Will we regret not having Magic bands?

[moomy-san]

My husband and I are Disneyland and DCL veterans on our first visit to WDW in very early February. We have 2 days in the parks before our cruise and have decided to throw caution to the wind and not do any FP+ or dining reservations, and we are not getting magic bands. We are only doing MK and Epcot so I just can't see how FP+ would make our visit any easier as we don't want to be rushed, we will be without kids so I'd like to take it easy. Will we regret this choice?

 

[Robo]

My husband and I are Disneyland and DCL veterans on our first visit to WDW in very early February. We have 2 days in the parks before our cruise and have decided to throw caution to the wind and not do any FP+ or dining reservations. We are only doing MK and Epcot so I just can't see how FP+ would make our visit any easier as we don't want to be rushed, we will be without kids so I'd like to take it easy. Will we regret this choice?

MagicBands and FP+ are two different things.

You can make advanced FP+ reservations (and use FP+ in the parks) without having a MagicBand.

Or, you can receive a MagicBand by staying at a WDW resort (or purchase a MagicBand) and use it for park entry and other things,
and still choose to not use FP+.

 

[disneydude365]

you should get magic bands regardless they will be your room key and access to the park

however as previous post said fast pass+ is a different thing, and no if you don't want to use fast pass+ you certainly don't have to

 

[Jiminy'sGirl]

If it's important to you to ride 7dmt or Soarin', I'd say just get a FP+ for those things. One scheduled attraction a day still leaves lots of time for winging it! If those rides aren't important, I wouldn't worry about it!

MBs, meh. Take it or leave it based on your preference! We like them, my parents did not.

 

[moomy-san]

Oh, I realize that they are different things we've used them, I hate them. We'll get regular park passes instead. (They promised that this is still an option!)

 

[mrsmomo]

OP didn't say they were staying on site. That's the only way your given magic bands, otherwise you can buy them in the park.

Personally I think if you are looking to just take it easy you should be fine with no plans. As long as you understand you might not get into the restaurant you want. Do some research and have a general idea of where you want to go and what you want to see. Other than that to wing it with no kids is a dream of mine!!

 

[bumbershoot]

... on our first visit to WDW in very early February.


We are only doing MK and Epcot so I just can't see how FP+ would make our visit any easier as we don't want to be rushed,....

Oh, I realize that they are different things we've used them, I hate them. We'll get regular park passes instead. (They promised that this is still an option!)

OK, what have you used and hated if this is your first WDW trip?

MBs are a band to open the door, charge to the room, and access your ticket with, as well as the way you access the FP+ arrangements you might have made.

FP+s are a prearranged FP where the benefit over FP is that you don't have to run around the park a whole bunch to gather the FPs.


If I didn't want to be rushed, I *would* make some FP+ arrangements. That gives you at least 3 rides without having to wait in long lines. I feel the same way about dining arrangements. A day isn't relaxed if it doesn't include a sit-down meal for my family.

 

[moomy-san]

OK, what have you used and hated if this is your first WDW trip? MBs are a band to open the door, charge to the room, and access your ticket with, as well as the way you access the FP+ arrangements you might have made. FP+s are a prearranged FP where the benefit over FP is that you don't have to run around the park a whole bunch to gather the FPs. If I didn't want to be rushed, I *would* make some FP+ arrangements. That gives you at least 3 rides without having to wait in long lines. I feel the same way about dining arrangements. A day isn't relaxed if it doesn't include a sit-down meal for my family.

My kids both had MB for our last 2 cruises. I don't like the way they look on your wrist or how they feel, I have no impression of them in regards to their functionality. I've got sensory issues so having a bracelet on isn't an option for me.

 

[Jdismom]

Early February is a great time to go with fairly light crowds. I would think you could get most of the FPs you want once you get there (if you even want to use FP). You'll probably also have a good choice of restaurants available. Have fun taking it easy!

Oh, and by the way, if this is your first trip to WDW, I was wondering when you used FP+ or magic bands and hated them.

 

[rachel09985]

My kids both had MB for our last 2 cruises. I don't like the way they look on your wrist or how they feel, I have no impression of them in regards to their functionality. I've got sensory issues so having a bracelet on isn't an option for me.

I could be wrong but aren't the cruise bands for kids completely different from magic bands?

 

[Jdismom]

Oh, I see someone just asked the same question.

If you are talking about the bracelets for the kids clubs on DCL, they are different from the magic bands. But to each his own.

 

[Robo]

I don't understand the question.

 

[ethanwa]

MagicBands are VERY convenient. Here are all the things that you'll get with a MagicBand without needing to pull out a wallet/card:

- Open room doors
- Pay for stuff, even at Disney sit-down restaurants
- FP+
- Park entry, including extra parties like Mickey's Christmas Party
- Quick Photopass photo adding
- Pics and videos from rides automatically added to your Photopass
- Quickly pull up account info at Guest Services if needed

If you want to be immersed without having to think about pulling out a card all of the time, just wear one. After a day or two you won't even remember you have it on.

If you don't care about those things, don't wear one. But 99% of people want at least a few things on that list.

Ethan

 

[ethanwa]

Oh, and by the way, you are going to be BLOWN AWAY by how large Disney World (not just the theme parks, but the Disney property itself) is compared to Disneyland.

I live near Disney World and have been to Disneyland many times. For a Disneyland vet, you are in for quite a shock.

 

[Itinkso]

Being DL vets, you've probably used FPs at DL and DCA. You don't have to pre-select your FPs before you enter MK and Epcot. You can book "day of" FP when you enter the park and see what's available to you so that you can ride without a wait.

We have used "day of" FPs for our last three trips only because we couldn't pre-book due to using Guest Passes. It's nice to know we can select three rides and not have to wait even though it may be Barnstormer, GMR, or Buzz but at least we weren't waiting 30 minutes. What we liked was that we could adjust our FPs and move them up in time after we used our 1st FP. FP also ensured us of the correct section where we needed to sit for Fantasmic.

You probably don't need to do Soarin' in Epcot as it is exactly like DCA's. Radiator Springs Racers is much better than Test Track but you may want to see how TT differs from RSR. So, that doesn't leave you much to do ride-wise but using "day of" FPs can save you time on Spaceship Earth and maybe Nemo.

 

[Kirby]

I haven't been yet since the Magic Bands came out but from what I understand you don't have to have them. You will still be able to access your room without them, just tell the CM when you check in that you want the plastic cards. I'm going in December and my Magic Bands have not arrived yet. I don't really care whether they do or not, I'm doing a split stay between SOG and POR and will be using the plastic cards at SOG for the majority of our trip.

As far as FP+ you don't have to do that either, you just may not be able to ride a few of the rides. Check the FP kiosks when you get there and see what is available. If you have MDE on your phone you should be able to see the ride times and what restaurants have times available for you to eat.

You'll have a great time just winging it.

 

[Boo Bear]

I used to be a Disneyland Annual Passholder and if I were you I'd at least plan your FP+ in advance. The stand by lines at WDW have a tendency to be far longer than those at DL, with the exception of 4th of July or other busy times at DL. That was the only time I've seen standby lines at DLR get to be the length of those at WDW. I went on a spur of the moment trip with my BF in September and we booked FP+ for the 3 mountains once we arrived (about 11am). We just used our park ticket plastic cards to access the FP+ return queues. If you have sensory issues and don't even like wearing bracelets, then I think you'd be fine missing out on the perks of a magic band.

Don't waste a FP+ on POTC. Disneyland blows the WDW one out of the water. Splash Mountain could present a cute couples photo op, since the logs at WDW seat side by side instead one per section like at DL.

Epcot world showcase is a perfect place to spend a leisurely time for two and still enjoy yourselves. In September, DBF and I made it to Rose & Crown around 8pm as walk-ups and were seated in 5 minutes. We got to see Illuminations from their reserved spot. It was magical.

I really hope that you enjoy this down time without the kids. I envy you! DBF and I will someday take a lengthy trip without kids, but that might take a few years.

 

[KimbaLovesDisney]

I have a Disney ticket I bought a couple years ago I never used so we will be getting one ticket to go with and via a discount site so no magic band. I'm not sure I would like to have to wear a wristlet all day in the heat either. That being said I am clueless about the new fast pass system and the new system for folks with disabilities. I'm trying to research now. Any feedback on if getting a fast pass on day of trip is now impossible unless you have made online reservations? I've been trying for weeks to get into be our guest and it's totally booked. Thanks!!!!

 

[ilovedisneymm]

They're not hard to obtain and selecting your fast passes is a piece of cake. They are very useful and a large time saver for lines. Yes, they are a drag as they give you a time frame to go by but for only two days of having in the parks I would take full advantage of them. 7DMT & the mountains for MK for sure. This saves you hours of wait time freeing up more time to explore the parks. Even if you only use it for 7dMT that frees up a single hour right there. If you decide to not use them or miss your scheduled time then no worries

Disney land verses Disney World are two completely different worlds!!

Enjoy!

 

[moomy-san]

Thanks for the info, very reassuring and good advice.
For the record on DCL kids club bands- they are now exactly like magic bands. I'm not sure when they started but we've had them twice on the Fantasy this year. The previous ones were even more horrible and huge.