Is it too late to try Tour Guide Mike? Is it worth it?

[Gregg]

Sorry, I know there have been a bunch of similar threads, but we are going to WDW from Aug. 3-11 and consider ourselves Disney veterans.

I thought I might try TGM for a trip, just to see if there is a difference. But we've already made some ADRs etc. -- is it kind of too late to give TGM a legit tryout? Is the website complex enough that I won't fully get "my money's worth" with only 3 weeks left before we leave?

I'm most interested in his choice of days to go to each park. We typically try to go to a park the day after EMH and have OK luck with that.

Thanks for any thoughts, tips, experiences, etc.

Gregg

 

[eblondie]

His website IS complex. I guess it would depend upon how much time you have spare to be able to spend getting the information you need from the site. Ive found his site very useful so far but then Ive had 2 months already to look at it.

 

[LisaDKG]

I felt a little overwhelmed at first when I first took a look but I think that would be true with any new website that is packed with information. Once I started though, it was really easy to navigate through and to sift out details that didn't pertain to our trip. I haven't tried the info out at the parks, but it sounds like it will be well worth the $20 just to have the info about which parks to go on which days. I too had some ADRs booked prior to signing up but we are going mid Sept and I had time to rearrange and there were still lots of openings for the new ADRs I made based on TGMs advice. I have no idea how booked up the ADRs are for Aug but maybe you could call dining and ask? If you signed up for TGM and then rearranged your schedule and then called to change your ADRs I would just change as much as is possible and keep the ones you can't change.
Bottom line, I think TGM was well worth the money for our trip and it has kept me busy planning in a "good busy" way that only other Disers seem to understand!

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

I think three weeks is plenty of time to get a lot out of the site. Sign up, plan your itinerary using his info, and if you need help or have questions, jump onto the TGM forums and ask away.

 

[Shell0616]

I signed up for TGM for our trip in September. I have searched the site at length. I don't think it's complex, I think it's poorly set up. He could have set up the site in a much more user friendly way but chose not to. He also chose not to change the structure of the site. Even after many people have complained. ( although, many people swear they love it)

There is some useful info on the site but you really have to spend a long time finding it. The less you know about WDW the more you will find his site helpful.

The discussion boards are similar to these boards but less active. The people seem to flame less but they also seem to talk a lot about "us" and "them".

TGM's style is a little "comando" for me but I did like some of his articles on things like the MNSSHP.

To be honest with you, you should check out the UG's site and if you don't find what you need ( print outs and "best days to go" and tour guides) then you should give TGM's site a try. IMO UG's web site has most of the same info but it's straight forward and simple to use.

I would explain his site more but I am under contract and can't discuss it. .
Seriously. There is a reminder on almost every page telling me not to share any info that he gives on his site.

 

[susykt4]

Our first family trip in April 2005 I signed up for TGM less than 2 weeks before our trip and I got tons of great info. We went during a busy spring break week and got to ride all the rides and see all the shows we wanted to do. It was a huge help to us.

We used TGM again for our January 2006 trip. The crowds were so low this trip that we could have done without touring plans, but it still helped us stay ahead of everyone and we used the best days guide. I prefer TGM to the UG and will use it again next time.

 

[TheZeppo]

You said that you know there are similar threads, many of them in fact, why would you start a new thread instead of posting in or just reading one of those?

 

[bctripp]

I am going on July 29-August 6, and just got TGM for that trip, and I started with it a few days ago. It's helped me a lot. Go for it!

 

[Gregg]

You said that you know there are similar threads, many of them in fact, why would you start a new thread instead of posting in or just reading one of those?

because they weren't exactly the same situation. Mine being that I am 3 weeks away and already have ADRs.

OK, wiseass? why even post that idiotic response?

 

[TheZeppo]

Originally posted by Gregg
because they weren't exactly the same situation. Mine being that I am 3 weeks away and already have ADRs.

There have been many people who have posted in that same sort of situation where they are leaving in a matter of weeks and want to know if TGM is worth the price. Maybe you should take the time out of what I'm sure is a very busy schedule to actually read those threads.

With that said, I don't care if your three weeks out from your trip or three years, as far as I'm concerned TGM is not worth it. You can find out my reasons for that in at least one of the previously mentioned threads. By the looks of your signature you have taken many trips to WDW, I'm sure you know your way around enough and know enough of the tricks not to have to waste your money.

why even post that idiotic response?

Even without reading the other threads on the subject, any amount of common sense should lead you to believe you would need more than three weeks to sift through the amount of info on his website(even if you can get it in any number of other sources as far as I'm concerned)and use it correctly, so if you ask me, the so-called idiotic nature of the response was easily matched by the idiotic nature of the question.

 

[tinker&belle]

I think TGM is really great. His advice makes a lot of sense, and I think you will get out of it what you put into it.

That being said, I do not understand why so many people complain about the set up of his website. There is SO MUCH information, of course there are many links. If you are looking for info on MK, click on MK. If you want to find a restaurant go to dining. It takes a little while to feel like a pro at the site, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. JMHO.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I signed up for TGM a few days ago. We are going to WDW for our 7th trip in October. My first impression, WOW! so much information! There is much more there than I expected. Even being WDW vets, I think we will benefit from much of what he has to say. I appreciate the way he presents his suggestions for best days to tour various parks.

 

[dgaston]

Even though I am a veteran of WDW I sign up for TGM. I love his Best Days for Parks schedule. I do think it's tricky to navigate, but there are gems in the articles. And there are also the Express Planners for those with shorter time before their WDW visit. Also the forums are friendly!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

As dgaston, Ifeel quite comfortable at WDW after many trips, but have used TGM several past trips. I too find what parks, what days/nights the best feature for me. And it is dynamic, changes with the seasons, holidays, etc. I was there Memorial Day week and weekend. Do you think MK was the place to be on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend? He siad it was, I was there and it was great. He said Epcot on Memorial Day itself, the place was empty. Well worth the $18 bucks (DIS discount of $3)

 

[DLBDS]

I've never been to WDW as an adult (only as a young child) so it's kinda like my 1st time. I bought the UG and PassPorter but decided to give TGM a try (only $18.95 with the DISboards discount). It's awesome! It's not hard to navigate at all. Sure, you can get a little lost if you click on things within the different articles continuously and then forget how you got where you are. But like the other poster said...if you want dining info, click dining. If you want to learn all there is to learn about tickets, click tickets. If you want to learn about all the activities WDW offers, click activities. My advice is, follow the advice that Mike gives you when you first enroll. Don't try to immediately go off and start searching without reading what he has to say. It's important or he wouldn't take the time to tell you. Sign up with your month's vacation club at the forums and learn from others going the same month as you. Mike posts to the forums too. He's very much involved there. All of his information is kept up-to-date (ie. park hours and anything else Disney happens to change). I just don't think you could go wrong at $18.95. Totally worth it if you ask me!

Don't let TheZeppo get ya riled up. After seeing yet another ill-worded post from this user, I've just added 'ol Zep to my IGNORE LIST. I could care less what this person has to say in the future. I suggest others do this when necessary also. Ya just don't need this kinda crap!

 

[Rudegrle]

Don't let TheZeppo get ya riled up. After seeing yet another ill-worded post from this user, I've just added 'ol Zep to my IGNORE LIST. I could care less what this person has to say in the future. I suggest others do this when necessary also. Ya just don't need this kinda crap!

Amen!

 

[Gregg]

There have been many people who have posted in that same sort of situation where they are leaving in a matter of weeks and want to know if TGM is worth the price. Maybe you should take the time out of what I'm sure is a very busy schedule to actually read those threads.

With that said, I don't care if your three weeks out from your trip or three years, as far as I'm concerned TGM is not worth it. You can find out my reasons for that in at least one of the previously mentioned threads. By the looks of your signature you have taken many trips to WDW, I'm sure you know your way around enough and know enough of the tricks not to have to waste your money.


Even without reading the other threads on the subject, any amount of common sense should lead you to believe you would need more than three weeks to sift through the amount of info on his website(even if you can get it in any number of other sources as far as I'm concerned)and use it correctly, so if you ask me, the so-called idiotic nature of the response was easily matched by the idiotic nature of the question.

Thank you for your response. Have a nice day.

 

[Gregg]

I've never been to WDW as an adult (only as a young child) so it's kinda like my 1st time. I bought the UG and PassPorter but decided to give TGM a try (only $18.95 with the DISboards discount). It's awesome! It's not hard to navigate at all. Sure, you can get a little lost if you click on things within the different articles continuously and then forget how you got where you are. But like the other poster said...if you want dining info, click dining. If you want to learn all there is to learn about tickets, click tickets. If you want to learn about all the activities WDW offers, click activities. My advice is, follow the advice that Mike gives you when you first enroll. Don't try to immediately go off and start searching without reading what he has to say. It's important or he wouldn't take the time to tell you. Sign up with your month's vacation club at the forums and learn from others going the same month as you. Mike posts to the forums too. He's very much involved there. All of his information is kept up-to-date (ie. park hours and anything else Disney happens to change). I just don't think you could go wrong at $18.95. Totally worth it if you ask me!

Don't let TheZeppo get ya riled up. After seeing yet another ill-worded post from this user, I've just added 'ol Zep to my IGNORE LIST. I could care less what this person has to say in the future. I suggest others do this when necessary also. Ya just don't need this kinda crap!

Thanks a lot for the response. Good insight. We have been to WDW quite a bit, but I'm always looking to maximize our enjoyment (i.e. minimize our waiting).

We had been planning to follow this basic scenario on the upcoming trip:

AM: get up early, make it to the EMH park at opening, ride/FP all of the top rides, get out of the park around 1-2pm.

PM: go back to hotel, swim/nap (we have a 3yo), go back to another park (sometimes the EMH PM park), get an early dinner there, stay until closing.

I know this goes against TGM and TP.com (UG) but we usually have good luck with it. However I'm thinking we'd try it their way this time perhaps -- maybe we're missing out.

We may do a hybrid of sorts (this is mentioned on TP.com) -- go to EMH park early, ride everything, head back to hotel and then go to the park they suggest late afternoon/evening.

So hard to know what the best plan is. I guess the key is to pick something and enjoy yourself.

Thanks again for the great info though.

Gregg

 

[Quinn222]

I got TGM about a month before our last trip and it was well worth it. I changed around some park days and we didn't wait in a single line the entire time. However, the site is complex and has tons of info, so be prepared to spend some time and print out some stuff to read later.

 

[DLBDS]

I forgot to add one important thing....You can get a FULL REFUND if you're not happy. Now, go get that subscription! Make sure you use the banner at the top of the forum to get the discount. And remember....READ YOUR AVP OVERVIEW like Mike says. Honestly, I don't understand all the confusion regarding his site. The only thing I can think of is, people didn't follow his instructions regarding the AVP Overview and just jumped right in clicking left and right. That would explain the confusion! Good luck to you!

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