Am I getting this right?

[RegisteredTrademark]

I'm three weeks out, 4 in our travel party (wife, daughter 8, my mom and myself). Generally up to date on information but we are first timers and wanted to try and get some feedback and confirmation on things.

Staying Sun-Sat @ CSR.

Regarding Genie +, is this the correct daily game plan (we've opted to do all days):

-After midnight, before 7AM: purchase Genie +
-7AM: Book LL for most desired non-ILL (the free one) ride, immediately reserve any ILL (the ones that cost money) after.
-2 hours after park open (regular) book next, unless first LL return time was within 2 hrs of park open then when tapped in

Regarding Magic Bands

-Do we need to go to the front desk to enable purchasing limits on the MB(+) or can that be done via the app, or some other way before arrival?
-Any steps you recommend taking before departure to make things smoother once arrived? Set-up, charging, testing, etc.
-If I compete per-arrival check-in will the MB be able to work as our keys upon arrival (subject to getting room notification).

General Questions any input appreciated:

-Would a minnie-van be able to take our party to Beach Club and drop us off on our epcot day to use IG?

 

[mickey916]

Regarding Genie +, is this the correct daily game plan (we've opted to do all days):

-After midnight, before 7AM: purchase Genie +
-7AM: Book LL for most desired non-ILL (the free one) ride, immediately reserve any ILL (the ones that cost money) after.
-2 hours after park open (regular) book next, unless first LL return time was within 2 hrs of park open then when taped in

This is my approach. Can't speak to Minnie Vans or MagicBand+ questions as I've never used either of them

 

[Mle8308]

I'm three weeks out, 4 in our travel party (wife, daughter 8, my mom and myself). Generally up to date on information but we are first timers and wanted to try and get some feedback and confirmation on things.

Staying Sun-Sat @ CSR.

Regarding Genie +, is this the correct daily game plan (we've opted to do all days):

-After midnight, before 7AM: purchase Genie +
-7AM: Book LL for most desired non-ILL (the free one) ride, immediately reserve any ILL (the ones that cost money) after.
-2 hours after park open (regular) book next, unless first LL return time was within 2 hrs of park open then when tapped in

Regarding Magic Bands

-Do we need to go to the front desk to enable purchasing limits on the MB(+) or can that be done via the app, or some other way before arrival?
-Any steps you recommend taking before departure to make things smoother once arrived? Set-up, charging, testing, etc.
-If I compete per-arrival check-in will the MB be able to work as our keys upon arrival (subject to getting room notification).

General Questions any input appreciated:

-Would a minnie-van be able to take our party to Beach Club and drop us off on our epcot day to use IG?

For the charging privileges, normally kids bands will not work unless you decide to allow it. You would have to stop at the front desk. If you want your mother to pay her own charges, you would also have to stop at the FD to set that up. If not, you can choose a PIN for all the MB's beforehand so they can be used to charge back to your room. It will charge the card you have on your reservation if you do not go change it. And yes, as long as your MB's are showing in your MDE account as active, they will open the door once you get the room number texted to you. And yes on the Minne Van. It will drop you off at the BC. But remember, they are in demand at park opening so check the Lyft app to see what the wait time is for a pickup. A regular Uber/Lyft will not be able to drop you off unless you have a dining reservation.

 

[RegisteredTrademark]

For the charging privileges, normally kids bands will not work unless you decide to allow it. You would have to stop at the front desk. If you want your mother to pay her own charges, you would also have to stop at the FD to set that up. If not, you can choose a PIN for all the MB's beforehand so they can be used to charge back to your room. It will charge the card you have on your reservation if you do not go change it. And yes, as long as your MB's are showing in your MDE account as active, they will open the door once you get the room number texted to you. And yes on the Minne Van. It will drop you off at the BC. But remember, they are in demand at park opening so check the Lyft app to see what the wait time is for a pickup. A regular Uber/Lyft will not be able to drop you off unless you have a dining reservation.

Is the FD the only place to authorize charging for kids?

 

[Mle8308]

Is the FD the only place to authorize charging for kids?

I believe it defaults to no charging for children (9 and under) in the room. You can have a child charge back to the room, it has to be enabled and the FD can do this, possibly in advance through MDE. Once you arrive, you can't do it at Guest Relations or anywhere outside your resort because they can't access your guest folio/account. The child will also have a PIN that needs to be entered any time a purchase is made, so it is pretty safe. So if she loses it, it's not likely anyone can use it to charge back to your account. And you can deactivate that band in your MDE account, too.

 

[WinterSolider]

Is the FD the only place to authorize charging for kids?

I believe you should be able to set a PIN for everyone during online check-in. My understanding is that PIN-enabled = charging privileges.

 

[RegisteredTrademark]

I set a pin for hers, didn't quite understand it would give her charging privileges but it makes sense.

I'll see if I can make it to FD on first night to get everything squared away (plan is to try and drop bags and go straight to DS so maybe can hit the FD after). I understand you can set purchase limits for kids as well, unless I'm mistaken.

 

[scrappinginontario]

My experience has been that children under the age of 10 cannot have charging privileges added to their MB even when I requested it. Tried on 2 different trips and it didn't work but once she was 10 it worked.

 

[WinterSolider]

My experience has been that children under the age of 10 cannot have charging privileges added to their MB even when I requested it. Tried on 2 different trips and it didn't work but once she was 10 it worked.

Hm, I'll try that in April and report back here if it hasn't been answered more definitively before then. My online check-in says my kids (9, 6, 3) all have PINs assigned to them, though I don't remember setting that so it was probably many trips ago and I've never actually tried having them charge something.

 

[Mle8308]

My experience has been that children under the age of 10 cannot have charging privileges added to their MB even when I requested it. Tried on 2 different trips and it didn't work but once she was 10 it worked.

That's interesting. We had charging for both my nephews when one was 9 and one was 11. I specifically remember because the 9 year old (who was more responsible than the 11 year old) didn't originally have charging and he was upset. His 11 year old brother took full advantage of letting him know this. My sister went to the FD and they did change it, much to my older nephew's chagrin. This was a few years ago, so it may have changed.

 

[RegisteredTrademark]

Hm, I'll try that in April and report back here if it hasn't been answered more definitively before then. My online check-in says my kids (9, 6, 3) all have PINs assigned to them, though I don't remember setting that so it was probably many trips ago and I've never actually tried having them charge something.

I'll be there in 3 weeks and will try to follow-up after.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

My experience has been that children under the age of 10 cannot have charging privileges added to their MB even when I requested it. Tried on 2 different trips and it didn't work but once she was 10 it worked.

Perhaps that is because through the magic of Disney, once a child is 10, they've become a Disney adult!