Non maxpass users only!!! lol

[Bossy22]

I've been able to read up a tonne by people that swear by maxpass and why, all great reasons but doesn't seem to be worth the cost for me and my family. Here's how I figure:
1.) Cost - There are 7 of us going for 5 days, that would be $425 US dollars!!! That seems crazy to me for some convenience.
2.) Rides - We are rope droppers and enjoy ALL the disney rides. Without maxpass we were able to do Screaming close to 20 times, Big Thurder 15 times, etc. We didn't feel like we were missing out on any.
3.) Using phone - We are Canadian so it is a pain anyway. I also have always been the fastpass runner (I walk at decent pace) and don't mind the extra distance.
We do get maxpass on one ticket for the the photopass and I have used it to book a ride or two while the others are on down time. I just can't see it being worth over $300 bucks more to make my vacation better?
Anyone else not use it? Anyone use it and think it's good but not worth the money?

 

[BadPinkTink]

waves hi, Im from Ireland and I have now done 2 Disneyland trips without Max Pass Im also a rope dropper to almost close, I usually leave about 11pm.

This is my June 2019 trip report, its easier for you to just read it and see my touring style and see how much I managed to do.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/t...any-firsts-mixed-with-old-favourites.3758518/

 

[StarSpeckledSky]

For short trip it is a must. For longer ones, such as five day trips, it is not necessary and I would only get it for perhaps one day per park (if at all). And, as you said, the photopass is a great bonus.

My family also doesn’t rope drop.

I’ve seen, most of the time, people say “for a trip as short as yours” about MaxPass. I have not come across someone who has sworn by it for a long trip.

 

[BadPinkTink]

For short trip it is a must. For longer ones, such as five day trips, it is not necessary and I would only get it for perhaps one day per park (if at all). And, as you said, the photopass is a great bonus.

My family also doesn’t rope drop.

I’ve seen, most of the time, people say “for a trip as short as yours” about MaxPass. I have not come across someone who has sworn by it for a long trip.

Actually no, I dont agree. I do 3 days in the parks, 1 day at each park. I have now done 2 trips when MaxPass has been operational and I dont feel the need for it. I still manage multiple Fastpasses, I still stack Fastpasses for the evening all for free without spending $15 per day.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I recommend maxpass to anyone with preschool and younger kids or anyone with a disability. Our party happens to involve both. Our time in the parks is extremely limited 5 hours max. DAS helps for non maxpass rides. But maxpass is easier. Going to get a time, returning to the ride, etc is too many transitions.

However, once we’re paying for our kids tickets it’s just going to be too expensive. $60/ day. $300 for the week. So, something has to give and I fear it will be parkhoppers.

 

[skyblue17]

Using it for seven people over five days does seem excessive and unnecessary. Part of the perk of MaxPass is it allows you to go on every ride you'd like in a shorter time frame. If you are there for a longer trip, that's not really an issue. Eliminating having to plan to go to ride to pull manual FPs is also a perk when you are there for a limited time. And a smaller party makes it easier to manage as well.

In my experience, the extra cost makes the high ticket cost even more worth it, as I get to take advantage of my time in the park and get the most for my money. The longer your stay, the less you are paying per day on a ticket, and the less important it becomes to cram everything in, as you have more time to do everything you like.

So, long story short, it makes sense that you don't want to use it!

 

[StarSpeckledSky]

Actually no, I dont agree. I do 3 days in the parks, 1 day at each park. I have now done 2 trips when MaxPass has been operational and I dont feel the need for it. I still manage multiple Fastpasses, I still stack Fastpasses for the evening all for free without spending $15 per day.

Well sounds like you’re very good at running around getting FPs. I think for a solo person it’s easier, but for larger parties or parties with young children MP is more necessary.

 

[pharmama]

I agree that it's not necessary for 5 days and the cost can really add up. However, know that you can also purchase MaxPass day by day while you're there. So you could decide if there's one day you want to try and hit a bunch of MP rides to buy it for everyone (or at least everyone who likes those types of rides?) that morning. You may also want to consider buying it for one person at least a couple of the days as then you will get all your Photopass and ride photos as well. You could also do Photopass+ for this though- its $3 more than buying 5 days of MaxPass.

 

[Bossy22]

Well sounds like you’re very good at running around getting FPs. I think for a solo person it’s easier, but for larger parties or parties with young children MP is more necessary.

This is one of the things I don’t get???? Families with small children? How does this help if you have kids? You think those would be the people doing Dumbo, Tarzan, Jungle Cruise, Small world, the island, character meets, etc. You don’t have time for fast pass rides every half hour!!!

 

[smartlabelprint]

This is one of the things I don’t get???? Families with small children? How does this help if you have kids? You think those would be the people doing Dumbo, Tarzan, Jungle Cruise, Small world, the island, character meets, etc. You don’t have time for fast pass rides every half hour!!!

We do! We go to the park as enjoyment for all of us. It’s not a kidcentric place. Dh and I are going alone this year.

Plus, our just under 3 yo went on big thunder, small world, buzz. It’s especially good for midway mania in dca. RSR

And parents would slip in a drop at the tower, space, splash, etc.

 

[StarSpeckledSky]

This is one of the things I don’t get???? Families with small children? How does this help if you have kids? You think those would be the people doing Dumbo, Tarzan, Jungle Cruise, Small world, the island, character meets, etc. You don’t have time for fast pass rides every half hour!!!

Or perhaps their parents/siblings would like to ride bigger rides as well. Or the kids are tall enough and interested in the fast rides.

 

[StarSpeckledSky]

We do! We go to the park as enjoyment for all of us. It’s not a kidcentric place. Dh and I are going alone this year.

Plus, our just under 3 yo went on big thunder, small world, buzz. It’s especially good for midway mania in dca. RSR

And parents would slip in a drop at the tower, space, splash, etc.

This!

 

[pharmama]

This is one of the things I don’t get???? Families with small children? How does this help if you have kids? You think those would be the people doing Dumbo, Tarzan, Jungle Cruise, Small world, the island, character meets, etc. You don’t have time for fast pass rides every half hour!!!

Yeah, like others said- it allows families with small children to go at the kids pace but still fit in some adult/bigger kid rides here and there without having to send a FP runner all over the parks. And for the FP rides that small kids can go on like TSMM, IASW, HM etc. it means shorter waits for those rides again without having to split up the party with a FP runner.

 

[Bossy22]

Yeah, like others said- it allows families with small children to go at the kids pace but still fit in some adult/bigger kid rides here and there without having to send a FP runner all over the parks. And for the FP rides that small kids can go on like TSMM, IASW, HM etc. it means shorter waits for those rides again without having to split up the party with a FP runner.

I get the ease but it’s expensive. If you’ve read my post we do numerous fast pass rides (I’m a Disney aholic) I just wouldn’t want my kids to miss all the other stuff as well! I think it comes to money. A few people don’t mind a couple of hundred bucks to make things a little easier. If you can afford it, that’s all good, but for me I just don’t see it.

 

[goooof1]

Never used maxpass….. yes, sounds "convenient", but you can definitely get tons done without it. Some people have said they felt like a slave to their phone and compelled to use it over and over, even when not necessary.
You will still have a great time without it! enjoy a relaxed pace.

 

[NorthernCalMom]

I love Maxpass and have used it in the past. However, this time around we went back to my being the Fastpass runner for my family, partially because the last app update was no longer compatible with my (apparently, according to Disneyland’s IT people, too ancient) iPhone 5S. So, it was either buy a new phone or forego Maxpass & mobile ordering this time around. I was a bit annoyed about it but in the end we got everything that we wanted to do and then some done (with a lot more running on my part—even though I ate a lot, I actually didn’t gain any weight in this trip!). So, YEAH for you, fitness encouraging legacy fastpass system!!

This was a four day trip with two adults and two teens, so lots of big line headliner type rides. It helped that my kids don’t mind getting up super early and touring commando style before it gets too hot and crowded.

 

[pharmama]

I get the ease but it’s expensive. If you’ve read my post we do numerous fast pass rides (I’m a Disney aholic) I just wouldn’t want my kids to miss all the other stuff as well! I think it comes to money. A few people don’t mind a couple of hundred bucks to make things a little easier. If you can afford it, that’s all good, but for me I just don’t see it.

You had asked why people recommended it for families with young children so we were just trying to explain some of the thinking.

I don’t think either way is wrong or right and different styles work for different groups, different days and different levels of crowds. Most of the time we prefer to MP (though I don’t have young kids any more) but sometimes we don’t and still have fun. I do prefer to purchase MP day by day since we rarely purchase or need it for every day of a trip. Sometimes we even wait in a good old fashioned standby line!

 

[Bossy22]

You had asked why people recommended it for families with young children so we were just trying to explain some of the thinking.

I don’t think either way is wrong or right and different styles work for different groups, different days and different levels of crowds. Most of the time we prefer to MP (though I don’t have young kids any more) but sometimes we don’t and still have fun. I do prefer to purchase MP day by day since we rarely purchase or need it for every day of a trip. Sometimes we even wait in a good old fashioned standby line!

Sorry, wasn't trying to sound like it wasn't a good way, I was just wondering if I was missing something (I often am lol). Everyone does what is best for them, I'm just trying to gather all the information I can so I can make a good decision.

 

[Steven G]

Maxpass is good for:
1) no one wants to be a runner
2) you are on a short trip
3) you are in a small group
4) you want to "maximize" the amount of fastpass-able rides you go on.

If you can meet two or more of these, you should at least consider it.
For me, I generally meet all 4 of these, since I usually just go with my son, so it's just the two of us, and it's usually only 2-3 days, so I usually get it.
Since I don't usually get a hopper, I save a little money there, to make up for the cost of the maxpass.

 

[ardanxela]

Like someone mentioned above, you can always decide if you want to purchase the max pass the day of. I think with that long of a trip you wouldn't need it unless you want to do a day without having to stand in long lines. I haven't used it yet, we always just wait.