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

[Viki]

I think of myself as a savy disney vet and I've planned trips that went very well for large groups of folk (10 or more), but because, like others who've responded to this thread, I almost like planning the trip as much as going, I decided to spring for the bucks for TourGuideMike this time around just to see what it offered, and I have to say, I've learned some stuff, especially about parts of the world, like PI, where I haven't concentrated before. In fact, on Friday, I found a boat tour of the Magic Kingdom fireworks, Wishes, that leaves from the Polynesian. Yippee! Just the kind of thing to try and book for my Orlando family members who join us for dinner one night when we're down. We are all going to be at Ohanas, and taking the trip from there right after dinner sounds great, AND Mike was sure to note that it's likely going to be VERY cold on a Dec evening on the water, so dress VERY warmly. Fair warning and good advice.

 

[NCombs]

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.

That's great for you. That's your style. Many people have a different styles and we should RESPECT those different styles not laugh at them.

And let me add it is like going to a different country where I don't know my way around. Disney is huge and I don't go there several times a year to have the layout memorized. Disney also does almost have it's own language. How many people in the general population know what a fastpass refers to? How about an ADR? What is a Fantasmic dining package? I see people on this board every day feeling overwhelmed by all that Disney has to offer.

 

[Pedler]

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.

CuteKatCar,

We are leaving in 3 days and are also TGM subscribers. Have you checked out the "your vacation" articles and joined the August Vacation club at TGM? There have been a few articles in just the last two weeks advising on best days and touring strategies for the end of August based on some of the recent changes at WDW. Since you are already a TGM subscriber the info is worth checking out. If you can't find it leave a message on the forums. There is a thread to help out people having problems finding stuff.

I hope you have a great trip.

 

[tjkraz]

I'm also not a big TGM fan. Four main reasons:

1. As others have said the name "Automated Vacation Planner" is misleading. I won't go so far as to say that Mike was trying to be intentionally deceptive, but "Automated" was a poor choice of words given the reality of the product. And I don't buy this "did you read the fine print" routine. You don't sell a product called the "World's Greatest Glow-In-The-Dark Widget", and then state in the fine print that the widget neither glows nor is the world's greatest.

2. Overall format of the website. It feels like a collection of links that sends one running in circles. I'd get five links deep on a topic only to realize that I was reading the same article I started out with.

3. When I was subscriber last December, all of the pages had revision dates, but only sparingly was a YEAR used in the date. So, if I open a page that says it was updated on 12/1 (as I'm preparing for my trip on 12/10), does that mean that I'm reading the 'latest and greatest' info on that topic, or am I reading notes that are 12 months out of date???

4. The timeliness of the updates was often suspect. Last December we were preparing for our first stay at Saratoga Springs resort. The resort opened in May '04, however, as of January '05, the SSR information pages on TGM read "This is only a test..." It seems Mike couldn't find time in the first 8-9 months that the resort was open to actually populate his site with dining, recreation and other information about the resort.

I actually traded messages with Mike about this issue a couple of weeks before my trip. He was cordial and apologetic, but openly admitted that the site probably wouldn't be updated before my trip because he was just too busy giving tours and trying to update the MVMCP and other Christmas related pages on the web.

Hard to argue with him devoting his time to the information of value to the largest group of visitors. But the neglect in this area was just...disappointing. One turns to the web because of the immediacy in getting sought-after information. Yet, I bet the Passporter and Unofficial Guide that went to press after SSR's opening had a lot more info than TGM.

In all honesty, I did get some useful tid-bits from TGM. But I just didn't feel it worth the legwork. I got the most use out of the "best parks" page, but my application for that info was to compare to the data available for free on www.touringplans.com, and to develop my own strategy. In the end, even that advice is largely common sense that you read here daily (avoid EMH parks if you won't be there early, and so forth.)

 

[Pedler]

Another satisified TGM subscriber here.

I posted this before but I will put it here again. I really think you can decided if you would like a TGM style Disney World Resort Experience by checking out the trip reports at TGM. There is no risk to subscribe as you can easily get a full refund if you are not satisfied. That way you can decide if a TGM style trip is what you want to have. If that isn't what you had in mind then just ask for a refund.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

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.

Where did I say don't bother planning? I said obtain maps of the parks and learn where things are and learn about FP and learn that if you see a long line, and wait a while it will almost certainly be shorter? Tell me where I said don't plan.

The fact of the matter is, you CAN'T see all of WDW in one week, or even two. There is just too much to see and do there to do it all so if some of these families are never going to have a chance to go back, then they should decide what they WANT to do and do it. But they should not expect to see and do it all, that would be one miserable time, following a strict plan and trying to squeeze in everything. If people can't ever go back, sorry if I sound cold but that's their own choice. WDW is expensive but not so expensive that the average family can't afford to visit once every so often so if they aren't ever going back, well, I don't know what to tell them. Have a fantastic time running around, and not stopping to smell the flowers...

What I am saying is don't waste your money on a travel site when you can get basically the same info for free here, or on other free sites. I've followed the "me" plan for years and can't even recall the last time I waited in a line for longer than 15 minutes.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

That's great for you. That's your style. Many people have a different styles and we should RESPECT those different styles not laugh at them.

And let me add it is like going to a different country where I don't know my way around. Disney is huge and I don't go there several times a year to have the layout memorized. Disney also does almost have it's own language. How many people in the general population know what a fastpass refers to? How about an ADR? What is a Fantasmic dining package? I see people on this board every day feeling overwhelmed by all that Disney has to offer.

And again, you can learn what all of those things are on numerous free sites about Disney.

Yikes I better get out of this thread before I get myself banned.

 

[tjkraz]

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.

I thought this thread was about TGM...

To the people you describe above, I'd personally recommend a Passporter. It's not my favorite, but it's the best middle-of-the-road tour book between something like the Unofficial Guide and TGM (which have too much info for the occasional or first-time guest) and Birnbaum's (which is all fluff and little substance.)

IMO, the most important aspect for a first-time guest is to have a source of info at their fingertips while AT WDW. And that eliminates TGM right off the top. It's impossible to grasp the full scope of WDW if you've never been there, or haven't been there in 10+ years. People in this group can read all they want on the Internet before they leave, but 95% of it will be lost when they hit Main Street.

Take an actual book and you'll have something to read in the airport, on the plane, and while lying in your hotel room trying to plan the next day at the parks.

 

[Pedler]

One other thought to people considering TGM and looking at the reviews here on the DIS. And please, no flames, I mean this is the nicest way.

One thing about the DIS is that you have a wide range, and I mean wide range, of people with a variety of Disney experience and vacation expectations. IMHO there is no one absolute right way to experience Disney World. If something works for someone and they are happy with it then that is what they should do.

So... when you read the review also take a look at the number of times someone has been there and check out other postings and try to get a feel for how they do Disney and if that is similar to the way you want to do it. That will give you a good idea of what reviewers best match your criteria. I don't mean to detract from anyone but the view of someone like myself that is only planning on taking the kids to Disney twice, now when they are 6 & 8 and then again when they are teenagers, really isn't the best reference point for someone that goes multiple times a year.

On the other hand someone that goes multiple times a year may not be after the same type of vacation experience as someone like myself. (Of course I am not sure there is anyone that wants that type of experience. )

Just my .02 but I think this applies to just about any conversation here at DIS. Take a look at the source and get a feel for who matches up the type of experience that you would like to have.

 

[NCombs]

And again, you can learn what all of those things are on numerous free sites about Disney.

Yikes I better get out of this thread before I get myself banned.

So, why does it bother you if other people are willing to pay for a guide book whether printed or online? To each his own.

 

[NCombs]

The fact of the matter is, you CAN'T see all of WDW in one week, or even two. There is just too much to see and do there to do it all so if some of these families are never going to have a chance to go back, then they should decide what they WANT to do and do it. But they should not expect to see and do it all, that would be one miserable time, following a strict plan and trying to squeeze in everything. If people can't ever go back, sorry if I sound cold but that's their own choice. WDW is expensive but not so expensive that the average family can't afford to visit once every so often so if they aren't ever going back, well, I don't know what to tell them. Have a fantastic time running around, and not stopping to smell the flowers...

What makes you think TGM or any other guide book advocates trying to see and do it all? In fact, I think they all say the opposite.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

So, why does it bother you if other people are willing to pay for a guide book whether printed or online? To each his own.

I guess I just don't like to see people get ripped off. Isn't that why we review things here? If I feel like something is a rip off, I'm going to say so.

So... when you read the review also take a look at the number of times someone has been there and check out other postings and try to get a feel for how they do Disney and if that is similar to the way you want to do it.

Pedler, that is some of the wisest advice I think I have ever seen.

 

[Pedler]

I thought this thread was about TGM...
IMO, the most important aspect for a first-time guest is to have a source of info at their fingertips while AT WDW. And that eliminates TGM right off the top. It's impossible to grasp the full scope of WDW if you've never been there, or haven't been there in 10+ years. People in this group can read all they want on the Internet before they leave, but 95% of it will be lost when they hit Main Street.

Just as a FYI there are several consolidated printouts and such that TGM'ers can take with them. That is what we are doing. I have the UG and Birnbaums and we will only be bringing the TGM stuff with us to the parks. Just about 3 printed sheets will be all we need per park.

For TGM'er that don't know about this stuff go the forums and check out the "Stephens cool stuff" link on the TGM site. Check out Stephens stuff and the consolidated park info that Jen created, also on that page, its everything you need to take with you in the park if you know the TGM methodology.

No flames please just letting other people know what is available at TGM.

 

[Pedler]

I guess I just don't like to see people get ripped off. Isn't that why we review things here? If I feel like something is a rip off, I'm going to say so.



Pedler, that is some of the wisest advice I think I have ever seen.

EsmeraldaX,

That is about the only way I think you can deal with the variety of "strong" and divergent opinions here on the DIS. Outside of Disney World is in Florida I don't think there is a topic here on the DIS that I couldn't find exact opposite views on. I am not sure that everyone would even agree on the Disney World is in Florida part.

 

[NCombs]

I guess I just don't like to see people get ripped off. Isn't that why we review things here? If I feel like something is a rip off, I'm going to say so.

:

Great. Thanks for the concern. I have learned quite a lot from the UG and TGM and I am completely happy with my purchases. I know for sure I didn't get ripped off.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

EsmeraldaX,

That is about the only way I think you can deal with the variety of "strong" and divergent opinions here on the DIS. Outside of Disney World is in Florida I don't think there is a topic here on the DIS that I couldn't find exact opposite views on. I am not sure that everyone would even agree on the Disney World is in Florida part.

I'm sure if you get someone heated up enough about it, someone might argue that Disney World is not in Florida, but is, instead, in it's own private country. I'm sure there is someone, somewhere who will argue that, esp. if you bring up pool hopping or old refillable mugs. Someone is bound to.

 

[Pedler]

Where did I say don't bother planning? I said obtain maps of the parks and learn where things are and learn about FP and learn that if you see a long line, and wait a while it will almost certainly be shorter? Tell me where I said don't plan.

The fact of the matter is, you CAN'T see all of WDW in one week, or even two. There is just too much to see and do there to do it all so if some of these families are never going to have a chance to go back, then they should decide what they WANT to do and do it. But they should not expect to see and do it all, that would be one miserable time, following a strict plan and trying to squeeze in everything. If people can't ever go back, sorry if I sound cold but that's their own choice. WDW is expensive but not so expensive that the average family can't afford to visit once every so often so if they aren't ever going back, well, I don't know what to tell them. Have a fantastic time running around, and not stopping to smell the flowers...

EsmeraldaX,

I think that is why we went with TGM. We are going for 7 nights with 6 and a half days in the parks. We knew we couldn't do it all but where to look for consolodated advice based on the experience of thousands of days in the parks with a variety of families? As I mentioned in a previous post the DIS can be a bit confusing with the strong opinions on topics. Just on this thread you have 2 DIS sponsers with thousand of posts each that have different views on TGM. For us we decided that we wanted the same type of vacation experience as we read about in the TGM trip reports forum. I also appreciated that based on Mikes Tour Guide Experience that when he posted a view of an attraction and how kids would react it was based on his personal experience with hundreds of families with kids that he has escorted through the parks. For us we were looking for that experience to help us "weed out" the things we were not going to do enhancing our overall vacation experience.

As I have said TGM is not for everyone but there are definitely people that TGM is good for. I know becuase we are one such family.

 

[MNmom]

We are also using TGM for our trip in ONE WEEK!!!!!! However, I did find it a little confusing at first. The site is set up very frustrating. But I did devote more time and started to really read the articles. Bottom line is that TGM is all about saving time by not waiting in lines and enjoying your resort experience as well as the parks. IF you are interested in not waiting in long lines for attractions AND have some time to dive into all of the information then it is a great site. If you are not ready or interested in devoting time to this site then it is not for you. If you are not interested in the reasons WHY you can avoid the lines then it is also not for you.

We have just flip-flopped two of our park days and our itinerary is set for next week. I am totally convinced that TGM has helped my family have a great time at the parks and we are really excited for our family-time at the resorts too!!!!!! POLY GVC here we come

 

[vatmark]

Why is paying for TGM any different then going and purchasing a book on Disney?

If I was going to Disney 4 times per year I wouldn't worry about getting as much info. as possible. If I missed something I could just see it in a few months. Some of us are not fortunate enough to go to Disney 4 times a year.

I want to get as much info as possible to make the most out of my visit and TGM will allow me to do this.

I purchased the passporter book and basically the only thing it is good for are the maps. It really lacks a lot of content in my opinion but it was a worthwhile purchase for the maps.

I don't need to bring a book with me when I go to the parks. I have made up a sheet of everything I need for each park from copying and pasting stuff from TGM's site. I have itinerary plans to follow with advice on where to sit for best views etc. It will all be on one thing that is right at hand...no fumbling through pages in a book.

Obviously EsmereldaX has never subscribed to TGM. TGM does not advocate seeing it all. He says to see the best of the best. Your are not on a strict plan where you just run around. His info. helps you to come up with a plan that allows you to see the best of the best, with the shortest lines and have a relaxing vacation.

EsmereldaX how can you possibly say that TGM is ripping people off if you have never used his site? You say you don't like to see people ripped off...well I don't like to see people putting something down when they have no experience with it whats so ever. If you have tried his site before and didn't find it helpful then by all means you have every right to state that.

Annie

 

[C.Ann]

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.


Oh, and don't listen to bad advice.

----------------------------

I'm not telling anyone not to buy it.. What I said was that I consider it a waste of money (for me) and I didn't/don't need it.. Obviously "one" of the times I went had to be my "first" time, but I didn't need it then and I don't need it now..

If other people need it, that's fine.. I don't..