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!

DSC_2882.jpg

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.

DSC_3193.jpg
DSC_2927.jpg

 

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.

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! 

shopping touchpoint.jpg

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.

DSC_2917.jpg

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

Mobile Ordering at Disney World Parks

I love how Disney World is always improving their product.  As you know, I LOVE Disney World and typically see it in a positive light even when something might not be exactly perfect. 

Others might have an issue at Disney World (or truly, amusement parks in general) with the crowd and the lines that can become long due to the crowd.

Disney has taken steps in the past to help alleviate this problem with the FastPass+ system, Extra Magic Hours for on-site resort guests and Advanced Dining Reservations.  I also love the fact that they have made many of the attraction queues interactive so that even if you missed out on the FastPass, you have something fun to keep you occupied while you wait in the standby line.

Well, their newest innovation to help guests avoid waiting in lines is one I can’t wait to try out - Mobile Ordering for Quick Service food locations.

MobileOrder.jpg

This new service saves you time by allowing you to order on demand, pay in advance and skip the line. 

I tend to go more for Quick Service locations at Disney since I’d rather spend my time on rides and enjoying the park rather than sitting down at a Table Service location for a longer meal.  But it’s frustrating to do that only to end up standing in a long line at Casey’s Corner for a hot dog.  (Although I do love those dogs and always think it’s worth the wait!)

Now you can order food for your entire family while you are out enjoying other parts of the park.   Rather than standing in line at a counter service restaurant, you’re able to place your order on the go from your phone, bypassing the ordering line and picking up your food directly at the counter when you arrive at the restaurant.

It’s easy to use - just sign in to the My Disney Experience app and tap the “Order Food” button, which lists restaurants that offer the service. Browse restaurant menus, select items, customize your order and prepay, all right through the app. 

 

When you arrive at the restaurant, just tap “I’m Here, Prepare My Order” in the app, which notifies the kitchen to prepare your meal. When it’s ready, a notification will alert you to pick up your meal from the “Mobile Order Pick Up” area in the restaurant. Here are the restaurants that currently offer Mobile Order with more expected to be added:

mobile order2.jpeg
mobileordering3.jpg

ANIMAL KINGDOM

-- Flame Tree Barbecue Discovery Island

-- Harambe Market Africa

-- Restaurantosaurus Dinoland USA

-- Pizzafari Discovery Island

-- Satu'li Canteen in Pandora The World of Avatar

DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

-- ABC Commissary

-- Backlot Express

-- Fairfax Fare

-- PizzeRizzo

-- Rosie's All-American Cafe

DISNEY SPRINGS

-- D-Luxe Burger at Disney Springs

MAGIC KINGDOM

-- Aloha Isle - Adventureland ***They made it EASIER to get DOLE WHIP!!!!  Yes!!!***

-- Casey's Corner - Main Street U.S.A.

-- Columbia Harbour House- Liberty Square

-- Cosmic Ray's - Tomorrowland

-- Lunching Pad - Tomorrowland

-- Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe - Frontierland

-- Pinocchio Village Haus - Fantasyland

-- Tomorrowland Terrace - SEASONAL Tomorrowland

EPCOT

-- Electric Umbrella - Future World

-- Liberty Inn - American Adventure World Showcase

-- Sunshine Seasons - The Land Future World

 

While Mobile Ordering certainly will not save you 60 minutes (or more) of time like a FastPass for Avatar Flight of Passage or Frozen Ever After, it will save you anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes, and also eliminate the stress of having to deal with potentially crowded ordering bays.

** One thing to remember is that the only form of payment currently accepted through Mobile Order is credit card, but they’re working on adding more payment options soon. Anyone with special dietary restrictions, or those who want to use discounts or redeem dining plan entitlements must place their order with a cashier.

This is US

thisisus01.jpg

As much as I like the TV show This is Us, this blog post is about a different US - Universal Studios!  Sorry to disappoint those of you that were expecting info about the show!  :)

IMG_5709.jpg

 

I've done a blog post previously that is mainly about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - check it out here.  

This post is about some of the other rides and attractions that Universal has to offer.  My main reason for going will always be to hang out with Harry, but they've got a lot of other fun spots too.

 

First of all, something that seems to confuse a few people - Universal is not a part of Disney.  They are two completely different companies.  I think the confusion comes from the fact that Disney has a movie studios type park in Hollywood Studios.  But Universal is not on Disney property - it's about 10 miles away.  

There are 3 parks now at Universal Studios - Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of  Adventure and Universal's Volcano Bay (which is a water park).  Both Universal Studios  and Islands of Adventure house Harry Potter areas - with delicious butterbeer at each!  Universal Studios is home to Diagon Alley while Islands of Adventure is home to Hogwarts and Hogsmeade.  To ride the Hogwarts Express between the two parks, you must have a park-to-park pass.

Universal Studios Florida

DSC_3532.JPG

This is the newest part of The Wizarding World - Diagon Alley.  It has the most incredible ride around - Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.  The ride is a huge thrill mixture of roller coaster and virtual screens.  So. Much. Fun.  And the line to the ride is really cool as you make your way through the bank lobby into the vaults.

Here are a few other rides at this park that I highly recommend:

  • Revenge of the Mummy - really good and thrilling with a great surprise near the end.
  • E.T. Adventure - I LOVE this ride.  It is a super calm and pretty ride about the movie.  I love that you ride on your bike through the ride.
  • Transformers: The Ride
  • The Simpsons Ride - made all of us nauseous but I know a lot of people love it!
  • Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon - new!
  • Rip Ride Rockit - only Don was brave enough to ride this one.
  • Terminator 2
  • Men in Black - fun and you can compete against your family!
  • Shrek 4D - really cute and funny movie with 4-D effects.
 
 
et adventure pic.jpg
IMG_2712.JPG

 

 

There are also a lot of great places to eat - the food at the Leaky Cauldron is delicious.  But save room for dessert - there's butterbeer ice cream or a giant donut in the Simpson's area at Lard Lad Donuts!

You're probably thinking this donut could feed more than 1 person.  Hmm...  Mine didn't.  :)

Universal's Islands of Adventure

Islands of Adventure has the original Wizarding World - you can visit Hogwarts and Hogsmeade.  Be sure to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey - the line takes you through Hogwarts.  Once you've explored all of this world (and had plenty of butterbeer), head on out to check out the rest of the park.

Here are the rides at Islands of Adventure you need to be sure and check out:

  • Doctor Doom's Fearfall
  • The Incredible Hulk Coaster
  • The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
  • Skull Island:Reign of Kong
  • Jurassic Park River Adventure
  • Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls
  • Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges

We've been to Islands of Adventure a couple of times but our kids were too young to like the thrill rides.  Plus this park has a lot of rides that are basically water rides and we're weird about not liking those.  So while the Harry Potter area is AWESOME, if I had only one day, I'd spend the majority of it at Universal Studios Florida.

But if you're wise and have listened to me, you'll have a park-to-park pass so that you can ride the Hogwarts Express.  If you hurry, you can hit a few rides here when you're done with the other park.

Speaking of ways to save time...  Universal offers a little different take on the line skipping pass.  Unlike Disney's FastPass, it is an extra charge.  But you get to skip the line once on all the rides - where Disney just gives you 3 to start.  If you're staying on-site at Universal, some of the resorts include an Unlimited Express Pass which is good on the rides as many times as you want to use them.  Well worth the money if it's a crowded day - and if you're staying on-site it just might be included!

Volcano Bay

You've heard me say before that my family really doesn't do water parks.  So while I don't have personal knowledge of Volcano Bay, I have done training on it from Universal Studios.  It's an amazing park and if you're into water parks at all, it's a must-do!

volcano bay.jpg

 

Be sure to give me a call if you're interested in a Universal vacation.  I'd love to plan and book your trip and make sure you're getting the best value for your money!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Desserts Around the World

The 22nd Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is currently happening at Disney World.  It runs through November 13.  If you're lucky enough to be there during this time, I have 5 delicious desserts to try from the different locations.  

And if you don't have plans to get there this year, let me know so I can help you plan a trip for next year!!  

Here are some mouth-watering options to try:

Australia:

Lamington yellow cake dipped in chocolate and delicious shredded coconut.

Lamington dessert pic.jpg

India:

Pistachio cardamom bundt cake with chocolate coconut mousse.

Pistachio-Cardamom-Cake-with-Coconut-Chocolate-Mousse-India-Booth-2017.jpg

Germany:

A festival favorite!  Apple strudel with vanilla sauce.

germany dessert strudel.jpg

France:

New!  Creme brulee with fresh house-made raspberry jam.

creme_brulee_raspberry_2017_epcot_france_food_wine_festival.jpg

Italy:

Chocolate covered cannoli with sweet ricotta cheese and candied fruit.

Italy-cannoli.jpg

Magical Honeymoons

This weekend I had a great time manning a booth at a local bridal show.  My intent was to offer my services to book honeymoons for the visiting brides.

mickey minnie wedding.png

I know that Disney isn’t the first destination that comes to mind when considering a honeymoon trip, but I was surprised that most of the brides I spoke to hadn’t even considered it.  Reasons varied, but it mainly came down to it being a “kid’s vacation” and cost.

So this post is intended to show you that it can be affordable and it’s certainly an appropriate destination whether you have kids or not.

cost of kids.jpg
 

First, the cost…  The beauty of a honeymoon trip is that you’re only paying for 2 people!  So instead of paying for a whole family for plane tickets, hotel, park tickets, food and souvenirs, you’re already cutting costs by it just being the 2 of you.  May not seem like a big deal now, but when you’ve got 3 kids like I do, you realize just how much those little rugrats cost!  

Of course, you’ll want to return to Disney when you have kids since the experience is completely different and wonderful with them, but enjoy the cost savings without kids at this point in your life.

So for an example, here are some prices for a Disney World vacation coming up this Spring.  These prices include 5-night accommodations and 4-day Park Hopper Tickets:

All-Star Movies - $1700

Coronado Springs - $2200

Animal Kingdom Lodge - $3000

Compared to a lot of honeymoon destinations, those prices are downright cheap.  

So the other reason people hadn’t considered Disney is due to there being a lot of kids around which may make it a bit less romantic than a trip to an adults only beach resort.  OK, so yes, there will be kids around.  But if you know where to go, you can find your own romantic spots and really not notice the kids.  I can help you find out about those spots!!

romance-champagne.jpg

There are so many AMAZING restaurants at Disney World, I can’t begin to list them all.  Here are a few of the most romantic though.  

Le Cellier

Jiko - The Cooking Place

Monsieur Paul

Victoria & Albert’s

All of these restaurants are what my kids would call “fancy” and they have no interest in eating there.  Granted you might run into a family that takes their kids there but they would be expected to sit quietly and eat and I doubt you’d even notice them.

These are just a few of the restaurants - there are tons more.  There are also great night-life spots on Disney’s Boardwalk like a dance hall and a dueling piano bar.

mickey relax.jpg

Sure, Disney can be exhausting if you are like me and run from attraction to attraction.  But it doesn’t have to be that way if you’re looking for more ways to relax after a busy season leading up to your wedding.  Check out this previous post about ways to relax at Disney and do some of them.  The resort pool is a great place to relax during the day.  It’s basically kid-free since they’re all at the Parks!

Be sure and announce the fact that you are on a honeymoon - wear cute shirts or hats.  At the very least, you've got to stop by Guest Services for a Just Married button.  You’ll feel like a celebrity with all of the special attention you get from Cast Members!!

walt-disney-world-disney-happily-ever-after-button-pin-new-design_152276453143.jpg

I’d love to help you plan your Magical trip - with or without kids.  I promise I’ll make it stress-free and remember, my services are always free!!  Give me a call!

 

Did You Know?

This year, Epcot celebrates its 35th birthday!  Opening date was October 1, 1982.  Here are 4 fun facts about the park.

 

It’s huge - Epcot covers 305 acres.

It is divided into 2 major sections - Future World and World Showcase.  Future World focuses on technology and innovations that make the world a better place.  You’ll find Test Track there as well as Soarin’.

World Showcase brings to life Walt’s belief that our cultural differences enrich us.  Be sure and explore all of the different countries and enjoy the shopping and food that they offer.

epcot-center-map.jpg

The American Adventure is the Host Nation of the World Showcase.

Imagineers were inspired by colonial American architecture when designing The American Adventure.  Inside, the mulit-media theatrical experience uses a projection screen which is 28-feet-tall by 155-feet-wide.  That’s the largest projection screen ever built!

American-Pavilion.jpg

Spaceship Earth is an iconic landmark.

It houses an attraction about the history of human communication.  It's 180-fee-tall and is covered with 11.324 alucobond tiles.  Inside, there's a hidden network of backstage corridors for maintenance workers.  It’s so complex that the workers sometimes draw pencil lines on the walls to find their way back from where they came.

Don’t pass this attraction by - it’s a slow moving ride which some people equate to boring.  But I love it - especially the actual smell of smoke when you pass by a burning Rome!

DSC_3501.jpg

The Living Seas is an amazing aquarium.


It debuted in 1986 and features a 5.7 million gallon aquarium that is home to over 2,000 sea creatures!  A fun show for guests of all ages is Turtle Talk with Crush.  Be sure and participate in the interactive show if possible!

EPCOT_SEASINTR_7111948431.jpeg

 

Want to discover Epcot for yourself?  Give me a call!  I’d love to help you make the most of your time at Walt Disney World.