MaxPass-How much time are you on your phone

[gusgusandmimimouse]

We have a trip planned for 2 day park hopping Sun and Mon Nov 5-6. It will be my husband, 7 and 5 year old and myself. I would like to try the new Max Pass but was wondering if it requires a lot of time spent on the phone. I'm a pro at fast pass and like the idea of not having to run to grab the next pass. Does Max Pass have you constantly needing to check the app in order to maximize the effectiveness?

 

[Mysteryincorp]

I wouldn't say constantly but I did find myself whipping out my phone more often than usual. And my battery took a hit as well. I never get even close to needing to charge up normally, but on my Maxpass day I had to plug in as soon as I got to my car.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

You just need to be on your phone to book the FPs. You can scan your tickets to redeem the FP without using your phone at all. So it's not terribly often, but you will hit times where, "it's time to book the next FP, so I need to be on my phone now."

As far as how often you're booking, this may help: https://www.disboards.com/threads/the-answer-to-when-can-i-pull-my-next-fp.3634984/#post-58222160

 

[aliceindisneyland]

This is the second day we've used MaxPass. We aren't trying to absolutely maximize number of rides, just using it with our normal touring style. We usually walk about 15 miles a day and yesterday we only walked 9 using MaxPass. I haven't spent a lot of time looking at the app. It did not drain my battery at all; taking pics drains battery much faster on my phone. I only check app when it's time to book the next fastpass, and my daughter likes scanning in so I open it for that as well. I only tripped on one curb so far while looking at it. Today is a little more complicated because we want guardians after dark and nighttime RSR, so I've had look at the app more than I would like to, making sure the timing works out. I am one who never looks at her phone at Disneyland but so far the app has not been as obnoxious as I expected it to be.

 

[gusgusandmimimouse]

Thanks for all the feedback. These are the answers I was hoping for. I'm excited to try this out!

 

[smartlabelprint]

Another tip I heard is take a photo of your max pass and make it your screen saver. Then you don't have to open your whole phone.

 

[Sun_soakin]

Not a lot. Just a quick two second lookup to book the next passes! Pretty much always during time you’re standing around in line (after you scan in w/ your last FP).
FYI- we seem to walk MORE w/ Max pAss because we spend less time waiting in lines. We’ve been able to tour really efficiently (doing things in one area at a time), but we just get more done each day.

 

[GeneralTso]

It really works well. We just used it and couldn't be happier. Lots of people have the QR code as their screensaver so it's easy to show. It really does save a lot of time and walking around. With the exception of Guardians and Racers, everything was available throughout the day/night. If you want to ride Monsters After Dark (Guardians at night) be sure to NOT have any FP at 3pm, and log in right at 3 to get the Guardians FP for night.

 

[gusgusandmimimouse]

Another tip I heard is take a photo of your max pass and make it your screen saver. Then you don't have to open your whole phone.

Good idea!

 

[closetmickey]

If you want to ride Monsters After Dark (Guardians at night) be sure to NOT have any FP at 3pm, and log in right at 3 to get the Guardians FP for night.

Can you elaborate just a bit? So you can't have any part of any FP window include 3:00? Was it hard to snatch right at 3:00? Any tips? Am trying to ride as close as possible to 5:00 as we will need to head out right after. Thanks!

And to answer OP's question....I would still use it again but I found myself on my phone CONSTATNLY checking.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Can you elaborate just a bit? So you can't have any part of any FP window include 3:00? Was it hard to snatch right at 3:00? Any tips? Am trying to ride as close as possible to 5:00 as we will need to head out right after. Thanks!

And to answer OP's question....I would still use it again but I found myself on my phone CONSTATNLY checking.

You can have FPs reserved for whenever you'd like, but you have to be eligible to pull a new one at 3.

Some days the MAD FPs have gone on Maxpass a bit before 3, like 2:45-50ish, so I'd keep an eye on it.

I also feel like someone said the first FPs are issued for 5:30-6:30? Someone correct me if that's wrong.

ETA: if you want to make sure you're eligible to pull a new FP by 2:45, make sure you know this: https://www.disboards.com/threads/the-answer-to-when-can-i-pull-my-next-fp.3634984/#post-58222160

ETA one more time: I'm curious why you were "constantly" checking before? Did you have lots of immediate FP return times? I've used Maxpass on quite a few days, and I usually end up with some long 90-minute intervals during the middle of the day, so I'm just curious.

 

[GeneralTso]

RE: Monsters After Dark---just make sure you are clear and able to get new FP at 3pm.
One day it was about 2:55 and we got FP for 5:30. Another day I logged in at 3:30 and FP was for 7pm. That was cool because it was dark and spooky.
Don't miss the Cal Adventure "transformation" into spooky at dusk. The Oogie Boogie magic shot is in the plaza there, in front of Starbucks area.

 

[Lesley Wake]

I didn't find myself using my phone too much more (I'm on it much more checking wait times). It's because you are eligible to book, see a ride, and book it. Then you don't need to check again until you are eligible to pull another FP (either you have used your first FP, your first FP has become active, or it's been 90 minutes). It's not like Disneyworld where you can keep refresh-refresh-refresh to get a different ride/time. What you see is what you get! I know some people have been able to get FPs for different times than advertised, but you would have to cancel your previous one just to see it, so I would consider that more the luck of the draw.

It does cause your battery to run low though, so I'd absolutely recommend bringing a portable charger or investing in the Fuel Rod ($30 for unlimited charger refills). As the day goes on you often see lots of people clustered around random outlets in bathrooms, locker room areas, etc, trying to charge their phones!

And remember, you can use your normal park ticket to redeem the FP. You just need the app to book them!

 

[closetmickey]

ETA one more time: I'm curious why you were "constantly" checking before? Did you have lots of immediate FP return times? I've used Maxpass on quite a few days, and I usually end up with some long 90-minute intervals during the middle of the day, so I'm just curious.

Thanks for the tips! As for your question- yes, we used lots of (almost) immediate FP. They were awesome! But it did require a lot of "phone time".

 

[gottalovepluto]

Yes it requires a lot more being on my phone than I would have liked. The minute the FP opens you want to maximize it and grab the next one. I'd use it again but I'd make some changes:
-turn off email push, I'm on vacation & having work emails pop up what felt like all the time because I was always checking my phone really took me out of vacation-mode. (After day 1 I turned off email push & that helped).
-wear a watch. Yep new tech makes it necessary to go old school. I'll bring a watch next time so I'm not constantly checking my phone to see what time it is. A watch has made it on my absolutely necessary for Disneyland list, who knew?
-be ready for more walking. You don't have to walk to the ride to get the FP now but we found we did more walking because we were doing rides in parts of the parks we wouldn't have been in otherwise

 

[PirateRedhead]

It wasn't bad. I pictured it sort of ruining the vibe (do I really want to be on my phone when walking down Main St?) but it was relatively painless. One thing I did after booking each FP was quickly set an alarm on my phone for the time when I'd be eligible to book my next FP. That allowed me to totally forget about it until it was time, without feeling any pressure to check. We used lanyards and scanned our tickets rather than the app (usually) which also helped to minimize phone usage.

 

[gusgusandmimimouse]

It wasn't bad. I pictured it sort of ruining the vibe (do I really want to be on my phone when walking down Main St?) but it was relatively painless. One thing I did after booking each FP was quickly set an alarm on my phone for the time when I'd be eligible to book my next FP. That allowed me to totally forget about it until it was time, without feeling any pressure to check. We used lanyards and scanned our tickets rather than the app (usually) which also helped to minimize phone usage.[/QUOT. I like the alarm idea!

I like the alarm idea!

 

[gusgusandmimimouse]

Yes it requires a lot more being on my phone than I would have liked. The minute the FP opens you want to maximize it and grab the next one. I'd use it again but I'd make some changes:
-turn off email push, I'm on vacation & having work emails pop up what felt like all the time because I was always checking my phone really took me out of vacation-mode. (After day 1 I turned off email push & that helped).
-wear a watch. Yep new tech makes it necessary to go old school. I'll bring a watch next time so I'm not constantly checking my phone to see what time it is. A watch has made it on my absolutely necessary for Disneyland list, who knew?
-be ready for more walking. You don't have to walk to the ride to get the FP now but we found we did more walking because we were doing rides in parts of the parks we wouldn't have been in otherwise

This gives me the great excuse to shop for a new mickey watch!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I like the alarm idea!

I'm round and round about the FP alarm for myself. Don't have to check the time which is nice- but I would HATE anyone who had an alarm go off in the middle of a ride, and I wouldn't much like my own alarm going off in the middle of a ride either...

 

[gusgusandmimimouse]

I'm round and round about the FP alarm for myself. Don't have to check the time which is nice- but I would HATE anyone who had an alarm go off in the middle of a ride, and I wouldn't much like my own alarm going off in the middle of a ride either...

Maybe on vibrate only. Glad you brought that point up.