Has anyone used Michael's VIP tours?

[pix13]

I am traveling this summer to Disney with a group of 15 family members ranging from 1 - 67 years old. While I know how to navigate the parks, the others have not been in decades and do not. With such a big group and so many different ages, I am looking into Michsel's tour services to help make it a less chaotic and more relaxed trip for everyone. I do know we would need 2 guides because of the size of the group. I would be interested in hearing if anyone else has used this service and has any feedback as to whether or not it was worthwhile. My main goals are reducing wait times, reducing chaos, and accommodating the differing needs of our group (older folks need to walk less and younger follks might have a hard time with the heat and lines). Thank you in advance for any replies!

 

[rwdavis2]

I just looked, this is Tour Guide Mike. He has a pay-to-use web site that has not been updated in months (years?). I think it may be risky. Just realize, he has no special access to the parks. Also realize that to efficiently tour (less waiting in lines) you need to do a lot of park criss-crossing (walking).

My best advice would be to work up a sample itinerary give it to everyone and say, "this is what we're doing and you are welcome to join us, or not". Trying to get a group of that size to do everything together may not work.

The keys to not wait in lines is to get to the park before it opens, do the most popular rides first, then go back and do the less popular. Is everyone an early riser? If not then getting them all there before park opening may not work.

They would also need to know that Disney is not a "vacation" in the traditional sense. It's more of an adventure.

 

[graceesmom]

If I were going to spend that kind of money on a VIP tour, I would probably go with the official WDW VIP tours. You will get better perks with the official VIP tour guides, like the best seats in shows, etc.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/vip-services/

 

[momto2inKC]

I just looked, this is Tour Guide Mike. He has a pay-to-use web site that has not been updated in months (years?). I think it may be risky.

I take it you're not a member of his website? Mike actually has been updating the info on his website a TON lately. Yes, before there was a lot of old info and lack of updates. Now however it's back to being a great asset with trip planning

 

[momto2inKC]

If I were going to spend that kind of money on a VIP tour, I would probably go with the official WDW VIP tours. You will get better perks with the official VIP tour guides, like the best seats in shows, etc.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/vip-services/

I totally agree

 

[rwdavis2]

I take it you're not a member of his website? Mike actually has been updating the info on his website a TON lately. Yes, before there was a lot of old info and lack of updates. Now however it's back to being a great asset with trip planning

I used to be a member (2008) and most reports lately were not good. If he's back at if that's good. I wonder why it was abandoned.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I take it you're not a member of his website? Mike actually has been updating the info on his website a TON lately. Yes, before there was a lot of old info and lack of updates. Now however it's back to being a great asset with trip planning

Good to know that TGM is back on track, but for alost of customers (self included) letting your site sit outdated for a year or so doesn't give me alot of confidence in his committment to Disney touring and being 'in the know' with new and updated info. I know there were personal issues but some customers could have been saved and his credibility kept intact if that was communicated well.

 

[momto2inKC]

Good to know that TGM is back on track, but for alost of customers (self included) letting your site sit outdated for a year or so doesn't give me alot of confidence in his committment to Disney touring and being 'in the know' with new and updated info. I know there were personal issues but some customers could have been saved and his credibility kept intact if that was communicated well.

I had no intention of renewing due to the lack of updates after my last trip. I've been a member since 2006 (when the info was relevant lol). Over the last few months though he's really put a lot of time and effort into getting everything updated.

 

[momto2inKC]

I used to be a member (2008) and most reports lately were not good. If he's back at if that's good. I wonder why it was abandoned.

Oh yes, this is recent that it's been updated. I know just a few months ago I was telling people not to mess with paying to join, that it was too outdated.

 

[Dreamer2012]

Pix13 - I am NO EXPERT but we went during the week between Xmas/New Years in 04/05 - There was only 7 of us - I did use TGMIKEs suggestions and we had an AMAZING time! The 3rd or 4th day my 5 children 7 -17 at the time wanted to sleep in (they secretly thought my plan was ridiculous...) so we did it their way that am - it took 2 hours to go down Main Street alone - we did not do anything that day except lunch where we had made an ADR. Needless to say we went back to the "plan" the next day and the rest of the time we were there. Using the plan we did EVERYTHING AND NEVER WAITED IN A LINE LONGER THAN 2 OR THREE TURNS OF THE RIDE! I have read more recently that TGMIKE's site has not been maintained, and that with the change in the way fast passes can be used that his advice may not work as well. I can not speak to that since that was not the case when we went. I can tell you it was not easy moving the 7 of us around the parks I can not imagine 15... You might be better off trying to meet for one meal of the day (and you can switch it up which meal...) for those who may want to spend more "down time" than others...Maybe you can do up a few different touring plans for different starting times using TGMIKE's site and give them out to everyone to choose thier own game plan? Then you can highlight the meeting place for a parade, meal or special show? A lot of work but it may make for a much nicer trip for everyone....Seems to me no matter what "guide" you hire or from where - there are those in your party that will either not be able to or want to do all the things that some of your party will....Good Luck - hope you let us know how it ends up! Just remember...it is supposed to Be FUN!!

 

[kimeuge]

Wow. BEWARE and LOOK ELSEWHERE.
Four years ago, my family had a great experience with them, so naturally, I called them months in advance when scheduling our Disney World vacation. At first everything went very smoothly. I called them and they were happy I was a returning customer. I gave them some basic info - family of four, two daughters, the ages, etc. - and I gave them my credit card information. I also gave them info to process our Disney World experience for fast passes. They said they would be sending me an online form to fill out and to sign a contract. In the meantime, I had tentatively reserved the date of December 27. The contract never came by email so I called them again. The lady was very friendly, I answered some more questions about the rides we were interested in, and she said the form would be sent shortly. No email ever came. Two weeks before my trip, I called to see if I could switch the day of our tour from the 27th to 28th. No one answered, so I left a message. I then emailed again and left another phone message. I then call again the week before our trip, and then again days before our trip, but no one ever calls back. Another email - no response. Our trip has come and gone. No response. I am so utterly shocked by this "white glove" service, I do not know what to say. If it can happen to me - a return customer, regular father of four, it can happen to you. Look elsewhere. I will never call them back and I am making it my mission to let everyone know about their "business".

 

[Marthasor]

If I were going to spend that kind of money on a VIP tour, I would probably go with the official WDW VIP tours. You will get better perks with the official VIP tour guides, like the best seats in shows, etc.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/vip-services/

I completely agree with this. We did a WDW VIP tour and it was amazing what our guide could arrange for us. Got instant access to the FP line of every ride. Could get on rides over and over again through the FP line. Premium seating for shows, fireworks, etc. They even picked us up at our resort and drove us to a backstage entrance of the park of our choice. Ate in a private, roped-off area of Columbia Harbour House. No offsite guide has access to any of this. It is expensive, but well worth it if you feel you need a guide in the parks.

Another idea may be to try one of the new WDW, non-private tours called Ultimate Day of Thrills, however, with 15 people, it may be more cost effective to hire the private VIP tour guide.

 

[mesaboy2]

Zombie thread alert.

 

[Aurora0427]

I completely agree with this. We did a WDW VIP tour and it was amazing what our guide could arrange for us. Got instant access to the FP line of every ride. Could get on rides over and over again through the FP line. Premium seating for shows, fireworks, etc. They even picked us up at our resort and drove us to a backstage entrance of the park of our choice. Ate in a private, roped-off area of Columbia Harbour House. No offsite guide has access to any of this. It is expensive, but well worth it if you feel you need a guide in the parks.

Another idea may be to try one of the new WDW, non-private tours called Ultimate Day of Thrills, however, with 15 people, it may be more cost effective to hire the private VIP tour guide.

Ok, a VIP premium tour is now on my bucket list. Sounds AMAZING. Now that is how to properly tour WDW!