Just bought TGM guide and need some advice...

[domesticdiva]

I am so excited about our upcoming vacation in 2 weeks, but I am really overwhelmed by all the information that he offers. I planned all my days around the best parks he suggests to go to and I like his guide for my itinerary and advice on where to go inside the parks and at what point in the day, but is it best to go by it everyday or just use it on the weekend, Thursday - Saturday of the Memorial Day weekend?I want to get the most out of our vacation and I can't possibly expect for us to see EVERYTHING that WDW has to offer but I would like to see more than he suggested for us.I thought maybe we could just wing it the first 2-3 days and then come Thursday - Saturday follow his advice more closelY so we can get the most out of the more crowded weekend. What do you all think? Any advice would be awesome!!

 

[MyZoeJane]

Hmmmm, only thing I can offer is the advice to check our his sample tours if you haven't already. I have planned my park days not only on the "busiest parks" info, but also based on his logic for touring the parks once we are actually there.

The sample tours give you a good idea as to how to coordinate your day and the thing I found most insightful were the tips regarding HOW to get to the different parts of the parks... (secret trails, using the WDW Railroad, etc.)

 

[kimbac3]

I used TGM last time we went. We used his advice as needed. For example, one particularlly rainy morning MK was empty - didn't need any tour plans that day. However, we also had a busy Sat night at MK and we used his advice alot then. We did however always use his advice for fireworks and parades.
We'll be using it again this year too!

Have a great trip!!!!!
Kimba

 

[GoofyGolferGirl]

We have been to Disney the last few years, last year we went for 12 days and I thought we would just play it by ear and decide each day were to go. BIG MISTAKE! I had made AR at a few places. It seemed like we spent a lot of time in the room and in transit. This year I am going to follow TGM's advice and hopefully it will work out great! I would at least have the parks picked out and advanced reservations for those days. Have a GREAT trip!!

 

[aviva5675]

Im trying it for the first time for our November trip. Looked at last years busiest park days and planned from that- now making minor adjustments now that the busiest days are posted for the first half of November. I thought I could combine his advice and UG but looks like you have to pick one and kind of follow that line of thought. Going with TGM this trip!

 

[rie'smom]

Use Mike's sample tours and apply them to his best days. You cannot go wrong doing this.

 

[jennobrn01]

I suggest using the forums on the TGM site. The people there are very helpful. Most are TGM veterans. When we joined TGM we agreed not to disclose any info. We need to be careful about discussing TGM here on DIS. I have made it a habit to go over there now for touring advice, plans etc.

 

[amesmom]

I suggest using the forums on the TGM site. The people there are very helpful. Most are TGM veterans. When we joined TGM we agreed not to disclose any info. We need to be careful about discussing TGM here on DIS. I have made it a habit to go over there now for touring advice, plans etc.

I agree. If you go on the TGM forum, you can get lots of really detailed advice because people can talk freely. Here, we can only give you general tips like "follow his sample tours" and "He's great"--which he is BTW.

 

[2ofUs]

I have used TGM since just after he started his website. Three trips have now gone INCREDIBLY smooth because of what I learned there.

He won't tell you exactly what to do in what order, but he will arm you with a great deal of very detailed information so that you can adjust according to YOUR circumstances.

I would NOT encourage you to just 'wing it' the first few days and follow his advice for the rest. If you have doubts - do it the other way around. Try it MIKE'S way for the first 2-3 days. If you don't see it working the way you expect, then try winging it. You have paid for a wonderful service so you may as well test it out, right?

Obviously from the responses you have already recieved, there are MANY of his fans on DISboards. Come on over and let us share encouragement there.

DISboards also has lots of information, but it is not a 'vacation planning' site as is TGM. There are many sources of information available and most of us use them all. However, I find that NOTHING Mike has ever advised has proved incorrect - I wouldn't do anything differently.

Yes, there is lots of information - but isn't that GREAT? You can simply choose what you need/what applies to your travel period and your family circumstances.