When do I do all this MDE stuff?

[Simba's Mom]

We just made reservations for a Disney stay in October. I just realized-when does all this customizing Magic Bands and stuff start? Last trip was last year, and I really didn't know much about Magic Bands until I got a postcard about 3 weeks before the trip. And although we're going with extended family, I used our address for everyone. I've already been appointed the designated "planner" for everything, so I'll be able to do it I would imagine-although in reality they live elsewhere, according to what Disney knows, we all live together. The plan is for me to just hand out the Magic Bands at the airport (we're all flying together, as well as staying together in a villa). So when do I start doing all this MB stuff?

 

[redrosesix]

We just made reservations for a Disney stay in October. I just realized-when does all this customizing Magic Bands and stuff start? Last trip was last year, and I really didn't know much about Magic Bands until I got a postcard about 3 weeks before the trip. And although we're going with extended family, I used our address for everyone. I've already been appointed the designated "planner" for everything, so I'll be able to do it I would imagine-although in reality they live elsewhere, according to what Disney knows, we all live together. The plan is for me to just hand out the Magic Bands at the airport (we're all flying together, as well as staying together in a villa). So when do I start doing all this MB stuff?

You'll get emails from Disney reminding you when to do everything, but it's about 60 days before. You should find out in advance what colour everyone wants, and what name they want on their band.

And ADR's are 180 days before, so that will be soon.

 

[agavegirl1]

Don't know if it is still done but I received a package with a magnet that gives me the dates for everything.

For example:

I check into POP on October 17. Magnet tells me....

April 20: Start booking dining
August 18: Begin FP+ selection
August 18: Begin online check-in
September 2: Last day to make final payment
October 17: Start my incredible vacation

 

[Simba's Mom]

Don't know if it is still done but I received a package with a magnet that gives me the dates for everything.

For example:

I check into POP on October 17. Magnet tells me....

April 20: Start booking dining
August 18: Begin FP+ selection
August 18: Begin online check-in
September 2: Last day to make final payment
October 17: Start my incredible vacation

Thanks, I wish I'd gotten a magnet or something. Maybe that's one of the "advantages" of owning DVC. They probably assume we know more about this than some of us do. As far as MB colors, I just went to the MDE site and couldn't find the color options. All I remember is that 2 options are red and blue because that's what DH and I got last year. But it seems that last year I got to see a picture showing the different colors (like what shade of blue) but I couldn't find it. Anyone have a link? Or is that something I'll get at about 60 days?

 

[LadyLuck24]

We are traveling in November. We booked our 2br villa in December and within a month we received a personalized package containing a flash drive, and a booklet with info about MDE, FP+, and hotel info. In the back of this package was a removable magnet with a picture of Dumbo on it, showing the dates we are eligible for ADRs, FP+ booking, etc (as a PP listed). We don't own DVC but are renting. I'm not sure if they're not sending these flash drive packages out anymore, or if they only send then to people staying in a villa on points, or what. For the record I don't think the flash drive was important (I didn't even use it but heard it was just a link to an MDE info website).

ETA: there should be a link next to your name on MDE that says "personalize magic bands" and you should have about 8 color options on there.

 

[DizneyNutz]

You can start doing some things as soon as you have your reservations confirmation numbers. Go to the MDE web site and if you haven't already registered go ahead and do so. Then you may begin by linking your reservation numbers. For you to do everyone's fast pass selections (at the 60 day mark) you will need all park ticket numbers and who they belong to. As you enter those and assign them to individuals you can pick their desired band colors at that time.

 

[brandelyncon74]

We are booked at POR in September and about two weeks ago received a 4/c mini-booklet outlining magic bands and FP+. The last page was a magnet that had the date to book dining, make fastpass reservations and customize magic bands.

 

[auntfrannie]

I booked my May 2014 trip in February and just this week got a packet with the booklet that has the magnet. I didn't receive a flash drive though.

As far as the magic bands when you go in to personalize them you will see all the color options. Right now the choices are red, blue, green, orange, yellow, pink and gray.

 

[LucyBC80]

You can already personalize your Magic Bands, I'm going in November and I already got mine picked! They will send them to you around 60 days before your arrival day, unless you're an international visitor (Canada is considered international for the bands) then you'll get it when you arrive at the resort. To pick color and names for your magic bands go here: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/bands-cards/

When you get to 60 days before your trip you can book your FP+, as many days as you have tickets for. You don't need to wait for your bands to arrive, just log on to MDE and pick your FP+