Ride Max Question?

[Spokker]

And wait...people sell their home movies???!? what?!?!??

Yeah, I've seen Google Ads for it on various Disney fan sites. Even if they don't make a lot or any money from it, it's still kind of silly considering almost everyone has broadband these days and people release their own videos to the community at no charge. I have high definition videos of the fireworks, Alice, Splash Mountain (they must have been really brave to take that expensive camera on Splash), and more thanks to some great people who take the time to do stuff like that for Disney fandom.

 

[Quest4fun]

Geesh! This is not the usual disboard disney loving warm and fuzzy discussion that I am used to...

Anyhoo, about the teacher thing, I think everyone probably has at least one teacher to thank for something

I saw several comments about RideMax making money for Disney?? I thought RideMax was a program written and developed by a Dad that wanted to improve the disney experience for his family, and then went public with it??

Honestly, at the price they sell it for, it could not be owned by Disney. They would surely charge more

My last trip, I read the boards, bought Ridemax and had a fabulous trip with tons more rides, shows, and good food than my previous uninformed trip two years previous. But, I also had a wonderful trip that time too. I was blissfully unaware of what could have been.

I believe there is a disney experience for everyone, and I am okay if everyone does it thier way (except my husband, who has to do it my way!)

I was unaware that Ridemax was thought up by somebody else. It seemed like something that Disney would come up with honestly because most people can do without it. It's a good idea for a money maker but I think it benefits the creater more than the customer. The information is available anywhere and can be acquired easily.

I'd be more than happy to plan out a day for anybody wanting to go on as much as possible. I'll even do it for free.

 

[Bethmsu]

Thanks to everyone who posted. I went ahead and bought ridemax and here is why.

1) I consider myself a WDW expert, that being said I know a lot less about DLR. So I can use the help.

2) My sister is coming just this once to visit me at school where I will be leaving in a few months. I currently live right near DLR so it is kind of our "one chance" to go, we will most likely not come back for a long time, or ever seeing as WDW is closer.

3) We only have 2 days to expereience the parks all things considered. We don't want to miss things and we have to go during a busy time!

4) We are planning on using it for 1/2 day plan, leaving our evenings (after a rest break) free to explore and enjoy at our own pace.

5) I decided rather than standing in the hub wondering whether to go to Space or Splash mountain, wishing I had a clue which line was better I would buy it. That way I wouldn't wonder...what if?

6) I can get my money back if we don't like it.

Thanks for everyone who highlighted these facts and shared their thought and experiences. And good luck for the rest of the people who are trying to decide on a touring plan. I will be sure to post my results!!!

 

[Spokker]

The Nintendo DS program at Disney World should make RideMax obsolete for those who choose to use it. I hope it's "competitively priced" which basically means I hope it's not a total rip off.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

The Nintendo DS program at Disney World should make RideMax obsolete for those who choose to use it. I hope it's "competitively priced" which basically means I hope it's not a total rip off.

What's the nintendo DS program? Is it a game you buy or is it wi-fi? How do you get it to come up on your DS, do you know?

Although I totally BAN video games from vacations! ('cept the plane ride!)So I seriously doubt we'd use it on our WDW trip in November.

Would the DS be available to rent for those that don't own one? 'Cuz buying a DS is more expensive than years of Ridemax.

 

[Spokker]

Would the DS be available to rent for those that don't own one? 'Cuz buying a DS is more expensive than years of Ridemax.

Well, it would be useful to people who already have a DS, which means everybody everywhere according to their sales figures.

It's a program you put on your DS and it shows you the wait times for rides in real time, as well as the current Fastpass return windows.

They tested it recently: http://forums.wdw*magic.com/showpost.php?p=2687886&postcount=95

Remove the * between wdw and magic

Sorry that they censor links to other web sites with interesting information you'd like to know.

 

[sandymandr]

Thanks to everyone who posted. I went ahead and bought ridemax and here is why.

1) I consider myself a WDW expert, that being said I know a lot less about DLR. So I can use the help.

2) My sister is coming just this once to visit me at school where I will be leaving in a few months. I currently live right near DLR so it is kind of our "one chance" to go, we will most likely not come back for a long time, or ever seeing as WDW is closer.

3) We only have 2 days to expereience the parks all things considered. We don't want to miss things and we have to go during a busy time!

4) We are planning on using it for 1/2 day plan, leaving our evenings (after a rest break) free to explore and enjoy at our own pace.

5) I decided rather than standing in the hub wondering whether to go to Space or Splash mountain, wishing I had a clue which line was better I would buy it. That way I wouldn't wonder...what if?

6) I can get my money back if we don't like it.

Thanks for everyone who highlighted these facts and shared their thought and experiences. And good luck for the rest of the people who are trying to decide on a touring plan. I will be sure to post my results!!!

Congratulations, I came to the same decision as you and will be using ridemax. Also, I think you should get the hoppers if not too much extra $$ for the simple fact of park hours....DL opens earlier and stay open later, so you can do DCA in the afternoons when DL is at its busiest, then go back to DL to close down the park.
I decided to try ridemax, but I have also read the DIS boards and asked TONS of questions to the great folks here on the DIS, so I will incorporate that into my use of ridemax.....and I will use it as a general guide. I printed my first version and thought some of the suggestions seemed out of order or just plain wrong, so I kept tweking it until I got something that I liked. I have also read the UOG (which I didn't really like). Anyway, I know you will have fun!! We'll be there in just a few weeks

 

[HydroGuy]

I was unaware that Ridemax was thought up by somebody else. It seemed like something that Disney would come up with honestly because most people can do without it.

The author is Mark Winters formerly of Utah and who now lives in Orlando with his family. He used to be a computer programmer for Novell in Utah and developed RideMax as a hobby which later became a full time business. He is a cool guy too. I have never met him but have had e-mail correspondence many times with him.

It's a good idea for a money maker but I think it benefits the creater more than the customer. The information is available anywhere and can be acquired easily.

If you have not used RideMax (RM) then you just do not know what you are talking about here Quest. Sorry for being blunt, and nothing personal , but what you said here is just not true.

First, the RM people have taken time to gather wait time statistics for the various rides throughout the year. DLR has 65-70 rides. Their wait time statistics are included in the software.

Second, the RM people have taken time to gather walking time data between various rides. Maybe easier to get than wait time data, but not for someone from the UK (for example) who has never been to DLR. The RM walking time data is included in the software.

Third, the RM people have taken time to gather Fastpass (FP) data. When they run out on different days, when the return windows are, etc. The FP data is included in the software.

Fourth, the RM people know how to "tweak" data for MM days, TTMM days, Grad Night days, special event days, etc., and how to adjust their data when new wrinkles are introduced like Nemo Subs, POTC refurbs, Tom Sawyer Island refurbs, etc.

Fifth, the RM people have developed optimization algorithms to sort through the different ride combinations. As a professional myself who works in the field of numerical optimization, I know how the number of potential combinations quickly becomes astronomically large. Like trillions or quadrillions or more. The optimization algorithms are included in the software.

Where is the wait time data "available anywhere" posted or published? Where is the walking time data "available anywhere" posted or published? Where is FP collection and return window data "available anywhere" posted or published? I have looked far and wide and RideMax is the only place I have ever seen such data made available. For WDW the Unofficial Guide folks have that data but only make it partially available.

I'd be more than happy to plan out a day for anybody wanting to go on as much as possible. I'll even do it for free.

I would issue you a challenge. Select a busy day at DL. Choose 30 rides. Then you plan out an itinerary and then let RM make their plan. Then have two people follow each plan and time how long they wait in line and how much walking they do. If you beat or do equally well as RideMax then I will believe you - and buy you a nice dinner . Until then, I don't believe you. And it is not because I doubt your abilities and knowledge which I am sure is vast. It is because I regularly see how optimization algorithms can outperform humans on these types of problems.

Heck last year we were working with a major oil company who had designed a pipeline using their best designers. We used optimization algorithms to show how they could combine their design elements differently and save $100 million (on a $900 million pipeline). They were floored. These were world class pipeline designers with vast experience and they overlooked $100 million in opportunity. Happens all the time. It is the exact type of thing where computers excel.

 

[HydroGuy]

What is ridemax?? Is it similar to tourguidemike?

RideMax is a software program which creates optimized itineraries for you at DLR and WDW parks. You choose the rides and it tells you what order to go on them and at what times. All to minimize waiting in line.

It is not really similar to TGM at all IMO. TGM helps customers put together an overall plan for their WDW vacation. They do have sample touring plans you can use and adjust.

RideMax is focused solely on rides and touring plans.

See www.ridemax.com.

 

[HydroGuy]

Since those degrees do not relate in any way shape or form to the Fast Pass system I can understand how they don't help with their comprehension.

I congratulate them for their accomplishments at Duke. Perhaps they should have picked a different field of learning to help comprehend the following.

Fastpasses work as follows.

Fastpass tickets are dispensed by machines outside of each attraction that uses them. The guest inserts his/her park ticket or annual pass into a reader on the machine. The machine then returns a Fastpass ticket. This ticket will show the time at which the guest may enter the special priority line for that attraction which is clearly marked as Fastpass Return. The time period given is normally one hour for rides, and 15 minutes for theatrical presentations though you can use your ticket at any time after the window for most attractions. It will also show when another Fastpass can be obtained. You will typically be restricted from obtaining another Fastpass until the current Fastpass in your posession matures. This time is conveniently marked at the bottom of the ticket and is stated as follows: "Another Fastpass will be available after HH:MM am/pm."

In normal practice, only one Fastpass ticket can be held at a time. Another Fastpass ticket can be obtained either at the start of the current Fastpass ticket's return time or after two hours, whichever is earlier. If a guest attempts to obtain another Fastpass before these times, an informational ticket will be printed indicating when the next Fastpass ticket can be obtained.

I'm sure I can find the instructions in French which may make them slightly clearer. I can also obtain a technical schematics of the machines themselves and how they're networked to a central server so it makes more sense to those with an engineering degree. Legal statements pertaining to operational procedures can be acquired at City Hall or via Disney's legal department if the required documents are not available at City Hall.

I can understand how the simplicity of the system can be overwhelming to a highly educated person. There is usually a child or two near the machines who will be glad to show them how to put their ticket into the machine and receive their voucher. They can also point out the time stamp on the voucher so they know when they can get a new one. Cast Members are also nearby to explain the cryptic messages.

Good luck.

Here is an example to study.

Quest, Bumber's point was not that FP requires a high education. It was that many, many highly educated people do not know how to use it. And I agree with her 100%.

If that is true, and I think it is, then the issues with FP usage have little or nothing to do with education and everything to do with human nature. To say it is easy and everyone can and should use it is true. To say that DLR clearly explains how to use FP on their park maps is true and so everyone should be able to use it. To look at the vast ignorance out there on this topic among people of all ages and all educational levels points to something different. Maybe it is because people are apathetic. Maybe it is because they think they are "on vacation at Disney" and do not want to use their brains while at DLR. Maybe they are intimidated by the FP machines. I do not know. But saying over and over again that it is easy and explaining how easy it is misses the point that people are confused by it for reasons other than it's difficulty level (or lack thereof).

 

[Hound 109]

I would issue you a challenge. Select a busy day at DL. Choose 30 rides. Then you plan out an itinerary and then let RM make their plan. Then have two people follow each plan and time how long they wait in line and how much walking they do. If you beat or do equally well as RideMax then I will believe you - and buy you a nice dinner . Until then, I don't believe you. And it is not because I doubt your abilities and knowledge which I am sure is vast. It is because I regularly see how optimization algorithms can outperform humans on these types of problems.

I'll volunteer to guinea pig on either plan if HG or Quest are buying park hoppers & dole whip floats.


I love posts like these.....algorythems, quantum theorys, two heavyweights tossing out info that i'll never be able to understand.

But i love it when inside stuff is thoroughly discussed.

 

[HydroGuy]

I wish I had the time to challenge somebody with RideMax to see who can get on more rides in a day, me or someone with RideMax.

With 30 rides on a busy day? I doubt that very much.

Seriously, I just don't see how the software makes a day at Disneyland any better. A little research goes a long way, and it's much more fun than running a program and having it tell you what to do.

And some people do not have the interest or time to "do a little research". Are they out of luck?

Another thing I dislike about RideMax is that they are basically charging for information that you can get for free from communities like this. I really hate it when these so-called "experts" charge for their services. They are leeches, and I would be happy to help anybody with their vacation simply out of the kindness of my heart and my love for Disney parks.

RideMax does not charge for information you can get for free. I know of no other place than RideMax where one can get wait time data (hard numbers in minutes - not "short, medium or long lines") for different days of the week, days of the year, etc. Do you? Where?

If you are willing to help people then you should have started your own business. You didn't. They did.

People who sit on the sidelines and complain about other people who are actually doing something never fail to amaze me.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

What is ridemax?? Is it similar to tourguidemike?

Yep! It's available for both WDW and DLR.

JMHO, I haven't seen anything like Tour Guide Mike (TGM) for DLR.

TGM's web-site is loaded with all kinds of information (for WDW!) – hotel reviews (with photos), dining suggestions (best times to make ADRs), ride/attraction reviews (with photos, helpful hints – and zero spoilers ), itinerary suggestions, touring advice, gazillions of resort activities, etc. TGM's touring advice doesn't have any minute-by-minute touring itineraries. Instead, he recommends certain rides/attractions and he suggests the best way to go about seeing them. TGM gives many suggestions to have an enjoyable WDW resort experience, and he wants you to not get overwhelmed or worn out during your vacation. TGM is only $19 (you save $3) if you link to it from the DIS ((WDW) Theme Park Attractions and Strategies).

JMHO, for DLR, the best touring advice and most helpful DLR information is the HydroGuy Tips Compilation.

Ridemax.com costs $15 (for 3 months) or $25/year for DLR, and it costs $17 and $27, respectively, for WDW. Ridemax isn't comprehensive like TGM. Ridemax provides minute-by-minute itineraries (for DL and DCA, and also the WDW parks) -- based on the rides/attractions that you input into the program -- and it also has some general advice about touring and suggested viewing spots for parades and fireworks.

For me, personally, I like to use Ridemax for the first 2 to 3 hours. JMHO, it's those couple of hours when a good plan is most helpful.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

I'm am 99% sure that I've been on 30 attractions in one busy day. Without the use of ridemax.

And all the things (with the exception of the alogorithms junk...which I just skipped over) are things that I could've found out by doing my own research when I lived in Orange. If I'd known people were that interested in that stuff I seriously could've gone over there EVERY single day and written down statistics. And guess what...I wouldn't have charged money for that info. I would have put it up for everyone to see. I would have done it beacuse I find statistics to be interesting. I would not have done it for a profit. But hey...that's just me...and I don't need the money.

If I ever live in southern california again (YUCK...I won't!) I'll work on some statistics for you.

 

[Quest4fun]

I would be more than happy to provide people with hard numbers absolutely free. No software necessary. I'm actually tempted to write a basic app that plots these out. Perhaps I'll find some time. I'll post it here for free when I'm done.

I'd love to challenge Ridemax as well. I've mastered the seat of your pants experience at the parks and see as much as the hours in a day allows. I prefer to "feel out" the park that day since ride times can only be speculated ahead of time. Once you're there you can simply use the resources at hand to make the most of your day.

 

[tortugaverde]

Quest4fun (love the name and pic by the way...), if you write up a touring guide, I would be more than willing to try it out over spring break!

I am too cheap to pay $15 buck to RM

 

[HydroGuy]

I'm am 99% sure that I've been on 30 attractions in one busy day. Without the use of ridemax.

And all the things (with the exception of the alogorithms junk...which I just skipped over) are things that I could've found out by doing my own research when I lived in Orange. If I'd known people were that interested in that stuff I seriously could've gone over there EVERY single day and written down statistics. And guess what...I wouldn't have charged money for that info. I would have put it up for everyone to see. I would have done it beacuse I find statistics to be interesting. I would not have done it for a profit. But hey...that's just me...and I don't need the money.

If I ever live in southern california again (YUCK...I won't!) I'll work on some statistics for you.

Since you seem to think algorithms are "junk" and you skip over algorithm discussions you should be careful making statements about them.

And the things you found out on your own, could you have done that for $15 worth of expenses and time (the cost of a RideMax subscription).

People who could manufacture their own automobile from scratch may say that buying a new car is a waste of money. But if they tried to build said car it would cost much more than a new car. That is why people buy their cars rather than build them from scratch.

I am not saying RideMax is for you. It obviously isn't. But not everyone has the time, resources and interest you have and many others here on DIS have. Ridemax is for those people.

 

[HydroGuy]

I would be more than happy to provide people with hard numbers absolutely free. No software necessary. I'm actually tempted to write a basic app that plots these out. Perhaps I'll find some time. I'll post it here for free when I'm done.

I'd love to challenge Ridemax as well. I've mastered the seat of your pants experience at the parks and see as much as the hours in a day allows. I prefer to "feel out" the park that day since ride times can only be speculated ahead of time. Once you're there you can simply use the resources at hand to make the most of your day.

I missed the part where you show where the data is available anywhere.

FWIW, I am not saying that a RideMax itinerary allows a person to get on more rides than a seasoned pro like yourself. That is why I rarely use RM myself - as I know I can get more done and have more fun without following RM. But that is because I am not trying to experience a fixed list of rides or follow a specific itinerary. If I was then I know from experience that RM would shorten my wait times.

What I am saying is that RideMax will allow a person to get a fixed list of rides done in less time than a seasoned pro - especially if the list of fixed rides is large (which is why I chose 30 rides).

On our last summer trip we toyed with the idea of trying to ride all the DL rides in a single day. There are about 42-44 of them. We decided not to partly because the Nemo subs made it very difficult. The only way I saw to get in all the rides was to get in line for Nemo at 11:59PM and then wait two hours to ride it. We would thus be at DL from 7AM until 2AM and that did not sound like fun to us and would ruin our next day at DLR.

If we do ever decide to do all the DL rides in a day I will use RideMax for sure.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

Since you seem to think algorithms are "junk" and you skip over algorithm discussions you should be careful making statements about them.

And the things you found out on your own, could you have done that for $15 worth of expenses and time (the cost of a RideMax subscription).

People who could manufacture their own automobile from scratch may say that buying a new car is a waste of money. But if they tried to build said car it would cost much more than a new car. That is why people buy their cars rather than build them from scratch.

I am not saying RideMax is for you. It obviously isn't. But not everyone has the time, resources and interest you have and many others here on DIS have. Ridemax is for those people.

i didn't say that algorithms were junk. i just said i skipped over the algorithm junk of of you post.

first of all...all of the things i've found out in the parks has been FUN. spending $15 and having someone else find it out for me would not be fun.

and the cost of finding all of those things out....has been $0.

 

[HydroGuy]

i didn't say that algorithms were junk. i just said i skipped over the algorithm junk of of you post.

first of all...all of the things i've found out in the parks has been FUN. spending $15 and having someone else find it out for me would not be fun.

and the cost of finding all of those things out....has been $0.

Not sure how you did it for $0. For me to find out about touring DLR I had to buy tickets to the park and visit many times. I am sure it cost many thousands of dollars over my lifetime. And for me it too was fun - for the most part. The parts where I stood in long lines were kind of fun, but not as much fun as I have now when I avoid those lines and get on more rides.

But where does that leave us with a person (maybe like the OP) who does not think it is fun finding out all these things at the park and does not think the cost of finding them out is zero? Perhaps said person is visiting DLR for the first and only time in their life and they want to get on all the rides? Perhaps said person does not want to spend the many hours needed to troll Disney forums to learn or many hours to read guide books. Perhaps said person has young children who will melt down in fits if they spend too much time waiting in lines with the sun shining on them and make their trip not fun at all. Perhaps said person would rather plunk down $15 (while they are already paying $2000 - or more - for their family to visit DLR) and have an itinerary print out for them which will help them avoid those lines.