Pssporter or tour guide Mike?

[SnowyPrincesses:)]

Has anyone used either service? I'm trying to decide between the two.

 

[AshClan]

I recently signed up with Tour Guide Mike, and am awaiting delivery of my 2005 Passporter. Although TGM has some great info, I have discovered that, personally, I prefer a book. You don't have to sit at the computer to do your research, and the progression of page-to-page is less confusing than "drilling down" to the different parts of a website.

On the other hand, TGM is more regularly and easily updated, so you don't have to check out separate updates in a different place.

Bottom line, both are great products, it just depends on which style you prefer. I'm happily doing both

 

[Drizzo67]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE MY PASSPORTER. I am currently awaiting the 2005 edition to replace in my Deluxe holder but I have found it the easiest way to keep all my info together with their info. Hope this helps.

 

[andrabell]

If you have the funds, I say do both. I've recently signed up for TGMike for our November trip, got the discount from The Mouse for Less code ($3 savings) and I ordered the latest Passporter.

I love to spend time in front of the PC doing DisPlanning, and TGMike is very comprehensive. He's not as up to date at allears.net but it's been a good purchase so far. I also like something portable to take with me, say when waiting for an appointment or while I'm sitting on the sofa watching telly.

If I had to choose one over the other, I'd say go with the PassPorter as you can take it with you on the plane and on your trip and then supplement the updates from allears.net. But if you can do both, go for it!

 

[Bellefan66]

We used the Passporter for our 2001 trip, we LOVED it! It was an invaluable tool in planning our trip and recording it. It has EVERYTHING you'll need to plan your trip. AWESOME!

 

[LBS]

I say go with TGM. We are going next week and received info there that we haven't seen in other places. This will definitely affect our touring plans and will save us so much time. He personalizes details for your month which a book just cannot do. Of course, I agree with a previous poster, just do both.

 

[jlaspoq]

I signed up for TGM, and have mixed feelings about it. Some things are pretty good, but in some ways it's less than I expected. The material gets updated, which is better than a book, but not as quick as allears.net, as the above poster mentioned. Navigating TGM is a bit of a challenge for me - he must think differently than I do! But it doesn't cost much, and there is good info. Never used passporter so I can't comment on that. I've always been an "Unofficial Guide" girl myself. This is the first trip I'm not buying it - forcing myself to try other sources - although I have looked at their website for some info. Good luck!

 

[shatzjsl]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE MY PASSPORTER. I am currently awaiting the 2005 edition to replace in my Deluxe holder but I have found it the easiest way to keep all my info together with their info. Hope this helps.

Same here!! I used mine well last year. Love those folders!

 

[Okiemom]

Is the Passporter a book?

 

[WDWBetsy]

I use both - I am currently waiting for a 2005 Passporter refill for my deluxe version. I love keeping everything organized in that little binder with all the pockets.

As for the Tour Guide Mike site - I love it as well. Very detailed and lots of great tips. Well worth the money.

 

[Drizzo67]

Yes it is. and you can get updated information from the website once you purchase the book and register it.

 

[disney4me4ever]

I have the Passporter, UG and am a first time subscriber to TGM. Suffice it to say I'm a regular Disboards reader as well. IMHO, I have found the information on TGM to be the best and most current of all the sources. While I like the convenience of picking up a book, I have never used the pockets in the Passporter, and the UG is just too bulky to lug around. Using the TGM information, I was able to get right in and get CRT PS (no small accomplishment) and have also picked up alot of information that I haven't seen elsewhere. It's a personal preference as to what format you're most comfortable with. As another poster said, if you can do more than one, that's a great way to go.

Nancy

 

[Liz]

I know I'm in the minority about the Passporter but I bought it a couple of years ago and while some things (particularly about the resorts) were awesome, I don't think I'd buy it again. I've heard their cruise book is the best though, so if we do a cruise I'd get that.

Very recently signed up with TGM and have spent a lot of time looking through it. Its good but as another poster said, I get tired of sitting at the computer. I thought I'd give it a try since so many people love it. I haven't decided if its something I'd do again but I'm glad I checked it out once.

I've bought the Unofficial Guide twice and even with TGM, I think I'll buy the new edition when it comes out. The UG is still my favorite overall.

 

[tjkraz]

One thing to remember:

Passporter went to press late in 2004. With all of the changes introduced in 2005 (new tickets, new packages, new EMH, etc.) a lot of the info in the new edition of the Passporter will already be outdated. Yes, they will have updates on the web, but give some thought as to how you feel about trying to keep the info updated yourself.

I've subscribed to TGM twice and I think it's really hard to predict whether someone will like it or not. There is a LOT of good info to be found, but it's not as intuitive as one may expect. In any book, there's an inherent flow from one chapter to the next. As you browse TGM, you'll find link after link that takes you from one web page to the next. As you read through a single page, you may encounter a dozen hyperlinks to OTHER related pages on TGM. So, rather than the author taking you one a carefully crafted journey, you need to go back and decide for yourself where to go next.

If you're willing to invest significant time, TGM can really pay off. Mike is able to update his information more frequently than a guidebook, and he also has a wealth of insider knowledge as a former Disney-employed (and current self-employed) tour guide that others just can't duplicate even after 1000 days at the parks.

And, as stated, you need to overcome the hurdle of not being able to curl up in bed with TGM.

 

[henrylovespooh]

I have done both and I liked TGM better. I printed out the necessary pages and kept them folded in my purse. I thought the Passporter was valuable, but too big to carry around.

 

[Selket]

The Passporter is a nice book and has cute pockets but if you're serious about trip planning then TGM is the way to go. I'd recommend both - and I would NOT use the Passporter's touring plans. The book itself is a bit much to lug around at the park. You could buy the expensive version and just carry the cardboard pocket around with you. But you could just buy a cheap envelope and write on the front and have the same info with a pocket.

I make out card's based on TGM's info and put that into a small 4x6 photo holder (the flexible cheap plastic kind that are easy to find) and then you've got everything there and easy to carry everywhere and it is somewhat more waterproof than those passporter pockets!

 

[Brian Noble]

And, as stated, you need to overcome the hurdle of not being able to curl up in bed with TGM.

Three words: tablet, wireless network.

Problem solved!

 

[tjkraz]

Three words: tablet, wireless network.

Problem solved!

Sticking with this particular comparison...

Passporter: $30
TGM + Tablet PC: $1021.00 and up.

I think I'd have to go with Passporter there.

I have a laptop, and for me it's admittedly not that bad. But I'm assuming that most folks are incapable of getting too comfortable with a 50 pound, 17" VGA monitor resting on their knees.

Now, if could format his pages for my wireless Axim x30, I might change my tune....

 

[jacksmom]

I love my passporter! I am anxiously awaiting my 2005! It helps me keep all my plans organized, and I can take it with me to use as a journal of my trip!

 

[caribbeanme]

I love TGM-- I am currently in WDW, and his touring plans are the best I've seen, bar none. I used the UG tours for parts of summer trip and they just weren't for me. I also have a Passporter I bought last year, but I use it mostly for the information about the restaurants and the maps, and did not carry it along with me past the first couple of days of my summer trip last year. For this trip, I just pull out a Passporter map and some pages with restaurant descriptions, staple them to my printed park-specific TGM information, fold the pages up and carry the pages around. Much more light, and I can print copies for my sister as well, so that we're all on the same page, so to speak.
I find TGM's information to be up to date. He posts updates as well as details of how the changes would affect your time at the park, depending on the month of your trip.
I am here for a few more days, and I expect them to be as wonderful and stress free as the past two days I've had, with the help of TGM. If you're not convinced about TGM, he has a refund policy, so you can always try it to see if it'll really be for you.
If you decide to go for the Passporter, please consider buying a guide with detailed park tour plans ALONG with the Passporter. The Passporter tours are not really tailored as the ones in the UG and, of course, TGM.
Hope this helps!