Magic Bands and FastPass+ questions

[DisneyMommy77]

Hello,
I have researched so much information about magic bands and FastPass+, but I still feel nervous I am missing something or will mess something up by overlooking important information I need to know. Hopefully someone can help me make sure I am on the right path. We are set to visit WDW in February, and will be staying off-site in our timeshare.
It is my understanding we can purchase Magic bands for $12.95 each although they are not required to use FastPass+. I believe we can purchase these bands online ahead of our trip, is that correct? If we don't buy the bands we would use our admission tickets as our fast pass+ tickets?

At 30 days before our trip we can begin scheduling 3 fast pass+ attractions for each day of our trip. I believe we do this through MDE. Do we need to have already purchased our admission tickets to schedule FastPass+?

Does my child under 3 need to be scheduled for FastPass+ if they have no ticket?
How and when would we link our bands to our FastPass+ plans?
Is the old fast pass system non-existent, or can I skip fast-pass+ and just enter the park and get fast passes the way we used to?
Can I link my ADR's to the magic band?

Thank you!!

 

[Accident]

The old fast pass system is gone, you can wait and try to get them at the park but you will not get any for good rides. you can optionally stand in line but the good rides, its usually 1-2 hour long lines without fast pass. 60 days before you go for onsite guests, 30 for offsite. get fast passes for your must see rides, you get an initial 3 per ticket day. If you get them at the park, your either using your phone, tablet or laptop. You can use their kiosk but again everyone else around you got them 60 days ago and the good rides and character meets are all gone. After the 3, you can use kiosk in the park to add more, 1 at a time. There's only a couple spread out the parks, it's not like before where oyu run up and get it at the ride.

You do not need a magic band for your offsite stay. The card ticket will work for fast passes. The magic band is really just a convenience because you wear it instead of having to keep getting all the cards out. If your staying at a resort, there is things like charging to your room and your room key that is part of the band and why you just get them included in the price of the room. They sell them at the park so if you get tired of the cards or think there is value, just get them there and they will activate them to your account when you purchase them.

I'm not sure about the child under 3, my daughter is much older and not sure how this system works with them.

 

[siskaren]

60 days before you go, get fast passes for your must see rides, you get an initial 3 per ticket day.

The OP is staying offsite, so she would have to wait until 30 days before the first day she's going to visit a park.

1. I believe we can purchase these bands online ahead of our trip, is that correct?

2. If we don't buy the bands we would use our admission tickets as our fast pass+ tickets?

3. At 30 days before our trip we can begin scheduling 3 fast pass+ attractions for each day of our trip.

4. I believe we do this through MDE.

5. Do we need to have already purchased our admission tickets to schedule FastPass+?

6. Does my child under 3 need to be scheduled for FastPass+ if they have no ticket?

7. How and when would we link our bands to our FastPass+ plans?

8. Is the old fast pass system non-existent, or can I skip fast-pass+ and just enter the park and get fast passes the way we used to?

9. Can I link my ADR's to the magic band?

1. Correct, at disneystore.com

2. Yes.

3. Yes.

4. Yes.

5. Yes.

6. No.

7. You actually link the Magic Band to your MDE account. I'm not sure of the specifics of how because I haven't gone to WDW since they were introduced, but I think all you do is enter an ID number that's on the back side of the band.

8. As Accident said, the old FP system is gone.

9. I'm not sure what you mean. Your ADRs will be on your MDE account, but as far as I know, you still have to provide either your name or your reservation number when you check in for your ADR. I haven't heard anything about MBs being able to be scanned to confirm you have an ADR.

I would highly recommend reading the first two posts of this thread for everything you need to know about FP+:

http://disboards.com/threads/fastpa...ed-priorities-and-strategies-part-ii.3326057/

 

[emm1630]

You can most certainly purchase the MagicBands online but if you're after a certain MagicBand (one with a specific character, etc.) you may want to wait until you're in the parks for a larger selection.
If you've already purchased your tickets you can link those to your MDE. When you visit the parks if you decide to purchase MagicBands a Cast Member (wherever you purchase the MagicBands) will have to activate them and link them to your information. Once they're activated your ticket info and Fast Passes will be available on the MagicBands. As far as dining reservations, the only things MagicBands are used for at the restaurants would be to redeem Dining Plan credits for those on the Dining Plan or to pay for the meal if there is a credit card linked to the band.