Is Ridemax comparable to Tour Guide Mike?

[j_lehr]

We will be in DL July 17-20.

I have gone to WDW 3 times in the last 18 months using Tour Guide Mike. Twice we went during what are usually considered extremely busy times (Christmas week, week of Easter) and never encountered lines or crowds using Tour Guide Mike's advice.

I did download Ridemax. I guess I am just really nervous! I was always comfortable using Tour Guide Mike and never worried about crowds. I have only been to Disneyland once. It was a Sunday in August 2005 and we literally had the parks to ourselves. I don't know how we got so lucky but I realize that is not the norm.

So far this is my general plan: arrive early, follow ridemax (although I have to admit I was surprised with how long some of the calculated waits were), take a mid day break at the hotel and return in the evening. We will probably not stay until closing everyday only because we will wake up early.

We do have Magic Morning entry for one day but haven't decided what day to use it yet.

Thanks for reading and for any info and tips.
Jes

 

[avalon451]

Hi, I see you will be there Thu-Saturday? Will you be there at opening on Thursday? If so, I'd recommend doing your EE that day. Weekdays are always better than weekends.

Ridemax is a good guide. It has great tips and a basically good structure to predict what will be busier when. However, I'd get familiar with the basic guidelines for using FP, for managing high seaon, and for hitting the rides in a particular order, that you can find in Hydroguy's tips compilation (sticky thread at the top of the forum page) http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

Some drawbacks of Ridemax are that it doesn't maximize FP collection, and it doesn't allow for EE, or wanting to ride the same ride several times. It's fun to get a general idea what to do, but using Ridemax in conjunction with the tips compilation means you know what you're doing, even if your schedule gets knocked off.

When I used Ridemax I tinkered with it until it approximated what I wanted-- then I rewrote my own itinerary, using it as a guideline, and adding in EE plans, shows, parades, breaks, etc.

Have fun! Planning is half the fun! Don't be nervous, you'll have a great time.

 

[tofubeast]

I am also using Ridemax for the first time in August. So far I am just having fun doing some tentative planning. Don't make anything "Final" until about 2 wks before you trip because then you will be able to take advantage of a more complete software update etc...

From what I have read from other ridemax users, it is better to use it for chunks of the day. For example, plan mornings afternoons and evenings separately, rather than just doing one big master plan. That will allow you to better plan meals times etc..

HAve a wonderful trip!

 

[saffy]

I haven't used Ridemax - living so close to DL, it's not been necessary for me. But, we did use TGM when we went to WDW, and you're right - his advice was spot on.

The thing is, a lot of his advice is true for DL as well as WDW. Granted, the "best days to go to which park" is kind of a moot point, but the rest of his tips and things about how to tour a park are easily transferred to DL too.

Things like the thinking behind which rides to do first and when to get there, when to leave, how to get fastpasses, etc... There are some differences, but when you plug your info into ridemax, look at it with a TGM philosophy to make sure it makes sense to tour that way and you should be fine!

 

[mnmrmustard]

We just got back from a WDW trip in January using TGM and found his information exceptionally helpful in planning a memorable trip with little to no lines.

I will be taking my fam to DL next year and would be very interested in hearing how your DL trips went using Ridemax and if anyone knows of any other TGM-like sites geared towards DL trip planning

And thank you for the link avalon451

 

[stacielee]

...
Some drawbacks of Ridemax are that it doesn't maximize FP collection, and it doesn't allow for EE, or wanting to ride the same ride several times.

I've used it and I think it does maximize FP collection, if by that you mean the next FP being available less than 2 hours after getting one in the morning. And I've also added the same ride more than once in an itinerary. If I'm misunderstanding what you mean, just ignore me

 

[tofubeast]

I am curious too about the above quote. I am able to add a ride several times into the same touring plan. It also appears to factor in FP's...because it leave gaps of time to acknowledge that the window that will exist before you get the next FP. It also know the rides that are not connected to other FP rides.

True, it does not factor in EE or TT Morning...but no big sweat. So far I am really excited about the plans I have tentatively planned and look forward to put the final ones into motion!

 

[bumbershoot]

j_lehr, I think that going to the earliest Magic Morning possible will be good for you, b/c you'll be as close as possible to east coast time. So what's really early for those from the west coast will be hours later for you.

"It was a Sunday in August 2005 and we literally had the parks to ourselves. I don't know how we got so lucky but I realize that is not the norm."

We went on a weekday in September of '05, and it was looking bleak and then a COLD rainstorm started, and everyone left. Had the parks to ourselves until well after noon.

Musta been something about '05! (which is weird since wasn't that the 50th? we barely knew it was the 50th, we were just visiting my brother and went to Disneyland!)

 

[avalon451]

I am curious too about the above quote. I am able to add a ride several times into the same touring plan. It also appears to factor in FP's...because it leave gaps of time to acknowledge that the window that will exist before you get the next FP. It also know the rides that are not connected to other FP rides.

True, it does not factor in EE or TT Morning...but no big sweat. So far I am really excited about the plans I have tentatively planned and look forward to put the final ones into motion!

I just meant that often, when I was making plans with Ridemax, it would have us go on a ride or even two at opening, before sending a runner for the first FP. Our rule (and Hydroguy's) is to always get FP first thing on your way into the parks. That way your second one is available usually by 35-45 minutes after the hour.

You're right that they do assume that you will have the first few FPs available in under the 2-hour time limit.

Also, when scheduling a ride more than once, they had me going on it multiple times right in a row. Instead of scheduling one in the morning, one in the evening, etc.

I do think Ridemax is a good way to go, but I think it can be improved upon in a few ways.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

I just meant that often, when I was making plans with Ridemax, it would have us go on a ride or even two at opening, before sending a runner for the first FP. Our rule (and Hydroguy's) is to always get FP first thing on your way into the parks. That way your second one is available usually by 35-45 minutes after the hour...

I'm using RideMax to help plan my trip to WDW this summer, and I also noticed how RideMax doesn't maximize the use of FastPass. For example, in Epcot RideMax first has you riding "Living with the Land," and then has you getting a FP for Soarin'. IMO this doesn't make any sense. But an experienced DISer or TGMer knows to get the FP first.

JMHO RideMax is really helpful to somehow who is not familiar with Disney parks. Although RideMax isn't perfect, for $15 (for 3 months) a newbie can get a very good itinerary. Hopefully the newbie won't be bouncing around the park too much.

For someone who is experienced with TourGuideMike (for WDW), IMO RideMax can still be helpful, but it isn't needed as much. Most of TGM's advice for the MK will also be very helpful for visiting DL. And at TGM, Bret has a thread about touring DL and DCA that is very helpful!

GEEK ALERT!
In addition to using RideMax to make an itinerary, you can also use it to learn the wait times at DL/DCA. For example, if you're trying to figure out a good time to see Jungle Cruise, you can enter a time period of, say, 2 hours (8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.) and enter Jungle Cruise 3 times (3 is the minimum number of rides required by RideMax). RideMax will show the wait times for Jungle Cruise throughout those 2 hours, etc. You can do this with other rides to find out at what time the lines start to get long, etc.

HTH

 

[j_lehr]

j_lehr, I think that going to the earliest Magic Morning possible will be good for you, b/c you'll be as close as possible to east coast time. So what's really early for those from the west coast will be hours later for you.

So true, I didn't even think about the time change. Thanks for the great tip. This will be so important since I am NOT a morning person by any stretch of the imagination!

Musta been something about '05! (which is weird since wasn't that the 50th? we barely knew it was the 50th, we were just visiting my brother and went to Disneyland!)

That is really weird! I didn't realize it was the 50th either!

 

[j_lehr]

Thanks for all the replies!

S S Columbia - Would you say that Bret's ariticle is similar to Hydroguy's articles? My TGM membership has already expired from my March trip to WDW. Do you know if you still access the forums once your WDW trip is over?

I pretty much know TGM inside out since I have used him several times. I will definitely incorporate his methods when using ridemax.

Thanks again for all the advice!
Jes

 

[tofubeast]

I just meant that often, when I was making plans with Ridemax, it would have us go on a ride or even two at opening, before sending a runner for the first FP. Our rule (and Hydroguy's) is to always get FP first thing on your way into the parks. That way your second one is available usually by 35-45 minutes after the hour.

You're right that they do assume that you will have the first few FPs available in under the 2-hour time limit.

Also, when scheduling a ride more than once, they had me going on it multiple times right in a row. Instead of scheduling one in the morning, one in the evening, etc.

I do think Ridemax is a good way to go, but I think it can be improved upon in a few ways.

I guess I have not encountered that because I have been making plans in small doses.... ie morning, afternoon and evening all separate. I actually recommend this for anyone using ridemax rather than just having a plan that goes from the beginning of the day to the end. So it has actually separated out rides I want to do more than once (even within the same plan) and one does show me getting a FP first thing. But it is a good point to factor in the great tips from HydroGuy to maximize the plan to its fullest potential! Now I just have to make sure DH sticks to it! I keep promising him that while it might look "a bit much," it will all be worth it in the end!

 

[mnmrmustard]

"It was a Sunday in August 2005 and we literally had the parks to ourselves. I don't know how we got so lucky but I realize that is not the norm."

We went on a weekday in September of '05, and it was looking bleak and then a COLD rainstorm started, and everyone left. Had the parks to ourselves until well after noon.

Musta been something about '05! (which is weird since wasn't that the 50th? we barely knew it was the 50th, we were just visiting my brother and went to Disneyland!)

LOL, yes - something about '05 for sure! We went in January of '05 and other than dealing with a little rain we had a great time with the longest ride wait being under 10 minutes. We rode Matterhorn 4 times, PotC 6 times, ToT 5 times, and everything else at least twice. Only downside was that California Screamin' was shut down.

Thanks all for the further info on Ridemax all - when we get closer to our trip we'll sign up for it

 

[kc10family]

where do I find the link to ridemax?

 

[DangerMouse]

where do I find the link to ridemax?

www.ridemax.com

 

[kc10family]

Thank you Danger Mouse

I am still not sure this is worth it.

We never know when the kids will be up and what they will "HAVE TO" do in the park that day. But I guess if we make a schedule it should work out.

 

[j_lehr]

WOW, your daughter is a pretty good singer for being 5! Does she compete?

Thank you Danger Mouse

I am still not sure this is worth it.

We never know when the kids will be up and what they will "HAVE TO" do in the park that day. But I guess if we make a schedule it should work out.

 

[kc10family]

WOW, your daughter is a pretty good singer for being 5! Does she compete?

Thank you very much, she loves to sing and does it ALL the time (sometimes when we need it quiet )

She does compete in local things and has been invited to the International Performing Arts Conference in Hollywood in a few weeks. We are all so excited and can't wait to see what is in store for her.
And because we will only be 1/2 hour from DL we had to add on a short trip to visit the mouse. We don't go in the summer due to crowds so this will be strange for us. But we just can't drive all that way and not stop in.
Again thank you for your kind words, I will pass it on to her.