Hi all,
I just got back from a 3 day trip to Disneyland with my daughter. Wanted to pass on a few thoughts about some things.
Maxpass: LOVED IT. Now, we were only 2 (I totally get the sticker shock with large groups) but I ladored it. I added it to the first 2 of our days there (the third day we weren't going on fastpass rides and doing more characters and shopping - not planned that way, just worked out that way). It was very quick and easy to add after entering the parks.
Things I loved:
-Being able to make FP reservations in DCA while have having lunch in DL (just in general not running around for FPs)
-I reserved fastpasses at the Candy Cane Inn for later in the day
-Being able to cancel fastpasses was great - one night Matterhorn FPs were listed as gone and when I looked a few minutes later one had opened up - keep looking!
-I used my phone to make the reservations but my tickets to scan at the ride. Seemed quicker. Those scanners are FAST!
I did notice FP line backups at a few rides but after that passed the lines didn't seem longer. A lot of people were not noticing that there are two scanners at each ride which would slow things down. I was in DL with a larger group earlier this summer (before Maxpass) and I didn't notice a big difference in FP lines.
RBT Fantasmic dinner package
-I noticed many people were booking this same day FYI (I heard one CM say the Premium was sold out though)
-I had never eaten there before. We both enjoyed the food and people with reservations were all seated inside - it was hot that day so that was great.
-Tickets said to come to section starting at 8. We showed up about 7:50 and they were just letting people in. We could have sat at the rails a bit to the side but we chose 2nd row more in the middle. I didn't notice anyone with the BB seat cushions but I also wasn't really looking for them - so not sure f everyone was seated together. We were a tad bit left of center.
I have never had such great seating for Fantasmic so this was money well spent. I was really impressed with the fireworks projections as well and thank you to the teens in front of us who brought my daughter in front of them during the fireworks (you have to stand that those) so she could have the best view right at the rail. The rail was kind of in the way for Fantasmic but not really (if that makes sense? It being there didn't bother us I guess) - I really liked being so close to the front. If you have kids it might be worth getting there early like we did more for the fireworks projection view than Fantasmic. We were also tired so sitting for an hour was pleasant
I also booked a Matterhorn FP with maxpass while waiting. My daughter is old enough to be alone for awhile but I probably would not have left her at night to run to get this.
Right after the fireworks we walked over the Main Street and sat right on the curb for the MSEP at 10:45. Very easy to find a spot even after a bathroom break.
WOC dessert Party
This was a huge treat and was great. I have celiac and my plate was great. You just can't beat sitting down at a table and sipping a cocktail while watching World of Color. We had the high tables and I would ask for them again. It's not something I would pay for every time certainly but especially with a small group it's an amazing experience. I had only seen the 60th anniversary WOC so it was great to see this one.
Minnie Plaza Inn Breakfast
We do character meals every year (usually Mickey Surfs Up and Goofy's Dinner). We had done Minnie's once before. That Minnie experience was way better than our experience this year. A lot of it was just bad luck though I think. Staff changed over so my request to chat with a chef about GF food took a really, really long time (the food they brought me out was pretty good though but not as good as Surf's Up) Some characters had just passed by our table when we sat down - and since they run on a 90 minute circuit we didn't see some characters at our table when we left - which had never happened to us before.
We were done in a bit over an hour and felt like we had been waiting for characters for quite some time. I talked to a CM about seeing a few of the characters that we missed but just got the 90 minute comment and "if you see 5 characters you're doing well". In the past if we chatted with a CM about stuff like this they brought either us over to the character or had the character come to us. I could have pushed more on this but didn't feel that strongly about it. We saw maybe six characters and missed at least 3. Still more (or the same) amount of characters to other character meals but it's hard on kids to see characters at other tables and not have them come to you. Not sure if it's normal to miss a few characters at these things or not.
What also made waiting unappealing was a large family whose kids (and parents) were out of control. One kid was screaming bloody murder consistently. Others were running to characters all over the restaurant with the parents encouraging them by taking photos. I saw a CM talk with them at point but it didn't help.
I think if we did this meal again we might try for a later seating maybe when it was winding down. Overall still a fun experience!
We had a really great trip and it was so nice to see the canoes back in action as well as the train (we left the day of the soft opening and didn't get a change to do either).
I just got back from a 3 day trip to Disneyland with my daughter. Wanted to pass on a few thoughts about some things.
Maxpass: LOVED IT. Now, we were only 2 (I totally get the sticker shock with large groups) but I ladored it. I added it to the first 2 of our days there (the third day we weren't going on fastpass rides and doing more characters and shopping - not planned that way, just worked out that way). It was very quick and easy to add after entering the parks.
Things I loved:
-Being able to make FP reservations in DCA while have having lunch in DL (just in general not running around for FPs)
-I reserved fastpasses at the Candy Cane Inn for later in the day
-Being able to cancel fastpasses was great - one night Matterhorn FPs were listed as gone and when I looked a few minutes later one had opened up - keep looking!
-I used my phone to make the reservations but my tickets to scan at the ride. Seemed quicker. Those scanners are FAST!
I did notice FP line backups at a few rides but after that passed the lines didn't seem longer. A lot of people were not noticing that there are two scanners at each ride which would slow things down. I was in DL with a larger group earlier this summer (before Maxpass) and I didn't notice a big difference in FP lines.
RBT Fantasmic dinner package
-I noticed many people were booking this same day FYI (I heard one CM say the Premium was sold out though)
-I had never eaten there before. We both enjoyed the food and people with reservations were all seated inside - it was hot that day so that was great.
-Tickets said to come to section starting at 8. We showed up about 7:50 and they were just letting people in. We could have sat at the rails a bit to the side but we chose 2nd row more in the middle. I didn't notice anyone with the BB seat cushions but I also wasn't really looking for them - so not sure f everyone was seated together. We were a tad bit left of center.
I have never had such great seating for Fantasmic so this was money well spent. I was really impressed with the fireworks projections as well and thank you to the teens in front of us who brought my daughter in front of them during the fireworks (you have to stand that those) so she could have the best view right at the rail. The rail was kind of in the way for Fantasmic but not really (if that makes sense? It being there didn't bother us I guess) - I really liked being so close to the front. If you have kids it might be worth getting there early like we did more for the fireworks projection view than Fantasmic. We were also tired so sitting for an hour was pleasant
I also booked a Matterhorn FP with maxpass while waiting. My daughter is old enough to be alone for awhile but I probably would not have left her at night to run to get this.Right after the fireworks we walked over the Main Street and sat right on the curb for the MSEP at 10:45. Very easy to find a spot even after a bathroom break.
WOC dessert Party
This was a huge treat and was great. I have celiac and my plate was great. You just can't beat sitting down at a table and sipping a cocktail while watching World of Color. We had the high tables and I would ask for them again. It's not something I would pay for every time certainly but especially with a small group it's an amazing experience. I had only seen the 60th anniversary WOC so it was great to see this one.
Minnie Plaza Inn Breakfast
We do character meals every year (usually Mickey Surfs Up and Goofy's Dinner). We had done Minnie's once before. That Minnie experience was way better than our experience this year. A lot of it was just bad luck though I think. Staff changed over so my request to chat with a chef about GF food took a really, really long time (the food they brought me out was pretty good though but not as good as Surf's Up) Some characters had just passed by our table when we sat down - and since they run on a 90 minute circuit we didn't see some characters at our table when we left - which had never happened to us before.
We were done in a bit over an hour and felt like we had been waiting for characters for quite some time. I talked to a CM about seeing a few of the characters that we missed but just got the 90 minute comment and "if you see 5 characters you're doing well". In the past if we chatted with a CM about stuff like this they brought either us over to the character or had the character come to us. I could have pushed more on this but didn't feel that strongly about it. We saw maybe six characters and missed at least 3. Still more (or the same) amount of characters to other character meals but it's hard on kids to see characters at other tables and not have them come to you. Not sure if it's normal to miss a few characters at these things or not.
What also made waiting unappealing was a large family whose kids (and parents) were out of control. One kid was screaming bloody murder consistently. Others were running to characters all over the restaurant with the parents encouraging them by taking photos. I saw a CM talk with them at point but it didn't help.
I think if we did this meal again we might try for a later seating maybe when it was winding down. Overall still a fun experience!
We had a really great trip and it was so nice to see the canoes back in action as well as the train (we left the day of the soft opening and didn't get a change to do either).
