. Since there is absolutely no financial risk in trying TGM for yourself, the only thing you risk losing is the time it will take you to look around TGM once you have signed up. If it's not for you, get your money back. It’s a pretty simple concept folks.

Some people like TGM, some don't. I have no idea which group you will fall into. And neither do you, at least until you give it a try yourself. And since we've already established that there is no risk in giving Tour Guide Mike a try, that’s exactly what you should do. Make up your own mind. You don't need me or anyone else battering you over the head with our opinions as long as you have the means to come to your own opinion.

 

[cardaway]

How does Mike compare to Ridemax?

We met somebody at DL in October that swore by Ridemax. Said it told him when to ride each ride and he never waited any longer than 15 min, even at peak times.

Guess these are the thingxs that people use that ends with them having the whole day planned out to the minute. And to think I thought we were bad in planning which day to do parks and making PS's for meals.

 

[kutchyone]

It is not the same. He does have some sample tours for the parks but he gives you the tools to create your own plan that best fits your needs with up to date information. Remember it's a money back guarantee, give it a try.