Ridemax

[JennHales]

I would love to hear your ridemax reviews. Did it work for you. Did you have to tweak your schedule once you were at the park.....

I bought it and will be using it this weekend.
Jen

 

[jenksdj]

Sorry to answer your question with another question, but what is Ridemax?

 

[HydroGuy]

"RideMax Critique Plus Conventional and Unconventional Usage on August 1-4 Trip" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885134

 

[JennHales]

Thanks Trey!

Jen Ridemax is a program that you can buy that gives you an itinarary (spelling) of which rides you should go in in which order to avoid waiting in lines.

Jen

 

[drag n' fly]

We have never used it before but bought it for this trip with the Christmas season kicking off while we are there. You have to fit in parades, fireworks, shows like Aladdin yourself but it is quite efficient at managing your time! We used TGM for our trip to WDW in Feb and it was worth every penny and more!

 

[21yankees]

This board recommended it to me for when I took my 3 kids to DL over spring break. It was awesome. I followed it exactly and got everything that my kids wanted to do, done. I'm going again in December (just before Christmas) and I plan on using it again. I highly recommend it.
steph

 

[Dolce27]

I have another Ridemax question so I hope that it's alright to post it in this thread since it's related:

I purchased Ridemax and I go to DL in just a little over a month. In my planning I haven't used an exact itinerary from Ridemax because I don’t always like how it is laid out. I feel that there is too much free time in the schedule. I’ve begun making my own spreadsheet and just type in the same attraction into Ridemax to figure out the different wait times through out the day for that one attraction and then plug things into my spreadsheet to make my own itinerary for the day.

My question is: Being one month out – those who have used Ridemax, should the wait times be pretty accurate or will Ridemax tweak the attraction times more before I go and everything could be totally off if I go by this plan while at DL?

 

[HydroGuy]

I have another Ridemax question so I hope that it's alright to post it in this thread since it's related:

I purchased Ridemax and I go to DL in just a little over a month. In my planning I haven't used an exact itinerary from Ridemax because I don’t always like how it is laid out. I feel that there is too much free time in the schedule. I’ve begun making my own spreadsheet and just type in the same attraction into Ridemax to figure out the different wait times through out the day for that one attraction and then plug things into my spreadsheet to make my own itinerary for the day.

My question is: Being one month out – those who have used Ridemax, should the wait times be pretty accurate or will Ridemax tweak the attraction times more before I go and everything could be totally off if I go by this plan while at DL?

I do the same thing. My experience is that they sometimes tweak one or two attractions in the last month. Usually this is a special sitution like Nemo Subs. If DLR makes a change that affects things - like operating hours, special events, ride closures, etc., then RideMax may tweak things further. But here is a hint: If you read their Help system, they now tell you when any changes are made. So if they do not list changes for November before our trip, then nothing has changed.

Also, note that if you are visiting for multiple days then wait times will change from day to day, especially in the morning. Things that affect day to day wait time variations are EE and TTMM.

 

[zandjmom]

We used it on a trip in June and it worked like a charm. This was the day after Pirates reopened and the park was a zoo. The entire trip we waited no more than 10 minutes in any line other than POTC and there were people everywhere. We eventually figured out the routine and didn't even use the itinerary after a couple of days...just did the same thing over again.

Also, we really just used it in the morning. By noon we had ridden just about everything we wanted and we had collected so many FPs that we just used these in the afternoon and evening.

If youve' never used it I say get it and use if just to get an idea of how it works and you may be able to figure it out on subsequent trips. You'll love it.

 

[jenksdj]

Ok, where do you get it?

 

[JennHales]

ridemax.com

 

[drag n' fly]

I have another Ridemax question so I hope that it's alright to post it in this thread since it's related:

I purchased Ridemax and I go to DL in just a little over a month. In my planning I haven't used an exact itinerary from Ridemax because I don’t always like how it is laid out. I feel that there is too much free time in the schedule. I’ve begun making my own spreadsheet and just type in the same attraction into Ridemax to figure out the different wait times through out the day for that one attraction and then plug things into my spreadsheet to make my own itinerary for the day.

My question is: Being one month out – those who have used Ridemax, should the wait times be pretty accurate or will Ridemax tweak the attraction times more before I go and everything could be totally off if I go by this plan while at DL?

We used the free time for parades, fireworks, Aladdin etc and other activities that Ridemax does not have on their list. We are one month out and I was wondering the same thing because Christmas season kicks off while we are there!

 

[Dolce27]

I do the same thing. My experience is that they sometimes tweak one or two attractions in the last month. Usually this is a special sitution like Nemo Subs. If DLR makes a change that affects things - like operating hours, special events, ride closures, etc., then RideMax may tweak things further. But here is a hint: If you read their Help system, they now tell you when any changes are made. So if they do not list changes for November before our trip, then nothing has changed.

Also, note that if you are visiting for multiple days then wait times will change from day to day, especially in the morning. Things that affect day to day wait time variations are EE and TTMM.

Thanks. I think it was one of your previous posts that gave me the idea to create my own spreadsheet. Since I haven’t been satisfied with any of the full itineraries that ridemax gave me I decided to try that. However, I’ve been reading tips to run it again right before you go on your trip and having done it this way it’s a bit complicated to just ‘run it again’ to check the estimated wait times.

When I created the spreadsheet I worked with what day I was going and I did not just use one day’s wait times for my planning. I ran everything for the 16th when making my itinerary for the 16th and I ran everything for the 17th when making my itinerary for the 17th ect…

 

[Dolce27]

We used the free time for parades, fireworks, Aladdin etc and other activities that Ridemax does not have on their list. We are one month out and I was wondering the same thing because Christmas season kicks off while we are there!

We'll be there at the same time!
I’m sure that I’m over planning this trip but it’s my first trip to DL and I’m a bit excited. I finally planned out an itinerary that I like and I’m now paranoid that I’ll get there and everything I planned is all wrong and my whole schedule will be off kilter.

I guess I’m a bit paranoid about how reliable ridemax is as I’ve never used it before. I see many posts on here by people asking what exactly ridemax is but it seems that few people respond to questions such as what JennHales asked in this post: Does it actually work for people?

Being my first time, going on what may turn out to be a busy week-end with the holiday stuff, and not knowing when I’ll ever have a chance to go back I’m trying to squeeze everything into this trip. I hope that I survive it.

 

[HydroGuy]

I guess I’m a bit paranoid about how reliable ridemax is as I’ve never used it before. I see many posts on here by people asking what exactly ridemax is but it seems that few people respond to questions such as what JennHales asked in this post: Does it actually work for people?

Yes, RideMax works great. It tends to be cautious with wait times, so the reality is you usually can get on more rides than it schedules because it overestimates. One of the times I used it more strictly was during Thanksgiving week and it was pretty much right on.

RideMax is very FASTPASS savvy, and accounts for effects of EE and TTMM.

A real DLR expert can often get on more rides than RideMax can achieve, but for less experienced people or very busy days, RideMax can be a big help.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

... it’s my first trip to DL ... I finally planned out an itinerary that I like and I’m now paranoid that I’ll get there and everything I planned is all wrong and my whole schedule will be off kilter.

Hi, Dolce,

Remember Ridemax's Tip #3: "ALWAYS make a back-up plan!"

Ridemax recommends ALWAYS creating a back-up RideMax plan –- or even two of them -- each with a different starting time.

I used Ridemax last August, and I didn't think that a back-up plan would be needed. I found out that I was totally wrong.

On our first morning in DL, instead of arriving at the main gate 30 minutes before Early Entry, we arrived 30 minutes after the regular opening time. (My 4- and 5-y/o were sleeping at 6:00 in the morning. What did they think this was -- a vacation? ) At 8:50 in the morning Peter Pan had a 30 minute wait!

I learned the hard way, but for the remainder of my trip I made back-up Ridemax plans.

I hope this helps!

 

[Leofoenget]

I do the same thing. My experience is that they sometimes tweak one or two attractions in the last month. Usually this is a special sitution like Nemo Subs. If DLR makes a change that affects things - like operating hours, special events, ride closures, etc., then RideMax may tweak things further. But here is a hint: If you read their Help system, they now tell you when any changes are made. So if they do not list changes for November before our trip, then nothing has changed.

Also, note that if you are visiting for multiple days then wait times will change from day to day, especially in the morning. Things that affect day to day wait time variations are EE and TTMM.

I feel sometimes it need tweeking. Most of the time, it's due to how it wants you to snag a fastpass. I noticed when working with it, it has you running to the oposite end of the park to get a fastpass. Example: I got off Splash, it said to get a FP for Space, but later on in the day after lunch it says to get one for Roger Rabbit and Buzz. Me being an acutal person and not a computer, said to myslef: Why don't I hop on the TRAIN take the train to toontown, grab a FP for Roger, then walk over to Tomorrowland grab a FP for Space, since Roger is off the regular FP system and I can do that, take the Monorail into DTD, eat lunch, Monorail back in,then after lunch get a FP for BUZZ, and continue on with the schedule. Doing it my way I jumped way ahead on the schedule and was able to get 3 FP's. I think it's a computer thing, but RM does not take into consideration the train for moving around the park. Maybe it figures it's faster to hoof it, but I dont' like criss crossing back and forth all over the park. Other than that, I really like it and it does give you a plan to follow instead of running allll over the place aimlessly.

 

[HydroGuy]

I feel sometimes it need tweeking. Most of the time, it's due to how it wants you to snag a fastpass. I noticed when working with it, it has you running to the oposite end of the park to get a fastpass. Example: I got off Splash, it said to get a FP for Space, but later on in the day after lunch it says to get one for Roger Rabbit and Buzz. Me being an acutal person and not a computer, said to myslef: Why don't I hop on the TRAIN take the train to toontown, grab a FP for Roger, then walk over to Tomorrowland grab a FP for Space, since Roger is off the regular FP system and I can do that, take the Monorail into DTD, eat lunch, Monorail back in,then after lunch get a FP for BUZZ, and continue on with the schedule. Doing it my way I jumped way ahead on the schedule and was able to get 3 FP's. I think it's a computer thing, but RM does not take into consideration the train for moving around the park. Maybe it figures it's faster to hoof it, but I dont' like criss crossing back and forth all over the park. Other than that, I really like it and it does give you a plan to follow instead of running allll over the place aimlessly.

Perhaps you misunderstood my post? A previous poster asked how much RideMax changes their data within the last month requiring the user to re-run their scenarios. That is the "tweaking" that was being discussed.

The issue of tweaking your own itinerary, a separate issue from RideMax tweaking their data, is what you refer to here. And you are quite correct. When I want to create an itinerary I run RideMax over and over changing assumptions like park departure time, time for breaks, which rides to include, etc., until I get an itinerary I like.

 

[heatherleigh]

I am so glad you asked this. I had been wondering what it was until this thread was posted yesterday. I am highly considering this for our trip next week. I have a feeling the park will be crowded and want to get the most out of our trip.

 

[Dolce27]

Hi, Dolce,

Remember Ridemax's Tip #3: "ALWAYS make a back-up plan!"

Ridemax recommends ALWAYS creating a back-up RideMax plan –- or even two of them -- each with a different starting time.

I used Ridemax last August, and I didn't think that a back-up plan would be needed. I found out that I was totally wrong.

On our first morning in DL, instead of arriving at the main gate 30 minutes before Early Entry, we arrived 30 minutes after the regular opening time. (My 4- and 5-y/o were sleeping at 6:00 in the morning. What did they think this was -- a vacation? ) At 8:50 in the morning Peter Pan had a 30 minute wait!

I learned the hard way, but for the remainder of my trip I made back-up Ridemax plans.

I hope this helps!

Thanks for the tip.

I know that a back-up plan would be a good thing to have although I'm not concerned about arriving late, if that's the main factor that could throw my itinerary from ride max off. It will just be myself and a friend (so, two adults) on this trip. I'm enough of a morning person and based on my previous WDW trips, where I’m usually the first person outside the theme park gates in the morning, I’m certain that I’ll be one of the first people outside DL’s gates every morning – I’ll be too excited not to be. I’m staying at the Carousel Inn which I understand to be a quick walk to the main gate from so I do not have to rely on any transportation delays.

As for my friend, I told her that if she doesn’t want to get up and go when I want to then call me on my cell when she finally does get her lazy self out of bed and she can catch up.

But still, I do realize that a back-up plan would be a great thing to have if something does happen to throw my day off. I’m just dreading the thought of putting that much more work into one when I’m pretty happy with what I currently have.