Tour Guide Mike's Web Site

[jcemom]

That reminds me of something else I like...he gives suggestions/tips on where to sit for the best view, or where to seat your child for their view and/or comfort. And there are also tips on where/how to get the best pictures of your family if you're not riding. That's some "neat to know" information.

 

[ww52]

A bit long again...

I spent a couple more hours using Tour Guide Mike’s site yesterday (while listening to Florida Radio Project on Live365 – really got me in the Disney mood!) Got somewhat used to the interface and I began to see the site’s value. Like many people on this board, friends and family often ask me for recommendations regarding WDW itself, but also regarding guidebooks and web sites to use. So my question to myself was “would I recommend this site?” I guess I would, but with some qualifications.

First, if someone was looking for a single site to give them all the information they’d need, I would say there isn’t one yet. TGM tries to be that site, but it has a way to go. For example, the Swan & Dolphin information is not readily available. It’s not listed in the Disney resort section (I know they are not Disney Resorts, but their location doesn’t qualify them as “offsite” either. Disney novices would not think to look for them as non-Disney, and so it’s almost like they don’t exist). Then in the listing, the room rates are shown as $300 and up. They are the most discounted resorts on the property – virtually no one pays that amount and in fact they are almost priced like a moderate, with a fantastic location. In general, there is a lot better information on hotels on other sites.

That may be true on attractions also, but I did like his reviews and his in depth reasoning. Here’s where the interface really works great – you get a summary review, then you can drill down for more detail if you want.

Second, there is the occasional out of date information. Minor example – listing Muppets 3-D as FastPass, which has recently changed. I think Mike handles the site himself, and I realize things change rapidly, so this is really a nit-picky point. Still, if the cost were $25…

Finally on the pricing and value, At $25, it is not a no-brainer. Not to say it’s not worth it, but one should know what they are getting and not getting. I spent three hours so far and have yet to get to the itinerary planning and touring plans in any detail. I think this is the real value in the site, analogous to the Unofficial Guide. And there are several sample plans that you get for your money. My point is that this is still an investment of many hours in addition to the fee. At $15, it’s worth it without much thought. At $25, I’d at least point out that the Unofficial Guide is more passive (and cheaper) if that is important to that person. TGM will be an investment in time and money, but there is a wealth of information and it offers the convenience of point and click, drill downs, etc. (Need to work on the navigation a bit more though). The picture tours look great (just a few now but looks like many more to come). As I said in a previous post, add some video, and also some park and hotel maps, and then Mike really has something.

But why the expiration (now 60 days after your trip is over)? It seems like he is emphasizing this as a service, rather than information. But it’s all “do-it-yourself”, not like the Unofficial Guide’s touringplan.com arm, that charges for a custom plan. That is clearly one time, but customized. That’s a service; TGM is more like an on-line Unofficial Guide, and probably should be priced like a subscription (so much for a month, six months, a year). Just an observation. Thanks for reading - any more thoughts?

 

[nicurnc]

ww52-
That's my thought as well, I just don't like the expiration part. And another drawback, at least for me is being online ( or at the computer) for all of the planning. I like to cozy up in a chair or make notes in bed. We have a laptop with remote, but it still is not the same as having a book on your lap. Again, that is probably nitpicky.

I feel an itinerary that can be printed out should be offered, touring plans are in the Unofficial guide. They can be a little commando like, but still are a plan. (I didn't care for a lot of the criss-cross and back-tracking...neither did the niece and nephew I decided to try it out on).

So again, we'll see how Mike's plan measures in Oct. I agree on the $15 offer, a cheaper price makes sense to give him a try.

Loretta

 

[bratray]

hello

i recently subscribed to Tour Guide Mike with the $15.00 rate
i was a little disapointed as several things i wanted more information on were not available- ie... Pics of POR and more info such as times to visit disney quest- he said he is working on these sites but i think all relevent info should have been up and running before he launched the site

there is a lot of fantastic info that i was not aware of and plan on using for my trip in july- some of the tips for EE and eride nite are great along with water park tips- i really do hope these tips save me time

there is a lot to read and go through- i love to plan but sometimes there is just information overkill- navagation through the sites could be more user friendly

i too thought he would have some type of set itineraries to follow.... just like the Unofficial guide has- so this leaves me with lots of ideas but i really just wanted to print an itinerary and be done with it

i would definetly reccomend his site to someone who has never been to WDW- but i also feel the Dis site and Debs are equally as good and free- i wished he would list restaurant prices like Deb does, that type of info is important to me

i would rate Mikes site a 7 (with a little more work and some set itineraries he could become a 9)

lisa

 

[jcemom]

As much as I am enjoying his site (and I would recommend it) I agree with much of what has just been posted...

I think he need to enlist more help to get everything up and running. And there is more info that could be there...such as DisneyQuest...and upcoming attractions (Mission Space, Mickey's Philharmagic). I also agree that much of this should have been completed before taking on subscribers.

Had I signed up in November I would probably not have been very happy. As it is, in my situation, I have plenty of time, so I guess I'm being more patient than usual.

Though I do like that he doesn't have a specific step-by-step itinerary...he gives choices and reasons, allowing you to customize your itinerary. That is much more my style. I've never been one to do something just because I was told to...I always had to ask WHY? (Drove my parents crazy, I'm sure!)

I like that he gives the WHYs.

 

[Castillo Mom]

I agree with most of what you've all said. I did make the observation that some of the content is out of date. For instance, he actually has two reviews of CBR, one before rehab and one after. Naturally the review prior to rehab was not good and it also happens to be the one you'll come across first. If you didn't take the time for more indepth navigation, you would be left with a negative impression and not realize that he returned to CBR and now recommends this moderate resort. This information was important to me in particular as I have reservations there for our first trip. Personally, I get the impression that he may need more help and as I mentioned before, it's a work in progress. As far as the value is concerned, if I relied on guidebooks alone, I would anticipate purchasing one each time I go on a WDW vacation since they're updated each year with new info, therefore the TGM expiration wouldn't impact me; I'd be happy to pay the prorated fee. As for the itineraries, I wouldn't follow a specific one. It would be too regimented for our style of touring. As someone else posted, he gives suggestions for EMH mornings, a general order of what attractions to hit when and has a list of least crowded days for each park. As for more specific info, I go to the DIS and Mary Waring's site for that. Yes, the site needs some tweeking here and there but overall a good value.

 

[ww52]

Check out "Michaelsvips.com" for some background on Tour Guide Mike (Mike Hewell). It seems he left Disney shortly after being disciplined for what he believed to be an unreasonable restriction as a tour guide. Also it was surprising to learn that the Disney sponsored tour guides are not allowed to talk to their clients before the first day to pre-plan the tour. They have to basically "wing it" on the first day. They are well compensated however, and it's interesting that Mike saw a need for an independent service and I assume has done well since he went on his own. If this were the 90's I'd be expecting him to announce an IPO soon.

 

[ww52]

After spending quite a bit of time on his site this weekend, I would say it was well worth the $15 - I've put together a pretty good itinerary and with his suggestions I've been able to make it fairly flexible as well. Thanks everyone for your comments.

 

[Castillo Mom]

You're welcome! I noticed he starting uploading the photo tours this weekend. I'm a newbie, so I really enjoyed them. Let us know how your itinerary worked out. When are you going on your next trip?

 

[ww52]

Our next trip is the first week of August. I needed to squeeze in IOA as well. My wife is not as interested in the parks, so I needed to leave some time for the pool or resort hopping. I plan on hitting early entry every day and then be back by noon. I'll let everyone know how it works out.

 

[house_of_princesses]

ww52, Thanks for being open minded about this subject. So many people would have written this or any other innovative idea off without giving it a fair shake. I have no vested interest in TGM. I just happen to enjoy using it. I have found responses to inquiries and helpful suggestions answered quickly and politely.

Happy Planning!!

 

[jcemom]

ww52 -- hope you post a trip report when you get back! I'm curious to know how well Mike's suggestions work in the real "world"...

 

[ww52]

I'll be sure to let everyone know if Mike's suggestions worked when we get back (mid-August).

 

[motaei]

I don't know when he got it up & running, but when I visited the site today, he now has the promised "search feature" on his site (including an advanced search feature). This will make his site much more easy to get around. I look forward to using it.

 

[lwestwise]

I just purchased it and was surprised that it was only good for one trip, but he did tell me before I purchased it and I got a discount, so I purchased it. I was disappointed, at first. I guess I was expecting him to hand me one of those little packet with my days planned out. THEN, I started clicking on different bars, articles and topics and I really have gotten a lot of info, that I will use. You can find most of his info here and on the other sites, but he has it sorted out for you. Like which rides to do first because of the lines and when to plan PS for specific rest. I think I am going to love it and I have been more than 50 times. He is doing the work for me. I will probably purchase it again in the future.

 

[Castillo Mom]

I purchased TourGuideMike's AVP a couple of months ago and enjoy it very much. Glad to hear he added the search tool. I'll have to hop on over there.....

 

[ww52]

He keeps adding to the picture tours and those are a great addtion to the site also.

 

[jeankeri]

I have been using TGM to plan my tour and have been very pleased with it. I wanted to note that there are itinearies (sp) on the site that you can tour with. These are comparable with what the Unofficial Guide calls a touring plan- although TGM's approach is definately not the same! He explains the logic of why he goes to each place when, and sounds reasonable to me! It is under Simple Step 6, left column of the screen -though admittedly not so simple to find! The navigation thing really could be better! I would not want someone dismissing TGM because they thought it did not include touring plans!

 

[rjjr]

I'm glad you mentioned the touring plans on TGM, jeankeri, because I was beginning to wonder why everyone else was missing them.

I used TGM for our trip in April/May and found it to be very helpful. I have been to WDW many times in the past, but this was the first time taking my 3 & 4 year olds so I was very zoned on keeping my wait times short. Also, my daughter is very sensitive to scary things so I thought his tips for young children were great.

I followed his 2-day plan for the MK with young children and never waited more than 5 minutes tops and that was just for Dumbo, first thing. We did multiple times on several Fantasyland rides and still completed that area in about an hour.

I met Mike on that trip. He did a meet and greet with Mary from Mousesavers at Jellyrolls and found him to be very gracious and solicitous for questions I might have to help with my next day's AK touring (used his plan there, too). When I returned, he had sent me a very nice message about our meeting and also included a screensaver of AKL (where we had stayed).

I'm back on TGM for our trip in Sept/Oct and have enjoyed the updates and additions to the site. I'm a CPA and, not surprisingly, love something with lots of detail. So I like it a lot, especially the touring plans.

Sorry so long, but thought TGM could use a little more support on this thread. FIND THOSE TOURING PLANS!!!! They make it definitely worth the price.

 

[motaei]

rjjr - I am glad to hear that a WDW veteran enjoyed TGM so much. (and that his hints did cut down on the lines!!!) I love his site, but have a while before I put him to the test in December. I found TGM before I found these boards & I enjoy both very much. They both offer different things. I love the TGM new photo tours - great for a newbie like me. Plus, I'm a very visual type of person, so I find them to be great. I have a while before I actually put my itinerary together, but I have already "copy & pasted" a blank one onto a Word document that I will be playing with. I too am in accounting & love all the organized detail.

I also think it is so cool that you got to meet the real Mike. He has put so much personality into the site, I can only imagine what the real Mike would be like.

Thanks for your feedback!