RideMax Users Thread (FAQs Linked in First Post!)

[torsie24]

Can you use RM with no internet?

I'm thinking it could keep me company during my flight....

 

[ancestry]

Can you use RM with no internet?

I'm thinking it could keep me company during my flight....

Nope - unfortuantely you do need an Internet connection for the program to connect to the databases. While the program resides on your computer it accesses the data via the Internet.

 

[meanmom121]

But if your totally OCD you will do like myself and copy and paste the information into Excel spread sheets that are formatted to fit a daytimer. [/QUOTE]

Well I certainly am OCD but unfortunately not that computer savy that I can print them out to a daytimer format - You know us real old chicks are still learner this whole tech age $%*!.
Hugs, Karen

 

[singingpixie]

Just bought RM yesterday and a little scared since it is so different from my original plans. One question (sorry in advance if this has already been asked).
I already have some ADR's for certain EMH morning parks so those are the parks we are going to be visiting, even though RM would disagree. I have tried to change the hour to begin my plan at 8:00am but it won't allow me to change saying that the plan cannot begin before the park opens...but it will be open for WDW resort guests. Is there any way around this? Our dates are 5/13-5/20 Specifically 5/16 at DHS which is listed as an EMH morning.

I would pick a few of the EMH attractions that you feel confident you can ride during that first hour. Leave them off of your ridemax plan, hit them during EMH, and then line up for rope drop ready for the first non-emh ride of the day using your ridemax plan.

 

[jamstew]

But if your totally OCD you will do like myself and copy and paste the information into Excel spread sheets that are formatted to fit a daytimer.

Is there a template somewhere for a daytimer format for excel? I'd love to try that. I don't know how to use PDF either

 

[torsie24]

Nope - unfortuantely you do need an Internet connection for the program to connect to the databases. While the program resides on your computer it accesses the data via the Internet.

Oh well, i can start my TR....lol, the travel part....the boring part!

 

[DaveStroem]

Is there a template somewhere for a daytimer format for excel? I'd love to try that. I don't know how to use PDF either

No template, sorry.

Here is a link to CutePDF http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp

Just download & install. Then when you want to save something to a PDF you hit print and select CutePDF as the printer. Then when you hit print in the printer box, it will bring up a save box where you can change the title.

I just find that saving the plans on my computer easier then on paper till I am ready to finalize. I believe that if you have one of those fancy phone thingies you can even view PDF files from it.

 

[quantumottle]

Yes - was going to post tomorrow - trying to get photopass done.

I am an industrial engineer, so the program and queuing theory (RideMax must use...) really intrigued me. My husband (also an engineer) and I took the plans I did to the parks - I did different versions for each park in case we got behind or ahead, and so when we passed popular attractions we looked at the wait times psted and checked the RideMax plans.....RideMax was right on. It was unbelieveable. After two days of checking, though we didn't check anymore.

So, if it says your wait will be 140 mins - believe it. If it says your wait will be 12 mins at Dumbo, believe it. And the tips are really, really good. So are the explanations about the rides.

We actually got ahead of the plan - with one exception, and I'll explain that below.

But, a real benefit is in doing the multiple plans ahead of time. You can use it to stress test your own touring plans, and your own determination. When you run a touring plan that starts early and only waiting say 60 mins all day, then run a touring plan where you arrive later and it shows you waiting like 4 times as long - well, you get the idea pretty quickly. I went over the plans with my kids before we left, showing them the differences, and they all agreed to follow the recommended plans.

The one time it didn't work was when we....didn't follow the plan. Then we caught up, got an alternate plan, which did work, but wasn't as pleasant. The next day we got back to the "best" plan and had a great time - my kids all hugged me and said thanks for putting the plans together!

Basically, I paid 19.99 and invested time before the trip (running the plans and doing alternate plans) that paid off in terms of a really fun trip. I saw on another thread how frustrated people were - one person even posted and said someone at their resort was in tears and saying they were leaving WDW because they couldn't ride anything. We still had to deal with the crowds, but it was manageable. I did schedule breaks, too. I think that helped in terms of being realistic - we did need to sit down, rest, and just moving through the crowds took time.

We did character meals and table service, so if you want to know how much time to plan for something in particular (like a buffet) let me know. We also waited to see the fairies. Again, put it in the plan - no problem.

It sounds complicated, but it wasn't. It is very very easy and fun to use.

What a great review Kathy, sounds exactly like my famly's trip.
=)
I've watched RM discussions grow incredibly here on the DIS since the first of this year, your review should make a lot more people curious.

 

[jamstew]

No template, sorry.

Here is a link to CutePDF http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp

Just download & install. Then when you want to save something to a PDF you hit print and select CutePDF as the printer. Then when you hit print in the printer box, it will bring up a save box where you can change the title.

I just find that saving the plans on my computer easier then on paper till I am ready to finalize. I believe that if you have one of those fancy phone thingies you can even view PDF files from it.

I might give that a try. Unfortunately, I don't have a fancy phone thingy...yet

 

[jamstew]

No template, sorry.

So if I had access to someone who uses Day-Timers (which I do), I'd need what? Probably the 2 page per day so the time goes all the way to the bottom of the page...would that be right? Then I could attempt to set up a spreadsheet using that as a guide. I only have about four weeks, and I haven't even figured out RM completely!

Oh, on the PDF thingy...When RM opens your plan in the browser...would you just copy and paste it into PDF to save? I've been doing it in Word. What's the PDF advantage?

Thanks

 

[gonzo76]

I need help!!!!! I ordered Ridemax. I plugged in my rides. I hit make plans and calculates it but I can't see anything after that. I don't know where to look? Am I doing something wrong? Uuughhhh.. I'm frustrated.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I need help!!!!! I ordered Ridemax. I plugged in my rides. I hit make plans and calculates it but I can't see anything after that. I don't know where to look? Am I doing something wrong? Uuughhhh.. I'm frustrated.

What happens when the time runs out?

When I use it, it pops up on my screen when it's done.

As a matter of fact, it knocks me off the DIS when it's complete.

 

[gonzo76]

What happens when the time runs out?

When I use it, it pops up on my screen when it's done.

As a matter of fact, it knocks me off the DIS when it's complete.

Nothing pops up! That's the problem. It calculates then nothing happens.

 

[Glencora]

Nothing pops up! That's the problem. It calculates then nothing happens.

Make sure your web browser is open. It will pop up as an extra tab.

 

[gonzo76]

Make sure your web browser is open. It will pop up as an extra tab.

I just made sure it is open. Still nothing.

 

[kathyfranklin]

What was your plan of attack with the fairies??? During our trip in early March, it was ridiculously long to get in (70+) on two days at 10:00 when TT opened. I would love to know how/when you did it and how much time you allowed for your "fairy break"! Thanks...

When we were there MK opened at 7 am for EMH at 8 am regular park opening. I asked a CM when we got to the park (at 6:40) what time TT would be open....I didn't get a real clear answer on it to tell you the truth - but I assumed one hour after regular park opening - which would have been 9:00. I did see on these boards that TT really opens 15 mins earlier and to be at TT RD 30 mins prior...so we got there at 8:40. There were probably 50 -75 people already there. It was not a crazy sprint like I had read....and I'd say half the people wanted to see the princesses. By the time we got there though - no fairy line because because the fairies were not there yet. So we went to see Mickey and Minnie. That took about 20 mins. When we were done, went back to the fairies and they were there, so we got in line. It said the wait time was 15 mins. Not true. The line moves really really slow. I'd say the wait time was 30 mins. We were then with the fairies for about 5-10 mins. On our way out they posted the wait as 30 mins. I don't believe it. It had to be 60 mins.

I think you just need to be there for TT RD. You don't have to sprint. But I wouldn't stroll leisurely either - the reason being that the line builds immediatley. Very very slow moving line. So if you are not there at the begninning, the line must just grow exponentially.

I allowed from 8:30 to 9:30 for the fairy break in RM. I scheduled the break in TT, too. We were definitely done by 10:00. TT was really crowded by 10:30.

But, we had gotten ahead of our touring plan in the 1.5 hours we were there at opening. So we were really fine overall.


HTH

 

[sandym718]

Just an update, since it's been a week - reran my same plan for MK on Saturday, May 2 - no changes in times/anything at all.

 

[gonzo76]

Does anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[Goofyseven]

RM for WDW is $18.95 for a 90 day subscription and $29.95 for a 1 year subscription.

RM for DL is $14.95 for a 90 day subscription and $24.95 for a 1 year subscription.

Much thanks for the quick reply!!

 

[DaveStroem]

Gonzo, you must also make sure that if your using a firewall that it allows the software to go to the Internet. I use ZoneAlarm and the first time it tried to contact the RideMax server it gave me a warning that the software was trying to act like a server IOW uploading information.