ME, Magic bands, and a few general questions, please

[waltdisneymama]

Hello! I'd appreciate any input, and this is what I have in mind (I am from Canada and will have room only bookings and 10-day park hopper tickets from UT): Arrive in Orlando Nov. 3, stay at All Star Music for two nights (first night evening arrival and next day hopefully a KSC tour with pickup at this hotel); then I think a night on site (two day tickets) at US/IOA; then hopefully back to Disney Dolphin hotel for 3-4 nights, based on affordability); then another 9 or 10 nights at likely Pop Century. I would activate my Disney park tickets towards the latter part of the trip (starting while at the Dolphin) and would use them within 14 days, having a few non-park days in there too. I could still use ME back and forth to the airport, right? If I desire magic bands, I'd need to buy them when I arrive, and if I do, they'd be fine for my entire time using my tickets; is that right? Can anyone tell me if the Dolphin is likely to have deals come up for that time (around Nov. 7-10)? I only have about 2,000 star points, but might have 5,000 by then, but I don't see that they offer points and cash deals during that time. Thanks very much for any information!!!

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

First Magic Bands are linked to MDE, so they are fine, actually for a couple of years. So, yes, as long as your tickets are also linked to MDE, you can use those bands to access your tickets. You will also receive Magic Bands as part of your reservation with All Star Music and with Pop Century, no need to buy them.

Sorry, I don't know anything about discounts or points with Dolphin.

 

[waltdisneymama]

First Magic Bands are linked to MDE, so they are fine, actually for a couple of years. So, yes, as long as your tickets are also linked to MDE, you can use those bands to access your tickets. You will also receive Magic Bands as part of your reservation with All Star Music and with Pop Century, no need to buy them.

Sorry, I don't know anything about discounts or points with Dolphin.

Thanks, MaryLovesPoohBear! There was no MDE (or Fastpass plus) the last time I was there, so it's all new to me, but that makes sense!

 

[cassie58]

You are fine with using ME, as you will dropped at and picked up from Disney hotels. I know PP answered your Magic Band question. Discounts are probably not likely at that time due to Veteran's Day weekend(11th), end of Food & Wine Festival at Epcot(ends on 14th), and Teacher's Convention Week for NJ(called Jersy Week because many families take advantage of convention days(10th-11th) plus Election Day(8th) and Veteran's Day some schools give off, so will take that week of the 7th for trip). The Swan and Dolphin do offer teacher and nurse discounts, if anyone in your party falls into those categories. With it being a busy time, you might want to reserve a room soon, if you only need a c.c. to guarantee and can cancel up to 24-48 hrs., and then you can always modify/cancel. I know you are up in the air about exact days, and not sure if you can book now and switch to pts. if you have enough later, so you'd have to check into that. Just because it is the end of Food & Wine, where some people like to stay at Epcot resorts to be close, and the F&W 1/2 Marathon(3-6th)is also happening, which we have had friends who are teachers (from NJ) do, and they stay there to be close to Epcot and get teacher rates, so it could be busy at that time. Also, once you firm up your plans, if you would like to make any ADRs, you should try for those since people have been making them since 180 day mark, and you can make FP at 60 days for your stay - should be able to link Dolphin reserv. to MDE and then make your choices for your ticketed days, to get the rides you want, especially the popular ones like SDMT and TSMM without long waits. You unfortunately need to be more planned in advance with the new system, and it is better to make ADRs/FP and try to change them later if you want to switch parks, than to wait, and not be able to get your faves. HTH!

 

[waltdisneymama]

You are fine with using ME, as you will dropped at and picked up from Disney hotels. I know PP answered your Magic Band question. Discounts are probably not likely at that time due to Veteran's Day weekend(11th), end of Food & Wine Festival at Epcot(ends on 14th), and Teacher's Convention Week for NJ(called Jersy Week because many families take advantage of convention days(10th-11th) plus Election Day(8th) and Veteran's Day some schools give off, so will take that week of the 7th for trip). The Swan and Dolphin do offer teacher and nurse discounts, if anyone in your party falls into those categories. With it being a busy time, you might want to reserve a room soon, if you only need a c.c. to guarantee and can cancel up to 24-48 hrs., and then you can always modify/cancel. I know you are up in the air about exact days, and not sure if you can book now and switch to pts. if you have enough later, so you'd have to check into that. Just because it is the end of Food & Wine, where some people like to stay at Epcot resorts to be close, and the F&W 1/2 Marathon(3-6th)is also happening, which we have had friends who are teachers (from NJ) do, and they stay there to be close to Epcot and get teacher rates, so it could be busy at that time. Also, once you firm up your plans, if you would like to make any ADRs, you should try for those since people have been making them since 180 day mark, and you can make FP at 60 days for your stay - should be able to link Dolphin reserv. to MDE and then make your choices for your ticketed days, to get the rides you want, especially the popular ones like SDMT and TSMM without long waits. You unfortunately need to be more planned in advance with the new system, and it is better to make ADRs/FP and try to change them later if you want to switch parks, than to wait, and not be able to get your faves. HTH!

Thanks very much, Cassie58; this is very helpful!!!