Tour Guide Mike Worth $$$$

[Karen4120]

Hi,

Has anyone tried the Tour Guide Mike Site? Is it worth the $18.95? What makes it different from this website? Any info would be great!
Karen

 

[DisneyDotty]

I'm in the process of planning my WDW vacation for this summer and joined TGM for the first time. I'm finding his site to be helpful with suggestions/planning info. His site corresponds with a lot of the info on the Disboards--but his info is consolidated.
I thought I'd try him as many indicators suggest that I will be going during a very busy time. Plus I was curious to see how he compares with other Guides I've used in the past. And I love the planning process and enjoy checking out as many WDW experts as possible.
I want to get the most enjoyment for my $$$. (Who doesn't? )
Have fun planning.

 

[jmhkd]

I joined tgm for our trip next week. It has been very helpful in the planning and holds a wealth of information. Although I will caution you that you DO NOT get an individualized plan for touring the parks. You get all the info you need to develop a plan and a sample plan to work from.

 

[AnnaE4]

YES!!!

We are leaving in 8 days for WDW and I am using TGM for the fifth time! He really knows how to tour the parks. We just follow his advice and hardly ever have a long wait in any line!

Denise

 

[rubbergypsy]

i am a guide book junkie and tgm was great because everything i needed was there online for me. i will definitely use again. great tips that we used throughout our trip

 

[drgnfly30]

I just signed up the other day for our trip 3 weeks away... I'm still on the fence, I plan to really sit down with it this weekend & see if it's really a benefit to me... This is the first time we'll be going during a busier season so I was hoping it'll help me bypass some of the crowds.

 

[funkymander1]

I've been planning my trip for six months now, and signed up with TGM from the beginning. Great advice for a WDW newbie!

 

[tinkerbell211]

We used TGM for the 1st time this Easter. I followed his park recommendations 6 of our 8 days in the parks. I wanted to go certian places on those other 2 days, so we went, even though TGM did not suggest these parks. He was SO RIGHT!!!! They were the only 2 days that we had any difficulty getting around due to the crowds.
There's lots of other good info on the site, but I found the "Least Crowded Days in the Parks" section the most helpful.
Definately worth the $ for me!!!

 

[GrandmaBarb]

Dragonfly. Take it step by step, don't skip around. with such a short time to go - go to your express planner and work from there. Post any questions you may have on the TGM forums and you will receive expert answers.

 

[tiggtail]

Imho, I believe it is a definate yes to spending the money on tgm's advice! We are planning a vacation for 8 of us in December/January, the busiest time of the year for WDW and I literally have a stack of info that has got to be a couple of inches high! It may seem overwhelming at first, but just relax and spend some time following his directions....he is really knowledgeable and I intend to use his service again. He is worth every penny.

 

[Tanya90210]

my vote is YES YES YES sooo worth it.... I didn't use it last time we went and now that I am planning with it now I really wish I would have as he has some realy GREAT advice!!

 

[Quinn222]

Totally worth it! We never waited in lines and remember, if you use a link from the disboards to join you get $3 off.

 

[byoung]

We tryed him for the first time.

 

[peas&carrots]

I'm thinking so. I am planning our first trip and am using TGM. I only wish I had it before our traveling companions made our ADR's!!

 

[GrandmaBarb]

You might be able to change to your TGM recommended days. Post on the TGM forums and the experts will be there to help you.

 

[sara74]

LOVED TGM! First trip, read everything and loved it! I skipped his forums as I was already here, but I read all of his articles diligently. DH didn't read the info until we were already there, but after touring MK and walking on to almost all of our rides, he sat down with my TGM binder each night to get an idea of the next day.

Plan on using him again in 2 years when we go back!

 

[magiroux]

TGM does not just throw a bunch of facts at you (be here, go there). He gives you the thinking behind touring the parks. These are not customized touring plans. You have a sample plan, but he mostly explains traffic patterns and you tweak it a bit to fit your family's needs.

A very useful tool on TGM is the forums. It really is a great community of helpful people. I found the trip reports to be a very helpful forum.

One other thing that sold me on TGM is that there are several new attractions at parks. Whenever that happens, it can seriously effect the traffic pattern for the entire park. TGM updates his site constantly, so you are always getting up to the minute changes/adjustments to his touring methods.

 

[Kely]

I Love TGM!!!! So glad I joined!!! He gives you everything you need to learn what he knows and become your own personal tourguide! He really does and it really works!

 

[Kendra17]

Hi. I joined this past month, but don't find it worth the money. I haven't even been on it since the first few days. For me, the Unofficial Guide is the indispensable book, with the Passporter coming in a close second. I bought two others this year, as well-- both a waste of time and money (Birnbaum for the color pics for the kids and a new one called Aronda Parks. . . YUCK!).

Anyways, I just don't see anything too different on TGM's than I have elsewhere. . .nothing new, nothing groundbreaking. The only benefit that I can really tell would be updated, last minute info, which would be found here and elsewhere, anyways. The kind of info that makes you groan since your itinerary and days, ADRs, etc., are already worked out!

When I compared my planned itinerary that I made with the assistance of the Unofficial Guide with his planned best days at each park, I discovered both he and the Unofficial Guide recommended parks identically save one day/one park. I am still going with UG recommendations since my itinerary is all planned and my reservations all made.

I'm thinking of getting a refund from TGM, actually, since I think it's a big waste of money for us. But, I really don't feel like even going back on his site to do it!

 

[GrandmaBarb]

In order to use TGM's philosophy you need to follow his plan step by step and not just skip around all the links. Even with such a short perusal I am sure you gained some knowledge that helped you with your vacation. However, If you were not happy with the product he does offer you your money back.