Tour Guide Mike

[puppyears]

Has anybody ever used Tour Guide Mike?

Every time I visit the WDW website, I see this. But, of course, I am a bit skeptical that he would know what is not busy and what is busy everyday we are there.

I do not have a laptop, so I cannot see how he could possibly know from day to day. I have read the testimonials, but I want to know is it really worth it?

Please help!!
Thanks!!

 

[drag n' fly]

Worth every penny if your a newbie to WDW IMO and even beyond that if you need to know red, yellow and green park days. His information is based on stats and is pretty darn accurate. We used it last minute once and it was still worth every penny

 

[PoohsHubby]

We bought it last year, and didn't find it that useful. Alot of the articles were old. A lot of the stuff I read could be easily found on here, allears, etc. I did like the way he rated the days, and I think I learned a bit on how he analyzed the days. This year I'm going to go with TGM.

In the end, I didn't find it worth the price, but I know A LOT of Diser love Mike and his site.

 

[braddillman]

I found it was worth it to read WHY he thought some days were busier than others. He was right for every day of my vacation, except 1. He expected high school students would wait and arrive at the end of the day, but many were there at park opening, so it was way busier than he predicted.

My next trip will be to universal orlando, so I won't bother with TGM. If I were heading to WDW... I still probably would not get TGM again, because I think the articles need to be updated. The disboards are more current. However, I don't regret getting TGM and reading through his reasoning. THAT understanding of WHY things work is much more valuable, so that you can change your plans on the fly. When I found MK was busier than TGM expected, I gave up and headed to typhoon lagoon, and had a much better time - I chose TL because I used TGM reasoning, NOT because it was on the chart (MK was on the chart and was incorrect).

 

[FirstTimeDisneyDad]

Absolutely invaluable to out trip in April. $20 is way cheap for the information and lessons that he provided.

The best days was one great element that definitley helped...but as a rookie at WDW the daily touring plans were even more important to teach me how to tour the park to maximize rides and attractions. I must have read suggested touring plans 4-5 times each...I knew exactly what to look for and how to structure our day before I ever got there.

And that is not to say that it was too structured. If things went off plan, no bid deal, I knew what to give up on and how to come back to some other things.

$20 is nothing...and it's fully refundable AFTER you return if you didn't think it was worth it...in other words risk free.

Have fun!

 

[puppyears]

Thanks everyone for all the advice. When you hear it from all the DISers, it makes everything worth while.

All those ads don't mean anything unless the DISers say so!!

Me thinks we will invest, I also hear that DISers get a lower price??

We will see.

Thanks to all!!

So, do I need a laptop, or what? How does it work?

 

[trivial]

You can sign up with the discount by clicking the ad in the parks forum.

I think it's worth it, even if you don't read the articles. It seems to me the articles don't get updated very often, but I don't know if that makes them outdated or not. The calendars and touring plans/tips are very valuable, however. I subscribe both to TGM and the Unofficial Guide's site.

He knows the best dates based on experience and historical data.

You don't need a laptop; information is provided for each month several months (I think up to 6 months) in advance. I believe they offer a full refund if you don't find the site useful, but I think the price is negligible considering the cost of a Disney vacation.

 

[maxie]

I love tourguide mike!!

Just use the computer you're using for the Disboards. Why would you need a laptop?

 

[SaskDisNut]

I'm using TGM for the second time to plan our Dec. trip. I used it in May 2007 and found it very helpful. Using his advice saved us lots of time. We never waited more than 10-15 minutes for any attraction. For us, as WDW rookies, it was worth the price. Maybe if you've been many times you might not find it as helpful but I would agree with what others have said that his suggestions for which park to go to on which days are probably worth it alone.

 

[puppyears]

Yup, signed up today and got my goodies!

WOW! what tons of info from this, and I saved my 3 loonies, too!

The only thing I do not like about it, is all the links for here and there, but it does give the option of not opening everything, too.

Sooooo, I highly recommend this site to all DISers.

Thanks for all the input, everyone!!!!!

19 more days..eeeeeeekkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[trivial]

The only thing I do not like about it, is all the links for here and there, but it does give the option of not opening everything, too.

Yes, my main complaint about the site is that the amount of information shown all at once is overwhelming and needs to be better organized.

 

[puppyears]

agreed!!!!!!

Thank you!!

 

[puppyears]

Well, like I asked about needing a laptop for travelling, with all those links, you kinda need one if you are going to travel soon...like within three weeks or so...just to get all the info
BTW, I also thought about if TGM tells everyone not to go to certain parks on certain days, and then EVERYBODY goes to the lesser populated days, wouldn't that be funny??? No?
just wondering...

 

[trivial]

The percentage of people that do any kind of research into which parks are best/worst for each day has got to be extremely small... probably 1% or less. But quite a bit of once semi-secret information seems to now be popular enough that it makes a big difference (ie. early December isn't as nearly as crowdless as it used to be).

There's a lot of helpful information on the site, but it's not vital to read it all... I certainly wouldn't want to be pouring over it while on vacation. But just getting the daily park recommendations is pretty valuable, along with the sample touring plans. I also used the site to check out restaurants, but I compared those recommendations along-side ratings at AllEarsNet, the PassPorter guide, etc.

 

[maxie]

Well, like I asked about needing a laptop for travelling, with all those links, you kinda need one if you are going to travel soon...like within three weeks or so...just to get all the info
BTW, I also thought about if TGM tells everyone not to go to certain parks on certain days, and then EVERYBODY goes to the lesser populated days, wouldn't that be funny??? No?
just wondering...

If you check on TGM he tells you what to print off and bring with you. Many people download the Express Sample Tours and laminate and bring with them. No need to haul a laptop around.

 

[puppyears]

Valid points from everyone, and I thank you!!!!
Since this is my first experience with DISboards and TGM AND I have such an "inquisitive" mind , I certainly appreciate all the info from everyone...'cause you're the experts, NOT ME!!!!!

 

[SaskDisNut]

Valid points from everyone, and I thank you!!!!
Since this is my first experience with DISboards and TGM AND I have such an "inquisitive" mind , I certainly appreciate all the info from everyone...'cause you're the experts, NOT ME!!!!!

If you haven't already, check out the forums on TGM, join your vacation club forum and try to get as much info as possible before you leave. There are many TGM experts on the TGM forums and they are more than happy to answer your TGM related questions.

I only joined a month before our trip in May 2007. Even though there is lots of info to go through, I found it very worthwhile. Enjoy planning!!