Tour Guide Mike

[Williamsfamily7]

Is it still worth it to buy TGM less than 2 weeks before we go? Will I get my money's worth just using the touring plans etc, considering everything else for my trip is already booked and paid for (don't really need any other money saving tips at this point!!) I have touringplan.com plans, but soooooo many people seem to think TGM is better for avoiding lines (and somehow different?) Should I go for the extra $18/19 to subscribe to TGM so soon before we leave? Thanks!

 

[Servants of Evan]

If you're only two weeks out and are comfortable with your plans, I wouldn't add it. Mike's site involves a heck of a lot of reading and since you've already got your ADR's (and aren't likely to be able to switch too much at this late a date) I would simply go with what you have. Relax and enjoy. Now when you get back and have that itch to schedule your next Disney vacation, I would sign up -- but then you've got the time to spend prepping.

 

[dance2874]

I am about 4 weeks out and trying to decide the same thing. But all my reservations are made already so I dont know if it is worth it. I have read great things about touringplans too (and I did buy that one) so I am hoping that will help us enough to avoid lines.

 

[TheZeppo]

TGM is not worth it no matter how far away you are from your trip.

 

[SnackyStacky]

As has been previously stated, Tour Guide Mike is a LOT of reading.

Try the Unofficial Guide. It's definitely for Type-A people (like myself) and will get you through the crowds no matter when you visit. TGM is more of a do-it-yourself kind of guide, whereas the Unofficial Guide does everything for you.

So I guess the short of my response is to use the Unofficial Guide for this trip, and buy TourGuideMike access for your next trip.

Have a fantastic trip!!!

 

[Disneyhappy]

I agree that it may not worth it at this late date. You could still find valuable info for the park touring but it will probably take you two weeks to become comfortable navigating the website. There is so much information!!! I've been to Disney 20 + times and still find the information to be valuable. The forums are also great. I like the Clipboard he provides for your scheduled trip with all of the infomtation on park hours, rehabs, etc. You are notified when there is a change. It is all in one location and helps me rest easy that I have not missed something. There are many who like TGM and many that do not. Most Disney vets do fine without it. I used it for our 1/06 trip. The best advice I followed was regarding the EMH. What a difference it made! I usually did the opposite of his advice.

 

[JennyW]

If you need help with touring plans, TourGuide Mike is probably still worth it. Especially for four weeks out. You can get a great deal of benefit from his sample tours, ignoring the many many lengthy other articles on the site.

jenny

 

[MartDM]

No, I don't think it would be worth it. Put the money into a hard copy book you can take along & refer to as you go, such as the Unofficial Guide or the Passporter. I think you'll find that much more beneficial.

 

[lexmelinda]

TGM is not worth it no matter how far away you are from your trip.

I disagree however as the other posters mentioned it is a lot of reading. I used the UG last time and found the plans to include a lot of backtracking. TGMs plans are not like that at all. There are also a lot of great tips on where to sit on attractions, where to view parades, etc. You will probably save some time in line even if you don't have hours and hours to spend on the site. What's an hour in line at WDW worth to you?

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would find TGM helpful, if for nothing than the what parks, what days/nights.

Enjoy the trip.

 

[Jennick]

I would find TGM helpful, if for nothing than the what parks, what days/nights.

Enjoy the trip.

We used TGM, with only a week to go before our vacation for the very reason Dan suggests. My brother in law had used TGM for their vacation in June and said using his guidlines they never waited more than 10 minutes in line for anything. So we figured what the heck, we'd give it a try. It worked!! Out of a 7 day visit we only waited in 1 line longer than 15 minutes, and most were under 15 min. The long one was Kilamanjaro Safari at AK. (we waited over an hour there). My only regret was that we didn't try TGM earlier in our planning so we could have benefitted from some of his other tips.

 

[MJMcBride]

I just wish he would stop smiling. Its really freaking me out. Look up there, he's still doing it. Why? Why?

 

[lookingforward]

I found tour guide mike's informatin very clear and his crowd managing advice excellent. That said, I paid 18 to join and the membership was only good for one trip and then was promptly cancelled as per his contract. I am not finding fault with him because he does explain this in his contract BUT for $18 I think it should be an annual membership and not trip specific. Just my opinion.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Oh, two more things. Look at it as the cost of a counter service meal for two (maybe one), plus, if you don't like it or feel it is worthless, ask for your money to be refunded, he guarantees your satisfaction.

 

[disneylady]

I leave in a month and purchased TGM about 3 weeks ago. I have to admit that, yes, it does appear useful, but it is WAY too much information to take in. I feel stressed because I do not have time to navigate his site and make full use of it. Several times, I have tried to find my way back to a certain page that I had previously read and could not find it again.

As for the touring plans that everyone mentions, I still have not found those on the site. I found park hours, chat boards, and what parks to attend when, but cannot find the actual information for touring each park. I'm sure it's there, but I need a Philadelphia lawyer to help me find it.

I would rather have paid him personally to sit down with me and give me a step by step travel itinerary. Don't flame me, but it's true. I think I'll buy one of the recommended books before I do TGM again, unless I'm planning a trip that is a year away and have months to spend on his website.

With all of that said, this man deserves a tremendous amount of credit for all the information that he has compiled and put on the site. Unfortunately, for me, it's information overload.

TGM is definitley a Disney expert, no doubt!

 

[fakereadhed]

TGM has info especially for those who are leaving soon after joining. He lets you know where to find the info you need in a hurry. I would recommend it!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I resisted TGM for a long time, but THAT SMILE!!!! It haunted me at night! I found that I could not turn away!!!! AAAAGHHH!

Seriously, I usually buy one WDW book per year. I decided I would give TGM a try as this year's "book". Although my next visit is not until October, I gotta hand it to the guy. He knows his stuff, and I think he is earnest in his knowledgable advice. Some things I like about his site...

1) His "best days" strategy makes a lot of sense. After reading his related articles I changed my mind about our itinerary for our upcoming trip because I found advice there that made me change my initial thinking. The only reason I made that change was because he...

2) Does a great job of telling you WHY he tells what he tells you.

3) Forums are very good (although DIS will always be my first love)

Yes, it is true the TGM site is very hard to navigate, but I have gotten used to it fairly quickly. I would recommend it because for a low cost it just might reshape your thinking on your daily activities in such a way that maximizes your vacation.

 

[JennyW]

I always find the sample touring plans by clicking on a theme park, then over on the left there are links to sample tours. If you still have trouble, you can post in the forums there.

jenny