For those who did NOT use TGM....

[andromedaslove]

Hey that sounds really good about now and...... since I am leaving tomorrow I may just stop and get one!!!

 

[SomePixiedust]

I have never used TGM and have always had a great time--especially after finding these boards. On our most recent trip we saw just about everything--if we didn't see or do something it was because it was something we weren't interested in. We got to the parks at opening, utilized fast passes and had ADR's set in advance. With those tips, we had a great time and it worked for us. Of course everyone is different.......................

 

[AnaheimGirl]

I do understand what info you're trying to get and why you gave the responses you did, but I'm actually very surprised that anyone has chosen the 3rd response. If you've never used TGM, how would you know what you're missing?

I chose the 2nd response. We haven't actually used TGM in a park yet, (although we're subscribed right now for our upcoming trip) and I answered based on previous trips. Before now, we hadn't even heard of TGM. We had a great time, but we didn't have time to see "everything". At the time, there is no way I would have thought that it was possible to see more attractions in the time we had (since we used fast-pass often), so there is no way I would have chosen response #3. I would have been very skeptical of anyone who claimed that WDW could be done with minimal waiting in line.

So, anyway, I guess I'm just saying you can't expect too many people to choose response #3. Most people are used to waiting in long lines for rides, whether it's their local amusement park, WDW, carnivals, etc. Most people are going to be thrilled if they can use fast-pass a couple of times in a day and have 10-minute waits for Space and Splash Mountains, even if they do wait 30 minutes for Dumbo. Like I said, if they've never used TGM, how would they know what they're missing?

 

[skiwee1]

I've never used TGM and wouldn't want to. I don't need anyone telling me what to do and when. We take our time, seeing what we want and when we want. We never go commando as we are on vacation. We've been to WDW 8 times in the last 4 years staying 30 days a year. Each and every time has been a great vacation that I wouldn't change one thing on. You can easily do without some tour book telling oyu otherwise.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I did not vote because I have gone to WDW about 25 - 30 times over the past 10 years and never used it, but before my August trip I was curious to see what all the fuss was over TGM, so I did subscribe.

It was kind of fun as it was something different, but I didn't really get new info out of it. I have had 25 - 30 FABULOUS trips to WDW, so I don't think TGM really added anything or made this last trip any better. Other than he just reinforced (sorry for blurting out this secret) get to the parks EARLY. It is true, but not new info - that's for sure.

I thought the site was difficult to navigate and had the same experiences with it that I have seen others post - I just felt like I was going in circles. Kept seeing the same old stuff. I got bored with it. I found out about last minute changes in WDW's schedule on the DIS, it took TGM several days to change & update his info.

For a newbie to WDW, it may be helpful, but I like books better than anything online - with exception to the DIS of course!

Lives4Disney

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

When are you going on your trip? Is it during peak season? And how long are you going for?


We have been to WDW numerous times. The first time back with our children we bought the unofficial guide to help out with planning. That was at the same time I found this board.

In the end, I really just relied on info I had gained on here rather than the book. Not saying that TGM wouldn't be worth it, I'm sure it is a good plan and since it is online, it would be more fun for me to use. But for our trips, we didn't need to go commando style. We had at least a week in the parks and were going either "regular" season or "off" season. I have never waited longer than 15-20 in a line ANYWHERE in WDW.........and even that is rare.

This next trip, I REALLy wouldn't need a tour guide plan since we are going for two weeks in off season and getting AP's.

But, for those that have a few days to a week in the parks, going at a busy time, or maybe it's their first time, I could see how TGM would be useful. Now, to say that without it you won't have a good time is just plain foolishness. You're a member of THIS BOARD aren't you?? You are WAY ahead of the majority right there!!

 

[kittythepoohbear]

I have never used TGM and don't plan to as long as I am going in off season. I get to see everything I want to see, many times twice, and can make up my own plan along the way. Sept. is the best time to go!
Now, if I had know about TGM back when I was in school and had to go in July, things may have been different.

Kat

 

[Lorelai]

Hi WendyMichaelJohn -

I have never used "Tour Guide Mike". Is TGM a person or a company???

Regardless, I have been to Disney World six times since 1993. I've been there as a newlywed, then one trip as a parent of one child, then two trips as a mom of two and lastly two trips as a mom of three. My most recent was in April of 2005.

With the exception of my first trip, which I was able to plan but not really understand how it would work since I'd never been there before, each trip has been better planned than the last. Each time we go I find new ways to research - first it was just through books (Birnbaum, Various other travel guides) then I found wonderful online resources (Mouseplanet, MouseSavers, AllEarsNet, DIS boards).

I plan our days realizing that with three children we may only get so far, so I always setup important character meals in the morning, then park entry at opening.

In the MK we head to the kids' favorites first, always making sure to prioritize the rides by heading first to the rides with fewer vehicles (which always end up having longer lines) like Dumbo and Peter Pan. We usually grab a Fastpass for Buzz right before we head to Fantasyland so that when we're done with Fantasyland we'll be ready for Buzz. There is not too long of a wait first thing in the morning for Fantasyland rides on non EMH days, if you hustle it over there ASAP. And we always save the rides that have larger vehicles or theater seating for last, before we head to Buzz, - like Small World and Philharmagic.

In Epcot we always ride Test Track first off. Then on to the rides with lesser crowds and faster loading like Figment, Ellen's Universe of Energy. We save World Showcase for later in the day when the lines in Future World have gotten out of control.

Also, we always make sure to plan a long, sit down lunch to relax, talk and see how everyone is feeling about the afternoon to come. I know it can be crazy for some parents to plan a long sit down meal with kids, but for us, we find that our kids last longer and are more relaxed if we can have a yummy, airconditoned respite. We enjoy lunch at the Crystal Palace in MK. And in Epcot we have enjoyed lunch with the kids at the Garden Grill and LeCellier. I find LeCellier to be very quiet and cool during the early lunch hours. And the kids love the "Chocolate Moose" (in the shape of a Moose) for dessert.

Again, this is just our little lessons learned - and it works for us. It might not work for other families. We've always had a blast, and never left without doing our favorites. We've even been there during Thanksgiving & Easter in huge crowds. Hope this helps!

Have a Disney Day

 

[Brian Noble]

Where's the fire? I have this big can of fuel to dump on it!

 

[CharityLynn]

Never used TGM..don't think I ever will. Its a vacation take your time and just think if you didn't see it this time what better reason to book your next trip

 

[maxaroni]

Never used TGM and don't plan to in any subsquent trips.

Our first 2 trips, as a family, never heard of TGM. However, we did have other guidebooks and took some tips from the books. We saw everything we wanted to see and then some. We tended to chuckle over the people that were racing from one ride to the next and trying to keep to their plan. I know everyone is different and I am a firm believer in "whatever works for you" and "to each their own". However, we aren't quite that schedulized.

For our most recent trip, 8/05, I found these boards and found a wealth of information, for which I'm eternally grateful to my fellow dis'ers.
I then found out about TGM and I felt as though I was missing something. However, the more I thought about it, the more I felt it just wasn't for us. My dh wanted no part of it and even if I subscribed and planned my little heart out, dh wouldn't want to follow such plans. It wouldn't fee like 'our' vacation.

At the end of the day, we had a great vacation, we did what we wanted and saw everything. We saw many things more than once, as well. I'm not saying I didn't use many of the tips from here or other suggestions but to subscribe to something and go through that, isn't for us. My ds12 was sort of 'in charge' of many aspects and we let him guide us to what he wanted to do, when he wanted to do it and it all worked perfectly.

No offense to those that use it and if it works for you that's great.

 

[singingpixie]

I've never used tour guide mike, and don't plan to for our upcoming trip. Why?
1) DBF would mutiny, plain and simple. He isn't even thrilled that we are making ADRs for almost every day.
2) We're going in January, making lines much less of an issue.
3) I'm addicted to this site and intercot, and read many guidebooks, so hopefully I've stored a lot of info in my head to make good decisions on the fly.
Overall, I think that if you traveled in peak season and didn't want to have to do a lot of research on your own, TGM might work out. But with some legwork and an off-season trip, I hope we can have the best of both worlds!
-Meg

 

[jann1033]

never used it first couple trips used Birnbaum but now look over guides to see what's new and go on our own. never even looked in to tgm but do like the ug...we go off season though so that is a little different

 

[disney1990]

We swear by the Unofficial Guide to Disney World. We followed in 2 the letter on our first trip in 1990 and it worked great! Now we've been so much, that we no longer worry about seeing everything on every trip.

 

[PKS44]

This is one of the most ignorant polls and threads I have ever seen

You ask people if they did okay with TGM who have no knowledge of it...as demonstrated by the comments that imply it is a schedule one follows or has you racing around---it encourages the opposite of such an approach

This is a similar question to this Poll -ONLY for those people who have NEVER eaten really good steak at a really nice restaurant--do you enjoy eating steak?

and this proves what about getting a really good steak at a really nice restaurant?

oh yeah--and this really nice steak restaurant has a money back guarantee....

I really do not understand all the TGM phobia and I guess I should be glad fewer people do the TGM way since it is based on doing things differently than the crowds..staying ahead of them...

but this poll is so ridiculous in its enire approach as I pointed out in the above analogy--- it was definitely not "intelligently designed" as they say...