How does my MaxPass/Day Strategy Look?

[PlutoTheDog89]

Heading to Disneyland on 12/30 and 12/31. We know it'll be busy. We've done WDW for Christmas and NYE the past 10 years and just looking forward to seeing everything, but the ultra planner in me would like to build out the best, most-efficient trip possible (knowing the crowds)

We're staying at the Candy Cane Inn. I just checked and the parks open at 8am. We'll get to the gate by 7:30am.

Monday, December 30th
6:30am: Breakfast at hotel
7:30am: Head to parks
8:00am: Disneyland
- Get FP for Space Mountain
- Try for Illuminations FP
- Ride Space Mountain
- Ride Buzz Lightyear
- Get FP for Haunted Mansion
- Ride Pirates (depending on wait)
- Ride Haunted Mansion
- Get Matterhorn FP
- Ride Jungle Cruise
- Ride Matterhorn FP
- Get FP for Small World - Night
- Ride Roger Rabbit
- Ride Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
- Explore Toon Town
- Get Snack
1:00pm: Watch Parade
- Photos in front of castle
- Get DCA FP - Incredicoaster/TSM/Guardians?
- Head to DCA
- Ride DCA FP
- Try and get another DCA FP
- Snack/Dinner at Festival of Holidays/Cars Land
- Explore DCA around Sunset
- Back to Disneyland
5:30pm: Small World Lighting
- Ride Small World FP
7:30pm/8:30pm: Wintertime show, Castle
See Illuminations (9, 10:30, 11:30)

Tuesday, December 31st

6:45am: Breakfast at hotel
7:30am: Head to parks
8:00am: Disneyland
- Get FP for RSR
- Whatever we missed in DL (can skip if we hit everything)
- After DL, head to DCA for RSR FP
FP Strategy:
- Guardians
- TSM
- IncrediCoaster
6:40pm: Carthay Circle Dinner Reservation
8:30pm/8:45pm: World of Color
11:50pm: Fireworks

 

[Geemo]

Heading to Disneyland on 12/30 and 12/31. We know it'll be busy. We've done WDW for Christmas and NYE the past 10 years and just looking forward to seeing everything, but the ultra planner in me would like to build out the best, most-efficient trip possible (knowing the crowds)

We're staying at the Candy Cane Inn. I just checked and the parks open at 8am. We'll get to the gate by 7:30am.

Monday, December 30th
6:30am: Breakfast at hotel
7:30am: Head to parks
8:00am: Disneyland
- Get FP for Space Mountain
- Try for Illuminations FP
- Ride Space Mountain
- Ride Buzz Lightyear
- Get FP for Haunted Mansion
- Ride Pirates (depending on wait)
- Ride Haunted Mansion
- Get Matterhorn FP
- Ride Jungle Cruise
- Ride Matterhorn FP
- Get FP for Small World - Night
- Ride Roger Rabbit
- Ride Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
- Explore Toon Town
- Get Snack
1:00pm: Watch Parade
- Photos in front of castle
- Get DCA FP - Incredicoaster/TSM/Guardians?
- Head to DCA
- Ride DCA FP
- Try and get another DCA FP
- Snack/Dinner at Festival of Holidays/Cars Land
- Explore DCA around Sunset
- Back to Disneyland
5:30pm: Small World Lighting
- Ride Small World FP
7:30pm/8:30pm: Wintertime show, Castle
See Illuminations (9, 10:30, 11:30)

Tuesday, December 31st

6:45am: Breakfast at hotel
7:30am: Head to parks
8:00am: Disneyland
- Get FP for RSR
- Whatever we missed in DL (can skip if we hit everything)
- After DL, head to DCA for RSR FP
FP Strategy:
- Guardians
- TSM
- IncrediCoaster
6:40pm: Carthay Circle Dinner Reservation
8:30pm/8:45pm: World of Color
11:50pm: Fireworks

Looking at the park hours I see DL is open for Magic Morning at 7am and DCA is open for Extra Magic Hour at 7am.

I'd be to the gates BEFORE 7:30.
Have a good time!

 

[Skyegirl1999]

A couple of questions:
Have you used Maxpass yet?

When you say “Illuminations FP,” do you mean World of Color? (Oh, Fantasmic, maybe? Looks like you have WOC on day 2.)

What are your top priorities?

Do you mind lots of walking to maximize rides, or would you prefer to stay in one area at a time?

 

[TikiTikiFan]

I’d definitely recommend getting there at 7am.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

A couple of questions:
Have you used Maxpass yet?

When you say “Illuminations FP,” do you mean World of Color? (Oh, Fantasmic, maybe? Looks like you have WOC on day 2.)

What are your top priorities?

Do you mind lots of walking to maximize rides, or would you prefer to stay in one area at a time?

Never used MaxPass. Yeah, i meant Fantasmic.

Top priorities are:
- space mountain
- Haunted Mansion
- Small World at night
- RSR
- Incredicoaster
- Guardians

...anything else that’s totally different form WDW?

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

I’d definitely recommend getting there at 7am.

I thought only DL Resort guests can get in then?

 

[Carrie in AZ]

I just returned today and used MaxPass all day long for two days straight. I don’t want to be negative but, in my opinion and based on what I just experienced, you cannot plan your day at DL the way you plan them at DW because YOU cannot pick the time for your FP returns. You will be at the mercy of what is available when it is time for you to make your next FP. For example, we wanted to start collecting them for after our afternoon break but the times available were not far enough out. It’s just a completely different system and I did not fully understand it. The good news is that you will probably be able to do all you want to do, even repeats like we did, but you will need to go more with the flow. I found it helpful to set an alarm on my phone for the time we could book a new FP. I would log on and immediately pick a new one.

I agree, if park opens at 8:00, you should be there one hour prior on those very busy days.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

I thought only DL Resort guests can get in then?

I’m saying just to show up at 7am to get through security and get a spot in line at the gates. On holidays the lines for entrance days will be very long even 30 minutes before opening.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

I just returned today and used MaxPass all day long for two days straight. I don’t want to be negative but, in my opinion and based on what I just experienced, you cannot plan your day at DL the way you plan them at DW because YOU cannot pick the time for your FP returns. You will be at the mercy of what is available when it is time for you to make your next FP. For example, we wanted to start collecting them for after our afternoon break but the times available were not far enough out. It’s just a completely different system and I did not fully understand it. The good news is that you will probably be able to do all you want to do, even repeats like we did, but you will need to go more with the flow. I found it helpful to set an alarm on my phone for the time we could book a new FP. I would log on and immediately pick a new one.

I agree, if park opens at 8:00, you should be there one hour prior on those very busy days.

good to know. Honestly “going with the flow” is the theme of the trip. We’re starting in San Francisco and making our way down to San Diego.