DVC and Tour Guide Mike

Princess Tink

DVC Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2003
Messages
1,047
Just curious if anyone has used/and found beneficial, Tour Guide Mike? We have been to WDW several times over the last few years and decided we weren't going to do any more commando style vacations after buying into DVC. So, I haven't done a lot of research on our trip coming up July 3-14. However, I'm starting to get a little nervous about being in the world over the Fourth of July. We've been before and after but, never on. I thought maybe I should start coming op with some sort of game plan.

BTW......Fourth of July is my DS(7) favorite holiday and he's already upset he's not going to see HIS fireworks, so I know we're going to be forced into the massive crowds on July 4.

Any advise if welcomed!
 
I bought Tour Guide Mike and although I haven't been able to use the advice yet - I love reading the site since I am a complusive planner! There is alot of information and it is very up to date which is nice. What he says makes sense so I am hoping it will work.

I am sure there are others out there who have used the advice for trips and can add to this.

Good luck!

champagne27
 
Great advice - great website. I've renewed my membership for 3 years now. I'm really glad I joined.
 
:cool1: I'm another one that has renewed membership 3 times. I've been to WDW more times than I know right now....but my past few visits using TGM have been far and away THE best Disney vacations we've ever had :).

I highly recommend his service...and believe me....I've tried every tour book out there. They are all valuable...and all have great info...but Mike's site is clearly the best info around IMHO.

Enjoy :).
 

take the kids to the Polyn for the fireworks - after the fireworks are over and the EWP is gone - then wait around 20 minutes - then go to the MK.

before then Epcot is fine. if you time it right you can see Epcot fireworks then MK.

MK is generally open to midnight on July 4th.

after the fireworks are over the crowds will get smaller and smaller.
 
Hmmmm. Heard a lot about TGM (including a bizarre and impossible itinerary of his on the Theme Park board) but never used him. Assuming that someone is 1) an experienced WDW visitor, 2) knows the UG/PP basics, and 3) keeps up-to-date here on the DIS, what "extra value" does TGM provide for the money?

Thanks!
 
spiceycat, do you have to dine or stay at the Poly in order to do this? Just curious, as I was thinking about dining there as it was, but was A)unsure of where to eat and B)not sure which day we would eat there yet. My boys are meat and potatoes boys. Any thoughts?
 
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DrTomorrow said:
Hmmmm. Heard a lot about TGM (including a bizarre and impossible itinerary of his on the Theme Park board) but never used him. Assuming that someone is 1) an experienced WDW visitor, 2) knows the UG/PP basics, and 3) keeps up-to-date here on the DIS, what "extra value" does TGM provide for the money?

Thanks!

For my last trip, they were just rolling out the new EMH and honestly, I didn't feel like wading through all the posts to try to figure out crowd patterns. I just left it up to the expert. But I agree, after a couple of trips using his planner, I could have done it on my own if Disney hadn't changed everything around. As to the UG, I think it's very good for some things, but I find Mike's advice better for itinerary planning.

His Epcot touring tips are particularly useful, but I'm not sure how much mileage you'd get out of that DrT! ;)
 
Princess Tink said:
spiceycat, do you have to dine or stay at the Poly in order to do this? Just curious, as I was thinking about dining there as it was, but was A)unsure of where to eat and B)not sure which day we would eat there yet. My boys are meat and potatoes boys. Any thoughts?

Yes, on the 4th of July you will need a PS at either O'Hanas, or Kona Cafe to be able to watch fireworks at the Polynesian beach.

Even Disney employees are not allowed near this resort on the 4th unless yo are working that night.

They will be checking ID's and checking PS at the Gate. Believe me this place on the 4th is total and complete chaos.

The procedure is the same on the 4th at all monorail resorts and they will tow vehicles.
 
DrT - TGM has lots of info, but I honestly didn't find anything earth shattering. You'll already know most of it. There's very little for DVC people. We already know where to stand for parades, fireworks and Illuminations. We're already pretty savvy about tickets. We already know about the restaurants and what to wear. We know that the boat from BWV to Epcot is slower than walking.

TGM tends to nudge people into the parks early in the AM to get the most out of his plans. Which is fine, but in 25 years, I've only been in a park ONCE before 10 AM. That's not our style. I have never made out a ride-by-ride "itinerary", and I don't plan to start now. And we haven't missed much. We like the rides, but we also enjoy the cubby holes and out of the way things in the parks. If a park is too crowded to do what we like, we leave. If I can't find my husband, I know he's on a golf course. That's about as as "pre-planned" as we get.

TGM is good for keeping track of everything in one spot - like hours, updates, discounts and special events. But you can do that right here.

DisFlan
 
DrTomorrow said:
Hmmmm. Heard a lot about TGM (including a bizarre and impossible itinerary of his on the Theme Park board) but never used him. Assuming that someone is 1) an experienced WDW visitor, 2) knows the UG/PP basics, and 3) keeps up-to-date here on the DIS, what "extra value" does TGM provide for the money?

Thanks!

That itinerary over on the theme park strategies/tips board is definitely NOT TGM. The OP on that thread did mention that it was "modified". I'd say it was greatly modified.

Here's my personal reasons for using TGM:
1. Real time info about crowd patterns and trends.
2. Great advice on touring the parks non-commando style.
3. Excellent forums where he posts up to date info and answers questions.

Once our kids got older we weren't able to visit at non-peak times. After a few visits where I felt we didn't have as much "fun" with the crowds...and ended up thoroughly exhausted at the end of the week...I found TGM. I just asked my family to please give his ideas, methods, info a try. Just once. It worked....better than I could have imagined. We hit all our favorite rides...many times over....no lines. We also relaxed at WDW...spending more time in the pools and having great seats for shows and parades. Overall....the quality of our visits improved :). That's when we decided to buy DVC.

I considered myself an expert. I was a regular on another large Disney board and had visited WDW many many times. But I learned a bunch from Mike's site that I had NO IDEA about.

I agree that the Dis provides GREAT information. But there is also a LOT of conflicting information out there. So....that's why I love TGM.
 
OK, I'm wading into shark-infested waters here, so I'll try to be as fair as possible. I've recused myself from any TGM threads on the Theme Parks board, but I'll share some thoughts with the DVC crowd.

I've subscribed to TGM twice, including prior to our trip last December. I wouldn't call myself a compulsive planner, more of a compulsive reader. I tend to absorb as much info as possible and then make my own educated decisions on the fly.

Anyway, here are the things that I didn't care for regarding TGM:

1. It feels very disorganized. When you read a book, the book has a flow to it. When you read TGM, he does have individual pages that address different topics. But, every page seems to have a dozen or more links to OTHER pages with related info. Just trying to read up on a single topic seems to send you running around in circles trying to hit all of the cross-linked pages.

Also, most of his pages have revision dates, but often they don't include a year. So if you see an article posted "April 4", you can't tell if it was revised yesterday or if the information is a year old.

For an example of both of the above, check out this link:

http://www.tourguidemike.com/articles/categoryDetails.asp?categoryId=15

Lotta clicking to get from one article to the next, and no clear indication of when any of them were written.

2. For whatever reason, Mike had ZERO info posted about Saratoga Springs as of January of this year. For every other resort he has info on dining, recreation, resort photos and so on. But the Saratoga Springs pages sat there for months with a simple message that read "this is just a test..."

Mike and I politely exchanged messages about this. He was correct in saying that the site still has a LOT to offer, but it just rubbed me the wrong way to see that it was apparently such a low priority for months and months.

3. I think his "Automated Vacation Planner" is a bit mis-named. Perhaps I didn't read well enough when I first subscribed (which was shortly after the site went live a couple of years ago), and hopefully it is better described now. But what I thought I was getting was something that would allow me to enter our ride and dining preferences, and would then spit out a custom itinerary for our trip. Not too much to ask with today's technology, eh?

In reality, it doesn't do anything to create custom touring plans. It will give you a nice printed list of the attractions you select, and recommend times to visit. You'll also get links to generic pages with more touring info.

Admittedly, this is probably a case where my expectations where just too high.

With that said, I think there are some people who would very much benefit from TGM:

1. Those who visit during peak seasons. Reportedly his touring guidelines can't be beat. We always travel during the off-season, and I found the info to be little different that anything I've seen elsewhere.

2. Those who tour commando-style (see above.)

3. Those who want the most up-to-date info available. In addition to the web pages, Mike also patrols his own set of message boards answering guest questions time-permitting.

I don't want to give the impression that I never learned anything new from TGM, because I certainly did. I'm just not sure that the cost / benefit trade-off was very advantageous. I couldn't honestly say that the tips I did learn were worth the cash + time investment.

But, many people don't spend 20+ hours week week reading and posting on the DISBoards, and many aren't approaching their 5th trip in 3 years. So feel free to filter the above accordingly. ;)
 
Okay, Ive made PS for July 4 at 8PM at O'hana.......do you think we will be good with dining at this time? Or is there a better time? I was thinking we needed to be in the rest. in order to see the fireworks, but I'm curious if we can have dinner at 7-730ish............then be out on the beach by 9 in order to start seeing the action? Sorry I have so many questions.
 
I just get amazed at how some people post inacurate and totally incorrect information on this board.
As to TGM, He is an expert, he is in the parks almost daily with his multimillionaire clients who pay him more bucks that I will ever see to take them on personal tours. His web site is the most friendly and informative of any I have ever seen. The people there are like one big happy family.
Only someone who has not actually read and tried his information could be in the least bit critical.
Sure he has links on his information pages. If you follow his step by step plan you will not even consider linking until you are well versed and ready.
As a veteran who has gone almost yearly and sometimes more than once in a year since the MK opened, I thought I was a pro who know all the answers.
Was I ever wrong. Since using Mike's information, my vacations have been absolutely marvelous. perfection plus. Will be renewing again after my June trip so I will be "ready" with the most up to date info for the next one.
There have been ungrates who have tried to post his personal information on this site and others (and they signed an agreement not to do so). There had to be unfounded sour grapes for some unknown reason.
Please, if you want the most perfect vacation ever, give his website a try. An honest (follow the plan step by step) try and you will be amazed.
I would pay many times the price to be able to access this information. It is so inexpensive, one tip and you have more than gotten your money's worth.
Join us and see. If you are honest, you won't be disappointed. And no, I am not related to TGM or anyone on his staff, and I do not work for him. I am just a highly satisfied return subscriber. :love:
 
GrandmaBarb said:
I just get amazed at how some people post inacurate and totally incorrect information on this board.

Would you care to share specifics from this thread?

As to TGM, He is an expert, he is in the parks almost daily with his multimillionaire clients who pay him more bucks that I will ever see to take them on personal tours. His web site is the most friendly and informative of any I have ever seen. The people there are like one big happy family.

I don't think anyone ever said otherwise.

Only someone who has not actually read and tried his information could be in the least bit critical.

I've tried it, and I stand by my comments. Why is it so unreasonable to accept that some disagree with your obvious affection for TGM?

Sure he has links on his information pages. If you follow his step by step plan you will not even consider linking until you are well versed and ready.

I must have missed that disclaimer somewhere on his website... :confused3

I stand my my comment that *I* found it difficult to navigate. Disagree if you wish. In the example provided above, I would much rather have had all of the childcare-related topics on a single page rather than having to constantly hit the BACK button on my browser and click on more links.

As a veteran who has gone almost yearly and sometimes more than once in a year since the MK opened, I thought I was a pro who know all the answers. Was I ever wrong. Since using Mike's information, my vacations have been absolutely marvelous. perfection plus. Will be renewing again after my June trip so I will be "ready" with the most up to date info for the next one.

My vacations have been "perfection" as well. I just don't attribute it as much to TGM as you apparently do...

There have been ungrates who have tried to post his personal information on this site and others (and they signed an agreement not to do so). There had to be unfounded sour grapes for some unknown reason.

Well, I would certanly never condone circulating his info publicly, and have never done so myself. Not sure who this comment might specifically be directed at. :confused3

With regard to the "sour grapes" comment, I fully admit that I'm still a bit peeved over the Saratoga Springs resort info. It was disappointing (to say the least) to find that Mike didn't have the time to post ANYTHING about the resort in the EIGHT MONTHS since it opened. In that time he clearly spent time posting other articles on his website, responding to posts on the message board and otherwise helping subscribers. But posting gereral info about the latest-and-greatest Disney resort was apparently not a priority.

I traded messages with Mike about this and found him to be very personable. In fact, if we hold true to form, I suspect Mike has already read my comments here or they were otherwise forwarded to him since he has previously responded to at least one of my posts on the DISBoards.

But that still doesn't diminsh my disappointment over the Saratoga Springs issue. And, I felt it appropriate to warn other visitors to THIS FORUM about the lack of such info. If Mike has addressed this deficiency, please feel free to post confirmation so that others will know.

I doubt Mike would have so many defenders if his web pages on the Polynesian or All Stars simply read "this is a test..." I guess those resorts were just more important than SSR.

Please, if you want the most perfect vacation ever, give his website a try. An honest (follow the plan step by step) try and you will be amazed.
I would pay many times the price to be able to access this information. It is so inexpensive, one tip and you have more than gotten your money's worth.
Join us and see. If you are honest, you won't be disappointed. And no, I am not related to TGM or anyone on his staff, and I do not work for him. I am just a highly satisfied return subscriber.

...and I'm sure everyone here appreciates different viewpoints. That's why we're here after all. But the fact that some disagree with you doesn't make their POV a "crock."
 
We are much more laid back on our vacations since joining DVC. We stay longer and do less.

I found TGM to be very helpful last Christmas when we attended the sold out, last night of MVMCP. His info was spot on and doubled the value of our attending that event. We stuck to his suggested touring plan and did everything we wanted to do. We had rope view of the 2nd parade with less than an hour wait. Most people entered the party and plopped down on Main St. for a 3 hour wait to view the parades.

I highly recommend TGM, and these boards are great, but very time consuming and with a multitude of touring styles and opinions, it would be very difficult to produce an personalized expert touring plan from these boards.

TGM is an expert and you can tell when the park is at capacity and you are walking on rides. Mousesavers usually has specials for TGM and you can save $5 off his AVP so keep an eye out.
 
tjkraz said:
I must have missed that disclaimer somewhere on his website... :confused3

I stand my my comment that *I* found it difficult to navigate. Disagree if you wish. In the example provided above, I would much rather have had all of the childcare-related topics on a single page rather than having to constantly hit the BACK button on my browser and click on more links.

I'm not sure when you last looked at Mike's site but he does now (in several places) recommend reading through each article atleast once before clicking on links. He's also posted a 'guideline' to help you navigate through the information. I'm sure this in response to the people who stated they had difficulty or were a bit overwhelmed with the information when they first looked at it.

Personally, I like that all that all of a certain topic are not on the same page. Usually its set up with a summary page and then links to additional or more specific information about something. For me this flows better. I can read the summary article to see if any of it pertains to me and then only click on the links that are of interest to me. That way I don't have to waste my time wading through information that may not pertain to me in order to get to the information that does.

tjkraz said:
I doubt Mike would have so many defenders if his web pages on the Polynesian or All Stars simply read "this is a test..." I guess those resorts were just more important than SSR.

I'm going to respectfully disagree with you here. For me personally, hotel information is not why I'm using TGM. I don't think any guidebook can truly be the one-stop for everything. It just seems impossible. I can tell this was an important issue with you, but I just can't see that it is the catastrophe that you seem to imply it is. Unfortunately, it does come off a bit as 'sour grapes' in what is otherwise a politely written differing view point.
 
tracy51 said:
I'm going to respectfully disagree with you here. For me personally, hotel information is not why I'm using TGM. I don't think any guidebook can truly be the one-stop for everything. It just seems impossible. I can tell this was an important issue with you, but I just can't see that it is the catastrophe that you seem to imply it is. Unfortunately, it does come off a bit as 'sour grapes' in what is otherwise a politely written differing view point.

The only follow-up comment I'll make is that the message it ultimately sent to me was that my needs weren't as important as others. It was my first trip to a brand new resort...of which I am technically a part owner...and I REALLY wanted to read whatever Mike had to say about it. I sent Mike personal emails asking about the site being updated in early-November and again about a week before my December trip. Both times he responded very amiably and said that it was on his to-do list. I certainly understand how busy he can be and the fact that he can't please everyone ALL of the time. But, in my mind, it was a major omission...and certainly of interest to many folks here.

Was it a catastrophe? Of course not. But I've used this word once and I'll use it again...it was very disappointing to me. :sad1:

If you want to label that sentiment 'sour grapes', so be it. Maybe it is.

More to the point, assuming you are a current member, can you tell us whether the SSR info has been posted or not? If so, then the issue is moot.
 
tjkraz said:
More to the point, assuming you are a current member, can you tell us whether the SSR info has been posted or not? If so, then the issue is moot.

Yep, just took a look at it :) Basic article about SSR and then links to the various sub-categories: dining, pools, activites, etc.

Please, please, please don't take what I posted as an attack. It certainly wasn't meant to be. I thought overall you posted a polite and well thought out disagreeing point of view. And I don't think grandmabarb's comments were specifically aimed at you (although I don't presume to speak for anyone else on the board but myself). I understand that it was extremely disappointing for you. I was merely trying to point out the one thing I thought could even possibly be seen as 'sour grapes'.
 
How does TGM compare to custom touring plans from the site of the "Unofficial Guide?" I looked at their site and apparently they create custom touring plans.

Has anyone used this, and how does it compare to TGM?
 















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