Last week, we talked about the differences and similarities between Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Both destinations offer a system allowing park visitors to bypass standby lines, lessening wait times and enhancing the guest experience. Of course, the way the systems work on the East and West Coast differ! You can read about Walt Disney World’s FastPass+ here. Today, we’re talking all about FASTPASS and MaxPass at Disneyland.
WHAT IS FASTPASS?
FASTPASS allows Disneyland Resort guests to bypass the “standby” line at select attractions at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. FASTPASS is offered at no cost when using the traditional system where guests physically visit kiosks located throughout the parks to obtain a FASTPASS for attractions. Unlike at Walt Disney World Resort, you cannnot make FASTPASS selections prior to your Disneyland Resort visit. FASTPASS will be made on-site at the parks.
Use FASTPASS to board the boats of “it’s a small world” at Disneyland Park!
FASTPASS does not provide immediate, front-of-the-line access as there may be a short wait when using FASTPASS, but it will be less (often significantly less) than what guests without FASTPASS are waiting. FASTPASSES are available on a first-come, first-served and limited basis. The best plan is always to start your day early to utilize FASTPASS as often as possible.
The process is simple to obtain FASTPASS using the traditional method:
1. Insert each rider’s park tickets into the FASTPASS kiosk outside the ride. The kiosks are usually easy to find; however, look for the “it’s a small world” FASTPASS distribution point near the entrance of Matterhorn Bobsleds.
2. The kiosk will give you a reminder ticket with a return time for that particular ride. The actual pass will be loaded onto your park ticket.
3. Go enjoy another attraction or two!
4. Return at your designated time and enter the FASTPASS line.
5. Scan your ticket, not the FASTPASS reminder.
6. Enjoy the ride!
You can utilize FASTPASS at the following Disneyland Park attractions:
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Fantasmic! - only available with the traditional FASTPASS
Haunted Mansion
Indiana Jones™ Adventure+
“it’s a small world”
Matterhorn Bobsleds+
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
Space Mountain+
Splash Mountain+
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
You can utilize FASTPASS at the following Disney California Adventure Park attractions:
Goofy’s Sky School+
Grizzly River Run+
Guardians of the Galaxy
Incredicoaster+
Radiator Springs Racers+
Soarin’ Around the World
Toy Story Midway Mania!
World of Color - temporarily closed
+ These are attractions that also offer Single Rider Lines. You can enjoy these attractions without FASTPASS if you don’t mind sitting by yourself or with people you don’t know. Single Rider is convenient when one member of the party really wants to ride Grizzly River Run, for example, while the others would prefer not to get wet riding the attraction. Or perhaps Mom and her teenage son want to experience Incredicoaster together, but younger Sis doesn’t meet the height requirement and can wait with Dad. Please note that Single Rider may not be available at certain times, and it can be offered at the discretion of Cast Members. We tried using Single Rider at Indiana Jones Adventure last December and were not able to access the line.
WHAT IS MAXPASS?
MaxPass allows guests to make FASTPASS selections on their mobile device using the Disneyland app while they're in the parks, rather than physically visiting kiosks to pull a FASTPASS. MaxPass incurs a fee of $10 per day per guest. With a Park Hopper ticket, you can make a FASTPASS selection for the park in which you are physically at that moment or for the second park you plan on visiting later.
HOW TO PURCHASE + USE MAXPASS
MaxPass can be added with resort/ticket packages or ticket-only purchases.
To select your first FASTPASS at the park:
Select a FASTPASS party (choose everyone who wants to experience the attraction).
Choose the park for which attraction you want the FASTPASS (either Disneyland or California Adventure).
Select which attraction you’d like to experience with FASTPASS.
When it’s time to board an attraction with FASTPASS, click on “Redeem” and then scan the barcode for each guest in the party.
For each FASTPASS you select via MaxPass, you’ll be given a time to pull your next FASTPASS; take advantage of the usage windows and use as many FASTPASSES as you can throughout your day.
TIPS FOR USING FASTPASS AND MAXPASS:
If you send a member of your party to retrieve FASTPASS by visiting kiosks, make sure that person has every rider’s park ticket.
FASTPASS and MaxPass will both tell you the exact time on the ticket or app when you can secure another pass. Use this to your advantage!
Be sure to pay attention to the return time on your reminder ticket.
The Fantasmic! FASTPASS is not connected to the rest of the system so you can have a FASTPASS for the show in addition to your other FASTPASS selections. We highly recommend getting these FASTPASSES immediately when you get to the park. These are actual vouchers, so be sure to hold onto them. Fantasmic! FASTPASS are distributed along the Rivers of America, adjacent to Frontier Landing.
PHOTOPASS WITH MAXPASS
MaxPass also comes with unlimited Disney PhotoPass photo downloads per day of MaxPass purchase. You can download and share photos taken from select dining locations, attractions, character greetings and Disney PhotoPass photographers stationed at primo locations. The photographers can add “Magic Shots” where a Disney character will appear. Just ask the photographer! He or she will scan the code on your phone to link images with your account.
Select attractions have Disney PhotoPass cameras positioned to capture you while on an attraction.
Disneyland Park:
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Disney California Adventure Park:
Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT!
Incredicoaster
Radiator Springs Racers
Near the exits of each of these attractions, a preview wall lets you view a snapshot of your experience on the attraction. You can link your 8-character Attraction ID, located on the preview wall, to your Disney account with the Disneyland mobile app.
We LOVE the MAXPASS feature and totally think the convenience of not having to walk across the parks to obtain FASTPASS outweighs the additional cost. Have you used FASTPASS and/orMaxPass at Disneyland Resort? What do you think?