TGM worth it? POLL

[DISNEY FIX]

Is TGM all it's cacked up to be? Some people say it is the best thing since sliced bread and some are not happy at all??????????
What's you opinion and why?

 

[rosiejo]

Did you forget to add the poll?

I'm all for it - the site could use some work as you can get very lost in the navigation. And it is NOT an automated planner - you have to use the info to plan your own itinerary - BUT it's a brilliant resource and I have renewed my subscription now for 4 trips and will always recommend it. We have managed to miss the crowded parks and spend less than 10 minutes in line. A couple of times we've gone against him just for a laugh to see what would happen... and vowed never to do so again!

I say - go subscribe - it's really not that much compared to how much your holiday will cost and how much value you will reap.

 

[beccawes7471]

A def thumbs up for us. We used it our last two trips and it really was amazing. We used the TGM recommendations for park days and what days to attend special events (MNSSHP, Shows, etc). The advice made for a very enjoyable trip with little to no lines. I agree that the site is sort of overwhelming and contains alot of stuff that I personally don't need but those park day recommendations are well worth the cost.

 

[ryley26]

We used TGM last trip. I think its great for first timers and to get his park days. The site is hard to navigate but you get used to it. I personnally would not renew not enough info for someone who been to WDW multiple times. His park day page can be applied by anyone after you look at how he does it. I don't feel cheated out of my money just would not pay for it again.

 

[duketennisgal]

I think TGM is a great help, I'll probably renew again for the boards alone (along with the people on the boards), but I will not be doing the planning this year that I've done in the past. I think I got to caught up in the whole green vs. red vs. yellow days and things like that.

I will go to EMH parks in the mornings and then hit what ever park I want to in the evening. I'm not too worried about crowds, I've gone during the heat of the summer and never really had too much of a problem.

 

[UGAFan0829]

I also liked TGM. It was very helpful. I renewed it for our upcoming vacation.
The only downside is the same as someone else posted...it's kinda hard to navigate through everything! But I do love it!

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

How far in advance does he post his crowd calendar level? I've been thinking of subscribing for that reason alone, but if it doesn't come out untill after I can book my ADR's, there is really no point. Besides the crowd level calendar, what else is good about TGM?

 

[mill4023]

I've used it for all 4 of our trips. For our first trip, it was an absolute lifesaver and made for a fantastic trip. By now, I know the TGM touring philosophy, I know all the tips and tricks, and I have all the touring plans pretty much memorized. So it is less of a necessity for me now. But I still find it very worthwhile just for the date-specific advice about best parks for each day, advice about any special events going on or new attractions/shows, and access to the forums. To me, that's well worth $20 out of a multi-thousand dollar trip budget.

 

[tonyolily]

We found that the information was the same stuff that we already knew. You can get the same tips for free just by reading boards like this one.

Sorry - Just MHO.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Well worth the few dollars, even after many years and many trips.

 

[labattblue]

Just my 2 cents...

I know many people will say "what is $20 when you are spending several thousand on a trip". I say, go buy yourself a nice souvenir with the $20 instead.


As far as the best park days goes, if you use some common sense, you will be fine...

1. Arrive at the parks prior to opening
2. Know which rides are most popular
3. Utilize fastpasses

Despite what is written here, there is no such thing as the TGM park being "EMPTY" and all the other parks being "PACKED".

PS As has been mentioned earlier, there is tons of great info/advice here and it doesn't cost you anything.

 

[LizAgna]

We used it for the 1st time on our trip the last week of June and NEVER waited in a line more than 15 minutes long. His advice is great...if you are willing to tour the way he suggests. We had a great time and met a lot of TGMers in our short lines. I recommend it...he has a money back guarantee so if you're not satisfied he will refund your money.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I have been a member for 2 years and thinking about re-upping now. BUT I am very limited in computer knowledge. Lucky to get on the internet and find the DIS. However; I find it very difficult to manuever the site. To the point of finding the forums, and the calendar for park days visit. That was about it. I barely used it, and found most of the info here, books, or our own knowledge base. I would recommend it to people with a good knowledge of computing. But someone limit is at a definate disadvantage.

My answer would be to try it, once and decide if it would be worth it after that.

mky

 

[Tuliplvr]

We used it on our last trip and would highly recommend it.

 

[JessiMommy]

It may or may not be for you. However he offers a money back gurantee so there is absolutely nothing to lose.

I'm known in my family as the Disney Expert, The Disney Nut, etc. I live in South FL, 3 hours away from WDW. I've been to WDW probably 2-3 times a year since I was 5. I'm 36 now... that being said, I still find TGM useful. We used him on our last trip & had an even better experience that we do when I plan myself. I'm using him again on our upcoming trip.

However I will also say that there is so much valuable info. here on the DIS. So whatever works best for you, go for it. But remember you have nothing to lose for trying TGM, then you'll know for yourself if it is for you... or not.

 

[buffalogirl]

TGM was VERY helpful for our trips. Definitely worth the money!!

We've used it for two trips and had minimal waits for rides both times.

It also has lots of useful hints that I haven't found elsewhere.

 

[cdrn1]

My upcoming trip will be the fourth time I have used TGM. Although I find the site a little frustrating to use (for example, I have an awful time getting to the forums, and I stumble on an article and then can never find it again...) I find it worth the price just for the "best days" article. When I have used it, it's been dead on. When I have gone against his advice for whatever reason, I have experienced crowds and lines. I LOVE walking on to rides (who doesn't?). I do think that I could research several boards and come up with the info on my own, but for 17 bucks why should I? My time is worth way more than that. One thing that I do find inconvenient, though, is that the best days info has not been available at the 180 day mark for important dining reservations. Overall, for me, definitely worth it.

 

[Kick Save]

As far as the best park days goes, if you use some common sense, you will be fine...

1. Arrive at the parks prior to opening
2. Know which rides are most popular
3. Utilize fastpasses

Despite what is written here, there is no such thing as the TGM park being "EMPTY" and all the other parks being "PACKED".

Agreed...no empty, ever. But, to spoil the secret of the "park days" picker...

Go to the park in the morning that had EMH the night before. I did that before reading TGM, so not exactly a state secret. The crowds follow the EMH, go opposite for lower crowds.

I did subscribe to TGM once, and it was worth the money. There is some good info there. However, as many have mentioned, it's pretty hard to navigate.

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

TGM is WELL worth the cost for the advice on which park to go to which days alone. We always go by his advice and to us the parks seem dead. When we stray off and visit a park he recommends avoiding, we always see why because it is busier. I am a believer and will always use him now.

 

[Tam1067]

I subscribed for my trip in July 2007 and was so disappointed that I got a refund. It did take me three separate requests to finally receive the refund, though.

Though there was some good stuff, lots of information was out of date, something I find ridiculous on a website.