The MagicBand is still fairly new to Disney but is one of the most convenient additions to the experience. Any guest that books a Disney World resort hotel is automatically slated to receive a MagicBand for every person in the travel party and the account holder has the option of customizing the color of individual bands before the trip (the default color is gray). Disney has also added the ability to stamp a name or short message on the inside of the bands, which makes them a great souvenir for repeat visits (notice the name2015 on my bands above). Also, it's super fun to accessorize your MagicBand with MagicBandits and MagicSliders (see below).
If you're staying on Disney property, the MagicBand will serve as your resort room key, park ticket, FastPass+, and credit card. There are magical Mickey pods stationed at every cash register so that you can use a PIN code to charge your purchases to your room and they will be placed on your credit card upon checkout (this option can be turned off if you don't want to charge to the room). Non-resort guests can purchase a MagicBand for $12.95 each to use as park ticket and FastPass+ if they so choose.
So what's all this FastPass+ nonsense and why is it necessary to make it more convenient? The FastPass system is a tradition that Disney has carried for decades but was made more efficient with the electronic system. Previously, guests would have to trek to the attraction for which they wanted a FastPass and then manually pull a ticket for the currently offered time slot. There was little choice in the matter of times unless the guest wanted to wait around for the perfect number of FastPasses to be pulled in order to get a specific time slot. A FastPass is a skip-the-line ticket for a specified attraction. Only three FastPasses can be held at any given time and you cannot obtain a new FastPass until the first one is used. Disney does not charge for this option like most other theme parks; I had the pleasure of speaking with a manager at Epcot on my last trip and he explained that it was Walt's vision to keep the FastPass system free so that everyone could enjoy it. As explained in my first Disney World post, there are some attractions that are in higher demand than others and you'll want to be sure to grab a FastPass for those rides early. You can also obtain FastPasses for shows, parades, and fireworks so prioritize your tickets accordingly.
With the introduction of the automated FastPass+ system, Disney has created an amazing smartphone app that pairs well with the reservation process. You are free to select your FastPasses once you have purchased your park tickets and synced them to your MyDisneyExperience account (60 days in advance of trip for resort guests and 30 days for non-resort guests).
The main screen of the Disney World app
Once you open the app, you'll see a button at the bottom with a "+" sign on it. Tap that button and it'll give you four options. The first of these options, on the far left, is the "FP+" logo for Fastpass+. This option will take you to a screen like this:
The FastPass+ screen
From here, you can select the "Choose New FastPass+ Experiences" option and it will walk you through your schedule. You'll select the day, park, and attractions you want to reserve. It will then provide three suggested schedules and you choose the one that best fits your plan.
You don't have to keep the schedule the FastPass+ system gives you; to change the schedule, simply go back to the FastPass+ screen and select "Modify My Existing FastPass+ Selections". The next screen will allow you to individually select and change the attraction or time of your current FastPasses.
The Disney World app is also helpful in other ways. The second option on the main menu will allow you to purchase tickets and sync them to your account:
The ticket purchase screen
The third option on the main screen will open up the dining portal so that you can create dining reservations:
The dining reservation screen
The fourth option on the main screen will take you to the 'extras' page so that you can view and select shows or parades that you want to add to your itinerary. Some of these options may offer a FastPass so I don't recommend adding these options unless it is something for which you do NOT have a FastPass. Anything added from this screen will only serve as a friendly reminder of the event so that you don't forget to get in position for a parade or show.
The 'extras' screen
Aside from the four options on the main screen, there is a dropdown selection that will allow you to check wait times, look at park maps, and search for specific facilities or attractions:
The dropdown selection
I find that the wait times portion of this app is incredibly useful, especially if you have time between FastPasses and want to see which attractions have the lowest times.
Once you have selected your FastPass+ options, completed your dining reservations, and added your extras, your itinerary will generate itself and provide a handy glimpse at your day ahead! Just look:
Disney World app customized itinerary
All of your plans are in one place! The app will update itself as you make changes to your itinerary.
All Disney parks have FREE wi-fi! Save on your data plan by connecting your smartphone to the wireless signal. If you also turn on your device's GPS then the Disney World app will point you in the direction of the nearest bathroom, a specific attraction, or a dining destination. It will even tell you how many feet you'll need to walk!
I hope these tools will prove as useful for you as they are for me! Feel free to post any questions or share your tips!
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