To do or not to do...Tourguide Mike

[dcsend]

 

[SarahandPaul]

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=993673

 

[thelionqueen]

I personally like TGM. There are vastly different views on these boards, but I say give it a try for yourself.

He has a great refund policy and it will cost you nothing if it doesn't work for you.

I mostly use the information to compile my own schedule and itinerary. There is a lot of info. on the site I already know, but there are some great tips and up to date "updates" he provides which makes it a great deal to me.

Give it a try, get your $$ back if you don't like it..just my .02

 

[SeattleMark]

I'll never do Disney World without him! Our first year we didn't know about him and ended up doing the "Disney Death march" and waiting in tons of lines. The last 3 times we've gone we've used him and man, what a positive experience we had. It was finally Disney the way it was meant to be!

I highly, highly recommend him. His strategies and insights are so valuable, especially being in the parks and giving tours every day. Plus he explains the "why" of what he recommends, which I love, rather than just a step-by-step touring plan. That way if the inevitably happens and you have to deviate from the plan, you'll know the impact and how to best work around it.

Well worth the subscription price for that sort of enjoyable experience, especially in light of how much the entire trip cost in the first place.

I just renewed with him for our trip in December!

 

[rob'n]

Loved it! Would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[BAST]

I bought it for my trip last August. Since I have been to WDW so many times, and have spent so much time planning trips, I did not learn much of anything. I also found the site hard to navigate. I will not be using this service again.

I can see where it could be a good resource for a first time visitor (but then I would recommend the UG instead).

 

[CNMooner]

I was pretty anti-TGM because his site is such a nightmare, but his tips are really REALLY invaluable. When we followed his advice, we didn't wait in any lines. On the day we deviated from our plan, our day was nightmarish. I will subscribe to TGM again for sure.

 

[TomD]

I have been going to Disney since I was 6. I found this board and TGM 2 yrs ago. I joined both and have kept my membership current at both.

TGM has useful tips and the forum is friendly. I also like how he responds to an email if you have a question that you didn't want to post.

 

[Mellie0119]

I've been a UG fan for our first 3 trips, but now I think I'm a TGMer! I signed up a few days back and aside from the sometimes frustrating site navigation, it's a great site! (haven't tried the boards yet, I'd feel like I was cheating on the DIS ) I'll let you know for sure how the plans work out after our trip, but I'm anticipating good results!

 

[cropper]

I also thought his website was very hard to navigate. In fact, when I found something I liked, I just printed it out instead of trying to find it later.

I noticed on the boards that the post dates were a few days old.....not like here!!

That being said, I would use him again!! We never waited in line for more then 15 minutes. Most rides were just walk on. We even had a few where the CM told us we could stay on if we wanted to ride again because there was no line!!

I felt all the info was current...unlike buying a book. I followed the 'which parks to avoid on which days’ and it worked great for us.
Once I planned which park, I pretty much followed his sample itinerary. I think my entire family (in-laws included) was impressed.

 

[heatherbelle]

I really liked TGM. I agree with earlier posts about finding navigation diffiuclt, and I didn't get any e-mail updates for some reason.

The plans work a treat, and he gives lots of inside information. For example the best places to watch the fireworks at the parks, what to take with you to the park. Although my tip, is nothing other than your ticket and money.

I wouldn't leave it too long before your trip to join, as the more you use the website, the easier it gets.

Have fun.

There is also another wealth of info on touring plans at WWW.touringplans.com

They also do a book with plans in, but it is very big and heavy reading material. In my view a lot is repeated. It lists scores for hotels, restuarants, rides. Gives advice on how to deal with difficult children, which I found strange that this needed to be included. Maybe American's need help in parenting children! I wouldn't have throught so. When we visited in the summer, I didn't see one misbehaved child.

The best book in my view for florida is a brits guide to orlando, but then I am from the UK!

 

[chipper10]

Would Tour Guide Mike be worthwhile for someone like me who is leaving on feb. 4th? Thanks for any imput on this as well.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

chipper10
I would buy Tourguide Mike in a heartbeat. It did take some time to learn to navigate the site but it was be time well spent. I have renewed 4 times and will renew every time I go to Disney.

 

[babar41]

Although a month isn't a lot of time to gather information, if you are willing to devote some time to sit in front of the computer, yes I would suggest signing up.

DH and I have been to WDW many times. I am a info junkie, and have always sworn by UG. I tried TGM for the first time for our Nov-Dec 2005 trip. The site is a bit difficult to navigate, but he does have some information that is very valuable. We followed his advice mostly this trip and found his suggestions to be right on.

Have a great time!

 

[chipper10]

chipper10
I would buy Tourguide Mike in a heartbeat. It did take some time to learn to navigate the site but it was be time well spent. I have renewed 4 times and will renew every time I go to Disney.

Ok I think I will sign up for it. Thanks.

 

[jennymouse]

Definately if you're new to WDW or going at a busy time of year. I've been many many times and signed up for our Thanksgiving trip because it's such a busy time of the year just so I could get his touring tips. Well worth it. We didn't wait in any lines to speak of the whole time.

 

[kutchyone]

Come on over and make sure to say HI over on the forums. I go by the same name there as I do here. If you run into any navigation problems or have any questions make sure to post it on the forums there, someone will help you very quickly.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Never was a fan of anything that cost you money. In the beginning, 1977, we used Birdbaums guide and all the info needed was there, its free at the library or you can purchase one from AAA. Don't really know if there is a new one, quit buying them years ago. Disney really hasn't changed much but I refer it that old guide, use the literature provided by WDW and surf the net. Never had any problems, found alot of unoffical sites that have more info than I can sift through and hasn't cost me anything. Trying to follow someone elses plan is tough, espically if you never been to WDW, running around with the park map is bad enough. Plans have to be flexible due to rain, crowds, staminia. IMOP you live and learn, try everything, go everywhere and next time there, you'll have a good grip on the world.

 

[rie'smom]

TGM was very helpful to us. We'd been over 20 times before trying Mike's advice and I thought I knew all the tricks.Wrong!! Standing in lines is a huge drain on both my mental and my physical energy. Following his tips cut the waits to almost no time( for us during the Memorial Day holiday going into the first week of June). My stamina was much stronger making me a much happier and more pleasant wife and mom. I've resubscribed for our next trip and for those same dates in 2006. Our trip was so much more relaxed.