Tour Guide Mike...Tried It? Love it? Hate it?

[WaltD4Me]

My sister heard about Tour Guide Mike's site for Disney trips and I was sort of checking it out and wondered what, if anything Disboarders thought about it? Love it? Hate it? Take it? Leave it?

I tend to over-organize, but don't want an overly structured, everything planned to the last minute kind of thing. The site looks
interesting, but I always like to get "Man on Main Street" opinions whenever I can!


Lisa

 

[pearlieq]

Love, love, love TourGuideMike!!! I've been a TA, I've read and seen almost everything related to WDW, and I've gone there several times and I've still learned things from his site.

His info is great, it's timely, and it's presented in a way that is very practical and helpful. I've found him personally to be very friendly and responsive. I'm planning to renew my subscription!

Check Mousesavers for a discount code!

 

[4thof52003]

Sorry, what is this?

 

[dckiss]

What is the address to the site I would love to check this site out.

Thanks In advance

Maximus

 

[Dopey Sharon]

www.tourguidemike.com

 

[kaylajr]

where on mousesavers would i find the discount???
thanks

 

[Mainebound]

I subscribed to TJM for our March trip but honestly, there was no info on that site which you could not get on the DIS, mousesavers.com, allearsnet.com, and a good guidebook such as the Unofficial Guide. I am not planning to subscribe again for next March's trip.

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

I subscribe - and I love Tour Guide Mike!

I read the DIS boards, other websites, including Mousesavers and Deb's AllEars, and lots of travel guides including the Passporter, The Unofficial Guide and Birrnbaums...

And I still find good info on Tour Guide Mike's that I haven't found anywhere else!

He gives you lots of information about when to do what, including lots of options and suggestions - and then you put together your own itinerary based on the information. So, it's like reading a travel book - but it's online and it has GREAT info.

Hope that helps!

 

[caribbeanme]

I just went to WDW and will be returning in late Jan., and went ahead and renewed TGM. I have all the books, and am obsessively on this website (and about 20 others I have in my favorites), but TGM does what I don't-- he synthesizes everything. For example, when I finally get around to planning my days, I can go ahead and check his website and he's ranked which parks would be the best for that day, taking into account the time of year and other factors....And his tour plans are right on, and sometimes completely diff. from the ones in the Unofficial Guide, for example. Plus, I always find something on TGM that I haven't seen before. And, to be honest, whenever I need a WDW fix, I go look at his EXTENSIVE pic archives of rides and resorts, etc. Since none of the books (except Birnbaum's) has really good pics, this really helps re: resorts, etc.

Hope this helps!!

 

[t-roy]

I also subscribe and find that since he's in the parks on a daily basis his up-to-the-minute information and suggestions are essential in my planning efforts. I use his site as my guidebook along with my passporter and various websites. I also like the fact that he gives his reasoning behind his suggestions. It helps me a lot.

Just me 2-1/2 cents (inflation)

 

[Selket]

I *love* the TGM site and Mike himself seems to be a very nice person. He's helped me directly with a couple of things (info on getting a guest assistance card, etc.).

Mike explains the whys of doing something that way and the alternatives and he doesn't march you back and forth across the park on some whacky schedule. If you end up getting "off track" you can easily get back on with TGM. He has excellent advice for watching the parades, fireworks, etc. I don't bother with other guides (or guidebooks) after finding his site. I can't say enough positive things - well worth the money.

 

[popeyeohoh]

I used TGM in June. I also felt that much of the information could be found on disney boards for free. The only tip I received was about touring Fantasy Land first then hopping on the train to splash mountain. Did not do it but wondered if it was a good piece of advice.

 

[javaj]

Another thumbs-up for TGM. Used it for our June trip, and renewed right away when we got back for our December trip.

 

[gigi1313]

i've subscribed to tgm, but haven't gotten "into" it yet... just need to find the time to familiarize myself and make it work for me... but i'm running out of time! yikes!

 

[pearlieq]

Mousesavers usually has a discount code, but I can't seem to find it either--we must be "between discounts".

themouseforless.com has a $3.00 coupon.

Good luck with your planning!

 

[disney4us2002]

I think it's great and even better now that there are private message boards as well. Mike participates in the boards and there is a lot of info!

 

[barb45]

I used it last year and will definitely use it again as soon as I get dates for our next trip. I love these boards and the Unofficial Guide but still got some more great ideas from TGM. Also I had a couple of questions and he was so nice in answering them and in a timely fashion. I highly recommend it and the sooner the better so you have lots of time to explore the whole site.

 

[klcason]

LOVE IT< LOVE IT< LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!

Can't say enough good things about Mike and his site. I use other sources of info but Mike is there and can answer up to the minute. He is constantly updating his information, no waiting for next year's edition.

We used it last Sept, I renewed when I returned so I could have my daily TGM fix !! I will continue my renewals for our next 2 trips.

Kayla

 

[simonmunro]

I adore it! Those of us that have read and posted here for years, those of us even that are obsessive/compulsive about our planning and everything about it know we can find almost everything here, but for me to have ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL of that in my head and trying to organize it into a tangible plan are two different things. Mr. Mike helps you pull it all together. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=621279&highlight=+www.tourguidemike.com
About three down I replied to this post on 8-8 telling just how I felt about my subscription. Think of your vacation as a VERY expensive gift. Think of www.tourguidemike.com as the fancy bow!

 

[caribbeanme]

Originally posted by simonmunro
Think of your vacation as a VERY expensive gift. Think of www.tourguidemike.com as the fancy bow!

Nicely put!