Ride Max Question?

[Bethmsu]

My sister and I are headed to Disneyland in a few weeks, 2 days (one for each park) and I was wondering if anyone has used and can share their thoughts on ridemax.

We will be going on a Thursday (D-Land) and Friday (DCA). I normally would just use fastpass but since it is spring break I don't know....

THANKS!

 

[Hound 109]

Are you unable to ParkHop?

I've heard Ride Max is good, but haven't used it yet. Hopefully someone else will offer an opinion.

Have fun.

 

[DangerMouse]

I definitely recommend ridemax for busy times like Spring Break. It will really help you accomplish all you want during those two days. And remember that ridemax has a 100% money back guarantee. You have nothing to loose, except time spent in line!

 

[tinkerbellmom1]

I'm interested in hearing the replies as well. We'll be in DL during our spring break and I wondered if Ridemax would be worth a try. We went last year at the same time and just enjoyed being there, waits and all!

 

[21yankees]

I love Ridemax. I took my 3 kids last year over spring break and we used Ridemax for all 3 days. I couldn't believe how many of the rides we were able to get in as well as the rest times they needed and meals as well.

Steph

 

[tinkerbellmom1]

Thanks for the info! We'll have 4 kids- 9, 11, 14, and 15! Those kiddos need rest time, too!

We are really familiar with both parks and we get great use of the fast passes-would you still recommend it for us?

 

[nutshell]

Absolutely use RideMax - even if you're familiar with the fastpasses. RideMax will guide you to the rides and fastpasses at the most opportune times to maximize efficiency.

 

[HydroGuy]

Here are my thoughts on RM:

"RideMax Critique Plus Conventional and Unconventional Usage on August 1-4 Trip" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885134

 

[Bethmsu]

Thanks everyone I am going to look into it! Sounds like it will allow us to make th most of our trip.

 

[Hound 109]

Thanks everyone I am going to look into it! Sounds like it will allow us to make th most of our trip.

Will you have Park Hoppers for the two days you're there?

 

[Bethmsu]

I am not sure about the park hopper, I mean I was thinking we didn't really need it but I also think its little or no extra money for us. Why? Is there some super secret park hop way to save time?

 

[Spokker]

I personally dislike RideMax. With a little research and preparation you can do whatever RideMax does yourself.

And there is something to be said for planning TOO much. By scheduling your day right down to the minute you can make your visit more stressful especially if you fall behind on your arbitrary and useless itinerary. I can't imagine how much more fun someone using RideMax has over someone who meanders around the park without a care in the world.

The best advice I can give for a trip to Disneyland is to get there 30 minutes before opening and explore, explore, explore. Sure, have a general idea in your head of what you want to do (ride rides, fireworks at 9:25, go home at midnight, etc.) You don't need RideMax.

Did people who went to Disneyland 40 years ago have less fun than people who go with a RideMax printout? I don't think so.

 

[nutshell]

I personally dislike RideMax. With a little research and preparation you can do whatever RideMax does yourself.

And there is something to be said for planning TOO much. By scheduling your day right down to the minute you can make your visit more stressful especially if you fall behind on your arbitrary and useless itinerary. I can't imagine how much more fun someone using RideMax has over someone who meanders around the park without a care in the world.

The best advice I can give for a trip to Disneyland is to get there 30 minutes before opening and explore, explore, explore. Sure, have a general idea in your head of what you want to do (ride rides, fireworks at 9:25, go home at midnight, etc.) You don't need RideMax.

Did people who went to Disneyland 40 years ago have less fun than people who go with a RideMax printout? I don't think so.

I used to wait in line for an hour on the big rides. Now I never wait more than 20 minutes.

 

[Spokker]

I used to wait in line for an hour on the big rides. Now I never wait more than 20 minutes.

Same here, and I don't use RideMax.

I think there's only a few simple strategies you need to keep in mind during the course of a full-day trip to Disneyland.

1) Get to the park at least 30 minutes before opening. The first couple of hours of the day will be an opportunity to quickly get on popular rides without waiting.

2) Try to get into a rhythm of getting a Fastpass, experiencing one or two less popular rides without Fastpass or see a show, and once your return window opens up for the first Fastpass, get another one from a Fastpass-enabled ride in the area, THEN use your first Fastpass. If your return window is much later, then you can get always get another Fastpass after two hours.

Here's a real-life example.

1) Get Fastpass for Space Mountain (assume the return window is only two hours away)
2) Go ride Star Tours, see HISTA, or explore Innoventions or something. Matterhorn is also close by.
3) Your Space Mountain Fastpass Return window has opened up
4) Get a Fastpass for Buzz
5) Go on Space Mountain
6) Move on to another land

And the most important rule is, 3) go at a pace that's right for you. People tend to give advice that is right for them. If running back and forth between Fastpass machines is a pain, then don't do it. Your vacation is what you make of it.

Personally, I believe Fastpass has made the Disney experience more complicated than it has to be. When I explain the ins and outs of Fastpass to a first-time or infrequent visitor it's like explaining the United States Tax Code. Unfortunately with Fastpass, if you don't use it, you tend to miss out. The whole reason Fastpass works is because there are people who don't use it. If everybody used it to its full potential then the system would break down and be useless.

 

[Hound 109]

I am not sure about the park hopper, I mean I was thinking we didn't really need it but I also think its little or no extra money for us. Why? Is there some super secret park hop way to save time?

I asked because i think there are "local" tickets offered that are one park on one day & the other park on a another day.

If you're not a local, get the park hoppers.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961

It's not a secret, but most here would agree that the most efficient way to generally tour is:

- Arrive at DL 30 min. before opening. (or MM opening if you have it)
- Tour effieciently the first 2-4 hours while picking up 2-5 FPs for the evening.
- Hop to DCA for 2-4 hours.
- Take a rest. (or not)
- Back to DL in the evening (with 2-5 FPs in your pocket).

Read all of HydroGuy's Tip Threads for excellent detailed info.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

Have fun.

 

[Hound 109]

My 3 cents.

There are different types of Disney visitors.

1 - Anal planners.

2 - Planners who want some/most days kind of planned out (for sure the highlights).

3 - Go with the flow types (who don't want one thing planned except their dinner reservaton). (My wife....her eyes glaze over when i discuss the importance picking up the Indy FP before we hop on Jungle Cruise...not after & 20 other one sided convo's. .

4 - Clueless visitors. (God love them...the ones who are waiting 55 min. to ride Big Thunder at 8:12pm)...while you stroll up with your FP & wait 4 minutes.

5 - Probably others.

There are also ALOT of WDW folks who post here for specific info (who are used to knowning the lay of the land at WDW). & most of those fall into the first three groups of visitors.

I am half way between 1 & 2. I want my first 2 hours "planned out" & then i have a general plan that is flexible & can change.

imo, folks who fall into the first 2 categories will want to have a general plan (or will have studied enough that they're comfortable not having a plan). If i had posted requests for specific info prior to coming to DLR the first time & people had responded to me to "go with the flow"....."just stroll in & smell the roses", my head would have exploded.

I want to know if i should hit Dumbo or PP first. I want to know which Aladdin show to go to. A few other thoughts below:

And there is something to be said for planning TOO much. By scheduling your day right down to the minute you can make your visit more stressful especially if you fall behind on your arbitrary and useless itinerary.

AGREED. BUT HAVING A "GENERAL PLAN" WORKS BEST FOR ME.

The best advice I can give for a trip to Disneyland is to get there 30 minutes before opening and explore, explore, explore. Sure, have a general idea in your head of what you want to do (ride rides, fireworks at 9:25, go home at midnight, etc.)

WITHOUT A PLAN??

Did people who went to Disneyland 40 years ago have less fun than people who go with a RideMax printout? I don't think so.

I WAS AT DL 40 YEARS AGO (MANY TIMES) WITH MY "GO WITH THE FLOW" MOTHER. HOUR LONG LINES AT MATTERHORN, 45 MIN. AT THE CAROUSEL. RIDING MAYBE 6-7 RIDES IN A DAY.

I (& MY FAMILY) HAVE A MUCH BETTER TIME NOW (WITH NO WAIT ON FL RIDES, RIDING 25-30 RIDES A DAY & WITH FPs IN MY POCKET FOR THE EVENING).

I don't have an opinion on RideMax, & I realize 4 out of 10 folks here don't want a plan (& thankfully lots of non-dissers who visit DLR are clueless). But a plan for the first 2 hours & a general (flexible) plan for the rest of the day works best for my family & allows us to zig when others zag.

 

[Spokker]

I don't have an opinion on RideMax, & I realize 4 out of 10 folks here don't want a plan (& thankfully lots of non-dissers who visit DLR are clueless).

See, this is what I'm talking about. The playing field is too heavily stacked against first-time or infrequent visitors and "know it alls" like you and I tend to understand the ins and outs of something like Fastpass and use it to its maximum potential.

The first-time visitor doesn't know that the return window isn't strictly enforced. They don't know that Roger Rabbit is "off the network". There are people who are unwilling or physically unable to run between Fastpass machines in order to do the most they possibly can in a day.

Before Fastpass it was a more even playing field. You got in line and waited the posted amount of time. With Fastpass, you do get on many more rides in a day, only because other people get on less rides. Remember, Fastpass doesn't add capacity. They can't run more people through Space Mountain today than they did before Fastpass. It only shifts where those crowds are.

I would be in complete support of getting rid of Fastpass for that and various other reasons.

 

[Hound 109]

See, this is what I'm talking about. The playing field is too heavily stacked against first-time or infrequent visitors and "know it alls" like you and I tend to understand the ins and outs of something like Fastpass and use it to its maximum potential.

Unless the first timer does a little research. Then he/she's on that same playing field.

When i go skiing, i know to get there early (like most things)....& i know (look on the internet) what lifts get crowded when & what to enjoy & what to avoid. When i go out to dinner, i avoid Fridays & Saturdays between 7 & 8pm. Maybe clueless is a harsh term, but I don't feel "sorry" for folks who stroll into DL at 11am on a Sat. & then complain how crowded it is (when I've been in DL for 3 hours & have 4 FPs in my pocket for later touring).

One can become a "know it all" by reading HG's tips & spending a few hours reading posts. (& imo they'll enjoy the park more) & it will save them from standing in long lines & learning how to use FP isn't brain surgery...after reading up & spending a day in the park....one goes "ahhh....so that's how it works.

The first-time visitor doesn't know that the return window isn't strictly enforced. They don't know that Roger Rabbit is "off the network". There are people who are unwilling or physically unable to run between Fastpass machines in order to do the most they possibly can in a day.

We both know that one doesn't have to "run" across the park (to often) for FP pickup, especially early in the morning & especially if one plans a little the first couple of hours. Perhaps a little extra walking for one person (me in my family)....but oh so worth it.

The "disconnected" aspect of RR & Griz are nice to know, but aren't big deals. Picking up 3-5 DL FPs early on a Weekend (or Summer) morning are big deals.

Before Fastpass it was a more even playing field. You got in line and waited the posted amount of time. With Fastpass, you do get on many more rides in a day, only because other people get on less rides. Remember, Fastpass doesn't add capacity. They can't run more people through Space Mountain today than they did before Fastpass. It only shifts where those crowds are.

I would be in complete support of getting rid of Fastpass for that and various other reasons

But it kind of defeats the purpose of posting on the Dis for "inside tips" if there aren't as many. If they "did away" with FPs i wouldn't have as much fun, thus i don't support it. I'd still go, (& it would be even MORE important to get there early)..... but I wouldn't enjoy DLR as much.

hound -

 

[HydroGuy]

See, this is what I'm talking about. The playing field is too heavily stacked against first-time or infrequent visitors and "know it alls" like you and I tend to understand the ins and outs of something like Fastpass and use it to its maximum potential.

The first-time visitor doesn't know that the return window isn't strictly enforced. They don't know that Roger Rabbit is "off the network". There are people who are unwilling or physically unable to run between Fastpass machines in order to do the most they possibly can in a day.

Before Fastpass it was a more even playing field. You got in line and waited the posted amount of time. With Fastpass, you do get on many more rides in a day, only because other people get on less rides. Remember, Fastpass doesn't add capacity. They can't run more people through Space Mountain today than they did before Fastpass. It only shifts where those crowds are.

I would be in complete support of getting rid of Fastpass for that and various other reasons.

With Ridemax, for $15 and very little time investment someone can get 90% of the knowledge we toss around here related to touring, FP, early arrival, etc., embedded into a touring plan. If you want to think of it that way, RideMax levels the playing field. And for a heck of a lot less investement than many of us make here on these boards.

I agree with Hound as usual. There are lots of different tips we use to improve our experience at DLR. 95% of the population is not interested. No matter what happens and the advice to the contrary, they will never show up early at the parks.

Valid or not, a lot of people around here look to me as an "expert" on DLR touring. I have a sister with kids who love Disney and visit on occasion. With HydroGuy as her brother who casually gives her tips and can explain to her all of the "HydroGuy rules" and tips, what does she do? She arrives at DLR after the parks open, has never learned how to use FP and waits for 2 hours in the standby line to ride Space Mtn. She has a college degree, is a professional and is of sound mind and body. She is just not interested in doing the things that many of us here on DIS do. I do not think any less of her, I just know that most people "want to be spontaneous" and that is what they do. And they spontaneously wait in two hour lines. People like us on DIS and people like that will never have a "level playing field" - unless you take away our computers.

 

[Dobie]

See, this is what I'm talking about. The playing field is too heavily stacked against first-time or infrequent visitors and "know it alls" like you and I tend to understand the ins and outs of something like Fastpass and use it to its maximum potential.

The first-time visitor doesn't know that the return window isn't strictly enforced. They don't know that Roger Rabbit is "off the network". There are people who are unwilling or physically unable to run between Fastpass machines in order to do the most they possibly can in a day.

Before Fastpass it was a more even playing field. You got in line and waited the posted amount of time. With Fastpass, you do get on many more rides in a day, only because other people get on less rides. Remember, Fastpass doesn't add capacity. They can't run more people through Space Mountain today than they did before Fastpass. It only shifts where those crowds are.

I would be in complete support of getting rid of Fastpass for that and various other reasons.

The decked is "stacked" only to the extent that knowledge is power. Thanks to guidebooks and the internet, knowledge that used to be available only to locals or well heeled frequent travelers is now freely available to all.

And if you can read this posting, thank a teacher. . .