Disney VIPs?

[Simba's Mom]

Disney provides Guests who want to experience a Walt Disney World VIP tour for a cost of $125 or $145 per hour for the services of a Disney VIP host. (It is $145 per hour if the host is requested with less than 48 hours notice.) Disney requires that the service be used a minimum of 5 hours consecutively.

This average fee of $1,000 to $1,250 or more per day (or $1,160 to $1,450 or more at $145 per hour) is mostly for the guests to personally experience the extensive knowledge of a Walt Disney World guest relations host. They know which attractions and shows to recommend for their guests, and they can get them there with no concern about maps or directions.

When we were at WDW Thanksgiving week, we saw quite a few people using this service (I could tell since the VIP tour guides have to wear a certain uniform). A few may have been well-to-do types who simply wanted to show their family a good time-and getting around the theme parks can be very confusing for a first-timer. But since there seemed to be so many more than usual, I wonder if we saw some celebrities and didn't recognize them. We even saw them waiting in line for CRT with their guests, eating dinner at Jiko's, etc.

 

[KathyFP]

What does the uniform look like???

 

[goofie4goofy]

I just went to your user CP. Within your last 10 posts you have shared a glowing endorsement for a product called Uggs. Talk about sticking your foot in your mouth...

UMMM Hello.....I do not own the UGG Boot Company and I do not make any money from it. There is a huge difference. If I said send me $20.00 and I will tell you all about Ugg Boots....now that would be the same exact thing.

No foot in my mouth!

 

[Simba's Mom]

What does the uniform look like???

It's the blue and red plaid. If I remember, there's a white shirt and a vest. I don't know about now, but when I took the KTTK tour about 10 years ago, our guide was wearing similar attire.

 

[Lawshark]

UMMM Hello.....I do not own the UGG Boot Company and I do not make any money from it. There is a huge difference. If I said send me $20.00 and I will tell you all about Ugg Boots....now that would be the same exact thing.

No foot in my mouth!

I believe that you misunderstood his point. Everyone understands that you do not work for UGG. I hope you also understand that no one who has posted on this thread regarding Michael's VIPs and TourguideMike works for either of those entities.

Therefore, if you wish to bemoan the rampant "advertising" occurring when these people mention Michael's VIPs and TGM...well...aren't you doing exactly the same thing?

 

[Feralpeg]

I'd be happy to take you around the park and talk about it for a lot less than $100 an hour. Just give me a steady supply of Mickey Premium bars! LOL!

 

[splashmt]

Well stated Lawshark. Goofy... just because someone comments about his/her experience regarding a service and tries to help others who have ASKED directly about it, doesn't mean the person has an advertisement for said service tatooed into his/her signature. Can't you see how people help each other here on these boards? It's not Tour Guide Mike selling himself.

 

[goofie4goofy]

There is one thing to recommend a product or a vacation destination or anything you wish to put your personal stamp of approval on if asked. Everyone knows about Disney. TGM makes his money off Disney. If there was not a WDW TGM would not exist. There are direct links everywhere to his homepage which is asking for money for info. You can get info regarding anything for free from Ugg boots to Alamo rental cars...there is not a charge for info.

Because I say I love Ugg boots is very different than if I had a website asking for 20.00 for Ugg boot info...where to buy them, how to wear them....That is exactly what TGM is doing. He is taking a "product" and charging you money to tell you how when why.

The problem I have is not with TGM, but with all the free advertising. Also if there was not a Disboard, TGM would be out of business.

 

[Kenswing]

TGM makes his money off Disney. If there was not a WDW TGM would not exist.

How many other companies can you also say that about? I'm sure the UG, Passporter, Disney related traval agents...Even this site, would be nowhere without WDW. They all make their money off Disney.

Ken

 

[rie'smom]

I have to say that TGM is worth every bit of 20.00 or more. My family and I had been to WDW almost every year for 24 years. Last year, decided to give Mike a try. He gave us ideas and hints that we had never heard. My husband has said that he will never go to WDW again w/out first subscribing to TGM. Maybe those of us who have used his services are a little too enthusiastic because his advice is that good. Mike also offers his private touring services for most of central Florida-so I guess he would exist w/out WDW.
Go-o-o-o Mike .

 

[tommygirl79]

goofie4goofy - I usually don't jump in here but I completely have to agree with those that have said that you are condemning something that is NOT happening here...and it is NO different than someone on another threads saying they love Uggs, Crocs, Passporter, etc in the slightest. I'm not flaming - I just think you need to reread the thread. No one on here IS connected to Tour Guide Mike so I think your comments are not really aimed at this particular thread - if any at all.

 

[Lawshark]

T-girl...I'm afraid some people are simply predisposed to being appalled, affronted, offended and outraged by all kinds of random things regardless of the existence of any basis for being offended etc.

Hmmm...I'm switching jobs and getting into my own business soon...perhaps I can put my head together with Mike for a guerrilla advertising campaign here on the DIS...bwahahahahahahaha! (rubs hands together mischieveously)

 

[JohnNJ]

Blah. Blah, Blah

 

[SuperGurl]

Good grief! Someone (goofie4goofy) sure is being a Scrooge! Let's all give goofie4goofy a group hug and a little holiday cheer !

 

[Sammie]

Good grief! Someone (goofie4goofy) sure is being a Scrooge! Let's all give goofie4goofy a group hug and a little holiday cheer !

I think possibly it is less about being a Scrooge and more about a Grudge,

 

[m&m's mom]

And now back to your regularally scheduled programming.... I saw a family use the VIP services because they had 5 kids and 3 looked like 3-4 YO triplets. The parents probably could not enjoy the parks because they would be worried about keeping track of the kids.
It did not appear these guides were doing much than "babysitting" but I am sure that was just at that time.

 

[surfgirl]

There is one thing to recommend a product or a vacation destination or anything you wish to put your personal stamp of approval on if asked. Everyone knows about Disney. TGM makes his money off Disney. If there was not a WDW TGM would not exist. There are direct links everywhere to his homepage which is asking for money for info. You can get info regarding anything for free from Ugg boots to Alamo rental cars...there is not a charge for info.

Btw, If there wasn't a Disney, there wouldn't be a Central Florida destination. No Universal, no billion dollar destination, no direct flights there... it would just be a big 'ole swamp!

So, clearly, any advertising or information-sharing for anything Central Florida that might be on any Disney-related board is a clear violation of g4g's phantom rules.

If you don't like it, don't read the thread! No need to stress yourself unnecessarily, there is enough stress floating around in this world already!!

Now, go wrap some packages or drink some eggnog or something.

 

[madgomez]

There is one thing to recommend a product or a vacation destination or anything you wish to put your personal stamp of approval on if asked. Everyone knows about Disney. TGM makes his money off Disney. If there was not a WDW TGM would not exist. There are direct links everywhere to his homepage which is asking for money for info. You can get info regarding anything for free from Ugg boots to Alamo rental cars...there is not a charge for info.

Because I say I love Ugg boots is very different than if I had a website asking for 20.00 for Ugg boot info...where to buy them, how to wear them....That is exactly what TGM is doing. He is taking a "product" and charging you money to tell you how when why.

The problem I have is not with TGM, but with all the free advertising. Also if there was not a Disboard, TGM would be out of business.

G4G, please re-read what you wrote here, and think about it. The correct analogy would be: You say you love Ugg boots, I go to the Ugg boot website, and get a pair for free! Doesn't work that way, does it?

Neither do you get TGM's AVP for free just because someone posts here that they like his service.

Gee, maybe I can go to the WDW website and get a free vacation, since everyone here says they like WDW, so WDW gets free advertising - does that make sense?

Every guide book, no matter what the destination, charges you money to tell you how when why - why do you single TGM out?

By the way, I found TGM long before I found DIS. I'm sure many of his subscribers have, especially since there is no agreement on the DIS about the value of his service. If you read the threads regarding the TGM site, I'm sure you have noticed how often it is bashed - Is that advertising OK with you?

That's it for now - I'm off to get that free Alamo rental car!