Pretty Disappoointed with Tour Guide Mike

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Originally Posted by Tinks
Okay, color me confused. I signed up for TGM. I picked my attractions I enjoy. I haven't seen any "tourplan" anywhere on his site except for his sample tour plans. Sample touring plans do not apply for me and are not a personalized service. Can someone point me in the direction of a touring plan based on my selections on his site??? Why am I paying the $20 if I have to make my own touring plans?? He says "visit this first in the morning" about several attractions (SM and Buzz come to mind. I still can't figure out which I'm supposed to do first ) It's actually annoying me the more I use it. Can anybody help?


What you are looking for is something provided by ridemax. It gives you an itinerary based upon what you put in. Keep in mind, I still think you should keep TGM or the UG or another source that will give you some touring principles so that you understand the hows and whys.
http://www.ridemax.com/

Haven't used WDW yet but the DLR version has been reviewed thoroughly and works.

 

[JRawkSteady]

Before you sign up TGM specifically writes that you are not getting a personalized touring plan.

Heck, I'll write you out a personlaized touring plan for free. I used to work there and I know the entire world backwards and forwards.

 

[KimDis]

Have to say that I wasn't that impressed with TGM as well. It just wasn't intuitive enough to navigate. I never even got to touring plans. But I will say his insight on fireworks viewing was useful enough that I won't ask for a refund.

I found the touringplans.com site much easier to use. It's also more real time than the unofficial guides plans, which is nice.

 

[taragl]

Let's see... I'm new to both here and TGM (bought his service after reading about it here) and I think both sites offer incredibly useful information in very different formats.

It's true that TGM won't customize an itinerary for you -- and from the wording of the teaser pages, it seemed like it would. And I'll also agree that the site nagivation leaves a little to be desired... I'm a web developer and even *I* had trouble finding pages! But the "least crowded days" charts are indispensable. I rearranged my entire trip based on that information. The sample tours are also very helpful. I was able to customize them for the times/attractions/shows that my family enjoys. I had a great time reading Mike's reviews and compiling his research into something useful for us.

These boards are a different story altogether... there's such a wealth of information that everyone brings to this big communal banquet table of Disney knowledge. The trick can be asking the right question, or using the right search term to uncover that little gem of info that you're looking for. You can get a better "feel" for a certain part of the Disney experience here, because the reviews are coming from so many different people. I wouldn't want to do WDW without both sites ever again!

 

[88Keys]

I found the touringplans.com site much easier to use. It's also more real time than the unofficial guides plans, which is nice.

I don't understand.....UOG plans are the same as touringplans.com -- just more "variations" -- Len Testa does both.

 

[krismom]

Agreed! I've been on the TGM forums since the day they started (though my handle is different there) and there haven't been any personal attacks. There have been one or two very heated debates that *almost* crossed the line, but that's one or two out of thousands of threads. Not bad, percentagewise.

As far as the love and support thing, TGMers have banded together to send flowers when a loved one has died; send money to help someone pay for a WDW trip for their very sick and now recovering (thank goodness!) granddaughter; and also to send prayers and kind thoughts to those in need of a shoulder to cry on.

The people on TGM are very good people who share a passion for all things Disney, and it's unfortunate to see them referred to as cult members or Scientologists. I do agree that some people get a little too passionate whenever TGM is insulted, but that's mostly in response to posts that flame TGM as a person. Criticize the site, but not the man. Or in response to posts that talk about TGM as a ripoff. IMO, a site is not a ripoff when you have thousands of people getting so much value out of it that they sign up multiple times.

If someone doesn't like TGM, fine. Different strokes for different folks. But unfortunately, a lot of people don't stop at "TGM didn't work for me, so I won't sign back up" or "TGM just didn't meet my needs." If that's where the comments stopped, then perhaps the ultra-passionate TGMers wouldn't be quite so passionate in their responses. But comments like that make TGMers feel like a family member is being attacked.

My personal opinion: if the site didn't work for you and you won't ever sign up again, all I can say is, "I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully you'll find the right tools for you that do help you to make your trip as magical as possible."

I agree... sorry for the "cult" line- I didn't mean to offend. I think I was jaded from some of the forum threads over there where lots of "swooning" over Mike was happening- while I was hunting for info and best days charts.

 

[luuuceee]

I agree... sorry for the "cult" line- I didn't mean to offend. I think I was jaded from some of the forum threads over there where lots of "swooning" over Mike was happening- while I was hunting for info and best days charts.

Yeah, there are some gals over there with serious crushes. I just happen to not be one of them.

And...apology accepted. We're good.

Now pass me the Kool-Aid.

 

[tinker&belle]

Okay, color me confused. I signed up for TGM. I picked my attractions I enjoy. I haven't seen any "tourplan" anywhere on his site except for his sample tour plans. Sample touring plans do not apply for me and are not a personalized service. Can someone point me in the direction of a touring plan based on my selections on his site??? Why am I paying the $20 if I have to make my own touring plans?? He says "visit this first in the morning" about several attractions (SM and Buzz come to mind. I still can't figure out which I'm supposed to do first ) It's actually annoying me the more I use it. Can anybody help?

Not you specifically....


But if you belong to TGM (or have before) please honor you agreement....at least for the sake of those of us who plan on using it....

 

[KimDis]

I don't understand.....UOG plans are the same as touringplans.com -- just more "variations" -- Len Testa does both.

You're right... but Len updates touringplans.com throughout the year. There are many changes that occur after the book is in the stores that you don't have to wait until the next edition for.

 

[88Keys]

You're right... but Len updates touringplans.com throughout the year. There are many changes that occur after the book is in the stores that you don't have to wait until the next edition for.

I didn't know what you meant by "real time" -- in otherwords, you are saying touringplans.com is more current. Absolutely...I thought you were distinguishing them as seperate entities. Btw, check out the new Animal Kingdom touring plan on the site if you haven't yet. It's great.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I used TGM last year. I found out a few interesting and helpful things, (one cool tip did save me about 20-40 minutes, which was great) but between being a former CM and reading the DIS/AllEars, I already knew 80% or more of what was on there. I found the site hard to navigate and I lost interest., esp. being told things I already knew.

I'm glad I tried it, but I don't see the need to sign up again. I feel like I can do the same thing on my own now. For someone who was pretty new to WDW, I think it would be great.

 

[KimDis]

Didn't get to spend much time in AK last week (DID ride EE though)... so I'll be sure to check it out for my next trip. I did use the book to plan the couple things we did in our 3 hours in AK.

BTW, this is of topic but I hope you aren't flooded. I barely missed it in Laurel.

 

[88Keys]

Didn't get to spend much time in AK last week (DID ride EE though)... so I'll be sure to check it out for my next trip. I did use the book to plan the couple things we did in our 3 hours in AK.

BTW, this is of topic but I hope you aren't flooded. I barely missed it in Laurel.

Thanks for asking -- no, we waterproofed our basement so that has so far proven successful. However, my parents live in Rockville and they have been evacuated (they were given 5 minuted to leave by the cops) because the Lake Needwood Dam is starting to show stress marks and is 25 feet over what it shoudl be!!!!

Stay dry!