TGM, Unofficial Guide, touringplans.com???

[HenDuck]

Hi everyone!

We are an extended family of 6 - 5 adults and one child, DS(who will be 8 when we go to wdw).

We plan to go to WDW in mid-August of 2009, staying 11 days, off-site in a vacation home.

DS has never gone to WDW but has been to DL many times. The adults have all been to WDW but this was over 8 years ago.

I am buying the 2009 Unofficial Guide to WDW when it's released this August.

I am wondering whether it's worth it to ALSO subscribe to TGM and touringplans.com for their touring plans and advice.

Since we're going in August, I do expect to have a plan, although we may only follow it loosely.

Just wondering whether subscribing to all 3 guides would be overkill and/or a waste of money???

What do you all think?

TIA!

 

[HomerHog]

When you consider the amount of money you are spending on the vacation, $15-60 for info to maximize it is really worth it. I use all of the above. Each piece can provide details to compliment the other depending on how in-depth you want to get, but definitely use at least one of them.

 

[Cool-Beans]

touringplans.com is the Unofficial Guide's website. I like it (as well as the UG) a lot. Scope out touringplans.com and pony up the dough if you want to see/use something you can't get without paying for it. That's my advice.

I also plunked down the money for Tour Guide Mike and really, really didn't like that. It is annoying, cloying and confusing...and offered nothing I couldn't get from the UG, touringplans.com and the DIS. Even TGM's biggest fans will tell you to go to his boards and ask questions about how to use the site or find things...or they'll just answer your question. You can get that here, for free.

 

[TerrytownGrl]

Hi everyone!

We are an extended family of 6 - 5 adults and one child, DS(who will be 8 when we go to wdw).

We plan to go to WDW in mid-August of 2009, staying 11 days, off-site in a vacation home.

DS has never gone to WDW but has been to DL many times. The adults have all been to WDW but this was over 8 years ago.

I am buying the 2009 Unofficial Guide to WDW when it's released this August.

I am wondering whether it's worth it to ALSO subscribe to TGM and touringplans.com for their touring plans and advice.

Since we're going in August, I do expect to have a plan, although we may only follow it loosely.

Just wondering whether subscribing to all 3 guides would be overkill and/or a waste of money???

What do you all think?

TIA!

Hi!

The author of the Unofficial Guide is also the same person who does touringplans.com. It is my understanding that by purchasing the book, you should not have to pay for the subscription.

I believe that if you've purchased the book, you will be asked to provide a word or something that can be "found on a certain page" when registering online, which will allow you to register without paying the 1 year subscription fee.

Good luck and have fun planning your vacation!

 

[Cool-Beans]

Hi!

The author of the Unofficial Guide is also the same person who does touringplans.com. It is my understanding that by purchasing the book, you should not have to pay for the subscription.

I believe that if you've purchased the book, you will be asked to provide a word or something that can be "found on a certain page" when registering online, which will allow you to register without paying the 1 year subscription fee.

Good luck and have fun planning your vacation!

Are you sure about that? Or is that just for the calendar?

I have the book and had to pay. Did I do something wrong?

 

[HenDuck]

I'm definitely getting the Unofficial Guide, so it would be great if I could get the subscription to the touringplans.com for free.

And of course, I know I can always post on DisBoards for more specific advice.

Thanks again,
HenDuck

 

[Dawn68PA]

I love TGM and the UG is a great side note. And hilarious. I laugh out loud reading that book. I registered for the touringplans site and hate it. Don't like it. (I had to pay to register too). I've seen people mention Passporter. I bought one. I don't like it either. I think it's for people who need help being organized. I'm an over-organizer so not beneficial for me at all.

 

[TerrytownGrl]

Are you sure about that? Or is that just for the calendar?

I have the book and had to pay. Did I do something wrong?

Hmm...no, I'm not positive. I thought that was the way it worked, but can't say that I've tried it for myself.

I bought the subscription to touringplans, THEN I bought the book. So, I did it all bass-ackwards!

Does anyone else know for sure how this works?

 

[SereneOne]

touringplans.com is the Unofficial Guide's website. I like it (as well as the UG) a lot. Scope out touringplans.com and pony up the dough if you want to see/use something you can't get without paying for it. That's my advice.

I also plunked down the money for Tour Guide Mike and really, really didn't like that. It is annoying, cloying and confusing...and offered nothing I couldn't get from the UG, touringplans.com and the DIS. Even TGM's biggest fans will tell you to go to his boards and ask questions about how to use the site or find things...or they'll just answer your question. You can get that here, for free.

I totally agree!

I have to say, I am a Disney guidebook addict. My faves are UG and Passporter. I refer to UG as the "bible" of Disney, myself. But I love that in PP you have ratings from the kids and the comportability of it...is that a word? lol I also like that in the back of it you can record your trip and it has slots to put receipts for every day and so on!

Have a great time on your trip!

 

[redc]

TGM = Don't waste your $$$$$$

Repetitive
Confusing
Not up to Date
No EMH !!!!!!

 

[teachingmyown]

Hmm...no, I'm not positive. I thought that was the way it worked, but can't say that I've tried it for myself.

I bought the subscription to touringplans, THEN I bought the book. So, I did it all bass-ackwards!

Does anyone else know for sure how this works?

From the UG website FAQ:

I Bought the Book - Why Do I Have to Pay to Subscribe? Didn't I already give these guys money once? We had the same question for iTunes after realizing we'd bought every Van Halen album on vinyl, cassette, CD. For our site, it boils down to this: Money to run this website comes from the book's author(s) and staff, not the publisher. And the cost of running this website is far more than most of us make from the book. Without subscriptions, there would be no website.

But, the extended crowd calendar is free for BOTH, people who register on the website AND people who buy the book... (also from the UG website)

The rest of the crowd calendar is available only to website subscribers and owners of the current Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World (including "With Kids," "Mini-Mickey" and "For Adults" versions).

 

[jillyb]

I used TGM exclusively for our recent first time trip. I didn't know about Passporter, UG, etc. until after I started using TGM. I didn't have the time or money for these but I think they would have been a great accessory to TGM.

When I first started using TGM, yes, it was confusing and there is TONS of information on there. It's daunting for someone like me that's never been to WDW. I just made the effort to sit down, search the articles and read them....alot! That's what you would do with a Passporter, UG, etc. so what's the difference? *shrug* Once I figured everything out TGM was easier to use. Plus, I got lots of input from the very friendly people on the forums.

We got back from our trip on June 17th and we had an awesome time! I used TGMs sample touring plans, tweaked them for my family and used some of his other information. They worked like a charm. We never stood in a line longer than 20 minutes and got to see/do everything we wanted.

 

[centurythree]

I love Tour Guide Mike. I find the information on his site to be accurate and quite detailed. If I were a first time guest, it's definitely the site I would use. Even as a person with a lot of experience in the parks, it's valuable for the planning tools.

Touringplans is valuable for me because they are willing to project crowd levels so far in advance. This helps me get a jump on ADRs and so on.

 

[vicki_c]

I love TGM and the UG is a great side note. And hilarious. I laugh out loud reading that book. I registered for the touringplans site and hate it. Don't like it. (I had to pay to register too). I've seen people mention Passporter. I bought one. I don't like it either. I think it's for people who need help being organized. I'm an over-organizer so not beneficial for me at all.

I couldn't have said it better myself - my sentiments exactly!

 

[srwarden1928]

The UG book has its advantages. I did buy one and do not regret the decision.
The touring plans website has more plans, some of which may be more appropriate for your family than the ones in the book. It does require registration, but its only $7.95. I would keep up the registration even without a Disney trip planned. I enjoy seeing the touring plans updated from time to time and imagining if I were in Disney.
The recommended days are available to book owners free. It is much more convenient to access them with a membership. I feel that the touring plans website is WELL worth the very modest registration fee.

I have not subscribed to TGM. There is nothing in the free part of that website to encourage me to subscribe. No one has given me a concrete reason to subscribe, only vague comments of how much some like it. I am willing to be convinced, but it will take something concrete to convince me to subscribe to that site.

I am intrigued by RideMax, but I will not subscribe to that without a Disney trip immediately planned. When my next trip grows near, I MAY decide to try that site.

 

[Tam1067]

TGM is a total waste of money. If you want to join a cult or pay money for information you can get for free elsewhere, then by all means pony up for him. If you want to learn how to get tour the parks effectively, skip him and spend your money on a more deserving source which updates its information regularly.

The Unofficial Guide is lots of fun to read, and it's got tons of helpful information.

The touring plans website will cost you extra even if you have the UG. Of this I am 100% positive.

With the current book, you can get access to the touring plans updated crowd calendar. However, if you want access to all the touring plans on the site (and there are LOTS of them which do not appear in the book, then you have to pay for the subscription.

I happy pay the less than $10 that site charges each year because the touring plans are a lifesaver if you go during crowded times as we do.

 

[Princess Brittany]

Do Tour Guide Mike, we have used him for two trips already and plan to use him for our upcoming trip in July!! It is really worth the $$$$$$!!!!!!!

 

[Amirah95]

TGM is a total waste of money. If you want to join a cult or pay money for information you can get for free elsewhere, then by all means pony up for him.

Not everyone who subscribes to TGM participates in his forums. I used to moons ago, but I like the forums here better. I subscribe specifically for TGM's best days list. Please do not lump all of TGM's subscribers as being a part of that cult.

Even TGM's biggest fans will tell you to go to his boards and ask questions about how to use the site or find things...or they'll just answer your question.

And you're right, I shouldn't have to go into TGM's forums to ask questions and get answers from other subscribers because after all he is the Disney World touring expert and all info should be available in his AVP (automated vacation planner). I stick to my best days and that be it.

As far as the UG, it's a great resource and I buy the book every year. I have not tried touring plans, but I will try it this year because I heard they have lots and lots of touring plans available that fits all types of families and situations.

 

[shendley]

Another vote for the Tour Guide! We've used him twice very successfully and have been using him for a third TGM guided trip next month. His recommendations regarding least crowded parks and sample park touring plans are clearly the most valuable resources on his website. But there's lots of other info as well that I occasionally tap into as needed. As for organization, I know sometimes it can be hard to find something - usually something interesting that I've just stumbled into and am now trying to find again. But most everything you really need is very well organized under the month of your tour - if you subscribe you'll see what I mean. I also find the forums there a nice supplement to Dis. I use them both.

Someone earlier posted "no EMH" with TGM. I'm not sure exactly what s/he meant. I suspect it's just the fact that TGM doesn't recommend doing EMHs. But he still has touring advice for them if you decide to do them and does recommend some for specific cases. So, I think just saying "No EMH" with TGM is just not true.

 

[MassMom94]

OK, here's my history. Dithered about buying TGM for our trip in 2006 and didn't do it. Dithered about buying it for our trip in 2007, did it, and LOVED IT I buy the UG books every trip (love them), am a faithful reader of allears.net, mousesavers, etc. online. I can honestly say that I've learned things on TGM that I didn't see elsewhere. Also, while I love the DIS, I've found that the "signal to noise" ratio on the TGM forums is much better than it is here.