Unofficial Guide Vs. TourGuide MIke

[MouseEarsJenny]

Since I see that Tour Guide Mike is an official sponsor, maybe I shouldn't ask this here, lol. I've used the Unofficial Guide touring plans in the past, and love them. I have them already for this trip. Is it worth purchasing the Tour Guide Mike plans, too? Or are they going to be pretty similar? Anyone with experience of one being better/more efficient/whatever than the other?

Many thanks in advance. I hate to be a cheapskate, but if most of the information is going to be repetitive with what I already have, I'd rather put the money toward these interesting sounding crocs....

 

[Goofy Rulz]

I used the UG on our trip last March. It was helpful and I learned a lot for that trip vs going uninformed for our trip previous to that. That being said, I signed up for TGM about 3 weeks ago for our upcoming trip. I find that while some info may seem repetitive to UG, he has a real insight, explains why we should do what he suggests and provides "short cuts". Since we're not going until June I can't say if it is better than UG, but from what I've learned so far from his site, I'm impressed and can't wait to put his talent to go use.

 

[bwbuddy5]

I've used UG for years, but after one look at TGM, I'm a believer. He not only tells you what, but explains why. Plus, after hearing representaives from UG on recent podcasts, I wasn't that impressed with their rationale and what they had to say.

 

[VSL]

I like having the UG (and the Brit's Guide, for that matter) because I just love books in general. However, I'm going back next year (my BF just said, 'shall we?' and I was like, 'WOO!') and have already re-subscribed to TGM (we don't know the exact dates yet and we haven't booked, but we know the month and I figured that I can take advantage of TGM's advice for WDW resorts this time around as I had already booked by the time I subscribed last year!).

I like UG/BG but TGM tells you the 'why' behind everything, and it means you can adjust 'on the fly' and stuff. TGM is more flexible.

IMO.

 

[mill4023]

I have copies of the UG for Disneyland and for WDW, and I'm a TGM subscriber. I used the UG plans for Disneyland a couple years ago and I used TGM's plans for WDW last year.
Both worked very well for minimizing the amount of time spent waiting in lines for attractions. IMO, the UG plans are a bit more "commando". They seem to require more criss-crossing of the parks and sticking to the schedule more strictly. They also focus on getting in as many rides in as possible. I found the TGM way to be a little more relaxed. He provides enough information on the reasoning behind recommendations that it makes it easier to customize them and adapt to unplanned changes. TGM also focuses more on making the vacation relaxing and leaving time for resting.

 

[dreamscometrue47]

For years, I used only the UG but for this past Jan trip, I signed up for TGM. I think if you have been to WDW many times, then you probably know the lay of the land, what rides have the longest lines, etc. and they "why's" of all of this... and could maybe do without either of them! And this trip, that's sort of what I did. I used a little bit of UG, a little bit if TGM and a LOTTLE bit of my own past experiences!

Personally, I like to get as many opinions on touring WDW as I can, and I enjoy both UG and TGM. They have a couple of different ideas on touring the parks, and both are great and valid ideas. I will say though that I am much happier that I found the UG first, only because I do MUCH better with a book than trying to navigate a web site that can be as confusing as TGM's (at first, at first!!!).

If you can afford both, I would get both..and don't forget, if you don't like TGM, you can get your money back. I felt it was worth the money just to have another fun place to read about WDW!

 

[aunt kelly]

The main difference I see (other than UG is a book and TGM is a website) is that TGM has specific recommendations regarding which park to visit on every day of your trip. For example, my trip is March 12th-19th. I can look at his least crowded parks link and view his specific reccomendations as to what parks will be least crowded and most crowded on March 13th. He tells you why he has made those recommendations for those specific dates-spring break crowds, cheerleading competitions, etc. The advice is very specific to your dates. I'm a tour book junkie. However, there are so many articles on TMG, I haven't felt the need to go out and buy five other books, which is what I have done when planning previous trips.

 

[johnvree]

If you are the kind of person who buys muliple WDW guidebooks, you should join TGM. There are things on his site that are not in any other guide book. If I had to choose one or the other, I'd probably go with the Unofficial Guide since you are not locked to your computer to read it.

I have two "minor" problems with TGM:

1. It is a little difficult to navigate. I joined last week and it is definitely getting a little easier to find my way around. But I still find its organization to be a little convoluted.

2. I wish his "least crowded park" recommendations kept up with the 6 month ADR dates. I am within 180 days of my trip for the last two weeks in August and can make my ADR's. However, TGM has only analyzed the dates through the first two weeks of August. Result: I booked the hard to get ADR's without his recommendations on which parks are best on which days. Problem: If the day that I made my ressie for CRT, for example, turns out to be a day he recommends that we stay away from MK, we can either go despite his advice or lose our CRT ressies.

These are very minor complaints. His site is really great and chock full of good information.

 

[mill4023]

If you are the kind of person who buys muliple WDW guidebooks, you should join TGM. There are things on his site that are not in any other guide book. If I had to choose one or the other, I'd probably go with the Unofficial Guide since you are not locked to your computer to read it.

I have two "minor" problems with TGM:

1. It is a little difficult to navigate. I joined last week and it is definitely getting a little easier to find my way around. But I still find its organization to be a little convoluted.

2. I wish his "least crowded park" recommendations kept up with the 6 month ADR dates. I am within 180 days of my trip for the last two weeks in August and can make my ADR's. However, TGM has only analyzed the dates through the first two weeks of August. Result: I booked the hard to get ADR's without his recommendations on which parks are best on which days. Problem: If the day that I made my ressie for CRT, for example, turns out to be a day he recommends that we stay away from MK, we can either go despite his advice or lose our CRT ressies.

These are very minor complaints. His site is really great and chock full of good information.

Unless there are some special events coming up in the last 2 weeks of August, the best days chart will likely look exactly like the first 2 weeks of August. One of the factors in the best days is park hours, so TGM can't really finalize the best days until park hours are published.

 

[TourGuideMiKE]

I don't want to comment on this thread because I firmly believe that's up to our readers/guests to decide, but please know that my 'Least Crowded Parks' charts for the last two weeks of August will be different from the first two weeks because those days are on a different Extra Magic Hour schedule (after Aug 12, 06).

I hope to have them up by the end of the evening -- working on them right now. And I apologize for the delay -- they should have already been available.


Typing, typing, typing,

TourGuideMiKE

 

[jeankeri]

You never know where that Mike will turn up.....

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

Well, sounds like there's enough difference between the two that it's worth a look, anyway. After all, I'm spending $2300 on this vacation before I even get there (plus whatever Disney manages to extract from my wallet while there, lol!), what's $18 gonna hurt?

I just basically didn't want to spend the money and find out I already knew the info!

Thanks all!

 

[DrTomorrow]

Disclaimer: I'm a UG fan from way back....

In reading these posts, I keep seeing folks say ".... and why". Granted that some of the Disney- and info-junkies here on the DIS snap up any factoid they can get their three-fingered hands on, but why is "why" TGM recommends something so important? When we did commando (pre-DVC ownership), the UG served us well, despite the fact that we didn't know "why" we should go to X before 11AM or after 3PM. It doesn't seem that "why" would allow you to make spur-of-the-moment changes (unless TGM is releasing enough "why" to enable you to be your own TGM and save some $$$ ), so wazzup?

PS It's really very, very creepy typing TGM questions with TGM leering at me from the upper right corner of this window

 

[johnvree]

Disclaimer: I'm a UG fan from way back....

In reading these posts, I keep seeing folks say ".... and why". Granted that some of the Disney- and info-junkies here on the DIS snap up any factoid they can get their three-fingered hands on, but why is "why" TGM recommends something so important? When we did commando (pre-DVC ownership), the UG served us well, despite the fact that we didn't know "why" we should go to X before 11AM or after 3PM. It doesn't seem that "why" would allow you to make spur-of-the-moment changes (unless TGM is releasing enough "why" to enable you to be your own TGM and save some $$$ ), so wazzup?
QUOTE]

Both the UG and TGM give a lot of "why." Because I am kind of a WDW nerd, I will soak up all the "why" I can get my hands on. But from a planning perspective, sometimes the "why" is important because it convinces you to do "x" in the first place. I have read several things on TGM that are contrary to reason and go against other guides I have read. But when he explained the basis for his recommendation, doing "x" made sense.

 

[emma'smom]

I've just signed on to TGM and think his advice is great. The problem is that we are leaving in 3 weeks and it is too late to switch a few of my ADR's. Any hints on what to do if I've already made ADR's for days when he has listed a "STOP" on his best days. There are a few EMH days I originally planned to go to MK and we have character ressies we can't change.

 

[johnvree]

I've just signed on to TGM and think his advice is great. The problem is that we are leaving in 3 weeks and it is too late to switch a few of my ADR's. Any hints on what to do if I've already made ADR's for days when he has listed a "STOP" on his best days. There are a few EMH days I originally planned to go to MK and we have character ressies we can't change.

You may be surprised how many ADR's open up a week or two before. A lot of people cancel their trips during this time freeing up a ton of ADR's. It can't hurt to give it a try.

 

[aunt kelly]

I think many times when TGM devotees talk about how helpful it is to know "why" TMG says to do something, they are talking about information specific to their vacation dates. For example, TGM might tell you that there is a big high school band competition going on during your stay. If the competition takes place in MGM on a specific night, he will advise you to avoid MGM that night because those kids will all be at MGM riding rides and seeing shows when they are not competing. If you did not have this information, you might be tempted to go to MGM that night for whatever reason, but once you know about the high school band competition, you decide to avoid MGM and go to another park.

By the way, I made up the high school band competition example-but I would have enjoyed it when I was in high school!

 

[Pedler]

Disclaimer: I'm a UG fan from way back....

In reading these posts, I keep seeing folks say ".... and why". Granted that some of the Disney- and info-junkies here on the DIS snap up any factoid they can get their three-fingered hands on, but why is "why" TGM recommends something so important? When we did commando (pre-DVC ownership), the UG served us well, despite the fact that we didn't know "why" we should go to X before 11AM or after 3PM. It doesn't seem that "why" would allow you to make spur-of-the-moment changes (unless TGM is releasing enough "why" to enable you to be your own TGM and save some $$$ ), so wazzup?[/QOUTE]


Actually that is why the "why" is important. So you can change on the fly if and be your own TGM. One of the things Mike talks about is being your own TGM and not adhering to a militant schedule. Say you are going commando and you are supposed to do BTMRR and Splash but when you get there they are down. Or say, as happened in our case, you now find out one of your kids won't go anywhere near a dark ride that even resembles something scary so 4 things you were going to do just go axed off of the list. Knowing the "why" and the general philosophy helps you adjust on the fly. TGM is a lot more than the best parks days and a set order to see attractions in. We adjusted on the fly several times on our 7 day trip last August. Knowing the "why" helped out quite a bit.

As for saving some money yes I suppose you could take your new found skills and and not get a TGM membership next time but given that things change that affect the crowd flows and the low cost of the membership it would definitely be worth renewing.

 

[mill4023]

I don't want to comment on this thread because I firmly believe that's up to our readers/guests to decide, but please know that my 'Least Crowded Parks' charts for the last two weeks of August will be different from the first two weeks because those days are on a different Extra Magic Hour schedule (after Aug 12, 06).

I hope to have them up by the end of the evening -- working on them right now. And I apologize for the delay -- they should have already been available.


Typing, typing, typing,

TourGuideMiKE

I stand corrected.
Looking at the best days for the first 2 weeks of August could still be helpful. But you'd need to look at how his suggestions relate to EMH's, then look at the EMH schedule for the last 2 weeks and use his reasoning to try to predict what the best days will be. Not perfect, but it should give you a pretty good shot at guessing right.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

Disclaimer: I'm a UG fan from way back....

In reading these posts, I keep seeing folks say ".... and why". Granted that some of the Disney- and info-junkies here on the DIS snap up any factoid they can get their three-fingered hands on, but why is "why" TGM recommends something so important? When we did commando (pre-DVC ownership), the UG served us well, despite the fact that we didn't know "why" we should go to X before 11AM or after 3PM. It doesn't seem that "why" would allow you to make spur-of-the-moment changes (unless TGM is releasing enough "why" to enable you to be your own TGM and save some $$$ ), so wazzup?

PS It's really very, very creepy typing TGM questions with TGM leering at me from the upper right corner of this window

Answering "why is 'why' important?" reeks of a college philosophy exam question.

Explaining why it is good or bad to go to a certain park on a certain day simply answers the question, "What will happen if I choose to ignore or take the advice?" If TGM (or any other WDW planning guide) tells me, "I recommend that you avoid the MK on Tuesday because giant iguanas will be roaming the park," I know what I'm getting into if I decide to go to MK.