Frequently Asked Questions

I hope my responses prove helpful to the following frequently asked questions.

The question about my 'Disney World Expert' qualifications is the only one I've never honestly been asked, but I'd want to know 'who' I was trusting with my important vacation planning advice, so I'm sure you do too.

My F.A.Q. question for you: "How much are you spending on this vacation?" I consider what you gain in exchange for the low purchase price to be a no-brainer,
but maybe the endorsements in the right
column can convince you better than I can! ;>)

Need more AVP info? See the white buttons at the
top of this page? Click on any of them to review more
AVP benefits for their specific topic.

FAQ links on this page: What are TourGuideMiKE's 'Walt Disney World Expert' qualifications? What exactly does the AVP do for me? How long is my Automated Vacation Planner good for? How early should we buy the AVP before our vacation? Does TourGuideMiKE actually format MY day-to-day itinerary? We visit Disney World more than once per year. Do you have an Annual Pass version? We’re leaving in just a few days and just found out about your AVP. Is it worth the money at this late date? Q: What are TourGuideMiKE's 'Walt Disney World Expert' qualifications? A: Years of experience and an extremely curious nature ... ;>) This is my profession. I've been a VIP Tour Guide for more than 15 years (official Walt Disney World VIP Host: 5 years; my own service at Michael's VIPs: 10 years), it was/is my specific 'role' at the Resort to know as much as possible about planning everything for my personal guests. I hope this list of my Disney-related career experiences helps you understand why I can help you: A curious mind that never settles for 'second best.' I believe 'there's always a better way' to do and experience anything. I continually interview cast members and request their personal advice for the benefit of our VIPs and AVP guests. Founder and President of Michael's VIPS (1999), the first private VIP service of it's kind in Central Florida. We are able to provide the 'true' level of VIP service I always wanted to, and our VIP Private Guides can escort our guests anywhere in Central Florida. Private Custom Itinerary Planner through Michael's VIPs for two years. This service is no longer available, but when it was, it was an average of $240 per vacation and provided a day-to-day 'optimal' itinerary with prearranged dining and activity reservations for the best possible vacation to Walt Disney World. (The need for this service was the inspiration behind TourGuideMiKE.com.) A Walt Disney World VIP Host for over five years. I was in charge of selecting and planning every attraction, dining, and activity choice while I personally escorted world famous celebrities, executives, and their families around the Resort. (That they were famous is not what's important; that I was trusted by the Walt Disney Company with this responsibility is.) Guided Tour Host for the Resort's most popular tours including Keys to the Kingdom, Hidden Treasures, Backstage Magic, and more Charged with training new cast members to the Magic Kingdom Guest Relations department Magic Kingdom Guest Relations cast member for over five years. These are the cast members who solve guest challenges, answer questions on every possible topic, help with daily itinerary plans, make dining and activity reservations, sell and advise ticket options, and provide guided tours for adults and families. Trainer of new cast members for the Haunted Mansion and Hall of Presidents Operations cast member at the Haunted Mansion, Hall of Presidents, Jungle Cruise, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain attractions back up Q: What exactly does the AVP do for me? A: Remember, you're the one who asked, so please don't blame me for this long list! ;>) A countdown feature to the first day of your vacation Links to the most up-to-date park hours during your specific vacation dates A link to your Disney hotel (if you're staying on property), as well as any articles written about your hotel Customized linked list of recommended restaurants that meet your personal dining preferences A linked list of your Resort activities An 'Automated Ticket Helper' that recommends the best tickets or package for your vacation. It also provides my reasoning to help you make your final decision. Customized selection of vacation planning articles (from a library of over 350) that meet your vacation preferences and profile A list of Sample Park Tours for each Disney park, custom written for your party's ages and interests. (These are the same exact tours used by Michael and his VIP Private Guides at Michael's VIPS for a fee of $120 per hour!) Day-to-day Itinerary Planning Guides outlining the least crowded parks to visit on each specific day and evening of the week during your vacation to avoid crowds and lines A 'Calendar Clipboard' for your month displaying the latest discounts, park hours analysis, entertainment information, and anything else applicable to your vacation A Customized list of the best attractions for your party profile. Each of your parks or places is linked to its own page. A Customized 'Best Times to Visit' page for each of your parks. It automatically displays your recommended attractions into the best sections of the day to avoid crowds and lines all day! Automated construction of customized Reservation Window Reminders that inform you when the most popular restaurants and activities in your itinerary are available for reserving. You can custom format them to specific days of your vacation. The ability to format customized email reminders for anything you wish to write to yourself (hotel payments, pet care, mail pick up, etc.) The ability to add or delete any attraction, restaurant, hotel, activity, ticket, or vacation article to/from your itinerary with a click of the mouse (much like an Internet 'shopping cart') back up Q: How long is my Automated Vacation Planner good for? A: You have unlimited access to your AVP from the day of purchase until 60 days after the end of your vacation. back up Q: How early should we buy the AVP before our vacation? A: Let me begin sharing all of my knowledge and experience with you as soon as you're at least 'pretty sure' you're coming - period! If you’re not sure of your exact vacation dates, it doesn’t matter! Indicate the most appropriate month of your intended year, and know that you can easily edit your Vacation Preferences whenever you want/need to. Questionnaire Tip: There are a lot of time related features built into your AVP. It’s always best to indicate your exact vacation dates as soon as you know them. I also publish month-specific 'Calendar Clipboards' with the most current information, updates, and tips! back up Q: Does TourGuideMiKE format MY day-to-day itinerary? A: If you mean that I look at YOUR specific dates and then say go here on your first day, and here on your second day, etc., I’m afraid that’s beyond my or anyone else’s current technology. What I CAN do, however, is provide you with the information and tools you need to easily make these decisions yourself. For example, you’ll enjoy my monthly, date-specific guides that report which parks are the least crowded in the mornings and evenings per day of the week. These are the same charts we use when designing our VIP Tour itineraries at Michael's VIPS! I also provide you with highly detailed Sample Park Tours custom written for the age groups in your party. These are identical to ‘how’ I tour the parks on our $120 per hour VIP Tours. back up Q: We visit Disney World more than once per year. Do you have an Annual Pass version? A: I developed the AVP for your ‘average’ family coming to Walt Disney World. They decide to visit, need vacation planning help, come and have a GREAT visit, and then return to their normal lives. Maybe they return in another couple of years, maybe they don’t. If you'd like to begin planning for your next Disney vacation within a year of your original purchase date, contact me for a discount code that provides the AVP at 25% off the normal purchase price. Your third AVP, if purchased within a year of the previous two, is only $9.95! back up Q: We’re leaving in just a few days and just found out about your AVP. Is it worth the money at this late date? A: You may lack the time to review ALL of the extensive information that’s available for you, but I have received letters from guests who have stated things like, “I would have paid double the purchase price just for your information and viewing tips for the parades!” Regardless, I firmly believe that one who plans ten times longer than another guest does not enjoy a vacation that's ten times better! Take advantage of my monthly Express Planners. They provide everything I want you to know about for your specific vacation dates: the least crowded parks per day of the week, step-by-step itinerary planning advice, park hours and entertainment options, the most essential articles for chidren, toddlers, tickets, and more. And the most valuable information I provide are the Sample Park Tours that are identical to my own VIP Tours. No matter how busy or slow the season is, I never wait in lines longer than 10 minutes when in the parks. Follow my advice and you won’t either. How long does it take to print & go, print & go? Not too long ... :>) back up

AVP ENDORSEMENTS Just wanted to let you know your tour information was PERFECT. We had the best time and referred to your info frequently. Your best times to visit, best places to see the shows, best time to ride the rides were all very helpful. In fact, we avoided almost all the lines. I will definitely recommend your service to all my friends! Shayne M., Washington Hello TourGuideMike!! Just returned from a fabulous time in WDW. I had to tell you we took your advice and you were right on the mark! We walked on all rides at MK!! What fun! We did Buzz Lightyear and Astro Orbiter 2 times each before the crowds arrived. Thanks to you we had a great week - I'll recommend you to all our friends! Thanks again! Marcie R., Tennessee I must commend you on a wonderful site. I keep getting deeper & deeper into the articles about our vacation and can't believe how wonderful they are! You've done an excellent job imparting need to know knowledge in a friendly humorous, easy to read way! I'm definitely recommending this to others! I am SOOOOOO looking forward to our trip! Thanks and keep up the good work! Ashley W., Michigan We will be using your service for our "Big" all family vacation next year! I thought I was quite the WDW expert until I perused your articles. I will recommend you to EVERYONE. Thank you thank you. Alicia M., Florida Hi! We've been back a few days now but just can't stop thinking about how great our trip was!! We followed your advice on best times to visit each park so even though we were at WDW just 2 days after Easter, we never waited more than 15 minutes for any of the top attractions. And believe me, we saw a lot!! We used fastpass as often as needed, and used your advice on best times to see each attraction and it worked out perfectly! I just want to say Thank You, TourGuideMike, for your expertise and I will recommend your service to anyone who is planning a vacation to WDW! We will be back!! Brian T., Connecticut Our Disney vacation was fabulous and I credit you. We followed your advice for the ride times and they were on the money; as was the arrival timing information. Thank you for your service! Cindy S., Virginia Returned from our WDW vacation on the 13th! What an awesome time! We followed most of your itinerary advice and it worked beautifully. We saw everything on our wish list plus lots more. The whole trip was so special. Thanks for your planning help!! The Ringle family, Indiana Hi, I've signed up for the auto vacation planner and it's great! You know, I don't normally sign up online for anything, but the recommendation on mousesavers.com, plus the intro to your site made this look worthwhile - and it is. Thanks so much! Suzanne S., Virginia We just returned from Spring Break at Disney. We had a fantastic time, thanks to TourGuideMike! My husband called me the "Disney Nazi" when he saw all my printed inineraries, but by the second day, when he saw how helpful they were, he was praising your name. Now he tells everyone what a great job I did planning our vacation, but it was easy with your AVP. Thanks again. You made our vacation magical! Tereasa B., Georgia We had a great time at the Magic Kingdom. We followed your suggestions and my husband was very impressed. Because we had it together our kids had a blast and Mom and Dad kept their cool and looked like heroes! I have and will recommend you to everyone I know and we will be back for more advice next year. Sydney, Taylor, Wyatt, and Samuel P., Florida I'll definitely sign up again as your information really was very helpful. I cannot believe your level of detail which is wonderful since I'm a detail person too! We followed all of your advice and we honestly never waited in line for longer than 10 minutes and obviously we were there at peak season. Your site is top notch and filled with wonderful tips! Thanks again! I will be sure to use your AVP again and have already told several of my clients about it. June H., Virginia We just got back from our WDW vacation, and we had a SUPER FANTASTIC time. It was AWESOME! Thank you TourGuideMike for making our WDW Vacation one to remember! Lisa M., Nebraska First let me say that I love your site and consider it to be well worth the price. I especially like your pages that describe the individual attractions. I think your presentation of the information and ratings system are the best I have seen. Thanks for a great WDW website! Bill C., Alabama Just a note to say THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!! I have been devouring information now from my Vacation Planner for a week and I am amazed by it all. Carol B., Iowa Your advice and tips were right on the money in every situation, and the AVP is worth every dollar!! We will definitely use your services for our next trip and will recommend your website and A.V.P. to our many friends who will be visiting Walt Disney World over the next year. Karen R., Pennsylvania As we prepare in our final days before leaving for Florida, I feel so well informed and prepared to have a BLAST at Walt Disney World. We promise to follow your great advice and itineraries as best we can, and not to run ourselves ragged through the parks. When we get back, I will write the most glowing review of our trip, giving you ALL the credit. I will tell everyone I know what a wonderful thing your AVP is. THANKS, THANKS, THANKS! Donna K., New York Now that I have recuperated from the Florida vacation, I wanted to let you know we did have a blast at WDW. Your advice was right on. Again, thanks TourGuideMiKE for making this trip a trip of a lifetime. I have already referred 3 of my friends planning a WDW vacation to your AVP service. Oh, I almost forgot, the Hotel Assigner article REALLY got us the room we wanted!!!! Mike, you're the BEST. Take care, be well. Donna K., New York Our party of 15 has recently returned from Disney World after a truly wonderful vacation, which was due largely to your AVP and fantastic information! I cannot thank you enough for all your tips on where to stand during parades, how to minimize waiting times, when to eat in order to avoid waiting for tables etc., etc. All of these things helped to make our vacation stress free and kept our children happy and occupied. Thank you so much! Cathy O., Australia I have to say that this is the best investment in Walt Disney World vacation planning ever! It is so fun, colorful and thorough. I look forward to using your guide to plan our vacation. What a great move, to be a pioneer in the creation of such a versatile, wholesome, and unique guide! Congratulations on being the first to come up with such an ingenious alternative! And thanks for being on the Web! Wanda T., Connecticut I just wanted to write and let you know what a terrific service you have with your new TourGuideMiKE website. We just returned from our 3rd visit to Disney since 2000. I thought I was quite informed on the 1st and 2nd visit with all the research I conducted via guidebooks and the Internet. Well, needless to say, the best $20 I spent was on your A.V.P.! All your advice was terrific. Not only do you recommend the best time to ride a ride or see a show, but you also indicate WHERE to see it from or sit. All the itinerary recommendations were awesome! Also, your tips on timing priority seatings led to some wonderful meals. I have already and will continue to HIGHLY RECOMMEND your service. Terri R., New York I really am enjoying your site!! Thanks for putting it together! I have been to Disney World many times (about 12 or 13) and thought I "knew everything". But reading different articles that you have written has given me many new ideas about things to try at WDW that I never would have thought of otherwise. Thanks! Chris G., Pennsylvania Dear TourGuideMiKE: You are my best Disney bud! I know that my trip beginning on Dec. 29 would not have been nearly as great without your advice! Thank you, thank you! Lara W., Ohio

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There is ALWAYS 'a better way' to do anything. This is the 'better way' to experience Walt Disney World! I know! :>)