TourGuide Mike ?????

[karenloo]

We just got back from a wonderful trip and I have to say, TourGuide Mike is excellent! I found the site a little overwhelming at first, but I just kept clicking my way through it and absorbing all the info and most importantly, his overall philosophy about park touring. Try not to get yourself lost in the site by clicking away at each link you get to... just stick with one article and read it all the way through, then go back and click on any links that interest you. I was worried before our Easter trip that we wouldn't see much of anything due to the huge crowds, and I'd been reading about record attendance at the parks this year. But thanks to Mike, we saw everything we wanted, and did many of the big attractions two and three times without waiting more than 10 to 15 minutes for anything! It was fantastic. I know people worry about over-planning and dragging their families around from ride to ride without really enjoying the experience, but for us, going at such a busy time, it was really important to have a plan. Basically, we had a plan for the first half of every day, then just chilled out and relaxed and went with the flow for the afternoons and evenings for the most part. We enjoyed time at our hotel pools, ate leisurely meals, and still did every single ride and attraction we wanted to do and never felt pressured or rushed since we felt like we knew what we were doing. Does it get any better than that?? Oh, and I would also recommend getting the Passporter for its excellent park maps. I tore those out and took them with me and I found I used those most of the time and rarely looked at the official Disney park maps. A CM at MGM saw me looking at it and he started asking questions about where I had gotten it, and he agreed it was more clear and seemed easier to follow than the official maps!

 

[DebIreland]

Oh, and I would also recommend getting the Passporter for its excellent park maps. I tore those out and took them with me and I found I used those most of the time and rarely looked at the official Disney park maps. A CM at MGM saw me looking at it and he started asking questions about where I had gotten it, and he agreed it was more clear and seemed easier to follow than the official maps!

I love those maps in the Passporter. So much better than the ones they give you at the gate.

 

[learnhome]

and I would also recommend getting the Passporter for its excellent park maps. I tore those out and took them with me and I found I used those most of the time and rarely looked at the official Disney park maps. A CM at MGM saw me looking at it and he started asking questions about where I had gotten it, and he agreed it was more clear and seemed easier to follow than the official maps!

What is "The Passporter"?

Chris (lost as usual, but learning my way )

 

[cndncruiz]

This will be our first trip to WDW. I joined this site in 2004 when I was planning a trip and cruise to Florida. That trip didn't happen as we ended up having our first Disney experience at Disneyland. I planned by using this site and RideMax and still to this day I can't believe it when people tell me how long the line ups were and how busy it was. I would tell others we went in the middle of summer and the longest wait we had was for Aladdin to start.

Now when planning or WDW trip for this coming Christmas I thought to myself, "oh oh, this place is huge and at Christmas?" I subscribed to Tour Guide Mike and I am extremely pleased with his information.

I would say subscribing to TGM and Disboards are the only way to go. Obviously you want to plan because you found the Disboards.

It is fun!

 

[karenloo]

Chris, the Passporter is another guide book, like the Unofficial Guide or Birnbaum's. It's got some useful info about rides and dining, but the best thing are the maps (and it also has pockets for each day of your trip where you can jot down your dining reservation numbers, which park you'll be visiting that day, etc. plus stash papers there). You can find it at large bookstores where you would find travel books and guides.

 

[learnhome]

Chris, the Passporter is another guide book, like the Unofficial Guide or Birnbaum's. .

Oh, boy - do I have alot to learn....thanks so much

Chris

 

[MomofCKJ]

I was just talking about this to DH the other day. I guess when you are here, or over at TGM, you are surrounded by people like yourself, obsessive planners! You start to wonder how it all works if everyone is like you but in reality we are the minority so that is why it works. I can not imagine taking a trip to Disney and not planning. It just is mind boggling to me. But when DH and I cruised in 2004 I was equally obsessed with reading about/planning that too. Must be my nature!

Anyway I just find it so interesting that some people just book, go and wait in loooooong lines. That does not sound fun at all!

And I love TGM. I just signed on in February for our December trip and it is so interesting. It is overwhelming at first but take your time and visit the forums, people are so willing to help you out.

Allyson

 

[EEyorelover22]

You all make good points about having to get up early. Many are not willing to do this. I've found that the lines don't really start till nearly 10 in June. DH always says "can't we sleep in one day?" DS and DH love going over to "the other park" so they can sleep in. DD and I love when they leave us so we can get up early like always and stay out even later

If I can get help on that website, I think I'll jump on board!!

 

[XxStaceFacexX]

When you log in, please, I can't stress how important it is, please click on the link in the first paragraph under the Welcome statement that says....AVP Overview. That outlines the entire site layout and should help make the navigation a bit easier. I agree that it could be a bit smoother to navigate, but the tabs at the top of the page help to keep you on task. Good luck! Maggie

I tried that and it's still a problem... I just feel like this was a total waste of my money (

 

[Kick Save]

Oh, boy - do I have alot to learn....thanks so much

Chris

Everybody here was in your place at one time...head down, ears pinned back and read, read, read!

Here's the best part, Chris: Even with the little bit you've picked up so far, you'd still be ahead of 95% of the crowd at Disney if you showed up at the gate tomorrow.

 

[XantheFan]

I used Unofficial Guide for our first trip and it was great. UG had great details about rides (line waits, tips for riding, best rooms to ask for in a hotel, etc.)

After visiting Disboards I thought I would give TGM a try too this time. I really like that TGM gives you more detail than the UG. For example, TGM breaks out the best parks into half days so that if you are park hopping you know what is best for the morning and the afternoon, because it can change. In a nut shell, I recommend both the UG and TGM, both well worth your money!

The big key is to make sure that you even if you have a plan, still be flexible! Don't let the schedule stress you or take away the magic.

 

[Pedler]

I tried that and it's still a problem... I just feel like this was a total waste of my money (

Hang with it overthere. What I reccomend people do when the first get started with TGM is get onto the TGM forums first. There is a section for helping people navigate the site and trip reports. (Note: My suggestion is different than what Mike suggests but I think its good to get a feel for how his ideas work in practice before you dive into too much of the detail.)

Second go find the MK sample touring plans, ask in the forums if you need a link to it and read up on the one that applies to you. (With or without kids and such.) Find a map of MK either here or somewher that you can print out to follow along with.

Then go read trip reports in the trip report forum and read about peoples first day at MK. All of this will take about an hour maybe a bit less. Once you have done that it will put it all into context and you will get a feel for what Mike says in a plan and how it actually works for real people. You will also see how well it worked out for real people.

One thing I have found about TGM is that it takes a bit to get used to. TGM is more than just tour planing. It is about how to have, as he says, a relaxing resort vacation at WDW. As such he spends a lot of time going over the philosphy and touring strategies in detail. As one person said there isn't just one article on Wishes but three different articles covering different aspects. It takes a bit to get used to how the site works and what he is trying to teach people. Once you get the hang of it you will be amazed at how quick you can get around the site and how usefull the information is. Also in general with the attractions the article layout is similar.

Initially avoid reading the articles about each individual attractions. There are tips and tricks for just about all of them and in some cases multiple articles covering different aspects. Don't start down that path until you have a handle on his general touring styles / philosophies. It just gets a bit confusing jumping into that level of detail when you are still getting a handle on his touring style at first.

Good luck. I don't think you will regret the time you put into TGM.

 

[Pedler]

After visiting Disboards I thought I would give TGM a try too this time. I really like that TGM gives you more detail than the UG. For example, TGM breaks out the best parks into half days so that if you are park hopping you know what is best for the morning and the afternoon, because it can change. In a nut shell, I recommend both the UG and TGM, both well worth your money!

This was one of the things we really liked about TGM. For those that have not used TGM not only are the best days sometimes different than the UG TGM breaks them down into half days and rates them as red light, yellow light and green light mornings and evenings. (I guess the half days assume park hoppers) his advice was invaluable and we always felt that we were one step ahead of the crowds. We went ad the end of August. Combining his approach to best days along with some other unique TGM advice on how to get around the parks we were able to ride an amazing amount of rides, never wait in line more than 5 minutes (Except for the one time on RnR, 20 minutes with a FP and being at the front of the FP line. If there is a worse implementation of FP I would like to know because that was bad!), and we absolutely did not go commando, did not criss cross the park and at the end of a 7 day vacation spending every day at the parks did not come how tired and wanting another vacation. I chalk it all up to TGM.

 

[learnhome]

Oh, and I would also recommend getting the Passporter for its excellent park maps. I tore those out and took them with me and I found I used those most of the time and rarely looked at the official Disney park maps. A CM at MGM saw me looking at it and he started asking questions about where I had gotten it, and he agreed it was more clear and seemed easier to follow than the official maps!

Ok, another dumb question with regards to the Passporter, the 2006 version is what is for sale right now, I am guessing it will be fine even if my trip of for 1/13/07??? I just want to be sure before I purchase it.....Amazon has it for sale anyway, but - I don't want to waste any POTENTIAL Disney money

Chris

 

[DebIreland]

Chris,
They have a website www.passporter.com so you can read about the book and, more importantly, read any updates i.e relevant information that came about since the book was printed. The 2006 edition was published last November and is therefore already somewhat dated in my opinion. As you're not going til next January, there's sure to be another one published by then. I guess around November again??! So maybe for now if you read the website and pre-order the book for the end of the year.

 

[johnvree]

I tried that and it's still a problem... I just feel like this was a total waste of my money (

I was frustrated too in the beginning. Stick with it. It will become like second nature eventually.

 

[learnhome]

Chris,
They have a website www.passporter.com so you can read about the book and, more importantly, read any updates i.e relevant information that came about since the book was printed. The 2006 edition was published last November and is therefore already somewhat dated in my opinion.

THANKS FOR THE INFO!!! I ended up ordering the book, but I got it off ebay for pretty cheap, so at least I can begin to read it in advanced...I have another thread - because my three children do not like very many rides...they have not ever been big ride fans, so - I want to plan accordingly. This way I can make the most of each theme park and not spend time trying to find smaller gentle rides for them.......oh well, that was off the point, but thanks again for the website info!!!

Chris

 

[learnhome]

Actually, here is the info for the new passporter to come straight from the website:

Title: PassPorter Walt Disney World 2007
Format: Spiral, Deluxe, and Refill
Availability: November 15, 2006 (we expect to begin taking pre-orders in September 2006


THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CHRIS

 

[3DisneyKids]

I am TGM member and I will say that I like his site and there is TONS of information. However, that may also be the problem...although his advice is great, he simply uses too many words to get his point across. I am always reading through corny commentary, rhetorical questions, and smiley faces, and it can be frustrating when you are just looking for one simple answer.

In general, I do not love the layout of the site...too confusin and too much stuff in different places, etc. Once you have spent enough time on the site, you do eventually figure out what is where...but there is so much content there, it definitely takes some time.

His advice, however, is on the money. get there early and zig when everyone else zags and you will likely be in great shape.

 

[GrandmaBarb]

The newest, improved, easy to follow version is in the works.
In the meantime, all info is updated daily and you will know exacty what is happening where, when etc.
Check out the forums if you have any questions or need help in any way.