I’ve been an avid user and self-proclaimed FASTPASS expert for many years, because, let’s face it, waiting in long lines with impatient kids is not ideal.  Even with my careful planning and expert user status, however, any number of issues including no FASTPASS availability for my selected attraction after having walked to the queue, a return time too late in the day, and even broken attractions often interfered with my best-laid plans.  Since its release last summer, Disney MaxPass has virtually eliminated all of the aforementioned pitfalls, effectively changing the way I Disney.

About Disney MaxPass

Disney MaxPass (DMP)  is the digital version of Disneyland’s existing FASTPASS system.  Using the Disneyland Resort app on your smartphone makes it super easy and convenient to obtain and redeem FASTPASS plans.  DMP also eliminates the need to walk to each attraction to determine the wait time and receive a paper FASTPASS.  The app also allows you to see the current standby wait time and DMP return time for each attraction in both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park at a glance, meaning that you can easily make and change plans, to customize your experience with just a few taps.

Currently, the cost for DMP for one day is $10 per person, and includes unlimited downloads of all of your PhotoPass photos from the day.  The daily DMP can be added via the Disneyland Resort app upon arrival at the parks or at the time of online ticket purchase.  Annual Passholders (AP) may choose to purchase an annual DMP for $75.  It should be noted that the AP cost cannot be prorated, and is $75 no matter when the pass is scheduled to expire.  Additionally, the annual DMP cannot be added via the Disneyland Resort app, but rather can only be purchased/ activated at one of the Disneyland Resort ticket booths.

Disneyland Resort Attractions that Offer Disney MaxPass

Disneyland Park

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Haunted Mansion
• Haunted Mansion Holiday
• “it’s a small world”
• “it’s a small world” Holiday
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
• Space Mountain
• Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy
• Splash Mountain
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

Disney California Adventure Park

• Goofy’s Sky School
• Grizzly River Run
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission – BREAKOUT!
• Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark
• Incredicoaster
• Radiator Springs Racers
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Toy Story Midway Mania!

It’s important to note that at this time DMP can only be used for attractions.  If you wish to obtain a FASTPASS return time and viewing location for World of Color or Fantasmic!, you must do so via the designated in-park FASTPASS distribution locations and will need to show your paper FASTPASS in order to gain entry into each show.

Tips to Help Maximize Your Disney MaxPass Experience

These days it seems as though the parks are more crowded than not, especially with the addition of new or newly re-imagined attractions, specialty food offerings, and soon-to-be new experiences and lands (think Pixar Pier and Star Wars Land).  It can often be quite challenging to fit all of the items on your itinerary into one visit.  I personally tend to operate on the “so much to do, so little time” mantra, which can be a bit stressful and detract from the magical experience.  Thankfully, with the addition of Disney MaxPass, I’ve been able to customize our experience from the palm of my hand with relative ease– allowing me and my guests more time to relax and enjoy.

After extensive experimentation in a number of scenarios over the past year, I’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Disney MaxPass experience.

Download the Official Disneyland app and create an account prior to arrival.  Click here for Everything You Need to Know About the Disneyland App

1. Store your account information (email and password) to eliminate the need to log in each time you open the app.
2. Link your party’s ticket(s) or Annual Passes to your account.

Link your credit card to your account for easy DMP and mobile food ordering payments.

DMP can only be used, and FASTPASS selections made, after your ticket has been scanned at the turnstiles of either park.  Once you’ve activated your ticket for the day you can make FASTPASS reservations from any location at the resort including Downtown Disney and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort.  You do not need to be in the specific park or location for which you are reserving your next FASTPASS. This means that you can be strolling through the lobby of Disney’s Grand Californian Resort and Spa while securing a return time for one of the attractions in Disneyland Park.

Determine your “must do” attractions and prioritize your Disney MaxPass selections based on the wants and needs of your group.  Only a certain number of FASTPASSes are issued each day with return times assigned based on demand.  Return times will tend to be later in the day and often completely distributed by mid-day for the more popular attractions e.g. Incredicoaster, Radiator Springs Racers, and Space Mountain.

If you have flexibility in your schedule and your “must do” list includes anything and everything you can fit in I highly recommend obtaining FASTPASSes with the closest return time.  Doing so will increase the number of FASTPASSes you are able to obtain/ use in a day.  Keep in mind the tip above however, as you don’t want to miss out on riding your favorite ride if the demand and wait times are too high.

Pay close attention not only to your return time, but also to the established time for obtaining a new FASTPASS.  This time is often earlier than your FASTPASS return time, allowing you to hold more than one FASTPASS at a time.

With DMP FASTPASS reservations can be canceled.  This option has been a game changer for us.  If our plans change or we decide to ride a different ride with a closer return time I can simply cancel our existing FASTPASS selection and reserve a new one.

The Disneyland App can be glitchy at times, causing issues or delay with logging in to obtain your FASTPASS and PhotoPass barcodes.  For that reason, I always take screenshots of my PhotoPass and FASTPASS barcodes (once in the return time window) to ensure that I am not holding up the line should a technology error occur.  If issues persist head over to Guest Services for tech support and troubleshooting.

If the attraction that you are holding a FASTPASS is broken during your return window, fear not, as the App will automatically issue you a Multiple Experience FASTPASS, which will allow you to go on any FASTPASS ride in place of the attraction you missed.  You can also hold on to your Multiple Experience FASTPASS and use it when your attraction of choice re-opens.

I have observed that return times using DMP are often earlier than the posted return times for the traditional FASTPASS system.  For this reason I always log in to the app to confirm stand by and FASTPASS return times and decide whether it makes more sense to wait or obtain a FASTPASS and move on to another attraction to maximize my time.

Bring a portable charger.  Logging in and out of the app multiple times during the day will cause your battery to drain quicker than with normal use.  If you need and/ or intend to use the app for regular use as well as PhotoPass and FASTPASS activities having a portable charger is essential.  I am a huge fan of the FuelRod, which can easily be purchased and exchanged at the Disneyland Resort as well as charged and re-used at home.

Is Disney MaxPass worth it?

I’m often asked if Disney MaxPass worth the money and always answer with an emphatic-  yes!  While you can use the FASTPASS system without the DMP option for free it’s not without it’s challenges.  As I am an Annual Passholder and frequently visit the Disneyland Resort during peak, crowd times the ease and convenience of Disney MaxPass truly enhances my experience and is worth every penny.

Have you previously used or are you considering purchasing Disney MaxPass during your next visit?  We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.