Although I’ll be something of a moving target, if you’re using the mobile version of RideMax in the park tomorrow, you should be able to track my movement fairly well by noting the wait times I post in RideMax.

I hope to see some of you tomorrow!

As the author of RideMax, it’s sometimes amazing to me how little paid advertising we’ve had to do for RideMax. Happy customers who have actually used RideMax at Disneyland or Disney World, and who then recommend RideMax to their friends, has really done most of this work for us.

So with that, here is yet another of those nice RideMax reviews. Thanks also to Rich Pearson, for his kind words here about RideMax. Reviews of RideMax like these from actual customers are so appreciated!

Now a question: How did you first hear about RideMax? A friend? An online article? Please let me know in the comments below!

Your RideMax plan in a nice portable format for display on iPhone and Android devices!

This new version of RideMax is in “beta” mode right now (which means we’re still testing it and improving it before final release) but even in it’s current “unfinished” state, it’s very usable, and provides new capabilities to the RideMax system as well!

Many customization options included. Add up to five breaks and decide how you want to utilize FastPass!

Since the new version of RideMax is web-based, there is no need to install an “app” if you want to use RideMax on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device. Simply point your mobile web browser to the application’s home page:

http://ridemax.com/webapp

Here are some of the important features provided in this new release:

• Create and view your RideMax plans right on your mobile device or web browser.
• RideMax now saves your plans for later use. Create a plan using a standard web browser and view it later on your mobile device, or vice-versa!
• Add up to FIVE breaks to your plan for meals or other activities.
• Report wait times to RideMax. More wait time data allows us to improve the RideMax estimates over time.

Here are some additional screenshots:

While in the park, report wait times!

Q: I just subscribed to your service. How do I access the new beta version on my iPhone, Android, or iPad?

A: When you subscribed, your download instructions contain a link you can use to activate the beta. Click on this link, choose a username and password, then point your mobile web browser to http://ridemax.com/webapp. Now sign in with the username and password you just selected and start planning!

Q: Will RideMax work on my particular mobile device? What devices are supported?

A: Given the number of mobile device models being produced these days, it’s impractical to test RideMax on all of them. We’ve done extensive work with RideMax on iPhone, and though we haven’t tested it extensively on other systems, it also seems to work on some other mobile “touch-screen” browsers that are based on newer versions of WebKit, such as that found in newer Android models. We’ve also had specific customer reports that RideMax runs on the Motorola Cliq and the HTC EVO, but that it does not work on Windows Mobile devices. We had one Blackberry customer report success, but that was on a very new touch-screen model device, and we don’t believe it will work on the “click-based” Blackberries that are still fairly popular.

Q: What are the pros and cons of using the mobile or web-based version rather than the Windows version of Ridemax?

A: One advantage of the web/mobile version is the ability to modify your plans right from the web or a mobile device. No more need to take the laptop on vacation just to access RideMax! Another advantage is that you don’t need to carry a paper plan with you if you have access to RideMax on your mobile device. With a mobile device, you can also share wait time information and comments with us. This allows us to improve the RideMax estimates further.

A disadvantage of the mobile version is that it’s still in “beta” mode — meaning that it’s incomplete and some of the formatting is less than ideal. Most of the “tips” still need to be added as well.

Q: Aren’t there lower-cost applications for the iPhone and Android that work just as well as RideMax does? Why do I need this?

A: It’s true that there are “wait-time apps” produced by others, but sometimes you get what you pay for! Planning in advance — not just supplying current wait times — is a RideMax specialty, and in our opinion, this is vital to minimizing your overall wait, especially when the park is busy.

Does it really help you to know that right now the wait for Indiana Jones is 60 minutes rather than 90? Either way, you don’t want to stand in that line, right? What you really need is help avoiding that 60-minute-long line, and that’s what RideMax is designed to do!

Take a look at how much you’re spending on your Disney vacation, and we think you’ll agree, the cost of RideMax is tiny by comparison.

This summer we celebrate our 10th anniversary of providing customized itineraries for Disney theme park customers. Why take a chance with some random iPhone wait-time app, when you could be using RideMax instead?

The Christmas lights at Hollywood Studios -- Amazing!

For those planning a December trip to Disney World, December dates are now available in RideMax.

Based on our experience from previous years, we still expect several changes in park hours from Disney, especially during Christmas week itself. We wouldn’t be at all surprised to see 8:00am openings at the Magic Kingdom — that’s a 7:00am Extra Magic Hour!

Stay tuned!

If you have the chance to visit Walt Disney World over the next couple of weeks, be prepared to be amazed at the crowds. Or more specifically, at the lack of them!

Here are a few pictures I took during a quick trip to Epcot today, as well as a few from the Magic Kingdom taken last week. (The Magic Kingdom pictures technically weren’t taken in September — they’re from Tuesday, August 31st.)

Epcot today just after 11:00am. Yes, Soarin' really does show 15 minutes!

Wide-open spaces around Epcot's World Showcase!

Even Dumbo was do-able. At 11:45am!

Prefer to ride Big Thunder instead? No problem! (Picture taken just before noon.)

Pirates anyone?

These pictures help to demonstrate how great this time of year is for a Disney park visit. With the kids back in school, most folks aren’t really planning vacations right now. If you’re willing and able to “go against the grain” and take advantage of this situation, you could really do well in terms of many attractions with low, low wait times.

Of course, this won’t last long. October is just around the corner, and with it comes fall school breaks and larger crowds. In fact, Disneyland in mid-October is shaping up to be a doozy!

More on this in a future post!

Welcome to the newly updated RideMax blog!

I’m Mark Winters, the author of RideMax. Whether your trip to Disneyland or Walt Disney World is days away or months in the future, I hope you’ll follow us here!

I’m currently looking for contributors with an interest in Disney theme parks to share this space with me! This isn’t a paying gig, but if you have a park story, article idea, or Disney theme park strategy you’d like to share here, please drop me a line!

Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy!

Mark Winters