TGM or Touring Plan?

[ARIEYELLOW]

Which would you guys recommend to help plan my theme park schedule? Tour Gide Mike or the Touring Plan website? Thanks

 

[Brian Noble]

TGM or Touring Plan? Yes!

I use and like both. Pick one and you won't go wrong. Pick two and learn from them both. TGM strengths: provides more explanatory text for *why* he schedules the way he does so you learn more; it is a more complete online resource. UG+TP strengths: more pre-made touring plans to choose from; has better information about the world beyond The World.

The two have slightly different philosophies. TGM wants you to relax, have a vacation, and see the best that the parks have to offer, avoiding pain whenever possible. UG/TP wants you to see as much as you possibly can, enduring only as much pain as necessary to do so.

I personally prefer the "minimize pain" approach to the "maximize experiences" approach, but that's in part because I'm getting too old and my kids are still too young to visit the parks from open to close without a break, even if the hours are relatively short.

There is a third option: RideMax has a product for the MK this summer, as a market test sort of thing. I haven't put it through its paces yet, but I swear by their Disneyland product.

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

I also use both and have found both to be beneficial with TGM being a slightly higher favorite.

 

[SeattleMark]

Another strong vote for Tour Guide Mike. UG is a bit too commando for us, especially in the hot summer months.

We've used Mike twice now and would never do Disney again without him. It just flat out works. I also like the fact that he's in the parks every day, and not relying so much on statistics.

 

[ARIEYELLOW]

I should probably be a bit more specific too. There are going to be 12 of us consisting of 5 adults and 7 children if that helps in knowing which plan would be better. Thanks!!

 

[cmm]

My family just returned from 6 days at WDW. We used the UG Touring plans and never waited in line for any ride for more than 15 minutes. I don't know anything about Mike, so I can't speak to that. We saw just about everything we wanted to and the parks were fairly crowded, though I can't compare it to anything since I haven't been in 15 years. (Epcot was kinda slow yesterday, though). We varied a little from the plans and made judicious use of fastpasses. I was very happy with the results and my 6 year old did fine.

 

[mommybear318]

I am in the same boat. They give different recommendations for which parks to do on which days.

 

[squirrel922]

Tour Guide Mike was right on when I went on my trip. Followed his advice and saw everything I wanted to see.

 

[Amirah95]

I use both to create my own plans because we're a Park Commando Family. But if I had to choose I'd go by how much detail I want. If I want something just to take and follow I'd go with Touring Plans (I buy the UG book every year anyway) and if I needed a touring plan plus more detailed info I'd go with TGM.

 

[ARIEYELLOW]

Thanks everyone!! Does anyone know right off what the prices are for these? Thanks

 

[cocowum]

We loved the UG We didn't love TGM We have used the UG's touring plans from the online site as well as the book. We have never waited more then 15 mins in line. (We went during Easter one year and spring break this year.) This year we used some late day arrival touring plans and they worked as well as the commando touring plans. I absolutely love that book!!!

Oh and P.S. I'm secretly in love with Len but don't tell his wife
j/k but Len is very helpful. Always willing to answer a question or listen to advice from Diser's.