Mainebound said:
I subscribed twice, for two trips, in 2004 and 2005. I agree about the annoying writing style ("You know what I mean, don't you NewEnglandDisney"), and I also find the devotion of the TGMers to be a bit much (visit the TGM boards for an exercise in group think that will remind you of your Sociology 101 days! Oh -- and I am sure this post will be pasted there for a thorough debunking and analysis within minutes of my pressing "send", LOL!).
OMG, you are not kidding. There are entire a couple of threads over there about DIS people, in fact someone sent one to my PM's here that TGM wrote all about me (they thought they'd "get me" by telling me that TGM doesn't care what I think). In it he says how he doesn't care what NewEngland thinks, it used to bother him, but it's all personal with NewEngland. He uses my name like ten times in a couple of paragraphs - I guess that is how he talks as well as writes his website.
I've written in like 3 or 4 threads about TGM, and tried to just simply say I don't like it and I thought it was a waste - it's the TGM-lovers that just can't stand that - they have to become personally venomous toward me because we don't like the same products. So yes, when people attack my opinion by quoting me and telling me I don't get it, I didn't spend enough time, etc. - of course in that case I will defend my position. If people just let me say "I don't like TGM, here is why" that's all I'd have to say and I'd move on.
They've labeled me a "hater", someone who is just disgruntled, who obviously "is just negative" ,etc. etc. I had to just sit there mouth agape that they all cared so much that I dislike the website. And the things they say about us at DIS over there are just astonishing. They say they hate DIS because of the flames, etc. - and there they are flaming me! Either some of these people were joking, or they really need to work on that self-awareness issue.
It's also funny, because many of the "OOH I LOVE TGM HE'S MY IDOL!" people who have posted here are the same ones responding to Mike's posts in the same thread. He admits that good word of mouth here gives him more sales, so they all decided to come in as one big group. It's very calculated to increase the sales of the Master.
Mainebound said:
I personally think two frequently made claims of the TGMers are either false or overstated, namely, (1) that TGM is up to the minute accurate in every respect, and (2) that there is a lot of information there which cannot be found elsewhere. However, I do think there is value to the site, and I did not think my money was wasted. I can think of two points in particular, one a suggestion about touring AK, and another some rarely noticed features of fastpass, that helped make my trip better. So, unless $20 is a LOT of money to you, I would go for it.
TGM agrees with you. In fact, know what he said in the same post he talks about me?
TourGuideMike said:
Everyone brags about how up-to-date I am, but truth is, I'm behind right now. I'm trying to complete my minor update for April, important info for May which covers their entertainment/itinerary advice and 50th Birthday info, and June needs it's Entertainment/Schedule write up.
LOL even he knows the hype isn't true!
And then he writes about me :
TourGuideMike said:
Hmmm ... she or he purchases the Unofficial Guide numerous times, according to her/his own posts, but buying a book is different from buying access to a customized web site.
He also must have cared enough to sort through my posting history enough to know that, in the past, I have bought the UG yearly and takes a jab at me for it. I don't recall mentioning that in any TGM-related thread (and haven't mentioned buying multiple copies of UG for months and months). I find it a case of "he doth protest too much". He obviously can't handle the criticism, and someone who runs a for-pay website needs to have some thicker skin - not just say he has it, but actually demonstrate it. This guy must have a lot of time on his hands to go and read through the old posts of someone who doesn't care for his service if my opinion is so irrelevant.
And yes, there IS a difference between a book and a website. I own that book forever, it is in my possession, portable, and before the WDW Internet communities developed was virtually the ONLY way to get new info about Disney. In 2005 that has changed - and TGM is comparing apples to donughts. Funny how he spent time finding out that I used to buy UG every year, and funny how he has to take a jab at it instead of responding to the actual content of my posts.
Mainebound said:
However, I do think there is value to the site, and I did not think my money was wasted. I can think of two points in particular, one a suggestion about touring AK, and another some rarely noticed features of fastpass, that helped make my trip better. So, unless $20 is a LOT of money to you, I would go for it.
And that's totally cool. My issues with TGM are 1) his false advertising (which is why he really has no choice but to cheerfully give refunds) and 2) the fact that the info is available for free elsewhere (and his is often outdated). I don't deny that there is SOME information there, but what is there is simply available elsewhere for no payment.
There is no such thing as an "automatic vacation planner" at his site. I have a keen understanding of website design, and even I was so terribly frustrated looking for this "AVP" when I first found his site. I kept clicking on various links to take me to my "AVP!" and evenutally I realized that it didn't exist. All it is a a list of articles on his site he reccomends you read. If he'd call it "TGM's Vacation Planning Articles" I would never have bothered to subscribe - I was looking for this program that helped me automatically plan my vacation (schedules and such). You will find no such thing at TGM, just general outlines of order to visit attractions and descriptions of attractions that aren't any different than what you get anywhere else.
People have questioned why I have continued posting on this topic, and it's really simple : because people don't allow me to have a differing opinion. They have built me up into this "hater" because I have a different opinion about a product we have mutually used. The reason I have posted is because current members of TGM seem to have the need to talk up all this stuff that I don't believe really exists in most cases, and it's obvious I must be correct in some way or people wouldn't be so violently opposed to what I have to say. And, from TGM's reaction to the few posts I've made on the topic, it's obvious he sees a differing opinion as a "threat". If he truly didn't care, he would ignore it - in fact, he is the one who brought me up in the "DIS hates us" thread, not another poster. It's obvious he watches these threads very closely and perhaps instead of labeling me as someone who must have some alterior motive he will take the critisim to heart and try to improve.
My guess is not - because I'm sure he is well aware of the issues his site has, but as long as people keep forking over their money he won't care.
Now, I'm counting down until this thread is closed and then whomever ressurected it after the LAST thread was closed or one of their TGM-buddies will start yet ANOTHER thread in attempts to cover up other people's opinions.
And they wonder why I found their behavior "cultish"? When people are as transparent as they are on the topic, it's not a leap of mind.
N.E.D.
I'm guessing that since Mike does frequent his forums regularly many TGM members have established a somewhat personal relationship with him and therefore when you criticize TGM they feel almost as if you are criticizing a member of their family. And I'm sure they don't realize that by constantly attributing your opinion to some inadequacy on your part they are belittling that opinion. Being a regular message board user (though not a regular Disney board user) I know where you are coming from. I've been on both sides of this equation before. Plus, it does seem to me like you are a victim of a commom message board effect known as "pile-on." 
ha, ha (Sometimes I just crack myself up!)
