Returned Today: How TGM worked for Easter Wk

[bradk]

again, let us make the distinction..

ONE person is posting against the OP. ONE.

MANY who have posted in defense of OP are TGM subscribers. It is totally inane and absurd to generalize about TGM or its subscribers based on the words of ONE person.

what I could say about the DIS based on a single individual's posts... but that would be wrong.

 

[BillyRayJimBob]

I went back through the posts. There is actually 4 posting against the OP, but one that won't let it go. How many PMs do you suppose there were? I'm with the vast majority here and I recognize it, but there was very little chance that I would have used the service anyway.

 

[Robo]

I don't think I'll ever use TGM for anything. I'd hate to put myself in the same camp of some of the people who do.

Mike looketh down from on high.
A glint in his eyes.
And suddenly there was with the Mike a flurry of angels.
He speaketh and there was trembling in the valley.
Why hath thou spoken the hidden truths of the website?
And then the day that was so GREEN turned black.
And lo, the people of the Mike were sore afraid.
The miracles Mike wrought began to tumble.
The crowds rushed in and the queues began to fill.
Darkness fell upon the multitudes and Mike looked down no more.
All because a mere mortal dared speak of the hidden truths of the Tour Guide.

 

[tracy51]

Why oh why do so many of these posts turn into Us vs. Them ??

Its really not. TGM is great but not for everyone. The DIS is great but not for everyone. Some, like me, find both to be incredible assets for planning a Disney trip.

 

[bluwater]

Someone just reminded me of an important point, since quite a few are now signing up.

One of the PMs I got was from a TGM moderator. That person told me that I was violating the TGM user agreement because I admitted that I was a TGM user and then I posted my ride order. I was asked to edit the details of my post.

Now, being that this person was a moderator, I'm sure this person knows that my ride order does not match anything that Mike offers. So, I assume that IF you sign up for TGM, it is expected that you will NOT post any details of your visit anywhere but on TGM's site. If you read Mike's site, take away one hint, then work an entire tour plan of your own, you are expected not to post YOUR tour plan or trip details, even if you leave out the TGM hint.

I guess everyone should know this. I also think THE DIS should be concerned (but, that's the DIS' business, not mine). Basically, once you sign up for TGM, it seems that you should stop posting on THE DIS. So, those of you signing up might think carefully about the choice you will be asked to make.

Tracy, I think the "Us vs. them" is a symptom of the way TGM is approaching general park planning and the fact that THE DIS has chosen to receive sponsorship from an obviously competitive party.

 

[Tinks]

Bluwater, I'm glad that you had a great trip.

 

[MagicForMe]

So, I assume that IF you sign up for TGM, it is expected that you will NOT post any details of your visit anywhere but on TGM's site.

Not true at all. But if you start a thread and entitle it 'How TGM worked for Easter week' and then list your ride order I think it's logical that other posters will assume that ride order was influenced and guided by TGMs advice. You are the one, after all, who credits TGM in the very title of your thread so why wouldn't we, the readers, assume he influenced your ride order?

Basically, once you sign up for TGM, it seems that you should stop posting on THE DIS. So, those of you signing up might think carefully about the choice you will be asked to make.

Um, no, again anyone is free to post whereever they want. But then not everyone starts a thread called 'How TGM worked for Easter Week' and then gets annoyed that others pointed out that she's referring to TGM.

the fact that THE DIS has chosen to receive sponsorship from an obviously competitive party.

Tour Guide Mike isn't a DIS competitor. The DIS is a huge massive open public forum with hundreds of thousands of members. TGM is a private business.

In your first post you say:

Ok, so here's where I knew TGM was working. It was 11am in the MK on our first day (this past Wednesday) and we'd completed Space Mtn, Buzz, Mickey's Phil, Peter Pan, Snow White, Haunted Mansion, Pirates...and I was holding FastPasses to Space Mtn (we FP'd and then immediately rode upon entering park), BTMRR and Splash.

Later you say...

I got much more info from THE DIS than I did from TGM.

and

Frankly, my tour plan came from THE DIS...not TGM

So how come you credit TGM with your successful morning at MK by saying here's where I knew TGM was working? Why credit TGM when you basically only got a tiny amount of information from him and everything else from the DIS? Why even mention him in your title?

One lady wrote to me that since her TGM plan was almost identical to MY plan, I MUST have gotten that info from TGM and I am in violation.

Well do you think perhaps she came to that conclusion because you gave TGM sole credit in the title of your thread?

the fact that I ate meals at odd hours (uhhhh....kind of common sense, isn't it?)

No. It's not common sense. If it was common sense, everyone would be doing it and if everyone was doing it they wouldn't be odd hours now would they?

They were things I had never known. Though, I have seen them posted on THE DIS. WHen I have seen them posted on THE DIS, I have posted replies with disclaimers like "that doesn't ALWAYS work" because I don't want everyone using them.

Ugh. You mean you've deliberately misguided DIS posters? Are you saying you purposefully post that something doesn't work when you know it does? Nice way to share the Disney magic on this board that you claim to be so fond of.

 

[bluwater]

Ugh. You mean you've deliberately misguided DIS posters? Are you saying you purposefully post that something doesn't work when you know it does? Nice way to share the Disney magic on this board that you claim to be so fond of.

Let's not be silly. It is not worth explaining....again.

 

[bradk]

in all fairness, OP did not say TGM is a competitor. OP is calling TGM highly competitive (and implying much more by that) and is suggesting DIS may be doing a disservice to its readers by accepting his business. at least that's how I took it.

but OP is a TGM subscriber after all and it seems a lot of this side commentary came after being attacked by someone else. I personally believe OP made full use of TGM and found it worthy (especially since OP didn't post anything to the contrary on TGM and still has an account there) and just chooses not to continue to defend him/herself.

as for any indiscretions, that's between OP and TGM. not me or anyone else, let alone the popcorn chewers.

 

[suevee]

Good Grief, the OP was helpful, she sent business to TGM, she did not divulge any secrets, and she acted as a caring member of the DIS community in sharing her experiences in WDW during peak time. Which is why we come here. Most of us are grateful for her sharing.

I also use TGM, I did not find any new info there that I had not already known from other sources. Most of my other sources are free with the exception of the Unofficial Guide which I can get at the Library so it too was free sort of.

The OP shared her strategies of rating rides and spreadsheets. There is only one thing TGM probably helped her with that I could see and she did not mention it. And I won't either. But you can find that info in the Library in the UG as well as on TGM, if you want to......

 

[dawgsgirl]

Gee--I remember when the Dis was such a nice place. There have been way too many of these negative threads lately. Such a shame!!

 

[amycakes]

Thanks Loribell and Whosemom for the suggestions. And Bluewater I love the spreadsheet idea...it is a lot more user friendly than what I was trying to do. Thanks for the amazing info. And I just have to add I am glad you are alive to tell us about it because I would have absolutely had a STROKE if I left my plan on my printer by accident. Especially after all the hard work. Hope your next trip is a blast!!! Thanks again!!!

 

[disneyfan61]

Wow-I cannot believe I just read through this whole thread!! It blows my mind
to think how much some people really get into this. If I was the poster I do not
think I would want to reply to the Dis boards again!! I am also a TGM subscriber
& I was not offended at all. I wouldn't have replied if I was offended. I would
just have let it go but not some people. NOOO- they have to go on & on about
how the OP should not have said this & that. For God's sake people-Get A Life!!
To the OP-Glad you had a great trip!!! I hope to have a great trip in a week!
I don't know if I'll be posting about it though. There might be someone out there
to pick up on the fact that I'm a TGM subscriber & then all H_ _ _ will break loose.

 

[maxiesmom]

I read this post because we are thinking of a Spring Break trip next year, and I was giving serious thought about signing up for TGM. I was happy to read that the OP thought the touring plan was worth it, and that it worked for her. It is ridiculous to think that in signing up for TGM, you would loose all ability to post, lest you give up some big secret. The OP did not say #1 walk fast to space mountain. #2 fast pass pooh. Geeze people, lighten up. It is not like the OP sold secrets to Bin Laden.

 

[kandb]

I subscribed to TGM for a trip and don't think the OP revealed any "secret" information. Personally, I felt that the info on TGM was very common sense, on both what days to go to the parks and how to tour. I think if someone wants to give their opinion(s) about what and when they tour and if is the same advice TGM gives, they should still be allowed to say it. Hey, It's a FREE WORLD. TGM is not the only one who has opinions on Disney. Linda

 

[mickeysaver]

I hate to jump on the bandwagon and act like a TGM-nazi, but the detail posted was a bit more than I would ever feel comfortable sharing outside of the TGM forums.

To the OP, please consider editing your post. I think that your report was great, but sharing too much detail can be the undoing of the TGM advantage for the rest of us. Maggie

 

[cinder1]

Again, I am appalled. As a TGM subscriber, I saw nothing that was out of line in the OP's post. The fact that a TGM moderator saw fit to chastise the OP is ridiculous. If I had read that prior to joining TGM, I would never have joined. I think Mike owes the OP an apology. As for the Dis'ers who have a problem with the OP, they need to get a life. I thought we were here to help each other and share our love of WDW. Boy was I wrong. I joined the Dis 5 or 6 yrs ago. I don't post often, but I do read a lot. The threads have gotten meaner and meaner. It's ridiculous.

 

[jnorth1007]

Again, I am appalled. As a TGM subscriber, I saw nothing that was out of line in the OP's post. The fact that a TGM moderator saw fit to chastise the OP is ridiculous. If I had read that prior to joining TGM, I would never have joined. I think Mike owes the OP an apology. As for the Dis'ers who have a problem with the OP, they need to get a life. I thought we were here to help each other and share our love of WDW. Boy was I wrong. I joined the Dis 5 or 6 yrs ago. I don't post often, but I do read a lot. The threads have gotten meaner and meaner. It's ridiculous.

Well I disagree, Mike doesn't owe anyone an apology since Mike hasn't responded to this post or the one on TGM. It was a member of TGM and DIS who did the name calling, not Mike. If the original poster has a problem with a response or PM that was received from a moderator of Mike's boards than perhaps the best place to address that would be with the moderator or by emailing the powers that be at TGM. I truly tried to help make things right. I am both a member of TGM and of DIS and like both equally for the information I receive from both. I think alot has been made of this for nothing. I am not offended by the OP's post but I am offended by some of the responses both pro-Op and con-OP that have been posted since. Like brad stated earlier this whole thing can hardly be blamed on Mike. He hasn't responded to this thread or the other. The people who are making rude or negative comments to this thread are not TGM agents and so making derogatory comments about TGM is not really addressing the person or people who are responsible. TGM has a policy, it is stated before you ever pay for the service, you agree or not, its a choice. I would hope that people who give their word would honor it. That being said I don't consider the original post a breech of that agreement. I believe that she was honestly excited that she had found something that worked and is now retreating to the "it didn't really help that much" stance because of the tirade her excitement caused. I would hope that people like me who enjoy using both TGM and DIS can do so without being made to feel like a fool because of their association with either. It would be great if we could all move on to happier things and let this die with flowers I planted last week that are now frostbisten

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Mike looketh down from on high.
A glint in his eyes.
And suddenly there was with the Mike a flurry of angels.
He speaketh and there was trembling in the valley.
Why hath thou spoken the hidden truths of the website?
And then the day that was so GREEN turned black.
And lo, the people of the Mike were sore afraid.
The miracles Mike wrought began to tumble.
The crowds rushed in and the queues began to fill.
Darkness fell upon the multitudes and Mike looked down no more.
All because a mere mortal dared speak of the hidden truths of the Tour Guide.

I only wish I could come up with a witty response, but my head is pounding and I just can't think beyond posting a smilie right now.

(BTW, have you heard "Kingdom in the Sky?" I'm guessing you'd like it!)

 

[jamounger]

Bluwater, I'm glad you had a good trip. You can plan my trip anyday-we are going in Sept. I think I have subscribed to every board, service and purchased all the latest editions of guidebooks but you have this down to a science.