Tour Guide Mike

[Caleb's Mom]

What or Who is a Tour Guide Mike? I've seen it/him mentioned on these boards several times but am unsure at to what it is.

I'm guessing it's a recommended guide book???? If so, does it have helpful info that is not in the Unofficial Guide? Where can I find one?

Thanks in advance for any help you can all provide!

-Sara (Now happily planning for our booked October trip!)

 

[Toadman99]

Tour Guide Mike is an "Automated Vacation Planner".
Go to www.tourguidemike.com
Haven't done it, but I think you pay a fee, enter specifics about your trip, and it will generate a touring plan for you - and allow you access to other parts of the website.

That's the quick answer. I'm sure past users have more to tell you!

 

[Michelle2]

What the above poster said is correct. It is an automated vacation planner that you enter in your dates, travel party, etc. We totally love it, and it gives advice and great reading articles and tips about everything from resorts, to attractions, dining and activities. He was and still is a VIP tour guide so he knows his stuff! He also keeps things (hours, entertainment and such) really up to date, organized by the month.

I am someone that loves to read everything about WDW I can get my hands on, and I love to study and know inside tricks, so I don't go on a WDW trip without it, and this is our second time using it...just had to renew. Good thing too, because Disney makes so many changes.

 

[Caleb's Mom]

Thanks Toadman & Michelle - exactly what I was looking for - I found the site and will be signing up later today! I too like to get all the info I can wrap my brain around.

 

[disney4me4ever]

Hey Caleb's Mom...just thought I would give you a shout out from the Fox Cities! I have also used TGM and find the information extremely current and helpful. Of course, I also check the disboards. Have fun planning!

Nancy

 

[Donnask8pro]

I thought I saw a discount for TG Mike somewhere. Does anyone remember seeing this?

 

[MommyBoo!]

This is from his site (I was logged in).

Send 'em an email with a link to the AVP Preview Tour at http://tourguidemike.com/tour/index.asp, and they can type "HE7KD-8GA" in the Promotional Code section of the purchase page. They'll save $3 off the normal purchase price of $21.95!

I think it's ok to post it here as the article was titled "Help you friends save $3!".

 

[SnowyPrincesses:)]

I just wanted to add my 2 cents... I too am very happy with the service, I found the website overwhelming at first but its because there is sooooo much info. A dream for a Disney plan a holic!

 

[drakethib]

What or Who is a Tour Guide Mike? I've seen it/him mentioned on these boards several times but am unsure at to what it is.

I'm guessing it's a recommended guide book???? If so, does it have helpful info that is not in the Unofficial Guide? Where can I find one?

Thanks in advance for any help you can all provide!

-Sara (Now happily planning for our booked October trip!)

Pretty good site with a wealth of info.

Most of the stuff you find on his site can be found on Disboards or other site but he puts it all in one place and in a easy to read format.

I think it is 20 or so bucks. Well worth it in my opinion.

 

[Castillo Mom]

I highly recommend TGM! I subscribed to his service several months prior to going on our first trip. The tips he gives can save you a lot of time and frustration. Actually I was on his site to renew since I just started planning or next trip!

 

[The Sorrentino's]

I've been reading his articles and we're going to follow his touring plans. I think it's worth the money. My husband found Tourguide Mike last November and he got a discount for $12.95. I guess that was the promotion back then. It seems as though it's back at full price.

Cadence

 

[cepmom]

I was thinking of using TGM too for our trip this August. Should I wait until later in the summer to order it to see what the crowds and EMH are like? How far in advance should you get it? Is the $21.95 for one tour plan or once you pay the fee you can have unlimited access to multiple touring plans?

 

[The Sorrentino's]

You can do it now. TGM requires you to plug in your vacation dates. You can use it up until that date for $21.95. He has many touring plans. I will be following the plan he has set up for touring with young children. I think you get a trial run and if you don't like it you can cancel it (I'm not for sure, you may want to read the fine print).

Some say that we don't need it but this will be our first time going to WDW so we need all the help we can get. What I like about it is that I can pick and choose what I want on my itinerary. TGM has everything listed for you and his articles that go along with them are very informative. Take a look, it won't hurt.

Cadence

 

[stahshee]

is tour guide mike only for wdw i am also going to universal could it help me to for that?

 

[The Sorrentino's]

It's just for WDW. I sent a few emails to TGM and he responded. If you have questions before you join you can send him an email.

Cadence

 

[dinks]

Actually you get to use it 60-90 (can't remember which) days after you come back. You will not be able to make changes to your preferences after your arrival date though. He does this so that you can do reviews and suggestions after you've been.

 

[missypie]

Sign up as soon as you can because there is a lot of information to digest. Using the site is a bit of work, but once you get it, his advice works like a charm.

We were just in the World for 10 days, including Memorial Day weekend. During those 10 park days, the longest time we waitied for a ride was 17 minutes (that was for a non-Fast Pass attraction, in the middle of the day). That's it. We had many, many walk ons. At times, I felt almost guilty, sailing around the parks riding whatever we wanted while other poor souls were in 45-90 minute lines.

 

[yxe dad]

Thanks for starting this thread, it introduced me to a new way to feed my Disney planning addiction. I'm sort of new to dis but have found myself starting to post now. I just signed up for the TGM service and I never thought it could be that organized. I just hope I can convince my DS6 and DS8 to follow the plan of action. We'll try to stick to the plan but have 15 nights at the World, so the boys have lots of time to ride the tea cups 10 times in a row like our Disneyland 03 trip.

 

[missypie]

Thanks for starting this thread, it introduced me to a new way to feed my Disney planning addiction. I'm sort of new to dis but have found myself starting to post now. I just signed up for the TGM service and I never thought it could be that organized. I just hope I can convince my DS6 and DS8 to follow the plan of action. We'll try to stick to the plan but have 15 nights at the World, so the boys have lots of time to ride the tea cups 10 times in a row like our Disneyland 03 trip.

You have to talk to your kids in advance. Tell them when you will stop to see characters, get ice cream, etc. and stick to your word as much as possible. "If we go to [name your ride] right away, we can ride it three times in a row and then go see Mickey and then get a snack."

My kids are older but it was hard to get them to follow the program all the time. Sometimes I was flexible and sometimes I wasn't. For example, there are few places that stitch names on mouse ears. When we found one in the building at Toontown where the characters appear, we stopped to get them, and were a bit late in getting to the next place on the agenda. The plan still works if you get a bit behind...you may end up with extra walking to do as fast pass return times get later.

 

[Holly]

We used TGM's touring advice last summer and they worked like a charm. Plus, like the above poster stated, it fed my addiction.