Making the Most of Disney's FASTPASS and MaxPass

FP kiosk for Tower of
Terror
by GingerJ

If you've been to Walt Disney World recently and used the FASTPASS+ there, this will feel like a blast from the past!  Disneyland Resort still uses the original FASTPASS system to reduce the amount of time you spend in line. Unlike systems at some other parks that let you essentially buy a front-of-the-line pass, this is free to all park guests. A quick lesson in how to use them, and a refresher for those who haven't used one recently: Just slip your park pass into a machine near an attraction with FASTPASS. Out pops your pass and a printed ticket that promises you a ride during a particular period some time later in the day. Depending on how many tickets have been issued, you may be able to return in 25 minutes, or hours later. When your FASTPASS return time arrives, walk up to the attraction’s “FASTPASS Return” entrance, show your FASTPASS to the cast member, and walk on in. There’s usually still a short wait, and you’ll experience most or all “pre-show” activities. Every FASTPASS attraction has a “Standby” line, which is the regular wait-in-line queue.

We highly recommend you get your first FASTPASS early in the day for one of the more popular rides, as FASTPASS tickets can run out on busy days. Our attraction descriptions later in this chapter indicate if an attraction has FASTPASS (look for the icon), and our touring plans give recommendations on which FASTPASSes to get throughout a day. Note: FASTPASS isn’t always available, especially near closing time or during non-peak periods. Tip #1: The FASTPASS networks at Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure are not connected, so you can get a FASTPASS for Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland then walk across the Esplanade to get a FASTPASS at Tower of Terror at Disney’s California Adventure. Tip #2: Enjoy the same ride twice! Get a FASTPASS, then get in the Standby queue. By the time your ride is over, it may be time to use your FASTPASS.

MaxPass: Note: As of July 19, 2017, guests can purchase MaxPass for $10/person/day which allows you to make FASTPASSes through an app on your smartphone or device, as well as allowing unlimited digital PhotoPass downloads. Attraction that use MaxPass are Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Haunted Mansion [Holiday], Indiana Jones Adventure, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin, [Hyper] Space Mountain [Ghost Galaxy], Splash Mountain, Star Tours The Adventures Continue, California Screamin', Goofy's Sky School, Grizzly River Run, Radiator Springs Racers, Soarin' Around the World, Toy Story Mania, and Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!Traditional FASTPASSes are still be available. 

FASTPASS Strategy: On entering Disney's California Adventure first thing in the morning, you may have to choose between two highly desirable FASTPASSes: World of Color and Radiator Springs Racers. Both are available at rope drop, both are subject to huge lines almost immediately, and both are in short supply. World of Color FASTPASSes aren't linked to rides, so you could conceivably get both if you hustle. We recommend you get them on different days, or spring for a World of Color dinner package or dessert party. See more about World of Color on page 124.

Park Ratings

We rate each park to help you make the best decisions. Even so, our ratings may differ from your opinions—use the ratings as a guide only.

Value Ratings range from 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent) and are based on quality (cleanliness, maintenance, and freshness); variety (different types of thing to do); and scope (quantity and size of things to do)—overall value represents an average of the above three values. Magic Ratings are based on theme (execution and sense of immersion); excitement (thrills, laughs, and sense of wonder); and fun factor (number and quality of entertaining activities)—overall magic represents an average of the above three values. We use a point accumulation method to determine value and magic ratings.

Readers’ Ratings are calculated from surveys submitted by vacationers at our web site (http://www.passporter.com/guide/ratings.php).

Guest satisfaction is based on our and our readers’ experiences with how different types of guests enjoy the park: ❤❤❤❤❤=love it ❤❤❤❤=enjoy it ❤❤❤=like it ❤❤=tolerate it ❤=don’t like it