TourGuideMike Rules!

[NewEnglandDisney]

N.E.D.
I'm not sure why you have issues with the TGM forums, but they work perfectly fine for me behind a firewall using Firefox. One of the nice things about the TGM forums is that Mike reads the posts on a regular basis to answer questions personally.

Well, after a decent amount of tinkering I couldn't get it to work for me. I didn't persue it past that because I am not looking to pay for a forum. That's what one of my points is - that people who pay for TGM over and over tend to be people who are paying for the forum, not the "AVP". So, in essence, you are paying TGM to reply to you. There are many people here and at other Disney boards who know just as much as he does - in fact, some of them actually work for Disney now, not a dozen years ago.

I don't think anyone is trying to deny you your right to have a different opinion. I just think your posts make it sound like you have a lot of anger towards TGM. You say things like "it irks me" and "it doesn't sit well". I really don't understand why you are so offended that someone would try to make money. With the amount of work Mike puts in to TGM, who can blame him for charging for the service. Yes, the internet is about information and there is plenty of that. The other wonderful thing about the internet is that it provides a marketplace where ANYONE can offer a product or service without requiring a huge investment in a storefront or office. The internet has made it possible for millions of people to own their own business. TGM is one of these businesses and the great thing about it is the money-back guarantee. Mike is obviously confident enough in his product to think that most people will not ask for a refund because they will feel like they got their money's worth.

You are confusing two different things. One is that I hold very high standards if someone is charging for TEXTUAL information on the Internet. Like those sites that charge people for information about "government auctions" and give you a list of addresses to write to that you could have found at your local library or on other websites for free. Second, it is additionally disturbing when someone does this to people for Disney information - again, information that is available elsewhere.

You are right, the Internet has made it possible for millions of people to own their own businesses - but that doesn't mean all of them are good. Because there is such a huge amount of Disney information available elsewhere for FREE, I would expect someone charging for such information to have something extroardinary at their site. I found nothing like that at TGM.

What you sense isn't "anger" toward TGM, it's simply my honest assessment of his site. If he provided a service I felt was valuable, the one he sells on the front page of his site that doesn't exist ("Automatic Vacation Planner") I'd fully support him. However, his site feels like one of those "government auction" sites - a guy who charges at the front door of the site for information one could gather on their own by reading any number of other sources.

You seem to be implying that those of us who are TGM fans are stupid. I don't think any of us were "blinded" by his menus and somehow tricked into thinking there was information than there really was. We simply read the articles, followed his planning advice, and felt like we learned something.

I didn't imply anyone was stupid, just that the menu system is misleading. It makes you think there are more articles than there really are, and the ones that are there are mostly re-arranged copy/pastes of each other (same typos and all). When you come down to it, there just isn't much there - let alone any unique content.

I will agree with you that the Automated part is a bit misleading. The only thing automated is the filtering of articles, attraction info, dining info, etc. based on your questionnaire. I knew ahead of time what to expect because I read about TGM on the DIS, but I would have been disappointed if I was expecting an automatic itinerary builder. I also agree with you that his site is a bit confusing to navigate at first, but once you get the feel for it, it makes sense.

What you see as confusing in terms of navigation I find misleading. I'm glad you agree about the "Automated" part, because that's the biggest flaw to his site IMHO. It doesn't offer what it says it does. If he'd rename it "Mike's Tour Planning Articles" it would be a different story.

Tell me if I'm right.
You use a Mac,

I use a Mac for what it is superior for - video/audio applications. My main system is Windows, however. I also use Linux on my laptop. Each OS has it's own strengths and weaknesses.

hate Microsoft,

I don't hate Microsoft (any more than I "hate" TGM), but I do recognize how unhealthy it is that more than 90% of computers in existance run on software controlled by a single company. I don't use Internet Explorer because it is verifiably the single most hacked, unsecure, buggy piece of software on the planet.

and are a big fan of open-source?

How can one not be a fan of something that works for the greater good instead of the greater bank account?

Regardless, your attempt to peg me on other issues doesn't distract from this one. I don't think TGM offers anything unique to the Disney community, and most people who seem to enjoy TGM do so mainly because of the forums. There is no "secrets" at TGM, just some fluff-surrounded articles who's actual content is minimal - and what content is there is available elsewhere.

This is why I called TGM a "cult" above. My apologies if that specificly offended anyone, but that's what it seems like when I read these love-fest posts. Let's say I like Tower of Terror, and you do not - would you sit here quizzing me about my opinions, trying to stereotype me as you did above with your "Tell me if you are right..."? Instead I get told I missed something, or I didn't get it, or I didn't spend enough time there. That, to me, is a cultish opinon, just like people who love a certain film and think people are daft if they don't like it too.

Someone above mentioned he is updating his menus. I ask - why bother? His dining section is sparse, and it's too bad he wouldn't put UNIQUE content instead. Are his menus going to be better than the ones at AllEars that people submit and update all the time? Then what's the point of paying someone. I think it's because inherently there is little information out there that one cannot get for free about WDW in this age of the Internet and he needs to pad out the site.

I didn't find anything of use at TGM, and I found his ads misleading and the content just not there. You disagree. I'm glad he made your vacation more magical. He added nothing to mine.

Okay? LOL.

If you've noticed, I haven't replied to anyone who hasn't specificly addressed me. I'm not arguing that other people got value from it, I just got none. And I think that's about all I have to say in this thread about TGM. If anyone wants to further question my opinions and experience, I guess you will have to be content with what I have said thus far.

N.E.D.

 

[sjams]

Opinions, Opinions, Opinions...that is what makes the world go round. Where would be without them , but NED you need to catch your breath and stop preaching ....LOL

 

[Pedler]

TGM was useless to me.

Nothing I haven't read either in other guidebooks or other Disney sites that don't charge.

It's just a series of endlessly linked articles that give general advice any WDW veteran could give to you.

I spent a great deal of time reading through said endlessly linked articles, and even subscribed a SECOND time because everyone insisted there was something I was missing. There wasn't; I wasn't.

If $20+ bucks is nothing to you, give it a try. If $20+ bucks matters, stick to the DIS, AllEars, and the rest of the wonderful FREE Disney sites.

N.E.D.

N.E.D. While I respect your opinion I do disagree with it. You may want to add to your posts regarding TGM that you disagree in general with anyone that makes money off of Disney World guests, Not just TGM. That way people would be aware that it is not just TGM but other paid sites as well that you do not care for.

 

[DisneyMama629]

I have been subscribing to TGM for 2 years. I do so for the whole package, not just the articles. Mike updates regularly. It is nice that he is adding menus to the package because that way you don't have to go to another website. That is what's nice about TGM. It's the whole package in one place. I can go there and get the hours, up to the date info, etc.

Some people like to be disagreeable, but don't let that stop you from trying something new. TGM is a great website with lots of valuable info. I am planning my honeymoon based on his advice, and I feel confident I will have a great trip because of Mike's advice.

Mike is not just a castmember from 10 years ago. He is paid high dollar prices by people to take them on personal tours. I think that is somebody who knows what they are doing.

Also on the forums at TGM, you will never get flamed. I have never seen it happen to anyone. It is more than a daily occurence on the DIS. That may not matter to some people, but I had never even been on a forum before October, and I'm glad I had a nice one like over at TGM to practice before coming over to the big dogs at DIS.

 

[mill4023]

N.E.D.,
I hope I didn't come across as attacking you. I certainly didn't mean to. You are entitled to your opinion just as much as anyone else. I can certainly understand some people not feeling like the subscription was worth the money. I still don't quite understand why you would be so bothered by someone offering a subscription service with a 100% money back guarantee though. The fact that Mike offers a refund to anyone who isn't satisfied makes it seem clear to me that he isn't trying to rip anyone off. He's simply charging a fee for a service that he puts a lot of time into. I don't see it as being any different than the UG charging a fee for detailed touring plans.

Personally, I don't see TGM as anything like the sites that charge for lists that are available elsewhere. It's not like it's just a list of commonly known information like "get to space mountain as soon as the park opens." He not only gives advice, but he also explains why he is giving that advice. To me, that is more helpful because it allows you to use his logic and understanding of the way things work at the parks to make your own plans or to adjust when Disney does things out of the ordinary that make his normal advice, about things like which days to go, not quite fit. You also get much more up to date advice that is based on what is actually going on in the parks. TGM had quite a bit to say about the May 5th celebration and how you should plan around that. He also gives advice about things like the flower and garden festival and how that normally affects crowd patterns. He also just added a bunch of advice about how to handle Star Wars Weekends.

I've never been to WDW so obviously what I'm looking for is different from what you or others may be looking for. And I can't yet vouch for the advice Mike gives. All I can say at this point is that after reading the UG cover to cover and spending literally hundreds of hours browsing the DIS and other great sites like Allears and Mousesavers, I feel like I've learned a lot by subscribing to TGM.

P.S. - the last comments weren't meant in a negative way. I just picked up on you saying "Internet Exploiter" and your apparent irritation with someone trying to make money and figured you were one of those stereotypical anti-MS, pro-open source types. Yeah, I know, some big generalizations and stereotypes, but I meant no harm or offense.

For the record, my home PC is triple-booting RedHat, WinXP, and Win98 and I'm also an open-source supporter. But you still won't convince me that IE is inherently any more buggy or insecure than any other browser out there. Most hacked?
Clearly.
If you were a hacker, would you target software that 95% of the population uses or software that 5% of the population uses?
I think the anwer to that is obvious.

Again, I hope I didn't sound like I was flaming or attacking in any way. I was only giving my opinion.

 

[Wishing on a star]

NED... I do not see the comparison of a complete web-site containg a heck-of-alot of detailed information with those who try to offer nothing-for-something, like $10.00 or $20.00 for a list of phone-numbers or addresses????

You know, talk about 'redundancy'... on this thread alone I see paragraphs and pages and more paragraphs that you have written. I can definately see your opinion here, where you, an intelligent, experienced, computer savvy, Disney-freak(expert) would not find any use for TGM... But, I think the level of time and attention that you have spent voicing your ill feelings goes a little beyond 'putting your opinion out-there'.

For everyone here... Hey, I am here to be planning our wonderful, happy, trip to Disney!!!

Let's all take a deep breath now and -
Let it go!!! Let it go!!!

 

[Pedler]

What you sense isn't "anger" toward TGM, it's simply my honest assessment of his site. If he provided a service I felt was valuable, the one he sells on the front page of his site that doesn't exist ("Automatic Vacation Planner") I'd fully support him. However, his site feels like one of those "government auction" sites - a guy who charges at the front door of the site for information one could gather on their own by reading any number of other sources.

N.E.D.

I know you do not mean to but you do at times come off with a bit of anger toward TGM. You also have to admit that you are probably more informed than your average WDW guest and a bit more tech savy. I also work in computers as a enterprise database developer and one thing I have learned is that some users, less tech savy ones, do not want to search through several web sites or discussion forums. TGM does provide a packaged almost one stop source of information for those users. I personally like TGM but then again I do not have anywhere near the WDW experience that you have. I have also been around computers for awhile (I remember coding HTML with a text editor) and I do find the TGM interface a bit too cutsy for me but I don't hold that against the content. For a novice WDW guest like me the information is good. TGM is not for everyone and a tech savy WDW vetern like yourself is probably not a TGM kind of person.

I use a Mac for what it is superior for - video/audio applications. My main system is Windows, however. I also use Linux on my laptop. Each OS has it's own strengths and weaknesses.


N.E.D.

Bummers, you have me beat by one! I don't have a MAC yet for my video editing. Trying to find an excuse to get it though!

Pedler.

 

[PratersloveDW]

I have heard so much about Tour Guide Mike...I guess I finally need to check this out for myself!

 

[MinnieM21]

His forums didn't work for me because of my firewall. I went under "Internet Explorer" clicked on "Security" and listed his site as a "Trusted Site." The forums work just for me now.

 

[Pedler]

N.E.D.

Personally, I don't see TGM as anything like the sites that charge for lists that are available elsewhere. It's not like it's just a list of commonly known information like "get to space mountain as soon as the park opens." He not only gives advice, but he also explains why he is giving that advice. To me, that is more helpful because it allows you to use his logic and understanding of the way things work at the parks to make your own plans or to adjust when Disney does things out of the ordinary that make his normal advice, about things like which days to go, not quite fit. You also get much more up to date advice that is based on what is actually going on in the parks. TGM had quite a bit to say about the May 5th celebration and how you should plan around that. He also gives advice about things like the flower and garden festival and how that normally affects crowd patterns. He also just added a bunch of advice about how to handle Star Wars Weekends.

You have hit the exact reason that I like TGM. The reasons behind the advice is as important as anything else. I like UG quite a bit but the park planning was really predicated more on a "commando" type plan. I did not account for much flexibility.

The one scenario that TGM has been a big help with our arrival day. We land at 11:45 on a Wednesday in August. EMH evening at MK. Now almost every guide I have seen says not to go the parks mid afternoon in August. Lots of people say don't do MK on an evening EMH. And lots say don't go to a park at all on arrival day. Well.... the flying is only about 4 hours, the kids are 6 & 8, first time to WDW. There isn't enough valium in the world to keep them from going to MK on that day.

So... using some of the reasons behind the plans from TGM and other TGM strategies that I have not seen anywhere else I think I have a plan that will allow us to hit a good number of attractions, avoid ones that we can do the next day, have a good dinner and not wait more than 10 minutes in line. And from what I have read from people at the TGM forums that use these strategies I should be fine.

Now for Disney vets what I want to do may be obvious but to me it wasn't. So TGM is a big help. I also could have posted a request for help here but I most likely would have gotten lots of conflicting advice without a lot of detail behind the reasons for the advice. Its not a slam on anyone but at times these boards can be confusing.

I am still trying to figure out what a crowd level of 4 or 5 means in concrete terms. Not a knock on UG but without a comparison of some benchmark of wait times it just tells me that it is less crowded than 6 or more and more crowded than 3 or less but it doesn't tell me how much more or less crowded. To myself at least knowing the rational behind things and what they mean in concrete terms is valuable.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I think this topic has fully run its course.

Kiss it goodnight.

 

[danny1649]

Nevermind