After 35 years visiting WDW I am suddenly a newbie. Ticket, MDE, MB, FP ??

[erinch]

So the last time we were there was in 2013. Magicbands were a new item that didn't seem to work. And you got your FPs at the parks. And we had it all figured out.

Now, it is like I have never figured anything out. Ack. We will be staying offsite at the Vistana, Aug 5-19. I purchased 3 10 day Park hoppers + Water Park for me, DD, and her friend. Bought one annual pass for DH, now called a "platinum" pass through the WDW website, as the free parking, free photopass storage, and discount just makes the cost cut. He doesn't do waterparks or DisneyQuest.

I successfully linked the tickets to MDE, and mapped them to our profiles. Here's a change from 2013. MDE seems to work, mostly. I have been logging in each am to make FP+ reservations for the 30 day mark and have made ADRS.

Here is what I don't know: How does DH get his "free" magicband? When we pick up his AP at Guest SErvices?

Is there still a guest services at Downtown Disney?

How do the Undercover Tourist E-Tickets become actual tickets?

Would my local Disney Store have magic bands to link the undercover tourist tickets, or do we need to buy magic bands online or when we get there?

Is it true that with his AP, we can only reserve FP+ for 7 days, as opposed to the 10 days on the other tickets?

I have combed lots of posts, and am piecing together answers. If anyone wanted to have mercy on a sudden newbie and explain it all, or point me to a post that explains it all, I would be thrilled.

Thank you!

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

1) He will receive his complimentary MB by mail after activating his pass - if it's linked to My Disney Experience, he'll be able to customize the band online.

2) Guest Relations is still at Disney Springs, their new location in the Town Center area is lovely.

3) You can pick up UT tickets at any park ticket booth or Guest Relations. (Same places you can activate the AP.)

4) I don't know if Disney Stores sell MBs, but the Disney Store website does, as does the Shop Disney Parks app. No one "needs" a MB - but if they want one, you can buy them and link them to My Disney Experience ahead of time. If you do this, AND link your UT tickets, you don't have to pick the UT tickets up at a ticket booth - they'll link up with the MB automatically.

5) Since your stay is offsite, I believe this is accurate.

 

[erinch]

thank you.

So, on the MB for the AP holder. He will only get a magic band after activating the pass? It can't be shipped until then? Leaving the choice for the first visit to use the "card" or buy another one?

 

[Sandy Fisher]

When I saw the subject of your post/question, I figured someone on here could be of great assistance. We lived in central FL til late summer of 2012. We went back for one more visit in 2014. It's probably a good thing we were moving back north, because after going to Disney since 1982, I was no way prepared for all the changes. Part of that I'm sure is my age. And the fact that I'm not attached (by any body part) to a smart phone. Just not my cup of tea. I miss being able to go when I want for as many hours/days as we want. I miss the things I loved most at Disney. I didn't like the FP idea at all -- we rarely used them except to do Soarin' twice. We avoided the crowded times, the hottest days, and came and went as we pleased with a Florida resident annual pass. I didn't want to make a "reservation" for every single thing we were going to do. We timed our days at Disney according to the weather, how much time we had planned for, season, etc. Did all we wanted and almost never stood in a line for even a very short time. I hope you got all the information you wanted/needed. There are still lots of helpful people on here. I'm grateful that we had so many years to enjoy the Disney we knew and loved.

 

[CAS239]

thank you.

So, on the MB for the AP holder. He will only get a magic band after activating the pass? It can't be shipped until then? Leaving the choice for the first visit to use the "card" or buy another one?

Correct. Being that the yearly expiration date doesn't start until the AP is first scanned at the park, the system doesn't read as having an AP so the free magic band option isn't available for customization. So you can either use the plastic card or buy a magic band. You could inquire at guest services and ask if you could receive a free MB then, worst they can say is no. The MB's in the park range from $12.95 and up depending on just a plain color or if it's a limited edition

 

[CAS239]

Is it true that with his AP, we can only reserve FP+ for 7 days, as opposed to the 10 days on the other tickets?

If you're staying on site you can book FP's for you're entire trip. If staying offsite all AP's can book at their 30 day mark and only hold 7 days of FP's at a given time. This is because they don't want AP's to just book a bunch of FP's and have say 2 weeks full of FP's and not be using them.

So if staying offsite for more than 7 days you can book your FP's for your 8th day after you've used all your FP's on day 1.