RideMax vs. Unofficial Guide

[nkhan1]

Both of these give completely different touring plans.
Any suggestions as to which one works better?

btw, We are two adults and a four year old (on his birthday), plan to get to the park 30 minutes before opening on a Friday, are there for only one day, and Peter Pan is closed for refurbishment (very sad about this). DS has said he doesn't want to do fast rides or wet rides: Space, Splash, BTRR, Indy, or MatterHorn, but he wants to do everything else!

 

[Hound 109]

Both of these give completely different touring plans.
Any suggestions as to which one works better?

btw, We are two adults and a four year old (on his birthday), plan to get to the park 30 minutes before opening on a Friday, are there for only one day, and Peter Pan is closed for refurbishment (very sad about this). DS has said he doesn't want to do fast rides or wet rides: Space, Splash, BTRR, Indy, or MatterHorn, but he wants to do everything else!

With only one day (& a Friday) & with your specific ride selections (& omissions).....I think Ride Max would be a good fit for you. It will give you a good general plan & will also set aside times for rest (& these rest times will take into account the busiest times of day to avoid touring...which i think is a nice feature).

The one thing i don't like about RideMax is that I don't always agree with their FP strategies. If you use it, I'd ask here on the Dis for advice on FP after it spits out a couple of plans for you. (But FP won't be as important if you're going to avoid Space, Splash, BTMRR & Indy).

But, the kiddo might be interested in Matterhorn &/or BTMRR later in the day, they're not as intense as Indy, Splash or SM imo.

Is your kid into Star Wars?

Have a great time at Walt's Park.

(btw - the extra info you gave us on your family & on your day & touring plan made it much easier to offer an opinion.....great post!)

 

[hurleysweety]

I just got RideMax and I LOVE it. Its fun for me to put in different attractions, break times, and other options to see what kinda of plan it spits out. It also includes some special tips and hints as well as lets you schedule breaks during the day (which might be helpful for a mid-day nap or a table service lunch or dinner in the park. I have the unofficial guide too, and while I like the book and all the advice, the touring plans are generic and can be used well too. I just prefer RideMax because I feel like it is more specific to the exact rides I want and the exact timing that I will be in the parks.

Either way, you'll have fun. At 4 years old, your DS will be so overcome with joy from being there, he probably won't be realizing what attraction he missed at the end of the day (unless you keep passing by it and he has his heart set on it, right there and then! ) or if you saved 10 minutes by standing in line for a ride at 10 AM instead of 11 AM. Have a magical time and don't stress!

 

[CanadianPaco]

I love Ridemax too! There is so much flexability and depending what kind of planner you are, it is a fantastic time manager! I planned out our DL mornings to run from 8am opening until 11am. That way we could ease into the lunch hour then make our way to CA. Well, the last time we went Splash was down. So I made the same morning plan but without Splash, just in case. I then planned CA from 12-2pm, followed by an afternoon break back at the hotel. Little things like this is what makes Ridemax worth it.
FYI - I bought the Guide as well for the details and didn't use the plans.
Best of luck!

 

[farmfresh]

Go ridemax for this experience - the Unoffical guide doesn't offer the same flexibility.

A general rule of thumb...ride popular non FP rides first thing - so any other fantasyland rides, for example. Then move on to Haunted mansion (?) and Pirates of the Carribean, Jungle Cruise, Star Tours. I would pick up a fast pass for Autopia (which he might really enjoy), or Buzz on your way to first ride, then pick up others as you go (you can pick up Roger rabbit anytime after 10, no matter what other FP you have)

Have fun