Who has used Tour Guide Mike?

[teentoddlermom]

I just signed up, have been many times and have a lot of common sense, but I figured for $18, it might be worth it. I think the site has tremendous amounts of information on it and, because of the volume, it is hard to figure out at first. I'm still plodding through it all, overall I know it has all the info I need, but I might be too lazy to really utilize it!

 

[loveDmouse]

Is it more for people with kids or does it cater to whatever your needs are? Sounds like you can't lose with the money back guarantee.

 

[karenloo]

We used TGM for our recent Easter week trip and it was great. His advice for best park days and his overall touring advice was amazing. He gives detailed info about every ride, where to stand for preshows, where to sit, shortcuts through the parks, little-known restaurants and so much more. We had a fantastic time and barely noticed we were at Disney during the busiest time of the entire year! My family thought I was a hero as we walked onto every ride we wanted with little to no waiting, ate meals with little to no waiting, snuck through different passageways with almost no other people in our way, etc. I kept telling them, don't thank me, thank Mike! We've been to Disney a few times before and I learned many things I hadn't known before and really just kind of absorbed his overall philosophy about park touring, which allows you to have a great time without feeling rushed. Like others have said, though, you do need time to get through the tons of information and you do need to pick and choose and not try to read everything, or you'll feel totally overwhelmed.

 

[loveDmouse]

bump

 

[dgaston]

I am about to subscribe to TGM for the third time. Even tho I've been to WDW many times, I love the Best Days advice, and appreciate his special help. For example, last July, I got an email with specific advise about touring should hurricane Dennis come close to the world. As it turned out Dennis went further north. I also agree with subscribing with enough time to learn to navigate the site, and find the truly unique information there. The forums can be especially helpful and friendly.

 

[loveDmouse]

Thanks dgaston. I am glad to hear from someone who goes to Disney often and has used this. In your case several times.
The best days is what I am most interested in. I have plenty of time to research so I may go for it. I know it isn't that expensive at $18.00 and if you aren't satisfied they give you your money back. I just didn't want to waste time on this if it wasn't worth it.
Thanks again.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I'm thinking about it too, but I haven't decided for sure. I have a year and a day (lol) until our trip, so I'll have plenty of time to read through things, that's for sure. I love to plan and read things on WDW, so it might be worth it just for the entertainment!

 

[hornislander]

I am still not sure about this. Thanks for all the feedback.
Would you guys consider the time period, Dec 10-16 a busy time enough to maybe use this even if we have been before?
Thanks.

We went this time last year and used TGM. Here is what we found:

FYI, the ages of our group was two 50ish, 25, 25, 23, and 19.

1. His Best Days were very useful.
2. His guides to special events such as MVMCP, Candlelight Proc, Fantasmic were great.
3. The daily schedule (which rides/shows at which times) had great theory behind it but wasn't needed due to the low crowds. That said, we used the ideas and tailored it to what we wanted to do.
4. The viewing sites for parades/fireworks are good, especially for late arrivers.

 

[rie'smom]

We've gone to WDW every year but 1 or 2 since 1984. The crowds have become more unmanageable every year. Last year I subscribed to Mike and we had the best trip in a long time. In fact,we leave in 2 days for this year's trip and when I began planning,my DH said to be sure and resubscribe!I did and do not anticipate any long waits. You won't be sorry. If you do subscribe give yourself time to learn the site.

 

[loveDmouse]

Thanks for all the info again! I really appreciate it.
I think I am leaning towards trying it out. Sounds like it is useful even if it isn't really busy.
rie'smom- Have a GREAT trip! I can't wait for ours. It is getting closer!
hornislander- thanks. Glad to hear from someone with adults, no little kids. I just didn't know if it was more geared to getting your kids on every single ride, etc. Sounds like from what I have been reading on the TGM site you put in your age and likes and things and it is tailored that way!
Thanks again to everyone who has written. Sorry if I don't always have time to specifically point out everyone personally. I appreciate it ALL!

 

[Pooh&Piglet too]

I have signed up for it, after I made most of my arrangements/plans. Needless to say, I've changed all of them based on his information. Heck, I figure a guy who gets in the upwards of $145/hour to give VIP tours has got to know what the heck he is doing. And I get is all for $18!! And if it doesn't work, I get that back!

I like the fact that he doesn't say do it my way or die. He gives suggestions, recommendations and the reasoning behind it.

Just based on his suggestions, I'm able to fit in SeaWorld without feeling like I'm going to be overwhelmed. Whereas before, I was wondering how in the world are we going to do everything *we* want to do. I've got my downtime, hubby and I have our night out without the kids and the kids have their downtime, too.

Between his site and Dis, I'm really excited about our trip and can't wait to get there!

 

[DISUNC]

I signed up last month for our July trip. There is LOTS of Info here.

However, I am having a HECK of a time getting around this site. But I have heard that there is much useful info....if I can find it!

 

[Pooh&Piglet too]

There is LOTS of Info here.

However, I am having a HECK of a time getting around this site. But I have heard that there is much useful info....if I can find it!

Humm, DISUNC, I think for those of us who haven't been in quite sometime, it is very helpful. I know that I will be using his "Least Crowded Days" chart and his shortcuts to getting to the best places to see the shows when they are close together.

Or, maybe, just maybe, I'll breakout my Mickeyheads to guide me.

 

[dangler]

We used Tourguide Mike for our last trip. Loved everything! It was worth the money in my opinion and we will subscribe again for our next trip!

 

[BarTenderJohn]

Just started with TGM, and here, so far love it.

 

[jeanadave]

I signed up about five months before our trip - there was ALOT of info to wade through. I pretty much checked out the site every day for all those months; however, once we got there, I went completely "brain-dead" (even though I had printed out index cards with info, etc. - unfortunately, I kept forgetting to look at them We did try to go to the parks which he said were the "best days" and I did remember a few of the common sense things. DH never even looked at the TGM site nor these boards, and he was impressed with my "plan" (I guess he thought I actually had one! ). But I would recommend signing up because he kind of gets you thinking of things in a certain way and even though I forgot my specific "plan", we still managed to see and do almost everything that we were interested in with minimal waits and I attribute that to TGM's way of thinking (which thankfully, I retained some of).

 

[patcan]

Just signed up for it a few days ago and I'm happy with the purchase. At first I was a little hesitant since we had bought the Unofficial Guide to Disneyworld which seemed to have most of what I would want. They do seem to complement each other to a certain extent. The UG tends to give you straight answers with little insight as to why. Tourguidemike tends to go a lot more in depth as to why he chooses to do certain things and not others. I would consider UG to be more of a reference guide while as TGM is like an encyclopedia.

If you are doing extensive planning for your trip, I would say that TGM seems to offer better overall tools as long as you understand how to use them.

For those of you using TGM and finding it frustrating to navigate, I will offer a few tips below. It took me a while to get used to the website format but I can now navigate it with my eyes closed (alright, not quite but you get the point).

1- Once you have filled in the questionnaire, I would recommend you click on the AVP Overview button that is located in the "My Month's Express Planner". I'm guessing most people overlook this due to the sheer amount of posted info right from the start. If you're like me, you skimmed quickly and saw your month/year and clicked on it which then took you away from this link. I tried pasting the URL below but I do not meet the posting requirements and can't figure out a way around that (unless I make a bunch of fake posts) so you'll have to find it on the website.

2- Once you have read "Let's Review your AVP!" from the link above, you should click on the article found on the right hand side which is titled: "AVP Navigation Tips" which will explain to you how things are organized on the website. These 2 articles alone should make the rest of your browsing experience much easier.


If you do these two things before diving into the website, you will learn very valuable lessons on how to navigate the site which should make the rest much easier to absorb.

 

[lkjasd]

I hear everyone mentioning that they like TGM for the Best Days and that these alone are worth the cost. How do his recommendations differ from the free UG website (touringplans.com)? Do they pretty much agree?

 

[HayGan]

I purchased a subscription a few weeks ago and I have to agree wth the sentiment that there is a lot of information but it can be very difficult to find. I think the site is fairly difficult to navigate and could be organized differently.

I'll continue to use it for my 2 upcoming trips but I doubt if I will subscribe again.

 

[maxie]

I hear everyone mentioning that they like TGM for the Best Days and that these alone are worth the cost. How do his recommendations differ from the free UG website (touringplans.com)? Do they pretty much agree?

TGM is much more specific. As the WDW hours come out he tells you specifically for each calendar day which parks to avoid.

I believe UG just tells in general to avoid MK on Saturdays for example.