Can someone clear something up for me

[gonitts]

We arrive this Saturday 10/24 but our first day at the parks is Sunday 10/25, we will be going to Epcot that day. Anyways we are staying off site and have our 6 day your magic your way base tickets (plastic cards) which we purchased from our local travel agency. I have our fp+ and dining reservations on them. On our first day do we have to do anything? Do we have to convert them over to magic bands or not? I'm confused as to what to do and I've been told different things from different people. Sorry for the dumb question but I'm new at this since the magic bands have come out. Our last visit was in 2010.

 

[mickeymom629]

I think your ticket is all you need and will work like a magic band. I am sure others will let you know if I'm wrong. Have a great time!!

 

[loves to dive]

You do not have to have magic bands unless you just want to buy them. The plastic ticket will be your entrance and FP so make sure you have them with you at all times. Just tap the little mickey head on the tap stiles.

 

[got2sammies]

It sounds like you do not have magic bands and you have plastic hard tickets. From my experience you are good to go. Your tickets should be ready to go at the gate. You scan you hard ticket OR magic band at the mickey head for fast pass.

 

[gonitts]

Okay but I called this morning and the CM said those got you the FP+ and the dining reservations but they may not have the chip in them and I would still need to convert over to possibly a different card. Not quite sure what that meant. Yes he did say I wouldn't have to purchase magic bands if I didn't want to.

 

[Hibiscus]

Okay but I called this morning and the CM said those got you the FP+ and the dining reservations but they may not have the chip in them and I would still need to convert over to possibly a different card. Not quite sure what that meant. Yes he did say I wouldn't have to purchase magic bands if I didn't want to.

Some of the phone CMs have never even been to WDW. If your ticket is on a hard plastic card, that's all you need.

 

[bearybubba]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I just wanted to say that I LOVE your avatar!!!! WE ARE....

 

[BrianL]

Okay, technically, nothing is "ON" your ticket cards. All of your tickets, FastPasses and ADRs are on your My Disney Experience account. The cards themselves are linked to your MDE account as well by the number that appear on them, the same way a Magic Band is. Cards and Bands are both "ticket media" and will allow access to your account and all of your entitlements (actually ADRs do not require this kind of access, but they do appear on your MDE account).

So, if you did want to get a Magic Band, just for fun, all you would do is link the new band to your MDE account, at which point BOTH the card and the MB would work interchangeably (ANY linked ticket media, assigned to the correct guest on your MDE will function). The only functional difference between a card and a band is that the band contains a long range reader that allows ride photos to be synced up to your PhotoPass or Memory Maker without stopping at the monitors to have it added (by tapping the card at most rides these days). On 7DMT the band is the only way to receive the photos and video as there are no monitors to view at the exit.

So, to sum up, you are fine, really. Go have fun!

 

[Kathryn777]

We're here now and my husband lost his band, he isn't having any trouble just using his plastic ticket

 

[AprilDreamsOfDisney]

Your hard tickets will be all you need, as long as you have them with you at all times. I might splurge and go for the Magic Bands though, as I was always terrified of one of our hard cards slipping away and getting lost!

 

[Baklava]

Some of the phone CMs have never even been to WDW. If your ticket is on a hard plastic card, that's all you need.

I think their training ought to involve a mandatory 2 week stay with a full park experience. Not only would they be better equipped to do their job, it would be good for morale.

 

[wilkeliza]

Okay but I called this morning and the CM said those got you the FP+ and the dining reservations but they may not have the chip in them and I would still need to convert over to possibly a different card. Not quite sure what that meant. Yes he did say I wouldn't have to purchase magic bands if I didn't want to.

What does your ticket look like? If it is paper then you will need to get it converted at Guest Services (or a ticket booth) before you enter the park. If it is hard plastic and has a mickey head inside a circle on it then you are fine and will be able to enter the park. That mickey head inside a circle is to indicate where the RFID chip is. If that mark is not there then you might have to go to GS but no one can be 100% sure with out an explanation of what ticket you have. If they are older tickets or paper then you have to get them converted to the new hard plastic tickets.

 

[Hibiscus]

I think their training ought to involve a mandatory 2 week stay with a full park experience. Not only would they be better equipped to do their job, it would be good for morale.

I agree! They'll understand why everyone gets so upset when their FP+ change/disappear after they've experienced the terror of the 7DMT standby line for themselves.

 

[gonitts]

Thank you everyone you are so helpful. The cards are the hard plastic and I believe they have the mickey head inside a circle but I'm not positive. I'm at work and don't have them. It sounds like we may splurge and get the bands. Since Epcot is our first stop where would we do this at. I plan on being there sunday morning at the opening so I hope it doesn't take too long to convert them. I don't have a fast pass for Soarin and we want to do that first thing.

 

[wookiebeck]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I just wanted to say that I LOVE your avatar!!!! WE ARE....

PENN STATE!!!

 

[gonitts]

I like yours too but unfortunately my son is a Capitals fan.

 

[Hibiscus]

Thank you everyone you are so helpful. The cards are the hard plastic and I believe they have the mickey head inside a circle but I'm not positive. I'm at work and don't have them. It sounds like we may splurge and get the bands. Since Epcot is our first stop where would we do this at. I plan on being there sunday morning at the opening so I hope it doesn't take too long to convert them. I don't have a fast pass for Soarin and we want to do that first thing.

If you touch the card to the Mickey head when you're entering the park, and it works, you do not need the bands.

 

[wilkeliza]

Thank you everyone you are so helpful. The cards are the hard plastic and I believe they have the mickey head inside a circle but I'm not positive. I'm at work and don't have them. It sounds like we may splurge and get the bands. Since Epcot is our first stop where would we do this at. I plan on being there sunday morning at the opening so I hope it doesn't take too long to convert them. I don't have a fast pass for Soarin and we want to do that first thing.

When is your first fastpass?

Do you have a smart phone?

I would go to Soarin' first thing and get in the standby line. Then if there is time between Soarin and your first fastpass head over to Mouse Gears. They will have the biggest MB selection at Epcot. It will take 2 seconds to link the Magic Band and you can either do it yourself from you My Disney Experience app on the smart phone or have the CM who sold it to you assist.

 

[gonitts]

Test Track between 10:15 and 11;15 and yes we have a smartphone. Sounds good.

 

[wilkeliza]

Test Track between 10:15 and 11;15 and yes we have a smartphone. Sounds good.

Try Soarin exactly at rope drop. If you get out earlier than say 10:30 your should be able to get to Mouse Gears since it is on the way to TT buy the bands and have them linked and ready to use. You should make your fp time at TT as long as no one decides they must shop haha.