Tour Guide Mike-Who has used it and do I need it?

[JenniferW]

Here are my details...

Going to Disney all 4 parks over the week of Tday this year with my hubby's whole family. I know all the rides, have been at least 1 time a year for the past several years and don't need help with Fastpass info (which rides have them and how to use it), restaurants, on site hotels, what the attractions are and what is appropriate for our group, etc.

I've used a few touring guides in past and liked them so could continue with that, but haven't bought any books, etc recently so wondered about this service as a substitute.

Will the TGM have specific info related to Tday crowds? Will it tell me which days may be the busiest at each park? What does it offer that you think I might need? Not looking for freebie info, but wondering if I will find it worth the money.

I see the claim that many people say they don't wait more than 15 minutes for a ride and wonder is it really possible with his info or does he just say use Fastpass and get another one at the exact time you are eligible for one? I had heard he doesn't have touring plans, but will it help me make one of my own. My concern is that his info may work on average days, but does it help during holiday seasons or off days when attendance may not be typical?

I've been on this board for a couple years now so feel like I've compiled lots of info from everyone and from our own experience, but if it will save us time or add to our experience, then want to do it.

So, any of you seasoned Disers out there use it and find it worth it?

Thanks for any info/opinions you may have.

Jenn

 

[andromedaslove]

Tour Guide MIke is definately a necessity, that is just my opinion of course. Tour Guide Mike is wonderful about helping people plan during peak seasons, holidays, etc. There is a part of his website which will definatley help you figure out which park you should go to which day, and instead of just telling you go here, he explains why you should go there instead of the other parks. He does that with everything so that it makes sense.

I can attest that the reason we wait no more than 15 minutes is not just because of fastpass, it is also because TGM shows us how to get around the crowds so that we aren't dealing with them. However, his Fast Pass advice is priceless!!

I have lived only 2 hours from WDW my entire life, and have gone at least twice every year since I was very young, I have been a member of this boards, and others for a long time, and I too didn't think there was much that I hadn't already figured out. I WAS WRONG!!

His site can tell you how to set your ADR so that you don't wait forever after your ADR time, he points out the least crowded areas for parades and shows, I could go on and on about the different things you can learn just by using his site. BUT since I am already sound a bit fanatical about ALL THINGS TOUR GUIDE MIKE I think I will stop now.

You really have to see it for yourself, and be prepared to sit down and go over everything on his site to get the full benefit, but it is definately worth it.

Take Care,
Dana

 

[mrcricket]

I just decided to join TGM a month ago.
The positives:
1. Good touring advice. Some of it much different than the books I've used.
2. Reminder emails for reservations.
3. Good advice on restuarants and what time of day to go.
4. Up-to-date park operating hours

The negatives:
1. confusing site configuration: have to click too many times to get to where you want to go
2. too much redundant text. He repeats alot of the same info over and over.
3. much of the info can be found in other, more convienent sources
4. no real tour planning engine. Just use the info to write up one for yourself

All in all, I'm not dissappointed, but I'm not impressed either. I've found some nuggets of info that I haven't found from other sources, but for the price I expected more.

mrcricket

 

[LucEeyore]

I wondered the same thing and have started using TGM to plan my Dec 1-4 trip. His articles and advice give rationales not just where to be when. I am finding the information very valuable and worth the 21.00.

 

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

So, any of you seasoned Disers out there use it and find it worth it?


Jenn

yes and yes!

(sorry, only had a second, but wanted to add my 2 cents!)

 

[JenniferW]

You all are awesome to respond so quickly! Sounds like I'll be checking it out then. Any other opinions?

Jenn

 

[surfgirl]

I purchased it specifically for T-day week 2 years ago and I found it invaluable. He went through the week and make new recommendations based on the holiday week and which days to go where. We had a wonderful trip and I will never go again without my friend TGM. (We visit annually).

I find it definitely worth the $20 - my personal opinion is that if it prevents one meltdown, then I've "earned" my money back. (If you are ever stuck with a child in the middle of a meltdown, you'd be surprised how much you'd pay!)

I also view $20 as a small investment for a much larger bill for my entire vacation....

good luck!

 

[AmyBeth68]

I'm a Dis vet and travel to WDW once or twice a year. I've used TGM for the past three trips because we were travelling during school holidays and thus higher crowd levels. His info was SO helpful and I feel we benefited from his advice. I personally feel it's worth the money and will continue to use him for the updated information.

Best of luck . Have a magical trip!!!

 

[Pedler]

I am a firm believer in TGM and with a money back guarantee you are not risking anything. However I would make a reccomendation to anyone that wants to give TGM a try on how to evaluate it.

I think everyone that is new to TGM goes through a few stages of using it initially and it does take awhile to see what the benefits really are. At times it can seem overwhelming and you wonder why did you sign up for this.

So when you start using TGM I would reccomend going about it in a different order than Mike reccomends. (Note: after you do what I suggest then go back and start where Mike tells you to on the site.)

After you sign up and have access to the forums, it takes a day or two, I would do the following (Be prepared to spend about 1-2 hours on this.)

First go to the your parks link and click on the sample tours on the left hand navigator. Print out the relevant sample tour for AK and MK day 1 that fits your groups general description. Each one of these will be about 4 - 5 pages long.

Then go back to my parks and read a bit about the touring strategy for the first few attractions in the plan just to get a handle on his style. (i.e. That is is not Commando style.) You need to do this just to understand a bit of the rational behind why people do some of the things in the trip reports.

Then... go to the trip report forums and read the real world reports from people that have used TGM's advice. Pick out 4-5 reports for each park and see what thier experiences were. After that decide if you want to have the same type of experience. While I think the TGM methodology is right for most people it isn't right for everyone. This is the best way to get a handle on deciding if TGM is right for you. If you want to have the same type of trip experience as those that are in the trip reports section then go back and start where Mike reccomends on the site and become your own informed Tour Guide. (BTW It doesn't take any more time than it would to read and understand the UG.)

If on the other hand that isn't the experience you want then ask for a refund and you will be out no money and just a few hours of your time. I would bet that most people would prefer to have the same experience as the people in the forums do. It is no exageration to say that so far not a single TGM'er going in July has reported any long waits in line and yet they are not going Commando.

Just some thought on how to evaluate TGM. This way after only a short amount of time you can see what type of payback you would get with TGM.

Good luck with your trip.

 

[NCombs]

I do have to add something here because I don't think it has been made clear that there are sample tour plans to use. You don't have to completely make it up on your own.

It is not customized plans based on what you specifically want to see but is similar to the kind of touring plans you see on other sites or in guidebooks. The samples are provided along with the reasoning behind them. I think the logic is great and they certainly seem to work based on the trip reports I read.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

TGM is not for everybody, IMO.
I personally did not get much out of it. I spent several weeks clicking on every link he had, and although it took much of my time, I didn't find too much original information. He reasons out his advice very well, though, so for newbies, or people who haven't read every guide book on the market, it's very sensible advice. But I gather from your OP that you already know about FASTPASS, and getting there at opening, and most of the other common sense advice he offers, so no, I don't believe you actually NEED it. That being said, it IS low-risk, he DOES give your money back readily if you're not satisfied (and VERY readily if HE's not satisfied with your criticism), and it does offer a different style that you may find useful. Can't hurt to try.

(If you've noticed that my criticism of TGM is mild here, it's because there are MANY fans of his out there, and you get your rear-end scorched if you as much as HINT that he may not be all he's cracked up to be)

 

[DisneyMama629]

I used TGM last week. The longest wait I had was 8 minutes. I think Pedler's advice is awesome and I agree with it wholeheartedly. Read the trip reports on TGM and you'll see that it's a good plan.

 

[Aalore]

I have TGM as well. I am using it for a future trip. There is a lot of information on the site but if you take the time to read through all of it. I'm sure that your touring the parks will be a lot better with it than without it. I have found it very helpful in my trip planning!

 

[Pedler]

TGM is not for everybody, IMO.
I personally did not get much out of it. I spent several weeks clicking on every link he had, and although it took much of my time, I didn't find too much original information. He reasons out his advice very well, though, so for newbies, or people who haven't read every guide book on the market, it's very sensible advice. But I gather from your OP that you already know about FASTPASS, and getting there at opening, and most of the other common sense advice he offers, so no, I don't believe you actually NEED it. That being said, it IS low-risk, he DOES give your money back readily if you're not satisfied (and VERY readily if HE's not satisfied with your criticism), and it does offer a different style that you may find useful. Can't hurt to try.

(If you've noticed that my criticism of TGM is mild here, it's because there are MANY fans of his out there, and you get your rear-end scorched if you as much as HINT that he may not be all he's cracked up to be)

UrsulasShadow,

I agree that TGM is not for everyone. (BTW I love the name, best Disney villian in a long time! One with style!) I was going over some of our strageties with my brother who will be with us for two days of our trip in a few weeks and TGM it is definitely not his style.

Still I think that TGM can benefit quite a few people and not just newbies but the best way to tell is to sign up and read some of the trip reports to get a feel for the TGM methodology as I mentioned in another post. Then decide if that is what you want and if it will work for you. As you mentioned it is very low risk, actually no risk financially.

Like I said it is not for everyone but based on some comments made by users I do think that there are some experienced folks that benefit just as there are some newbies that may not benefit from the TGM style. The best way to tell is to give it a test drive.

Just my two cents.

 

[Pedler]

I used TGM last week. The longest wait I had was 8 minutes. I think Pedler's advice is awesome and I agree with it wholeheartedly. Read the trip reports on TGM and you'll see that it's a good plan.

So ... when do we get the next installment of your trip report at TGM?

 

[DisneyMama629]

I'm soo lazy...they take so long. So many rides with so little wait.

 

[bdlily]

Pedler's comments are great- a smart approach. I signed up for TGM about 2 months ago. I FEEL like this is already the best vacation I've had and I haven't even left for WDW yet. I guess I'm not totally qualified to give my opinion since I haven't actually put his advice into use yet but I've really enjoyed planning my trip using his advice and I really like the people on the boards- they're a very supportive group! We'll welcome you with open arms if you join!

 

[maliboomer]

Does TGM support those staying off-site?

 

[Pedler]

Does TGM support those staying off-site?

Yes. The information is for both those staying on and off site.