Magic Bands 101

[zrabbits]

We are planning a trip this fall. Will everyone have the magic bands by then or is it selective who gets them?

 

[LuvTheMagic985]

So FP return times made on these bands ahead of time must be noted or committed to memory? For a large group with 3 allotted FP "pre-ordered" online could be potential disaster. Forgotten times....WTH! Am I understanding this wrong?

 

[Robo]

We are planning a trip this fall. Will everyone have the magic bands by then or is it selective who gets them?

Nobody knows.

Right NOW, they are given to all guests staying at WDW-owned resorts.

 

[Robo]

So FP return times made on these bands ahead of time must be noted or committed to memory? For a large group with 3 allotted FP "pre-ordered" online could be potential disaster. Forgotten times....WTH! Am I understanding this wrong?

The times are available to see on guests' MyDisneyExperience file.
That can be accessed in the parks via the mobile app on a smart phone or Wi-FI tablet.

There are also in-park FP+ kiosks (several of them at each park, positioned at various locations
throughout each park) where guests can look up their FP+ info & times by scanning their MagicBands.

Guests can take a photo of that FP+ info on a digital camera and access that photo if they need
to re-check their times.

The FP+ kiosks can also be used to schedule and/or reschedule FP+ in that park during the day.

 

[ruthma]

The times are available to see on guests' MyDisneyExperience file. That can be accessed in the parks via the mobile app on a smart phone or Wi-FI tablet.

I printed mine and carried the same paper with me.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I made an index card for each day, noting any FP and dining reservations with it. I just stuck that in the small purse I carry into the park. It's worked well for me.

 

[Robo]

I printed mine and carried the same paper with me.

I made an index card for each day, noting any FP and dining reservations with it. I just stuck that in the small purse I carry into the park. It's worked well for me.

That's fine, if you don't make any changes.
Making changes to FP+ is one of the touted advantages of the system.

The "take a photo of the screen" method is also very useful for the huge majority of guests who cannot (yet) make (or did not make, because they were unaware) FP+ reservations in advance,
but must make the FP+ choices at an in-park kiosk on the day that they are already in the park.

 

[senecabeach]

So FP return times made on these bands ahead of time must be noted or committed to memory? For a large group with 3 allotted FP "pre-ordered" online could be potential disaster. Forgotten times....WTH! Am I understanding this wrong?

Well..... I don't see getting rid of my excel spreadsheet or my daily "to do list" or my blackberry anytime soon !!!


IMHO...The MB's are a cute come on but not really user friendly....
I'd rather carry a key card + park ticket + blackberry than "wear" something everywhere I go...Oh then search for a place to access what time I made ressies/FP's ....UGH...

 

[Worfiedoodles]

If I buy an AP at the Disney Store, can I link it to my MB and use it to make FP+ reservations?

TIA!

Maria

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

That's fine, if you don't make any changes.
Making changes to FP+ is one of the touted advantages of the system.

The "take a photo of the screen" method is also very useful for the huge majority of guests who cannot (yet) make (or did not make, because they were unaware) FP+ reservations in advance,
but must make the FP+ choices at an in-park kiosk on the day that they are already in the park.

I created appointments in my calendar for each FP+ window. Quick process, and pretty easy to drag/drop the window or otherwise edit in-park if I make changes. While the MDX app is sometimes slow, I've never had a problem accessing my own calendar. Works for us.

 

[Buckeye218]

My family of 4 will be staying onsite in June. We are DVC members w/ annual passes. We will be inviting my mother who is not a DVC member and has no ticket currently. (And when she buys her ticket online, she'll only be given a voucher number to exchange for the ticket at will-call)

If we add her to our DVC reservation and then create a DME/DMX profile for her, will that be sufficient to book FP+ for her?

 

[ghtx]

My family of 4 will be staying onsite in June. We are DVC members w/ annual passes. We will be inviting my mother who is not a DVC member and has no ticket currently. (And when she buys her ticket online, she'll only be given a voucher number to exchange for the ticket at will-call)

If we add her to our DVC reservation and then create a DME/DMX profile for her, will that be sufficient to book FP+ for her?

No she will need a ticket to book FP+ ressies in advance.

But, when she buys her ticket will-call in advance, the confirmation number will be enough to allow her to make FP+ ressies.

 

[vicki_c]

If I buy an AP at the Disney Store, can I link it to my MB and use it to make FP+ reservations? TIA! Maria

Not unless you have an on site reservation to get a Magic Band.

 

[LuvTheMagic985]

I'm with Senecabeach....this MB with FP+ barely exhibits any pluses when it comes to the FP. It seems quite limiting and cumbersome. For those of us who like to actually vacation and not micro-plan our Disney experience will be forced to do otherwise. I love the little bands forked to the world and purchasing but this whole FP attachment stinks. We shall see...we arrive at OKW in 13 days!

 

[caralyn817]

Okay, I'm trying to book my Fastpasses. I want to do a Fastpass for Fantasmic after a dinner at Chef Mickeys. We are planning on going to Animal Kingdom in the morning then having dinner at Chef Mickeys. I was thinking about going to Hollywood Studios after for just Fantasmic. I know I can't get fastpasses at Animal Kingdom in the morning and then switch to Hollywood Studios that night. I was thinking of booking a few for AK in the morning and canceling them if we don't need them, which I'm sure we won't. We aren't doing Everest and hardly ever had to wait for Kilimanjaro. If I do that and cancel not using any fastpasses, do you think I will be able to book a Fantasmic that day? Thoughts? I'm really not liking these magic bands. I think they are very limiting.

 

[My3Princez]

Okay, I'm trying to book my Fastpasses. I want to do a Fastpass for Fantasmic after a dinner at Chef Mickeys. We are planning on going to Animal Kingdom in the morning then having dinner at Chef Mickeys. I was thinking about going to Hollywood Studios after for just Fantasmic. I know I can't get fastpasses at Animal Kingdom in the morning and then switch to Hollywood Studios that night. I was thinking of booking a few for AK in the morning and canceling them if we don't need them, which I'm sure we won't. We aren't doing Everest and hardly ever had to wait for Kilimanjaro. If I do that and cancel not using any fastpasses, do you think I will be able to book a Fantasmic that day? Thoughts? I'm really not liking these magic bands. I think they are very limiting.

Don't waste a FP on Fantasmic. No special seating, not even guaranteed admission to the show. You'll have to be there in time to line up regardless of whether you have a FP or not.

 

[vweryhappy]

We used fastpass and went right in bypassing long line. I highly recommend it!

 

[ses1230]

Okay, I'm trying to book my Fastpasses. I want to do a Fastpass for Fantasmic after a dinner at Chef Mickeys. We are planning on going to Animal Kingdom in the morning then having dinner at Chef Mickeys. I was thinking about going to Hollywood Studios after for just Fantasmic. I know I can't get fastpasses at Animal Kingdom in the morning and then switch to Hollywood Studios that night. I was thinking of booking a few for AK in the morning and canceling them if we don't need them, which I'm sure we won't. We aren't doing Everest and hardly ever had to wait for Kilimanjaro. If I do that and cancel not using any fastpasses, do you think I will be able to book a Fantasmic that day? Thoughts? I'm really not liking these magic bands. I think they are very limiting.

If you don't use any FP+, yes you can cancel them all and schedule at another park, based on availAbility.

I agree with pp, there is no reserved seating for the Fantasmic FP+, so there realty isn't an advantage to using it.

 

[MarkyMouse]

Is it worth it to use a fast pass plus for a parade?

 

[mesaboy2]

Is it worth it to use a fast pass plus for a parade?

Depends on what your priorities are. The only parade FP is MSEP in Magic Kingdom. Are there three other attractions in MK you'd rather use FP for?