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Post by shanniebananie on Jul 23, 2018 14:15:12 GMT
I will be at Disneyland with my kids on Friday and then DH will join us for California Adventure the next day. We are veterans of WDW, but it has been several years since we have been to Disneyland.
Tell me about MaxPass. We are definitely planning on purchasing it since our time is limited in each park (one day each). Explain MaxPass to me like I am a moron. My basic understanding is that we purchase our park tickets for the day and then link the tickets to the Disneyland app (will they tell us how to do it?) We can then get our fastpasses through the app every 90 minutes or after we have used the previous fast pass. We can also link it to the photo pass. I got this much from the Disboards.
What I would like from you all is if MaxPasses are worth it, any "tips and tricks" for maximizing them, any real-life experiences are appreciated!
Also, where do you like to dine at Disneyland and CA?
What are the don't miss attractions?
What are your favorite things to do at each park?
Thank you!
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Jul 23, 2018 14:29:36 GMT
I can't answer about MaxPass - my one Disneyland trip was 2 years ago, before MaxPass.
But, for restaurants - we loved Blue Bayou. It is located inside Pirates, and it was fun to watch the boats go by. For a fun snack, go to Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land. Each cone has a different food - I remember ice cream, chili, popcorn (we had one with dill pickle seasoning), and maybe pretzels, each served in a cone. The beignets and Mint Juleps in New Orleans Square would have been great if we didn't have the experience of making it to the Big Easy at least once a year. As a Disney World comparison, they were better than the ones at Port Orleans French Quarter.
If you can swing it, consider one of the dessert parties for World of Color. Getting there way in advance and standing in a giant crowd of people stresses me out, so standing in a short line, having a seat at a table, and watching with a great view while I get to snack on desserts and cheese and have an adult beverage was very nice.
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cakediva
Drama Llama
Making the world a sweeter place one cake at a time!
Posts: 7,444 
Location: Fergus, Ontario
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Post by cakediva on Jul 23, 2018 14:46:01 GMT
I can't answer about MaxPass - my one Disneyland trip was 2 years ago, before MaxPass. But, for restaurants - we loved Blue Bayou. It is located inside Pirates, and it was fun to watch the boats go by. For a fun snack, go to Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land. Each cone has a different food - I remember ice cream, chili, popcorn (we had one with dill pickle seasoning), and maybe pretzels, each served in a cone. The beignets and Mint Juleps in New Orleans Square would have been great if we didn't have the experience of making it to the Big Easy at least once a year. As a Disney World comparison, they were better than the ones at Port Orleans French Quarter. If you can swing it, consider one of the dessert parties for World of Color. Getting there way in advance and standing in a giant crowd of people stresses me out, so standing in a short line, having a seat at a table, and watching with a great view while I get to snack on desserts and cheese and have an adult beverage was very nice. Damn - the World of Color dessert party sounded interesting - but it is closed for refurbishment until late 2018.... But we go in 2019 (October likely) so I will be putting this on my list for then!! It is for my 50th birthday and then our 25th anniversary as well (which will include renting a convertible and driving the California coast). Dessert party is ON MY LIST! LOL |
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Post by cathyb on Jul 23, 2018 14:53:54 GMT
So much will be changing at both parks over the next few years. I would stay on top of the developments the best you can so that you can make the most of your trip. We love to eat at Carthay Circle inside California Adventure. October is a very busy month for the parks due to the Halloween party nights. When the schedule comes out for next year, I would check it against the days you will be there. Disneyland closes early on those nights. And, Maxpass is AWESOME!
Sorry, I confused two posts.
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Post by dualmaestra on Jul 23, 2018 15:37:20 GMT
I'm local to Disneyland, but just recently got an annual pass after not going for about 4-5 years. We got it because we wanted to use the discount at WDW (our first trip) last month.
I went for a couple of hours last week (my pass includes the MaxPass). This is what i discovered:
You cannot book any passes until you are IN the parks (your ticket has to be scanned). Because we were only there a couple of hours, we only used 1).
MaxPass is the ability to book a fastness from your phone (like it is already done at WDW, at disneyland you have to actually walk to the attraction and get the fastpass).
I would download the Disneyland app and link your tickets prior to going and link your family (you'll need their ticket numbers). That way it's all set up. As soon as you get scanned in the gates, book your first MaxPass. You can also make your dining reservations once your tickets are linked as well.
I went last Thursday and was surprised how crowded it was. It took me over an hour to get in the park (parking, security and park gate all had LONG lines). I think I got there at 10 am.
After visiting WDW, Disneyland is so behind. There is no Wifi at the parks, I miss the 3 fast passes ahead of time and Magic Bands!!
Have fun on your trip!
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Post by cmpeter on Jul 23, 2018 16:55:19 GMT
LOVE MaxPass.
Definitely buy and link your tickets in the app before you arrive.
Once you scan your ticket and enter the parks purchase MaxPass on the app. Make sure your cc is already setup in the app.
Pick your first MaxPass. As soon as you scan that MP to go on a ride, pick your next MP. Don’t wait until you’ve finished the ride. On Indy and Soarin, make sure you do this before you walk too far into the ride as you’ll lose cell service.
Lather, rinse repeat. Keep an eye on return times...try and get an RSR and Incredi Coaster MP to ride them in the dark. Ride them in the day too...but night time is extra special.
If you leave for a mid-day break you can book MP from your hotel, as long as you’ve scanned into a park for the day.
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Post by cmpeter on Jul 23, 2018 16:56:22 GMT
Oh...use your phone to take pictures of the codes on the ride photos as you exit a ride. Then when you get home you enter those codes and can download the ride photos.
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quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,709
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Jul 23, 2018 17:39:31 GMT
But we go in 2019 (October likely) so I will be putting this on my list for then!! It is for my 50th birthday and then our 25th anniversary as well (which will include renting a convertible and driving the California coast). Dessert party is ON MY LIST! LOL You will enjoy Disneyland but it is not as big as DisneyWorld. Where are you flying from? Local or USA. Southwest is usually the best deal as you get 2 free bags. I use the flight from Buffalo to SNA, but stopping in either Phoenix or Las Vegas. Much better to be stuck in the south than at Midway (Chicago). Eat at Wilma's on Balboa Island and check out Cie la Vie in Laguna Beach. Sit on the upper deck before the sunsets. Beautiful & excellent food! |
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cakediva
Drama Llama
Making the world a sweeter place one cake at a time!
Posts: 7,444
Location: Fergus, Ontario
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Post by cakediva on Jul 23, 2018 18:17:38 GMT
But we go in 2019 (October likely) so I will be putting this on my list for then!! It is for my 50th birthday and then our 25th anniversary as well (which will include renting a convertible and driving the California coast). Dessert party is ON MY LIST! LOL You will enjoy Disneyland but it is not as big as DisneyWorld. Where are you flying from? Local or USA. Southwest is usually the best deal as you get 2 free bags. I use the flight from Buffalo to SNA, but stopping in either Phoenix or Las Vegas. Much better to be stuck in the south than at Midway (Chicago). Eat at Wilma's on Balboa Island and check out Cie la Vie in Laguna Beach. Sit on the upper deck before the sunsets. Beautiful & excellent food! I know to not expect DisneyWorld - but I'm excited all the same!! We don't want a full week of just Disney...3 days at DL for my birthday and the remaining 7 days driving around California will be perfect. We will fly Westjet from Toronto. Between my saved WJ dollars and my yearly $99 companion flight, our flights will cost us next to nothing! And it will fly to Vancouver for a short layover then down to Orange County airport. We have over a year to plan, and my good friend is a travel agent, so she'll be helping us out as well. |
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Post by cmpeter on Jul 23, 2018 18:25:20 GMT
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Post by kristi on Jul 23, 2018 18:31:40 GMT
My daughter went and was able to use it.
She downloaded the app on her phone. She wasn’t able to complete max pass until she entered the park.
Great for getting photos directly to your phone and totally worth the price.
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scrappinmama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,884
Member is Online
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on Jul 23, 2018 20:10:51 GMT
We loved Max Pass! At first we just bought one day, but after that went so well, we bought it for the remainder of our trip! We were able to do so much by using Max Pass. And the great thing about the app is that you can order food from quick service places and avoid standing in the line at the cashier. This obviously won't help at restaurants, but you can make reservations on the app!
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Post by jemmls4 on Jul 23, 2018 22:57:51 GMT
We were there first week of July. Maxpass is great! I would reiterate what competed said. Key is as soon as you use one, get on the site and pick another.
We got there about noon first day and I grabbed us one that was later on in day. So as it states, 90 minutes after I got us the fast pass I was able to get another even though we hadn’t used the first one yet. Basically you either have to wait 90 min between making fast passes, OR use a four and then get another. In the app after you make a fast pass it will tell you what time you can make another.
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Post by dualmaestra on Jul 23, 2018 23:07:55 GMT
I can't answer about MaxPass - my one Disneyland trip was 2 years ago, before MaxPass. But, for restaurants - we loved Blue Bayou. It is located inside Pirates, and it was fun to watch the boats go by. For a fun snack, go to Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land. Each cone has a different food - I remember ice cream, chili, popcorn (we had one with dill pickle seasoning), and maybe pretzels, each served in a cone. The beignets and Mint Juleps in New Orleans Square would have been great if we didn't have the experience of making it to the Big Easy at least once a year. As a Disney World comparison, they were better than the ones at Port Orleans French Quarter. If you can swing it, consider one of the dessert parties for World of Color. Getting there way in advance and standing in a giant crowd of people stresses me out, so standing in a short line, having a seat at a table, and watching with a great view while I get to snack on desserts and cheese and have an adult beverage was very nice. Damn - the World of Color dessert party sounded interesting - but it is closed for refurbishment until late 2018.... But we go in 2019 (October likely) so I will be putting this on my list for then!! It is for my 50th birthday and then our 25th anniversary as well (which will include renting a convertible and driving the California coast). Dessert party is ON MY LIST! LOL I just went to WDW for the first time to celebrate my 50th. It is nothing like Disneyland which is local to me. It took me a year to plan the trip (with the help of a travel agent) for 15 people! We all had a blast and wish we could go again next year but for a longer time. Enjoy your trip! |
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Post by shannoots on Jul 23, 2018 23:12:37 GMT
We were just at Disneyland. We paid $10/person for the MaxPass. Just like others said, you can't sign up for any rides until you enter the park. They give you an hour window for the ride. We were able to walk up during our time slot and get on in less than 5 minutes. As the day went on, it was a longer wait for the passes especially for the more popular rides. For example, we tried to book Indiana Jones at like 4 but it wasn't available until like 7 or 8 at night. So, in my opinion, I would try to do those more popular rides early and then move on. I personally loved the MaxPass. I don't normally ride rides because I hate waiting in line but this cut that out for me. One thing to note is that not all rides accept the MaxPass so you might want to check that our first. To me, I didn't understand why everyone wouldn't pay the money and do it.
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Post by underwatermama on Jul 23, 2018 23:20:00 GMT
We were at DL/CA for one day during spring break and the park was very crowded so we opted to get the Maxpass. Best thing we could have done. It was DH, me and our 17 y.o. DS. I put DS in charge of the Maxpass via my Disneyland account and boom...he kept us on schedule with where to go next and we would vote between the three of us on which pass to get next as they became available (I can't remember how often that is). If we were going there for more than one day, I would probably just get it the one day to make sure we hit all the new rides, but since a lot of the older rides don't have maxpass, we could have done those rides on another day. I also missed strolling leisurely to see all the details in new areas like CarsLand since that was new for us, but we'll do that on another trip someday.
FYI, you have to buy a maxpass for each person in your party, but you can link the tickets so that only one person has to do the "work of getting the fastpasses.
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Post by its me mg on Jul 24, 2018 2:51:50 GMT
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There are some exclusives you may want to try.