Is Tour Guide Mike worthwhile?

[Eyore4Ever149]

I posted this same question last year. Then I bought the AVP from TGM, then I had reservations, it wasn't what I expected, the format was sometimes challenging, like wading through the ocean when it's thigh-high-I was skeptical that I had just wasted my $. Somehow there was a breakthrough, and I loved it.
I too own the UnOfficial Guide, Passporter,Birnbaum's and am an avid DISBoard user. There is still plenty of info on his site that made our touring excellent. I printed out and brought with me the tours and the Least crowded parks per day article (with rational) and it was wonderful. Touring Magic Kingdom was fantastic. We took photos at 1pm as crowds were pouring in and we were headed back to our resort for a nap and swim in the pool- we had hit 90% of the park AND had lunch at Crystal Palace. I could only have done that with TGM's touring plans.

You do have to be willing to scan and print and read later or sit at our computer and read, versus a book you can carry with you everywhere, but nothing is as current as TGM- and you can find articles not written to the masses but customized to your needs- young kids, teens, active adults, etc, he has touring advice that changes with age and interest level.

If your opinion is that his site isn't worth the money, than you aren't using his website the way he created. (dont worry, I did this too at first-but Im a convert now!)

 

[ChairborneRangr]

another TGM convert

Sure, there are articles where info overlaps. UG and others have a lot of good advice. But I get flash email updates for new info, reminders for making PSs, and more. It is the TIMELINESS of the changes that happened yesterday that make TGM very worthwhile. Although his "Best Days" info is worth the price of admission alone...

 

[Ness2289]

TGM is new to me. It looks like I need to do some research. I'm all for helpful information! I've purchased Birnbaum's books for three of my trips and for this particular trip, I find more helpful infomation here at DIS. They can only print what they know at print time, which a lot of times in not up to date. I'll be checking out TGM!

 

[bassoongirl]

"Tour Guide Mike Rocks!!"

That is a direct quote from my skeptical DH who thinks I am a DIS Board nut and Disney planning fanatic!

We used TGM's suggestions for our trip in February and never had to wait more than 10 minutes and were able to ride the rides we liked best several times! I got a lot of teasing from my family about TGM -- "What does TGM say we should do next?" "Does TGM think this a good idea?", etc. But even with all their teasing, my family was happy I invested the $20 to get TGM's tips. I will definitely use his site again for our next trip to WDW.

Gayl

 

[RickNWendy]

looks like I may need to look into this. I mean, since I am the premier disney park authority and all... need to make sure he is no threat to my title...

 

[blitzkrieg048]

Another happy customer here - it's amazing because I actually have always felt like I just "knew" Disney and was a devotee of the Unofficial Guide. TourGuideMike has opened my eyes to even better ways to do the park. I was skeptical too - the first few times I heard about him around here. I won't betray any of his secrets here - but his advice is fabulous - and he helps you understand his reasoning so that if you choose to do things a little bit differently, you will KNOW how to make things work for yourself. The website takes a little time to digest, but it is worth the money (IMNSHO). I'd be happy to respond to any questions, either here or via PM

See ya there!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Tiggerrox]

What I like about TGM is:

He is on the forums answering questions for people.

There are a few VERY Valuable pieces of info that he gives you that I NEVER knew about and are VERY helpful!!

He is in the parks all the time with different families so he is giving us up to date info as well as how the families he works with feel and think about things.

He is very dedicated to his web site and helping the people on it.

As well as everything others here have already stated.

 

[Tarheel Tink]

Another very delighted TGM fan here! I've been on the DIS boards for about 7 years now but TGM has given me numerous pieces of information (and no, I am under orders to not reveal them! Pay for the privilege like I did!) that are fantastic and I have never heard them anywhere, on the net or in a book. I consider myself a veteran of Disney with numerous bi-annual trips, annual pass, DVC, blah,blah,blah and was skeptical that I would find out anything new. Wrong! He has some real gems in here that with my knowledge of the parks now make perfect sense to me. I love having several viewing areas for all of the events and that is worth the price alone but also there is so much other information I've never read anything about elsewhere.

 

[GrandmaBarb]

I cannot say enough good things about TGM. I just saw this thread and had to put in my two cents worth. I have been going to WDW since the year the MK opened. Have taken my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Was treated to an unexpected December visit with my Goofy daughter. It was so perfect, with Mike's advice we saw and did everything and then some. Am going back in June. And, even though I thought I was an old pro, I have learned so much from Mike and find new updated info daily.
Try his plan, but you have to take it step by step and not just skim thru looking at each link.
Follow his plan and you will have the most wonderfully perfectly perfect WDW vacation possible. I guarantee it, if you follow his step by step plan. Everything is there, explained thoroughly why you do what, when, where and how.
Come on over and join us on the TGM forums. We are friendly, helpful, enlightened and would love to add you to our "family."

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

I couldn't disagree with this more. If you spend the time and understand the reason's TGM recommends things and understand the reason why TGM has set-up the park itinerary the way he has, it is very valuable information you can not find for free and it is not "common sense tips". His detailed park iteneraries alone are woth the cost and are definitely not available anywhere else.

TGM is a great "educator" for people who want to have as much information about their WDW vacation. We have been to WDW numerous times but our trip in June will be our first TGM planned trip. The wealth of information I have already received from TGM was already more than worth the minimal cost.

For less than the cost of an ice cream snack for my family of five, TGM has more than paid for itself already. Even if we don't follow the park itineraries on our trip (which we will), the other information provided by TGM is still worth the cost.

I believe TGM has a money back guarantee. Try it out for yourself and see what you think.

I'm glad it worked out for you.

When I did subscribe I spent a great deal of time trying to find the content that everyone talks about, but I just didn't see it. All TGM was to me was a series of linked articles. I read a good deal of them (I'd say over a month or so I read a large majority of them).

I understand his method, but I didn't find it terribly profound. The actual itenerary planning didn't do it for me either.

I also couldn't get past his cutesy writing style. It got really old after the third or fourth article.

I'm glad so many people enjoy the site - I just didn't, even though I really did try. I just found little value in marking attractions I want to see (since I generally "see it all" without problem) and I truly feel that most of the advice given is available in some form or other on Disney boards, or is just good common sense.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess!

N.E.D.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Another very delighted TGM fan here! I've been on the DIS boards for about 7 years now but TGM has given me numerous pieces of information (and no, I am under orders to not reveal them! Pay for the privilege like I did!) that are fantastic and I have never heard them anywhere, on the net or in a book. I consider myself a veteran of Disney with numerous bi-annual trips, annual pass, DVC, blah,blah,blah and was skeptical that I would find out anything new. Wrong! He has some real gems in here that with my knowledge of the parks now make perfect sense to me. I love having several viewing areas for all of the events and that is worth the price alone but also there is so much other information I've never read anything about elsewhere.

Thanks for posting. I was beginning to think I would not benefit. I'm going to go ahead and join, if nothing else at least I'll have something to read for a while.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Thanks for posting. I was beginning to think I would not benefit. I'm going to go ahead and join, if nothing else at least I'll have something to read for a while.

You will love it. Believe me.. a couple of his tips alone is worth the money.
Also I think you will like the boards and the fact that TGM is on them answering questions.

I like a few of the guides and I love the DIsboards ( I get the bulk of my info on here) BUT...... TGM has those special little tips!!!!
See ya over there!!

 

[Ginast]

We just returned from Disney. We were there during easter week and the crowds were extreme. In the afternoons, as we were leaving, it was difficult to just walk through the parks because of the amount of people there. Thanks to TourGuide Mike we were able to get the most of each of the Parks and ride most rides 2 to 3 times. Our longest average wait was 0- 15 minutes! I know that our Disney experience would not have been as magical had we not used Tour Guide Mike.

 

[luuuceee]

Hi, I'm brand new to the DIS boards, but I have used TG Mike for a year and a half now. I signed up to prepare for my 9-day trip last summer - the first trip I'd ever planned, and the first time I'd been to WDW since I was a teenager. I was terrified of the crowds, the lines; my biggest concern was that I would be exhausted after my trip, not feeling like I'd accomplished a lot. TG Mike changed all that for me.

I found the AVP very easy to use, and extremely informative. As soon as I returned from WDW, I renewed my AVP, even though I didn't know when we'd be going back. Yeah, it was that beneficial. We were there during the beginnings of record-breaking summer crowds, and yet we still never waited in lines. Sure, I COULD have bought one of the other guides, but they don't personally respond to my questions and keep their advice as current as TG Mike.

For my next trip, I'd thought about getting another guide as a supplement to my AVP, but I really don't think it will be needed or worth the cost, really. TGM gives me all the info I need.

I'm sorry to hear that some of you don't find TGM useful. I guess it is "to each his own," but I'm an all-out TGM fan.

 

[becobscot]

I cannot say enough good things about TGM. I just saw this thread and had to put in my two cents worth. I have been going to WDW since the year the MK opened. Have taken my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Was treated to an unexpected December visit with my Goofy daughter. It was so perfect, with Mike's advice we saw and did everything and then some. Am going back in June. And, even though I thought I was an old pro, I have learned so much from Mike and find new updated info daily.
Try his plan, but you have to take it step by step and not just skim thru looking at each link.
Follow his plan and you will have the most wonderfully perfectly perfect WDW vacation possible. I guarantee it, if you follow his step by step plan. Everything is there, explained thoroughly why you do what, when, where and how.
Come on over and join us on the TGM forums. We are friendly, helpful, enlightened and would love to add you to our "family."

Nice to see you on the DIS GrandmaBarb! TGM is great and worth the nominal fee! You really have nothing to lose and everything to gain by giving his AVP a try! I'm using it for a second time because the first time made for a magical vacation! BTW, this is the second thread I've seen today about TGM.

 

[schrodstrip]

I must be nuts
I've been on the boards a short time, maybe three months, but have devoted way too much of my time here (My new favorite place to be!!)
Why haven't I come accross this before??
And, Why should I pay for information that the loyal Dis'ers can provide?

 

[VickiVM]

I just purchased from TGM - our trip is in about 7 weeks. I am micro-managing this trip more that our previous trips because we've never been in summer and plus the crowd levels appear to be estimated higher than average for late May. I don't want to waste our precious time and my family has come to expect me to plan out these details. It seems a lot to absorb - some of the information I knew already - but it's really comprehensive and this guy seems to really know specifics. I'm going to actually follow his plan - expecially at MK, because I know how good it feels to have finished off a day at MK having accomplished all the attractions that matter to your family. Summertime is new territory for us as a family and I don't want to leave feeling like we didn't get our money's worth from our vacation dollars.

 

[TNKBELL]

I just purchased my AP from TGM and boy am I learning a lot! Honestly this stuff isn't in any guidebook or unfortunately not even here on the boards. I was skeptical at first but I don't regret my decision at all! Thanks TGM, you offer a great service!!

 

[ChairborneRangr]

The DIS is a great community, and the DIS boards are fun forums. I have enjoyed them ever since I lurked around them in '01.

The difference is Mike is literally in the parks every day. He evaluates trends, watches for changes, chats with CM managers etc. As a VIP tour guide (for plenty of $$$) he makes his money constantly watching and evaluating. He shares that info through the AVP for $21.95 per trip to WDW rather than $90+/hr for his VIP guests (difference is he does all the planning, and escorts them) BTW he used to be a paid VIP tour guide for Disney.

It's like the difference between reading the farmers almanac (good source of info) and watching the live weather report from an on-the-scene reporter. Both are good, just different.

I have been to Disney several times. I will never again go without TGM. but that is just me.

 

[luuuceee]

I just purchased from TGM - our trip is in about 7 weeks. I am micro-managing this trip more that our previous trips because we've never been in summer and plus the crowd levels appear to be estimated higher than average for late May. I don't want to waste our precious time and my family has come to expect me to plan out these details. It seems a lot to absorb - some of the information I knew already - but it's really comprehensive and this guy seems to really know specifics. I'm going to actually follow his plan - expecially at MK, because I know how good it feels to have finished off a day at MK having accomplished all the attractions that matter to your family. Summertime is new territory for us as a family and I don't want to leave feeling like we didn't get our money's worth from our vacation dollars.

Yes, Mike really knows his stuff. When we were there last summer, we used his advice and never waited more than 10 minutes for anything in Fantasyland. We passed back through at about 1:00, and all the lines were at least 45 minutes.

We only waited more than 15 minutes one time all week, and that was because the posted time of 10 minutes was wrong on that ride. Had we known it would take longer, we would have gotten a FP and come back.

You know, you MAY be able to fine a lot of Mike's info here, but I suspect that it would take a lot of searching, as this seems to be a very busy board. Mike's info is easy to find. And you never know what you don't know till you read some of Mike's stuff. I can't tell you how many times I said, "hmm. I didn't even know that was an option."

JMHO, but $21.95 is a small price to pay to have 15 minutes or less in wait time on every ride. And you get a discount when you renew, so it's an even smaller price to pay for your next trip. I'll never do WDW without TGM. And yes, I know that I sound like a commercial, but I do recommend TGM to anyone.