Yay! Great update Sara. Your pictures aren't bad at all!
i finally know why i had no idea who Jen's pictures of Brer Rabbit and Brer Bear were... i've never ridden Splash Mountain.
Thanks Sare! I had never been on Splash until this last trip either!
Just never interested in getting wet, I guess. I felt the need to enjoy it with my kids though...and boy was it worth it! So much fun!
Your pictures turned out great on Splash Mountain!
Thanks for the compliments on the pics - you are kind.
Do I dare admit that my beloved UG may have screwed up that week?
Maybe we should have done MK on Columbus Day like you did instead of Epcot. You really scored on the low crowds that morning and short waits! Maybe I'll break loose and try TGM this year, since I know nothing about Dec. crowds.
what is your opinion on TGM? I was looking into it recently and was wondering if is it worth the money to get it and if it works?
In answer to both of your questions regarding TGM....I highly recommend it. I have the UG and I like it too, plus I love any kind of guidebooks on Disney, especially with pictures....LOL, but TGM is a very reliable and resourceful site.
For me, it breaks down like this:
* $20 is a drop in the bucket when you consider how much a Disney trip might cost, plus you can get a refund if you don't use it, so what's the harm?
* We like a tour plan that is flexible so we can make easy changes and TGM is all about this. He is NOT commando. He believes in a total "resort" experience and you will see that in almost all of his touring plans.
* He not only tells you "what" you should ride and "when", he tells you the "why" - which is
MUCH more helpful than just a straight touring plan, IMO. (I didn't realize how helpful until 15 minutes into our first day on our Thanksgiving trip with 16 people...yup....15 minutes...
) Things always come up that will derail your plans, TGM helps you figure out what to do when that happens (not if, WHEN).
* The man is in the parks almost EVERYDAY! He monitors the trends, the crowds, the days, the seasons, the events a lot more closely than other places and can therefore offer the best advice, IMO. Yes, his site can be out of date regarding a thing here or there, but the bulk of that information is not what makes or breaks your trip...it's the thought behind the strategy.
* The forums! Amazing! Helpful! Kind! Enough said.
Check 'em out!!!
* TGM is like a book that's been posted onto a web-site, so at times it can be a bit long-winded. I found it easiest (when I first joined) to print stuff out and read it as if it WERE a book. It may take a while to read and absorb all the info. It can be hard to navigate at first (or overwhelming might be a better word)....sometimes articles are not updated as quickly as you would hope being an online resource,
BUT it has an underlying philosophy that is explained in great detail to enable you to be your own tour guide...changing plans on the fly to adjust to the situation in the park and your family's tendency to go off in random directions to screw up your plans. (Yes, I speak from experience...
)
* If you like step by step touring plans, then TGM is probably not for you. If you want to read, learn the strategy, visit nice, friendly, and very helpful forums to learn even more, than TGM might be for you. It's a "one-voice" kind of thing for me....sure you might be able to find a lot of the same info on other sites, but you would have to dig/search/etc to find it, and then when you did...you would have 6 pages of opinions to field through... Having said that I have still found stuff on TGM that I never see on the DIS, UG, Allears, etc....
* I think using too many different "strategies" can be overwhelming. I stick with his and it has not failed me yet. Only problems we have ever had have been when we go against his advice....
* It's not for everyone. I know people who do not use TGM and have a fabulous time, but for me....I won't go without it ever again.
That was long-winded...sorry!
I know you're not asking me but I'll tell you my opinion! LOL
TGM ROCKS!!!! I used his tips for our first trip last year and we had a fantastic time. Very little wait time and we got to see and do alot. It most definitely works!
Exactly!
Sara
Not attractive! 
Emily wanted front row, so she sat up there with Grammy, my mom and step-dad sat in the 2nd row with Katie in the middle, and Shawn and Michael sat in the back, leaving me in the 3rd row all by my lonesome! But it worked out for me, because I was able to sit in the middle of the row when we hit the big drop and because of this, I pretty much avoided getting wet. 
Pity you didn't get the photo but there's always next time, I wish they'd add itto the photopass!
TGM!! Isn't he wonderful?
