Hey howdy hey, Joanne, and thanks for bringing your question to the Disney Parks Moms Panel!
First off, I’m so excited to hEAR about your upcoming visit to the
Happiest Place on Earth with your daughter and grandson! You’re going to make so many special memories together this October. I can understand your confusion, as there are many different terms to learn before beginning your adventures this fall!
I’m more than happy to help break down the difference between both
Disney FASTPASS Service and
Disney MaxPass. Disney FASTPASS service is a great way to maximize your Disney days by spending less time waiting in line. There are two ways to experience FASTPASS, starting with the traditional method, which allows you to utilize in-park distribution points near the entrances of select attractions and entertainment in both parks. Just head to the attraction you’re hoping to get a FASTPASS for, and check the return time displayed on the sign. Then, if the time works for your group, you’d insert your park ticket into the FASTPASS machine, and it would generate a FASTPASS reminder with your arrival window. When it’s time to return, simply scan your theme-park ticket at the FASTPASS entrance, and off you go to a shorter wait time!
The other way to enjoy FASTPASS is by making selections digitally, through the use of Disney MaxPass, using the
Disneyland app. So, instead of walking to each attraction you want FASTPASS for, you’d be able to make FASTPASS selections from the convenience of your phone! If you’re park-hopping, you can even make a selection for
Disneyland Park when you’re inside
Disney California Adventure Park, and vice versa! So, MaxPass can be a big time-saver. You can either choose to add MaxPass to your
theme-park tickets while purchasing them online, or you can purchase it on a daily basis on the Disneyland app, once you’ve entered the parks for the day. The price is the same either way.
Another perk of adding Disney MaxPass to your tickets is the unlimited digital downloads of your
Disney PhotoPass photos! This is a great way to make sure everyone gets in the picture, and to preserve all those special moments forever. Even if you decide not to purchase MaxPass for everyone in your group, I recommend adding it to at least one Guest’s ticket in order to take advantage of the unlimited digital downloads.
The app is a great handy helper in the parks. My family uses it to check wait times, find Characters,
make dining reservations, and even
mobile order food ahead of time.
I hope this helps! Please stop by with any additional questions you may have… I’m all EARs!
Kristin