I am NOT happy with TGM!

[In a hurry]

Grow up people.

yes m'am!

 

[robinb]

robinb, in that case, I would have thought the OP would be on here giving great comments about the immediate refund as well as an apology. I don't know many internet businesses with that kind of turnaround.

The OP is a newbie and if you look at her posting history she only makes it to the DIS every couple of days. Unlike me!

 

[JRawkSteady]

I just want to say I do not agree with everything TGM believes in (in terms of touring)...probably about 10% of the things he suggests, I would never do... HOWEVER, about 90% of what he says is right on the money for me!

My point is, everyone has a different opinion. I was a CM at WDW for a long time, and TGM still had original advice to offer, that will help me on my next trip. You just have to sort through...Guide books aren't for everyone. Just remember that.

 

[In a hurry]

You know what, that is fair enough! You are a much better person than I! Have a great day!

 

[Brian Noble]

I wonder how many visitors go to WDW don't do research and don't go with a plan?

A recent edition of the UG (maybe for Disneyland?) addressed this in response to a frequently asked question: "If you publish these touring plans, will they no longer work?" The response had some statistics on how few people bought *any* guidebook *at all* (including the nice eye candy but otherwise relatively worthless Birnbaum) before visiting. It was shockingly small. You'd think that for a vacation on which you are spending thousands of dollars you'd spend at least a little bit of time and money figuring out how to get some value out of that. Apparently not.

You know what's even more interesting? Those folks come home talking about what a great time *they* had, too! As exhibit A, I offer you my brother and his family. They went to Disneyland. For one day. Between Christmas and New Years in '03-'04. They arrived at 11:00. They left at 5:00. They had no plan. The did literally EVERYTHING WRONG YOU CAN POSSIBLY DO. They saw three attractions (and that *counts* a meet-n-greet with Pooh), plus the parade, and ate lunch.

And you know what? Despite spending nearly $150 just to get three people in to the place, they left feeling good about the visit, and they wanted to go back the next year. I bought them RideMax. They still arrived at 11:00 and left at 5:00, but at least that time they saw six attractions *plus* Pooh. (They really like Pooh.)

This year, they actually asked for my copy of UG/WDW before their trip there, and I bought them a brand-spankin' new copy. Mostly because I couldn't bear to part with mine.

 

[luuuceee]

I would love for the OP to come back to this thread and explain what the intent was of the original post? It kind of left me thinking, "and so...what's your point? What am I supposed to do now?"

If someone doesn't like TGM, fine. Get your refund and go on with your life. I'm just not sure what the OP expected to come out of the post. Just to gripe that nothing was learned and she's not satisfied, ooookkkkaaaaayyyyy...so what is everyone else supposed to do with that information? This whole thread seems pretty useless to me, and all it did was start another argument, unless, of course, that was the point of the thread. Or maybe it was being rebellious because Mike is now a sponsor. Whatever. So the OP didn't like TGM. So what? A lot of people love the TGM site, and some hate it. The constant nastiness, flaming and arguing doesn't help anyone's cause. So let's just end it here and go on with our lives, with or without TGM as part of them.

 

[traciedee]

Brian-That's pretty interesting. That's us in our prior theme park days. We've been to a ton of amusement parks all over the US and never had a plan before. We hit the parks commando style and kill ourselves trying to get everything done. Never even occured to me to have a 'plan'. Never been to WDW before, but after everyone telling me how big the parks are and how big the crowds were I decided a little research couldn't hurt. I don't think we will ever be able to follow a 'plan', but we can sure benefit by the advice of experienced WDW'ers and avoid the common mistakes. Cause personally, I would have thought evenings and late afternoons were the best times for the parks. We all know that is not always the case! Also, I would never have dreamed that the water parks were that busy and could possibly be closed for admittance by mid morning as they were at max capacity. I also never really thought about how many other crazy people like me would go in June and be willing to deal with the heat and humidity!

Of course, I am the woman who went to Disneyland on Christmas day several years ago thinking no one else would be there.....

 

[MinnieMom]

I could tell you that. So could lots of other people, I'm sure.

I'll admit that I don't really know much about TGM, but there's no way I'd want to pay for something that you really can get for free by doing your own research.

I disagree here, but to each their own. Everyone will have their own opinion.

I subscribed to TGM for our upcoming trip (in 13 days!!!) because I just didn't feel I had the time to sort out all of the information that is out there even if I can get it for free. $20 to me, when you're spending thousands on a vacation, is a drop in the hat.

I have been very impressed with all of the information TGM offers and yes, I did know a lot of the info before I subscribed, but a lot of it is also new.

It seems to me that the OP was just trying to badmouth TGM and it really was unnecessary. If she wants to cancel her subscription it would have been much better to email Mike and ask how to go about doing it or post it on a TGM board. It really doesn't belong on the DIS.

It seemed to be a pathetic attempt to ruin someone's relationship and no, I'm not saying that because I am a part of the TGM cult. This is the first time I subscribed to TGM and I haven't even been able to try out all of his strategies yet, but I will post how they worked out for me when I get back!

 

[DizneyKrazed]

The drama never ceases to amaze me...

 

[C.Ann]

And a simple note to TGM re. refunds would have been sufficient. Even a post about how the progam wasn't what she expected. Not a temper tantrum complete with an emoticon.

Maybe you think that is appropriate behavior, but I don't. Different strokes, I guess.

----------------------------------------------


On any given day you can find numerous posts of the same nature on any of the boards I previously mentioned - including this one.. I wonder how many people feel they're acting "inappropriately" when they voice their complaints and request info on what to do about it?

Definitely "different strokes"....

 

[Danthesand]

OP is probably mad that TGM didn't offer suggestions on how to scam Disney:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1025966

VacationDad NAILS the OP!!!! I love it...love it...love it.....(TGM fan cheering)

 

[Danthesand]

Just because the OP was looking for ways to buy cheaper tickets does not mean he/she was trying to "scam" Disney.

Hmmm....someone is not qualified to get a Florida resident discount, but they make posts here clearly showing they are trying to figure out a way to get into the parks using one...

..and that's NOT trying to scam Disney?

I love some people's definitions of "ethical' behavior.....

 

[TSWJan78]

You'd think they changed the menu at Ohana's again...

 

[Kely]

Thanks to all who posted their Love and Hate for TGM and to the OP, because I had looked into TGM before and thought I would be okay without it. Now after all these posts in so few days. I can't wait to sign up and see what information I can treasure hunt for on his sight! Thanks everyone!

 

[HydroGuy]

A recent edition of the UG (maybe for Disneyland?) addressed this in response to a frequently asked question: "If you publish these touring plans, will they no longer work?" The response had some statistics on how few people bought *any* guidebook *at all* (including the nice eye candy but otherwise relatively worthless Birnbaum) before visiting. It was shockingly small. You'd think that for a vacation on which you are spending thousands of dollars you'd spend at least a little bit of time and money figuring out how to get some value out of that. Apparently not.

You know what's even more interesting? Those folks come home talking about what a great time *they* had, too! As exhibit A, I offer you my brother and his family. They went to Disneyland. For one day. Between Christmas and New Years in '03-'04. They arrived at 11:00. They left at 5:00. They had no plan. The did literally EVERYTHING WRONG YOU CAN POSSIBLY DO. They saw three attractions (and that *counts* a meet-n-greet with Pooh), plus the parade, and ate lunch.

And you know what? Despite spending nearly $150 just to get three people in to the place, they left feeling good about the visit, and they wanted to go back the next year. I bought them RideMax. They still arrived at 11:00 and left at 5:00, but at least that time they saw six attractions *plus* Pooh. (They really like Pooh.)

This year, they actually asked for my copy of UG/WDW before their trip there, and I bought them a brand-spankin' new copy. Mostly because I couldn't bear to part with mine.

Most people don't care very much. That is why this stuff works. When we were at DLR last summer and were in a line and someone would mention FastPass, if I felt it appropriate and in context I would share the little known but easily discovered fact that DLR accepts FastPasses anytime that day after their window. I probably did this 4-5 times over a 4 day trip. In every case people shrugged their shoulders, which I took to mean that they just didn't care. At most 5% (probably closer to 1%) of the visitors at a DLR or WDW care about this stuff. That is why all the touring tips will always work.

 

[KathyTX]

We welcome comments and discussions related to positive *OR* negative experiences with vendors, including those who sponsor the site. However, this thread has degenerated beyond any helpful trip planning related information and into a bit of personal infighting.

As the original poster got her answer and the problem has been resolved, I'm closing this thread.