Can TGM help me more than DIS???

[Feelslikeadream]

I am debating if I should purchase TGM or just stick with the great DIS Boards. How do I benefit from TGM v.s. DIS??? I would love to hear some examples, or from anyone who did the same debating??

 

[halld6479]

I have followed this board info for my first trip and it helped lots and this time I decided to go ahead and join TGM and find his site a bit hard to get around in but I like the plans he provides and am going to folllow them this time and if it does well I will use it again in the dec trip. I think it was worth the money

 

[unixadm]

I have read a lot on these boards, but joined TGM for our September 2005 trip. The info on there was fantastic, and right on target. I am definitely a true believer in TGM's plans....definitely great for MK tour plans since there are so many rides as well as MGM and even Animal Kingdom. Epcot is not as easy for a touring plan since there aren't as many rides, but his tips helped us even there. Definitely great for determining which days to hit which parks and WHY.

I ended up rejoining (at the repeat member discount price) for our trip leaving next week and again planned our park days around his recommendations.

People that join TGM agree to a NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement), so some of the specific info on the site you wont' find anywhere else, including here.

There is a lot of reading, and you will need some time to poke around the site and get familiar with it but well worth it, IMO.

Think of it this way....you are investing thousands of dollars on a vacation.....what is $19 to get information that will make your trip even better?

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I think these boards put you in a "special" category of people that know much more than the average tourist to Disney. There is no doubt that it has helped many, many a traveler and if this is all you have, you will do well.

But, I wanted to really take advantage of all the knowledge I could get my hands on for our next trip, since it will be in the summer season.

I guess I won't know till after my trip if it was worth it, but I've learned a lot already and I'm excited about how this might turn out. Like the above poster, if I don't like it, I won't use it next time......no biggie.

We spend thousands of dollars at WDW, what's the price of a few Mickey bars going to hurt??

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Think of it this way....you are investing thousands of dollars on a vacation.....what is $19 to get information that will make your trip even better?

We must have been thinking alike, unixadm!

 

[Servants of Evan]

One simple point: "Money Back Guarantee." That should say it all -- if you don't find Mike's information helpful, you get your money back!

 

[HydroGuy]

I am debating if I should purchase TGM or just stick with the great DIS Boards. How do I benefit from TGM v.s. DIS??? I would love to hear some examples, or from anyone who did the same debating??

It depends on what kind of information you are looking for, and how much you want to know. I joined TGM in Feb for our upcoming May trip, and I learned a couple things there right away that made it more than worth it. I have since learned a bit more.

TGM will appeal more to knowledge-hungry people (folks who always want to know "why") and do-it-yourself types. TGM provides lots of information to help you make decisions, but then you must make the decisions. The folks on the forums there are very willing to help you in this area. Some people who get frustrated with TGM want a cookie cutter "just tell me what to do" supply of information. TGM avoids that based on principle. TGM is more interested in educating users than giving them cookie cutter answers.

It is true that lots of the info on TGM is available here on DIS, AllEars, etc., for free. It is not that information which makes TGM of value. It is the 5% not mentioned in other avenues such as DIS.

Another reality of DIS is that you will get a multitude of opinions, which is often good. With TGM you tend to get a more singular message that flows from the TGM philosophy. This will appeal to some people more than others.

Hope this helps.

 

[2ofUs]

I used Mike to plan our last 2 trips. He is extremely well informed and actually will answer your emails if you really need to contact him.

The information on his site is a wonderful planning tool. It includes many little tricks & secrets that he has accumulated from years of being a VIP tour guide for WDW. I especially appreciated knowing ahead of time where the bathrooms are - and which ones to avoid (dirtiest, etc.).

He gives tips on the best places to view parades, fireworks, etc. and how to get out of the parks quickly afterward (or what to do instead of getting scrunched in the crowd).

I just rejoined again today for our September trip and I have already learned (or been reminded of) a couple of things that will no doubt save me the cost of joining.

 

[Kenswing]

I think they are both very useful. The DIS is a great place to ask for opinions. You'll get a large selection of views.

TGM is a place to go for advice from a pro. One thing about TGM....It will answer questions that you didn't know you had.

Ken

 

[jennobrn01]

I am definitely a knowledge hungry DIY'er. I have debated back and forth about TGM. We are going in Nov., would it be feasible to join now, or should I wait?

 

[traciedee]

I joined a few months ago to help plan for our trip in June. I hated forking over the $20, but my thought was that June is going to be brutal hot and busy, so I could use all the help I could get. I think I have got my $20's worth, just from a few things such as best days, best times, ways to tour, where to view parades, secrect trails. etc. My family will never be able to follow a strict touring plan and I wouldn't even ask them to, but we can sure get a good start on our day and get alot done before the crowds kick in. I can report more in a couple of months, but I have enjoyed the info thus far.

I do agree with a previous poster in that the TGM forums are pretty much focused on the TGM way to do things. I, too, am an info seeker and I enjoy a variety of opinions. I love to be able to pick and choose which ideas I think will work best for my family. So use the dis, use tripadvisor, use the unofficial guide and use TGM. They all have good stuff!

 

[GrandmaBarb]

I would highly suggest you sign up now. The more time you have the more you can absorb from TGM's site. Be sure to join your month's Vacation Club for specific info for your trip dates.

 

[renessa]

I spent some time on TGM last night, reading over the MVMCP info, suggestions, and tips. I wish I was going in Dec 06 instead of 07...

We used a lot of his info for our July 05 trip the week of July 4th. Despite the heat and crowds...we were left thinking what crowds??? I think his sumer and holiday advice is a huge reason to join.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

We used a lot of his info for our July 05 trip the week of July 4th. Despite the heat and crowds...we were left thinking what crowds??? I think his sumer and holiday advice is a huge reason to join.

I am glad to hear that. I will be at the MK on July 10 and then for a longer stay in early July next year. I am anxious to sign on with TGM--but if I do, I know I will never get my taxes done! So, I guess I'll be joining on April 18th!

 

[jennobrn01]

Despite the heat and crowds...we were left thinking what crowds??? I think his sumer and holiday advice is a huge reason to join.

Ooo now there's a great testimonial! I am headed over to TGM now!

 

[jennobrn01]

YeeHaa! I am a TGM member! Now you won't see me here for awhile. I'll be greedily sucking up all the info.

 

[Tinkerbellmom33]

I've been wondering if we should join TGM too. I've seen it in the past and figured it was just a gimmic. But then I've seen people post after they used TGM and said how helpful it was. We'll be going in May, 50 days!!
Is it worth signing up now? I almost did it yesterday, because sometimes feel like maybe I'm planning all wrong!!

 

[Allison]

I like both. TGM has been well worth the money.

One thing I do notice here is that everyone always just refers to the DIS boards. There is a whole site here beyond the boards that has lots of good information also.

 

[Atotty]

We'll be going in May, 50 days!!
Is it worth signing up now? I almost did it yesterday, because sometimes feel like maybe I'm planning all wrong!!

Yes, you'll be able to get some great information for your trip. I had a friend sign up two weeks before she went in July and she said they didn't get into any crowds anywhere. She wished she'd signed up earlier, but still got enough info to have a great vacation. Mike has Express planning pages that'll help you.

This will be our fourth trip using TGM.

 

[mdoc]

I think both are helpful. I've found lots of information on the DIS boards, and I've found information at TGM that I didn't find here. It was worth the $19 to me. We haven't gone yet, but I know that there are just a couple things I've learned at TGM that will make it worthwhile. Anything else is a bonus.