Tempted to try TourGuide Mike

[always quiet]

I believe their is an option at the upper left side that says "Print friendly" or something along those lines....no graphics on the page. You might want to try doing it that way.

 

[Amapola]

I joined TGM the other day and when I tried to copy and past the sample tour plans into a word document along with it came all the little pictures and took up like 5 pages - did I miss something? Am I downloading the wrong ones. .

Did you click on the "printable page" (or whatever it's called) button? That gives you a cleaner version. I still deleted all the icons -- just click on them and hit the delete button.

Also, you may want to take a look at the forums over on TGM. There's a section on technical issues. The people there are quite helpful, although the boards aren't nearly as active as these. Or as fun

 

[WVMomof3]

I had the same problems with the pictures and things when I tried to print. I tried to go through and delete them, but some I could not see untill it was printed> Anybody have a better way to print this?

 

[WVMomof3]

Oops! Thanks, I guess it would help if I looked everything over better on that site. There are so many buttons and clickables and I have not had a whole lot of time to look at all the pages. But now I see the printer-friendly button. Thanks!

 

[Amapola]

You're welcome! Glad I could help

 

[ksoehrlein]

I'm tempted to try him, but not necessarily for my next trip. We've done the UoG's touring plans (Dumbo-or-Die is my personal favorite), and I'm wondering how TGM compares. This trip should be semi-crowded as all Alabama schools are off and various other school systems will have their spring breaks, but I'm not too worried.

However, we are considering a surprise Christmas trip and we've never been to WDW then. So our inexperience with those crowd levels and holiday activities coupled with TGM's expertise, and I think getting it for that trip will be a no-brainer. I'm just waiting to sign up until after we have our hotel ressies set.

 

[kutchyone]

I think if you look on the TGM forums, there are a few threads about this. I had sent a PM to another member there, who emailed me some great sheets. Just ask the same question over there and you will get a lot of replies!

Your welcome Jenna. I did PM that other person and told her to PM me at the TGM site with her address and I will send them to her.

 

[kutchyone]

No offense but that seems pretty hard to believe. Has anyone else had this experience. Week 2 in June is fairly crowded and to say that you had no waiting in lines is a big statement.

We were there this June, the 7th to the 16th. The longest wait we had was maybe 15 minutes and that only happened twice. No BS, it really worked. I had my doubts but it really did work. I felt sorry for the rest of THEM!

On our MK day we had enjoyed all the attractions that we really wanted to ride and were back at the resort by 1:00 for a shower and a nap. We woke up refreshed 4 hours later, headed back to the park and had a great evening riding some of those rides again, eating dinner and enjoying the fireworks and Spectro.

Believe it, it does work.

 

[kutchyone]

I tried TGM and I'm not going to tell you what I thought of it. Yes 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. I will give you a clue and tell you that after using it for one trip in June I did subscribe again!

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 we can stop these debates 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.

 

[Julia M]

We tried TGM for our December trip...the 17-27 of this past year.

I also am not found of his writing style, JMHO.

On the other hand, I chose to overlook it and concentrate on his info.

We essentially never waited in line an more than 15 minutes. And frequently, that included the time that it took you to walk through the entire qeue line that was empty!! And 15 minutes were our unusual, long waits. It was generally 5-10 minutes.

My husband could not believe it.

This included the MK on 12/26.

I would absolutely subscribe again.

 

[glass slipper girl]

No offense but that seems pretty hard to believe. Has anyone else had this experience. Week 2 in June is fairly crowded and to say that you had no waiting in lines is a big statement.

I've also used TGM for our last few trips and we have not had to wait in line either. It's been fantastic! The only drawback is that my husband now thinks that I have this secret ability to make lines disappear at any time in any random pattern. It's important to understand that you can't wander in to the park at some random time on any given day and have no lines just because you went to the park on the day TGM said you should. There's a whole plan involved. It is not commando, tour till you drop sort of thing. I don't march my family comando style around the parks at all. I don't even print out the touring plans. I spent enough time going over the info that I understood the logic behind the plans and could go at it without a printout. It just made sense.

His plans may not be a perfect fit for everyone but if you are willing to give it a shot and you really do take the advice to heart and use it, you won't have to worry about lines, because you won't be in them! It's great knowing I don't need to read the "how to entertain a 3 year old in line" threads on the DIS because we don't stand in lines. I love that his plans explain why and that they don't just focus on rushing you through the rides till you can barely walk from exhaustion, it focuses on your overall vacation making sure you can pack in all that fun stuff but also that you have time to get some rest in as well as time to relax and enjoy "the world" around you.

If you find that you are one of those people for whom the plan is not a perfect fit, you can get a refund with no questions asked.

 

[speedyf]

I just wanted to post my experiences and give another thumbs up to TGM.

We visited WDW in early June 2004 again for the first time in 10 years. I found these boards and purchased the UG. I read the entire book, but I didn't think it was necessary to have a plan. I figured we could just wing it....and boy was I wrong. We waited in long lines and didn't get to see everything we wanted to see. Of course, this is not the UG's fault....I just didn't listen to the guide.

We returned in June 2005 and I was determined to see more and wait in line less. I subscribed to TGM and his information was excellent. I think if you are an UG type person that follows their specific touring guides, you will still avoid alot of lines.

Anyway...I took the information from TGM and combined it with information from this board and we had an excellent time last June and never waited long in line for any ride.

I basically used TGM to figure out which days to do which parks. We did not do MK the first day...we did Epcot. I know alot of people feel they have to do MK on their first day....that's why alot of people end up waiting in lines in MK. My 5 year old was just fine with doing Epcot first.


Speed

 

[rie'smom]

Ok all you TGM vets, I just joined last night and I love the way his touring plans are layed out and since we are going with our 2 young sons (6 & 3) I'm excited about the prospect of smooth sailing during spring break. Here's my question, where do you store this information when you get to the parks? Do you write up your plan on a small sheet of paper or print it out? Or do you carry around what you print out from TGM site?

I saved the info to word then printed what I needed on index cards. It took a little while to format. After that, I laminated the cards and punched holes in the corner and put them on a clasp ring thingee. It was great because I also put ADRs, directions from the airport to Universal and from Universal to CSR. It was very convienient having our schedules,reservation numbers,ADRs and directions and such all in one place. Everything was organizes and fit very easily in my purse.

 

[rie'smom]

Dear Speedy, You are not supposed to share info from the TGM site. You are about to be flamed. If I were you, I'd delete my message.

 

[mom23boys]

I love TGM. We used his site for our trip in August 2005. We went the 3rd week a slower summer week but still crowded. We never waited more that 15 min in line for anything. Most times we walked on rides.

I am using him again for our trip later this month. I will never go to WDW without using his site.

Sharon

 

[BethR]

Dear Speedy, You are not supposed to share info from the TGM site. You are about to be flamed. If I were you, I'd delete my message.

Julie, I have read Speedy's post and I do not see anywhere where s/he is sharing information that is *exclusively* given through TGM. Everything s/he has mentioned has been discussed on the DIS.

I don't think that s/he needs to delete his/her post...but it is up to him/her.

 

[kutchyone]

I have just PM'd you Speedy, please review.

 

[speedyf]

I apologize if I did anything wrong...

I edited my post to keep the flaming to a minimum.

The information that I received was from a debate here on the board before I even joined TGM. Of course, that will be my word against the world and I don't want to do anything to p*** anyone off and start yet another flame session on the board.

I do agree that it is basically public knowledge. I'm not sharing any specific information from TGM like which days he has as good days for specific parks, etc.

After Googling this topic, I can throw down a link right now from another message board from a post on June 2004 with this information....so, I don't think it's new information or anything that TGM can copyright and call his. I'm sure some other guides have this information printed as well.

I guess I will keep my experiences using this information to myself from now on. I apologize to anyone associated with TGM if I did in fact do anything wrong.

Speed

 

[kutchyone]

Thanks.

 

[rie'smom]

I apologize if I did anything wrong...

I edited my post to keep the flaming to a minimum.

The information that I received was from a debate here on the board before I even joined TGM. Of course, that will be my word against the world and I don't want to do anything to p*** anyone off and start yet another flame session on the board.

I do agree that it is basically public knowledge. I'm not sharing any specific information from TGM like which days he has as good days for specific parks, etc.

After Googling this topic, I can throw down a link right now from another message board from a post on June 2004 with this information....so, I don't think it's new information or anything that TGM can copyright and call his. I'm sure some other guides have this information printed as well.

I guess I will keep my experiences using this information to myself from now on. I apologize to anyone associated with TGM if I did in fact do anything wrong.

Speed

I hope that I didn't offend you. It's part of being a Cajun to try and help. The
reason I warned you is that I'm from Thibodaux and I was flamed last year for
doing exactly what you did. Just being neighborly to a friend "down the bayou'. I wish there was a crawfish smilie!