For those who have used TourGuideMike.com

[house_of_princesses]

I have signed the dotted line with TourGuideMike.com and so far the information is overwhelming! I do have a question, though. I was under the impression that once I filled in all appropriate questions, the software would spit out a suggested itinerary for our group. So far I haven't seen where this would happen. We are going early December and MVMC wasn't suggested as an option. The info is there, but I had to look for it.

This is NOT a complaint! As mentioned above, the info is extensive and I'm sure his Tips are going to make the trip much more enjoyable. (I also like the reservation window!) I can't determine, however, if I'm using the program to its fullest potential.

The final question, I suppose, is what should I expect from this program?

Thanks so much for your insight!

 

[m&m's mom]

I think I can help.
There is not a specific touring plan for your exact request, at least as far as I can tell. I also thought I would get specific touring plan, not sure where I got that idea. I know you can choose which attractions you wnat to keep or ditch but I am not sure what the point is for that. I also cannot figure out how to get an attraction back after you remove it. I have followed the directions but it does not put it back.
I signed up for the purpose of getting an attraction by attraction plan of attack. I know realize for that I should have gone to the
http://www.touringplans.com/ for that.
The http://www.tourguidemike.com site is pretty detailed and has a lot of great info but I think more suited to people doing research, not people who know what they want and are looking for better ways of getting around the parks. JMHO.

 

[HvnzCaress]

Perhaps I can help a bit (for once!).

I think many people (including myself) get the impression that tour guide mike will give you a specific touring plan. This however is both true and untrue.

What it does do is allow you to select various activities and specific attractions per park that you will be interested in. You can access your chosen attractions by clicking on the park name as shown on the first page when you have logged in. Under this you will see all the attractions that are suggested based on the information you provided when you signed up. For each of the listed attractions, a full descriptions various tips etc are provided through its link. He also does give a "best time to visit" suggestion. This about as specific as it gets from what I can tell. Givien this information its up to you to put them in the proper order based on your personal preference.


You can keep or remove the attractions he has first suggested at will. If you delete one and decide you wish to return it to the list: 1) Click on one of the attractions listed. 2) On the left of the next screen, you will see the various lands listed. Click on the appropriate land the attraction is found in 3) On the right of the next screen, all the attractions from that area are listed under the tab heading "in this land". Click the appropriate attraction. 4) When the attraction's page appears under the picture you will see "add to my parks and places". Click this button and the attraction will be added to the attractions list where this all began.

I hope this helps.

I find tour guide mike useful but am a bit disappointed that it doesn't seem to be being updated often enough. It has now been online for approximately 6 months and I have been using it for the last 4. There still is not a completed on article on Typhoon Lagoon and in a few other places the articles are still missing. Additionally, I haven't found too many of the photo tours completed.

 

[nativetxn]

Just wanted to say hi, house_of_princesses. I don't know anything about this program. I usually just use Dreams instead.

Love your clipart sweetie

 

[house_of_princesses]

Native, Our clip art matches somewhat, but yours is the real Loser!!

I used TourGuideMike.com not for the touring plans, but more for all the extras. i.e. fireworks cruises, dinner packages, special events or shows, that I may otherwise not have heard of. There are numerous touring plans, just wanted hints as to all the other stuff. I'm trying to plan a more relaxed vacation (last trip was a bit more commando style) using afternoon and evenings for resort activities, not the parks. His tips seem to be good, just wish he would tell me: "Be in MK at 8 am Mon., head to resort by 1 pm, dinner at 4 so you're ready for Cirque by 6. Tues be at AK by 8 am, out by noon so you can rest for MVMCP by 7." type of thing. As it is, I've got charts and spread sheets going trying to piece the info together and come up with a relaxed, least crowded, fun for ages 2 through 65 itinerary. If I'm not in the looney bin by the time of our trip, I'll certainly be exhausted!

Again, I want to say that I am in no way sorry for having spent the money! In the end I know our joint effort will be time and money well spent!

 

[jcemom]

I signed up for TourGuide Mike in February, and though overall I am happy with it, I am also disappointed at the same time that more of the site has not been completed. On the positive side, I have noticed quite a few new additions this month, hopefully a sign that all is on track and will be progressing at last.

I, for one, PREFER that this is not a specific touring plan. I find that his itinerary for each park includes most attractions, allowing you to follow it, including and excluding what you wish. (And making as many changes as you want.) What I like about it most, above all other programs/guides, is that he basically keeps to each land/section until it is finished, then moves on.

Practically everything else I've seen jumps all over the park, back-tracking numerous times...I DO NOT want to do that. Granted, I haven't tested Mike's suggestions yet, and will definitely post a review after I have, but they seem quite logical and reasonable.

Has anyone out there followed his park touring itinerary? Has it worked? Were you really able to see/do more following his suggestions?

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Tere are sample itineraries in Step 6 of planning your vacation. This collection of articles will tell you what day to go to each park, when to arrive, what to see first, with some variables depending on whether you are traveling with chidlren, staying off-site, etc.

I really enjoy the huge amountof info on tourguidemike, but someimes I find it difficult to navigate in. I find the more timeI spend with it, the happier I am that I purchased it!

Good luck. -- Suzanne

 

[Gregg]

I've never really understood why people use these services. Do they tell you anything you couldn't easily find out for free on boards like this? Seems like a big waste of money.

Am I missing something?

Gregg

 

[house_of_princesses]

Well, Gregg, call me frivolous! Yes, there is info there that isn't on the boards. Where's the best place to catch Spectro, to see Tink as she flies through the air with the greatest of ease, reviews from others on dining, resorts, attractions, etc., tips on not offending CM's in Epcot who do not hail from the great US of A, traffic patterns (a biggie) for any and all parks, rides, shows, you name it. Tips on where to go if you lose an adult, or worse yet, a child! Not that you wouldn't know, but be more expeditious about it. He has a reservation window that does an automatic countdown for you to let you know when you can call for your chosen attraction or PS's. He e-mails you a warning your time is coming to make those phone calls. (Yes, you could do it yourself, but for $20 or so, it's more fun this way.)

Again, I'm not looking for touring plans. It's everything else I want help with. When to go to MVMCP, which park to go to earlier that same day, to go or not to go to Cirque, which night is best after which park, what's the best restaurant to go to before Cirque, Fantasmic Dinner package... things I didn't even know existed. Even his philosohpy about a WDW vacation is interesting and has put a whole new spin on my trip planning.

AHH.... better go take my afternoon nap..... my head is swirling!

 

[hygienejean]

I signed up with TourguideMike when te site first opened. We just completed our trip and now we can't use it anymore! (2 weeks after your trip is over you are out!) I am disappointed because (as many of you said) the site was still being worked on and when I wanted to see(especially photos) they were not there. I think I should get at least a year with that site. That being said I did find the site helpful.. I liked the little hints he had about each attraction, it really helped planning things. I got a great spot for Spectro because of that site! There was no itinerary that he made for me although I would have liked that. At first I found it confusing but if you look under "MY vacation Articles" there is a lot of stuff written "just for you"

 

[paperboy]

I used Tour Guide Mike when it first opened and I found the information to be quite useful. However, I also found wdwig.com to have the missing information that Tour Guide Mike didn't have. For example, wdwig.com tells you which park opens early and the dates of all of the MNSSHP! Also, which rides are open during the EMH! Using both of the sites together, my DH and I were able to see every single thing we wanted to in three and a half days in Disney. I agree, Tour Guide Mike can be overwhelming, but I got alot out of planning which restaurants to go to and which attractions appealed to me.

I guess my suggestion is to use both sites to plan your trip. All of the info you won't find in one, but together you can set up a great plan for your clan

I hope this helps

Paperboy's Wife

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by paperboy
I used Tour Guide Mike when it first opened and I found the information to be quite useful. However, I also found wdwig.com to have the missing information that Tour Guide Mike didn't have. For example, wdwig.com tells you which park opens early and the dates of all of the MNSSHP! Also, which rides are open during the EMH!

Not sure about MNSSHP because it doesn't apply to me, but Mike has the EMH parks and rides listed. (Maybe he didn't earlier on?) It's under the "Oh, Hotel, Schmotel" category...listed as Extra Magic Hour, there are other links to it from other places, but I can't rem. where off the top of my head. Anyway, he lists which parks, which days, and all rides/attractions open.