Tour Guide Mike-- not much of a plan!!

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Well, I just paid for Tour Guide Mike... and I am not pleased (I am sure I was warned in the fine print that I was not buying what I thought I was buying!). I wanted something like: October 10th, go to Fantasy Land in the AM and World Showcase in the PM. I thought that was what I was buying. At least I can get a refund, according to a friend. If he's a tour guide, why couldn't we just buy his plans for each day ? We could say we're going to be there on certain days and he'd generate a plan for our length of stay. Now THAT would be worth $22! It would risk people not liking his plan, of ocurse, but at least there would BE a plan!! Am I missing something?! Please tell me how to find what I'm looking for! Christy

mommyoeo, it sounds like you are looking for something like the Unofficial Guides touring plans. They tell you what to do every step of the way.

 

[disney4me4ever]

If you're looking for "go here at this time", "be at XXX at this time", I believe you would benefit more from touringplans.com or ridemax.com. You didn't say what time of the year you were going, ages of children, etc., how familiar you are with the parks. I've renewed with TGM twice now (and am very satisfied), regularly read the Dis and Deb Wills' site. I like knowing the rationale behind why selections are made, so if I need to flex, I can. Different styles work for different people. If you don't like it, get a refund and move on.

Nancy

 

[brandip22]

Another TGM fan here. I was overwhelmed for the first month, too. After I kept reading and read the boards, it really started coming together, though. I go in less than two weeks, so we will se how great I do! It's just a lot of information to learn or print out, but some great stuff. I think one of the best parts is that it constantly updates. When Disney changes hours or closes something, you know immediately. I've read back through my UG and it's so outdated now. TGM is always on top of things.

 

[mommyoeo]

Just my opinion, but with all the information on the internet and in travel guides, I never understood why anyone would pay someone for a tour plan for their trip?
This is not to be mean or flame you in anyway-I just always wondered this. You can get all the info you need before you go, and adjust it as needed if weather, park hours or anything else changes your daily plan.
Sorry you were disappointed in your plans.

Exactly! With so much info out there, I was hoping TGM would SAVE me time so I wouldn't have to read it all. I didn't think it would make my job even bigger!

Anyhow, at least you all reading this can decide before you buy. Some people seem to think it's wonderful so there must be something to it. I just had hoped to save time, that's all, and didn't feel like I had the extra hours in my days to put all of his info into a plan myself.

By the way, I am feeling better about it all and I'll let you all now how quickly I get my refund-- if I really ask for one. I hate to rock the boat!!

Christy

 

[Mickey Fliers]

I am sorry that you didn't get what you were expecting. If you are dissatisfied, please ask for a refund. That is certainly your consumer right. TGMike does take time. By saying you wanted "to save time", that basically says to me that you want someone else to do your planning. Again, that is what works for some people. But, planning a Disney vacation (or any vacation for that matter) takes time. If you want someone else to plan your vacation you would be better off with Touring Plans. I like planning our trips. For me, it builds the anticipation. By using TGMike, I know how to plan our days, and more importantly, how to change the plans if things aren't going exactly the way I thought they would.

I hope you have a magical trip and enjoy the planning experience, whichever that may be.

 

[CalvaryMike]

I just signed up a couple of weeks ago with TGM. I was hesitant at first, but he does offer a 'Money Back Guarantee' even after you return from your trip. This is the reason that I signed up.
From the information that I've already received, I don't believe that I'll be asking for a refund (unless this information doesn't work).
TGM plainly explains before you sign up that you're not going to get a personalized itinerary. For only $18.95, I'd wouldn't expect a very good itinerary and definitely not personalized. And if someone offers a money back guarantee just on my own satisfaction, I figure the information that he provides must be legit.
I haven't seen hardly anyone complain that they weren't satisfied with his info AFTER their return. It's exactly the opposite. Mostly the ones that complain about TGM are the ones that have never tried it or haven't given him a chance.
If I return from my trip and I'm not satisfied, I will definitely ask for a refund and I'll report, but I don't think I'll be doing that.
I do admit that the more you read his site, the more you'll get out of it.
Just my $.02

 

[vatmark]

I am using TGM now for my up coming trip in Oct. and it has been great. Most of the info. he provides I haven't seen anywhere else. He does not give you an exact plan because everyone has different likes and dislikes. He gives you all the info. you need to come up with your own plan with all the attractions you want to see and tells you when the best times are to go to those attractions and what are the best days to go to certain parks so you won't have to spend all of your day standing on lines. He also gives you tips about where the best and least crowded viewing spots are for parades and fireworks and where the best area to sit is for some of the rides. He has sample tour plans that you can use and change. He has lots more but I won't bother to list it all.

On top of all the great info. that TGM provides...he is a good guy.

If you are not happy with what you have found on his site then just get your money back.

For each person that doesn't follow TGM's advice that just makes lines even shorter for me.

Annie

 

[C.Ann]

I am not being sarcastic at all, but the posters who don't think TGMike had any additional information other than what you can find for free (on dis and other boards)....have you ever subscribed to TGMike? An honest question...I promise..

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Honest answer? No - because I don't need it.. I've never come away from the parks feeling as though I didn't accomplish enough, feeling as though the crowds were unmanageable, or feeling as though a 10-minute wait for a ride was excessive..

 

[CuteKatCar]

I have to put my 2 cents in too. I could be TGM. I have not learned anything new that I didn't already know. I'm leaving in 5 days and have barely printed anything out. I have not found one thing that has been updated in the last month. Everything so far talks about summer - and the last week of August is supposed to be a little different than July - so where's my help??

No flames, please. Just my opinion.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

It's exactly the opposite. Mostly the ones that complain about TGM are the ones that have never tried it or haven't given him a chance.

Umm, maybe most. But certainly not all. I gave him plenty of time, and navigated those pages ad nauseum, and still can honestly say that you get more bang for your buck at UG's TouringPlans.com.

Oh, and by the way, when I saw some broken links on his pages, and asked him some questions about his updates, TGM got very mad at being questioned, and HE dropped ME! My, how professionally he treats his clients!

 

[CarolA]

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Honest answer? No - because I don't need it.. I've never come away from the parks feeling as though I didn't accomplish enough, feeling as though the crowds were unmanageable, or feeling as though a 10-minute wait for a ride was excessive..

C.Ann,
I agree to a certain extent. I don't use this service for my off season trips. However, Christmas week was NOT offseason and there was a 10 minute wait for the bathrooms LOL!

The hints he gave were very helpful then and my mom and I were able to do a lot more then I expected.... I'd do it again for a busy season like that.

As for the last week in August being different then July.. I am not so sure about that.. bookings seem pretty high based on what I am hearing. TGM may not help, but I would be prepared for crowds

 

[kilee]

Everyone please remember that was works for one person doesn't always work for another. Lets not have this turn into a debate.

 

[WDWBetsy]

I love TGM and understand how to use his site.

His site gives you the rationale to make your own decisions on which parks to visit on what days, and it also is extremely detailed. He updates it often and takes pride in what he provides.

When I plan my trips, I'm like a sponge and want to read everything I can on the parks, resorts, restaurants, etc.

I would much rather do some reading instead of wandering around a park and missing out because I'm not maximizing my time (and stamina if I have to backtrack all day).

If you're not willing to read and learn the "whys" and "hows" to maximize your time in the parks, TGM is not for you and you should ask for a refund if you're not happy. As others have stated, it's not for everyone.

Just my two cents.

 

[goofie4goofy]

I assume you would say the same about the UG book or Birnbaums or Passporter(all of which are good in my opinion)?

TGM is far more than a tour plan, it's really an online guide book with information continually updated.

It's not for everyone but neither is every printed guidebook.

We do not use any tour guide books. We travel all over the place and have never found the need to use a tour book....espically for a theme park. It's not like your going to a country in which you don't speak the language or know your way around. Why would I want to see something thru someone else's words and discoveries, when it is more fun to do it on your own. It's like opening up a wrapped gift and you already know what's inside.


I live 20 minutes by train from Manhattan. I go all the time and still find new and interesting things to do-quaint small restaurants with 10 tables and no menus....Definately not guide book stuff.

I have found in all our travels, the best things happen when you're not looking for them..and that includes WDW.. We go at least twice a year and have been too many times to count.. After 1 visit you pretty much have it figured out. I mean c'omon it isn't rocket science.

 

[byoung]

You get all that info here on the DIS.

 

[JohnNJ]

Christy:

I'm pretty sure, since you didn't read the FAQ on the main page before subscribing, that you also did not read the AVP instructions. That's most likely the reason you feel lost.

Log back in and look for the blue box marked "Express Planners" on the left side of the page. Click on the month you'll be going. That express planner page will have every thing you need for your trip in one place. You'll have a preliminary plan together at your first sitting.

If you have any questions, pop over to the AVP forums and post there. You'll get very specific answers that we cannot post here.

The refund will always be there, if you want it. Why not calm down and give it another try.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

We used TGM's plans and hints and the longest wait we had for any ride in 10 days (including over Memorial Day weekend) was 17 minutes (for a non-fast pass attraction). If you put a little time into it, his plans work like a charm.

We went last weekend in August on a crowded weekend, with no plans, no tour guides, no guide books and the longest wait we had for any ride w/out a FP was about 12 minutes. That was for Thunder Mountain without a fastpass.

Maybe I'm weird, but common sense tells me that if you can, use a FP, if you familiarize yourself with the layout of the parks this will be easy enough to do. And also, when you see a long line that looks ridiculous, don't wait in it. Go back to the ride/show later. I guarantee you it will be a shorter wait.

So here is what Tour Guide EsmeraldaX has to say :

1. Obtain a good map of the parks. You can see these on line at the free and constantly updated www.wdwig.com

2. Learn the layout of the parks and which rides you can use FP at

3. Learn what non FP things are around the FP rides.

4. Breathe, you are not going to see it all in a week. Learn to accept that now.

5. Back to your plan. Okay. Decide what things are the most important to you to go on.

6. Get to WDW. Pick a FP attraction and get a FP. Then go look for something nearby that does not have a long wait and see it.

7. If you really want to go to a non FP thing and the line is long, don't. Go back to it in an hour or two. We did that with virtually every non FP ride at Epcot and walked onto the Living Seas, Spaceship Earth, Figment, Honey I shrunk the audience, The Maelstrom, Ellens Energy Adventure. In fact, I have never waited in line for any of those attractions.

8. Get another FP as soon as you can. Go ride your FP ride. Then come back and do another non FP thing. Or get a Mickey bar and remember that all this is still going to be here someday when you come back.

9. Repeat until you get tired/hungry.

This is what we did. And in only 3 days, arriving at the parks at NOON every day, we saw almost every big attraction and most of the small ones, skipping things because we wanted to, not because we couldn't get on.

We did this on a weekend, in early August, in nice weather, and our longest wait was 12 minutes for a hugely popular ride that we did not get a FP for.

And I don't even charge people $22 for this info. I'm in the wrong line of work, I tell ya!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

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Honest answer? No - because I don't need it.. I've never come away from the parks feeling as though I didn't accomplish enough, feeling as though the crowds were unmanageable, or feeling as though a 10-minute wait for a ride was excessive..

I agree 100%.

I've been to WDW 4 times in the last year and a half and never once felt like I didn't get my money's worth.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Another TGM fan here. this is the 2nd time I've subscribed. I've been so happy each time. there is a ton of information on his site, plus I love all the pics he's got on the site.

 

[JohnNJ]

I've been to WDW 4 times in the last year and a half and never once felt like I didn't get my money's worth.

There are people out there that are going to WDW for the first time or have been before but many years ago. Some of these families will only get this one chance to vacation there. Others may go again but not for many years. They're investing thousands of hard earned dollars in the hope of having a memorable family vacation.

So your advice is to save the $20 and don't bother planning. Fly by the seat of your pants and you'll have a great time. No guide books required. EsmeraldaX, C.Ann and goofie4goofy say you'll have the bestest time. They promise - money back guarantee.

I, and I'm sure many others here agree, that you should get as much info as possible, whether free or paid for. Then plan, plan, plan and then plan some more. Of course, be as flexible as possible and don't sweat the small stuff but be as prepared as you can be.

Oh, and don't listen to bad advice.