Can TGM help me more than DIS???

[disneyaggie]

I actually have learned a lot from both!

Yes, I have learned a lot from TGM, but it should come with a warning!

His website has an incredible amount of information, very helpful and I felt it was well worth the money. In one instance, I spent way too much time trying to find something on the website and finally got fed up. Silly me, I e-mailed him asking him a simple, "Can you tell me where to find this"? What was I thinking! I mean, geez, I paid this guy to help (he certainly did not mind accepting my money). He responded promptly with a small paragraph of the information, so he did help; however he just had to add a very condescending statement that did not settle well with me at all.

I let him know I did not appreciate his condescending tone and he replied with something even more rude! I mean, excuse me, I did pay this guy to assist in planning a trip. I did look like crazy for something so simple, I did not ask for such a response. Just a simple answer, or a link to find it.

In addition, he added in his response, "If I didn't care, I assure you I have better things to do with my time than explain everything out in detail like I did". What the heck?

However, on the flip side, I had asked him something a week or so before and he was awesome in his response. Very helpful and cheery.

Is it worth the $20, well I think so. Interesting reading material, that's for sure. But be wary of asking a question! You just don't know what you might be getting yourself into!

 

[Waseller77]

We are planning a trip in Dec. 2007. Is it too early to sign up for TGM? Will my "membership" expire before my trip?

 

[Servants of Evan]

We are planning a trip in Dec. 2007. Is it too early to sign up for TGM? Will my "membership" expire before my trip?

Nope, and that's the great thing. Your membership is based upon your trip so you can sign up now for a trip a while off and take all the time you need to soak in the details!

 

[4Jays]

We returned from a Disney land and sea cruise (4 nights on land, 3 nights at sea). I joined TGM in January when I read about him on Disboards. I got a lot of helpful info on the boards, especially about the cruise part of our trip; but TGM made our trip. I spent a lot of time planning the days and times for attractions, parades, etc. I made notecards with the info on them and put them on binder rings for each park. I even included TGM's special tips for getting the best view or experience from each attraction. My DH who hates crowds and lines was VERY impressed with how easy it was for us to get on rides and after the first day was a firm believer in the TGM philosophy. I would definitely invest the money again for another trip, I really don't think that we would have had as good of a time without Mike's advice.
(Can't wait to plan another trip )

 

[netposer]

How is TMG different from touringplans.com or The Unofficial Guide to WDW book?

 

[HydroGuy]

How is TMG different from touringplans.com or The Unofficial Guide to WDW book?

First, it has a very different tone. The UG/TouringPlans has a very matter-of-fact, business-like approach. TGM has a much more peppy, starry-eyed, and (I would say) "fun" tone.

Second, a lot of the information is the same, with each resource having strengths.

Third, when it comes to touring the parks and picking best days, UG/TouringPlans relies heavily on statistics. TGM relies heavily on years of hands-on experience and day-to-day involvement at the parks.

Fourth, TGM is way more dynamic, in that there are user forums that are worth participating in, and an "Automated Vacation Planner (AVP)" which takes info about your trip, date, group, hotel, etc., and gives you update notices and general information that relates specifically to your situation.

Fifth, while TGM does give sample park tours, touringplans.com will give you more formal itineraries through their paid site.

FWIW, I am really looking forward to the release of RideMax for WDW in a couple weeks to help structure itineraries. For what I need, this will offer something that neither UG or TGM can offer - a customized touring plan for the specific attractions I want to do. For me personally, I will rely most heavily on TGM information and RideMax for our trip.

 

[Mainebound]

First, it has a very different tone. The UG/TouringPlans has a very matter-of-fact, business-like approach. TGM has a much more peppy, starry-eyed, and (I would say) "fun" tone.

Second, a lot of the information is the same, with each resource having strengths.

Third, when it comes to touring the parks and picking best days, UG/TouringPlans relies heavily on statistics. TGM relies heavily on years of hands-on experience and day-to-day involvement at the parks.

Fourth, TGM is way more dynamic, in that there are user forums that are worth participating in, and an "Automated Vacation Planner (AVP)" which takes info about your trip, date, group, hotel, etc., and gives you update notices and general information that relates specifically to your situation.

Fifth, while TGM does give sample park tours, touringplans.com will give you more formal itineraries through their paid site.

FWIW, I am really looking forward to the release of RideMax for WDW in a couple weeks to help structure itineraries. For what I need, this will offer something that neither UG or TGM can offer - a customized touring plan for the specific attractions I want to do. For me personally, I will rely most heavily on TGM information and RideMax for our trip.

Being a subscriber to both, I would agree with Hydroguy's assessments. In fact, it is one of the most accurate and level headed comparisons I have ever seen on the DIS or TGM and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making it!

I would say that TGM gives extremely detailed touriung plans, much more so than the UG folks. I mean, he has 2 LONG articles on positioning yourself for Wishes. He doesn't just tell you which ride, but how to walk there, where to put your stroller for easiest exit, where to sit in the theatre, what the CMs are like at that attraction, and more. The details are very valuable and reflect his daily park experiences. It took me a long time to acknowledge this, but I now believe that it is true that his daily experience in the parks translates into valuable real time information for his customers.

I do think think two differences between TGM and the UG are WAY overstated by TGM folks:


1. That the UG is "commando". The UG recommends a reasonable pace, afternoon breaks, and late mornings after late evenings. It emphasizes not getting burned out and offers all kinds of strategies and plans for avoiding exactly this. Many of the nearly 100 plans on the touringplans.com website are for "late arrival" or "early departure". Any full day plan has a break in the middle. If you want a touring plan without having to do any work, you either have to religiously follow TGM's very limited number of "sample plans", follow the UG plans (either in the book or paid website), or wait for RideMax.

2. That TGM gives you a "philosophy" and a "how and why" that the UG does not. Honestly, I never understood this claim. I must be stupid, because all the other TGMers seem to get the difference. The UG/touringplans.com gives you "best times" charts for making you own plan if you want, and some basic information about crowd patterns in the parks (best days for each park, general crowd patters in each park). The philosophy involves going to those parks and those rides on those days and at those times where there are fewer other people. Without going into details about TGM, I will say that, as far as I can tell, there isn't a dramatically different philosophy there. But I am in the minority on that one, and others are sure to chime in and enlighten us.

Hope this helps.

 

[LisaMaz]

I just want to thank everyone on DIS. This has been such a helpful forum I would have never even known about TGM or anything else for that matter. I haven't subscribed to TGM but I think I will I also hope that someone posts when Ridemax is available sounds great!

 

[lovevacations]

Being a subscriber to both, I would agree with Hydroguy's assessments. In fact, it is one of the most accurate and level headed comparisons I have ever seen on the DIS or TGM and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making it!

I would say that TGM gives extremely detailed touriung plans, much more so than the UG folks. I mean, he has 2 LONG articles on positioning yourself for Wishes. He doesn't just tell you which ride, but how to walk there, where to put your stroller for easiest exit, where to sit in the theatre, what the CMs are like at that attraction, and more. The details are very valuable and reflect his daily park experiences. It took me a long time to acknowledge this, but I now believe that it is true that his daily experience in the parks translates into valuable real time information for his customers.

I do think think two differences between TGM and the UG are WAY overstated by TGM folks:


1. That the UG is "commando". The UG recommends a reasonable pace, afternoon breaks, and late mornings after late evenings. It emphasizes not getting burned out and offers all kinds of strategies and plans for avoiding exactly this. Many of the nearly 100 plans on the touringplans.com website are for "late arrival" or "early departure". Any full day plan has a break in the middle. If you want a touring plan without having to do any work, you either have to religiously follow TGM's very limited number of "sample plans", follow the UG plans (either in the book or paid website), or wait for RideMax.

2. That TGM gives you a "philosophy" and a "how and why" that the UG does not. Honestly, I never understood this claim. I must be stupid, because all the other TGMers seem to get the difference. The UG/touringplans.com gives you "best times" charts for making you own plan if you want, and some basic information about crowd patterns in the parks (best days for each park, general crowd patters in each park). The philosophy involves going to those parks and those rides on those days and at those times where there are fewer other people. Without going into details about TGM, I will say that, as far as I can tell, there isn't a dramatically different philosophy there. But I am in the minority on that one, and others are sure to chime in and enlighten us.

Hope this helps.

I have felt this way too!! I really like the TGM website, it has all the info I need at my fingertips. The site wasn't designed so Mike would be your private consultant, hence the automated vacation planner. I think for most over planners TGM is a good fit. I have a copy of UG, paid for touringplans (that was a waste but it is only $7!!), and a Passporter, which I like for the maps. Really the only thing I needed was TGM and the DIS for more free info and opinions.

 

[HydroGuy]

Being a subscriber to both, I would agree with Hydroguy's assessments. In fact, it is one of the most accurate and level headed comparisons I have ever seen on the DIS or TGM and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making it!

Aw shucks...

2. That TGM gives you a "philosophy" and a "how and why" that the UG does not. Honestly, I never understood this claim. I must be stupid, because all the other TGMers seem to get the difference. The UG/touringplans.com gives you "best times" charts for making you own plan if you want, and some basic information about crowd patterns in the parks (best days for each park, general crowd patters in each park). The philosophy involves going to those parks and those rides on those days and at those times where there are fewer other people. Without going into details about TGM, I will say that, as far as I can tell, there isn't a dramatically different philosophy there. But I am in the minority on that one, and others are sure to chime in and enlighten us.

You know, also being a subscriber to both, I agree with you here...mostly. I think you have to include the resource's tone along with it's information and recommendations when you refer to a philosophy. I may be wrong, but when people differentiate the philosophy I think they really mean the tone - because so many of the recommendations are similar.

IMO, UG/Touringplans is...well, let's just say it...boring. On the other hand (flameshield going up!) TGM is a bit over the top with the "Hi [insert your name here], do I have something good for you today!". TGM works for me, but it gets a little (just a little!) annoying sometimes.

 

[grimley1968]

On the other hand (flameshield going up!) TGM is a bit over the top with the "Hi [insert your name here], do I have something good for you today!". TGM works for me, but it gets a little (just a little!) annoying sometimes.

Shhhh. Be vewy vewy quiet.

TGM is watching you from the top of this very page. Or is that Neil Patrick Harris?

No offense, anyone. I couldn't help it.

I've never really come across a question I had that could not be answered on these boards.

 

[lovevacations]

Okay, I feel the same way with "Sonja,..." but I think his intentions were good. But, what got me was somewhere I was reading about the dining plan and he suggested that you should choose water over a mickey bar b/c of the fat and calories. I think he is a health nut, but I signed about to get his wonderful (and it is great) park advice, not what I should be eating on my vacation. To his credit he works really hard and stays on top of the website. I guess nobody in perfect!

 

[HydroGuy]

Shhhh. Be vewy vewy quiet.

TGM is watching you from the top of this very page.

This doesn't bother me. Someone has been watching me ever since I can remember. I think they're from the Orion constellation...

I've never really come across a question I had that could not be answered on these boards.

Different strokes for different folks. It only took me 10 minutes to find an answer on TGM to a question I could not get answered on DIS. Or anywhere else for that matter. Not to discredit DIS, which I really like, but Mike himself is an unusual resource based on his history and previous employment at WDW.

 

[mmmears]

Thank you for asking these questions. I was wondering the same thing... after all the books I have read and the DIS Boards (and finding touringplans not too helpful) I'm not sure whether to sign up or not. I see alot of pros on the list, and not many cons. Are they not so many cons to signing up? Just want to know what I'm in for if I do! Thanks to everyone for their advice. (Long-time lurker, not so often writer).

 

[Kenswing]

. Are they not so many cons to signing up?

Not really. He gives an unconditional money back guarentee.

Ken