Tour Guide Mike questions...

[tallpkb]

We are planning our first trip to WDW since we had kids (DH and I went only one time previously in '97). I have the Unofficial Guide (which I love!) and have spent HOURS on DisBoards. My question is, why would I also need TGM? I feel like by us using the Unofficial Guide's touring plans (which I kind of customized for our needs) we might be okay, but I want Dis'ers opinions. We don't want to feel totally tied to a piece of paper, (after all, we have 2 DDs, 8 & 10). We also have all our restaurants and ADRs made.

So, can you guys give me some input? Thanks!

 

[tjevans]

There are many posts on this topic. Please do a search and see what you can find. I don't mean to be rude, it's just people's opinions on this debate are sometimes fierce, and I'd like to avoid a mean-spirited debate.

 

[tallpkb]

There are many posts on this topic. Please do a search and see what you can find. I don't mean to be rude, it's just people's opinions on this debate are sometimes fierce, and I'd like to avoid a mean-spirited debate.

I've looked at a lot of the posts, but didn't see any that spoke of the necessity of using BOTH TGM and the Unofficial Guide's touring plans.

 

[Disneydreamer315]

I think if you love the UG, and the plans work perfectly for you, then don't bother with TGM. They really have opposing philosphies (JMHO) and most likely if you got TGM you would feel the need to change a lot of your best park days and ADR's. If you intend to keep the UG plan, it just would not make sense.

It's like buying a dress two sizes too small -- you dont intend to wear it, just hang it in the closet.. ..For one day when you like lose those extra pounds. (NOT that I have EVER done that!) Whats the point?

Would you learn stuff you never knew? I couldn't tell ya, because I dont know what you know? But, I think there is a lot of information in TGM that is not on these boards. But, you need to spend time on the site and read it. If you don't, well, it won't fall into your lap. (Unless of course, you ask for help on his forums- )

One of the differences of TGM is he does help you learn why you are doing what you are doing. That way, if something comes up,, you can easily change your plans on the fly. Its not just a peice of paper with a list of attractions -- think of it as 'Disney U'. A complete educational experience. If you are a vet of numerous years, some say they don't learn much. Other vets say they learn tons. I guess it is all what you know originally that is the factor.

HTH -- and I would read a lot of the TGM threads that come up with the search -- you can learn lots about the pros and cons.

Good Luck

 

[kangaroodle]

Hi! It's about 7 weks until my WDW vacation.......Is that enough time to use Tour Guide Mike's site? I always think I "know"so much about WDW but it's probably a drop in the bucket compared to what I've read about him. Do you think it's worth it for a trip in October? Thanks for any input! Kathy

 

[tjevans]

Sorry, I mis-read your post, and thought you were looking for comparisons of the two. First, TGM doesn't have touring plans. He provides you with the information for you to make your own.

I personally prefer the UG, but that's just my two cents. (I've subscribed to TGM, but have not used his "sample" plans"). I think if you have an understanding of fastpass and typical crowd patterns, you will be able to modify the UG's plans and not be "tied to a piece of paper."

 

[tjevans]

I think if you love the UG, and the plans work perfectly for you, then don't bother with TGM. They really have opposing philosphies (JMHO)

I don't see why people keep saying this. Both advocate doing your research before a WDW vacation. Both advocate understanding crowd patterns to avoid them. Both advocate the well-informed use of the fastpass. Both advocate taking a break during the day and possibly a day off from the parks. I think they even advocate the same days as the best days to see a particular park.

Myself, I've used the UG's touring plans and I've never been a "touring plan nazi." If we've stumbled across something that looked interesting to us, we'd deviate from the plan. I think the problem with the UG is most people feel like they have to bo from one step to another immediately, when, I've found, a walk at an easy pace will usually do.

 

[tjevans]

One of the differences of TGM is he does help you learn why you are doing what you are doing. That way, if something comes up,, you can easily change your plans on the fly. Its not just a peice of paper with a list of attractions -- think of it as 'Disney U'. A complete educational experience.

If you read more of the UG than just the touring plan, I think you can come away with this knowledge as well.

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

I don't see why people keep saying this. Both advocate doing your research before a WDW vacation. Both advocate understanding crowd patterns to avoid them. Both advocate the well-informed use of the fastpass. Both advocate taking a break during the day and possibly a day off from the parks. I think they even advocate the same days as the best days to see a particular park.

Myself, I've used the UG's touring plans and I've never been a "touring plan nazi." If we've stumbled across something that looked interesting to us, we'd deviate from the plan. I think the problem with the UG is most people feel like they have to bo from one step to another immediately, when, I've found, a walk at an easy pace will usually do.

Very well put. I think you just answered your own question.......

 

[edingerc]

Hi! It's about 7 weks until my WDW vacation.......Is that enough time to use Tour Guide Mike's site? I always think I "know"so much about WDW but it's probably a drop in the bucket compared to what I've read about him. Do you think it's worth it for a trip in October? Thanks for any input! Kathy

I certainly doesn't take 7 weeks to learn the TGM method. You might play with the webiste and forums for that long, but that's just because there's such a wealth of info there.

BTW, the UG and TGM often contradict one another, when it comes to how to tour the parks during the busiest times. And for the record, Mike does have sample tours on his site for several categories of visitor.

I have purchased and read Fordor's, UG, Luxury, Passporter and Eyewitness. TGM taught me more about what to do and why than any of those books did.

 

[unixadm]

Hi! It's about 7 weks until my WDW vacation.......Is that enough time to use Tour Guide Mike's site? I always think I "know"so much about WDW but it's probably a drop in the bucket compared to what I've read about him. Do you think it's worth it for a trip in October? Thanks for any input! Kathy

It is 33 days until our trip. I just signed up 2 days ago for TGM, and I can tell you that I am VERY happy I did.

I have been to Disney 18 times....never had a plan. I may have decided which parks to go into each day, but even that was based off of what was going on in a park, EMH, etc, NOT on avoiding crowds.

The 2 days I have spent reading TGM's info has given me a wealth of info. Of course, I haven't had a chance to actually use it (not until September), but it all makes sense especially with my previous experiences at WDW.

For touring the Parks and planning your itinerary, the best things to read on his site are the Days to Go/Avoid for each park, and the sample tour guides for each park. He tells you which parks to go to and which parks to avoid on each day and why. He not only tells you to go to RideA first, RideB second, etc, but gives complete explanations on why. His website is not a "plan my intinerary" utility.......it is a learning utility to help you plan your own itinerary. From everything I have read so far, it will come in handy for years to come.

I've changed a few things on my itinerary already based off of my reading there, and now have a plan for which rides we are going to hit in what order in MK, Epcot and MGM.

 

[kangaroodle]

Thanks, umixadm and edingerc! Your info was very helpful. I think I'll sign up for Tour Guide Mike. It's not really any more expensive than another guide book! Thanks! Kathy

 

[Cmadsen]

I have to say that I signed up for TGM just last week out of curiosity. We've made many, many, many (sorry, I guess you get the idea) and I thought I pretty well had our touring down pat. Well, embarrassing as it is, I have to admit that TGM gave me a tip on the first day that I had never thought of. Guess you can teach an old mouse new tricks, eh?

Hope you have a great trip!