TourGuideMike Question

[DLBDS]

Seeing the other thread had me investigating TGM at his website. I know he comes highly recommended. I'm a little (a lot) confused about how his program works though. Is it ALL online? You never receive hard copies in the mail? What do you guys do, print off all the useful information and take it with you to WDW? How much printing is involved with that?! I noticed that there's a discount for DISboard members. Anyone purchase that way? I haven't been to WDW as an adult. Would we be better off using TGM or would UG/PP be just as good for a 1st-timer? I have to admit the 'commando' style of the UG doesn't exactly sound fun but am still on the fence where TGM is concerned. So, for $18.95 he'll figure out everything right down to suggestions of where WE should eat? The information he's said to provide seems like the size of the UG all over again! Can someone explain exactly how much information is provided and how you take it with you to WDW? Sorry if I sound really dumb but I'm really unsure about TGM and don't know exactly how to form my questions. I'll shut up now.

 

[aviva5675]

I subscribed a few months ago to prep for Nov 06 trip. Also have the UG, which I used mainly last trip a few years ago. This time I think Im going to follow TGM touring advice, it seems to have alot of fans and probably less used than the masses following UG. No,it doesnt seem he plans your own personal visit- its suggestions of which parks to go to on which days and then there are touring plans for those parks-- morning and/or afternoon....He does ask alot of questions about your trip so that info you look for will appeal to what you want to do. There seems to be alot of printing if you want it all laid out- that seems to be up to the individual. Not sure Ive looked thru it enough myself yet- but thats what it seems to me so far!

 

[HydroGuy]

We're DL vets planning our first WDW trip in May and signed up for TGM a couple weeks ago. I like to do a lot of research before trips, so TGM appeals to me. 95% of the information there can be found for free on DIS, AllEars, etc. But he does a nice job of collecting and organizing the information, IMO. And I have found a few invaluable tips that will change how we do our trip. I also like how he describes the rides and which ones will most likely appeal to you.

To make things more confusing, TGM's advice on which days are best for which parks frequently is contrary to what the UG suggests, and their website touringplans.com (for early May at least). I have decided that TGM's advice works better for me in this area. However, the UG book has lots of good info as well. If you use either or both of these resources, you will be ahead of 99% of the other people at the parks.

Everything TGM has is online. If you want a hard copy, you can print it.

 

[susykt4]

I've used TGM for my past 2 trips. The first time I used TGM was our first family trip with our kids then ages 2 and 4. I didn't find out about it or subscribe until about 2 1/2 weeks before our trip. I mainly used his site for park touring info and it was FANTASTIC!!! We went during a busy Spring Break week and even with our young kids we got to see everything we wanted. We never really felt rushed or overexerted ourselves.

Our last trip was in January (kids now 3 and 5) and the crowds were so low that we didn't really NEED the touring plans, but the basic principles you learn to stay ahead of the crowds were still very beneficial.

The TGM site is huge but very easy to navigate and only get the info YOU want. I agree with the previous poster that you can print out either tons or very few pages of info, depending upon what is important to you.

My parents came along with us for part of both trips. The first trip they teased me terribly about all my planning. The teasing stopped the first morning when we hit MK and rode about a zillion rides and saw bunches of characters before the terrible crowds hit. I then became a Disney genius. This past trip they took the kids to MK by themselves one day and actually asked me about the "right" (meaning TGM) order to do everything, LOL. I thought TGM was the best $20 I could have spent to prepare for two WONDERFUL Disney vacations! I highly recommend it!!!

 

[Goofy Rulz]

I signed up for TGM about 3 weeks ago for our upcoming trip. Initially, I was overwhelmed at everything that was there and didn't know what to look at first. But once you get the hang of it, it is really helpful. Printing the information out and putting it in a binder made it even easier. We used UG on previous trips, but still learned something from TGM and hoping we can avoid those long lines that everyone hates.

 

[**pixiedust**]

I joined TGM a couple of weeks ago. I did use a discount code that I found on the DIS, but after using his site, I would have paid double his asking price to access it (but please don't tell him that, LOL!).

Once you get into the site and really become familiar with it, it will seem less daunting. I do plan to print out a few things to take with me (such as park days recommendations) in case some of my plans go askew while we are there. But I have already printed out the blank itinerary pages he provides and my whole plan will be on them. I don't think it will be that much printing. I guess you have to be willing to sit in front of the computer and read everything as opposed to having a book in front of you.

I love the UG, and have used many of its suggestions and tips. But it was a relief to find TGM and realize that we could have a relaxing vacation AND still see all that we wanted to see. He is just a wealth of information and knowledge as far as making your vacation productive and relaxing at the same time. I would highly recommend him...and I haven't even had my trip yet!

 

[sara74]

I have signed on with TGM for our upcoming first family trip in April. I hope his info works for us. I am so obscessive about planning that instead of printing his info I have made a binder and am handwriting all the info that is pertinent to our trip. I think he makes sense but I am actually having a very hard time navigating his site. I keep clicking on a link and somehow ending up in a spot where I have to log in again. I am finding it very annoying. However, all my annoyance will be gone if it works out for our trip!

 

[ReggieB]

The best day recommendations are really spot on. TGM actually says somewhere in his spiel to print out all that you want. I do actually prefer the a printed guidebook, but I make an exception in this case as there is some useful stuff in there.

 

[johnvree]

You will not be disappointed with TGM. His site takes a little time to get used to but the information is invaluable.

1. TGM is entirely on-line (as far as I know). How much printing you do is obviously up to you. There is a ton of stuff you may want to print. But, because you can print what you want/need, it's unlikely that the information you print will be as thick as the UG.

2. I didn't use the DIS discount, so I can't help you on this one.

3. I think TGM is just as good for first timers as the UG. Both break down the basics pretty well. TGM allows you to delve deeper on subjects if you want to by clicking additional links within his site.

4. He doesn't recommend commando style touring. He gives you tips on how to maximize your touring in the early part of the day so you can enjoy the second half of the day.

5. You can take whatever you print from TGM with you in a binder or a folder. Again, it is not going to be any thicker than the UG.

6. TGM will analyze your vacation and make all kinds of suggestions, including restaurants.

7. You don't sound dumb. I had the same questions. I signed up and am glad I did.

 

[rie'smom]

I print all my info from TGM onto index cards. Besides my info from Mike, I also print out airline info(flight numbers,etc),rental car info, driving directions from airport to resort, resort info,ADRs, and any other info.we need. Everything printed has it's own 3*5 card.Then I laminate the cards and punch a hole in the top left corner and put all the info on a binder ring. It fits very easily into my purse.

 

[Mickeefan]

I signed up for TGM a few weeks ago for our trip in September and I've been using the site ever since. I like what I've seen so far. I am still getting the hang of it, though. This is not my first time to WDW and I used the UG on previous trips. I also use Dreams Unlimited and I love them! Hope that helps.

 

[Pedler]

There are some nice summaries of the touring plans and park tips available at TGM that have been created by fellow TGM users. Stephen has some very nice summaries of the standard touring plans that can be printed out in a compact size and taken with you. Also another user created a one page write up for each park that summarizes all of the major tips for that park such as view spots, ride tips and such. I believe that Stephen has a link to hose items in PDF format as well on his page at TGM. We printed out those items along with a quick list of ADR info that I made in Excel. They were small enough that I could fit them in my pocket and easily refer to them during the day.

There were a few times when they really came in handy if we shifted plans and I needed some ride info or parade view spots at MGM when we on a whim decided to change our plans and catch the parade. I just took out the handy MGM Tips sheet and quick scanned the summary of the parade and had no problem securing a good viewing spot.

 

[darlene9947]

As you can tell from my siggie, I've been to Disney quite a few times. When we went in July, 2003 it was HORRENDOUS. We had never been there in the summer and were not prepared for the heat, crowds, etc. We knew our way around the parks, but it was a horrible trip. We had a large group, including 4 Disney virgins. Cranky people do not make for a pleasant vacation. I swore I'd never go in the summer again.
Fast forward to last year. I wanted to take my grandson to Star Wars weekends. I signed up for TGM and struggled to navigate his site. But I kept up with it. I discovered Steven's printout as a previous poster noted. Followed Mike's advice, printed Steven's touring tips, had them laminated and left for our trip. It was AWESOME!!! It was hot, but not like July. We were able to see everything in the parks and have a great time. I will never, never, never, ever go to WDW without Mike!
My DIL decided spur of the moment on a Sunday in Dec. to go back to the parks. We left on a Tuesday night. I printed out Mike's info again and we had a ball. Of course, the crowds are small the first 2 weeks in Dec. but it was still nice to know where to sit in the audience for some of the shows to have the best viewing spots.
I have just booked for New Year's Eve this year and once again, Mike is coming with me!!

 

[Amyg]

We will be going to WDW for the first time in early July so I signed up (w/discount) in January. I did find it just a little confusing to navigate since there's SO much information, but I'm very comfortable now.

I have copied and pasted a lot of the information from his site. I then re-read what I've copied and delete anything that I don't find pertinent, that cuts down on the amount of pages I'll end up printing. I will print a few weeks before we leave so I still have a lot of time to add and delete what I need to.

I love that he gives great description for everything so I'll know before hand what rides and show we may or may not be interested in.

If you are not happy with your subscription, TGM has a money back guarantee! Can't go wrong with that!

 

[Praying Colonel]

I'm a planning geek and so I have the UG and just signed up for TGM, too. I just did a chart (told you I was a planning geek! ) comparing what each says are the best and worst parks for the days I'm going to be attending, and they're both pretty close. From what little I've seen so far, their information is going to complement each other's.