Ridemax in May?

[gowensby]

I'm leaving on Monday for my first trip to DLR. I'll have three days to tour (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) In your opinion, should I purchase Ridemax? Will crowds be maneagable without the software's plan?

I am a Type A personality and had planned on using the Unofficial Guide's touring plans.

Thanks!

 

[PinkBudgie]

I haven't used Ridemax yet but plan to in June. But from what I can tell the Ridemax plans sound more detailed and customized as compared to the UOG to DLR book. Those plans never change for days or time of year. Someone was just saying on another thread that they just used Ridemax there and liked it. Sounds like it would be worth a try, especially for someone with a type A personality.

 

[Leofoenget]

I'm leaving on Monday for my first trip to DLR. I'll have three days to tour (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) In your opinion, should I purchase Ridemax? Will crowds be maneagable without the software's plan?

I am a Type A personality and had planned on using the Unofficial Guide's touring plans.

Thanks!

I have used Ridemax and have seen the touring plans. I think if you get there early, do Fantasyland, start collecting your fast passes while following the tourning plans you should be fine. Honestly I don't think for an off season mid week trip you will need it. I don't think the touring plans tell you to send a runner to get a fastpass but Ridemax will. Other than that unless you want to play around with Ridemax I don't think you will need it. Did you buy the book or just check it out of the library? We had friends who used a touring plan and they seemed to like it

 

[gowensby]

I have the 08 book and have supplemented it with DIS Board info. It may seem odd (especially to my wife) but I have a small collection of Birnbaum's & UG books for WDW dating back to the early 80's. I stumbled upon a stash at a yard sale and picked them up for 25 cents a piece. I like to see how things have changed over the years.

 

[TamiV]

We have been twice during May, granted it's been several years, but it is the BEST time to visit! Weather was perfect, not too hot, but warm enough for shorts, and no crowds! I really don't think you'll need Ridemax. That said, I'll be purchasing it for my June trip for sure! Have a great time!

 

[momto2nenas]

We'll be there the exact same days! I have a schedule kind of set up in my own head but nothing concrete. Our last trip was the 3rd week of June and it was still manageable IMO. I'm hoping next week is a BREEZE!

 

[TiggerMomNine]

I checked out the '08 version from the library, then went and bought the '09 version. There are some big differences in the touring plans, especially regarding Nemo. I'm also considering RideMax for an August trip. I used touringplans.com for my WDW trip last year, and it worked perfectly, so I'm hesitant to use something else.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

I think you'd be fine without it! Your trip falls in the middle of the week and you have three whole days to experience the park. When DH and I go, we often do Tuesday - Thursday and get to see everything several times and more.

One thing that Ridemax doesn't do is allow the option to select nighttime-only as an option for rides. Several rides in particular, the Matterhorn and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, are worth riding again at night because of the park views and because how the darkness changes the ride. With the Matterhorn, you get to see the park lit up like a dream. With BTMR, riding at night means your eyes have already adjusted to the darkness and with that, the colors and visuals in the caverns are brighter and easier to see. Plus the darkness make BTMR's twists and turns exciting!

So, I completely digressed but with Ridemax, you can't select "nighttime only" as an option for rides, which I consider a flaw in the design. If you were going on peak days and had limited time, then it's a great tool. But judging by your schedule, you'll have plenty of time to do everything...and then some!

 

[Saskiwi]

Over and above both Ridemax and the UG, I would recommend you read and memorise Hydroguy's Fastpass tips (sticky thread at the top of the forums page) and also Hound's tips.

We just visited DL and had both the UG and RideMax, but once you grasp the key points about getting lots of FP's using a runner and maximising your time, via these tips, you don't need either of them.

We didn't use RideMax, despite Spring Break crowds, yet managed tons of
rides(30 on our first day!) and never waited longer than 20 mins except for once on Toy Story in DCA when we waited for 30 mins.

UG is good for background on the rides and dining ideas though.

You should be fine in May if you get to grips with how FP works and how to really use it well.

Have fun!

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I think you'd be fine without it! Your trip falls in the middle of the week and you have three whole days to experience the park. When DH and I go, we often do Tuesday - Thursday and get to see everything several times and more.

One thing that Ridemax doesn't do is allow the option to select nighttime-only as an option for rides. Several rides in particular, the Matterhorn and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, are worth riding again at night because of the park views and because how the darkness changes the ride. With the Matterhorn, you get to see the park lit up like a dream. With BTMR, riding at night means your eyes have already adjusted to the darkness and with that, the colors and visuals in the caverns are brighter and easier to see. Plus the darkness make BTMR's twists and turns exciting!

So, I completely digressed but with Ridemax, you can't select "nighttime only" as an option for rides, which I consider a flaw in the design. If you were going on peak days and had limited time, then it's a great tool. But judging by your schedule, you'll have plenty of time to do everything...and then some!

You can't select nighttime only--but you can change the hours you will be in the parks to only include nighttime hours, and then put in what rides you want to ride at night.... We did this a lot, plugged in before nap rides, and then after dinner rides separately...

 

[gowensby]

I was bragging on the DIS Boards to my wife. Everyone is so helpful and willing to contribute.

HydroGuys' tips are bookmarked for sure. I'm going to stop by our B&N tonight and look at the UG 09. I'll take my 08 and compare.