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FastPass vs. MaxPass at Disneyland

What is the difference and how do you use them? All you need to know in this guide!

by Shantelle
March 12, 2020
in Disney California Adventure, Disneyland, FastPass vs. MaxPass, Planning Tools & Tips
FastPass vs. MaxPass at Disneyland
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What is a FastPass (FP) and how does it work?

The FastPass option is included FREE with your park ticket. It allows you to bypass the standby line and get on a ride with a typically long wait time in only 10-15 minute wait instead.  I hear people complain about the long lines at Disney, which is why you need to utilize the FP option. It’s not available for every ride. See the list below for the rides that offer a FastPass.

To obtain a FP look near the ride entrance for a FP distribution sign like the one above. Ask a cast member for help if you can’t locate the kiosk because some are not next to the ride. You then use your park ticket to obtain a FastPass reminder ticket. The ticket will give an hour window time frame in which you return to the ride and skip ahead to the FastPass line and cut out considerable wait time for the ride. Make sure you return between the times stated on your ticket as shown in the photo below.  I recommend always having a FP in your possession throughout the day. You can send one person in your party with all the park tickets to get FastPasses. You can pull a second FastPass even if you’re holding onto the current one depending on the time on your ticket. It will state on the bottom when you can get another one as seen in this photo.

Pro Tip: Set an alarm on your phone to remind you when you can go grab another FP.

After you’ve used your FP when you get off that ride go get another FastPass! Utilize this free option and save time by not wasting time in lines.

If a ride breaks during your FP return time the FP automatically turns into a Replacement FASTPASS. Read more about this type of FP at the bottom of this post.

Disney also offers another option called MaxPass. For $20 per ticket per day you can get a FP on your phone without going to the kiosk by the ride.  I will explain more about MaxPass below. 

The following rides offer the FastPass option in Disneyland.

  • Space Mountain
  • Star Tours
  • Buzz Lightyear
  • Big Thunder Mountain
  • Splash Mountain
  • Haunted Mansion
  • Indiana Jones
  • Matterhorn
  • Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon
  • It’s a Small World

The following rides offer the FastPass option in Disney California Adventure.

  • Guardians of the Galaxy
  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Radiator Springs Racers
  • Incredicoaster
  • Toy Story Mania
  • Goofy’s Sky School
  • Grizzly River Run

What is MaxPass and should you purchase it?

Now you have a better idea about what a FastPass is and how to get one.  MaxPass is an add on to your park ticket for $20 per day per ticket. Or if you’re an annual pass holder it’s $125 for the year.  MaxPass is an electronic option that allows you to make a FASTPASS selection from your phone using the Disneyland app rather than walking to the kiosk (which might be on the other side of the park or in the opposite park you’re in) and grabbing a paper FASTPASS reminder.  Every person in your party needs to have MaxPass in order to take advantage of this feature.  

You can be standing in line at Indiana Jones and select a FastPass for Space Mountain. Or even be in Disneyland and select a FP for an attraction in Disney California Adventure!   It’s a very efficient way to save time and ride more especially on crowded days. 

Bonus it includes PhotoPass for the day. You get all the photos you want from the PhotoPass photographers throughout the parks.  It’s worth the $20 just to have all those memories with everyone in the photo.  Plus you can get magical things added to your photos. Be sure to ask the photographer if they have any “magic shots” like this photo.  Another added perk with MaxPass you can get a FP for World of Color or Fantasmic using MaxPass!  Make sure you get this in the app first thing in the morning before they run out!  This FP is separate from the regular FP system. As soon as you get it through the app you can get another FP no need to wait.  

How do you get MaxPass, follow these easy steps!

  1. Before you go to the parks download the official Disneyland app.
  2. Once you enter the gates click on “Get FastPass with Disney MaxPass”
  3. Link/scan your park ticket if you haven’t already done so.
  4. “Purchase for Today” where you will enter your payment and purchase MaxPass.  Or some tickets you can purchase with MaxPass and you would skip this step you don’t need to purchase it cause it’s included on your ticket.
  5. Your payment is confirmed then you “Make a FastPass selection”
  6. “Choose a Park” you can decide where you want to go on your first ride in Disneyland or DCA?
  7. “Choose an Experience” here you choose the ride you want to go on. It will give you times to select from and show you the current wait time.
  8. Then click “Confirm” and PAY ATTENTION to the next screen!
  9. It will say Congratulations and then tell you when you can make another FP selection.
  10. When it’s time to go on your ride get your device out, you’ll need to scan the barcode.

MaxPass tips and recommendations …

→ Load all the tickets onto 1 device. Then have someone be in charge of getting the FP’s.  If you’re a large group have another device with all your tickets in case you need to split up.

→ Once you scan your park ticket (at the gates or the monorail station in Downtown Disney) purchase and activate MaxPass it’s available to you for the entire day no matter where you are located!

→ Set your alarm to remind you when you can select your next FP. 

→ As soon as you scan your phone and redeem your FP at the ride get on the app and choose your next FP while waiting in line. 

→ Another perk of MaxPass is you can be at your hotel resting and make a FastPass reservation for any available ride!

→ Even if your group isn’t interested in the FP rides consider purchasing (1) MaxPass for photos alone $20/day!

→ Another great advantage you can be in Disneyland and make a FastPass reservation for rides in Disney California Adventure!

→ Plus you could be on the monorail heading into Disneyland and make a FastPass reservation for Big Thunder Mountain!

Is it worth it?

MaxPass costs $15 per person, per day. The Disney planner in me feels like the $15 per day is a great way to maximize your visit!  But the budget conscious me says that can add up. If you’re a large family and you’re going for several days that’s just another expense. But it would certainly be worth having MaxPass during the busier times of the year or even for just one of your days at the parks. In my opinion MaxPass is totally worth it! You’re able to get on so many more attractions faster in one day.

Can you have more than one FASTPASS at a time?

YES!!!! My advice is make your first selection as soon as you get inside the parks as mentioned above! Choose a FP for Fantasmic or World of Color in the app if you plan to see either of these shows later in the evening and keep on moving. Those show FASTPASSES are not linked to the FP system which means you can immediately get another FP for any ride. After you choose your first FP then on that same screen your return time appears it will say “This party can make a NEW FastPass selection at ….” Pay attention to that time and set an alarm. ⏰

For instance I made a FASTPASS reservation at 9:40 am for Hyperspace Mountain and it said I could make my next FP selection at 10:09 am. Always have a FP for your next ride.

What is a Replacement FastPass?

When a ride breaks down during your return window time you get a replacement FastPass for a different ride or your choice in that same park. It’s like a magical FP cause you get to pick from a specific list what ride you want to use it for. Plus there is no time period. You can use it anytime the rest of the day. 

This new feature has a twist. Your ride choices to choose from vary based on the ride that broke down that you had the FastPass for. Your ride options are now based on tiers. Tier 1 rides are the most popular rides. Most FP attractions are in Tier 2.  Here’s a list of attractions in Tier 1, if a ride is not listed then it’s in Tier 2 

Tier 1 rides at Disneyland:

  • Indiana Jones Adventure
  • Matterhorn Bobsleds
  • Space Mountain

Tier 1 rides at Disney California:

  • Radiator Springs Racers
  • Toy Story Midway Mania 

If your FastPass was for a Tier 1 ride, then you can choose from any ride in either Tier 1 or 2. But don’t worry your choices are clear in the app as to which rides you can choose from. .

Here’s an example …

I had a FastPass for Indiana Jones and it broke down. I wasn’t on the ride and didn’t know it was down, but the app notified me with a Replacement FastPass like this one.

The Replacement FastPass shows up in the app under MY PLANS. Then I wasn’t sure what ride I could use it on, well there is a place to click See Replacement FastPass Options.  From that list you can choose which ride you want to go on in it’s place.  It’s real easy the app is user friendly. If you’re still unsure ask a cast member for help.

Also if you’re ON a ride and it breaks down you may get more than one of these Replacement FastPasses!

WOW that’s a lot of information.  But I share all of these tips and tricks about how to utilize these systems because they will make your trip more efficient and you will maximize your time at the parks.

Make sure you’re following along on Instagram too.  I share more tips and information there daily that will help make your visit more magical.

Pin this post so you can refer to it often.

 

Shantelle

Shantelle

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Comments 2

  1. Crystal says:
    3 years ago

    Great info! If you use max pass, can you still scan your tickets at the FastPass entrance instead of your phone? So you don’t have to have your phone e out all the time and Scroll through all the people in your party?

    • Shantelle says:
      3 years ago

      Yes you can and it does save your battery.

About Shantelle

Hello and welcome to my page where I share tips, information, strategies, news, events and more mainly about the Disneyland Resort. Growing up my grandparents owned a travel agency. I watched my grandmother plan and lead tours all over the world. Between her and my mother, I learned the importance of planning before you go on a trip to make the most out of your time. While my main focus is Disneyland you’ll find info about other Disney parks and Disney cruises too!
If you’re overwhelmed or need help planning your trip I offer customized touring plans.

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