Pls Help, I am lost and I cannot find what to do...lol

[Amanda Hickerty]

Good Day Everyone,

I was hoping for a little advice for this first time family heading to Disney Please. I have so many questions and have no idea what to do. All help and advice is appreciated.

A little about my family. We are taking our 2 year old princess named after Cinderella for her 3rd birthday from November 12- the 20th. I am celebrating 2 year cancer free and am so excited as well, this trip is very much needed for this family that has had to go through so much in the past 3 years. My husband is not a huge Disney fan but I know he will be once he understands the history and magic of this wonderful place.

Help with any of these questions would be much appreciated.

1. We are not staying on site but I received our tickets from Disney. I have made our reservations at our parks before I received our tickets. Are they already then linked or do I have to do something else. It says on MDE that I have tickets but not sure if I have to do anything else for that

2. If I link our memory maker to MDE now, is that ok or should i wait until the day before we go to the parks? We received our ticket for that as well.

3. For Dining reservations - When I am booking my daughter is under 3 do I still include her in the number of guests? Will they ask us how old she is. I am hoping to share meals as she isnt a big eater but I know at buffets we wont be charged for her is that correct?

and finally...
4. If we buy magicbands once we arrive at Disney either in Disney Springs or the park will we be able to link them to our MDE right away to use that day or do we have to wait. There are not many options on Shop Disney that I like and I was hoping to get a nice one when we arrive.


Thank you again and we just cant wait to be at the parks.

 

[starry_solo]

1. Since you made park reservations, this means your park tickets are linked my Disney Experience (MDE).

2. Go ahead and link Memory Maker to MDE.

3. you still need to add her to dining reservations. But you mentioned above that you're going for her third birthday, does this mean her birthday is later than the trip?

4. Yes, you can link right away. You don't need to buy them if you have physical tickets though.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

4. If we buy magicbands once we arrive at Disney either in Disney Springs or the park will we be able to link them to our MDE right away to use that day or do we have to wait. There are not many options on Shop Disney that I like and I was hoping to get a nice one when we arrive.

First, and foremost - congratulations to your daughter on being cancer free!!! Such a huge accomplishment at such a young age and such wonderful news. There is no better way to celebrate than a trip to the most magical place on earth!

It looks like starry answered your questions pretty effectively, but let me give a little more detail on the magic bands. Your "account" with Disney resides purely on the servers. You can reference that account by using physical tickets (kinda like a credit card), your MDE app on your phone, your wallet on your apple device, or physical magic bands. I think Magic bands are a wonderful keep-sake for a little girl. There are some beautiful Cinderella MB's that would be perfect for your daughter. The unique thing about magic bands is that they also include a long range transmitter which a few rides and experiences take advantage of.

In any event, once you select a magic band, it can be linked to the same Disney account instantly. There is a small number on the back of it (like a serial number) which simply needs to be added to your account. You can do this yourself on the MDE app by going to the 3 bars on the right, scroll down to "My Profile", select MagicBands and Cards, and choose "Link a MagicBand or Card".

If you have any trouble, or even if you want a magical hand, the CM at any shop or location will be happy to assist you with this.

As you proceed with your planning, if you have any other questions or want suggestions on how to celebrate such a magical time, please do not hesitate to ask. Congratulations again to your daughter, and welcome to the DisBoards!

 

[Amanda Hickerty]

Thank you for the great advice I appreciate it.

3. you still need to add her to dining reservations. But you mentioned above that you're going for her third birthday, does this mean her birthday is later than the trip?

Yes, she will be 3 on the second last day of our trip. I will be purchasing her meals at that point.

 

[Amanda Hickerty]

First, and foremost - congratulations to your daughter on being cancer free!!! Such a huge accomplishment at such a young age and such wonderful news. There is no better way to celebrate than a trip to the most magical place on earth!

Thank you for your kind words. My daughter did not have cancer, I did while pregnant with her. I appreciate your help very much and kind words just wanted to clear up that it is her 3 birthday and my celebration of cancer free of 2 years.

I am very excited to be posting about our first trip after reading everyone's wonderful memories and advice here for so long. Thank you again

 

[starry_solo]

Thank you for the great advice I appreciate it.

Yes, she will be 3 on the second last day of our trip. I will be purchasing her meals at that point.

You shouldn't need to. A child's age stays the same for Disney purposes from the beginning of the trip.

 

[lanejudy]

Yes, she will be 3 on the second last day of our trip.

You shouldn't need to. A child's age stays the same for Disney purposes from the beginning of the trip.

This is true! If she starts your vacation at age 2, she is considered 2 throughout. If you specifically order a meal for her, she'll be charged but otherwise she is allowed to eat off your plate. Even on/after her birthday. Just explain she turned 3 on your trip (many 3-yr-olds will proudly announce how old they are!). Same for tickets; she does not need one this trip.

Congrats to you and happy birthday to your princess! Your family has a lot to celebrate.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Thank you for your kind words. My daughter did not have cancer, I did while pregnant with her. I appreciate your help very much and kind words just wanted to clear up that it is her 3 birthday and my celebration of cancer free of 2 years.

I am very excited to be posting about our first trip after reading everyone's wonderful memories and advice here for so long. Thank you again

Sorry... my mistake. In that event, congregations to YOU on being Cancer free for 2 years and for your healthy daughter! Stay strong, have a terrific trip and as mentioned, if you have any further questions, we are here to help!

 

[Amanda Hickerty]

You shouldn't need to. A child's age stays the same for Disney purposes from the beginning of the trip.

Oh that's interesting. Does it apply even if your not staying on-site?

 

[Amanda Hickerty]

Sorry... my mistake. In that event, congregations to YOU on being Cancer free for 2 years and for your healthy daughter! Stay strong, have a terrific trip and as mentioned, if you have any further questions, we are here to help!

Thank you very much

 

[Amanda Hickerty]

This is true! If she starts your vacation at age 2, she is considered 2 throughout. If you specifically order a meal for her, she'll be charged but otherwise she is allowed to eat off your plate. Even on/after her birthday. Just explain she turned 3 on your trip (many 3-yr-olds will proudly announce how old they are!). Same for tickets; she does not need one this trip.

Congrats to you and happy birthday to your princess! Your family has a lot to celebrate.

Thank you