which MaxPasses to get first?

[annabelle004]

We will be there next weekend, Sat and Sun. One park per day. Can't change dates or tickets. So I have to work with that.
We are mom, dad, kiddos - 8 and 10, boy and girl.

We have been to WDW a lot and I am trying to wrap my head around DL. I am not sure which FP to go for first. I know DL is a different beast than WDW, and is generally less "beastly". But I imagine FPs do still begin to run out as the day goes on for some rides. Which ones should I go for earlier to avoid that possibility? Thank you!

 

[TMak]

In Disneyland, it's pretty easy: Space runs out the most quickly, followed by Splash and Star Tours and, if you have a good chiropractor, Mattherhorn. Big Thunder is usually not a horrible wait and you can get FPs pretty late into the evening, Buzz is usually a pretty quick wait and definitely doesn't need an FP, and the others will likely haven't decent wait times at some point during the day.

Do you have the Disneyland app? You can check the current times FPs are at and adjust accordingly (sheesh, you can start checking now and get an idea for how fast they go!). Also, if you're getting MaxPass, you don't have to hoof it across the park to the next one, but I understand that an extra $40 a day is a lot and you don't NEED it...it's just a nice step-saver

California Adventure can be a little more complicated because of the recent changes, but generally, Carsland is the first to go. Guardians can be up there, Midway Mania should be watched, and since the Incredicoaster has just come back, it may also bear attention. Grizzly River Run MUST be FPed mid-day so that you can cool off, and Soarin' is nice around that time too, since the indoor queue is nice and cool.

The best part about being there early in the morning is you'll be able to grab a FP as soon as you walk in while heading for another ride and then get a new FP within half an hour, usually. You should be able to hit most of the big rides in the first couple of hours, and then it's all gravy from there.

Have fun!

 

[DLRExpert]

Disneyland
Indiana Jones, then Big Thunder (Quick Return Time), Space Mountain, Star Tours, Matterhorn, It's a Small World and Astroblasters.
If you can get to Splash Mountain between 10-1030am and Mansion by 1030-1045am, you won't need Fastpasses for it.

Disney California Adventure
Racers, Soarin (Quick Return time), Guardians, Incredicoaster, Midway Mania, Grizzly, Goofy

ME

 

[ExcitedMama]

Do both kids like thrill rides? If not that might change your strategy. I think you should prioritize what everyone wants to do and can’t do elsewhere, like you might want to hit rides not available in FL. You also might want to consider upgrading to park hoppers. I’d have an impossible time trying to spend all day at DCA. There’s a lot more to do in DL, not just rides but shows. It’s not far at all to walk between them and if you add Max Pass it’s easy to go back and forth to get on rides. Things also go down like The Incredicoaster has been down a lot so if it’s important try to fit it in early. Are the kids into characters? DCA really only has a few superheroes with everyone else at DL.

It also depends on the line for me. I don’t mind waiting in the shade but I hate waiting in the sun. Indy and Star Tours are themed and shady so they're not a bad line to walk through. I hate the outside wait for It’s A Small Workd though! For that reason I might plan more about getting certain places done at different times of the day. Like Toontown is miserable when it’s hot and Carsland is beautiful at night.

 

[Heather1101]

At DCA, Cars Land RSR for sure! All 4 days we were there recently, MaxPasses/Fastpasses ran out for the day around 1 or 2pm(we went back to hotel for breaks around then and always saw RSR had no availability anymore for the day). Even upon park opening you are looking at a FP return time a couple hours later, so definitely grab those so you don't miss it! That was the main one I noticed ran out of passes very quickly.

 

[cmwade77]

Really the only ones that run out or get to be really late in the evening are: RSR, Guardians, Incredicoaster, Space Mountain and Star Tours and probably in that order as well. The rest can usually get Maxpass for within a reasonable time frame.

Some that usually are available for pretty much immediate use are: Haunted Mansion, Small World, Buzz, Roger Rabit's Cartoon Spin (but do be aware that Toontown closes early for the Fireworks)

Pretty much everything else will be around an hour from when you get your FP, the biggest trick with Maxpass is make sure you get your next FP either when the time is available to get another FP or as soon as you scan your pass at the first scanner when you return, whichever is FIRST.

Seriously if you follow that rule, get there at Rope drop, start with the popular attractions as listed above, you can get most of the rides done during a single day in each park.