Unofficial Guide or Touring Guide Mike?

[Danauk]

Another TGM fan here. Although you do need time to read the advice on the site once you get used to it the site is easy to work around (in my opinion.) I am travelling at Christmas and find having last years information easily accessible helpful. I know Mike will update this as soon as the information becomes available to him and this will continually be updated as WDW changes things. I love having the day by day advice available to me throught Christmas week as I know it will be really busy but with the advice given I am sure I will still have a stress free break. I personally use TGM in conjunction with my Passporter. I print the info I want out from TGM and put it into my Passporter wallet for that day. Then I can just take each days wallet out on the day I need it. That was I will have my TGM info and my reservation numbers with me when I need them.

 

[cropper]

Ok, I signed up to TGM and am disappointed right off the bat.
Does this sound correct to you all?? Regarding the MVMCP, all I can find is 2003/2004 info. Other then in the forum section, I can't find 2005 info.

This doesn't sound correct to me.

 

[Pedler]

Hi Cropper,

That information should be updated as we get closer to MVMCP. At this point I would reccomend starting by reading some of the planning articles and the sample plans for MK that fit your family. Then read some of the trip reports to get a feel for how a TGM vacation experience is. Then start in on the vacation planning articles. I know it may seem to be a let down not to find and immediate plan for MVMCP but TGM is much more than a go here do that type of plan.

Good luck with your planning. FYI there is a forum over at TGM to post questions regarding plans and the site and such. I think you will find it very usefull.

Tom.

 

[cropper]

Hi Cropper,

That information should be updated as we get closer to MVMCP. At this point I would reccomend starting by reading some of the planning articles and the sample plans for MK that fit your family. Then read some of the trip reports to get a feel for how a TGM vacation experience is. Then start in on the vacation planning articles. I know it may seem to be a let down not to find and immediate plan for MVMCP but TGM is much more than a go here do that type of plan.

Good luck with your planning. FYI there is a forum over at TGM to post questions regarding plans and the site and such. I think you will find it very usefull.

Tom.

But to not even have the dates listed?? Those have been out for a while now. It is listed as one of my sugggeste 'activities' but not to even have the dates??/

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

There is a definite misconception here. TourGuideMiKE does indeed update his information daily. He is in the parks constantly with his VIP tours and keeps his web site updated as the information is verified. No mis-information is posted. Just the verified facts as soon as available. The only time anyone has a problem with the web site is if they do not follow the idirections given at the beginning. If you just skip thru willie-nilly you will become totally confused as there is just so much information there to absorb. You need to take it step by step, following the information provided and you can plan the most perfect WDW vacation ever. If in doubt. Please sign up and see for yourself. But - don't just skim thru, it doesn't work that way. Also, check out his forums as there are so many knowledgeable people there who are very willing and able to help with any questions and problems. Also, MiKE himself answers any questions and provides the needed answers. If you skip thru and don't follow his directions and are dis-satisfied, yes, he will fully refund your money. I have subscribed to TGM's AVP for two years, am a WDW visitor since the MK opened and learn something new constantly and always know what the latest information is and can depend on it being accurate.

This post hit the nail on the head. There is ALOT to read and many links to follow. It is not something that can be absorbed quickly, it takes time and patience and individual research.
Information is updated as it becomes verified, eliminating any mistakes.

My only regret is ...now the secret is out about TGM's secrets!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

But to not even have the dates listed?? Those have been out for a while now. It is listed as one of my sugggeste 'activities' but not to even have the dates??/

This was one of my concerns, as well. That, and not having any pics of the new SSR rooms was a little disappointing. Rather keeps it from being a complete planning guide.

 

[caribbeanme]

Hi all!

A big fan of TGM as well. Book guides are updated sporadically if at all during the year, while TGM gets updated fairly quickly. As with anything, there is a lag time between the time that something is released by Disney and the time that TGM is able to update his pages. Notably, however, I have never been left hanging. I have always gotten the information I needed with more than ample time to plan my trip, and in a way that is complete and is therefore more useful for me. For example, TGM not only tells me when EMHs have changed during my trip (the boards or all ears do that), but since I'm signed to my month's exclusive forum on the TGM boards I get a quick preliminary set of guidelines from Mike on how to deal with it along with an ETA on when the official pages will get updated.

I come to these boards and all ears to get a preview of what's coming down the pike in terms of changes and dates, but I look to TGM to digest the information and tell me how to deal with it. It's well worth the wait for me.

Some planners are better for some people than others. I've used all of them, and I found that the time I spent looking over TGM translated into no time in the lines, and that's priceless.

 

[HaleyB]

I forgot the original question

I have used both UG and TGM touring plans with great results. However, TGM was correct about crowd levels by day in each park 100% of the time on my past trip while the UG lead me astray a few times the trip before that. So go with Mike on that front.

UG tours are much more camando style. Mike's are not.

Last year was my first time with TGM and I had my UG with me as back up. I never needed it. Still I read it cover to cover, just as I read every word on Mike's site. So a lot of the info was there in my head. I still advise everyone to do both.

Some of the complaints about TGM's site are things he has already fixed. Others seem to me just to be background noise (have no merit).

After having used both plans, I can say that for my family Mike's are better. His fast pass advice is much more logical than the UG, and it works better too.

 

[CalvaryMike]

Background: Grew up and around DL all of my life. CM @ DL for 5 yrs during college. Visit SW San Diego and Universal Hollywood many times over. Only trip to WDW was in '84. DW and myself will be there 10/1-10/8. I'm excited, but DW is more excited about going on vacation than visiting WDW.

Our trip is suppose to be a relaxing trip. Definitely, not going commando. This board and others have been awesome! Now I hear about TGM and I'm wondering if I should sign up. I have no idea how the crowds will be in early October. I'm guessing they won't be that large, but I could be totally wrong. I don't like (but who does?) standing in long lines.

I also don't want to miss out on something that I should've seen. So, does anyone recommend TGM for me? Or should UG be sufficient? I thought these boards were way more than sufficient, but I keep finding new and fun items every day.

Thanks!!!!

 

[WDWLinda]

I'm still wading thru all of his pages, and I definitely agree that there's a lot of useless info there...I keep thinking, "Where's the beef?"

On Mon. 8/8 I sent him a note asking why he didn't show that Blizzard Beach would be closed in Oct. He replied that it was just announced a few days before...I'm sorry, but if I can find out that info. (on the official WDW site, so I assume it's confirmed), then TGM should know and update his pages. As of yesterday his Oct. Express Planner function wasn't updated. I'm waiting to see if this makes it worthwhile...

BTW, I saved $3 with a promotional code I got from an earlier TGM post - can't remember what it was.

~Linda

 

[js]

I will be heading to Disney in October 06. Although I know the UG is either out or will be out shortly, I can’t purchase until Oct. (weird I know but I must wait until it is a year before my trip).
Anyway, I also want to subscribe to TGM. I am assuming his subscription is for a year. Is that correct? If so, I’ll purchase the beginning of November.
Thank you all very much!

 

[js]

I will be heading to Disney in October 06. Although I know the UG is either out or will be out shortly, I can’t purchase until Oct. (weird I know but I must wait until it is a year before my trip).
Anyway, I also want to subscribe to TGM. I am assuming his subscription is for a year. Is that correct? If so, I’ll purchase the beginning of November.
Thank you all very much!

 

[HaleyB]

I will be heading to Disney in October 06. Although I know the UG is either out or will be out shortly, I can’t purchase until Oct. (weird I know but I must wait until it is a year before my trip).
Anyway, I also want to subscribe to TGM. I am assuming his subscription is for a year. Is that correct? If so, I’ll purchase the beginning of November.
Thank you all very much!

Good news, you can join now! His subscription currently is based on your travel dates- so from when ever you join untill 60 days after you get home! My only word of caution is that it will be a super long wait for his specific advice for Oct 06- but all his general advice is there and the message board community is wonderful.

We have several Oct 06 members already!

 

[HaleyB]

Background: Grew up and around DL all of my life. CM @ DL for 5 yrs during college. Visit SW San Diego and Universal Hollywood many times over. Only trip to WDW was in '84. DW and myself will be there 10/1-10/8. I'm excited, but DW is more excited about going on vacation than visiting WDW.

Our trip is suppose to be a relaxing trip. Definitely, not going commando. This board and others have been awesome! Now I hear about TGM and I'm wondering if I should sign up. I have no idea how the crowds will be in early October. I'm guessing they won't be that large, but I could be totally wrong. I don't like (but who does?) standing in long lines.

I also don't want to miss out on something that I should've seen. So, does anyone recommend TGM for me? Or should UG be sufficient? I thought these boards were way more than sufficient, but I keep finding new and fun items every day.

Thanks!!!!

Early Oct should be not real busy/not real slow. Tourguidemike is not just touring plans, it is vacation planning and advice.

TGM offers 100% money back if not satisfied, so why not join? I think it will be worth the cost, but if you don't find his advice helpful you can always ask for your money back.

 

[js]

HaleyB, thank you VERY much!
I had NO idea I could do this now! I’ve known for some time I was going on 10/21/06 LOL and would have subscribed long ago LOL
I think I will do it this weekend! Thank you again.