Tour Guide Mike

[Dicecatt]

I have 5 or so Disney books, all which cost me around $20. I absolutely love love love TGM, if for nothing else than the great forum there, no one bashes, no one critisizes, things are done nicely even if someone disagrees. I've been a member for several months and I have yet to see any kind of fighting.

It did take me a little while to figure out how to navigate all the information. But having read, cover to cover, several other Disney books, personally I think TGM is the most worthy place to spend money on for information. His information is much more current. I have all 2006 versions of books, and every single one of them has the 90 day ADR date. I realize they were printed in 2005, understandable, but if I were to have gone on just that information alone, like so many people do because they don't know any different, would I be going to Cindrella's castle for breakfast? Nope.

One of the books actually says that unless you are a resort guest, you can't book an ADR until you get to the park, and go to the restaurant right when it opens to try to get a spot later in the day. Hmmm.

TGM isn't a miracle worker, sometimes it takes a little time to get things completely updated when Disney throws a wrench or changes or adds something. But not only have I met people who are now my friends on the forums, but I have gotten incredible tips and a lot of knowledge. This is just my opinion, but I think Disney is not easy to figure out, and I've been there several times.

 

[nalabell]

Hey Zeppo. I have read your other posts on the DIS and you seem to be very sarcastic and unhelpfull in all your responses. If you have a problem with TGM thats fine but your negativity seems to be a theme. Maybe other boards would be better suited for you. Most if not all the people on this board are trying to be positive and helpful to other, keep that in mind. I'm sure you won't like this but that's the way I see. And I thank everyone here who have helped me with all of my planning in the past.

 

[Lorelai]

OH, PLEASE...SOMEONE WHO IS TGM SAVVY....HELP ME!!

I joined a few weeks ago and I cannot for the life of me figure out how to locate my "user CP" over there. Here on the DIS I can easily access all of the posts that I've subscribed to. But on TGM I asked a few questions but don't know how to access those posts again to see any answers. Can someone help me? Thanks so much. I feel lost over there.

 

[Kenswing]

OH, PLEASE...SOMEONE WHO IS TGM SAVVY....HELP ME!!

But on TGM I asked a few questions but don't know how to access those posts again to see any answers. Can someone help me? Thanks so much. I feel lost over there.

Just go to the bottom of the Forums page to the section that says "Active users" Find your name and click on it. You will see your 10 most recent posts. Below that you will see most recent 50 and 100.

Ken

 

[Dicecatt]

OH, PLEASE...SOMEONE WHO IS TGM SAVVY....HELP ME!!

I joined a few weeks ago and I cannot for the life of me figure out how to locate my "user CP" over there. Here on the DIS I can easily access all of the posts that I've subscribed to. But on TGM I asked a few questions but don't know how to access those posts again to see any answers. Can someone help me? Thanks so much. I feel lost over there.

Lorelai, I would be totally happy to help you also, if you would like to PM me on TGM, I am Dicecatt over there too!

You'll love the forums there, everyone is so nice. I even met a "Partner in crime" planner like me and we've really become friends! I like the Dis too because it has so much information, but TGM is really something special.

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

I also was a bit disappointed with TGM. His entire "I'm so much smarter than everyone else, we're in on a big secret, buddy-buddy" schtick is just too over the top for me. And I don't need to be referred to by my name every few paragraphs (which by the way, does not make his information a "custom" plan). I don't regret the money I spent, since his photo tours were fairly useful, but I won't be resubscribing for a future trip. *shrug* I'll stick to my Unofficial Guide.

 

[brentalex]

I think you missed the point here. All the guide books will advise you to avoid extra magic hours parks even if you are eligible to use EHH. The point is that those parks are super crowded and you'd do better to avoid EMH and go to different park on those days. Unofficial guide advises that exact same thing. They weren't advising you to stay away from yourself, they were advising you that there are so many resort guests there clogging up the parks on EMH days that it's best to avoid them no matter what.

We went to the MK on EMH mornings. Got there at 7. It was wonderful. The park was empty, we got to go on everything we wanted with no waiting, no lines. The only thing that slowed us down at all was that the kids wanted to go on the the speedway ride. if I had stayed away from that park on EMH days we would not have experienced the park with so few other people there. There was absolutely no reason to avoid the EMH opportunity

 

[Dicecatt]

We went to the MK on EMH mornings. Got there at 7. It was wonderful. The park was empty, we got to go on everything we wanted with no waiting, no lines. The only thing that slowed us down at all was that the kids wanted to go on the the speedway ride. if I had stayed away from that park on EMH days we would not have experienced the park with so few other people there. There was absolutely no reason to avoid the EMH opportunity

Here is a BIG reason...If you are there early enough, yes, EMH can be great! Same thing with nighttime, stay late enough and it is great! But a lot of people won't come until later, and it will be way busier than a non EMH day. That IS a reason to avoid it. Unless you have hoppers and you can leave and go to another park after EMH!

The single busiest day of our trip 2 years ago was the one day we acidentally went on an EMH day. I just thought I guessed the wrong time of year...nope, I guessed the wrong park! We went the next night and it was lovely...really short lines.

 

[MonkeyPants]

How long is TGM good for? I mean when you sign up, how long is it good for? I am going in Oct but since I am likely taking my nephew (who will be 4) there is only 1 place he will want to go, the MK so crowds or not we'll be there or the pool at the resort.

But I will also take a trip there in Jan and wouldnt mind putting TGM to the test, but I dont know the exact dates of that trip and wont for a while.

 

[Dicecatt]

How long is TGM good for? I mean when you sign up, how long is it good for? I am going in Oct but since I am likely taking my nephew (who will be 4) there is only 1 place he will want to go, the MK so crowds or not we'll be there or the pool at the resort.

But I will also take a trip there in Jan and wouldnt mind putting TGM to the test, but I dont know the exact dates of that trip and wont for a while.

I would sign up now for your January trip, but you can still be a part of both October and January clubs. And I think it is 60 days after your trip that you are still able to sign on without rejoining. You can always tweak your dates later for January, but you shouldn't wait for your October trip, may as well take advantage of the information available for both trips. You can get some great tips for touring MK!

I first joined for my September trip, but added the December club forum later, and I can access information for both! Personally, I love it. Just my opinion.

 

[MonkeyPants]

I would sign up now for your January trip, but you can still be a part of both October and January clubs. And I think it is 60 days after your trip that you are still able to sign on without rejoining. You can always tweak your dates later for January, but you shouldn't wait for your October trip, may as well take advantage of the information available for both trips. You can get some great tips for touring MK!

I first joined for my September trip, but added the December club forum later, and I can access information for both! Personally, I love it. Just my opinion.

for october it wont matter. My nephew loves the MK. He's been to the other parks to him its all about tea cups, winnie the pooh, 'the planet ride' (astro orbit) and the speedway. He loves halloween so I planned a short trip for october and am now working on my sister to get her to let me take him with me so he can experience MNSSHP.

 

[Dicecatt]

for october it wont matter. My nephew loves the MK. He's been to the other parks to him its all about tea cups, winnie the pooh, 'the planet ride' (astro orbit) and the speedway. He loves halloween so I planned a short trip for october and am now working on my sister to get her to let me take him with me so he can experience MNSSHP.

That sounds like a lot of fun! But even for October, you could get some cool parade/fireworks viewing tips, MNSSHP tips...I'm going to MNSSHP also, and have gotten some great tips from TGM! What a great thing to do with your nephew, you are a cool Uncle!

 

[vatmark]

We went to the MK on EMH mornings. Got there at 7. It was wonderful. The park was empty, we got to go on everything we wanted with no waiting, no lines. The only thing that slowed us down at all was that the kids wanted to go on the the speedway ride. if I had stayed away from that park on EMH days we would not have experienced the park with so few other people there. There was absolutely no reason to avoid the EMH opportunity

Yes, EMH mornings are great at MK as long as you get there when EMH starts and get out early. We went to MK on an EMH morning and it was great but by 11 people started pouring in and we got out. I would not have wanted to be there all day with the amount of people that were there.

Have you ever been in a park for the evening emh?

Annie

 

[canwegosoon]

I have been a consistant reader and poster to these boards for several years. And after several trips I have decided to get TGM for my upcoming Christmas trip. I am the most frugal person I know and I figured that the $20 would be well spent. I have already learned several things that I plan to put into pratice...some (ok many) things I already knew(and I even have a few other tricks that I won't tell anyone)...but I am still thrilled to be on TGM and can't wait for the printing to begin.

I have to tell you, if you are anything like me, second guessing my plans all the time-TGM is helping me make decisions. I just do not have time to read every site...I reguarly check DIS, Allears, TGM and Mousesavers.

All I can say is try it and if you don't like it...Mike has a refund policy.

 

[CuteKatCar]

I tease about how I am "TourGuideAnna", but I went ahead and subscribed to TGM again. If you are like me, I need to soak up as much Disney info as I possibly can. And I have to tell you, my signature doesn't show it, but I've been with this site since before 2000 and the big "crash" here (anyone remember?) and everything I needed to know I learned from this site.

But, I learned a few invaluable touring recommendations from TGM last year that were unbelievable in how they affected our days. For those few things alone, and since I really don't need to buy a guidebook anymore, I spent the $20.00 and am hoping to have an amazing trip again this August.

The joy of these websites is that it's only someone else's opinion. I love reading all of your opinions - good or bad (just hate when things get nasty ). Have a great weekend everyone.

Anna

 

[TheZeppo]

double post

 

[TheZeppo]

Originally Posted by nalabell
Hey Zeppo. I have read your other posts on the DIS and you seem to be very sarcastic and unhelpfull in all your responses. If you have a problem with TGM thats fine but your negativity seems to be a theme. Maybe other boards would be better suited for you. Most if not all the people on this board are trying to be positive and helpful to other, keep that in mind. I'm sure you won't like this but that's the way I see. And I thank everyone here who have helped me with all of my planning in the past.

I respect each and every member who posts on these boards. I have learned a lot of useful informaion that I put into practice before I even started posting here. Just because I may seem sarcastic in some responses or not put bouncy smiley faces at the end of every sentence doesn't mean that I will not or have not tried to be helpful when possible. I don't really see a point in being the eighth person to answer somebodies question exactly the same way the first seven did. If I can switch it up a little bit with a little bit of a different response I will. I have read far more offensive things on these boards than what my "wit" has so far provided.

As far as this discussion goes, if I am being negative, it is only because I believe the "highly touted" TGM is far from being worth the money. That is what this thread is about and that is my opinion.

 

[Lorelai]

Thank you Kenswing & DiceCatt. It's hard once you're accustomed to one site, and then you switch to another and have to relearn everything. But I am learning...slowly.

 

[HydroGuy]

As far as this discussion goes, if I am being negative, it is only because I believe the "highly touted" TGM is far from being worth the money. That is what this thread is about and that is my opinion.

I think your point is valid, but some people (like you have done in this thread) would say something like this:

A. XYZ is not worth it.

Others (which I try to be like) would say something like this:

B: I personally did not find XYZ worth it, but others might (and have)

It is a rare day when a certain product will be 100% appropriate for every individual.

There are some very experienced WDW people who have probably been to WDW more times than you have who swear by TGM. So it is not an issue of "TGM is for novices", because it is not. There is a range of experience there from novice to expert who all benefit and find it worthwhile.

Other people (maybe you) feel like you can get everything you need from DIS. If so, that is great. Other people rely on the Unofficial Guide or PassPorter. Some people who only want touring plans use Touringplans.com or RideMax. The fact is that most people rely on nothing at all and that is why using any of the resources mentioned here will put one way ahead of 99% of the others at WDW.

Personally I like getting update information from someone who is in the parks every day. And I like the people on the TGM forums. And I have found a few key pieces of information there that are either not discussed on DIS or, if they are, have so many differing opinions that it is hard to know what is true. Mike himself worked at WDW for many years, and has "sources" that can get inside information that may or may not ever make it onto DIS.

In fact, there are threads on TGM specifically about certain DIS threads where misinformation is being put out, all in good faith, but nevertheless misinformed.

I think a healthy forum like DIS needs people who dissent, so I personally welcome your dissent as well as anyone else's. When folks qualify their dissent as I discussed above, it smooths the discussion and increases the chances of quality dialog.

 

[notnothin]

I think your point is valid, but some people (like you have done in this thread) would say something like this:

A. XYZ is not worth it.

Others (which I try to be like) would say something like this:

B: I personally did not find XYZ worth it, but others might (and have)

It is a rare day when a certain product will be 100% appropriate for every individual.

There are some very experienced WDW people who have probably been to WDW more times than you have who swear by TGM. So it is not an issue of "TGM is for novices", because it is not. There is a range of experience there from novice to expert who all benefit and find it worthwhile.

Other people (maybe you) feel like you can get everything you need from DIS. If so, that is great. Other people rely on the Unofficial Guide or PassPorter. Some people who only want touring plans use Touringplans.com or RideMax. The fact is that most people rely on nothing at all and that is why using any of the resources mentioned here will put one way ahead of 99% of the others at WDW.

Personally I like getting update information from someone who is in the parks every day. And I like the people on the TGM forums. And I have found a few key pieces of information there that are either not discussed on DIS or, if they are, have so many differing opinions that it is hard to know what is true. Mike himself worked at WDW for many years, and has "sources" that can get inside information that may or may not ever make it onto DIS.

In fact, there are threads on TGM specifically about certain DIS threads where misinformation is being put out, all in good faith, but nevertheless misinformed.

I think a healthy forum like DIS needs people who dissent, so I personally welcome your dissent as well as anyone else's. When folks qualify their dissent as I discussed above, it smooths the discussion and increases the chances of quality dialog.

Very well stated post!