Tour Guide Mike questions

[wilma-bride]

OK, I tried the search function but couldn't find the answers.

I know there are a few UK DISers who subscribe and I also know you can't give too much away but wondered if you could possibly answer the following:

1. How does the subscription work? I nearly joined yesterday but then saw it said you will have access to your AVP for up to 6 weeks after your trip. Does that mean you can only access his info/site for a certain period of time?

2. Is there a lot of information that differs greatly from the info that can be found here and on other planning sites - passporter, touring plans etc and in the books?

3. Do you use TGM's info in conjunction with other info or is it adequate on its own?

Depending on the responses I get, I may have more questions...

 

[fizz13]

1. How does the subscription work?

2. Is there a lot of information that differs greatly from the info that can be found here and on other planning sites - passporter, touring plans etc and in the books?

3. Do you use TGM's info in conjunction with other info or is it adequate on its own?

Depending on the responses I get, I may have more questions...

Hi Joh,
i have been using TGM since 2005 and absolutely love it!

1)You pay your $18 or whatever and your subscription will last till 6 weeks after your holiday. To use it beyond that you will need to re-subscribe but at a discounted rate, your profile and name on the forums will remain the same, so my profile states that I joined in 2005, not from when I renewed. Of course if you move your holiday dates then it will be 6 weeks after the new dates.

2) I think there is a lot of very cool info I hadn't seen elsewhere. the big draw is the least crowded charts pages, which will tell you exactly which park is best to go to on each day. Where this differs from Unofficial Guide is that Mike will update this all the way along, so if EMh changes he will adjust these charts accordingly. everything is bang up to date which can't be acheived by any other guide book. His touring plans are fabulous, I hardly ever wait for anything, his hints and tips for viewing spots for parades and shows are excellent, i think you will be pleased with the extras you find.

3) Even though TGM could be used on its own, i do like (obviously) to use it in conjunction with the DIS, passporter etc. because I need to know everything about everything about WDW, and the DIS has a way of reporting things faster than anybody else, eg. AP rate rooms the second they are released. Its not that Mike won't get you that info, it just might take till the next day to put it on your month's clipboard.

Ok I've babbled enough, will be interesting to see what other people say

 

[UKDEB]

I'm a long-time subscriber too and it now only costs $9.95 each time I renew. When I've got two holidays booked (as I have now), I make sure it's the later of the two dates I include. You have access to all the information on the site, regardless of your dates. I assume you know you can receive a $3 discount by clicking on the link at the top of the Theme Park forum.

I agree with everything Claire says. I've had a dig around for comments I've made about TGM in the past:

TGM's tips are based on his experience from his day job - escorting guests around WDW. He's in the parks virtually every day and constantly revises his tips based on what he sees. The bulk of the site is effectively an online guidebook which you organise to suit your own needs. Each and every time Disney makes an announcement of any kind, you will be notiified via your AVP (Automated Vacation Planner). That could be anything from park hours to new attractions to hotel discounts. Likewise, you will receive a notification each time Mike updates any of the articles on the site. There are also lively Discussion Forums.

I've been subscribing for several years and will continue to do so for the "Least Crowded Parks" information alone. This is much more detailed than anything else out there. For each day of the year (split between mornings and evenings), TGM will analyse the likely crowd levels at each park and provide his reasoning. If Disney changes something which is likely to impact that advice, he updates it. He also provides touring strategies - not so important for us because we no longer feel the need to experience all the attractions, but sound advice if that is your priority. I've certainly picked up one or two nuggets of information.

Other useful stuff includes where to stand for the parades and fireworks, the best showings to attend and on which days, information about checking in (and out) of hotels and detailed articles on all attractions, resorts, restaurants, transportation, activities, etc. I particularly like the fact that Mike always explains the reasoning behind everything.

I'm a long-time TGM subscriber, but then I'm a planning sponge and buy every guide book, too. For that reason, it's difficult for me to answer the question as posed. It's worth it for me, that's the best I can say. I take from it what I want and ignore the rest.

What you need to understand is that Mike is a past Disney Tour Guide Cast Member and, for several years now, has been running his own tour guide business. He is in the parks every day with his guests and still has many insider contacts. I can't begin to imagine who could possibly have a better idea of crowd patterns.

His 'Least Crowded Parks' articles alone are worth the subscription cost, IMHO, particularly if you are visiting at a busy time. They go much further than the normal guide book observations of, for example, avoiding EMH days. They are day by day (for every day of the year) observations of the likely crowds based on his experience. In case you missed the significance the first time, it bears repeating - he is in the parks every day.

There are also some great strategies for the parades and shows, including where to get the best view.

The downsides? There is so much information on his site that it can seem overwhelming. I'm convinced many subscribers probably never find the will to wade through it. Just accept that you don't have to comprehend it all in one go. This isn't a personalised planner as such. It's a huge collection of articles from which you devise your own plan. There is also, now, a discussion forum - a small community - which definitely adds something.

Much of his crowd-busting plans revolve around getting to the parks early and taking mid-afternoon breaks. That isn't going to suit everyone. Bear in mind, too, that his touring plans are written for an American audience and Americans tend to vist for much shorter periods than we do, so his plans really pack in the headliner shows and attractions. This is a very simplified explanation of what he offers, though, and I'm certainly not suggesting that this is all there is to it. I've always maintained that there really is some unique information available to TGM subscribers.

What you can be sure of is that the information is accurate and up to date. Mike will comment on rumour, but he never incorporates anything into his planning articles until he has received confirmation from a reliable source. His contacts mean he is often ahead of the game on both the rumour front and the official line.

As an alternative, you might want to consider the Personalised Itinerary Planning Service offered by Simon and Susan Veness (at a discount to owners of a current 'Brit's Guide'). They also spend a good deal of time in Orlando and the parks so their observations are reliable. Theirs is a plan tailored specifically for your party and dates and, as such, is much more structured (good for some, not necessarily so for others, I guess). They take into account your preferences (you say you know what attractions you want to experience, for example) and the plan is, unsurprisingly, much more suited to the British visitor who tends to be in Orlando for two weeks and who wants to experience much more than just WDW. My one criticism (and it's a big one) is that you won't receive your PIP until around a week before your trip. This does, of course, guarantee that you have up to date information - crowds, weather, show times, etc. My preference would be to receive a draft plan when ordering and then a revised plan, taking into account all the current information, shortly prior to the trip.

I have picked up many tidbits from TGM which have warranted the subscription cost for me. For a visit during a particularly busy time, I don't think you'd regret the outlay.

I've been a subscriber for a few years now. It can quite overwhelming to start with, but there is some extremely valuable information and, once you get used to finding your way around, I agree with Frances that it's well laid out. For me, the 'Least Crowded Parks' articles alone are worth the subscription cost - Mike (TGM to his friends ) charts the information for every day of the year AND details the thinking behind the recommendations.

There are also some great tips on where to stand for the parades - more detailed than you'll find in any guide book. TGM was a Disney Cast Member in a former life and he now organises VIP Tours. He's in the parks every day and he still has many insider contacts, so his information is always bang up to date.

When I joined, there were no forums, but a well-established little community has grown up now.

This was in response to a bad review on another site:

I just read this review and I could pick it apart line by line, but I don't have the energy! However, I will pick up on a couple of of points:

The reviewer reckons that Mike's credentials are suspect because he was 'only a CM for 5 years'. That's completely missing the point. For years, he has run his independent VIP Tours business and he visits the parks every day with his guests and he goes to great lengths to test out his theories. When Disney changes something (such as when they moved from Early Entry to Extra Magic Hours), he updates his articles (in this case spending a great deal of time working on his 'Least Crowded Parks' information, based on his vast experience). However, he doesn't stop there. He continually tests and re-tests his own thinking (whilst he's in the parks with his VIP guests) and tweaks the advice - always providing explanations, not simply amending the plans. I think that's pretty dedicated given that the 'Automated Vacation Planner' is just a sideline for him. I have been buying the Unofficial Guide for almost 15 years and, much as I like it, they don't offer a service anywhere approaching this level of detail. And he has many insider friends and contacts who keep him up to date. He is extremely tenacious in substantiating rumours. Only when he is sure that his source is spot-on will he update his articles, although he will enter into discussion on the forums keeping subscribers informed of progress.

The reviewer's claim that he 'took the AVP' to the Guest Services booths at the parks and asked CMs for their opinions is ludicrous. The AVP is an online resource consisting of literally thousands of tools and articles. Whatever he presented can have been only a tiny part of what you pay for.

His assessment of the 'Least Crowded Park' days articles is way off. However, as a TGM subscriber, I have contracted not to share proprietary information so, even if I could be bothered to comment, I would be prohibited from doing so. As, of course, is the reviewer.

As I mentioned in my previous post, TGM's site is overwhelming at first. However, I'm not sure what suggestions I could make for improvement - there is just so much information that it takes a long time to become familiar with it and to find your way around easily. There are so many links within links, that you can feel that you've 'lost your place' and it can be quite discombobulating, but I don't even think about it anymore - I have a 'map' in my mind.

I think the subscription structure is flawed. For example, a new subscriber today whose vacation was next month would pay $21.95. Access to the subscriber areas of the site would be available until 60 days after the end of the vacation. If your vacation was not until October 2007, you would still gain access right up until 60 days following that vacation. So, the second subscriber would receive access for a year longer than the first, for the same outlay. You do receive a discount, however, for subsequent sign-ups. I think my current subsription cost $9.95. If you have 2 or 3 vacations planned, my advice would be to sign up for the one which is furthest away. Even if they are only tentative thoughts at the moment, it's still worth doing that - you'll still get access to all the information and your dates can be amended at any time.

Anyone considering signing up should understand what TGM is not. You won't get a neatly presented personalised itinerary. You'll get access to an online resource. Much of it is information which is available in guide books and on the internet - an online guidebook. However there are tips here which you won't find anywhere else. The information is constantly updated and touring advice is provided for each month of the year, taking into account all the special events. If, for example, you plan to visit in October, you will be able to access 'Least Crowded Parks' articles written for every day of October, taking into account EMH days, MNSSHP and the IF&WF. If Disney changes anything - park hours, for example - Mike will update the article. The first thing I log into each day is 'My Latest AVP Updates' where Mike details any changes. You can access the information for any change, not just those which affect the month for which you have signed up.

If you're looking for a Personalised Planner, I recommend Simon and Susan Veness's. My only criticism of this is that you only receive it around a week before your trip. Whilst I understand the need to make sure it is up to date with the latest park hours, attractions and weather forecasts, I'd like to receive a Planner upon payment, followed by a tweaked plan a week before my trip. I think most people will want to have an idea of how their holiday will look well in advance, not least in order to make dining and other reservations.

By the way, TGM now sponsors the Theme Parks board here on the DIS. Click here to receive a $3 discount.

 

[wilma-bride]

Thanks Deb - interesting what you say about putting the later of your 2 dates in. I was under the impression that you could only access information pertaining to the month you were going so, for example, if you are going August and January, can you still access the info to allow you to plan for August as well as January

I am teetering on the edge

 

[UKDEB]

Yes, Joh - you can access all the articles. The only area of the site restricted to your dates is the monthly "Vacation Clubs" in the discussion forums. There is a separate forum for each month of the year. They're just forums for people visiting the World at the same time to get to know one another and discuss date related topics (such as MNSSHP). If your trip spanned more than one month (say end of August, beginning of September) you would be eligible to join both. I am a member of both the August and January forums.

What I suggest you do is put in your August dates when you first subscribe and then, once you're all set up as a member of the August Vacation Club, go into your planner and amend your dates.

 

[wicket2005]

Just as a matter of interest I wonder how many subscribers he has because I imagine everybody following the same plan and a whole crowd of people going on the same 'tour'.

I think the main point is to get to the parks early on the quietest days. I use the Brit's update page on the website plus ***************** quietest Disney days and combine the two, avoiding EMH days. I have never had a problem doing this.

What the main point subscribers make is the best days to visit is one of the best tips from the site. I would be very surprised if the site would have anything it could add to how I plan. Though I am a bit curious because both Deb and Claire are seasoned visitors to Orlando and if you both feel it has something to offer me I am tempted too.

 

[wickesy]

Just as a matter of interest I wonder how many subscribers he has because I imagine everybody following the same plan and a whole crowd of people going on the same 'tour'.

I don't think that would be a problem at all. What most of his subscribers do and what I did is adapt his touring plans to suit their own requirements by taking out attractions and putting different ones in.

The philosophy of his touring plans is to tell you WHY he has put things in a certain order so you can make your own decisions rather than say "Go here then go there".

I re-subscribed for next year just to get the Least Crowded Parks info when the park hours are published in October.

 

[KayleeUK]

We subscribed last year and found it OK. I am not sure if I would again, I wasn't overly impressed.

But I suggest you give it a go

 

[Minniespal]

I subscribed for the first time about 2 weeks ago. Can't say that I'm overly impressed with it so far. I think I am spoiled by the wealth of information there is on the Dis.

 

[TraceyL]

I'm with KayleeUK & Minniespal.

I'm not sure it was worth the $$ for the small amount of 'new' information on there. It was mostly stuff I'd read on here - including the way TGM works out his busiest days chart (though is it handy to have is all sussed out for you )

 

[Cyrano]

On Theme Park Strategies here there is a discount link as board sponsor at the top of the page

 

[DisneyJo]

I joined and TGM really delayed posting the best days chart for August so I decided to guess so I could plan ADR's and I got them nearly all right! There is a ton of info and it can seem quite daunting but lots is interesting although alot of it can be found here too. It only costs about £9 so it's not much and if the best days are right it's worth it just for that!

 

[Camac]

I subscribed to TGM before my Christmas 2007 trip and felt that the $10 or so was worth it for the one specific tip he gave in respect of booking Illumination Cruises.

I was daunted by the amount of info available and would have preferred it in point form rather than having to trawl through prose.

TGM site is able to email you to let you know when the ADR booking window is about to open for particular events/restaurants/shows that you have indicated you are interested in which is quite a useful reminder if your holiday is a long way off.

Compared to the total cost of your holiday $10 is a very small price pay to equip yourself with the opportunity to enhance your holiday experience.

Camac

 

[UKDEB]

Just as a matter of interest I wonder how many subscribers he has because I imagine everybody following the same plan and a whole crowd of people going on the same 'tour'.

A minute percentage of those at WDW at any one time will be TGM subscribers. I do understand that not everyone would be as impressed as I am with it. It took me a long time to find my way around - the information does seem totally overwhelming at first. As I've said, it's basically an online guidebook, but there is some information there which isn't in the public domain. I don't follow the touring plans, or even TGM's basic park touring strategy, and I still think it's worth the money. Having said that, I buy every guidebook out there, too, so it's just an extension of that.

We zig whilst they zag!/

 

[UKDEB]

It was mostly stuff I'd read on here - including the way TGM works out his busiest days chart

I'm surprised you say that, Tracey because that's the one thing I find to be unique and I'd be the first to say if I didn't believe that to be the case. I can't remember a time when I didn't advocate avoiding EMH days, but there's so much more to TGM's thinking than that. And he doesn't go along with the usual planning strategy of visiting a park the day after its EMH day. He goes to great lengths to protect this information in particular, to the extent that the "Least Crowded Parks" articles are amongst just a handful which prominently disply the warning about not sharing the information with others.

 

[wicket2005]

A minute percentage of those at WDW at any one time will be TGM subscribers. We zig whilst they zag!/

I know I was really just smiling at the thought when I originally thought of everyone trundling off on the same tour. It is just the same with the quietest day or early morning starts.

 

[Chilly]

I was going to join a couple of months ago but then didn't and now i'm wondering if I should again.

What exactly do you get? Do you get a personalised plan of which park to go to each day? What if you've already booked your ADRs? Do they include Universal etc?

 

[mikki.young]

I have signed up to TGM for the first time for this next trip. Once you get past the shock of the huge amount of information you start finding little nuggets. For example he has some great hints about how to get through to dining reservations quicker. Like others I like the look of his best days charts and the fact he explains his logic as to why.

I think it is worth doing, especially if you have a few months before your trip so have time to make the most of it.

 

[TraceyL]

I'm surprised you say that, Tracey because that's the one thing I find to be unique and I'd be the first to say if I didn't believe that to be the case. I can't remember a time when I didn't advocate avoiding EMH days, but there's so much more to TGM's thinking than that. And he doesn't go along with the usual planning strategy of visiting a park the day after its EMH day. He goes to great lengths to protect this information in particular, to the extent that the "Least Crowded Parks" articles are amongst just a handful which prominently disply the warning about not sharing the information with others.

It's all common sense. I'd already done most of my planning before I took the plunge and I didn't make any alterations after I'd spent my £10, so as far as I'm concerned I didn't get my money's worth as he didn't tell me anything I didn't 'know' already. I can see that if you don't have the time to spend planning then some people may find it useful.
Not sure what the last sentence is supposed to mean though - I didn't imply that anybody had copied his projections on here or any other site - it's just commom 'Disney' sense imo

 

[mikki.young]

It's all common sense. I'd already done most of my planning before I took the plunge and I didn't make any alterations after I'd spent my £10, so as far as I'm concerned I didn't get my money's worth as he didn't tell me anything I didn't 'know' already. I can see that if you don't have the time to spend planning then some people may find it useful.
Not sure what the last sentence is supposed to mean though - I didn't imply that anybody had copied his projections on here or any other site - it's just commom 'Disney' sense imo

Some of it is common sense but by no means all of it. It's a very useful planning tool if you have time. If you buy late and have done a lot of planning beforehand it may have limited benefit. I suspect Deb likes planning even more than I do and I like what TGM has to offer. A lot of hidden nuggets as well as some very logical advice.