Tour Guide Mike or UG???

[tinkermell]

I was wondering if any of you have tried both of these guides and if you liked one or the other better. I have already bought the UG book. Also was wondering if the guide you buy over the net from UG is packed with alot more info than the book and geared specifically for the days you will be there. We will be there from the 19th-25th of December and know that crowd levels for those days will be getting high. I guess I'm just trying to figure out which one I would like working with, as I know it can take time. I am a DL vet and have used RideMax which is fantastic. Wish it was available for WDW!!!! If any of you ever go to DL be sure and check that one out!!! Thanks so much and I hope it is OK to ask this question on the forum.

 

[madgomez]

I was in WDW last Dec 19 to 22, and TGM worked for me. We didn't wait in any lines, saw everything we wanted, it was great (except for the unexpected very cold temps ). Keep in mind, TGM is not like Ridemax. You create your own touring plan following his guidelines, best days advice, suggested sample tours, etc. It's more work, but it teaches you how to put your tour together so if you hit a road block, like a broken-down ride, you can adjust on the fly. His philosophy is for very relaxed touring - no commando style here.
Alot of folks like to use his servce and UG combined - nothing wrong with that, especially if you enjoy the UG humor like I do.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I personally prefer TGM. Mainly because it's in an on-line forum and has the most update information. UG is very good too, but because they publish way before December it just isn't possible for them to include up to the minute info
like TGM.

TGM's website does take some getting used to though, but once you get the hang of navigating it, there is alot of great tips and information, especially if you are going during a peak or holiday time.

Nothing wrong with using both though!
I use TGM, Passporter and UG sometimes.

 

[byoung]

UG

 

[tinkermell]

So the UG doesn't give guides for particular days? And with TGM, do you tell him what rides and things you want to do, and then he gives you the times to go??? Or do they just tell you go before such and such a time and so on?? Thanks!

 

[jennymouse]

I kinda like a combination of both.

 

[BlakeNJ]

TGM gives you up-to-the minute changes--even alerts you on a discount code that can save you $$$!! TGM saved me $300 over Thanksgiving week by alerting me with a hotel discount code I otherwise would have missed out on. You can't get that from UG!

 

[Mainebound]

TGM gives you up-to-the minute changes--even alerts you on a discount code that can save you $$$!! TGM saved me $300 over Thanksgiving week by alerting me with a hotel discount code I otherwise would have missed out on. You can't get that from UG!

Actually, you can also find constant updates at the UG website, touringplans.com for free.

As for hotel codes, obviously you know where to find those: on the DIS board dedicated to codes and rates, or at mousesavers.com.

I have used TGM twice (2004 and 2005) and the UG three times (2003, 2004, 2005).

I vastly prefer the UG. More comprehensive, better touring plans and advice for our family, handier when travelling, more accurate, and a much better sense of humor.

PS. and now I am unsubscribing from this thread!!!

 

[tinkermell]

Actually, you can also find constant updates at the UG website, touringplans.com for free.

As for hotel codes, obviously you know where to find those: on the DIS board dedicated to codes and rates, or at mousesavers.com.

I have used TGM twice (2004 and 2005) and the UG three times (2003, 2004, 2005).

I vastly prefer the UG. More comprehensive, better touring plans and advice for our family, handier when travelling, more accurate, and a much better sense of humor.

PS. and now I am unsubscribing from this thread!!!

Are you refering to the UG that you buy over the internet or just the plans from the book??? Thanks!

 

[Allison]

Neither one will give you a customized touring plan based on what you want to experience.

The UG online touring plans are an expansion of what you find in their guide. For example, a touring plan at Magic Kingdom for girls ages 4-8. There are over 50 of these kinds of plans.

Check out each site and see what you think.

 

[Mainebound]

Are you refering to the UG that you buy over the internet or just the plans from the book??? Thanks!

We used the plans from the UG book. We are two adults in our 30s, two pre-school aged boys, and one grandma (age 68). We used the two day MK plan, and the MGM plan, the AK plan, and the Epcot plan.

Also, FWIW, the TGM suggested touring plans for each park do not differ much at all from the UG touring plans for each park. So it's not like a ton is riding on your decision. I just think you get more for your money with the book.

 

[tinkermell]

We used the plans from the UG book. We are two adults in our 30s, two pre-school aged boys, and one grandma (age 68). We used the two day MK plan, and the MGM plan, the AK plan, and the Epcot plan.

Also, FWIW, the TGM suggested touring plans for each park do not differ much at all from the UG touring plans for each park. So it's not like a ton is riding on your decision. I just think you get more for your money with the book.

Thanks for subscribing to this thread again!!

 

[madgomez]

Tinkermell, I would agree with Allison that your best bet is to check out each resource and decide which you like better, or if you might want to get both. I respectfully disagree with Mainebound that you get more for your money with the UG book than the TGM website. TGM is constantly being updated in ways a book can't. I don't find the touring plans quite as much alike as Mainebound, but I do find the philosophies quite a bit different. Only you can tell which suits you and your group. As for sense of humor, that is the biggest reason why I read the UG. However, some find the humor too snarky or, what's that word I always hear, irreverent. TGM's writing style is more in line with the magic of Disney - thus some find it too sweet and cutsie.

My first choice is for TGM. But I will buy a new UG when I go again in 2006, especially since I am quoted in the UG.

You can always return the book, and TGM honors his money back guarantee, so try them on for size. JMHO YMMV

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

We used tourguidemike last week. The crowds were large by all reports I've read, due to Jersey Week. The ONLY wait we had was at AK on the safari, about ten minutes in the FP line. We walked on to every ride in MK, rode Splash, Space and BTMRR multiple times per day. I don't plan on going to WDW again without using TGM.