Tour Guide Mike YES or NO

[tinker&belle]

LOVED TGM!

My DH was so impressed since his other trips had been all lines, all day. We barely waited at all, especially until about 1:00 and after that, we knew to expect longer waits.

I kept saying TGM says this, TGM says that so much DH teased me that I had a new boyfriend!

 

[durantigger]

We were in the parks December 21-26. We saw everything we wanted to see & rode every ride we wanted to ride without waiting. I think our longest waits were maybe 20 minutes, and this was SUPER PEAK SEASON!! I was totally impressed. My DH thought I was being too psychotic with the planning, but he admitted afterward that it was totally worth it.

Best money I spent.

Krista

 

[ChrisAlli]

Wouldn't leave home without it. I've used it three times. Best days alone are worth every penny.

 

[accountingbabe08]

I think TGM is the best for the money.

I took 3 trips without it and we didn't get to see everything we wanted, On my february trip last year some one had left one of his touring plans on the ride. I picked it up and I tried it and I was sold.. When we returned home I joined because I knew we were going again for my daughter's birthday. AS soon as I book my next trip I will be definitely be renewing TGM...its awesome

 

[dolfinjuls]

I have a question, does TGM's green days change after Disney posts the park times? Or is he usually pretty dead on in advance?

 

[karen624]

I have been on the fence about whether or not to use TGM, but I think I might just have to after reading this thread!

 

[LauralF22]

I should start out by saying that I haven't actually gone on my trip yet, but I jumped at the chance to join TGM when I read a description here on the DIS.

And with the link above, I think I only ended up paying $18.

I joined in Oct 2008 - and while it won't be updated for Oct/Nov 09 until later in the year, I can still start to plan now based on 2008 info. Then I'll just have to make minor adjustments as we get closer.

IMHO, joining early is better. There is SOOO much info on TGM that I could never absorb it all and put it into practice at the last minute - too much else to do. But then, I am a planner.

I still can't get over how much info he (and the other TGM members) provides.

I'm hooked - I don't think I'll ever do Disney without TGM.

 

[cruiserkaren]

Guess I'm in the minority here. I used him for one trip and that was it. I didn't get anything out of it that I couldn't get here and from the UG for free. Personally I think it's way overrated. JMO though.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

I have a question, does TGM's green days change after Disney posts the park times? Or is he usually pretty dead on in advance?

His "green" parks are not posted until after WDW releases the park hours and he's reviewed the hours, show schedules, etc.

 

[txaggiemomof3]

Although we've been to WDW three times, I'm interested in getting TGM for our upcoming trip after seeing the reviews here. We actually won a trip to be used sometime in 2009 and I'm not sure when exactly we are going to go. When you register for TGM, do you have to put your vacation dates? It says you can use TGM for up to 60 days after your vacation so I was a little confused.

Thanks

 

[pepperderr]

I thought of one more thing to add in favor of TGM. We followed the plans and recommendations we got from TGM. One day we had a free day where we just kinda did whatever. DS wanted to go back to hollywood studios I think it was, just to do the drawing again. That was all we wanted. No rides or anything. We went there and it was PACKED. You could hardly walk. It didn't matter to us because we just wanted to do that one thing and then leave but I said there was a good reason TGM said stay away from that park that day and I was able to see for myself he was right! It was star wars weekend. I decided since we couldn't move I might as well, watch the parade and take pics first even though we were not at all interested in it. We did the drawing and left thrilled about TGM. None of the parks we went to ever seemed overly crowded because of star wars weekend until when went to that park on that day (that TGM said to stay away from).

 

[mom2meiko]

we've never used any services for planning our trips. most of the info you can find online. not saying others shouldn't do it -especially if you are not a disney regular - but we wouldn't spend the money on it. a big part of the fun for me is planning the trip myself!

 

[Ellester]

I vote yes. I don't think it takes anything away from the fun of trip planning, if anything it adds to it. After our last trip, my skeptical dh was totally sold on TGM. The link at the top of the Theme Parks board saves you quite a bit. I have been to Disney more times than I can remember (grew up in FL) and never waited in fewer lines than on our TGM trip.

For our upcoming trip, there were quite a few last minute park hour changes so some of the best park days switched around within the past few weeks. But, that's not TGM's fault, and he did address them pretty quickly.

When you register, you do put in dates. But you can change them without a problem. We were originally going to go last October but changed our trip to this month and were able to switch our dates on TGM without having to resubscribe or anything.

 

[luvsJack]

I vote yes. I don't think it takes anything away from the fun of trip planning, if anything it adds to it. After our last trip, my skeptical dh was totally sold on TGM. The link at the top of the Theme Parks board saves you quite a bit. I have been to Disney more times than I can remember (grew up in FL) and never waited in fewer lines than on our TGM trip.

For our upcoming trip, there were quite a few last minute park hour changes so some of the best park days switched around within the past few weeks. But, that's not TGM's fault, and he did address them pretty quickly.

When you register, you do put in dates. But you can change them without a problem. We were originally going to go last October but changed our trip to this month and were able to switch our dates on TGM without having to resubscribe or anything.

I totaly agree with the bolded part. TGM doesn't plan for you it helps you with your own plans. He gives you suggestions and even tells you what to do if you can't follow the suggestions. I think its a great service and much prefer his way to an actual "touring plan" that tells you exactly where to go when (my family would rebel at the first attraction anyway! ) Although he does provide those too if someone wants them.

As for getting the same information for free somewhere else, I didn't find that at all. I used things I learned here and on other sites but did not find the same info that TGM gave me.

 

[InnerTink]

Hi all I am glad this was posted I LOVE to plan and TGM sounds like more fun to add. OK now for my question. We were/are looking at going Aug.2009 trying for free dining. Now I'm kinda thinking maybe March 2010 better weather plus more time to save money and more time to PLAN
So two questions.
First any oppinions on these two times?
Second if we go with March 2010 is it to early to do TGM?

 

[Mamiamjo]

We Love TGM!

We first used TGM a few years ago ('06). We were at WDW during Memorial Day week and gave TGM a try. Other members of our family went during the same time as us, but didn't like our touring plan so they did their own thing.

We never waited in line more than 15 minutes and our average was around 9-10 minutes. They waited in several 30-40 minute lines and I don't know what their average was but they accomplished a lot less than we did.
We have also traveled during Spring Break and summer using TGM with the same great results!

With TGM we have been able to see more with less lines and also we've been able to spend more time in the pool than ever before.

I would normally purchase a travel guide (U.G.) to Disney each year anyway so TGM is actually cheaper. And as far as updates goes, TGM updates his recommendations as things change in the parks. With any guide book, once it's printed it's kind of stuck that way until next year.

If you are going during a "slow" time at WDW then maybe you don't need TGM as much (but his advice is still worth the few $$ it costs), but if you are going during a busier time, I would definitely invest the $ to make your vacation that much smoother and more enjoyable

 

[jenseib]

So is it just a website or is there a book. To me a website wouldn't be any good to me, as I am on toom uch as it is and I don;t think I would have time to read more. I do like to read in bed though, so I buy disney books for that. I did look at the wesite once and it looked really confusing, and I just don't have the time to figure all that out.

 

[flynnmnstr]

Last 3 trips were with TGM and I would never do it without him again. I love the Dis and I have periodically purchased an UG or Passporter over the years, but I will not go to Disney without TGM ever again.

 

[katyjeka]

I love everyones trip reports, and I've got some great hints from reading them, so, I vote YES! (There are some posted on TGM, that are not on these boards.

 

[James65]

I purchased TGM a few weeks ago for our upcomming trip. I printed a lot of the suggested plans and read these when I have some spare time away from the computer.

Can't wait to come back and tell all of you about TGM and our trip