RideMax Users Thread (FAQs Linked in First Post!)

[eeyoresmom]

KMARSTON, yes you can download it on to more than one computer. You just need to have that original code.

 

[Random65]

I think I read every post. All I hear is good things. So has anyone not liked Ridemax?

Anyone that previously bought it never going to buy it again?

 

[KMarston]

HELP!!!

I downloaded the file. Started off with our day in MK chose everything and clicked make plan. It did a countdown the completed.... OK... where is the plan??? I did the same think three times but no plan... what am I missing?

 

[Condorman]

I think I read every post. All I hear is good things. So has anyone not liked Ridemax?

Anyone that previously bought it never going to buy it again?

For your answer, see this post:

I first used RM for a trip to DL and LOVED it. Then I used it for a trip to WDW in 2008 and LOVED it.

I planned to use it again for our most recent trip in February...printed off all my plans and thought I was oh so organized. It was MardiGras week and it was SO crowded that we couldn't even WALK to the planned attractions. We just tried to go to whatever was closest because it was a complete nightmare trying to move around the park to get to the next attraction that was on our plan. Anyone else had this problem?

We are going again in June and I was planning to purchase RM again but if it's going to be too crowded for us to even maneuver around, does it help?

RideMax gave them details that were completely worthless due to unexpected crowds. Those crowds will not change throughout the year with so many ongoing WDW promotions. People will argue that having RideMax is better than not having it at all, but if I'm going to pay for something it had better be perfectly accurate. If I wanted anything less, I could do it myself. RideMax is not only imperfect, it leaves out Sundays (one of the more important days of the week) and has not taken into account the economy, discounts or weather.

 

[Welsh]

HELP!!!

I downloaded the file. Started off with our day in MK chose everything and clicked make plan. It did a countdown the completed.... OK... where is the plan??? I did the same think three times but no plan... what am I missing?

It should open up in your browser. It's not an actual website link, but a temporary file that opens up the browser automatically (at least on my PC, using Internet Explorer).

 

[disney4us2002]

When do you anticipate June recommendations being available? We're planning a June trip but also a March '10 so I want to buy the annual version but not too early.

 

[ekatiel]

Okay...question about crowds. Touring plans originally had my days at 7 or 8, now they are all 9 or 10. I have ridemax and keep playing with plans, but haven't printed them off yet. Since they crowd predictions have increased, does Ridemax make adjustments as well? I'm wondering if their estimated wait times will now be way off. What do I do it I'm following the plan exactly, but we are having to wait longer than it says??

I was reading one the freak-out threads about UG crowd levels, and I read on the thread where someone was in the standby line for RNRC on a specific date (I think it was March 19th) at around 9:20 in the morning and the posted wait time at the actual line said it was going to be 80 minutes. The poster said it was about 50 minutes in real life once he waited and rode the ride. So, I went into RideMax and selected March 19th, chose a few headliner rides (TSM, RNRC, and ToT) and only gave it about 2 hours to get them all done. The plan had me get in the standby line for RNRC at 9:39am-- Guess what it told me that wait would be??? You got it-- 50 minutes !! I was totally impressed. All that to say, I'm not worried. Touring Plans got this March all wrong, but it looks like RideMax was right on target. Hopefully, they'll do just as well for the next few months! They do suggest reprinting plans closer to your actual date, though, so they will be the most accurate. --Katie

 

[tofubeast]

I said this again, but it warrant repeating.

Yes, use things like UG (crowd calendar) etc.. to plan what days to visit parks, and you can run Ridemax to sample plans before your trip, but do not run your final touring plan till at least a week before you trip. The software is updated OFTEN and so to get the most accurate predictions for wait times and best strategies, wait as close as you can to your departure date. This will help you get the most out of your Ridemax subscription.

Especially with the increased attendance at the parks lately (and as shown with UG increasing their crowd level #'s in April and May), you will probably find your Ridemax plans to be beyond helpful.

 

[jewelmicky]

Been playing with RideMax for a week or so.....I am a bit apprehensive as I see how much it can differ from the tour plans on TGM or UG....I have used both of them in the past and found them helpful.....but RM seems like it takes it up a level. I was going to just use it as a backup to the other two, but now that I see what the predictions for crowds will be.....much larger then anticipated....I plan to rely on it more heavily. I HOPE IT WORKS!

 

[jodeeb]

We are going to WDW in June and I am considering purchasing RM. I still do not fully understand what it does. Can I actually specify a day that I want to be in a park, then tell it what rides and it will then make a "plan of attack" suggestion? I already made my ADRs according to crowd level charts on UG. If I take my laptop on the trip can you run the software for the current day and time and still be able to get a plan?

 

[Welsh]

We are going to WDW in June and I am considering purchasing RM. I still do not fully understand what it does. Can I actually specify a day that I want to be in a park, then tell it what rides and it will then make a "plan of attack" suggestion? I already made my ADRs according to crowd level charts on UG. If I take my laptop on the trip can you run the software for the current day and time and still be able to get a plan?

That's exactly what it does! You tell it when you'll be arriving in the park, when you'll get in line for your last ride/show, and you can put in breaks for your ADRs (or any other breaks you think you might want/need throughout the day). It devises a plan around that schedule. It tells you when to hit certain attractions and it makes room for free time as well (unless you cram every ride into your schedule). It's my understanding that the closer you are to your trip, the more accurate the results will be. If you can manage bringing your laptop on the trip, it seems like a good idea. For example, if you don't hit a ride on one day and it was on your schedule for that day, you can always reschedule it for another day you're in that park. I think you have to be connected to the internet to run Ridemax, though, even if it comes with its own software.

 

[brandilee8299]

Hi, I've followed this thread for a bit now, but have some additional questions about RM. We are taking our 2 (almost 3) year old Dec. 12. My questions are

1. We plan to spend a lot of time in Fantasy Land (we won't be doing "big" attractions such as SM, TMR, SM, etc.). If I want to plan to be in FL first thing, can I change the plan around to make it so I go there first. I don't it to tell me to do a couple things in FL then to head over to do the Jungle Cruise. I like to kind of complete a land before moving on, of course as long as the lines allow me to do so.

2. Does it allow you to account for character greetings like in Mickey's Judges Tent and Minnie's House as well as the Fairies and Princesses? I know all of those take some time to do and we would obv want them in our plan. Also, what about general meet and greets like seeing Alice in Wonderland near the teacups or Belle's story time, etc.

3. I've read on this thread that I can put in my ADR's as well as break time, etc. correct? Does it take bathroom breaks into account? Do I have to stop my plan for the breaks and then create a new one at the time we plan to be back at the park or does it just save that chunk of time opened in the one plan?

Thank you. RM seems like the way to go, but I'd also like to have some input too.

 

[KMarston]

Mark was kind enough to PM me and help me fix my problem. He also offered a refund if I couldn't get it worked out. It was a simple fix and he was patient enough to continue to walk me through it while I had a major DUH moment!

The plan we printed out makes complete sense... I'm going to play around with other parks today. While it will be a few weeks until we get to try it out I can tell you that it's a sinch to operate and the support is fantastic.

Thanks Mark, for being so patient.

 

[jana616]

I had asked in another thread about Ridemax vs. TGM and was directed here. I just read the last 9 pages, and WOW! I am so on board. To make sure I understand-I can download it to my desktop at home (I'm the group planner), and then onto my mom's laptop while we're there? But I need internet access to use it there? We'd have to pay for this at the resorts, right? Is there anywhere (DTD, resorts, etc.) with free access? Sorry for the dumb questions!

 

[sandym718]

Hi, I've followed this thread for a bit now, but have some additional questions about RM. We are taking our 2 (almost 3) year old Dec. 12. My questions are

1. We plan to spend a lot of time in Fantasy Land (we won't be doing "big" attractions such as SM, TMR, SM, etc.). If I want to plan to be in FL first thing, can I change the plan around to make it so I go there first. I don't it to tell me to do a couple things in FL then to head over to do the Jungle Cruise. I like to kind of complete a land before moving on, of course as long as the lines allow me to do so.

2. Does it allow you to account for character greetings like in Mickey's Judges Tent and Minnie's House as well as the Fairies and Princesses? I know all of those take some time to do and we would obv want them in our plan. Also, what about general meet and greets like seeing Alice in Wonderland near the teacups or Belle's story time, etc.

3. I've read on this thread that I can put in my ADR's as well as break time, etc. correct? Does it take bathroom breaks into account? Do I have to stop my plan for the breaks and then create a new one at the time we plan to be back at the park or does it just save that chunk of time opened in the one plan?

Thank you. RM seems like the way to go, but I'd also like to have some input too.

Hope I can help a bit...

1) We like to complete a Land in MK as well (and also want to do Fantasyland first - kids have requested Dumbo). 2 things I did to make this happen with RideMax. First, make sure you select "Slow" touring speed - this is the plan for less walking/backtracking, so it will keep you in the land pretty much until you complete all your desired activities there. Secondly, if they REALLY want a specific ride first, do this (and I got this idea from someone else earlier in this thread - thank you!!) - Schedule a break in that area (in our case Fantasyland for Dumbo) to end so many minutes after Rope Drop (or your arrival time). However long you think it will take you to get there, do the line/ride. I set a break (I titled it Dumbo) from 9:05 AM to 9:20 AM in Fantasyland. Then Ridemax began my touring right there in Fantasyland. I'm also doing this for Safaris in AK (use Africa for the break!)

2) I don't think any Meet and Greets are included, you can do those as breaks. Minnie's house is on there - but it specifically says the time alloted is only for touring the house, not meeting any characters who might be there.

3) You can put in as many breaks as you like. It sounds like adding bathroom breaks isn't really necessary b/c you usually end up with Free Time in your plan (added by RideMax) or end up "ahead of schedule" and there's plenty of time to stop. If you're going to be in just 1 park for the day, I hear it's recommended to do just ONE plan, with however many breaks you need - including any meals AND a resort break if you're taking one. This can allow you to get a Fast Pass earlier in the day to use when you return. If you're going to a different park in the evening, like we are, you can just make your plan from arrival time to departure time (including any meal/other breaks) and then make another evening plan for the other park.

Hope this helps!

 

[tofubeast]

I had asked in another thread about Ridemax vs. TGM and was directed here. I just read the last 9 pages, and WOW! I am so on board. To make sure I understand-I can download it to my desktop at home (I'm the group planner), and then onto my mom's laptop while we're there? But I need internet access to use it there? We'd have to pay for this at the resorts, right? Is there anywhere (DTD, resorts, etc.) with free access? Sorry for the dumb questions!

I could be wrong, but I believe you can only use it on the computer you downloaded it to. (EDIT: you can)

However: I do know that you absolutely must have internet access for it to work.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Nope. I purchase Ridemax from home a few days ago, downloaded it right there and then downloaded it on to my computer at work. I did need the original code, however.

 

[dansamy]

I dl'ed it and played with it a bit. I asked for a refund because it was too early for my trip. I also have touring plans dot com and TGM. I like how another poster worded it: TGM teaches you how to fish, RM gives you the fish. So I'll use the info from TGM and make my plans in RM. I'll tweak them until I get one that I am happy with. The only thing that I have found lacking in either is detailed information on SWW. We are going to SWW on Sunday May 31st. However, touring plans, TGM and RM have no info on SWW special events at SWW. TGM suggests which day is best and suggests to focus on SWW stuff and ignore standard DHS fare, but doesn't tell me anything about what SWW stuff there will be to do. I understand that there is a Rebellion and Imperial theme, character autographs, celebrity autographs, etc. I know there's a parade around 11am. My kids would not be interested in the trivia game. But all the sites are lacking abysmally in detailed information regarding who will be where and when. Much less even a suggested tour plan.

 

[Lauri]

I had asked in another thread about Ridemax vs. TGM and was directed here. I just read the last 9 pages, and WOW! I am so on board. To make sure I understand-I can download it to my desktop at home (I'm the group planner), and then onto my mom's laptop while we're there? But I need internet access to use it there? We'd have to pay for this at the resorts, right? Is there anywhere (DTD, resorts, etc.) with free access? Sorry for the dumb questions!

You can download to multiple cumputers of yours, as long as you do it within the first few days of signing up. The first time I used ridemax, I didn't download it to my laptop initially. I had to contact Mark, and he helped me get in onto the laptop. This past time, I just downloaded it to the desktop and laptop right away.

Lauri

 

[Jennifer in WA]

HELP!! Kind of frustrated with RM right now. I just went in to make my plan for Epcot this week. On a postitive note, they have now added in all of the shows for WS. Unfortunately, they no longer have the "3 hour" or 4 hour" tour of WS. So, you have to click on the shows you want to see. This is a big Bummer, it turns out. I did it and clicked on the shows we want to see....but now it has us bopping all over the park. Go to China, then back to Spaceship Earth, then to O Canada, then to Maelstrom, then to Test Track, then to Mexico, etc. Ridiculous! Fortunately, I saved one of my earlier plans, so we have that to fall back on. Hopefully it will work.

ANY HELP?? I just want it to give me back the option to tour the world in a set amount of time and we can hit the shows that we hit. I guess we can just schedule in a break...a long break...at one of the shows or something. But we wanted to know the best time to hit it.