OVERWHELMED~ Me, 2 kids, New DAS, & DH arriving days late.

[Lorilais_mommie]

So after a really bad last few months DH and I decided our little family (ME, DH, DD (9), DD(4)) need some disney loving.. We booked a VERY last min trip and have mostly everything figured out for DD (4). Needs.
The only bad things is my DH could only get 4 of the 7 days off. So I will fly down with both DDs and he will follow a few days later. This is very overwhelming for me as I never attempted anything like this without the hubs.

We visited last April right before they switch DAS to the Magic bands. We have used the DAS card before and are familiar with it.. My understanding is the new DAS linked to MB will work similar,

Here are my questions..

1. Can I opt. For a paper DAS card?
Getting a paper card would be much easier since I'm on my own the 1st few days.. I wouldnt have to constantly keep track of making sure both kids don't lose there MB.

2. If we have to use the MB.. I Go to GS at any park.. I will need to have all Magic bands with me at guest services. How will I do that if DH is not even there yet? Can i add him later once he arrives?

3. Is it correct that only one Magic band is needed to receive a time?

4. Is there anyway to get a time WITHOUT going to the ride entrance? The hardest thing to explain to DD4 is why we went the ride, but have to come back to ride.. Maybe a kiosk? Or guest services?
Would really like to keep any problems that could occur to a Minium while I'm on my own..

5. Can I still use DAS for mickey/tinker bell town square, and ariel grotto?
Any other meet and greets it maybe used for at? (Baymax, starwars)
I know in the past they have allowed it, but it did say on the card "not to be use for character meet and greets" I wasn't sure if b/c mickey, tinker and airel are all FP is why they allowed it..


Any other advice is more than welcome!

 

[dismom57]

First, be calm you are at Disney. A few comments, I always wear kid's band and use my finger print, this may work for DD4. Yes you will need to take DH's band to GS when he joins you, but it is so simple and quick not worth worrying about. We have used DAS at Character meets that have FPP, but not a regular lines in the parks (Merida, Mike and Sully etc.). Yes you only need one band to get a return time. I really don't know if you can do it anywhere other than the ride entrance, maybe the plaid at the kiosks (manager type?).

 

[aaarcher86]

1. No. It's all MB now.

2. You can add DH when he arrives at GS.

3. Correct. When using a DAS time the DAS holder needs to scan their MB first when entering the ride.

4. No. GS will sometimes load a time on there when obtaining the DAS, but it isn't guaranteed and can't be used as a reliable way of getting a return time. Anything outside of the ride entrance is pixie dust.

5. You can use it for anything with a FP/standby line, including meet and greets.

 

[scootch]

I started taking my daughters when they were 2 and 5 without daddy. Renting the expensive double stroller was the best decision of the trips. While they did not sit in them all the time, when it got crowded, was a good way to keep them contained. Plus a bonus of somewhere for my bags and drink. So would definitely consider that for your 4 year old. Unfortunately you have to go to the ride to get the return time. The My Disney Experience App though is a great, easy way to keep track of times.

Can only use for characters with Fastpasses or rides with fastpasses. Kind of a bummer as the kids see the ones standing around the park and can't understand why they can't see them quickly like they can with the ones with fastpasses.

 

[scootch]

.

 

[DisneyOma]

You'll need the Magicbands when you use your FP+, so you're going to have to keep them handy anyways. A 9 year old should be able to handle wearing it, unless there are some special needs you haven't mentioned. You can wear your younger daughter's band on one wrist and yours on the other.

 

[lanejudy]

Could you send the 9-yr-old to obtain the return time, while you and the 4-yr-old wait nearby but not approaching the ride entrance?

I know you said it's a last-minute trip but still be sure to take advantage of your 3 FP+ per day. You may find you don't need to use the DAS more than once or twice per day if you also use your FP+. Remember you can change the FP+ times/rides (as available) if you find you are unable to make the planned ride.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[SueM in MN]

Just agreeing with the others.

There is a WDW DAS thread linked near the top of this board. You've got the basics here from other posters, but that thread will fill in the gaps. The first post of that thread is up to date. Don't bother resting past that post - the rest are from before or just after DAS began.

 

[BillSears]

I visited Baymax on Friday and he didn't have a Fastpass entrance so I'm sorry to say but I don't think you can use a DAS for him. The Star Wars Launch Bay characters do not have Fastpasses either.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

You'll need the Magicbands when you use your FP+, so you're going to have to keep them handy anyways. A 9 year old should be able to handle wearing it, unless there are some special needs you haven't mentioned. You can wear your younger daughter's band on one wrist and yours on the other.

Someone reported they have a new Magic band "holder".. (Mickey glove shaped)
I found them on eBay.. Probly going to get DD 9 one of those. (Still debating on DD 4)
DD 4 has had some issues with the band.. She wants so bad to be like everyone else, but after her tearing/scratching (to the point of bleeding) at her wrist last time we are trying to figure a way she can wear it, but maybe not on her wrist. I was more thinking for her maybe a retractable badge holder..

She is right at that age where she wants to do what everyone else is doing.. However when her sensory comes into play, sometimes she just can't handle it.. And explaining that fact to a 4yo is impossible.

Thank goodness for these boards! dont know what I do without them!

Could you send the 9-yr-old to obtain the return time, while you and the 4-yr-old wait nearby but not approaching the ride entrance?

I know you said it's a last-minute trip but still be sure to take advantage of your 3 FP+ per day. You may find you don't need to use the DAS more than once or twice per day if you also use your FP+. Remember you can change the FP+ times/rides (as available) if you find you are unable to make the planned ride.

Enjoy your vacation!

my DD 9 would not be able to handle the crowds that surround the ride entrances by herself.. Even I got a little anxiety around the 7dmt.

However I FP The rides I know would be the worst for both DDs to have to walk up to.. (7dmt, pooh, Small world)
Mickey/tinker is ideal for me to get the time cause DD4 doesn't see mickey and for her it just walking into another building. As for other places I may try to grab others when she is taking a break in her stroller if I feel they can handle staying longer.
As a PP suggested.. We are going to bring our NICE stroller.. It's gives her a nice place to hide, should she need it.

Until DH gets there im just trying a plan short trips into the parks.. normally bookend with lunch and dinner.
I manage to get most of our FP back to back.. So I really only see us using it for a few rides/characters a day that I know it's easy for me to grab a time and walk away.

 

[stitchlovestink]

You can use a KTTW card instead if that's more comfortable. My AP is still in a card form. I just returned from a trip a few days ago and only used my MB to board ME. Once I got to the hotel, I got a standard KTTW card for getting in and out of the hotel room and for EMH (I don't do charging privileges on my card).
My sister was there about 3 weeks before me and when she bought her tickets at the hotel's front desk, they put them on KTTW cards rather than MBs.
So that is an option.

 

[SueM in MN]

Just be aware, those Mickey hand Magicbsnd holders are huge - like the size of a real hand. So, it would be similar to carrying around a stuffed animal.

 

[gap2368]

Here are my questions..

1. Can I opt. For a paper DAS card?
Getting a paper card would be much easier since I'm on my own the 1st few days.. I wouldnt have to constantly keep track of making sure both kids don't lose there MB.

Any other advice is more than welcome!

I just came back from a long weekend for the world and on saturday the DAS was broken so they could not give out any new DAS on the magic bands so they were giving out the old paper ones with out any pictures on it. So I do not know if you could try to explain why you would like the paper one if the CM would give you one but I really do not see this happing I just know they do have the paper ones still but I think it is so much easer with the magic bands since the paper ones tend to get wet and I have needed to go all the way back to GR for anew one and the pepper one is so easy to lose with the band it is not