FL Resident Passes as gifts - and Magic Bands

[NancyMoses]

It's been probably five years since we've been to WDW. We live about 40 minutes away, but we've been doing Universal, Busch Gardens, Legoland, cruises, etc. It's time to return!

We'd like to buy the Florida Resident Annual Passes (probably silver). Does that include Magic Bands?

If we purchase the Passes, do they begin the day we buy them, or the first day we use them?

I'd like to give this to my kids for Christmas. The Magic Bands would be a fun way to present the gift. But if I have the Magic Bands early, will that be using up time on the pass? We wouldn't go until January.

Is there an app to manage FastPass+ while in the park, or on the way? Sometimes we'll be over in Orlando and will just pop in spontaneously.

 

[plainoldt]

1. yes, AP includes magic bands
2. AP begin the day you activate them (use them)
3. Yes, you can us MDX on your phone to make and change fp+

 

[NancyMoses]

1. Cool!
2. Cool!
3. Cool!!!

 

[rlovew]

You won't be able to get the AP magic bands until you activate and first use them so if you do that before Christmas you would be using up time from whenever you make it over to activate them, plus you cannot activate a pass during a blackout period so you would need to activate them early in December to have Magic Bands for Christmas (it takes about 2-3 weeks to get the magic bands once you order them after activating the passes.

 

[NancyMoses]

So, how does that work? If it takes 2-3 weeks to get them after activating the passes, does that mean you couldn't use them on your first trip if you planned to activate on the first day there?

 

[mesaboy2]

So, how does that work? If it takes 2-3 weeks to get them after activating the passes, does that mean you couldn't use them on your first trip if you planned to activate on the first day there?

That's what it means.

 

[NancyMoses]

Another thought on this:
We'll be getting the Silver Passes, which are blocked out mid Dec 2015 to early Jan 2016, I assume it will follow the same pattern and be blocked out again in mid Dec 2016. So, if I activated in mid Dec 2015, the day before block out begins, to go in early Jan 2016, we could have the Magic Bands. And since a year later we'd be blocked out anyway, it wouldn't really matter right?

I know it seems silly, but my 11 year old would think the Magic Bands are super cool!!

 

[Robo]

my 11 year old would think the Magic Bands are super cool!!

For $12.95, you can buy her a MagicBand and use it immediately on the first trip.
When the other AP bands eventually arrive in the mail, she will then have TWO MBs that can be used interchangeably.

 

[NancyMoses]

Perfect!

So - I buy a MB in advance? The first day we go to the park, my son's pass can be matched to the MB?

Where do I buy them?

 

[ars0525]

I am sure you can buy MBs at DTD. I see them in all the parks in gift shops.

My BF upgraded his ticket to an AP during his visit. He had to use his AP card for that visit, but he ordered online his MB right away when we got home & had it in a week maybe?

My mom had a regular 10 day no expire ticket she wanted a MB for. She bought the MB at Epcot & was able to use it right away. She carried her card in case there was an issue, but there wasn't.

 

[KristinU]

You can order Magic Bands here as well: http://www.disneystore.com/magicban...A_dc|pcrid|74372269272|pkw|magic%20band|pmt|p