Should I sign up for Tour Guide Mike?

[tchrrx]

I learned of Tour Guide Mike from this site and was wondering if many of you also use that 'program?' My trip is not until June and it will be my first trip as an adult. I would love to hear your thoughts about Tour Guide Mike & whether or not it's worth my $20.00. Thanks!

 

[tchrrx]

I forgot to mention that I am using the Dis and have the Unofficial Guide book (which I read cover to cover once, but then really haven't looked at again). Is Tour Guide Mike what I need, or should I look into the PassPorter? I'm so confused! I want our trip to be great, but I'm not sure what the best way to plan is!

 

[Tippurr_2004]

We took our first trip to WDW Dec. 16-23. I used the Disboards, UG, TGM, and Passporter. Dis and the UG gave some great information. The Passporter was fantastic for storing things and keeping records. Tour Guide Mike was an incredible up-to-the-minute resource. I wouldn't go back to WDW without the support that I got from from all four sources, but especially TGM. By following information from TGM, I never had to wait in line more than 15 minutes and I got to see and do all that I wanted. By the way, I, too, learned about TGM from Disboards. Thank you Disboards!!!

Tippurr

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

If you search "tour guide mike" you will find a bunch of threads on the same topic.

But to answer your question, you have nothing to lose by signing up (and there is a discount available if you sign up through themouseforless.com). If you try and and think it's not worth the price, you can get a full refund. We used TGM in November, during the very busy Jersey Week, and had a wonderful vacation. The greatest asset of TGM over other planning sources was having the information/suggestions to make spontaneous changes to our daily plans, which with three young kids was just about a daily necessity.

We won't go back to WDW without using TGM.

 

[NandP]

you know what.. IMHO I didn't think it was worth it.. I signed up, I didn't get anything more than what I have gotten on the DisBoards for free... but that is only my opinion.

I thought i would be getting some sort of personilzed itineray based on my likes/dislikes... but it is basically a list of stuff in your catagories you choose.. I would invest in an Unofficial guide, and read these boards... and of courxe the main site... wdwinfo.com...

And disney.com has a few added itinerary tools too ...

so have fun, save the $20 that's 2 Dole Whips, 2 Mickey Premium bars, a frozen Lemonade and a smoked turkey leg !

 

[Dale-n-Chip]

Depending on what you are looking for from TGM, you might also consider the UG's website: http://www.touringplans.com/ for $7 you get access to 85 different touring plans. They aren't customized for YOU, specifically, but there are a lot of different versions depending on how you like to tour. Might be worth investigating, at least.

The other thing I will mention in response to a PP's comment about getting most of the same info here on DIS for free. While I'm confident that is totally accurate, the advantage to TGM for me is not having to search the whole set of boards and a gazillion posts for the same info. If I had the time, I'd spend a lot more time researching on these boards. There are times in my life it's worth $20 to not have to spend the time searching. That depends on your time to money ratio. Right now, my time is even shorter than my money! Let me just say that is a sad, sad state of affairs.

Just my two cents. Happy planning!

 

[Drizzo67]

I have planned two trips using just the DIS boards, my Passporter and wdwinfo.com. I am in the process of planning my third trip (with extended family this time) and signed onto TGM to see if it was good. Well, I can't say enough goods things about it. You have to be very patient at first. It does take awhile to get hold of the whole layout but once you do....you'll love it. You have plenty of time before your trip to get through all the information available. It is very up-to-date.

I say give it a try. What have you got to lose. You can always get your money back if you find it is of no help to you.

I found out about TGM on the DIS too and I am very happy I did.


Dina Marie

 

[mic_key_mouse]

I have planned 2 trips with TGM, and am planning my 3rd using him now. I also use the Disboards, Passporter and UG. I spend most of my time at TGM when planning, but all the named resources have plenty to offer. As other posters have said, try it. If you don't like it ask for a refund (but you'll like it).

 

[Jenn9]

Personally I like TGM. I used it for my last trip.

 

[Dana49]

I like "Tour Guide Mike." Granted I only subscribed once, but it was informative. I was looking for some direction for our first trip to Walt Disney World in December. Mike had Christmas touring plans that couldn't be found elsewhere. His suggestions worked great. I would subscribe. If you don't like it, what've you lost but a few bucks. aw:

 

[TomD]

I like TGM and i just resigned up with him. I spend most of my time on this board but like to pop over there and check things out.

 

[jacksmom]

Is there ever a discount offered for TGM?

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

Is there ever a discount offered for TGM?

http://themouseforless.com/membersavings/Benefits/TourGuideMIKE.shtml

 

[jacksmom]

Thanks!

 

[raammartin]

Ooo, thanks for the coupon!

 

[Nancyg56]

I used the UG and Passporter. I got a lot of information that I think will be useful. I also signed up for TGM, and had a bit a trouble navigating his website. I found that for me, it was not user friendly. I know that you can get your money back, but I did get useful info, so I am not asking for it. I do think that I would have more incentive to learn how to use his site if I was going during peak times.

 

[tchrrx]

Well....based on all of your wonderful advice, I decided to go ahead & sign up. So far (I've only spent about an hour there), it's not really what I thought it would be. However, I'm sure that as I continue to spend more time there, I'll learn how to better use the program. Of course, I have a feeling that I won't realize how well spent the $20 was until I'm not waiting in lines

 

[heart4dis]

As best I can tell, you are going in June, a busy time. I found that during low crowd periods, I didn't need TGM. It was fun, however to get a plan and compare it to the books you referred to and my own composite plan. It was actually quite different.

 

[vhoffman]

Personally, I wasn't impressed. Too much opinion, as opposed to just facts. Also a pain to carry.

 

[kutchyone]

I tried TGM and I'm not going to tell you what I thought of it. I do have an opinion about the site - a pretty strong opinion as it happens. But I'm not going to share it with you.

You see, I happen to know that TGM readily offers full refunds. No explanation required, ask for a refund and you will receive it. The implications of this policy really should make any debate on this subject moot. Since there is absolutely no financial risk in trying TGM for yourself, the only thing you risk losing is the time it will take you to look around TGM once you have signed up. If it's not for you, get your money back. It’s a pretty simple concept folks.

So let’s stop these endless arguments on these forums. Some people like TGM, some don't. I have no idea which group you will fall into. And neither do you, at least until you give it a try yourself. And since we've already established that there is no risk in giving Tour Guide Mike a try, that’s exactly what you should do. Make up your own mind. You don't need me or anyone else battering you over the head with our opinions as long as you have the means to come to your own opinion. Let us know how you feel about it once you sign up and spend some time reviewing the information that he provides.