Tour Guide Mike

[rkwells]

Thanks for the quick reply! I was starting to panic. I only have 295 days before we leave.

I like the way you think!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

I just got my renewal code and couldn't wait to log in tonight, and darn it! I need something to feed my obsession until I get back to WDW next May!!!!

 

[labattblue]

I'm in the minority, but TGM was a waste of $20. Between the UG, this message board and other "free" WDW sites, there is nothing I can't find out about WDW. Plus, considering it is an online service, there was content that was way too outdated.


Just my 2 cents.

 

[rie'smom]

I love TGM and I'm sure he's trying his best to start up soon.

 

[psmomma]

Glad to hear I am not the only one... at least the DIS is up and running!!!

 

[rwodonnell]

I'm in the minority, but TGM was a waste of $20. Between the UG, this message board and other "free" WDW sites, there is nothing I can't find out about WDW. Plus, considering it is an online service, there was content that was way too outdated.


Just my 2 cents.

I'm with you in the minority, too. It's hard to say (for me at least) that it was a complete waste, I mean after all, it's a drop in the bucket of what we'll be shelling out down there, so if there is even one tip I take away, it might have been worth it. Still waiting for that tip though... On the other hand, my 7 bucks for touring plans dot com was worth it, I think. I will probably join touring plans again for next trip - I doubt I will join TGM again.

The real reason I responded though is your comment about the material being outdated! Again, I thought I was the only one! I am shocked at how outdated some of the stuff is. The park hours I don't think ever get updated if Disney changes them. The MGM hours during our trip are different, and it's critical to his whole "which park, which day" reasoning, as they have adding Fantasmic viewings, and he doesn't have them. Not to mention, he still has "Cinderellabration" as an attraction. Hasn't it been like 5 months since Year of a Million Dreams started? And along with it, the Dream Along with Mickey stage show? (At least I think that's the name, but couldn't tell from his site!) There are a number of other out of date things that aren't coming to me at the moment.

Anyway, regarding the original topic, maybe that's why it's down -they're finally updating the content!

 

[corlyjones]

If the TGM site is in fact down due to updating the site - I wish some sort of announcement would have been posted on the log in page to let us know! It is a service that many of us use and have paid for - so hopefully it will be up and running again soon. Does anyone have news on when the site will be working???

I am glad to read from a poster above that this does not happen often. Are there other - possibly free - sites offering touring strategies, helpful tips, and advice to first-timers? This site is great too!

 

[Kenswing]

If the TGM site is in fact down due to updating the site - I wish some sort of announcement would have been posted on the log in page to let us know!
I am glad to read from a poster above that this does not happen often.

I can guarantee that site is not down due to updating. Updating can be done while the site is running. My guess is that there is a server issue. I haven't talked to Mike, but I know the IT guys were working on it.

This is definitely an isolated incident. The only other time that the site has been down for more than an hour or so was when TGM changed hosting facilities along with the servers. Remember, it's a computer. Computers develop problems. TourGuideMiKE understands that this type of problem affects all of his guests and he will do everything possible to get the site back up as soon as possible.

Ken

 

[kachoo]

Thank you for the information...I am such a newbie in regard to actually posting, but have been a LONG TIME lurker so do not feel so new anymore I, too, about panicked when the TGM site was down today. Our trip is 108 days away and heaven forbid if I cannot get my daily fix (or should I say mulitple fixes in one day?????)

 

[rwodonnell]

Are there other - possibly free - sites offering touring strategies, helpful tips, and advice to first-timers? This site is great too!

Probably the most comprehensive site I know of is AllEarsNet, which happens to be free. I don't know that there are touring plans specifically, but there is a ton of info on virtually every WDW topic (i.e. attractions, menus, hotels, special events...) She has a new-ish ratings thing too that is nice.

In addition to that site, there is also this site (WDWINFO , aka the DIS, aka the "father" of these boards).

For a wide selection of "touring plans" for WDW, you can go to the Unofficial Guide's website (they won't let you link it from these boards for some reason, but if you google it, it should be right up there... hint: it rhymes with luringflans.com.) They have a great crowd estimate calendar and crowd blog, and there are something like 60 touring plans there. You have to become a member there to gain access to the whole site. It's something like $7 a year, or about 0.3% of what I estimate my next trip will cost.

I just remembered one last one: Steve Soare's Live Entertainment. That site lists the live entertainment schedule for the upcoming week. He claims it doesn't change too much from week to week, so as your trip gets closer, it's a good site to look at if you enjoy the live entertainment. I particularly like using it to figure out how to hit the various acts going on in World Showcase.

 

[saffy]

This is definitely an isolated incident. The only other time that the site has been down for more than an hour or so was when TGM changed hosting facilities along with the servers.

Yep, that was the day after I signed up. I thought "great, I paid $20 yesterday, and today the site is down. Did I ever get hosed?!"

Glad to find out that was NOT the case at all! I was just commenting to my parents tonight that TGM is the best $20 i've spent for planning our trip - SO many questions have been answered much more effectively and efficiently than other sources. Of course, we won't really know until we get to the parks and see how the plans work out, but I just have a feeling that it will go just fine.

I'm glad I saw this thread. I haven't been to this area of DIS since I joined TGM, but wanted to make sure that it wasn't just me who couldn't get in!

Lastly, making a mental note to make sure all my plans and info needed from tGM is printed 1 full week before my trip, just in case something like this happens then, so it won't leave me stranded!

I, too, have 268 days to worry about such things.

 

[Kenswing]

Hey Kachoo.. It's good to see another Washingtonian..

Ken

 

[kachoo]

Hello to you, too We live out towards the ocean...where is Lake Goodwin? I have lived in WA all my life and haven't heard of it.

 

[Disneynut4ever]

Glad to know I am not the only one. I was starting to think my comany's IT group was onto me. Guess I actually have to do some work now.

I'm with you. Whew!

Hope it's up soon. I need my Disney planning fix.

 

[Disneynut4ever]

I can guarantee that site is not down due to updating. Updating can be done while the site is running. My guess is that there is a server issue.

So why hasn't he updated his website if it is so easy to do?

 

[mb168]

The technology is easy. Gathering the info, writing the content, and getting it to that easy part is the hard part. Not that TGM shouldn't be doing that in providing a pay service, especially for Disney freaks, but a website is a time consuming project.

 

[Nicole786]

I have 9 hours for TGM to come back up! Lets go TGM i need to print!!!

 

[TraceyL]

I'm in the minority, but TGM was a waste of $20. Between the UG, this message board and other "free" WDW sites, there is nothing I can't find out about WDW. Plus, considering it is an online service, there was content that was way too outdated.


Just my 2 cents.

Ditto

I keep logging on hoping to find something I've missed - but now I can't even do that

 

[matt f]

It's all my fault. I paid yesterday and immediately sapped all information from that website, so there's none left for everyone else. Sorry!

 

[jjdurrant]

This sucks.. Not only is the site still down, but people are posting that the info on TGM is out of date. Great. Grrrrr.

I was so hoping TGM would make planning our trip so much easier.