I'm afraid to subscribe to Tour Guide Mike...

[kerri0616]

So, we're insane people going the week between X-mas and New Year's. (I'm a teacher ---no other time to go if I want to see the holiday decorations.)

Exactly 180 days out, I made our ADR's--got 'em all. The day the CP packages came out I made our ressie (12/25 at LeCellier ). I planned our park days around our ADR's.

I imagine TGM would be super to have to get us to the 'right' park each day. I'm just afraid his site will tell me my plans are horrible and depress me.

I'm a realistic person. We know this isn't the trip where we will get on all of our favorite rides 5 times each. We're planning to just absorb the whole holiday theming and enjoy our time together and eat good meals!!!

Should I spend the $19 and risk feeling bad about my plans? Wish I'd bought Mike back in June. Hmmmmm.

Kerri

 

[tinkersmama]

I bought the UOG and love it. I'm a Disney Veteran, I just wanted it to tide me over when I'm not there and out of curiousity. It is great. It helps for whenever you go, no matter if it is holiday season or not. I think Christmas time is a great time to be at Disney. Just be realistic about it. I take my daughter for the week of July 4th because it is her birthday week. just take it easy!

 

[nalabell]

I think because it's x-mas time you NEED to have TGM's information. Because of the crowds, planning is going to be very key to getting though the parks with your mind still intact. I have used TGM on several trips and he has never let me down. Yes, some of your days may not be exactly the ones you have planned but you may be able to move a few of those ADR's before you go and if you can't at least he will be able to help you out with a battle plan, which may include park hopping or touring guides. He and his guides are in the parks everyday and they have the most up to date information out there. I will tell you again I would urge you to get his service and to have as much information as you can get. I know that an extra $20 may sound like more money spent on the trip but you are going to be spending $1,000's on your trip and he will give you your money back if it's not helpful. I hope you and your family have a great trip.

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

i say don't bother.

why? you already have your adr's according to what you want to do, which means you have probably also planned your parks according to what you want to do. u are prepared to enjoy the surroundings not just go go go....

to me it sounds like you have already planned your perfect trip!

(not at all downsizing tourguide mike, just saying that for YOU it sounds like you are set, imo)

 

[Lillypug]

Maybe subscribe and just use the info that you think will benefit you and your trip. Also, if you are not satisfied there is a money back guarantee.
We used TGM for our trip last May and are using him again. Even if he recommends you go to a different park than you had planned, he still gives info on how to optimize your day even if you go against his advice and attend the most crowded park for that day. KWIM. I think its a win-win situation. HTH

 

[TinkOhio]

I would get the TGM! DH is also a teacher, so I know what you mean about limited travel dates! We go down every Easter and have been down during the same Christmas break week that you are going. It is a VERY crowded time to go, but still very fun!

We signed up for TGM about 2 mo. before our last Easter trip. We had already made dining ressies and a touring plan. The recommendations that TGM made were very different from our plans, so I was pretty worried. Throwing caution to the wind, I changed almost all of our plans and rescheduled using his recommendations. It turned out to be a great move! We always thought we were doing a decent job of avoiding the crowds before then, but using TGM allowed us to experience much smaller wait times!
We were even able to snag almost all of the dining requests we wanted! You'r still over two months out, so I bet you'll get most of yours, too. Just make sure that you don't cancell your original ressies untill you have your new ones in place.

Enjoy ayour trip, and remember to schedule in down time to slow down and enjoy the holiday atmosphere!

 

[disneyfan61]

I just got TGM for the 2nd time. You can't beat his advice on best park days & soooo much more!! He has so many good ideas & advice from which trail to take to what time to do certain things. I do not want to give too much away but I love love love his site. They have message boards also. I just joined last night & made all my ADR's today after reading his ideas & suggestions. I wouldn't be afraid. GET IT. I do not think you will be sorry. You could always get your $$ back if you are not satisfied.

 

[pigletforever]

I got TGM abougt a month before we left. While I couldn't change ADR's I was able to adjust plans for the day based upon what he advised. I have to admit the advice he gave was great. it really helped save time and I think we got to see more and ride more based on what he advised.

 

[bengalfreak]

The best thing about the TGM site is the best days to visit each park and that information is available on this site. Just remember to always go the day after an EMH day at that park. I read that on DIS long before I ever heard of TGM. That's the single best advice there is especially the time of year you are going.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

TGM's advice was absolutely wonderful for our trip last week. I'm so glad I subscribed. His best park charts are the best, and his touring plans/best times really helps minimize waits, even on his yellow or red days. We, honestly, only waited about 15 minutes for the Magic Carpets (mid afternoon), and about 0-5 minutes for the others, during our whole trip. It was amazing. He's made a believer out of me, and I won't hesitate to use his site again. It is a lot of information, so try not to get overwhelmed. Post questions on the forums over there, and you will get plenty of advice. And I've heard he is excellent about his money back guarantee, if you don't like it once you join. Considering the cost of your trip, $20 is really nothing...especially for such great advice!!!

 

[Zoie]

I agree -- get TGM, especially for that time of year. He doesn't berate you for choosing that week -- he simply tells you that since it IS such a busy time, you'll need to follow his advice much more carefully than someone going during a slower time of the year does in order to avoid long lines and wading through huge crowds.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Do yourselves a favor, subscribe.

 

[LoriMistress]

If you're going to the parks during one of the most busiest time of the year, I would personally subcribe to TGM. If you buy now you still have plenty of time to plan your trip. He will give you tips on when to go to the park, how to wait less in line, etc.

 

[rie'smom]

If you don't subscribe,I think that you will regret it. Mike will help you to get the most from your trip.

 

[kerri0616]

Ok, Ok, I'll take the plunge. It would be cool if his plans match mine!!

Thanks oh wise ones,

Kerri

 

[marybet]

I joined TGM for our June trip. Believe me I did not want to go in June but it was when everyone could go. We had a group of 11 and we did not wait in any line longer than 15 min. With TGM's advice we were able to ride Soarin twice with no wait, not standing in line for 60 min. on that ride alone was worth the $20.

Even if I go again during a slow time I would join TGM.

 

[CindyAnn]

Kerri - We'll be there in the same timeframe, and I also made all our ADRs as soon as possible. I subscribed to TGM about 8 weeks ago, and when I compared his suggested days to my planned days, I flipped around 2 or 3 of my 10 days and was able to reschedule my ADRs. I haven't actually put it into practice yet, but at a cost of $2.00 per day, I can't even buy a bottle of water at WDW for that. It seems like a reasonable cost if it provides some sanity to touring at a busy time. By the way, two of our previous trips were in this timeframe, and althugh it's busy, it's still manageable and we had a great time.

Have a great trip!

 

[nyker]

I have signed up to TGM just last week. I am going with family for 5 day trip in about beginning of Feb. 2007. So I figure I can't afford to waste time in lines and TGM promise to help in that area. So I bite last week.

My impression: 4 stars/5
1. I'm a web programmer so I can say that the site is well stocked with info but is not design for quick browsing. Use firefox's tab browsing to make it easier. But ... if you spend about 3-4 hours browse around you will figure out the layout. After which you will find quite excellent tour info.
2. Good for people going in 2+ months time since you do need to read the articles, it supplements his recommandations. I find his recommandations to be a starting point and since he can't read YOUR mind, you have to read some material to customize your trip properly.
3. the best time/day for which show/park is very useful, not found else where.
4. show time length, reviews very well done.
5. where and how to catch each nitely show is also good advice.
6. all info updated regularly.
7. I feel this site isn't good for people wanting a simple but general formula which does about a C+/B- level experience but cost no time to find out. You could use his general tour recommandation that's like a B- level thing but ... he has more to offer to you if you care to read a bit, you can get it close to A/A+ level trip planning.