Tour Guide Mike - Totally confused, please help!

[DestinationDisney]

After hearing many people rant and rave about how great Tour Guide Mike's services are, I decided to sign up for his service. I'll be traveling during a super crazy time of year (Dec 25th - 30th) and I figured I could use the help in planning.

I've been to Disney many times before and we were just there in February so I don't need to know "first timer info" like what each park is about, what rides there are, etc.

I thought TGM was a program that would help me build my own itinerary, give me tips on what the best days/times are for certain parks, and help me figure out what rides are best to go to first, show times, etc.

It seems like every time I click on something where I think I can build an itinerary, I get directed to yet ANOTHER article!! Can someone please help me? This seems more confusing than I'd hoped it would be and I'm not sure if I should have signed up.

Thanks!!

 

[buffalogirl]

Please post this question on the Tour Guide Mike site. The info you're looking

for does exist there. Some one will help you.

The site does take a little while to get accustomed to.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[Livin'4Disney]

I second that about posting on the TGM forum.

Also, if you go to the sticky in the Theme Parks Forum on Dis and post a very nice person will help as well.

Definitely worth the money, but it did take me a bit to get the hang of it.

Good Luck.....

 

[DestinationDisney]

Thanks so much....didn't realize there was a TGM section. Thank you!!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

The site takes some getting used to and you have to put in the work and research to form your itinerary. After awhile, you do figure out how to manuever it.

Your best bet is to read the TGM forum on his website. Not only will you learn tips, you'll learn how to get around.

I'm far from a WDW newbie and I learn something new every trip.

 

[Scottish-Helen]

It does take a little getting used to navigating his site. On the first page of the AVP it explains how to use the articles. There is an awful lot of information on TGM but once you get used to it it really is fantastic. As others have said there are forum pages on Tour Guide Mike where you can ask for help.

We used him for our last trip and are also returning Christmas week. Something I would never have considered before because of the crowds.

 

[sammieJ]

will you update if it gets easier ?? (to help those of us on the fence...)

 

[Donna]

What i don't get about TGM is, why in the world doesn't he make a more user-friendly site? don't get me wrong, his info is right on target but the site is not user friendly at all. I would think someone that makes a living at this would come up with something easier to follow. I had to ask him questions on finding the info i needed one time and while he was helpful and is quick to respond, i kind of felt like i was the only one that ever had any trouble locating what i needed to know. you just get in a loop and can't get out of it!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Don't ever criticize his site to HIM...he gets really hot when questioned!
He will readily give you your money back if the site doesn't meet your needs.

 

[Woodcourt]

The least/most crowded parks...he breaks it down by days and says to go to which parks on which days! When we went in Sept, we followed his recommendations and rarely needed a fast pass and never had to wait more than 10 minutes for stand by at any parks!

 

[Donna]

Don't ever criticize his site to HIM...he gets really hot when questioned!
He will readily give you your money back if the site doesn't meet your needs.

Well this is sort of what i did, in a nice way. I said your site is very difficult to navigate and here is what i'm looking for and he got a little upset and said he didn't see what was so hard about it. I got the impression it's a touchy subject with him! don't get me wrong, the info is surely right on, once i FOUND it (and remembered how the heck i GOT to it), it was good stuff! i think he'd refund alot less money if he'd invest some of the money into a new web page layout.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Well this is sort of what i did, in a nice way. I said your site is very difficult to navigate and here is what i'm looking for and he got a little upset and said he didn't see what was so hard about it. I got the impression it's a touchy subject with him! don't get me wrong, the info is surely right on, once i FOUND it (and remembered how the heck i GOT to it), it was good stuff! i think he'd refund alot less money if he'd invest some of the money into a new web page layout.

You must have caught him on a good day, if he was civil to you. I got the internet equivalent of having my money thrown back in my face (I didn't ask for a refund, I asked for an explanation of broken links, navigation difficulties and untimely site updates), along with a nasty note. I know he's now a sponsor on these boards, and I'm pretty sure I'll get flamed for even posting this, since he has MANY loyal followers. I have posted this before, and the vehemence of the varying opinions usually locks these threads pretty quickly, but I do feel obliged to insert my experience. I always include the one positive I encountered...he readily refunds money if you are unhappy.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

You must have caught him on a good day, if he was civil to you. I got the internet equivalent of having my money thrown back in my face (I didn't ask for a refund, I asked for an explanation of broken links, navigation difficulties and untimely site updates), along with a nasty note. I know he's now a sponsor on these boards, and I'm pretty sure I'll get flamed for even posting this, since he has MANY loyal followers. I have posted this before, and the vehemence of the varying opinions usually locks these threads pretty quickly, but I do feel obliged to insert my experience. I always include the one positive I encountered...he readily refunds money if you are unhappy.

This isn't the first time I've read of an experience like yours, although it could be yours I'm reading again in a secondary thread - who knows.

(What follows isn't directed at anyone in particular.)

I do believe that Mike realizes that his site can be cumbersome at first. There are articles in his site, telling people what, and what not to expect.

Straying from the page you're currently reading is one of the repeated reminders/warnings you'll see in his articles and on his forums. I think this is the #1 mistake people make and then they find themselves confused and irritated.

I've also found him to be very good at updating people about the status of the updates that he's working on. He gets busy; he not only maintains the site, he's a tour guide. Heck, I'd much rather wait a few days for an update, if I know it's coming from someone who literally "walks the walk and talks the talk".

The parks are huge and with so many variances for each one, I can't imagine having the task of condensing it down into print, much a less a website that's geared for so many different types of people, going so many different times of the year. I have a hard enough time maintaining my simple real estate website, as busy as I am. His would be absolutely daunting to me!

And no, I'm not Mike's personal cheerleader - I'm just someone who has successfully used his site and am doing so again for my next trip.

Did I have glitches planning my trip last March? You betcha! I'm pretty computer savvy, and I thought the site was overwhelming at first too. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure somewhere on there, is a link that I strayed from and never made it back to!

Bottom line - it's not going to be for everyone, just like the DIS isn't for everyone. You (generally speaking) just have to find what fits you and have fun planning! You do get what you pay for - and he does issue refunds if you feel like you aren't. To me, it's a win-win situation.

 

[Donna]

This isn't the first time I've read of an experience like yours, although it could be yours I'm reading again in a secondary thread - who knows.

(What follows isn't directed at anyone in particular.)

I do believe that Mike realizes that his site can be cumbersome at first. There are articles in his site, telling people what, and what not to expect.

Straying from the page you're currently reading is one of the repeated reminders/warnings you'll see in his articles and on his forums. I think this is the #1 mistake people make and then they find themselves confused and irritated.

I've also found him to be very good at updating people about the status of the updates that he's working on. He gets busy; he not only maintains the site, he's a tour guide. Heck, I'd much rather wait a few days for an update, if I know it's coming from someone who literally "walks the walk and talks the talk".

The parks are huge and with so many variances for each one, I can't imagine having the task of condensing it down into print, much a less a website that's geared for so many different types of people, going so many different times of the year. I have a hard enough time maintaining my simple real estate website, as busy as I am. His would be absolutely daunting to me!

And no, I'm not Mike's personal cheerleader - I'm just someone who has successfully used his site and am doing so again for my next trip.

Did I have glitches planning my trip last March? You betcha! I'm pretty computer savvy, and I thought the site was overwhelming at first too. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure somewhere on there, is a link that I strayed from and never made it back to!

Bottom line - it's not going to be for everyone, just like the DIS isn't for everyone. You (generally speaking) just have to find what fits you and have fun planning! You do get what you pay for - and he does issue refunds if you feel like you aren't. To me, it's a win-win situation.

I agree with you to a certain extent. By my second time using the site, i was much more familiar with getting around and finding my way to the info. that i needed. I only wish that his price was for maybe say, a year's subscription. I've been going often enough that i was able to fit a couple trips into one TGM payment and i found that the more i used it, i felt more at ease. I've been online since 1996 and for some reason just kept going in circles and loops at first with him. He must realize it's not for everyone because he is good about giving the refund, which i never took him up on.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I agree with you to a certain extent. By my second time using the site, i was much more familiar with getting around and finding my way to the info. that i needed. I only wish that his price was for maybe say, a year's subscription. I've been going often enough that i was able to fit a couple trips into one TGM payment and i found that the more i used it, i felt more at ease. I've been online since 1996 and for some reason just kept going in circles and loops at first with him. He must realize it's not for everyone because he is good about giving the refund, which i never took him up on.

Ditto. The site is much easier for me the second time around too.

I think I just came up with a brilliant idea!

I say we book 3-4 trips a year, so that we can become experts at navigating his site! Sounds like a good excuse to me!

Wonder if my DH will fall for it...

 

[Donna]

Ditto. The site is much easier for me the second time around too.

I think I just came up with a brilliant idea!

I say we book 3-4 trips a year, so that we can become experts at navigating his site! Sounds like a good excuse to me!

Wonder if my DH will fall for it...

lol - i am ALREADY going 3-4 times a YEAR!! BUT, i can always push for more! I DO like your way of thinking!!!!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

lol - i am ALREADY going 3-4 times a YEAR!! BUT, i can always push for more! I DO like your way of thinking!!!!

You're lucky!

There's a part of me that wishes I could say that, and a part of me that likes being away from WDW just long enough to make it fresh each time.

I'm strange, I guess.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

You're lucky!

There's a part of me that wishes I could say that, and a part of me that likes being away from WDW just long enough to make it fresh each time.

I'm strange, I guess.

You're not that strange.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

You're not that strange.

My family would beg to differ!

 

[Donna]

You're lucky!

There's a part of me that wishes I could say that, and a part of me that likes being away from WDW just long enough to make it fresh each time.

I'm strange, I guess.

Well it varies from year to year. I sold alot of my DVC points (bought an RV) but kept enough to stay at FW for 2 weeks so I will probably go less next year but stay longer. We usually also do a ladies trip and/or food and wine but i'm not sure how thats going to work out yet for next year.