Tempted to try TourGuide Mike

[jamal]

Should I do it? Obviously, we've been before and have read every word in books and online and had terrific trips. I think I'm just curious if he might show us something different or new! I've read people love it, but wonder if anyone has been disappointed or thought they could write it themselves LOL! Thanks!! Jamal

 

[JRawkSteady]

If you do a search for Tour Guide Mike on this board, you will find a LOT of different opinions!

I think he's great - and offers lots of valuable information. But definitely check out the previous posts.

 

[Skroops]

TGM has a lot of information. It isn't expensive, (compare to a guidebook of any type) but its navigation isn't the easiest IMO. It requires a lot of reading of articles. I consider it a useful tool and I have used it, along with many other resources and have had great WDW vacations.

 

[kimbac3]

I really found his website and advice very helpful. I think mousesavers offers a discount code. It's funny because at first I was just overhelmed by his site and thought..this won't help. I thought I knew enought through these boards. But trust me..take the time to really look around and read what he wrote. He really does give great info!!
Hope this helps! Have a great trip!
Kimba

 

[daemom]

I really found his website and advice very helpful. I think mousesavers offers a discount code. It's funny because at first I was just overhelmed by his site and thought..this won't help. I thought I knew enought through these boards. But trust me..take the time to really look around and read what he wrote. He really does give great info!!
Hope this helps! Have a great trip!
Kimba

Totally agree!!! We had no waiting in lines--second week of June 2005--and we followed TGM advice. I will definitely sign up again for my next trip!

 

[Mariposa]

While I like his articles and such, I find that most of that info is stuff you'll likely already know from having visited WDW in the past. His specific info on when to visit each park is what I consider invaluable. Love it!

 

[wvjovifan]

I do TGM and I must say, he is right on! You do have to devote some time to it and read alot of articles and you do formulate your own plans using his advice as a guideline, but in October, we never waited more than 10 minutes for anything! My DH was impressed with my plan!!!! I have subscribed again because I like to keep up on the news and enjoy going through the articles and trip reports and stuff ! I guess you really need to be a "detail geek" like me get anything out of it!! haha! I don't think there is anything "new" its just putting your info to practical use!

 

[jamal]

I think I'll do it! Just what I need...more reading on Disney!!

 

[salmoneous]

I've never done TGM, and personally think he must ship people magic koolaid with membership the way they gush about it. But the one thing I've picked up from these threads is that the guy offers an absolute "if you don't like it I'll give you your money back" guarantee.

If you are temped to try it, try it.

 

[brer rabbit 28]

i strongly recommend TGM,having done 3 trips with no real plan i have found him to be a revelation!!!
can't wait to go in june and put his plan into action-no more long queues for me then

 

[umaangel00]

is it really worth the 22 bucks though? I went last year and I didn't get to do all I wanted and I need to jusify spending the money.....

 

[Mariposa]

is it really worth the 22 bucks though? I went last year and I didn't get to do all I wanted and I need to jusify spending the money.....

I'd say yes, it's worth it. Think about how much you spend just to go to WDW.. now think about how much it would be worth to you to not have to wait in any line longer than 10 minutes, to know when it's a good idea to head to a certain park, to know which show you should try getting into when at MGM.. It's really worth it. I was completely skeptical about TGM, but I honestly believe that without it we wouldn't have managed half of what we did in November, or we would have been so cranky we wouldn't have enjoyed any of it.

Plus, if I were going during the busy part of March I'd be willing to pay a LOT more for the advice on what days to hit what parks than the $22 Mike charges.

 

[cheerbop]

is it really worth the 22 bucks though? I went last year and I didn't get to do all I wanted and I need to jusify spending the money.....

We used his advice for the first time in mid Dec. To be frank, yes, mostly his advice was right on! And, I mean, to the minute at times.....
There were a couple of things that weren't quite as "right on" but it wasn't anything to complain about.
At first, yes, it is ALOT of reading, and most of it I skimmed to just get through it.
Once I did that, navigating was very easy. There are some tips in there that just astounded me that I had not heard or read elsewhere.
He does offer a 100% money back guarantee if you would like....with no hassles.
There is a discount code on MouseForLess that takes I think $4 off of it.
There is also a cheaper renewal price when you return if you choose to use him again.
I would try it. Just go into it better than I did! I was spinning from all the info at first....just relax, take your time and "sift" through it all at your own pace.

We did WAY more than we would have NOT using his advice! THAT makes it soooo valuable! Doing more with less time...
Good Luck!!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

TGM was one of the best things we did for our trip. Now it was our first trip so of course we needed all the help we could get, but TGM was great!

We had the unofficial guide but found that their touring plans seemed to be focused on squeezing every single thing into as short as period as possible. Well, that's not how we like to travel. TGM helped us pick the best things so that we could make the most of our mornings in the parks and leave the afternoons for the pool and the evenings for eating out (we're kind of lazy that way -- no commando's here). His plans are also more flexible so if something happens, whether it's a ride closed due to weather or your child passes something and has to ride it NOW you understand how to adapt your plan.

If/when we go again, we'll definitely take advantage of TGM, but probably won't buy any other guidebooks.

 

[jamal]

Well, I did it. I figured it was only a few money-back guaranteed bucks in the big picture. Now I am swimming in info! I don't even know how to begin to read and sort it in a way that will help me since I already know a good deal about WDW! I'll keep you all posted if you want. Right now, I can't decide where to click first...
Jamal

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

I've never done TGM, and personally think he must ship people magic koolaid with membership the way they gush about it. But the one thing I've picked up from these threads is that the guy offers an absolute "if you don't like it I'll give you your money back" guarantee.

If you are temped to try it, try it.

I must have been ripped off. I never got any Koolaid.

 

[MickiMouth]

I never got the kool-aid either and I don't need it to say TourGuide Mike is awesome. I love it!

 

[jenjenmouse]

I used TGM for the 2nd week of June 05 also. Never waited in any lines and was through all parks by 11am to 1pm and was able to go back and relax at AKL and return to the parks and just visit whatever we wanted. Very worth the money.

 

[Amapola]

I wouldn't use it again. I didn't ask for my money back because I did get some useful info, but his style of touring is not for me. And before the TGM cheerleaders scold me yes, I took the time to really understand the site.

Another thing I didn't like (and it's just a matter of personal taste) is his style of writing. I found it annoying to be addressed by my name every other sentence: "But you wouldn't do that, would you, Amapola?" sort of thing. In fact, when I printed out the articles, I pasted them to a Word document because I also wanted to get rid of a lot of info that didn't apply to us, and at the same time deleted every single instance of my name and of those chatty "wink-wink" comments.

 

[lovevacations]

I wouldn't use it again. I didn't ask for my money back because I did get some useful info, but his style of touring is not for me. And before the TGM cheerleaders scold me yes, I took the time to really understand the site.

Another thing I didn't like (and it's just a matter of personal taste) is his style of writing. I found it annoying to be addressed by my name every other sentence: "But you wouldn't do that, would you, Amapola?" sort of thing. In fact, when I printed out the articles, I pasted them to a Word document because I also wanted to get rid of a lot of info that didn't apply to us, and at the same time deleted every single instance of my name and of those chatty "wink-wink" comments.

That is so true Amapola I like the site and the info and am looking forward to see how his May best days compares to UG but his writing style reminds me of a bad sales call! The forum drives me nuts when it refers to non TGM subscribers as "them"! I think I've spent about $100 on guide books, TGM, and touringplans, but I enjoy the planning and the info. Basically, what I "learned" is what I already knew, get there early, do the biggies first, and eat an early lunch and dinner. This trip we will take afternoon breaks because it will be late May and will be hot and crowded. Our last big WDW trip was 11/01 and the parks hours were to short too leave!