Fastpass+ and Staying Offsite

[100AcreWood]

We haven't been to WDW in 3 years. I'm just starting to research the new magic bands and Fastpass+. Am I understanding this correctly that the magic bands are only for onsite guests? And they have an advantage to book their fastpass tickets earlier than offsite guests?

My dh wants me to look into staying onsite (assuming they do another free dining this fall). I still can't imagine it would be cheaper even with free dining. We're a family of 5 so our onsite options are limited.

Thanks for any opinions, comments or general Disney education as I have been out of the loop for a while!

 

[twinsplusone]

We are staying offsite also. You don't need to have a magic band but if you want them, you can purchase them through Disney. Yes, on site guests may make their FP at the 60 day mark and offsite makes their FP at 30 days. We are also a family of 5.

 

[Jetstorm]

We haven't been to WDW in 3 years. I'm just starting to research the new magic bands and Fastpass+. Am I understanding this correctly that the magic bands are only for onsite guests? And they have an advantage to book their fastpass tickets earlier than offsite guests?

My dh wants me to look into staying onsite (assuming they do another free dining this fall). I still can't imagine it would be cheaper even with free dining. We're a family of 5 so our onsite options are limited.

Thanks for any opinions, comments or general Disney education as I have been out of the loop for a while!

If staying offsite you can purchase a magic band from the Disney store on line and link to your magic my way account through the Disney.com site or you can use the card if you don't wish to use a band.

 

[Brian Noble]

Yes, on site guests may make their FP at the 60 day mark and offsite makes their FP at 30 days

This doesn't really matter except for the Anna & Elsa meet and greet (and that's hard even at 60), and *maybe* the Seven Dwarves Mine Train (or maybe not). You can see a snapshot of availability for a party of four on the most popular FP+ attractions here:

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=835236

 

[lmcarr49]

We paid for one night at a value resort to have access to fastpass at 60 days. We're staying offsite at WBC.

 

[100AcreWood]

This doesn't really matter except for the Anna & Elsa meet and greet (and that's hard even at 60), and *maybe* the Seven Dwarves Mine Train (or maybe not). You can see a snapshot of availability for a party of four on the most popular FP+ attractions here:

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=835236

Good information. So it really depends on the time of year and park crowds. It sounds like some rides I may not be able to get a fastpass + time for if I'm only 30 days out but most should be fine. Still a lot to consider. This is a big change from our last trip to the world.

 

[Judyat]

If you have an annual pass you can get magic bands in the colors you want. They will send them to you free. We just got ours.