TourGuide Mike Up to date?

[carmiedog]

I'm just wondering here - why do people use TGM if things like that aren't up to date?

Three reasons I can think of:

1) TGM isn't meant be used exclusively. (Well, Mike might think so. ) I wouldn't use DIS exclusively. If Mike hasn't added a listing description for a new attraction, it's not a deal breaker because that information can easily be found in a guidebook or on another site.

2) Sample touring plans are SAMPLES. The idea behind TGM is to learn how to make your own plans. If a newer attraction isn't included in his samples, it shouldn't matter...you should be able to work it in using TGM philosophies of touring, and have the forums to help if you aren't sure.

THAT said, a lot of people do basically use the sample tour plans and just tweak them a bit. I've seen lack of updates brought up in the TGM forums several times, but I honestly can't recall anyone being attacked for it. I'd bet most subscribers would agree that information should be kept up to date. I think a lot of us just know that's the way it is so we deal with it. If the squeaky wheel squeaks and squeaks but never gets greased, might as well just let it squeak. (Man, I butchered that saying! )

3) Mike's best days are worth it! And although I've never been during a busy time, I've read his Summer/Spring Break touring advice and wouldn't go during those times without it.

 

[mickeysaver]

I was asked if I wanted a refund by one of his moderators in the forums because I raised a bit of a fuss about the untimely nature of the release of information on the Least Crowded Park Charts for October.

I voiced my opinions in the open forum to Mike, who did actually respond to my post with something akin to.....I know that I need to work on communicating better with you guys......of course, he turned right around and did the same darn thing in November too. The lack of updating is a BIG issue when you are talking about paying for the service.

I don't feel that it was worth every penny at all. I guess I never should have spent the money there, especially when I know that Touring Plan is cheaper ($8.95/year), updated reguarly, has a bunch of touring plans for each park that don't all require that you be there at rope drop, and has excellent customer service. The information that is offered at TGM that isn't offered on Touring Plans that pertains to the resorts and stuff is outdated when compared to AllEarsNet.com or WDWInfo.com so that adds no value in my mind. Mousesavers.com alerts you to deals long before TGM will. The DISboards totally blows away their forums. Basically, I have figured out that I had the right system in place before I changed to TGM's site. I don't necessarily feel that I should ask for a refund, but I do see it as an experience that has taught me that the grass isn't greener over there and that I can do better for cheaper doing it the way that has worked for me for quite a long time now. I drank the Koolaid, but luckily, I didn't join the cult. Maggie

 

[carmiedog]

Maggie, I understand about posting of best days...I've seen it happen a couple times but I don't know if that's average or an exception. I know Mike has to wait until the park hours are published, but he should be able to get something up as soon as they are. Mike is a little gabby, but I wish he would post just a list of the best days then he can add all his reasons in later. If you're waiting on him before you make a hard to get ADR (i.e. CRT), you could lose out. I get the impression that Mike is a "do it yourself" kind of guy, but he could really use a hand on the website. I still owe my first amazing trip to Mike.

 

[Rocktire]

I found his site very helpful....totally worth it imo.

 

[Madi100]

I have used TGM in the past and thought about it again for this trip. We'll see. I find the most helpful information of any site can be found on the message boards. I have gone to All Ears several times and found incourrect information. I have even emailed them updates. And, when I do send them information, it's not updated. I think with any of these sites it's hard to have ALL the information. What's sad is one of the last resources I check for information is Walt Disney World official website.

 

[Mainebound]

I have subscribed on and off since the first year of TGM. I think there are a lot of inexcusable problems with it, but it is interesting to me to hear from someone who is in the parks every day.

The one thing that really bothers me is that his "best days" advice is not posted prior to your dining window opening. So how do you make your ADRs? Well, you are supposed to GUESS, and DOUBLE BOOK just in case, and then keep checking back and REARRANGE things (assuming you still can -- try this for Cindy's!) when he does publish the best days.

I really don't understand why he cannot get this basic information up in time, when other sources like the online companion to the Unofficial Guide can. Sure the UG folks tweak it if needed, but my March best days are up right now.

I used to chalk up all the outdated items to it being a new business, but what do you say 5 years later?

 

[corgi_monster]

I think that the TGM site has A LOT of flaws. For example, you could find most of that info on these boards if you had the time. The unofficial guide is much better, and, I believe, cheaper. Some of the information is very outdated. When the F&W festival information came out, the September board leader was the one who sent me a link to another site (All Ears, I believe), and I thought THAT was VERY unprofessional. I paid for TGM, only to be sent to read info on a free site?

All that aside, there is one thing about the TGM site that overcomes all those flaws - I feel that his info on the best park to visit each day is worth the subscription fee alone. More importantly, he tells you WHY you should visit that park on a particular day. A stubborn person like me needs some convincing. ***************** simply tells that such and such day is a "4." I need to know WHY it is a 4.

I subscribed because while I had already read 3 guidebooks, these boards, and a bunch of other WDW sites, I knew that I would ALWAYS be curious to see what info TGM had that was worth $20.

 

[cdrn1]

The one thing that really bothers me is that his "best days" advice is not posted prior to your dining window opening. So how do you make your ADRs? Well, you are supposed to GUESS, and DOUBLE BOOK just in case, and then keep checking back and REARRANGE things (assuming you still can -- try this for Cindy's!) when he does publish the best days.

That was a source of consternation to me as well. I went ahead and made ADR's based on what I thought the best-days calendar would say, and did have to change a few but not many.

 

[sparmeland]

For my trip, the "best days" were up before the 180 day window for my ADRs. It was a bit of a nail-biter waiting for them. IMO it is essential for those to be up before that 180 day window to make the service worthwhile.

 

[jonna30]

I'm just wondering here - why do people use TGM if things like that aren't up to date? I've always used UD, and they have a website that has a best park for whatever date guide, and a crowd level calculator based on date, and their touring plans seem to be up to date. The site is less than $10 to subscribe to. I don't remember how much the book is, but I think its well worth it.

Now, if TGM had an up to date area where you could plug in who is going, with sex, ages, ride preferences, etc, when, and for how many days you are going, and spit out a customized touring plan, then, I think, it would be worth it.

Me too!!! I was hoping for much more organization. Got nothing but a confusing web site.

 

[labattblue]

I drank the Koolaid, but luckily, I didn't join the cult. Maggie

 

[ryley26]

I would say TMG is a great resource for a first timer the info and best days after that i can't see the money. I used it and found some useful info even though we've gone many times had to try it and see for myself. That said i would not get it again much of the info was old and outdated. I think with a little time on these board and applying a the knowledge he gives you can figure out how he does his best days forever. The plan is the same if you look at how he does it.

 

[todd222222]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

On the best days calendar I like that he ranks the parks and then also provides a seperate rank for evening and day, with reasons. I have small kids and will be spending many half days at the parks.

I agree, I like to know why www.***************** says such and such a day is 4, I need more info.

And does anyone know why ***************** is blocked from this site? I"m sure there is history and this probably not the place to ask, but I will.

thanks again

 

[FamilyGuy]

And does anyone know why ***************** is blocked from this site? I"m sure there is history and this probably not the place to ask, but I will.

My guess is that it is a contractual agreement between TGM (as a sponsor) and the Disboards...

 

[Mainebound]

And does anyone know why ***************** is blocked from this site? I"m sure there is history and this probably not the place to ask, but I will.

thanks again

I have no idea, but it coincided almost exactly with the time the board sponsor changed.

 

[autumnbaby9]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

On the best days calendar I like that he ranks the parks and then also provides a seperate rank for evening and day, with reasons. I have small kids and will be spending many half days at the parks.

I agree, I like to know why www.***************** says such and such a day is 4, I need more info.

And does anyone know why ***************** is blocked from this site? I"m sure there is history and this probably not the place to ask, but I will.

thanks again

I could be wrong but I think it is because they are TGM's competition and TGM sponsors this page.

 

[sparmeland]

I could be wrong but I think it is because they are TGM's competition and TGM sponsors this page.

I don't know about you, but it just makes me curious to know. What is ************************?

 

[autumnbaby9]

I don't know about you, but it just makes me curious to know. What is ************************?

ITA

Same thing with songs when they bleep out worlds. Just makes me want to go and figure out what they said .

It is the whole forbidden fruit thing, tell people they can't read, see, hear or do something and they are dying to try it.

I usually would just break the words apart, but I think that is a point offense now. Now I just put down UG, I wonder how long it will take them to filter that out.

 

[jkgmartin]

We were at WDW in mid-August for 5 days -- the first time I'd been for more than a day, first time at MGM and AK, and the first time on property. While I didn't use TGM's stuff exclusively (I'm sending many, many thanks to all the DISers who provide great tips and advice), I really appreciated the "Best Days". With a 9 yr old and 7 yr old, I also appreciated his descriptions of rides and advice on how to talk with anxious children (who turned out to be the ones encouraging me on Soarin' ). We had a wonderful trip and hardly any lines, the longest being 15 minutes. I did see some things on the site that were out of date, but not much of it affected our plans. We planned about three months out, but I certainly understand that some would be frustrated when trying for those 180-day windows. Having said that, most of us here are willing to wait for Disney to update their own info and schedules to make our plans (even though we're not happy about the wait), and I would bet that having to wait for that info is a factor in Best Days updates on the TGM website. Even Disney's own website didn't tell me that there were 2 Fantasmic showings on a certain date just a few days before we left -- I found out at the park.

I did also get the impression that he was handling most of the website by himself -- a few good people to help sift through all the pages to make updates would probably solve a lot.

 

[Allison]

My guess is that it is a contractual agreement between TGM (as a sponsor) and the Disboards...

Actually, it has nothing to do with TGM. That was clarified in a thread several months ago. I read it but don't know how to easily find it.