Drop that Rope!!!

Every now and again, I mention “Rope Drop” to someone and I get a blank look back. I’ve gotten so used to the term that I assume everyone knows what I mean. If you’re one of the people looking at me like I’m crazy, please read on! (And even if you know what it means, keep reading. You might have some comments to add below!)

Rope Drop refers to the park opening. It’s when the “rope drops” and you’re allowed to enter the park.

Through the years, Rope Drop has looked different at the parks. Currently, Magic Kingdom is the only park that has a ceremony/show welcoming you to the park.

Guests are actually allowed to enter Magic Kingdom one hour before official park opening time. If the park is scheduled t open at 9:00 a.m., then Guests will be allowed to make their way in starting at 8:00 a.m. Guests are welcome to take a stroll along Main Street U.S.A., grab a cup of coffee at Main Street Bakery and make their way to Cinderella Castle to watch the morning welcome show. The shows starts about 5 minutes before park opening, so you can watch the show and make your way to the land you want to start in. The bridges to the individual lands are blocked off by Cast Members until the opening ceremony is officially over.

Animal Kingdom theme park is another park that does a nice early morning welcome.  The park typically starts letting guests in somewhere between 8 – 8:30 depending on the season and visitors are able to congregate in front of the Tree of Life on Discovery Island.  Just before the park officially opens at 9am, the many feathered friends that call Animal Kingdom home, will give Disney visitors a morning welcome.

At the other parks, it’s a rather unceremonial opening of the line by Cast Members and entry through the scanners. But hey, even without the ceremony, it’s exciting to be heading into any Disney park bright and early in the morning!!

Sometimes, the parks are opened anywhere from 15 - 30 minutes prior to the posted opening time, so it’s best to be at the park an hour before open if you’re driving and parking, and 30-45 minutes before the posted open if you’re using Disney transportation.

I know you’ll want to get to Frozen Ever After, Toy Story Land, Flight of Passage or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train to avoid a long line, bu you won’t actually be allowed to take off running.  At Magic Kingdom, it’s become more of a graduated opening, with Cast Members leading the way into the Town Square, the Hub, and then allowing guests into the various lands from that point. They sometimes lead the way in other parks as well, just to make sure everyone stays safe and orderly. Once you’re allowed into all the parts of the park, you’re free to go to your favorite attraction. Just keep in mind that the attractions aren’t necessarily open right at Rope Drop, so even if you’re first in line, you may have to wait a few minutes to get on an attraction.

So, why would you start at Rope Drop? Being among the first in the parks has certain advantages. You can head straight to a popular attraction with little to no wait and save your FastPass selections for later in the day. You can hit several attractions before lines get long and start your fun before the day gets too warm. If you have little ones that take an afternoon nap, you can also get plenty of fun under your belt before naptime.

As crazy as it seems to me, some people prefer not to be at the parks for Rope Drop. I personally think Disney isn’t the type of vacation to get a lot of relaxing done. You’re paying a premium to be there and sleep ranks low on my list compared to anything at Disney. Just be sure you add and extra day off of work on your return to rest up!!

This is the kind of people-less pic you can get if you show up early!!!

Do make your family/friends aware of your plans, though. Springing an early morning on everyone after an exhausting day can make some a bit annoyed. And like I’ve said before, don’t be afraid to break up your group a bit. If you have a few peeps that just can’t stand the thought of getting up so early, let them sleep in! You can have your fun and catch up with them once they get in. Feel free to brag about your lack of crowds and lines, though! :)

Please contact me if you’re even remotely considering a trip to Disney or Universal. I have tons of tips to help you maximize your fun and minimize your frustrations!!

Five Fun Secrets of the Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion was one of the original rides at Magic Kingdom’s opening day on October 1, 1971. It’s the home of “999 happy haunts” - but of course there’s always room for one more!!

Poor Ryan thought he was going to become the 1000th resident ghost in the Haunted Mansion.

The Imagineers certainly had fun creating this attraction, and snuck in a few fun details. Watch for these on your next trip…

A Missing Engagement Ring

The Imagineers didn’t go overboard in telling the story of the Haunted Mansion - they left it fairly vague which adds to the mystery. The legend you’ll hear most often is of the engagement ring. Supposedly the attic bride threw it off of the balcony after murdering one of her husbands. The reality is that it was a scrap of metal left over from an old gate removal. At one point, the attraction received a refurbishment and the metal was removed. Guests were so furious that when the queue was redone in 2011, the Imagineers added a real engagement ring. Look for it as you weave through the entrance line – it’s in the part of the line where you’ve wrapped around and the “head” statues are on the other side of the fence. It’s tucked in between a wall and a nearby trash can. If you can’t find it just ask a Mansion Maid or Butler. They’re always DYING to help out guests.

Madame Leota’s Tombstone

If you get the feeling you’re being watched while in line, you just might be right. Right before you enter the building, look to the graveyard on your left. Watch Madame Leota’s tombstone for a moment and she might spring to life. And yep, this is the same Madame Leota from the seance room inside the Mansion!

A Haunted Game Piece

Look up to the rooftop of the Mansion. Notice anything? The cement ornaments on top are chess pieces! Marc Davis, an Imagineer that designed the Mansion was a fan of the game. While working on the attraction design, he often left chess pieces laying around the model and one night left them on top of the model. They must have liked the look of it since they made it onto the actual attraction! Be sure when you leave the attraction to ask the PhotoPass photographer for the “Magic Shot” with the hitchhiking ghost!!

Meet Your Host, Your Ghost Host

Most people love the chilling voice of the Ghost Host (and many will recite the stretch room speech by heart). But guess what? You can actually get a glimpse of the Ghost Host on the ride! His portrait hangs in the Mansion. Look for it after you pass the casket with the hand coming out of it as your doom buggy has turned backwards. It’s hanging on the right just before you swivel back around and see the grandfather clock.

Mr. Toad in the Graveyard

One of the attractions that people miss most from Disney World is Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. I was lucky enough to get to go to Disneyland recently where the attraction still exists and rode it there. Not quite as terrifying as I remember it being when I first rode it at the age of 10, but still fun!! It was replaced at Disney World with The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (there’s a nod to Mr. Toad in that ride also). The Haunted Mansion Imagineers included poor Mr. Toad in the special pet cemetery at the graveyard. Look to the left as you’re exiting the attraction (he’s at the far back left).

Do you have other attractions you’d love to know the secrets of? Or do you have secrets of your own to share? Put it in the comments!

And one thing to not keep secret - if you let me help you book and plan your Disney vacation, you’ll be getting my expert service FREE OF CHARGE!! Give me a call!

Winter Snow Storm Predicted to Hit Disney World This Week!

Wait, what?? Snow at Disney World? I might be a little confused - although it’s supposed to snow in Oklahoma tomorrow, none is predicted for Orlando. According to rumors, it’s only actually ever snowed at Disney World twice - once in the late 70s and once in the late 80s but not enough to stick either time.

So if you want snow, Orlando is probably not the best option for you. However, with the possibility of snow here, I’m dreaming of Disney World and the warmth of it all - along with a warm hug from Olaf!

Not everyone wants to be quite as toasty warm as I do, though. So if you’re one of the people looking to stay cool on a Disney World trip, here are a few tips for you.

First off - go during cooler weather!! October/November are beautiful and have fewer crowds. January, February and early March (avoiding Marathon weekends and Spring Break) also have fewer crowds but you’ll run into a bit more rain then. Still, that helps keep it cooler.

If you do happen to go in the hotter months, there are plenty of ways to cool off. When we were there a few years ago, they had a Frozen themed “snow” playground. It’s not there anymore but you never know when something like this will pop up!

Of course, there of tons of refreshing treats (DOLE WHIP, ANYONE??) to help you beat the heat. And don’t forget about Club Cool in Epcot where you can drink all you want of the complimentary sodas from around the world!

Look for water areas to help your kids cool off. There are misters scattered around and plenty of fountains to run through. And sometimes just the “feeling” of being cold is all you really need - it’s a frame of mind!

I love how almost all of the queues for attractions are indoors or in the shade. Stick to the rides that will keep you out of the sun. A great spot for this is in Norway at Epcot. Even in the summer, you feel like you are in the snowy mountains. Be sure to visit the Frozen Singalong at Hollywood Studios for an indoor snow storm! Or take a trip to visit the Yeti on Mt. Everest! I tend to black out on that ride but based on the shakes I get, I think it cools me off…

You may not always get perfect weather on your trip, but with some advanced planning we can make sure you have the best time possible. Please give me a call if you are thinking about a Disney (or Universal!) trip. I can’t wait to help you have a Magical time!!

Is it a Cold, the Flu, a Virus?? I Can't be Sick, I'm at Disney World!!

This time of year, it seems like everyone I know has a family member that is sick, was just sick or is coming down with something. And while Disney World is truly Magical, sometimes you can’t Wish away an illness. So what happens if you get sick while at Disney World?

If it’s a true emergency, of course call 911 and alert a Cast Member. We witnessed a man collapse on Main Street once and it was amazing how quickly Cast Members took over in clearing out the area and helping him.

For minor ailments, look for the First Aid stations. At each one, there is a licensed nurse. They have sample sizes of medication to get you through the day. If you need more than just a sample, they do have full-size items for purchase. Some of the things they treat are:

Fever – The station has thermometer strips available to take temperature. They can get you some fever-reducing medicine and even have beds to lay down on if you need to rest.

Common Cold – First Aid offers samples of cold medicine, cough drops, and packets of tissues.

Headaches – Headache treatments include samples of Tylenol/Ibuprofen, Powerade (to help with dehydration), damp cloths, and best of all, air conditioning. Sometimes the heat is the culprit and just getting a drink and cooling off a bit can work wonders.

Insect Bite / Allergic Reactions – All First Stations are equipped with EpiPens.

Eye Irritation – Stop by First Aid and they can flush your eyes. They even have contact solution if you forgot to pack yours in your handy backpack!

Cuts / Blisters – Band-Aids and bandages are stocked in all stations. 

All First Aid Stations will store refrigerated medication for you. If you plan to spend the day in the park and need to access your refrigerated medication, simply stop by First Aid as you enter the park. This saves a lot of time from having to navigate back to your resort to get to your medication.

If you are a diabetic or have another condition requiring daily injections, these can be administered at any First Aid location. Special containers for disposal of hypodermic needles are provided

First Aid Stations at Walt Disney World can be found in the following general locations: 

• Magic Kingdom, located between The Crystal Palace and Casey’s Corner.

• Epcot, located in the Odyssey Center between Future World and the World Showcase (in between Test Track and the Mexico Pavilion.)

• Hollywood Studios, located in the Guest Relations building on Hollywood Boulevard (front entrance).

• Animal Kingdom, located at Discovery Island.

Have other concerns about traveling to Disney World? Please call me! I’ve been there - I’ve done it all (mostly). I would love to help you have a stress-free vacation and it doesn’t cost you a penny!!!

Here's Why You Should Book a Disney Trip REAL SOON!!

I know I say this all of the time, but now is one of the absolute best times to book a trip to Disney World. In anticipation of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opening in the fall, a lot of people are opting not to travel to Disney this summer. Makes sense if you are a die-hard Star Wars fan and think you may only make it to Disney once. Why would you go before it opens?

But if you are more into the other Disney characters and attractions, or think you might be able to go again in a couple of years, you should definitely take advantage of the crowds and deals for the summer.
Disney recently released some room specials and even free dining in some cases for the summer months which is unheard of. Typically that’s a peak time for Disney World travel and they don’t need to offer discounts. But with a lot of people putting off a trip until Star Wars opens, the crowds are expected to be down this summer.

Now don’t get me wrong - it’s still summer and there will be crowds but it will be much less than when Star Wars opens. And getting a discount always helps put up with a bit of a crowd, right?

The current specials run through September 30 and if you were able to travel in September, you’d have even smaller crowds.

And if you’re able to get a room with a discount, the price may be good enough that you could go before and after Star Wars opens! Maybe wait a couple of years for your repeat trip and the crowds should level off a bit.

You may not think you need multiple trips but honestly, EVERY SINGLE TIME we go to Disney, I find new wonderful things. One trip is never enough in my opinion. Plus, how else are you going to get adorable time-lapse pics of your family with Mickey if you don’t go visit him every now and again?? On a side note - why does Mickey never age like we do?! :)

Call me to get your trip planned and booked. For late summer and early fall trips, you’d still have time to take advantage of me getting your Advanced Dining Reservations 180 days in advance. And of course, 60 days for FastPasses.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - opening THIS year!!

Even though we don’t know the exact date of the opening of this new land, we do know that it’s opening this Summer at Disneyland and this Fall at Disney World. I still can’t believe they didn’t work it out to open them both on May the Fourth, but I guess we can’t get everything we want!!

Keep reading for a bit more info on the new land and rides. Not a huge Star Wars fan? Consider hitting Disney before the lands open! There are still rooms available this summer with a 30% off room rate or even free dining. You’d be wiser than Yoda to take advantage of that - call me!!

The first confirmed ride for the forthcoming Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios is Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, a flight simulator ride that allows guests to “take the controls of one of the most recognizable ships in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon, on a customized secret mission”.

Guests who experience this attraction won’t just be tagging along for a ride but will actually be piloting the Millennium Falcon themselves! Guests will be able to turn, bank and even fire weapons in this simulation-style experience. When guests enter the attraction they will climb into one of seven pods that seat six riders each. Each pod will be able to rotate 360 degrees, and there will be a lot of interactive elements all around riders that will affect the experience. According to one of the attraction's creative directors, there will be 200 buttons, knobs and switches on the inside of the cockpit, each with a specific function. 

Interestingly, many of these interactive elements will be specific to different "jobs" riders will have on the ride, similar to the format for Mission: Space. So, for instance, gunners in the center will have weapons controls while engineers in the back will have buttons and levers related to keeping the ship flying.

Guests will definitely want to do well with their jobs, as those who bring back their bounty and fly the ship expertly without a lot of damage will be able to earn extra Galactic Credits, which will change the way characters in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge interact with them. Conversely, guests who lose the bounty or damage the ship will end up owing money, which will also produce different interactions with characters.

And while the Millennium Falcon ride will use new technology to deliver a thrilling experience the likes of which hasn’t been seen before at a Disney park, the new Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride will be a more traditional dark ride experience, with a motion base ride vehicle moving through a scene with screens. The ride will put guests in the middle of an epic battle between the First Order and the Resistance – including a face-off with Kylo Ren himself.

Can’t wait - may the force be with you!!!

Planes, Trains and Monorails... All about Disney World Transportation Options!

So you’ve never been to Disney World, or it’s been a few years. Besides the all-important details of where to stay and when (which of course I can help you decide!), you’ll likely be wondering how to get around. The size of Disney World is around 40 SQUARE MILES - basically the size of San Francisco or double the size of Manhattan!!

Odds are you’ll be taking many forms of transportation to get to all of the Magical spots you want to encounter. I’ve listed most of the different choices you’ll have here - but as things are always changing and you may have special needs not covered here, please call me and we can make sure these options work for you!!

The Monorail - This is one of the best options. Classic Disney and basically an attraction on its own. If you ever see T-shirts with the slogan, “Please stand clear of the doors / por favor mantentase alejado de las puertas” you can bet that’s a Disney monorail shirt. But not only is it fun, it’s practical. The monorail goes through 3 resorts - Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Contemporary. It also connects the Magic Kingdom to the Ticket and Transportation Center which then connects to Epcot. If you stay at a Monorail resort, you can use this for 2 of the 4 parks!

Boats - Who doesn’t love a short boat ride especially when the Magic Kingdom is looming ahead? For a nice, fresh air ride to the Magic, hop on a boat. Fort Wilderness Campground, Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian boats will take you directly to Magic Kingdom. Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter both have boat service to Disney Springs as does Old Key West and Saratoga Springs. Boardwalk, Beach Club and Yacht Club have boat service to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Buses - This may not be the most glamorous way to travel, but it gets you there without worrying about parking or finding your way and as with all of the other transportation listed here, it’s free! Buses are available from all resorts to the parks and Disney Springs. Just look for the big signs telling you which bus stall to head towards - super easy. And now you can see the bus arrival times in your My Disney Experience app so you could spend a few extra minutes soaking up Main Street instead of standing in the bus line! Just be aware that at times like closing, the lines could get long so get a move on if you are in a hurry to get to your resort.

Minnie Vans - This is the one service that is NOT free. It’s provided through the Lyft app. You’ll pay a bit but if you have dinner reservations that you don’t think you’ll make or a FastPass to Flight of Passage that you’re about to miss, it might be worth it. The service is door-to-door so people with limited mobility might think about this. Although the buses/monorail/boats are all accessible, it can be nerve-wracking to try to drive a scooter onto those with a crowd watching. Minnie Vans are personal transportation.

Skyliner - Not yet open but should be amazing when it does! Once operating, the gondola system will connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and a new Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort.

Walking - I know, you’re well aware that you can walk from place to place! But keep in mind that you can only walk to the Magic Kingdom from the Contemporary. And you can walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios from Boardwalk, Beach Club and Yacht Club. More walking may not work for everyone but I love to stroll through Disney World and prefer this whenever I can!

Let’s get you a trip booked to Disney World - give me a call!!! Don’t forget - just like the Disney provided transportation, my services are FREE!!

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique - A Review!!

If you’ve been to Disney World or have ever seen someone’s vacation photos from their trip, you’ve probably noticed how some of the little girls look just like their favorite Princesses!! They receive this Magical transformation at an awesome place called Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

As you well know, I have 3 boys so I’ve never had the chance to check out the Boutique. They also have a Knight makeover but I think my boys were afraid they’d actually have to talk to a princess so they never wanted to do it.

Not having been, I’m relying on others’ information here but trust me when I say I have reliable sources!!

Here are the details…

Share the fun as your little one enjoys a resplendently royal head-to-toe transformation. With the wave of a magic wand—plus a few hands-on tricks of the trade—our Fairy Godmothers-in-Training will pamper and primp your child until they’re storybook stunning: ready to dance at the ball or gallop off on epic adventures. It’s all in a day’s work at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, owned by Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother and operated by her skilled apprentices.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique offers head-to-toe pampering packages that include imperial hairstyling, makeup, manicures, costumes and accessories suitable for even the most castle-worthy occasion.

First, select the hairstyle of your choice:

• Fairytale Princess

• Disney Diva

• Color Star

Then select your package:

The Crown Package (starting at $64.95 plus tax)

• Hairstyling

• Shimmering make-up and face gem

• Princess sash and cinch sack

• Nail polish

The Courtyard Package (starting at $109.95 plus tax)

• Hairstyling

• Shimmering make-up and face gem

• Princess sash and cinch sack

• Nail polish

• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique T-shirt

• Trendy tutu

The Castle Package (starting at $199.95 plus tax)

• Hairstyling

• Shimmering make-up and face gem

• Princess necklace, sash and cinch sack

• Nail polish

• Disney Princess gown of your choice (shoes not included)

• Additional coordinating accessories

The Deluxe Castle Package (starting at $229.95 plus tax)

• Hairstyling

• Shimmering make-up and face gem

• Princess necklace, sash and cinch sack

• Nail polish

• Deluxe Disney Princess gown of your choice (shoes not included) - Select from a limited number of Disney Princesses

• Coordinating boxed accessory set

The Princess Signature Dress Collection (starting at $450.00 plus tax)

• Disney Princess gown made with heirloom-quality fabrics and intricate design details that tell the story of the princess

• High-quality crystal tiara with box

• Organza garment bag and satin hanger

• Hairstyling

• Shimmering make-up and face gem

• Princess sash and cinch sack

• Nail polish

The Knight Package ($19.95 plus tax)

• Hairstyling with gel

• Mighty sword and shield

• Confetti

The Deluxe Knight Package ($79.95 plus tax)

• Prince Costume

• Hairstyling with gel

• Mighty sword and shield

• Confetti

Please note: all prices are subject to change without notice and were current at the time of this blog post (Jan 2019).

All Disney PhotoPass photos taken at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique are included with the purchase of Memory Maker which is another reason to get the Memory Maker!!

Some tips… makeovers at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique are very popular. Reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance and are highly recommended. To book your appointment with a Fairy Godmother-in-training, just let me know before your 180 day mark. I’d be happy to get your appointment as soon as phone lines open at 6am!

• A $10 cancellation fee will be applied to credit cards for all no-shows or if a reservation is canceled within 24 hours of scheduled time - so please let me know if your plans change.

• To participate, Guests must be between 3 and 12 years of age and be accompanied by an adult (18 years of age or older). I WISH IT WERE OLDER!! But if you are interested and you’re not in this age range, let me know. There are other options - not as fun as getting pampered in the castle but the result will be the same!

• Transformations will take 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the package selected.

• Costume choices may include Anna, Elsa, Ariel, Snow White, Aurora, Belle, Jasmine, Cinderella, Tinker Bell, Tiana, Rapunzel, and Merida.

• Costume selection and sizing may vary and certain accessories are sold separately.

Have you been to the BBB (as the cool kids call it)? I’d love to see your pictures!!! And as always, it’s my pleasure to book your appointments for you when you book with me. And my services are free!!

Disneyland vs. Disney World - Which One is Better? Part Two...

If you didn’t read last week’s post, be sure and do it here… So in Part Two, I’ll give you the reasons why Disney World is the best.

The most amazing feeling at Disney World is when you first enter the park and see the Castle. It’s one of my favorite views in the world. The Castle at Disneyland is pretty, but it’s quite a bit smaller and just doesn’t have the same impact. Yes, I know in these pics, I’m close to the first castle and farther away from the second. But they are significantly different in size.

Cinderella Castle - Disney World

Sleeping Beauty Castle - Disneyland

Actually, I first should have mentioned the transportation to Disney World from the airport. It’s complimentary for on-site resort guests! Disneyland Express is an extra charge. The Magical Express is one of my favorite things (on the way to Disney anyway - on the way out, it’s super sad!). At Orlando International, you can’t miss the Magical Express and you feel like you are already in the Disney Bubble as soon as you get the to boarding area. Not really the case in L.A. The Disneyland Express bus was convenient but just felt like a plain old bus ride. Magical Express shows Disney videos to get you in the Disney mood!

Disney World Magical Express - Easy to Find!

Disney World Magical Express

Disneyland Express - Small Kiosk that You Might Miss

Another perk that Disney World has which Disneyland doesn’t is the MagicBands. I’ve done a blog post on them before - check it out here for the details… I love the bling of a MagicBand but more importantly I love what it does. I can unlock my room door, get into the parks, redeem FastPasses, charge things to my room and have my PhotoPass pictures put on my account without having to carry around anything but my band! So convenient!

I mentioned on Part One that Disneyland has a couple of Lands that Disney World doesn’t. But to be fair, Disney World has 4 - count them 4 - parks!! Compared to the 2 parks of Disneyland, you’ve got a lot more options there. It’s definitely not as easy to get between the 4 parks as it is to park-hop at Disneyland but it can be done. We did all 4 in one day on our last Disney World trip and it was so much fun.

One day Four parks!

Of course, park hopping takes time and energy so consider the people in your party (small kids, elderly peeps?) before embarking on that adventure!

So which rides do I like better at Disney World? Going the time of year that I went to Disneyland, The Haunted Mansion had its holiday overlay which means it’s done in the theme of the Nightmare Before Christmas. If you like that movie, then you might prefer to see it with the overlay. For some reason, I’ve never been a fan of that movie so really didn’t like the overlay. I was sad to not see may favorite ghosts and hear my favorite song! Disney World definitely gets the win on this ride.

The monorail is probably better at Disney World also - it actually provides transportation there where at Disneyland I kind of feel like it’s a filler ride. At Disneyland it takes you from Downtown Disney to Tomorrowland and back. I would much rather go in the main entrance and walk down Main Street so didn’t ride it much. At Disney World, you can get from the Magic Kingdom to Epcot and to 3 resorts - much more useful.

I felt like I would rather ride Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story Mania at Disney World but I honestly think it’s because of the lack of a cute queue.

I prefer pretty much all of the ride queues at Disney World. A lot of them have been redone in recent years and offer hands-on entertainment while you’re waiting. Disneyland queues are just plain old rope lines.

So after all of this… do I have a winner? Honestly if money was no object, I would just go back and forth between the 2 each trip. Sadly since I don’t have unlimited funds, I would pick Disney World any chance I am able to go. There’s just so much more there. I also think people prefer the one that they know better and have an attachment to. I may have gone to Disneyland first (when I was 10), but it was so long ago I didn’t really remember it. Having been to Disney World so many times - and having been with my kids - makes it more of an emotional attachment for me.

Everyone is different and every family has different needs. Call me and let’s figure out which one would be best for you!! My services are FREE!!

Is MaxPass Worth the Cost at Disneyland?

On my recent trip to Disneyland, I was fortunate enough to have complimentary MaxPass added to my ticket. So of course, totally worth the (no) cost! But would I do it if I had to pay for it myself?

Answer as usual with me is “it depends.” It costs $10/per person/per day. If money isn’t a huge concern to you, then I’d say no question at all - get it. If you have just a couple of people, then the price is reasonable also. But if you’re like me and have a family of 5, MaxPass will run you $50/per day and if you do 3 days at Disneyland, that’s an additional $150.

Now as cheap as I am, I’d probably still do it. The thing about Disneyland is that FastPasses aren’t included at all like at Disney World. So without MaxPass, you’ll be waiting in every line. If it’s not a crowded day, this might not be a big deal.

Here’s how it works… Once you are in a park (your ticket must have been scanned at the entrance), you go on the mobile app and pick your FastPass time. When I was there, I was able to do this every few minutes. As soon as you enter the queue for your time, you can pick a new FastPass.

Keep in mind that not all rides have FastPass. I sadly didn’t get to ride Peter Pan this trip since the line was always over 45 minutes and I had limited time due to training. But on the rides that offer FastPass, I didn’t wait more than 5 minutes. That’s huge on Radiator Springs Racers, Incredicoaster and some of the more popular rides.

Also as a bonus, you receive downloads of all of your PhotoPass pics for each day that you get MaxPass!! I LOVE the pics that Disney photographers capture and that alone may be worth the price. Check out just a few of the pics I downloaded…

That's a Smile, Not a Grimace... Incredicoaster In-ride Photo

This is a Magic Shot - no actual balloons in my hand!

Another great Magic Shot

In-Ride photo from Radiator Springs Racers

Make Note of the Pic Number

One difference on the pics is that on the in-ride photos you have to be sure to record the number of your picture as you leave the ride and attach it to your account through the app. Simple process but it is a step more than just having it automatically added via your MagicBand at Disney World.

One advantage of MaxPass is that you don’t really have to decide ahead of time. Once you’re at Disneyland, it’s a simple process to purchase MaxPass on your app (be sure you’ve already downloaded the Disneyland app before you get there!).

There are a lot of differences between the Land and the World and on a future post, I’ll go through them. The main difference here is that MaxPass makes Disneyland seem much more spontaneous. Even though you have to spend some time on your phone picking your FastPasses throughout the day, you don’t have to spend any time before your trip deciding what to do. For a planner like me, I thought I would hate that. But it was a nice change to do things on the fly!!

How your FastPasses Show in the App - Depending on Timing, You can Have Several at Once!

This is What you Scan on Your App to Redeem the FastPass

Please give me a call if you’re thinking of heading to any Disney or Universal Destination. I can help you understand what you need to do ahead of time or wait until you are there and can save you stress and headaches!! And best of all, it’s free to book with me!!

** The $10/per person/per day price is considered the “introductory price” of MaxPass. I haven’t heard of a price increase but keep in mind that the price may have changed if you are reading this post at a future time.