TourGuideMike...Which days at which parks & EMH ??

[Pedler]

I think this is because the supporters support it so strongly that most people feel it's useless to say otherwise because some of the more...overzealous people are organized and attack DIS threads specificly when they feel threatened.

Now, I'm not saying this is you or any one who has posted in this thread today, but in the past one TGM member has seen something they deemed "netagive" and sent out a "call to the troops" to get a bunch of TGM supporters to post.

As I said about myself, I have participated in several heated TGM threads before, but generally avoid the topic these days. However, when people early in this thread started questioning "secret" information, I did read the thread and shared my opinion. Even TGM admits some of his fans are a bit...again, overzealous in their praise, so I think that's why you will find most people avoid discussion of the topic like it's a mug-reusing-pool-hopping-lying-about-kids-age-thread.

N.E.D.

Hmmm... I feel the need for a poll.

 

[Disneydreamer315]

That's not exactly what I said...

It seems that most people who enjoy TGM do so for the message boards, ultimately. That's what keeps them "hooked".

aw:
N.E.D.

Oh, I strongly disagree. The forums have only been open on the TGM site for a short while.. maybe a year?

Nope, its the content I love. I think many users would agree, the forums are just the cherry on top. But, thats JMHO.

 

[Pedler]

Oh, I strongly disagree. The forums have only been open on the TGM site for a short while.. maybe a year?

Nope, its the content I love. I think many users would agree, the forums are just the cherry on top. But, thats JMHO.

Hmmm.. time for another poll.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Hi N.E.D.

When you talk about people who get "overzealous" in support of TGM, don't you think it is fair to say you are equally overzealous with your criticism of TGM?

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I usually enjoy your posts but as someone who reads some of the TGM posts on the DIS (and yes, I do use TGM but I'm not "overzealous") I would say you are just as fired up with your beliefs as TGM supporters are about theirs.

I can understand that perception. However, it's been quite some time since I've posted in a TGM thread. There have been many lately. If I was so overzealous wouldn't I post in all of them?

Yes, it does bother me when someone sells something to people that I don't believe they are entirely up front about. The reason I posted today is because of the variation on the topic (the secrecy aspect), and because I have a viewpoint that I don't always believe is represented in these discussions and I thought it might be valuable, especially since as even TGM says his fans tend to be a bit enthusiastic and don't always represent the service exactly how it is. "It's great, it's amazing, it's fantastic - but I can't tell you anything about it" just gets a bit old.

So, yes, point taken. However, as people have pointed out above most people who don't care for TGM don't bother to post it more than once as they "learn their lesson" when they get pounced by TGM supporters (including the organized attacks, which have happened). Like any Disney topic, especially one that wants you to part with your money, I think varying opinions are valuable - which is exactly why I love the DIS.

N.E.D.

 

[Brian Noble]

but generally avoid the topic these days

All evidence to the contrary.

Now, where did I put my All-Star Sports mug from '95? My family of five is going to stay in a single Pop Century room, and we need all the free soda we can get to keep our strength up while we pool hop to Stormalong Bay. Oh, and which Epcot-area resort should we park at for our Illuminations evening? We want to make an easy escape.

I sure hope my four-year old (our youngest!) doesn't grow any taller, or the CMs might ask me how old he is when I try to get him in without a ticket. My 10-year-old might be asked about the child ticket too, but we've been practicing her response. Does anyone think I shouldn't take her out of school for two weeks to go to WDW?

(There. Anything else I forogt?)

More seriously: the benefit of TGM to me is that it's one vetted source of information---you either believe the source (Mike) has expertise, or you don't, and if you do you can read a single viewpoint and adapt to your own needs. Ask a question on the DIS, and you'll get ten responses with 12 different opinions---with a few exceptions, (the upscale Garden Grill menu was horrible; CRT breakfast requires you to call first thing right at 90 days), there rarely are consensus opinions about *anything* to do with WDW, and I don't have time to figure out who knows what they are talking about, and who doesn't.

Of course, you could argue that, as there are dozens of ways to skin a cat, any one of those dozens of opinions would lead to a fun vacation. Heck, my brother and his family went to DL during the most crowded part of the day (afternoon) during the week between Christmas and New Years (the busiest week of the year), saw precisely three attractions, and *still* felt that they got their money's worth for the day. At some point, the decision to use or avoid morning MK EMHs during the second week of February when the moon is full isn't going to make or break your vacation.

If you think Mike might know what he's talking about, try TGM. If you decide you didn't learn enough to justify your $20, ask for your money back. My understanding is that is no problem. If you'd rather just read the DIS and learn that way, that's great too! You aren't going to ruin your vacation by not buying this guidebook or reading that DIS thread.

 

[Pedler]

I can understand that perception. However, it's been quite some time since I've posted in a TGM thread. There have been many lately. If I was so overzealous wouldn't I post in all of them?

Yes, it does bother me when someone sells something to people that I don't believe they are entirely up front about. The reason I posted today is because of the variation on the topic (the secrecy aspect), and because I have a viewpoint that I don't always believe is represented in these discussions and I thought it might be valuable, especially since as even TGM says his fans tend to be a bit enthusiastic and don't always represent the service exactly how it is. "It's great, it's amazing, it's fantastic - but I can't tell you anything about it" just gets a bit old.

So, yes, point taken. However, as people have pointed out above most people who don't care for TGM don't bother to post it more than once as they "learn their lesson" when they get pounced by TGM supporters (including the organized attacks, which have happened). Like any Disney topic, especially one that wants you to part with your money, I think varying opinions are valuable - which is exactly why I love the DIS.

N.E.D.

N.E.D.,

Now is the chance to get a good handle on it. I posted a poll asking for people that actually subscribe to post thier views. It will be interesting to see the results. Who knows if the results are mostly positive then maybe you might be able to see that there is a place in the world for TGM and that he does provide value to some people, maybe not yourself, but some people.

Who knows, crazier things have happened.

 

[Sorcerer Figment]

Hey guys, relax! I am all for promoting things that work for me... But in this case, don't worry about anyone who doesn't want to subscribe to TGM. It just means that there are less of "us" zagging to everyone else's zigging. Honestly, if it means shorter lines for us and less complaints from them... who is losing here?

So N.E.D., best wishes for touring your way. And TGMers, best wishes for touring the TGM way. Okay?

 

[edingerc]

empty

 

[funcinderella]

Somewhere up there I read that TGM was banned from the DIS boards.



How come??

 

[Pedler]

Somewhere up there I read that TGM was banned from the DIS boards.



How come??

For some reason the folks at the DIS are not overly fond of Mike. You would be amazed at how many TGM threads that are not nasty get closed because they are debating touring styles and for some reason that shouldn't be on a tour planning board.

On the other hand a thread about the UG and its crowd level predictions can go on for over 10 pages or more is fine.

I am amazed that this thread hasn't gotten closed yet. Some folk there just really don't like discussions about TGM.

 

[Disneydreamer315]

Well, even I dont think TGM does his website to be a nice guy... I think he does it because it will be profitable to him.

And as a slightly opposing view, those 'free' web sites that advertise companies as their source of income -- well... there is a little problem with that for me.

Are they telling to use that travel agency because it is the best? Or because it will bring them an income. See? I know longer trust that ALL of the advice is as 'true' as it can be because there is a monetary value to the provider by making sure certain opinions get regularily expressed, or its pronounced as the best. I would rather pay the minimal fee up front and get the totally unbiased opinion of the expert. But, thats just me.

 

[edingerc]

empty

 

[madgomez]

N.E.D., I think there is a big aspect of the TGM site that you overlook in your analysis (which surprises me since you seem to be so familiar with a site you find mostly worthless - I guess familiarity does breed contempt.) When one buys UG or Passporter or any other guidebook, it is static. I love UG for its humour, and Passporter for its pockets and maps. But if I had purchased either of those this past year (or any other guidebook), it would not have provided up to date info with regard to the changes in ticketing, dining plan, AP discounts, ADR reservations, effect of new attractions on crowds and traffic flow, closures for rehab, etc. Yes, there are websites and updates to print, but a book is static. TGM is not. While some updates are not instantaneous, they are based on first-hand in the parks knowledge, quicker, and in more detail than anywhere else. Yes, that is supported by the forums, but the AVP is the driving force. Since TGM costs no more than your average guidebook, the updating alone makes it a veritable bargain, in my opinion. The forums are an added bonus, that didn't even exist when many of us first used TGM.

Now, you have piqued my curiosity. How, when and where did you meet Mike?

 

[WDW Dave]

In my opinion, the most important info I got from TGM was real time data (remember, I go in the summer when it's packed). During the busy times, he seems to check out the flow of the crowds and knows the patterns and habits of the crowds. Also, there are a handful of tips that he discloses that I'm shocked I have never read on other internet sites (I won't discuss these tips either, not because of a his dopey pledge, just because the guy is trying to run a decent business and "more power to him").

Look, I just find it ironic that I paid $21 bucks for his site and I have paid nothing for this site and this site is the reason I have gone to WDW the last 6 summers and brought into DVC in 2000. I did not renew my TGM Mike subscription last month because I'm not going until next July but I will continue to lurk the DIS to feed my WDW fix.

Will I sign up again for TGM next year, not sure?

Dave in NJ

 

[Pedler]

Many folks on here quote the UG as if it were gospel. I enjoy the UG too, and love having a good source of info, offline. However, one of the most mportant areas to consider is how and when and which EMH's to attend. When I read the UG advice for the first time, I almost choked, I was laughing so hard. The advice they gave was exactly the opposite of what I would advise, and this was BEFORE I subscribed to TGM and found out that he and I were on the same page.

That is the part I find amusing too. In particular when people that haven't used TGM say that its all here or at the UG. The touring plans / style of the UG and TGM are different enough to be signifigant.

I know that for us we were more the TGM style than UG. To say they are in essence the same is not accurate.

 

[Lewisc]

It's really a "one way street". TGM customers aren't suppose to be revealing "secrets" so there really isn't any way to have a valid discussion on his techniques. You can go on TGM and talk about strategies that are discussed on DISBOARDS but you can't go on DISBOARDS and talk about TGM strategies.

DISBOARDS is about the free exchange of information and ideas. TGM is about limiting the discussion of ideas to those who pay. There really isn't much point in allowing TGM discussions if the thrust of the discussion is why you should give money to TGM. If Mike wants to advertise on this board he can contact Pete and pay. Mousesavers and allearsnet have a very high "signal to noise" ratio. None of them pretend to have any great secrets.

A thread that says something like, TGM says you should do this on early entry date at MK what do you think, might be an interesting discussion. The problem is the thread becomes an attack on the OP for disclosing secret information. A thread that basically says why you should give Mike some $$$ is nothing more than an unpaid ad.

Sorry but knowing you can go from store to store in main street isn't a "trade secret".

I know different people have different ideas on where to stand to watch shows like Illuminations. I wonder how many of those "secret" spots are now VIP viewing areas.

For some reason the folks at the DIS are not overly fond of Mike. You would be amazed at how many TGM threads that are not nasty get closed because they are debating touring styles and for some reason that shouldn't be on a tour planning board.

 

[edingerc]

Well, even I dont think TGM does his website to be a nice guy... I think he does it because it will be profitable to him.

For this to be true, he would have to have no time conflicts with any other works he's doing, plus he'd have to spend less than 15 minutes interacting with any one subscription, over the life of that subscription. Spending any time on his boards shows you that neither is true.

His primary job wouldn't suffer at all if he gave up TGM, but I think that he would, personally. He enjoys people and gets a lot of fulfillment out of the 'thank you' letters he's received for positive vacationing results.

 

[Pedler]

If Mike wants to advertise on this board he can contact Pete and pay.

If I am not mistaken Mike has been told that he is not welcome here. He does have sponsership deals with at least one other site and I think there are more.

A thread that basically says why you should give Mike some $$$ is nothing more than an unpaid ad.

I don't think that is any different than the posts on why someone likes a car service or such over on the transportation board.

 

[Disneydreamer315]

Dave

I must say I am concerned. If you have gone to Disney 6 times using the dis information, and have only joined in Aug of 05 with two posts, something aint right. Perhaps NED is right (oh no!) and regular people of the dis feel attacked by TGM supporters, so much so they use an alternate ego to post.

I apologize to anyone if I have ever made a comment that made them feel attacked (ok-NOT Dame Edna, but everyone else).

I want everyone to have a great Disney trip -- and for me -- TGM is the way to go. I appreciate that not everyone is going to think the way I do. I hope that whatever you use and whenever you go, the trip is a great one.

 

[madgomez]

It's really a "one way street". TGM customers aren't suppose to be revealing "secrets" so there really isn't any way to have a valid discussion on his techniques. You can go on TGM and talk about strategies that are discussed on DISBOARDS but you can't go on DISBOARDS and talk about TGM strategies.

You know, I have never seen more than a brief mention of any "strategies that are discussed on DISBOARDS" on the TGM forums. No need to discuss them.