Skip to main content

Disney MaxPass – So You Can Maximize the Magic (By Tiffany Hutchins)

The saddest thing about the “Happiest Place on Earth” is the long wait time! We’ve all been there; we race over to enjoy your favorite ride and discover that the wait time is over 90 minutes. Well, Disneyland has been working hard to address this issue back in 1999 with the introduction of FASTPASS --- a ride reservation system that is available to all guests with no additional charge, allowing people to enjoy other attractions during the wait time.

As of 2017, people no longer need the paper FASTPASS, because their ride reservation is now electronically stored on their park ticket or annual pass. Disneyland has now launched the Disney MaxPass. An improved hi-tech version that people can control from their mobile device, which includes the time-saving convenience of FASTPASS as well as the value of unlimited downloads from the Disney PhotoPass for the entire day.


With Disney MaxPass, people can even skip the long lines at the most popular rides. Travelers simply make a FASTPASS reservation for an attraction at a time that works for them, all from their smartphones. Once they are in the park, they may use the Disneyland app to plan out their magical day with waiting in long lines. If travelers have a Park Hopper Ticket, they can even make a reservation for a ride in one park while enjoying a good time in a different park. People may make an additional FATSPASS reservation as soon as the return window for their first reservation has passed. 

An added feature with MaxPass is that the maximum waiting period between FASTPASS reservations has been reduced from 2 hours to 90 minutes. That extra 30 minutes of fun time is helpful, but the best time-saver benefit from the new MaxPass is, travelers no longer have to physically go over to the ride of choice to get their FASTPASS. They get it right from their mobile devices. Although this may not increase their daily step count, it will definitely increase their ride count.

Disney has also addressed the frustrating issue of having a ride temporarily close down during travelers' return window. If travelers have scanned their FASTPASS from MaxPass and are in line for a ride when it shuts down, then they are in luck for some real magic --- It is as though Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother had waived her wand over the travelers' cell phone and magically changed their FASTPASS into a Multiple Experience Pass. They may now use this pass on any FASTPASS attraction within the same park. So they can make up for the time they spent in the previous line.

The MaxPass also includes the Disney PhotoPass. This will get people unlimited photo downloads for the entire day. Now it is even easier to capture and share travelers' magical memories. This includes photos from rides, character greetings, and even professional Magic Shots, where a Disney character will magically appear in their photos.

Disney MaxPass is optional and pretty affordable at the low price of $10 per day, per ticket, or $75 per year for an annual pass holder, and of course, it is included with the Premier Annual Passport. If people do not feel the upcharge for MaxPass is worth it, then they can still use the original FASTPASS distribution terminals located at the actual ride for no additional charge.

The only downside of using MaxPass is it drains people's cell phone battery. So, it is important for travelers to bring a portable charger or plan to purchase one there. Although there are electrical outlets throughout the park, waiting for the phone to be charged is not very time efficient or magical. A few tips for saving the battery usage would include scanning people's FASTPASS from their admission tickets instead of using the online app as well as turning your phone off while on rides which have poor or no signal.

So the two biggest advantages with MaxPass seem to be, it saves time and is very convenient. Although people may still have waiting periods between their FASTPASS reservations, just use that time wisely to take a restroom break, eat a meal, or walk between parks. With all of these benefits, if used correctly and efficiently, the Disney MaxPass definitely seems to MAXIMIZE the Magic!

Do you have any tips to maximize the Disney MaxPass? How do you think it compares to other theme-park “skip-the-line” passes?

About the Author

Tiffany Hutchins is from Aliso Viejo, CA and is a now student at Cal Poly Pomona, pursuing a degree in Hospitality Management with an emphasis in Event Management. Her involvement on campus includes membership in the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, Broncettes Dance Team, and several other university clubs. Her hospitality experience began with working at BJ’s Restaurant as a hostess and her passion for volunteer work come from Meoowz Rescue, where she has fostered over 200 abandoned cats and kittens. She currently works at Disney California Adventure Park as a Cars Land cast member, where she is proud to be part of the parade and the character host team. Upon graduation, Tiffany hopes to continue her career with Disney. 

Note: the picture of Disney's MaxPass was downloaded from https://www.themouseforless.com/blog_world/2018/04/maxpass/

-->

Comments

  1. Elizabeth Stiens HRT 3020-04
    I love using Max Pass at Disneyland. I think it was a great idea for Disney to implement. I use it every time I go and usually the only rides I go on that day on rides that I can get Max Pass for. I do not mind paying for ti because I like to use it every time. I think it is a good idea that Disney still has the old fast pass system for those who do not want to pay for max pass. I also like the aspect of being able to download all the photos from rides, meet and greets, with characters, and other Photo pass opportunities. Yes, it does drain the battery but now Disney offers portable chargers that you can buy. Which I never realized the connection you could make between max pass and portable chargers. Overall, this was great idea for Disney to do. I think digital fast passes are definitely the way of the future. I think Disneyland's old fast pass system will be outed eventually. With Galaxy's Edge opening Max Pass prices will defiantly increase due to the number or guests flooding to the parks. Max Pass is the best thing Disney has done for their guests enjoyment of the park in the recent past.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hrt 3020 secton#3 by Victor Slater.
    Disney Max Pass is simply a genius idea. Marketing wise is very smart especially appealing to your loyal cliental. Giving them a pass that they will be able to skip the line of their desired ride which will extend their time at the park. Since they will have more time on their hands,they can explore the whole park as much as possible. By the end of the day they will be satisfied and will most likely will be spreading the word about the max pass.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Joselyn Ung HRT 3020 Section 3
    I believe that the Disney Max Pass is a wonderful creation because it allows travelers to reserve rides through an app on their phone instead of walking around a huge park in order to skip the line for a ride. This will be a huge advantage for families with children as it will prevent angry parents from dragging exhausted kids around and increase the feeling of the Disney "magic." It is also very beneficial as it will increase the ride counts while decreasing the wait and allow the travelers to use the time to attend to other activities during their wait. In addition, if there are technical issues, the Max Pass will grant the traveler with a Multiple Experience Pass. By having a Max Pass option, it will benefit many travelers by allowing them to maximize their ride count without all the hassle.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Disney's Max Pass is one of the best marketable park experiences they can offer especially for tourists. Personally, I don't use the Max Pass because I always have access to go to the park with my annual pass. However, those who are in a time crunch with a one day ticket can really maximize their time and feel that their ticket was worth the buy and will most likely come back again soon because of their positive experience at the park. The additional perk of having photopass included with Max Pass also makes all the difference because people who don't go often will be able to have and keep the wonderful memories they made that day and, as previously stated, would definitely want to return because of their experience.
    HRT 3020 Section 4 Anthony Cervantes

    ReplyDelete
  5. HRT 3020 - Section 4

    Disney has always been on top of staying innovative to meet public demand and cater to its limitless consumer base. I think that implementing the FASTPASS back in 1999 was a brilliant way to satisfy the needs of the growing population and demands of helping make every visit the most efficient and magical for each guest. Fast forward to present day, the population and ever growing popularity of the Disney enterprises is growing, and yet, the size of the Disney parks remains the same. Using the fast paced technology of smart phones and devices was a genius implementation of an already existing system. It was smart on Disney's behalf because it allows people to keep pouring into the parks without having to lose revenue from limiting the capacity more to ensure everyone makes the most of their experience. Innovative ideas like this keep Disney on top and maximizing profits by continuously catering to the needs of their consumer base.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Luxury vs. Millennials and Their Technology: The Ritz-Carlton (By Julia Shorr)

Embodying the finest luxury experience, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC has been established since 1983. In 1998, Marriott International purchased the brand offering it more opportunity for growth while being independently owned and operated. They are known for their enhanced service level as the motto states, “Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen”. The luxury brand now carries 97 hotels and resorts internationally and is attempting to keep the aspects of luxury while keeping up with the trends of the technologically improving generations. The Varying Demographics of the Target Market The Ritz-Carlton’s typical target market includes: business executives, corporate, leisure travelers, typically middle-aged persons and elders, and families from the upper and upper-middle class section of society .   This infers a large range of types of travelers in which all are similar in that they are not opposed to spending extra for the luxurious ambiance. However, with

Is It OK for Hotel Staff to Wear Piercings and Tattoos?

Time has changed. I see more and more college students wearing piercings and tattoos nowadays, but is it OK for hotel staff to wear piercings and tattoos? The answer is “no, no, no.” According a report at USAToday.com, customers across the board do not want to see any hotel workers with pierced eyebrow, pierced tongue, tattooed arm, or nose ring. Some may argue that tattooed and pierced workers may seem more acceptable in edgy boutique hotels as compared to the big franchised hotels, but the survey results did not find any differences among a variety of lodging products. Many respondents believe people who wear visible tattoos and piercings are taking a high risk of their professional lives. If you stay in a hotel, do you mind being served by tattooed and/or pierced staff? What if you are the one who makes the hiring decision? References: USAToday.com: http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok08042010 Picture was downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok08042010P

How Covid-19 will change the HR department? (by Vivian Tan)

With the current pandemic happening, many businesses are having a hard time. It is hard for them to maintain to pay all their employees, and many things have changed on how companies are running during Covid-19. Because of this virus, employees work from home and might lack the motivation to finish their tasks. Many businesses shut their doors infinitely and file for bankruptcy because it is hard to pay their employees, and there are not many businesses coming in. In the hospitality industry, the HR department must create policies and answer questions from the outbreak. It is also essential that they communicate with workers for any updates and make sure that it does not affect their daily operations.     When it comes to covid-19 concerns, the HR department should communicate with the employees for any updates on the virus, such as informing employees about policies, personal hygiene, posting signs around the workplace about symptoms of the virus, and wear masks. Also, asking employee