Tour Guide Mike Code? Experience?

[Ilovethatmouse]

Is it too much info to print out? I am still unsure about getting it for my trip in Nov-dec. Was wondering if it is good for families with small children? I dont know too much about TGM but I get the impression that you have to follow his suggestions at certain times and I dont know if we will be able to do that with three small kids with us, we usually just "wing it" not too much structure, but this trip I would love to see so much more and there doesnt seem to be much info on this board about what kind of suggestions he offers, almost seems like people arent allowed to discuss details. Is it me? Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks again everyone..

 

[donnajon]

I went in June with three small kids and during the entire 10 days, I had one 20 minute wait. And that was when I didn't follow Mike's advice. He doesn't give you a set schedule saying be at Dumbo at 9, be at Snow White at 9:12, be at Space Mountain at 9:34. Rather he gives you the best times to visit particular attractions (i.e.mornings, before lunch etc..). When we went, I never had a specific plan (except for a few particular high demand rides for first thing) but had a general idea of how things worked and I went with the flow. I let my kids do whatever they wanted and they never felt rushed. He also tells you the least crowded days at each park and he was right on the money. I had a friend who went the same time as I did. I tried to tell her about Mike but she insisted she had done WDW before and knew how to do it. Well, when she came back, she said the crowds were horrible and never again would she go in June. I of course told them how we missed all of the lines and practically walked on all the rides (ok, so maybe we waited 5 minutes or so;-). He does have tips for touring with small children and I think you would find that very helpful. He does ask that you not reveal his tips. I printed out info for each ride and made myself a file for MK, EPCOT, MGM and AK. It was a lot of information but sometimes it is easier to read at a time when you may not be at a computer. I also took it with us and was able to review somethings before we hit the parks.

 

[Ilovethatmouse]

bump bump

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

Is it too much info to print out? I am still unsure about getting it for my trip in Nov-dec. Was wondering if it is good for families with small children? I dont know too much about TGM but I get the impression that you have to follow his suggestions at certain times and I dont know if we will be able to do that with three small kids with us, we usually just "wing it" not too much structure, but this trip I would love to see so much more and there doesnt seem to be much info on this board about what kind of suggestions he offers, almost seems like people arent allowed to discuss details. Is it me? Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks again everyone..

Ask yourself this question: Would I rather spend my time waiting in lines or going on rides and seeing the shows?

You can print as much or as little information as you think you'll need. If you print just the basics (best days for each park, best times for each ride, sample park tours) it's not that much.

 

[Renate_do]

Does it make sence to join even if you ar unsure when your next trip will be? Or do you have to have fixed dates?

Greets Renate

 

[unixadm]

Does it make sence to join even if you ar unsure when your next trip will be? Or do you have to have fixed dates?

Greets Renate

Yes and No.....

Well, for most of the info that I am using so far, it doesn't make a difference when you are going for the most part....mostly stuff on which rides are busiest which rides to avoid at certain times, which parks to avoid on particular day of the week, etc........so, if you don't have specific dates, that info is fine...

but...

He does give very specific information for the dates you are going to be there.....Park hours, EMH, parade schedules, show schedules, etc. Also what rides are closed for maint, etc. All of this can be found on line on Disney's website anyway, but if you are paying for an information service like this, and start planning an Itinerary, it is nice to have all of that info a couple of clicks on his site. Also, if you are going at a very peak time (Christmas, Spring Break, Summer), it would be better to have the specific dates entered in TGM so that as your trip approaches, you see the changes in schedules, and maybe even some different suggestions on attractions due to crowds.

I plan on going in April again, but will probably not re-subscribe to his site for that trip....I think that with the amount of reading, and printing, that I am doing, that I will have enough info to plan that trip without the additional fee....I will just look up the schedules and additional info here, allears and disney.

 

[2nd childhood]

I just purchased TGM a month ago and when I first visited his site I was a bit overwhelmed. I would find info then not be able to find it again. What I did was open my Microsoft Word and start a new document for each park(one labeled "Epcot Itinerary", "MGM Itinerary" ect.) Then when I was researching a particular park I would use my copy and paste option and insert the info into the corresponding Word file and later would go back and edit what I wanted to keep and then print it out. It seems to be working well for me so far, but we'll see on our September trip.

 

[becky7953]

I liked TGM. I liked that he tells you about all the rides and exactly when certain things might scare a child (loud noises, etc). Also I followed the using his which park isn't the busiest plan. We didn't really stick to a plan once inside the parks (it was January and not busy)

 

[allyphoe]

Is it too much info to print out?

There are some really nice one-page summaries for each park, that tell you either what the best times are for each ride, or that give you a sample touring plan with explanations. We used that to build a flexible itinerary in Excel, based on what we wanted to see and TGM's suggested order of seeing them. It should fit on half-page sheets to take to the parks, but we'll probably also bring the long versions (which have things like the shortest / fastest path between points, and the best places to stand for parades).

Some people print a book (you could kill a small forest if you printed everything), but you don't need to.

Honestly, I found it to be a ton of information to digest; you should plan on spending <big number of> hours reading through everything. But then you don't have to think much once you arrive.

Was wondering if it is good for families with small children?

We're travelling with a 28 month old and a 17 month old. I'll let you know in October how well it worked, but I anticipate getting all of our "must dos" out of the way before lunch each day, without running from place to place or backtracking, which leaves a lot of time for nap / snack / afternoon at the hotel pool / toddler meltdown.

almost seems like people arent allowed to discuss details. Is it me?

Not you at all. His license agreement has a non-disclosure clause. Which makes sense, because he makes money by selling secrets (which he learned from years giving private tours). Not much money in it if we share those secrets for free.

Phoebe

 

[Ardenne]

What happens if you change your trip dates? We're currently scheduled for October but may be changing that -- can you just give him the new date and keep using the site for your new trip plan date, or would your membership still expire 60 days after your original trip date?

 

[Luvmyfam3]

I used Mike's service for our trip this past Christmas. I was SO nervous about going during the busiest week of the year....but, it was AWESOME! His suggestions were always right on! Now, we're planning another trip for June 2006. I'm wondering if I should go ahead and sign up for his services or wait. The planner in me wants to go ahead and do it, but the practical side of me says that it's silly to sign up so soon..... Suggestions???

Thanks! Kim

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

I used Mike's service for our trip this past Christmas. I was SO nervous about going during the busiest week of the year....but, it was AWESOME! His suggestions were always right on! Now, we're planning another trip for June 2006. I'm wondering if I should go ahead and sign up for his services or wait. The planner in me wants to go ahead and do it, but the practical side of me says that it's silly to sign up so soon..... Suggestions???

Thanks! Kim

You've really got nothing to lose by signing up now. You can get a head start on planning you '06 trip, so as your vacation gets closer, you've got most of the legwork done.

 

[Ardenne]

I agree -- nothing to lose by planning early! I think I read in another thread that TGM already has boards set up for trips that far in advance, so you could even chat with other families planning for the same time period.

So, bumping the question up -- anyone know whether TGM will let you reschedule your trip after signing up? Or if I end up needing to change the dates of the trip, will my subscription still expire 60 days after the original trip date?

Thanks in advance

 

[drakethib]

I'm thinking about trying TourGuide Mike. Any Experience?

Any current codes?

THANKS

We have been to WDW several times and we signed up for TGM and found it usefull.

Well worth the twenty or so bucks IMHO.

 

[MrsNick]

Never had to wait more than 5-10 minutes for any attraction when we visited WDW during the busy summer season in July 2003.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

I agree -- nothing to lose by planning early! I think I read in another thread that TGM already has boards set up for trips that far in advance, so you could even chat with other families planning for the same time period.

So, bumping the question up -- anyone know whether TGM will let you reschedule your trip after signing up? Or if I end up needing to change the dates of the trip, will my subscription still expire 60 days after the original trip date?

Thanks in advance

I'm pretty sure you can change your vacation dates after you sign up.

 

[BibbityBobbityBoo]

Yes, folks, you can change your vacation dates at TGM. I have changed my plans twice and was welcomed by each month's moderator to their particular month's vacation board!

Karen

 

[mom23boys]

We just got back our vacation was Aug 19-26. I used TGM and could not have been more pleased. We had 11 in our party so planning was essential.

He was right on the money. We walked on to everyride and some of them did twice in a row.

I will definely use him a gain.

 

[DebMcDonald]

We were also there August 19 - 26 and I used Tourguide mike. Seating for the sprectra parade could not have been nicer, also never waited in long lines. I will use him again, and for what it charges it was well worth it and I don't think I read as much as I should have on his site. Be prepared there is alot of reading.

If I can say one thing about the parks, which was recommended by mike and this site, is get to the parks early - no sleeping in. I was amazed at what we did in the first hour or two, sometimes more than we would do the entire rest of the day. We did everything in fantasy land before 11:00 a.m. one morning.

 

[Okiemom]

Ok, lots of you said it was well worth it, but it takes alot of reading. Is is like reading on these boards? I feel I can read these pretty quickly, and at spirts. But is his sight, very in-depth reading? I don't think I really have that kind of time. I am going during Thanksgiving, so it will be crowded, so am considering it. But worried about the reading and navigating through his stuff?