Tour Guide Mike?

[forever 35]

Is it worth the investment? Different information from here are Passporter or The Unofficial guide? Love some expert opinions. This is our first time with DH, 2 DD's

 

[lindakmonty]

well, our last trip was my 4th or 5th time there...and I bought it for the first time. I think I got my $'s worth.. depends how many times you've been there, and when you're going...if it'll be fairly busy I'd get it for sure!

 

[ransom]

I've read the Official Guide '06, the Unofficial Guide '06 and '07, Passporter '06, and the EZ Fun Guide '07. I've also subscribed to Tour Guide Mike. However, I haven't yet been to WDW, so that may play a role in my decision. Still, having read a few thousand pages of text, I think I can evaluate the info in all of the offerings to some extent.

My current opinion is that if one hasn't been to Disney World before, reading the Unofficial Guide is a must. So many, many questions that I see on these boards are answered in that book. Some don't like the even-handed tone of the Unofficial Guide, but for those who want straight answers, it's the best. After reading it, you'll know a lot of the ins-and-outs of the resort and everything around it, the lingo, and the basic strategies. And you'll have some (reportedly) good touring plans to go on as well.

As far as getting a feel for the parks and their layout, I heartily recommend the EZ Fun Guide. The maps in that, while not to scale, gave me the best idea of where things are in relation to one another. I really appreciate that. And if I hadn't already planned my trip by the time I bought it, I would have appreciated the detailed planning and budgeting worksheets included.

Finally, the Passporter is a fantastic book for quick reference, it has great (to scale) maps, and it offers neat pockets and forms for keeping track of vacation expenses, receipts, and for jotting down quick notes about a day so that you can remember all you did for your inevitable trip report.

I personally didn't find the Official Guide to be of much use, and was disappointed at the spoilers put in there for some attractions.

As for Tour Guide Mike - well, after reading all of the above, and participating here on the DIS, I just didn't find enough there to justify the time involved in perusing the site and the money it cost, so I asked for a refund.

Hope this helps. Perhaps those who are more experienced can chime in, but I still wanted to offer my opinion and reasoning in case it would help you.

May your Disney dreams come true!

 

[babar41]

I am a compulsive planner when it comes to our WDW trips. I have read the UG, Passporters, Birbaum's Walt Disney World, searched the internet, visited too many sites to name, read the Dis boards a few times a week and have done TGM.

Last year was my first year with TGM and I found it worth the money. I will admit it takes time and dedication to gather all the information on TGM, but it was worth it, so much so I signed up again for this years trip and will probably sign up next year when I start planning our Grand Gathering for everyone.

My time at WDW is precious to me and I hate to waste it standing in line needlessly. TGM has given me great suggestions on how to keep my standing in lines to a minimum.

I am not a TGM zealot, I know his site will not work for everyone, but it does work for me. The cost is realitively cheap (about what I pay for one of my many WDW books), his information is pretty current (unlike books that were published months ago), he not only suggest what you should do but explains WHY you should do it this way.

I say... why not give it a chance? Of course, if you have never been to WDW you may not realize how much time he has saved you!

No matter what you do, I hope you and your family have a wonderfully magical time!

 

[forever 35]

Thanks, I kinda feel like I have already bought The Unofficial Guide to WdW and Passporter. I have 2 books from friends Birnbaums' without kids and The Officeal Guide. It is all overwhelming. I made ADR's without looking at what day is "good" and regretting some decisions. My husband thinks enough is enough. Ugh, to many decisions. I was their 16 years ago and I know most things have changed.

 

[babar41]

forever 35... When are you going? If it is in the next couple of weeks I would suggest just going with what you have planned, if it is a month or more away I would do the TGM. Remember, your ADR's can be changed. And you are right... things have definitely changed in the past 16 years! Best of luck. No matter what plan you go with, being at WDW is so magical you will have a wonderful time. Just don't get too stressed with the planning.

 

[homestuff20]

We just got back from our first trip last week. Used TGM and loved it! Followed his advice and waited on avg. less than 3 min and walked on most rides. I have recomended it to alot of people since I have retured and was telling people while I was at the park. He helped my family have a great 1st visit. Can't wait to go back next year and will use it again.

 

[Colorado DISers]

The Unofficial Guide worked great for us this past July. Never waited more than 20 minutes for a ride or show. Went on almost everything!

 

[NurseW2Kiddies]

LOVED TGM!!! Took my parents and my kids and we had the best trip we have had to date!!! Definatly worth the $$ for us. Subscribed again for our second trip this year.

 

[Ardenne]

It's a tossup for me. I signed up primarily for his best days info, which I frequently saw raved about here, but our experience wasn't as clearcut as so many people have evidently experienced. I didn't succeed in avoiding crowds even though we deliberately stuck only to 'green' days -- at least half of the days we were there it seemed to me that I kept running into considerably *more* crowds than I had seen during the same week last year, when we visited without TGM recommendations. And I changed my MNSSHP date on his recommendation, but the day I changed it to ended up being sold out and was a zoo, while my original choice wasn't, which was very frustrating.

That said, though, I obviously can't be two places at once -- so it's certainly possible that last week THIS year Disney was just much more crowded overall than the same week LAST year, and despite the seemingly high crowd level wherever I was at any given time, the other parks were in fact even worse.

I will say that his tips for what to hit when and his best viewing spot info were good. In fact, DH got to the point that he'd ask before going into a show or getting ready for fireworks or a parade, 'What does Guru Mike have to say about it?' A lot of that material concurred with info I had seen here, but some was unique to TGM.

One thing I'd add that I never saw recommended on TGM -- we found that right before closing was an awesome time to hit our favorites. Within the last 15 minutes, especially, it seemed like everyone else was already on their way out of the park. Lines were just as short as at park opening, so it was sort of like that, but without the rush. Even if, perchance, you couldn't *finish* before closing time, they'd still let you ride if you were in the line prior to closing -- even if just by a couple of minutes. One of our favorite memories is from when we started the Pangini Forest Trail 10 minutes before closing and had it nearly all to ourselves as we walked it at a leisurely pace -- and CMs along the way weren't irritated by that, but seemed to enjoy the freedom to focus on just a few people at a time. Several times we were stopped to ask if we'd like to know more about the individual animals, or how our day had been, or what our favorite attractions were. We were never rushed -- maybe the opposite, since we were stopped so often. Several different CMs took the time to chat with us at length and really be involved with the kids, which was great. So you might want to keep that in mind, whatever touring approach you end up choosing

 

[SusanMomOf2]

I started planning my late Nov trip (last week) before I bought TourGuideMike (a couple days ago). Upon reading about which days he says are good for which parks, I changed as many ADR's as possible. Some had to stay (Cinderella's Castle, Liberty Tree Tavern), but the other 6 that I had were able to be changed to a different day. Maybe you can try to change yours.

I haven't used TGM before, but one thing I like is having a touring plan. I understand why he's telling me to go to such-n-such ride first and foremost... I would think that any good touring plan would work, though.

I'd like to get a book, but I'll stick to TGM this vacation. On my next one, I'll try to see what one of those books has to offer.

 

[MomofCKJ]

I joined for this trip and I am really happy with it. I have the UG and Passporters but I really like how TGM is very up to date and I like that he explains the Why behind his suggestions. It is an overwhelming site to navigate at first and it does take some time to figure it all out. The forums are wonderful though and people are really helpful there. I think it was the best $20 and really what is $20 when you are spending thousands for a trip? His Least Crowded Park Charts are worth the $20 I think.

Allyson

 

[Ardenne]

I forgot to add -- one nice thing about TGM is that he gives a money-back guarantee, which none of the other Disney guidebooks and such do, to my knowledge. So there's really no risk in giving him a try and seeing if his advice works well for you. If you try it and don't like it, you can always ask for a refund

 

[rie'smom]

We've been to WDW many,many times. Each year the crowds have grown.
TGM is necessary if you want to avoid lines and have a fabulous trip. We had gotten to the point of not wanting to go to WDW anymore a couple of years ago,then I subscribed to TGM. Following his plans was like being @ WDW 20 years ago when crowds were manageable-no waits more than 5-10 minutes and we go at a very busy time.We had an unbelieveably wonderful time.
My husband said he will never got WDW again without a TGM plan-this from the man who laughed at me for subscibing in the first place!!!
We've done a 180 on Disney-from not wanting to go again to hubby buying me 300 pts. @ BWV for a Christmas/birthday present .
TGM is worth every penny and then some. Think about how much money you're spending on your trip. Don't you want to get as much out of it as you can-if you do, then subscribe to TGM.

 

[MJMcBride]

I don't that smile freaks me out. Look up there, he is still smiling. why? WHY?

 

[rie'smom]

I don't that smile freaks me out. Look up there, he is still smiling. why? WHY?

Probably because he knows his plans help people to have a great trip!

 

[mom2fivecs]

I just stumbled upon TGM while planning our vacation this past June...I was hesitant at first since we had been on a few trips to Disney, I have Passporter and Unofficla Guide, but I decided to give it a shot. Boy was I glad we did..followed the advice and never waited in line in the middle of June for more that 5 minutes and rode everything we wanted. My kids were amazed as they were used to at least 30+ minute wait on most of the rides. I signed up again for dh & I for our adult only anniversary trip next month and will continue to use it on any future trips.