Feeling Overwhelmed & Using TGM Strategies

[StinkerbellsMom]

Okay, maybe I am just dumb but I have been to WDW numerous times before, just never during a busy time like Easter. This year we are surprising our 3 girls with a trip during Easter. I usually just wing it with the help of the wonderful world of DIS. However, this year I decided to try TGM and can I just say, while I find it wonderful, I am feeling incredibly overwhelmed!!!

Normally I take advantage of EMH's whenever available and come back to the Resort for a break in the afternoon. However, with TGM I am just confused!!! I have read the reviews of many people that say that TGM works for them (even during Peak Season), so please reassure me that I am making the right choice by following (or trying to follow) the guidelines there. Also, does anyone else feel 'lost' when navigating TGM? I have spent three hours on basics and just end up feeling like I am beating my head against a wall! LOL

 

[disneyaggie]

I totally understand your feelings. I signed up for TGM, too, and got way too overwhelmed. However, I posted a "HELP" thread on the Planning portion of the Board and got so many nice, helpful responses. I am no expert, but I have waded through his pages (usually a little per day) and it seems to help. I tried to read the whole thing before and just became too frustrated. Like the saying goes, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time"!

Since I took it step by step over a course of several days, I can now see a bit more to his logic and actually find his ideas helpful.

 

[kdo]

I've been with TGM for 2 months and I feel completely prepared and knowlegable after going through his advice and asking questions in the forums. It was very overwhelming at first, but once you dig in, you'll do great.

 

[dawnball]

Well, I used TGM in the off season and was really just annoyed by the whole thing. It didn't fit my style of touring. However - we take long, low budget trips in the off season. His advice makes a lot more sense for peak season and shorter trips (and older kids than mine)

With that said - I suggest that you get the parks very early (well before opening) in peak season, decide which experiences you really care about and use FP and TGM to make sure those experiences happen. For example - if you really want to see the shows/parades, focus on the information he has about best viewing locations and touring tips. Take what you need/like and leave the rest.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

Don't forget this is a VACATION Relax!!

We went Presidents Week which rates a 9 and we found it wasn't so bad. Maybe I'm used to the crowds and wouldn't know what to do if there weren't any. With EE open at AK I felt the other parks weren't that crowded. There was only a 30 min wait for Space mountain at 8:00 pm. Also, the wait for tot was only 30 minutes at 5:30 pm at MGM on a Friday evening. The 1st time I rode space mountain in 1980 I waited 2 hours at 10:00 pm. Now I looked up a 9 and they said 1.5 to 2 hour waits at the E-ticket rides. We never waited more than 30 minutes. I did however, avoid the parks in the afternoon.

Get there at opening and use fast pass as much as possible. If the parks get too bad in the afternoon, go back to the resort and enjoy the pool. Also, try to book Character meals so you don't have to waste time in the park meeting the characters. IMO Character lunches are the best because the parks seem to get really crowded in the afternoon. Epcot has the princess meal in Norway, which is a great place to meet Ariel, Snow White, Mulan, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine and Belle.

Since a lot of people don't think of Ak as a whole day park, I have read on these boards that AK evening hours are not that busy. Also, I thought the parks with the EMH were busier so I went to the park that just had the EMH the day before. Maybe that's why I didn't find it busy

It seems like you did fine with YOUR touring plan in the past, so maybe you should do what feels right to you. Enjoy yourself!!!

 

[ChairborneRangr]

Okay, maybe I am just dumb but I have been to WDW numerous times before, just never during a busy time like Easter. This year we are surprising our 3 girls with a trip during Easter. I usually just wing it with the help of the wonderful world of DIS. However, this year I decided to try TGM and can I just say, while I find it wonderful, I am feeling incredibly overwhelmed!!!

Normally I take advantage of EMH's whenever available and come back to the Resort for a break in the afternoon. However, with TGM I am just confused!!! I have read the reviews of many people that say that TGM works for them (even during Peak Season), so please reassure me that I am making the right choice by following (or trying to follow) the guidelines there. Also, does anyone else feel 'lost' when navigating TGM? I have spent three hours on basics and just end up feeling like I am beating my head against a wall! LOL

Touring during holiday season does require extra care. I suggest you start by going to your express planner for April (link on your front page of TGM) then go to your "2006 Easter Week Itinerary Planning Guide" http://www.tourguidemike.com/articles/articleDetails.asp?articleId=380

Mike's holiday guides get rave reviews. Mike's peak season advice is spot on.

Please PM me (Stephen) over on TGM if you need specific help. Or post in the trip planning or Itinerary forums.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Oh, dear! I keep hemming and hawing over TGM for August. I don't want to spend a lot of time trying to sort through endless pages of info, especially if they are all "busy" in format. HOWEVER, we are going in summer and DS will be nearly 10 when we go so I think dawnball might have described our situation exactly. Hmm. Well, it IS a guaranteed service so if I don't find the information helpful I can ask for a refund, right?

StinkerbellsMom - Good luck! We've never gone when it has been really crowded before and it is hard to know how to plan!

 

[Tissa]

Oh, dear! I keep hemming and hawing over TGM for August. I don't want to spend a lot of time trying to sort through endless pages of info, especially if they are all "busy" in format. HOWEVER, we are going in summer and DS will be nearly 10 when we go so I think dawnball might have described our situation exactly. Hmm. Well, it IS a guaranteed service so if I don't find the information helpful I can ask for a refund, right?

StinkerbellsMom - Good luck! We've never gone when it has been really crowded before and it is hard to know how to plan!

Endless pages of info? There are specific articles that are important to read but they are not overwhelming and you don't have to take it all in at once. Would you read a travel book in one sitting? Give it a try and if you have any questions please ask away. Everyone over there is very helpful

 

[HydroGuy]

Oh, dear! I keep hemming and hawing over TGM for August. I don't want to spend a lot of time trying to sort through endless pages of info, especially if they are all "busy" in format. HOWEVER, we are going in summer and DS will be nearly 10 when we go so I think dawnball might have described our situation exactly. Hmm. Well, it IS a guaranteed service so if I don't find the information helpful I can ask for a refund, right?

StinkerbellsMom - Good luck! We've never gone when it has been really crowded before and it is hard to know how to plan!

I have found the TGM information and philosophy very insightful and would encourage folks to use it. You may also want to look into RideMax. They are releasing a WDW version in April. I will be using both TGM and RideMax for our May trip.

See a recent thread I started on RideMax: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1050851

 

[ajcolorado]

Oh, dear! I keep hemming and hawing over TGM for August. I don't want to spend a lot of time trying to sort through endless pages of info, especially if they are all "busy" in format. HOWEVER, we are going in summer and DS will be nearly 10 when we go so I think dawnball might have described our situation exactly. Hmm. Well, it IS a guaranteed service so if I don't find the information helpful I can ask for a refund, right?

TGM is great about refunds but I don't think you'll need one. On the opening page, there will be a link with various months. Since you are going in August 2006, you'll click on the "August 2006" link. The information given will only pertain to that time frame. The Express Planner feature just guides you through very easily. There will be links offered for those who want to understand why certain suggestions are made or to offer additional information. The great thing is that you will control the amount of information that you take in -just use express planner or read it all.

We used TGM for our late June 2005 trip and found it very worthwhile - using his suggestions, we never waited over 20 minutes for anything, most of our waits were less. We've been to WDW several times before and have always used this board, the UG, etc. but we still benefitted from the TGM information.

 

[StinkerbellsMom]

Thank You Everyone for the wonderful feedback! Still kind of nervous about travelling during
a peak season such as Easter! But that's a decision we made because we have seen the
World during almost all the Holidays and Easter was next! I am just glad to know I am not alone
when I felt somewhat 'overwhelmed'. I must say, I do find tons of info, and am enjoying reading
it, but I just felt as if I got bonked on the head with a 30 lb bowling ball and was seeing stars! LOL
I have been taking it bit by bit and digesting it, so to speak. I just need to print stuff out and
read offline when I can. I have found that reading the April section and the peak season info
is helpful, and like you all said it is 'money back guarantee', so what do we have to lose.

Thank You All! I just don't feel all alone! LOL
I LOVE this place!!!!