frustrated with tgm

[yellownovawife]

can anyone help me? It is full of lots of info and articles - much of which I already know from my many months of research elsewhere. I decided to pay for it because I have had trouble getting touringplans to print properly. I thought it was going to generate a touring plan that I could tinker with and then print out but there just seems to be click after link of words and articles and info and a blank spreadsheet to print off and fill in. I am obviously missing something!

 

[vicki_c]

1 - TGM doesn't do that - spit out a touring plan for you - it's more of a make-your-own-plan site based on the info that is there, some sample tours, etc. RideMax is the program that spits out a touring plan based on inputs you put in.

2 - for the best help with TGM questions, you should ask your questions in the TGM forums - there are a lot of TGM-savvy people there that can help you, so please come over there.

But it could be that TGM was not what you were really looking for.

 

[yellownovawife]

1 - TGM doesn't do that - spit out a touring plan for you - it's more of a make-your-own-plan site based on the info that is there, some sample tours, etc. RideMax is the program that spits out a touring plan based on inputs you put in.

2 - for the best help with TGM questions, you should ask your questions in the TGM forums - there are a lot of TGM-savvy people there that can help you, so please come over there.

But it could be that TGM was not what you were really looking for.

Well now I am feeling stupid. My DH will freak if I spend any more money on planning this vacation so I guess I better just follow my instincts as to touring.. Thanks

 

[kmk1180]

so I guess I better just follow my instincts as to touring.. Thanks

Probably more fun anyhow...afterall it's your vacation, do what you find fun.

 

[DutchsMommy]

Hello. TGM does take a little getting used to in order to find all that great info. His BEST feature by far (and mainly the reason I continue to purchase) is his 'Least Crowded Days' chart. After you sign in, you are taken to a page which has a section called 'My month's express planner'. Select the month you are going (February I think for your trip). You are then taken to a page with the '4 Important Links'. Select the last link and the date range you need. I use this info when planning which Parks for which days. I also copy and paste the list to a word doc and take it with me. I have found that while I kinda plan out which days, taking it along allows me to refer back to his recommendations if I want to make a change to my original plan. The Parks and Entertainment Guides are also very useful for planning Parks with lots of pre-set show schedules (i.e. HS for sure and sometimes AK if you are planning FOTLK, Nemo and Bird Show). Then, scroll down and check out whichever links are of interest to you. I like the restaurant reviews and info, the viewing tips for parades and fireworks, and I would draw your attention to the link for 'Design your Itinerary' under the My Itinerary tab. I use his Super Express PLanner to map out my parks to days, any ADR #s etc. (then append the 'Least Crowded' charts to the end of the doc...I know, I'm anal and my hubby laughs at me - but hey everyone loves the vacation!! And finally you will see sample touring plans near the bottom under 'My Park Touring'. I think they are useful to get some ideas, but I do not plan to that step by step level. I also review the Park maps to get a general idea of how I see us moving through the Park for the day (or over 2 days which is common for us). I like to do this to think about which rides I either need to get FPs for (and like the idea of 1 person gathering the FPs for everyone) and which we need to head to first. We like to do a park 'loop' and not do alot of backtracking so for me this approach works better. I really love TGM and hope you give it another shot when you have some time to really explore the site. (Now, TGM please feel free to send me a referral cheque ).

Hope this helps!!!!!

 

[DutchsMommy]

Sorry - forgot to add, one other resource I like is Steve Soares site (google his name). He has the most UTD 'times guide' info which is uploaded every weekend. This again is helpful for planning if you specifically want to see something like the Candy Lady in Japan. It also reminds you of some of the offering that you might forget or overlook.

 

[yellownovawife]

Hello. TGM does take a little getting used to in order to find all that great info. His BEST feature by far (and mainly the reason I continue to purchase) is his 'Least Crowded Days' chart. After you sign in, you are taken to a page which has a section called 'My month's express planner'. Select the month you are going (February I think for your trip). You are then taken to a page with the '4 Important Links'. Select the last link and the date range you need. I use this info when planning which Parks for which days. I also copy and paste the list to a word doc and take it with me. I have found that while I kinda plan out which days, taking it along allows me to refer back to his recommendations if I want to make a change to my original plan. The Parks and Entertainment Guides are also very useful for planning Parks with lots of pre-set show schedules (i.e. HS for sure and sometimes AK if you are planning FOTLK, Nemo and Bird Show). Then, scroll down and check out whichever links are of interest to you. I like the restaurant reviews and info, the viewing tips for parades and fireworks, and I would draw your attention to the link for 'Design your Itinerary' under the My Itinerary tab. I use his Super Express PLanner to map out my parks to days, any ADR #s etc. (then append the 'Least Crowded' charts to the end of the doc...I know, I'm anal and my hubby laughs at me - but hey everyone loves the vacation!! And finally you will see sample touring plans near the bottom under 'My Park Touring'. I think they are useful to get some ideas, but I do not plan to that step by step level. I also review the Park maps to get a general idea of how I see us moving through the Park for the day (or over 2 days which is common for us). I like to do this to think about which rides I either need to get FPs for (and like the idea of 1 person gathering the FPs for everyone) and which we need to head to first. We like to do a park 'loop' and not do alot of backtracking so for me this approach works better. I really love TGM and hope you give it another shot when you have some time to really explore the site. (Now, TGM please feel free to send me a referral cheque ).

Hope this helps!!!!!

Hi again, neighbour!
I guess we have something else in common as I am also a compulsive planner. I have a nice spreadsheet all laid out already. I have booked ADRs and chosen which days for which parks (TGM just confirmed what I already knew,) and I really signed up just for help on which order to hit each attraction so I was frustrated. I was confused as to why his touring plan for HS does not even mention TSM?? Anyways, I have been clicking around more and trying to get the most out of it. I do plan to use some of the info and really we are going at a low crowd time anyways so I am sure we'll be fine! Thanks for the tips!

 

[disneyfantotheend]

One other thing I thought I would mention is that TGM is refundable. If you are not satisfied, just email him and let him know and he will refund your money. If you are going to use it, then you won't want to do this, but if you are not there is no reason to just take a loss on it.

 

[itchin2go]

I think TGM's advertising leads people to believe you'll get a customized touring plan. I thought that and was disappointed as well.

I say this on every TGM thread I post on: His recommended parks are dead on. The rest of the site (to me) is wasted space. If you want to subscribe to TGM, do it for the recommended park information. If you HAPPEN to get something else from one of the (outdated) articles on his site, consider that a bonus.

I also say this: He bases the recommended parks info on EMH, Fantasmic, Spectro, hard ticket events and holidays. There may be some other factors, but those are the biggies. All of the information about these factors is available for free. I do not *get* why people subscribe to TGM. Maybe it makes sense if you're a first timer, or really pressed for time, or made of $$$. Otherwise, I do not get it.

OP - request a refund and hope for the best.

 

[rie'smom]

Hi again, neighbour!
I guess we have something else in common as I am also a compulsive planner. I have a nice spreadsheet all laid out already. I have booked ADRs and chosen which days for which parks (TGM just confirmed what I already knew,) and I really signed up just for help on which order to hit each attraction so I was frustrated. I was confused as to why his touring plan for HS does not even mention TSM?? Anyways, I have been clicking around more and trying to get the most out of it. I do plan to use some of the info and really we are going at a low crowd time anyways so I am sure we'll be fine! Thanks for the tips!

Did you just subscribe to TGM? If so, you can request a refund. I use Mike's site all the time for least crowded parks. In the past, I used his sample touring plans.
Now though I use RideMax for my touring plans. You can put in your dining reservations, breaks, etc. + the rides and attractions you wish to ride and see, then it works up a plan for you. It's only 18.95 for a 90 day subscription and 29.95 for a year. This may be the best money you'll spend for your trip-honest.
http://ridemax.com/

 

[greg126]

I'll go with what seems to be consensus opinion. TGM's least crowded parks info alone is worth the price of admission. Beyond that there is good info but you have to be able to ferret it out. I found the MVMCP touring plan pretty useful.

Then go to Ridemax - I appreciate no longer having to fool with pulling together different sources (including TGM) to develop touring plans (I can only stand so much fun after all).

Now, if some of the mobile applications out there ever get refined to use for on-the-fly adjustments.....I just wouldn't know what else to ask for.

 

[bwilcox]

I agree with the PP-Ridemax sounds like what you are looking for. I suggest you get a refund from TGM and join Ridemax, which is a way to make up your own touring plan with pretty accurate wait times.

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

I love TGM for the least crowded parks - totally worth the price as others have said. I also have adapted his touring plans for our use, and I think they're great as well. We are WDW veterans and using his touring plans I just jot down the order in which to ride rides on a 1/2 size index card for each park. Easy to keep up with and it's really all I need. It's amazing the difference between our visits pre-TGM compared to now. We're much more efficient following his advice and have a much better time.