Tour Guide Mike ???

[marivaid]

How the heck does this work ? I signed up and I'm totally lost. Now I swear I'm no newbie when it comes to websites, I even build some myself and rarely get lost but in that case I have no idea where to begin.
So far the only info I was able to find out is that it's best to do EE and KS first thing in the morning. Thanks didnt know that

10mns later..
OK sorry everyone I'm starting to find my way now. But boy was it scary when I first got to that page with links EVERYWHERE and no idea which one to click on

 

[Kenswing]

If you need any help finding your way around, just post any question on the TourGuideMiKE forums. There's plenty of people willing to help.

Ken

 

[marivaid]

Thank you I have to say, so far, not thrilled.

If you need any help finding your way around, just post any question on the TourGuideMiKE forums. There's plenty of people willing to help.

Ken

 

[ajcolorado]

How the heck does this work ? I signed up and I'm totally lost. Now I swear I'm no newbie when it comes to websites, I even build some myself and rarely get lost but in that case I have no idea where to begin.
So far the only info I was able to find out is that it's best to do EE and KS first thing in the morning. Thanks didnt know that

10mns later..
OK sorry everyone I'm starting to find my way now. But boy was it scary when I first got to that page with links EVERYWHERE and no idea which one to click on

Question #1: Did you go through the "AVP Overview" on page 1 paragraph 2?
Question #2: After the overview did you go to your express planner for the month you will be visiting? (Direct Link on page 1)
Question #3: Did you read Mike's "Resort Experience" article?

If you just start clicking links, you will definately get yourself lost. Read the AVP Overview, then read the Express Planner all the way through without clicking any links. That will help you get off on the correct foot. If you continue to have difficulty, head over to the forums and ask. If you title a thread "Need Managers Assistance" you will get all the experienced forum managers looking at your thread. They are the users with the blue or green stars over there.

Since you are going at Christmas Time, you will definately want to read the holiday survival guide as well. The 2005 is still available. The 2006 will be completed when we get closer and the changes from DIsney slow down.

 

[CindyAnn]

Marivaid, I know exactly what you mean! The navigation isn't exactly easy to figure out. I joined a few weeks ago, and despite following the suggestions listed by AJColorado, it's only somewhat easier now. I keep having the frustrating experience of finding a particular page one day, and not being able to get back to it the next day.

However, I don't think you should make the same mistake I did, and wait until your frustration level reaches the boiling point. I have to say that when I posted a question on the technical board, I had an answer within 15 minutes. The tone of the boards is also very helpful and polite, and I regret not asking my question earlier.

Since I wasn't interested in background info (we've already made all our travel/hotel/dining arrangements), I wanted to go directly to the part that tells you which parks are the least crowded on each day of your visit (accessed through e.g. the "December 06 Express Planner"). I took that information, and then juggled some days on my plan and rearranged a few ADRs. I think for people who are frequent visitors, or who have completed all their travel arrangements (or both), it's a good place to start, and gives you some of the unique info from Tourguide Mike.

Cheers, and hang in there!

 

[marivaid]

Thanks Cindy Ann ! I just located the holiday survival guide and it IS very helpful. I was really confused last night - couldnt find anything at all !

 

[MartDM]

You are absolutely not alone marivaid. TGM's site is very convoluted and many have had the same laments that you have. It is definitely not a user friendly layout and it takes some time to adjust to the "logic" involved in the organization.

A word of caution; be very careful about what you post on the forums and how you word it as Mike himself has on many occasions lambasted members when their post pointed out a disappointment or shortcoming of the site (there are several threads on this board regarding TGM if you want to search).

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Once I pay the fee how long can I use the information. I was at the opening page today but could not really figure out what I was paying to get. We are taking our first summer trip (July) and I know I will need a real plan. Thanks!

 

[scubamouse]

Once I pay the fee how long can I use the information. I was at the opening page today but could not really figure out what I was paying to get. We are taking our first summer trip (July) and I know I will need a real plan. Thanks!

I think it's two months after your trip but I'm not positive.

A couple of things - if you really don't like you can ask for a refund.

If you don't care about the 'why' of the advice you might not get as much out of it. I care a ton about the why's so I find it valuable.

I found the best thing for me was printing out the articles and reading them when I had time to digest them. That was when things started to sink in for me.

 

[rie'smom]

I would like to suggest what I do-after logging in,I always go to my month's express planner. I've learned after my 3rd subscription that navigating is very easy from this page. I love TGM!!!!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I love TGM as well, and since I've been using it a few months now, am used to the layout. I do agree with the PP though, be careful about what you post here. A lot of that information is exclusive to TGM users, and when you joined you agreed not to share that information. Not that you would, but I'm just saying, be careful what you post.

If you have any questions about TGM, you can PM me, either on here, or at the TGM forums, (same user name,) and I'll be happy to answer any questions.

I'm going in Dec too.

 

[marivaid]

Thanks for the heads up ! I'm learning my way around the site now and it is full of info (that I wont post here, dont worry). I'm sure he doesnt appreciate reading that his site is not easy to navigate, but it's the truth. Sorry. That said,once you figure out how, it's definitely worth it (I'm a newbie). Last night I was ready to ask for a refund but now I know to just take it slow, bookmark and/or save whatever I need.

A word of caution; be very careful about what you post on the forums and how you word it as Mike himself has on many occasions lambasted members when their post pointed out a disappointment or shortcoming of the site (there are several threads on this board regarding TGM if you want to search).

 

[DebIreland]

I agree the site is convoluted and unnecessarily difficult to navigate. But as you've discovered there are definitely some helpful articles there. I found it frustrating until I decided to 'print' the articles I wanted. I don't actually print, I make pdf files of them. I've done that with a lot of them and haven't needed to navigate much since then. If I want to refer to something again I just open my own pdfs. With other articles (such as his attraction descriptions) I've cut and pasted the info into my own document and edited it down as I see fit - it's worth the time for sure as he has some great advice. Obviously though, just be careful if you're going to print his info, look out for updates and make sure you have the most up to date info at hand. Good luck!

 

[U2_rocks!]

Make sure you go to the forums and join your vacation month club (December 2006?). That way you will be PMd and/or e-mailed all updates that affect your month.

For those not going until April next year or later, your express planner won't be ready yet, you'll have to look at last year's as a loose guide (though April should be up in a few days). That's because the park hours and EMH schedule haven't been released yet, and the express planner (where he advises best days and strategies) is heavily dependent on official hours.