TGM vs Touring Plans

[mom-2-3]

We are going 12/20 - 27th and when I look at the two, there are some stark contradictions in park/day recommendations. Who would you go with?

 

[vicki_c]

I subscribe to TGM, but I always look at UG too (I still have a subscription there as well). But I will always pick the TGM advice, because he actually explains why we thinks a particular park will be good/bad/whatever on a given day. I am lot more comfortable with that, than the UG's numbers-only approach. Other people like UG better because they think it's more scientific or mathematically driven.

Besides, TGM hasn't failed me over many trips since 2004 (maybe even earlier than that, I can never remember), and I know his advice has worked every time.

 

[checkwriter]

While I like TGM, I find that the site is not updated with new attractions as well as it could be. There may be a report about something new (Toy Story Mania, for example), but that will not have worked its way down to the sample touring plans or even the general descriptions of the park, and then there may be some other post that suggests how to integrate the new attraction into your plan. It's all rather scattered, and I think it could do with a major overhaul.

THAT SAID, it's nothing that I haven't been able to figure out myself. I think TGM does a better job than the UG of factoring in Fastpasses to the touring plans. But I think the UG is more comprehensive, and the geek in me likes the time-and-motion studies that underlie their suggested tours.

 

[srwarden1928]

The UG information is computer analyzed. There is something logical to this. I appreciate the logic behind this analysis. It has never let me down.

 

[dr28326]

Which would be best for a more personalized touring plan? We don't plan on riding any coasters.

 

[Michelle_R]

We mixed it up. We used TGM for best park days and UG for the touring plan. It worked really well for us.

 

[almckean]

I know that UG is the Unofficial Guide, but what is TGM?

Amy

 

[Smokeyspawn]

TGM = Tour Guide Mike

 

[MariDisney]

I use TGM every trip to pick our parks for the day. I have never been disappointed with his recommendations.

 

[srwarden1928]

If you dont plan on riding coasters, either use the plans for parents with small children or the plans for active seniors. Coasters are not included for either of those groups. You may want to look back at the adult plans for Epcot, since it has no coasters if you are interested in the thrill rides there.

 

[Brian Noble]

I use and like both. The two have slightly different philosophies, and it's hard to say which one will fit your "style" better. However, both offer money-back guarantees, and both are inexpensive. My usual recommendaiton is to sign up for both and see which one fits you best, asking for a refund on the other.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I always check both when planning a trip. While usually TGM's advice will win when determining which park to visit, I place a tremendous amount of faith in the crowd calendar at UG and plan my trips around those numbers. Any period 6-7+ on the crowd calendar-I'm probably not gonna go! Although I have known those to be slightly off-as in last January it was supposed to be 5's and it was really PACKED. I don't use the touring plans on either site anymore. Once you've been quite a few times I feel like you have your own special touring plan based on your family down and I hate to be up against a "schedule"!

 

[wilde_oscar]

TGM is a pattern based on speculation

UG is a pattern based on a prediction model

both have plus and minus... however the UG tends to have a more planner friendly approach

 

[SuperTink]

I used TGM for the first time this year but I checked UG and noticed that the "best days" info is not the same. I'm gonna go with TGM and we'll see what happens. Luckily, we have hoppers so if it's gets really bad we can always flee. But of course, time is money and we don't want to waste much of it.

Either way I only use best days and not a plan, because we have pre-teens and they are *very* picky. They know what they want to see and what they don't, and it's very specific. I'm shocked that I talked them into one character meal at all. But this helps cut down expenses, so I'm all for it.

 

[3darlings]

We used TGM last week and he was right on. His best parks on each day are my favorite part.

 

[eeyoreland]

We're going January 22-29. Do you think there's a need to get real hung up on which park will be the busiest? I was hoping it would be a fairly quiet time at the parks.

 

[dddisrunner]

We mixed it up. We used TGM for best park days and UG for the touring plan. It worked really well for us.

This is exactly what we do too! Works like a charm every time!

 

[Lawshark]

We're going January 22-29. Do you think there's a need to get real hung up on which park will be the busiest? I was hoping it would be a fairly quiet time at the parks.

In short...yes.

Not that I would stress about it...but why not take advantage of resources that will allow you to maximize your fun on vacation?

You can certainly get away with less planning in the less busy times...but planning for the less busy times can make it so that you really get the most of the parks at a slower time without running yourself ragged...you can plan more down time, more time to stop and smell the roses, be flexible...but knowing How...When...Where...Why...will free you up to enjoy those distinct moments without wondering just what the heck you should do next.