Anybody else feeling ripped off by TGM?

[DaveStroem]

The thing that I noticed from reading many of the TGM threads is that it is rare for TGM to answer an email. To me this is just unacceptable & not very professional.

 

[Mickeygolf]

I'm not a die hard TGM fan, I just like the site. I understand how many can be a little put out by things associated with TGM, but I will say after multiple uses we always and I mean always have a wonderful time following his plans at WDW. I've said many times in the past his Least Crowded Park days are worth the money of subscription alone.

I guess I just don't get the constant bashing of the site. If you don't want to use it don't. If you signed up for it and it's not what you wanted get the refund. I've heard the stories that it's difficult getting the refund and I agree that's not right. But on the other hand, I've never heard of anyone who didn't get the refund they requested.

The site can be difficult to navigate, Mike doesn't always answer emails timely, things are some times out of date, but overall I personally have gotten wonderful information from the site and will continue to use it.

Good luck to everyone else. The great thing is there are a ton of wonderful resources out there such as Touring Plans, Ride Max, The DIS, etc. for people to use. Just pick what is best for you.

 

[Abharmagic]

As to the forums- most there are "TGM experts" you may not like that- but that's what it is. The members there understand how to use the site, where to find the info, how to tour and plan with TGM advice etc. I don't think Mike needs to step in and answer every single question- as long as there are others in the TGM community that understand TGM philosophy- that is the best place to get help. Those answers are based on Mike's expert advice and opinions and from other's personal real time experience using TGM advice. Can't get much closer to Mike's advice than that unless you want to hire him as a personal guide.

My point is if this is the "deal" with TGM-- the "expert advice" comes from TGM forum experts then it should be billed as such when you choose to subscribe. There should be some sort of disclaimer (as there is one stating you agree to not share TGM info with non-subscribers) that MOST if not all current information will be disseminated through the TGM forum and forum posters. This, to me, was the disappointing part. I didn't want to be a part of ANOTHER forum.... checking and reading posts, etc. There was a lot of fluff, endless threads about nonsense, etc. in my November 2008 forum- to me it was all potatoes no meat... If I knew ahead of time that's what I was getting myself into, I just would have never subscribed, and I suspect many others feel the same way. There were hundreds of "members" in my "Vacation Club" but really only a handful of posters. I suspect others were also not interested in another message board with *ahem* expert (what excactly were/are their credentials that qualified them as experts- Mike gives HIS credentials... who are these other experts???) moderators. Disappointing, yes, very much.

 

[Praise2Him]

I used TGM a couple years ago, and thought I might give it a go for our next trip. His site has a form for repeat customers to fill out, to receive a code for a small discount on the purchase price, promising receipt "within 24 hours." I submitted the info for my discount last week, and still have yet to hear back from them, even after submitting another one! The lack of timely customer service from TGM left a bitter taste, and I will not be renewing.

I had a completely different experience just a few weeks ago. I decided to renew, mostly for the best days charts and it was a Saturday. The site said "Monday - Friday", so I didn't expect to hear back for a few days. I was shocked when just a couple of hours later I got an email that my log-in had been reinstated!

 

[loriwvu]

I have to agree with you. I used him last year for our trip and renewed in Feb for this year's trip. He doesn't even have Toy Story Mania listed in his itineraries yet! This opened over a year ago! Most of the articles are also over a year old. I will not renew again. His most crowded days are just repeated the same from year to year.

Lori

 

[bwilcox]

The most crowded park info is only updated through June which is only a month away. I remember that that info was always posted months ahead of time in the past.

Actually, the least crowded park info for July IS up and has been for weeks now. Aug. hours only came out yesterday-it usually takes a day or two.
I like TGM. I agree that there are flaws with the website and some things are outdated. But for $18, the least crowded days, touring plans, and forums are worth it to me. For that matter, I saved much more than that with my photopass share in my month's forum! If you don't like it, ask for a refund and move on.

 

[2ndstartotheright]

My point is if this is the "deal" with TGM-- the "expert advice" comes from TGM forum experts then it should be billed as such when you choose to subscribe. There should be some sort of disclaimer (as there is one stating you agree to not share TGM info with non-subscribers) that MOST if not all current information will be disseminated through the TGM forum and forum posters. This, to me, was the disappointing part. I didn't want to be a part of ANOTHER forum.... checking and reading posts, etc. There was a lot of fluff, endless threads about nonsense, etc. in my November 2008 forum- to me it was all potatoes no meat... If I knew ahead of time that's what I was getting myself into, I just would have never subscribed, and I suspect many others feel the same way. There were hundreds of "members" in my "Vacation Club" but really only a handful of posters. I suspect others were also not interested in another message board with *ahem* expert (what excactly were/are their credentials that qualified them as experts- Mike gives HIS credentials... who are these other experts???) moderators. Disappointing, yes, very much.

You know for $150 an hour you can hire Mike to be your private Tour Guide. For $20 or less you have access to all the same info and advice he uses to plan his VIP tours.
Nobody has to use the forums- they are there to support the AVP- and those that post there understand the AVP pretty well and only reinforce Mike's expert advice.

I am sure you will now say that DIS forums are so much better cuz they are free- that's your opinion- no experts with credentials here either. You get what you pay for.

 

[Dorisk3]

So I guess he doesn't take his guests to Toy Story Midway Mania since it's not in the sample plan- oh wait, it's a sample plan, and as a sample doesn't need to actually reflect rides operating the park. Oh well!

 

[2ndstartotheright]

So I guess he doesn't take his guests to Toy Story Midway Mania since it's not in the sample plan- oh wait, it's a sample plan, and as a sample doesn't need to actually reflect rides operating the park. Oh well!

I didn't say that nor did I imply he only uses those Sample Plans in his tours. They are Samples- what is not clear to you about that word? It has already been established the the DHS Sample has not been updated.
He doesn't include Stitch in MK Sample Plans- would you complain about that? That's been there for a few years too. (He does however tell how and when to fit it in if you wanted to do it).

There are pages of info on the site about how he tours with TSM in the plan- many different ways of fitting it in and riding multiple times without waits. None of which I have ever seen here or anywhere else.

As usual this thread is getting ridiculous. Those that have formed their opinions about TGM whether thru personal experience with the site or not will continue to bash. Those that find it an invaluable resource at a very small fraction of the cost of their entire Disney vacation will continue to explain to others how and why their complaints are mostly invalid or exaggerated.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

So I guess he doesn't take his guests to Toy Story Midway Mania since it's not in the sample plan- oh wait, it's a sample plan, and as a sample doesn't need to actually reflect rides operating the park. Oh well!

Touring plans are a moving target. My plan isn't your plan isn't his plan isn't her plan. KWIM? The nice thing about TGM is that the site provides the info you need to build your own plan. Some people would rather be spoon fed, and be told, "Go here first, go here second." Others prefer to put in the time and effort to learn to do it themselves.

 

[Shifletjl]

So I guess he doesn't take his guests to Toy Story Midway Mania since it's not in the sample plan- oh wait, it's a sample plan, and as a sample doesn't need to actually reflect rides operating the park. Oh well!

I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but....Toy Story Mania has been added to the touring plans/advice. I'm sorry that you didn't see it. I wish you would have asked for help in the forums, as I am certain you would have been directed to the link.

I don't understand all this frustration. If you don't like TGM, request a refund and try something else. There really is no "risk" involved when you purchase the TGM service.

Myself, I have found the service to be very helpful and I feel confident that my upcoming trip will be the better for it.

 

[freaksloan]

I honestly don't see the point in giving money to any of these sites. Not once have I ever thought of using any of them.

 

[Dorisk3]

Actually, I think people want to be spoon fed. Why else would ridemax and touringplans.com exist?

I think everyone has different expectations of what we want in a pay website. I do like to know the why's of tour plans and attractions, but bottom line is I do like to have it in a nice little plan organized for me. In this case I want the fish, and whether or not I learn to fish is not as important to me. I now realize that TGM really is no longer for me, I want more detailed tour plans, not the "samples" we've been arguing about.

 

[praline3001]

I do not have issue with the planning part of the message board. I got some great advice from some fun people.

I have read the TSMM article so I know its there.

What's not there? Touring plans/advice on Pixie hollow. This is a main headliner that has been open for 6 months and there isn't anything on Mike's site (except for the boards) about it.

There is nothing I could find about Tusker House and the Nemo package that has been out since Dec.

The times listed for the Alice and wonderland tea party are wrong. This kind of messed me up with my own touring plans when I made the ADR.

There has not been any touring advice (From the big cheese) concerning the SM refurb. It was told to us he would offer one but none yet.

The TSMM ride is an issue. Yes, there is a nice article about it but then you have to go back to the sample and rework everything to fit it in yourself....

His resort information should include different room categories. Not all rooms are created equal. If your going to offer advice about resorts ~ you need add everything.

He does have some good information on his site, I won't lie. I am also not into bashing the site. The items I listed above are just outdated info I had to figure out on my own .. I am sure there are lots of other things I most likely missed.

My issue comes in with the fact that all of the above items mentioned are offered free on many other sites (not just the DIS). I have yet to get first hand info about anything new or upcoming from this paid site.

The forums do have some great people but I didn't pay for other guests advice ....

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

I do not have issue with the planning part of the message board. I got some great advice from some fun people.

I have read the TSMM article so I know its there.

What's not there? Touring plans/advice on Pixie hollow. This is a main headliner that has been open for 6 months and there isn't anything on Mike's site (except for the boards) about it.

There is nothing I could find about Tusker House and the Nemo package that has been out since Dec.

The times listed for the Alice and wonderland tea party are wrong. This kind of messed me up with my own touring plans when I made the ADR.

There has not been any touring advice (From the big cheese) concerning the SM refurb. It was told to us he would offer one but none yet.

The TSMM ride is an issue. Yes, there is a nice article about it but then you have to go back to the sample and rework everything to fit it in yourself....

His resort information should include different room categories. Not all rooms are created equal. If your going to offer advice about resorts ~ you need add everything.

He does have some good information on his site, I won't lie. I am also not into bashing the site. The items I listed above are just outdated info I had to figure out on my own .. I am sure there are lots of other things I most likely missed.

My issue comes in with the fact that all of the above items mentioned are offered free on many other sites (not just the DIS). I have yet to get first hand info about anything new or upcoming from this paid site.

The forums do have some great people but I didn't pay for other guests advice ....

Ok so what is this Pixie Hollow stuff and Nemo Tusker house package that you speak of??

 

[praline3001]

Ok so what is this Pixie Hollow stuff and Nemo Tusker house package that you speak of??

As of Dec Tusker House started offering a Nemo package similar to the F! dinner package ~ eat in their new TS and you get reserved seating for NEmo.
You have to have ADRS between 1-1:40 and you see the 3:45 show. I heard now they have extending the times and the later show as well due to the popularity

Pixie Hollow in in the Judges tent where the princesses used to be. There you can meet tink and all of her fairy friends. IT IS SUPER POPULAR and the line can be over 90 minutes long. If you do a search on the DIS for it there are some great photos! I am just not sure the post that had them

 

[carmiedog]

The times listed for the Alice and wonderland tea party are wrong. This kind of messed me up with my own touring plans when I made the ADR.

The hours are also wrong here (wdwinfo) and allears (you're talking about the fact that it's now 2-3, right?).

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/princessess.htm#wonderland
http://allears.net/pl/grandadven.htm

Can't really blame Mike for that one since you would have to adjust even if you were getting the info for free It must have only recently changed (or in process of changing in near future). My daughter is also doing it in June, but it works out well for us as it'll give us an extra half hour at MK. I know your point is that he should have it since you are paying, but it's so new he might not even know yet so I've gotta give him a pass on it. And no, I'm not saying if he knew that he would update it right away.

I'm also anxious for SM closure advise, but not holding my breath for it. I think Mike likes to take time to examine things and reexamine them before just throwing something out there. I'd be happy with his best "guess" now and then he can change it later if necessary, but that's not how he works. It'll probably be posted as soon as we get back.

At least you're accurate on your list of things that aren't correct and you're just not making up facts so I can respect your overall opinion on TGM even if I don't agree completely with it.

 

[praline3001]

The hours are also wrong here (wdwinfo) and allears (you're talking about the fact that it's now 2-3, right?).

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/princessess.htm#wonderland
http://allears.net/pl/grandadven.htm

Can't really blame Mike for that one since you would have to adjust even if you were getting the info for free It must have only recently changed (or in process of changing in near future). My daughter is also doing it in June, but it works out well for us as it'll give us an extra half hour at MK. I know your point is that he should have it since you are paying, but it's so new he might not even know yet so I've gotta give him a pass on it. And no, I'm not saying if he knew that he would update it right away.

I'm also anxious for SM closure advise, but not holding my breath for it. I think Mike likes to take time to examine things and reexamine them before just throwing something out there. I'd be happy with his best "guess" now and then he can change it later if necessary, but that's not how he works. It'll probably be posted as soon as we get back.

At least you're accurate on your list of things that aren't correct and you're just not making up facts so I can respect your overall opinion on TGM even if I don't agree completely with it.

Yup the 2-3 thing. 30 minutes sounds petty but when you count on that and make a spa appointment ~ then have to change it around along with DH and DS going to the marina during that same time frame ~
I did find out about the 2-3 time change on the DIS. Called and had it confirmed with Disney.
My DD will be going in July and is super excited

The SM thing does bug me, I won't lie. It kind of messes with a lot of MK plans. I would like to know how long I can hold off getting a FP for splash and BTMRR...

The one that gets me is the Pixie hollow. That usually has as long of a line as TSMM. I am STILL trying to figure out how much time I should allow for that in my plans

I do like his least crowded park list. I do think if he updated his site a great deal ~ I would be way more willing to use his services again. As of now I will not be renewing.

 

[avahoneybee]

I do not have issue with the planning part of the message board. I got some great advice from some fun people.

I have read the TSMM article so I know its there.

What's not there? Touring plans/advice on Pixie hollow. This is a main headliner that has been open for 6 months and there isn't anything on Mike's site (except for the boards) about it.

There is nothing I could find about Tusker House and the Nemo package that has been out since Dec.

The times listed for the Alice and wonderland tea party are wrong. This kind of messed me up with my own touring plans when I made the ADR.

There has not been any touring advice (From the big cheese) concerning the SM refurb. It was told to us he would offer one but none yet.

The TSMM ride is an issue. Yes, there is a nice article about it but then you have to go back to the sample and rework everything to fit it in yourself....

His resort information should include different room categories. Not all rooms are created equal. If your going to offer advice about resorts ~ you need add everything.

He does have some good information on his site, I won't lie. I am also not into bashing the site. The items I listed above are just outdated info I had to figure out on my own .. I am sure there are lots of other things I most likely missed.

My issue comes in with the fact that all of the above items mentioned are offered free on many other sites (not just the DIS). I have yet to get first hand info about anything new or upcoming from this paid site.

The forums do have some great people but I didn't pay for other guests advice ....

I've never heard this one before. What is it if you don't mind my asking?

 

[*disgal*]

I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but....Toy Story Mania has been added to the touring plans/advice. I'm sorry that you didn't see it. I wish you would have asked for help in the forums, as I am certain you would have been directed to the link.

I don't understand all this frustration. If you don't like TGM, request a refund and try something else. There really is no "risk" involved when you purchase the TGM service.

Myself, I have found the service to be very helpful and I feel confident that my upcoming trip will be the better for it.

Also, not to beat a dead horse..........like I said, I have gotten loads of good advice off of his site and in general, I like it. But TSMM is not on the "attractions" page. When you are setting up your touring plan, you are picking from the attractions that your family wants to see. Now, for me, this isn't a big deal at all because this will be my fourth trip with him. I know where to go to get the info. But someone new coming in might be confused. I just don't understand why the biggest attraction at DHS isn't there.