Discrepancies between Tourguide Mike and Touringplans.com

[3prettyprincesses]

I'm subscribed to both of these sites. For our dates (Jan. 30th-Feb.7th) touringplans has ratings in the 6's while Tourguide Mike claims it's a slow time. So who do I believe? I've chosen parks based on Tourguide Mike's recommendations and they look right to me (based on past trips). Yet Touringplans.com is claiming a busier time? I thought this was a slow time of year, it's definitely way before President's Day week too.

 

[Robo]

Tourguide Mike VS. Touringplans.com

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

They are based on their own observations from the past and their own computer programs.

You just have to pick one and go with it. Otherwise it can drive you crazy.

I've never been during that timeframe so I have no advice for you. Sorry.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

It's the classic rivalry! And yet I've subscribed to them both!

 

[vicki_c]

That is a pretty dead time in the parks, we've had a few trips covering those dates. A 6 isn't all that crowded either. TGM rates on a scale of 5, TP rates on a scale of 10, so you have to take that into account as well.

 

[dolphindan1]

I always default to TGM...has been 100% accurate for me...TP has been hit or miss...I subscribe to both and Ridemax and read easywdw.com...if there is difference is TGM all the way

 

[notfrostyjosh]

I always default to TGM...has been 100% accurate for me...TP has been hit or miss...I subscribe to both and Ridemax and read easywdw.com...if there is difference is TGM all the way

You'll come around.

They all do.

 

[Sarahleigh]

We subscribed to TGM and I was able to get the crowd levels from Touringplans when they were available free for our dates. I just compared them both and chose the days they both recommended.

We braved a couple days that were rated red & yellow days by TGM and the park to be avoided by TP and definitely noticed the increase in crowds but overall for the time of year I'd say if it's the park you want to be at, just go.
While we were there the crowds were bearable whether it was a go day or a no-go day. We went on a night were HS was rated "red" by TGM and walked on ToT 3 times and waited 10 minutes for RnR even though the stand-by time listed 50mins.

 

[dolphindan1]

You'll come around.

They all do.

Come around to what????

 

[maryj11]

Tourguide Mike VS. Touringplans.com

Thats funny !

 

[lightwyear]

I am planning a trip in Nov/Dec this year. Started planning with TGM, then looked at touringplans. Some days a park is listed as a best park on one, and a park to avoid on another and I can't reconcile it.

Touringplans was good because it did have the park hour changes right away and the lines app is helpful. TGM has an obvious rationality to it, but I like numbers backing things up.

Silly me, I picked the week AFTER thanksgiving thinking it would be slow. Now with the entire world thinking the same thing, then the free meals offered after I booked, I am thinking this might be a very busy time.

 

[estherhead]

I generally trust TGM. That being said, it's more important to get there at rope drop, collect FP's all day, and eat when no one else is than to pick the right day.

Also, with no paid plan at all: Go to parks that had EMH the night before and no night time show for the lowest crowds. Just a general rule.

 

[JLR]

I see 1 - 4s until Feb 4th and remember that TP redid their system so 6s aren't as bad as they used to be. Also you may want to check the per-park crowd numbers which are new this year. The one thing I don't like about TP is that they assume you don't have park hoppers and we get and use them since we try to go back to the hotel for a rest in the middle of the day.

Seriously, though, one of the other posters indicated that the most important thing is to get there early in the morning and I think that is the best advice of all.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Thanks. We do get to the parks early and use fastpasses. I like Tourguide Mike's site in that it explains the days and why to go or avoid it. I just thought it odd that one site claims a slow time of year while the other lists crowd levels of 6. I know they have different criteria for calculating their recommendations/numbers but I was still a tad confused.

 

[sharadoc]

I like TourGuide Mike because his rating is an "overall" park rating and Touring Plans based their rating on a few popular rides. So, everything can be a walk-on at Epcot, but Soarin' and Test Track are Always Busy and the rating is based on those rides' lines.

I think TP helps with planning out your day, but doesn't help as well with picking what park. TourGuide Mike is best for us for picking what park but not so much with specific touring plans. So - it's really what help you want or need that will help you decide which one to pick.

We like TourGuide Mike and we're getting near 20 visits. I thought I didn't need it, but now that I have it - I love it.

 

[jewel71]

Just bumping this up because I'm debating if I should get Tour Guide Mike and/or RideMax since I already have a membership to TouringPlans.com. I think I will be very confused and frustrated if TGM and TP have a difference of opinion on which parks are best to visit during my stay, lol. We're coming from May 13-19 of 2011, btw. Staying in Windsor Hills off property so no EMH for us. I'm just wondering if I can trust touringplans.com's suggestions about which parks to visit because I need to make my ADR's REALLY soon.

 

[Lou Holtz]

TGM puts MUCH less thought and study into EVERYTHING than Touring Plans does. If you want predictions based on instensive study of data and trends, go with that. If you want "well, I'm pretty much mailing it in right now", go with TGM. I don't even know if he goes to the parks anymore honestly (he might go everyday for all I know, you just can't tell by his analysis). He doesn't seem to try to go into much depth or challenge his own preconceived notions about what is correct. If you subscribed to TGM three years ago, you got the exact same info that someone who subscribes now is getting.

 

[dolphindan1]

TGM puts MUCH less thought and study into EVERYTHING than Touring Plans does. If you want predictions based on instensive study of data and trends, go with that. If you want "well, I'm pretty much mailing it in right now", go with TGM. I don't even know if he goes to the parks anymore honestly (he might go everyday for all I know, you just can't tell by his analysis). He doesn't seem to try to go into much depth or challenge his own preconceived notions about what is correct. If you subscribed to TGM three years ago, you got the exact same info that someone who subscribes now is getting.

This whole post is wrong wrong wrong....I have had far better experience in the last 3 years with TGM than I have from TP...If his info is right 3 years ago why change it...That said I like what TP does but when they disagree I default to TGM everytime...TGM gives me morning and evening advice each day for each park...TP gives me 2 different numbers and wants me to figure out what they are thinking....

TGM all the way with Ridemax a close 2nd...and I subscribe to all 3...and right now easywdw.com is ahead of TP site

 

[nancyjane]

Do any of them include Universal or Seaworld? That would clinch it for me, though I'll probably join 2 anyway.

 

[dolphindan1]

Do any of them include Universal or Seaworld? That would clinch it for me, though I'll probably join 2 anyway.

No SW or US...would be nice...expecially ridemax...

My top 2...TGM and Ridemax...also a free site is easywdw.com and I compared its crowd calendar and recomendations and its not far off....so if you want a free opinion and some good reading check them out...