RideMax Users Thread (FAQs Linked in First Post!)

[meanmom121]

okay 330 threads later, I am so sold on ridemax. I can't wait to be a part of this but should probably wait another month since I am going in JUly and June info just went up. This whole ridemax is too cool. I know my husband thinks I've gone off the deep end with this whole trip planning thing; but boy are they ghonna appreciate me later
Now what to do with myself til I can get it
Karen

 

[Ariel on Land]

How long are y'all putting down for TS dinners? 1 hour? 1.5 hours? less?

 

[gonzo76]

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.

Thank you Dave!!!!! That was the problem. Now I can start planning

 

[jamstew]

I'm concerned about time for TS meals, too. I have a 5:30 Crystal Palace dinner and a 10:30 Tusker House breakfast.

We want to ride the Safari before breakfast, and from what I'm reading, I think I need to plan a break in Asia at 9:05-ish, then breakfast break, but how long? It seems to me that the breakfast crowd should be thinning out and we shouldn't have to wait, but I'm wondering how long to allow. I was only planning an hour, but now I wonder if I need to put it as starting at 10:20 (aren't you supposed to check in a few minutes early?), and using maybe 70-75 minutes total. HELP!!

 

[DaveStroem]

Meals are tough to plan for. First, even if your on time ore early, it may take a while to get a table. Then if you order appys, entries and dessert will obviously take longer then just getting an entree.

On our trip, I used 75 Minutes but in some cases we were closer to 2 hours (Ohana). My feeling is that if you plan a longer dinner break, and you finish early, you will be able to move up your schedule. Most evening rides will be non headliners or using FPs if you are doing a full day.

On our next trip, Yea I booked it last night I will only make plans from RD till just after lunch. From here we can take a break or just go with the flow till dinner.

Since RideMax will allow you to plan a packed day, this doesn't mean it is a good idea to do this. My purpose for using RM is not so much to get more rides in, but to ride what I want and avoid waiting in lines for them.

 

[torsie24]

Is there a feature of RideMax that you can use to just see a list of expected wait times? Rather than doing whole plans?

 

[DaveStroem]

Is there a feature of RideMax that you can use to just see a list of expected wait times? Rather than doing whole plans?

No not really. You can however put in one ride 10-20 times to get a list. Then make a second plan with a 1/2 hour later start time.

 

[jennyf10]

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.

Hi Dave,

Sounds like you've found a way to save a plan in Ridemax and open it again at a later date. Can you share how you do this? I've not been able to find this option...
TIA!

 

[MamaCrush]

okay 330 threads later, I am so sold on ridemax. I can't wait to be a part of this but should probably wait another month since I am going in JUly and June info just went up. This whole ridemax is too cool. I know my husband thinks I've gone off the deep end with this whole trip planning thing; but boy are they ghonna appreciate me later
Now what to do with myself til I can get it
Karen

Well-- we're not going until Thanksgiving and I installed RD yesterday!!! For the extra $10 it's worth it to me just to play! (Way cheaper than a WII game!) Also, I'm pretty sure we'll be taking another trip before the subscription expires.

For now, I'm have a blast doing plans on Memorial Day for the different parks. I figure that's a sure-fire peak Day and will be a close estimate to what we'll experience at Tgiving. I am so impressed with all it has done and I'm so glad I discovered this thread before the November trip-- for obvious crowd reasons!

 

[DaveStroem]

Hi Dave,

Sounds like you've found a way to save a plan in Ridemax and open it again at a later date. Can you share how you do this? I've not been able to find this option...
TIA!

This is not a RM option. It is separate software that allows you to save anything you can print as a PDF.

You can then open it up at a later time but it is just an image at this point. You can also select, copy & paste it into Word or Excel.

 

[quantumottle]

Are there any discounts for purchasing Ridemax? Sorry if this has been addressed I just didn't want to read 320 posts and my search came back with this thread!

Thanks!

You do realize RM is under 20 bucks, right? Or, you could say, cheaper than it will cost you to buy your family a drink and snack at one of the parks. Personally, I think you could add several zero's to the end of the price of RM before you come close to what it's actually WORTH, but I do realize some people's time is far more valuable than others.

Sorry, I don't know of any discounts on the price of RM, but RM itself creates an unmeasurable discount for your Disney trip.

 

[nanceliz]

We are taking a trip Thanksgiving as well. I was wondering if there is any benefit to purchasing prior to 90 days. Does anyone know what number the days are thanksgiving week. What days would you put in to do a plan with?
Thanks guys!

 

[Mommytwotwins]

If anyone is still unsure about ordering , I think it's great!!! I ordered it yeserday and if it works it is so worth the $18.95 that I paid. I have TGM also and although it has some good info the only thing I realy liked was the crowd predictor and best day to vist calander,everything I can get for free from here and other sites. RD is not perfect but I think it will get the job done. I am already addited to making up different plans. I can't wait until june to try it out!! It was easy to figure out and easy to read. Go order it now if you are traveling soon!!!

 

[DaveStroem]

We are taking a trip Thanksgiving as well. I was wondering if there is any benefit to purchasing prior to 90 days. Does anyone know what number the days are thanksgiving week. What days would you put in to do a plan with?
Thanks guys!

No, I don't see any advantage to getting it prior to 90 days out. Just mark your calendar for your ADRs and order RideMax the same day or even later.

 

[jennyf10]

OK, I've been spending (too) much time today playing with my June schedule and I'm thrilled with the software. One thing I've noticed is I can run the exact same plan, one right after the other, and get different results. Is it supposed to work this way? Is one plan any better than the other, aside from personal preference? I noticed this when I tried to reproduce a good plan I saved last night and wasn't able to get that exact plan again.

 

[Glencora]

Just an FYI for anyone else traveling at the end of April. The park hours for DHS have changed - they added a second F! show on the 29th and 30th, and the park is now open 'til 10:00. Ridemax still has it closing at 8:30. I emailed Mark about this, and knowing their excellent customer service, I'm sure I'll hear back soon. I'll let you know what he says.

 

[ekatiel]

Just an FYI for anyone else traveling at the end of April. The park hours for DHS have changed - they added a second F! show on the 29th and 30th, and the park is now open 'til 10:00. Ridemax still has it closing at 8:30. I emailed Mark about this, and knowing their excellent customer service, I'm sure I'll hear back soon. I'll let you know what he says.

The end of April is dangerously close to my dates (we get there on May 2nd). I was hoping that TP was wrong about the increased crowd levels, but with Disney extending hours, it seems like crowds are going to be up-- It's a good thing we've got RideMax on our sides!!! Off to go check May hours!--Katie

 

[jennyf10]

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.

This is a great idea!! Now, if I can get some advice from all of the Disney experts here (that would be everyone!! ) I have a morning EMH planned for Epcot. Does this plan sound reasonable?

At RD for EMH:

Grab FP for Soarin'
Ride Test Track
Ride Mission:Space
Ride Spaceship Earth

Do you think we could get this all done and be positioned at the entrance by 9:00 am? Then I can start my Ridemax plan at 9:00 am without any headliners! I sure hope this works...

 

[ekatiel]

Anyone have any tips on how to make rider swap work with RideMax? I was thinking of getting a plan and then scheduling breaks after the rider swap attractions. How long does it take to "swap" and ride the ride again? Anyone have other ideas on how to make it work in RM? --Katie

 

[dansamy]

Do you think we could get this all done and be positioned at the entrance by 9:00 am? Then I can start my Ridemax plan at 9:00 am without any headliners! I sure hope this works...

Why do you need to be back at the entrance @ 0900? The park is already open to you as an EMH guest. Can't you just start hitting the attractions that open at regular time and are not open during EMH?