tour guide mike?

[tom401]

I was hesitant to use TGM. Even after I signed up, I thought about pushing for my money back. Then I spent some 'quailty' time on the TGM site and got back some amazing results. We are frequent visitors to WDW and I thought I could not get any more information than we got first hand or through the various other free sources of WDW info.
My vote would be to get it (it is a fraction of the total trip cost and cheaper than the books) - be sure to spend some time on the site and be ready to do a bunch of printing.

 

[Holly]

Two thumbs up for TGM!

 

[merryg]

Thank you mrcricket.....I do believe you have talked me into it. I think the word "tour guide" just scares me. I feel like I always have to be on a schedule. Sounds like even if I do not utilize the guide step by step, that the other information on the site is worth the $21. Considering how much I have spent on Disney books in the last few years..........$21 is a bargain.

Thanks again
merryg

 

[mcoolman]

This is my second trip that I'm using TGM info, and I really find his site helpful!
He is very detailed, and we (as Disney fans) love to plan our vacations! He helps to fuel my obsession!

 

[mrcricket]

I think you'll be pleased. Remember to read, read, read. Mike likes to write and there is so much info that it takes time to look at it all, but is well worth the time. I've found at least a half a dozen tips on things that I'd never thought of before.
Good luck and Happy Planning.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

I think the word "tour guide" just scares me. I feel like I always have to be on a schedule. Sounds like even if I do not utilize the guide step by step, that the other information on the site is worth the $21. Considering how much I have spent on Disney books in the last few years..........$21 is a bargain.

Thanks again
merryg

What's great about TGM is that you can review his sample tours, then use them word for word or use other info on his site to modify the tours to fit your needs/wants.

 

[tzuhouse]

We haven't even gone on the trip yet, but the information I have gotten from Mike is worth every penny! I spent a lot more on several recommended books, and yet, his site is much more beneficial.

Mary

 

[figmentfan1]

This will be my 5th WDW trip. I have gone with 0 planning all the times before. I started with the UG and thought that was wonderful until I heard someone singing Mike's praises on this board. I thought what's $20 when I'm about to spend oodles on this trip. I want to maximize our experience.

I agree... at first the site is intimidating and I had hoped someone would just tell me what to do... but I realized Mike gives you tips and sample plans and you can work out what's best for you. We have 18 days to go and we are just about to the letter on where and when we will be doing everything. I can't wait to see how this works out!!!

For now TGM is my hero... his writing and knowledge alone will get you so excited for you trip... he doesn't want to see how many rides you can ride in a short amount of time... he wants you to have FUN and enjoy your vacation!!

We can't wait!!!!

 

[Thumper's Tara]

This will be my 5th WDW trip. I have gone with 0 planning all the times before. I started with the UG and thought that was wonderful until I heard someone singing Mike's praises on this board. I thought what's $20 when I'm about to spend oodles on this trip. I want to maximize our experience.

I agree... at first the site is intimidating and I had hoped someone would just tell me what to do... but I realized Mike gives you tips and sample plans and you can work out what's best for you. We have 18 days to go and we are just about to the letter on where and when we will be doing everything. I can't wait to see how this works out!!!

For now TGM is my hero... his writing and knowledge alone will get you so excited for you trip... he doesn't want to see how many rides you can ride in a short amount of time... he wants you to have FUN and enjoy your vacation!!

We can't wait!!!!

I used the UG when I was there last year. How does everyone feel Tour Guide Mike compares to UG?

Thanks!
Tara

 

[grumpymakesmehappy]

When we go to WDW, we always go in Jan. The last time we were there was 2002. This year we will be going the 2nd-9th. We noticed the last time we went compare to 98 the attendance was up for Jan. How will it be this year as far as wait times? Anyways, back to the subject, will his services me of value to me going in Jan.?

 

[edingerc]

I used the UG when I was there last year. How does everyone feel Tour Guide Mike compares to UG?

Thanks!
Tara

This is a really easy question for me. When it comes to the UG, they have a good staff that spends time in the parks and gives advise based on their experiences. Mike is a professional tour guide in the parks, spending a couple of hundred days a year in the parks and he gives advise based on his experiences.

The UG is a good general practitioner
Mike is a specialist

 

[gigi1313]

I used the UG when I was there last year. How does everyone feel Tour Guide Mike compares to UG?

Thanks!
Tara

imo it complements it nicely! i use both and would trade neither!

 

[Thumper's Tara]

This is a really easy question for me. When it comes to the UG, they have a good staff that spends time in the parks and gives advise based on their experiences. Mike is a professional tour guide in the parks, spending a couple of hundred days a year in the parks and he gives advise based on his experiences.

The UG is a good general practitioner
Mike is a specialist

This is good to know. I join Mike's site without waiting for an answer. I think that I will use both. I am not sure how much I will use Mike's though. I am not finding it as user friendly as I would have hoped.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[andriade]

I already posted that I am a fan but didn't say why. There were 11 of us last year who went together. We never waited more than 15 minutes for any ride the entire week we were there. I was pregnant and would have died waiting in long lines.

I was confused at first too. Now, I am a pro.

 

[N2Disney]

I subscribed to TGM for our upcoming trip because I'm a planning nut and I have to be "prepared" with a plan of attack. His site is difficult to navigate at first but it doesn't take long to get the hang of it. I think his info. is going to be really helpful to my family. Our trip doesn't begin until Dec. 31 but I know that with all of his advice that it's going to be easy and fun.

 

[madgomez]

I'm in the minority here, but I really don't get it. I have spent time getting to know the site, have read the forums for tips on navigating it, but I still don't think his touring plans are right for my style. They seem too contrived to me. It's just DH and I, and I don't see sending him off to pick up FP while I go on to another attraction. I will print out the plans and give them a try when we go, but I'm not a fan.

Just MO, YMMV, etc

Amapola, if sending DH off to pick up FP doesn't work for you (which I can understand if it's only two of you), then TGM would recommend you don't do it. The purpose of the site is to enable you to create a plan that works for you personally - his touring plans are sample plans. It is the very philosophy of his site that you create a plan that works for you. If you intend to use the sample plans "off the rack" without making them "custom fit" your party, then I would suggest you are missing the best stuff the TGM site offers.

If it doesn't work for you after that, then it doesn't work for you. Not everyone likes the TGM site. But I hope you look into it a bit more, and try to use it to create a plan you are comfortable with.

 

[mill4023]

I used the UG when I was there last year. How does everyone feel Tour Guide Mike compares to UG?

Thanks!
Tara

I think both are well worth the price.

As fars as their touring plans, they both work very well to minimize waits in line. I think TGM's touring style is less rushed and a little more flexible. TGM explains the reasoning behind his plans. Having this knowledge makes it easier to customize the plans for your own circumstances while still getting the benefits.

 

[mill4023]

I'm in the minority here, but I really don't get it. I have spent time getting to know the site, have read the forums for tips on navigating it, but I still don't think his touring plans are right for my style. They seem too contrived to me. It's just DH and I, and I don't see sending him off to pick up FP while I go on to another attraction. I will print out the plans and give them a try when we go, but I'm not a fan.

Just MO, YMMV, etc

I'm not sure what you mean by contrived. It's a sample touring plan. Of course it's contrived. Make sure you read the full touring plan, not the condensed version. There are many times where he suggests different options depending on your own personal choices. He doesn't always suggest sending someone for a FP. If you read the plan, he specifically says when he recommends it and when he doesn't.

 

[kutchyone]

In June it was just me and my 16 year old daughter and of course we never separated to get a FP. I was skeptical until around 1:00 our first day when I realized that we had been able to ride all the top thrillers and could then hit, at our leisure, Tiki, Presidents, Stitch and Country Bear. We had even ridden some of those others twice. It’s a money back guarantee, give it a chance, read through the stuff and if you have questions ask in the forum section there.