** Official August 2024 Thread **

[msmith1026]

CRT is 8 AM. It is SO MUCH food in one day. I was thinking maybe 2 pm lunch before MNSSHP. We have park hopper tix so easy enough to go early, have lunch, get our party wristbands, and then hang out until we get in line for Jack and Sally.

Oh wow!! I had no idea. Thank you so much for this What time do you suggest getting there to put our names down? We know we won’t really be able to Lyft over there and will have to do a drop off at TTC and then walk the path to Poly to boot.

If you are at the TTC, hop on the resort monorail and do the loop to the Poly. It’s a nice way to see the resorts and keeps you cooler.

I recommend being there a bit before 2(which is when they start taking names) . If you don’t see a cast member at the door taking names, open the door, and they should be at the check-in desk. Whenever we go, I plan on having to wait at least an hour, and end up pleasantly surprised if we get in sooner.

For Be Our Guest - are you going to want to take a break back at your resort between Hollywood Studios and the party? If not, doing BoG mid afternoon is a great way to get out of the heat and relax. And it puts you in the park ahead of 4pm So you can grab your wristband inside.

 

[BellesRosesAndBooks]

If you are at the TTC, hop on the resort monorail and do the loop to the Poly. It’s a nice way to see the resorts and keeps you cooler.

I recommend being there a bit before 2(which is when they start taking names) . If you don’t see a cast member at the door taking names, open the door, and they should be at the check-in desk. Whenever we go, I plan on having to wait at least an hour, and end up pleasantly surprised if we get in sooner.

For Be Our Guest - are you going to want to take a break back at your resort between Hollywood Studios and the party? If not, doing BoG mid afternoon is a great way to get out of the heat and relax. And it puts you in the park ahead of 4pm So you can grab your wristband inside.

you nailed it because I specifically left a gap so we could take a break before the party - that might be one thing we kind of play by ear and make a game time decision. But it would be a good way to do it if we wrapped up AM at DHS early too. Also could be impacted by this new LL situation.

I know we can’t fit EVERYTHING in but I’m trying. While also remembering we are getting our top 3 things done and that’s most important to us.

Might have to to Trader Sam’s a different day or time then… we have dinner at the boathouse in DS at 6:30. Was hoping to get in at 3 on the dot and be out by 4/430. Is it any easier to get in at the end of the night? Like say going at 9:30 and waiting? I didn’t realize there was a standby list like that, that is so so helpful. Thank you!!!

 

[stallard5andbuds]

FINALLY! After 6 years we are coming back home!
Who else will be coming back in August of 2024???

(now I just need to figure out how to update my countdown ticker... so much to remember!)

7 long years for us too! Trying to get back next month!

 

[123SA]

Are you using magic bands+, plastic tickets or phones?



I need to decide soon. I was able to buy regular magic bands last year. I really just want to re-use them, but I have had a hard time in the past with old bands and capturing ride photos. I've only read complaints about magic band+, and no one in my party is likely to be interested in whatever the extras are. To be fair, maybe they improved? I stopped reading about them.

I feel confident that last year's bands will work for park entrance, opening doors and charging. It's just the ride photos, which I do really like, that I'm concerned about.

 

[BellesRosesAndBooks]

Are you using magic bands+, plastic tickets or phones?



I need to decide soon. I was able to buy regular magic bands last year. I really just want to re-use them, but I have had a hard time in the past with old bands and capturing ride photos. I've only read complaints about magic band+, and no one in my party is likely to be interested in whatever the extras are. To be fair, maybe they improved? I stopped reading about them.

I feel confident that last year's bands will work for park entrance, opening doors and charging. It's just the ride photos, which I do really like, that I'm concerned about.

EarScouts did a really really good comparison on YT about this. We ended up going with the MagicBand+ after watching. That said, reviews still seem pretty mixed. If the photos are a priority, why take the risk of using the old bands?

 

[Wood Nymph]

Are you using magic bands+, plastic tickets or phones?



I need to decide soon. I was able to buy regular magic bands last year. I really just want to re-use them, but I have had a hard time in the past with old bands and capturing ride photos. I've only read complaints about magic band+, and no one in my party is likely to be interested in whatever the extras are. To be fair, maybe they improved? I stopped reading about them.

I feel confident that last year's bands will work for park entrance, opening doors and charging. It's just the ride photos, which I do really like, that I'm concerned about.

We have the old MagicBands and it has been almost impossible to get ride photos unless it is a ride like Buzz or Test Track that has the option to scan the band to your photo. I've done everything I can think of, too. This is something I need to work on fixing.

But the old MBs have worked for park tickets, unlocking resort room and charging to the band.

 

[123SA]

EarScouts did a really really good comparison on YT about this. We ended up going with the MagicBand+ after watching. That said, reviews still seem pretty mixed. If the photos are a priority, why take the risk of using the old bands?

LOL. It’s an arbitrary line in the sand. $100 for new magic bands isn’t even 1% of my total vacation cost. I’m fretting over possible $1500-$2000 in Lightening Lane costs and for reasons that do not make sense I’m dithering over magic bands.

I’ll check out ear scouts today and most likely place an order for bands.

 

[msmith1026]

Are you using magic bands+, plastic tickets or phones?



I need to decide soon. I was able to buy regular magic bands last year. I really just want to re-use them, but I have had a hard time in the past with old bands and capturing ride photos. I've only read complaints about magic band+, and no one in my party is likely to be interested in whatever the extras are. To be fair, maybe they improved? I stopped reading about them.

I feel confident that last year's bands will work for park entrance, opening doors and charging. It's just the ride photos, which I do really like, that I'm concerned about.

We will use magic band +. We bought new ones last year that we will reuse. I had thought about using my phone but from experience last year, and watching others try with their phone, I like the ease of the band vs always grabbing my phone.

I am trying to tell myself I don’t need a new magic band but I probably will crack. Somehow a new band always feels like a fresh start to another vacation.

 

[Justrose]

I am trying to tell myself I don’t need a new magic band but I probably will crack. Somehow a new band always feels like a fresh start to another vacation.

YES!!! I bought myself a new one this time and I can't wait to use it. DD will use her old MB+ because she is getting a new one for her birthday in December.

 

[BellesRosesAndBooks]

We will use magic band +. We bought new ones last year that we will reuse. I had thought about using my phone but from experience last year, but I like the ease of the band vs always grabbing my phone.

I am trying to tell myself I don’t need a new magic band but I probably will crack. Somehow a new band always feels like a fresh start to another vacation.

You need it LOL

LOL. It’s an arbitrary line in the sand. $100 for new magic bands isn’t even 1% of my total vacation cost. I’m fretting over possible $1500-$2000 in Lightening Lane costs and for reasons that do not make sense I’m dithering over magic bands.

I’ll check out ear scouts today and most likely place an order for bands.

I don’t see any sand let us know which ones you pick. We got the R2D2 and the Mickey Mouse and Friends!!

 

[msmith1026]

YES!!! I bought myself a new one this time and I can't wait to use it. DD will use her old MB+ because she is getting a new one for her birthday in December.

You need it LOL

Well that seals it- I’m just going to tell my husband it was August group approved and so clearly it’s a must purchase item.

 

[123SA]

You need it LOL


I don’t see any sand let us know which ones you pick. We got the R2D2 and the Mickey Mouse and Friends!!

I got solid colors -- lavender for me, black, gray, navy for my guys.

 

[123SA]

When these are arrive, do I need to link them to my account? I logged into MDE, bought them in the MDE account on my laptop, not the phone app. I assigned these bands to each person in my party while purchasing them.

 

[Justrose]

When these are arrive, do I need to link them to my account? I logged into MDE, bought them in the MDE account on my laptop, not the phone app. I assigned these bands to each person in my party while purchasing them.

I believe you should be all set!

 

[tom1944]

Is the consensus that Magic Bands purchased last year are now obsolete and should be replaced?

 

[Justrose]

Is the consensus that Magic Bands purchased last year are now obsolete and should be replaced?

Ours are still good from a couple years ago!

 

[123SA]

Is the consensus that Magic Bands purchased last year are now obsolete and should be replaced?

It’s only capturing ride photos like Mine train that could be an issue

I’ve heard but can’t confirm You could put your phone on blue tooth and that may work

Also if you note the time and the outfits you are wearing you can call photo pass after your trip. They are really good, great customer service, but it’s time consuming and you need to keep track of the time you ride.

 

[msmith1026]

Has anyone relooked at dining during the time you are there ? I was looking today and there is a ton of availability- beaches and cream has a ton of reservations available every day of our trip, among others. It seems a little surprising.

 

[dancergirlsmom]

Has anyone relooked at dining during the time you are there ? I was looking today and there is a ton of availability- beaches and cream has a ton of reservations available every day of our trip, among others. It seems a little surprising.

Yes, I was able to make some changes to our ADR's.

 

[BellesRosesAndBooks]

I’ve noticed we have been able to get every restaurant we wanted too. I was nervous things would be gone but we have been okay.

I have a different question for all the regulars here though…. Has anyone shipped light sabers home from the store? I’ve been reading really mixed reviews about them arriving, breaking, etc. Wondering if we should just travel home with it ultimately. But then what do you do with it while you’re still in the park and have rides to do?