TourGuideMike Rules!

[Eyore4Ever149]

Okay, I know there are a lot of UG fans, but I just had to rave about TGM. I subscribed last year and got a lot out of his site. I renewed this year and am learning even MORE- I had no idea how in depth his site was. Even his discussion forums are bar none. His information, while it does take a few moments to master navigating, it's simply fantastic. I have a spreadsheet, and plan for my stay- with room to change my mind too and am confident I will have a superior trip simply because of his tips. I once posted doubting my investment and wanted to come back and post that after absorbing and putting it to the test- he has great park tours, great tips and advice and it is indeed worth the investment.

If you are considering subscribing, I highly recommend his site!

www.tourguidemike.com

 

[Nik's Mom]

I'm a TGM and DIS fan too! I've been very pleased with TGM. This is my 2nd time using him, and it gets better every time. I'm glad you are pleased!

 

[javaj]

I agree. I've renewed twice already, I'm on my 3rd AVP for our next trip. BTW, each renewal gets cheaper if it is within a certain time frame.

 

[donnajon]

I'm on my 2nd renewal and will resubscribe after this upcome June trip! I love Mike!!!

 

[DisneyMama629]

I have to chime in here. TGM does rock!!!

 

[Sorcerer Figment]

I couldn't agree more. But I would add the UG has some great info too. I say that in hopes that this won't become yet another flame war. To potential TGM subscribers, it's not magical secrets you've never heard. It's just timely and accurate advice from a guy who is on top of his game. I highly recommend it!

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

TGM was useless to me.

Nothing I haven't read either in other guidebooks or other Disney sites that don't charge.

It's just a series of endlessly linked articles that give general advice any WDW veteran could give to you.

I spent a great deal of time reading through said endlessly linked articles, and even subscribed a SECOND time because everyone insisted there was something I was missing. There wasn't; I wasn't.

If $20+ bucks is nothing to you, give it a try. If $20+ bucks matters, stick to the DIS, AllEars, and the rest of the wonderful FREE Disney sites.

N.E.D.

 

[nataliesdaddy]

TGM was useless to me.

Nothing I haven't read either in other guidebooks or other Disney sites that don't charge.

It's just a series of endlessly linked articles that give general advice any WDW veteran could give to you.

If $20+ bucks is nothing to you, give it a try. If $20+ bucks matters, stick to the DIS, AllEars, and the rest of the wonderful FREE Disney sites.

N.E.D.

yeah dis and allears rocks

 

[Grammy]

Another TGM fan here! We've used the AVP for the last 2 Christmas week trips and can honestly say that the AVP does deliver on what it promises! Our travel agent recommended it to us and we were so glad she did. She liked it so much that the agency now gives away a subscription free to their customers. If there is ever a week to test it, Christmas week is it and we zipped through everything without standing in long lines despite the enormous crowds. It is a lot of information and a lot of articles but keep in mind that it wasn't written for the Disney expert. It was written so that any Disney guest can benefit and that means taking some time to explain the basics. If you don't take the time to go through it, you will feel like you can get everything for free elsewhere but you aren't really using the AVP if you don't take some time and go through it. Once you get the feel for the way it is laid out you can easily tell when to skim and when to read details. Don't just read the short, bulleted lists; read the full article so you can learn the whys and hows that went in to generating the bulleted list. Once you take the time to go through it, I promise you will find some real gems that are most definitely not available elsewhere for free.

 

[GrandmaBarb]

Well said Grammy.
There is no way anyone can subscribe to TGM's AVP and not gain multi-times their money's worth. Unless you skip thru from link to link and miss the whole picture. It is how and why, not what.
For first timers to old timers there is always something new to learn. I am a veteran WDW visitor since the day the MK opened. I am a repeat subscriber and since using TGM and his AVP I have had the most perfectly perfect vacations ever. Especially last holiday season when with Mike's info and suggestions we saw and did "everything" with no lines, no problems etc. The TGM forums are frequented by the most knowledgeable, friendly people on the web. Come on over and check it out. You won't be disappointed.

 

[treehugger]

Well said Grammy.
There is no way anyone can subscribe to TGM's AVP and not gain multi-times their money's worth. Unless you skip thru from link to link and miss the whole picture. It is how and why, not what.
For first timers to old timers there is always something new to learn. I am a veteran WDW visitor since the day the MK opened. I am a repeat subscriber and since using TGM and his AVP I have had the most perfectly perfect vacations ever. Especially last holiday season when with Mike's info and suggestions we saw and did "everything" with no lines, no problems etc. The TGM forums are frequented by the most knowledgeable, friendly people on the web. Come on over and check it out. You won't be disappointed.

I couldn't agree more! I have been to Disney about 20 times and considered myself a veteran, wrong! TGM has given me great info not only about touring but little details that really enhance my trip and make it so much more special! What makes his site so great is that it is done in a way that the first timer and "veteran" can equally benefit on different levels.

 

[Marseeya]

If $20+ bucks is nothing to you, give it a try. If $20+ bucks matters, stick to the DIS, AllEars, and the rest of the wonderful FREE Disney sites.

N.E.D.

20 bucks is a drop in the bucket compared to the thousands you pay for the trip!

 

[Selket]

I too had read the Disboards for years, used the UG every trip and visited WDW several times but I used TGM for my last trip in Aug, 2003 and it was just awesome. His ideas are right on and you aren't marched all over the park on some schedule you can never keep. For example my son and I used his plan for touring with children in the MK one morning in mid-August and by 10:30 or so we had done everything - and finished so quickly that we had time for a nice leisurely iced coffee/fruit juice and snack and sat outside playing checkers there in Frontierland for awhile. Then we rode 3 more things on the way out. It was hotter than heck, the parks were getting crowded and we were on our way out the door back to the hotel.

He offers touring plans but if you want to take the time to plan a bit more, he gives a lot of detailed advice on what attractions are best to see when...and most importantly tells you WHY. You can then tailor his plan to your needs. If you get off-track (who doesn't? especially with little kids) it is easy to figure out what to do next to minimize your wait times. He gives detailed advice on the best parade viewing spots and even the best way to get a seat with a good view at shows like Fantasmic, or The Hall of Presidents and so forth.

A subscription to his website costs no more than a guidebook. Considering how many thousands of dollars folks generally spend on a WDW vacation it is well worth the cost. And if you aren't happy he will refund your money. I figured I had nothing to lose back in 2003 so I signed up. Now I wouldn't think of going to WDW without TGM. Even my husband, who doesn't like WDW all that much, is a TGM convert cause he sees how much better our vacations are using Mike's advice.

Mike just put out his very specific touring advice for May - including the best parks and places to go that that 1st week when I"m visiting and the 50th anniversary celebration is going on.

 

[Tarheel Tink]

TGM does rock! Same experience here for me; thought I was a so-called expert but learned quite a few things I had never read or heard about. Those tips are invaluable to me and come from a daily park tour guide who can give me up to date changes in the world. Well worth the cost of several bottles of water! (not to mention the information on numerous uncrowded areas for fireworks viewing- anyone want to zag with me? )

 

[disneyjunkie]

TGM was useless to me.

Nothing I haven't read either in other guidebooks or other Disney sites that don't charge.

It's just a series of endlessly linked articles that give general advice any WDW veteran could give to you.

I spent a great deal of time reading through said endlessly linked articles, and even subscribed a SECOND time because everyone insisted there was something I was missing. There wasn't; I wasn't.

If $20+ bucks is nothing to you, give it a try. If $20+ bucks matters, stick to the DIS, AllEars, and the rest of the wonderful FREE Disney sites.

N.E.D.

I have to agree.

I can't bring myself to pay for something I can get for free. I've always had great trips (the last one during Easter Break 2004 ) We hardly ever wait in long lines. We're always ahead of the crowds and still manage to find time to sit back and just enjoy the great things around us. We've managed to do all of this and then some without using TGM.

I can't see myself using his service, but I'm glad it's there for others.

I'm sure there are tons of people that think I'm nuts for spending so much time online researching our Disney trips.

 

[pjtjm]

I am planning my first disney trip in almost ten years... (Didn't have my three kids then, went with my DH.. you think this trip will be different?

Anyway... since I'm a disney parent newbie, I have found his site to be useful, but I do agree that you can find most info elsewhere if you're willing to hunt around for it.

The only thing I don't agree with is the statement about the forums over on his site... They're okay... but NOTHING beats this site

Honestly... I haven't posted much... but I do search and have found the answers to every question I've had so far...

Thanks everyone, you really have helped me, even when you're answering someone else's post...

 

[kutchyone]

The DIS, TGM, DIZ and others are each a piece in my DW arsenal. It sounds like I am ready to do battle doesn’t it. The DIS has always helped me get deep discounts, including first notification that the AP discount rates were out for this years June trip. The DIZ has RustyScupper offering advice on the forums that has always been 100% on the mark for me. His writing style and experience planning large group trips is priceless. And for the first time this DW trip I also have TGM. So far I have learned a few “tricks” which I plan on using in June. I will be sure to let you all know how the changes to how I regularly tour to the way I plan on touring this trip because of the TGM influence works out.

You can get a discount membership through I think the Mouse for Less. Mike also offers a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. You really have nothing to lose so why not give it a try. Make sure that you

I look forward to communicating with any new members on the forums there, here and on the DIZ, I don’t “hide” behind different screen names.

 

[Grammy]

I have to agree.

I can't bring myself to pay for something I can get for free. I've always had great trips (the last one during Easter Break 2004 ) We hardly ever wait in long lines. We're always ahead of the crowds and still manage to find time to sit back and just enjoy the great things around us. We've managed to do all of this and then some without using TGM.

How can you agree that it's not worth it if you have never actually TRIED it? It's fine to say that you personally don't think you are interested but don't put down a business as not worth the money if you haven't even tried it!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I am a TGB suscriber...

You know, anyone who wants to spend 5-10 minutes on ANYTHING and then expect some kind of wonderful, perfect, personalized, Disney Itenerary should expect to be very disappointed.

I have been here on the DIS for quite a while now! And, yes, the DIS is GREAT!!!! However, TGM has also really payed off for me!!!! As a real expert, on top of his game, he has taken all of the info and tips that he KNOWS are for real, and layed them out in a step-by-step way that WORKS! It pulls it all together for you. You really LEARN and absorb the info and tips and his overall way of thinking, to make your personal trip the most wonderful and enjoyable as possible for YOU. No hours of searching and digging... no wondering, which persons opinion should I believe over anothers... etc.... etc...

Sure, a lot of the general info is out-there online, in books, etc... But, no way, after all the time I have spent here on the DIS, or any other site... has ANY other resource pulled it all together for me the way TGM has. That is the beauty of TGM... That has been what has made it worth my $20.00.

Anyone who is ready to spend thousands of dollars on a trip to Disney, and wants to take the time to complain about a $20.00 resource...

 

[disneyjunkie]

How can you agree that it's not worth it if you have never actually TRIED it? It's fine to say that you personally don't think you are interested but don't put down a business as not worth the money if you haven't even tried it!

Why do you care what I think??

TGM isn't worth MY money. Like I said before, I have no desire to spend money on something that I can get for free. I also said I wouldn't use TGM, but I'm glad the service is there for those that will.