Since the MaxPass debuted at Disneyland, the number one question we get is, "Is it worth it?" We definitely think so, if it's done the right way. Now that it's been out for awhile, we've put together our best MaxPass tips for Disneyland.
By using our best MaxPass tips for Disneyland, you'll take your vacation to the next level. We'll teach you all of the tips and tricks to make MaxPass work for you.
The BEST MaxPass Tips for Disneyland
Wait to add MaxPass until you're on your vacation. There are are two major reasons for this tip. First of all, at an extra $20 per person per day, the cost can add up. If you purchase ahead of time on Disneyland.com, you can add MaxPass before your vacation. BUT, you'll not only pay full price for your tickets, you'll ALSO have to pay for MaxPass for each day of your ticket. It's an all-or-nothing add-on if you pre-purchase it with Disney.
Second, if you're visiting during a less busy time, you may not need it every day of your stay. You can easily navigate days with 20 minute or less wait times without adding on the MaxPass. Which is why it's best to add it on when you're at the park. You'll be able to measure the crowd level and potentially save the money to use on food or souvenir purchases instead.
MaxPass is more than just an easy way to reserve FastPass return times. It also includes your PhotoPass downloads each day that you have an active MaxPass. If you're only using the MaxPass service one day of your vacation, reserve that to be your picture day. That means stopping for a minute each time you see a PhotoPass photographer.
It also means that you'll want to make your FastPass reservations for all of the rides that have a PhotoPass on the attraction. Currently, rides that include a PhotoPass at Disneyland are Splash Mountain and Space Mountain. In Disney California Adventure Park, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission - BREAKOUT, California Screamin' and Radiator Springs Racers all have PhotoPass.
Use your FastPasses strategically. This may seem obvious, but it's one of the best MaxPass tips for Disneyland. Just like with the standard digital FastPass system, you'll want to strategically schedule your attraction return times. That means reserving the most popular attractions first. In Disney California Adventure Park, the FastPasses that go first are Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT! and Radiator Springs Racers. In Disneyland, Space Mountain and Indiana Jones are typically among the first FastPass reservations to go. You'll want to make sure you reserve Splash Mountain FastPasses first thing in the summer when the temperatures are at their highest.
Keep in mind, when you use the MaxPass system to reserve FastPass tickets, you won't receive a FastPass reminder. These are only given if you choose to reserve your FastPass times from the FastPass machines outside of the attractions. Either way, you can scan your physical ticket or smartphone that is tied to your ticket to redeem FastPass return times.
Use the unlimited PhotoPass downloads strategically. While the REAL value of MaxPass is the FastPass option, the other huge perk we mentioned above is that it includes your PhotoPass images for the day. If you're using it for pictures only, you can save on cost and only purchase the MaxPass service for one person in your party.
If you go that route, only the selected person will be able to make FastPass reservations on their phone. They will also need to make sure they are with everyone in the group when taking pictures as the MaxPass QR code within their Disneyland app will need to be scanned. Another tip is to screenshot the MaxPass QR code so you can have it ready without opening the app at each PhotoPass photographer.
Bring a charger. This may be one of the most important MaxPass tips for Disneyland. When you use Disney's MaxPass service, you'll be using your phone more than normal and will need to keep your phone charged. There are a couple of options for portable chargers. The first is to use Disneyland's portable chargers available at kiosks throughout the park. You'll pick your first fully charged one up for $30 and be able to recharge it or exchange for a new one at any of the kiosks for no cost. If you remember to always bring this portable charger with you, it may not be a bad investment.
The second option is to purchase a portable charger before you go. We recommend this Anker PowerCore+ model from Amazon. It's highly rated and is only $15, half of what you would pay when purchasing Disneyland's portable chargers.
The last option is a solar powered portable charger. These can be more expensive than normal portable chargers, but don't require you to recharge each night at the hotel or during the day at the parks. Instead, you'll just need to expose it to the sun while you're in the parks. We recommend this Dizual model from Amazon. It's the best seller and only $29, although other models can reach the $40-$50 range. Whichever option you choose, just make sure you have a plan for keeping your phone charged when you go to Disneyland.
Set an alarm on your phone. Use your phone's alarm to your advantage during your Disneyland vacation. On top of being perfect for setting water and food break reminders, your phone's alarm can help you remember your FastPass return times. This is a great thing to do because, even if you're a few minutes from the attraction, you can set up your next FastPass as soon as the return time has hit.
The only caveat to this is if you've made a FastPass reservation that can be redeemed within the next few minutes. Your next FastPass reservation won't be available for another 30 miutes OR until you redeem the FastPass at the attraction, whichever occurs first. By using the alarm on your phone, you'll maximize your time and be able to use as many FastPasses as possible. It's one of our favorite MaxPass tips for Disneyland that not everybody thinks about.
There you have it, our best MaxPass tips for Disneyland. Have you used MaxPass? Do you think it's worth it? Are there any other tips you would add? Let us know in the comments below!
The best way to learn about MaxPass is to actually use it in the parks. Luckily, we can help with that. From discount Disneyland tickets and reduced hotel rates to great customer service and the best tips, Get Away Today can help you have the best vacation ever. Book any of our Disneyland packages online or give our Disney experts a call at 855-GET-AWAY.
Join the Conversation!
Leave A CommentGet Away TodayOctober 29 2019
Anonymous- The FastPass reservation system at Walt Disney World is different than the FastPass request system at Disneyland.
Disneyland does not allow guests to make FastPass requests before arriving at the Resort. You must be in Disneyland to make FastPass requests. If you're going to Walt Disney World, you can start making FastPass requests 60 days in advance. You can make up to three FastPass reservations per day before you arrive in Walt Disney World. If you have more questions, please give us a call at 855-GET-AWAY and a travel specialist will be happy to help.
AnonymousOctober 28 2019
Hi I’ve been reading that you can reserve a FASTPASS 60 days ahead of time when you are staying with the Disney resort but only 30 days ahead of time if you aren’t staying at Disney and limited to 3 FASTPASS booked at one time 30 days before your vaca when you arrive in Disneyland, and also that’s limit of 3 per person I saw this a lot but I see it mainly pop up for Disney world, did Disney land have this and does not anymore ? I am confused and even I watched how to do it on the app . And even after I purchased park hoppers and Maxpass with all our tickets I still can’t book the fast passes they say you need to be in the park so I am very confused and don’t know who to ask
Get Away TodayOctober 25 2018
Anonymous - great question! We recommend a hybrid. If you can get a MaxPass for an attraction that you can ride immediately, do that. There are a few that you'll want to get that may have a later return time. Remember with the MaxPass system you can get another FastPass 90 minutes after you collect one, regardless of when your next return time is. :)
AnonymousOctober 24 2018
I've heard it's better to get Fastpasses for the rides with the latest return time since waits get longer as the day goes on and you'll have those ready for the busy time of day. On the other hand, I've heard it's best to get a Fastpass for the soonest ride so you can use it and get another quicker. Has anyone found one way better than the other or a hybrid?
Get Away TodayOctober 16 2018
Hi Max! We are so glad you have found the tips helpful and know you'll have such a great time. No matter what time you buy MaxPass, you still aren't able to reserve anything until you are scanned into the park. Once you're scanned into the park, you're able to make FastPass reservations - even if you end up heading back to your hotel for a bit or to Downtown Disney to eat. Technically, you can only reserve one FastPass at a time. However, if you reserve one for way later in the evening, then you'll potentially have two FastPasses once your 90 minutes is up and you reserve the next one. There's the possibility of having three that way (if your first was super late in the evening, then the next one was also hours away, and your last one being sooner), but we don't recommend that as that's a lot of waiting. Please let us know if you have any other questions! :)
MaxOctober 11 2018
Hi, just want to say thank you for all the info, they are very helpful :) our family will be going to disneyland in dec, i'm planning to get fast passes for the two of the three days we are there. I'm wondering if there's a difference in getting MaxPass ahead of time compared to after entering the park. Are you allowed to reserve Fastpass earlier in the morning before entering the park if you buy it ahead of time? Also with the 90 min wait time for reserving the next FastPass, does that mean usually at most two FastPasses could be reserved at once.
Get Away TodayJuly 26 2018
Hi Mike, How exciting! Yes, you can purchase MaxPass for all four tickets from your phone. Additionally, you are able to make individual FastPass reservations for each ticket. If you want to ride together, you'll all need one FastPass each for the same attraction. If you want to split up, you are easily able to select which tickets you'd like for each attraction. For example, you could do two for Space Mountain and two for Splash Mountain if you wanted to split up. However, if you all want to ride Space Mountain together, you'd each need to select Space Mountain. :)
MikeJuly 26 2018
Hello...Family of 4 heading to Disneyland next week. I have a 3 day hopper and the Disney app loaded on my phone with all 4 of our tickets uploaded through the app on my phone. When we arrive at the park can I purchase 4 Maxpasses on my phone through the app being I have all their tickets uploaded on my phone/app? Also with 4 Maxpasses can I researve times for 4 different attractions?
Get Away TodayJuly 23 2018
Hi Karen! Once inside the park, you'll use the Disneyland app to purchase MaxPass for the day. It helps if you have your ticket scanned into the app ahead of time, along with your card information ready to go. You can check out more about how to use the MaxPass here: https://www.getawaytoday.com/blogs/2017-01-11/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-disneyland-m
KarenJuly 20 2018
Hi I purchased 2-day park hoppers without the max pass...what do we do to get the max pass when we arrive at the park?
Get Away TodayJuly 10 2018
Hi Amanda! You can only reserve one FastPass at a time and that is the same when using the MaxPass. Please let us know if you have any other questions!
AmandaJuly 09 2018
How many fast passes can you reserve at a time and is it the same using the max pass?
Get Away TodayJune 15 2018
Hi Bebe, Have so much fun! Yes, you can purchase MaxPass for just one ticket to get the PhotoPass downloads. If you want to use the MaxPass for FastPass tickets, you'll need one MaxPass for each person who wants to make FastPass reservations using the app. Individual FastPasses are not loaded onto tickets, but the FastPass service is available on all tickets automatically. You'll just insert your ticket into a FastPass machine pr use the MaxPass service to make your FastPass reservations.
BebeJune 15 2018
We are going to the parks tomorro.. can I just get one maxpass ? As for the fast pass are they already loaded on each ticket?
Get Away TodayApril 30 2018
Hi Joey - great questions! With only 3-4 hours of park time, there will likely not be any FastPass tickets left, so I would not recommend MaxPass for your first day. However, 3-4 hours of park time before park closing is a great time to go! Depending on your dates, you will want to check the entertainment schedule. If you're going during Paint the Night Parade or World of Color, you may want to do Disney California Adventure first and then head over to Disneyland. If you are mostly interested in Fantasmic! and/or the fireworks, then you can head straight to Disneyland and just spend your first evening there.
JoeyApril 30 2018
We are planning to buy from y'all a three day park hopper pass. But, that said, we will not be able to get to the park, for the first day, until 8pm. Which park should we go to with those limited hours (DL closes at midnight that night and CAL I think at 11pm) and do we need a MaxPass at all that first night? Thanks!
Get Away TodayApril 03 2018
Hi Karen! You are able to purchase MaxPass with as many phones as you would like. Just make sure that you scan everyone's ticket onto each device - that way, one person will be able to make a FastPass reservation for everyone in the group if you ever wanted. But yes, using two phones will allow you even more flexibility with MaxPass. Please let us know if you have any other questions!
KarenApril 02 2018
Hi there. I'm interested in using MaxPass, but two of the four of us don't ride some of the faster rides. Can we use two phones to put two MaxPasses on each phone so that we have some flexibility? Or if you buy four MaxPasses do they all need to be on the same phone and so the whole family has to go together?
Get Away TodayMarch 30 2018
Kai - that's a great question. Normally Fastpasses aren't available until the park opens to the general public, even on Magic Hour days. So while you can use MaxPass to make Fastpass reservations for Radiator Springs Racers from Disneyland, it won't be until they are available.
KaiMarch 28 2018
If I get MaxPass and enter Disneyland at 9:00am, am I able to reserve a fastpass for Radiator Springs Racers in California Adventures, even though California Adventures doesn't open to all guests until 10:00am? California Adventures will open at 9:00am that morning to resort guests (Magic Hour), but we are not resort guests. So then, can I make fast passes for California Adventures Radiator Springs Racers when I enter Disneyland at 9:00am?
Get Away TodayJanuary 13 2018
Hi Kurt! After you've selected your FastPass via the app with MaxPass, you'll have about a 90 minute wait until your next FastPass or until you redeem that FastPass, whichever comes first. In your example, you'd be able to make your next FastPass selection at 11:30am. Please let us know if you have any other questions and have a wonderful time in Disneyland! :)
KurtJanuary 09 2018
hi! I’ve never been to Disneyland only World (until this May) so I’m only used to selecting all of my FastPasses at once for the day. So I was just wondering, say it’s 10am and I just got to the park. If I select a 12pm FastPass using MaxPass, do I have to wait until after I redeem my 12pm selection to choose another FastPass??
Get Away TodayNovember 27 2017
Hi Kassie, you will want to check with the ticket broker directly for all ticket restrictions and limitations. Our tickets offer the ability to be upgraded, both to a different length of stay and to add on MaxPass. However, MaxPass can only be added the day of when you are physically inside the park. Once your ticket is scanned in, you'll simply go to the Disneyland app and purchase the MaxPass for that day. If you have any other questions, give us a call at 855-GET-AWAY.
Get Away TodayNovember 27 2017
Hi Melissa, how fun! We're sure your teens will love being able to use the MaxPass during your trip. You can definitely have the app on all of the phones and only use one account, just know that if one person signs in from one device it will likely kick the previous person out of the account from the different device. It will still work, you'll probably just need to log in each time you access the app, though.
As for PhotoPass, it should work as long as you are in the same park as your teens. Just show them the bar code on the app and you will be good to go! If you have any other questions, give us a call at 855-GET-AWAY. :)
KassieNovember 26 2017
I bought my tickets from a ticket broker. Can I physically go to a DLR window to upgrade my tickets to ones with maxpass? Then I can link all my tickets the night before. When I enter the park in the morning all I want to do is start reserving fast passes. I heard there can be app/connectivity issues resulting in having to stand in the customer service line to resolve the issue. I would like to avoid wasting time doing that.
MelissaNovember 26 2017
Hi! We are headed to Disneyland next week and my 2 teens will be experiencing some time away from us doing the rides my younger kids do not like. I am only purchasing maxpass for the teens. My question is can I have the tickets all on my Disneyland app and have my kids download the app and sign into my account where the tickets are and be able to use there maxis from their phones without me being there? Im worry something will happen to their phones and I won't have there tickets and Id like to use the photopass with their maxpass...also can I use the photopass if they are not with me but I have access to there tickets in my app?
Get Away TodaySeptember 25 2017
Hi Erica, great question! Since your 2 year old does not require a ticket, they would not require a MaxPass or FastPass and would be able to ride with you in the FastPass line. Please let us know if you have any other questions! :)
EricaSeptember 23 2017
I have a question. If I have a 2 year old who doesn't require a ticket and the adults in the group have a Maxpass/Fastpass for Haunted Mansion, would my 2 year old come in the Fastpass line with me or would we need to wait in the Stand by line?
Get Away TodaySeptember 11 2017
Hi Stephanie! You will have to return to the attraction between the time listed. In this case, you would need to use the FastPass before it expired at 12. However, the system does usually allow a grace period of 3-5 minutes. Please let us know if you have any questions!
StephanieSeptember 09 2017
Can you only use the return time on your Fastpass, or can you go anytime after that first printed time? I.e. the card says return between 11 and 12. Can you go use it after 12?
AnonymousSeptember 09 2017
We used the Max Pass this week when we were in Disneyland. LOVED IT!!! But you do have to keep track of the times. Setting an alarm is a great idea! I hope they don't raise the price. We will definitely use it again.