Tour Guide Mike?

[Goofmeister]

Anyone heard of TGM? What's been the experience? It sounds interesting, but I don't want to pay for information I could get free, or from a tour book.

 

[padisneylover]

I have been using TGM for about 6 months to plan my vacation this year. I have found it very helpful and informative and yes it does contain many things not found on the chat boards or other sites. He was a tour guide and knows many secretes that he shares with you on how to best utilize your time. Since he has asked that subscribers not share the information on the chat sites I would hesitate to give you any specific information. I will tell you that I recommended this site to two different friends at work and both have not regreted subscribing. I beleive on Mouseears.com there is a coupon right now for money off on a subscription.

 

[Madi100]

I subscribe to Tour Guide Mike. I have gotten enough information out of it, that I am satisfied with my purchase. HOWEVER, if I was relying on his information only for my trip, I would be sadly disappointed. For example, the menu has now changed for making PS's. He is slow to update this information. As of yesterday, it still said to choose number 5. You REALLY have to look around for information, it's hard to find. I don't much care for his search function. I can never find anything. It is a fairly new website. So, I'm sure that he has a lot to do. This board is where I look first for my information, then I go to him.

Like I said, I'm satisfied with my purchase. Just don't forget these boards. I have learned things that I didn't learn here. When people said that, it made me mad. Like what?? He is a TOUR guide. He does a good job with the touring part of things. He worked with Disney for a long time. He knows Disney. I don't think telling those two things is giving any information away that people had to pay for.

 

[Castillo Mom]

I would highly recommend TGM. The information is extensive and sometimes hard to navigate at first, but worth the time and effort. I really like the touring tips he offers which I haven't found anywhere else. I use TGM combined with the DIS when I have a question or need a Disney fix. Well worth the money in my opinion.

 

[Selket]

I loved TGM! The best thing I found was that he gives you all the info you need to plan your trip YOUR way. You don't have to follow a strict "go here and go there" if you don't want to...or if you get "off track" you can easily get back on and have some ideas of what to do next. I thought his tips about parade viewing, etc. were just wonderful. When I had a question not yet covered on his site (about using a disability service at WDW) he was quick to respond and gave me the info I needed. His way of doing WDW fit into my family's way of touring better than something like the Unofficial Guide...although that is helpful too. But I highly recommend his site.

 

[Goofmeister]

Thanks for the positive feedback. I haven't made up my mind, but I am leaning toward giving him a try. Thanks agian.

 

[drcmk]

I purchased TGM, but would not do it again. Perhaps you will get more out of it, if you are planning a commando-type vacation. The small amount of information/advice that isnt' avialable here or on other free sites was not terribly useful to my family. And I find it hard to navigate his website and find what I want.

 

[chi-mom]

I just returned 2 days ago and have to say I used TGM touring plans for MK and AK and they worked great. They are not as commando as the unofficial guide, and allow you to set your own pace. He also provides alot of great info from photo tips to tips for the best views and seating, he even tells you where the best restrooms are. I definately got my $$$ worth. That said, I also read these boards daily and the combination was a trip saver!

 

[Goofmeister]

I took the plunge. We'll see. There was a $5 off coupon on the mouse for less which used to be under a different name.

 

[maine_jennifer]

I love my TGM! Any time I found a "mistake" or had a problem, I wrote and he answered me within the day and the problem was usually fixed quickly enough. I actually renewed my TGM in February for my upcoming trip. He has great tips for parade viewing locations, updated info for the new EMH, when to visit attractions, etc., etc.

I wouldn't solely rely on TGM, though I feel you could. I'm just too much of a planner not to look around and I have too much fun on these boards and the other groups I'm belong to.

 

[TheresaM]

I found this on Mouseforless, FC5JC-7FM for $5 discount.

 

[Atotty]

For our first trip I read at least 15 diff guidebooks (thanks to Interlibrary loan) and found out all I needed was MouseforLess, Deb's site (allearsnet.com) and Tourguide Mike. (I found disboards 2 weeks before my trip...so it wasn't very helpful at that alte date...but I love it this time).

Using TGM, we didn't wait in any line longer than 15 mins...and that one time was for Dumbos.

He has tons of pictures and tips on where to sit for all the rides/shows/parades, etc. More than last year.

He has each day broken down into which park is best for Am and PM and why.

He also breaks down the rides in each park into best rides for AM, PM, Afternoon, any time to beat the lines.

Plus he has sample itenararies that say get a FP go ride this and this and then it'll be time for your FP...and they worked for us...every time.

And reviews for everything Disney...sit down restaurants, hotels, counter service, etc.

I'm using TGM for our trip this year, too, and have noticed that he is keeping everything updated very well...he even dates the pages when the info changes so you can tell if it's up to date. He had the new Park after Dark info before anyone else....he also had all his recommendations revised for each day during those two weeks within 3 days...before the official announcement. And I've checked all the info he posted against the official announcement and his was right on.

He does have some outdated info. He keeps the biggie stuff updated well. It's the little casual mentions to something on a page that seem to get missed sometimes. But imagine how hard it is to keep all those pages updated and it's just him...no staff.

JMHO,

 

[Straitlover]

I haven't used the planning program, but I like Tour Guide Mike Radio on Live365!

In fact, I think I'll turn it on right now.

 

[xmatt0926x]

Ive purchased the TGM service twice now and I like it. The only negatives I would have would be that sometimes you tend to find stuff by pure accident because you just so happened to use a certain link that was totally unrelated to what you found, so I would agree with a couple posters who have said that it takes a little time to get used to the navigating in the site. My last somewhat negative issue is that when I checked it last (a couple weeks ago), there were still some areas where he had a link for photo tours, but still hadnt downloaded any pics yet. That was my problem the first year when it came out. Other than those 2 points, its a pretty good site.
I will say that if you were going to do one of those itineraries where every ride is planned out, what he says definitely seems to make sense and Im sure it works. Im just not the type of person that plans every move I make. I like to be a little spontaneous. He has many good articles which makes his site stand out from the typical guide book, lots of reviews,tips, stuff like that. Is it so dramatically different than any tip guide you can get at a bookstore? I dont think so, but I like the colorful presentation on the pc as opposed to a bland book. With the $5 discount that seems to be available, I think its worth a try.

 

[Hippychickali]

Perhaps someone coul explain what Tour Guide Mike is.

Ali

 

[TheresaM]

TourGuideMike.com is a site put together by "Mike" a former VIP WDW guide. He left WDW and started his own professional VIP guide business for the "world" and now has ventured into online TourGuideMike his newest venture.

Theresa

 

[HaleyB]

I love TourguideMike so far. What I really like about his site is it tells you WHY. He gives you the information and lets you decide how to use that information. I am also a big fan of the Unofficial Guide, but for this trip none of the MK tour plans worked for me. One of TourguideMike's sample plans was exactly what I was looking for.

I will agree that the site could be a bit easier to use- I wiss I could find a site map (I don't think he has one), but I am learning a ton from the site. I had a question and couldn't find the answer so I emailed him and got a nice informitive reply within 24 hours.

I would not count on TGM alone though, the Unofficial Guide is still a must have book. But I disagree with their take on the fast pass system, TGM uses FP the same way I do in Disneyland and he had advice on it that really makes sense to me.

He offers a money back guarantee so why not give it a try?

 

[Atotty]

We use TGM for our last trip and all his FP info was perfect. We'd get a FP, ride this and this, and then it was always time for the FP window. It was great!!

I am a huge TGM fan.

 

[Goofmeister]

My first two days of using TGM I loved it. There was so much information to consider. But after that...its good advice and the itenerary planning is up to you. They provide samples, and suggestions on what to do, but there isn't a do this then do that type of plan. It is more flexible, but it allows you to maximize your attractions and minimize your waits. This is not a commando type plan.

If you want a highly personalized do it for you itenerary go visit the folks behind The Unofficial Guide. Overall I think the plans will be more specific, and will save you time. But they are more expensive, and I have a hard time figuring out how to be flexible with them.

Ultimately TGM is an online guide book/reference with some specific planning advice. Overall I'm happy, and there are lots of tips that I've seen nowhere else before. I guess I was hoping for a more personalized experience without so much work on my part. Its worth the money just for the info.

 

[welovedisneyx4]

Love TGM!!!

Really liked the split between best morning and best afternoons for which parks.

Use all the information you can find!