Thinking about signing up for Tour Guide Mike?

[kaysmommie]

Hello, I was checking out the onfo on TGM. I haven't decided whether or not to join yet. Has this really made a difference in anyones vacation as far as waits and crowds and not having to rush so much. We are going Oct 4-12 so it will be pretty busy with alot going on F&W, Convention at Epcot, FAll Break and MNSSHP. Thanks in advance

 

[runner26.2]

We used TGM last fall when we went in November. I found it worth the $20 or so it cost. The touring plans in themselves were worth the price and with all the extra trip advice we'll use it again.

The site is not the most user friendly at the beginning but once you've played around on it for a while it is fairly easy to navigate and find the information you are looking for.

 

[lovevacations]

Are you the planning type? Do you like the idea of having EVERY detail of WDW found on one website? Are you interested in knowing the best park to attend during your trip, with an explanation what to expect for each park that day. TGM lives and breathes Disney!! He has worked for Disney, he takes VIPs in the parks daily. He studies, retests, and uses his plans everyday!! He is a smart business guy! He knows that only a select few want to pay $150 per hour to tour with him, so for the rest of us he has a plan. Give him $20 (not $200, not $2000 but $20), and he will share his knowledge. He updates his site as needed, he has "people" that work for him on the boards DAILY. Do not expect to email him and say I paid you $20 so I have the right to email you very specific questions, the site is not set up that way. Just do it. If you hate it (and I really don't think it is possible), ask to get your $20 back. We are spending $4500+ for our dream trip to Disney, we may not go back again for a long time, spending $20 was a drop in the bucket!! Hope this helps!

 

[disneyaggie]

Do not expect to email him and say I paid you $20 so I have the right to email you very specific questions, the site is not set up that way.

I disagree. Why not ask if you can not find? No where on his website does it state, "DO NOT EVERY E-MAIL ME". He even provides an e-mail address to ask questions if you have tried to find an answer and can not.

I had two instances where I desperately searched for a particular link that was on his website. With the busy website that he has, I just could not find it. And I spent an obscene amount of time trying to do so. I e-mailed a "help" and got a very nice reply with the information I was seeking. And off to do more planning I went!

However, a week or so later, same thing. I waded through all of the information and just could not find the silly thing I was looking for and e-mailed him, asking for the link or how to find what I was looking for. I got the most rude, unprofessional response I could ever imagine. Left a very bad taste in my mouth. So much for customer service!

My thought is, if you don't mind taking someone's money, then expect a question or two. Don't just take the money and "hide". So I chose TGM because there was an option to e-mail and ask. I say, if you have a question, sure, ask. There is also a board you can post your questions, as well. If you send an e-mail and you get him (or whoever it was) on a good day, they are most helpful!

All in all, I enjoy the information and insight. It is very useful . . . and fun!

 

[HydroGuy]

I'm planning first trip to WDW in May, and signed up for TGM about 6 weeks ago. I found out one thing there right away that will make a huge impact on how we tour. There is lots of good information, much of it available for free elsewhere (but not as well organized). Some people complain about TGM being too complicated and hard to use. I have never found it so. There is a lot there, so you have to poke around, and sometimes I still get a little lost, but that is only because there is so much stuff.

TGM has a money back guarantee, so if you sign up and find out it is not for you, get a refund. Heck, it costs $19 compared to the thousands of dollars spent on a WDW vacation. If you learn just one nugget of information it is worth it, IMO. I have learned more than one, so it was worth it for me.

 

[kaysmommie]

Thanks For Your Replies! I Have Nothing To Lose Trying It Out!

 

[danny1649]

Heard many great reviews on TGM'S trip planning site.

 

[HydroGuy]

I disagree. Why not ask if you can not find? No where on his website does it state, "DO NOT EVERY E-MAIL ME". He even provides an e-mail address to ask questions if you have tried to find an answer and can not.

I had two instances where I desperately searched for a particular link that was on his website. With the busy website that he has, I just could not find it. And I spent an obscene amount of time trying to do so. I e-mailed a "help" and got a very nice reply with the information I was seeking. And off to do more planning I went!

However, a week or so later, same thing. I waded through all of the information and just could not find the silly thing I was looking for and e-mailed him, asking for the link or how to find what I was looking for. I got the most rude, unprofessional response I could ever imagine. Left a very bad taste in my mouth. So much for customer service!

My thought is, if you don't mind taking someone's money, then expect a question or two. Don't just take the money and "hide". So I chose TGM because there was an option to e-mail and ask. I say, if you have a question, sure, ask. There is also a board you can post your questions, as well. If you send an e-mail and you get him (or whoever it was) on a good day, they are most helpful!

All in all, I enjoy the information and insight. It is very useful . . . and fun!

What most people do is post questions to the forums there. Those always get answered quickly. I see lots of questions there that start "I can't find...". I agree that sending e-mails directly to TGM about where to find things is not very efficient and not the best approach.

 

[Carnotaurus]

I joined a couple weeks ago, and here are my impressions, so far:

1. It works more like an interactive guidebook than a personal vacation planner. Don't expect to get an itemized schedule based on the preferences you enter.

2. For some reason, the organization of the site is pretty confusing. Not very intuitive. I've read other DIS'ers advice about it getting easier as you go along. Maybe there's too much information to expect it to be easy. The bad thing about this is that I avoid the site. It's easier to come to a site like this one where I can find my way around pretty quickly.

3. However, the tone of TGM's site is really positive and helpful. It feels very welcoming.

4. And it's really cool to find a WDW guide that is so thorough, that's updated constantly. I buy the Unofficial Guide every year, and it bothers me to see information in the book that is years out of date. TGM makes you feel like you're getting the freshest info. PLUS, I'm learning fun things I never knew about The World.

 

[NancyIL]

I used TGM for my WDW trip last week because I knew the parks would be crowded with spring breakers. It's kind of hard to tell if we went to the right parks by following his advice, because we didn't go to the "wrong" park(s) to compare! There were a LOT of people in Animal Kingdom on one of the most optimal days to visit, so I'd hate to have gone there on a bad day! All in all, we did very well by following TGM's advice. However, I have decided that there will be no more spring break trips to WDW because it's just too crowded.

 

[NancyIL]

oops...double post