Another TGM Opinion

[LuvTheMagic985]

I hope I don't get flamed but....I subscribed to this site (Tour Guide Mike) and though it has tons of information, I somehow feel like I didn't get anything more from it than I got from searching these boards as well as others(Intercot, Mousesavers,etc). Sure it is compact and logically laid out, but I have been lurking on these boards for at least two years and have learned alot about planning, park secrets, and time management from posters on this site and the others. I think it is great for someone who can't navigate these boards or don't have time to search them.....but other wise it's all free here. JMHO

 

[momto2girls]

I agree. I know that TGM has its fans, but I think it is best suited for people who have no time to read these boards or who are new to WDW. Also, I'm sure it is much more helpful for those who are going to Disney in the busy season. I like to go in the off-season. Part of the benefit of that is that I don't have to follow a schedule to see everything. It would drive me crazy to follow TGM's schedule unless it was absolutely necessary due to the crowds.

JMO

 

[DisneyFanatik]

I also agree. I subscribed before our June 2004 trip and I didn't find anything really helpful there. Navigating his site actually gave me a headache. We've been to WDW enough times that I knew my game plan. His site, while I am sure helpful to first timers, really didn't give me any info that I didn't already know.

 

[Matt]

Well, I think you have to spend way more time reading TGM than this site. But it's a good thing for you that he has a money back guarantee. For me, I think it is a great help and has a lot of FACTUAL information. I'm kind of perplexed why anybody who has been countless times would think the site would give you some information that you didn't already know. Neither will this site.

 

[traciedee]

I just got TGM. I agree that my most valuable advice has been obtained from these and other boards. What I did like about TGM is that I think his stuff is up to date and I wanted to know the best times/days to go and get an idea on how to get on those hot rides without waiting for hours in the hot June sun. If it works cool. If not, I'll be checking out that money back guarantee!

One thing I don't like about TGM is-- no maps.

 

[scoutsmom99]

One thing I don't like about TGM is-- no maps.

Mike can't post the maps on his site becuase they are copyright protected by Disney. So until he makes his own versions of the maps he is mapless. But there are lots of other sites you can find maps. Disboard member Willcad has the maps on his site:

http://www.willcad.org/disney_maps.html

 

[PooohBear]

I totally agree with you ! I also hate the fact that his site is so confusing to navigate, it's much easier to search here for what you are looking for and get the answers for free

 

[GrandmaBarb]

The secret to TGM web site is to follow MiKE's plan step by step, not just jump thru from link to link. That way you confuse yourself.
It is all there, itemized out, step by step,
And, it works. no lines, a relaxed trip seeing everything you want to see and do without all the stress etc. Try it, you'll see.

 

[HydroGuy]

After so many positive TGM threads here, I just subscribed two days ago and spent a lot of time perusing the TGM site this past weekend. I am planning a four day trip to WDW in May. We are Disneyland veterans, and this will be our first trip to WDW.

Even as a WDW first timer, I found very little on TGM that was not on the DISboards, Mousesavers or AllEars. I did not find the TGM site especially hard to navigate.

HOWEVER, I only paid $18 for the subscription and TGM's advice on best days for each park was worth it. TGM's advice conflicts with TouringPlans.com, and I have concluded I trust TGM's advice more than theirs because TGM accounts for more subtleties of what is actually happening during those days (e.g., grad nights). I am going to plan our itinerary using TGM recommendations.

I also found a few tips that will come in handy that I had not been able to find here. In one case, I had asked a specific question here and everyone said the answer was no, but the TGM site and forums confirmed the answer was yes.

So, after two days I am glad I signed up. 95% of the TGM information is available elsewhere for free. But that 5% TGM offers will come in handy for me.

 

[DisneyFanatik]

I also found a few tips that will come in handy that I had not been able to find here. In one case, I had asked a specific question here and everyone said the answer was no, but the TGM site and forums confirmed the answer was yes.

Can you tell us what it was that everyone here was wrong about? Just wondering....

 

[HydroGuy]

Can you tell us what it was that everyone here was wrong about? Just wondering....

I better not, as TGM was the only place I found it and I promised not to divulge their info when I signed up.

If you were to sign up and message me from TGM, I would be glad to let you know.

 

[kutchyone]

HydroGuy,

I'm kutchyone over there on TGM too so would you please PM the information to me over on the TGM site. You got my attention with your message I would like to know what that information was.

 

[kutchyone]

HydroGuy,

I'm kutchyone over there on TGM too so would you please PM the information to me over on the TGM site. You got my attention with your message I would like to know what that information was.

 

[HydroGuy]

Can you tell us what it was that everyone here was wrong about? Just wondering....

Just to be sure I do not offend anyone, I was not saying that DISBoards is generally inaccurate or not useful. The information here, if you are willing to sift through it, is more voluminous and useful. I was just pointing out that I found something useful on TGM that I did not find here.

 

[HydroGuy]

HydroGuy,

I'm kutchyone over there on TGM too so would you please PM the information to me over on the TGM site. You got my attention with your message I would like to know what that information was.

I am also HydroGuy there, and will send the info along on TGM. Looks like your next trip is pretty soon!

 

[cruiserkaren]

I totally agree with you ! I also hate the fact that his site is so confusing to navigate, it's much easier to search here for what you are looking for and get the answers for free

I signed up last week and so far I have to agree. I feel like I'm going in circles. A PP said to follow his links and it'll flow I must be an idiot b/c I don't feel like it flows at all. I did pay my money so I'll keep trying.

 

[JohnNJ]

Sure it is compact and logically laid out, but I have been lurking on these boards for at least two years and have learned alot about planning, park secrets, and time management from posters on this site and the others.

So what you're saying is that if you have two years to spend sifting through the DISboards and other sites you can get loads of info for free. But if you want it all in one place, "compact and logically laid out", you should use TourGuideMike.

Makes sense to me.

 

[Matt]

I hate to sound mean but how anybody can't figure out the site is beyond me. Must be the same folks who wait in the standby line for Space Mountain. j/k

 

[Scottish-Helen]

I'm on my sixth visit to WDW this year and my first with TourGuideMike. I like to think I know the parks pretty well but have still got loads of great info from the site including things that I have never found on DIS. I found the layout took a little getting used to but once I got the hang of it it was just as addictive as DIS, I use it as an additional planning tool to complement DIS and guidebooks.

I've not been on my April trip but am already planning on signing up again as soon as I get back for my Christmas trip. In fact there's no way I would have contemplated going Christmas/New Year week if I didn't have TourGuideMike to get me through it without the lines!

Each to their own though, if we all had the same opinions and likes it would be a very boring world.

 

[EjandMD]

As a faithful UG reader I found that about 80% of the information redundant, however, the two biggest tidbits I found priceless!!! In all fairness I did expect more. He has sooo many articles on common sense issues. But I like his blue people and greenlights...He hasn't updated somethings like what to do with EE and I never printed out his form cause I made my own so, how many times can you go over where you are going to eat and stay? That stuff is quick for me and I want to know more about how to beat the crowd on that day. I wonder if I have read everything that I need to know. I think I have but he has so many links I wonder if I missed an important link.

My husband thought it was a waste of money.

The true test will be this weekend. We have always traveled on an off season so if we go on Pres weekend and wait no longer than 15 minutes I will be singing zippady do da all week long!!!