Disney World MagicBands FAQ

One of the most exciting days before traveling to Disney is the day the MagicBands arrive in the mail!  As soon as I see the box, the trip becomes even more of a reality!  (And just to embarrass my boys, I usually scream and do a Happy Dance).

For those of you that haven’t been to Disney World, or haven’t been in many years, here’s some helpful information about those Magical Bands and how to use them.

What is a MagicBand?

This colorful wristband is actually an all-in-one device that effortlessly connects you to all the vacation choices you made with My Disney Experience.

Your MagicBand enables you to travel lighter throughout your vacation. Use it to enter the parks, unlock your Disney Resort hotel room and buy food and merchandise. Plus, your MagicBand gives you FastPass+ access to all the experiences you’ve selected online.

** Be sure to NOT pack your MagicBands in your checked luggage.  You will use them right off the bat to board Disney’s Magical Express at the airport.  And if you’ve checked in online prior to your trip, you can go straight to your room using your MagicBand to unlock your door.  So put them on when you head out to start your trip!

Your MagicBand also is used by Disney PhotoPass Service. The photographer will scan your band after taking your photos.  You’ll also have your ride photos automatically linked to your account while wearing your band on rides that offer in-ride pics.  If you’ve purchased the Memory Maker, all you have to do is go to your PhotoPass account to see all the memories captured and created for you.

 How do I use my MagicBand?

Most of the time, all you need to do is touch your MagicBand against a sensor called a touch point. It’s that easy!

MagicBands can also be read by long-range readers to deliver amazing personalized experiences, as well as provide information that helps Disney improve their overall experience.

In addition to touching your MagicBand to a touch point, you will be required to enter a PIN code to uniquely identify yourself when making purchases. 

To enter the parks, you will be required to provide biometric identification (fingerprint) or show a photo ID that matches the name identified with your ticket. This process helps to ensure that you, and only you, have access to the entitlements linked to your MagicBand.

MagicBands are always operational. They don’t have an on/off switch. If you lose a MagicBand, you can deactivate it on My Disney Experience, and it will no longer be linked to your tickets and other entitlements.  You can visit Guest Relations for help with a replacement - occasionally they will replace without a charge depending on the circumstances.

MagicBands use Radio Frequency (RF) technology and can be read by short and long-range readers located at the Walt Disney World Resort. If you prefer to use a card—which cannot be detected by long-range readers—you can request a card at your Disney Resort hotel.

In addition, any Guest who wishes to use their MagicBand to purchase an alcoholic beverage at Walt Disney World Resort must also present a valid form of identification.

How can I get a MagicBand?

MagicBands are available at no cost to Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels. Guests staying off-site receive a card with the purchase of park admission. Those guests are welcome to purchase a MagicBand online before their trip or at many locations throughout Disney World.

When is the deadline for customizing my MagicBand?

Customize your MagicBand with your name and favorite color as soon as possible after making your Disney Resort hotel reservation!  I'd be happy to do this for you!

• If you customize your MagicBand at least 11 days before you arrive at your Disney Resort hotel, it will be shipped to your home.
• If you customize your MagicBand between 10 days and 6 days before you arrive at your Disney Resort hotel, you will receive it when you arrive at your Disney Resort hotel.
• If you do not customize your MagicBand until 5 days or less before your arrival, you will receive a non-customized MagicBand when you arrive at your Disney Resort hotel - these are boring grey bands so don’t wait too long!  (Sorry to those of you that love the color grey!)

When you customize your MagicBand, the printed name appears on the inside for your privacy.  I like to have our nicknames printed just for fun.  You can also write your cell phone number in sharpie on these before you go for a small child’s band.  Peace of mind just in case they get lost.

Customization doesn’t stop there. Disney sells a number of special edition MagicBands: everything from Star Wars to Mickey Mouse is available to purchase. Most of these special bands are about $20 and can be purchased from DisneyStore.com in advance of your trip or in theme park stores on-site.

For even more customization, guests can add accessories like character images and jewels called MagicBandits. These decorations pop into the adjustable holes on the MagicBand.

With the introduction of MagicBand 2 in early 2017, the customization options are even more robust. MagicBand 2 has a center disc Disney is calling the “icon” that can be removed with a small screwdriver. Creative Disney types are mixing and matching the icon with different color bands. If you don’t want to wear a band, you can even remove the icon entirely and put it in new accessories Disney is selling called MagicKeepers to turn them into keychains, lanyards, and more.

You’ll see Guests that have gone to extremes while decorating their bands.  I purchased “skins” from sellers on etsy to place on our bands.  Here are a few pics of the packaging and the bands, including the before and after pictures of a couple of our bands.

Comes in plain packaging so you can still surprise your kids!

Ahhhhhhhh!!

Our Bands!! (Ryan chose boring gray...)

Luggage tags are in the lid.

Cute luggage tags that match the Bands.

This is where your name is printed.

Luke's Band before we put the skin on.

The skins for our Bands (purchased separately).

Luke's Band after skin.

My Band after skin.

Make yours stand out and be prepared for Cast Members to admire them!

How do I use my MagicBand or card when I have a FastPass+ arrival time at an attraction or entertainment experience?

When you arrive during your scheduled FastPass+ arrival time, all you need to do is proceed to the FASTPASS queue entrance and touch your MagicBand or card to a sensor called a touch point - so easy!

Please remember that each member of your party will have to individually touch their MagicBand or card to the touch point, so everyone should be sure to have their MagicBand or card available.

How do I make purchases using my MagicBand?

If you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you can charge purchases to your room by touching your MagicBand or card against a sensor called a touch point and entering a PIN code to uniquely identify yourself. You self-select your PIN upon check-in at your Walt Disney World Resort hotel.

Hungry for a snack? Want a souvenir? Use your MagicBand to charge these purchases at a Walt Disney World theme park to your Disney Resort hotel room. Are MagicBands waterproof?

You can select which MagicBands are able to charge - might be a good idea to not give charge privileges to your kids! 

Are MagicBands waterproof?

Yes. MagicBands are waterproof so you don’t have to worry about protecting them from water exposure when you visit the Disney water parks, enjoy water attractions at the Disney theme parks, swim at the pool at your Disney Resort hotel or get caught outside in the rain.

Have other questions??  Contact me or comment below!!

Disney World FastPass+ FAQs

Something that tends to overwhelm first time visitors to Disney World is the FastPass+ situation.  In short, everyone that has a ticket to Disney World is allowed 3 FastPasses to start their day.  Those allow you to basically skip the standard line and go ahead of most people by using the FastPass+ line.  You are able to choose an hour window in which to use your pass.  Once all of your selected FastPasses have been used, you’re able to get another one (based on availability) and you can continue to do that for the rest of the day.

Clear as mud?

Here are some common FAQs about FastPasses that might help explain it a bit more:

Q.  How many FastPass+ selections can I make for each day of my vacation?

A.  Before you arrive, for each day of valid theme park admission, you can make up to 3 FastPass+ selections for a single park per day (depending on availability).

Use the First 3, Then Get More - Once you redeem your initial set of FastPass+ selections (or the last arrival window has passed), you can make another FastPass+ selection for the same day at an in-park kiosk or using your mobile device, up to park closing. After you redeem the additional FastPass+ pick, you can return to a kiosk to make more selections (one at a time).

If your ticket includes a Park Hopper Option, after you use your initial FastPass+ selections at the first park, you’ll be able to make additional FastPass+ selections (one at a time) at the second park you visit that day, up to park closing. Just visit a kiosk or using your mobile device to make the additional selections.

Q. Is FastPass+ service like a restaurant reservation? Do I have to show up at a specific time for an attraction?

A. No—it’s better! For extra convenience, you are assigned an arrival window—usually one hour long—for each attraction you select. Show up any time that you wish during this window. Don’t worry about rushing to finish up a meal or getting delayed at another show or attraction.

When it is within your designated arrival window time and you are ready to visit an attraction, all you need to do is proceed to the attraction, go to the FastPass+ entrance and touch your MagicBand or card to the touch point.

You can even use the FastPass+ if you arrive 5 minutes before the window starts and up to 15 minutes after it closes.

While attractions usually offer a one-hour arrival window, other experiences like shows and parades may require you to arrive during a more specific timeframe.

Q. Is there a charge for FastPass+ service?

A. Disney FastPass+ service is included at no extra charge with the price of your ticket.

Q.  How do I use my MagicBand or card when I have a FastPass+ arrival time at an attraction or entertainment experience?

A. It’s so easy that you’ll think it’s magic!

When you arrive during your scheduled FastPass+ arrival time, all you need to do is proceed to the FASTPASS queue entrance and touch your MagicBand or card to a sensor called a touch point.

That’s it!

Please remember that each member of your party will have to individually touch their MagicBand or card to the touch point, so everyone should be sure to have their MagicBand or card available.

Q. Can I cancel or change a FastPass+ selection?

A. Yes. You will be able to update or cancel your selections up to the start of the arrival window at an in-park FastPass+ kiosk or using your mobile device. Because availability is limited, we recommend you make selections early.

Q. I have a child who is less than 3 years old. Do I need to make FastPass+ selections for my child?

A. No. Children under 3 years of age do not need FastPass+ selections—if you have a FastPass+ selection, your little ones may join you at the FastPass+ entrance for the selected attraction or entertainment experience. Children 3 years of age or older who wish to use the FastPass+ entrance do require a FastPass+ selection and valid theme park admission.

Anything else I need to know to make the most of my FastPasses?

For a greater range of choices, it’s recommended that you make FastPass+ selections early. If you prefer to be spontaneous, all attractions and Character Greetings provide standby entrances so you can decide as you go.

One reason to stay on site at a Walt Disney World Resort is that you can request FastPasses 60 days in advance.  If you don’t stay on site, you can request them 30 days in advance.  Some of the more popular ones may be gone by that 30 day mark.  If you book with me, one of the services I provide is to get up at 6am and get those FastPasses for you the moment they are available!

Once you book your trip, I will send you a list of the FastPass attractions and some info on each.  You just have to let me know your favorites and I’ll take care of it for you!

Still have questions?  Ask them in the comments and I'll get back with you right away!

Let Me Explain the Basics of Walt Disney World

I sometimes take for granted that everyone is like me and is Disney obsessed. Truth is I might be a little special in that area. :)
So I want to give a "basics of Disney World” lesson for those of you that haven't been properly sprinkled with enough pixie dust yet.

First - Disney and Universal Studios are not the same. They are, in fact, competitors. Check out my past blog post for details on universal by clicking here. In short, Universal is about a 15 minute drive from Disney. If you love Harry Potter or huge thrill rides, take a day and check it out.  Again, it is NOT a Disney park so don't head that way with your Disney park hopper ticket expecting to get in. 

Speaking of Park Hoppers... 
There are 4 Disney World theme parks:
Magic Kingdom
Epcot
Hollywood Studios
Animal Kingdom

If you've never been before, you should for sure get the park hopper ticket. It's an added benefit (with an added cost) that allows you to go to any park - or every park - on each day that your ticket is valid. If you don't do the park hopper, you can only go to one park per day - although you can exit and enter that park as many times as you want that day for naps or breaks. 
Everyone seems to have their favorite park (mine is Magic kingdom!).  And the best part of the park hopper is that we can go to each park in the morning and stay until we've done all we want.  Then if we decide to go to a different park for dinner or fireworks (or just hit the Magic Kingdom each night for Dole Whip), we are free to do so. Especially in the winter months, the parks have earlier closing times but there's usually at least one open late. I like knowing I'm squeezing every single moment out of my trip by staying late each night!

The four parks each have a general theme.  Magic Kingdom is what most people think of when they envision Disney World.  Cinderella’s castle is the focal point and the park is geared towards fantasy and adventure.
Epcot is the one with the “giant silver golf ball” which is actually called Spaceship Earth.  Half of Epcot is Future World and the other half is the World Showcase which has many different countries represented.
Hollywood Studios is where some people get confused.  I guess with Studios in the name, this is the one confused with Universal.  It focuses on movies and glamour.  It will be the site of the new Star Wars land and Toy Story land once completed.
Animal Kingdom is pretty easy to figure out - focus is on animals and the environment.  The newest land of Pandora is opening THIS WEEK!

One more thing that tends to overwhelm first time visitors is the FastPass situation.  In short, everyone that has a ticket to Disney World is allowed 3 FastPasses.  Those allow you to basically skip the standard line and go ahead of everyone in the FastPass line.  You are able to choose an hour window in which to use your pass.  Once your FastPasses have been used, you’re able to get another one (based on availability) and you can continue to do that for the rest of the day.

One reason to stay on site at a Walt Disney World Resort is that you can request FastPasses 60 days in advance.  If you don’t stay on site, you can request them 30 days in advance.  Some of the more popular ones may be gone by that 30 day mark.  If you book with me, one of the services I provide is to get up at 6am and get those FastPasses for you the moment they are available!

Dining is another area that trips some people up.  Disney offers several different dining plans.  I won’t go into details here since if you’re not interested you will surely doze off, but PLEASE let me know if you want more info.  I have tons of it to tell you!!  One thing to know, though - you can make dining reservations 180 days in advance.  That’s 6 months people!!  So if you want to eat at Be Our Guest or Cinderella’s Royal Table, don’t wait to book until the month of travel.  It still might be possible but will be easy to get for sure at 6 months out.

I know that’s a lot of info in a short space so if you have questions, please give me a shout.  Most of you know that I can talk Disney all day, every day, and I love it.

An update to this post!! You’ve probably heard, but all of the lands I mentioned previously in this post are now open! Pandora is amazing, Toy Story Land is so fun and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is truly out of this world.